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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 6, 2007 21:52:55 GMT -5
Given the fact that I'd arrived in the City only hours before I had gone to the Coronation banquet I was rather busy setting up my townhome. I'd ventured out only once to set up my contract with Heliotrope and had returned feeling much more relaxed than I'd been before I had gone; now, though, was time to meet the promise I'd made to a pretty adept of Eglantine.
Swinging myself down from the back of my chestnut mount, I tossed the reins to a waiting hand with a grin and made my way to the door. Once inside, as it were with Heliotrope, I found an adept waiting to aid me, and I told him why I'd come and who I was to see.
He nodded and walked off, bidding me to wait where I was. Complying I found a wall and leaned against it, my arms crossing over my chest as I lounged.
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 6, 2007 22:04:08 GMT -5
I was in my room, as usual, when the adept came to let me know that someone was here to see me. I asked who it was and he said it was a man named Decimus. I quickly ran around, quickly fixing my hair and trying to make myself look decent. I grabbed a lose, but somewhat forming light green dress and slipped it on before composing myself to go and meet him.
I walked d0wn the hall and near the main entrance and saw him leaning against the wall. I could have painted him simply that position, he looked relaxed and natural. Sometimes I appreciated that more than a posed look.
I smiled as I greeted him, "Afternoon Decimus, welcome to Eglantine."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 7, 2007 6:49:08 GMT -5
And there she was, coming down the hall with her ruby hair falling about her shoulders, slender form looking relaxed and comfortable within these walls. A smile was already on my face before she spoke, and with a short bow I stood free of the wall, my posture straightened.
"Thank you, Aaliyah," I said, smiling still. "How have you been since the banquet?"
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 8, 2007 17:52:45 GMT -5
"I have been well," I told him. I took him in, though without being overly obvious a part of my mind excited for the painting and thinking on it. "how about you?"
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 10, 2007 14:15:11 GMT -5
"I've been wonderful," I said honestly, a smile on my mouth for her. "I must admit though, the idea of being a model is somewhat strange. New things on a battlefield I can take in stride, but you d'Angelines have a fine way of making me second guess everything."
I said it teasingly, though it were true enough - I didn't know what exactly she wanted of me, though I couldn't imagine it was too hard.
Hopefully.
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 10, 2007 18:45:06 GMT -5
"Don't worry," I told him, "its not difficult. I sometimes prefer a model who hasn't posed a lot, some people put to much thought into it and their painting looks posed. Though I do try to down play it as much as I can. I think a more natural look is better." I then took a few moments to really take him in, his height, how he stood, the shape of his body, and more specifically the tattoos on his face and how they related.
I knew a little bit about the nature of the tattoos from my studies in art and asked, "what is the meaning of the tattoos on your face? I read that they are earned or mean something."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 12, 2007 14:00:37 GMT -5
I listened as she spoke, understanding and appreciating the way she looked at art. I'd seen some paintings in neighboring estates back in Alba that held the depictions of heros poised - I disliked it greatly. As her eyes traveled my form, I stood silent, though I watched her curiously as she moved her gaze to my face.
"There are a few different meanings," I said, my gaze remaining on hers. "When a boy is young, the etchings of the tattoos are begun, and continue on throughout his childhood. No matter his personality, they are designed to bring fierceness to his face, to make an enemy doubt himself and you for an instant - and an instant is sometimes all that is needed."
I shifted how I stood, trying to figure out a way to make her understand clearly without frightening her. "Imagine, Aaliyah, if you were opposing a tribe of Alba. On a battlefield, with your sword or spear in your hand, and coming at you were a hoard of faces tattooed, screaming blood and vengence, intent on driving you back and away. Would you hesitate, if you were unused to as such?"
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 12, 2007 14:27:45 GMT -5
I listened intently as Decimus told me about the tattoos and their meaning. I shuttered as he described the battle, in truth I couldn't imagine myself facing anyone with a sword. "I would hesitate," I told him honestly, "though that would be assuming you would actually be brave enough to trust me out on the battlefield with a sword." I added with a smile.
I then walked a little closer to him and walked around him, seeing his form from all angles. I looked back up at him when I had returned toward his face and said, "I bet there is a soft spot in you somewhere, when you are not on the battlefield and able to relax." I waited to see what his response would be to my inquiry. I had an ideal forming in my head but I wanted to make sure it would fit him as a person first.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 13, 2007 14:22:29 GMT -5
I looked at her up and down as if considering her, though I couldn't help but take it for an excuse to view her openly in a way that made me appreciate her as more than just a model. "Maybe a practice sword," I said, teasing her lightly. "With all that muscle mass and undoubted quickness of your feet, you might best me."
As she walked closer to me I continued to stand, even as she poured her eyes over me as she walked in a circle. I felt somewhat like a new recruit in Alba, and my teacher were swarming over me, intimidating and larger than life. Aaliyah, though; she was inches shorter than myself, small and thin, though with a confident air that I appreciated.
"Everyone has a soft spot," I commented idly, my gaze still watching her own. "No matter how hard or gruff, there's always something that makes them warm up some."
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 14, 2007 1:13:19 GMT -5
I had laughed as Decimus described me with a sword. I had learned some light self defense type things as an adept, but I would have to admit that I didn't really take them seriously. While you never knew, I really couldn't think of what anyone would want with me, a giggly and slightly obsessive painter.
Decimus had given me the answer I wanted and I was happy for it. I thought a moment more, picture exactly how he would fit into my ideal, based on the lose stature that he had before he greeted me.
"I think a portrait that shows you as the tough warrior, maybe with a sword in it for a cutting edge, but in a position that shows you do not want to use it at this time, you are not in a setting for it." I thought a moment longer, of a good setting that would show both hardness and softness. I could think of a few scenes but I wanted one without a lot of extra props or distractions, one were Decimus truly stood out.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 14, 2007 20:46:35 GMT -5
I tilted my head as I listened to her, trying to get an idea of the little she was describing. "Not in a setting for it?" I asked, honestly curious. "Where might I be, then if I have a sword but am not in a setting for using it?"
Bawdy suggestions came to mind, the sort I'd joke about with my men back in Alba - mostly centering on what sword she were referring to exactly. Those all I kept to myself though, and as amusement lit my eyes I merely remained quiet and impassive, waiting for her to speak.
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 14, 2007 21:48:16 GMT -5
I had been working out my picture in my head, but I wanted it to seem natural, as if I had just happened upon the scene. Eglantine had gardens, and some more elaberate than others. There were a few that had a more natural look. Deciding that I could think better there than in this hall I asked, "would you want to walk around the gardens? I could think better out there plus my inspiration is going in that direction."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 15, 2007 12:39:28 GMT -5
"Sure, if that would help," I replied with a smile, offering to her a natural gesture of my arm and waiting for her to lead the way.
"Do you do this often?" I asked, my smile turning teasing, light and easy going. "Pick out random strangers at the Palace and lure them into Eglantine, if for nothing else but to see your sunny face?"
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 15, 2007 18:04:02 GMT -5
I was happy to see Decimus offer his arm and I took it. I walked him toward one of the doors that would lead into an inner court yard.
I smiled at his jest, "I can't say that I do this often." Then, with a slightly different smile I said, "only when I see someone of interest."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 16, 2007 8:25:03 GMT -5
I glanced when she spoke, and watched her smile change a little. "I thought I was supposed to flatter you," I said with a slight tease, though I gave her a smile for what she said, letting it border on a grin.
The court yard was pleasant and I kept my pace slow and smooth, letting conversation trail off so she may think as she apparently needed to do to help her gain a feel for the image she wished to paint. The sun glimmered off of her deeply red hair and I had to struggle not to look at it, but I wasn't sure if I'd ever seen a color of red that deep upon a persons head before.
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 16, 2007 21:19:31 GMT -5
I smiled at Decimus' comment, "you don't need to flatter me, I already find you interesting. Though one can't chide a person to much for making the effort."
I walked around a little, seeing what exactly the garden held and talking as I did. "I am thinking that for the setting of the painting, you have just had a overly difficult battle, your weary but still not ready to put away your sword and let your blood calm. Maybe you come across a field of flowers, not far from the battle field but somehow undamaged. Laying in the flowers is a mysterious but untouched child." I looked at him before asking, "what would your reaction be?"
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 20, 2007 6:41:01 GMT -5
"Surprise initially," I responded, not even bothering to take the time to think. "Followed shortly by confusion and concern." My gaze held out before me, thoughtful, though still moving, observing as we strolled. "Why would a boy be near the battle, alone and laying in an untouched field? Unless he was frightened to stiffness and was trying to hide... but even then, hiding behind flowers rather than in a tree makes little sense, or simply running home." If he had a home left. I paused on the thought and shook it off physically, my dark hair shaking gently about my face.
"You're full of imagination, Aaliyah," I commented, turning my eyes to her with a smile. "It's obvious, even after so short a time."
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 20, 2007 21:45:38 GMT -5
I smiled a thank you before getting down to buisness, he questions gave me many ideals and I was more than happy to discuss them.
"What if he had followed his father to battle, he is to young to fight but he didn't want to be left home feeling useless. After the battle starts he realizes that he could do nothing to help. He panics and hides by laying in some tall plants, flowers." I cocked my head, waiting to see what Decimus would think of this ideal.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 21, 2007 7:04:33 GMT -5
"Well, that would be somewhat different, though in the end not much."
I glanced at her, trying to find the right words in d'Angeline to fit what I meant to say. "I would take him back to camp until it could be discerned where he lived and where his family was - if he had one left. It's the getting there that could prove tricky, though. Some boys see glory in battles before the reality comes, and the ones that choose to hide are generally split in half. One half is completely passive, looking only to go home to the softer side of life that he is used to, his mother and sisters, friends. The other half... They're timid and viperous in turns, shaking in fear while plotting to stick a knife in your throat whenever you come close enough to allow them to."
I glanced to her; some people didn't take talk such as this very well, and even though this wasn't bad when all was said and done, I wanted to be sure she was fine. She seemed hardier than others I'd met so far in the City though, and I was rather grateful for it.
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Post by Aaliyah nó Eglantine on Aug 21, 2007 19:39:12 GMT -5
I listened to what Decimus said and thought on it for a moment when he was finished. It would seem that he had been in battles before with younger members. I didn't know what the acceptable fighting age was for people in Alba.
A little taken by his description of the second sort I said, "timid and viperous, that would not be an easy thing to be. Perhaps I will do a painting of you looking down at the boy, you will have to be kneeling in some sort so that I can paint a closer view. He is trying to hide a dagger, but you see it. However he is young and you don't want to hurt him. I do have a scene in my head, but I want to know how you would react as well. Where would you place your hands and feet in response?"
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