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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 28, 2016 1:57:05 GMT -5
At the palatial estate of Julian Faust: Lyra had spent her day with Samantha at the Enchanted offices. She'd been introduced to the staff, settled into her new office, and even checked out the executive spa where she had a facial, a manicure and pedicure, and had her hair done. Thankfully, no one had asked her to do any real work yet, although Sam assured her numerous times that she'd be marvelous at it. Lyra was in such good spirits and so grateful for both her friends that she had purchased each of them a 'thank you' gift. She'd brought Samantha an enchanted mirror that compliments whomever looks into it. Lyra teased her, explaining that without the gorgeous Lyra Newbury next to her roaming the halls of Hogwarts, she would receive far fewer glances and the mirror could help keep her confidence up. As Samantha was about to come back with some snotty remark, Lyra burst into laughter and gave her the real present she'd picked out. A new handbag from one of the designers Sam had mentioned during their lunch. And now it was Julian's turn. She rang the doorbell and waited for one of the servants to permit her. |
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 28, 2016 2:04:57 GMT -5
Julian was actually on his way out to the stables. When the bell rang he already had a grip on the handle and was pulling the door inward coming face to face with the imp who had been on his mind.
He was surprised to see her, but happy that she appeared in good health and better spirits. She also had a bit of polish to her already radiant appearance. Julian noted the subtle glow to her skin and the perfection of her hair and style. Enchanted agreed with her.
In short he was stunned, but he recovered quickly with a smile, "Hello there."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 28, 2016 2:18:33 GMT -5
Lyra was equally stunned to see Julian on the opposite side of the door. She had been expecting a servant or at least a house elf. She smiled at the sight of him. "Hello," she said cheerfully. "I know how fond you are of dropping in on people unannounced and I thought 'well, if Julian likes it then I'm sure I'll like it, too.' And you know what? I do." She smirked as she teased him, her eyes twinkling.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 28, 2016 2:23:35 GMT -5
His smile grew slowly as he crossed his arms and leaned in the doorway.
"Is that right?" he asked amused.
He was dressed for riding, obviously on his way out of the main estate, but he cut an image so unconsciously handsome it was like a living version of a romance novel cover.
"I know it's terribly rude to keep you standing here, but I was just on my way out..." he teased.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 28, 2016 2:53:23 GMT -5
"And it's so polite of you to change your plans just for me." She could have swooned, looking at him leaning against the door. "Come on then, give us a tour. I showed you mine, now you show me yours."
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 28, 2016 18:55:57 GMT -5
It wasn't politeness that caused Julian to change his plans; he had many ideas not many of them were polite at all. He gave her a broad smile while curbing his baser instincts, "Actually, perhaps you might join me for an afternoon ride?" he asked gauging her interest.
Though he imagined the vixen in front of him was quite capable of changing many things, if only he'd let her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 28, 2016 23:11:35 GMT -5
It had been some time since Lyra had been on a horse. When she was younger her mother insisted she take riding lessons, so Lyra insisted right back that she have her own aethonan instead of using the ones available at the club. She pouted until her father gave in. After Lyra turned 15, her interests changed gears. She spent little time with her aethonan during holidays and instead focused her attention on boys. It was around that time that the family sold her once beloved winged horse.
"That sounds lovely, only..." she looked down at her short skirt and high heels. "I'm not really dressed for riding."
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 28, 2016 23:37:31 GMT -5
Julian took a leisurely glance up and down Lyra's frame that might have been insulting if they weren't so well acquainted, and if he didn't know that she enjoyed when men fawned over her.
"No, you're not." But she did look nice.
"I'm sure we have spare riding gear somewhere. I'll have a servant grab a pair and while you're changing I'll gather the horses hmm?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 0:14:48 GMT -5
She smiled as his eyes trailed her figure, but at the back of her mind she heard Sam's voice nagging her. He's rather sweet on you. These words had been stuck in her head since yesterday, though Lyra tried to ignore them. She maintained that they were still just friends. "Alright. But after, I expect a tour of this teensy little hovel." She gestured to the manor that was simply too big for one person.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 0:43:04 GMT -5
Julian would be lying if Sam's well intended interference into his love life didn't pop into his mind either when Lyra was around. She had been pestering him ever since they met to settle down, which was rather absurd since he was only twenty-one and furthermore was determined never to marry. His scars went too deep and he appreciated women too much to trap them in a situation with a man who loved a ghost.
"Maybe a small tour." he agreed.
He backed into the foyer and caught the eye of one of the servants, she was new and he didn't recall her name at first A-something.
"Alice."
"Amanda sir." she corrected gently.
"My apologies." he said sincerely, "Could you direct Miss Newbury to the guest rooms and have a riding habit retrieved for her?"
"Yes sir." she said with a small curtsy, "Follow me miss."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 1:25:11 GMT -5
She gave a lopsided smile at Julian as she stepped past him and into the large home. All of their visits had occurred either in public, or wherever Lyra was calling home. She hadn't given much thought to where Julian lived and realized now that she must have pictured him living with his parents, as that was her living situation when they met and she rarely thought outside her own scope. But as she followed the servant through the spacious manor, Lyra looked around in awe. So this is the real Julian, she thought, taking in the decor and the artwork that adorned the walls. She didn't recognize any of the pieces she passed, and it dawned on her that some of these might have been his own works. She knew he fancied himself an artist, but he had not shared any of his work with him. She tried to find a signature to confirm her suspicions but the servant had turned a corner and Lyra stepped quickly so as to not lose her way.
After changing into the clothes that Amanda had brought her, and leaving her own clothes neatly on the bed, Lyra pulled her hair back; a few stray pieces allowed to hang free and frame her face. She followed the corridor back in the direction she had come, and set her sights on the front door.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 1:42:07 GMT -5
Julian took a few more minutes to arrive. After Lyra had left to change he instructed a house elf to have a meal prepared and packed in a basket.
Julian was a romantic by nature. Sam despaired that he was wasting himself by not settling down. But for reasons he didn't dare think too deeply upon he usually went above and beyond for Lyra. Perhaps it was because they had remained friends for so long where he had cut ties with most of the other "damsels" in distress he had "rescued." Maybe it was because he had felt that he hadn't rescued her at all. Maybe it was something else that again he didn't want to think about.
Once the aethonans had been saddled he returned to the main estate and opened the door unprepared for the sight of his guest.
She was wearing Belle's riding habit.
Suddenly his throat went dry, his smile - as well as the rest of him - froze. He held his breath as the pain washed over him threatening to drown him.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 1:57:13 GMT -5
Lyra was completely unprepared for his reaction to seeing her. He had looked at ease when he opened the door, but once his eyes set on her... "What's wrong?" She moved toward him, a worrisome look on her face.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 2:10:02 GMT -5
"W-where did you get..." he couldn't finish his sentence as images of his ex flooded his mind. He tamped down the panic attack that was threatening to overwhelm him.
"Sorry...I'm sorry." He didn't want to hurt Lyra, and he could tell by her expression that she was worried.
"I just didn't expect-" he didn't know what to say. Belle was such a private affair for him. He wanted to ask her to change. He wanted her to leave so he could paint, which is what he did instead of grieve. But he didn't do any of those things.
"Let's get to the stables..it's nothing."he lied.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 2:37:22 GMT -5
"Julian!" His behavior was so peculiar it was beginning to frighten her. She looked down at herself, wondering what it was that she had done wrong. It was most definitely something about Lyra that had caused him to act so strangely, but she had no idea what she'd done. He had seen her with her hair pulled up, she was wearing the clothes and shoes his staff provided, she'd even checked her makeup in the mirror in the guestroom before she came out.
"Maybe I should go," she whispered, a hurt look on her face. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she didn't want to be the source of Julian's pain.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 2:50:12 GMT -5
The hardest part about looking at Lyra was how beautiful she looked. But seeing her in Belle's clothes as a poignant reminder that he wasn't capable of appreciating that beauty in a personal manner. He had given his heart to someone else and it was buried with her.
But why then did it race the other night as he had tucked Lyra into bed?
He was suffering, and for a moment he thought it was a punishment for daring to have feelings for someone else. But the notion was ridiculous. He knew that he was the only one who was punishing himself. If Belle were alive she would no doubt be raging at him for holding on for so long refusing his own happiness.
"No. Stay. Please don't leave me right now." he told her, probably the most vulnerable he had ever been in front of her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 3:07:16 GMT -5
She was worried and confused and saddened by him. She chewed on her lower lip as she moved closer to him still. Touching his arm, she looked into his melancholy eyes. "Only if you truly want me here. You don't need to do me any favors by saving my feelings."
She wanted to ease his pain, and instinctively she wrapped her arms as tightly around him as she could, resting her head on his chest. "I'm sorry," she breathed softly, not knowing what she was apologizing for, but knowing it was needed.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 3:17:40 GMT -5
She would be able to feel more than hear his heart racing when she held him. He never realized how badly had needed to be held. He had never let anyone hold him, preferring to always be the one who did the holding, but her touch was soothing.
"I want you here." he said quietly. I need you here. he thought silently.
"I'm so sorry." he apologized again.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 29, 2016 3:30:54 GMT -5
His heart pounded furiously against her ear and she squeezed him tighter. They were both apologizing and Lyra hadn't the fainted idea why. She lifted her head to look at him towering over her as always. "We don't have to ride today. We can just get pissed instead. I'll even let you be the sloppy drunk this time," she teased.
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Post by Julian Faust on Sept 29, 2016 3:37:02 GMT -5
It was impossible to laugh, but Lyra made the impossible possible. Feeling more in control of himself he let her comfort wash over him.
"Why don't we ride, and if the urge takes over, we can get pissed too." he said with a smile. He was still uncomfortable with Lyra wearing Belle's habit, but he wasn't ready to share the reason yet.
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