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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 15:17:54 GMT -5
He caught her the second time she fell. He was angry that she had heard what he had said and that this going to take time to mend. "I didn't mean for you to hear any of that." he said with an edge to his tone, "Sam just blindsided me with tonight."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 15:57:48 GMT -5
"Oh!" Lyra said shouted at him as she wrenched away from him and pulled herself over to the wall for support. "Well if you didn't mean for me to hear it I suppose that makes it okay." She wiped furiously at her eyes, attempting to regain control of herself. "As long as Sam surprised you, then you can say whatever lies you want!"
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 16:11:30 GMT -5
He fought with her for a moment worried that she might fall again, but let go of her quickly enough, "Sam knows when I'm being hotheaded, you don't." he said on a sigh. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. This was a mess, she was a mess, and she was the reason her friend and her fiance were now upset. Perhaps he wasn't being fair about things, but he was frustrated, fair hardly entered into it.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 17:08:58 GMT -5
"No, I don't. Because I hardly know you. And likewise, you don't know me at all. Evident by your ignorant assumptions!" She might have been a mess, but Lyra was not the reason Julian was upset. That was his own doing. And Nicolas himself was the reason for Sam's anger. Lyra was only responsible for herself, no matter what else Nicolas wanted to blame her for.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 17:40:48 GMT -5
Nicolas resisted rolling his eyes, as it would not help his situation. He wasn't a cruel man by any means, but he also wasn't the knight in shining armor Sam thought he was. He only behaved that way for her benefit, and for those whom he deemed worthy. Lyra had yet to make that list. His good opinion, once lost was lost forever, and while he had yet to form a good or bad opinion of Lyra, she had affected two of the people closest to him, and it caused more than a little concern.
Sam was tough and hard headed, but underneath it all the girl was a marshmallow. She was also so desperate for real love that she could often be blinded by others who would take advantage of her. Nicolas saw it as his duty to protect her, even if he thought she was capable of protecting herself.
He misspoke about Lyra, but that didn't mean he didn't have his own concerns.
"I apologize for my words. They were spoken in haste and anger, without much reflection. You are correct that I do not know you."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 18:05:21 GMT -5
Lyra was thrown off by the sudden apology. She was ready for an argument and his words took the wind from her sails. She stuttered over her words, trying to regain her footing in the conversation. "Yes...well...very good then." She pursed her lips as she stared at him, not sure where to go from here.
If Nicolas had managed to think those things about her with just a split second of information, then there would be no possible way that anyone would ever give her a chance to prove herself. Being Samantha's friend afforded no cushion for first impressions, not even with the man who planned to marry her. One would think you'd have a somewhat higher regard for the people your beloved associated with on a personal level.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 18:14:31 GMT -5
It wasn't a split second of information, Nicolas was about as close as you could be to either Samantha or Julian, and he was one of the very few people who had ever seen either person less than their usual "perfect" selves.
He continued with his apology, " Please forgive my remarks as they are not a true indication of what I think of you Miss Newbury, and I assure you it is neither Sam, nor Julian's opinion of you either. It is enough that they have good opinions of you that I should follow in that vein, I was merely surprised by tonight."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 18:58:03 GMT -5
She didn't like the way he apologized. It was too stiff and proper, not anything like a sincere apology which she knew this was not. Samantha had most likely sent him, because if she hadn't she would be here now. Instead Lyra was stuck in this impossibly large mansion, having no idea where she was or which way she should go, with a man who thought she was a gold digger.
Lyra bent down and removed her heels, making her instantly five inches shorter. Her wand was still in Samantha's room but she wasn't about to ask Nicolas to help her with her throbbing ankle. "Well lucky that you don't have to deal with anymore of my surprises for the evening. Now which way is Sam's room? I just need to get my things and I'll be out of your way."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 19:11:27 GMT -5
Opportunist. There was a difference between being a gold digger and being an opportunist. A gold digger was much more crass, and Lyra, well she was either a very skilled opportunist the likes of which Nicolas would have been very impressed by, or she was the real thing. It was difficult to ascertain which. He didn't like to think that both Julian and Samantha and Mason had all been duped by the young girl, but there were her circumstances to consider and how quickly she managed to befriend and bewitch the best society had to offer. Of course Nicolas would be suspicious, and he wanted Sam to be wary as well, fearing that Sam's heart was already so fragile someone like Lyra could break it.
Contrary to what Lyra thought, Nicolas' apology was sincere. He was simply accustomed to speaking in a stiff tone whenever he was uncomfortable, which he decidedly was at that moment.
Nicolas sighed and pulled a key ring from around his neck, he walked to a door and used the key to open it. The key brought whichever room the key belonged to and created a portal. It was the fastest, and sometimes the only way to get anywhere in the castle as large as Montgomery Manor.
"You're giving up then?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 19:37:24 GMT -5
Samantha's dressing room was suddenly right in front of her and Lyra huffed as she limped past Nicolas to fetch her things. "Giving up?" she asked insulted, as she turned to look at him. "This isn't some contest you just forfeit when you see the competition. Don't think you've won something here. Or scared me off. I'm simply removing an unpleasant component from my evening. Namely, you."
She picked up her handbag from the vanity and withdrew her wand. She moved slowly to sit on a luxurious chaise and attempted to mend her ankle. "I like Mason and he likes me. And as long as that is the case I plan to keep seeing him. And as for Julian..." It hurt to think his name now, but even worse to say it. She fought back tears, thinking of what she had heard Nicolas say about Julian. She didn't want him to suffer, that was the whole reason they hadn't seen each other in weeks. "I would never purposely hurt Julian. He wants me to move on, so I'm trying."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 20:21:27 GMT -5
He tried not to feel sorry for her as she limped into the room. He was still torn about her and her place in his friend's lives. Giving over temporarily he followed her, "Stop it before you hurt yourself even more." he said waving off what she said about removing unpleasant components and Mason and the rest of it. Time would tell.
He pulled his wand out and quickly fixed her ankle as well as her hair and make up. He also repaired a rip in her dress that must have happened when she fell.
"He doesn't know what he wants, the buffoon. But you're all he talks about all bloody day and all bloody night, when he's not sulking or painting." Nicolas told her.
"Look, Sam adores you. Julian cares very deeply about you. And Mason seems to be smitten with you as well. Sam is my world, Julian is my best mate, and I respect Mason. So it is clear that you and I are in all likelihood going to be crossing paths quite often."
He sat across from her pulling Sam's vanity chair toward her.
"I do apologize for the words I said, the way I said them, and that you heard them. I will not apologize for having doubts or concerns." he told her straightforwardly.
"My problem is this, either you are one of the most skillful and duplicitous con artists I have ever met, and have managed to somehow twist your way into my fiance's heart, as well as Julian's and Mason's for the obvious privilege and power such relationships would give you..." he said eyeing her.
"Or you are just a girl who cares about these people as much as I do, and to whom I am indebted to for reasons that, until I can be sure of your motives, I will not be explaining to you now."
He told her firmly.
"Now before you tell me that my problem is my own and none of your business or that you don't care about my problem, I am going to tell you that it is your problem as well. You see, until I am sure of your motives Miss Newbury, I will be keeping an eye on you. And let me assure you, I will not be deceived." he raised a challenging eyebrow at her.
"That is what I mean by giving up. The sooner you stop your charade of pretending to care about these people whom I actually do care about, the less severe the consequences will be for you. But if it turns out it isn't a charade, then I will have to earn your forgiveness."
"And if you think telling Sam will do you any good, think again, she may get angry with me but she knows the depths I would go to, to protect her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 21:19:12 GMT -5
Lyra was resistant to accepting Nicolas' help, but she didn't have much choice in the matter as he shooed her aside and began mending her entire appearance. Her ankle no longer hurt and she was begrudgingly thankful for that.
As he spoke of Julian's heartache tears formed in Lyra's eyes. She had thought...hoped that their time apart would make things better. She didn't want him sulking. It hurt to think that he was still thinking of her, and hurt even further when she realized she was thinking of him less.
Nicolas' apology now seemed much more sincere than his earlier one, but the slight comfort that it brought was quickly washed away as he explained his understanding of Lyra's motives. She sat, listening to him chastise her for intentions that were not hers. Her blood was boiling and finally she had enough.
She smacked him as hard as she could manage, tears falling from her eyes. Her hand stung but she ignored it. "F*ck you! You know nothing about me and you sit there and f*cking accuse me! I care for Sam more than my own bloody sister!"
"And don't you dare think you know anything about my feelings for Julian! I gave everything up for him! He was my world and I was hurting him so I gave him up! And now you're telling me all this pain is for nothing? Well f*ck you, Nicolas!"
She shook with anger and sadness, her fists clenched so tight her nails left imprints on her palms. She was furious with Nicolas for his accusations and even more so herself. She had done nothing but hurt Julian and she had no idea how to make it better. She would do anything to make it better, if only someone would tell her what to do.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 21:52:02 GMT -5
His own anger mounted as she slapped him. She wasn't Sam, she didn't get a pass. He withdrew his wand once again and pointed in her direction. He hesitated with malice, but fixed her make up for the second time, "Oh very good show. Proper indignation and all. But it will take more than a few tears to win me over." he said irritated.
"Please no more hysterics. Or Vulgarities." he said looking down his nose at her, "Think of me as your toughest critic. If you can convince me you are what you seem, the rest will follow. Fail to do so and no one will accept you in society, not even with Mason, Julian, or Sam at your cause."
He stepped away from her, "You claim to love Sam more than your own sister, from what I've learned of your family it wouldn't be difficult. Samantha can do more for you than your sister can." he returned and held his hand up, "And if you even think about hitting me again I can assure you, you will regret it." he warned.
"I told you I have doubts, not that I've made my mind up. You've made very theatrical avowals of love, but words are easy. You might not like my words now, I am loathe to speak them. But the concern is out in the open, as well as the suspicion. I told you I would not apologize for that. Now if you cared for Samantha as much as you claim to, perhaps you can understand my own concern, and what your own actions might be if you thought someone might be taking advantage of her."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 22:14:25 GMT -5
Lyra wasn't scared of Nicolas, not by his words or his threats. She was already broken inside by what she had done to Julian. What did it matter if no one accepted her? What did she care if he struck her? Nothing mattered. There was nothing to be scared of.
Lyra stood, grabbing her shoes, handbag, and wand. She wanted to leave, but knew she wouldn't find the way on her own. She certainly wasn't going to ask Nicolas to use his skeleton key to bring the front door to her. She stared at him, hoping that he would leave, knowing that he probably wouldn't. She was stuck. Damn Samantha and her ridiculously large castle.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 22:21:59 GMT -5
Nicolas would never reduce himself to striking a woman. It was beneath him, and he wasn't the type.
He stared back at her, faintly amused at her fury. He wondered what her next move would be. But as she continued to stare at him he grew bored. "Should I tell Sam you were inconsolable then? And wanted to cancel the evening? I'm sure Mason will understand."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 22:58:19 GMT -5
She had considered that. Leaving now would have been easier. Not "giving up" as he had put it, but simply not dealing with it tonight. She could hide in her room for however long she needed. She could hide from Samantha, tell her friend that she couldn't work at the magazine any longer. No matter that it had quickly become her dream job and she happily spent many a night working in place of sleeping. She could hide and wait for someone to come find her again, like she always did.
She bent over and slipped her heels on, growing several inches and feeling much more confident. "No. I told you before, I like Mason and I intend to continue seeing him. And my friend was very much looking forward to going out with us tonight, and I don't plan to disappoint her."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Oct 25, 2016 23:06:39 GMT -5
Nicolas shrugged,"Suit yourself." he answered her.
"I'll tell Samantha you're feeling better. It should be a very entertaining evening." he smirked leaving her in Samantha's room.
Nicolas would have preferred to have kept his suspicions about Lyra's character under wraps until he was sure whether or not she was genuine, but her spying had already ruined that plan. He would have to be honest about his suspicions and see if his watchful eye made her nervous enough to seek other prey. Of course there weren't many other prospects as favorable as Samantha or Mason, but there were certainly easier marks, if Nicolas had anything to say about it.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 25, 2016 23:48:37 GMT -5
She hadn't been spying. Not intentionally. But there was no use in trying to explain that to Nicolas who, no matter what he claimed, had clearly made up his mind about Lyra, as far as Lyra was concerned. She was bound and determined to see this evening through. She would mourn for Julian tonight with Mimsy to comfort her. But now she prove to that arrogant asshat that Lyra Newbury was not an "opportunist" nor a "gold digger" and definitely someone that you didn't want to cross.
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Samantha Montgomery
 
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
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Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 25, 2016 23:56:05 GMT -5
Ten minutes later Samantha was knocking on her own door and turning the knob, "Lyra love, Mason will be here soon. Nicolas said you were just freshening up. I'm sorry you heard all that. He can be such a bear sometimes."
Clearly Samantha was unaware of the conversation Nicolas had with Lyra, or at least received a different version of it if she were so calm and composed entering the room.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 26, 2016 0:30:41 GMT -5
Lyra had forced herself to calm down. She would do no one any favors by wailing like a baby or screaming like a banshee. When Samantha opened the door, Lyra was sitting at the vanity looking at her reflection. She'd been sitting there for the past 6 minutes and 34 seconds. She knew because she had counted the soft little ticks from the clock as the hands moved.
Lyra turned and smile at her friend. "It's alright. He's just protective of you. It makes sense." Lyra grabbed her purse and headed out the door, but just as the girls were about to pass through the threshold Lyra grabbed Samantha's arm and pulled her back. "Will you do me a favor? Tomorrow, will you check on Julian? Don't tell me how he's doing, I just...I need to know that you checked in on him." Although Lyra's expression and posture said she was happy and confident, her eyes told a different story.
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