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He considered her question a moment before answering, as it was a good question indeed. "I suggest that we plant a man of such experience in the same area as him with a woman who does not mind the man flirting in a noticeable manner."
While Sergei worried as well, he needed to remain positive about the matter. "He will, I am sure of it. It is never too late to forgive."
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Jul 29, 2013 20:51:07 GMT -5
"Hmm," she toned thoughtfully before turning a smile on the man. An idea was flickering in the depths of her eyes. There was also no missing the mischief lurking there, as well. "Are you suggesting that we perhaps put on a good show for His Highness?" Though, that brought up the question of whether or not Sergei was actually interested in doing so. If he was not, Natalie knew just the man that would be. Aristide, after all, was a man that loved to show off. This would be the perfect opportunity for such.
"Sometimes it can be, but I can understand your optimism. I like that in you. I will admit that my first impression of you lot from Sarkozsy was that you are all rather serious and far too pragmatic for your own good. Fortunately, I am seeing deeper qualities than that about you..."
If she had an idea, then he was more than willing to go through with it. He worried that Nikolai had fallen into old habits as well as some other people, so it was necessary to give a shock to the system. Perhaps it was not the most diplomatic way to go about the matter, but he was desperate. He wanted to help the royal family so badly, it hurt and strained his chest.
"I suggest it, without a doubt," he answered. "If it brings about change in some way, then I am all for it." Natalie might be the extreme sort of person with whom to pair himself. "I do not have an idea as of yet, but give me a minute."
He nodded. "I can understand why you thought that." Perhaps Nikolai gave that impression more than anyone else, but he was more than that. He smiled at her. "My loved ones inspire me to be ever hopeful."
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 2, 2013 16:30:06 GMT -5
"Oh, I have an idea," she briefly rested her hand on his arm and then grinned, "We have to show Nikolai the power of passion and how it can be inspiring. Yet, we also have to keep in mind just what kind of people they are. While it may not seem they have much in common, they are some things. For example, Emma is a private young woman who yearns for a place in the world. If she has some assurance of her importance, that will go a long way to improving things." She raised a finger, "And I do not mean importance for the sake of importance. Saying that will be cared for and cherished is sweet, but having a place in Nikolai's life and in the life of the people of Sarkozsy will be even more poignant."
She drew in a breath, "Thus, I was wondering if we should pretend to have an argument in front of them about that very topic." She went on, "It will be in a private place, but they can 'stumble in on us' so to speak."
Sergei listened to her speak, trying to determine what exactly she meant by this. After a few moments of musing, he realized he felt stupid and declared internal defeat. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I am willing to try what you suggest."
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 8, 2013 16:40:43 GMT -5
"Well," she had to take a moment to reorganize her thoughts and thus she pursed her lips to do so. It was a habit of hers, really. Pursing her lips for reasons that she could not explain or that she was even aware of helped her think more clearly. "They're hiding behind a wall of safety, and it is understandable. Neither one of them wants to be hurt. Emma is willing to come from behind that wall to reach out to him, but I don't think Prince Nikolai is willing to do the same. If we tell him this, I have a feeling it will back fire."
She drew in a breath, "So, I was thinking that if we got into a mock argument as to how it feels to have feelings hidden and potentially disregarded, they may understand what is going on." At this point, she was beginning to wince. Was she making any sense? Was it even going to work? Natalie had no idea, but she had to try something.
Sergei bristled at Lady Natalie's remark for some reason and tried to ignore the defensive feeling he had. Nikolai was inexperienced, but it was not all his fault, Sergei was sure of it. His loyalty ran deep for the prince, even if they were at odds at the moment.
"All right," he said. "Do you intend to have this argument now? If so, let us move to a more crowded area. Let us present it as if I have feelings for you and cannot hold them in anymore." Forgive me, Anya, he thought.
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 10, 2013 17:44:03 GMT -5
She could tell he bristled. It was just a feeling. She knew what caused it, too. She winced as a result. "I am sorry. I was being unfair. Unfortunately, I have a skewed perspective on the matter because I am so close to Emma," she gave a weak smile, and then nodded slowly. "Very well. Let's get it done with." Hopefully, Nikolai would be out in the open to see it happening, though... she imagined other nobles would see the same thing.
Leading the way, Natalie began going over in her mind just what she was going to say. It was going to be a little awkward for her, especially since there existed a kernel of attraction and affection for another man. Sergei was nice enough, she supposed, but ... Aristide understood her nature far far better. A deep breath was inhaled. As soon as they entered a more public area, she let it out.
"I'm tired of walls," she blurted out, raising her voice slightly. "I'm tired of hiding! Bother station, bother propriety, and bother custom! It's stifling! Why should we have to hide behind it? Who are we hiding for, Sergei? Ourselves or others?"
Sergei understood her perspective and respected that. He nodded once to show he accepted her apology. "Our connections to the prince and princess makes it difficult to be objective and do what is rational," he said. Emotions were natural and immediate, so controlling them were nearly possible -- or the opposite happened. If Nikolai was not in the area, then Sergei was certain the gossip would travel his way soon enough.
While he was unsure how good of an actor he was, Sergei was willing to do his best for Nikolai's sake. He would do anything, even severely embarrassing himself, if it meant getting Nik back on the right track. Sooner than later, he would become desperation and desperation was never a good color on anyone. Natalie was attractive enough for him to use her as inspiration for improvisation.
He took a deep breath and then she started the argument. Trouble was, arguments were in the heat of the moment passionate and he had to be in the right state of mind to say the right statements. Doing so was easier than he imagined when Natalie's words hit close to home.
"Your family would never forgive you if you just threw everything away for a man like me!" Sergei answered. "Duty to the family is first priority, we all know that. If everyone acted upon their selfish, emotional impulses, then society would collapse!"
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 10, 2013 18:39:10 GMT -5
"Oh, piffle!" Natalie scoffed and waved her hand while turning around to face Sergei. She stabbed a finger toward him, "Maybe society could use a good shake up. It's too easy to just cast aside feelings because they are deemed inconvenient. Yes. We all have our place. Yes, we nobles have to look to the greater good, but that doesn't mean we can't be human once in a while!"
She threw up her hands, "Imagine the reverse, Sergei. Imagine if everyone just hid behind walls of propriety because it was what society dictated they should do. What then? You argue of society will collapse if we do away with walls, and I argue that society will stagnate and shrivel if we keep them up!"
Now that the argument started to get going, Sergei found it somewhat easier to think of what to say. He could do this. He frowned. "That is a slippery path, letting our guard down to emotions all the time," he remarked. "Yes, you may say once in a while, but the more powerful emotions we feel won't stop at one time."
He lifted a hand in exasperation. "Not everyone is as brave as you are, Natalie! I can't just go and say what I am really thinking or feeling without feeling like a complete idiot!" Rejection was powerful and scary.
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 11, 2013 10:49:28 GMT -5
"Courage, Sergei! Courage!" She countered smoothly. Granted, she knew exactly what rejection felt like, but for some reason, it did not affect her like it did others. It didn't hurt as much. She didn't know why. But she was too much into the moment to pause for deep introspection. "Emotions are idiotic, anyway! They make no sense! Hell, that's why I hate them!"
... Did she really just say that? "They are terrifying, weakening, and they strip your soul bear. They make things messy and complicated. But we have to muster through them!" She briefly lost track of the argument she was supposed to be making, but managed to get the reins again.
Were they supposed to pretend as though they had feelings for each other or not? If this was the case, and Sergei imagined that it was the woman he loved saying that to him, then it stung. "Why have courage if you hate emotions?" he asked pointedly. "I suppose I'm mustering through my emotions just as well."
He leaned forward and poked Natalie's shoulder. "Emotions are the only part that makes us human. So you cannot ignore them." He inhaled, his insides suddenly churning. "Do you or do you not have feelings for me? Why are you leading me on like this? I cannot take it anymore!"
Post by Lady Natalie Kendall on Aug 13, 2013 13:44:53 GMT -5
It was a conflict of statements and Natalie knew it. It was a fair question on Sergei's part. Indeed, why bother with courage if she hated emotions? It was probably her hate that was, in some way, fueling her hatred of emotions. The courage to work through them and conquer them. Yet, she was going about it the entirely wrong way. Conquering emotion? They couldn't conquer emotion anymore than she could topple a mountain single-handedly.
"Yes!" She blurted out and then immediately turned away from him. "Yes, I do have feelings! I don't mean to lead you on, it's... it's all I know how to do." The shoulders sagged noticeably.
This mock argument was becoming strange and Sergei was now unsure if he could continue. Clearly, he had struck a nerve; the point of it all, right? Catching sight of Yurkov out of the corner of his eye renewed his confidence.
He reached forward to pull her back towards him, to urge her to look at him. His eyes burned with intensity. "Please, tell me the truth. Is it worth me even trying with you anymore? Do you want us to be together? Because I do." Maybe he should have been an actor. She looked a little despondent and that prompted him to rub her shoulder a little, tenderly.