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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 6, 2008 22:51:41 GMT -5
“Well met Caine no’ Cereus. I’m Odette Lamerte, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” My finger uncurled from the lock of hair I was spinning to tap against my lip thoughtfully before my hand lowered down into my lap.
“Good of me to visit then. Otherwise I’d naught know that such poetry could be spoken from such inviting lips.” Ah…how I grinned then chuckled softly more or less to myself, surely I would cause his cheeks to flush…anew.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 10, 2008 20:05:36 GMT -5
Her comment kept my smile on my face and made it flush just slightly, yet again. One fo these days I would stop blushing and be like more confident brothers and sisters at the house. Or at least I hoped as much.
"I am glad you enjoyed the poem, Odette," I said. I tried to think of something smart to say but all I could manage was, "how long have yo known Siegfried?"
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 11, 2008 1:42:47 GMT -5
Lady Weiss nodded solemnly, and the consultation was over. I stood, and opened the door for her, smiling reassuringly. “I will see you next month, then,” I said with a smile. “As for the honorarium, we can settle them next time,” I added in a quiet whisper. It had suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t given Caine that particular information. No matter, I decided. Lady Weiss was regular enough to be trust worthy.
I was seeing her out the door when a familiar face in the sitting room caught my eye, and I winked at Odette, telling her silently to wait for the patient to be gone. Monsieur de la Gauchetiere was sitting by, grumbling things to himself, visibly grumpy this day. He had a bad case of gout, and I wagered he hadn’t listened to my counsel, yet again.
“I won’t be long, M’Lord,” I told him in a courteous, but firm tone – I knew him, he had nowhere else to go anyway. I smiled at Caine, and moved to Odette, giving her a warm embrace. “Odette, cutie-pie, it’s been a while, what a pleasure!” I exclaimed warmly. I looked at her, taking some distance, and said, “Well you look quite well, I’m glad.” My brow furrowed, and I added, “Is everything alright at home?”
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 12, 2008 8:37:20 GMT -5
An answer to his inquiry was close at hand though the appearance of Siegfried halted my reply. I widely smiled then stood once his patient grumbled his way out of this room to be in the privacy of the other room. My arms wrapped about him to return the friendly embrace happily.
I let him have a study of me before softly chuckling at him. “Yes…yes. Nothing is amiss these days, all is well thank you. I thought that I would pay a visit since there was time in the day for me to do so. I’ve been rather fortunate to have the company your aide, Caine no’ Cereus while I waited to see you.”
My eyes passed from Siegfried to Caine easily. “He was flattering me with the sweetness of poetry. I fear that it has left me weak in the knees, how shall I proceed to cure the problem?”
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 13, 2008 16:13:29 GMT -5
I patiently listened as Odette replied, and amusedly noted that Caine’s desire to meet someone seemed to have been heard by some higher power this day. I chuckled, looked at her, looked at him, grinned, tried not to laugh.
“My dear friend, I suggest you have a seat and wait for me to be done with my awaiting patient. Once I am done with him, I will see if your condition has worsened or bettered itself, and act accordingly,” I replied as seriously as I could.
“Caine,” I asked, “do you think Donatien would accept that you stay a bit longer to see to Odette? I will see her after this patient, he is the last one today.” I wouldn’t expect either to do in my clinic something illegal – both were people I trusted. Still, it mattered to me that Caine’s Dowayne not take umbrage of this.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 14, 2008 0:23:16 GMT -5
I was surprised, though pleasantly so when Odette said that I had made her weak in the knees. It seemed that my difficulty at reading had not shown through, or she had possibly found it cute. I was not sure, but she did not speak ill of it and that kept me happy enough.
Trying to look more confident than I felt I said, "The dowayne did ask that I meet people and be social. So I am doing what was asked. I also have no other assignments today that require me to return to the house before curfew."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 14, 2008 22:58:39 GMT -5
“That’s good,” I replied with a smile. “I trust you to see to it that my esteemed patients are well looked after.” It occurred to me that the place seemed more at peace for Caine’s presence… maybe it was time I look for someone else than Joelle for this position.
“I won’t be long, but I need to return to my patient,” I told Odette. “It’s lovely to see you once more, and hale, at that,” I added with a smile that was just a bit warmer than I would normally give a patient. I liked this girl.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 14, 2008 23:47:25 GMT -5
I gave the good doctor a playful dismissive wave to send him on his way. “Always an excuse to free me from your charms, such manners.” I teased him with a single wave of an index finger then. “I will be well at ease with my newly made friend. Please take as long as you will.”
Lightly I squeezed Siegfried’s arm before setting my attention back onto Caine, my lovely poet. “So…mayhap you could further woe me with another poem?” I found my way back to the chair that I had abandoned to embrace Siegfried.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 15, 2008 0:33:08 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but chuckle at Odette for her familiar ways, though I preferred to see her this way rather than ill and nigh passing into Terre d’Ange-that-lies-beyond, if it even existed. “I know you will,” I said with an amused grin as I turned to go back to my office. “Thanks again, caine. Don’t let her wrap you around her little finger too tightly,” I added with a whimsical grin.
With that, I returned in to my office, closing the door on them and what ever it was they would be indulging in my absence. In my waiting room, there was little opportunity for mischief, so I felt at ease with the situation. “Well, M’Lord,” I said once privacy was found. “How do you fare, this month?” From the frown on his face, I knew the answer would be displeasing to hear.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 17, 2008 14:42:03 GMT -5
I smiled at Siegfried's warning but I wasn't sure how she would be able to wrap me around her finger.
Once he left I picked up the book again and started looking for another poem to read to Odette. I found a simple one about spring, simple but still pretty.
Look at the boughs, How white they are, It’s snowing flowers!
Scoffing at the rain, The sun dries The weepy willow.
And the sky reflects In the violets Its pure colors…
The fly opens its wings And the dragonfly With the golden pupils, And the wasp-like corset, Unfolding its silky wings, Has resumed its flight.
The water happily babbles, The tiny fish wriggles It’s Springtime again!
"This one is by Théophile Gautier," I told her, in case she wanted to know who the poet was. I realized I had forgotten to give her the author of the previous poem but I decided to wait and see if she wanted to know.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 18, 2008 23:05:09 GMT -5
I leaned forward in the chair to prop an elbow on my thigh with my hand cradling my chin as I listened to his poetic expressions. A woman could become very accustomed to such muses, I smiled throughout his recital.
As before, my smile remained as the poem came to a completion. “A beautifully written poem though it is made extremely so by your telling.” My smile turned a bit mischievous as I said, “I wonder about the other talents you possess.”
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 19, 2008 19:45:41 GMT -5
I was glad once more to hear Odette compliment my reading. I blushed a bit more openly as well when she mentioned other talents. I wondered if she meant me as an adept. I wasn't sure if it would be too forward to ask or not, but at the last minute I decided not to ask too directly. "W-What do you mean?" I asked hoping I did not stammer to much.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 20, 2008 10:53:47 GMT -5
….. and it started. The long, painful description of his farts, punctuated by live examples that filled the room with nauseating smells ; the detailed depiction of the pain in his big toe, the moody explanation of his diet, mainly meats, fat and massive quantities of ale and mead. I had told him countless times to be careful, and he’d ignored me. He annoyed me enough to make me want to pinch his big toe in punishment. Instead, I stood and opened the window, letting blessed air flood the room, and rid me of his malacrid essence.
Not bothering to make him move (the man could barely walk), I went to the examination room and prepared an injection of willow bark extract, which I would put directly in his knee, in the hopes of reducing the tension. He’d not listened to me, and I almost felt like threatening to stop the injections until he pursued a change of lifestyle.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 20, 2008 16:29:16 GMT -5
I maintained my relaxed posture, smiling through an answer to his inquiry. “I mean that beyond the graces of being an excellent read of poetry that you have more to offer than that. I’m interested…in you, is what I truly mean.” I was sincere about my pursuit of knowledge that pertained to him. Why not? He was pleasant company and I had the mind to sit here all day to soak in his lovely demeanor. I hoped that in doing so, I’d naught cause him any mental anguish.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 20, 2008 23:51:07 GMT -5
She was interested in me, I tried to think of what was interesting about me. In truth I spent so much time watching everyone else, trying to see what was proper I spent little time thinking about me. "Well," I said thinking of what made me a good adept, "I am an adept, which some people find interesting. I have made my debut and have had a couple of assignations." Thinking a moment more I added, "I have learned a lot at my house and I have been told I was a gentle soul." I did not know if I was true, but it seemed like a good thing so I hoped it was.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 21, 2008 13:20:56 GMT -5
I had no intimate, personal knowledge of what happened during assignations though I could imagine a thing or two occurring. It would be rudely, I decided, to impose exact questions upon him about his work so gently I nodded in the workings of thought.
“Do you like having the time away from your house to lend a hand here? It doesn’t complicate your time any with your other duties?” I had more inquires to make though I held to those two as to not overwhelm him with a dozen questions posed all at one time.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Feb 26, 2008 19:34:05 GMT -5
I thought for a moment but nodded my head no, "it is actually nice to take a break. For a younger adept, such as I, the tasks are less interesting than the older or more established adepts. A lot of cleaning mainly." I then smiled sheepishly and added, "unlike the other adepts I have a special duty to go out and interact with people. While I am not sent out as often as I was when I was younger, I still have to keep my people skills at an acceptable level."
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 27, 2008 17:44:59 GMT -5
“You are well appointed then, at least as far as I’m concerned. Your ability to hold a conversation is an equal measure to your reading of poetry. An outstanding skill you possess, along with a pleasing appearance.” I chuckled softly, lifting myself upright in position as I continued to rest in the chair.
“How are you getting along with the very personable Siegfried?” I inquired kindly.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Feb 29, 2008 16:56:08 GMT -5
The needle was filled with light-colored willow bark extract, and I came back, hands clean, the syringe impeccable in my hand, wrapped in clean white linen.
“I will need access to your knee,” I said quietly, though I’d been through the story so many times it was sad. Gods, but he smelled terrible this man! I made a noted to prescribe chamomile to ease his digestion as he stood painstakingly to undo his breeches.
Habit bade me wait and not try to help – if I got any close to him, he would refuse to be helped, fearful of contact with me. I’d always suspected it was pain that made him come back, but that as a Skaldi, he really and truly despised me. No big surprise, in truth.
He was ready, and so I proceeded to inject the mixture slowly, watching without surprise his face at it tensed for the needle, and relaxed as the liquid penetrated his tissues.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Mar 7, 2008 0:01:44 GMT -5
I blushed at Odette's compliments once again and in a slightly quieter voice said, "thank you, you are pretty too." She asked about Siegfried and it was a subject that did not make me feel shy.
"We get along well," I told her, "Siegfried is a good man.'
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 12, 2008 19:43:07 GMT -5
“I thank you for the compliment.” His bashfulness was relieved with the change of subject, I chuckled softly to myself. He was truly sweet. I liked him.
“That he is, of that we can agree upon.” I said through a smile. I funneled the subject back to him.
“What is the length of your stay here, then? You spoke of only one day?” Curiosity seeped into my voice.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Mar 15, 2008 9:20:10 GMT -5
The needle was emptied into his vein, and he seemed now to adore me as a new-found son. I shook my head at him inwardly – one of these days, I would have to refuse it, and to force him to change his ways instead…. But even the most unlikable patients deserve to be freed of pain.
The needle was withdrawn from him slowly, carefully, and I told him that he could pull his breeches up before I headed back to the preparation room.
There, I dipped the syringe into a flask of ethyl, then carefully separated its components and let them fall into a beaker of water which I put to boil on a small stove I kept. It would simmer, and make sure the item was of safe use for the next patient.
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Caine nó Cereus
Adept
Cereus House
to be both fragile and strong
Posts: 380
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Post by Caine nó Cereus on Apr 5, 2008 23:04:42 GMT -5
I nodded in agreement with her confirmation of Siegfried and then she switched subjects away from him. It was, at least, an easy question to answer.
"I am here only for the day," I told her. "I am an adept by trade and from Cereus, so it's not a job related to my station. I just happened to see Siegfried out and our conversation lead to me working here."
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Apr 12, 2008 10:10:22 GMT -5
“Ah…I see.” Mirthfully I replied, unable to shake the growing smile upon my lips as I stood and gradually approached the desk. It was not my want to make him feel uncomfortable in lingering only an arm’s length away so I glanced down at the book of poetry before parting from the desk to wander about the room.
“Are you to promptly return back to your House once your responsibilities are completed for the clinic today?” I peered briefly over one shoulder to take in his gentle measure before I absently studied the items about the room.
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