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Post by Maric du Verais on May 21, 2009 17:16:31 GMT -5
It seemed that I was always itching to wander these days, nothing seemed to be going well and I had finished all my class work for the day. So here I was, wandering, and it had taken me to the market at Nights Doorstep. As I walked I saw plenty of things that interested me, knick knacks of many different sorts that made me smile and forget my woes.
I stopped at a stall that held dolls of different sort and I thought of my sister in Kusheth. Thinking she would like some I decided to take a moment and look through them.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 21, 2009 23:24:23 GMT -5
It was a fine day, as usual in the summer, and I had decided that I needed to get out and get some air, perhaps do a little shopping. I had been sleeping poorly of late, and perhaps a brisk walk in Night's Doorstep would help. I had been wandering for some time when I thought I saw someone I recognized.
I moved through the crowd, toward a table of dolls, and sure enough, there was Maric. Our assignation had ended on a sour note, but the letter he'd written led me to believe that there were no hard feelings. I certainly did not wish to have bad blood between us, so I approached him cautiously.
"Maric, how nice to see you again." I said, smiling warmly.
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 22, 2009 13:04:12 GMT -5
When I heard the sweet voice and my name being said I turned in surprise to find Avianna standing there. For a moment I just looked at her, taking back by the sudden meeting and then realized I had been staring, my mouth agape in the suddeness of her pressence. "Avianna." I said softly, her name rolling off my tongue in a pleasent breath. I had to admit I wasn't entired unhappy at seeing her again. But it made the moment almost bittersweet with the thoughts that tumbled around my skull.
I liked her, very much, but she was so... guarded, so afraid to give into anything and it almost scared me at how almost cold she was. At the same time she had been the only woman I had met here that had been interested in giving me the time of day. Sophine, well she had her new beau and wouldn't even turn her head to me if I were on fire. Lilli was... well I like her but the more time I spent with her the more I came to feel that she was in the same boat as Sophine, her eyes always seemed else where. Naia had been the only one that was vaguely interested in me, but after the opening at the wine shop, it was plain to see she cared very little for me as well. Once again I felt torn as the idea of having feelings for an adept brought forth all new problems. She was older then me, she was a Mandrake, and she was not suitable for marriage as far as my father would be concerned. So that left me little in the way of options.
"Sorry..." I said and chuckled after a released I had been continuing to stare at her without speaking, and ran my hand through my hair nervously as I glanced down for a moment and then back at her. "How have you been, you look well."
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 23, 2009 14:45:41 GMT -5
I lifted a doll and examined it as Maric responded to my greeting, mostly by staring. It wasn't something I was unfamiliar with, so I said nothing as I slowly set the doll back down on the table and looked up to meet his gaze.
I smiled, he seemed a bit uncomfortable and I attempted to put him at ease by answering in a more friendly manner than was my usual wont. "I've been very well, thank you. And you, how have you been?"
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 24, 2009 21:31:17 GMT -5
She was so beautiful that it almost took my breath away. It had been such a surprise to come upon her at L'Roche's and time did not change that as she stood before me today.
Lie
"I've been... well." I replied smiling to her. I wasn't sure if she was good at reading such things, or if she even really cared how I had been. "How are things at Mandrake, busy I hope?"
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 24, 2009 23:31:41 GMT -5
He didn't quite seem as though he'd been well, but I didn't know him well enough to say, and I didn't wish to pry.
I made a little face at his question. "Things have been a little slow of late," I admitted, sighing. It was true, though I had learned in my time that the amount of patrons I had ebbed and flowed naturally. "The good thing is I have more time to myself, the bad thing is I have less coin to spend on myself." I chuckled at my own small jest, though humor was hardly my area.
"So," I said, gesturing to the dolls. "Don't tell me you still play with these?"
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 13:19:30 GMT -5
I laughed, caught off guard by her teasing whether it was intended or not and I looked to her with a soft grin. She seemed less like that cruel Mandrake mistress I had met in L'Roche's and more like any other girl I would meet in Kusheth. It made me wonder more about her, what she was like. Her favourite colours and smells, the things she liked to eat and what sort of child she was growing up.
"No," I said smiling still as I turned to the stall and began to comb through the individual dolls. "My twin sister is still in Kusheth, she was sad that I came and I wanted to get her something. She likes dolls but more to collect then play with." I explained absently as I picked up one and examined it. "I feel bad," I continued. "I came here because I was chasing the ghost of love and ended up having my heart broken. Now I'm seperated from the one person who's ever really understood me and feeling home sick and tired of this increasingly wretched place. I think perhaps I was hoping that if I bought one for her it would ease my guilt and burdened conscious, and...." I trailed off and looked away from the doll to Avianna as I realized I had been muttering on about things she wasn't even asking about. I knitted my brows as I looked at her.
"And... I'm not really sure why I just told you that." I said softly, my smile gentle but more nervous at my ease a being able to spill my thoughts to hers. I chuckled nervously and ran my hand through my hair as I was wont to do in times like this. "Forgive me." I said softly and then turned my face back to the doll, putting it down before picking up another to examine.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 18:15:16 GMT -5
I touched Maric's arm lightly, smiling reassuringly. "It's all right, believe it or not, I can be a good listener." It was sometimes part and parcel of being an Adept, not just reading body language or nonverbal cues, but really listening to what a patron had to say.
"Has the City been so bad for you, then?" I asked him, concern creasing my brow. The way of life here wasn't for everyone, I supposed. Still, someone as young as Maric shouldn't look so sad, feel so burdened. "And a broken heart, as well?" I shook my head, sighing softly. "Well, I hope you don't let some fool girl who obviously doesn't know what she's missing ruin your time here. The City has a lot to offer, but one must be in the frame of mind to accept it." I hoped I could say something that might help, if even a little.
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 20:16:14 GMT -5
I felt her hand on me and turned smiling to look at her, so different from who she was at Mandrake! But it wasn't entirely unwelcomed, I hadn't enjoyed the coldness of her mistress persona, this... she was kind and warm. "Thank you." I said softly as I looked over her, taking in her smooth lines and golden hair. That hair, it intriqued me so much and I wasn't sure why, but I wanted to reach out and run my fingers through it.
I shrugged as I thought about what she had to say and sighed a little, running my hand through my hair once more. "It hasn't been all bad," I said chuckling as I gave her a knowing smile. Meeting Avianna was one of my best experiences in coming here. "My foster sister, she came here to be with her sister in the City and the fool for love that I am I followed only to find out that she has little interest in me except as a brother." I chuckled. "I don't think it would be so bad if I hadn't had this grande romantic idea about marrying her... about her being my first." I looked at her a bit sheepishly and shrugged again with a chuckle. "Have you always lived in the City Avianna?" I asked curiously as I put down the doll and turned my attention to her.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 20:57:43 GMT -5
I smiled when his mood seemed to lighten, glad that I had perhaps helped a bit, and listened to his tale. "Yes, sometimes we build things up in our minds so much that the real thing can be quite the letdown." I was familiar with such things in my work; not everyone who thought they wanted a Mandrake really did. "Better to find out the truth now, though, than have sat home and continued to pine for a dream, don't you think? And now you can experience the City, with all it has to offer."
His question about my history caught me a bit offguard, most people weren't that interested in me except to be at the end of my lash, and I wondered if his interest was genuine. He seemed sincere, however, and so I answered truthfully. "I have, actually. I was born into the Night Court, and there I have remained these past twenty-two years." I smiled. "Sometimes I think I should get out and see something of the world, but then again, until my marque is made, I suppose my place is here."
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 21:11:09 GMT -5
I nodded and listened to her as she spoke, smiling softly and enjoying what she had to say about things. She was smart but she seemed, sad in a way and I walked toward her before I reached up to brush a strand of hair from her forehead. "You're place is where you make it." I said softly, as I smiled warmly. "Besides, it can't be much more till you've finished your marque." I observed then wondered. "Where would you go, if you could?" I had a dozen or more questions like it for her and I hoped I'd get a chance to ask them.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 21:28:33 GMT -5
I felt an odd sensation of heat creep into my cheeks and realized that I was blushing - not something I did often. What he said made sense, however, and in fact seemed like something I might have said to another in my position. His question gave me pause.
"That is a very good question..." I said, thinking on it. "I've always been interested in Alba. It seems so wild and untamed, fascinating really. What about you? Where would you go, if you could go anywhere?" I was actually enjoying the turn this conversation had taken, it was nice to talk about something besides "work."
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 21:35:32 GMT -5
"Hmm," I said thinking for a moment. "I think I'd probably follow you to Alba." I teased with a playful grin and noted the soft pick colouring on her cheeks. It made me hopeful in a strange way and I absently wondered even more about Avianna. "I think it would be quite an adventure indeed. I've always wondered about a place like Menekhet too." I added thoughtfully.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 21:44:46 GMT -5
I laughed softly when he said he'd follow me, and tapped my fingertips on the table. "I have never thought much about having 'adventures' but you're right, I think it would be a grand idea. Though I have to confess, I'm not a very accomplished rider, and I bet I would get seasick as well!"
I paused when he mentioned Menekhet, nodding in agreement. "I have a patron who has travelled to Menekhet and he has mentioned many things that seem intriguing. Perhaps that would indeed be an interesting place to go." I smiled, though I had no illusions that such things could actually come to pass, it was amusing to speak of them.
"What I think would be utterly fascinating," I said, before I could think twice about divulging something I'd never told another, "is discovering a land that no one has ever been to before." I hoped he didn't think it a foolish idea, and I felt my familiar coldness descending over me, just in case.
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 21:55:07 GMT -5
I grinned and stepped toward her leaning in toward her in a conspiritory fashion. "Oh yes, a grand adventure indeed." I said grinning with excitement. "A wild place with animals and people never seen before." I chuckled knowing I would enjoy the very same idea. "Do you think such a place exists?" I asked her in complete wonder. "What do you think it would be like if it did exist?"
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 22:53:54 GMT -5
I was relieved when he didn't scoff at my idea, and felt the cold persona slip away. I smiled at his nearness, remembering our time together, which, while it hadn't ended on the best note, had obviously not soured him toward me.
"I imagine that it must exist, somewhere." I said, a faraway look coming into my eyes. "If we could ride further, or sail further, build better ships or somewhat. It could be like nothing we've ever known... people with cultures and ideas beyond our own, or something more primitive, people who haven't discovered the wheel or flames. Or maybe no people at all, just strange animals that no one has ever seen before."
I stopped, abashed. "I do tend to go on sometimes, don't I?" I said, chuckling softly.
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 23:06:02 GMT -5
I listened to her as she spoke and couldn't help the happy smile I got when she said certain things. She had a much lighter air about her and it was winning me over moment by moment. When last she spoke I shook my head still smiling. "Not at all," I said softly. "In fact I wish you would go on more." I chuckled trying to push away thoughts of getting closer to her, of wrapping an arm around her waist, or nuzzling my face to her neck. I had this crazy desire to be naked in bed with her as we talked, discussing plans and idea as if we were courting. It was stupid to think at my age but I desire it more then anything. My mother said I spend too much time in the womb with my twin, it made me feminine and sweet like a girl. I was starting to wonder if it was true.
"So... you said 'we' does that mean we get to explore this strange new land together?" I asked a bit coyly and with a slightly teasing tone. I assumed she meant 'we' as in Terre d'Ange as a nation, but I couldn't help but wonder if I could tease her enough to make her blush again.
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 25, 2009 23:30:33 GMT -5
"Really?" I asked, in disbelief. It was such a novel experience to have someone interested in anything aside from what I could do in the assignation chamber that I could hardly believe me ears. "I'm not sure what else to say..." I said, laughing suddenly at the absurdity of it. Someone wanted to hear what I had to say, and here I was, at a loss for words.
I blushed when he teased me, another sensation I was completely unused to. "Well, of course, I certainly would hate to go alone." I said, smiling widely. "Whoever would protect me from savages or strange animals, if you stayed behind?"
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 25, 2009 23:38:12 GMT -5
I chuckled as I saw the pink return, though this time more prominent in her cheeks. She was so... gods... beautiful. I mean this City was full of beautiful women, but I couldn't help being swept up in the moment. My mind wondered if Avianna would have interest in me for more then just my coin and to limn her marque, I wondered if I had been wrong to think she had no interest in me. But my thoughts were interupted by her teasing back and I laughed. I reached up and twirled a lock of hair around my finger, unable to resist it, and watched the pale coloured strands as they spun around my digit. "Some how I think you'd do just as well on your own Mistress." I teased giving her a playful wink and then thought about the idea of spending more time with her. "Speaking of saving you from wilds and savages," I said with a brillant grin. "Would you care to have lunch with me Avianna?" I asked curiously. "Its my treat, any where you'd like."
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Post by Avianna nó Mandrake on May 26, 2009 22:14:55 GMT -5
I smiled as he touched my hair, the pale blond strands winding over his finger. His use of my title made me smile, reminding me of the time we'd shared, before things had gone sour. I felt a flush of pleasure at his invitation and smiled, taking his arm. "I would love to. And you choose the place, since I think I've eaten everywhere in the City." I was minded to see what he'd choose and what, if anything, that would reveal about him. "Lead on, Maric." I said, chuckling.
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Post by Maric du Verais on May 26, 2009 22:23:44 GMT -5
I smiled as she took my arm. Abandoning my pursuit of a gift for the moment I lead us away from the market and some where we could sit and eat.
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