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Post by Shadi on Mar 16, 2007 11:33:05 GMT -5
*Shadi hopped down from Rochester's carriage, forgetting the part where she was supposed to wait to be handed down. What a silly custom! But she could be forgiven her lack of propriety, this once. Previously, she had only tasted fine baked goods when she could filch them from lavish parties at the Opera. They entered, and Shadi had to keep herself from pressing her face to the glass cases that held delicacies that hardly seemed edible, they were so beautiful.*
"Oh, I don't know how I'll ever decide!"
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Post by Rochester on Mar 16, 2007 11:48:31 GMT -5
*Rochester couldn’t suppress a small laugh at her excitement.*
“Well my dear, if you can’t decide…we’ll just have to get you one of everything.”
*He approached her offering his arm and a warm smile.*
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Post by Shadi on Mar 16, 2007 12:58:11 GMT -5
*Shadi grinned widely, once again forgetting that she was, ostensibly at least, in training.*
"Is this really what it's like, being rich? It's a wonder you all aren't fat! I shan't be greedy, though." *She'd learned quick thinking all those years of surviving.* "I'll have that, that, one of these, and two of those. Can they put them on a little tray, with tiers, like the English ladies have at tea?"
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Post by Rochester on Mar 16, 2007 13:25:59 GMT -5
*Rochester grinned suggestively.*
“Well, we normally offset it with physical activity. So just do your best to limit your servings for the next few months all right?”
*He gave her a knowing wink.*
“Of course you may.”
*He nodded to the fellow behind the counter before turning back to Shadi.*
“Would you like tea with it?”
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Post by Shadi on Mar 16, 2007 19:46:34 GMT -5
*It took her a few moments to understand the full import of his words, and then she had to suppress a giggle. She'd had no idea that people with money, and rank, were so naughty! She knew she didn't like them, because they were mean to those without. But Rochester hadn't blanched at her upbringing--though he hadn't known her then, of course--and he was as awful as anything. It was refreshing when compared to her father, who would rut with boys on parlor rug and tell her she couldn't even kiss one.*
"I suppose I'll need something to wash them down with." *She nodded. When they sat, delicacies and tea before her, and added several spoonfuls of sugar to it before beginning. She reached out and grabbed a square of something, took a bite, then contritely put the half-eaten sweet back on the tray.*
"I'm sorry," *she said, mouth full.* "That was so rude."
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Post by Rochester on Mar 17, 2007 7:47:33 GMT -5
*Rochester sat contently watching Shadi enjoy herself. Casually stirring a large amount of sugar and milk into his own tea, he looked up with a smile as she apologized. This was going to take a lot of work. But at least he would have something to do with his days. He doubted it would be a while before Nadir would allow him to take her out at night unaccompanied. Pulled back to the conversation, he grabbed the half eaten sweet and tucking it swiftly in his mouth. Once it was properly swallowed, he took a relaxed sip of his tea. Then he looked back to her with a grin.*
“If that is as close to your lips as I can get for the time being, I am willing to sacrifice proprietary.”
*His eyes shifted to his tea and suddenly back to her as if he remembered something.*
“Just please try not to do it in front of your father.”
*He gave her a wink.*
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Post by Shadi on Mar 17, 2007 19:04:41 GMT -5
*Her eyes widened at his gesture of... intimacy. That was, perhaps, more arresting than any of the innuendo he'd practiced on her up till now.* "So," *she said, swallowing.* "No grabbing food, no putting it back, and no talking with my mouth full." *She paused.* "At least at the table. Do I have it all?"
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Post by Rochester on Mar 17, 2007 19:44:55 GMT -5
*Rochester’s dimple dug into his cheek wickedly.*
“My dear, I do believe that you already know everything and are just trying to fool me into teaching you.”
*His voice lowered to a whisper.* “You aren’t one of those that is aroused by discipline are you?”
*His eyes met hers warmly as he lifted his chin and a napkin. The fingertips of his empty hand pushed gently under her chin, lifting her face so he might wipe delicately at a smear of chocolate on her lip. Lowering them again, he added.*
“It’s not everything, but it’s certainly a start.”
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Post by Shadi on Mar 17, 2007 20:23:38 GMT -5
*Shadi widened her eyes.* "Why would I do that, when I could just ask you? Do you mean that I must learn to manipulate and dissemble, as well?"
*She shivered at his touch on her lip, and blushed.* "I suppose I don't know everything, after all." *She puzzled over his reference to being "aroused by discipline." As far as she knew, discipline was bad--that was when you actually got caught with your hand in the apple barrel. And she certainly hadn't ever been turned on by that.*
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Post by Rochester on Mar 17, 2007 20:29:44 GMT -5
*Rochester’s smile softened.*
“Those are things that you are not required to learn, but may serve you to do so. But only you can decide that. For now, I will stick to simple etiquette and exercises such as penmanship and dancing.”
*He winked.*
“And I’ll make sure that you are well kept in sweets, if that is to your liking.”
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Post by Shadi on Mar 19, 2007 9:04:45 GMT -5
"But not too many, I suppose," *said Shadi primly.* "It wouldn't do to get fat, after so long without them."
*She put her chin in her hand and cocked her head at him.* "Can I ask you something? Why are you taking such an interest in me? I mean, besides the obvious... potential benefits. People like you don't pay attention to people like me."
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Post by Rochester on Mar 19, 2007 9:24:42 GMT -5
*Rochester poured himself more tea, adding milk and sugar and stirring it casually.*
“People like you? What am I supposed to take from that darling? You have many features that define you.”
*He looked up to her curious as he sipped his tea.*
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Post by Shadi on Mar 19, 2007 11:53:04 GMT -5
*Shadi pouted, though not at Rochester.*
"Well, I didn't hide the fact I'm not well-bred, or brought up. I'm rude, and until lately people what saw me called me all sorts of names. My father, even... Well, when I met him, he called me a street rat. Didn't know I was his, or he mine. I put on a dress, and suddenly I'm worth something. But I'm not any different than I was. An' I don't particularly want to be. So sometimes I think maybe, it's just how I look, and I'm fooling everyone--though maybe not well--and it's just the outfit they're looking at. Or maybe because I'm almost grown-up now and that's more interesting than a kid."
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Post by Rochester on Mar 19, 2007 12:09:33 GMT -5
*Rochester set his cup down and placed his hand on hers lightly. Thinking over what she said, he was reminded of Alex. It made him fight back a smile that deepened his dimple.*
“Sweet Shadi, I promise that with me, it is never your dress or lack of dress that affects my opinion.”
*He paused, correcting himself.*
“Well…a lack of dress would certainly affect me, but not my overall opinion of you and your overwhelming charm. As for your conflict on the cusp of adulthood, I’m afraid that I will have a hard time viewing any lady that managed to free her undergarments from her clothes within the first quarter hour of my company as anything but a grown woman. I hope that doesn’t offend you. I have found in my travels that it is not the clothes or the title that makes the man, but the ingenuity beneath it. I am not prejudice of my company for such frivolous things, in spite of my dandy façade. I hope you will not think less of me for such a confession.”
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Post by Shadi on Mar 19, 2007 12:32:05 GMT -5
*Rochester set his cup down and placed his hand on hers lightly. Thinking over what she said, he was reminded of Alex. ((Well, shoot. Is my author bias showing? )) *Shadi blushed. She had done that, hadn't she?* "No, of course not. I just wonder why other people aren't so nice. Why suddenly I can go to a party and eat the food without having to sneak it away. Doesn't make me like people, that much."
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