Learning and Understanding

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I listened to him without comment, soaking in his words and silently contemplating them. After a moment, I spoke, my voice holding a hesitant curiosity. "Have you ever been injured in combat, Tabien?" I knew he fought in Ch'n, though the details (gladly) escaped me.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I suppose I would garner such a question. My scars were my private pentance, yet I never failed to mention them to others, given an opportunity. Perhaps, in someway, by acknowledging them, I felt that they continued to serve their purpose.

"Yes." I said solemnly, and as if on cue, my vision reeled back, reminding of the trials I endured, no doubt giving my eyes a glossed over look on a far away horizon.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I opened my mouth and shut it again as his gaze changed, shifting from the conversation and myself to something... else. It was to be expected, I supposed, given the nature of my question, but I hadn't contemplated such a response when I'd put it to him.

My cheeks took on a deep, bright shade of pink as mortification seeped in, though my hand hesitated before reaching out, remembering vividly the last time I'd attempted and the way he'd not accepted it. But, I'd done this situation, and I needed to quell my ego and pride and undo it as best as I could.

Before I could think again, my fingers reached across the table and touched his, warmer than my own. "Tabien," I said softly, wishing my cheeks weren't so hot, and not knowing what else to say.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

The cold winds of memory had just entered my mind before a warm touch scattered the thoughts. Blinking, I looked back, seeing a look of quite compassion, and a delicate touch. I couldn't help but smile, both at the kindness, and humorously at the tinge in her face. Staring at her hand, I rubbed one of her fingers slowly with my thumb.

"Thank you." Was all I said.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I kept my bid of silence a moment, watching his thumb on my finger. "Ah, well," I said, giving him my best attempt at a smile, "the past is the past as they say, and all there is to look forward to is the future."

I let my fingers linger a moment, enjoying the highly unexpected, and very subtle touch, before withdrawing my hand so as not to over linger. "So, you plan on teaching while in the City. Is there any subject in particular that you favor?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

Taking my cue, I clasped my hands together, not responding immediately.

"Can't say for a surety, its really up thought on my part." A thought came to me, "My guess is that your well informed in the circles, what do you think isn't taught enough?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I smiled and lifted my nose a little in pure jest, then grinned and fell back to a more normal stance. "Well, there's a lot of history, and languages, arts... Mathematics, mayhap. Art is well taught, but outside the night court it is a touch more sparse." I paused, my lower lip tucking between my teeth as I pondered. "Swordplay mayhap, if you're up to physical endeavors. I don't know entirely on that one, though."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I shook my head. "I don't think that is quite the pursuit I was looking for. However, languages, given the right kind, as we've discussed earlier," I said with a smile, "Is always an option. And of course....the natural sciences are a possibility. Granted my own understanding is somewhat limited, but it is a young pursuit, so error might be expected."

I cocked my head, "You seriously thinking of trying to be my student aren't you?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I gave him a mildly incredulously look. "You didn't believe me earlier when I mentioned it? I'm very interested in learning Ch'n. But if you'd prefer not to, I'll understand." Well, alright, I wouldn't really, but that wasn't the point, which was to give him a suitable out if he wanted to take it.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I just laughed. "Rebellious already, I see you'll be quite the handful." I took a sip of wine. "Though, one may wonder.." I said, starring into my glass, "how well you can maintain focus and avoid distraction"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

My smile widened a little bit, and I watched him as he drank, not taking his eyes off his wine as he spoke. "I think I may surprise you," I responded, "though that may, of course, depend on the type of distraction that you're referring to.."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Well, apparently, I'd intended to be reading, and you've clearly seduced me into a rather lavish dinner, so that does leave one to wonder a bit," I said with an innocent smile, pouring one more glass now that the plates have been mostly picked over.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"Well, by all means, if you'd prefer to go back to your reading..." I tossed him another grin, giving a small gesture towards the exit with my hand. "Far be it from me to stand in the way of someone who wants to read."

There was humor in my voice as I took a drink of my own wine, savoring the flavor on my tongue.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"And let this bottle go to waste. Clearly, you've not lived on the simplist of means, or you'd take more preciously, this fine drink." I let my gaze linger over her a while, perhaps loosened by the wine, I didn't care.

"A toast then? To academic pursuits for the many."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I laughed quietly, acknowledging his win with his mention of the drink by bowing my head a little. When I looked up again, his gaze was on me and not moving away, bringing a tingle to rise up my spine. What he was thinking I wanted to know, but I wouldn't be forward again.

"To academic pursuits," I agreed, raising my glass and angling it out towards him. "May we learn many different things." I gave him a smile, slightly shy, but not fading as my eyes watched his.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

Without further adue, we both took our drinks, perhaps nothing new to taste, but meaning something.

"You know, Azabel, your quite good company to have around, I'll have to admit. At least," paused for a moment, "Well, it's a lovely surprise to know someone of your class can be so understanding and....might I say humble?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

His compliment didn't go unappreciated, and I was sure it was apparent in my face that I appreciated it. "Well, thank you Tabien," I responded, a touch more belated than I'd meant for. "I think you're rather good company as well. It's nice to find someone you can talk to who enjoys reading nearly as much as I do."

I paused, thinking of the stack of books he had had piled next to him in the Library. "Then again, mayhap more." I smiled taking a second sip of my wine as I watched him. I wondered still what he was thinking, but the tension had seemed to loosen and tighten both between us, depending on what exactly that tension was describing.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I looked slightly perplexed at her. "More, did you say? And how do you figure that?" I asked casually, circling the liquid in my glass.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I smiled, nonplussed. "The amount of reading material you had with you in the Library... it was rather impressive."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

My eyes widened a bit before I chuckled. "Oh, that. Well, I'd planned probably being there the whole day, though also, I was mostly skimming. I don't know, such a huge store, it made my kind of depressed, and anxious to try and absorb as much as I could."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"I know exactly how you feel," I said in an agreeable tone, sipping again at my wine. It was nearly gone, and I didn't think I should have another for fear of having too much in my system. "There's days that I just want to read everything in sight, and others where I have a hard time finding something that fits the mood I'm in."

I raised my glass and took the last swallow, then put it back down and toyed with the stem. "That's part of the reason why I like Desir, here. I'm not distracted and tempted by other books, and I don't have to worry about one of my brothers needing something."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Must be....well, can't say what it's like to have to care for syblings." I responded. I'd barely understood much of my own childhood, let alone grasp what it was like to have a brother or sister.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"They can be troublesome at times," I said, tracing my finger along the bottom of the glass, then looked up at him with a genuine smile. "But I wouldn't give them up for the world. I can't imagine what it would be like to grow up without one at all."

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Perhaps," I said, "And it's a lonely way to be raised, In case you were wondering."

Resting my head on my hand, I continued. "It didn't help that parents sepearted, and I ended up moving away from any childhood friends to boot."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

He looked sad, mayhap forlorn. My features softened compassionately, though I idly wondered how we kept going back to subjects that ended like this. Surely there must be something bright in the world... Or mayhap his life had simply been one of hardships.

The afternoon had stretched on while we'd sat and talked, food cold infront of us and the bottle of wine close to empty. "Come on," I said suddenly, trying to cheer the moment by changing the subject and giving him a smile. "It's too pretty to stay inside... Since I was able to seduce you into a lunch with me, mayhap I can coerce you into a walk as well. Are you up to it?"

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

I looked up. "I...Yes, I think that would do well. Sorry, it seems I harbor but ill memories. Walks elude to happier futures."

I got, setting down any utensils and napkins, and offered my arm as a polite gesture to lead her outside.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"No apologies needed," I responded, willing to leave the matter lay unless he wanted to speak on it further. Dabbing my mouth with my napkin, I set it down and then stood, taking his arm lightly. I hadn't really expected him to offer it, and was pleasantly surprised. "Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?" I asked as we made our way towards the door, giving a subtle nod at our server to indicate that our meal was through. She's put it on my tab; I was unconcerned with the bill at the moment.

[Tabién de Valclesa(I)]

"Well, given our place of meeting, and topics of discussion, how bout we visit the Shrine of Shemhazai. It seems only fitting, wouldn't you think?"

I was amazed how much time had passed. The sun was still high in the sky, but it had taken that orange afterglow of the afternoon, coating the roads in a shimmering gold hue.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I grinned, pleased with his choice of destination. "That sounds rather fitting," I responded, walking easily next to him. It was pretty out, more now than it had been when we reached Desir. "Spring is one of my favorite times of the year," I commented as we moved, smiling. "Probably because it means winter is over, but it's still so.. fresh and clean. Everyone seems happier."