|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:03 am
"It would be my pleasure," she insisted, removing the shawl from her shoulders, "but I would also be happy to treat a friend." Crystal carefully wrapped the black fabric around the taller man's shoulders, smiling up at him. She stayed that way for a short moment before turning to walk back to her home, her hand extended to the noble to indicate that she'd like him to follow. The woman didn't even bother to consider a public venue, not the way he was dressed at given their circumstances. If that was his intent, he would have to say so.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:22 am
Irene nodded in appreciation. The word friend landed on him with a bitter feeling. But at least, that was all he would ask for for now. Crystal's warm shawl had successfully shut the young noble up, and he did just so, and followed the girl silently.
The streets were well lit in light, and Irene was glad in a way that he was finally away from the shady areas of the museum. He had not mentioned his phobia of the dark, but he had a feeling that Crystal already knew about it. After all, she would have to be really ignorant to not notice when Irene rescued her from his own house and escorted her back home that day. They took the shortcut through the dark forest in the part that time, but this time, they were traveling the normal route...to her home?
Irene opened his mouth as if he was trying to protest, but held off for the second time. He was quite conscious of what he looked like at this point. However, his shaggy look also hid his noble status well. Surely nobody would be able to notice who he really was and thus not able to get him into anymore trouble than he already was in.
So Irene fell silent again, ducked his head and followed Crystal to her little house.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:33 am
It wasn't very far from the museum, and therefore, the walk was quiet, albeit short. She opened the gate, letting herself into the unlocked home and making her way through the foyer to the kitchen. Crystal didn't even think twice that he may have wanted to go elsewhere, but of course, when asked if she could do something for a person, she took it to mean that she would do it with her own two hands. "Do you prefer milk or water? And do you like flavoring? I prefer to melt peppermint in it, myself."
Now, she was just making small talk, desperately trying not to use his title, even though he had done so with her. She was trying to keep the atmosphere friendly and warm; his words would not soon leave her, and it was hard to determine how serious he was when he kept swaying between formality and familiarity. Crystal smiled a little, awaiting his response.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:40 am
When Crystal opened the gate, Irene followed without second thought. And when Crystal asked what he wanted, the young noble simply said, "any would be fine." He was quite self-conscious of the fact that he was, not only freezing, but also out of place even for Crystal's home. The house was small, but it was neat and clean, unlike what he looked like at the moment. Realizing though, that his words sounded too rushed, Irene added, "as long as it's warm" and smiled at the girl, reassuring that he was not feeling uncomfortable. He then looked around for a place to sit, and eventually decided that he'd just lean against the wall instead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:59 am
She worked in the kitchen as she had that fateful night so long ago, simmering some milk over the oven to heat it appropriately. The kitchen was about the size of the dining room, the kitchen itself being open and without doors so that any in the dining room could see it clearly. The dining room was simple, the first area one walked into after the foyer, containing only an old but well cared for solid wood table with four chairs of the same wood, their seats lined with a comfortable cushion. Beyond the living room - still open, without doors - was the living room, which contained an antique couch, a similar love seat and an old chair that looked like one could sink into it, it was so well worn.
While she waited, Crystal turned to observe Irene, another faint smile flickering across her lips. "You may sit if you so desire, you know. The furniture is old but I promise it will hold you well." She chuckled to herself, preparing a mug.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:27 pm
Irene blinked, then shook his head and smiled. "Thank you, I think I'll stand, for now..." He unconsciously ducked his head, then looked up again and away from Crystal, gazing at the dimly-lit room. Last time when he was here...he couldn't remember much other than the horror that followed when he returned home.
Home...his home was nothing like this one. At least, it had none of this one's warmth and comfort, and delicacy and a sense of belonging. Sure, his home was bright, spacious, filled with expensive decorations and hired servants who loved and feared him at the same time, but Irene failed to find any real comfort there. He sometimes even lothed it, and wished he didn't live there.
Tonight was one of the times he wish he'd never go back.
Turning back to Crystal, the young noble watched the girl preparing his drink silently. He had his doubts answered, but why did he feel even more awkward now?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:55 am
It didn't take long for the flower girl to finish, mixing in a powdered cocoa into the fine mug, placing the heated dish onto a saucer. She poured herself some before picking his mug up again, fishing through one of her cupboards to produce a small white disc of some sort, placing it upon the saucer. Crystal turned and walked towards Irene, smiling a little shyly. "Here you are, hot chocolate. That," her eyes flitted to the small disc before returning to his brown gaze, "is peppermint. Don't be fooled by its side, it's strong."
She offered him the mug, her smile warming a little. "It's hot, be mindful of your tongue."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:55 am
The young noble nodded numbly and received the cup from Crystal without saying a word. His eyes continued to gaze, and he forced himself a faint smile as appreciation.
He took the cup and brought it closer to his lips, feeling the heat tickling at his nose. The warmth felt nice. Irene eagerly took a small sip, and felt the hotness stinging at the tip of his tongue. Even so, he swallowed the liquid, feeling the warmth rushing down and permeating to the rest of his body. He sighed heavily, and grinned at Crystal.
"That felt so much better, than you..."
For a moment Irene hesitated whether he should call the girl by her name or call her by the title. It downed upon him that he had been using the two interchangeably and quite frequently. He swallowed, uncertain if Crystal liked this frequent change.
"Uh...forgive me, but I must ask, which one do you rather prefer?"
A question coming out of no where, although Irene was stuck on the latter, perhaps the more important part of the question.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:56 am
She was gratified by his grin, turning to get her own cup and therefore missing his hesitation. Grey-blue eyes shifted curiously over her shoulder at his next question, turning to face him with drawn brows. "Which what do I prefer?" Crystal smiled a little, quite confused, obviously not quite grasping that he'd been about to address her by title or name.
The young woman rejoined him, standing a small ways away so as not to be too pressing, but not to be too rude and far. She pursed her lips and blew gently over the dark liquid, dropping in the peppermint chip. Crystal smiled contently, glancing up to Irene to await his answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:18 pm
"well." Irene coughed lightly, and carefully took a another sip from the cup. "Do you prefer your own status, or mine?"
That did not come out sounding exactly pleasant to him. Irene frowned himself, and shook his head. He turned to avoid Crystal's questioning gaze and looked around the room again, trying to think of something else to say to change the direction of the conversation. At one point he seemed to have thought of something, then turned back to Crystal, smiling.
"Do you live here all by yourself?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:33 pm
A dark brow drew upwards at the strange question, not sure it was one she was supposed to answer. As Irene carried onwards, she decided against answering it at all, instead smiling and clasping her dainty hands around her cup. "I do...or rather, I did. Kaoru stays in what used to be the guest bedroom." Crystal paused for a moment, eyes searching the dark contents of her mug. "To be truthful, it was a little lonely before she came into my life...I just...I didn't realize it until she was here."
She wasn't sure why, but the thought was somewhat...sad. As if she'd been missing something important this whole time. Her eyes lifted back to his handsome face, trying to keep her thoughts to herself, "It must be strange for you...to see this - my status - so close and personal. You have so many people in your home, I can see where this would perhaps feel...empty, or lacking." There was nothing condescending or sad in Crystal's voice, just a quiet musing and thoughtfulness as she watched the nobleman.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:42 pm
Irene didn't know why, but Crystal's words felt as if he had poured all the hot liquid from the cup straight into his throat, burning and stinging his mouth and chest. He stared at Crystal silently, face emotionless as he tried to digest what Crystal meant. Eventually Irene gave up and lowered his head and sighed heavily.
"I like it here." Irene said quietly. "It felt so much more filling than my own home."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:52 pm
Crystal's expression faded into silent worry as she watched Irene, not at all liking the neutral look on his face when he had been grinning mere moments before. The latter suited him so much more nicely. As he lowered his head, she approached him with a few small steps, extending one hand to light upon the side of his shoulder, no more weight than that of a butterfly. "I am humbled that you feel that way," she replied just as quietly as he. "You are welcome here whenever you please. I'll keep a light on for you."
She smiled softly, hoping to encourage a smile from him in return. Her thumb drew fondly over the fabric of his shirt, hoping to chase off his discomfort, which he often seemed to bear around her. When had that happened, she wondered? Certainly he was in no such state in the Masquerade, or even thereafter...it had just happened recently, or so she thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:35 am
Irene chuckled bitterly and looked away.
"I wish I could. It is not as easy as you say, unfortunately."
He fell silent afterwards, mind drowning in thoughts. All thoughts, though, ultimately led back to his mother, who he now frowned upon. The thought also made him conscious of the time, and made him look up in search for a clock.
"What time is it?" Irene asked, rather to himself. He didn't want to leave so soon, but he didn't want to be found out if he was too late.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:17 am
"Of course," came her quiet agreement. It would never be that easy and she would likely never understand. It was just another division of their worlds, and a large one she was not sure Irene could overcome. With a faint, almost sad smile, she glanced over to the grandfather clock beyond the kitchen, near the hearth in the back.
"It appears to be about eight fourty one," she remarked, eyes shifting back to the noble to gauge his reaction. Crystal felt a heavy pit in her stomach, one that bore the memory of the man's awful mother and his circumstances of having to get out...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
