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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 13, 2007 20:14:11 GMT -5
I had a lot to think about - that, and clearly, not enough information. And so I started the evening at Le Poulet Gauche, and ordered my usual whiskey - they knew me - they had a good one in stock, just for me.
I took a long sip, and looked about the room. Who, tonight, would be my source ?
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 14, 2007 0:17:29 GMT -5
I walked into the Le Poulet Gauche. I was bored at the palace and was almost wishing for a fight, though I would not start one. In the long run it would probably be more trouble than it was worth. I was finally granted some peace from my new charge and I was looking for it. Babysitting was no where near as exciting than the battlefields.
I went to the bar and ignored any looks I got. I ordered a nice bourbon, or at least as nice as this dump offered. It would burn and it was cheep. That was all I needed.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 14, 2007 15:17:38 GMT -5
My eyes were roaming the place for an interesting person to talk with. I wanted gossip – I wanted news, I wanted the pulse of the city. Valentin did well, but not well enough. At least, this time, it wasn’t a wet belly button Shahrizai brat that came in, but rather an intriguing character. A Cassiline? Oh, I had to know, really I did. Artist’s eye told me a great deal of this new figure – the face was androgynous enough to be male or female, indistinctively, and not unpleasant at all. A body toned for fighting. Ah! What a shame if this were a follower of Cassiel – celibacy is regrettable when one is so engaging.
He came by, and ordered a bourbon within audible range. I’m not sure what compelled me to do so, save perhaps boredom and curiosity, but I called to the bartend, “Oh, Odette, give the lad some of my personal reserve. Spare him that awful gutter water you call bourbon.” I winked, and added, cockily, “Save it for the spice trader.” Some of the regulars chuckled in sweet memory of the brat, and that was that.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 15, 2007 20:15:35 GMT -5
I looked toward the voice when he asked the barkeep to give me some better drink. I looked at him, trying to study his purpose. I did not disguise who I was much, so hopefully he did not think I was one he would be taking home with him. I always became a little nervous when a man did hit on me. Some liked boys, but there was always the possibility one saw through me and my true gender. I had yet to have a girl hit on me who said she preferred to be with other women.
I nodded my thanks over to him, but did not move to sit near him. I was not one to seek out the company of strange men. If he really wanted conversation or other pleasantries then he could come and sit near me.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 15, 2007 20:34:27 GMT -5
The thanks I received were cold, not overly engaging. A Cassiline then. Ah, what a shame. I would have liked to play with him, no doubt – but with that came the knowledge that it was a male figure, and one dedicated to protection and service, one disinclined to the pleasures of the flesh, one made to enforce the rules I so blatantly broke.
I had been wondering if it would be a romp in the hay, or a fight. Neither, apparently. I wasn’t bad with my throwing knives, but a Cassiline would do me in even on a bad day. I am no fool.
“You’re welcome,” I said evenly, in response to his silent thanks.
And with that, I resumed my quiet drink, musing on how a Cassiline could be of use to me.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 15, 2007 23:38:08 GMT -5
The man responded to my thanks so I turned briefly and faced him with a small smile. I would not disrespect him, especially since he did show some kindness.
I took a drink of the offered drink. It was much better than what was usually offered. I was still unsure of his intentions so I decided to hold off. But if he proved to not be trying to gain entrance into my pants than I would hold conversation. You never knew what sorts traveled in places like this, a few were actually mildly interesting.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 16, 2007 18:49:12 GMT -5
He smiled – it wasn’t a large smile, it wasn’t overly inviting, but it was minimally curteous. I guess one cannot expect sun and roses from a Cassiline – all the better. I’m not big on sun and roses myself, I thought ironically. Not unless it concerns Sirena, anyway. That woman had the power to turn me into a kitten – how horrifying, come to think of it.
A Cassiline. Well, if he were attached to the Palace, it was definitely interesting. I had no sources in House Courcel – the last guard whose tongue I’d managed to loosen had proven to be highly uninteresting.
Blatantly, I surveyed once again the room, making sure to look as though I sought something, or someone. My eyes again settled on the young Cassiline, and I said, engagingly, but not with my usual edge of charm, “I think you are the most likely to entertain me properly, Brother Cassiline. Will you allow me to join you for some light banter, perhaps? Or does Cassiel command loneliness atop you other vows?”
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 17, 2007 22:11:59 GMT -5
I held back a snicker to Yvan's question of our vows. While they were most important they were not easy for some to understand. Though my inherantce to them was an odd one I still tried to keep them as much as possible. If anything losing my acceptance as a brother would probably have me on the streets or as a bandit.
"You may join me if you like," I said to Yvan somewhat matter-of-factly. I then added letting my voice lighten a touch, "though I do not know how much entertianment I can provide."
In truth I could probably offer much, but I was not one to develge my secrets to anyone. Only one other person knew.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 19, 2007 9:36:30 GMT -5
“That’s rather appreciated,” I replied with a wide smile. I took my own drink, and moved over to his table. “I’m rather honored, for a chance at a chat with a Cassiline brother,” I said calmly. “We have at least one thing in common,” I noted quizzically.
A conversation opener. That’s all it was, in truth. This was a long, long process, to get the Cassiline to speak – but I had patience.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 21, 2007 0:32:25 GMT -5
I took a drink as the man sat at my table. I set down my glass as he sat and then raised a brow as he mentioned us having something in common. "And what would that be?" I asked with some interest.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 21, 2007 1:24:21 GMT -5
"Weapon of choice," I replied with a smile. "Though I rather throw mine, than wield them." Not wanting to sound menacing, I added, lying through my teeth profusely, "though only in self defense, of course. Not everyone has the luxury of the Brotherhood's services..."
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 22, 2007 23:05:12 GMT -5
I was not sure what to make of the man's comment about the Brotherhood, unless he was trying to indicate that we only killed for sport. "As most know," I said matter-of-factly, " the brotherhood uses daggers and sword. I know how to throw mine, but I prefer not to since it means that I no longer have it in my hands." I had considered buying throwing knives, but I had learned my dagger and stayed with it's comfortable weight.
"I like my sowrd the best," I told Yvan. "It is the most useful and to the point weapon."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 25, 2007 0:14:57 GMT -5
My eyebrow lifted in curiosity. His sword? He was a dedicated killer then, and likely preferred the kill to the battle. Well, that was interesting. Interesting and threatening, really. I wondered if I would like that.
“Throwing knives are great but come in more than pairs,” I replied with a casual smile. “I guess I chose them naturally, seeing as they are the instrument of my work and art,” I added, smiling just a little smugly. “Though I couldn’t dream of anything more artistic than the Cassiline’s legendary art of the battlefield.”
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 25, 2007 14:54:52 GMT -5
This man was a strange one, but it only perked my curiosity. "Your art?" I asked, "I do not think I have had the pleasure of seeing what kind of art a throwing knife could create."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 25, 2007 21:55:52 GMT -5
I laughed lightly, toying with my glass. "Not a throwing knife, but a knife nonetheless," I replied with a teasing grin. "I sculpt," I added laconically. "But knife for knife..."
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Nov 28, 2007 1:19:23 GMT -5
I nodded, that made sense. At least it made sense why he'd find knives to be a tool to his art. "What do you sculpt?" I asked, more out of conversation than really caring.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Nov 28, 2007 23:35:33 GMT -5
"People," I replied laconically. In so many ways. I paused, examining him with an artist's eye. "I've never had a Cassiline Brother for a model," I noted absently, as though it were only a thought. I did, however, start to play with the idea in my head. It had merits.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 1, 2007 16:48:13 GMT -5
I almost spat my drink out when he mentioned using a Cassiline as a model. I could imagine a few of my brothers posing for a model, if he kept them in a regeal pose. Even if I was a Cassiline with nothing to hide I don't think I coud see myself doing as much.
Attempting to hide my surprise I finished my drink. I shrugged as if I was not concerned and said "there is nothing unusal about the Cassiline physically, I'm sure anyone could duplicate our clothing."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 1, 2007 17:42:22 GMT -5
"But your cat-like grace as you are about to perform the Terminus?" I replied, smiling wryly, giving him a grin that was amused, but playful. "I don't to in the florid, you see. I... I like to represent the realness of the world."
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 2, 2007 14:54:29 GMT -5
A server walked by and I asked for another drink before continuing my conversation with Yvan. "I see," I said. There were those who looked up to the Cassiline, some even wanted us to put on a show. Though I always declined those offers. If they wanted a show they could visit Eglantine.
Not wanting the conversation to turn into me turning down another show I modified the subject slighty and said, "who is the most interesting person you have sculpted so far?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 2, 2007 19:07:52 GMT -5
"A whore," I replied quietly. "Beautiful and abandoned." I knew this would likely be shocking to him, and I didn't care. If he had no gossip for me, and no interest in being a model, as his abrupt subject change indicated, then maybe a small spat would be entertaining.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 6, 2007 20:04:37 GMT -5
I raised my brows at his statement. It was not often that people used those words, though they were not unheard of. "An abandoned whore," I said repeating his phrase. It seemed a bit of an oxymoron since it would be difficult to be a whore if one was abandoned. "Where did you find such a person?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 6, 2007 20:19:32 GMT -5
"On Night's doorstep, there are quite a few ladies who will offer their services for coin, but are not servants of Naamah," I told him. "Is that so.... surprising?" I asked.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 7, 2007 21:46:36 GMT -5
I nodded a, 'no.' "I was not referring simply to the fact that there are those who sell themselves, but to the ideal that they would be lonely. Though I guess if one was unattractive enough they may be." I shrugged slightly, to each their own. I was not one to judge a person's choice of work. I only felt strongly at those who deserved to see the kiss of my blades. In truth it had been too long since they had seen flesh.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 8, 2007 0:51:38 GMT -5
A misunderstanding. I'd stated abandonment as release or surrender - he thought I meant loneliness. Just like a Cassiline, to exclude matters of the flesh from his mind. I chuckled.
"I don't choose ugly models," I replied practically. "I choose interesting characters, rather," I stated laconically.
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 9, 2007 15:11:00 GMT -5
I finished my second drink, but still did not fill it's effects. Perhaps I was visiting this side of town too often. Of course I could not really return to my post with a fuzzy head. I was good, but not so good as to fight properly in a stupor. Since I did not even have the slightest of effects I ordered a third drink.
Simply voicing my thoughts as they came I said, "I guess one could not sell art if it was unattractive." I realized that I had made an assumption that art was his sole means of income, so I said, "that is what you do right? Sell your art?"
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 9, 2007 20:06:07 GMT -5
"Some of it," I replied laconically. "But it's not about attractiveness necessarily," I explained. "It can be about the expression of a fundamental concept, truth or emotion, rather than just pretty faces and sunny skies."
I repressed a sneer. What? Did this Cassiline think all art was about perfection and grace? I paused a moment, wondering.... I couldn't help but think of it. I'd never had an adept for a subject. Perhaps a Dahlia or a Camellia, then?
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 11, 2007 20:35:35 GMT -5
"Oh," I said, for a moment not having much else to say on the subject. I took a drink and then said, "I will have to admit that I am not much of a collector of art. When one travels as much as I do extras become a burdon."
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Dec 11, 2007 23:23:04 GMT -5
"Travel, do you?" I asked, intrigued. "But do tell, I am beyond curious."
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Post by Zacharie nó Robere(D) on Dec 17, 2007 15:04:49 GMT -5
Yvan's interest seemed strange to me, but probably just because I tend to keep a strong distance between me and others. "I have had many stations since I joined the Brotherhood. Before my current body guard position I was a soldier and I guarded the borders between Camlach and Skaldi."
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