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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 3, 2008 15:45:13 GMT -5
It was just a little after I'd met the man Okal at Armands. I'd sent him running back to Valerian, he awaited my pleasure likely in the adepts' wing. I had time to loose - no reason to go there promptly, my pleasure was also to make the young adept fidget in expectation. It was all worth it - I'd teach him a whole new world of sensation... soon enough. But for now, lunch it was, and mayhap gleaning some more information. My last visit hadn't been so very fruitful, with that cryptic Cassiline's empty comments.
I'd offered Pieter Kolcei, a while back, to sell him whatever information came about. I needed some money, and so I went again, this time intent on finding Odette, and on getting some information that may be of value. Besides, I needed to make sure I was still off the horizon.
I leaned on the bar, and grinned wolfishly at the barkeep, "Send the prettiest wench you have my way, when you have a moment, won't you? And give her a serving of my bourbon special to bring along. I'll be sitting there," I said, pointing at a dark corner where I would almost be unseen.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 4, 2008 9:24:44 GMT -5
I was clearing a table of empty mugs when I saw him enter. He always strolled with a certain pride about him, mayhap it was arrogance but I could naught help in take note of such from afar. When the barkeep nodded and gazed in my direction, I knew that I was being requested. Betimes I wished that that my appearance lacked fairness about it just so that I may have a moment’s peace.
To be honest, those times were rare for my vanity was well imparted in me and being a grinning two-tooth bar matron, like my fellow bar matron who I now peered over at, didn’t exactly appeal to me. By the time I glanced back at the bar, he had moved along and the barkeep motioned for my attendance. As I approached the bar, I smiled brightly to the barkeep and inquired about the silent summons. “What would you have of me today?”
“Take this bourbon to the patron seated in the far corner. Be gone with you.” The drink was made steady upon my tray before I lifted it off the bar to carry it to a darkened corner of the tavern where my patron awaited service.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 6, 2008 16:34:48 GMT -5
From my dark corner, I watched them. The barkeep, the wench, the silent exchange, the drink served, and brought my way.
She wasn’t the pretties woman I’d ever seen. If that was the best the Poulet Gauche could do, it was time they look up Naamah’s servants on Night’s doorsteps. Even those girls who were not pretty enough for the night court would have done.
Bah. She wasn’t so bad. Besides, I liked Odette. Well. That’s an overstatement, if ever there was any. But I appreciated her wry smile, and from time to time, she proved useful. She had the right to live, which was more than I could say for my betrothed’s cousin.
Thoughts of Aramis Shahrizai plagued my mind, and I found myself loosing touch as I imagined myself skinning him alive, painstakingly slowly, starting with the tips of every extremity. I had a belief the Kusheline brat would beg like a girl for mercy after I’d started with the tip of his index, within the very first seconds of the splice. I smiled dangerously, my eyes gazing. Perhaps I’d take it out on Okal.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 7, 2008 19:03:08 GMT -5
“A ducat for your thoughts, my lord? The idea of having to beg for what I seek leaves me longing to abandon the path to pry an answer from you.” I smiled meekly at having interrupted whatever reverie was playing about in his mind. "
"Mayhap, I could do without an answer…this time." Without a hint of hesitation, I deposited the drink before him and settled into the chair across from him, pulling my tray into my lap for safe keeping as I had numerous times before when he visited me.
"Have you the need of my company for reasons other than business? If so, you have ventured out for naught I’m afraid, my lord.” I wryly smiled before folding my right arm upon the surface of the table.
There was somewhat about him that always made me keep a polite distance between us, I never let my arm stray far from my section of the table for fear that he might devour it out necessity.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 8, 2008 15:57:00 GMT -5
I absently acknowledged her, pulling myself out of my reverie slowly. It was her – she knew me. There was no surprise to be had for my lack of manners.
“I don’t need a bar wench to entertain my pleasures, as pretty as she may be,” I replied, my voice a strange mix of succor and dryness. “Though mayhap one day I will show you my skill,” I added, deliberately taking a playful tone.
Would she do for a model, not one of those commissioned works, but one of my darker impulses? Definitely. I could imagine her, twisted in agony, begging for salvation and release, her flesh baring the marks of my unending travails of creativity.
But Odette was more valuable to me unscathed, and so I added, “Or maybe not. I’m here on business, as usual,” I replied calmly. I toyed with a ducat, the mere prophecy of a salary well earned. “Do tell, what stories go about the city, these days?”
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 8, 2008 21:04:25 GMT -5
Betimes he could be so abrasive with his comments. Well actually, he was always abrasive but I had managed to deal with his ill manners for the sake of coin. Lucky him. I pushed aside my thoughts to offer what I may of anything that had befallen my ear since his last visit. Unfortunately, it was nothing note worthy.
“Aside from the occasional drunkard boasting about bedding a dozen women at one time, I have nothing to inform you of this day, my lord. All is reasonably calm with only minor complaints about the food and drink served in this tavern.” I smiled gracefully in the near darkness of the corner we shared for the benefit of privacy.
If he was displeased with the lack of information I had presently, he would survive his mood and return once again to be in the company of a bar wench that needn’t entertain his pleasures, thank Elua, only entertain his desire for knowledge…which I understood.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 9, 2008 12:51:24 GMT -5
“Is that all?” I replied, thinking after a while. “There has been no word on the doings of the Tsingani? What are the people saying of the Royals’ business?”
I hadn’t been to court since the Coronation – and I knew enough that the lower peers did come to the Poulet Gauche. If anything had transpired from the wedding of Elliott L’Envers, I wanted to know.
I eyed her a moment. I was truly wondering what in the world she was thinking. I toyed with the coin, some more, pondering, then placed it on the table, and took a sip.
“No interesting visitors at the Poulet Gauche either, then?” I asked again. Sometimes, what one believe unworthy of note may be yet valuable to another. Asking questions, perhaps, would wake her memory.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 11, 2008 19:40:27 GMT -5
I wondered if he had any inkling of how badly I wanted him to be free of my company, enough so that I would make simple work of informing him of nothing just to see him gone. If it were not for the matter of coin…I sighed rather deeply, my attempt had not driven him away. It only made him press more into what I knew or lacked.
“My lord...” I said at length. “I’ve naught seen it with my own eyes but there has been a noble or two lingering about this putrid place from time to time. What they have spoken of, I do not know as their tongues are usually held in the presence of simple folk like me. I will lay a closer ear and cast a watchful eye when next they show. I’m certain that irks you but with your charming personality, you will arise above such a hardship!” I smiled no matter if he found no amusement in it.
“In all seriousness, I spoke to an interesting fellow some days ago when I was browsing for a book at a shop. He can speak several languages, a scholarly man, by the name of Tabien de Valclesa. Do you know of him?”
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 11, 2008 22:19:58 GMT -5
I gave her a wry smile. Ah. If she weren’t so useful to me, really, I would… I shoved away the thought.
Almost absently, I replied to her jab. “Odette, you don’t want to see me irked.” Suddenly, I was very aware of the blades hidden under my sleeves, and of all they could do. “But for your pretty eyes, my charming self will come forward, it’s a promise,” I added, sending her a dazzling smile. For a moment, I reflected on the news.
“Well, well. Tabien is still in town,” I replied pensively. I tapped my lips pensively a moment. That man had been… interesting. I had no doubt he was, one way or another, related to my Sirena – yet, he had an evident dislike for his kin… if they were his kin.
Sometimes, I envied the Shahrizai, and their ability to read into a man’s soul. I would have given much to see what was there. “I’ve encountered the fellow before,” I replied after a while. “Not a bad bloke, if you ask me. What’s he been up to, then?”
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 12, 2008 10:42:36 GMT -5
I had heard once that some manner of beasts consume their young for one reason or another. When he flashed me that smile, I could conceive him doing just that to his offspring one day. I visibly shivered at the idea though quickly blamed it on the poor design of the tavern. “Drafty.” I simply stated.
“Tabien is busily acquiring the tongue of Aragonian, I suspect. In the mean while, he has a mind to tutor those who seek his aid in expanding their linguistic skills. Mayhap more?” I shrugged my shoulders dismissively then glanced briefly down at the coin he placed upon the table.
I would naught tell him of my plans to become a student of Tabien’s in the near future. It was none of his concern, I kept that detail to myself.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 12, 2008 12:01:49 GMT -5
I made a dismissive gesture, it wasn’t really useful information, but mayhap that suggested I would seek out the scholar once more. A lively debate was well worth the time – and I was in need of someone with whom to discuss the intricacies of the worship of Baal-Jupiter.
“Hmm, hmm,” I uttered, taking in the time to consider. My hand went to my pocket, fiddling with more coin. I didn’t take it out, but she would hear their song loud and clear. There was more to be earned, perhaps.
“And what else?” I asked quietly. “What of the foreigners in the City? Is there aught that circulates? What of the artists?” What of me?
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 14, 2008 20:52:00 GMT -5
The sing-song of coin churning about in his pocket sent a wave of contempt through me. He was doing that a-purpose, to coax more information out of me. I swear if he could choke it out of me, he would just to spare his coin being wasted upon me. I held my breath and thought.
What of the foreigners, indeed! They had more manners than he did and had no need to bribe me with coin that I truly needed. I hated it! I hated him! Slowly, wisely I let my anger seep away as I expelled the breath from my lungs. “There is naught that circulates until I lay a better ear and eye to things, my lord.”
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 14, 2008 22:11:05 GMT -5
Abruptly, the song ended. No information, no coin. That was the way. But suddenly, a thought came to mind, one that I'd half-entertained before but which now bloomed fully in my sick mind.
"What of the Cassiline?" I asked again, my eyes half-gentle. "You know... the one who comes here, once in a while? Lithe and fair-haired? What's his story, who is his ward, do you know?"
I pried my eyes to gentleness. That one had indeed unnerved me - he was about as secretive as a monster.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 16, 2008 18:34:05 GMT -5
I lifted a curious brow at him as the song ended, what perversity did I see blossom behind his eyes? I could not venture a guess but I tilted my head off to one side as he inquired about the Cassiline “An interesting fellow…I’d love a few moments to spend in idle chat with him. I’ve naught the chance to speak with him…yet”
I paused thoughtfully then continued. “Mayhap I could be persuaded to attend his needs at length…” I took a gamble with that, if I heard the sing-song again I stood a good chance at gaining coin for the prospect of gaining him information on the Cassiline.
The dice in this instant were in his hand, it would be up to him to take a chance on me or no.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 16, 2008 19:09:33 GMT -5
She was so appetizing, the way she tilted her head, I could see already her body in full submission, abandoned to the crop. Beautiful. Shame I needed her alive to keep me abreast of the world’s works.
“Mayhap,” I replied, the coin in my pocket held at a deathly standstill. “Mayhap one could be persuaded to pay for information, if it is worth hearing,” I added coolly. What, did she expect me to pay her to have a chat with the Cassiline Brother? Ha! That would be an amusing thought. But I wouldn’t pay unless information came forth.
It was up to her to convince me that her proposition had merit. She needed the coin, didn’t she?
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 16, 2008 20:36:28 GMT -5
My gamble had added up to nothing more than frustration on my part. I pulled my arm from the table to draw it up under the other as I folded both arms under the swell of my breasts. I wanted him to go away!
“Fine.” I replied flatly. “I will strike up a conversation with him when I am able, my lord. Mayhap it would be better for me to seek him outside of this tavern…” It would certainly lower his suspicions of me, I thought. If all was right in the world, the Cassiline would open up to me though I suspected that it would all be for naught. It was frustrating.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 16, 2008 20:41:19 GMT -5
"Then, we have an agreement," I replied with a wolfish grin. "Shall we say, that in a week forth, I will return, to see if you have made my time," I looked at her meaninfully, "and my coin worth their expense, yes?"
Her body language was very amusing, and I was highly tempted to fluster her some more, just for the fun of it. My hand extended, and I squeezed her knee a moment, "Or maybe I will repay you otherwise, if you like..." I added, voice low and half-menacing, half-promising.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 16, 2008 22:25:18 GMT -5
Oh Gods! He had laid his vile hand upon my knee…I felt as though I could retch at any moment. I forced back the bile rising in my throat to offer a lightly strained reply. “Oh…I believe that I would crumble under your stamina, my lord. I’d naught be fit enough to handle your…tastes, I suspect. Take no offense.”
My skin was crawling under the weight of his hand, I shuddered uncontrollably. “In a week’s forth, I will see to your worth in coin. We have an agreement.” I wanted to pull my knee away from him though had I done so, it would add to the sick enjoyment that he was already having…at my expense. So...I just dealt with it.
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 16, 2008 22:49:48 GMT -5
Her reactions were both entertaining and insulting, and I resolved to punish her for the latter. Besides, the more she tried to contain her ire, the more interesting her face became, material, perhaps, for a future sketch. A ditty, if you like.
"My tastes are very varied," I replied with a sensual smile. "For one as delicious as you, I'm willing to be flexible," I added as my hand kneaded her knew, and moved just an inch higher up her thigh. Ah! I was amused beyond words. She'd have to pry my hand off, and that would entertain me to no end.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 17, 2008 9:30:25 GMT -5
Mayhap if I pretended it was Gil’s hand I could make somewhat of the moment though…it would be difficult. His hand climbed further up my leg, I swallowed and closed my eyes to play out a fantasy in my mind. When my body ceased to shudder in disgust over his hand dallying on my thigh, my eyelids fluttered open so that I may behold him.
He was a sore replacement for Gil, who I thought would better treat me, though I endured. In that moment I could hear Gil’s voice echoing in my mind, “And all that we meet makes us stronger.” I cracked a light smile and placed my hand firmly atop his to keep it from sneaking up my thigh any further.
“My lord, how you tease. I could not ask you to bend to any degree for my sake, as certainly you don’t need a bar wench to entertain your pleasures, as pretty as she may be.” I repeated his words, more or less, from the start of our conversation. I grasped his hand harshly then nodded. “I believe that it is time for me to return back to my duties, my lord.”
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Post by Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D) on Jan 17, 2008 12:13:51 GMT -5
The way she controlled her horror of me. She couldn’t stand my touch, and that in itself aroused me, as it always did when indulgence took me. I grinned machiavellicly, unabashedly telling her of the enjoyment I was taking in the situation.
The way she grasped my hand, keeping it from further exploration, made me hiss pleasurably. There was a reason I enjoyed pain in others – I also enjoyed my own, and my evil smile turned just a little pleasure filled. She was taking her leave, and pushing her further, perhaps, would make a scene, for which I had no need.
I’d already caused a scene with Sirena’s cousin, that idiot Aramis, and there was no reason for me to think the Duchesse Shahrizai hadn’t heard of it. I had no desire to incur Anacrasia’s ire, and so I backed up, though as I did I stroked her flesh through the fabric one last time.
“Some honors are better deserved indeed,” I replied dryly. I paid my due, and stood. “In a week, then. Don’t make me wait.”
And with that, I left. I had a Valerian adept to go torture, and Kushiel knew, his screams would be music to my ears.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Jan 18, 2008 8:47:23 GMT -5
The way he took enjoyment in my treatment of his hand…it was disturbing to say the least. And just when I thought I would free of his companionship, he thought it fitting to leave me with a parting gift.
My body tensed slightly under his thoughtful gesture, disgusting, though I held my tongue and only nodded to him when he took his leave.
I would have at least a week’s reprieve from his charms. I would be thankful of the time.
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