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 24, 2009 16:05:31 GMT -5
I laughed as I washed my hands. She was right, of course. I was happy to see that she looked a little less tense than she had earlier.
"Oh, where to start?" I said airily. "First of all, I don't necessarily like to cheat. I suppose I'd rather win fair and square. But I just wanted to try the dice out. Fat lot of good they did me." I wiped my hands on a towel. "I also don't like to get myself in hot water." I shrugged. "It always just seems to happen. I get bored cooped up in the House all day. I don't need any more lessons, despite what the Dowayne says, and I help with chores all the time. I feel like I deserve time for me." I sat down across from her, my eyes mischievous. "Plus I haven't had many patrons lately, so I try to get out and find them if I can." With one notable exception... I mused happily. "Really, this is the first House I've ever infiltrated. I don't know if I'd like to make a regular habit of it. It's a jumpy business...and if I'm seen, I'm pretty distinctive looking. I'm sure someone could track me down."
I was unsure of how much of my life I should tell Liana. I had done several rather embarrassing things--not only to me, but to my House, and the Houses I had lived in before.
"My mother was a Jasmine adept. If you go there they still talk of her skill and beauty," I said, more subdued than before. "I wasn't really a good fit there, so eventually I found my way to Orchis. Even though I get in my share of trouble, I love it there. I'm almost half-way done with my marque, but as I said business is slow recently and I hate going to the marquist anyway." I shivered as I remembered the last time. At least Keegan had been there, so it wasn't as bad as normal.
"What about you, Liana?"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 24, 2009 17:01:36 GMT -5
"Well lessee." I mused, wondering what there was to tell. "There isn't much to tell really, I live a boring existence, at least until you sneaked into our house!" I winked and laughed before going on more soberly.
"My parents brought me here when I was ten years old, something happened when I was nine that convinced them that I would fit in here." I paused remembering that day. "Anyhow, here I came and here I've stayed. I do my chores and see my patrons. My marque isn't quite as done as yours though hopefully I'll have enough to visit the Marquist very soon to get some more done." I smiled. "So you see, I lead a boring life. Maybe you're here to liven it up a little?"
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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 24, 2009 18:11:46 GMT -5
I pursed my lips for an instant at that thought. "I'm not sure if that's something you want," I teased. "I'm hard to get rid of..." I grinned. "Though I promise no dull moments."
"There must be something else you do, Liana," I said, walking over to stand in front of her. "Don't you read or practice dancing in the mirror or occasionally gorge yourself on sweets?" I paused, bit my lip, and then looked at her. "Not that I've ever done anything like that, myself."
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 25, 2009 3:24:05 GMT -5
"mmm, of course you haven't!" I exclaimed. "You would never catch me doing anything like that either" I added putting on a prim and proper voice before grinning broadly. "In fact..." I paused as I scrambled past her to get to my cupboard and flourishing a small bag of sweets. "I don't know just what these are doing here!" I said, having the grace to blush as I waved the packet in the air before offering Sandrine some.
"I read a fair bit, and I like going for long walks too." I stopped to consider. "I think the most time consuming thing I do, is when I have baths." I giggled, "Once I'm in a bath, it takes forever to get me back out. I even read in the bath! So, what about you? Seeing as you don't dance in front of the mirror or gorge yourself on sweets." I stuck my tongue out a little and laughed.
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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 25, 2009 8:49:38 GMT -5
I giggled as she waved the sweets in front of me, finally taking the bag and pulling out a few for myself. "I thought you were sore," I teased, "and yet you moved like lightning just now. You're quite the actor, Liana."
"We should go on a walk, sometime," I said, tilting my head as I looked at her, handing the bag back over. "Have you ever been to the cemetery?" I scrunched up my nose for an instant. Not many people knew I liked to go there. "It's peaceful...and the tombstones are rather interesting." I looked down, then back up at her. "I know it sounds strange, but it's a good place for thinking. Not quite like a bath..." And I smiled a wicked grin. "...but I don't think we're good enough friends for me to join you there." I stuck my tongue out like she had, to show I was joking.
"I read a lot too, but mostly about other countries. It's almost like studying." I smiled, less wicked and more friendly. "When I complete my marque I'm going to visit other places...as soon as I make the money of course."
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 25, 2009 10:42:13 GMT -5
"I am sore! Don't you believe me?" I asked with a mock pout. "Besides sweets are too good to resist, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!" I said laughing, the pout forgotten.
"I can't say that I have been to the cemetery. In fact I'm not even sure I've been past it. I'd love to walk with you....that is unless you insist on the dead of night, in which case you can forget it!" I grinned, teasingly. I wasn't going to let her live down her night time antics any time soon.
"And we're not good enough friends to share a bath?" I said in a mock indignant tone. "Huh, and here's me hoping you'll scrub my back later." I giggled again, thinking how nice it was to have a chat with a friendly face, for all our teasing of each other.
"So is there anywhere you'd like to visit first?" I asked in interest, tilting my head to one side.
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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 25, 2009 11:55:48 GMT -5
I laughed when she mentioned prowling around the cemetery at night. I knew it was a dig at my current situation. "Even I'm not that bold, Liana. Not that I'm scared or anything, but it doesn't make sense to tempt fate. We can go any time you like," I said, and meant it.
I raised an eyebrow at her teasing about the bath. "No, I must refuse," I said, my voice taking on a prim and proper tone, my face absolutely serious. "I do not get in the bath with someone unless we have talked at least three times. You and your back will just have to pine for me until later." I looked serious for a few more seconds before I dissolved into laughter, though I sobered up at her last question.
"Well, obviously I'm not just d'Angeline," I said, twirling one of my curls around my fingers and letting it spring back into place. "My father is a Jebean diplomat. He comes to the City every three years. It's my greatest dream to visit his home. After that, I'd like to visit Menekhet, Hellas, Illyria, Caerdicci Unitas, Aragonia...and Alba." I flushed slightly at the last one. Hopefully Liana wouldn't notice. It was all a dream anyway, it probably wouldn't come true.
"I haven't even been far outside the city, though...I can dream, though, can't I?" I smiled wistfully, lost for an instant in the sounds of the sea and the bustle of people.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 26, 2009 8:30:54 GMT -5
I grinned at Sandrine's response to my teasing her about the bath and then watched as her expression changed as she spoke about places she wanted to go visit.
I watched as a faraway look came into her eyes as if she was already there. I answered her question.
"Yes, a girl can dream, and if she believes in that dream enough then it can come true for her." I smiled at Sandrine "That's what I believe anyway."
I paused as I tried to stifle a yawn. "I'm more of a home body myself. I like the comforts of home and familiar surroundings. I trust you will bring me back souvenirs though?" I said with a grin. "I can get a shelf put up specifically for them. Mind you, hopefully when you're on your travels I'll have my Marque completed and am able to move out and have my own place. Then I can dedicate an entire room to you and your travels!" I said with a flourish, throwing my arms wide to indicate the size of the room and wincing a little as the gesture reminded me of my stiff muscles, though hopefully I covered it with a laugh.
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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 26, 2009 8:37:22 GMT -5
I blushed a bit at her kind words, unsure of how to respond. "Thank you, Liana...that means a lot to me. Of course I'll bring you something back." I counted on my fingers. "An oliphant, a boat from La Serenissima, ceremonial dress from Menekhet, and so on...then you'll need a whole palace for it." I grinned, though I had noticed her yawn.
"I'm sorry, I've kept you up so much longer than you expected," I said, gathering my cloak around me. "We can always continue this later, if you like, over tea?"
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 26, 2009 9:24:29 GMT -5
"A palace - I like the sound of that" I said with a smile. "I don't mind, I've quite enjoyed our chat and it was relaxing in it's own way. I'm sorry you have to go, but I'm fading fast, I'm sorry to say. It's been an eventful night." I said with a fond smile.
"I'd love to meet up with you for tea sometime and maybe that walk too?" I asked. "Where and when would you like to meet?" I stood up and stretched as I spoke.
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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 26, 2009 10:54:47 GMT -5
I shrugged. My week of exile was almost up, thank the Gods. "How about a week from today? Maybe then you'll have recovered from the shock." And your bruises... I thought, a bit sadly. "How about Caisse de Pomme? They always have such interesting food, and the tea service is lovely." I had never actually been there, but I had heard stories from the more sophisticated adepts at Orchis.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 26, 2009 17:27:31 GMT -5
"MMMmmm! Sounds lovely. I've heard lots of good things about that place, so maybe we can eat first and then walk it off afterwards?" I smiled. "I'll look forward to it." And I meant it.
Sandrine's visit was refreshing. I'd not met anyone quite like her. Truth to tell, I'd not met many outside my own house and the thought made me a little sad.
"Would you like me to walk you out?" I asked.
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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 26, 2009 18:27:15 GMT -5
I groaned, but I was kidding. "I can already tell you're going to walk the soles off my shoes. I guess I needed a new pair anyway."
I smiled at her offer. "Sure, that would be good," I said, offering her my hand. She still seemed a bit stiff. "I wouldn't want to get caught...again." I grinned at her. It was a little secret that we now shared, about my nighttime prowling.
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Post by Liana nó Valerian on Feb 27, 2009 3:30:46 GMT -5
"No, we can't have that!" I exclaimed as I took her offered hand. Opening my bedroom door, I peeked out. The corridor was deserted so I pulled on her hand and practically tiptoed down it to the first flight of stairs, feeling like an intruder in my own house. The thought made me giggle so I had to clap my free hand over my mouth lest I give us away.
The rest of the journey was uneventful and soon enough we were standing outside the front door.
"Here you are, Sandrine. Your visit has been an absolute pleasure." I leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek and gave her hand a squeeze. "I'll see you next week then?" I asked, already looking forward to it.
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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 27, 2009 8:12:13 GMT -5
I almost rolled my eyes at Liana's giggle, though it was pretty funny. Did no one know how to sneak around in the dead of night any more? I already considered my self a pro? I followed her lead, tiptoeing and peeking around corners.
I accepted her kiss with a smile. "Thank you, Liana. I'm happy we met, and I'm looking forward to seeing you when you're not sleepy and sore." Involuntarily my eyes flickered to the bruises I knew were on her wrist, and my smile faltered for an instant. I doubted I would ever understand that part of Liana, no matter how close we became. I squeezed her hand in answer. "Next week, yes. Around tea-time." And with that I let go, waving my fingers at her, before I pushed open the door to Valerian House and slipped outside.
I held my breath until I was back in Orchis. I met no one going through the halls. Somehow, I felt sleepier with each step. Perhaps all my adrenaline had worn off. Whatever the case, as soon as I reached my room I took off my cloak and fell into bed, still wearing my prowling clothes. Of course, I got teased about my snores the next day.
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