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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 14:34:54 GMT -5
Again I was back to wandering the streets of Mont Nuit, looking for something- anything, really- that was new to my eyes and yet to be investigated. Things were both mutable and fixed in Night's Doorstep- the buildings never changed, but the shops within them would come and go. In order to spot anything that hadn't been there before, one had to look very closely at the windows to see their wares- it would be easier if you could read, stupid, a part of my mind said, which I promptly ignored. Still, that left only watching the areas as I walked by them, and I did so with an impassive gaze, back straight and face composed. Who knew what new things would assail my eyes today.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 14:40:55 GMT -5
I had left the palace unable to find any of my kin there, it was nothing to me but considering that I had been declared dead I thought what I had left of my family might want to know. So, I found myself wandering through Nights Doorstep, the City had changed so much, grown so much that I didn't recognize anything. I looked through the windows of a few places before seeing a young woman I approached her.
"Forgive me my lady, could you point me in the direction of Rue Vert?" I said knowing there was a boot store there I had really liked, I wanted to find it again but I was strangely lost. I could navigate a thick woods blind folded but here, here I was lost.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 14:46:56 GMT -5
Another man assuming I was a lady- it must be my week. He was handsome, dark haired and looking a little lost. I looked up at him sympathetically and said, "My lord, you are on Rue Vert."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 14:53:49 GMT -5
I chuckled softly and shook my head.
"Of course I am." I said more for myself. "Forgive me, I haven't been in the City for many years, things seemed to have changed while I was gone." I made a slight bow and smiled.
"I'm Brys de Warrene." I said politely. "May I have the pleasure of your name?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:01:23 GMT -5
"I understand completely, my lord- I have always lived in the City and sometimes it changes faster than even I can catch it." Another nobleman returning to Elua's City after a long exile- well, I guess it must be a common occurance if I ran into two such people in so short a time.
Curtseying somewhat lower than his bow, I said, "I'm Allisande no' Dahlia, my lord."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 15:06:51 GMT -5
Dahlia...Elua I had been gone long, no wonder I thought her a noble born. I smiled to myself but it would appear a simple nicity.
"Its a pleasure Allisande." Turning and looking around I then looked back to her.
"Since you seem to know what's going on, would you happen to know where Monsieur Benoit's boot repair is?" Smiling softly I let my gaze travel over her taking in all the information I could.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:15:42 GMT -5
Nodding in acknowledgement of his greeting, ignoring the fact that he was looking over me with a well-practiced eye. Still, I didn't get the feeling he was undressing me with his eyes as I did with some, so I was put slightly at east. "I would be happy to help you find the shop, my lord," I said with a smile- it was a good thing that was one shop I'd happened across before, otherwise I would have been just as lost as he was.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 15:18:09 GMT -5
I smiled. "Excellent," I said politely. "Lead the way my lady."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:25:07 GMT -5
Nodding in aquiescence and trying not to notice that he didn't even offer to take my arm I started walking in the direction of a side street, slowing once the general idea of where we were headed was obvious so I could hold a conversation without having to yell over my shoulder. "If you don't mind my asking, my lord, where are you returning from?" I asked curiously.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 15:28:37 GMT -5
I cleared my throat.
"Far away." I said softly. "I've been all over many nations." My trainning was something I liked to keep to myself, that was the truth of where I had been, it was hard to be secretive when I was speaking with others, especially some one who seemed so kind.
"I'm afraid I'm rusty when it comes to D'Angeline ways, I haven't lived in Terre d'Ange for the last seven years." I kept my hands linked behind my back as I was trainned to do.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:37:28 GMT -5
Cocking my head sideways, I said, "I must confess, I have never had the urge to travel, though my marque is finished; I was born within the City and I have never its walls." It wasn't in my nature to pry or even question deeply; if one stayed quiet, the other person in the conversation would often be encouraged to reveal what they wanted and never feel pressed for what they wished to keep secret. Such were the ways of common courtesy.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 15:39:21 GMT -5
I smiled. "I'm afraid my travels weren't based in want but need." I said politely watching the stores as we went by, making notes as I did.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:46:05 GMT -5
"Then in that case, my apologies," I said with a regretful look. "I am sorry if I brought up any unpleasant subjects or memories. Since I have always been within the City, I seem to forget that people don't only leave it for holidays."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 15:47:54 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Its..its nothing really, nothing that can't be fixed with a good glass of wine." I said smiling and trying not to think of my parents.
"It was and wasn't my choice." I said trying to explain a bit. "But I was a good experience and I learned many things, including how to speak Ch'n."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 15:54:50 GMT -5
My eyes widened a little at hearing that he's gone so far from Terre d'Ange. "I have always heard there are interesting things to be learned and seen there. Still, that is quite a distance to travel- if you don't mind my asking, did you miss Terre d'Ange while you were there?"
Smiling an apology, I said, "Forgive me- I should not pry into other's business. The City is a good place for forgetting one's troubles, not for remembering them."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 16:01:33 GMT -5
I chuckled again. "I did miss it, but only so much. For me the City hold more 'troubles' then anywhere, when I'm here I always remember them." I tried not to sound so hardened but it was too true.
"My...my parents were murdered here in the City, long before you were born I'm sure. At the time it was...a fair popular subject considering who they were." I kept my eyes forward, but it almost made me feel better that their murders were forgotten, I wanted so badly to forget. Every one couldn't say enough grand things about my parents that it made it harder to know they were gone. Even now.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 16:17:07 GMT -5
My eyes cast at the ground I clasped my hands in front of me. "I can understand how you would want to stay out of the City for so long. I'm sorry you have such memories to make you bitter and sorrowful. Still, if the City is so painful, why did you return?" I asked, looking over at him and trying to catch his eyes to offer support.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 16:25:04 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Don't be sorry, it was along time ago, almost twenty years actually. Its still painful but not as bad." I looked to Allisande, her eyes soft in kindness.
"I returned...well," I chuckled. "two reasons, one because of King Ambrose's attack and the second because I was declared dead in my absence. I thought it best to fix that." I smiled knowing it was truth. "Unfortunately my cousin is now in his stead and I fear she'll need support for those around her."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 16:32:16 GMT -5
"It seems like nothing is going well in the City of late," I said with a sigh as I turned down another street. "All of these unfortunate happenings are a hard thing to hear, even as removed from it as I am. Still, at least the Queen-Elect now has someone to help and support her, and that can only be for the good. I hear statescraft can be a tricky business."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 16:33:53 GMT -5
I chuckled softly. "I'm afraid I have no talent for statescraft, sad to say I prefer the blade to words, I trust my self with a sword."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 16:41:55 GMT -5
Smiling, I said, "In some ways swordplay and wordplay are not terribly different- one must strike quickly and decisively, and there is little room for error. You look for the weaknesses in another's guard even as they are looking for gaps and lapses in yours. Part of Dahlia training is the study of both, as one can never have true bearing without being able to have confidence on their ability to navigate any path."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 16:46:28 GMT -5
I nodded. "Thats true." I said looking back to her. "I think things will stay in words, I don't think my cousin wishes any wars no matter who it is that did the crimes."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 16:53:19 GMT -5
""That makes sense," I said matter-of-factly. "Still, being prepared for any eventuality is a good idea- at least, that is what I've found to be true. I'm never going to be in a position to run a country, so I guess it's easy for me to speak on the subject in cliches," I added with a wry grin.
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 16:58:06 GMT -5
I smiled softly. "Same here, best leave it to those that know what they're doing." She was a kind woman and was glad to have met her, I couldn't say that she was my type but it had been so long since I had courted a woman that I didn't truly know what my type was.
"What do you do for fun Allisande?" I said mostly to keep the conversation going.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 17:06:01 GMT -5
With an agreeable nod, I smiled at his question. "Usually, just wandering about and seeing what there is to be seen- things in the City are always changing and I like to keep up to date on where everything is. The rest of my time is spent teaching lessons to younger adepts and practicing in the salle- I've never been much of a person for relaxing or staying idle."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 17:07:37 GMT -5
I nodded knowing what she meant. "Understandable." I thought for a moment. "If you had another path to choose would you choose something other then being and adept?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 17:11:21 GMT -5
I thought for a moment, and then shook my head. "No, for then I would not be who I am. I was born to this life and it has done well by me; I would not belittle it by wishing for something different. My ancestors trace back to the beginning of Dahlia- it is as much in my blood as a noble's title is in theirs." Curious, I asked, "Would you choose a different path, my lord Warrene? Being born to something besides what you were?"
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 17:20:34 GMT -5
I thought for a moment. "Yes and no, if it meant not watching my parent's murdered in cold blood, then yes. But at the same time I am who I am because of their deaths."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 21, 2006 17:29:23 GMT -5
Looking back over at him I said quietly, "I believe a person's fate is set at their birth- I was born to be what I am, and if I wanted to be something different for my life, I would have not to have been born who I am. The good and the bad I take together because I like who I have become."
Smiling wryly again, I said with a bitter laugh, "I guess it's easy for me to say so, since my parents as till alive and well and I've never had to leave my home at Dahlia. I'm sorry if I seem presumpuous."
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Post by Brys de Warrene (D) on May 21, 2006 17:32:30 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, not at all, just honest." I smiled softly understanding what she meant, it didn't hurt less though.
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