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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 24, 2008 23:49:23 GMT -5
I nodded, appreciating her memory. I pointed along that same strand, up by the northern sea, and asked, “What of here?” They were a new nation, and one I had an interest in – and I was curious to know how up to date Gentian was.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 25, 2008 0:11:57 GMT -5
“I don’t know that one yet,” I said, shaking my head slightly. “what is it?”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 25, 2008 0:37:46 GMT -5
“They have been referred to as the Flatlands,” I replied with a smile. “Reports have been coming of it being an emerging culture, relatively peaceful. They seem to have taken little to no issue with the D’Angelines on the matter of the Skaldic war, and are a safe passage into Skaldia.”
I strode over to the library, and picked out a treaty. “Here,” I said as I handed it to her. “I think you will find this interesting.” It was a treaty on the matter of this new society, and had been sent to me by Emilio. He knew I had an interest in such things, of course – and being a neighboring country to my posting, it was my business to monitor them. He hadn’t yet determined whether an embassy should be dispatched there, or not. On this, he wanted my input.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 25, 2008 11:24:12 GMT -5
I took the treaty and then gently set it down with the other scrolls as I stood and went to the map.
“I thought the Flatlands were more a collection of separate tribes,” I said. “Except for here” I pointed to a spot east of where he’d indicated “where Ruskovia has emerged. The place the Queen’s consort is from.”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 25, 2008 12:27:14 GMT -5
“Yes, Ruskovia,” I repeated with a smile. “Not the place I know best, seeing as the Doge never saw fit to send me there. But they are indeed more than emerging, and I would expect the Serenissiman will soon take an interest in them.” I pressed a finger on the map, naming the places. The Flatlands, Skaldia, Ruskovia.
“The Flatlanders were much like the Skaldi until recently – how they came to get somewhat organized is still a mystery to me. I know that contrary to Ruskovia, where one strong individual was a factor for unity, this one area is still informally united – yet, they are a nation, even if they do not have a ruler yet… They are not savages anymore.” I lifted an eyebrow. “Does this make any sense to you?”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 25, 2008 15:44:20 GMT -5
“Yes, it does,” I said with a nod.
My finger traveled down to the City of Elua then all the way to Caerdicca Unitas. “Do you miss home?” I asked him.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 25, 2008 16:08:25 GMT -5
Did I miss home? I did, occasionally. I missed carousing with the Dandi and the Puccini, that was certain. The Immortali were a lively bunch, and we had a grand time as teens. But that was another time, and all were now wed, and ensconced in the seriousness of life.
“Home is home,” I replied with a smile. “I miss my mother at times.” That Cascata had come along eased the feeling. She was close, very close. My little compass of a sister.
“What did they teach you of Caerdicca?” I asked curiously.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 25, 2008 16:14:15 GMT -5
“Lots. History, politics, social rankings, ties to Terre d’Ange and other countries. Your home seems to be of vast importance for us to learn.”
My finger trailed back to Terre d’Ange and to Eisande, where somewhere supposedly my first home had been. Curling my fingers, my hand dropped to my side and I looked elsewhere on the map.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 25, 2008 20:59:51 GMT -5
I silently followed her finger back to Marsilikos’ province, to Lessa’s home, and it reminded me to write to her, to try to see her. It had been a while, and I craved her understanding eyes. She was patient, something I respected deeply. Riva’s movement, though, was somewhat odd – but I didn’t dwell on it, deciding that if she desired to tell me of it, she would. I had no judgment to place in the meantime.
“Good,” I replied to her statement. “If you know more than less about my country, then you understand that our ties are deep. They run as deep as the marriage of Benedicte de la Courcel into the Stregazza, deep as the wedding of my own parents. We are not one, but this is an alliance we wish to maintain healthy and strong.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 25, 2008 21:20:30 GMT -5
“Yes, I can understand that,” I said, nodding and turning away from the map. I returned to my chair, cradling the scrolls in my lap again as I sat.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 25, 2008 23:19:36 GMT -5
I lifted an eyebrow as she left, and resumed my own seat. She was still holding the scrolls, and I said, pointing at them, “that will be for later. For now, I’d like to perform an exercise. Come,” I said, holding out my hand.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 26, 2008 11:31:35 GMT -5
Setting the scrolls aside, I stood again, reaching out and taking his hand. “What exercise?” I asked curiously.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 26, 2008 13:36:33 GMT -5
I smiled mischievously, and proceeded to lead her out of the room. “I think it’s time to see some sky,” I said mysteriously. “But I suggest you take a good look at the room, first.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 26, 2008 16:49:07 GMT -5
I glanced back at the room, wondering what he could be planning, then back at him.
“Alright,” I said, smiling a bit.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 26, 2008 17:12:12 GMT -5
My grin still wide, for I was highly amused at the game, even though it was good training, I led her out of the study.
The hall way broached, I said, “If you want to, Daisy can join us. We’re going to the garden.”
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 26, 2008 17:14:58 GMT -5
“She’s already out there,” I said with a smile. “She didn’t want to come in when I did. I think she’s napping under the bushes.”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 26, 2008 21:43:04 GMT -5
“Alright,” I replied with a smile. “Then let’s go down without further wait.”
I knew I was jumping subjects. Partially, it was intentional - I wanted her to be able to jump, from one thing to another, as effortlessly as the gazelle does in the savannah.
As well, it was an introduction – a way to feel each other up on these various matters.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 26, 2008 21:45:20 GMT -5
“Alright,” I agreed with a smile, still wondering what it was he was planning.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 26, 2008 22:04:07 GMT -5
The trip to the garden didn’t take long, just a few steps down the stairs, and through the back door.
Once we were out, I took a whiff of the fresh air, pushing away memories of stolen kisses in sumptuous gardens, and turned to Riva.
“Tell me, do you remember the table in my study?” I asked quietly.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 27, 2008 14:37:54 GMT -5
“Yes,” I said, the image of the table instantly rising in my mind.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 28, 2008 0:46:53 GMT -5
“I should like for you to name me the objects you saw on it,” I asked gently, smiling still.
The sky was blue over our heads and it made me feel better – as though the realness of life also had to do with the stability of the universe. Mirielle had gone from my life, and the sky was still blue. It was a strangely reassuring sacrilege.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 28, 2008 15:34:51 GMT -5
“A bust and some statues,” I answered. “None of them d’Angeline. The bust was of a different make than the statues.”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 28, 2008 16:26:05 GMT -5
“Alright,” I replied, nodding. “Describe them to me, if you please.”
Inwardly, I was impressed at her memory skills already – unwarned, she was doing well. Prepared, she would be excellent.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 28, 2008 16:30:56 GMT -5
“The bust was made of white stone, and was of a male. Middle-aged and distinguished looking, perhaps a scholar or from a ruling class. The statues were made of wood, I believe, though of a type I’m not familiar with. They seemed more rustic, perhaps tribal. There were animals and two people.” I looked up at him to see if I’d recalled correctly.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 28, 2008 16:44:59 GMT -5
“Impressive,” I said with a nod. “The people, were they male or female?” Inwardly, I wondered if it was my memory of the table (remembering it was easy, seeing as I’d set it), or her own memory she’d tapped into.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 28, 2008 17:09:13 GMT -5
“Male, hunters, for they each carried a weapon, like a spear,” I answered. “Where are they from?”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 28, 2008 19:21:47 GMT -5
“A male and a female, in fact,” I corrected, “but only intimate knowledge of their culture along with a precise examination would have given you this information seeing as this is not quite reflected in tell-tale ways on the sculptures. I will show you, when we return. Jebean women fight as well, alongside their men, as the Cruithne and the Eiran do.”
The exercise was conclusive – Riva had excellent visual memory skills, and she hadn’t used my mind, but her own. “This is a useful skill for which you have natural talent,” I told her. “Come, let us walk some,” I said as I started to lead her to a leisurely stroll in the garden.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 29, 2008 11:16:00 GMT -5
I fell into step beside Gil. I had done well, and I was proud. Though recalling inanimate surroundings was easy, it was dealing with people that I struggled with.
There was a rustling of leaves and Daisy pounced onto the path in front of us. She meowed a greeting then turned as if to lead us as we walked.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Mar 29, 2008 11:21:57 GMT -5
For a moment, I let the walk be silent, though I spared Daisy an amused smile. It was good, to have Riva and her cat in the house. It had been lively with Cascata there, true enough, but the young adept and her pet brought to the home a measure of purity that was soothing.
After a good measure of silence was absorbed, I asked softly a question that needed to be addressed. “Riva, there’s something we haven’t discussed over much last night, that I think we need to talk about. What happened, during the Fete?”
I didn’t think I needed to be more detailed in my questioning. She likely would guess I meant the moment where she had swooned – it was worrisome, and we needed to discuss it. If I could help her, I would.
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Post by Riva Carle (R) on Mar 29, 2008 11:32:10 GMT -5
The happy warmth that had been surrounding me faded at his question and I wrapped my arms around myself.
“it was all those people, all those thoughts and emotions t once when I wasn’t ready. It was too much, too many things in my head that weren’t mine.”
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