27.12.2012 Views

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

courtship splendidly, his siblings love my siblings, and our friends think our<br />

union <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> blessed by the Powers themselves. All fine and good, but things<br />

are going..." She frowned. "...so smoothly. 'Tis <strong>not</strong> right <strong>to</strong> have such a<br />

trouble-free courtship."<br />

"I <strong>do</strong>n't know about that..."<br />

"Dost thou <strong>not</strong>? Hast thou ever had such a courtship?" She glanced briefly at<br />

me. "T'would seem that thy life is filled with a variety <strong>of</strong> problems, judging<br />

by the pallor <strong>of</strong> thy skin.""<br />

A face flickered in my memory, <strong>of</strong> a pale ivory-haired woman, her sea-blue<br />

gown whipped by an unfelt wind, "I can't remem<strong>be</strong>r any courtships I have<br />

had. The remnants <strong>of</strong> the ones I have encountered suggest that I may have<br />

had some problems."<br />

Juliette ignored me and continued, groaning, "'Tis just that all my friends<br />

have such interesting relationships... ones fraught with turmoil, feuding<br />

families, daggers at one a<strong>not</strong>her's backs, poison, mad siblings and irate<br />

fathers with large swords. I have a lover whose family loves me and whom<br />

the world loves." She sighed again. "A great source <strong>of</strong> annoyance. How I<br />

wish I could formulate some way <strong>to</strong> spice things up..."<br />

Morte floated close <strong>to</strong> me, whispering: "I feel sorry for her lover. He <strong>do</strong>esn't<br />

know how bad he has it. A chit like this is <strong>not</strong>hing but trouble."<br />

"That <strong>do</strong>esn't sound wise, Juliette. Relish what you have."<br />

"I wish <strong>to</strong> experience troubles, though. I wish <strong>to</strong> experience the up and<br />

<strong>do</strong>wns <strong>of</strong> courtship... but with him, no other. Ah, such a thing is love. It can<br />

<strong>be</strong> as dull as a club, and is <strong>of</strong> no use <strong>to</strong> an aspiring Sensate."<br />

"What did you have in mind <strong>to</strong> spice things up?"<br />

"I am <strong>not</strong> sure. Some element <strong>of</strong> danger. Or jealousy. Something intense."<br />

"I can pretend <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> a jealous sui<strong>to</strong>r, if you want."<br />

Juliette glanced at me, then sc<strong>of</strong>fed. "Oh, I highly <strong>do</strong>ubt th- hmm. Actually,<br />

that idea 'tis <strong>not</strong> half as addled as I had first thought. Thou <strong>do</strong>st certainly<br />

look dangerous enough." She looked me in the eye, as if appraising a horse.<br />

522

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!