A Most Welcome Treat: Landis and Anixiel

[Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake]

Ignace seemed to regard Anixiel for a long time before nodding. "If you are in accord, and the Dowayne of Valerian House has given her approval, then I see no reason to prohibit this assignation. So saying, he produced a contract, gesturing for us to sign, which I admit, I was eager to do. Even the feel of her hand in mine was driving me mad with anticipation!

Even so, I was able to maintain my composure, smiling at Anixiel as I offered the quill to her. "I have expected them to make us sign in blood," I whispered, smiling. "All this just so two adults may bed one another."

I saw Ignace glare at me out of the corner of my eye. "Do you have something to add, Landis?" He asked, a warning in his tone.

I coughed. "No, my lord, all is well." The man's gaze could make anyone confess every sin that they had ever committed--I was willing to wager that it would even work on the demons of Hell themselves.

[Anixiel nó Valerian]

I sighed a thanks as I curtsied gently before Landis handed the quill and contract over for me to sign. I penned my name and wrote in my signale where it was required, handing both back to Landis so he might see the word and know it. I heard him murmur to me and smiled at his words, they were light and only poking fun, but there was a sense of urgency in them and it made me smile to feel that he wanted me.

However, the steel voice of Ignace near made me jump and certainly made me tremble, having no doubt heard Landis' thoughts on the whole ceremony. I almost laughed as he backed down, but knew that would do no good for the assignation later. I stiffled it, though I raised an eyebrow as I looked to him, the eyebrow facing away from the Dowayne.

"Is all right then?" I asked Landis, then turned to face his Dowayne.

[Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake]

I nodded. "I certainly have no objections." I stole a glance at my Dowayne. Was I seeing things, or did he look like he was holding in a laugh? No, it was a trick of the light, surely. On the other hand, I'd seen stranger things.

Ignace shook his head. "Nor do I, you may both go."

I bowed. "My thanks, m'lord Dowayne. Come, Anixiel, I will show you my favourite room for assignations." I placed a hand against her back, gently pushing her ahead of me as we left the Dowayne's chambers.

Fortunately, the room that I preferred was unoccupied today. When compared to the other rooms, this one was sparsely furnished, but I did not need many of the dungeon-like trappings that other adepts used. Still, the cabinet in this room was always fully stocked, the chains that were attached to the far wall were impeccably clean, and the large, throne-like chair in the centre of it all had been polished until the wood fairly gleamed in the light. This particular chamber combined two distinct tastes--on the one hand, there were those who liked the simple, elegant torment of being caressed while blindfolded, but on the other, there were those who enjoyed it when the pain was more...direct...

I glanced at Anixiel. "I hope this is suitable, but before we begin, could you say your signale out loud for me?" I had read it on the contract, of course, but it wouldn't hurt to be sure.