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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 13:36:40 GMT -5
*Rochester smiled to see the light of simple pleasure in her eyes. He would make thinks right again between them, no matter how long it took.*
"So what is your fancy today, darling?"
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 13:45:48 GMT -5
"Chocolate croissant," *she said decisively.*
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 13:54:20 GMT -5
"Excellent, just the thing."
*Rochester looked up to the man behind the counter.*
"Two please."
*He paid for them and handed one to Shadi with a smile, then gestured to a table.*
"Shall we?"
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 14:21:38 GMT -5
*She nodded, taking her croissant and sitting down. This was nice. She couldn't forget everything that had happened, but she could pretend.
And she surprised herself by not feeling all that different.*
"Thank you," *she said, with extra gratefulness which went beyond the chocolate pastry.*
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 14:36:26 GMT -5
*Rochester let out a gentle laugh.*
"You are most welcome. I have found that chocolate soothes many ills."
*He nibbled at his own.*
"Sugar helps too. And butter."
*He admired the pastry appraisingly.*
"Actually, I do believe this may be the perfect comfort food."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 14:44:35 GMT -5
*Shadi laughed, surprising herself.*
"I think you're right, Rochester. I'm afraid I shall get quite fat, now that I can afford them. I once found the corner of one someone'd dropped, and I thought that maybe I'd live on them, if I ever got rich."
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 15:06:45 GMT -5
"Well you just have to balance it with the right..."
*The words died on his lips. He had of course, meant to say 'exercise' but suddenly alluding to such activities seemed...crass. He tried to laugh it off with a dismissive flick of his wrist.*
"...variety of other food. You'll find more enjoyment with the variety, I think."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 16:05:52 GMT -5
*Shadi's spirits fell with Rochester's pause. She'd... done this to him. She's silenced him, dampened his natural humor.*
"That's what I've heard."
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 16:11:47 GMT -5
*Rochester smiled and wiped a fleck of pastry from her lip.*
"Although if you're going to be truly decadent, you're going to have to start getting them delivered."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 16:28:58 GMT -5
*She smiled at his jest, but suddenly couldn't stop herself from voicing the question she'd had since she'd seen him at the door. She leaned forward privately.*
"Why don't we do it?" *she demanded.*
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 16:34:42 GMT -5
*Rochester coughed on his pastry. His eyes searched hers, begging her understanding.*
"Shadi...we shouldn't. Not now. Not like this. Not just because we don't have that one thing standing between us. When we..."
*He sucked his lip and took her hand.*
"When we do...I want it to be the most splendid and fulfilling experience of your life. I..."
*He lowered his eyes.*
"I am not sure that I am able to give you what you deserve right now."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 16:41:14 GMT -5
"But there's nothing standing between us--" *she started, attempting to interrupt, but she couldn't help but hear his last words. Her heart grew cold and the pastry felt like a leaden lump in her stomach.*
"Oh!"
*She felt stupid. And confused. And really, really guilty.*
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 16:49:41 GMT -5
*Rochester looked to her with large pleading eyes.*
"I'm sorry, Shadi, but...do you understand? I don't mean to hurt you. I never mean to hurt you."
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Post by Shadi on Sept 17, 2007 17:01:29 GMT -5
*She shook her head mutely. It wasn't her she was worried about.*
"I can take care of myself. It's you... I've... I make you different."
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Post by Rochester on Sept 17, 2007 17:06:42 GMT -5
*Rochester rolled his eyes playfully, trying to lighten the mood with a flick of his wrist.*
"Don't be silly, darling. If anything, you've made me appreciate life more. Is that such a bad thing?"
*But deep inside...he knew she wasn't wrong.*
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