Backstory: Passing the torch

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I'd made my marque not a week ago, and already I was making plans. Big plans. I loved Orchis house, don't get me wrong. But I prided myself on my storytelling also, it was my main ploy for wooing so many good patrons. But, there are only so much one can learn from books in one city, and some of the best stories lie in the mouths of travelers in far off lands.

I was working things out, my first trip not to far away, traveling to kusheth with a Tsinigani family. Perhaps some horse traders would have some good tales.

As it was, though, I found myself walking back to orchis with some things to prepare on a small list. The trip was perhaps still a year off, given these things I had to learn. Ah well, no rush I suppose.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

Gossip spread through Orchis just as fast as it did in any other House and the latest word was that Larquel was leaving us for greener pastures.

This was not a thing that could be let pass without a few well organized pranks to send him off with. My pranking skills were still a bit in need of developing though. So, to basics it was then.

I’d gotten..taken?... a sheep’s bladder from the kitchen and filled it water. I’d thought about milk, but that was a bit too much for me, besides, I didn’t know how long I’d have to wait and I didn’t want to chance being the one covered in milk.

Perched atop the wall surrounding Orchis, I waited for him to return. I spotted him and quickly got into position, bladder at the ready.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I whistled as I walked. It seemed like I'd come a long ways. I'd begin making my plans to travel with the Kumpai to Kusheth for the few months, enjoying the scenery and revelry of the Tsingani perhaps more than the Kushlines. No doubt I would try, but I knew that their flavor might not be mine immediately, not that I wouldn't try. I also hoped to perhaps travel to the shores of Alba, visit the keep of Hycanthe before I returned, if for nothing else than my good friends here who could not make such a journey. With a year to prepare, I still would have time to take assignations before I left, and I would be gone a year before I could do so again.

First things first though, a talk with the Dowayne. I had no intentions of ending my dedication and service, merely just....

I could feel the hairs on my back tingle with some sort of anticipation.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

It was hard, but I waited until he was close enough I couldn’t miss, then launched the bladder at his chest. I grinned as it sailed through the air, right at him.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I suppose there was some luck for me, as I had just managed to tuck away the notes into a pocket before looking up.

Splat. I closed my eyes stunned for a moment, realizing that I was soaked in...something.

I spit out a small amount of liquid, and looked around, realizing that I'd been slacking off.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

Perfect shot, and I couldn’t help but laugh with delight, forgetting that I was still perched on the wall and my laughter would give away my location.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Alright," I called aloud, "Whoever through that needs to show themselves," So I could congratulate them of course. Then I heard the laughing, looking up on the way. No visible person, but it sounded like a somewhat deeper laugher, mostly likely another male adept I would assume.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“And reveal myself so you can mark me for retaliation?” I called jokingly.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I called back out in response, feeling a bit odd talking to the wind right now, "And relaliate with what," I said mockingly, "My charming good looks maybe,"

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“Well, there certainly aren’t enough of those to do me any harm,” I said, laughing as I jumped down from the wall and came into clear sight.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I snickered as he jumped down. A name hovered on my tongue before I finally remembered. "Keegan. Hmm." I knew a lot of house mates by name, but only a few beyond such knowledge. Keegan was not one of them. "Very cute," I said happily. "Though, if I didn't know any better, I say you could have done worse, am I right?"

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“Oh yes,” I agreed, grinning wide. “I thought about milk… or I could have filled it with what a bladder usually holds.”

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

I quirked an eyebrow at that thought, and then decided it best not to think to much on the other possible outcomes. "Point taken." I walked over to him, and slung my arm around his shoulder as I started to walk again, dismissing the fact that my shirt was completely wet. I'd make him enjoy it with me. "So, was this a lone effort, or should I keep you close to ask as a bodyguard," I chuckled at the thought.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“No, it was just me,” I said, grinning wide. I didn’t even mind getting wet, I was basking in the praise of an older adept.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Eh, well, we all have to start somewhere." We crossed the threshold to the main house doors. Inside, a variety of patrons and adepts lay on the couches and chairs strewn about, laughing, mingling, and talking as much as any other day. I smiled brightly as ever, despite being soaked.

"So, what's the occasion then, it's not my birthday?"

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“Word is that you’re leaving soon,” I told him. “is that true?”

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Soon?!" I said surprised. "Naamah be blessed, but her adepts have a penchant for gossip like no other," I smirked at him. "And no doubt Orchis is just as guilty. It is but partly true." I winked casually at a couple ladies I'd had the privllage of serving before, and I could see a small regret in their eyes before distracted by their current company. "I will be leaving, but not for at least several months times, and I have every plan of returning."

I hugged him closer, "I'm so glad your worried about me though. I didn't know I had that kind of pull around here," I said a little bit sarcastically.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“You don’t,” I replied, grinning at him. “I wasn’t worried…it was more punishment for thinking of leaving Orchis.”

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Gee thanks," I said with more satire. "I'm so grateful you feel that way. You know, we've never really had the opportunity to speak on anything more than a formal basis, have we?" I looked at him curiously for a moment. I stopped at the main room for a moment, deciding which way to go.

"Was this little plan of yours....just yours?"

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“Yes….well, mostly,” I admitted. “Jules helped some.”

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Uhuh..." I patted on the back. I couldn't go to the Dowayne like this. "Remind me to thank her later." I looked to the adepts wing. I started walking, motioning him to follow. "How about a drink at a tavern, I've nothing to do at the moment. Perhaps I can enlighten you on the finer points of buffoonery."

[Keegan nó Orchis]

I snickered inside at the thought that he assumed Jules was a nickname and that Jules was a girl.

“Sure, that sounds good,” I replied. “I have a class later this afternoon, but I’m free for now.”

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Good." I walked by the rooms. "I, of course, need to change my shirt, thanks to you, but that shouldn't take a moment." A few paces later, I arrived at my room. I'd been given station to live on the ground floor, saved for seasoned adepts. I left the door partially ajar as I went in, removing my shirt and hanging it up, sifting through the dresser to find another.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

I rested against the doorframe as I waited. I was more than a bit surprised at his reaction, pleased but surprised.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

The shirt had dripped out mostly, so it lay damp on a rack in the room. I fumbled around, finding a loose cotton short of grass green, a relative match to my eyes, and threw it on. "Nothing to fancy needed I suppose. Now, I know many, many good taverns in town, so I wonder what are your tastes, " I cocked my head, leaving as quickly as I entered.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“I’m rather fond of The Black Boar,” I told him.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"The black boar?!" I said incredeoulsly. "I see now that your penchant for mischeif is only of the first degree Keegan, what a shame." I thought for a moment, giving him a wicked grin. "I should take you to my favorite hideout, the Mendant's cloak. You'll be be safe with me near you," I giggled. "Well, Mostly"

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“What’s wrong with the Black Boar?” I asked, trying not to sound defensive. Not only did I like the atmosphere there, but I went sometimes thinking that if my father ever returned to the City that would be a place he went. Not that I ever really thought I’d meet him. either way, it was someplace I enjoyed and I wasn’t sure I liked him disparaging it so.

[Larquél nó Orchis (D)]

"Well, nothings wrong with it per say..." I said slyly. "But, it is rather quaint." I said. Then I made sure to emphasize. "Don't get me wrong, the Alban flair does lead to a certain charm and revelry but...it's about as subtle as that beginners excuse for a prank you pulled on me. Just think of it as me doing you a favor," I gave him a wink. "You might enjoy it, if your not mocked too much," I said the last part snickering. In some ways, it was my revenge, though he might learn something from it.

[Keegan nó Orchis]

“It may have been a beginners trick, but you still ended up all wet and it was only by my good nature you didn’t end up covered in urine,” I said, feeling rather put off with him now. He may have made his marque, but he was just an adept and not even House born as I was.

“You know, maybe going out isn’t such a good idea,” I added.