OOM: Delia and Mary Anne

[eldorne_girl]

[Delia had always loved horses. Always. It was nearly impossible not to, in the Eldorne house. They bred them, sold them, bought them…it was all the wealth they had left, after the Conquest]

[the House of Eldorne always thought of it with a capitol letter, too]

[so, it should come as no surprise to those who knew her from her life in Tortall to find the now-dead lady outside, watching the horses as they got some fresh, winter air. Watching them, and gently stroking Mithros’s face. He was a lovely horse, even if he had once been Jonathan’s.]

[Bloody Jonathan]

[of course, her clothes – jeans and a jumper, scarf and trench-coat would come as a surprise to those at court, those who now thought her safely dead and in the hands of the Black God]

[Sadly for them, Delia’s always been hard to get rid of. She’s spiteful like that]

Comments

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne hasn't been outside since it snowed. Time to fix that.

She draws her new coat (courtesy of Bar) around her, looking for some fresh air and a chance to think about Julian after their...whatever last night. She starts at the sight of horses, not yet noticing Delia's presence.

"Huh." She smiles slightly. "Didn't know they had horses here."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

Oh, they do, [comes a light, throaty female voice as Delia steps into view]

Quite a few now.

[song_tra_bong]

She doesn't betray any surprise at the other girl's presence.

"Suppose they really do have everything here," she remarks. "I don't think I've seen you around before, but then I haven't been here that long. I'm Mary Anne Bell."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

I've been here over a year, and I still meet new people. Delia of Eldorne, lady.

[song_tra_bong]

She nods deeply. "A pleasure to meet you, Delia."

She looks around, breath fogging slightly in the air. "What brings you out here?"

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

[a little smile]

The horses, actually. I'm dead, so I can't leave the bar...and we bred horses on my fief, so I miss them.

Also, being inside for so long is driving me crazy.

[song_tra_bong]

She laughs. "Nice as the place is, it'll do that to you. The cold air helps clear your head."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

The Bar is better then other places I can think of.

[her smile widens.]

Aye, it does. Not sure if that is a good or bad, but there you have it. Why are you out here, if you do not mind my asking?

[song_tra_bong]

There's an answering grin. "Needed to clear my head. Been thinking too much lately."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

And that is why I'm following in dear Papa's footsteps and getting drunk regularly.

[she strokes the horse's nose and then swings herself over the fence gracefully]

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne walks over to the fence, leaning on a post.

"Not a bad plan. You don't have to worry about liver damage, I suppose. Stop me if I'm nosy, but do the dead get hangovers?"

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

[The lovely looking girl makes a face]

We do.

[song_tra_bong]

She makes a noise of sympathy. "My condolences."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

So, I take it you are alive. Bound, free to go?

[song_tra_bong]

She nods. "Alive for the moment, and also unbound. Went home the other week."

Which set off a whole world of issues she'd prefer not to think about just now.

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

[quietly]

Lucky. I'd give nearly anything to see Eldorne again...or even just Tortall.

[song_tra_bong]

Her expression isn't really a smile. "You're only lucky if the reception after you get back doesn't make you wish you'd never gone at all."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

True.

Still, if I hadn't had left, I would have been on trial for treason. Granted, when I did go back, they put me on trial anyway, but that's ex-boyfriends for you.

[song_tra_bong]

Her laugh manage not to be wholly bitter. "They never handle rejection well."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

No, they don't...Of course, it was Jonathan who dumped me, but that's a side issue.

[song_tra_bong]

She makes a dismissive gesture. "Foolish boy. Didn't appreciate you for what you are, then."

She smiles in a companionable way.

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

Nope. Chose to start sleeping with his cross-dressing squire instead.

[song_tra_bong]

She bites back a laugh. "Well, everyone has their kinks, I suppose."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

[Delia grins at her]

So, you have a boyfriend?

[song_tra_bong]

She thinks of Roger. And then Julian.

"Yes...and no. Possibly." She looks confused, then annoyed at her confusion. "It's rather annoyingly complicated."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

I've been the mistress of a Duke for seven years, as well as having other loves. Some of whom he shared. Try me.

[song_tra_bong]

She shrugs. "Here goes. The first started out as a one-night stand. When he finally did show back up, I realized I might want more out of it. And that he might."
"You redeem me."
"But now he's managed to vanish again, so I'm stuck waiting. Not that I mind. Much." She worries her lower lip between her teeth.
"When I go there, love, come with me..."
"As for the other...The first time I met him, I wanted to kill him more than I've ever wanted anything. I know he would kill my best friend, given the chance. And yet...I'm more like him than I'd prefer to admit. So now we're just...awkward."

She runs a hand through her hair. "Any suggestions?"

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

Well, [she says flippantly,] if your first boy is Roger of Conte, do expect to wait for a while. He last time he vanished for about five months.

As to the second...well, how does he act towards you?

[song_tra_bong]

Her eyes widen, then narrow sharply. For the record, she's not mad at Delia. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." Her tone promises an intersting conversation whenever Roger decides to show his face again.

"As for Julian...He switches between almost kind, fairly civil, companionable, wantonly cruel, insulting me and my friends, threatening all our lives and any combination thereof. He's something of a puzzle."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

[Delia has played at court games since she was fifteen - she knows how to read expressions]

...I hate him

[possibly, however, she didn't mean to say that in response to Mary Anne's face. Flushing slightly, she glances away]

[Bastard, bastard... though did she really expecet any different?]

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne's not very good with eye contact right now, either. "I'm sorry. I wouldn't have gotten involved if...I'm sorry."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

What? Oh?

[she laughs, her rich voice bitter]

No, it's alright. You are hardly the first, Mary Anne. I've been with him for seven years...yes, you are hardly the first. It's just...a shock, that's all. I should be used to it.

[song_tra_bong]

She smiles wryly. "Well, it's my first time being the 'other woman.' Can't say it sits well. And I'm not sure it's the kind of thing you can get used to. Or that you should."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

Well, I love him. Stupidly. So, no, I guess not.

[she shakes her head]

I've been out here too long, I think I need to go in. It was lovely meeting you, though.

[song_tra_bong]

The smile softens. "Love is never stupid. Even if the people we love are."

"Lovely meeting you too, Delia. See you around."

[eldorne-girl.livejournal.com]

See you.

[and with that, she shoves her hands in her pockets and walks away]