Post by Vivienne nó Camellia on Sept 25, 2009 18:18:06 GMT -5
"And what is our House motto?" I asked, looking around at the circle of young faces that surrounded me.
"Without fault or flaw." Came a chorus of voices. I beamed at them, nodding.
"Very good. You have all done well today, and now you are dismissed for lunch. Same time tomorrow, all right?" There was another chorus, this time of "Yes Vivi" as the small group of ten or so children rose from the grass and ran off for their midday meal.
We had been seated in the gardens of Camellia House, having lessons. It was one of my duties - and my favorite one, at that - to teach the beginning class of hopeful young Camellias. Not all of them would end up staying here, of course, but most would. The Dowayne was rather good at spotting someone who would bloom into true beauty from an early age.
I rose and dusted myself off, about to head out to have a lunch of my own, when a young woman of about fourteen - Melani, I recognized her from her time as one of my students.
"Vivi, the Dowayne wants to see you right away." She said, breathing heavily, as if she had been running. I frowned slightly, wondering if there was some trouble afoot that I didn't know about.
"Thank you Melani, I shall go forthwith."
And so I did, knocking lightly on Cateline's door. She bid me enter, and as I pushed open the door, I marveled again at her beauty. It was not surprising to me at all that she had done so well for herself here at Camellia, and not only because of her beauty. Cateline was kind, compassionate, and with a knack for making one feel like the loveliest one in the room, even when she outshone them.
"Vivienne, have a seat." Cateline said, gesturing to a chair in front of her desk. I sat, a little apprehensive. Why had she called me? "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here." She said smoothly, as if reading my mind. I only nodded, waiting. "You are aware, I'm sure, that we have been without a Second since Avalice left us to marry a noblewoman. Let me just cut to the chase, Vivienne. I would very much like it if you would consent to take up the position." Here she stopped, waiting, no doubt, for my response.
I was a bit taken aback - I had had no idea that I was even being considered for such an honor! The thought flitted through my mind that it was an amusing coincidence that Cannelle and I would both be Seconds of our respective Houses. I didn't really have to think about it for more than a moment.
"Of course, I would be delighted!" I exclaimed, leaping up from my chair in excitement. Cateline had also risen, and soon the two of us were hugging and laughing. It was a moment I wouldn't soon forget, and I wanted nothing more than to tell everyone I knew.
**********
That night, as I lay in my bed, I could hardly sleep for anticipation. Tomorrow I would move into my new office and begin my duties as Second. My mother had been thrilled and we had sent a letter to my father to give him the news. I knew that this would hurt him somewhat, but I did not know how else I could explain to him that I belonged at Camellia. We'd already had quite the row when my marque was made and I chose to stay, and I hoped that this would not cause another. There was nothing for it, however, for my mind was made up. I was Second of Camellia House, and would one day be Dowayne.
I was Second of Camellia House and I was determined to be the best Second the House had ever known.
"Without fault or flaw." Came a chorus of voices. I beamed at them, nodding.
"Very good. You have all done well today, and now you are dismissed for lunch. Same time tomorrow, all right?" There was another chorus, this time of "Yes Vivi" as the small group of ten or so children rose from the grass and ran off for their midday meal.
We had been seated in the gardens of Camellia House, having lessons. It was one of my duties - and my favorite one, at that - to teach the beginning class of hopeful young Camellias. Not all of them would end up staying here, of course, but most would. The Dowayne was rather good at spotting someone who would bloom into true beauty from an early age.
I rose and dusted myself off, about to head out to have a lunch of my own, when a young woman of about fourteen - Melani, I recognized her from her time as one of my students.
"Vivi, the Dowayne wants to see you right away." She said, breathing heavily, as if she had been running. I frowned slightly, wondering if there was some trouble afoot that I didn't know about.
"Thank you Melani, I shall go forthwith."
And so I did, knocking lightly on Cateline's door. She bid me enter, and as I pushed open the door, I marveled again at her beauty. It was not surprising to me at all that she had done so well for herself here at Camellia, and not only because of her beauty. Cateline was kind, compassionate, and with a knack for making one feel like the loveliest one in the room, even when she outshone them.
"Vivienne, have a seat." Cateline said, gesturing to a chair in front of her desk. I sat, a little apprehensive. Why had she called me? "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here." She said smoothly, as if reading my mind. I only nodded, waiting. "You are aware, I'm sure, that we have been without a Second since Avalice left us to marry a noblewoman. Let me just cut to the chase, Vivienne. I would very much like it if you would consent to take up the position." Here she stopped, waiting, no doubt, for my response.
I was a bit taken aback - I had had no idea that I was even being considered for such an honor! The thought flitted through my mind that it was an amusing coincidence that Cannelle and I would both be Seconds of our respective Houses. I didn't really have to think about it for more than a moment.
"Of course, I would be delighted!" I exclaimed, leaping up from my chair in excitement. Cateline had also risen, and soon the two of us were hugging and laughing. It was a moment I wouldn't soon forget, and I wanted nothing more than to tell everyone I knew.
**********
That night, as I lay in my bed, I could hardly sleep for anticipation. Tomorrow I would move into my new office and begin my duties as Second. My mother had been thrilled and we had sent a letter to my father to give him the news. I knew that this would hurt him somewhat, but I did not know how else I could explain to him that I belonged at Camellia. We'd already had quite the row when my marque was made and I chose to stay, and I hoped that this would not cause another. There was nothing for it, however, for my mind was made up. I was Second of Camellia House, and would one day be Dowayne.
I was Second of Camellia House and I was determined to be the best Second the House had ever known.