Illyrian tales...

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

After calming myslef with an early morning walk I visited the bookstore. The dream that had haunted me from the night before had to do with my old home of Paio. The island I had been found on as a child. It was one of the many in Illyrian jurisdiction. Growing up there I had heard hundreds of stories on folk lore. One such fable had been the setting of my dream. It left me wanting more and quiet entertained.
So it was my goal to find some fantastical print that might ease my hunger for a good story.
Armands Bookstore was in full swing when I got there. A couple people were searching quietly through the racks and shelves. I went to the section of foreign publications. Hoping to stumlbe across some Illyrian prints.
It didn't take long. Really I had literally walked past the first table and rested my hand down on a book of compiled Illyrian fabels. It was beautiful and a bit aged looking. Which I took as a promising sign to it being good. I flipped open a page and feel righ on to a story of 'Jorinda and Jorindal'. Which happened to be one of the stories I remember Merilla telling me as a child.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I had been neglecting my reading since attending to my duties and getting situated back in the City. That was something I resolved to amend and so I traveled by foot to one of the local book stores. I was seeking something in my milk tongue and to be honest a place that my crystal blue eyes would not be noted as something that marked me as Illyrian royalty. I had been trying to keep my identity mostly under wraps in Terre D’Ange but as of late I seemed to be failing.

Making my way to the section that normally housed the sort of text I sought I was wonderfully anonymous. But I then spied a quite extraordinary looking woman who seemed to have the same taste in text as I. Her features did not mark her as a country woman though and after a moment’s observation I did my best to unobtrusively brows.

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I was enjoying the book, but even more enjoyable was the sight when I looked up and noticed a man perusing the same selection of books. Odd I thought; it’s not usually a frequented table in the shop.
I couldn't help but smile to myself when he looked up, déjà-vu hit me when I saw his face, for no apparent reason at the time. What an interesting gift I had. It was obvious I had to work on polishing it. For if this was the type of glimpse I was getting into the future, I would rather like to know more about it. I greeted him in a more causal manner then most. He was not D’Angeline, yet something about his appearance was still quite familiar, and comfortable. Unfortunately I couldn’t pinpoint the reason.
“Good day Mansieur,” I closed the book placing my finger to mark the page I was on.
“Not often do I find others sampling this part of the store. Have you found anything interesting?”

[Pièter Kolcei]

She addressed me and I gave her a pleasant smile taking care when I spoke to keep my nearly non existent accent as un-noticeable as possible “Hello m’lady and I am more than passing fond of this particular section.” I could feel my face glow with good humor and amusement at the rather obvious understatement coming from one three heart beats from the Illyrian throne. A bit curious I asked “Do you have an interest in my country?”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

My eyebrows lifted with understanding, "Ahh you -are- Illyrian. I thought there was a touch of something familiar." I extended my hand to shake, since it was more of a custom he would recognize. "Khyellomai no Gentian, D'angeline breed, Illyrian raised and Night court trained. It's a pleasure."
I said with a glint of amusement in my eyes. I wondered if he would inquire to my name, since it was Illyrian word, and quiet odd... to say the least.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I took her hand and shook it before inclining my head to kiss the back and then releasing my grip on her. A small smile ceasing my face “Ah a lost one it is then?” I raised an eyebrow as her name was a bit unusual as well as the story that was implied by her words. “I am Pièter Kolcei” I simply introduced myself as usual not bothering with titles and the like.

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I gave a crooked smile to the greeting. Pleased that he had intrest.
"At the time yes, but gladly I have found myslef. So to speak. It's a pleasure to meet you Pieter."
I rested my hadn back on the book I was holding.
"To answer you previous question... Yes I do have an intrest in you're country as it was my home when I was a child. Hence the Illyriain folktales." I raised the book I was holding to show the cover. "I was feeling a bit nostolgic today."

[Pièter Kolcei]

I winked “Ah you grew up among us pirates then though I suspect you are just as fetching in breeches as a gown.” I then inclined my head “as for the later this country is vastly different than home. It has customs and the like I enjoy but other times I feel much like a fish out of water.”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I laughed at the idea of me with pirate's.
"Funny you should say that. My foster parents weren't nearly as glamorous as Pirates; merely a couple of small village folk on an island by the name of Paio. Appa was a fisherman. Merilla, well I don't know what she did aside from protecting me from superstition. Apparently little D'angeline girls are not found on beaches very often there. As for fish out of water, I quiet literally was thought to be." I frowned at remembering the taunts of other children on the island.
"So tell me Pieter... are you a rapscallion pirate?"
I crinkled up my nose in a playful little jest and smiled again. Not allowing the thought to spoil the moment.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I chortled a bit “Ah, but to hear our enemies tell it all of us are pirates not to be trusted. That is part of the reason I have been sent here to help alter that bit of misconception and misinformation.” I shrugged “Maybe you are not D'angeline but are in fact a mermaid that lost her fins and fortunately washed up on our beaches eh?”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I blushed at the idea. "How very flattering of you Pieter. It would I suppse explain my knack for swimming." I joked, but was seriously enjoying him. Flattery aside, he was good natured and did not seem to take himself to seriously. A trait I found delightfully refreshing. I wondered how close it ran to the truth.
"So tell me. How long have you been in the city? We have quite the celebration approaching. Have you heard much about it?" I wasn't about to lose a good connection. My dreams were becoming more vivid lately and that usually ment something.

[Pièter Kolcei]

“Might” I furrowed my brown and leaned in to study the side of her neck “explain the gills as well.” I leaned back and smiled “Seriously though I have been in the City about a year though I had a stint when my uncle called me back home for a while.” I shrugged “As for the approaching festival I arrived just after it had happened last year and so this shall be my first as they say.”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I laughed and brushed my hand over my neck, trailing my fingers across my dress collar where it meet my skin. Hoping it would release some of the fregrance I had used that morning. A subtle trick I liked to use when approriate. Which I hoped it was.
"It's the Midsummer Faire. A week of celebration in the hieght of the season that showcases the summers produce and fresh horses with a market. This year there is a tribute to Eglantine House which should be most enjoyable. The final day is a great fete. You should enjoy it."
I blinked slowly and met gaze. Another subtle gesture I liked.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I caught a bit of the smell of her perfume nice but not overpowering and smiled meeting her gaze in return. "I am academically familiar with the affair though I missed it last year" I smiled. "I will attend of course as it is part of my job just not quite sure who I shall seek to accompany me or the like."

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I was a little suprized by him refering to it as such work to attend.
"Ahhh, you speak of work with a differant tone Pieter. You know good company can go a long way. It's nice to hear you take you're work seriously. It must be a difficult one. So what is it you seek to gain at the faire.... horses, court intregue or rogue mermaids?"
I didn't want to pry but I also didn't know how much he understoold about the adepts of the Night Court.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I rolled my shoulders “I am my country’s ambassador so hobnobbing is what I do so I suppose court intrigue is what I seek. It is not a hard task though as I suppose my main assignment is to show that Illyrian’s are not all scoundrels.” I gave a small smile then “And I seem to have already found a mermaid. Might she have any suggestion on which of the festivities I pay most attention to?”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I was glad he asked my opinion and was quiet sure of the answer. I took a step around the table and leaned closer so I could lower my voice to a level only he and I could hear. Plus it got me closer to him so it was a win win situation.
"The horse fair would be a good place to start. deep your eyes pealed near the prominent breeders. Especially those horses that scream affluance. Like the bllod bays from Kusheth and the Aragonian's. Nobels will want to see what good deals they can snatch up from the spring colts. The Elgantine celebration will hold potential too, but be careful. You don't want to look like your just out for revelry. Keep yourself looking fresh and sharp. I recommend good company and a shallow glass for that night. tougnes may loosen and you'll want you're wits about you." At that I glanced sidelong at him and gave a rueful little smile. Any well breed Illyrian would like the slightly scandoulous undertones. regardless of how inocent it was, it would make it seem al ittle more dangorous. I squared myslef and brought my voice back to it's normal level before finishing.
"And of course the final celebration on the last day is a must. Peers and Nobles should be simply spilling out for the fete. If nothing else you must make that!"

[Pièter Kolcei]

I titled my head and leaned closer to listen and the act also gave me a view of her figure which was quite fetching. Unlike when I had taken Shona to the wedding last year this particular adept seemed to have some advice that was a bit more level headed. Though the thought of Shona who had been lost to the plague made me sad a moment I quashed it. Khyellomai and she were differing animals and I could not compare them in fairness to either.

I gave her a big grin and tilted my head before asking “Do you have any suggestions on who might be a good choice for accompanying me?” I laid that one out there just to see how she might respond as gods know I need someone with self confidence. “Of course the other problem is I know virtually nothing about hose flesh.”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I smiled, indeed it was not mere chance that I had ended up here this day. Now that the events were enfoding before me I felt certian my dreams of Illyria were leading me to more the a childs book.
"Pieter, I am of Gentian house and if my gift is vauge at times it still srikes true. I have no doubt that we met on more than just chance and if you didn't offer me company for at least a day.... well, you'll be tempting fate."
It was a bolder move then most for me, but I lvoed it. It brought out the confident side of me I often kept shrouded. I felt more like myslef, and Eula it was fun.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I could not help but chuckle slightly at that and then I peered at the floor with a slight blush coloring my cheeks. Gods knew I had encountered women since my arrival in this land and I was getting less self conscious about such dealings all the time as my recent affairs had demonstrated, but this was certainly an original approach that my companion was applying. I did not know how much stock I placed in such things but ah well sometimes you just had to jump. I looked back up at her feeling rather bashful “Well who I am I to tempt the fates?”

[Khyellomai nó Gentian(I)]

I was afraid I might have been to bold when he looked away. But at his reply I maintained I'd judged well.
"Indeed, good choice." I smiled. Delighted at what had transpired.
"Well, it seems I've more shopping to do now." I cradled my book in my hand and moved so I faced him.
I curstied out of respect, as it's hard for an adapt not to offer such to a patron when parting.
"I look forward to seeing you at Gentian. The dowayne is Octavier nó Gentian, I'll let him know to expect you. Doubtless he will enjoy hearing a pirate's caught his mermaid eye." I winked as a smoothly turned myself toward the bookstore's proprietor. I purchased the book, I had a feeling I would like it to reflect back on.
As I turned for the door I felt like my back was on fire. Honestly I hoped he was still looking. A little perplexed no doubt. As I crossed the short distance for the counter to the door I applied every bit of training I had to look graceful and portray the confidence I felt.

[Pièter Kolcei]

“No doubt” I echoed her and I am afraid I had a rather goofy smile on my face. “I will stop by on the way home and I hope you are available for the whole week of the festivities. Have a good day m’lady.” I then watched her pleasing backside as she departed and tried very hard to figure out what had taken place. I swear to all the gods of the deep that Illyrian raised or not D’Angelines would probably never stop perplexing me.