Nodding, she agreed with Ysabel. Well think of it like this, he didn't just ignore your opinion. Or try to just placate you.. so those are good things, oui? oh! Or.. Maybe he's the type who likes to fight, since the making up is always such fun..! That made her chuckle a little. The one thing she wished she'd had was a good romance, someone to do those types of things with.
She shifted a little to get comfortable and leaned back against the stall door. The rain outside was still falling and was a nice background noise mingling with the huffs and snorts of the horses. Tilting her head to the side, she watched Ysabel a moment.
Now take all of my advice with a grain of salt.. I'm thirty years old and I've never had a serious relationship with a man.. or even a woman. Amberelle shrugged, she was progressively modern enough to be open to either. It was always for contacts or appearances. Friends with who was proper, do as someone of your standing should.. I did as I was bid. But that, I have learned since coming here, is not how it has to always be. It's OK to speak your mind, to HAVE your own opinions!
Reflecting (open)
Ysabel found herself rambling over the sprawling grounds of Heolfor, unconcerned with what direction she was headed in. A very light rain had started, which she didn't mind. Normally the idea of being caught out in the rain would have been uncomfortable at best, but in light of her argument with Ambrose, the small storm suited her melancholy mood.
A little furrow appeared on her brow as she ran over it again and again in her head. Very torn on the issue, it was bound to cause her some distress in nights to come. One the one hand, the part of her that was amiable and agreeable reprimanded her for ever having said such horrible things. But on the other, she knew that she had not been entirely off the mark. From the very first night she'd met Ambrose it was clear that he was carrying quite the burden, whether self-inflicted or not, and she didn't possibly see how he could ever move forward until he let it go.
The polite side of her said it was none of her business; she shouldn't pry into his affairs and his private feelings. And then the other half spoke up and pointed out that in light of how very entwined their feelings had become, perhaps it was more improper for her not to try to help.
A combination of soft sniffles, deep sighs, and tiny hiccups accompanied her as her light feet took her in the direction of Heolfor's stables. At least the rain helped mask the fact that she was crying. Stubborn pride had her glancing around for Ambrose, half hoping he'd be following her, knowing he wasn't going to, but just in case - she didn't want him to have the satisfaction of seeing her all teary-eyed.
Ducking in out of the gentle rain, Ysabel took a deep breath, met with the fragrance of fresh hay and leather. It was a mix of scents she knew from even before she was turned, something she was very happy to never have had to leave behind. Heolfor's stable was set well away from the Manor itself, and also well away from anyone who might be practising with a weapon at any time. The design was open and airy, incredibly modern, and very posh.
Her riding horses had arrived several weeks ago and she'd been so wrapped up in... things, that she hadn't spent nearly as much time with them as she'd have liked. They were well settled in though, and seeing as how her gown was already ruined by the rain, she didn't really see how a bit of horse hair or slobber would make the situation any worse.
She'd gone with musical terms for names, having a habit of trying to keep things neat in her head; thus her broodmares were named after gemstones and her saddle horses for music. Rummaging through her brush-box for treats (it would be rude to arrive empty-handed after so long), she made her way down the dimly-lit row of stalls with just the sounds of scraping hooves and whuffled horse-sighs for company, along with the patter of the light rain on the roof.
Elegy, Adagio, and Vivace, all three of her horses were there one after the other. She offered treats in equal amounts, but it was at Elegy's stall she actually stopped, resting her arms on the stall door and allowing the Friesian gelding to blow gently at her.
She needed this right now. It was easy, here at Heolfor, to forget that she was anywhere but home, and that at least was comforting.
Amberelle DeEspionne
18 years ago
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ysabel did not doubt for a moment that Ambrose was fond of a good fight, but the problem was, she wasn't so sure how he did with the making up. She gave a little grin, her own imagination perfectly capable of wrapping itself around the idea, but her heart wasn't completely in it. "You're right; he didn't ignore me. And if we get as far as making up I'll be very happy indeed."
She listened as the younger woman continued, smiling much more easily when Amberelle was finished. How alike they sounded. "I believe it wasn't too long ago that Ambrose was also encouraging me to be more disagreeable," she said, "or, at least, to be unafraid to voice my opinion."
That seemed to have backfired on her, she reflected. The very first time she did so, she had apparently failed miserably... unless Amberelle was right again and Ambrose's reaction did mean she'd made an impact. She shook her head. It was all confusing, once you removed the polished veneer of manners, formality, and to an extent, ritual, from a relationship, all of a sudden it was every man (or woman) for themself, and it had Ysabel reeling.
"I did as I was bid, too," she pointed out with renewed good humor, "but I believe six hundred years of malleability may be difficult to reverse. I am trying; perhaps I should have begun with something slightly less complex... such as picking out a movie."
Leaning back on the palms of her hands, now, she continued, "So, one... I need to stand by my opinion. And two..." she did her best to channel Dayle here, "we need to get you out and find you a date. If you like, that is." Ysabel hoped, once again, she wouldn't offend Amberelle, but she didn't see any reason why such a lovely clanmate had yet to have a relationship, if she wanted one.
She listened as the younger woman continued, smiling much more easily when Amberelle was finished. How alike they sounded. "I believe it wasn't too long ago that Ambrose was also encouraging me to be more disagreeable," she said, "or, at least, to be unafraid to voice my opinion."
That seemed to have backfired on her, she reflected. The very first time she did so, she had apparently failed miserably... unless Amberelle was right again and Ambrose's reaction did mean she'd made an impact. She shook her head. It was all confusing, once you removed the polished veneer of manners, formality, and to an extent, ritual, from a relationship, all of a sudden it was every man (or woman) for themself, and it had Ysabel reeling.
"I did as I was bid, too," she pointed out with renewed good humor, "but I believe six hundred years of malleability may be difficult to reverse. I am trying; perhaps I should have begun with something slightly less complex... such as picking out a movie."
Leaning back on the palms of her hands, now, she continued, "So, one... I need to stand by my opinion. And two..." she did her best to channel Dayle here, "we need to get you out and find you a date. If you like, that is." Ysabel hoped, once again, she wouldn't offend Amberelle, but she didn't see any reason why such a lovely clanmate had yet to have a relationship, if she wanted one.
Amberelle DeEspionne
18 years ago
"Merde, over six hundred years old.. I feel kind of silly giving her advice! But it looks like I was able to help some so that's good." Amberelle was happy to see Ysabel seemed to be getting into a better mood and she giggled and smiled at her clanmate's plans.
I think you must stand by your opinion, and get back in there and make him listen! Sometimes people need a good swift kick in the hind end to make them take notice, she nodded and tried not to giggle at that mental picture. But she was sure with so much experience under her belt that the soft spoken Englishwoman would know how to get her way, if her man would only listen. Poor Ambrose, he was already defeated.. he just didn't know if yet.
And... if you happen to know any available men I'm all ears. I could really use some assistance. The blonde sighed. It seems I have a habit of only making friends with T,,, orphans, she corrected herself quickly, knowing that Anantya had not openly acknowledged the Tacharans and so she didn't want to go against the Elders quite so obviously. Even if she did think they deserved to be their own clan.
But, the real hard part is finding someone who actually makes me feel small and feminine.. no easy task. Her hands waved vaguely at her tall frame. And, it wasn't just her almost 6 foot height either. Being so physically fit and well built, Amby knew most men were rather intimidated by her. Add immortality, her growing self confidence and the whole "I've killed people for less" thing in and well, she was single for a reason.
I think you must stand by your opinion, and get back in there and make him listen! Sometimes people need a good swift kick in the hind end to make them take notice, she nodded and tried not to giggle at that mental picture. But she was sure with so much experience under her belt that the soft spoken Englishwoman would know how to get her way, if her man would only listen. Poor Ambrose, he was already defeated.. he just didn't know if yet.
And... if you happen to know any available men I'm all ears. I could really use some assistance. The blonde sighed. It seems I have a habit of only making friends with T,,, orphans, she corrected herself quickly, knowing that Anantya had not openly acknowledged the Tacharans and so she didn't want to go against the Elders quite so obviously. Even if she did think they deserved to be their own clan.
But, the real hard part is finding someone who actually makes me feel small and feminine.. no easy task. Her hands waved vaguely at her tall frame. And, it wasn't just her almost 6 foot height either. Being so physically fit and well built, Amby knew most men were rather intimidated by her. Add immortality, her growing self confidence and the whole "I've killed people for less" thing in and well, she was single for a reason.
Ysabel
18 years ago
"A swift kick in the..." Ysabel tried to imagine that and almost dissolved into laughter all over again. "I'm sure that would only make matters worse, muchas I may want to. It would certainly prove therapeutic, if only for my benefit."
Turning her attention to the matter of her clanmate she observed Amberelle with a mildly critical eye. "I'm not certain you need to much assistance. Perhaps you just haven't found the right man yet," Ysabel said. "I'll keep my eyes open for you."
She could understand the desire to feel feminine; after all, she'd been brought up to do so, and she didn't quite feel right unless, on some level, she was still doing her best to maintain that air. Maybe that was why she still dressed the way she did.
"As for who you make friends with, that's surely your business and yours alone," Ysabel said primly, with a little sniff at the idea of trying to regulate who socialized with who. She was, at least for the most part, beyond that segment of her own history, and thankfully so, or she'd never have found Ambrose to begin with.
"If it's friends in your own clan you desire more of, though," she said with an open smile, "I would be honored to be counted among them."
Turning her attention to the matter of her clanmate she observed Amberelle with a mildly critical eye. "I'm not certain you need to much assistance. Perhaps you just haven't found the right man yet," Ysabel said. "I'll keep my eyes open for you."
She could understand the desire to feel feminine; after all, she'd been brought up to do so, and she didn't quite feel right unless, on some level, she was still doing her best to maintain that air. Maybe that was why she still dressed the way she did.
"As for who you make friends with, that's surely your business and yours alone," Ysabel said primly, with a little sniff at the idea of trying to regulate who socialized with who. She was, at least for the most part, beyond that segment of her own history, and thankfully so, or she'd never have found Ambrose to begin with.
"If it's friends in your own clan you desire more of, though," she said with an open smile, "I would be honored to be counted among them."
Amberelle DeEspionne
18 years ago
Nodding she agreed with her kinswoman. Oui! There shouldn't be any reason not to be friends with whomever a person chooses, it's just hard sometimes to remember that. Doing something like that back home would have gotten me bea.. Realizing her almost-slip, she changed her wording hastily. Some things about her past she wasn;t sure how people here would react to so once again Amby erred on the side of discretion. Well, I just know my Sire would have none of that kind of "slumming". Shrugging, she made a little wave of her hand to dismiss him and that whole line of thinking.
Ysabel's offer of friendship was a pleasant suprise, and left her staring at the elder vampire for a few moments, unable to respond. Realizing how silly she had to look just blinking at her, Amberelle gave her new friend a brilliant smile that was filled with happiness. Nodding, she managed to speak past the sudden lump in her throat.
I.. I would welcome your friendship, Ysabel! It was all the Creole could do not to sit up and hug her.
((OOC sorry so short, been a killer day ))
Ysabel's offer of friendship was a pleasant suprise, and left her staring at the elder vampire for a few moments, unable to respond. Realizing how silly she had to look just blinking at her, Amberelle gave her new friend a brilliant smile that was filled with happiness. Nodding, she managed to speak past the sudden lump in her throat.
I.. I would welcome your friendship, Ysabel! It was all the Creole could do not to sit up and hug her.
((OOC sorry so short, been a killer day ))
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ysabel didn't miss Amberelle's correction, but she was careful to show no emotion; she didn't want the younger woman to think she'd caught the mistake, if it was obviously a source of discomfort to her. Inside though, she seethed a little. Her own background may seem like it lacked love; it may have seemed like she was simply a tool, and in way that was what she'd been... but never in her life had she been subjected to beatings or physical abuse.
The idea was downplayed immediately by Amberelle and Ysabel nodded her head at the younger woman by way of acceptance; if Amberelle didn't wish to discuss it, Ysabel wouldn't push. Instead she said mildly, "I remember when that was indeed the case, when moving in certain circles meant our social death, and that in turn meant no more lands, no more titles, no good opportunities to make a good match."
She shook her head. "I am glad to be done with that." Ysabel fought a somewhat small, constant struggle not to let that way of thinking influence her in the present day. "I came originally from much baser stock. My parents were farmers, if I recall, and my sister and I never thought we would be anything but farmers' wives. I used to feel bad, later on, to have risen so far and to be looking down on the very people I came from."
She smiled at Amberelle. "You've come along way if you've managed to put such things behind you." She wasn't a psychic, but she hadn't detected any hint in Amberelle's demeanor that suggested the woman was in any way shallow or unkind. If her upbringing really had been so opressive, that was remarkable. "It can be so easy to let our pasts dictate who we are and what we do, and it is not always possible to overcome that."
Her clanswoman's easy acceptance of her offer of friendship was met with Ysabel's widest smile. "Then perhaps when Ambrose cools off I will not only have to kick him in the rear, but thank him for having sent me out here to wander as well. You have certainly made a bad night much, much better. Thank you."
((ooc: /kicks your day for you, too))
The idea was downplayed immediately by Amberelle and Ysabel nodded her head at the younger woman by way of acceptance; if Amberelle didn't wish to discuss it, Ysabel wouldn't push. Instead she said mildly, "I remember when that was indeed the case, when moving in certain circles meant our social death, and that in turn meant no more lands, no more titles, no good opportunities to make a good match."
She shook her head. "I am glad to be done with that." Ysabel fought a somewhat small, constant struggle not to let that way of thinking influence her in the present day. "I came originally from much baser stock. My parents were farmers, if I recall, and my sister and I never thought we would be anything but farmers' wives. I used to feel bad, later on, to have risen so far and to be looking down on the very people I came from."
She smiled at Amberelle. "You've come along way if you've managed to put such things behind you." She wasn't a psychic, but she hadn't detected any hint in Amberelle's demeanor that suggested the woman was in any way shallow or unkind. If her upbringing really had been so opressive, that was remarkable. "It can be so easy to let our pasts dictate who we are and what we do, and it is not always possible to overcome that."
Her clanswoman's easy acceptance of her offer of friendship was met with Ysabel's widest smile. "Then perhaps when Ambrose cools off I will not only have to kick him in the rear, but thank him for having sent me out here to wander as well. You have certainly made a bad night much, much better. Thank you."
((ooc: /kicks your day for you, too))
Amberelle DeEspionne
18 years ago
As Ysabel spoke it became clearer to the younger woman that they had several things in common. "Funny how I can relate more with someone 600 years old than I do with everyone my own age."Â? At least she had reason now to see that the way Gustav had acted, taking in her family and raising them as he did, wasn't completely out of the normal realm. It didn't make him less of a monster in her eyes, but that was a different matter. And while it didn't seem her clanmate had been treated quite the same way as the De'Espionne children had, Ysabel could hiding just as much as she currently was, Amby knew.
My parents died when I was an infant, along with my aunts and uncles.. which left my siblings, cousins and I orphans. So my Grandmere and Grandpere, as they wanted to be called, took all 8 of us in. My family had "belonged"Â? to them for several generations, I found out. Sighing, she leaned her head back against the stall. It's quite different, being raised by vampires, isn't it? Keeping secrets and leading two lives even as a human. Making a sour face she commented, Being a familiar sucks. I mean, I guess that's what we would have been considered.
Looking back at the Englishwoman, Amberelle shrugged. I wouldn't say I've come a long way, I had a wonderful example. My Grandmere was the most loving, patient and caring person I've ever met. She took care of all of us, made sure we were OK and such.. she ran interfearance between Gustav and us a lot. Without her.. she shivered.
Yeah, we have to give Ambrose credit. If he hadn't been an ass we may not have had our talk, so I guess I owe him one. Giving the other blonde a warm, happy smile she stood and brushed her rear and thighs off.
It looks like the rain is stopping if you want to head back.. or we could head to the house and make Rubert get us something to eat.
My parents died when I was an infant, along with my aunts and uncles.. which left my siblings, cousins and I orphans. So my Grandmere and Grandpere, as they wanted to be called, took all 8 of us in. My family had "belonged"Â? to them for several generations, I found out. Sighing, she leaned her head back against the stall. It's quite different, being raised by vampires, isn't it? Keeping secrets and leading two lives even as a human. Making a sour face she commented, Being a familiar sucks. I mean, I guess that's what we would have been considered.
Looking back at the Englishwoman, Amberelle shrugged. I wouldn't say I've come a long way, I had a wonderful example. My Grandmere was the most loving, patient and caring person I've ever met. She took care of all of us, made sure we were OK and such.. she ran interfearance between Gustav and us a lot. Without her.. she shivered.
Yeah, we have to give Ambrose credit. If he hadn't been an ass we may not have had our talk, so I guess I owe him one. Giving the other blonde a warm, happy smile she stood and brushed her rear and thighs off.
It looks like the rain is stopping if you want to head back.. or we could head to the house and make Rubert get us something to eat.
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ysabel listened to Amberelle speak with a solemn face. She hadn't realized Amberelle was a turned familiar. She didn't speak, interested in the woman's story, although she did take notes quietly in her head. She wondered briefly about the fact that Richard and Elsa had never made familiars of herself and Dayle. In all her years, that thought had never occurred to her. She knew for a fact that Richard and Elsa hadn't even planned on turning the twins, if it hadn't been for Dayle's little spot of trouble. Could it be, they had simply wanted children? Or would the relationship have changed when the girls had been just a bit older?
It was consideration for a different rainy day. For now, Ysabel smiled softly as Amberelle spoke of her Grandmere. While her childhood may not have been especially uplifting, it did sound at least as if Amberelle had known love, and security, to some extent.
The younger woman changed the subject and Ysabel went with it, her soft smile growing slightly wry. "I suppose, if I must give him credit. I'm still not sure whather I should be upset at him for trying to intimidate me, or upset with myself for hurting him, or both."
She hopped off the box she was sitting on, her skirts wet and beginning to feel chilly in spite of the fact that it was fairly warm out. "I'll have to figure it out when he cools down." There was no 'if' anymore; she'd told herself she had to place her trust in Ambrose, and she would do so. She believed in the depth of his feelings even if he'd never said as much. He might take his time and space for a bit, but she would not fear for their relationship.
Offering her arm companionably to Amberelle she said, "Food it is. Shall we?"
((ooc: Ysabel and Amberelle out with permisson))
It was consideration for a different rainy day. For now, Ysabel smiled softly as Amberelle spoke of her Grandmere. While her childhood may not have been especially uplifting, it did sound at least as if Amberelle had known love, and security, to some extent.
The younger woman changed the subject and Ysabel went with it, her soft smile growing slightly wry. "I suppose, if I must give him credit. I'm still not sure whather I should be upset at him for trying to intimidate me, or upset with myself for hurting him, or both."
She hopped off the box she was sitting on, her skirts wet and beginning to feel chilly in spite of the fact that it was fairly warm out. "I'll have to figure it out when he cools down." There was no 'if' anymore; she'd told herself she had to place her trust in Ambrose, and she would do so. She believed in the depth of his feelings even if he'd never said as much. He might take his time and space for a bit, but she would not fear for their relationship.
Offering her arm companionably to Amberelle she said, "Food it is. Shall we?"
((ooc: Ysabel and Amberelle out with permisson))