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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 0:36:09 GMT -5
"Does this not please you? He used you, Tristeza. Does he not deserve to die?"
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 0:40:41 GMT -5
"He was within his rights according to our agreement," she muttered, "though...that instance...was actually...the second time I had bedded Timm," she whispered, forcing the air through her lungs, "There was one previous instance--one single other instance at all," she added frantically, "and it was a very grave mistake...for which..." she paused grimacing as she pulled her fingers through her hair, and squinted furiously as she tried to focus her energy, "for which I apologize...and...and..." she struggled fretfully for words but found nothing, as her hands began to shake, and she shook her head violently, "and I do not know what else to say..."
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 0:47:42 GMT -5
"I... see."
Horas takes a breath, his earlier anger and outrage slowly giving away to something else, something colder. Despite himself, he still feels somewhat unsteady, and a bark of laughter escapes his lips, unbidden, and entirely devoid of happiness.
"You are a very skilled liar, Tristeza. If nothing else. I thought... perhaps our love was genuine. I see I was mistaken."
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 0:53:31 GMT -5
Without warning a loud sob broke her long-kept silence. She had expected the worst--she had expected her husband to disown her; to call her disloyal, or stupid, or selfish, or whore--but this was worse than she had realized it could be...he was not angry...he was disallusioned--he was not putting and end to their love--he simply asserted that it had never existed at all.
Her fingers curled into fists as they knotted in her unruly hair, "You were not mistaken," she said in broken words between shaking breaths, "You were not..."
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 1:04:17 GMT -5
Horas looks to the side. He does not trust his resolve to hold if he looks her in the eye.
"You have deceived me." Horas tries to put a note of ice in his voice. "When you convinced me to spare Vikary for your sake... When you convinced me that the only path you could follow was to seek refuge in Braavos... When you swore your vows on our wedding day. You should hold your head high, Tristeza. No man has ever fooled me half as many times as you."
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 1:09:37 GMT -5
"I had no intention of bedding that man!" she barked, "A single weak moment..." she fumed, "The price for weakness is high--well, I apologize, Horas--we are not all as strong as you are. The rest of us need reassurance, and a kind word to be spoken on our behalf once in a great while--I am no island--I am sorry I could not live up to that expectation..." she shook her head, eyes shut tight to damn the threatening moisture.
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 1:22:54 GMT -5
"I have... been a poor husband. But I have been faithful, and I have loved you as best as I can... as best as the circumstances permit."
Horas stares at the far wall. "I do not know what to say to you now."
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 1:24:32 GMT -5
Tristeza sat in silence a moment, wracked with guilt, and uncertainty, but after some time had passed she pleaded;
"Say I can fix it..."
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 1:30:15 GMT -5
Horas turns, slowly, and looks at her until she meets his eyes. "Tell me that you love me," he says.
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 1:32:23 GMT -5
Tristeza allowed another sob, which rang of tentative hope, "I do love you; of course I love," she rambled, the words tumbling from her lips in a rush of feeling.
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 1:41:41 GMT -5
He closes his eyes. "Then go. Leave now, before I say anything I will regret. This is what I want to remember. Not anything that we said before."
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 1:46:03 GMT -5
"You...you wish me to go...?" she asked, devestation evident in her voice, and she gazed at him with wide, desperate eyes, "Please..." she muttered, "I am not long for this world...and I...cannot bear for... this, to be our last encounter..." she sobbed openly now, and could no longer stiffle the long impending tears; the thought of death often brought her to tears of late; at least when she was in private.
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 2:06:23 GMT -5
Horas moves towards her without thinking and embraces her. "Do not..." he says, then stops. For a time he says nothing, only holding her. Then very softly, "I am sorry, Tristeza." Though what for, he does not say.
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Post by brigida on Jun 25, 2008 2:39:18 GMT -5
Tristeza lingered in his arms, frightened to move--she did not want to break the fragile spell that held them momentarily together. As her tears smudged the cloth of his tunic, she murmured a tentative question; "Why are you sorry...?" fear was the most prominent feeling in her broken voice; fear of what his answer might bring.
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Post by Horas on Jun 25, 2008 2:52:12 GMT -5
"For doing whatever it was that drove you to this," Horas says. He does not break the embrace.
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Hope you all are well and happy.
Feb 9, 2021 15:35:26 GMT -5
Hope you all are well and happy.
Feb 9, 2021 15:35:26 GMT -5