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Post by Rochester on Dec 3, 2007 19:32:45 GMT -5
*Rochester grew colder, shrinking slightly.*
"You would make it sound as though it is some great sin. Am I not allowed to cuddle?"
*He rolled his eyes.*
"With puppy eyes even."
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Post by Alex on Dec 3, 2007 22:52:30 GMT -5
*Alex raised her hands in defeat.*
"Sorry, I won't pry. You just seem... different. I was worried about you. If you say everything's fine, then I have to believe you."
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Post by Rochester on Dec 3, 2007 23:04:19 GMT -5
*Rochester rested his hand on hers.*
"I'm sorry, Alex. I'm afraid I haven't been myself recently."
*He rubbed his eyes with his other hand.*
"I'm just...confused."
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Post by Alex on Dec 4, 2007 10:15:22 GMT -5
*Alex frowned, feeling suddenly guilty for her distraction.*
"I haven't been around," *she said apologetically.* "Too wrapped up... I should have been here for you."
*She tilted her head.*
"But you're not saying that little girl's got you mixed up, are you?"
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Post by Rochester on Dec 4, 2007 20:12:38 GMT -5
Yes.
"No...nothing like that. Just...things. They're...complicated."
*Rochester rubbed his temples.*
"I just don't feel like myself. It's driving me batty."
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Post by Alex on Dec 4, 2007 22:27:58 GMT -5
*Alex squeezed his hand.*
"We can't have that," *she said.* "In fact, we're both far too distractingly bizarre to be allowed to continue. Are you at liberty, for the moment?"
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Post by Rochester on Dec 4, 2007 22:32:27 GMT -5
*Rochester thought of Shadi's return, his eyes narrowing cautiously.*
"For the moment? Yes."
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Post by Alex on Dec 4, 2007 22:49:39 GMT -5
*Not letting go of his hand, Alex rested her chin on the other one.*
"I think our problem is a lack of our normal routine. See, you're so uptight! And I... well, never mind me. Let's go out, Rochester. Like old times."
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Post by Rochester on Dec 5, 2007 7:03:56 GMT -5
*Rochester's eyes darkened. He couldn't be gone long...but maybe it would help to get out. He nodded slowly.*
"We can't be too long..."
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Post by Alex on Dec 5, 2007 10:12:02 GMT -5
*Alex smiled.*
"That's why we're going to Madame Dahlia's rather than trying our luck on the open market," *she said. She rose.* "Well? What do you say?"
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Post by Rochester on Dec 6, 2007 7:33:28 GMT -5
*Rochester frowned disapprovingly. That wasn't what he wanted at all. Then he reconsidered. But perhaps it was what her needed. He nodded slowly, as if still deciding.*
"We'll have to hurry. I want to be here when she gets back."
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Post by Alex on Dec 6, 2007 17:50:56 GMT -5
*Alex nodded reassuringly.*
"We--both of us--just need to get back in the game," *she said.* "It's not natural, moping about here."
*She sounded as if she was attempting to convince herself.*
"I'll have you back before you know it. And right as rain."
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Post by Rochester on Dec 7, 2007 7:54:49 GMT -5
*Rochester hazarded a genuine smile. Alex was right, of course. This was just what both of them needed. He nodded and stood, ready to fetch his coat.*
"Very well. Shall we?"
*He arched his brow as he offered his arm.*
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Post by Alex on Dec 7, 2007 11:00:58 GMT -5
*Alex laughed and took it, her second thoughts hidden. What would Lizzie say to this? What would she think?
Well, she'd made Lizzie no promises, and Alex was still keyed up from their encounter; it was just this once, she told herself. And Rochester, much as she loved him, wasn't the same. And Alex knew she wasn't what he needed, either.*
"Let's."
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Post by Rochester on Dec 8, 2007 8:27:59 GMT -5
*Rochester smiled at escorted her to the carriage outside.*
((To Dahlia's.))
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