Editing Tete-a-Tete
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The doublings were gathered around the table in the parlor, a delectable smattering of cakes and tea laid out for them. His face suitable composed and his fond smile removed, Dionyius started into the room and was stopped dead in his tracks. The wrap, Catherine was sitting there in her daywrap as if she were—. He felt his head begin to swim and reached for the doorframe to steady himself and summon the strength to scold her.<br><br> | The doublings were gathered around the table in the parlor, a delectable smattering of cakes and tea laid out for them. His face suitable composed and his fond smile removed, Dionyius started into the room and was stopped dead in his tracks. The wrap, Catherine was sitting there in her daywrap as if she were—. He felt his head begin to swim and reached for the doorframe to steady himself and summon the strength to scold her.<br><br> | ||
| − | " | + | "Katherine!" he snapped. "You are sitting there? You are sitting there practically nude with your fiance and a guest?!" His accent grew worse the more upset he was and he knew that it lent an air of unquestioning authority and punctuation to his command. "Get upstairs and change immediately! If your Father were to find out—." He let the implications hang in the air as the doe-eyed innocent stare found his face. She was quite light on her feet and quick also; the breeze from her passage almost made him sway. She was, however, not quick enough to hide the mischievous grin that she flashed as she hurried by. The detective woman followed a moment later. He nodded to himself as both women went up the stairs and then took a cleansing breath before walking into the parlor. At least there was no sign of Bertie, although it surprised him that the man was completely failing to take advantage of a free meal. Putting a reassuring smile on his face, he walked into the room to join Ezekiel.<br><br> |
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Josephine followed in Katherine’s footsteps past the first floor and entered the hushed privacy of the second. The bedrooms would be here, if the townhouse followed convention, and she took in the details as she went. The ground floor had been finished in opulent wood paneling and oil paintings, with huge vases of flowers on occasional tables and jewel-toned Persian carpets underfoot. There were mementoes from foreign travels on display liberally sprinkled amongst the artwork, running the gamut from stuffed trophies from hunting trips to exotic weapons from aboriginal lands. Josephine recognized several paintings in the Pre-Raphaelite manner and thought the figures in them looked remarkably Eldren. Landscapes and still lifes made up the rest of the collection. Everything was arranged to show off the wealth and cultured tastes of the Fleming household, unequivocally meant to impress.<br><br> | Josephine followed in Katherine’s footsteps past the first floor and entered the hushed privacy of the second. The bedrooms would be here, if the townhouse followed convention, and she took in the details as she went. The ground floor had been finished in opulent wood paneling and oil paintings, with huge vases of flowers on occasional tables and jewel-toned Persian carpets underfoot. There were mementoes from foreign travels on display liberally sprinkled amongst the artwork, running the gamut from stuffed trophies from hunting trips to exotic weapons from aboriginal lands. Josephine recognized several paintings in the Pre-Raphaelite manner and thought the figures in them looked remarkably Eldren. Landscapes and still lifes made up the rest of the collection. Everything was arranged to show off the wealth and cultured tastes of the Fleming household, unequivocally meant to impress.<br><br> | ||
| − | The first floor with the dining room and drawing room was likewise opulent but in a more subtle way, with the intent to facilitate genteel conversation rather than to impress and stimulate the senses. Materials and colors reflected that choice, though nothing Josephine saw was one whit less expensive or tasteful than | + | The first floor with the dining room and drawing room was likewise opulent but in a more subtle way, with the intent to facilitate genteel conversation rather than to impress and stimulate the senses. Materials and colors reflected that choice, though nothing Josephine saw was one whit less expensive or tasteful than anything on the main floor. It was the second floor where the difference was the most marked. Again, elegance and exquisite taste reigned, but in an even more restrained manner. Here the inhabitants would withdraw for the day to relax and shed all the petty concerns inflicted by living to gain respite and strength for the morrow. As such, everything was geared toward comfort, with a significant serving of sensuality in the silk pile of the carpets, the muted satin papering the walls, the soft gleam of polished wood and the bright accents of crystal, ormolu, and porcelain. Bowls of potpourri scented the air with vanilla and orange blossom and despite the hour being just past high noon, the light was muted, tamed by the double layer of sheers draping the windows at either end of the hall.<br><br> |
| − | anything on the main floor. | ||
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| − | It was the second floor where the difference was the most marked. Again, elegance and exquisite taste reigned, but in an even more restrained manner. Here the inhabitants would withdraw for the day to relax and shed all the petty concerns inflicted by living to gain respite and strength for the morrow. As such, everything was geared toward comfort, with a significant serving of sensuality in the silk pile of the carpets, the muted satin papering the walls, the soft gleam of polished wood and the bright accents of crystal, ormolu, and porcelain. Bowls of potpourri scented the air with vanilla and orange blossom and despite the hour being just past high noon, the light was muted, tamed by the double layer of sheers draping the windows at either end of the hall.<br><br> | ||
Attention to detail was meticulous, right down to the most ubiquitous item, Josephine noticed, as Katherine put her hand to the latch and opened her bedroom door. Nothing squeaked or clacked, everything operated with silent and well-oiled efficiency. She crossed the threshold in her friend’s footsteps, closed the door, and turned to regard the room.<br><br> | Attention to detail was meticulous, right down to the most ubiquitous item, Josephine noticed, as Katherine put her hand to the latch and opened her bedroom door. Nothing squeaked or clacked, everything operated with silent and well-oiled efficiency. She crossed the threshold in her friend’s footsteps, closed the door, and turned to regard the room.<br><br> | ||
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Katherine flushed and alien beauty of her Eldren eyes was overcome by the feline coldness they could portray. "The limits?" she asked softly, after far too long a moment. "I don't understand. You are friends. What limits would there be? How would your friendship endanger us both?" She forced a smile, but the mirror gave lie to its sincerity.<br><br> | Katherine flushed and alien beauty of her Eldren eyes was overcome by the feline coldness they could portray. "The limits?" she asked softly, after far too long a moment. "I don't understand. You are friends. What limits would there be? How would your friendship endanger us both?" She forced a smile, but the mirror gave lie to its sincerity.<br><br> | ||
| − | Josephine saw the change shifting behind Katherine's expression and a grue ran down her spine. Katherine had never seemed so foreign and | + | Josephine saw the change shifting behind Katherine's expression and a grue ran down her spine. Katherine had never seemed so foreign and other than that instant. It was rather like unexpectedly finding a cobra in one's lingerie drawer, demanding caution and respect at once, and Josephine instinctively went on guard.<br><br> |
''Steady on. Breathe. '''Think.'''''<br><br> | ''Steady on. Breathe. '''Think.'''''<br><br> | ||
