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Post by Liana Marceau on Jan 5, 2009 18:35:54 GMT -5
There was another. Liana was sure of it. There had to be. The look on the girl's face told her that there was a dream of love and a real hope for it shined in her eyes. However, something else that Liana could not see, only feel, told here that there was a good basis for that hope for love. The fairytale ending was what this poor girl wanted and she had found a man to base her hopes on. Probably a high ranking lord at the opera house knowing how these things usually worked. Then again, Mori had fallen for a stagehand, but where would the problem be with that. The girl was sweet and pretty so there should be no problem with the man. So she was going for safety and security over love. She must be sad or depressed or hurting over her lack of love for the one she was to marry.
A deep sigh was all Liana could let out. What could she tell this girl when all she ever felt about love was the pain it caused and the trouble that it led to, Her mother had gotten in a bad marriage after all. In the end it had killed her. Grant you it had been to a bad man, but even before the abuse started her mother had been most unhappy. Seeing this girl like this was a bit like that, at least it reminded her of that. "You have another interest besides your betrothed then?"
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La Muta
Understudy
Parlare Non Male
Posts: 70
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Post by La Muta on Jan 21, 2009 3:00:56 GMT -5
The olive skin of Colombina's face turned paler than it had ever been, and then flushed all the way up to her forehead in shame. She dropped her eyes, her thin fingers picking deftly at the cloth at her opposite wrist, quickly reorganising the pins by length. Usually, this was a task for the morning, but right now seemed as good a time as any. With a gulp and a great deal of courage, Colombina managed a small shrug, and then gestured to a rack of costumes to her right that held the clothes for the parts of nobility in Shakespearian productions, moth-eaten but able to convey the same message of riches. She sighed. Yes, she was infatuated with someone else, but it was a hopeless case and useless to suppose any good could come out of it. Even if, by some sick twist of fate, he found that he loved her deeply, the best she could hope for would be estrangement from a world of honour and her God as his mistress. Then, eventually, she would have impoverished bastard children and be ousted by his bride. He already had a wife, as far as she knew.
Eyes lifted again to meet Liana's, the flush came again. Surely Liana understood? He was a noble, so it did not matter. She could not woo him, and even if she did, she would be worse off than she was now. It seemed a better option to hope that the insane infatuation would fade with time, that a deep friendship could form with her fiancé, and that given a few years, she could be content. She had been forced to learn that lesson every day of her life, every time she dreamed of singing. How would this be any different?
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Post by Liana Marceau on Jan 22, 2009 14:52:41 GMT -5
It seemed her new friend had fallen victim to one of the oldest love stories of all time: she fell for a man she could never love in this world. If it was one of the versions of the story she knew, the man was a noble of some sort and they had met by chance. It seemed by Colombina's gesturing to the old fashioned costumes of French nobility they were meant to be refurbished for Romeo et Juliette, this was true. Either she had met a noble by chance, or she had viewed him from afar and thusly fallen for his charm and his high born ways. Liana herself was too much of a lady to comment that Colombina was better off to forget him. In her experience all noble men were trouble and were brats that were merely looking for a woman to hold on their arm and show off. They held no respect for women, nor did they give them the power that she would need to make costumes for the lower class opera house. This man was not was Colombina desired and yet, here the girl was, pining.
A small sigh escaped Liana's smile as she nodded in understanding. It was no surprise to her. The world of the rich was filled with glamor after all. It was an easy connection to take a man from that world and turn him into a prince from a fairytale; she had once done it. Still, it was not her place to enlighten the girl of such things. She was so enamored she probably would not believe anything anyhow. And so Liana sat and smiled as best she could at the girl and her excitement. And pondered a way to continue the conversation. "Does he know of you and your feelings? If he does, are they requited? I mean, does he feel the same way?"
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La Muta
Understudy
Parlare Non Male
Posts: 70
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Post by La Muta on Jan 25, 2009 18:52:07 GMT -5
Colombina saw a smile come onto Liana's features and smiled back, but it was sad. It was an embarrassing thing, wanting one so high above her. Withdrawing her chalk from her apron pocket, she slipped onto her knees on the floor, sweeping away some of the dirt that littered the stone there. Then, she began the portrait. Little lines formed, long curves, her hand sweeping, becoming dirty, as a beloved face with a tiny smirk came into view. Finally, with long, slow movements, she added strokes of hair, waving this way and that, slightly mussed. It was undeniably Angel Marcellinus, Comte de Dreux-Brézé, brother of the Marquise de Balleroy, Nicolette, the childhood friend of Nicole Deloncre, to whom Colombina now gazed, unknowing of the connection.
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Post by Liana Marceau on Feb 19, 2009 14:05:21 GMT -5
It had been a long time since she had seen anyone draw a portrait so well and never had Liana seen one drawn that well this quickly. She had sat for many portraits when she was younger to be sure, but they had taken hours of sitting still and staring into space or at an artist that was far too picky to really do any justice to the soul of the subject rather than the physical beauty of the object of the artwork. But this girl had drawn a perfect likeness, a rather beautifully done likeness, of the Marquis de Balleroy; a very familiar face from her past which she smiled at rather blithely and nodded in understanding.
It made sense. When she had know the Marquis as a young girl she had always thought him rather handsome. She never talked to him of course. Despite the fact that she was his sister's best friend she was always too shy. They had danced and talked a few times. Until the advantageous marriage of his sister there had been rumors circulating that he was going to ask for her hand in order to align their families and their riches. She had heard awful things about him but she would not have minded. She would finally be Nicollette's sister by blood and he was charming enough in public. It made sense for any girl, especially a girl that had not seen the darker side of any noble as Liana had, to fall in love with the Marquis at first sight.
Of course, Liana could not explain any of this to the poor girl without letting her secret go. So Liana did as she always did when a girl was in love with one of the upper class- she smiled, she nodded and she looked at the picture as longingly as they did and then tried to change the subject tastefully as possible. "Well it certainly makes sense that you fell for him. He is very handsome. It is a very good drawing. Where did you learn to do that? It is rather amazing. I have to say I am quite envious!
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La Muta
Understudy
Parlare Non Male
Posts: 70
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Post by La Muta on Aug 4, 2009 17:58:35 GMT -5
Colombina would have chuckled if she could. She smiled slyly at Liana, thinking to herself: ah, I see. There had been recognition and understanding in the woman's face for just a split second when La Muta had looked up, before Liana schooled her features into passivity and kindness as if it was down to the habit of the instant. Then, to confirm her suspicions, she had changed the subject.
La Muta sat smirking knowingly, her eyes sparkling. She gestured to the portrait, then to Liana, and tipping her head in questioning, laid her hand on her own heart. Perhaps Liana knew him too, and felt similarly. The smile on Colombina's face indicated that her supposition was such, and she ignored the compliment to her artistry in her search for the truth. There was such mystery to her friend, and she could only dig uselessly and be turned away. What was Liana concealing, and did it have anything to do with the prince?
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Post by Liana Marceau on Aug 5, 2009 1:46:45 GMT -5
Years of lies and Liana had not yet mastered her face. She had never practiced with anyone who relied on reading only faces, so it should not have been such a surprise that Colombina had noticed the small glint of recognition in Liana's eyes. It was not so easy to catch for someone who relied on conversation and used tone and vocal clues rather than soley the physical. But since Colombina did not need such things to communicate it meant Liana would have to be more careful than ever in order to protect both herself and her new friend. It just meant she would have to lie again. A little more skillfully, a little more convincingly, but if anything she would be the better for it- the safer for it.
A smile and a small laugh were probably enough to set the girl away from any suspicions of personal intrigue. She shook her head after doing so, the last rings of her clear bell of a laugh lingering in air and she met eyes with her new friend and attempted to be as truthful as possible. "Nothing of that sort I would dare say. I see him looking in from the wings occasionally is all. I know his name from the chattering backstage of all the girls who hope to gain something from him. I believe he is some sort of noble- a marquis or a count, something of the sort I would imagine. They always stir up the most trouble if you ask me, but he certainly is very handsome."
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La Muta
Understudy
Parlare Non Male
Posts: 70
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Post by La Muta on Aug 5, 2009 14:16:19 GMT -5
Oh, she was good. Colombina wasn't completely sure that she trusted Liana's explanation, though she didn't know why--oh, no. Perhaps she did. She sagged her shoulders a bit. The chorus girls giggling about him--he, in the wings? He had charmed the other girls, too. Although it was ridiculous, for the act of being charmed was entirely on the part of the charm-ee, it made her feel less special. Even if her position had been silly and hopeless to begin with, at least she had thought herself to be the only pathetic common girl in love with him. So he was of noble birth, not just new money.
A marquis or comte; so he was almost surely either married already or set to be married to a woman of station. Not that it mattered--she, too, was engaged to be married. If there had been a reason for Colombina's mistrust, it had been pure pride and false hope. She felt bad for it now, not believing Liana. She smiled at her sadly. It should be a comfort, for her pretty friend had no interest in the object of Colombina's obsession, and though she doubted even if she did there could be any contention between them for it, it was still a good thing.
Colombina stood quickly from kneeling on the floor, shocked, as a young man in street clothing burst into the chapel. He looked from one woman to the other, his youthful face brimming with confusion. Confusion on his thin features was rather amusing to behold--like a shocked horse. "Liana Marceau. I've a message for--" La Muta gestured to Liana, and he immediately stumbled over to, presenting her with the envelope silently. On it were the initials "NM", which Nicolette had once used her letters to her good friend.
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Post by Liana Marceau on Aug 6, 2009 1:05:35 GMT -5
Hopefully with that little lie Liana had thrown her off long enough so that she would forget about her knowledge of Angel and everything related to that family. She knew quite a bit more of course. More than everyone in the opera house would ever know. Indeed, Angel was quite sweet though a bit odd once you got to know him. His sister always said he was harmless enough, and more than a few times people gossiped that it would be soon that she and Nicolette would be more than sisters of friendship. But that offer was never even made. That offer would have been a dream next to what had happened. But that was all the past now. Still very real and dangerous but in the past none the less.
Liana's wistful smile vanished quickly as she stopped her reminiscing immediately. Such things were dangerous even to think about. The good and the bad. Besides Nicolette she was sure no one would even recognize her unless they were hunting her. She would never see them though unless she was beneath a mask at a ball for the populaire even that would be under threat. After all, the last ball she had went to her best friend had fallen ill. So far it had been days since she had received word of her dearest friend and only confidant's help. If she died she would have no one to defend her. If her friend left this earth the only one who believed her would be gone and she would have no true friends, no family, no Marie....
A small sigh escaped Liana's lips at the thought. It had been awful to watch. It had been even more awful to leave her poor goddaughter alone in the music room sleeping quietly. And the blood. God she did not even want to think of such things but she did want to know her friend's situation. How she was faring. If she was still even on this earth. Liana was so deep in thought about it she did not even remember that she was in the room with another girl, much less a very observant once. It seemed both of them were to be startled back into reality and away from their individual observations and musings very quickly.
In a moment a young messenger burst in panting. It seemed Liana's greatest fears had come true. However, at least her dear friend was kind enough to remember her. Perhaps she was passing her secret on to someone she trusted. Angel? Her husband? Certainly not! The man had betrayed her and Marie by going off with another woman. No and Angel she imagined would not be too keen. But none the less she had to go to her friend. If she was requested at the manor things would be dire and her friend needed her. Liana immediately nodded and took the letter from the young man with a quiet thank you. She forced a small smile and looked at her friend. "Please forgive me, it seems that I am required elsewhere, but I do hope to see you again."
Not that the girl could see it but old habits died hard and Liana dipped a small curtsy before rushing off. She grabbed a few of her things from her dormitory room pulled her hair up into a neat bun and forced a bonnet over it in order to hide her hair. She had to go to Nicolette. She had to see her friend for what might be the last time- and Marie. Dear Marie needed her no matter what the cost and no matter what the peril to her own ruse and her freedom. It would be worth it for that one last meeting. Besides, without Nicolette her life was effectively over. She had been so lonely the day they had found each other again and she could not bare to go through that again. Not being alone in the opera house with the exception of her new friend. Not without Nicolette or Mori. But such things were left for later. Right now Nicolette needed her more than anything else. They understood each other. They needed each other at this moment no matter the sadness or the cost to either.
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