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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:05:30 GMT -5
*Vianne showed Percy into a sunny parlour and invited him to sit a while. She stood by the hearth with her arms crossed, clearly with her own thoughts.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:08:35 GMT -5
Percy watched as she stood before the hearth. His eyes softened.
"What are you thinking of?"
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:15:17 GMT -5
"What am I not thinking of?" *she replied absently.* ((Actually, I'm watching some adaptation of Anna Karenina on TV and there's some woman giving birth and screaming and it's echoing in slow motion and I think she's going to die and I'm suddenly dreading having made Giry preggers. ))
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:17:12 GMT -5
((She, uh, does die. I think.))
Percy smiled at her, but then his face turned serious.
"Vianne," he said gravely, "you do not have to come with me."
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:19:24 GMT -5
((Oh it's not Anna. She throws herself in front of a train, I know. This is the girl who married the nice redhaired boy. The baby's name is Dmitri.))
"No, I do not mind," *she said calmly.* "I will do whatever is best for everyone involved--which is naturally what is legal."
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:24:25 GMT -5
((Yeah, she drops dead.))
Percy looked sharply at her.
"I would rather you consider your own happiness," he said gently.
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:33:02 GMT -5
"You are very kind to take that into consideration, but I can make myself happy in knowing that my duty is done." *She seated herself in an armchair.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:35:33 GMT -5
"Duty does not bring happiness, my lady," Percy said softly. "Believe me, I learnt that lesson well."
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:39:39 GMT -5
"In that we differ, then, Percy," *she said quietly.* "I have known unhappiness enough to call anything else--even indifference--the closest thing to happiness that I have need of."
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:41:17 GMT -5
"There was a time when you knew happiness, true happiness, Vianne," he whispered. "And if I cannot make you happy again, then I will not keep you from your own freedom."
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:44:25 GMT -5
"I have responsibilities, Percy. It is not so easy anymore to grant freedom simply by saying as much or sending me back to my duties at the Opera." *She folded her hands in her lap.* "Or would you take a child from its mother?"
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 0:48:12 GMT -5
Percy stared at her.
"Never, madam! Our child needs both its parents, but if you are happier with Phillippe, I should not keep you from him!"
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 0:52:14 GMT -5
"Happier? I could hardly say. We were barely married twenty four hours before I went to prison. I have scarcely seen him since my return. He is a friend--that much I have already said. My reasons for marrying him--well those reasons are void by your account. I have no reason to stay, and to do so would only hurt him, somehow. I know it." *She rested her chin on her fist and gazed into the fire.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Jan 13, 2007 1:00:01 GMT -5
Percy looked at her.
"Forgive me, Vianne, for causing your grief," he said quietly.
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Post by Vianne Giry on Jan 13, 2007 1:03:17 GMT -5
"Do not trouble yourself--this is not grief, but mere confusion of the mind and fatigue of the body. It will all sort itself out sooner or later." *A wry smile twisted the corner of her mouth.* "This upheaval is rather petty in comparison to my first marriage." *She smiled placidly, companionably at Percy, but it did not reach her eyes.* "Did I ever tell you of it?"
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