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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 15, 2016 4:03:55 GMT -5
Lyra pulled herself to her feet, her fists shaking in anger. Nicolas had no idea what she was going through. It didn't matter who played a part in this disaster when Lyra was the puppet master. Everything that happened only happened because of something Lyra had screwed up.
If she had found a suitor at Hogwarts, her parents wouldn't have disowned her.
If she could have gotten a job on her own merit, Julian wouldn't have rescued her.
If she had one less drink she wouldn't have thrown herself at Julian, making him forsake his love's memory.
If she had declined the offer to the Southerland's ball, she wouldn't have met Mason.
If she had turned Mason down the second she discovered he knew Julian, she wouldn't have ruined their friendship.
If she had stayed away from Julian, she wouldn't have broken Mason's trust.
If she could have managed the courage to tell Mason straight away, she wouldn't have hurt him so publicly.
It was all Lyra's fault, no matter whom else participated. She had ruined everyone's lives, her own included. And now when she was trying in vain to suppress all emotional responses to her attack in the carriage she had no one left to turn to. Lyra was drowning in herself and Nicolas wanted her to care about grooming.
"Fine!" she screamed at him like a banshee. "Fine! You want me to bathe? You want me to look attractive for people who I destroy? Fine!" She tore open her shirt and flung it at him, then pulled off her pants revealing the scars on her thighs from where she had been cutting herself to relieve the anguish she felt. She kicked her pants at him as well and stormed off to her bathroom, turning the shower on and stepping in still wearing her bra and panties. The water was soon scalding hot as she sank to the floor of the tub and cried as steam quickly filled the small room.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 1:19:47 GMT -5
It happened too fast for Nik to register all what was going on, but soon enough he had a nearly naked woman falling apart on him. He lifted his eyes heavenward and cursed the woman he loved for putting him through this.
He had been startled by her thighs, when he had managed to move the shirt off of his face. He had attempted to avert his eyes, but the wound stood out to him.
Lyra was the opposite of Sam. She wore her heart on her sleeve and when she felt pain too deeply she cut herself. Sam kept all of her emotions hidden and when she felt pain too deeply she cut others. Honestly it was easier dealing with Lyra at least he knew where he stood with her and what was going on inside her head. With Sam it was a never ending guessing game.
He reluctantly heaved himself upward after about five minutes of letting her stew in the shower. He had Mimsy bring him the largest towel Lyra had, then stepped into the bathroom. He turned the water off and without a word picked Lyra up and wrapped her in the towel ignoring whatever protest she might have made. He carried her back to the couch and held her while she cried.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 1:55:55 GMT -5
Nicolas' normal tactics would not work on Lyra. She lacked the emotional shut off switch the elite had been taught from birth, and her current mental state limited her capacity for self-preservation against his threats. What Lyra needed now, what she would always need, was love and compassion. These were two things Nicolas had never truly shown her. His actions had always been for Sam's sake, not Lyra's. He acted begrudgingly, but still he acted and it was all she had at the moment.
Lyra had managed to cope well enough for a time on the sparse support Julian and Mason provided. Julian gave her love, but his oath to Belle stopped him from being there for her emotionally. She had seen a glimpse of of it at the ball which gave her the strength to finish the night, but he refused to give anymore than that and the effects had since worn off. Mason, on the other hand, provided compassion and understanding. Lyra found strength in his touch, enough to quiet the demons for a spell, but the love wasn't there. It wasn't strong enough to sustain her.
She didn't notice him at first, as her head was in her hands and the water from the shower poured down on her blurring her vision. It was the absence of the heat when Nicolas turned off the water that signaled he was still there. She tried to yell at him to leave her alone but she was crying with such force that the words could hardly make it past her lips. She put up very little fight as he wrapped her in a towel and carried her to the sitting room.
"Why doesn't he love me?" she asked through her tears.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 2:08:19 GMT -5
As he held her Nik began to feel an uncomfortable shift in his heart. Her pain was so raw and complete, that had Nik retained any doubt as to her character, those doubts would have been eradicated. She was simply a broken girl, and Julian had been the reason. Not just Julian, her parents had played a part, even Nicolas played a part in her demise.
The guilt was annoying. She was a perpetual thorn in his side, and as he held her he hated to think that he might actually care about her.
"He gave his heart to someone else. She died. He never got it back." Nik answered, he took her chin then and forced her to look at him, "But that was his weakness not yours. It takes a lot of strength to love someone Lyra. To let them in where they can hurt you. Julian doesn't have that kind of strength anymore. Maybe he'll never get it back, but your worth isn't determined by the people who love you, it's determined by the people you have the strength to love."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 2:24:57 GMT -5
"It just hurts so much, Nik," she said amidst the tears. "I want it to go away. Make the pain go away!"
She clung to him, not caring if he was uncomfortable with it. She wasn't alone while she held him and she was growing ever concerned of what she would do if she was ever truly alone. Mimsy had saved Lyra's life simply by being in the flat. Godric forbid if Lyra ever found herself with no one around.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 2:37:58 GMT -5
"Shh." he held her tighter, patted her on the back, and offered what comfort he could.
After a while of rocking her he sighed, "It doesn't go away love, it hurts less, but it never goes away."
He ran his fingers through her wet hair, "It's best to be ruthless, but if you're not it is essential to appear that way. Show him that you don't need him. That you don't need anyone. Pretend there is no pain. To coin a simple phrase, fake it til you make it."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 2:55:33 GMT -5
"I tried that," she reminded him, speaking into his shoulder as the tears slowly subsided. "You called me a whore and an opportunist."
Mason was her 'I don't need Julian' plan and it had failed miserably. Not only had she muddled everyone's lives up, she had also developed legitimate feelings for Mason which made the pain over Julian hurt even more.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 3:23:11 GMT -5
"It is best to be ruthless, but if you're not it is essential to appear that way." he repeated softly.
Nik wasn't ruthless, but he could put on a show like no other.
"Besides which, you've already won me over, and everyone else is a pushover in comparison."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 3:34:41 GMT -5
"So you're only pretending to be an arrogant asshat? You're a brilliant actor. They should give you a BAFTA." Lyra smiled into his shoulder as she insulted him. It was a great distraction.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 3:41:09 GMT -5
"Oh no, I am an arrogant asshat." he assured her, "But I think you'll grow to like that about me. It's one of my best qualities"
He grinned.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 4:28:30 GMT -5
She rolled her eyes loudly at him and shifted her weight. She had calmed enough that she no longer needed to hold onto him or be held by him. She felt silly for her outburst but she hadn't been able to control herself. At least Nicolas hadn't scolded her for acting childish.
She turned on the sofa, her body facing him with her back against the armrest. She propped one leg up on the cushion so that she could rest her chin on her knee, her towel falling slightly to reveal her scarred thigh. Lyra didn't notice. She was too busy studying Nicolas' face.
"Julian won't ever really love me, will he?" she asked despondently. "I think I just need someone to say it. He'll never love me the way I love him."
The problem was that when you care for someone more than they deserve, you end up getting hurt more than you deserve. Julian didn't deserve Lyra's love, he was selfish and greedy and didn't seem to care that he was torturing her by staying away. Lyra had hoped he would come to his senses but he was too damaged to have any idea how to respond when Lyra tried to give him what he needed. And what he wanted.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 11:18:14 GMT -5
Nicolas noticed. She was a nearly naked woman shifting around in his lap, he was doing everything in his power to keep the encounter professional, so when her skin began to show he was quick to grab the towel, but he paused in putting it back and covering her leg.
"I hope not." Nik answered.
"Julian consumes you, his guilt consumes him. Who are you without him Lyra?" Nik asked, "Who are you without Mason or a man on your arm? Do you even like that person? Do you even know who that is?" Nik continued with the questions.
"Do you love yourself as much as you love Julian? Do you love yourself at all?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 13:31:15 GMT -5
His honesty stung but she needed to hear it. Sam was sympathetic to both parties but she often left the possibility open that Julian would "come to his senses" and it only gave Lyra hope. False hope it seemed. Nicolas didn't deny or perpetuate the possibility.
Lyra grabbed the towel from him and quickly pulled it taught over her leg. She gave him a look that showed she was annoyed with his noticing and also afraid he would tell someone. Not that there were many people who cared about Lyra left to tell.
What is there to love? she asked herself.
Lyra had spent her younger years thinking she was better than everyone else, making enemies with anyone she felt was beneath her and even the few she knew were above her. Most of her friends had been boys who didn't squabble about petty things like the girls her age had, and as she grew older she found using her body was the easiest way to get what she wanted even with her friends. She thought she liked herself back then, but the situation with Rystain and Lani had made her second guess her confidence and her self-esteem plummeted.
Nothing Lyra had done since then had really worked for her. She was a failure in her parents' eyes. A homewrecker to Julian's twisted relationship with a dead woman. A chronic thorn in Nicolas' side. Hell, a murderous kidnapper didn't even want her. Why would she ever love herself?
She deflected the too serious questions that would lead to a too serious debate she knew she couldn't win. "Alright, Socrates. A simple 'no' would have sufficed."
She moved off his lap, holding the towel closed as she stood. She picked her pants up from the floor and then reached for Julian's shirt but paused. If Nicolas was to be believed, she would have to pretend she didn't love Julian anymore in order to get over him. "Give that back to him," she said as she left for her bedroom to dress. When she returned she was wearing a dark green blouse and jeans, her hair still wet and her feet still bare. She leaned against the wall, her hands behind her back as she looked at Nicolas.
"You're not leaving until I leave, are you?"
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 16:58:55 GMT -5
Nik smiled at her, "I told you I was stubborn, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't make me drag you out of here."
He looked at his watch, "And look at that you're showered and clothed all in under an hour. I'm pretty pleased." he baited her again. Such was their relationship.
He stood then, "You'll do. Come on." he said walking toward the door. He held it open for her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 16, 2016 22:17:58 GMT -5
Sitting under running water watching your skin turn red from the heat as you sobbed on the floor of the bathtub wasn't exactly a shower, but it was more than she'd done since the ball so it was a marked improvement. Nicolas' flat 'you'll do' didn't do much to make her feel more comfortable about leaving her flat, especially in her current state. Lyra hardly ever wore pants and as a general rule she never wore them in public. She also never left the house without doing something to her hair. She wasn't even wearing makeup. What a mess she was.
Lyra groaned exaggeratedly to ensure Nicolas knew how much she despised him at that moment and then slipped on a pair of shoes, stuffed her wand in her pocket, and followed him to the door. "Don't expect me to be pleasant," she said with a dark smile.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 16, 2016 23:23:00 GMT -5
"I never do." he quipped taking her hand and dragging her out the door. He continued to drag her into the carriage. After he helped her inside he went and told the coachman where to go, then climbed in and took the seat across from her. He wore sunglasses even though the interior of the coach was dark, but it added to the careless autocratic enigma he had currently worked up.
When the coach stopped they were at the private entrance to Enchanted HQ where only VP and Executives were allowed. He stepped out and held his hand out for hers.
Before she could give it to him however he grabbed her wrist 'gently' and used the same pushiness to take her upstairs.
Lyra would have known the office anywhere as well as the familiar path he was taking to the "Pampering" area as he thought of it. He dragged her to Jean Claude - the director - and stopped.
"Cancel Marguarite, Jacobson, Danvers, Vavarte, and Rose's appointments for the day. I want them all working on Ms. Newbury. The full work up. I'll be with Cora, but send for me when she goes to Danvers."
Jean Claude didn't even blink. Other than Samantha no one questioned Nik's orders.
"Yes sir." he turned toward Lyra, "This way mademoiselle." he said leading her.
"Jean Claude." he called out, "Champagne and strawberries, but only if she's pleasant." he teased toward Lyra.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 0:53:39 GMT -5
Nicolas had to drag her, as Lyra was firmly against getting into a carriage with Nicolas again. She jumped as he reappeared in the doorway and was on edge the entire ride, her eyes frequently shifting to the door. She didn't voice her fears aloud, but Nicolas had noticed her anxiety and offered his traditional insults to distract her from the perfectly reasonable fear that a masked stranger would rip open the door and steal her away.
When the carriage finally came to a halt, Lyra scowled. "No. I'm not going in there, Nicolas. Look at me! This is completely-" But she didn't have the chance to tell him what this was as he grabbed her and pulled her from the carriage. She glared at him as he pushed her into the building, daggers shooting from her eyes as he ordered the entire team to work on her. She was a mess, to be sure, but the whole bloody team?! Nicolas was lucky Lyra had enough sense not to unleash her fury on him in the office or there would have been nothing left of him.
She followed Jean Claude but as Nicolas gave one last snotty remark she looked over her shoulder at him and mouthed "tosser."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 2:22:25 GMT -5
Nik laughed. She hadn't lost her spirit completely if he could rile her up, and he had counted on being able to rile her up. He had taken her through the executive entrance for privacy so none of the other employees could see her less than her usual 'charming' self.
Nik didn't cancel the whole team's day, just the best of their best, which was the best of the best.
Lyra was guided by Jean Claude to two other attendants who were not shy about stripping Lyra out of her clothing and leading her to a jasmine scented bath with the promised champagne and strawberries. Soft music was playing in the background and the water was charmed to stay warm.
Attendants buffed and polished Lyra's skin til it glowed, then she was sent to Marguarite who had already taken a sample of Lyra's skin cells and was ready to apply a body and face potion or masque suited to Lyra's DNA.
The treatments continued including a magical form of hair removal similar to muggle waxing, but much less painful.
When Marguarite's team was finished Lyra was sent to Jacobsen. Sam said that if the man were not gay she would probably marry him for his hands. Jacobsen had better than magic fingers, an hour with him and every muscle melted, stress evaporated, and worries seemed to disappear. Sam had also consulted Ashton on a potion that could be applied to the skin to create the same kind of euphoria he was working on orally, but through the body for the very idea of Jacobsen's touch. The effect did not disappoint.
When Jacobsen finished Lyra was given a brought to Danvers where Nik was waiting for her.
"You look better."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 2:36:29 GMT -5
Lyra smiled happily in her robe as she came into the room. If asked, she would have been completely unable to express a single worry she had ever had. Every muscle in her body was relaxed and she had the same euphoric feeling that she got after really good sex (without any of the hassle of dealing with Noble Whatshisface).
She didn't even have the urge to insult Nik when she saw him. She gave him a lazy smile and pointed her finger at him playfully. "No I told you so's out of you," she with a laugh.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 3:01:11 GMT -5
Nik smiled genuinely and lifted two glasses of champagne from the attendant handing her one, and sipping from the other.
"Sit." he said less commanding than usual.
Danvers came behind her and began to play with her long dark tresses.
"Lyra..." Nik began, " Do you trust me?"
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