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 Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:29 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar Still on cloud nine, Damien finds his feet have taken him to the edge of the koi pond, where he pauses and looks down into the remarkably still waters to get a glimpse of himself. That's when pure panic rips through his haziness in a devasting rush, leaving him wide-eyed and staring. His hair is mussed, 'bed-head' is what Eirnae would call it when she ruffled it in his younger years, always right before she fetched a comb to set it right. His clothing is rumpled, as if declaring, 'I've been worn for longer than a day!' to the world. His outer tunic is missing, he notes as his hands pat down the front of his shirt, as if struck blind by realizing just how much trouble he's going to be in. Oh hells, and his cloak! He left that at Rhii's too, along with his cloakpin. To use magic so close to the house would alert too many residents of the manor to his presence to make it stealthy, and for a moment he actually considers going back to Rhiannon's to fetch his things.
No.. No, his mums have waited long enough. Might as well face them as he is without any premises getting in the way of the truth. 'Just the same,' he thinks as he gets out a small comb from one of his pants' pockets, 'I'd rather not have my hair like this while trying to look serious.'
~~~~~~~~~~
Eirnae holds in a sigh, arching a brow at the nightmare's choice of addition to the room's atmosphere. The blasted thing was not helping to make Lenore's mood any better, perching on her shoulder like a raven eyeing a plump corpse with delight. She rises even as she brushes aside any form of comparision of Lenore to the image that tried to creep into her mind unbidden, and latches onto the nightmare's steely legs with a firm grip of her right hand. "Off with you," she says as she tugs the bird-like being up and throwing him into the air, knowing from past experience that the damned thing would be able to fly off without trouble. At least, she thinks she didn't chuck him too hard towards the hallway to prevent it.
"Aye, I'll agree that he'll have to be punished for his lack of thinking," she says softly as she moves to be in Lenore's field of vision, her hair escaping from her upswept french braid to frame her face with curvy tendrils, "But I recall that we agreed the last thing we wanted is to scare respect into him."
She faces her love's fury like a sailor on a pitching ship, with feet planted and ready to ride out the storm. "When he does get back, Lenore, I'll remind him that we worry because we love him. That him not calling us earlier hurt, and I assure you, melamin, it hurt us both." Her calm poker-face that she's been maintaining all night is ruined by the glitter of the deepfelt pain at both worrying over Damien and seeing Lenore this upset that shows in her currently bright green eyes.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:30 pm
Lenore watches as Erebus is taken from her shoulder, and tossed, unceremoniously, out of the room. She winces a little when the talons scratch at her shoulder, but it wasn't enough to draw blood, so she is not worried.
Drawing her robe back over her shoulders, she looks back at Eirnae. The red threatening to bleed deeper into the amber immediately disappears when she looks into the sea green eyes of the woman she loves.
Her pale lips frown and her eyebrows draw close together. Leaning over the table, she puts a scaled hand over Eirnae's. "I'm sorry," she starts, managing to maintain eye contact. "I was being selfish, and only thinking of how it might have effected me. It's just, thinking that my father might have gotten his spidery hands on our son made me a little crazy."
She squeezes Eirnae's hand, and offers a smile. "Maybe I will take some of that tea, after all." She moves her free hand out to slide the discarded cup that Eirnae offered her earlier toward her, and lifts it from it's saucer.
As ever, she was so happy when Eirnae helped her realize that she could, indeed, have her tea, even in this state. It just took a complicated potion to help her not become sick a few hours later. She takes a sip, and immediately feels herself steady a little.
"When he gets back, I will try my best to be rational, I promise," she adds.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:31 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar 'Well, it's not like I can stand out here and fuss with my hair forever,' Damien sighs in his head as he runs the black fine-toothed comb through his long hair one more time, tucking the comb away in the pocket his fished it out from earlier. Straightening his shirt and pants as best he can while walking, he wills his relunctant feet towards the front entrance into the manor, reaching the porch and then the door far too quickly for his liking. It simply isn't normal for him to feel this much dread about coming home. His stomach feels like he swallowed his seashell collection. he can almost swear he can feel them rolling around inside as he stares at the door's handle. What would they say about him proposing to Rhiannon? If they didn't approve, what would he do about it? 'Eilistraee, give me strength,' he finds himself praying, the small smile from the memory of the passage where he first read that phrase, from Eirnae's first journal, staying with him as he inserts his key into the handle's lock and turns it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Eirnae's eyes slowly lose their brillant green light as Lenore calms down, the shadowdancer's nerves settling as she relaxes her control over her emotions to let them play over her face. Relief is one of the more prominent of the many as she nods slightly in response to Lenore's apology, not losing eye contact. She returns Lenore's gentle squeeze of a hand with one of her own as she murmurs back in elven, "I understand how you feel, Lenore, and I'm sure Damien will, too. As for you being calm, I'll only hold you to it if you promise to help me remain the same." She winks teasingly right before the sound of a key in the lock of the front door tickles at her awareness. "That may be him now."
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:32 pm
"You're always calm," Lenore grumbles, in a slightly playful tone, before she nods. She had heard Damien coming, but did not want to alert Eirnae. She had an appology to make to her love, after all. . . . "But, I promise that I will help you do the same."
Sighing, she reluctantly pulls her hand from Eirnae's, and stands slowly. Crossing her arms over her chest again, Lenore adopts a sternly-disappointed face, and a tone to match when she calls out, "In here, young man."
Gods, didn't she sound just like her own mum? That thought depresses her slightly, thinking of her dead parents, whom she still considers her true parents.
Pushing that thought out of her head, she taps a bare foot on the floor as she waits for Damien to come to them.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:33 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar How quickly can a teenager duck his head to his chest when entering a doorway? Apparently Damien is set to find out just that when he hears his Mum Lenore's reproachful voice announce where she intends for him to trudge to. 'She had to pick the room where I'll remember our dinner with Rhii,' he mentally grumbles as he quietly shuts the door behind him, hearing the lock click closed by the magic instilled in the manor itself. He knows Lenore will be keeping track of where he goes in the house, so he dismisses the thought of quickly dashing up to his room and throwing on some new clothes. He starts down the entry hall that leads to the sitting room, working on what best to start off saying when his legs fall out from under him at the impact of Harry bowling into them. "Harr.. eee!" he yelps as he falls, thumping into something solid yet soft enough to cushion his shoulders about halfway through his tumble. Kamus's tongue darting across one cheek helping him realize just what his impromptu cushion is. If his pants weren't a wreck already, the added green fur was going to make sure of it. "Thanks, Kamus," he murmurs while petting under his familiar's chin, the ava raji hissing softly in pleasure despite the discomfort of his Master's weight on his side. Harry cavorts on Damien's lap, and only through the young man's swiveling of his hips does he avoid crushing a particular body part under his paws. "Harry, down," Damien commands, Harry immediately lowering his ears and hopping off of his boy. Damien sits up and then kneels, flowing onto his feet to dust at his shirt with both hands. He doesn't bother with his pants, considering them a lost cause at this point. "Come on, you two. I'll be glad for someone in my corner," he says to his four legged friends with a beckoning gesture of his hand, finally rounding the corner and walking to the open archway that leads into the dining room. Kamus and Harry follow after him, staying as close to his heels as possible without tripping him. "Sorry I'm late," he apologizes, then going silent at the sight of Lenore's face. Oh hells, was he in trouble.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Outwardly, perhaps," Eirnae admits, smiling crookedly as Lenore slips into her 'disciplinarian mode'. She turns in her seat so she'll be facing the way Damien ought to be entering the room, readying herself for just about anything. Of course, the sound of the collision from the main hall makes her first wince, then smother a chuckle with the back of a hand. It sounded like Harry had found Damien a bit faster than she'd thought he would. She has to refocus her thoughts from her mirth to being a mother to her son, her face adopting a stern look similar to Lenore's. However, she cannot keep a bemused twinkle from her eyes.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:34 pm
Lenore actually snorts before Damien reaches the room. She has to really work to get her face back the way it should be . . .
. . . Though all amusement is gone from her eyes when she sees the state of their son. Taking a calming breath, she closes her eyes, and pinches the bridge of her barely-there nose. She grabs her wand, and tosses it on the table, out of reach.
Oh, how she wants to use another curse again. All she can think is 'First condoms sent to the house, and now he comes home missing half the clothes he left with!'
She really shouldn't be thinking that, as she, herself, has quite a horrendous appetite for such activities. But, gods, he is too young! Couldn't he have waited until he was old and gray and . . .
Off topic. Way off topic! Dropping into a chair, she starts with, "I assume you are going to retrieve your cloak and pin, at least," she turns her now opened, keen eyes to Damien. The amber irises and slitted pupil indicate that she knows damn well what he has been up to all night, and possibly most of the morning.
"And, because I know that we taught you far better than this, I am taking your appology as genuine," she says, her voice taking on a bit more of the sternness than she had wished it would. "And that it was not you being thoughtless that kept you from calling."
Again, visions of her father's spidery hands steering Damien away from them comes to her mind, and she clamps her mind closed. That's just past guilt of her own getting in the way of the situation at hand.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:35 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar He does his best not to let his feelings show overally much on his face, his earlier good mood slowly slipping away as he comes to fully realize just how hard this was going to be. His parents' disappointment bites into him like a knife, and he lowers his head an inch or so. "I am sorry," he says once Lenore's scolding is done, "Sorry for worrying you both, and that you think too highly of me in this case." Yes, that's what hurt the most, really, was Lenore's last sentence, because it was true. He had forgotten. He shakes his head, looking up to meet Lenore's eyes as he continues, "I didn't remember to call till then, because I let myself get lost. Lost in Rhiannon." He looks over to a chair then swings his gaze to Eirnae, silently asking permisson to sit down. When she nods consent, he does so, with Harry and Kamus quick to sit down to either side of him like two soldiers guarding a fort. "I can't explain it fully, but... By the Lady, this is hard..." He lets out a breath soft and slow.
~~~~~~~~~~
Eirnae reaches across the table to place a hand over Damien's left, cupping it lightly. She says nothing, letting him gather his thoughts. She can understand what he means by getting lost in someone, she does so with Lenore all of the time. She wishes she knew more about being the strict parent she wants to be, as right now all she wants to do is gather Damien up in a hug and tell him how much she loves him. His slip in mentioning 'the Lady' makes a smile twitch at the corner of her mouth, guessing at just which goddess he is referring to.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:36 pm
Lenore adds her hand into the mix, covering his other one.
"I know, and believe me when I say that I understand," she rubs her hands over her eyes. "I might not approve. . . . But, I understand. Just, be more considerate in the future," she pauses. "And, whatever you have to say, just. . . . spit it out," she ends, eloquently. "It's always the best way to go."
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:37 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar "Ah..." Spit it out? Was that really what he should do? 'Got a better idea?' he asks himself, realizing without having to answer his question that he really doesn't. "Well, I decided to put what you both taught me about jewelry crafting to good use, and made Rhiannon an engagement ring." He hurries on before one of his mums comments, wanting to get it all out at once. "I presented it to her last night, and she said yes." Now he waits for either approval or doom, and hoping he can handle both.
~~~~~~~~~~
Eirnae finds herself speechless. She is inclined to sit and stare at Damien, gape mouthed, but her knowledge of what Lenore just might do is what gets her moving. Quick as a wink, she leaves her seat and moves around behind Damien's chair to stand beside Lenore and rest a hand on her fiance's shoulder. She still can't find her voice, so she settles for giving Lenore's shoulder a firm squeeze. 'Eilistraee, he's still so young. How can he be ready for such a step?' she mentally frets.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:38 pm
Lenore's heavy-lidded eyes widen, and her breath catches in her throat.
Not that she needs it, the act of breathing in and out is just second nature, and she never really gave it up.
But, gods, if there is not a vise on her lungs right now.
"I can't breathe," she hisses, putting a hand to her chest. She ducks her head down between her legs, and gulps at the air. She forces herself to breathe, forces the air into her lungs, closing her eyes. "Gods, he is going to be the death of me," she continues hissing, and reaches for Eirnae's hand, squeezing it pretty hard, only loosening her hold on her when she realizes that, mostly, she doesn't know her new strength.
When her breathing regulates, she still doesn't sit back up. She has to compose herself. Blood tears well in her eyes. She ginds herself saying, "Damien, you have always been too mature for your own good . . . but, this?" she pauses, lifting her head enough to look into his eyes. "Are you sure this is a step you are ready to take?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:39 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar Damien physically winces at the hissed words that Lenore mutters while trying to regain her breath. He hates to see any of his family in distress, especially his mums. Such is a trait that's stayed with him since he was young. He puts aside his immediate reaction, which is to reassure Lenore that she didn't need to be so worried over this. He waits for her to regain her composure and ask her next set of questions, to which he smiles tightly. "Yes, mum, I'm sure. Rhiannon is the only woman I can see myself with for the rest of my lifetime. As I've heard others put it, she's 'the one'."
~~~~~~~~~~
"We can see that much when you two are together, Damien," Eirnae interjects when Damien pauses in his explaination, "But what I think Lenore is getting at is what she and I both fear... You are still young in our eyes, no matter how mature your mind has become. We want to be sure that you and Rhiannon are ready for such a significant step in your lives."
~~~~~~~~~~
"We are," he retorts softly, though within himself he ponders over the question of 'Are we?'. He'd given the matter a lot of thought before he'd asked Rhii, and believed that he'd come to the right decision. He nods once, affirming again his belief that he and Rhii belong together, and can handle what comes with their engagement. "Troubles may come up in the future, but Rhii and I will handle them together. Besides, I'm got some pretty good role models, don't you think?" From anyone else, it could be classified as trying to suck up to better the situation. From Damien, it's an honest compliment.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:40 pm
Lenore saw the glimmer of thought in his eyes, and nods. At least he seems to have given the matter some thought, and has some reservations of his own.
Although, she can remember when she was planning on proposing to Eirnae. She smiles a little at the memory, and how their ideas had run on similar lines at the time.
And the never-ordered food. She finds herself chuckling a little, and catches herself.
She slips easily from the 'stern-parent,' role, into the 'misty-eyed-I-am-so-happy-right-now' role. "Oh, melamin," she turns her amber eyes up and looks at Eirnae. "Our little prince is going to leave us!" she wipes at her eyes, feeling like a foolish cow, but she really didn't want to think about this day coming.
She turns back to Damien, smiling now, broadly. "I am happy for you, despite everything. And Rhiannon. Now," she says, actually showing a little humor in her misty-eyes. "Darling, we really must talk about soundproofing. . . . ." She waits, watching to see if he will blush or not.
Like it or not, she is going to have to get used to the idea. . . .
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:41 pm
Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar Relief floods him, making him feel so suddenly light that for a moment he's fairly certain that he'll bump his head on the ceiling. His tenative smile loses all of its previous restraint, quickly turning into a fully fledged grin. He gives his mum's hand a squeeze, not about to let Lenore carry on without that bit of physical reassurance. "I'll always be your little prince, mum," he says with effort to stop grinning like a fool.
Lenore's teasing flicks a switch within his mind, flooding his thoughts with all of the reasons why his room would need the magical soundproofing his mums have for their room. His blush is quick and intense, so much so he can feel his cheeks radiating heat. He ducks his head an inch or so in a futile effort to cover his embarassment, not over the need for this change to his room, but for the thoughts Lenore's words invoked. 'Not the best thing to be thinking around my parents,' he admonishes himself. "Ah, if you don't mind, mum, perhaps I could try casting it on my own? I'll be certain to ask for advice if I get stumped, of course."
~~~~~~~~~~
Eirnae lets her sore fingers continue to throb atop Lenore's shoulder, her eyes shifting from watching Damien like the proverbial hawk to meet Lenore's gaze. The love she finds there, for her and for their son, verily takes her breath away for a long moment. Yes, this was what she'd missed the most. The raw emotional current that thrives between her and her family, the flow that makes her feel alive and fills her with purpose. Her free hand moves, almost without her knowledge, to run partially gloved fingers down Lenore's jawline. A tender gesture, as if she is rememorizing her love's face. She has to wrench herself away from the hold those amber eyes have on her to smile down at Damien, chuckling as his cheeks flare under his glittering scales. She brushes her thumb briefly over Lenore's lips, a soft promise of a kiss sure to come in the near future, before she slides her touch away from her beloved to go to their son. She steps up to the side of him, bending at the waist to slide an arm over his shoulders. "Just make sure to have it be the 'heavy duty' kind, son," she says before she pecks him on the cheek, "You know how we get cranky if our morning rest is disturbed."
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:42 pm
Lenore chuckles, getting the exact reaction she had been hoping for. "Of course, I had meant for you to do it anyway," she says. "And, I will remind you that you said that, Damien Casnes Slytherin-Natenhar. The next time that you think you are too big for your knickers."
She does, however, feel a shiver creep up her spine when her love runs her finger over her lips. Smiling like an idiot, she looks back at Eirnae, before standing to bring herself into the family hug.
"I have been awake longer than I want, and you know what the sun does to me. I think I am going to go lie down," she says, kissing the top of Damien's head. "Emme will get you something to eat, if you haven't already." She gives Damien one last squeeze, before releasing him. She brushes Eirnae's arm, before turning and walking toward the stairs.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:43 pm
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:19 am Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar "Yes, mum," he replies to both without distinction, his smile stetching out his burning cheeks in an almost painful manner. His eyes sparkle despite Lenore using his full name for emphasis. Such is her way of letting him know that despite her being in a playful mood, she is quite serious about what she is saying. In Eirnae's case, he's come to realize that his darker mum is rather obvious when she's being serious, so her words are spoken just to tease.
He closes his eyes and enjoys the feeling of being engulfed in his mums' love. It's felt like a lifetime since he's been privy to such a moment, and he savors it like Eirnae does her silverberry wine.
The hug seemed to not last as long as he'd hoped, and yet at the same time, last forever. Lenore soon kisses the top of his head and then leaves him with Eirnae to head for the arch leading into the hall, and likely the stairs after that, announcing that she's tired. Eirnae plants another kiss on Damien's forehead before she heads after Lenore. From the look he catches on Eirnae's face, he can guess that his mum plans on keeping Lenore from sleeping for a while yet. He shakes his head, his smile persistantly remaining. Some things never change.
He gets up from his seat after ruffling both Kamus and Harry's ears. "Emme?" he calls out, knowing that the house elf will hear him no matter where she might be in the house. In any other home he'd make breakfast for himself, but the last thing he wants to do is insult Emme by attempting such a thing here. To her, the kitchen was her realm. "Care to help me make some breakfast, Emme?" he adds a second later with half smirk. No doubt he'd be helping to set the table for his meal once Emme answered his call, all the while being scolded for even suggesting that he have to cook.
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