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Aug. 21st, 2007 10:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
He's been back - really back, Rogues gone, re-involved with the court back - for just over a week now. Already he's been spending too much time by the window, thinking about the stars and the people he's grown up with, too much time wondering if he's made the right decision. So you'll forgive him if he's up early this morning, face set in a slight frown that's pretty much second nature to him now, drinking from a mug of mostly caf.
The not-quite-caf bit may or may not be good whiskey, but no one needs to know that. He's got a state dinner tonight. He's allowed.
The not-quite-caf bit may or may not be good whiskey, but no one needs to know that. He's got a state dinner tonight. He's allowed.
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Date: 2007-08-23 03:19 am (UTC)"You're growing your hair," she says, as they start down the stairs.
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Date: 2007-08-23 03:25 am (UTC)"Yes," he says.
A few moments later, not really knowing why, he elaborates. "It's not really the style, to have it short."
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Date: 2007-08-23 03:38 am (UTC)It's impossible to say what he's thinking or whether or not he even hears her, most of the time.
But maybe, just maybe, he does listen.
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Date: 2007-08-23 03:46 am (UTC)"Yes," he says again, almost awkward. Maybe.
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Date: 2007-08-23 04:38 am (UTC)It's one stroke, relatively quick, but it is nowhere near as innocent as it was when she would ruffle his hair, years ago.
"It looks nice on you," she tells him, and there's a smile in her voice.
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Date: 2007-08-23 05:10 am (UTC)And while it does that, his mind takes over, the one used to jokes and laughter with the Rogues.
"I think I've grown a bit, Countess."
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Date: 2007-08-23 05:22 am (UTC)He made a joke.
"Only a little," she says, still beaming up at him in approval. "A millimeter or two at most."
(Her fingers flutter at her sides, but she refuses to allow them to rise to run through his hair again.)
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Date: 2007-08-23 05:45 am (UTC)"More then that, I think," he says, and indicates the door in front of them. "My lady."
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Date: 2007-08-23 05:52 am (UTC)'My prince' has become something of a term of affection (and something possessive, too), but she hears nothing but polite deferral in 'my lady.'
She doesn't wait for him, like she ordinarily does so that she can fall into step beside him, give him whatever information that he needs.
She just keeps going down the next flight of stairs, and out through the door at the bottom.
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Date: 2007-08-23 05:56 am (UTC)"Isplourr," he says, awkward again and hating it, unsure. "I apologize."
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Date: 2007-08-23 07:50 pm (UTC)But he surprises her.
He's hurrying after her; he's apologizing. And--
"You didn't call me Countess," she says wonderingly, and her smile is soft enough that it's safe to guess that he has been forgiven. Not only that, but he didn't call her Isplourrdacartha, either. "You could do that more often, you know. I'd like it."
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Date: 2007-08-24 11:03 pm (UTC)So he stands, and hesitates, and finally turns away to study the sky.
"It's a nice morning."
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Date: 2007-08-25 02:04 am (UTC)Isplourrdacartha's expression is implacable as she clasps her hands in the small of her back. "It is, Your Highness."
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Date: 2007-08-25 06:26 pm (UTC)That was...uncomfortable.
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Date: 2007-08-25 06:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-25 06:51 pm (UTC)There's even a silent bow.
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Date: 2007-08-25 07:02 pm (UTC)Once she's through, though, she's turning, biting her lower lip, and she says, "Rial--"
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Date: 2007-08-25 07:04 pm (UTC)"My lady?"
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Date: 2007-08-25 07:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-25 07:12 pm (UTC)And then waits, of course.
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Date: 2007-08-25 07:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-25 07:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-25 07:37 pm (UTC)That doesn't stop her from a split second's pause, though, hoping against all hope that he'll tell her she's wrong. She hates herself for it.
"What I am trying to say is that you are free to do as you will, Highness," she says, finally glancing up at him. "I want to make it clear: I will not hold you to some agreement that our parents made when we were children. You are not tied to me."
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Date: 2007-08-25 07:43 pm (UTC)Oh. Well then. Something he'd been expecting for a time, so that's okay then. Something to respond to the way he'd planned (except) something to respond to with dignity, being careful with her feelings (except he wants something else), something to respond to gently (except he wants to say no).
"Countess," he starts, and his voice should give her a clue as to how many thoughts are running through his head. It's hesitant, unsure, like he doesn't quite know how to phrase his ideas.
"Countess, I - oh, kriff it." And with that, he leans forward, turns to her, placing his hands on either side of her face and leaning forward to kiss her gently, momentarily, sweetly as a husband to his wife.
But in the end he pulls back and shakes his head, looking away.
"I'm sorry."
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Date: 2007-08-25 08:01 pm (UTC)She doesn't register that he has pulled away, for a moment, and she leans after him an inch or two. But he doesn't kiss her waiting lips again, and his callused hands are no longer cupping her face, and her eyes snap open.
Isplourrdacartha stares at him for a long moment, stricken, the color high in her cheeks swiftly fading. Then she sits up straight and shoots a determined look--determined not to cry, not to show anything unbecoming--at her left boot.
"Yes, Your Highness." She rises, brushing hay from herself. "This will not affect anything, Your Highness. You will still have my counsel, if you wish it."
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Date: 2007-08-25 08:08 pm (UTC)"If you will excuse me, Countess." He offers her a bow, eyes quiet, face unreadable. "I should return to my quarters. There is much to be done today."
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Date: 2007-08-25 08:14 pm (UTC)Even if the split second's pause before the nod gave her away.
"Of course," she says, and she curtseys, low and deferential, without a skirt. "Your Highness."
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Date: 2007-08-25 08:18 pm (UTC)Well.
That could've gone better.
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Date: 2007-08-25 08:26 pm (UTC)Halfway through tightening the cinch, her hands begin to shake. She tucks her forehead against the thak's shoulder and silently sobs, her arms around the beast's neck.
The thak worriedly noses her hair.