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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 16:28:37 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 16:28:37 GMT -5
“Margarethe remarried less than a year after my father died. Cornelius van den Meer was important in the tulip market - very well off. We worked in his household; my mother, Ruth, and I.”
*Iris’ expression turned sour.*
“Then his wife died.”
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 16:31:37 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 16:31:37 GMT -5
*He took another sip of cocoa, quietly allowing her to talk.*
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 16:41:33 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 16:41:33 GMT -5
“After that, I just don’t know. You grow up thinking that your parents can do no wrong and that they’re always right. But Margarethe –”
*Iris laughed bitterly.*
“Margarethe cared for us, but she was too concerned with her own well being. It was too late by the time I realized that.”
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 16:49:45 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 16:49:45 GMT -5
"Your sisters? What happened to them?"
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 17:00:58 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 17:00:58 GMT -5
“I'm not sure. I haven't been able to contact them since I ran away. Ruth should still be in Holland with my mother and Papa Cornelius, and they should be safe from the poor house. Clara promised she would send them a monthly allowance after she married Philippe."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 17:08:49 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 17:08:49 GMT -5
*He nodded.*
"Well, now I know your story... but you don't, I'm afraid, know all of mine."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:10:58 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 18:10:58 GMT -5
*Iris raised an eyebrow.*
"What could you possibly be hiding about yourself in that curly head of yours?"
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:13:28 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 18:13:28 GMT -5
"It... it's a little unbelievable."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:16:18 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 18:16:18 GMT -5
*Iris began to nurse her, now cold, drink.*
"I've had my fair share of the unbelievable. Let's have it, then."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:25:12 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 18:25:12 GMT -5
"Well... when I was around six, my mother, sister and I were in a carriage crash. Adrienne survived without a scratch, my mother went into a coma and I..."
*He took a breath.*
"I died."
*He looked down at his hands now.*
"But it was some kind of a mistake. Or there was some kind of link with Adrienne, because as she grew, I did. I even talked to her, all until she was eighteen and suddenly ...I was brought back. I fought in my father's revolution, for the most part out of loyalty to him, almost died again, and now I'm here."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:34:20 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 18:34:20 GMT -5
*Iris’ empty cup fell to the floor with a clatter. That was more than unbelievable, it was impossible. The expression he wore was grave, but Nicolas had to be playing with her. She said in an even and cold tone,*
“I think it is very cruel of you to say such things after everything I’ve said to you. I have never told anyone that much about my family! Now you’re turning the whole thing into a joke.”
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:37:23 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 18:37:23 GMT -5
*He looked up at her, eyes a little disappointed that she didn't believe him.*
"It is quite possibly the first time in my life I've been entirely serious, Iris. That boy that your friend Meg has been being courted by? He's Death's son. Or Der Tod's, as he is German, I think. He worked in the underworld when I was brought there; he was like an older brother to me. Alexei. He can confirm the story if you won't take my word for it."
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:46:29 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 18:46:29 GMT -5
*Iris jumped from her seat.*
“Nicolas, what am I supposed to say? People can’t return from the dead! It isn’t possible! It doesn't happen!”
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 18:57:56 GMT -5
Post by Nicolas d'Enjolras on Sept 28, 2008 18:57:56 GMT -5
"Well quite clearly it does, or else I'm completely mad!" *He said, also standing, his eyes dancing in anger and his voice controlled but clearly displeased. It was the first display of anger he'd shown her, and anyone could attest to the fact that he'd inherited his father's ability to look ridiculously attractive when angry.*
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Arrival
Sept 28, 2008 19:00:53 GMT -5
Post by Iris on Sept 28, 2008 19:00:53 GMT -5
*If anything, Iris was even more encouraged by his anger. Her own voice rose as she approached him.*
“Or you think I’m ignorant enough to believe such things! Is that it?”
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