Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 21, 2008 23:34:59 GMT -5
Finally, the announcement had gone out that the Plague had ended, and so the adepts were free to leave their Houses. My first thought was to visit the marquist, and this time, I had coin to spend.
It was time to add a few inches to my marque.
So it was that I was unusually cheerful when I pushed open the door to Salon Kachine. "Darien?" I called, thinking that perhaps he was in the back. "It's Catherine--Catherine no Gentian, it has been a while since my last visit, but I've brought you some business this time!"
Stop babbling, Catherine! I closed my mouth, afraid of the words that might issue forth from my lips. Gods help me, I hope I don't make a fool of myself.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 21, 2008 23:46:06 GMT -5
I heard the bell above the door chime and Catherine’s voice.
“I’m in the back,” I called through the doorway. I was cleaning up from my last appointment and had my hands full at the moment. “You can come on back, Catherine.”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 22, 2008 0:16:21 GMT -5
I went into the back as he instructed, pausing near his worktable. "I apologize if I caught you at an inopportune time," I began. "But I simply couldn't bear it any longer!" I held out the bag of coins. "I think this might add an inch or two to my marque, but I'm not certain. Would you...be able to apply the ink today?" I'll admit, I was anxious to see what it would look like when he finished, even though I knew that I was still a fair ways away from having a completed marque.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 22, 2008 0:24:34 GMT -5
My hands were in a bucket of hot water as I washed up my tools. “Have a seat,” I said, smiling and motioning to the table. “Let me finish cleaning up and we’ll see what we can do.”
I looked back at what I was doing. “How have you been?”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 22, 2008 0:39:25 GMT -5
I took a seat on top of the table, letting my legs leisurely dangle over the edge, not bothering to cover them with my white robes. It was a nice change from the dresses I usually wore, but I still felt out of place. "I am well," I replied. "It is nice to be able to go outside after that horrid sickness." I bowed my head. The Plague had claimed more than a few of the members of my House, as it had done to the other Houses, indeed, the whole of Terre d'Ange. I abruptly brought myself out of thoughts of disease and death. This was a happy time, and now I was spoiling it. "How has business been for you?" I asked. "You seem to be doing well, but then, I assume a marquist is seldom short of customers?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 22, 2008 0:47:49 GMT -5
“It’s just starting to pick up again after the plague. It was quiet for a little while but now life seems to be settling into its rhythm again.” I glanced at her and smiled again. “I’m glad to see you’re well.”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 23, 2008 0:08:09 GMT -5
His smile was infectious, I could not help smiling back at him. "I am glad to see that you are well, Messire. It has been a while since my last visit, and I did promise that the next time I came here that I would bring you some business." I flushed. "And I do miss chatting with you..."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 23, 2008 15:11:37 GMT -5
“You are more than welcome to just come and talk, truly. You don’t have to wait for it to be a business visit,” I assured her. I finished washing up and found a towel, drying my hands as I leaned against the counter.
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 23, 2008 20:10:03 GMT -5
I flushed slightly. "Oh, well, I wouldn't want to take up your time that could be spent with customers with my idle chatter." I couldn't help but feel guilty about such things, even if I wasn't really doing any harm to anyone.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 23, 2008 22:02:45 GMT -5
“I promise to let you know if I don’t have time to talk,” I told her, smiling. “I enjoy your company, it would be nice to see you more.”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 23, 2008 23:32:49 GMT -5
"Oh, well..." I began, unsure of how to respond. "I would like to visit more often, I have few acquaintances outside of Gentian House."
I stopped, aware that I was beginning to sound childish, to my mind, at least. "You really are too kind, Messire, and I trust your word." And you do have a lovely smile... I closed my mouth before I could voice that thought, not knowing how to phrase such a thing so it wouldn't seem inappropriate. Instead, I slid off the table and stood. "Shall I disrobe now or do you need to make preparations first?" I asked, getting back to business and once again eager to view my lengthened marque.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 23, 2008 23:48:23 GMT -5
She switched to business and I wondered at the suddenness of it. “Yes, that would be a good idea,” I said, smiling still.
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 25, 2008 21:55:08 GMT -5
I smiled at him as I went behind the screen to disrobe. "It has been such a long time since I have had any work done on my marque," I explained. "I have not yet had a chance to fully appreciate your skills, Messire Kachine, but your hands were gentle enough when you measured me..."
I stepped out from behind the screen and mounted the table, shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position on my stomach. "Have you been finding the weather agreeable?" I asked, settling on the most basic of conversation topics. "I prefer a nice clear night overall, but the daytime weather has not been too bad."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 26, 2008 14:47:29 GMT -5
While she was disrobing, I went about setting things in place and lighting the candles in the corner.
“I tend to enjoy the weather no matter what it is,” I told her. “I like each of the seasons for its own reasons.” Remembering how she’s jumped before I warned her this time. “I need to touch your first before I start marking out points.” Then I gently caressed my hands over her back.
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 27, 2008 21:23:52 GMT -5
I nodded. "I understand," I said, but that did not stop me from jumping when he ran his hands over my back.
I took a deep breath, trying to will the tension out of my back while simultaneously attempting to prepare myself for the prick of the needle.
"I-I-Is this an inopportune time to tell you that the first time the marquist tried to apply the ink to my skin, I panicked and nearly ran out of the shop?" I stammered, biting down hard on my lip to keep myself from shaking. "I do not have a high tolerance for pain, Darien. Perhaps some restraints would help?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 27, 2008 23:51:14 GMT -5
My hands stopped and I realized my jaw was hanging open.
“Dear gods,” I breathed, absolutely dumbfounded. “Did a marquist actually strap you down?”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 28, 2008 0:47:00 GMT -5
I stared up at him. "No, Messire, but his assistant had to hold me down until I relaxed. I-I-I just thought it would be easier if I did not move around so much." I held up my wrists to show him. "I should think a member of my House would notice if I suffered any ill-treatment at the hands of a marquist. I do not like needles." I pulled my hair to the side so that it was not in the way of his hands. "He had very rough hands, but yours are different," I remarked, concentrating on taking deep, slow breaths to calm myself down.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 28, 2008 12:52:28 GMT -5
I shook my head slightly to clear away the anger I was beginning to feel at the actions of other marquists and took a deep breath.
“Hardly anyone likes needles,” I said, reaching over and grabbing a stool, then pulling it over so I could sit next to her. “There are even Valerian adepts who loathe this process. I will not tie or hold you down. We will wait until you are ready and then, should you wish to stop, we will.”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 28, 2008 16:56:57 GMT -5
"Are you angry?" I asked, taking a deep breath to steady myself. Darien will not hurt you, Catherine. The other adepts survive the making of their marques, you are just unused to it, that's all.
I took another deep breath. "Shall we try this again?" I asked, smiling nervously.
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 28, 2008 22:53:10 GMT -5
“I’m angry, but not at you. at any marquist who would treat adepts so harshly,” I told her. “Forgive me.”
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 29, 2008 0:29:24 GMT -5
I blushed, for some reason, I thought that the fact that he was angry was somehow...sweet. "You truly do love your work," I said honestly. "There's no need to apologize, really. It happened a while ago, and some adept with more courage than I has probably seen to it that he never puts ink to skin again!" I reached for his hand. "I feel better now, and I do hope that other adepts will have the luxury of your gentle hands for many, many years, so that not one of them has to suffer!"
I sucked in a breath. " I think all the nervousness has fled for now. Thank you for becoming angry, Darien. I feel as if I could let you finish my marque!" I looked around for the coin purse Jean had given me. "Do you have any idea how many inches my coin would add?"
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 29, 2008 14:12:53 GMT -5
It was hard to follow her sometimes, her thoughts and words seeming to run all over. blinking, I reached for the purse and opened it up to look at how much was inside. “A full inch and a half,” I answered.
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Catherine nó Gentian
Adept
Gentian House *Voted Member of Best Overall Thread 2010*
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Posts: 291
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Post by Catherine nó Gentian on Aug 30, 2008 0:13:28 GMT -5
I nodded. "That is not so much," I remarked, smiling now. It was reassuring to know that he would not be using the needle for very long, and at least I was adding length to my marque--who knew when I would get another assignation? "Would you, warn me when you need to apply the ink?" I asked, turning my head to look at him. "I think mayhap I will need to prepare myself beforehand."
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Post by Darien Kachine on Aug 30, 2008 13:56:06 GMT -5
“Of course,” I said, standing and moving the stool away. I needed a moment to compose myself again, I felt scattered by her words and revelations. To cover my feelings, I withdrew the contract and began to fill it out. “We need to do this first.”
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