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Post by Rochester on May 13, 2009 9:59:16 GMT -5
*Rochester smiled at the sight of her, relieved that she had returned, if only to poke about in the chocolates. He offered her the glass he held, having only taken a sip of it while he'd been in private thought.*
"Would you like some?" *He asked softly, his smile small but supportive.*
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Post by Shadi on May 13, 2009 10:46:29 GMT -5
"I think not," Shadi replied, with a small and shaky smile. "I have had enough wine, for the time being."
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Post by Rochester on May 13, 2009 11:20:12 GMT -5
Of course.
*Rochester's eyes fell with his hand, cursing himself silently for being so foolish. The wounds were still fresh of course. He downed the glass quickly, setting it on the table, eager to be rid of it.*
"Then perhaps you might join me on the balcony?" *He offered gently, almost fearful of her rejection, though he tried his best to stay hopeful.*
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Post by Shadi on May 13, 2009 11:43:49 GMT -5
Shadi was of no mind to reject him, and her smile grew more stable as she nodded.
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Post by Rochester on May 13, 2009 12:23:36 GMT -5
*His smile more confident, Rochester pressed his arm gently to the small of her back, escorting her to the balcony doors.*
"Forgive me." *He breathed, turning to her for a moment before opening them.*
"I just find myself in a terrible need to be selfish and wish to bask in the simple pleasure of your presence." *The words were soft and genuine.*
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Post by Shadi on May 13, 2009 12:25:22 GMT -5
Shadi's smile, too, was unmistakably genuine and a touch sheepish.
"I can't argue with your motives," she said. "Though I don't feel terribly entertaining, I'm afraid."
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Post by Rochester on May 13, 2009 12:34:12 GMT -5
"Hush now, darling." *Rochester smoothed easily, opening the door to a warm breeze.*
"You just let me worry about that." *He smiled, ushering her outside to a spectacular view of Paris. You can probably see the Eiffel Tower and everything because every window in Paris faces it.*
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Post by Shadi on May 13, 2009 13:37:57 GMT -5
((Trufax.))
Shadi followed, leaning her elbows on the railing and taking in the view and the fresh air. Her short hair trembled gently in the breeze, and she smiled.
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Post by Rochester on May 13, 2009 20:29:42 GMT -5
*It was a blessing to see her smile like that. Almost as if there was nothing wrong with the world. It made it easier for him to perch next to her, drinking in the skyline for a moment before speaking again.*
"Shadi..." *He whispered, unsure as he kept his gaze outward.*
"Where were you?"
*He couldn't believe that Valmont had kept her the whole time. It wouldn't have made sense for him to put off...the inevitable.*
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Post by Shadi on May 13, 2009 22:10:06 GMT -5
Her eyes slid towards him, though she didn't move her head. He wasn't looking at her. She looked back towards the view, as if she could see what he was.
"Until this morning, I was working in a circus, throwing knives," she said simply, as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world. "No, that's not exactly true. Until two weeks ago. I'm not... I'm not sure what I was doing between then and this morning."
Crying. Drinking. Pulling herself together long enough not to kill Pina. Repeat.
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Post by Rochester on May 15, 2009 9:33:34 GMT -5
*Rochester's lips tightened, worry creasing into his forehead as he turned his face towards her.*
"Two weeks?" *Was that how long she'd been with him? That was a terrible thought that pulled at his heart.*
"It's all right." *He tried to assure her (and himself).* "I understand that he can be very...convincing."
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Post by Shadi on May 18, 2009 13:29:42 GMT -5
Shadi looked at him now, raising an eyebrow and looking very much herself.
"Convincing? He can be an asshole. I was drunk, I was grieving, and he offered me a convenient way to punish myself for what I'd done to you. That was it. If you hadn't been there when I woke up... Well, I don't know what I'd have done, but it certainly wouldn't have involved being convinced of anything but my own self-hatred."
True, she'd found him attractive--once. But the self-assured, dandyish attractiveness she'd responded to, Rochester had in spades--and a heart to match.
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Post by Rochester on May 19, 2009 7:27:13 GMT -5
((Aw...Rochester is a card playing fiend.))
*His lips tightened. Perhaps that sensation was relief, but it didn't feel like it. But it must have been. If Valmont was some sort of self-punishment...but he was still Valmont. Rochester wasn't mad at her, it was just that he couldn't get rid of that smirk, that sly pride that had been in Valmont's eyes when he'd brought him to see her. It burned in the back of his brain.
But Rochester forced it back, wrapping his arm gently around her waist and pressing their hips against each other. The contact was comforting. It anchored the fact that she was here and with him.*
"I'm sorry, darling." For a lot of things.
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Post by Shadi on May 19, 2009 8:57:14 GMT -5
((He's a diamond among men!))
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Shadi grumbled, not at him but towards him. "I'm the one who..." She took a deep breath. "Was anything he said true?" She shook her head. "I mean Nadir, when he told me you were... you had... What have you been doing, all this time? Here you are worried about me, and I haven't even asked."
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Post by Rochester on May 19, 2009 11:11:04 GMT -5
*Rochester's body stiffened before he sank away from her, resting his elbows on the railing.*
"I...I spent too much time with myself." *He whispered, those endless hours creeping back into his memory, no matter how much he tried to hold them back.*
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