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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Apr 11, 2010 12:38:36 GMT -5
I laughed, "Indeed you have, Monsieur." We reached Cachette and I paused as we entered and found a quite table near the window, which was always my favorite because I could watch the people move by.
Once we had been settled in and handed menus, I answered his question while perusing the different types of tea they offered here. "We do have gardens, lovely ones with roses as big as melons." I paused and chuckled. "Well, that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Apr 11, 2010 12:46:04 GMT -5
We entered and I waited for her to answer while we were greeted then seated with menus. She opened hers and started to read as she responded. I did the same, looking over the top of my menu at her as she spoke, every so often.
"That sounds lovely. Do the adepts care for them or do you have groundskeepers?" I asked, wondering if perhaps I could not gain employment on the Palace grounds if I could gain employment tending the grounds of Mont Nuit.
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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Apr 11, 2010 13:11:00 GMT -5
"A bit of both, actually," I said, wondering idly if I wanted scones with my tea. "We have groundskeepers, but some of the fosterlings assist them, and there are some adepts who enjoy gardening and that sort of thing, so they do some as well. I haven't the hand for it myself."
I made a decision and laid my menu down, then smiled over at him. "Do you have an interest in gardening, Henri?"
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Apr 18, 2010 18:18:26 GMT -5
I nodded as I watched her, her eyes wandering back and forth over the dainty ink letters.
"One could say that," I murmured, smiling at her, though I did let my eyes drop to my menu. "I make things grow. And I am terribly good at it. My father owns farmland and I tend to it," I explained. "And now I am in the City, visiting my brother, and thinking about employment," I chuckled. "Do you have aspecial talent?" I asked as I looked to her again. I had been looking at my menu, but not reading it. I still had no idea what I wanted.
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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Apr 18, 2010 19:43:13 GMT -5
"I like to think I do," I answered, grinning at him across the table before thinking the better of that response. "Er, I mean, I've studied Naamah's arts extensively, so well ..." I was not usually the type to blush, but perhaps it was his influence, as I felt my cheeks heat slightly.
"Also, I have been told I'm a good teacher," I finished lamely, when the waiter arrived just in time to save me from eating my entire foot. I ordered chamomile tea and a cherry walnut scone and waited for him to order, hoping this distraction would change the subject.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Apr 21, 2010 21:45:27 GMT -5
I had not actually made my decision yet, as I found multitasking to be a little difficult with the distraction before me. I blushed and stammered. "I um.. I will have what she is having!" I said with a bright smile, hoping to offset the colour that rose to my cheeks. The waiter smiled and left with the promise that he would soon return. I turned my attention to Vivienne whose cheeks were a rosy hue as well.
"Well... as Second I would hope that um... you are... well versed in her arts," I murmured, quietly, not wanting everyone to overhear the nature of that part of our conversation. I cleared my throat then. "And what do you like to teach?" I asked, genuinely interested.
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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Apr 22, 2010 18:44:57 GMT -5
I was glad that he seemed as ready as I to change the topic, and to one that was a favorite of mine as well.
"I love teaching the youngest children. I teach them our House motto and how to behave as expected for a Camellia. I teach them the history of the Night Court and about Elua and his companions. Not all of my students end up staying at Camellia, but most do and I like getting to know them from an early age." I smiled brightly, thinking about all of the beautiful children I had the privilege of watching grow. "I truly believe that it is what I was meant to do with my life."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Apr 23, 2010 9:29:12 GMT -5
I smiled, grinned really, nodding in understanding as she spoke. "Then you are in your true calling. I hear it takes a great deal of patience to work with children, but I have never had a problem around them myself. They seemed to always gravitate to me," I said wtih a chuckle, "the children from the houses around us... though neighbours were never that close," I explained. "I do not know but have wondered... I know your housse motto, and I know each House has a different story of what Naamah did that makes their house significant, but, what is it, the story behind Camelia?" I asked.
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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Apr 23, 2010 23:46:54 GMT -5
I could see how he would attract children, I reflected. He seemed honest and open, and that was the type of person children were drawn to.
"Well, we Adepts tell the story of Naamah thusly: that when she lay with the King of Persis, her perfection caused him to be blinded for two weeks afterward. Hence we strive to attain perfection in all the courtly arts, in her honor."
It was a story I had told a million times before, but I never tired of it, and I always felt Naamah's grace settle over me as I told it.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on May 9, 2010 20:25:52 GMT -5
I smiled at the story, closing my eyes as she spoke it, simply put, but well put, too.
"I am glad I have been able to lay eyes upon this sort of perfection and have not gone blind as yet," I joked with a soft laugh, my eyes upon her though they fell away as I looked to the table for a moment, then back up a little sheepishly. "As second," I asked softly, "does that mean that you are bound to never leave your House?"
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Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on May 12, 2010 14:51:16 GMT -5
I tapped my fingers playfully upon the table at his words, "Oh, well, I think the true test is more involved than simply looking upon perfection." I teased, though I hadn't caused anyone to go blind yet; at least, not that I knew of!
"Well," I answered his question with some thought, "It depends. Theoretically, that is true, but there are times when an adept will choose to step down from the position for whatever reason. It is not common, but it does happen. That is how I got the position, as a matter of fact."
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