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 Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:52 am
Who: Kaoru, Crystal & Irene
When: Afternoon
Where: The Park
It was a beautiful, crisp October day, and easily Crystal's favorite time of the year. The leaves were starting to turn and there was enough of a chill in the air that wearing long sleeves and jackets was called for, the cold nipping cheeks and noses. Above was a clear expanse of blue and only a few spots of clouds dotted the sky, a breezeless afternoon that begged to be taken advantage of.
Kaoru answered the call with all the glee and exuberance of someone first experiencing the beautiful weather. The Scent could feel the change in the air, and it brought a sense of comfort...and a stranger one of familiarity. It didn't matter though, as the child was in the company of Crystal, whose enthusiasm matched Kaoru's. There was nothing more exciting than sharing such simple joys with the flower girl, and the child looked forward to spending the day in the park. Crystal had dressed her daughter in a longer dress with a little matching fitted coat, almost looking like formal attire with how the Scent wore it. Kaoru wasn't sure about wearing shoes - much preferring sandals or nothing at all - but after breathing in that chill air, the child's toes were quite happy to be snug in socks and covered shoes.
Crystal was wearing a long sleeved v-necked gown a shade darker than the sky, complete with black dress boots and a warm black winter coat that she had draped over her daughter's shoulders. She was smiling today, but it wasn't her usual wide smile, perhaps just a touch worn around the edges. Even so, the young woman was thrilled to be out and about with Kaoru on such a beautiful day, indulging in one of her and Kaoru's favorite activities of gathering the Scent into her arms and spinning them both around. Crystal's clear, melodious laugh joined Kaoru's gleeful own, soft plumes of warm air hovering by the lips.
Such is how they spent the first several minutes in the park; Crystal gathering her skirts to chase Kaoru, who was squaking like any child would, waddling around in the big jacket before the young woman would catch the Scent, sending them on another round of laughter, spinning beneath that perfect sky.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:10 am
October...seemed colder than usual. The young noble shuddered as the chilly wind blew, and fastened his black, gold trimmed jacket closer. It was unusual for him to take a walk in a park at a time like this. Normally, he would be by his mother's side to take care of business and autumn ball arrangements. In fact, he sneaked out in a way, without receiving his mother's consent. Irene felt as if the lady's grip on him had become tighter, and he felt less and less a free human being the longer he stayed in the mansion.
He needed some fresh air, even if it meant possibly catching a cold. The maids had warned him about the chilly weather, but Irene was not in the mood to listen. He realized it was not as cold, only the wind seemed more severe than usual...
The young lord strolled aimlessly around the small park, mind full of convoluted thoughts that came from all directions. He had heard children playing and adults laughing, and had passed by a few old couples' gentle chatters. Irene looked at what he was seeing, but only seeing past them. He felt bitter for some reason at all the interactions. The people seemed so happy...what did they own? He, the one who had the money, the power and the looks could not find the same happiness in these people, the warm aura these plain citizens had produced. Instead, he felt cold from inside out, as if there was an invisible barrier to which that blocked him from feeling the warmth.
Oh how he wished he knew how to break this barrier.
Tugging his hands in his pockets, Irene walked faster as to flee from the warming scene. Maybe it was because he was unfocused, or maybe it was because he was too cold to look carefully. For whatever reason, Irene suddenly found himself almost tripping over a small, innocent child who happened to appear in front of him (or was she there all the time? Irene wasn't sure, as he wasn't paying attention). He felt himself bumping into the child, hard. The young man bounced back a little, surprised. He seemed to be bumping into people a lot lately?
"Be careful there, young lady. Are you alright?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:21 am
Crystal had been in one of the bouts of chasing Kaoru, when the child, for no apparent reason, veered sharply to the side rather than continuing in the lazy cirlces as they had been running. The sudden motion startled the flower girl, reaching her just as someone all but tripped over the girl. "Kaoru!" she called breathlessly, her cheeks a spry rouge from the running, "You have to be careful sweetie. I'm sorry, we wer--" Grey eyes shifted up to apologize to the person, and the words died on her lips.
The Scent blinked up innocently, the near running-over from the man not paying attention sending the child back into Crystal's arms. Kaoru was surprised both in the man - for he seemed too well dressed to be in a park - and Crystal, who had managed to make it to the Scent in time to stop the child from being bowled over. Kaoru was ready to apologize, but when Crystal's words stopped, when her grip around the alert child tightend a little, the Scent couldn't help but look curiously at the man. He was handsome enough, even if he was obviously distracted, rather liking his hair. "I'm fine sir," came the sweet reply, ruby red eyes as warm as the smile on the child's face, "Are you okay? I'm sorry for running into you."
The flower girl seemed to find her voice after her daughter started to speak. "My Lord...Irene?" Were her eyes deceiving her? Could she really have the dumb luck to run into the man in the place they had last had a civil conversation? Crystal was surprised to see him, equally surprised at the hope that it was him, that she momentarily lapsed, calling him by his name.
Kaoru turned that inquisitive gaze up to Crystal, putting the child's face just under Crystal's chin. "You know him mommy? He's pretty." The Scent looked back to Irene, the look suddenly less friendly and somewhat more scrutinizing.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:39 am
Irene had no time to smile back at the little girl before Crystal suddenly appeared in his view, distracting his plan. He wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He was both pleasantly surprised to meet Crystal again, despite what happened during their last encounter, and shocked that the young woman knew the little girl. Irene would have brushed it off the two's relationship by assuming the little girl was her little sister, or a cousin, or simply someone else's child. But when Kaoru addressed Crystal with "mommy", the young man almost stumbled over himself. Mommy? Wasn't Mommy one way to adress someone's own mother? Crystal was the child's mother? But then that means---
Irene did realize that he was staring at the little child as soon as the question left her mouth. In fact, he realized they were staring at each other, both observing the other for different reasons. If the young noble's mind wasn't chaotic enough, it certainly was in a turmoil. Irene wanted to ask Crystal about the child, about where she had came from, and about Crystal's situation...but would that really be the right thing to do? Did he have the right to butt into someone's personal life? It appeared that Crystal was surprised as well in seeing him, but she didn't make an attempt to hide the child did she? That means it wasn't something she was ashamed of, which made Irene relax a little. But nontheless, the young man felt as if his chest was struck by a hammer, leaving him disoriented and speechless for a long time.
No, he must not lose his cool. He had done so and had been punished for it way to many times. He needed to remember his status, and the way he SHOULD behave.
The young man smiled a little shakily (as one might assume it was because he almost tripped). "I'm well, little lady, forgive me for intruding your playdate with your...mother." He then rose and looked at Crystal, with hints of warmth but also a little sadness. "My lady, what a pleasant surprise! How fair you?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:49 am
"My lady?" Kaoru repeated incredulously. The Scent wriggled out of Crystal's arms and turned questioning eyes upon the flower girl. "Doesn't he know your name?" On the heels of that thought, the child faced Irene again, extending a small hand with a wide smile. "I'm Kaoru! This is my mom, her name is Crystal. She really should say that to people, 'my lady' sounds so stuffy."
The young woman couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled from her chest. Between the sudden appearance of Irene and Kaoru's staunch lack of understanding of titles, it was just too much for her to handle. She brushed her fingers over Kaoru's curly hair, a fond smile on her seashell lips as she gazed at her daughter as only a mother can. "Sweetie, this is Lord Irene Jewell. He's a very important man." Playful eyes shifted back up to meet Irene's, her smile softening in a different type of fondness. "It's so good to see you, my Lord. So much has happened since I last saw you." She wanted to reach out to him, to touch his hand or hug him, but they were still in public...
"Like me!" Kaoru quipped cheerfully, not at all bothered by the notion. As if struck by an idea, the child looked up at Irene with large eyes. "Do I have to call you lord? I like Irene. It looks better on you. And Jewell! But everyone likes jewels." The Scent chattered happily, unaware of the adult's history.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:02 am
If he could dig a hole in the ground and hide himself, Irene would think he'd want to do that. Even as a noble, a lord, a gentleman, someone who would be retrained and content at all times, Irene could not help but to find the situation increasingly awkward and embarrassing. The young man did not know whether he should laugh at the little child's words or should be outraged by such. She was not of noble blood, and she certainly did not have the education of what should be said and what should not. But more than that, Irene was jealous. He did not know what he was jealous of. Perhaps it was because of the fact that he never had an innocent and free childhood, being confined in that cold mansion with his mother's strict trainings, or perhaps it was because the child was so close to Crystal. He was an important person, but so was her. They were equal to Crystal's eyes...
"Nice to meet you, Lady Kaoru." Irene forced himself to remain smiling and kept his voice soft to the child. But his eyes were no longer smiling. Instead, it avoided looking at the small child's face and stared in spaces again. He wanted to say something to Crystal, to reply her comment, but could not find the will to do so. So instead, he merely nodded, waiting, as if he expected Crystal to say something more.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:12 am
The young woman could feel her joy starting to drain away. Already...already Irene was uncomfortable around her, looking as though he'd rather be anywhere but with her. It was like the last time the met, but this time, it was just her and Kaoru. Normally, Crystal would be able to contain her hurt with small motions, so it wasn't so obvious; given the stress of the past two months, however, it showed as she lowered her eyes, it showed in the decline of her smile and the lilt of her voice. "Lord Jewell is a busy man, Kaoru, sweetie. We should let him...let him do what he needs to."
Kaoru was having none of that type of talk, least of all when Crystal looked so sad, and when Irene looked so...lost. "Can't Irene Lord Jewell Sir play too? I work too, but I can still play." The child's will was indomintable. The Scent reached jacket-clad arms up to Irene, eyebrows furrowed with all the innocence a child could muster, lips puckered in a pout. "Pleeeaaase? Just one spin? I like your hair, and you smell nice."
Crystal looked stricken. "Kay, he..." She crossed her arms, hands absently rubbing her arms from a coldness that had little to do with the weather. "My Lord, she is but a child. You needn't...stay, if you have duties you need to attend to." Just as it was at the festival, except she wasn't trying to keep him against his will. She wished she could, sorely wish she could make him smile again, but the Irene she remembered seemed so far away from this sad, uncertain young man.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:28 am
How is it that the young woman always assumed he had something to do? Irene felt his heart heavy with doubt and regret. Did she really not want him to be around? But of course not. She had Quadir, she had her warmth that only a commoner would have, and she had this little child who was equally important. He didn't need to see her, he didn't need to be here. After all, she didn't need him.
Irene paused at this thought, surprised how angry he was all of a sudden. He shouldn't be, why should he? Crystal was not his property, she was free, unlike himself. She has every right to do whatever she wanted to do, whereas he had to confirm to the rules of the noble court. Perhaps he was jealous of Crystal's being also, perhaps he envied all the commoners. It was true that they did not have a gorgeous mansion and hundreds of servants by their side, but they had...something Irene could not name, something he longed to have, even though he was told that this...thing was of low value.
"If I was busy I wouldn't be wandering here at this time of the day."
The words seemed cold, and a lot harsher than Irene intended to be. He was unable to control his emotions much more than she could, and Irene almost felt sorry for the poor little girl that was stuck in between the two unhappy adults. So to resolve the situation a little, Irene bent down and shifted his focus to Kaoru. "I'd be glad to accompany the ever-so-adorable lady Kaoru for whatever she wishes. " The young lord gave the little girl a teasing smile, hand reaching out to stroke the child's innocent face.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:37 am
The child beamed at Irene, waddling forward to wrap short arms around his neck. And there, Kaoru stood, waiting expectantly.
"She likes to be spun," Crystal offered quietly, a ghost of a smile on her lips. She was starting to feel funny again, but she wasn't going to call off the park visit with Kaoru; she'd just have to suffer it and hope it didn't get worse. "Just pick her up and spin a few times. I don't know why, but she loves it." Keen grey eyes watched Irene interact with Kaoru, remembering the words she had exchanged with her father, recalling the Masquerade and how cocky and carefree he'd been back then. What had happened between them? Did it matter? The young woman decided that she'd have fun with Kaoru, regardless of what transpired between the noble and herself. She owed her daughter - and herself - at least that much.
The Scent snuggled into Irene, still holding onto him while waiting for the young man to start the game. Kaoru's own scent was strong, as it was with the children, the dusky and tangible smell of pomegranate. "It's fun," the child informed the adults. "It's like flying, I bet.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:52 am
Spun? Irene blinked and dazed off for a moment as the child clung to him. He was only able to make out what Crystal meant by the follow-up explanation. Well, that seemed to be easy enough, wasn't it? He gave the young woman an understanding smile, and picked up the little girl, holding her in his arms to make sure she didn't fall when he stood up. Irene had never held a child this young before, which was why he was extra careful. Kaoru's strong pomegranate scenet smelt pleasant to the young noble, almost refreshing to his gloomy mind.
"Like flying, huh?" Irene snorted slightly. "We'll see about that."
Taking the child's hands and holding them firmly in his, the young man turned, first slowly and eventually faster, around in a circle, arms tossing out to give the little girl her desired spin.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:02 am
While it wasn't exactly the spin in mind, Kaoru laughed gleefully all the same, hanging onto Irene with joy. It was a little difficult with the large jacket, but the child did the best possible, gripping onto the noble, releasing a whoop of exuberance.
The flower girl chuckled softly, arms still crossed, watching the two. She couldn't help but wonder if Kaoru was missing something without a second parent, but she had thought that since the child was born with only Crystal around, it wouldn't be a problem. Of course, she could hear her parent's voices in her head, egging her on to get married, and now that there was a child in the picture... The young woman closed her eyes briefly, fighting off the encroaching dizziness with a hard swallow. Opening her light grey gaze back to Irene and Kaoru, she simply watched, feeling both joy at Irene giving in to Kaoru, and a strange numbness she couldn't place.
After a few good spins, Kaoru squirmed with an indication that the desire was satisfied, and that the child was prepared to be let down. The Scent planted a very childish and innocent kiss on Irene's cheek, smiling ear to ear. "Thank you Mister Jewell Irene Sir! That was fun!"
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:13 am
A few spins, amazingly enough, was more exhausting to Irene than he had thought. As soon as he left go of the small child's hand the young man felt his feet unable to hold onto their places on the ground. While a little kiss on the cheek may be rewarding, Irene did not have the will to smile back and even had no time to say " you are welcome" before losing his balance, his body still used to the spinning motions that knocked him back and forth. The young man struggled to keep control, but only found it too late when his body (as if directed by fate) knocked into something behind him, something soft and familiar...
Irene groaned. He knew what he had leaned on before coming back to his senses. However, he made no attempts to get up immediately. A sly smile creeped up on his face as he continued to lean on Crystal's shoulder, eyes looking to the side and colliding with the young woman's pale face. Irene then burst into a series of chuckles now that the excitement from the spin finally reached up to his head. He echoed Kaoru's words to Crystal, his hands reaching to to help himself stand up again.
"That was fun."
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:25 am
The young woman was not expecting what happened after Irene let go of Kaoru. As such, she was unable to hold them both up, Irene and Crystal tumbling to the ground in a tangle of clothes and limbs. Her lips parted in surprise, both at the fact Irene had lost control and that the man had somehow managed to land on her in the most interesting way. Grey eyes became wider as he looked up at her and chuckled, feeling some of that numbness melt away at the sight of his smile. She laughed a little herself, somewhat disbelieving, especially at his words! Lithe arms draped around him momentarily, taking the blunder to steal a partial hug from their strange position, giggling and releasing him as he started to stand.
"Mama?" Kaoru inquired in bafflement as the two collided and laughed, not much different than children themselves. Ruby eyes shifted between the two, and two things happened at once; first, a sly smile formed, one that could have been described as mischevious, or even knowing. The second happened so fast that the first could be completely missed, as the child skipped over to them and all but leapt onto Irene. "Dog pile!" Kaoru cried out gleefully, clinging to Irene, who was still pinning Crystal down.
"Kay!" was all Crystal managed to get out before the child jumped on the adults, obviously thinking there was still a game going on. She barely got her arms around Irene to brace him before the child joined the fray, earning fresh laughter from the flower girl. "Kay!" she gasped again between bouts of laughter, "Get up, Kaybee! The grass is cold!"
Kaoru pouted at Crystal over Irene's shoulder. "But you're both warm." Those eyes turned to Irene's face, as though beseeching him to confirm that the game of piling up was, indeed, enjoyable.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:45 am
Irene was reluctant to leave Crystal's warm embrace. It turned out, he didn't need to. Even so, he could not help but to yelp as the small girl suddenly leaped on him, knocking him back down and now is sandwiched in between two girls. The young man didn't laugh completely. For him, the situation was more awkward than funny. But he did "oh" and "ah" along with the two, almost sounded as if he too was laughing.
"Urm." When he finally managed to speak, Irene found himself unable to answer Kaoru's question. Should he reject the child and tell her to get up so he could get off this embarrassing moment, or should he encourage her? He looked sideways in an attempt to peer at Crystal, and when he failed to find her face due to the face that he was on top of her, Irene sighed.
"I think your mother feels cold on the grass, little lady. You don't want her to be sick now do you?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:55 am
"She can't catch cold if we're all warm, right?" It seemed perfectly obvious to Kaoru, but the child slowly withdrew from perching on Irene, head turning in a bounce of curls so that the mischevious smile that formed could not be seen.
Crystal sighed a little while she waited for Kaoru to get up, resting her cheek on Irene's head. He did smell good, and seeing him be playful again did wonders for her, making her feel light hearted and easy going again. It was a little alarming how much sway the noble in her arms had on her very being. Her arms slid away as Kaoru got up, allowing Irene to move freely, a bemused smile on her face. "Thank you, Kay. While my Lord is quite warm, I don't think it's suitable to act as a blanket in the park." Another soft chuckle escaped her; she hadn't minded the closeness, not one bit, but it still was a little awkward when the cold ground was reaching through her dress. She was only grateful the grass wasn't wet!
Having resumed a carefree expression, Kaoru turned and smiled at the two. "I'm hungry!" the child announced, rocking back and forth, "Can we get something to eat? Or go sit down and eat? And can Lord Sir Mister Irene come with us?" The barrage of questions had barely left that innocent face before it split into an eager grin, watching the adults excitedly.
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