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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 19:22:36 GMT -5
*She laughed in delighted disgust as the slimy creature wriggled in her hands. She looked up at her brother with large hazel eyes.*
"I don't know. Mama would think you are, but... no. I don't think you would try to trick me. It's real."
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 19:26:55 GMT -5
*Julian smiled and nodded.*
"And that is why you are far more clever than your mother. You get that from your father. It is why you will never have to listen to her. Never be forced to obey her. I will always protect you from her."
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 19:33:24 GMT -5
*Pina frowned. She wasn't sure she liked what he was saying- she loved her mother. She was always kind to her and attentive, if not a little tired all the time. But she did fight with her father, and made her wear that horrible veil when they went out, which was seldom, and there were times when she failed to see things that were so obvious to the little girl... Pina didn't want to be a bad child, and only bad children disobeyed their mothers. She also knew she'd never need protection from Megan; the concept seemed almost laughable. Despite all this, she took Julian's words to heart.
She nodded slowly.*
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 19:45:45 GMT -5
*Julian resisted a frown. The girl seemed hesitant. Perhaps it was too much too quickly. He smiled gently and cradled her hands in his as she held the frog.*
"Forgive me, I'm just being silly. Please...let me do something else for you. What can I do to prove my magics, little Sultana?"
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 20:13:51 GMT -5
*She smiled with a shake of her head. He wasn't silly- he was right. The frog hopped out of her hand, and escaped onto the dark ground. It moved quickly, but she followed it with her eyes until the darkness engulfed it.
Something else? An idea formed in her mind, one she was reluctant to ask. It was impossible- there was no way for her to look normal. And he would refuse...*
"Can you... change the way someone looks?" *she asked, her unvoiced request obvious in her pleading eyes.*
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 20:41:40 GMT -5
*Julian quirked his brow higher and smiled more fully, assuming her meaning.*
"I don't see why not. Is that what you wish, my princess?"
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Post by Renn on Oct 7, 2007 20:45:11 GMT -5
**AS PINA**
*She nodded. That would make everything better, wouldn't it?*
"Please?"
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 21:17:22 GMT -5
*Julian's face grew grave for a moment. After all, he had never done anything this...complex. He shut his eyes and touched her face gently, caressing the faint bridge of her nose. He whispered softly.*
"Just believe, sweet princess. Believe in me."
*After several moment, his hands fell away in exhaustion. His eyes were tired, but he smiled at the dainty nose he had produced.*
"Tell me it's what you wanted." *he whispered in labored breaths.* "Tell me it's perfect."
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 21:29:02 GMT -5
* When he'd started, she'd closed her eyes tightly, wishing and believing with all her might. She opened her eyes slowly, putting a hand to her face. Her breath caught in her throat- Could she believe what she felt?*
"Oh Julian!"
*She launched herself at her brother, wrapping her arms around him in a grateful hug.*
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 21:31:52 GMT -5
*Julian fell back, but his smile didn't fade.*
"It's...what you wanted, right?"
*His eyes looked sunken but sparkled gently.*
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 21:44:22 GMT -5
*A happy grin lit up her small face.*
"Oh yes! Thank you so much!" *Her mind whirled with all the new opportunities open to her. Now she could go to school, and have friends and go outside, her face bare to the world. She noticed, though, how drained Julian looked.*
"Are you all right? Was it too hard?"
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 21:47:20 GMT -5
*Julian forced a smile, but could not hide the strain on him. He winced slightly as he shifted.*
"It is...all right. There is always a price to these things. Some are more expensive than others. I am just..."
*He sighed and caressed her cheek.*
"I am sorry I am not strong enough to make it forever."
*His eyes grew more determined.*
"Not yet."
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 21:53:28 GMT -5
((Aaaaaw Juliaaan! *hugs him*))
"You mean it won't... It won't stay?"
*He'd given her a gift, and now it would be snatched away? Even when it took so much of his energy? It didn't seem worth it... She frowned, dismayed.*
"I'm sorry! I wouldn't have asked if I knew it would hurt!"
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Post by Julian on Oct 7, 2007 21:56:51 GMT -5
((I know...can't help it. Even my villains have soft spots.))
"Shh..."
*Julian smiled and brushed a lock of her hair back.*
"It's fine. I'm just tired. And I do not know that it won't last."
*He took her small hand.*
"It will be easier for me to maintain it if you are near to me."
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Post by Pina on Oct 7, 2007 22:05:33 GMT -5
(( He shouldn't be adorable, but he IS. At least with Pina. Hmm... What if it wears off after a day or so, then he's unable to redo it? 'cause that works for extra angst. If she's permanently pretty, it'll mess with future plot things. Any other ideas?)) *She nodded, still feeling a bit guilty, even though he said he was fine. She squeezed his larger hand with her own, a small smile on her face.* "Okay. Thank you."
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