Stimulating the Mind

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I was bored and irritated. I needed some time out. Part of me wanted to mull things over, but another part of me knew that I had shredded my thoughts enough that there would be nothing new to learn. I had lost my best patron and my plans to save and buy my way out of the house had been stalled. Granted I could still put some away, but it was no where near enough. I would be stuck at Mandrake till I was 40 at this rate.

I decided a distraction would be good and I made my way to The Cockeral. I had plenty of interesting memories from there. Perhaps I could make a few more.

I took a place by the bar and ordered a small glass of rum. I had chosen not to wear my usual all black. Instead I was wearing a dark red shirt that was loose around the neck and some nondescript black pants.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I'd been sent out to run errands, and by the time I was done, I was desperately thirsty from running all over town. I had a small purse of my own money with me, and I traipsed into the Cockeral with my shopping basket. Setting myself at a table, I ordered a glass of juice. The barmaid brought it to me, and as I began to sip, I almost choked. Idaeus..

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I kept a eye on the door, looking to see if anyone of interest walked in. I was not to be disappointed, in walked Avrielle, the Orchis turned Valerian. I still remembered the night, when she was an Orchis that I danced with her and teased her and later learned she had changed houses. I had no doubts that I helped her make that move. It was too bad that she had not yet made her debute, since bedding a still Orchis would have been an interesting night.

It was easy to see that she had noticed me, so I put on a smile and moved a little closer to her place at the bar. I had not seen her for a while and I was more than curious to know how things were going with her.

"Hello, little Orchis," I said.. waiting for her reaction.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

After all this time, his voice still made me shudder with pleasure. Still, I felt a bit uneasy at being referred to as an Orchis. Perhaps he'd forgotten? "Hello, Idaeus," I said quietly, keeping my eyes trained on my glass. "It's been a while." I flicked my eyes up to look at his face (he was just as handsome as I remembered), before hastily flicking them back down again. "And I'm a...real Valerian now."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Avrielle's training at Valerian was apparent with how she carried herself. It was interesting to see. I needed to know for sure where she stood in the house to know how far I really could go with her. Of course there was no need to rush things either. Time always added an artist touch when one knew how to use it.

I put a finger on her shoulder and ran it down her arm, a innocent enough touch but one meant to tease, "are you now?" I asked as if seeking some kind of proof.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

My skin prickled and I flushed; though I made no movement away from his hand. "Yes," I replied. "I had my debut a few months ago." I let myself look up at him again, just for another moment. "And you, are you well?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I raised my eyebrow a little when Avrielle mentioned her debu, though internally I thought of more than just my eyebrow raising.

"I am doing as well enough," I said, not wanting this to turn into a discussion about any misfortunes I may of had. I was more interested in Avrielle anyways. "how is life treating you?"

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"It's very...different," I said. "Well, I feel different; now I'm really earning my way towards a marque, rather than just sitting around reading books on the theory of algolagnia. Plus, I have more responsibilities now." I thought a minute. "My mother is going to have another baby. That'll change things."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I nodded slightly as she spoke, though it had been many years since my first debut it was not something one forgot. That and the assignation that brought your marque to completion.

"A baby," I said, though the goings on of a family outside of my own was not really a interest of mine. I only listened to gossip if I thought I could somehow use it to my advantage. Since Avrielle did interest me in some ways I it could be to my advantage to know all I could about her. "how do you feel about that?" I asked casually.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"I feel like...like she hasn't included me in any of the decisions she's made in the last year," I said. "As though she thinks that they don't affect me. I had to hear about her pregnancy through the grapevine...it's very hurtful."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I nodded, in truth I could understand a little how she felt. I was the eldest and cut completely from my family. Though I couldn't care less if they were doing well or not I was still due some entitlements and I did not want them all to go to a younger sibling whom I didn't know.

"It is not right for a family to ignore that which is theirs," I said, speaking my true feelings for once. "Will you speak to your mother about these things?" I asked.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"I don't know," I said. "I should. I ought to. But a part of me keeps thinking...she's my mother. Oughtn't she reach out to me instead of the other way around?"

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I nodded a yes as I said, "some mothers need to be reminded what they are suppose to be doing. There are plenty out there who have no clue." As I spoke I thought of my own, a little bitterness showing in my voice as I spoke the last sentence.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I frowned sympathetically. "Your own mother, you mean?" I asked.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I had let my secret out in my voice and I looked at Avrielle for a moment not saying anything. I was trying to quickly assess what telling her would mean and how it would affect me. Considering the fact that my life wasn't moving anywhere anyways it probably didn't matter. Though I didn't want everyone knowing of my history. If anything there are not very many Mandrakes with the childhood that many Valerians would enjoy. Well, some of the darker ones maybe.

"My mom wasn't exactly the best," I said, speaking smoothly as I choose my words carefully. "I was sent to Mandrake by her so that she could be rid of me." That much many people in my house already knew and it was safe to share.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Ohh," I breathed. "I'm so sorry, Idaeus." Before I could stop myself, I reached out and put my hand over his.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I looked at Avrielle's hand and raised a brow, looking up at her. I quickly flipped my hand around so that I was holding hers and brought it up by my face. I didn't pull on it or anything aggressive. I did not want to draw attention and I still wanted to feel out Avrielle before making any moves.

I looked at her fingers, they were well defined and I imagined a rope tied tightly around her delecate wrists. It was something I decided I wanted to see outside of my imagination.

"It is life," I told her, looking at her fingers for a moment. I then looked up at her, "there are some things you can not help, but there are some you can." I put her hand down on the table, mine still holding hers. "you still have contact with your mother and can tell her how you feel and how she should treat you."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I couldn't reply, so frozen with desire was I at his manipulation of my hand. The skin of his face under my palm was slightly warm, and smooth. I imagined leaning in and kissing his soft, pale face, his lips...

He placed my hand back down and I was jolted out of my reverie. "Of course, you're right about that," I said, then more quietly, "I'm still worried about what she'll say, if she'll care at all."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Avrielle's reaction was easy to see and I smiled inside. I wondered if I could turn this night to my advantage. She was no longer a virgin which made the sin less of one. One I had committed before with other adepts.

"If your mother doesn't care than you deserve to know," I told Avrielle, toying with her hand a little while still keeping it under mine. I then reached my other hand out and touched her chin with my finger, a slight move that I had always found enjoyable. I moved her chin so that she had to look at me. It was not a rough mood but still one that demanded obedience.

"You should not let your mother walk over your emotions," I said looking directly into her eyes and letting her know I meant it. I was only a child when my mom gave me up, even younger when she abused me. Avrielle was in some ways a child, but one with age. She had after all given up her marque, her first step into womanhood.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I tried to say something, but found that words were escaping me, as I drowned in his pale blue eyes. "I'll wr-write to her," I stammered out. As I gazed even deeper into his eyes, I saw things there: desire (for me? I wondered), and disappointment, and sadness. He was an enigma, one that I wanted to figure out.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I let my finger fall from her chin, she had taken my advice, well rather forceful advice, and I was happy. I didn't let go of her gaze with my eyes, however. "Good," I said. I then let a smile grow on my face. "Now to more interesting business," I said. "I will not ask for a name, for the privacy of the patron, but tell me, was your debut a good one?"

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I couldn't help but smile broadly. "Yes," I said. "It was excellent."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

"That is good," I said. I took my one free hand and placed a finger on her wrist. I ran my finger down her arm while my other hand still held hers. I did not press hard but I bent my finger a little so she could feel my fingernail. My hands were well manicured but kept barely long enough that I could do such things.

As my nail ran down her arm I said, "I hope that you were given a proper show of how well pain can be played."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I could feel the blood beginning to pound in my ears as he caressed my arm, lightly pressing his nails into my flesh. "The patrons were...very pleased, as far as I could tell," I said, trying to keep my voice from catching with desire.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

My finger reached the crack in her arm that made her elbow and I stopped there, leaving my nail in her arm for a moment. "That is good I said," though it wasn't really the answer I was looking for. I decided to be more forward. I took my finger off her arm though I still continued to hold her hand. "So, tell me, what is one thing you really enjoy."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I thought a moment. "There was a game we played," I said softly. "I was bound with fragile ribbon, and pleasured and tormented, but I couldn't break the ribbons. I...enjoyed that."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

I raised a brow, mostly in admiration. Her patron was a clever one. I enjoyed games of control in which my patron wasn't truly physically held back and this game I had not thought of. It made me more curious to ask the name, but I would respect the patron's privacy.

"Very intriguing," I told Avreille honestly. "It is good that you have seen some variety in play." I thought of the small collection of books I had gathered over the years and added, "one can never stop learning the tricks to their trade. There is always something new and interesting out there waiting to be known."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Of course," I said, nodding in agreement. "Sometimes it amazes me, how little I actually know, despite learning so much all the time."

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

"If you continue to learn throughout your time at Valerian than you will prove to be a good adept. It is those who think they don't need to bother who become sleepy and unwanted."

I had finished my drinks and was still in the mood for some more. So, I waved over a server and ordered two more small glasses of rum. Before he had a chance to run off with the order I asked Avrielle, "is there anything that you would like?"

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Oh, no thank you," I said. I glanced at the clock by the door. "My dowayne will be apt to scold if I return smelling of spirits."