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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 3:22:06 GMT -5
She took the champagne and sipped on it as she sat. He was being much nicer than usual, but Lyra supposed once you cry half naked and soaking wet in front of someone they probably would feel obligated to be nice for at least a little while.
"That's a loaded question, Nicolas," she said playfully. She was very playful now. Ashton really was a genius and Samantha was a saint for pairing his potion with Jacobsen's magic touch.
In the end Lyra acquiesced to Nicolas' plans.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 3:38:07 GMT -5
Nik guided Danvers as to what he wanted to see and then let the hairdresser do what he was famous for. Meanwhile more attendants came to do Lyra's nails as her hair set and did whatever else it was Danvers had instructed it to do. There were no mirrors per Nik's request, but he smiled when all was said and done.
VanVarte was the next to arrive. He spent roughly an hour practicing different makeup looks on Lyra, all polished and sophisticated but highlighting different features and having more bold looks for the evening and lighter looks for the day. When he was finished he handed her twelve different charmed lipsticks, by applying any one of them Lyra would be able to recreate the flawless look VanVarte had accomplished.
Nik selected one of the lipsticks and sent the others to Lyra's flat along with the clothing he had sent to her flat as well.
Finally it was time to see Rose. Still Lyra was unable to see herself.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 3:46:22 GMT -5
Lyra tried to listen in on what Nicolas was telling Danvers to do to her hair but their hushed whispers were inaudible. Lyra loved her hair and might have been worried that Nik wanted to chop it off but Ashton's potion was too effective and she simply resigned herself to the surprise.
"I think you're having too much fun keeping secrets from me," she teased. "Where are we going now?"
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 3:52:55 GMT -5
Nik lifted her chin and grinned approvingly.
"Rose will take care of everything else. I'll meet you when you're finished. I have some errands to run." he said looking at his watch, "You've already taken up most of my day." he teased her and ruffled her hair which did nothing but settle perfectly back into place.
When Nik left the door opened and Rose beckoned Lyra inside, the door shut behind her.
In front of Lyra was a vast array of jewelry. Brooches. Rings. Necklaces. Bracelets. Some were heavily jeweled with large gemstones. Others were very simple sterling silver.
"Go ahead and choose my dear."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 15:02:56 GMT -5
"Who's fault is that?" Lyra said pointedly before Nicolas left. As Lyra stepped into the next room her eyes widened. She hadn't been to see Rose before. She was familiar, to some degree, with everyone else that had pampered her today but Rose had been a surprise. A very exciting surprise. Lyra's eyes scanned the jewels and precious metals laid out before her. "Choose?" This was too much, even for Nicolas. Lyra didn't deserve this kind of attention. She could understand why he might have pitied her after the pathetic display she put on at her flat, but this went beyond sympathy. Still, Lyra wasn't one to turn down a gift of any sort. Rose showed Lyra different pieces and made suggestions based on Lyra's coloring and what designers would pair well with each piece. In the end Lyra decided on a beautiful double teardrop ruby necklace on a string of pearls with matching drop earrings. Rose even talked her into a large ruby ring, though there was very little convincing needed.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 17:20:45 GMT -5
Lyra's choice in jewelry told Rose much about the woman in front of her. She had the jewelry wrapped and put away, sending it with Lyra's other 'gifts' that day. All except the ruby ring which she held out for the other woman to put on.
"This one you must never take off." Rose said with a smile.
"My jewelry is enchanted." Rose explained. She went on to explain that the earrings would give Lyra poise and calm in any situation, and the necklace would give her confidence. Most importantly the ring would protect Lyra and alert Montgomery security if she were in danger.
The jewelry could be modified to suit any occasion by pairing it with an outfit, the jewelry would then shift to something suitable, but it was in the choosing that Rose knew which charms that would help Lyra the most.
"Courtesy of Master Nik."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 18:02:26 GMT -5
Lyra stared at the ring as Rose explained its purpose. She wondered how exactly it would work, and if it would protect Lyra from herself as well as outside dangers. She didn't ask these questions though. She did, however, ask something else.
"Nicolas? You mean Samantha. She's the one who set this all up, isn't she?" Nicolas had only come to pester Lyra because Samantha had forced him to see to her. That was how it worked. Samantha cared and Nicolas did the dirty work.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 18:10:40 GMT -5
Rose frowned. Nik was much beloved throughout Enchanted, and most anywhere really. He had an effortless charm and grace that Rose only wished she could bottle up and put into one of her charms so it was odd for Lyra to question that.
"I don't believe so mum. I received my order from Master Nicolas."
Rose then escorted her to yet another room at Enchanted to help Lyra pick an outfit. Nik had told her nothing too formal, something fun.
When they were finished Rose adjusted Lyra's hair one last time and smiled, "Yes I think Master Nik will be most pleased."
Finally Lyra was shown to a full length mirror to see the outcome.
"Well well, look at you." Nik said from behind whistling appreciatively. He wore a casual smile as he entered the room fully.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 18:48:01 GMT -5
Lyra didn't think long on who had given Rose her orders as she was now engaging in a mini fashion show as Rose helped Lyra pick something to wear. Lyra still had no idea what Nik's plan was, but if she couldn't simply wear the clothes she had come in that told her that her day was not over yet. She found she didn't mind, it was actually nice to be out of her house and away from her depressive thoughts.
She gasped and smiled broadly as she was finally allowed to see herself in a mirror. Nicolas had made her blonde again, only this time it wasn't a charm for one night. She had been blonde for the Southerland's Ball and had many wonderful compliments on it, none more amazing than Julian's response to her new look. Of course Nicolas wouldn't have know that this was what Lyra was thinking fondly about as she ran her fingers through her hair and admired herself in the mirror.
She spun around at his voice, still beaming. "I clean up well, don't I?"
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 19:06:43 GMT -5
"You'll do." he laughed, though his eyes showed appreciation. Unlike Julian or Mason however, his eyes didn't roam over her body, his appreciation was for the color in her cheeks, and the confidence she was sporting once again.
He offered her his arm this time instead of dragging her by her wrist.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 17, 2016 21:33:58 GMT -5
"Piss off. I'm gorgeous and you know it." She lifted her chin in the air and smirked confidently at him.
She looked down at the arm he offered her and rolled her eyes at his formality. "You could just tell me where we're going and then you wouldn't have to guide me everywhere...or drag me." Lyra smiled and linked her arm in his anyway.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 17, 2016 22:27:24 GMT -5
"You are. I do. And where's the fun in that?" he asked amusedly leading her to the carriage. He guided her through the office this time, and picked up some prints for her to go through.
Once in the carriage (after Nik once again hid the location from her) he sat down and joined her.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 18, 2016 0:08:12 GMT -5
Lyra smiled as they walked through the office and thanked everyone for their compliments on her new look. She was definitely enjoying the ego boost that came with all of the attention.
She briefly glimpsed at the first few photographs from the stack on her desk, before picking the whole pile up and taking them with her. Once in the carriage she thumbed through them, making faces when she saw something she didn't like and soft nondescript sounds when something caught her eye. She'd have to look over them further when she got home but at least she would now have something to do to keep her mind off of Julian tonight. Mimsy would be pleased.
Lyra looked up at Nicolas. "This wasn't Sam's doing," she said matter-of-factly. She needed to work up to thanking him.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 18, 2016 0:31:41 GMT -5
"Don't worry," Nik said putting a hand up to stop her, "I know you're in love with me." he teased not wanting the thank you. The truth was he had played a large part in breaking her down, preying on her insecurities and attacking them. He had done it out of fear and some noble idea of protecting those he cared about, but when it was made clear to him that she was not the monster he had worried she could have been, it was then his duty to help her build herself back up, and stronger at that.
He looked at her seriously for a moment, "I'm going to say this one time and never speak of it again." when he was sure he had her attention he continued, "You are not the person I accused you of being. This is not Sam's doing, it is mine. And you don't need to thank me, because it is an apology. I am not wrong about many people, but I was wrong about you."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 18, 2016 1:40:38 GMT -5
Lyra scoffed. "Hardly." She shook her head and rolled her eyes, looking off out the window until the seriousness of his voice demanded her full attention. She looked at him, wondering what horrible crime she had committed now to deserve the threats he was about to lay on her.
But he wasn't threatening her, or warning her, or even scolding her. Lyra wasn't sure how to respond to him. The broken girl inside of her felt as if tears were swelling in her eyes but the euphoric potion still working its way through her body prevented her from the emotional outburst that surely would have comes from Nicolas' admission.
After a moment of staring silently at him, Lyra smiled. "You like me," she said in a taunting sing-songy voice.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 18, 2016 2:07:50 GMT -5
Nik's scowl returned, though it was playful around the edges, "I tolerate you." he replied, and remained silent until they arrived at their next destination.
As Nik opened the carriage and offered her his arm once again for her to descend. They stood in front of a building that was old and carried an aristocratic and historical feeling to it.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 18, 2016 2:15:34 GMT -5
Lyra shook her head at his refusal and wore a smug smile for the remainder of their journey, frequently making direct eye contact and smiling wider to remind him that he liked her. She was still smiling when the carriage stopped.
"Where are we?" she asked as she stepped out of the carriage and shielded her eyes from the sun to see more clearly.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 18, 2016 2:29:35 GMT -5
"Milan." he answered, "Fashion week." he took her in hand and led her through the building until they heard a buzz of activity. He signaled the security officer and they were led through the crowd to a VIP area.
Nik was familiar with the scene, Godric knew Sam had dragged him through the circus once or twice, but the chaos would be exciting and intense.
Once they arrived other fashion editors began to whisper and glance in their direction.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Nov 18, 2016 2:51:27 GMT -5
Lyra was excited and nervous as they walked through the crowd. It had been only this morning that she was a sobbing, unbathed mess and now she stood among the fashion elite. "Nicolas..."she said warily as the whispering began. It was only a slight uneasiness that she felt, compared her normal state, but it was enough for Lyra to hold Nik's arm a little tighter.
"Merlin's beard," she said suddenly in a hushed voice, her tight grip turning into a slight tug of excitement. "That's Marc Bohan!"
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Nov 18, 2016 3:03:06 GMT -5
"That it is." Nik said having heard the name before and knowing the face, though he didn't know the reason behind his fame.
Nik smiled as the first editor came up to them, "So you're Montgomery's new editor." the he looked her up and down, " Brains and beauty." the man smiled and handed her a business card, "In case you're in the market for a new position..." he leaned in, " or partner." he said glancing up toward Nik.
Nik resisted the urge to smirk. "Come on love, let's make the rounds."
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