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Post by Carolina on Dec 23, 2008 12:34:31 GMT -5
*After dinner, Carolina had gone into the tiny room to polish the silver, curling up on a ricketty old chair beside the table with the pile of spoons, forks and knives.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 26, 2008 13:34:59 GMT -5
A bit later than he'd said, though really, lateness was his perogative, Laurent strolled into the kitchen with all the indifference he could muster--and being of the decadent nobles, that was quite a bit.
"So," he said casually to the cook. "I was wondering if you could perhaps tell me where Carolina is." He glanced about the kitchen. Only he and the cook were in sight.
"I was told she'd be here, but I don't see her."
The cook, who having lived here had long ago learned of Laurent's repuationt, eyed him warily. She wavered between out-and-out lying and telling the truth.
"Well sir, she does in fact work in the kitchens. But perhaps she simply stepped out for a moment." Hopefully, Carolina could hear them in her enclosed space.
"Ah, then I'll just wait a moment, won't I?" Grinning, he pulled chair in and sat down near the entrance.
The cook, all nonchalance, bustled into the connecting room.
"Carolina, be on your toes she whispered," before departing with some of the polished items.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 26, 2008 13:42:41 GMT -5
*Carolina nodded, bending her head back over her work, drawing her chair soundlessly back across the floor, to shroud herself in the shadows, away from the single candle lit upon the table.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 26, 2008 14:00:46 GMT -5
Laurent wasn't the most patient of people, and the waiting quickly became boring.
"I don't think she just 'stepped out'," he muttered, standing.
The cook held her breath, hoping he'd turn and go out the door. Instead, he started wandering about the kitchen, drifting ever closer to the side room. The cook, not wanting to alert him, pretended not to notice and focused on her work.
Eventually, he made it to the side room, squinting as he peered into the dim light. Carolina managed to be an indistinct shadow, and his gaze missed her for a moment.
"Why is it so dark in here?"
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Post by Carolina on Dec 26, 2008 14:04:58 GMT -5
*Carolina lunged forward, blowing out the candle with haste, a barely-visible blur of a pair of brown hands and golden-brown hair drawn back into a bun before the room was plunged into darkness. Forks and spoons clattered to the floor, and she whirled towards the door.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 29, 2008 16:18:28 GMT -5
For a moment, he simply stood where he was, too caught by a surprise to act. He recovered, however, putting out a hand just as Carolina bolted past, almost getting by him.
He wound up holding her arm.
"My dear Carolina, forgive me if I startled you...that wasn't my intent."
In the background, the cook winced, her back to the two of them.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 31, 2008 13:54:53 GMT -5
"You did not surprise me, sir," *she said in a low voice, pulling against his grip on her arm.* "Excuse me--shall we step into the kitchen, sir?"
*She turned her gaze to the cook and two other maids who were only half-at-work, now, watching the scene unfold. If she might get into the light, with the others...well, it could buy time.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 31, 2008 14:48:31 GMT -5
He allowed some give in the tug, though he didn't let go of her.
"I don't see why we can't converse in here." He said pleasantly.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 31, 2008 15:22:52 GMT -5
"I have things to attend to; and there is nothing you need say to me that cannot be said in front of everyone. Tell me what the matter is, and be brief."
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 31, 2008 15:26:21 GMT -5
He tightened his grip a bit on her arm, some of his good humor melting off.
"No need for that tone, madamoiselle. And would you really want them in on this conversation?"
The last, he'd spoken in a near-whisper, low enough that the other servants could not hear.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 31, 2008 15:59:30 GMT -5
"'Mademoiselle'? You do me honour I do not merit, sir, by that title. Pray--better call me 'it' as you might call a cat or a dog, or some other creature to be kept."
*With such strength as a life of hard work had created in her, she loosed her throbbing arm from his grasp and marched back into the kitchen.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 31, 2008 16:04:59 GMT -5
"I wasn't done with you, miss." He snapped, grabbing her by the collar and pulling backwards.
One of the servants let out a shriek of shock.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 31, 2008 16:07:11 GMT -5
*Carolina let out a strangled cry as she turned to face Laurent.*
"What do you WANT?" *she demanded.*
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Laurent
- Ingenious Pilot -
The Black Sheep%\0\%
Posts: 202
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Post by Laurent on Dec 31, 2008 16:11:24 GMT -5
Someone muttered a horrified "shouldn't have said that," which earned what servants remained a glare that could have set things on fire.
Rather than answering, he pulled Carolina close, stopping just short of kissing her.
"I'd think that was obvious, my dear."
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Post by Carolina on Dec 31, 2008 16:12:40 GMT -5
"I would be careful if I were you...the way you speak, one might mistake you for the master of this house," *she hissed.*
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