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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 20, 2011 23:27:55 GMT -5
((To be moved when it exists again! c: ))
After several days of bickering with Cesare and less-than-optimal travel conditions, Kat had forgotten it all once they passed the gatehouse and began the winding trip up the drive. She leaned out the window, near-bouncing with excitement. Thankfully the weather was beautiful and she was fit to burst with excitement about seeing her Nana.
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Lucrezia
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Demeure chaste et pure%\1\%
Posts: 102
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Post by Lucrezia on Apr 20, 2011 23:32:43 GMT -5
To Lucrezia, the ride hadn't been too bad. She had somehow translated their bickering with flirting and rather enjoyed their heated exchanges.
When they arrived, she poked her head out of the carriage to get a better look.
"It's magnificent, Kat," she marveled.
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Cesare
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Post by Cesare on Apr 20, 2011 23:36:33 GMT -5
Cesare sat there, next to his sister and opposite Kat, looking, yet again, unimpressed. The past few miles had gone by in silence and he found no need to strike up conversation because of her house... even if it were a very impressive house... with an impressive lawn...
"Back inside, Lucrezia," he said and tugged at her dress, acting as if Kat didn't exactly exist in the carriage.
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 20, 2011 23:46:42 GMT -5
Micaela de Winter was standing outside of the house waiting for her granddaughter, and if she hadn't been limited by age she'd have been running towards it. She was probably as excited as Kat was, seeing her first grandchild for the first time in months. Kat hadn't been to Manderley in years.
She waved as soon as she saw the carriage. It had been a lovely excuse to make the entire staff wear 16th-century clothes, and somehow everything suited the house better this way. It would have driven Maxim insane. She felt a pang of mourning for her husband, though at 20 years older she'd been lucky to have him into her sixties.
The carriage slowed in front of the house and Kat rocketed out before it had stopped properly. A loud, emotional embrace later, Micaela was remarking on how long Kat's hair had gotten, how lovely her dress was, Kat responding with how wonderful the house looked--generally they were talking over one another, but they managed to stop at the same time for another hug.
"It's so wonderful to see you, Nana; I haven't since that ball before I went to court--"
"Kathleen, love, I'm just glad you're taking some of this furniture off my hands--I can only live in so many rooms. Now, where are your friends..."
The footmen had descended upon the carriage and were beginning to carry things in already.
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Cesare
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Post by Cesare on Apr 20, 2011 23:54:41 GMT -5
Lucrezia was first to exit then it was Cesare. She took her brother by the hand and hurried over. She was never shy when she knew the people were kind. Cesare was his usual intense self, though not as off putting as he was in the carriage. Despite what he knew Kat thought of him, he wasn't a rude person. Not to nice old ladies anyway.
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 20, 2011 23:59:41 GMT -5
"Nana, this is Lucrezia Borgia and her brother, Cesare. Lucrezia, Cesare, my grandmother, Micaela de Winter."
"It's so wonderful to meet you both." Micaela recognized the names but went over to enthusiastically kiss them both on each cheek (involving pulling Cesare's head down), continuing, "welcome to Manderley. I trust you'll both make yourselves comfortable and be eating my food and picking out what furniture to take in no time," she said brightly. "And Cesare, I only ask you don't let any of the maids fall desperately in love with you. Hiring new ones is such a bother," she deadpanned.
"Nana!" Kat was a little scandalized.
"Kathleen, I am seventy-six years old and I am allowed to say anything I very well please."
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Cesare
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Post by Cesare on Apr 21, 2011 0:08:44 GMT -5
Lucrezia giggled and jabbed her brother playfully in the rib with her elbow. "Everyone knows," she said in a mock whisper.
Cesare smiled. "You have my word," he promised charmingly.
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 21, 2011 0:11:59 GMT -5
"Kat, you remember enough of the grounds to show them around? I was in the middle of writing something, and you'll want something to do before dinner in this weather. We'll eat out on the terrace, I think..."
Kat nodded.
"The staff can show you your rooms--I put you all together. You're in my wing, because the other is closed, but I promise I won't bang on the door if you're too loud at seven at night."
Kat went and linked arms with Lucrezia. "Let's go!"
Micaela had turned to return to her piano.
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Cesare
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Post by Cesare on Apr 21, 2011 0:20:25 GMT -5
After the very tiresome drive over, Cesare wanted to sit down but, as always, his sister had other plans. Wanting to make the most out of their time together, he followed the girls to explore the grounds. All the while inwardly grumbling at how inconvenient their new found bond was proving to be.
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 21, 2011 0:21:47 GMT -5
"Oh there's this lovely little valley that slopes down to the beach--"
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Lucrezia
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Post by Lucrezia on Apr 21, 2011 0:26:52 GMT -5
"Everything's like a painting here," Lucrezia sighed. "I can see why you speak so fondly of this place."
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 21, 2011 0:31:26 GMT -5
"I used to spend whole summers here, exploring the grounds, inviting friends up, running around with my cousins. The stables are wonderful; we can go riding or hunting later. Nana says that's the best way to see Manderley, on horseback."
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Lucrezia
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Post by Lucrezia on Apr 21, 2011 0:37:49 GMT -5
"Oh, I love horses! We should ride later!"
She turned to her brother.
"What do you think Cesare?" she called out. He was more than a few steps behind them.
Cesare smiled. "I'll go wherever you go, my love," he said.
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Post by Kat de Winter on Apr 21, 2011 0:40:58 GMT -5
He was nice to his sister, so it wasn't some weird temperament thing...
"My cousins run the stables; Grandpa MacNamara was the stablemaster for years and years, and he and Nana made Manderley's some of the best stables in the country for breeding, especially hunters."
The flowers were in bloom and perfume danced through the air. Kat reached up to take the comb out of her hair and stuffed her gloves in her pocket, enjoying the weather.
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Lucrezia
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Post by Lucrezia on Apr 21, 2011 0:51:56 GMT -5
"And do you enjoy hunting, Kat?" Lucrezia asked as she bent to smell a lovely bush of lilacs.
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