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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 21, 2016 2:20:05 GMT -5
Business and mergers didn't seem boring to Lyra, although she would willingly admit that she had no mind for business. But the subject could still be interesting, with the right conversation partner. Clearly Julian did not want to talk business.
"Really, Julian, you shouldn't keep him from his true love," she said sarcastically of Nicolas and Sam. When Sam had first told Lyra of the arrangement between her and Nicolas, Lyra was on the fence about the situation. On the one hand, it alleviated many of the problems with finding an appropriate partner. On the other, the chance of finding real love would be nearly impossible. But in her current predicament, Lyra had come to think fondly of such arrangements. She wouldn't have had to struggle if she'd been betrothed since infancy. Thank Merlin for Julian, her knight in shining armor come to save her.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 21, 2016 2:25:09 GMT -5
Julian was hardly guilty of keeping Nicolas anywhere the man didn't want to be - a trait they had in common. Nicolas truly did love Sam, but unlike Rafer or any of the other puppies who sniffed at her heels, he had more class, and more confidence.
Sam on the other hand didn't really believe in the love that Lyra or other girls thought of so much. Marriage was a business, and Nicolas was a devoted partner. In any case it was many years away.
Julian scoffed, "Nicolas does as he pleases, as he always has."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 21, 2016 2:56:24 GMT -5
She finished her wine and set the table on the glass. She was looser now, feeling the tingling affects of the alcohol. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" she asked with a half smile. "You don't seem to want for any pleasures."
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 21, 2016 3:03:17 GMT -5
"No." he laughed, "I do as I please too."
He sighed, also feeling relaxed by the wine. She was so lovely this friend of is. He felt at ease with her, and pleasantly surprised by her at the same time. He could easily confide in her as she had him, but he could not love her and in that he did envy his friend. Nicolas loved Sam, whether she loved him back or not. Nicolas could see Samantha happy and thriving, whereas the woman Julian loved was dead, and there was no power strong enough to bring her back. Julian was sure she was in heaven, and perhaps that began his crusade in helping others, rescuing damsels as it were, he wanted to be good enough, he wanted to be with her again.
Lyra could make him forget about those desires, and that was a very dangerous thing. A part of him closed off as he replied, "I have many pleasures I assure you."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 21, 2016 23:24:24 GMT -5
The bill was discretely brought to the table and Lyra made no fuss or pretense about helping to pay. She happily watched as Julian took care of their meal, and a rather generous tip for the staff. "This was lovely," she cooed as she stood from the table. It was clear that she had possibly had one glass of wine more than she should have, as she swayed slightly while trying to stand upright. She laughed lightly at herself, recognizing that it took more effort than normally required to move around the table to where Julian stood without stumbling or bumping into anything.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 22, 2016 0:30:49 GMT -5
Julian had an account with Galligans, and settled the bill usually at the end of the month, as he did with most of the best restaurants, but he gave their waiter a handsome tip before moving to Lyra's side.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."he leaned down to whisper near her ear," Careful love." he said holding her steady.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 22, 2016 1:18:05 GMT -5
Lyra eased into his body for support. Smiling up at him she whispered, "I think I drank too much." She laughed, knowing it was obvious. She could only imagine what the bill must have been, but had no trouble giving it no more than a moment's thought before moving on.
"I bet my flat looks amazing by now," she said, thinking on her house elf, Mimsy.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 22, 2016 1:32:30 GMT -5
"Maybe just one glass over, but that's alright. You're entitled to a night out after everything. Let's get you home." he smiled still holding on to her. He had enough to drink as well, and was feeling quite warm. Lyra's body pressed against his wasn't entirely unpleasant either, but he kept himself in control and guided her out of the restaurant.
"I'm sure Mimsy has everything well in hand, she can be a bit...overwhelming." Julian said searching for the right word. Mimsy was warm, compassionate, and very mothering. She'd take to Lyra like a mother taking to a newborn.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 22, 2016 19:09:12 GMT -5
When they returned to her flat, Lyra was pleased to see everything was clean and organized. Mimsy had even put the flowers that Julian had brought earlier on the table in front of the sofa, so it was the first thing to catch Lyra's eye as she walked through the door. She beamed as her eyes scanned the front room which, although still sparsely decorated, looked much more presentable now. Lyra could imagine having a friend over now, without worrying about appearances.
They hadn't made it very far into the room when Mimsy appeared and greeted them. "Welcome home, Miss Lyra. Mr Julian." Noticing Lyra's lean and Julian's steadying hand around her waist, Mimsy added, "Does Miss want some water?"
"Yes, thank you, Mimsy." As the house elf popped off to get a glass of water, Lyra turned to catch Julian's eyes. "You're amazing," she fawned. Still flabbergasted by his many gifts today, Lyra couldn't adequately thank him. And in her inebriated state, her gratitude came out as overly affectionate compliments and longer than necessary hugs.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 22, 2016 21:10:52 GMT -5
The overly affectionate compliments and longer than necessary hugs were torture for Julian who normally prized himself on self control. Leading her back home had been a test of skill, but now that he was here in her flat, the bedroom not all that far away he knew he was in trouble.
"I think Mimsy can take care of you for the evening. And you and I will have much to discuss in the morning."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 24, 2016 0:14:55 GMT -5
"You're leaving already?" Lyra had the puppy dog eyes down pat, as she swung her body out in front of him, still holding on to his arms for support. He had spent a good deal of time with her already, and taken such good care of her that she did suppose he had earned the right to leave her. "Oh, all right. I think I need to lie down anyway." Trying her luck at walking independently to the bedroom, she stumbled.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 24, 2016 0:23:59 GMT -5
Something crumbled inside Julian at her puppy dog eyes, probably his restraint. He wanted to crawl in bed with her, and suddenly hundreds of lurid images rushed through his inebriated mind. He needed to get out of there before he did something they would regret.
When she parted from him he felt a loss so keenly it was physical, but as she stumbled he was quick to catch her.
"Let me tuck you in."
And heaven help me, let me leave after that.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 24, 2016 0:36:14 GMT -5
"My hero," she said as he caught her. She allowed him to support her as they made their way to her bedroom. Much like the rest of her flat, the decorating was rather meager. But Mimsy had managed to clean and put away all of the dresses and robes that Lyra had thrown about the room a few days prior when preparing for her evening out with Samantha. They neared the bed and Lyra stepped out of her heels, sinking several inches. She had always needed to look up to meet Julian's gaze, but without her shoes he towered over her.
Lyra fell onto the bed, the mattress bouncing under her weight. The blankets and pillows were so comfortable that her eyes shut almost instantly. "You're a good friend," she muttered as she drifted out of consciousness.
A glass of water instantly appeared on the bedside table, along with a potion to alleviate headaches. Mimsy hadn't wanted to interrupt them, but was a dutiful house elf and would always make her mistress as comfortable as possible. Lyra was too far gone to notice either of these items, but would appreciate them when she awoke.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 24, 2016 0:55:51 GMT -5
He sighed looking down at her.
"What am I going to do with you...?" he asked as his heart beat faster than normal. His fingers itched to touch her. He knew very well how soft her skin was. It was times like this Sam's voice would filter though his mind reminding him that he was holding onto a ghost and that Miranda would want him to go on living.
He brushed the thought aside and bent down to kiss Lyra's forehead. He'd only end up hurting her if he kept thinking that way. Shifting her slightly he removed her shoes and pulled the covers down.
"Mimsy, help your mistress undress and tuck her in. Make sure she drinks that water and potion in the morning."
He was still looking at her sleeping form in deep thought, then finally he turned and left the room.
"Mimsy...one last thing..." he then instructed Mimsy to inform Lyra that interior designers would be by in the afternoon the next day. Lyra was to have carte blanche in furnishing her apartment.
"I don't expect she will make an issue of it, but if she does, remind her that she will soon have suitors visiting her apartments and they will need to be in top shape."
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