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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 11, 2016 4:17:04 GMT -5
Julian felt for her, he really did. She wasn't prepared for this. Yes she attended Hogwarts, and in all likelihood she had done well enough in school, but for so many girls of Lyra's station it was more a marriage mart than an education. Still Julian was surprised that her parents would so callously cast her off, well maybe he wasn't entirely surprised, just once again disappointed in his class.
When Lyra mentioned Sam, Julian scoffed, "I see I'm not the only one you don't trust, but tell me Lyra what makes you think Sam wouldn't help you just like I intend to?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 11, 2016 4:40:47 GMT -5
She looked at him, hurt. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, or Sam, she trusted them both more than anyone else. Even more so than her parents, at times. But she had been raised to be ashamed of failure, and this was certainly the biggest failure of her life. "I..." She didn't know what she was going to say. She turned away from him, ashamed, and then stood up. The bandage on her leg twisted slightly as she stood and she winced at the pain. "It's just..." she wasn't able to articulate her feelings clearly enough. Every time she thought she knew how to express herself, she realized it made no sense. "I can't tell Sam. Do you really think she'll want to be my friend if I can't go out with her and get private booths, and bottle service, and designer dresses? Is she really going to have dinner at some place I can afford, and not a five cauldron restaurant? She's a Montgomery!"
"Look," she said finally, turning back to face him. "You're amazing. You're unbelievably kind, and sweet, and...but that's not the rest of the world. The rest of the world cares about money and station. And as far as anyone knows, I still have both. If I keep up the appearance long enough, someone will love me and save me from all of this. But if people find out, who will love me then?"
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 11, 2016 16:26:01 GMT -5
He stood after her, any hurt feelings evaporated instantly. He brought her against his chest again to comfort her. "I'm sorry pet. Trust isn't the right word." he said against her temple, "I know how hard this must have been for you. I'm sorry. But I do think you are underestimating her, and yourself for that matter."
He brought his fingertips to her jaw to turn her to face him, "You are quite easily lovable Lyra. Just by yourself, without any pretense. Sam doesn't need you to have money or station, that's not who she is. You are lovable, and you are loved." he paused a moment. Julian cared about her it was true, and he loved her in his own way, but he couldn't give her what she'd want or what she'd deserve. If it was just about money and securing her position Julian might have offered for her then and there, but Lyra was young, passionate, she deserved someone who could give that kind of passion back and it wasn't Julian. In the mean time however he wouldn't let her suffer.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 1:55:50 GMT -5
She chewed her lower lip as she contemplated what he was saying, her gaze shifting from his face to the floor. Maybe she had underestimated her friends' response to her situation. Julian wouldn't lie to her about his opinions on the matter. If he said he didn't care whether she had money or not, then she knew he truly didn't care. That gave her some comfort. And he had known Sam for so long, he clearly had greater insight into her long-term relationships than Lyra had. Would she really still be friends with Lyra, even if their normal routine had to change so drastically?
She still felt as though she was a failure. Julian's acceptance of her did nothing to change that. But at the very least she didn't have to be a failure and be alone. She smiled meekly at this thought. She looked back up at him, her eyes still glistening from her tears, though she had since stopped her weeping. "Promise you'll still love me?" she asked softly.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 2:08:48 GMT -5
It was almost comical. He held her small perfectly curved body in his arms, that combined with the look in her eyes as she asked such a question nearly brought a laugh, but he curbed it knowing it wasn't the time.
"My dear, dear girl." he shook his head to clear it, " That you feel you have the need to ask such a question at this moment is beyond me. That you would think money or station could change any feeling toward you in a negative way, you truly do not see how precious you are. How utterly perfect."
Something twisted in his gut as he held her, and for the first time in a very long time he felt something penetrate the ironclad defenses he had built so long ago. It scared him.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 2:34:23 GMT -5
His words, so poetic, brought on a wonderful relief that Lyra desperately needed. She gave a doleful smile and rested her head on his shoulder. She breathed deeply, inhaling his scent. It had been far too long since Lyra had felt another's embrace. Her time had been spent focusing on her struggles so that she hardly had any time for personal relationships, except for a night out with Sam. She wrapped her arms around Julian, afraid that he'd cease the embrace sooner than she was ready for it to end. "Thank you," she whispered.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 2:42:14 GMT -5
He wanted to pull back. Her vulnerability was affecting him, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep his distance when all was said and done. But Lyra wasn't his, she wasn't for him. He liked to play the white knight and ride in on a majestic horse with all the trappings, but it was a sham - a facade he created to make his existence a little more bearable.
Tear that away and even he wasn't sure what was left.
But he didn't pull away. With her arms around him he held on to her in what he could only assume was the first form of security she had since she had been "banished."
"You're so full of gratitude now, I wonder if I shouldn't keep your other surprise for myself." he said with a bit of cheek and mystery.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 2:55:07 GMT -5
She smiled more broadly as she buried her face in his chest for a moment to compose herself. She then lifted her head and smirked at him, pulling away every so slightly so as to be able to see him more clearly. "Don't you dare taunt me with more presents," she said in a tone that mocked the warning she gave him. If there was ever a time that she turned down a gift, it would certainly forecast the impending apocalypse.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 3:01:46 GMT -5
Dorian's superior look mirrored Lyra's sentiment about the impending apocalypse, but he was happy to see her relaxing. Really there was no better time for a gift, particularly the one he brought.
"Depends on how much more of this gratitude I'm going to get." he said with a suggestive wink. For all their playful banter and seemingly intimate care of one another they never did cross that threshold, and Julian intended to keep it that way, but he did enjoy "taunting" her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 3:30:55 GMT -5
A smug look grew on Lyra's face. "Oh, we're playing that way now, are we?" She was still emotionally exhausted from her melt down and the stress that had brought it on, but Julian had a way of making her feel almost normal again. She playfully ran her fingers slowly down his chest. "Don't you want to give it to me?" She batted her eyes at him.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 3:45:06 GMT -5
He caught her fingers and brought them to his lips sweetly. No. He did not want to play that way with her. He was very nearly certain that she'd win despite how he felt, or what he wanted, she was too tempting by half.
"Yes. I do." he laughed and snapped his fingers.
There was a faint familiar "pop" in the air and a small creature which appeared simultaneously.
"Is this her Mr. Faust? Is Mimsy for her?" the two foot, tall spindly armed creature asked with deference and awe, "She's so pretty Master. Mimsy will be the best care taker - AHHH!" Mimsy had been so awestruck by her new mistress she had yet to notice the apartment itself. While it was not overly messy by any means, Mimsy was horrified to find her new mistress's dwelling in such a state. Without further preamble Mimsy seemed to appear and disappear all over the apartment cleaning dishes, washing the floor, dusting the furniture and so on.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 4:09:49 GMT -5
The sudden loss in pretenses took her off guard, and she whirled around to find the source of the pop. Her mouth fell open as she looked from the house elf to Julian. She slapped him playfully on the chest. "Shut up!" He did not just present her with a house elf. He was playing a trick on her, obviously. This was his idea of a joke. Lyra watched the house elf pop to and fro, cleaning up the mess Lyra had struggled to control on her own. "Seriously? Merlin's beard," she gasped. She slapped him again in disbelief. All of the tension and stress she had been feeling earlier was instantly lifted. Her skin tingled with excitement. "Oh Julian, thank you!" She grabbed him and pulled him to her, kissing him with more gratitude than she thought possible.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 4:26:48 GMT -5
He was delighted by her delight. Before he knew about her circumstances he had secured Mimsy hoping that she didn't already have one in her new place. Now he was quite relieved to find he had brought the right gift after all.
"It's the little things you know. All the excitement in moving and you forget-" she kissed him before he could continue, and closed his eyes.
It was hardly the first time they had kissed, but he had sensed something changing in him. Another sharp pain in his chest, pulled him back from her. Her vulnerability had gotten to him, though he had seen vulnerability before. He didn't want to think too deeply on what he was feeling or thinking, it was easier to pretend nothing was happening.
"I take it you're pleased then."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 12, 2016 15:43:22 GMT -5
Who needed rich parents or a husband when you had friends like Julian Faust?!
If Julian's was acting strangely at all, Lyra didn't notice. She was so elated at her gift that she simply watched Mimsy scuttle about cleaning here and there, a huge smile plastered on her face. 'Pleased' did not accurately emphasize what Lyra was feeling at that moment, but she couldn't find the right word to convey how overjoyed she was. "Of course I am!" She hugged him again. "Julian, I can't even begin to tell you - "
"Oh no, Mimsy, leave those there please." Mimsy had replaced the broken vase and placed her flowers on the dining table and now the house elf was preparing to clear the pile of help wanted ads that she had been circling. The pile of bills next to it looked much less daunting with Lyra's newly acquired positivity. Lyra turned back to Julian, thanking him repeatedly.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 12, 2016 16:30:31 GMT -5
It was really nothing to secure a house elf for her through his connections, and money didn't mean much to him either, so he couldn't say that the pains of delighting her was worth it to see her happiness, but he was realizing that pain would be worth it to see her happy.
"You're welcome." he said simply.
"Now...how about we get some lunch and talk about what happens next for you Miss Newbury."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 14, 2016 0:50:33 GMT -5
Lyra smirked and cocked her head slightly, entwining her arm with his. "Your treat?" she asked playfully, knowing full well he wouldn't ever ask for her to pay for a meal. For all the presents Lyra would willingly accept without batting an eye, she still struggled to ask for help. Were someone to offer her a mansion, servants, a job even, she'd take it instantly, believing she deserved it. But asking for support was much more difficult. She felt ashamed for needing help in the first place, and thought very little of anyone who asked for a handout. Lyra felt very blessed to have such a wonderful friend like Julian who could just know when she needed something.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 14, 2016 1:02:04 GMT -5
He placed a hand over his heart in mock agony, "It wounds me that you would think otherwise." he laughed.
He'd offer her whatever she needed to get back on her feet, but he also knew this was an opportunity for her to discover just what she was made of, he didn't doubt that she would succeed.
"Where do you want to go? Anywhere your heart desires."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 14, 2016 2:31:33 GMT -5
She thought for a moment, determining which of the finer restaurants she'd missed the most since losing her money, and with it her ability to enjoy a hot meal that she didn't have to clean up after. "We could go to London, there's that little Italian place. Galligan's."
"Mimsy," she said, turning to the house elf who was still plenty busy cleaning, "leave the mail and the newspapers on the table, and be careful when you're handling the dishes. A few of the glasses were broken, but the repair charm isn't as good as it should be." Lyra had found that her repair charms worked better on more durable materials, like wood. She'd already re-broken the same glass three times since first trying her hand at cleaning after herself. But as with most things, she was getting better with practice.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 14, 2016 3:00:35 GMT -5
"As you wish." he said while offering her his arm and turning toward the door.
"Oh yes Mistress. Mimsy will be most careful. You'll see. Mimsy will take care of everything!" Mimsy's enthusiasm over having a new mistress to cook and clean for as well as take care of was reassuring if not on the overwhelming side.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 14, 2016 12:22:35 GMT -5
As Mimsy responded, Lyra beamed and hugged Julian again. After they left the flat and Lyra locked up, the couple disapparated for London. **Continued here** |
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