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Post by Rochester on Aug 28, 2008 9:40:13 GMT -5
*The garden was much smaller than the one at Nadir's new estate, but this one was intimate and lovely enough in its own right. Rochester held onto Shadi tightly as the wandering out into it. He was thankful to come upon the stone bench that sat in its center beneath a tree. With a sigh, he slumped down on it, a bit to hard.*
"Oomph." *He looked up at the girl with a crooked grin.* "Aren't you a dear..."
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Post by Shadi on Aug 28, 2008 9:45:17 GMT -5
It was astonishing, really, what had happened to Rochester. Shadi was more or less at a loss to explain his undoing.
Her face twisted into something between a pout and a frown.
"Not exactly."
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Post by Rochester on Aug 28, 2008 10:02:10 GMT -5
*Rochester was feeling better, warmer, and he urged her to sit next to him.*
"Now, come and tell me the whole thing..." *He didn't really think what he was saying, for in truth, he rather not think about the matter, but she was unhappy and that just wouldn't do. Nothing in the world was as painful as that.*
"It might do you some good to get it off your chest." *He tried to look supportive.*
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Post by Shadi on Aug 28, 2008 11:10:11 GMT -5
Shadi sat, but she looked up at his face anxiously instead of speaking.
"Are you sure?" she said at last. "Because... I mean... You're the one who fainted."
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Post by Rochester on Aug 28, 2008 12:01:36 GMT -5
*Rochester pressed his lips firmly. She did have a point there. He tried to dismiss it though.*
"But see? I'm already sitting this time."
And I already have some spirits in me.
*He took her hand encouragingly.*
"I want you to be able to come to me, darling. With anything."
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Post by Shadi on Aug 28, 2008 18:00:12 GMT -5
Shadi opened her mouth, then shut it. Somehow, she felt talking about this wouldn't do any good. What difference could it make?
"I know I can," she said. "But I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have. Can't we just... can't I just say it won't happen again?"
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Post by Rochester on Aug 29, 2008 7:53:49 GMT -5
*Rochester appreciated the thought, especially since he wasn't eager to relive the event, but something pulled at him.*
"Of course, darling." *He soothed gently.*
"Though...I'm not sure that either of us are ready to say that."
*His eyes sought hers questioningly. Such things lead to commitment, which they already had and truth be told, was quite the thing but...this was starting to sound like...monogamy.*
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Post by Shadi on Aug 29, 2008 12:28:04 GMT -5
"I am," she said staunchly. "I can."
Her hand reached up to cup the side of his face, noting the fine lines around his eyes with tenderness.
"I'm not asking you to change for me. I've never asked that. But I'm young. I don't have any habits to break."
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Post by Rochester on Aug 29, 2008 14:43:29 GMT -5
*Rochester arched a brow as if he didn't believe that for a minute, though he thought he understood what she was getting at. He squeezed her hand softly.*
"Shadi...I don't want to trap you...to force you to be with me only." *His eyes softened.*
"I would never want that."
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Post by Shadi on Aug 29, 2008 17:44:47 GMT -5
"You're not that bad," she quipped, but she knew what he was saying. Frankly, she didn't know what she needed.
The men she'd had other than Rochester--well, and Tamas, which had been nice--hadn't exactly been... her choice.
"It doesn't mean forever, does it? I know you don't want that. But I can't see that look on your face again. I just can't. I only did it so you would feel better. Not worse."
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Post by Rochester on Aug 31, 2008 6:53:06 GMT -5
*There was a prickling in Rochester's heart. Well, he didn't want forever, but...he couldn't imagine not having her. Wanting to not have her. The thought made him a bit ill. Or perhaps it was the spirits. He lifted his hand to brush back her hair and cradle her face gently.*
"I...understand. Truly I do, darling. I am sorry...to be so out of sorts. I didn't mean to confuse you. I only wish your happiness. If it is still mine to give to you."
*He leaned closer, his eyes soft and searching hers for an answer as he brought her face closer to his.*
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Post by Shadi on Aug 31, 2008 10:42:23 GMT -5
She still melted at that look, a combination of lust and tenderness she couldn't describe or explain, except to say that Rochester was perfect and leave it at that. She laughed, a little ruefully, at his surveillance.
"But I want you to be happy," she said. "Do you think we can do both?"
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Post by Rochester on Sept 1, 2008 7:20:00 GMT -5
*Rochester chuckled softly, remaining close.*
"Well I certainly hope so, darling."
*He shifted his lips near her ear, his breath warm on her skin.*
"I seem to remember that we're pretty good at it when...the occasion arises."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 1, 2008 11:43:46 GMT -5
She somehow managed to giggle and shiver at the same time.
"I'm surprised we have time for anything else," she said. She pulled back slightly, despite the fact that she was very much tempted just to kiss him and not think about it anymore.
"So what're we going to do?"
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Post by Rochester on Sept 2, 2008 6:45:11 GMT -5
"Well..." *Rochester tried to sort though the options as his mind became more muddled.*
"I figure that we just need to figure what each of us needs. And then figure how to put them together, darling."
*He smiled lazily, his eyes tender.*
"What is it that you want with me...more than anything else?"
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