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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 7, 2011 10:11:19 GMT -5
The early morning spring air had an edge of chill to it. Even still, the early morning brought with it the sounds of carriages and the scent of fresh bread being carried like a hero on the march. I could hear the sounds of the City coming into bloom. Yet, I paid these vivacious sounds no mind. I reached for the edge of my light cloak and pulled it against my arm; warding myself from the chill that I felt keenly.
The fingertips of my other hand grazed over the rough surface of the bridge. The water rushing along beneath my feet. I shook my head, the hood of the cloak threatening to fall backwards. I breathed deeply, taking in the scent of water and moisture. My eyes took in the sight of the water. So many would go to the Cemetery to remember their loved ones. I remember mine each time I cross a bridge.
I was aware of the whispers even before I was appraised. The way mama took her life. The way her gown blossomed around her in the water. A drowned sea-nymph, they said.
I fail to see anything romantic about it.
A young child, no more than seven with a corona of wild chestnut curls ran up to me. She smiled and offered me a small roll of bread. This pulled me from my thoughts, dark as they were, and I gifted the young girl with a smile.
"Have a bit of our bread, madamoiselle!" Her young voice squeaked with happiness, not yet tinged with the experience of adulthood or even womanhood, "Best in the City of Elua!"
"Why thank you," my hands wrapping around her roll of bread, I heard a quick gasp. I saw a blush blossom on the young girl's face.
Suddenly bashful, the child curtsied and ran off. Rejoining her father who had paused for her. Two large baskets of bread on each side of his hand. The scent of freshly baked bread in his wake. Shots of silver ran through his hair, but mostly it was hidden beneath a hat. I offered a wave towards the pair, in the same breath giving a side-long glance at the rivers just beyond. A bit of bread torn from the roll, steam speaking of it's warmth curling up from it.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 9, 2011 23:01:42 GMT -5
I was so busy of late at Bryony that it seemed the only time I had to keep up with my outside investments was in the earliest hours of the day. Though it was spring, there was enough chill in the air that I had put on a leather vest over my clothes when I headed out.
I was crossing a bridge when I saw a little girl offering a roll to a lovely woman. The girl ran off and I smiled.
“That’s how they get you, you know,” I said with a chuckle as I paused next to the cloaked woman. “A free little taste and you are hooked for life.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 9, 2011 23:43:49 GMT -5
"Perhaps," I replied in answer to the man's words. A fond smile plays across my lips as I cast a glance back towards the retreating baker and his daughter. Just off of the bridge and one could hear the baker sing of his wears. The echos of his low baritone voice bouncing back towards me.
The torn piece still in between fingertips, I turn my gaze back to the chuckling man. Clear blue eyes affixing themselves to his own. I recognized him, but I've never had the honor before now. A curtsy is offered as mirth played in my eyes; a glance is spared at the still warm roll of bread.
"It is, after all, smart of them is it not?" Business is business. Even so, I offer Fisher a bit of the bread silently, gaiety danced in my eyes as I did. "Though, if it indeed the best in all of the City of Elua," a grand claim indeed, "then the taste of it should need no subterfuge. There is, however, only one way in which to find out."
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 9, 2011 23:49:45 GMT -5
It seemed she recognized me, and knowing that if I had ever met her before I would recall it, meant she was likely an adept. A fine as she was, it narrowed down the Houses she might inhabit to only one.
I took the offered bread with a smile and inclined my head slightly. “True,” I agreed. “Shall we find out the validity of their promise?”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 10, 2011 11:16:52 GMT -5
I smiled when Fisher took the piece of bread from my hands; leaving me bereft of a bit of bread, but that mattered not. Glimmering white teeth and an open smile without pretense. I pondered the bread for a matter of a few moments, glancing side-long to Fisher. "We shall, though," a pause, "first, I think it might be prudent to introduce myself. 'Tis, an important thing, breaking bread with another."
A light breeze played like a child between people and animals clamoring over the bridge. It took that moment to ruffle my cloak and golden strands of hair. "I am Inès nó Camellia, monsieur. It is a pleasure to share a bit of bread with you this early morn."
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 10, 2011 15:53:21 GMT -5
“Fisher no’ Bryony,” I said in introduction, bowing slightly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ines.”
Smiling, I tore the bit of bread in two and held the pieces in my palm, letting her choose which piece she would. “Now that we are formally introduced, should we try the sample before the merchant draws too far off to chase down should we crave more?” I asked, my voice light. Somehow, I had trouble imaging her chasing down anyone, far more likely she was the one being pursued.
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 10, 2011 21:20:37 GMT -5
I offered the Second of Bryony a curtsy to match his slight bow, in the same breath, a light inclination of my head is made towards Fisher. Delicate fingers take one of the pieces without thinking overmuch about which one was which. "We should, if I strain my hearing I could still hear the merchant sing."
With no further ado, I put the piece of bread on my own tongue. Still warm. The taste reminded me of a cozy home, round the fire during the winter. The bread airy without being insubstantial. It is bread, of a surety, but the twinges of sweetness that such good bread carries lingers upon the tongue.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 11, 2011 17:15:01 GMT -5
Following her lead, I placed the other bit of bread in my mouth and considered it. First it seemed to fill my mouth with its aroma and taste before slowly melting on my tongue.
“Hmm,” I said, considering. “What do you think?”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 12, 2011 23:32:30 GMT -5
"Lovely," I replied letting the piece I took, fade away. Leaving just enough time for the notes and the finish of the bread come to their crescendo. "Simple breads are all about the details are they not?" I paused for a moment, "Though, does it live up to it's bold claim? Perhaps, so." I smiled then, curling at the corners of my lips. It's a wan thing, thoughtful. "Your thoughts?" I ask Fisher, finally.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 13, 2011 22:31:04 GMT -5
“It is quite good,” I agreed, nodding slightly. “I would have to say close to the best if not the best.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 15, 2011 16:38:41 GMT -5
The slightest nod was given, a little affirmation to what Fisher's thoughts. It was a type of bread that did not need anything, any preserves or crème fraîche. Nothing else needed to be placed upon it to be perfect. The aforementioned condiments, then, would have been simple adornments instead of cover-ups.
"A Master-Hand at work," I noted to Fisher. "The Baker certainly has perfected his method. Nothing else to take away to come to the simplest measure." Even bread can be perfect. Even a day can be perfect. I regarded the bread with a knowing glance.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 17, 2011 0:50:56 GMT -5
“Indeed, and isn’t that the mark of one born with the skill and not just taught it; the ability to make the plainest offering perfect?” I asked, tilting my head slightly as I did.
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 22, 2011 17:09:05 GMT -5
I smiled at Fisher. A patron, though I have not many, once wrote a sonnet about my smile. That smile that I knew that I did not want to give too readily. A wan thing, mysterious and quiet. But, it holds no pretense. A look that reminds that more often than not, that I keep my own council. The smile, in itself, was an answer to his question.
"To know when nothing needs be taken or added to an offering. When it has crystallized into it's purest point. To know when what it is, whatever it is, is enough. The perception to know taking anything or giving anything else would ruin it. It is a difficult thing, to come to realize." Clear eyes glanced to Fisher once more before I added, "Something like that, is never plain."
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 22, 2011 22:46:27 GMT -5
“Indeed, my mistake,” I said with a chuckle, inclining my head and smiling.
I looked over the bridge to the shops and then back to her. “Were you headed somewhere? I could escort you if you liked.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 22, 2011 23:29:47 GMT -5
I spared the river another glance. It did not respond. It did not change, just because a simple I was here to visit a site. No, the offending water was long since gone. Perhaps it is in the ocean or in the sky, evaporated into the clouds. It mattered very little in the end, after all.
"I was actually just out for a walk," I supplied in answer to his question. "So, nowhere in particular. Perhaps, I should be returning to Mont Nuit? And you? What brings you here on this sharp morning?"
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 23, 2011 16:40:37 GMT -5
“I have some business interests to see to, and my duties being what they are this is the only time I have free at the moment,” I answered. I smiled a little as I looked at her. “I like this time of morning. Reminds me of when I was little and spent time on the docks with the ships, getting them ready to go out on the tides.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 23, 2011 16:57:25 GMT -5
I agreed easily with Fisher's agreement with this time of the morning, "As do I." In truth, the quiet of the morning while the world woke up was a different sort of feeling than the middle of the night. The night held a difference, a mystery about it that while I enjoyed it paled to the opportunity presented by the morning. "The morning always makes me curious as to what that day will bring."
"You spent time with the ships at the Port?" I wondered, questioning the Bryony. I took a step back, a check really to see if he wished also to clamor over the bridge now with the rest. I was a ward of the Night Court from a very young age. I couldn't imagine running to the ports then.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 24, 2011 16:21:42 GMT -5
“From the ages of five to ten, I spent my life on the docks,” I said, smiling fondly at the memories. “I would still be there I recon if I hadn’t been brought to Bryony.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 24, 2011 17:36:38 GMT -5
I canted my head towards Fisher. It said simply, that I was interested in that. A different way of living truly. Something just left side of normal for me. "That must have been quite something. To wake and live amongst the scent of the sea in the air. To help with the ships as they left the port and to rejoice with them when they returned with their catch."
"It must have been quite a change when you came to the Court of Night Blooming Flowers," I asked, half-stating while admitting, "I could imagine but, not truly know."
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 25, 2011 18:11:57 GMT -5
“Yes, it was very different,” I agreed, shifting to where I could lean against the railing of the bridge. “It was wonderful though, and I miss it still sometimes. For that there were people constantly coming and going, there was a group of us that were very much like family. In that way the change wasn’t so different when I came to Bryony.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 25, 2011 22:29:26 GMT -5
A slight head movement in the affirmative is what I gave to Fisher then. I tried to imagine it then, the bright early mornings and the songs the Fishermen sang. Their prayers to the Companions to make their journey safe and fruitful. And yet it was an image that I knew to be over romanticized created by a woman who knew not, truly the hardship and the companionship it would create between individuals. A ghost of a smile, however, played across my features.
"I came to the Night Court quite early in life," I offered in kind to his admissions himself. "Life before then is a dimly-lit half-forgotten memory to me, unfortunately."
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 26, 2011 17:44:19 GMT -5
“That can be as good as bad,” I mused. “With no memories of your life before, there is nothing to miss, nothing to long for.” I tucked my hands into my pockets, the cold beginning to nip at my bare fingertips.
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 26, 2011 17:58:17 GMT -5
"Indeed," I answered after a moment's thought. What I did remember, however, was not for sharing. "It is both a blessing and a curse." Things to think of doing just after my service is completed. Mayhaps, mayhaps not.
"The cold bites now, more than it has minutes prior. Shall we be heading back to Mont Nuit?" I asked Fisher.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 27, 2011 14:45:30 GMT -5
I shook my head a little as I replied. “I’ve still my business to see to, but you should return,” I said with a smile. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ines.”
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Post by Inès nó Camellia on Feb 27, 2011 19:37:13 GMT -5
"As it was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Second." I replied, curtsying towards him in observance of all those manners that were second nature to me. "May your day be prosperous," I wished as I rose to my full-height. Without any other ado I left him there, making sure that my hood was in place and threading through the throngs.
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Fisher nó Bryony
Second
Second of Bryony House
Money may be the root of all evil, but it can also buy your way out a lot of sin
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Fisher nó Bryony on Feb 27, 2011 21:18:56 GMT -5
Before I continued on to my business, I watched her go for a moment. The adepts of Camellia had always struck me as odd, as if the pressure of perfection strung them perhaps too taut. Shaking my head slightly, I headed the opposite direction, into the City and to my investments.
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