InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Tarlos forever!"

Gia Riddell (neverfitin) wrote in watchers_rp,
@ 2017-05-25 01:11:00

Entry tags:

#day 007/07 may, daphina, gia

Who: Daphina and Gia
When: Afternoon
Where: Elkwood Castle

Libraries were pretty much the same no matter what part of the Realm one was in, as Gia had learned some time ago. The only thing that really changed was the size. The library in the palace at Kingswood was one that she had become very familiar with during her time at court. She had come there to read more often than not, but sometimes she had spent time there with the other young women she befriended. They would look at books of poetry or out the windows to sigh at the sight of young men walking wherever they were going, while Gia more often than not looked at them. They were fond memories, brought back by the scent of the library when she walked in and set herself up at a table, humming to herself as she did her best to keep all memories of last night at bay. Ilario had asked her at breakfast that morning and she had been forced to say that it had been an enjoyable meal, but for the way Rune had stared at her like she was on a plate. That had set him off and it had only been the timely intervention of her sister-in-law that had given her the window she needed to slip away before she was netted into a repeat performance.

It was just embarrassing to have someone stare at you like that when you knew they weren't getting anything out of it.

Gia meant to finish her project for Eileen, she really did, but it was turning out to be troublesome to focus on something that didn't want to work when she was surrounded by so many fond memories. The sand came together just as she wished, but everything else wasn't working like it had in her vision. Gia hated projects like that. They went from perfect in her mind to flawed in reality, and she ended up giving up on them. Her rooms back in Avalon were littered with such things -- the servants forbidden to do anything with them -- and it looked as though her room here was going to be the same way before the year was up. "This is not cooperating," Gia sighed, pushing herself back from the table. She turned her head, spotting another woman who had wandered into the same space. "Can you believe the absolute audacity of some ideas? To think that they exist in our minds only to utterly refuse to come out of them. You would think they had lives of their own."

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inmyelements
2017-06-02 01:17 am UTC (link)

Indeed, she had apologised (though whether she had meant it would be a mystery even to her if she allowed her mind to slow down and think about it), but Daphina found herself wishing that she’d not actually stopped at all. Obviously, she wished to kiss Gia or else she never would have done so to begin with, and the way the other woman was now staring at her just made her want to do it again. Partly for having not gone anywhere. (Yet.) Her thoughts danced along the line that separated her pleasure at Gia’s continued presence (and lack of horror) from her concerns over whether she ought to have even done that. Concerns that were swiftly smothered. As a rule, Daphina did not like to second-guess herself; it was frequently counterproductive and achieved less than some seemed to believe.

She felt her features smile slightly as Gia managed to tickle just behind her ear, prompting goosebumps to spread down to her neck to what felt like partway down her upper arm. Daphina watched her own finger trace a line down the other’s jaw and up... marking the edge of an imaginary mask even as her thumb brushed that cheekbone. If she kept going they would meet. It only vaguely registered that there had been hair loose, which meant it was imperfect and needing fixing, but she truly was not that invested in it.

“Why apologise,” she echoed, though it was not a question as much as a statement she appeared to be confused about. It occurred to Daphina that it was good she’d not moved, else she may not have heard what Gia was saying. “You are still there.” Not precisely an answer to the question, but rather an observation, and very nearly a disbelieving one. They usually departed in an effort to pretend nothing had happened. Watchers, but those eyes were staggeringly beautiful this close, and she would have said so but it was rude to interrupt -- possibly especially when the speaker was reminding you of flirtations. A reminder that immediately received a smile that showed how welcome it was. “Plead my--” Oh. Her understanding barely cut her off before Gia had the chance to, though that would have been interesting. A giddiness tilted the room slightly -- not the sort one associated with a lack of air, but a quickened pulse and the kind of overwhelming Daphina had always supposed she’d left behind in her teenage years. At court, no less. Probably in that book… The corners of her mouth curved up involuntarily at the memory of the book she still had not had the chance to read, but she could not say she was sorry. It could wait.

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neverfitin
2017-06-02 02:56 am UTC (link)

Today had turned out to be a wonderful thing, and it was hardly even half over. Gia amazed that she had set out with the simple goal of creating something she likely wouldn't finish now only to now be in what her brother would've called a compromising situation. 'Stop getting yourself into compromising situations' was his usual response anytime a servant's tongue wagged near him. One would think he'd get used to it by now. Her fingers are so soft... Gia's thoughts found themselves focusing on that, on how Daphina was tracing along her skin. Had she been a cat she imagined she'd have been purring by now, as it was, she knew her skin was warming under that touch.

What a strange and refreshing thing it was to not wonder what would happen after a kiss. When Gia pulled back she found herself short of breath, an airy laugh falling from her lips. "Where would I go?" she asked, the teasing lilt back in her voice. Her forehead bumped against Daphina's and stayed there, enjoying the warmth of her skin and hoping that she hadn't broken into a sweat from the sheer thrill at what this meeting had turned into. For the first time in she wasn't sure how long, Gia's thoughts were firmly set on one thing without little flutterings pulling her away. "I could run out of the library, this is true, but then I would be at a loss because I am certain your face is going to be lodged in my mind, and if it were not then surely the feel of your lips would haunt me. That may well happen no matter what I do." Her hand stayed where it had found its way to on the side of Daphina's neck, the tips of her fingers tickling at the back as she took the chance to get exactly right in her mind the exact shade of her eyes. "You have claimed a first I never thought would be claimed; you kissed me before I kissed you. I was right, you are a phoenix." Now her mind began to work again, though it still had Daphina at the center, imaging how she might look if she had fiery wings. "Do you often catch the pretty ladies by such surprise?"

Gia would have been shocked if Daphina instead claimed she didn't. She seemed the sort who would, which might very well be why she found herself so charmed by her.

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inmyelements
2017-06-02 05:19 pm UTC (link)

Daphina felt she could have answered that question had the room not still been tilting, and her mind not still focused on senses other than sight. The scent of Gia distracted her from what Gia was saying -- no, that was untrue, her laughter had. And for a bewildered moment, she was unsure what had been funny. Almost in answer, though, she had felt her head consider turning to the door before changing its mind and allowing her eyes to track as far in that direction as they could without the rest of her moving. They shot right back to Gia face the moment she gave the answer herself and then continued with a ‘but’. Her reasoning -- lodged… haunt… -- combined with the tickling at the back of Daphina’s neck elicited a small shiver that took her by surprise. When was the last time a woman managed to that with such minimal effort? “I am afraid it seems you may be stuck with me whatever you choose,” she said archly, watching Gia watch her. Were anybody to walk in at that moment the nature of their… exchange would no doubt appear questionable, and she supposed it was by some standards, but she had never been the type to startle away from something that marked her as guilty. That only made the guilt a certainty, and she preferred plausible deniability.

A first. Not trying particularly hard to keep the smugness out of the delight that brought, Daphina tilted her head slightly. “I could not resist.” Rather, she would not resist, since she had outstanding impulse control. Usually. “It would have been a sin.” All wasted opportunities were, to her mind -- more so if they looked like Gia. As for any other pretty ladies… This time Daphina’s head did turn slightly towards the general direction of the door. “Surprise, yes, but never quite so well-received,” she admitted, very nearly amused. “When I was last at court they often excused themselves and returned when they thought nobody was looking.” Which was both hilarious and a little insulting, but did not particularly bother her. As far as the world was concerned even she was one hundred percent the model daughter. “My sense of opportunism is not to everyone’s taste.” Though she gave no hint of actually caring about that detail. Gia was not everyone.

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neverfitin
2017-06-02 07:08 pm UTC (link)

"I may well be," Gia agreed. "I do not think that I mind." The idea of having Daphina's sparkling eyes and playful smile dancing in her mind was more appealing than the ones that were usually there. Playful smiles and light laughs were so much better than sad ones. Who would choose sadness and longing over delight and the ability to have? Part of the reason Gia was keeping contact with Daphina was doubtlessly because she was making up for time when she couldn't do that same thing. Did she think of servants or prying eyes? No, she truly didn't, and she wouldn't even should she hear of it later from someone else. Gia was shameless and that was one of the reasons the gossips were likely so very fond of her; she made their job terribly easy.

Gia found herself smirking at Daphina's remarks, touching her thumb to the corner of the blonde's mouth. "Not many can claim to wear smugness well, but you are among them." Some people just looked self-satisfied or annoying. Daphina was neither of that sort. Another laugh was drawn out of her at being told not kissing her would have been a sin. "I think," she gasped out, laughter having taken the breath that kissing had left. "You have a view on sin I enjoy. Pray do not let the clergy hear or else they will surely find a way to set you some penance." They were here, ironically enough, for a celebration of the Creator. Using her free hand to wipe away a tear that had formed in her eye as she laughed, Gia regarded what she was told. "I know very well what that is like, and decided years ago that should I ever be on that side I would never do what was done to me. Even if it is understandable along certain lines..." Gia let her voice trail off, shrugging one shoulder. It felt strangely freeing to be there with Daphina in that moment, and she doubted her smile would vanish no matter what thoughts crossed her mind. "I imagine my years at court may have been more enjoyable had I met you in place of your sister, or my brother's now-wife, but I do not think you were here then." Gia liked to play games like that where she imagined the past differently than it was, more favorable, though there was no malice to it.

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inmyelements
2017-06-04 12:56 pm UTC (link)

“Nor do I,” Daphina murmured, fully aware that she could not leave the room without taking some of it -- her -- with her. She would gladly carry Gia’s found around with her, even if it meant she had to invent the tallest of tales for the maid she did not trust as to why she was singing absent-mindedly when her hair was brushed.Or even taller tales should she spark off with whichever sort of magic… “I’ve heard women say thus about my brother and his arrogance.” It was a distracted comment, mostly because her thoughts were focused quite sharply on what had been said about her, and she imagined the colour in her face remained quite high. “Then they realise he is quite stupid.” Arrogance could not be called true arrogance if one had the proof of the reason, to Daphina’s mind, but Daemyn did not think to provide it. If one was rightfully smug, however, it was because of something that had already been achieved. “You are successfully feeding my ego,” she added, amused. Actually, Gia’s continued presence was doing that, but it did not hurt to say it.

Truth be told, Daphina had never considered her view on sin. With the exception of this context -- which she very much liked -- it was a subject of confusion. If ‘abstract’ had been a colour, her grasp on morality was painted in it. Consequently, she appreciated the first sentence as it was intended before sweeping it off… somewhere. At the idea of the clergy and its church, she gave a strangely ladylike snort. “I seem to be quite allergic to the clergy.” Said as though she was commenting on the latest developments in this season’s fashion, Nightmares about the church discovering she was Gifted and dragging her away had that effect. “As men and women they are certainly pleasant enough--” People were like that. “--but I’ve no interest in the rest.” ‘The Rest’ being a whole religion, and one that this whole celebration was based around, no less. She was very tempted to add that her father might actually pay off her penance, or try to, but as much as she was willing to snipe at her brother where he could not defend himself (not that he was capable) she could not allow herself to speak of her Lord Daphisio in a manner that might paint him in a bad light. “I did not blame them. If a man had done the same to me I would have slapped with a hand that, in this room, would likely have held a book.” Daphina was not sorry for that fact and could not make herself sound it. Somehow it was… different when a man decided to attempt that. The word ‘intimidating’ would never make it past her teeth, but she was only a little thing. “I came to court… Watchers, ten years ago.” She blinked at the revelation, then dismissed it. “I stayed a full four years until father insisted I come home.-- I preferred court.” She paused, then burst into a fit of giggles, surprising even herself. Daphina was not a giggler. “I think if we’d met, father may have figuratively lynched me for the lack of suitors. I would have been too distracted to make the effort of socialising with men.”

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neverfitin
2017-06-05 03:56 pm UTC (link)

Gia rolled her eyes good-naturedly at the comment about Daphina's brother. She'd heard things about Sir Daemyn, she was sure many at court had, and she only believed half of them. However after this encounter with his sister she thought she might believe a few more of them. A stupid Taraias, that must be a curse on the family, especially with him being the heir. Janna had always seemed quite clever, Daphina did as well, Daphisio was known for it and what Gia had heard of Amadeo said that he wasn't unintelligent either. "Well," Gia declared as she took the last sip from her tea cup, "I doubt I will come to that realization for you, little phoenix, seem quite the opposite of stupid." Her crooked smile came back. "You have stoked mine for what I am sure will be days, I am merely repaying the favor."

Ah, the clergy. Gia had had many encounters with them, especially when she was younger, and it had been suggested more than once that she join with them. She disagreed on sheer principle that that was even close to a good idea. She was far from faithful. If anything? She considered the gods of the druids were probably closer to the truth. They were more varied and wasn't it more likely that there were many rather than simply a few? "You will find no lecture forthcoming from me on morality for according to the clergy, I am hopeless. I have ever been a frustration to them." It was almost like a game at this point. "I would nearly want to see a man kiss you just for that reaction," Gia said with a grin. "Though only that reason. I almost fear I should be jealous if I saw such a thing." The differences between court and home were ones Gia knew well, and she also preferred court. "Court was ever more enjoyable for me, but alas, I did not wish to be a lady-in-waiting so staying permanently seemed quite out of the question else I would have, and your father would have likely found reason to dislike me." Gia didn't think she would mind. She'd heard Lord Daphisio was a clever man, surely he would be clever enough to figure her out.

"Your family does intend to stay the whole year, I hope?"

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