Post by Catherine nó Gentian on May 5, 2008 18:37:14 GMT -5
I do not remember how old I was when I was brought to Cereus House for fostering. In fact, I barely remember anything of my time there, except for that night, the one night that changed everything...
I remember that night as clearly as if it had come to pass the night before. It was a hot night, and although all the windows were open, it did nothing to alleviate the sheen of sweat that covered my bedsheets. I remember tossing and turning, struggling to find a position that would accomdate me, and, failing miserably, I decided to quit my bed--anything was better than those itchy sheets!
I remember padding across the room in my stockings, treading quietly across the floor in an awkward bid to keep silent--I had not yet mastered the grace and refinement that all of Naamah's Servants learn. That was when I noticed the soft light coming from the niche where the statue of Naamah was. Had someone left a candle burning?
I crept closer. "Is someone there?" I asked, the whisper sounding unusually loud in the quiet room. Had I just disturbed someone at prayers? No, the space was empty, and, curiously, there was no sign of a candle--burning or otherwise.
"Well," I said to myself, "If I cannot sleep, perhaps Naamah will help me if I ask it of her." And so, there I knelt, praying with a child's fervor that Naamah, Elua, anyone, would grant me a good night's rest. It seems silly, even superficial, now that I look back on it, but, to my child-mind, it seemed like the most urgent thing in the world. I soon found myself requesting other things, above all, I pleaded with the Lady not to remain at Cereus House, but to be fostered elsewhere. Cereus House--the first of the Houses of the Night Court--was dull to my child's mind, and not--at least as I saw it--where I belonged. Perhaps it was a selfish wish, but, it seems the gods and I were in accord after all.
I was first aware of a voice whispering my name. Catherine... It was soft, like a warm summer breeze, and then, I was blinded by a bright light--I think I may have cried out, I am not certain--and a voice said to me: Catherine, my daughter, do not begrudge Cereus House, but seek out the House of your motherline, and use this gift I give you to help others.
I could barely make out the figure before me, obscured by great wings, but the voice! Oh, how can I describe the voice? It is unlike any other voice I have ever heard, or, I suspect, ever will hear. I could not speak, only nod mutely, and it seemed that I felt, more than saw, the Lady smile.
I remember falling to the floor, if only vaguely--as if I was trapped in a state between dreaming and waking. I do not remember if I said much during that time, in all likelihood, it came out as half-understood gibberish and delirious mumblings. I remember hearing my name being called several times, but it was a while before I awoke and was able to tell the Dowayne what had transpired. A meeting with the Dowayne of Gentian House was arranged. Thus was I taken from Cereus and delivered into the care of Gentian House-where I have remained ever since.
I remember that night as clearly as if it had come to pass the night before. It was a hot night, and although all the windows were open, it did nothing to alleviate the sheen of sweat that covered my bedsheets. I remember tossing and turning, struggling to find a position that would accomdate me, and, failing miserably, I decided to quit my bed--anything was better than those itchy sheets!
I remember padding across the room in my stockings, treading quietly across the floor in an awkward bid to keep silent--I had not yet mastered the grace and refinement that all of Naamah's Servants learn. That was when I noticed the soft light coming from the niche where the statue of Naamah was. Had someone left a candle burning?
I crept closer. "Is someone there?" I asked, the whisper sounding unusually loud in the quiet room. Had I just disturbed someone at prayers? No, the space was empty, and, curiously, there was no sign of a candle--burning or otherwise.
"Well," I said to myself, "If I cannot sleep, perhaps Naamah will help me if I ask it of her." And so, there I knelt, praying with a child's fervor that Naamah, Elua, anyone, would grant me a good night's rest. It seems silly, even superficial, now that I look back on it, but, to my child-mind, it seemed like the most urgent thing in the world. I soon found myself requesting other things, above all, I pleaded with the Lady not to remain at Cereus House, but to be fostered elsewhere. Cereus House--the first of the Houses of the Night Court--was dull to my child's mind, and not--at least as I saw it--where I belonged. Perhaps it was a selfish wish, but, it seems the gods and I were in accord after all.
I was first aware of a voice whispering my name. Catherine... It was soft, like a warm summer breeze, and then, I was blinded by a bright light--I think I may have cried out, I am not certain--and a voice said to me: Catherine, my daughter, do not begrudge Cereus House, but seek out the House of your motherline, and use this gift I give you to help others.
I could barely make out the figure before me, obscured by great wings, but the voice! Oh, how can I describe the voice? It is unlike any other voice I have ever heard, or, I suspect, ever will hear. I could not speak, only nod mutely, and it seemed that I felt, more than saw, the Lady smile.
I remember falling to the floor, if only vaguely--as if I was trapped in a state between dreaming and waking. I do not remember if I said much during that time, in all likelihood, it came out as half-understood gibberish and delirious mumblings. I remember hearing my name being called several times, but it was a while before I awoke and was able to tell the Dowayne what had transpired. A meeting with the Dowayne of Gentian House was arranged. Thus was I taken from Cereus and delivered into the care of Gentian House-where I have remained ever since.