Mischief and Mayhem: A Jaunt Through The City

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I sighed softly, looking at my map, turning it this way and that, and realising, yet again, that I was honestly and utterly lost. How was it that I could never find my way to a bookstore, just one paltry bookstore! I swore under my breath in Cruinth. This was not the first time I had lost myself in this city, and something told me, premonitions aside, that this was going to continue to happen many, many times, despite how hard I tried, or how many maps I invested in. This would never have happened in Alba, getting lost, my inability to read a simple map.

"ARGH!" I grunted, throwing my arms up in anger, the mild wind taking my map along with it. I growled in utter frustration as I started in a sprint after it, not paying attention to the signs, or the changing buildings. I was fast, thank the Gods for that, but it was as though the very elements wanted to play a trick on me today. No matter how fast I ran, I couldn't catch up to it, as it took unexpected twists and turns down roads I failed to recognize. My dress swished around my calves, trying at ever step to twist and turn and send me flying into the dusty road, my feet feeling as though they would slip over the pebbles in the strappy sandals that made their way up my legs like intertwined leather snakes. I could feel the pins in my hair shifting, wanting my curls to break free as I ran, jostling them. I continued to groan, cussing now in D'Angeline as I followed my map, taking a moment to realise that I had entered into surroundings with buildings that were shabilly built, with people that were dressed to match the buildings. and words flowing from their mouths that put even me to blushing.

My map mysteriously came to rest on the ground, no wind picking it up as I crept slowly towards it, as if it were an animal I were hunting. I was so very close as I crouched low to the ground, about ready to snap it up.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

This morning, I told the Dowayne that I was doing some shopping for the cook. And then I told the cook that I was doing an errand for the Dowayne. This sort of misdirection always afforded me at least most of a day free. And, besides, I was going shopping. Just not for either of them. And not with any real money.

As I sauntered down Mont Nuit, I walked past a woman about my age. She was on the ground and seemed to be stalking a piece of paper. Not one to pass up a golden opportunity like this, I got down beside her, hands and knees, and crawled with her.

"So, tell me," I said, conspiratorially, "are we hunting for game or for sport?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I was determined to get that damned map when a rather beautiful girl came to crouch beside me. The grin on her face was hard to resist returning, but I was having a terrible morning, and her jest reminded me of just how foolish I must seem to onlookers. Staying my position and inching closer, nonetheless, I glared at her, then faced the map. When I catch hold of it, I was definitely going to tear that thing to shreds.

"Mayhap both," I answered, my eyes still on the map, "it seems my map may have developed a mind and feet of its own, and here I am without my bow and arrows." I reached quickly forward, only to have something move it past my grasp. I turned to face the girl, she, obviously amused, and me rather at the other end of the spectrum. "Do you see what I mean?!" I questioned, flustered as I settled back on my heels, the satin of my dark green dress dusted and scuffed from dragging. "Ugh!" I groaned, realising I had ruined a perfectly fine dress.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I whistled at the damage. "Well, it's not so bad. It could be worse. But let's handle one problem at a time."

I stood, brushing off my dress, feeling a little self-conscious about my simple yellow cotton. Then I moved forward, stepping gingerly, until I was almost upon the map. Finally, with a crow of triumph, I stamped down, attempting to catch the paper with my foot.

Unfortunately the movement blew the map a little farther away and into a puddle leaking from a fishmonger's stall.

"Hm. That didn't happen at all the way I expected." I shrugged and fished the paper out. It was impossible to read. I tried to shake it out a bit to get the water out, but all the ink was running off the paper.

"The map had a good life, of that I am sure, but I think its time among us has run its course." I held out my hand to help her up. "Think of it this way, it must have not been a very good map if you ended up on the ground, huh?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I watched, still on my knees, as the mystery girl attempted to stop my misbehaving map, only to have it fly from a potential catch and into a puddle. I groaned outwardly as she gingerly picked it up, the paper sodden and smelling of rancid fish. I plugged my nose as I used my other hand to accept her help, then took the map with my fingers. It was utterly ruined.

"Ah well, yes," I responded in my accented D'Angeline, "It lived a rather long yet pointless life, unless its point was to do rather the opposite of what I bought it for and run me through the ringer while doing it." I glanced to the girl beside me, dropping the map to the ground and not bothering to look at it again, I crouched to wipe my wet fingers on the sandy road. Then, realising how unladylike this seemed, I blushed, my cheeks certainly turning a beet red as I felt them heat. I came back to an upright position, extending my non-sullied hand in greeting.

"Faolan mab Ceallach. I am rather... new here," I let my eyes appraise her, hopefully without too much awkwardness. I envied her her garb, it seemed light and airy and easy to move in, and she definitely knew how to play up her beautiful skin, or at least so I thought, then again I was terrible with these sorts of feminine things. I myself, felt like I was trapped in a hideous green prison. I smiled, despite my lack of ability when it came to pleasantries. I glanced into her strikingly light coloured cat-like eyes. "And who might you be?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I watched her blush with some interest and amusement. What did she have to get embarrassed about? I got lost all the time, and I had grown up in the City of Elua.

I shook her offered hand with a gentle but firm shake. "I could rather tell that you weren't d'Angeline, but I couldn't place your accent. My name is Sandrine nó Orchis, and I'm obviously not very good at catching wayward maps."

The fishmonger handed me a clean towel, and I wiped my hands before giving it to Faolan. "Maps are for those who lack adventure, Faolan. Getting lost is often the most fun you can have on a summer day. Where were you headed?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I watched as she wiped her hands, handing the towel to me, I did the same, blushing anew at my own actions earlier. But something in her words struck a chord with me.

"Yes, the accent seems to give it away all the time," I replied with a smile. "And Sandrine you say? Interesting name. You are part D'Angeline?" I asked, wondering at her own story. She did not look like most D'Angelines, but there were things about her, that pure beauty that only D'Angelines possessed.

"And I do not lack the want for adventure. Being from Alba I am quite the opposite," I retorted rather childishly. "I just figured, once I got my business out of the way, then I would have time to look around. It's just been... a little overwhelming, being from Alba and coming here.... it's so different. But I guess it happens to everyone," I noted, remembering her own confession. I shrugged. "I was apparently not on my way to the bookstore, though that was where I wanted to be headed. Apparently I have ended up... here," I said with some distaste as I handed the towel back to the fishmonger, nodding in appreciation. "I think this is Night's Doorstep?" I queried, looking around, my hands wiping subconsciously at the dust on my dress.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

Her question was rather personal, and I was a bit taken aback at her tone, but since I had ruined her map, I said, "My father is Jebean, and my mother is d'Angeline. I received my teeth and my smile from my father, my eyes and my height from my mother, and the hair was a gift from them both. Though sometimes I wish they'd take it back."

I paused, then said, "I'm sorry about the map, Faolan. I doubt we could find you another one here, because everyone here knows where they're going." A smile spread across my face. "But I'm sure they sell them at the bookstore, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Or arrow. Whatever weapon you happen to have on hand, I suppose. And, luckily for you, I was on my way there." I bowed slightly. "We can go together, if you'll have me. I owe you anyway, since it was partly my fault."

I cocked my head at her question, then nodded. "Yes, it is Night's Doorstep. It probably gets a bad name if you haven't lived in the City, but I've never feared for my life here. You just have to be vigilant." I sized her up much as she had done to me a few moments ago. "Though I doubt you have that problem."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed despite myself as she appraised me. It was fair, given my own actions earlier.

"Yes, well... Albans are well known for their ability to fight. It hasn't gotten me into many interesting situations here yet, though I certainly haven't been here long."

I was taken aback for a moment at her own explanation. "Now why wouldn't you want the hair? It's beautiful!" I retorted. I wanted to let a hand brush through it, tug on the curls, see how it felt, but I really would be overstepping my boundaries and thought better on it, for once curbing my desire to do something foolish. "I wish I could have hair so playful. Mine is just... well.. red. And curly. It goes with nothing, and It really hates staying in those darned mesh things," I explained, my hands motioning around the back of my head, as I was at a loss for the D'Angeline word for it. I shrugged, giving up on that.

"And not to worry about the map. As you said, it really was not doing a good job. Then again, mayhap it was the map reader and not the map itself. I don't think even my arrows could have helped me in that situation, as much as I do miss having them around." I found myself smiling again, despite the terrible turn my mood had taken earlier. "And," I continued, returning the bow, "I would definitely like the company. Maybe with your help I will be able to make it to the bookstore? And mayhap... I mean if you aren't too terribly busy..." my voice trailed off as I looked down at my scuffed dress. "It looks like I had a tumble with a wild boar," I uttered with a soft laugh.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"Well, hopefully you won't get into any fights with me around. I think the only thing I'd be good for is running away."

Her compliment about my hair was rather unexpected, and in my vanity a rather pleased smile spread across my face. "Playful isn't quite the word I'd use, Faolan. Unruly, perhaps, or difficult. In that sense, my hair and I are quite alike."

I chanced a glance at her hair. Really, it wasn't so different from mine. Her curls were not as tight as mine, and the color was so vibrant and eye-catching. "I don't know why those are in fashion...they seem so confining. Although yours is extremely fetching. And I think the color is very nice. It's so..." I reached close, looking into her eyes, and pushed a lock of hair out of her face, behind her ear. She was lovely, even if she wasn't d'Angeline. "...different."

"I'm no seamstress," I said, moving back to consider her dress, "but we could find one in the artisan's district. I'm never too busy to help a friend in need." Plus, I doubted I would run into anyone I knew there. "Luckily there are no wild boars in the City of Elua...though there are plenty of pigs."

I beckoned for her to follow me. "What brings you to the City of Elua, Faolan? I've heard that Alba is quite lovely, especially in the summer."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed at the description of her own hair though I definitely thought it was something different and rather beautiful. Then her hand reached and pushed a lock of my own hair behind my ears, her light brown eyes peering into my blue ones, and I could not break the gaze, her fingertips brushing past my ear. "Th.... thank you," I whispered softly, rather modestly as my cheeks heated. I smiled then. "I suppose we both dislike our own hair then, mayhap a switch is in order," I stated as I felt my cheeks cool. It was odd that she had done what I had wanted to, without any inhibition. It made me feel rather oddly at ease. I laughed at her jokes, she was definitely a very funny girl, and I couldn't help but wonder how she had become so witty.

I followed as she beckoned, taking in a deep breath as I considered how much of my own story I wished to divulge.

"Well," I started, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth as I stepped over another rather smelly puddle. "I figured that, in my position, I should learn more about other countries, especially our allies, which is one of the reasons that brought me here. Another was to pursue higher education of some sort, and to get a taste of something different. Our lands are tied politically, which I suppose is reason enough. But a part of me wanted to get to know Terre D'Ange for more than just political reasons. Plus I needed to feel a sense of... freedom. There were... things... that I needed to be away from... just for a little bit.... I consider it something of an experiment." I tried to explain, not wishing to give away too much, but knowing somehow that I could trust her with a certain measure of truthfulness. "Although, yes, it is rather beautiful this time of year," I murmured, following as I thought nostalgically about the beautiful green of rolling hills, which then reminded me of my dress as I looked down for a moment, and then something sparked in my memory. I'm no seamstress, then her name, and her cheerful nature...

"Sandrine no Orchis," I muttered softly to myself. "You are what they call an adept then yes? If I follow the nomenclature correctly?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"I wouldn't say I dislike my hair," I said, trying to remember where I was going. Somehow I doubted Faolan would be amused if we both were lost. "It's more like a friendly rivalry. Keeps me on my toes."

She blushed so easily. Maybe that was an Alban trait? I thought it adorable, even though I doubted she was much younger than me. It was evident, from the way that she moved, that she was not a creature of leisure such as I. I wondered what she meant by "her position" and "things" she needed to be away from, though if she didn't want to tell me, I probably shouldn't pry.

I could still feel her hair, soft and curly, beneath my fingers.

"We all have our cages, Faolan," I said, gently pulling her out of the way of a merchant's cart by her hand. I forgot, sometimes, that some people do not like to be touched, due to the close relationships I had with my fellow adepts and other friends. "Some are physical, some are mental, and some are of our own creation. Astute as you are, you have correctly guessed what binds me, though it's not really a cage and the binding is not so tight. I'm an adept of the house of Orchis."

I tapped my bottom lip with my fingers. "Seems everyone who comes to visit knows what an adept is. I suppose our reputation precedes us."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I smiled softly at the explanation of her relationship with her hair. I still wanted to feel it, but coudln't be forward enough to take her strands between my fingers. Then I continued to listen as I felt her hand tug me out of the way of an oncoming cart. I tried to pay attention but there was just so much to pay attention to. I turned to face her, her hand still on mine, her grip was strong but gentle, and her skin was soft. I tried not to blush. I didn't shy away from contact, I was just afraid of overstepping my boundaries where physical contact was concerned. I continued to listen to her as we walked down the road.

"Yes," I agreed, "we do all have cages. I wouldn't necessarily consider my situation to be a cage so much as it is... a responsibility that I am shirking," I smiled then. "Well, I guess that is a cage of sorts. Nonetheless, I wouldn't consider allegiance to the Night Court to be a considered a cage so much as it is a way of life? Or at least that is how I have read it. I have much to learn about the varying customs here." I noticed our surroundings changing, the buildings becoming more sturdy, more becoming, and the roads having less gaps between their cobbled stones. "So what is your house cannon known for? Judging by your demeanor, I would say that it has to do with laughter, mirth and fun? Am I right? And do you like it?" I was bombarding her with questions, which I was sorry for, but learning was always better firsthand, much better than reading from a one sided book.