|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Apr 21, 2006 10:57:12 GMT -5
I walked out of the Night Court and into the busy bustle of the street. I had a half sized canvas in one hand and a easel tucked under the same elbow. In the other hand was my bag of paints and brushes. I wore a casual affair that was emerald green to accent my eyes. It was not, however, an expensive outfit since I always manage to spill paint on me. In fact this green piece already had a few drops of various colors here and there.
I slowly started walking around, I had a bug to paint, but it came without inspiration of what. I found a spot that allowed me to see the crowds but not get ran over. I set up my easel and paints. I looked around and decided to just paint a simple painting of what I saw, a busy marketplace full of life. If anything someone with a love of the local culture would find the painting interesting.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 9, 2006 9:28:01 GMT -5
I walked out of the marque shop and back towards Mandrake House. I had my shirt on my arm and my newly completed mark visible for all to see. I was mainly shirtless because I wasn’t in the mood for the irritation of cloth rubbing up against the fresh tattooing. I might enjoy some types of pain, such as the actual making of a marque, but having a new tattoo rubbed on was not one of them. I was close enough to the 13 Houses when I noticed a girl with an interesting shade of red hair painting something. I wanted to just reach up and grab her hair and see how it looked against my skin, but instead I walked up and said, “hi.”
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 9, 2006 9:29:47 GMT -5
I didn’t want to dedicate myself to a specific painting quite yet, so I decided to just paint a basic background and then go from there. I have found inspiration in the most basic of backgrounds before. Deciding to go for a darker and stormier look than what was currently outside I grabbed some grey and white paints. At the last minuet I decided to add just a light touch of brown, almost making the sky look sandy. I was very engrossed in my work when I heard a voice behind me and I jumped, almost dropping my brush.
I looked around to see a pale figure with white hair. He had very pretty set of eyes, being an icy blue. I have always been a fan of eyes and their multitude of color, often they are my favorite part of my portraits. Regaining my composure I greeted him back.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 9, 2006 9:30:40 GMT -5
I smiled when I saw her jump, I wasn’t expecting that reaction, but I enjoyed it. She turned around to look at me and I was a little taken back by her looks. She had a nice face to go with the great hair and her eyes where very alluring. I wasn’t expecting them to be that pale, especially with her hair being as dark as it was. I decided that the effect was a nice one and imagined her in our darkest pleasure room. The dark colors would defiantly bring those features out nicely. The dress that she was wearing was covering her back, not revealing if she had a marque or if she was an adept. My instinct and years in the service told me that she was, though common sense would place her in the Eglantine house, not one that frequented Mandrake. I, however, decided to try and have a conversation with someone that didn’t end in me tying them up and simply asked her what she was painting. She was too early in the piece for me to tell, art wasn’t exactly my forte either.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 9, 2006 9:33:02 GMT -5
I looked toward my canvas when he asked what I was painting, as if I expected it to give me an answer. “Well, I don’t really have a subject yet, I came out here looking for some inspiration.” I had turned my gaze back to him. I had noticed that he wasn’t wearing a top, and that was not a usual site to see outside unless the person had been hard at work. This man looked like he was taking a stroll; he also seemed to be in high spirits.
“My name is Aaliyah nó Eglantine by the way, what is yours?”
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 9, 2006 9:34:03 GMT -5
I took a slightly exaggerated bow, knowing that it would put the top of my marque in view and said in a rather dramatic fashion, “I, my dear Aaliyah, am Idaeus nó Mandrake, pleased to have met you.”
I was in good spirits having finished my marque and I wanted to see someone else in such a mood. I figured if anything I could make the adept laugh, which would just heighten my mood. I don’t think a Mandrake ever loses the want to alter their reality. It’s nice to be able to control more than a paying patron, even if its just a small aspect of human emotion.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 9, 2006 9:38:32 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but to give a small laugh at his display. I also saw the top of his mark which was easily recognizable as the Mandrake marque. Even if he hadn’t introduced himself I’d know where his home lie, or at least use to. It was a freshly finished tattoo so chances are he was still staying in Mandrake at the moment. Even though I knew all the houses served their purposes, Mandrake and Valerian where two that I understood the least. To each his own, I was a strong believer in that teaching.
Pointing the brush that I was still holding towards his marque I complimented him, “that is a nice marque, looks like you served your patrons well.”
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 9, 2006 9:40:35 GMT -5
I felt a little shiver of pleasure at Aaliyah’s laughter, this little meeting was defiantly a nice way to end what was already a promising day. Seeing the Dowayne’s face when he saw my finished marque would be the best frosting on this dessert though. I am sure he thought I’d go out and spend the money on something foolish, prohibiting the completion of my marque. I had just enough to finish it though and I gave it all. Granted I’d have to stay at the house a little longer before I could afford to move out, but I had no other immediate plans any ways. It would be nice to be a senior adept for a while, especially since I wasn’t a favorite at the house anyways. I think some of the other Mandrakes found me strange, which is odd in itself since Mandrake House comes across as strange to a lot of people, especially non-D’angelines.
I watched her point her brush at me and then had an ideal. A nice painting of me with my completed mark would make a great addition to my wall. Maybe I could save it as a future patron gift, assuming I ever meet a patron I like that much. I don’t really expect to. Sometimes life will throw loops at you, Elua knows I wasn’t expecting to be a Mandrake adept when I was young. I didn’t really believe it until I was actually physically residing in the house.
“Since you don’t have a subject for your painting, how would you like to paint me with my marque? I’ll pay you for the painting of course, though I might have to owe you since I spent most of my spare money on this marque. I am good for it though, if anything you know where to find me, “ I glanced back towards my marque to make sure she knew where I was referring to.”
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 9, 2006 10:18:12 GMT -5
I had never painted a marque before; it would be an interesting challenge. I could paint people and almost anything that existed on the planet, but symbolism was a whole other story. You had to make sure all the markings where just right, otherwise it could mean something it was not suppose to mean. You had to have perfect symmetry for it to look right, especially in a marque. The world in its natural form is not that perfect. I have always been up for a challenge though, at least in the world of artistic endeavor and I was not going to let one of the most important symbols of an adepts life hold me back.
“I would love to paint you and your marque, though you might want to see it before you start promising any money. It will be my first marque painting after all.” To be honest I didn’t know if I would want to give it up if it came out well. It would be a good piece to add to my collection. I needed to build up good examples of my work for future employment.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 9, 2006 10:19:29 GMT -5
I gave Aaliyah one of my most winning smiles, “I am sure that you will do a fine job, I already like the background, so you can defiantly put me in that setting. Just tell me how you want me to pose, or whatever it is you need me to do.”
I was secretly hoping that she’d take me back to her House. I had never visited any other house except for Valerian, at least not in regards to pleasure chambers. I could care less about the rest of it. Normally I would just ask, but I didn’t want to ruin my good mood by being turned down, especially since I deal in more extreme forms of love making.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 9, 2006 10:20:30 GMT -5
I looked around the work area I had chosen, it would be much easier for the both of us if I had him sit down. I am not the most experienced painter in Terre d’Ange but I’ve been doing it long enough to know that most people don’t stand still well. I can usually paint fine with a fidgeting subject, but I wanted to make things as easy as possible.
I saw a vender that had some empty crates behind him, goods that he had laid out or had sold. I told Idaeus to hold on and ran over to ask him if I could borrow one. He gave me a hungry up and down look and asked me what I’d give him. Folding my arms and giving him a dirty look I said nothing, I’m not keeping the box. Someone walked up to his stall so he turned his attention to them, but not before returning my look and shoving a thumb behind him, indicating I could take one. I rolled my eyes when he wasn’t looking and grabbed my prize. Sometimes being an adept has its disadvantages. I’d probably walk around in burlap bags on these days if I wasn’t one. The Dowayne wouldn’t be to impressed though, especially since Eglantine also deals in clothing.
I ran back over to Idaeus and handed him the crate. I was excited for the opertunity to paint someone in a different setting than the House. Granted I couldn't complain to much since often times my services end in pleasure, but to only have to worry about painting and nothing else was a nice thing.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 10, 2006 21:53:08 GMT -5
I took the crate from Aaliyah, I was a little disappointed, but at least with me not paying her for this right now, I would see her again. I just wanted to play with her hair and watch those pale green eyes beg for me to whip her.
I put these thoughts behind me as I settled on the crate. Obviously the finishing of a mark wasn't going to lessen my normal desires any. Staying at the House for a while would defiantly have its benefits.
With my bare back to Aaliyah I asked, "how is this?"
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 11, 2006 10:49:02 GMT -5
I stood behind my easel as Idaeus sat on the crate. He had just put it on the ground and sat, he was not in a very good position. I walked up behind him and put my hand on his left arm, "move just a little towards the right." He did so, and then I shifted him a little. I walked back to my easel and let him know he was in a good position.
I picked up my brush and started painting him. The sun shown on his pale skin creating some strong highlights. I exaggerated them just a little, which created an interesting effect against my dim sky. I was soon caught up in my work, ignoring the bustle around us.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 15, 2006 9:27:11 GMT -5
I could sense Aaliyah's presence as she walked up behind me. The finishing of my marque and raised my spirits and my body was in-tune. Since it looked like Aaliyah was simply here to paint I had a feeling I'd make a visit to one of the other houses soon, or maybe I would be lucky and I would get an assignation soon.
My skin prickled in a pleasant way as she touched me and I could feel the burn of it as she went behind me and started painting. I took a deep but unnoticeable breath and settled into my role. I sat silently for quite a while watching the people around me before I finally asked, "how goes things at Eglantine these days?"
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 17, 2006 10:09:29 GMT -5
I was so involved with my work I almost jumped when he spoke.
"We have been keeping pretty busy, especially the clothiers. They are defiantly occupied. How about Mandrake?"
I had his body painted and now it was time for me to start the marque, I listened as he spoke but my concentration was more on my art than him.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 17, 2006 10:16:34 GMT -5
I shrugged my shoulder at her question, "Mandrake has been business as usual for the most part. Though I did get a pretty interesting assignation not to long ago."
I hesitated to see if she would say something. When I heard nothing I decided to continue, to see what she would say.
"A nobleman came in, he seemed to be really angry about something, though sad at the same time. His emotions where defiantly strong. He paid me almost 3 times what I would normally make. It is how I finished my marque. He sure could take pain though, never even opened his mouth in thought to utter is signal."
I sat quitely after that and waited. I wished I could see the look on Aaliyah's face. I was probing to see if I could get any kind of response related to my choice of love making.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 22, 2006 11:19:07 GMT -5
Though its traditional to have your marque tattooed starting at the spine, I started my painting at the top of his marque. It was a more natural way for me to paint. I was over halfway done with the marque and almost done with the painting when he told me about his last patron.
I was thinking more about my painting than the conversation when I said, "I don't know how much pain I would be able to take. Most of my love making has been pretty gentle, or at least average in terms of that kind of thing. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have that kind of thing arouse you."
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 22, 2006 11:24:54 GMT -5
I smiled a little at Aaliyah's answer, though she could not see it. Granted she didn't say that she wanted to join in these kind of games, but she didn't seem to be completely against it either. Maybe I would be able to talk her into participating in some play in the future. I would have to start out gentle, at least gentle for me. Sometimes a person has the compasity for compassion that they didn't know they possessed.
"It is different than your more typical form, but it is enjoyable for some. Not all of my patrons want it all the time, only a little more than half if I had to guess. How far are you on the painting?" I asked, not wanting her to have a chance to say no to possible future offers.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on May 24, 2006 11:45:27 GMT -5
"I am almost done," I told him. I was at the base of his spine. I finished up the marque and stepped back. I stepped in, I wanted some more highlights on his pale skin. The marque stood out well on the painting, as it did in real life. It probably seemed a little surreal in my painting since I added a few touches to the sky to make the marque match. I liked the effect however and was even considering hanging it up in my room. A few of the other artists had their own work as decoration. I hadn't, but this would make a good first. I would guess that I was the only one with a painting of a Mandrake marque in Eglantine, though I guess you never knew what passions other held. While I wasn't having any fantasies involving whips or whatever other tools they used, I did find Ideaus pretty attractive.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on May 24, 2006 19:46:06 GMT -5
I finally moved, turning my head back and seeing her step away from the canvas. She took a deep look into her painting and then moved back adding a few strokes, not really even looking at me. Her concentration was amusing. Since she seemed to be finished I decided to stand up and take a look at the photo as it was.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Jun 28, 2006 8:08:26 GMT -5
I sensed Ideaus as he walked around behind me to look at the painting. I sometimes find it hard to tell myself that a particular painting is truly done, so his approach was a good excuse for to put down my brush and stop painting something that truly was done. I have ruined paintings before by not leaving them alone when I should.
I took a look at his face to see what he thought, but it was surprisingly unreadable. If he could hold a face like that all the time he would be good at playing betting games.
"What do you think?" I asked.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on Jun 28, 2006 8:21:54 GMT -5
I gave Aaliyah a charming smile and told her that it looked pretty good. I was being honest with my comments. She had captured the mark well, it was interesting to see it move over my back muscles. The highlights on my skin made me seem almost angelic. If I this was someone other than me I would have found him to be quite attractive. Since it was simply my back and my hair I could almost pretend it was someone else. I had not been with a Mandrake adept or on the other side of the whip in a long time. It was fun to play on the other side of the game every now and again. Maybe I would do so soon. That would give the Dowayne something to prat about, if I hired one of my own.
Remembering that Aaliyah herself was an adept, and therefor was bound by many of the same rules as I was I asked, "are you going to sell this painting?"
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Jun 28, 2006 8:44:18 GMT -5
I gave Ideaus an apologetic smile, though it was nice to know that he liked it enough to inquire.
"I am out here painting images to show my instructor, I can't sell or give anything away. If you go through the Dowayne, however, I would be happy to paint you again." I almost blushed with the thought. I had painted a few paintings that where very up close and personal.
|
|
|
Post by Idaeus nó Mandrake on Jun 28, 2006 9:05:03 GMT -5
"I just might have to take you up on that offer," I told Aaliyah. If I did though, it would not be for quite a while. Even though I was still a little fixated on her unusual hair, I knew I couldn't bring my arts to Eglantine. I had a very strong preference for some kind of control and pain in my love making.
With the thoughts of control I remembered that I had a Dowayne to surprise with the completion of my marque. I am sure he didn't think I'd actually spend my entire sum on this marque. The possibility of finishing it was to strong to resist.
I took one more good look at the painting, taking a few more good looks at Aaliyah's hair which was easy to conceal since I was still a little behind her. I then shifted a little to make sure that she was looking at me before giving her a quick farewell kiss.
|
|
|
Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Jun 28, 2006 9:17:24 GMT -5
I was a little surprised at Ideaus' farewell kiss, but I was glad of it. It made it seem like he really did enjoy being the subject for my painting. I thanked him for his patience and waited for him to depart before I started packing up my things.
|
|