Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 10:52:33 GMT -5
I wasn't used to running. After all, I rarely had to do it. Except on occasions like this.
My feet pounded heavily on the cobblestones, and I looked over my shoulder to see if he was following me. I couldn't see--wait, there was a flash of blond hair! I swallowed hard and made a quick turn through an alley, ending up in the crowds of people in Elua's Square.
In desperation I headed for the fountain, my breath coming in short gasps. I needed someone...anyone...to get me out of this mess. I searched for a likely savior, but I was slowly resigning to the fact that my luck might have run out.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 11:51:03 GMT -5
I was on my way home from my shift at the Palace still in my guard’s uniform. It had been more of the same sadly. Walking in circles and looking menacing, it was an easy post and I swore more every day that it was sucking the life right out of me. I am after all a trained swordsman, a good one, and I had not felt challenged in so long I could not recall what the sensation felt like. I fingered the scar on my face as movement caught my attention like it might with any large predator. Considering my family it was not surprising as I am a predator, but now I was distracted. A dark complexioned woman was hurrying toward the fountain and looking over her shoulder as if she were being pursued. Well this looked interesting and I am with the guard and still in uniform so I moved on an intercept course. My well worn sword hilt swinging at my side as comfortable as another appendage and then there were the usual round of daggers I had secreted about my person. It was probably nothing more complicated than a lover’s quarrel but then again a lad could always hope it was something more exciting.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 12:11:55 GMT -5
My desperate eyes fell upon an extremely handsome man in uniform. That might have been a bad thing, because I wasn't sure how kindly the crown looked on gambling. The wheels in my head turned as I considered the alternatives. Finally I decided that I'd rather be thrown in jail than face the man chasing me. I was pretty sure he favored a more final form of punishment. Plus, if he was a guard, he knew about protecting people.
I ran over to where the man in uniform was standing, trying to figure out how I should phrase my situation.
"Sir," I said, still breathless, "would you help me hide? Or can pretend I'm with you? Please?" I gave him a bright smile, though my chest was heaving. "Otherwise I might be..." I searched for the words. "...put into a rather precarious position."
The less information I gave, the better. I chanced another look. I could see the Skaldi now, his face contorted into an expression of pure rage. "Please make your choice quickly," I pleaded, "whether it be yes or no."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 12:20:25 GMT -5
She was nervous obviously and now she was stuttering at me. An amused smile creased my features as I fixed my Shahrizai blue eyes upon her and the fault lines were blatantly obvious. The distressed woman babbling had the composure of a child who had been caught with their hand in a cookie jar. It was rather amusing to me to say the least but then again most consider my humor decidedly dry.
I was not with the town watch so I really did not care what sort of mischief she had been into unless it was horribly blatant. But being with the Palace guard I reckoned guarding was my duty. I followed her gaze and saw a Skaldi stalking like a hound on scent and was even more amused at the utter irony. I simply turned and faced the man large fellow while calmly hooking my thumbs in my belt and asking the winded young woman “Just what did you do to tie his tail in such a knot?”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 12:29:50 GMT -5
Elua above! Why did people always ask so many damned questions? I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Sir, I doubt I'll have enough time to explain the whole story before he gets here, but suffice it to say that I was gambling, and possibly cheating, which is something I am very good at, but my opponent was smarter than he looked and he..."
The Skaldi came to a stop in front of us, huffing and puffing.
"...caught me," I finished lamely.
"Give me those dice, woman!" the Skaldi bellowed, grabbing my wrist and shaking it. With a cry I dropped what I had been holding. The pair of dice fell from my hands, landing to show a seven. Which is what they had been designed to do.
I tried to wrench my hand away, but the Skaldi wasn't going to let go now that he had caught me. I had led him on a merry chase, that was true, and I couldn't blame him. I looked up at the man I hoped would save me, my eyes begging him for help.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 12:40:36 GMT -5
Well she had been cheating at dice mayhap a Bryony lass mayhap someone who just plied the streets though the way she was babbling made me suspect Bryony more as I watched the loaded dice fall from her fingers. The large Skaldi was dumb even for one of his race as he utterly ignored the armed man in uniform standing near his quarry. And I suppose it would be bad form to let him ring the lass’ neck even if it appeared she deserved it. As most who know me realize I am fast, deadly fast and wiry strong and now was a time to demonstrate that as well as the fact I have trained with a blade all my life. Thus most near me, especially as distracted as the scene was now becoming did not even register I had moved until my sword had whispered from it’s sheath like a striking serpent and the razor sharp tip had pressed to the Skaldi’s throat and stopped just short of drawing blood.
It is amazing how quiet a busy square can become when someone bares steel as I just had. Utterly silent, so silent I did not have to raise my normal soft tones as I slipped into the Skaldian tongue and explained a few things to the blonde brute while still keeping the blade at his throat “Seems she cheated you but we will not be having physical harm here and now. The way I reckon things this will be solved by the lady turning over to you all the funds on her person and then you both go on your merry way.” I kept my predatory eyes glued to the big lug as I then added still speaking Skaldian “Or you can carry on like you are and find out the answer to the question of weather one feels their head hitting the ground before they perish” I pressed a bit more with the cold steel to make my point.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 13:03:49 GMT -5
I hadn't quite expected that. My eyes widened as he spoke another language...Skaldian? I didn't understand a word of it, but steel was a tongue that all could understand. Reluctantly my pursuer let go of my hand, stunned that the guard knew Skaldian, and I rubbed my wrist ruefully.
"Well?" the Skaldi said, holding his hand out.
"I'm...sorry?"
"Did you not hear what the man said?" the Skaldi shouted, making me jump. "Give me all the funds on your person. Or are you too stupid to understand such an advanced language?"
I felt so sick the Skaldi's insult didn't even register. I had started gambling with my own money, after all, and some of it was rightfully mine. I started to protest, but the look on the Skaldi's face and the guard's face let me know there was no getting out of this one.
With a heavy sigh I pulled my purse off my belt and handed it to the Skaldi. He grunted once and then sauntered off.
I turned to the guard, giving him a weak smile. "Well...that didn't go at all the way I'd planned," I said, as I leaned down to pick up my dice. I doubted I would try that trick again, but I could probably sell them in Night's Doorstep.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 13:16:15 GMT -5
I sheathed my blade and watched the little bird with amusement as she picked up her dice. “Did not go all that bad you did not give him the coin stuffed in your cleavage” I mildly observed. “And I reckon that Bryony House would have done you a worse turn if he had drug you back to their doorstep. Not for cheating mind you but for getting caught.” I had to admit she did amuse me. I then turned to the crowd of onlookers and made a shooing motion “Shows over folks.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 13:41:28 GMT -5
My eyes widened as he mentioned my cleavage. How did he know? Not being able to help myself, I checked to see that the Skaldi had truly gone before I reached in slowly and pulled out the small purse.
"You're more observant than I," I mused. "I should have realized he was keeping track of the rolls."
I hesitated to tell him that I wasn't really a Byrony adept. Just their reject. I figured he wouldn't turn me in, so I shrugged. "I was a Byrony adept," I said. "But I proved too poor a steward of money, and so they sent me elsewhere. Besides," I grinned, tossing the purse in the air and catching it, "the fun isn't in the amount of money you can win, but in the game itself."
"Maybe now you can guess which house I am truly from?" I asked, looking up at him, playing at being innocent. Now that the imminent danger was past, I felt myself loosening up. He had looked bored before I ran up to him...perhaps he could use a bit of fun as well.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 13:50:49 GMT -5
In spite of myself I stole a peek at her cleavage and a bit lower as she retrieved her coin. Her complexion was rather interesting not overt beauty but there was something about her look I found intriguing even as her personality revealed her to be decidedly not my type. “Observant keeps me alive and besides I served on the Skaldian border” I watched her with a wry grin as she worked on turning on the charm.
Mayhap she did have a bit of that but it invoked more amusement than desire “And I really do not gamble much or play guessing games.” I winked “Besides you admitted to being low on coin so I doubt you have much to wager.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 14:10:55 GMT -5
I would pick the one man in the square that spoke Skaldian. And the one man in the square who didn't play games.
"You're right, I wasn't planning on betting you," I said, pouting a bit without really thinking about it. "I've had enough of that for one day. Or several. I just thought you would like to test your powers of observation."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 14:18:33 GMT -5
“Alright” I started walking in no particular direction. “What is the game and what are we observing?” As I moved my footfalls hardly made a sound and people tended to discreetly move out of my way. All part of being family and part of being well trained my very nature seemed to warn off many on a primal level.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 14:51:12 GMT -5
I thought for an instant, trying to keep up with his longer strides. People didn't move aside for me as they did for him.
"How about this?" I said. "I'll guess what province you're from, and you can guess what house I'm in. Whoever gets the right answer first wins."
I had gotten fairly good at guessing. Usually when a patron came in, I could figure out where they were from in a few tries. However, I was a little worried because I didn't really have an idea where the guard was from. His type didn't seem to come into Orchis.
"You can chose the stakes, if you like," I said, a bit airily. Despite my handicap I was still rather confident.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 15:00:36 GMT -5
She had to be jesting, I was the stereotype of my family all blue eyes and dark locks. Probably the most infamous family in all the realm and she thought guessing my province or origin would be a great feat. She must think I had stupid limed on my forehead nearly as brightly as my inbred Shahrizai eyes showed. I elevated an eyebrow at her “You certainly must be jesting. Pretty much anyone walking this City could tell you my province just as surely as they could tell you my surname.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 15:21:19 GMT -5
His words confused me, and I turned to look at him. "Then I must not be everyone. I don't get invited to parties with lords and ladies. I don't have access to important people and events. I am only an adept, a young one at that, and I have no idea what your name might be."
I cast a critical eye over him, pursing my lips, trying to figure out whatever he thought I was missing. "From your scar, you obviously have been in serious battles, even though I don't think you're much older than me. You're a guard at the palace--I've had enough run-ins with them to know that uniform very well."
"The only military men I know were from one place. And that place makes sense, because it borders Skaldia." I smiled, sure I was right. "Were you born in Camlach?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 15:30:51 GMT -5
She was either playing this to the hilt or her dark complexion spoke of more exotic origins than I had expected. Either way I would bite so I chose to quietly enlighten her “My name is Gadleon Shahrizai and all of the Shahrizai are from Kusheth just like most with even a hint of our inbred blood have striking blues eyes and very dark hair our famous traitorous cousin is said to be the epitome of such looks. I do not know for sure it was before my time.” I tilted my head at her “Though from your complexion I am guessing you are not wholly of Terre d’Ange mayhap you are in fact not informed though we are whispered about enough for ten families.”
I gave her an utterly predatory smile not unlike a snake fixing its attention on a tasty little bird “Though you could be trying to lull me into a false sense of security. That is in fact probably more likely than anyone on this soil not having heard of the Shahrizai.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 16:00:18 GMT -5
I took an involuntary step back, and I hated myself for showing fear. Of course I had heard of the Shahrizai. I was not scared of his name, or the mention of his traitorous cousin, but of his smile. It made me feel as if I was being hunted, and I fought the urge to shiver. Resolutely I steeled myself--I was a daughter of Jebe-Barkal and a d'Angeline too, and I held no fear in my heart, not after what I survived earlier that day. His eyes were quite mesmerizing, though, and I looked into them as I said, "Though my father is not from this land, I have lived here all my life. The Night Court is my home, and yet I have never seen your family before. My house does not cater to your more unusual tastes, and I do not frequent the places you visit.
Oh, I had heard rumors, of course. What adept hadn't? There had been whispers of the darker desires of the Shahrizai, and I remembered how they used to frighten me as a child. But there were no floggers or whips, no flechettes in his hand. Not in the bright summer sun.
"But I have heard of you..." I said, my voice trailing off. I doubted I could ever lure a man such as this into a false sense of security.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jan 30, 2009 16:17:02 GMT -5
I cocked my head the other way my gaze never leaving her’s and stepped a bit closer just enough to let her feel my presence. “Mmmm” I all but purred “our legendary tastes do indeed tend to be a bit spicy but there is more to us than that and you know how rumors are.” I folded my hands mildly in front of me and continued with my serpentine smile. I was –really- enjoying this as even when I traveled out of country few did no recognize me for what I am on sight.
With a feline grace like a stalking large cat I walked a small circle around her “And the fact that you do not travel in the same circles I do discounts two Houses.” I paused behind her and let my breath tickle the nape of her neck “You already discounted Bryony yourself.” I circled to her front “You do not seem to have anything stuck up your rump so there goes Camellia, Cereus, and Dahlia.” I circled behind her once more “Oh and I forgot Alyssum now there is an uptight house. So you do not strike me as witchy like Gentian nor faithful like Heliotrope so I reckon that leaves Balm, Eglantine, Jasmine, and Orchis.” I circled once more to her front you are no healer so I reckon that now leaves three to choose from.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jan 30, 2009 16:35:38 GMT -5
I did know how rumors were, seeing as I had started a few myself and been the subject of them many a time. I stood there, watching him as he stalked around me, my head high, feeling much like a statue on display on display, though I am ashamed to admit I shivered when I felt his breath on my neck. When he circled around again I was ready and did not give myself away. He was just so beautiful, I couldn't help it.
When he stopped in front of me, I gave him a big smile and curtseyed in a slightly mocking way. "Sir, your perceptive qualities far dwarf mine. I will allow you that I have lived in all three of those houses before."
Despite my internal confident monologue I couldn't help but look down when he fixed his eyes upon me. "And who am I to say if the rumors are true? As I said, I have never had the pleasure of meeting one of the Shahrizai before." I looked up at him again. I wasn't going to let his gaze scare me, but Namaah's tits! I felt like I had bitten off more than I could chew. For the second time that day.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 2, 2009 9:14:19 GMT -5
I snorted “And you have a dreadful poker face unless you are purposefully over playing your hand. No wonder the large mound of muscle with no brains figured you out.” I returned her stare and tapped her on the chest with my index finger just above her cleavage “It is a near call but you do not strike me as the artistic sort though I could be mistaken. That leaves Jasmine and Orchis. Really two sides of the same coin if one ponders it much though that is not so obvious or stereotypical.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 2, 2009 11:29:23 GMT -5
It was quickly becoming clear to me, as he touched my décolletage and made me shiver again, that I was dealing with a mind that was twisty and hard for me to understand. This was a rather rare occurrence, and it was starting to frighten me even more. I wasn't sure if my shivering was from fear or arousal. Maybe it was a very good thing I had never met a Shahrizai before.
"The mound of muscle did not figure me out," I said, insulted. "I accidentally gave myself away. I've never worked with loaded dice before."
"And I am an artist, of sorts," I said, tapping his chest about the same place he tapped mine. "Though obviously not a very good one, if you've almost figured me out. How can you say that Jasmine and Orchis are two sides of the same coin? All the adepts I've met from those places have been quite different."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 2, 2009 13:40:33 GMT -5
She tapped my chest back and it made a small little thunking noise. While I am not intimidating like the Skaldi was I none the less work out each day practicing my art and developing a wry sort of strength. I stepped closer our chests very nearly brushing in the process as I peered down at her I lowered my soft voice even more “For pleasures sake and joy and laughter are both about enjoyment tissssssss sssssssssimply a matter of the type and one can be intertwined if one finds joy and pleasure in perversity.” I let her off on her defensive tone on the matter I delivered her from though the fault lines were becoming more clear by the moment. With another wolfish grin I asked “So tell me, do you pay your debts?”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 2, 2009 14:37:29 GMT -5
I sniffed once, a bit chagrined. It did make sense when you thought about it. All I knew was that I had disappointed my mother by living in one and not the other. Though I wasn't sure what he meant by finding joy and pleasure in perversity. What was perverse about the tenets of the houses?
His voice was low and dangerous, much like my Dowayne's when she was really and truly angry. I didn't think he was upset, but everything in me shouted that I should stop this silly game I was playing and leave the soldier alone.
Unfortunately I'm not one to back down from a challenge. Everything about the man, from that predatory grin of his to the way his eyes looked at me, trying to suss out any and all of my weakness, was provoking me to press on.
I resisted the urge to step back--he was very close, and I could feel the heat emanating from his body--and said, "I do pay my debts, my lord, though you haven't told me the stakes and you still haven't guessed my house."
Maybe I had lost, but he hadn't quite won.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 2, 2009 14:50:42 GMT -5
“Mmm, but I meant concerning the large blockheaded mound of flesh” I circled behind her once more remaining inside of her zone of comfort. “Concerning that matter” I leaned in and whispered against the back of her ear “you owe me. As long as you live you will owe me until such a time as I need something in return from you then you might discharge your debt.” I raised up and circled back to her front “When it comes to your game you are right we have not set the stakes for that. Sure you still wish to play when you are already in debt?” I quirked my eyebrow and gave a serpentine grin. Since she had identified herself as an odd duck who had not encountered my family I felt it my duty to leave her suitably impressed.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 2, 2009 15:07:13 GMT -5
"Oh. Right. That." Did no one do anything out of the goodness of their heart any more? I thought quickly. It would have been a lot easier to think if he stopped breathing in my ear like that. I could feel my skin still tingling at his touch.
At the least I could try to mitigate the trouble I was in. "As long as what you might ask of me does not exceed what you did for me, I am happy to repay that debt at any time you choose," I said with a cheer I did not feel. I was pretty sure he would find a way around that. He was a soldier and a scoundrel, though, and I wasn't too worried about what he might want. Most people I knew tended to have simple needs. And yet why did I feel very nervous about this whole enterprise?
"Since I can't think of anything much worse than the situation I am already in," I said, returning his grin, my eyes meeting his, "I might as well press my luck a bit further." That wasn't really true either. I just couldn't see a way out. Not yet. "Hazard a guess, if you like. Though it's hard to continue when I still don't know what we're playing for."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 2, 2009 15:16:44 GMT -5
She had already tipped her hand long ago to one who could see the fault lines in another’s soul. There was a bit of bitterness in her past that she tried to hide with a smile not unlike the shiver in her soul my presence caused that she tried to hide with bravado and another smile. Though mayhap the greatest of her concerns was that she did not know how to take the affect I was having on her.
I had a sense for the dramatic so I tapped my lips in thought before folding my hands in front of me and stepping back “Ah but you have already lost Lady Orchis and now you owe me twice.”
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 2, 2009 15:36:52 GMT -5
My smile faltered a bit, but I quickly curtsied to avoid showing my disappointment. Honestly, I was just relieved he took a step back. I couldn't think with him so close. "Well and truly, sir, I have and I do."
I looked at him, pretending to size him up. "So...what do I owe you? I am sorry to say that I don't own much, and I only have a few coins in my purse..." I trailed off, uncertain as to what else I might offer to a man such as him. Since he was a guard, I doubted he would sleep with me without a contract, and even still, I might refuse him. I had the right, after all.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 5, 2009 10:58:44 GMT -5
I rolled my shoulders and gave her a feline smile “You simply owe me until such a time as I decide to call in your debt. At present there is nothing I desire from you so you shall have to content yourself with your debt.” I tilted my head and watched her. In truth I had no idea if I would ever call said debt due but instilling a bit of speculation in her mind amused me at the moment.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 5, 2009 12:19:53 GMT -5
I shifted from one foot to the other, aware of his eyes on me, my heart beating fast with trepidation. I hated the idea of this hanging over me. Worse yet, he knew where to find me. Even though he didn't know my name, I was strange looking enough that he could probably ask around Orchis until some stupid fosterling gave me up. My only hope--and it was a small one, since I had made such a scene--was that something more important would cause him to forget me.
As I looked up at him and saw that smile, I was sure that wasn't going to happen.
"Sir, as you know, the life of an adept is very busy, and as such it might be better for you to let me know in advance what you might need." I realized I was squirming, and I willed myself to stop. "I would definitely be more able to fulfill my debt if I could prepare myself..."
I felt a fool. But I couldn't just wait and wait until he came to claim me.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Feb 5, 2009 12:48:40 GMT -5
I turned my palms up and shrugged “Trying to welch once more? I would think it would occur to you that this is how you found yourself in difficulty in the first place.” I stepped back into her space again as her squirming was delightful “What was it you said your name was pet? I would like to know so that I might spread the word that your marker is no good and I am so sure that will aid your future prospects.” There was of course a point in all of this aside from my own amusement in that she might learn a bit of a lesson. Though the clear dread she was feeling at the moment was overshadowing said lesson. Mayhap she might come to understand a bit once she had, had time to reflect.
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