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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 9, 2006 23:42:22 GMT -5
It was half a day's ride from Siovale to the City of Elua, so I rose early to say goodbye to Father before I left. My trunks were packed and loaded onto the back of our carriage, and I carried a small satchel filled with books and my journal. I was in an auburn travelling gown, with ruby jewelry, amd my hair was plaited with green ribbons. It was bitterly cold out, so I wore a heavy blue velvet cloak. I hoped I looked more confident than I felt. I made my way down the corridor to Father's chamber. I knocked softly on the heavy oak door. "Who is it?" he asked. "It is I, Father. Avive." "Come in, precious." I set my satchel down outside the door and pushed the door open. Father was there. I had caught him dressing: He had only one boot on and his doublet was unbuttoned. Even so, he looked magnificent. My wonderful father, how I would miss him when I was gone. "Good morning, Father." "Hello, my pet." "The carriage is ready, Father. I'm leaving soon." "I know, sweet. I was preparing to see you off." He beckoned to me with one arm. "Help me with the buttons here. My clumsy fingers can't seem to do them." I went to him and deftly did up the blue silk buttons. He pulled on his other boot and ran a hand through his hair. "How do I look, my love?" I laughed. "You look wonderful as always, Father." "Nonsense. I'm an old man, Avive, and my only daughter, my precious treasure, is leaving home for the first time. Are you nervous?" I exhaled slowly. "A little," I said. He opened his arms and I went into them. Tears came to my eyes as I inhaled my father's scent of cloves and horse and something undetectable. "Father," I sobbed. "I'll miss you so much." "I will miss you too, my dearest," he said. "You'll make me proud, won't you?" "Yes, Father," I said. "I'll write to you every day." "Oh come now," he scoffed, "you'll be too busy to write every day. Once a week is fine with me." I laughed at that. "I hope Cousin Alain won't think I'm too much trouble." "He won't," said Father. Peering into my face, he kissed my cheeks, my forehead and my nose. "Go on now, you've got a long ride ahead of you." I hugged him tightly. "Goodbye, Father. I love you." "I love you too, my precious Avive." I pulled away from him and walked towards the door. I turned a bit, and waved to him. He waved back. I smiled, and closed the door behind me. Picking up my satchel, I walked down the corridor, down the stairs, through the foyer and out the door, where my carriage awaited me. Stepping inside and settling myself on the cushioned bench, I pulled my copy of the Tanach out of my satchel and began to read. And Adonai spoke to Moishe saying...*** I jerked awake, my head resting on my shoulder, my book open to the same page I had started on in my lap. The rocking motion of the carriage had put me to sleep. Cursing a little at my ineptitude at staying awake, I peered out the window, and gasped at what I saw. The white walls of the City of Elua loomed in the distance. We were nearly there, I thought. My new life is about to begin. As we pulled through the gates, I swallowed, absorbing everything. The shops were full of people, children played in the street, lords and ladies on horseback paraded, adepts walked with their patrons, or with one another. I had never seen an adept before, and they were blindingly beautiful. Looking ahead, I saw Mont Nuit, home of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers. I made a mental note to pay the hill a visit, I was sure it was full of knowledge. The carriage turned a corner onto a street of grand homes, finally stopping in front of the one bearing the Mauvais crest. The footman opened the carriage door, and I stepped out, my heart beating like a drum in my chest. Carrying my satchel, I slowly climbed the stairs of the majestic house.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 10, 2006 21:51:16 GMT -5
I groaned and let my head fall forward onto my desk. The large pile of parchment and scrolls muffled the thud and probably saved me from a bruise, but who could be sure. I felt stifled and trapped by all these duties and obligations… or maybe it was just that I couldn't breathe for all the parchment pressed to my face.
I sat up, plucking a quill from my hair where it had stuck, and made a decision. What I needed was to get some air and go for a ride. I would take Belleza out for a few hours and then come back and tackle the pile. Maybe.
I stood up, grabbed my cloak and almost ran for the door. I was yelling to Bonnie that I was going out as I opened the door. My voice trailed off as I was confronted by one of the odder sights I'd seen in awhile.
There was a girl coming up my front walk carrying a bag and by the look of the carriage behind her she was moving in. What in Elua's balls was going on?
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 10, 2006 21:55:20 GMT -5
I was trembling as I approached the front door. Would Cousin Alain be happy to see me? What if he didn't like me? My turbulent mind was suddenly silenced when the door flew open and a handsome young man with mussed brown hair and emerald eyes stood in the entrance. He didn't look happy at all, in fact, he looked utterly confused.
I put the satchel down on the stair, about three steps down from the front door and curtseyed a little. "Good afternoon," I said. "My name is Avive de Mauvais. Is my cousin, the Duc de Mauvais, at home?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 10, 2006 22:05:31 GMT -5
My title still sounded odd to me when other people said it, but that wasn't really what I was thinking about.
"Avive?" I asked somewhat in shock, she was so grown up. "It's me, Alain."
I knew I sounded far less than the polished Duc welcoming family into his home, but I really didn't care at the best of times and now I was confused.
"What…what are you doing here?" I asked, not accusingly, just utterly at a loss.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 16:06:40 GMT -5
All formalities died on my lips as I searched for an answer to his question. Didn't he know I was supposed to be there? Six months advance Father had given him, and all he could say was What are you doing here?
"W-well," I stammered, "I, I...um..."
Gods, Avive, pull yourself together!
I cleared my throat and tried again. "I'm eighteen now," I said. "Father, my father, that is, thought I should come to the City, to study. And learn court manners. And arts of love. And find a husband." I laughed nervously. "It's an awful lot, I know, but Father thought with your experience, you could guide me through it."
I frowned at him. "Cousin Alain, you didn't...know I was coming?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 18:00:48 GMT -5
I was at a loss, again, I really didn't know any of my family thought highly enough of me to foster their children with me.
"No Avive, I didn't know you were coming. There has so much going on of late that I am lucky to remember where I am going when I walk out the door," I said with a smile.
Stepping back, I made room for her to come inside. "Please, come in, come in. I am glad to have you."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 18:38:06 GMT -5
"Thank you, Cousin."
I picked up my satchel and entered the house. Behind me, I could hear the footmen bringing the trunks up the stairs. I willed silently that Alain not think me too presumptuous, because he clearly had not received Father's letter.
Once inside, I could hardly keep from gasping. Alain's home was so beautiful, and here I was, Backcountry Avive, ready, willing and able to mess it all up. With fumbling fingers I managed to undo my cloak and hang it on a large cloakstand near the door. I stood there awkwardly for a moment, then said, "You look different since last I saw you."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 18:45:16 GMT -5
Stupidly, I looked down at myself as if I could see what it was that she said was different.
"Do I?" I asked with a laugh. "I hope that's a good thing." I looked at her, really taking her in now that the surprise of her arrival was wearing off. "What about you? You have certainly blossomed into a lovely young lady."
I pointed to a spot off to the side where her men could stack her trunks, and then looked back at Avive.
"I have several empty rooms, you can have whichever you like best. Whenever you are ready, let me know and we can make the tour. Once you decide which you like I will have your things brought up," I told her, smiling. "I hope you can forgive my unpreparedness for your arrival, the letter from your father must have gotten lost."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 19:07:51 GMT -5
I blushed a little at his compliment. "Thank you, Cousin." Hesitantly, I looked up the stairs, then began to go up. "I will be down in a few minutes." Almost as an afterthought, I curtseyed to him; he was a Duc, after all.
Once upstairs, I came to a long hallway of rooms. I looked into each one, wondering how on earth I would choose, they were all so lovely. And then I opened the fourth door.
A marvelous chamber looked back at me. The bed was an old four-poster mahogany, with a red velvet cover and creamy silk sheets. The curtains were of heavy crimson and gold brocade. A large window opened over the street, and when I looked down, a windowbox of red roses peeked up at me. There was a wardrobe, a large looking glass, a vanity and a washstand. But best of all, there was a bookcase, filled with books; and a desk and chair with a big candelabra. Oh, yes, I thought, I think I will like it here.
Having made my choice, I quietly made my way back downstairs. "Cousin Alain? I've made my choice." I said. "Fourth door on the right."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 19:14:45 GMT -5
I smiled when she returned and told me her choice. I'd had a feeling that would be the one. That had been Marshall's room and was done up the nicest. It occurred to me suddenly that Avive and Marshall would have gotten on very well, it was too bad he was back in Siovale.
"Wonderful," I said, smiling still. I motioned for one of my men to begin taking her things up. "My housekeeper Bonnie will help you with all your unpacking if you'd like, she is a dear and this place would fall apart without her. And please, there is no need for curtseys or titles, we are family and I am glad you are here. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 19:19:48 GMT -5
My stomach growled. "It's been a long journey," I murmured. "I would like something to eat, please."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 19:31:14 GMT -5
"Come then, I will give you a mini tour on the way to the kitchen." I took her arm and began to lead her towards the back of the house.
"There are still a lot of rooms with no clear purpose, so things may seem a bit empty." I pointed to the room I had left just before her arrival. "That is my office, it's a horrid place full of parchment and scrolls with demands for my attention."
Walking a little further I pointed out another room. "That's the parlor, for greeting people I guess, though it hasn't been used all that much." There was a closed door across the hallway and I told her. "Behind there is the library. It's a bit of a mess, I haven't had time to arrange things properly yet."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 19:35:15 GMT -5
At the mention of the word library, my eyes lit up. "I'll do it," I said. "I love libraries."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 21:17:25 GMT -5
"Really?" I asked. "It would be a great help. You can organize it however you want, and I'll set up a fund for you to stock it with whatever you think it's lacking. I've had crates of scrolls and books sent from the estate, but no time to make sense of them. Are you sure you would enjoy it?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 21:22:13 GMT -5
My head was swimming. Crates of scrolls? Organize however I want? A fund for new books? I could hardly believe it. In an unprecedented burst of affection, I threw my arms around him and gave him a big kiss on his cheek. "Oh, thank you, Cousin! I won't disappoint you, I promise!"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 21:32:40 GMT -5
Laughing, I hugged her back. "I am positive you won't, so positive it never entered my mind you would."
Releasing her, I took her arm again.
"Come, let's get you fed before you get too weak to unroll scrolls."
I led her past the mostly empty rooms and into the kitchen. Bonnie was supervising everything while she worked on a ball of dark colored dough.
"Avive, this is Bonnie, the true head of the household. Bonnie, this is my cousin Avive de Mauvais, she will be staying with us. She's just gotten in and is hungry, do you think we could impose for some lunch?"
With a speed and efficiency that was dazzling, Bonnie had cleaned her hands, had two servants preparing a meal for us and was over to greet Avive before I could take another breath it seemed.
"Welcome, my lady," Bonnie said, curtseying. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you feel at home."
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 21:42:43 GMT -5
"A pleasure to meet you, too, Bonnie," I said. "And there is nothing, I am quite comfortable, although a bit famished. Lunch looks delicious."
I turned to Alain. "Cousin," I said, "There is so much to do, how will I ever get it all done? It's not just the library, you know. There are certain...societal things..." I blushed at the thought of uttering my next request, but out it came. "I look awfully unfashionable, don't I?"
Immediately I turned the color of a tomato. "It's not even that I really care about fashion!" I exclaimed. "But...if I am to take suitors...they will care, won't they?" I blushed again. "Oh dear, I always do this. I think I have to fulfill all my responsibilities at once."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 21:48:55 GMT -5
Showing another one of her talents, Bonnie melted into the background and returned to her duties, leaving Avive and I in a little space of privacy.
"Knowing the nature of court, your league of suitors will care, but as for if you are in fashion or not I can not say. But do not fret, we will have you outfitted in the most up to date and glamorous clothes possible within a fortnight. There are many advantages to living in the cultural center of the nation," I told her, laying a comforting hand on her arm. "The library can be seen to whenever you have time or need to relax, there is no rush. Neither is there a rush for you to do everything at once. We will get you settled in here, then tomorrow I will take you to Mon Nuit and we can begin to fill your wardrobe. How does that sound?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 21:52:27 GMT -5
I nodded. "All right," I said. "Thank you."
I gestured to the lunch table. "Why don't we just enjoy our lunch and get to know one another? If we're going to be living together, we can't be strangers. Besides," I laughed a little, "That meal looks wonderful. I would hate to let it just sit there."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 21:55:21 GMT -5
"You obviously got the practical family blood that avoided me completely," I said with a laugh.
I moved to the table and held out her chair for her. It may come as a surprise to some, but I did have manners.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 21:56:57 GMT -5
I sat down gently. "Thank you." I said. "I always was the practical, serious, bookish one." I laughed again. It felt good to laugh so much. "Not much has changed at all."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 22:04:59 GMT -5
"What I am depends on who you are talking to," I said with a chuckle, taking the seat across from her. "Only a fraction of it's true though.
We were each served a plate filled with spiced beef, a collection of vegetables, and potatoes. Baskets of fresh bread filled the table along with various sauces, cheeses, and condiments.
"I warn you now, Bonnie will do her best to make sure you are not only never hungry, but live in a state of perpetual fullness," I said with a grin.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 22:09:35 GMT -5
Dipping a crust of bread into the beef sauce, i took a bite, relishing the taste. "That's all right," I said, mouth full. I swallowed. "I don't mind not being hungry, as long as I can still fit into those new gowns."
I considered his comment. "What do they say about you, Cousin?" I asked. "Not much reaches my ears in Siovale. And I was never much one for gossip, anyway."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 22:19:44 GMT -5
I swallowed a bite of potatoes and looked across the table at her.
"That I am reckless, rebellious cad who cares about nothing but woman and liquor is the usual line of description that comes up when I am talked about. Al least that is how it used to be," I told her honestly.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 22:21:44 GMT -5
My eyes widened, but I managed to keep a straight face. "You don't strike me as someone who cares what others think of you," I commented.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 22:29:05 GMT -5
"I don't" I said, then took a bite of beef.
"I learned long ago that trying to please others by changing yourself is like trying to empty an ocean with wine skin, impossible and frustrating," I told her after I'd swallowed.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 11, 2006 22:37:39 GMT -5
I chewed thoughtfully on a carrot. "So, then, tell me something true. Tell me what they won't say about you."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 11, 2006 22:47:26 GMT -5
I thought about what she asked as I finished a piece of bread.
"That I am dishonest or heartless. I am what I am, I make no apologies about it, but I do not seek to hurt anyone, ever."
I leaned back in my chair for a moment.
"What about you? What do they say about you and what is the truth?"
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Sept 12, 2006 16:32:00 GMT -5
I was silent as I considered his question. Finally I responded:
"When I was little, I used to go down to the village to buy a sweet or a new book. I never wanted to play; I was so serious. The children thought I was stuck up, so they would pull my hair, or trip me as I left the shops. I...don't really have any friends at home. Just Father."
I swallowed a sip of wine and continued. "So, I suppose that's it, then. People think I'm snobby, or reclusive, but I would rather be reading, that's all. That's one of the reasons I'm here," I continued. "Father thinks I need to learn to come out of my shell and be sociable."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Sept 12, 2006 17:46:50 GMT -5
"This is certainly a good place for that. There's a party or fete every other night it seems. You have to make an effort to be a recluse in the City."
I finished my meal and then leaned back again.
"So I know what your father wants of you being here, what do you want?"
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