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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 27, 2008 1:30:27 GMT -5
Zizzy was blushing bright enough to provide a second light source in the room, and Armand stepped in before she could protest the cost. Not that it wasn't a lot. He'd been a little surprised himself. He could afford it, that wasn't the problem, he just hadn't realized how much stuff babies required.
"The palace will reimburse you in a week," he said.
"Sure thing," Carrie replied, aglow with the weight of commission. "Thanks for choosing Little Terrors. By the way, if you weren't like, already going to be king anyway, I'd totally vote for you."
"Thanks," Armand said with a wry smile.
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Post by Jules on Dec 27, 2008 1:40:25 GMT -5
Zizzy took bags in hand mutely, as much as she could carry before she deemed Armand capable of handling the rest. The bigger things, namely the stroller and crib, would be delivered. She felt a little ill, even. Never in her life had she dropped that much money. She walked out of the store and to their carriage, helping the driver load the stuff in.
Still blushing, she waited for Armand. She was kind of hungry, but going out for lunch after making him spend that much money seemed even more horrible. Not that she didn't fully agree the baby needed things, and she didn't think she'd been overly frivolous. She'd even taken into consideration the amount of clothing they'd probably get from Illie.
And still, it had cost way too much. When Armand came out she relieved him of a few bags and stowed them away as well. "I'm really sorry Armand. I didn't...realize, I guess. We should've gone somewhere less expensive."
And more than ever, Zizzy was made aware of the huge gap in class between them. "Do you realize I can never return the favor? I can never give you the same caliber of gift you'll give me..."
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 27, 2008 1:46:14 GMT -5
"The calibur of the gift is in the eye of the beholder," he replied, shut the door, and the carriage lurched away from the baby shop.
"Don't apologize," he added, with a sort of long-suffering patience. "I wanted to get the best. If you really want to blame someone, you can blame me."
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Post by Jules on Dec 27, 2008 1:50:39 GMT -5
Zizzy just hunched in the seat and looked out the window. She loved Armand very much, but sometimes he could be a little too good. He'd see when it came Christmas time and he got her pearls or diamonds or private island complete with mansion and she handed him socks. And she'd see that little flash of disappointment that he'd try to hide and...
It was just, she could never amaze him and surprise him like he could her. "I'm starved. Can we just drop by somewhere real quick?"
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 19:31:22 GMT -5
He studied her for a minute. She had That Look, but she also didn't appear willing to share, so he nodded and instructed the driver of their would-be quick stop for lunch.
He watched her (unabashed staring) for several more minutes, and then, unable to help it, said, "You know what your problem is-- you think too highly of me." His eyes softened. "I like that, Zizzy. I like what I see in your eyes sometimes when you look at me, but I wish you wouldn't... put yourself under me, like you sometimes do. You're above me, in so many ways."
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Post by Jules on Dec 28, 2008 20:18:53 GMT -5
Zizzy pointedly ignored him, pretending not to notice when he watched her. And then he spoke. She rose a single brow dangerously, "My problem?"
But she listened none the less and when he finished, she did not look happy. "If you really want, I'll trot out all your flaws. But I suppose you're right, being under you is what got me into this mess in the first place." It might've been a joke if she hadn't said it so plainly.
"I don't think I'm below you, I just know the facts. Like how I'm very, very poor compared to you, and how while you were raised in high society, I'm from deplorable slums."
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 20:50:46 GMT -5
His mouth tightened and his eyes sharpened, just a little, at the innuendo remark, which sounded like a borderline accusation, but otherwise said nothing, waiting until she finished.
Clearly, that had been the wrong thing to say, but he hadn't a clue what the right thing was. She certainly didn't treat their differences like simple, unimportant facts.
"Alright," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to offend you."
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Post by Jules on Dec 28, 2008 21:04:44 GMT -5
Zizzy sighed. "You could be a little less passive." She muttered, "A little less in love with someone else. A little more understanding why the money issue makes me uncomfortable." She stopped herself there and pulled her hands through her hair. "And I could be a little more trusting, a little less moody."
She shrugged, "Nothing's perfect. I'm okay with how things are. Happy, even." And she was, just not at this paticular moment, so the smile she gave him was very insincere and quite mocking.
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 21:35:49 GMT -5
All good points. Though, it wasn't doing anything to simmer the mood much.
Both brows lifted slightly at her patronizing smile; not in a surprised/hurt way, but in an excuuuuse me? way.
"Good," he said with a matching smile. "I'm glad you're happy."
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Post by Jules on Dec 28, 2008 22:12:36 GMT -5
Zizzy glowered and fumed and stewed for a few minutes more before speaking. "It hasn't been sitting well with me." She admitted, "I would prefer if you never saw her again." She looked down at her lap, "And I know it's awful, and selfish, and childish and mean, but I can't get past it and I'm sorry. If it's too much to ask, I understand, but I don't know that I can stay."
It had taken a while to be sure of herself enough to proffer this ultimatum of sorts. To contemplate being alone, back in that ratty apartment with a baby was hard, but it was harder feeling like she had a tooth-and-nail hold on him. Like any moment this woman could waltz in and destroy everything Zizzy had. "It's really not that I don't trust you."
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 22:25:03 GMT -5
He gave soft snort. Not that she didn't trust him. Sure.
He didn't look at her immediately, couldn't, and crossed his arms over his chest, entirely rigid and lost in thought. He was, at the very least, glad Zizzy had come out and said exactly how she felt.
Iseabail was his friend, and a part of him still loved her, even if he wasn't in love with her. Never seeing her again would hurt, but not nearly as much as losing Zizzy would. And his son. That wasn't the problem.
Iseabail was inexplicably tied with the opera house... with a lot of things that mattered to him, and cutting her out meant cutting those things out as well. Forever. It left him feeling empty inside.
But he couldn't lose Zizzy. And he knew he couldn't understand how it felt for her, knowing he still had some feelings for Iseabail.
"Fine," he said, quietly, but with strength. He meant it.
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Post by Jules on Dec 28, 2008 22:30:05 GMT -5
Zizzy's eyes snapped up, staring at him, wide-eyed with shock. She would never understand why he loved her like he did, but she supposed, in the long run, it didn't matter. Immediately, she felt guilty and awful but also satisfied and she could feel anxiety leave her like yesterday's news. Zizzy came to sit next to him and took his face in her hands.
"Thank you. I know I'm a horrible person. I'll try and make it up to you." She didn't kiss him, because she knew he couldn't be thrilled with her at the moment, but it was enough to be close. "I promise you it's not forever, okay?"
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 22:39:37 GMT -5
He met her eyes and felt a little salve to the wound. God, he loved her.
A tight smile, then he averted his eyes. "Let's not talk about it anymore."
The driver knocked on the door, and Armand startled slightly. How long had they been stopped. "Sir?" the driver ventured uncertainly. "Would you like me to run in for you?"
Armand ran a hand over his eyes. He'd lost his appetite. "I... uh. Ugh." To Zizzy. "What did you want?"
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Post by Jules on Dec 28, 2008 22:48:58 GMT -5
Zizzy smiled, taking her hands away from his cheeks but letting one rest on his knee. When the driver came in, she nodded and gave him her order, thanking him copiously because it was bizarre to have servants, still.
She promised herself that she would get over this and not make him suffer for her piece of mind. That it would not be a permanent restriction. But she had to admit, it felt wonderful not to have to worry quite so much. "You sure you didn't want anything? I'm starved. No weird cravings yet, which it good. For you, mostly, because you get the much sought-after job of being my gofer. Doesn't that just delight you?"
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Post by Miss Jack on Dec 28, 2008 23:01:18 GMT -5
She'd certainly gotten happier... fast.
"No thanks," he muttered, lifting a hand as if warding off a physical offering. The driver returned with Zizzy's order, which he presented with an almost-grinning smile. The Ira family had never snobby (well, minus the Queen), he was paid well, and he found the prince's girlfriend's (or was it fiancee now?) extravagant politeness, and general awkwardness when waited upon, utterly delightful and hilarious.
He nodded at Armand and then returned to his seat, where he steered the carriage back to the castle.
"Genn will want to see all the clothes you bought," Armand said.
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