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Post by Rebecca on May 5, 2008 9:02:03 GMT -5
*Becca flushed.*
"I--I'm sorry if I disturbed you..."
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 5, 2008 9:07:24 GMT -5
"Do not worry dear, it is your home."
*Clarisse sighed and put her brush down.*
"And I can do nothing for this."
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Post by Rebecca on May 5, 2008 9:08:05 GMT -5
"I--it's lovely, I think," *said Becca supportively.*
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 5, 2008 9:10:05 GMT -5
"No."
*Clarisse shook her head.*
"Do not insult your intelligence to appease me. Perhaps I am finished with my own painting."
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Post by Rebecca on May 5, 2008 16:25:11 GMT -5
*Becca half-smiled.*
"No...an artist is always striving. You are only finished when you are wholly satisfied with your work."
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 5, 2008 16:40:29 GMT -5
*Clarisse managed, in only the way that she knew how to both smile and frown at the same time.* "But always end on a high my dear, then you shall never despise what you have made."
*She stood from her painting with a sigh.*
"As I do this. Now, enough of that, how is my nephew?"
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Post by Rebecca on May 5, 2008 16:42:08 GMT -5
*Becca smiled warmly.*
"He seems in good spirits, today. Not that he is out of sorts most days, but...today is a good day."
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 5, 2008 16:47:00 GMT -5
"That has a lot to do with you. These months will not be easy, for any of us but you have made his time something he would never dreamed of having."
*She smiled gently at her.*
"Or am I too blunt?"
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Post by Rebecca on May 5, 2008 17:01:29 GMT -5
*Becca returned the smile.*
"You are apt, and perhaps direct, but not blunt at all. I only wish..."
*She bit her lip.*
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 6, 2008 11:34:49 GMT -5
"I know."
*She answered shortly.*
"Still, we must make the best of things."
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Post by Rebecca on May 6, 2008 15:58:43 GMT -5
"Can we?" *The "we" was comforting. If--Heaven forbid--Philippe died tomorrow...she wouldn't feel so alone in the aftermath of loving him.*
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Post by Clarisse de Chagny on May 6, 2008 16:07:27 GMT -5
*Clarisse patted her hand reassuringly.*
"Yes, you are my niece after all."
*As she spoke she heard footsteps approaching. Philippe's Valet.*
"Yes."
*The Valet bowed before replying.*
"The Comte requires the Comtess in the Foyer, he said it was urgent."
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Post by Rebecca on May 6, 2008 16:29:04 GMT -5
"Of course! --Excuse me, please." *She nodded to Clarisse and then quickly left for the foyer, trying and only barely managing to keep her pace at just under a run but definitely above a trot.*
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Post by Rebecca on May 8, 2008 16:45:39 GMT -5
***NEW DAY***
*Becca sat upon a bench in the garden and opened the package curiously. Vague thoughts of Heloise's mischief ran through her mind, but what could the woman mail her to harm her? IT'S A BOMB, PETER PAN!
She drew out a small metal plate...it looked like pewter plated by silver--it was heavy, for all it was so small. A stamped coat of arms graced the front, and a tiny ribbon with a Latin motto was etched beneath. Her fingertips drifted over it slowly for a long time before a single tear fell upon it.*
"Oh, Rudolf," *she whispered to herself.* "Do not come back for me...not now..."
I cannot live my love for both at once.
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Post by Rebecca on May 11, 2008 17:35:08 GMT -5
*Becca looked around to make certain she was alone before she knelt between the roots of a great oak tree to one side of the garden path. Using her hands and a flat stone she'd found, she dug a hole quite deep and pressed the plate into the earth, covering it with soil and patting all back into place until it was covered, placing the stone she'd used on top of it to hide the freshly-turned dirt. Brushing off her hands, she walked slowly back to the house.
Weeks later, she would see that a single white lily had bloomed in that spot.*
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