Juliette Coulombe (clearyourmind) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-12-31 09:34:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, darius delacreaux, juliette coulombe |
Who: Juliette & Darius
What: Darius comes for a check-up, but encounters the wrong sister
Where: The Coulombe estate
When: November sometime
Rating: Tame
Status: Complete
Her sister claimed to be well, but Juliette had her doubts. Oh, certainly she kept up appearances and kept her expression cheerful most of the time, but the arm bothered her, Juliette knew -- maybe it hurt, maybe it didn’t (she didn’t get much of an answer when she tried to ask), but the loss of its use was still a source of constant distress for the younger sister, however the elder felt about it in secret. There were moments, Juliette could tell, when Alys thought to reach for something, realized she couldn’t, corrected. Her once-smooth way of moving was compromised and… Well, Juliette tried not to feel guilty about it, because she had been told not to, but she couldn’t quite help it. Still, they went along as best they could, taking care of their various obligations with the Countess’ wedding imminently near, and Juliette continuing with her training, counting down the days until she was to report to the palace barracks… And wondering exactly when she ought to tell Alys that she had committed to going in the first place. There were so many things to worry about, really. Add to that the guest that had just been announced -- true, Juliette was grateful that Darius made time to check on Alys, and she suspected that Alys was glad, too -- but every time he was here and so was she, she felt a little awkward. It didn’t help that he seemed more concerned with her constant bruises and scrapes than she was. Be that as it may, however, the maid’s announcement had Juliette dismissing her to wake Alys as she went to the front parlor to greet the mage. At least she wasn’t limping today, so maybe… She put a smile on her face (perhaps a bit shy and awkward, but it was an effort) as she entered the room. “Good morning,” she said. “I hope you are well? I am certain Alys will be along shortly.” Once she got herself properly attired, anyway; Alys had a tendency to stay abed until noon if not disturbed. “Good morning.” Darius gave an easy nod in response, already starting to let his eyes wander over the girl for any potential signs of bruises, wounds, scrapes or other issues. They were always such minor things that it wasn’t even really skin off his back to fix them. A few seconds looking things over, and maybe a cure spell - admittedly his cure spells were pretty high powered compared to most - and they were generally done. “Yeah, I’ve been alright.” A brief smile was offered. “How about yourself, any new aches, or achievements?” “Nothing in particular,” she said. “Training continues.” At increased difficulty, but really, that was only to be expected. The trials loomed on the horizon, suddenly very close. But she hadn’t even mentioned them to her sister yet, so of course, she wouldn’t mention them to him, either. “Would you like a cup of tea, perhaps, while you wait?” No doubt he knew Alys was slow to wake (and that was an awkward thought, but she’d gotten used to odder things). In any case, considering Alys’ attachment to him, whatever she said, Juliette wanted to get along with him as well as she could. At the very least, she did not think he was playing any games. Genuine people in her sister’s life were not easy to come by. “I’m good, thanks.” Darius smiled at the girl, while still trying to suss out any potential harm she may have done to herself between now, and the last time he saw her. “If you do run into any problems, you can always drop by the clinic, free of charge, you know?” Considering the number of times he’d indirectly been - weirdly - heavily involved in Juliette’s life at this point, he couldn’t help but feel at least a little big brotherly over her. Hell, he’d put his entire career on the line at one point to help Audrey out for reestablishing the connection to her sister after all. “I know,” she agreed. “I am quite well, I assure you. I promise, no one has kicked me in the head in recent memory.” Mostly due to better blocking on her part. As he had declined the tea, she had no choice but to sit across from him and fold her hands in her lap and try to keep herself looking properly relaxed. “I am far more concerned for my sister than myself.” Perhaps she ought not to have said it, but… “Not that anyone has kicked her in the head either, of course.” It was probably foolish to make that distinction, but it just came out. “Still…. thank you for looking in on her. I appreciate it, and I know she does, as well.” Even if it seemed likely she would not admit as much to Darius directly. “I’m glad to hear it.” Though he had to wonder… “They haven’t been busy kicking you other places, yeah?” He really hoped she wasn’t the type to try that sort of tactic but who the hell knew anymore. “It’s my job.” Darius offered back, not really sure what else to say. Of course he cared, but he’d have to be careful how that was packaged. Her former husband may have been shipped off at this point, but…. “I look after people, try to take care of them even when they don’t seem to know, or be capable of taking care of themselves.” He paused a moment, seeming to consider something before he spoke. “You’d be amazed all of the ways people believe it’s appropriate to treat themselves, and how much each person individually does.” The white mage sure as hell knew he often was. “I try to block most kicks.” The smile she offered at that was still a bit timid, but ultimately genuine. “I think many people tend to concern themselves primarily with other things, as opposed to their own well-being. I suppose that… is not particularly healthy, in the end.” Although she was guilty of it. Alys, certainly. And from what she knew of him, this man, as well -- he seemed far more concerned about the well-being of others rather than his own. As she thought this, she heard footsteps in the hall, far too hurried to be the dignified maid she had sent away. “And I do believe my sister is on her way now.” A record quick rising and dressing -- clearly, she had wanted to see Darius very badly, and far be it from Juliette to interfere, regardless of the reason for his visit. Juliette stood from the couch, nodded her head again, and felt compelled to say, “I promise I will remember your offer, and if anything does occur, I will call on you. Thank you, again.” And as Alys was already in the doorway, she could now exit without leaving the guest unattended, which was really all that was required of her. “Glad to help.” Was all Darius could really offer before the girl was gone. A brief moment of reprieve was all he’d get between the two sisters which caused him to sigh and shake his head. “Women.” |