More Messengers

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I had just finished classes for the day, and wandered to the gardens. It was starting to get cold out, but I bundled up, craving the sunlight. Finding a bench, I sat comfortably, soaking in the meager rays with closed eyes.

[Calista nó Valerian]

And so it was that I had delivered the message given to me in a fairly record breaking time, slipping in between the taller adepts, murmuring soft apologies and going on about my business. A childhood habit plagued me as I exited the Cereus house; humming softly, my eyes were down upon the ground before me, and I almost missed the figure sitting upon the bench. My approach slowed, I watched her as she sat, eyes shut, drinking in the chilled air and faint sunlight, calling a greeting in a soft voice.

"Hello."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

Someone came along the path behind me, soft footsteps and tune giving her away. I opened my eyes at her greeting, surprised that it was no one I recognized. She was small, almost child-like, but I knew better.

"Good afternoon. Beautiful day isn't it?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

I nodded, feeling a bright smile fall upon my lips in responce.

"A lovely day, to be sure."

The sun shone down in fitful patches, peeking out between clouds and then hiding its face again... but still, it was lovely. I'd halted my walk a moment before, and now merely stood to the side of the other, taking in a soft breath.

"Are you not cold? The air.. has a bite."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I smiled, my eyes closing again. "I am fairly well bundled up. You just have to concentrate on the feeling of the sun."

After a pause I continued. "You're more than welcome to join me."

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Thank you."

Oh, my bones were not well constructed for cooler temperatures, though I did not wish to offend or turn down an invitation so readily given. Walking quietly to sit next to the other, I wrapped my cloak tighter about me, trying at once to use the advice given. The sun... the sun. My pale green eyes slipped shut, and I sat, quiet for a moment, listening to the songs of the birds that endured the winter months, and a smile of my own came to pull across my lips.

"I'm Calista nó Valerian; pleased to meet you."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

No wonder I didn't know her, Valerians were not often seen in the halls of my House.

"Nyx nó Cereus. If I may ask, what brings you here?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

"A message, no more."

It was a shame, really; I'd not gotten to see much of House Cereus this trip through, and had only been here less than a handful of times in the years past... My curiosity peaked.

"It is a lovely place, Cerus House. I wish I had more of a chance to come by, but alas, life is as it is."

I opened my eyes to direct a smile up at her, finding myself sitting shorter than she.

"Still, though, I am glad to have gotten the chance to do so today."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I opened my eyes to find her gaze on me, a smile on her face. I smiled back. "I must say, I havent't had many chances to find my way into Valerian either. What's it like there?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Its lovely. Quiet, comfortable."

I smiled again, delight appearing across my features.

"I am lucky to be there. If it wasn't for Valerin, I would likely be milking a herd of cattle somewhere, or married off and unhappy."

We all had a thankful bone, I knew, though I was never hesitant about displaying mine. I enjoyed to smile, to laugh, though my trust was slow to be given.

"And here? What is the Cereus House like?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"Lovely, quiet, and comfortable." I said with a grin. "Though a little less quiet than usual as of late. The whole House is in a dull roar about the Midwinter Masque. Will you attend?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Of course!" Glancing back to the birds flitting from tree to tree, I gave a wistful sigh, thinking on the pleasurable night.

"And you, are you going?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"My friend is working on my costume as we speak. Well, perhaps not, but you know what I mean. To say that I was excited would be a huge understatement." I said with a grin, thinking of not only the fete, but of Keegan.

[Calista nó Valerian]

Ah; I was considered fairly quick-witted, and with a glance to the face of the one beside me, I figured there was likely another reason. The smile on my face creeped into a grin, and I looked up those inches to her, watching with a tightly wrapped amusement mixed with envy. I had no one, yet; never have, and have always wondered what it would be like to yearn for one individual so.

"I'm quite excited myself. Is there someone there you are planning to meet?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I made a slight face. "Is it that obvious?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

I laughed then, shaking my head.

"A guess, only that. You looked quite pleased."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I smiled softly. "I shouldn't. It's a promise of a dance, nothing more..."

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Ah, still, you are lucky. To have such a promise is a step up and away from those who do not."

I gave her a soft smile, then, turning my green eyes out and over the landscape of the garden.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"What about you?" I asked in a teasing voice. "Anyone you'll keep an eye out for?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

The tease that laced her voice brought my attention back 'round, and I looked at her with a wry grin.

"No, sadly... but at that, I am free and open to all others."

I could feel my grin turn devilish, then, wickedly happy and with a spark of a thrill at the thought. It would be fun.. much fun.

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"Well that's the only way of going about it, isn't it? I might spend the whole night pining after some man who doesn't remember I exist-" Not likely, I thought- "while you can spend the whole night thinking of whoever catches your fancy."

[Calista nó Valerian]

My grin tuned down at that, and I shook my head, rebuking her words before I even spoke.

"Not necissarily; you could take your dance with him, and spend the rest of the night showing him what you are made of, and why he should pine you."

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I laughed, shaking off the feeling of her frown. Apparently she didn't like to be comforted in this respect. "He never struck me as the sort of man to pine for anyone. He's always having way too much fun."

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Ah! Everyone pines for someone at one point or another." I smiled at her, the white of my teeth flashing as my lips parted. "You merely need to give fate a hand and help him see it is you he should be spending his time with. If not... you could at least have a grand time dancing with others, no?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"That's true enough. And it's Midwinter. Who knows what could happen?" I could almost feel the blush creep into my cheeks with the thoughts that followed that statement, and I pulled my scarf up.

[Calista nó Valerian]

I laughed again, finding converstaion with Nyx to be easy to go along with. "Thats true, you never do know. Either way, though, it should be more than a little fun. And when the end of the night comes, who can say what will be the outcome?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

I gave a small, quiet sigh. "One can always hope."

[Calista nó Valerian]

Nodding, I gave a soft sigh though my smile; whether it stemmed from frustration at the wait facing us all til the night came or it were a sigh of simple contentment, I could not really say. "Things will turn out well, I am sure, one way or another. Tell me though, what will your costume look like?"

[Nyx nó Cereus]

"I am going as a winter fox. My gown is white velvet, with black lace at the bottom of the skirt. But my favourite part is my masque." I grinned, refusing to think about the unofficial part of my outfit that was really my favourite. "What about you? The Valerians are going as deer this year non?"

[Calista nó Valerian]

"Oh, how lovely! Velvet is one of my favourite fabrics; I'm sure you'll look stunning." Grinning, I clasped my hands together in my lap, taking in a shallow breath. Foxes were amazing creatures; Cereus was fortunate. "We Valerians are deer, yes." I fairly beamed, pleased with the sleek animal we would represent. "My dress shall be a dark brown, as a swamp deers would be, and laced through with silver for sheen. I was lucky enough to have gotten it in silk." Flushing softly at that, I gave a small shrug; I would the day I could afford better on my own be near rather than far. "What will your mask be like?