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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:01:15 GMT 10
Evrard Ludovic-Marcellin
He pressed the front of his sweater with his free hand and smoothed back his hair. He looked down at the plush horse. How old was the infant? He hadn't seen Cara since before she gave birth to the child, since before she became pregnant. Or had she... And he hadn't known? Evrard clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. No, this was going to be a cordial meeting - ill feelings behind them. But he couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of apprehension at meeting that monstrous husband of hers again. What the silly little girl saw in that beast, he did not know. But he didn't try entering the mind of a young girl. It was too complicated for him.
The door opened and he straightened himself, toy in hand. "Evrard" He smiled upon hearing his name in her soft, joyous voice. "It's so good to see you again." He leaned down and let her kiss him on the cheek. His feeling of malaise faded for a moment in the background of his thoughts and he only focused on Cara. How radiant she looked. She always had a youthful aura about her. Now, that was coupled with a mother's glow, he supposed. His eyes went down to the small child in her arms. The little girl was sleeping peacefully, so small, so calm. For a moment, Evrard envied the little one's serenity. "Hello, Cara. It's been too long." Cara smiled and showed him inside. "Please come in and I'll show you around less you wish to eat first." Evrard smiled and bowed his head as she lead him to the living room. It was quaint and had a soft, comfortable feel to it, like a home should feel. He was sure Cara made a fine housewife. How was that affecting her stage career, though?
"So, how has life been treating you since we last talked?" Evrard turned his attention from the room to the small, affectionate Cara beside him. He smiled down at her, trying to hide an uneasy feeling at the base of his stomach. She was a wife. How old was she? Barely a woman. And now... she was a mother. A wife and mother. Foolish, foolish child. "Mark's not here by the way." Evrard nodded with a widened smile. Thank God... He didn't want to have to deal with the man. The only thing they agreed on was that they did not like each other. Evrard wanted to leave it at that. If Mark had been here, Evrard felt he would have had to leave. He was glad that Mark wouldn't be here to spoil the otherwise happy reunion.
"I've been very well, thank you. But," he looked down at the peaceful child in her arms, "how have you been? Nothing has happened to me, but look at you." He took a short look down at her and smiled. "You are a mother now." She was just as he had remembered her: small, gentle, almost frail-looking. She was still the kind and gentle-hearted Cara he had first met on the stage. Evrard remembered the gift in his hand. "Ah, and here is a small gift for little Skyla." He handed the stuffed horse to Cara.
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:01:45 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
To long, it had been to long as if time had almost cheated them out of the thrill of seeing each other let alone being in each others lives like they once had so closely been.
Upon opening the door Cara couldn't help but smile seeing the handsome face of her patron, friend and second father but yet again he had always been handsome. Leaning upward to kiss his cheek gently she then pulled away watching as Evrard's eyes traveled from her to her young child making her wonder what her patron not only thought of the sleeping child but also of her.
If she remembered correctly he had been somewhat warry of first her love for Mark, then her marriage for the tails she had once told him she hadn't been able to blame him but had he even meet Mark since then? She couldn't remember all she knew was if he had she hadn't been around.
Shutting the door Cara lead Evrard into the living room, large with a somewhat cottage farm feel about it (maybe because that's what it was) and start away asked him how life had been for him along with stating the fact that her husband wasn't there, seeming to see him relax as the words sank in.
"I've been very well, thank you. But, how have you been? Nothing has happened to me, but look at you."
Both set of eyes went downwards to Skyla at this Cara's smile matching Evrard's though hers no doubt had more joy and love in it then anyone else's, a mothers right.
"You are a mother now."
Her smile couldn't help but beam.
"Ah, and here is a small gift for little Skyla."
Looking up Cara spied the small stuffed horse that Evrard was handing her and so juggling Skyla just a little she reached out for it.
"Oh Evrard it's lovely, how did you know she loves horses but doesn't have one yet? Thank you I know she'll hold onto it tightly."
She then lead Evrard into the kitchen telling him to please sit and upon placing Skyla in her play pen she then started to serve the food.
"As for your question I'm doing alright my health as you may have been told has been somewhat up and down but the doctors are thinking they've gotten a better hold."
However upon saying this her face fell just a little but breathing it aside she went on.
"Skyla's been a blessing along with Mark she is my greatest joy in life and though I know it takes away from my dancing and singing I still try to at lest keep up with practice."
Her eyes fell to Evrard then she pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"I'm so sorry that it's had to take a back sit for so long when you still continue to be so kind to me and I'm also very a shamed that it's been so long since we have gotten together like this, please, you must have thought I was trying to keep you out of my life or something when nothing could be further from the truth."
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:02:18 GMT 10
Evrard Ludovic-Marcellin
There was something lacking in the air, something that made Evrard a little uncomfortable. No, it was lacking. Actually, there was a slight dose of tension in the air around them. Most likely, it was only Evrard's imagination. Cara was probably completely at ease. She looked so happy as a mother and housewife. Her career was on the sidelines now. This disconcerted him, but it wasn't as if he really needed the money from his patronage over her. Still, he had wanted to see the girl truly shine on the stage. Such promise - then this. Cara was so young...
"Oh Evrard it's lovely, how did you know she loves horses but doesn't have one yet? Thank you I know she'll hold onto it tightly." Evrard smiled somewhat automatically, pleased that she liked the gift. He glanced down at the little child in Cara's small arms. She was sleeping soundly - a veil of serenity over her small, still developing form. Such a fragile little thing was an infant, yet how loud and obnoxious they could be. He wondered how much sleep Cara was getting these days.
Cara led him to a kitchen area, tidy and neat, like the living room. He sat down where she indicated, watching as she carefully and gracefully put the baby down in a little pen - was that what it was called? Sounds like a place where you keep animals. "As for your question I'm doing alright my health as you may have been told has been somewhat up and down but the doctors are thinking they've gotten a better hold." Evrard nodded, remembering the episode at the hospital. How long ago was that? It had to have been over 2 years ago. "Skyla's been a blessing along with Mark she is my greatest joy in life and though I know it takes away from my dancing and singing I still try to at lest keep up with practice."
She sat down with him, her small frame made even smaller now. Like her daughter, she looked so fragile. It was a wonder this small girl gone through the labor of birthing a live human being. "I'm so sorry that it's had to take a back sit for so long when you still continue to be so kind to me and I'm also very a shamed that it's been so long since we have gotten together like this, please, you must have thought I was trying to keep you out of my life or something when nothing could be further from the truth." Evrard smiled kindly over at her and leaned an elbow on the table. "No, no, don't apologize. I should have kept contact with you, especially after Skyla - is that her name? - was born." Part of the reason he hadn't kept contact was because of Mark. He had never approved of Cara and him, but knew he had no power of the matter. "But I don't think your husband would have liked that too much." Evrard looked over at her with a subtle raise of his brow and changed the subject to her career. "I have missed watching you perform on stage, Cara. Hopefully, you'll make a full return soon, hm?"
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:02:48 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
Having now sat down Cara wasn't to certain what to say to her patron, the subject of Mark was a no no not with how she knew Evrard thought about him and the subject of her dancing and singing was surly something that would come up.
When he had first entered her home and given her the gift for Skyla a little of that friendly, family feeling once again entered her not quite the same as it had once been but getting there.
Still the question of what to say or do next drew her to answer his question about her health, she knew that he had kept at lest a small tab on it he knowing that her head was still troubling even after all this time, but did he know of the fever that had almost cut her down and the small other bits that had taken over her life since getting married?
After that first little strain of struggle to talk things seemed to open up but there was two things she wasnted to make clear that she still kept up with her lessons and that she had missed him.
"No, no, don't apologize. I should have kept contact with you, especially after Skyla - is that her name? - was born."
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:03:20 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
Having now sat down Cara wasn't to certain what to say to her patron, the subject of Mark was a no no not with how she knew Evrard thought about him and the subject of her dancing and singing was surly something that would come up.
When he had first entered her home and given her the gift for Skyla a little of that friendly, family feeling once again entered her not quite the same as it had once been but getting there.
Still the question of what to say or do next drew her to answer his question about her health, she knew that he had kept at lest a small tab on it he knowing that her head was still troubling even after all this time, but did he know of the fever that had almost cut her down and the small other bits that had taken over her life since getting married?
After that first little strain of struggle to talk things seemed to open up but there was two things she wanted to make clear that she still kept up with her lessons and that she had missed him.
"No, no, don't apologize. I should have kept contact with you, especially after Skyla - is that her name? - was born."
She had nodded at his question and yet dimmed afterwards there was something he wasn't telling her, something she couldn't quite place.
"But I don't think your husband would have liked that too much."
Closing her eyes she was about to say something when Evrard stopped her seeming to catch onto his mistake. Unlike Calvin, or Easy or anyone else for that matter it seemed Evrard had judged her husband and thought nothing twice about it.
"I have missed watching you perform on stage, Cara. Hopefully, you'll make a full return soon, hm?"
"If my head lets me and Mark agrees to the day care at the Opera House I hope to return within the month, like I said I miss it greatly."
There was an air of sadness in her voice then.
"Evrard I know you don't much care for my husband, that you think I've made a mistake but, he loves me, he's the only one who does and saw me he cares for me and would die before letting anything happen to me..." even as she spoke her words she remembered what he had said to her only a few days before.
"In truth he has left me for awhile so he doesn't harm me or Skyla, he fears Damon is trying to control him again he'd rather die then let that happen."
A single tear ran down her face then and now it was her turn to change the subject.
"I heard on the Opera House grape vine that you have been in trouble yourself over a maiden, but isn't love worth fighting for? For it was told you got into a fit yourself, along with other things."
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:03:48 GMT 10
Evrard Ludovic-Marcellin
Evrard shifted his weight in his seat and held his hands loosely together on the table. It was good seeing Cara again. He had missed her youthful innocence and that subtle radiance in her small face. Truly, she was the closest individual to a daughter (or any sort of child) he had ever had. There was a slight protective feeling within him ever since her accident and the incident at the hospital. He had been surprised at the grief he had felt at the time, the fear of what might happen if she had died. For this reason, he had refrained from contacting her - that and the fact that he and her husband did not - literally - see eye to eye. But this was supposed to be a pleasant meeting, a reunion of sorts to catch up and possibly get her back on the opera house stage.
He asked if she was returning to the Paris Opera anytime soon. "If my head lets me and Mark agrees to the day care at the Opera House I hope to return within the month, like I said I miss it greatly." Evrard refrained from wincing or scowling at the mention of her husband. The girl didn't need anymore grief from him. But she started talking about him, nonetheless, "Evrard I know you don't much care for my husband, that you think I've made a mistake but, he loves me, he's the only one who does and saw me he cares for me and would die before letting anything happen to me..." Evrard remained silent, not wanting to upset her. He remembered how defense she had been at the cafe when she first told him about Mark. You never fully knew a person until you made them angry. "In truth he has left me for awhile so he doesn't harm me or Skyla, he fears Damon is trying to control him again he'd rather die then let that happen."
Evrard rose a brow, but still didn't speak. Damon... That was the other personality, no? That Mark character was a danger to others, especially to people as frail and fragile as young Cara. Why didn't she understand Evrard's reasoning? The man was dangerous and yet, Cara found herself drawn to him because he made her feel "safe." What an anomaly. But Evrard held it in. Cara was in enough emotional pain right now. She didn't need his reprimanding words to upset her more. He felt uncomfortable when a tear slid down her pale cheek. He always felt uncomfortable around people when they were emotional. He never knew what to do.
But as quickly as it came, it went. "I heard on the Opera House grape vine that you have been in trouble yourself over a maiden, but isn't love worth fighting for? For it was told you got into a fit yourself, along with other things." Evrard was surprised by her words. What was she talking about? It took him a few moments to figure out who she was referring to. He feigned an amiable smile. "Oh, the dancers don't busy themselves enough with their grande jetees. They need to exercise discipline over their mouths." Well, he knew first hand how... experienced they could be with their mouths. "You sound like a romantic school girl, Cara, and I have no idea what you are referring to." He smiled and once again the subject changed. "I have found you another tutor for when you return to ease you back onto the grand stage. He is very good, especially for what I will be paying him. We shall dust your vocal chords and dancer's limbs off in no time." His smile didn't fade.
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:04:18 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
Catching up with friends was wonderful, catching up with someone who was more then a friend but not quit family was more so. Cara still thought of Evrard as her second father, though in truth that role should have belonged to her stepfather, the one person in her Russian family that was still alive, though they had lost contact long ago. With Evrard things where rather simple, they talked about what needed to be talked about, her return to the stage and...danced around the subjects that didn't, such as her husband.
With a smile on her face Cara let it be known that she planned on returning to the Opera House as soon as she could. For once things seemed to be settling down, her head didn't seem to be giving her trouble and though Mark wasn't there, there didn't seem to be the normal issues that seemed to follow him around.
She saw the smile that was on her Patron's face at her words though it quickly changed when Mark's name came up, reminding her once more that even though Evrard had never meet the man the words she had spoken of him where enough, granted her first talk about the name that was to become her husband she had spoken in fear and was still getting to know him herself.
With these very thoughts in mind she tried the smooth the way, telling Evrard that she at lest had seen the light and that Mark would never mean her harm. If only Evrard knew of the scares on her back, the look in Mark's eyes when he realized he had done wrong, the fear within them as he thought she'd leave him... it was hard to forget and heartbreaking to remember.
Though her words seemed to earn her a raised brow Evrard seemed to hold his tongue making her at once wish that he kept it and spilled it all at the same time maybe that was partly why the tear streamed down her face laced with sorrow of thoughts before.
Quickly though she changed the subject turning things back to his life telling him of the gossip that was going around her second home. Now she wasn't one for gossip but a strong believer of love and that people had the right to know what was being said behind their backs.
It seemed to take him a moment to realize what she was talking about, or could it be whom she was talking about, the look of surprise telling her better then words ever could that he was not catching on until a smile that she couldn't quite read graced his face.
"Oh, the dancers don't busy themselves enough with their grande jetees. They need to exercise discipline over their mouths."
A look of question come to Cara, was she one of those dancers in which he spoke, or was he truly hiding something? He had never been one to truly be open about himself.
"You sound like a romantic school girl, Cara, and I have no idea what you are referring to."
And yet that still present smile told her that he did, but the subject quickly changed not giving her the chance to push it.
"I have found you another tutor for when you return to ease you back onto the grand stage. He is very good, especially for what I will be paying him. We shall dust your vocal chords and dancer's limbs off in no time."
Now it was her turn to seem surprised, no one had spoken of a replacement teacher, nor had he told her he was thinking about it. She had felt settled with the way things where going, her lessons though cut short at times where always something to look forward to but maybe that wasn't the most unnerving thing it was the chance that his dollars where wasted that weighed heavily on her mind.
"He?" she spoke at last, the gender being the first thing that came to mind. She knew her husband when it came to her being around other men, no matter the age or the reason. "Evrard I'm flattered with everything you are doing for me, but... I still fear I am somehow letting you down. My grace and voice is not where it should be I'll admit and I have much still to learn but..."
For a moment or two she trailed, time and time again everyone said how well she was going with her lessons but it seemed every time she took one seep forward something was there to pull her three steeps back.
"But I fear I'm letting you down, maybe it would be best if you found someone else, someone whose health isn't an issue or their family if Mark doesn't agree to the daycare I need someone who can look after Skyla and Calvin isn't always there, he being the only one Mark seems to trust. However I do have a dance studio here maybe, maybe from time to time your person could come here... It would be nice not to have the place fill so empty."
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:04:48 GMT 10
Evrard Ludovic-Marcellin
Ah, yes, a fortunate occurence of chance it was. Cara's previous teacher had left some time ago, shortly after Cara took leave. And at the time, it did not bother Evrard very much. Who knew when Cara would return? But until recently, when he finally recieved word from the young girl, he decided to help ease her back onto the stage. The luck happened when he was on his way out of the opera house after getting information and securing a spot for Cara's return. A man some years older than Evrard was talking to a middle-aged woman. The conversation was obviously more business than pleasure as he mentioned something about needing more students. Here, Evrard had interjected, much to the woman's surprise and offered the man a chance. Of course, Evrard wouldn't let any desperate man tutor Cara, so he conducted a short interview and found the man to be very qualified. Voice and dance weren't his strong suits, Evrard found out, but he was adequate and asked for a very reasonable price.
"He?" Evrard nodded at Cara's questioning expression. He had expected this sort of surprise. From his memory, Cara had never been absolutely confident in herself and seemed self-degrading at times. "Evrard I'm flattered with everything you are doing for me, but... I still fear I am somehow letting you down. My grace and voice is not where it should be I'll admit and I have much still to learn but..." Evrard raised a brow, waiting for her to continue. But what? She had improved since the first time he had heard and saw her. She was still young. Who knew what she could achieve in time...
"But I fear I'm letting you down, maybe it would be best if you found someone else, someone whose health isn't an issue or their family if Mark doesn't agree to the daycare I need someone who can look after Skyla and Calvin isn't always there, he being the only one Mark seems to trust. However I do have a dance studio here maybe, maybe from time to time your person could come here... It would be nice not to have the place fill so empty."
Evrard nodded. "Of course. That is a simple accomodation. You don't live too far out from Paris. Skyla will be fine, then." His expression became slightly more serious. Something not quite a frown formed on the edge of his lips. "And Cara," he looked at her firmly and steadily, "you are not letting me down. You will get better. With time, you will get better, especially with these lessons. I've made sure the training won't be too rigorous." But it wouldn't be a walk in the park either. He lightly placed his hand over hers on the table. "I'll be with you every step of the way. If you'd like, I could even be at your first lesson," he said with a smile. Was this being fatherly? Was this what it felt like? The reassuring? The coddling? How odd... But he was a man of his word to Cara and would do his best to help her recover physically - emotionally was another story.
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:05:22 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
It was strange, here she was with a friend that she had wanted to catch up with for such a long time and now that he was here... they seemed to dance upon topic's she'd rather not talk about. Mark was the first and foremost item on her mind knowing that if they talked about her husband it would no doubt upset the two of them and for the change in subject, her singing and dancing was something else that at the moment seemed to be a sore spot, this time for her.
She knew she hadn't really been in the spot light for quite awhile now, her place in the Opera House there but not all at the same time the manger always wondering when she'd need time off again no doubt complaining about her spot there for someone else to fill.
Glancing over at Evrard her eyes shoot wide when she heard him talk of a new teacher, she knew her old one had left but still, the very mention that it was a he made the issue more troubling. Her fears started to flow, her mind and heart finally speaking the truth she was wasting Evrard's time and money, he should have found someone better, both in health and skill however that didn't stop her from bringing up the idea of the new guy coming to her home that way things might run more smoothly and Mark wouldn't worry about what was going on behind closed doors.
From beneath her long eyelashes she watched as her patron nodded, his thoughts not seeming to mind her own.
"Of course. That is a simple accomodation. You don't live too far out from Paris. Skyla will be fine, then."
A small hint of a smile crossed her face though it was quickly gone as Evrard's smile seemed to change into something harder.
"And Cara,"
The look he gave her then made it impossible to look away, his eyes looking so deeply into hers that it almost made her feel like he was looking through her and not at her.
"you are not letting me down. You will get better. With time, you will get better, especially with these lessons. I've made sure the training won't be too rigorous."
Her tiny smile returned and then grew as his hand gently took her own, it was something that her patron very rearly seemed to do almost making it a father sort of move, as if trying to cheer her up and she'd admit, it kind of did.
"I'll be with you every step of the way. If you'd like, I could even be at your first lesson,"
For a long while Cara said nothing biting her bottom lip instead for a moment or two before her eyes came up again.
"That would be nice if it could be agreed upon, for you have seen me on stage and I do not know anything about this man, not that I don't trust you it's just..." She stopped there her hand going to her shoulder and the secret she wasn't quite sure he knew about it contained. "It's just my trust in them is still rather... not truly there, certain events not helping."
With that said her eyes glanced to her wedding ring, a small tear running down her cheek which she quickly whipped away a quick change of subject needed.
"Now I said that you should came and have some tea, would you like a cup or would you like me to fix you a plate of what I have cooked up for lunch?"
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:05:52 GMT 10
Evrard Ludovic-Marcellin
"That would be nice if it could be agreed upon, for you have seen me on stage and I do not know anything about this man, not that I don't trust you it's just..." Evrard remained silent and still, listening to her. She had issues with trust and had a somewhat skewed image of herself? Was that the product of being the wife of a negligent, abusive husband? No, perhaps not. He remembered her lack of self-confidence the first time he had met her. So meek, so childlike in so many ways. Now, here she was with a house of her own and a child. It was disturbing, in a way, but Evrard knew she was still the pure little girl he had taken under his wing at the opera house. "It's just my trust in them is still rather... not truly there, certain events not helping."
Evrard nodded in understanding. She had been hurt so much in her life. He wasn't even sure if she had living parents that she knew of. Poor child... He watched as she quickly wiped away a tear from her face. It made him uncomfortable, but he felt the need to be here for her. Cara was fragile. No matter how hard she tried to be strong - there was no doubt she had some strength in her - she was still a frail little girl. A young woman. Single, with an infant to care for. She needed the distraction of the opera stage now more than ever.
"Now I said that you should came and have some tea, would you like a cup or would you like me to fix you a plate of what I have cooked up for lunch?"
Evrard smiled at her sudden change of subject. Perhaps it was for the best that they stopped talking business - for now at least. He still needed to give her information about the tutor and the scheduled days for her lessons. They would progress in small steps. "Lunch sounds wonderful, Cara. Thank you." He straightened in his seat and rested an arm on the table, laying his other hand on his knee. Silently, he let her do her work for a minute, content with simply watching her. It felt so mundane, so simple. She had been catapulted from the stage into a middle class(?), French position. A housewife. Was she happy? "So Cara, how have you been busying yourself lately - aside from taking care of Skyla, of course." He glanced over at the sleeping child, then back up to Cara. A single mother. A young single mother. What a life. What a chore.
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Post by witch on Oct 14, 2010 21:06:25 GMT 10
Cara Blaze Andovea
In so many ways Cara was still a little girl, the same little girl that Evrard had first meet when she had returned to Paris. Nothing but a shadow lingering in the side lines of the Opera House, in other ways she was more grown up then anyone realized, even herself.
As Evrard talked to her she knew there were questions her patron wanted to ask, some she wanted to stay away from but she hadn’t ran away from anything in a long time and with the subjects that needed to be faced sooner or later she'd have to stop running all together.
When Evrard had said he would be there for her first lesson with the new teacher she was more than happy. Her trust in men was very little, though she tried to smile through things and though she hadn't told Mark she had woken up at night, nightmares filling her head of both Dementis and the priest’s son.
She saw the nod that come from his head making Cara wonder if he had once again checked up on her when they hadn't seen each other first hand. If he knew the truth, all of it would he still nod or once again tell her she had made a mistake?
Wanting to change the subjects at hand and take her mind of things she asked Evrard if he now wanted to eat or wait til later.
"Lunch sounds wonderful, Cara. Thank you."
With a slight nod of her head she set about putting things on plates and filling cups, glancing over at her small child still sleeping.
"So Cara, how have you been busying yourself lately - aside from taking care of Skyla, of course."
Turning back to the table she set the food down and pushed a cup over to Evrard before taking up her own and taking a sip.
"I have been trying to keep up with my training and for a time I was learning self defence. I've been drawing more and meeting new people but Skyla takes up most of my time, not that I'd have it any other way."
She stopped there, a small sigh passing over her lips.
"Resting, trying to heal. Evrard, did you know that I was attacked, do you still feel like I've made a mistake, do you think.... do you think that if Mark doesn't come back I can do this?"
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