A girl with chestnut tresses pinned into to lower buns on button of her hair pieces of her bangs braided either side of her heads. Dressed in loose clothing and roman styled sandals with leather satchel on over her shoulders. Sat on top of a wooden crate labeled fragile in red coloring just messing around with set of cards. Shuffling them repeatedly as she looked out toward the sea awaiting for a sails certain ship to blow. To only lay the deck down and pull the top three cards form the pile with her eyes still on the view of the sea. Each one turned upside down without being being revealed by trembling fingertips leaving their surfaces.
"Will he be on this one?" She begged the first card she would flip over.
What she got was the Kings of Cups as her first card while the other two she flipped over were The Lovers and Three of Pentacles. Had a blush spread across her face when her baby blues just stared at those cards and she lost track of time. Some dock hands that were new and weren't familiar with her face would stop to look up and wonder who she was. To be told by a few of the seniors, that she is the youngest daughter some doctor and a local magician in town. She been coming to these docks for a few months without anyone accompany to watch the ships come in and out. Always playing around with those worn tarot cards as she mumbled to her self about when her brother was going to show up. Rare moments she would to a reading for one of the dock hands or even someone stepping off one of the ships.
"Incoming!" Shouting of Galleon coming Into port was had her scooping up the cards and shoving the whole deck in her back. She was helped off the crate by one of the dock workers telling her this may not be the one she been waiting for. Had her showing in the latest letter from her brother spoke about him coming home in next few weeks. Had her being called hopeful by this dock hand before he was told all hands were needed when the Galleon came in. "All Available Hands!"
She was told to hurry home before her parents or one of their friends came looking for her since she couldn't keep coming here. Would be ignored by her as the dock hand went to work with rest of the others to secure lines and do docking procedures. Which were watched from ropes safely fasten and a gangplank was unloaded from the Galleon. By the girl grasping the strap of her bag as people with different faces started to walk off one by one in a line. Each passing head her eyes looked over stepped on to dock and would greet her in their own way as they passed her. Slowly chipped away at a desire the girl carried within her heart since she came here before run rose to greet the morn.
"Juliana Padmavati, I presume?" A rather masculine voice made her jump upon asking if that was her name.
She spun on her sandal clad foot to face who asked if she was the person who went by the name he spoke. What her eyes looked upon was blonde haired gentlemen in a button up white shirt under a high collar waist coat with a cravat. Sash tied around his waist and calf length boots were skimmed over by her. Noticing tuckered under his double-Breasted Frock Coat worn on one his arms as other part was draped over his other shoulder. Had her reaching out to see what the had seen under the coat and barely touching the shoulder. Would be halted by him doing the reveal using his right arm to pull away the part of his coat that was drape to reveal a bandaged hand, in a made shift sling.
"Mauled arm in the process mending." He explained. "What I get for protecting someone."
"Ou! Yes, I am Juliana Padmavati Devorak." She rubbed her left arm while doing her best hurt expression. "You are?"
"Kipling Alphonso DeQuetteville." He pulled something from his pocket. "This is for you."
Her eyes laid on a folded piece of paper and her name scribbled on the one of the flaps which was meant for her. She would take while being told by this Kipling that someone they both knew wanted this note delivered and reason why he was here. He encouraged her to read while he had to get a few things from what was being unloaded from the Galleon. Had him walking off with a promise he would be back as he watched her unfold the paper and read the contains. Turning his back to fetch his bag from one of the dock hands as he turned down help in carrying the item. Ready to turn back and ask the young lady where he could stay here for a few days until he handle some personal business. Just he found a sniffling young thing on the verge spilling tears with a crumbled letter clenched within her humble hands. He told her to breath slowly before using her words or doing anything that would get her in trouble without being thought out. Left him to put down his bag and hand her a handkerchief from his waistcoat's beast pocket and inform her dry her tears. She explained the letter her gave her bad news about sender of the letter keeping his promise. Which had her asking what her relations to the person who couldn't keep called her brother.
"Can we have a munch more private setting then on the docks." He pointed out where they were standing and people staring.
She mumbled something about being her father's daughter before he suggest he follow her to a more private setting. He agreed by following her away from the docks and through out most of Vesuvia as a quiet stroll. Nothing was said between them. Landmarks were pointed out by Kipling as they passed each one to where he was being taken by this girl.
"Mind to tell me where your taking me?" He would ask her.
His answer would soon come when they came into viewing range of a multiply story building with snakes wrapped around a stick on sign above the door's frame. The girl would pulled a braided string holding a 2 prong key from her bag to use on the locked front door. She would open after turning to unlock door to open for her and this man she brought here. A sign written in readable hand writing was turned to closed sign and hung clearly in the door's window. Could be clearly seen when the man was allowed to pass through the threshold with clear instructions on where to go. Opening motion of the door would cause a bell hung above the door's frame to shake to make a ringing sound. Stopping in place and taking in the sight of what looked like a apothecary's work shop from desk to cabinets behind. After closing and locking up the front door the girl told him to head to a doorway covered by red and black curtain. Stepping into what was a back part of this shop's first floor with a small hallway that led into a dining area, and a large kitchen.
On the ground Kipling would place the bag he been carrying to take in the small details from dried herbs hung from the fireplace's mantle. Each one carefully placed just near the enough fireplace's opening to be licked by the heat of the fire. Everything else was surrounded around this giant opening in the wall were a whole person could fit inside. Wooden counters spread through out the room for all kinds of preparation with a stone mortar & pestle lay near to a sink. Series of shelves and a few cabinets were scattered among these surfaces and filled with dishware of all kinds. Large table had a seasonal center piece made from local plant life found from Forest on edge of the city with stone vase in the middle. A bench was on one side and chairs on the other side the table with carved designs throughout.
"About my question about your relation to my brother and how your know my name?" Juliana would bring up their previous conversation.
"Your brother gave me quite a detailed description about you." Kipling stated removing his coat. "I am his lover."
Kipling had wished he had use of both his arms to cover his ears when Juliana ended up yelling word 'WHAT' so loudly. To block out the girl's yell when his ears started to Being told that man that she just meant on the docks when waiting for her brother and gave her a letter from him. Is a person having a sexual or romantic relationship with her brother outside of marriage was a shocker. Since her brother never spoke in any of his letters about having a lover to the family in past from months.
"I should have taken his warnings about your being a screamer." Kipling mumbles. "Seriously."
"Sorry, I am not one for surprises from my brother." She spoke blinking. "I kinda grew up experiencing sudden dramatic or surprising events."
Kipling would agree with her since her brother always had pulled something on him when their relationship started last year. His removed coat was tossed over the top of his bag while giving full view of his slinged limb pressed against his chest. Going on about one such event that led to his injured limb that was being stared at by this girl.
"They say I was lucky to have walked away with this arm still attached." Kipling wiggled his fingers of his slinged arm. "Nothing to worry about."
"Doesn't surprise me." Juliana blankly stared at him.
Before she could direct him to the roped off stairwell and show him to a guest room when through the front door her mother and aunt stepped. One carried a large basket on her arm filled with freshly picked plants with savory or aromatic properties. A blue tarantula with a fractal-like pattern on his abdomen was hitching a ride in the basket. A large saturniid moth that came in earth tones sat on her shoulder with its wings slowly flopping opened and closed. Other carried a another basket hinged to the side of her hip and came with a lid that was fastens shut from prying eyes. Using her free hand to let other walk through and ask if she needed any help with sorting out the plants she forged. Was accepted by her since she wanted to make it in time to take the wash to the local laundry as she turned her head.
"Juliana! " The woman could sense someone(s) in the back of the shop. "Are you back from the docks?"
"Your brother with you?" Other woman happily asked.
"Hi mom and No Aunt Portia." Juliana would answer them staring at Kipling. "I have his lover instead."
As soon as those words left Juliana's mouth as she never took her eyes off Kipling with hope that he was ready for what was coming. First one through the doorway the two had stepped through previously was Juliana's mother and then her Aunt Portia. Both woman then stopped on either of Juliana to stare at Kipling as if he was foreign object. Introducing himself by name and what brought him here in his lover's place as kindly as he could to those leering eyes. Going on how he met his lover when the person was finishing up their studies in medicine somewhere in Prakra.
"He's told me so much about you two." Kipling addressed Portia and Juliana's mother. "Very glad to meet you."
Portia looked at Juliana's mother then back at Kipling before accepting his greeting with one of her own and hand shake. Extending a invitation to him to come visit the palace with her sister- in- law and rest of the family when ever he can. He would accept as he learned Juliana's mother preferred to be called by her given name Jewel Devorak during they hand shake. Have attention to the coat and bag that had been sitting on the floor and waiting to be moved somewhere else. Led to someone showing him to the upper floor where he could use a guest room and settled in.
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When one is told your son's lover was set up in guest room after your daughter met him at the docks thinking she would meet her brother. One wouldn't be excited to meet this person after you came back from a other side of town after tending to someone. Would be the first thing that Julian did after greeting Jewel and Juliana when he came through the front door. Hugging one from behind to tightly she didn't care if air would be squeezed from her lungs. Would welcome her husband by turning in those arms to be lifted into the air and spun by him as a simple kiss was shared. Refused to be kissed by her father when he made a attempt to even wrap a single arm around her small waist. Led Julian to his third option, that to brighten his mood within the dining room having tea.
Kipling had forgoes his sling to air out his arm while he was reading some leather bond notebook with hand writing inside. He turned the page after reading through the paragraphs to move on to what was next and so on and so on for him. To set the book down when he heard a creak in the floor boards leading into the dining room from front entrance way. Turning his head to look at the person his lover has told him so much about in their time short together as couple. Using his good hand to into inter- pocket of his waist coat and remove a strange brooch embedded with a coat of arms. He he place on the book when he came face to face with Julian wearing his best smile just for him.
"I am Kipling Alphonso DeQuetteville." He introduced him self by name. "I already know about you and your lovely wife."
Julian was then offered to sit any where he wanted at this table so they could start getting to know each other through conversation. Would be seconded by Jewel, when she entered from behind her husband asking he wanted his usual coffee. Kissing him on the cheek as she passed him to make her way to the brink stove top where mug and kettle lay. Be stopped when Julian took a hold of her arm to keep her close as whispered in her ear if something was wrong, she could tell him. Had answering him back they were being given a chance to get to know a new member of their family.
"Behave or you'll sleeping on the floor tonight." She would warn him to play nice.
"Not like we hadn't done that on the floor." He smirking recalling one of their many carnal moments.
"I know, Now. Go. Play. Nice. Ilya." She lightly bit the tip of his nose.
His smile turned into one of pure lust from him biting his lower lip to the pleading eyes of kicked puppy portrayed in his eyes. Which got him told later and him being turned toward the third person in the room making a coughing noise to remind them.
"May we?" Kipling asked ready to begin.
Which had Julian taking the seat at the table while Jewel went to stove to make cup and another pot of tea for her and Kipling. Began a colorful conversation about the person their son had come to take as a lover during his time away from home. Kipling made sure to fill them on everything that happen between him and their son since before he came here. From how they met when their son performed mouth- to- mouth resuscitation on Kipling to their first date. Details of his bandaged up arm that he Julian to look at by undoing the careful tied stiffened with starch around his limb. Gloves hands worked around wood splints embedded in the stiffen cloth to keep the limb form elbow to first knuckle; mobile.
"Who ever did this." Julian laid the wounded arm out bare to him. " Has done fine work."
"I am impressed." Jewel would soon join them.
She laid a wooden serving tray filled with a mismatched tea set on the table between two as she laid a mug of coffee for Julian. Whose attention was taking in the fine work of who ever resign the bones and mended the skin of this recovered arm.
"This would be your son." Kipling would answer them. "He wanted to make up for being the cause of my injury."
Trying your lover's parents that series of events involving he and a rowdy group of people over a number of days which didn't turn out will. Had Jewel stating that their son inherited his father's flare for the dramatics and her sarcastic tongue. That comment put a smile on Julian's face besides the fact his son had gone into medicine to become a doctor. Would soon when fresh bandages and and a glass jar filled with resin with snap lid were brought over to redo his wrappings. Julian recycled the wooden splints when he removes his gloves to re-wrap Kipling's arm in careful matter.
"May I ask why your daughter makes it a habit to go to the docks every morning and wait there?" Kipling would ask about Juliana.
"Her way of waiting for her brother to come home." Jewel answered. "He said in his last letter he was coming home sometime this month."
"Why is that your here and he isn't?" Julian would ask.
The answer came from Juliana as she would end up showing them the letter Kipling had handed delivered to him. Before taking a seat and stealing Kipling's refilled tea cup and start drinking as her parents looked over the contains of the letter. Taking a seat on the corner of the table then a actual chair with one of her hands resting beside her. Crossing one legs over the other as she leaned toward Kipling and his newly bandaged arm with new found interest.
"I am going to be called brother- in- law or something else along those lines?" She asked Kipling.
"Me and your brother aren't that far into our relationship." He warned her.
"Just asking." She empties the tea cup. "Your kinda fun to have around."
Down went the cup and up went the metal brooch that Kipling had put aside with the book he been reading as to look at it. She could make out a coat of arms made swirls decorated around a single symbol of a blade piercing blooded heart.
"It's my family coat of arms." Kipling spoke about the pin. "Been with me since I was Knighted."
"WHAT?" Juliana's yells caught her parents attention.