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Jun 16, 2008 10:54:28 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 16, 2008 10:54:28 GMT -5
*Shadi opened the door--the front door, she didn't see any reason to bring a guest around to the back, no matter who he was--and ushered Tamas inside.*
"This is it," *she said.* "Swanky, isn't it? It's not mine, of course. I guess it's my father's, but he doesn't live here anymore."
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 16, 2008 11:27:15 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 16, 2008 11:27:15 GMT -5
"It is sumptuous, indeed," *he agreed, always a little staggered by these structural displays of pomp and wealth. His father was the richest man in his clan, and all they boasted was a larger tent than most.*
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Jun 16, 2008 12:01:24 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 16, 2008 12:01:24 GMT -5
*Shadi watched him carefully.*
"It's a bit much," *she said agreeably. The butler approached and asked if they would be requiring dinner (he was quite used to such goings and comings) and Shadi said yes, they would. As he departed, and smiled apologetically at Tamas. She didn't want him to think this was how she was raised or anything. It still took getting used to.*
"Don't let it get to you," *she said.* "It's how they do things. But come in! And make yourself comfortable. I guess they don't have houses like this where you come from."
*She led the way to the dining room and sat at one corner of the huge table.*
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 16, 2008 17:00:35 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 16, 2008 17:00:35 GMT -5
*Tamás seated himself beside her with no visible hesitancy. He seemed the kind of man who could effect a kind of natural grace to ease the crude bluntness of his manners in any kind of society.*
"No, that is so. Every so often a clan may have a lodge built for meetings and gatherings and celebrations, or perhaps a temporary shed for storing supplies...but for the most part, we are a nomadic people who keep to our tents."
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Jun 16, 2008 17:47:17 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 16, 2008 17:47:17 GMT -5
*Soup was served, but Shadi was rather enthralled.*
"So why are you here?" *she asked.* "I mean, it sounds lovely."
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 17, 2008 1:22:00 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 17, 2008 1:22:00 GMT -5
"I am here to learn the ways of your--well, of these people. Europeans. Explorers--outsiders--cross over the mountain borders into our territory, and though we welcome them as we must, our generosity and simple way of living makes us seem weak, and their eyes gleam with dreams of conquest. War may threaten the clans in the years to come...and I am here to observe, to know this adversary, these outsiders; for how may we fight them if we know not how they live? How they love? What they hold dear?"
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Jun 17, 2008 9:17:25 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 17, 2008 9:17:25 GMT -5
*Shadi nodded. Then slurped some soup.*
"That sounds reasonable," *she said.* "I don't understand why people have to invade other people. I mean, I know that sounds really simple. Obviously there must be reasons. I just have my hands full taking care of myself, let alone messing with other people. I'm sorry Europeans are so stupid."
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Hobbies
Jun 18, 2008 9:24:13 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 18, 2008 9:24:13 GMT -5
"Why would you apologize for a people that are not your own?" *he said with some puzzlement, giving her a crooked smile that would have sat shyly on the face of any other man, had this one not glowed with a strange kind of self-assurance that came from some unseen consequence in his possession.*
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Jun 18, 2008 17:36:39 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 18, 2008 17:36:39 GMT -5
*Shadi shrugged.*
"I guess because I grew up here; but mostly because I feel bad. Though not responsible. I hope you succeed, though."
*She felt oddly comfortable with him. Though she was typically comfortable wherever, and, like Tamás, carried her assurance with her.*
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 18, 2008 18:01:20 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 18, 2008 18:01:20 GMT -5
"I have never failed," *he said with an easy smile.* "And what is there for me to fear? Death is but a progression to another kind of life, as birth gives us our place in this cosmos when it has removed us from another which we can only recall in dreams."
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Jun 18, 2008 18:23:26 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 18, 2008 18:23:26 GMT -5
"That's beautiful," *Shadi said.* "But it doesn't mean I'm not going to fight for it. You know?"
*The main course was brought in, some sort of duck. Shadi ate distractedly, her plan formulating. She was supposed to broaden her horizons. Learn what she was good at. What she wanted to do with her life. Learn what the world held.
It held Tamás, for one.*
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 19, 2008 8:29:40 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 19, 2008 8:29:40 GMT -5
"Indeed. Everyone deserves a chance at a good life...'
*Tamás' eyes held hers for a moment.*
"If one does not expend any effort in maintaining their own happiness...who or what else is to blame if they become unhappy?"
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Jun 19, 2008 10:35:26 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 19, 2008 10:35:26 GMT -5
*Shadi looked into his eyes and blushed unexpectedly.*
"Exactly," *she said.* "Monsieur Tamás, you are not at all what I would expect to find in an alley in Paris. And I'm very glad of it."
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Tamás
- Ingenious Pilot -
the gypsy prince
Posts: 149
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Jun 19, 2008 11:20:39 GMT -5
Post by Tamás on Jun 19, 2008 11:20:39 GMT -5
*He laughed.*
"Was I amiss in some way? Perhaps I ought to have taken a knife to your throat, and demanded your heavy purse or your precious virtue. Or both."
*His grin was teasing, with a wicked edge to it but no frightening intent.*
"And please, just call me Tamás."
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Jun 19, 2008 21:16:02 GMT -5
Post by Shadi on Jun 19, 2008 21:16:02 GMT -5
"Oh, no--you acted quite satisfactorily. Besides," *she was with an answering grin,* "you'd have found me unexpected as well. A knife in my boot, no purse to speak of and less virtue."
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