Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 28, 2006 18:02:17 GMT -5
I swallowed another sip of tea and looked at Maeve.
"It was my understanding that there were fetes all adepts attended… such as Midwinter. Is that not the case?" I asked her, confused somewhat at how an adept of her age could never have gone to a fete. Then again, she had mentioned how little of her marque was done. I was certain that must be part of the reason why.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Sept 28, 2006 18:05:09 GMT -5
My eyebrows went up- true, not all adepts enjoyed the large gatherings, but one's Dowayne usually forcefully encouraged it as a way to meet new patrons and make a good impression for the House. Surely Heliotrope could not have slid that far.
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Sept 28, 2006 18:08:07 GMT -5
"Traditionally, all adepts go," I said, "But no one is forced to."
I shook my head. "I suppose I misspoke," I said softly. "I went once, before my virgin debut. But I didn't like it. I felt lost while I was there."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 28, 2006 18:11:33 GMT -5
"It is good then that you are not forced to go if it was that uncomfortable," I said, smiling. "There are so many people here in just the City, I can imagine how overwhelming a fete could be. Still, I am hoping to get to one soon, if only for the experience."
I took a small cake and popped it into my mouth, enjoying the creamy flavor.
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Sept 28, 2006 18:14:53 GMT -5
"It's odd that you were not at the Masque yourself," I said, a bit confused. "As a diplomat, surely you were invited?"
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 28, 2006 18:21:53 GMT -5
"I was otherwise engaged on Midwinter, otherwise I would have gone," I told her. Then I looked at Allisande. "It sounded as though you were at Midwinter though, how was it?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Sept 28, 2006 18:24:39 GMT -5
"I have been to six Midwinters and they are all more lovely and elegant than the last," I replied honestly. "It's not a sight to be missed often, especially for an adept. Also, it's one of the only chances we have to mingle with possible patrons as equals and to speak at length with each other. It is the other night when no adept makes a contract and we are, by tradition, allowed to give our favors freely."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 28, 2006 18:48:10 GMT -5
"It sounds like a rather amazing event," I said after having another cake. I was finding myself eating far more than normal, I was going to have to start exercising more.
"Do the adepts have any say in the costumes? I recall a lot of talk about animals," I asked. I scratched at my jaw line slightly, still not used to having a beard again yet.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Sept 28, 2006 18:51:47 GMT -5
"Within a certain theme the adept is allowed to design their own or have someone else design it for them," I replied. "This year Dahlia's theme was horses, so I went as a pegasus and another adept spoke with went as a zebra."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 29, 2006 10:45:42 GMT -5
"Interesting," I said, trying to imagine what the fete must have looked like. "I am almost sad that I missed it, it sounds like the Masque would have been rather entertaining."
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Sept 29, 2006 21:38:26 GMT -5
I listened carefully as they conversed animately about the Masque. It occured to me how much I enjoyed Alexei's accent, the gutteral vowel sound he made at the back of his throat as he spoke, the alternation of harsh and soft consonants. Having nothing to offer on the subject of fetes, I simply listened with pleasure to him speak.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Sept 29, 2006 21:53:02 GMT -5
"It is entertaining, though the only scheduled entertainment is the music and of course the pageant. if you are here next year perhaps you can attend then," I said as I sipped my tea and cast a glance at the silent girl to one side- she seemed lost in thought and I didn't wish to disturb her.
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 29, 2006 21:59:50 GMT -5
"I will make a point of it if I am here next year. I think I shall certainly have to attend a Longest Night celebration, just to see what it is like."
I looked at Maeve.
"Do you plan to attend any of the Longest Night celebrations or will you stay at Heliotrope?" I asked her.
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Sept 29, 2006 22:59:04 GMT -5
My heart jumped in my chest as he addressed me; I was a little surprised, but altogether pleased. "Perhaps," I said, "if my presence is requested by a patron, I will attend a small party. Otherwise, I will maintain a vigil at the Temple of Elua."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Sept 29, 2006 23:14:04 GMT -5
"Why?" I asked curiously, wondering why someone would want to be so removed from the festivities.
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Sept 30, 2006 12:52:55 GMT -5
"To pray," I said. "It's my own tradition. If I do not attend a patron that night, I go and spend the night praying for health and good luck and guidance for the coming year." My fingertips gently touched the base of my back where my marque was started, then moved back into my lap.
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 30, 2006 15:42:49 GMT -5
"It is good that everyone can celebrate in their own way," I said, smiling at Maeve. Then I looked at Allisande. "And you? How are you hoping to pass the Longest Night?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Oct 1, 2006 11:37:58 GMT -5
"If I am invited to a celebration I would certainly not refuse but I think I'll refrain from taking a patron for the evening. Otherwise I will likely spend some time with friends," I replied. "As of yet I've not definitively decided."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 15:55:24 GMT -5
I finished off the last of the little cakes as I listened to Allisande. I was used to much more structured celebrations than it appeared were allowed here. Then again, there were a lot more people in Terra d'Ange than in Ruskovia, so that did have an impact.
"I hope however it is spent that you both have enjoyable Longest Nights," I told them. "Perhaps I may even see one or both of you at a celebration."
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Oct 1, 2006 16:01:46 GMT -5
"It would be wonderful to see you again," I agreed. "You are always welcome at Heliotrope for tea and conversation, both of you. The variety may not be as great there, but the quality is excellent."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 18:34:47 GMT -5
"That's very kind, thank you," I said. "I have yet to see the inside of any of the Houses of the Night Court, I may have to take you up on that."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Oct 1, 2006 18:50:05 GMT -5
"I'm sure Dahlia would be honored to have you visit," I replied. "And I am always willing to engage in intelligent conversation."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 19:57:26 GMT -5
"I will make sure to only visit Dahlia when I am feeling intelligent then," I teased Allisande lightly, smiling wide to make sure she knew I was joking.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Oct 1, 2006 20:21:43 GMT -5
"I can only hope I am having an intelligent day myself so I can hope to give a suitable reply," I said with a smile of my own. "Or you could just come by and we can discuss nonsense."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 20:25:57 GMT -5
"That would be… interesting," I said, chuckling.
I finished the last of my tea, then set the cup back down.
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Oct 1, 2006 20:51:56 GMT -5
Sipping away the last of my tea, I savored the sweetness as the now cool drops or orange fell down my throat. "Delicious," I commented.
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 22:31:28 GMT -5
"I agree," I said to Maeve, smiling. "I shall have to remember this place for when I am looking for tea and not near the Night Court."
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Oct 1, 2006 22:33:49 GMT -5
"Do you have a timepiece?" I asked him. "I wonder if I should return soon. Not that I want to, of course."
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Oct 1, 2006 22:44:18 GMT -5
I looked up at the sun, clearly visible overhead. "It's half past three." I looked back down again and smiled. "Do you need to be going now or can you linger longer?"
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Post by Maeve nó Heliotrope on Oct 1, 2006 22:48:59 GMT -5
"I will stay," I said happily, "I do not need to be back for another hour to do chores and have supper."
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