Sweets to the Sweet - Guy & Faolan

[Guy de Layne]

I was scheduled to see Sophine on the morrow, and when my ward decided she'd like to go shopping in the Palace District, I asked for leave to find a gift for my sister. One of the other guards took over, and though I disliked leaving her care to one not as well-trained as I, I trusted him well enough.

After browsing several stores with nary a clue as to what my sister might enjoy, I passed a bakery. The smell of sweets wafted past my nose and I paused to peer in the window. What woman did not enjoy sweets? My experience with women wasn't overmuch, but I had noted that every one of them that I had known did indeed have a soft spot for a sweet. I wondered idly if Sandrine liked them, but pushed that thought out of my mind. I shouldn't be worrying about such things, and with the resolution in my mind to think only of Sophine, I stepped through the door.

There was a glass case filled with delicacies and I began looking over them, trying to find something that would keep well until the morrow, and also something perhaps for my ward to have on the way home.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

It was another one of those days where there was naught for me to do. I had it in my mind to potentially visit the Academy, and I was putting it off - yet again - to explore instead. I wasn't entirely sure what kept me away from the place, maybe a fear of finding out something I already knew, or would not want to know, but everytime I got near it I shied away, finding myself something else to do.

Today was no exception.

It was a gorgeous day, as all the days it seemed, have been since I arrived, balmy and bright enough to blind, with a gentle breeze, like a warm breath of air that rustled the light fabric of my skirts. This dress was a little longer than usual, going just below mid calf, and made of a fine see-through material. However, the dress itself was not see through, having layers and layers of the fabric sewn together to make it opaque. It was soft against my skin and moved like the whispy fur of a cat around my legs. Tight in the bodice, even though I was not sure I liked that overmuch, and a very light grey, it was perfect for the summer weather, and not terribly uncomfortable. My hair was down, draping about my shoulders and down my back in wild, curly tendrils, flaming red against my pale skin.

The sun beat down mercilessly, as nice a day as it was, and I feared that my skin might freckle as it always did, or burn. Mayhap a little bit of a respite would be nice I thought to myself as I walked in a quick but not overly hurried manner, my slippered feet padding noiselessly against the cobbled ground.

For a moment I stopped deat and closed my eyes as I caught a scent. Vanilla, berries, pastry, and a faint scent of apples, all wrapped into one started to make my mouth water as I opened my eyes and looked around me. I sighted a pastry shoppe, and it looked just as good as it smelled, and before I knew it I was pointed in that direction. It would be as good a place as any.

I walked across the lane, almost entranced by the mouthwatering scents, and before long stood at the store front, the bell jingling behind me as I stepped in and snapped out of my trance.

[Guy de Layne]

I was poring over the case like a woman choosing jewelry for a fete, when I heard the bell jingle behind me. Being as alert as I always, yet also discreet, I turned only slightly to see who had come into the shop behind me. It was a woman, with flaming red hair and the movements of a person who has seen combat. That was unusual in a woman, but upon further inspection I saw that she was Alban, which explained it neatly. Still, not one to have my back to a warrior of any persuasion, I turned further out as if to make room for her by the case.

"Good afternoon, my lady." I said with a friendly smile.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

A man already stood in front of the counter, turning carefully to look at me, even as he greeted me. I cocked my head to the side, raising a brow. I really needed t olearn to be more personable as opposed to challenging. But men never really spoke with me. I couldn't be blamed for being wary.

"Good afternoon, my lord," I said with a soft smile, my impression of 'demure' though probably far from it. I was certain I would be putting my foot in my mouth soon enough and blushing until I had no more blood left to run through my beating heart. I stepped up beside him, but not too close to cause discomfort as I bent at the waist to look into the front counter's case. I kept my eyes on the pastries and murmured: "Fine weather, is it not?"

"Fine weather'?! Elua's balls, what on earth was wrong with me.

[Guy de Layne]

I had to crack a wider smile as she attempted to act the 'proper D'angeline lady', and while not quite failing, I could see that it wasn't her nature. And why would it be, she was Alban, and the idea of her was all wild places and untamed beasts.

"Please," I said, leaning against the counter more casually, "relax, I am not some lordling, and from one warrior to another, talking about the weather is so last season." I grinned at my own jest, hoping that I could put her at her ease, as it would be nice to talk to someone about something more interesting than who was wearing what to which fete. I sometimes heartily wished that I were not so friendly and felt the need to conversate with my wards, but I could no more step outside my nature than my Alban friend here.

"Guy de Layne, and you are?" I asked, with a bit of a flourish.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I looked upon him as his smile widened, probably giving him the look of a perplexed fool, but after he had spoken I had to laugh, running a hand through my long curls as I looked downward then back up, meeting his gaze. "Touché," I said with a lop-sided grin.

"And from one warrior to another?" I asked with a bit of an impish smile as I let my eyes rove over him. He was lithe, lean muscled, but there was very graceful power there, I could tell even in the way he leaned on the counter. His body was made for it. He did not have the bulk of a soldier, his shoulders not as bulky as someone who would carry a hefty sword, but his movements were graceful, and his confidence a quiet but strong one.

At the moment he offered I smiled at the acknowledgement and who the name belonged to, my lips spreading and parting over white teeth as a chuckle escaped me. "You're Sophine's brother?" I murmured with a raised brow, clearing my throat. "And you're a warrior?" I asked less callously, trying to place what she might have said about him.

"I am Faolan mab Ceallach, and I am guessing from your astute observation that you know I am not from around here," I said with a soft laugh. It was a funny thing how the slightest change in ones demeanor could elicit the same change in anothers.

[Guy de Layne]

I was surprised when she mentioned Sophine - my sister was more well-known in the City than the Queen herself, it seemed. "Pleased to meet you, my lady Faolan. I ardently hope that my sister has not been telling tales about me." Not that she would, she hardly knew me and hadn't seen me in fifteen years. Still, it was something to say, so I said it.

"Tell me, if I am not being too forward, what brings you to our fair capital?" I gestured at the display case and grinned. "The sweets?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

He was rather merry, and not at all what I would expect from a warrior, but then again, d'Angelines were a different kind of people. I smiled back warmly at him. "No, nothing like that I assure you. We were too busy with archery to talk about boys," I said with a smile, though that was a lie. Well, not so much a lie as it was... a small fib -- I could thank Sandrine for that. I was sure he didn't want to be thinking about his sister galavanting around the City with boys on her arm.

"And no," I said with a soft laugh, looking to the case of sweets again, "not the sweets. I am not entirely sure even the best cake would be worth travelling that far for," I chuckled. It wasn't terribly far, but far enough. "You could say the pursuit of academia has sent me here," I replid rather mysteriously. "And what has sent me here," I said, gesturing at the shoppe, "is getting out of the sun. I should hate to be burnt to a red crisp or freckled beyond recognition by standing out in the sun all day." I stepped away from the case and half a step closer to Guy. We were not touching, nor were we too close into each other's personal space, but I didn't think it would be a problem. "What brings you here? Trying to make good with a jilted lover?" I questioned with an innocent smile.

[Guy de Layne]

"Archery?" I queried, raising a brow in surprise. "Sophine? Well, well, she has changed." I shook my head in wonderment; what was that sister of mine up to? I was beginning to think that the tales Dyan had written of her were true, and I sincerely hoped it wasn't as bad as all that.

I nodded when she mentioned academia, though I would have imagined one would go to Tiberium for that, but then again the Academy in the City had been gaining in reputation. "Academia, hmm? Learning anything thus far?"

I laughed softly at the image she conjured up of her being burnt 'to a crisp', but before I could comment, she asked me a question, and in a fashion I wasn't sure how to respond to. A jilted lover? The idea was comical at best, and blasphemous at worst. I shook my head slightly and smiled, "No, no jilted lovers here. I actually thought I would buy a sweet to bring to my sisters tomorrow. Perhaps a cake, or some such... I'm afraid I haven't seen them in some time and I'd like to show up bearing gifts." I made a face, then asked her, "Do you think I should bring something else, like a bottle of wine or I don't know, a painting? I admit, I'm terrible at figuring out what to get people."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Yes, archery," I said as I narrowed my eyes a bit, "is there something amiss with a woman wanting to learn archery?" I shouldn't have ruffled, I knew he meant nothing by it, but it was who I was. At home, this would have been a requirement, but here it was something that seemed to be more surprising or disturbing than an acceptable form of past-time.

When he responded to the jilted lovers comment, I was put back. How could someone as handsome as he not have many jilted lovers, especially if he were some sort of soldier. I blushed at the thought. I couldn't feign to know him in such a manner, though it seemed that, second to protecting their country, their only other duty was to impregnate as many young women as possible. "Well, I wouldn't know the first thing about what to bring," I said with a soft smile, "I suppose women like trinkets too, baubles, jewels, thing for their hair and cosmetics. Cake as well, I think that would be a safe bet. And a nice white to go with it. Everyone loves a nice vintage with a good cake and this place seems to know what they are doing." I said as I looked over the treats.

Academia... I thought instantly of Sandrine and had to smile. "Yes, well the pursuit has been slow thus far though I have learned a few things that a scroll might not be able to teach," I explained though I skirted around the particulars.

[Guy de Layne]

Inwardly I was amused at the raising of Faolan's hackles, but I decided to tease her a bit before I let it show. "Well, there is really something unnatural about women and weapons together, don't you think? Really, a woman looks a bit odd with anything in her hands besides cooking utensils or babies, in my opinion." I tried to keep a serious demeanor, but I just couldn't keep it up, I laughed as I watched her reaction.

As our conversation turned to the task at hand, I nodded. "Yes, I thought about those things, but it seems harder to buy them for people one hardly knows. Baked goods seem universal, wouldn't you say?" I looked into the case and pointed out a cake, covered in chocolate ganache and strawberries. "Now, that for instance, looks like it would be delicious, and in turn make a good impression."

I raised a brow at her last comment, thinking that in Terre d'Ange, I could imagine what she might be learning. Ah well, unlike some other Cassilines, I saw no harm in the pursuits of others. "Well, I hope whatever you learn is worth the trip." I said with a sly grin.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I felt my cheeks heat at his words, then heat even more as he laughed, obviously joking. How could I have taken him so seriously? I laughed too, relieving my own embarassment and feeling my cheeks cool, though I was sure a bright red streaked across both of them.

"Yes, I think that it might make a good impression, it looks delectable," I mumured, peering at the cake he had pointed out. I could feel my mouth watering and felt my stomach rumble at the sight of it. "I am sorry Guy, but I fear that if I don't eat something soon, I may buy and devour every single cake in the showcase," I said with a laugh.

I looked up at him as he went on about what I might learn, the grin on his face denoting something with a bit more of a meaning than was apparent at surface value. I stood straight up, though my gaze fell by the wayside, flashing to the floor as I felt, yet again, my cheeks heat.

"Well.. I am not hear to learn that..." I murmured softly, "well, I mean... should anything like that happen I wouldn't necessarilly be opposed.. but.. " I bit my lip, realizing I was stammering like a rather idiotic little girl. "I am here to learn somewhat about the abilities of people other than Albans to see into the future," I said honestly, raising my gaze back to his own. It was the most honest I had been with anyone, except Sandrine, with regards to the reason behind my being in the City. "And I, too, hope that I find what I am looking for." On all accounts I thought to myself as I gave him a quick once-over before glancing back to the delicious array of sweets.

[Guy de Layne]

I was instantly contrite as she mentioned her hunger, and I gestured at the display case. "My apologies for keeping your stomach waiting. Pick anything you like, my treat." I was enjoying talking to her, and if it took a pastry or two to keep her company, well, I was prepared to spend a little coin.

I was taken aback a bit by her explanation of what she was here to learn, it wasn't something I had much experience with. Still, it was interesting, and I found that I was intrigued. "Seeing into the future?" I said, then shook my head. "I personally find it hard to contemplate what that might be like." The other thing she said was a bit puzzling, so I asked, "And what is it you are looking for?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I smiled as he apologized and offered to purchase my treat. "Thank you, Guy," I murmured as I smiled and felt my cheeks heat just a little bit with a blush. "That would be awfully nice of you," I murmured as I pointd to one I wanted, it looked like a flower blossom shaped pastry with apple slices and strawberries in its centre.

A gorgeous man buying me pastries. I almost chuckled, though something about him seemed just a little off. It wasn't that he was buying them in hopes of having me around... later... much later... in the evening for company, but like he wished to be genuinely nice and seemed interested in my story. It was different. And I still didn't understand why. I knew there was something I was missing, just under the surface, on the tip of my tongue, but it had not come to me yet.

And then there was his question. I straightened and turned to him, cocking my head to the side.

"I am not sure I want to worry you overmuch with my reasons for being here," I said with a sigh as I furrowed my brow then looked askance. "It can be rather... burdoning." I explained, thinking on Sandrine and how she would never really look at me the same, knowing my terrible secret, and didn't wish to taint Guy's views of me as well.

[Guy de Layne]

I gestured to the attendant, purchasing two of the delectable looking pastries Faolan had suggested. I could hardly just sit there and watch her eat, could I? As we waited to be served, I turned back toward Faolan and smiled, listening to her respond to my questions.

"Is it something worrisome then?" I tried to seem relaxed, though inwardly I began to wonder if I should be worried about my sister. "Well, don't feel as if you have to tell me anything that makes you uncomfortable." I took our pastries as the attendant handed them over, giving one to Faolan and paying the man for them. I gestured toward a table and walked over, pulling out a chair for Faolan to sit.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Well," I said as the attendant readied our pastries then handed them over to Guy. I broke off of my explanation for a moment as we walked to a table and I sat where he had pulled out a seat for me. "Thank you," I said with a smile as I watched him sit across from me. "Well," I continued in the same vein as I had started earlier, "it is not worrisome I suppose, not so much for those it doesn't affect. And I am sure you would probably shake your head and laugh at my folly for being so worried about it." I said with a sigh. "But I had told one person and she had seen my .... problem... in action and it bothered her. I just do not wish to unsettle you. I would hate to scare you away before I figured you out," I said with a weak but playful smile as I played a little bit with my pastry, my fork poking at it. I realised then how terrible it must look for me to be doing something like that, and to something that was somewhat of a gift, he hadn't needed to give me the pastry, and I said I wanted it. I forked a piece of it, bringing it delicately to my lips and put it in my mouth. The flavours errupted almost the moment the warm pastry touched my tongue and I moaned out loud from the taste of it, covering my mouth and raising my brows in surprise at my own reaction as I felt my cheeks heat mercilessly.

[Guy de Layne]

"I admit that you are piquing my curiousity." I said, watching her poke at her pastry with her fork. I took a bite of mine, and it was delicious; apparently Faolan thought so too, a low moan issuing from her as she took her first taste. I watched with amusement as her cheeks reddened and she covered her mouth.

I took pity on her embarrasment, and closed my eyes, issuing my own little gasp at the taste. I opened my eyes and grinned at her. "My, that is some pastry! I almost feel as if it would be untoward to get this for my sister."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed as he seemed to try to ease my own embarassment by reacting in a rather piquant manner himself. "It is rather scandalous. They should really put some sort of warning up regarding this one. 'May cause involuntary actions, please be wary'," I said with a snicker. I took another bite, careful this time not to let any noises issue as I closed my eyes gently, feeling a certain familiar feeling well in the pit of my stomach and my lower back that reminded me of someone I had met upon arriving here. I opened my eyes again, happy that I had not made the reaction show on my face.

"Well... I am from Alba, from a long line of seers," I started to explain, adding, "and please... this is in utmost confidence... so to leak this information...." I said, trailing off an dletting him draw his own conclusions about my people. "Regardless, I have realised that I am one such person with said abilities, and I have come here, or maybe fled here, to see if there is any way to be rid of it." I took another bite though I looked shiftilly around the shop, making sure no one else was around to hear my confession.

[Guy de Layne]

I chuckled at Faolan's wit, which I had found to sometimes be lacking in D'angeline women. "I agree, a warning label might be a good idea." I took another bite and resolved to purchase a few of these for my sisters, and for Rochelle as well. "These really are amazingly good."

Faolan began to explain something of what she was seeking, and the pastry was forgotten as I listened. "As a Cassiline," I said, when she mentioned keeping her words in confidence, "I have been trained to be discreet."

When she had divulged her secret, I admit that I was quite curious. "I hope you don't consider it rude, but might I ask you a few questions regarding your ... ability?" I was a bit skeptical that such things really existed, but then, I couldn't imagine that Faolan was lying to me, what had she to gain by that?

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed, pleased that he had found me amusing, but then sobered as he looked to delve deeper into my own personal hell. I didn't mind terribly, especially since the man was a Cassiline, which made everything we discussed that had confused me, make sense. Why he had no lover, why he considered himself a warrior. History tells of Cassiline valour and solemnity, their strenuous training and attempts at perfection.

Of course, there were a few areas that were sullied, but the glory still shone through, and I felt more at ease with him then than I had with any man, save those who had accompanied me on the battlefield.

But his question remained unanswered, and I dropped my eyes to my pastry for a moment, trying not to look too sullen, but thinking on whether I should divulge this information. Taking a deep breath and raising my eyes to his, I nodded, giving permission for him to ask without words.

[Guy de Layne]

I struggled with which question to ask her - I had many, as I admit to being a rather curious fellow - finally deciding on something that might relate to me and my particular situation.

"Can you see things about specific people, when you want to? Or do you just get flashes of things, unbidden?"

I could tell that the subject was a bit off-putting to her, and I felt a little guilty about probing her for information. Still, she had raised the topic, and I wasn't going to let a rare opportunity like this pass.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I nodded as he asked his question, not so much in agreement, that would have made no sense, but more so to get myself ready, steeling myself.

"Flashes," I responded shortly, "usually flashes, mostly I dream. Your people are the waking dreamers, though I have had two of those since... since coming here... not too many, not near as many dreams as I had back home.. they are starting to slow down," I said, noticing now that I was rambling and answering questions he had not asked. I felt my cheeks heat a bit as I took another bite of the dessert, hoping it might help me feel a little bit more at ease. "But generally flashes with a full drawn out dream here and there, sometimes about people, specifically, as opposed to events. Sometimes they are shrouded, the meaning unknown, more of a metaphor if you will. Sometimes they are of the past, most times they are of the future. Sometimes they come unbidden, sometimes I can sense it... I can feel it coming and a very few times I have been able to fight it down." I said, realising then that I had dropped my gaze and was fiddling with my fork. I smiled softly then raised my eyes back to his. "What else?" I asked. As much as it was painful it was good for me to explain these things, putting it into perspective, compartmentalizing it.

[Guy de Layne]

"Interesting." I responded, taking a bite of my pastry and thinking about what she was saying. It was clear that Faolan did not consider this a gift, though to my mind it was. I was intrigued by what she said about fighting it down.

"Fighting it down? Why would you? Doesn't it do good to have this information, even if it is unclear?" It seemed to me that the more knowledge one had, the better, but then I hardly knew what it must be like to only see tantalizing snippets of the future.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"No," I said thinking back on my first vision. "No, the more knowledge one has is not the better equipped they are." I sighed, feeling my head spin slightly. "It is not a gift to me, Guy. It is not a gift at all. It is a curse, and a hinderance." I changed my way of approaching it, letting my fork rest in my plate for a moment, not wanting to hold and fiddle with it as I brought my eyes to meet his.

"If you dreamt of the death of your father and sisters, and did nothing about it, how exactly would you feel about it?" I asked. For all intents and purposes it was a very odd hypothetical question, but hypothetical nonetheless. "What would you have done, had you known? And what would you do if you didn't know, and had to watch the whole thing play out before your eyes a second time?"

[Guy de Layne]

I hadn't really thought about it that way, but I nodded as she explained her position. "When you put it that way, I can see why you feel as you do." I shook my head, imagining how awful it would be to have a vision of the demise of your family. I wondered if that example was entirely hypothetical, or was is something that had happened to her? I decided that was too personal to ask.

Instead I said, "I suppose it must be incredibly difficult, if you have a vision and yet cannot change the outcome it predicts."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"More so if you do nothing to try to change the outcome it predeicts, and thereby end up spending the rest of your life wondering i fyou had of done anything would the outcome have been the same regardless," I ran a hand through my red locks and settled my gaze on Guy, smiling sadly. "Ah well, I suppose we are all made to carry some lot in life or another, are we not?"

[Guy de Layne]

I wondered again if that was her personal experience speaking, and that thought kept me from voicing my own thoughts on the matter. For instance, why wouldn't you try to change the outcome? I knew that I would do my best to change a tragic outcome, regardless of the chances of being successful. I wouldn't be able to help myself, I was the type of person who always felt the need to do something, anything, even when perhaps I should leave well enough alone.

"I suppose that is true," I said with a gentle smile, "though it does seem that some do carry more than others." It was unfair, but such was life.

"Do you have the visions often?" I asked, wondering if she lived in perpetual worry over when the next would strike.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I smiled back at him but saw the workings of thoughts unvoiced behind his eyes. He was sheltering my feelings, and he didn't need to.

"Yes and no. I had them often since the first instance.. not every day, or even every week, just, randomly. Sometimes major events, sometimes no even but something about the person that had happened in the past, which I had never heard of happening. Then upon coming here, the sleeping dreams have slowed quite a bit, but instead waking dreams have been plaguing me more often, though not of a serious nature," I explained. "Sometimes I can feel it coming on, these ones are easier to stop if I concentrate on something else very hard, but not all the time. Sometimes though, it doesn't matter how hard I concentrate." I took a bite of the pastry after taking up my fork again, feeling a little bit more at ease.

[Guy de Layne]

"It must be difficult." I said sympathetically, imagining how hard that must be. As intriguing as I felt her gift was, she was a person who had to live it, not simply an abstract idea for my own pondering.

"Have you learned anything since coming here that might help to rid you of these visions?" I asked, my curiousity once again getting the better of me.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I shook my head. "No, not as yet. I have yet to see if I might visit someone from Gentian, or find a Tsingano who might be able to lend me some advice," I said with a soft smile. "I should think that those who have been plagued with the same might know a bit about at least controlling them, if not stopping them altogether," I said with a soft laugh. "It can come in handy sometimes," I said, trying to lift the spirits of the conversation. I had turned it rather morose.