Adventure of a different sort

[Josette Bradamante]

After my experience with Gareth I had decided it was time to get to exploring the Night Court. I knew this wasn’t something I was going to be able to do quickly, but I had hopes of visiting every House.

Now, I was starting with Alyssum. I walked up the pathway, trying not to look too wide-eyed as I took everything in. Stepping through the front doors, I stopped and glanced around, wondering just where I should head to.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I was passing the front doors of the House, a book in hand, when I came upon a lovely girl entering. She looked a tad lost, so I bowed. "May I assist your lady?" I asked, my voice soft and my eyes trained on the floor as the first stains of a blush came to my cheeks. I wished that I was dressed more formally, but I was in my everyday clothes, a long sleeved blue shirt and brown breeches.

[Josette Bradamante]

I was just about ready to find someone to ask when a strikingly handsome man stopped in front of me. For a moment all I could do was admire him.

“Yes, thank you,” I said, smiling. “I was wondering how one goes about finding an adept and arranging for an assignation?”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"May I lead you to the Dowayne's office my lady?" I asked, flushing a little more to hear her desires so clearly stated. "She would be able to help you with a lineup far more than I."

[Josette Bradamante]

“A lineup?” I said. “Oh, that doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy having others do. Is there somewhere perhaps that I could just talk to someone? You perhaps?”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Of course my lady," I nearly breathed, both embarrassed for having misread her and pleased that she wished to spend more time with me, even if it was spent in conversation. "There is a salon just down the hall, or if my lady wishes, the gardens are quite lovely this time of year."

[Josette Bradamante]

“I’d love to see the gardens,” I said, my smile growing. “Though the salon sounds nice too if that’s where you’d prefer.” I stepped a little closer, hoping to catch his eye again if even for a second. “I’m Josette, it’s a pleasure to meet you...” I let the sentence hang, hoping he’d give his name.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

She stepped closer, and I risked a glance up for the briefest of moments, meeting her dark brown eyes before looking at the floor once more. She was younger than I had first thought. "Adin, my lady Josette. The pleasure is mine," I said, my cheeks still flushed. "I would certainly recommend the gardens with this weather. If you would follow me?"

[Josette Bradamante]

“Lead the way,” I said, smiling. “And please just call me Josette, or Josie.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Of course Josette," I replied, and began to lead her to the gardens. I dared no glance behind me, but I wanted to, having heard the smile in her voice. We went outside, and I led her down the path to a bench beneath the boughs of a weeping willow. "Does this please you?"

[Josette Bradamante]

I looked around a little as I followed him outside, though mostly I focused on him. I wondered what it would take to win a smile from him. I had this urge to caress his cheeks just so I would know what his face really looked like. That said, there was no denying the desire I was beginning to feel. He was sweet and kind and undoubtedly handsome.

“It does,” I said, smiling and turning my attention to the willow. Reaching up, I caressed my fingers over a tendril of tangling leaves, feeling their texture. “You don’t know how old this willow is do you? It’s so lovely.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Seventy three years my la- Josette," I said, fumbling over the manners that had been drilled into me since I was able to speak. "She has survived quite a bit."

[Josette Bradamante]

“I can only imagine,” I said, my voice growing softer as I focused on the tree. I stepped around the bench and closer to the tree. Reaching out, I stroked my hand over the trunk.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Do you have an interest in gardening?" I asked, watching how she stroked the tree trunk like a lover. The thought kept the colour high on my cheeks.

[Josette Bradamante]

“Yes, though not as much as I should probably. I love anything that has to do with the outdoors and the world around us,” I said, turning back towards him and moving back around the bench.

“I can only spend so much time inside before I start to go nuts,” I added with a smile and chuckle.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

My gaze fell again to the grass as she turned back to me, though I had a shy smile on my face from her words. "I am much the same. I find great relaxation in gardening."

[Josette Bradamante]

“Is there a specific area of the gardens that is yours or do you all share?” I asked. Well, there was common ground here at least and that was good. I didn’t want to be with someone who was only sharing my bed because of a contract. I hoped for at least some areas of mutual interest.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I clasped my hands behind my back, taking a comfortable stance. "The few of us who enjoy it have our beds, and then we also help out the gardeners with the rest. My area is right outside my room."

[Josette Bradamante]

“May I see it? Your gardening area that is, or is it off limits to strangers?” I asked, curious to see an area he thought of as his own.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Of course you may see it, if that is your wish," I said with another blush, thinking she would want to see my work. "It's right this way." I began to lead her to my piece of the garden, glancing back once to make sure she was following me.

"Here we are," I said after a short walk down one of the stone paths. It was late enough in the summer that most of the plants were done flowering, but the roses twined around the trellises that framed the door to my room were still lush and fragrant.

[Josette Bradamante]

I followed him until we reached his area. Once there, I stepped forward and closer to him so I could see better.

“Oh Adin,” I gasped softly. “It’s beautiful.” I started to step closer then stopped, not wanting to invade his private space.

I turned to look at him. “The roses, may I smell them?”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"You may," I said with a soft smile, thrilled that she seemed to approve of my work.

[Josette Bradamante]

Before I stepped through his garden, I slipped off my shoes. Bare feet would do less damage. Carefully I moved through to the roses. I could smell them well before I actually reached them, but I wanted to look closer as well.

Leaning in, I inhaled deeply of one spectacular bloom, the petals like velvet caresses against my cheeks. Smiling widely, I looked back at him.

“I have never seen a more perfect rose,” I told him.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

She showed consideration, moving amid the plants with care. It made me think more of her as I watched, her lashes breaking across her cheekbone like a wave when she closed her eyes to breath in. She might have been young, but she was no less beautiful.

My smile widened at her comment. "Thank you Josette. You pay me a great honour."

[Josette Bradamante]

“It’s always nice when honesty can convey that,” I said, smiling. Turning back, I smelled the rose one more time before carefully making my way back out.

“Thank you, Adin,” I said. “For sharing this with me.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"I am just grateful that someone other than me found pleasure in this patch of earth," I said, the blushed when I realized how forward I sounded.

[Josette Bradamante]

“I did,” I said, my voice soft. “Great pleasure.” I wanted badly to reach out and touch his arm, but I had a feeling that would scare him away and that was something I did not want.

“Is there somewhere we could sit now? Perhaps talk a little more?”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

Her voice caressed those two words, great pleasure, and I knew then that I would agree to an evening with her without any hesitation.

"There is a bench right around here... Josie," I said, leading her to the stone seat, waiting for her to settle before I did so myself.

[Josette Bradamante]

My smile grew when he used my nickname and I scooped up my shoes, leaving my feet bare as I followed him. I settled on the bench and once he had as well, I asked him, “Is there anything else you like to spend time doing besides gardening?”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"I read quite a bit, and I like to visit my parents," I said with a soft smile, sitting beside her a proper distance away. "What about you my lady Josie?"