A meeting of old friends : Lessa and Gil

[Gillermo Stregazza]

The night of Elliott and Caraf L'Envers' wedding

I was rather pleased to notice when I arrived at home, that my little excursion in the throng of party goers had not made me late enough to arrive after Lessa. Well, she had advised me that she would go home to change before she came to me, true enough.

I did take time to make myself more at ease, slipping off the tie, but keeping Joras' pants and shirt on - they looked lovely, for one - but they were also comfortable.

In the study, I had To-Biko prepare me a pipe to make sure nothing would stir, and I had the prerequisite whiffs. As I waited, I sipped on a glass of wine in my study, and read a treaty on the formation of Ruskovia. It would be highly useful in future encounters.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

The gown I'd changed into was stylish, but significantly less formal than the other, an olive green with cap sleeves that fit my body modestly if flatteringly. Upon arriving and introducing myself I was politely shown to the room in which Gil waited, sedate and again with glazed eyes. "You shouldn't mix wine with that, most likely," I said gently. "It's good to see you again."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“The effect will wear ouf very soon, Lessa,” I explained as I stood to greet her. “Have a seat. Can I offer you anything to drink?” When she sat, I did too, and waited for her to settle. “Well… I think it’s time I tell you the gist of it, Lessa. Please, don’t be worried. I don’t have a consumption problem – and I don’t have a health problem. But this,” I tapped the pipe, “is for your safety.”

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

My look became skeptical completely unbidden and I stopped straightening my skirts around me and looked at him. "I don't understand," I said slowly, folding my hands in my lap and waiting for him to explain.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"I am cursed, Lessa," I said very seriously, looking her in the eye. "I was cursed when you met me, back in Marsilikos, but it had only the slightest hold on me then. Now... now it is powerful. It holds me in its grip is a hungry lion that barely ever slumbers. It has been heightened recently," I added. "Mirielle...." I said her name, and it was a prayer and an admission. "Mirielle woke him, like never before. Mirielle is both my doom, and my salvation," I said under my breath.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

His answer didn't really make anything clearer, but whether that was from the curse itself or the drugs in his blood i couldn't tell. "I'm sorry, I still don't understand," I told him, knowing he was serious but unable to fathom on what matter. "In order to know a story one must hear it from the beginning. When were you cursed- at birth? How can a curse on you affect others? How could it be dangerous? Awakened what? Salvation how?"

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Yes, let me start from the beginning," I said with a nod. "Forgive me, it's just so... well, anyway, it's very frightening, and it seems to take all my wits from me. My father sent me out in the world, and so I was an emissary to many places, including Menekhet, Jebe-Barkal... and Nubia. In Jebe-Barkal, I met To-Biko, and that tale alone is one to be told, but suffice it to say, he and I are now brothers in arms, and he and I share this same fate. It's in Nubia, that our fates were sealed," I said gloomily, remembering the events for the second time since I'd been in the city.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Nubia," I repeated, putting his trip into a mental map. "It's a place rife with superstition, or so I've heard. What caused a curse to be placed on the pair of you, and what does it entail?"

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“It is,” I assented. “And they have a rather cruel emperor, the Bantu. Of all the embassies I was assigned, this was the only one that failed – we had irreconciliable differences, he and I.” I spit out his name like a curse, “Shaka-Shaka, that’s the name of the man. He, and his shaman, Nxumalo, cursed us for interfering in their civil affairs.” I paused, looking at her, eye to eye. “I know, Lessa, I know. It’s against all the rules of trade and diplomacy. But hear me out. There were innocent lives at stake, women, children – they were to be sacrificed to a mad whim of their emperor, and even the populations were rebelling. My party was caught in the cross fire, and we had to choose sides. I chose to help the innocents against their rulers.”

I shrugged, took a sip of wine pensively. “But what he had in store for our interference was far worse, Lessa. He has forbidden us to couple, lest we turn to beasts. It was always manageable, until these past few weeks – it came back, furiously strong, overwhelming, and took over my conscience. It is fritghtening, sweet Lessa.”

I tapped the pipe, and concluded, “Thus, this, for your safety. It’s not been overly menacing outside of the bedchamber, but I’d rather not risk it.”

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"We must all do what we believe is right," I said understandingly. "And the price you pay for it is a heavy one. I know, though, that Elua's code as such is not the code of everyone. You act as one with hope- have you found a cure?"

His words did serve as a warning though, and rather than resting my hand on his cheek in comfort I simply listened and sipped my wine.

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“When I went home, I went to the temple of Asherat. They had no cure, but they prophesized that a cure awaited me in the land of Angels. When the Doge appointed me here, I saw it as fated…” I paused, thinking. “I still do. I have contracted an adept of Gentian, and she is researching a cure, or a ritual, or whatever else they need to do to rid me of it.”

I looked at her, and sighed. Unwittingly, I had steadily been lowering my head, almost in a slump, and so I looked up into her intelligent, comprehending eyes. “Lessa, I’m so tired. I feel as though I were the oldest man alive.”

There was Mirielle, to speak of. She had also, in her innocent way, a part to play in my horrendous curse. What it was, I hadn’t surety of though.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'm sorry," I replied, fear abating at seeing my friend so upset and depressed, so unlike himself. "I never knew you when you didn't have this upon you, but even I can see a marked change from the man I met a year ago. I pray that you will find peace from all of this soon."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"As do I, Lessa, as do I," I replied thoughtfully. "Hopefully the Gentian will have something to offer."

I paused, thinking a moment. "I am thankful that fear does not crowd your eyes. I hate to inspire it, you know."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I understand," I told him. "But it would be worse if no one heeded your warning, wouldn't it? Is it better to be feared, or have people hurt by something that acts through you but you cannot control?"

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"That is so very true," I replied, thinking of Mirielle's offer and how she had been hurt. "It is a terribly scary thing, to be a walking hazard to those I love. It happened, Lessa. I'd rather die than to see it happen again."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'm saddened to see you so," I confessed softly, reaching out to brush a soft hand over his hair. "It isn't right you should worry so much, or be forced to resort to such methods. I wish I could do more than simply wish you the best of luck and offer my ear."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

“It’s already a lot, Lessa,” I replied gently. “That, and not to be judged, and not to be feared – you are offering me great presents, sweet Lessandrie.”

Giovanna came in and discreetly set about tea and a small collate – it was her thing, to bring in tea, no matter what the time. Ah, Giovanna…

“But enough about me, please,” I said after a considering pause. “Tell me of you, and of your going-ons in the City. I can’t spend all night talking of me,” I said with a rueful smile. Oh, there was more, so much more… but I couldn’t just overbear her with all my own going-ons incessantly, now, could I?

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"My goings-on haven't been nearly as interesting," I replied, though a faint blush touched my cheeks. Likely, to him, they wouldn't have been. "And my ear, I think, is not such a great thing. I tend to offer it to everyone who seems in need, which makes it less than unique and rare."

The teapot sat on the table and I ubiquitously poured for us both, though once I'd realized what I'd done I blushed more darkly. "I'm sorry, I must seem rude- it's just habit."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Nonsense," I replied with a warm smile, to all the self-deprecation she threw her own way. I looked at her, all blush and girlishness, and said, "you know, you're so pretty when you do that."

Ah, Lessa. I did wonder at her seeming celibacy. She had it in her to be a perfect, lovely wife. She would be loving, caring... didn't even the Sovereign Duchesses wed? Ah. That brought on the matter of my Illyrian counterpart. As I took a cup of tea and offered it to her, I pondered as to whether or not I should touch on the matter. "I should hope you would be at ease in my home," I told her as I reflected. "We don't fuss much around here, over any domestic matters, or manners." And indeed, we did not - Cascata made sure of that, even if Giovanna and I did make sure to keep a minimum of decorum.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

The flush spread over my cheeks at his compliment as I gave a soft 'thank you' and a nod of understanding, scooting his cup closer to him. "I didn't know that you were so relaxed with your household though," I replied with a smile. "And I could have been seriously offending you. My mind must be wandering today to forget my basic classes in diplomacy."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Bah," I replied with a smile. If there is distinct D'Angeline belonging in me, I am also Caerdicci, and a decendant of Ricciardo. "It seems to run in the family, this laxness on decorum, at least in the private spheres." I looked at her again, smiling wide for her even deeper blush. "And now you know," I added teasingly. "Besides, friends aren't offended by simple familiarity, yes?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Of course," I agreed with a smile, beginning to relax again and fighting off another blush though the original one stayed. "Truly, I'm not offended by many things either- but I've always been taught that many people are, and that I should be wary. I know I shouldn't apply that to a friend, but it's- habit."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"Nothing wrong with being considerate," I told her kindly. "It's a beautiful quality, and the world would be all the better, if others who have not seen your wisdom, took after such example."

I took a sip of tea, and added, "You are one of those people who keep good terms with all, don't you?" I said with a smile. "I can't imagine you having ill relations with anyone, to be honest."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I try," I admitted, thinking of the people who saw me as putting on an act, or being a know it all. "I'm sure it must be very easy to assume that I'm false and simply setting elaborate traps for my own advancement. Many people do."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I arched an eyebrow. "Really?" I asked, curious and concerned at once. If Lessa had ennemies, well... it wasn't my place to interfere with D'Angeline internal politics... but if it were of an international nature, ah! She had the alliance of the Stregazza to account for.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"It's not anything serious," I replied, eyes wide at his expression even as I smiled and shook my head. "People just can't always get along, considering how different everyone can be. That doesn't mean one shouldn't try, just that it's impossible to please everyone."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

"I can't fault you for trying, though," I replied sensibly. "I would assume I have my fair share of critics as well, though I can't resent a difference in personnality."

I took another sip of tea, and said, "Would you terribly mind if I asked you a casual question, Lessa?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Not at all," I replied, sipping my own tea and smiling. "I'll answer any question I can."

[Gillermo Stregazza]

I took another sip, pondering. "At the onset of the ceremony, you left Miri and I to go join another couple... unless I am mistaken, the man was Illyrian, was he not?" I asked lightly, almost nonchalantly.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Yes," I replied honestly and steadily, meeting his gaze with a bit of curiosity but also some of that discipline I'd learned at my mother's knee. "I thought we were speaking of personality, not historic biases."