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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 1:53:27 GMT -5
I had a rather large amount of time between my assignations. Not only because I was a Valerian and needed time to heal, but because I rarely ever got assignations in the first place. Not that I minded… well, I did, because that made my marque that much harder to get. I spent my time trying to kill time, which unfortunately, was not a very practical use of it, but it wasn’t like I had to practice an instrument or tumbling like an Eglantine or the art of serving tea or other trifle things like that. No, as a Valerian I just had to practice the art of shutting up and getting beaten up. Unfortunately, I wasn’t even good at that to begin with. I had absolutely no ability to hold my tongue, especially when I needed to and so far, I wasn’t even sure how many times I had my ears ringing with the sound of my Dowayne yelling at me to not screw it up with my next patron. I wondered what happened to adepts who never made their marque and had no other patrons call on them.
They were probably killed and buried in some hole somewhere, or given to those horny Cassilines when nobody was looking to keep the House from being shamed. It made sense and I had never heard of an adept never making their marque so, yes, I decided, that is my fate. I will grow up and be a Cassiline boy toy. Exciting. Note, my sarcasm.
Sitting on the edge of the fountain in the middle of Elua’s square, I spent the last hour people watching, calculating and moving to my quick assumptions. If I did not already know who they were, I made quick guesses, putting them in my boxed stereotypes that I could have cared less if they were wrong or improper or racist. They were my thoughts, anyway. She was the little whore from Jasmine House. He was the Cassiline Brother who seemed way too fond of a particular Orchis. She was the shopkeeper who was sleeping around with the palace guard. Ah, nothing better than spending a day watching the corrupt of D’angelines. It was a wonderfully exciting day on my part, I got to see a couple of fights and a thief burst at full run across the square until the poor lad got caught.
I stood, getting ready to make my way back to that cursed Valerian House when I felt the hand on my arm. I was surprised that my reflexes didn’t instantly move to punch the man straight in the jaw and I could feel my teeth instantly grind down in irritation and my fists tighten, ready. If there was one thing I hated, it was being manhandled and as short as I was, it only brought more annoyance on my part because I liked being the best. My little pet pride never let me be anything else. I ripped my arm out in disgust as his words reach my ears.
“Aye, isn’t this the little Valerian your brother had an assignation? The one he had to slap around just to sit still?”
Now, that did it. There was nothing that I hated more than having assignations discussed after I had them, especially by people who were neither my patrons nor my Dowayne. Before I realized what I had done, my fist collided with the man in front of me, only to be grabbed by his companion. It does not take a genius to realize that I was waste deep in trouble, so far so that I doubt even an anguisette would find pleasure from it. I rarely got into fights outside of my assignations and if I did, it was only within the Court of Night Blooming Flowers where my temperament was more than well known. I let out a loud curse as I try to struggle from the man’s grasp, but I was not trained for fighting and have no muscles to spare. I could only growl out my frustrations and move about helplessly, hoping that no one from the Court saw me and reported me to my Dowayne.
This was the last thing I needed after my only days old failed assignation.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 2:26:08 GMT -5
Ostensibly I was on an errand. Despite my Dowayne's misgivings about me--there were several--there was no denying that I was very good at finding things that were hard to find. Plus, I had no shame in asking for unusual things. Today I had been asked to buy a flogger. The trip to L'Roche's had been informative to say the least.
I was swinging the flogger in my hand when I walked into the middle of Elua's Square, dawdling and trying to avoid the chores that I knew awaited me back at Orchis.
“Aye, isn’t this the little Valerian your brother had an assignation? The one he had to slap around just to sit still?”
I turned around just in time to see the "little Valerian" punch one of the thugs around him. The thugs didn't fight fair, which I couldn't blame them for. One grabbed the Valerian in what looked to be a painful hold. Since this didn't seem to be an assignation, I doubted he liked what was going on. Where were the Palace Guard when you needed them? Though, if the Palace Guard turned out to be like Gadleon...
I shook my head, trying to focus. And then I remembered the flogger I was holding in my hand and I felt the familiar sensation of a plan beginning to form in my fecund imagination.
Quickly I took on the affected sneer of every Shahrizai I had ever met and stomped my way over to the tussling group. One of the thugs, the one whose arms were not full of struggling Valerian, had his hand raised as if to hit his victim. With my free hand I grabbed his wrist, pulling it down and trying to ignore the fact that he was much stronger than me.
"What--let go of me, woman!" he shouted, shaking me off easily.
I took the handle end of the flogger and rapped him smartly across the knuckles. "My name is not woman, you oaf," I snarled, trying to imitate my Dowayne at her worst. "I am a peer of this realm, boy, and you would do well to recognize my authority." I pointed the business end of the flogger at the Valerian. "This is my property for today, and unless you let go of him I will do everything in my power to make your miserable lives a veritable hell!"
The two men looked at each other, then at me. To my chagrin, they burst out laughing. I was actually growing angry now, and I rapped the other thug on the knuckles with the flogger to get his attention. Thankfully this caused him to loosen his hold on the Valerian. "This is absolutely uncalled for," I said, my voice still a dangerous quiet. "Both of you fools would do well to listen to me, lest I use this tool to--"
"Alright, alright, no one believes you," the man with his hands free said. "Get out of the way, wench."
I stomped my foot, irritated beyond belief. Would no one respect my authority? "Ask the worm yourself!" I said, pointing at the Valerian, looking into his eyes. Please, Gods, I'm trying to help you, if you have any brains in that pretty little head just play along... I thought, as I ran the handle of the flogger under his chin. "When I get done with you, pet, you'll wish these fools were the only thing you have to worry about."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 2:55:17 GMT -5
I was going to kill them. I wasn’t sure how, but I swore I was going to kill them! The hold was not only painful, but it was quite humiliating having my head in his arms like that, in such a manner that all I could muster a feeble kick or two and scratching. Damn it. I hated being helpless. It was even after the Shahrizai and Mandrake. Mandrake, Shahrizai, helpless. Unfortunately, I had to deal with all three of them in the past week and the fact that I was publically helpless did not help. I had been tied before and bound and gagged, but in an assignation it was different. I actually felt my heart skip a couple of beats with the my unsurety of what was going on or how I was going to get out of this damned situation. Even if this had been assignation, I wouldn’t have liked it either way. My current captor smelled like garlic.
When I saw the man who I had punched raise his fist, I closed my eyes trying to find that place where I could convince myself that it was all pleasure and the man I was receiving the pain from was not disgusting on all degrees, but the hit never came. Instead, I heard an obnoxious female voice reach my ears and I looked up (the best that I could, after all, I was in this irritating choke hold.) Elua’s Balls, what was this idiot woman doing? I found my mouth slacken a little in absolute disbelief. Was she actually butting into this? I could take care of it myself! (I just had to figure out how!) I found my struggles to only intensify tenfold by her presence and with her rapping, I was finally able to pull myself out.
My property for today. MY property for today!?
I ground my teeth down. Even if she was doing this to help me, the mere words made me hate her so much more than the men who had originally caused the offense. She had spunk. Perhaps in another time in another situation I might have actually considered her interesting, but not in this moment, not on this day. When she looked at me with those eyes that read, “PLAY ALONG YOU FOOL” I could only do anything BUT that. When that flogger touched my chin, I slapped it away in absolute disgust. “Touch me again with that you slattern and I’ll rip your arm off!” I snapped, despite myself. I realize that I was just burying myself in deeper and deeper piles of trouble but unfortunately, my brain was what always ruled me, along with my pet pride.
Both men were dazed in shock for a moment and that was when I turned to give the one holding me a sharp kick in the testes. He had slackened enough thanks to the woman’s irritating rapping enough for me to twist myself out and start running like hell. I knew that my actions may still reach the ears of the Dowayne, but I just had to beat it. It was likely that the woman would get in trouble as well, both of us would, if we were caught.
“RUN!” I snapped at her, not giving her a second glance. If she couldn’t keep up, then so be it. I ducked between people, over carts and through horse carriages just in the way that I had watched thieves do it several times. I only stopped when the buzzing was gone and the adrenaline seeped from my veins. All I could hear were her pattering steps behind me, her occasional heaving breath along with my own.
“What in Elua’s name were you thinking!?” I snapped as soon as I caught my breath. “I had the situation under control. I had it handled. I’m not some… some… useless little Valerian who needed your help!” I snarled, “And don’t think it’s going to earn you any favors," I huffed, turning to walk away from her without so much as a thank you.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 3:11:11 GMT -5
Luckily I had a tight hold on the flogger, because the Valerian would have knocked it out of my hand. My shock turned to absolute confusion and dismay when I realized he wasn't going to play along, he wasn't going to make this easy at all. Instead, of course, he kicked his way out of the situation, calling at me to run.
Oh, was I angry.
I ran after him, my strides matching his. I had ran from the cook and my Dowayne and various other situations, so this wasn't new to me, but I was hard pressed to match his pace. But I wasn't going to fall behind, Elua help me, no, I was going to give this stupid Valerian a piece of my mind.
What kind of Valerian was he? Even I knew the motto of Valerian was I yield. I couldn't even imagine this fool yielding to Elua himself.
I opened my mouth to say something, but he was faster. When he turned to walk away from me, I quickly stepped around until I was in front of him, poking him with the flogger. "What in Elua's name were you thinking?" I said, using the flogger for emphasis. "You had nothing under control! Who do you think saved your pretty little face from that gentleman in the square? A few seconds longer and you would have been flat on the ground!"
All of a sudden I realized I was getting quite loud. I leaned in close, whispering as menacingly as I possibly could. "I never said you were useless, sir. I don't want your favors. I stepped in because you looked like you needed the help. And now I'm sorry I ever did." With that, and one last very hard poke, I turned on my heel and stalked away, swinging the flogger angrily.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 3:27:33 GMT -5
I felt my jaw tighten and my fists clenched. I really didn’t know WHAT to do. I swear it was the first time I had ever gotten saved by anyone (other than my Dowayne or my Second) and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle the situation. “First off, he was not a gentleman in any way shape or form. He smelled like garlic.” Oh, I always had to have the last word and I didn’t give a care whether or not it had any substance with the conversation at hand. “Second of all, I wouldn’t have been flat on the ground, they probably would have been punching me and holding me at the same time. So I would have been standing.” I wasn’t even sure if I was being sarcastic with my remark but Elua’s ba11s did I realize how argumentative I was at that moment. I simply could not lose in a conversation, especially not against someone who had just saved me. I was not a damsel in distress. I absolutely refused to accept the fact I had been rescued, regardless if this normally happened to people.
I wanted to smack her so hard it wasn’t even funny when she dared to turn away from me, but even I didn’t dare hit a girl, let alone, one that seemed a only a tad bit younger than me. It just wasn’t done. However, I did turn my heel and stomp right in front of her to keep her from getting any further and that was when her identity smacked me right in the jaw. Damn. DAMN! It made it even worse that she was not just some normal, run of the mill D’angeline in the City of Elua, but that she was an adept as well. I was not sure where I recognized her from exactly, but she had characteristics that were hard to miss, especially with an observant mind as my own.
“Orchis House…” The words slipped my lips before I even realized it and I stared at her, trying to call where exactly and I snapped my fingers, grinning. Oh, did I love exploiting weaknesses, especially of those who tried to seem so haughty and elite. I couldn’t get enough of it. “I remember seeing you on Night’s Doorstep with a horny little Cassiline… that was you, right? I couldn’t miss a face.” I smiled, ear to ear, but it was none too kindly as I did so. “What were you doing exactly? An assignation?” It was nothing more than a tease, for I knew that Cassilines were chaste, but I could not help it. I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug little smile off her face after she had dared to walk away from me.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 8:00:03 GMT -5
I heard him talk but I wasn't really listening. I was so angry I couldn't care less.
Until he stepped in front of me. I didn't so much mind that he knew what house I was from--now we were on an even playing field, and I was rather memorable--but I stopped cold at his next words.
He could not have hurt me more. There had been whispers about me around the Night Court for years, thanks to my mother, but I could not stand for him to call Guy a horny little Cassiline, not after all that we had been through. I knew that there was a rational action I should take here, that I should just walk away.
Instead I reacted and slapped him as hard as I could.
I had never really slapped anyone before. The smack felt extremely satisfying.
"Say what you will about me, I don't care," I said, my voice low and tight. I could feel tears of anger welling in my eyes, and though I willed them away, still one slipped down my cheek. "Call me names, screech at me about how you didn't need my help when you obviously did, that's fine. But don't you ever talk about my friends like that."
"As for what I was doing," I said, crossing my arms in front of me. "I was giving excess food from my House to needy people in Night's Doorstep. The 'horny little Cassiline' helps me and brings food from his ward's house." I narrowed my eyes and brought my face as close as I could to his. "What adept do you know that would willingly go to an assignation in Night's Doorstep? What Dowayne do you know that would allow it?"
"You talk as if you know everything, as if you see all and understand it." The last word was almost obscured by a sob, but I kept going. "You have no idea, 'little Valerian'. None at all."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 14:36:49 GMT -5
In an assignation, I knew that I was going to get slapped: repeatedly, on my buttocks, my face, anywhere that my patron could reach and not because I was a Valerian but because if even if I had been in any other House or even not an adept at all, I would have deserved every bit of it. I was surprised, to say the least, but that made the sting across my face all that more satisfying and while I was furious that she would DARE lay a hand on me, the smug satisfaction was written across my face from the pain and my words. She was right. I did not know much about the Cassiline brother that I saw her hanging around with, but I did know one thing and that was that the Cassiline had a general disliking of the members of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers and it was simple speculation that had led me to think that there was something amiss. Her fury only confirmed my thoughts.
“I never said you were doing an assignation there, did I, nor did I say you were doing anything promiscuous with him. All I know is that his eyes were on you in a way that most servants of Naamah understand. Desire is easy to spot.” I grinned with my words for I loved knowing and though in this case, I had no way of truly knowing whether I was right or wrong, it seemed my throws in the dark were getting much more accurate with the definition of fury written over Sandrine’s face. The Orchis’ anger only made me calmer.
“And you talk like I am entirely incorrect,” I said, letting the words fall from my tongue as I leaned in just as she had done so that our noses almost touched. “Your fury is only making me realize that I am more on the money than I thought with my guess.” Oh, did I love scandals and she certainly was giving me a good one. Not that I had anyone to tell save, perhaps, Anixiel when I was in a good mood, but they were tales like these that kept me entertained while I people watched and daydreamed.
“Why so mad, little Orchis, if you have nothing to hide?” I mocked, saying it in nothing more than a whisper in her ears. “Perchance he is a little horny Cassiline, after all?” Ah, I definitely risked another slap, but it was worth it and I definitely got more of a tingle of pleasure from her than any of my patrons.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 16:09:52 GMT -5
"I have nothing to hide," I lied, as easily as breathing, my gaze never leaving his. I had been lying to myself for so long, it was a simple matter to lie to him. "As for his eyes, I have no way to stop anyone from feeling what they feel. If you saw desire there, then so be it. Cassilines remain celibate, but they are still human. They feel desire just like you and me."
Ah, how true this was.
I took a deep breath to try and calm myself, realizing I was shaking slightly with anger. "He's a good person, regardless of the lies you want to tell about him." I allowed a slight smile to curve my lips, and I leaned in to whisper, my lips brushing the curve of his ear. "And at least he's not a sniveling Valerian who has to beg for release, who enjoys being subjugated and tied up and beaten." I chuckled softly, though I was trying to think of any other stereotypes I knew about Valerians. "I bet you enjoyed it when I called you a worm, didn't you? Did you grow aroused when I said you were my property, little Valerian? Did your phallus harden in your breeches?"
I moved away slightly, wanting to see his reaction. "You're not the only one who can speculate wildly, little Valerian."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 16:25:42 GMT -5
“I don’t think so,” I replied quickly after she remarked that she had nothing to hide. “People who have nothing to hide have no reason to get offended so quickly and so viciously. Yes, little Cassilines are still human and feel that desire but nonetheless, I think there’s something more otherwise you wouldn’t be so determined to protect it, nor would that pretty little face of yours exploded so fast.” I shrugged my shoulders, “Fine, tell me there’s nothing to hide but you and I both know better.”
I tapped her mockingly on the nose as I continued. “I never doubted his character. You’re the one trying to convince me he’s a good person when I could care less…maybe you need to convince yourself.” Oh, I loved twisting and bending words to my benefit. I was actually enjoying myself, almost in the ways of a Mandrake, relishing in the pain and torture of another…that is, until her sniveling words reached my ears and I wanted nothing more than to give her a good smack across the face for what she did, but even I did my best to not physically harm women. I shuddered in disgust at her lips against my ear and ground down on my teeth, my fury impossible to contain. Nobody. NOBODY pushed me against Valerian stereotypes and my glare burned holes through her body, my breath increasing with rage.
Once she was done saying her piece, I quickly grabbed her, twisting so that I could get her body pressed against the alley wall, my two hands with a secure grasp around her wrists. “I am a Valerian because I understand the pain in a spice candy more than you have ever dreamed… but I do NOT enjoy the pain from my patrons because there is absolutely nothing to respect in a man who buys himself a whipping toy for a day.” I found my voice shaking, my absolute rage unable to be contained. “Any and all punishment I receive from them, I earn and I am sure that I have much more courage and bite than you have ever displayed with any of your assignations… or even your little couplings with that Cassiline.”
I shoved her hard into the wall before releasing her. “You have no idea who you are messing with, Orchis.”
If she had, my reputation was soiled enough that she'd know I was the brashest, most hard headed Valerian the House had ever seen.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 16:41:24 GMT -5
Obviously he was determined to believe that there was something between Guy and I. He kept worrying that idea like a dog with a bone. I already knew Guy was a good person, he was right--no need to make this fool understand it as well.
I kept my eyes on him even as he tapped me on the nose, half-smiling. It reminded me of the way I used to tease the other fosterlings, the way he reacted. It had been so long since someone had unleashed this vicious streak within me, and I had to admit it felt good.
And then he grabbed me and pushed me against the wall, twisting my wrists painfully. To my utter shame I cried out, more in shock than anything else, although it did hurt. But when I heard his words I laughed in spite of myself. "You are, by far, the most mixed up person I have ever met, little Valerian. Who ever heard of a Valerian who did not yield?" I laughed again, even as my face was pressed into the wall. "How much courage does it take to act without discipline, without thought? You're like a wild animal, doing what you please, no rational sense behind your actions. There is no courage in that."
When he let go of me, I turned around. I wiped the dust from my face and gently patted him on the top of his head. "The funny thing is, little Valerian, I know exactly who I'm dealing with. The only thing I can't decide..." I mused, crossing my arms across my chest, giving him a crooked smile. "Are you using your brashness to compensate for your lack of height or your lack of...prowess?" I raised an eyebrow, my eyes flicking down to his crotch so he knew exactly what I meant before I looked back into his eyes defiantly.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 17:25:13 GMT -5
________________________________________ “Can’t take a little pain, little Orchis?” I cooed softly into her ear, finding utter delight in the way that she cried out to me from the displeasure. This was nothing compared to the bouts that I had suffered. She did not understand a thing about what it took to be a Valerian. I could only smirk when she threw her remark at me, trying to cause me to reel. “I yield to those who are worthy of yielding, not to those who buy my time with money that their parents or the people of Terre D’ange give to them out of necessity.” It was obvious who was talking about. I had utter distaste for the noble and the royal, but unfortunately, those were the majority of people who bought assignations. I had a horrible reputation in the Court, enough for intelligent adepts to stay away from me.
I frowned at her words, wanting nothing more than to make her eat them. “I did not say that it takes courage to act without discipline,” I spat, though surely that was what I did, according to my Dowayne. The girl was starting to sound more and more like Trinette as time wore on and I did hate getting repeated messages from multiple people. It was sure as hell, annoying. “If you met the stuck up people that strut into Valerian House, I’m sure you would be tempted to say half the things that I do, but I doubt you’d have the courage. You’ve probably never had to deal with such spoiled and completely irrational patrons in your life. My fellow adepts yield, but I refuse to, to the likes of them.”
Oh, I wanted nothing more than to bury my fist in her face, but I had few morals as it was and I was trying to hang tight to the ones that I had, but her last words completely set me off. I did end up throwing a punch, deliberating missing and slamming it into the wall behind her, barely an inch from her face. “I’m using it to compensate for NOTHING…” If only she weren’t a damn girl, I would show her a thing or two without a second’s thought. “This is the way I am, the way Naamah has me contracted to her services. There is nothing to be ashamed for, with that.”
I could barely control the rage behind my voice, but I had to. If I didn't, I'd absolutely lose snap.
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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 Jun 24, 2009 17:43:11 GMT -5
I jumped as he punched the wall, though my eyes still stayed on him. "Which of us has more courage is debatable," I lied. "However, I don't consider taking a woman who is weaker than you and slamming her into the wall courage. Nor do I consider mocking the one who helped to save you from a beating courage either. I will not waste my time lecturing you about courage, as I doubt any of it would get through your thick skull. Suffice it to say that you know nothing about bravery."
I started to walk around him slowly, looking down my nose at him, because I knew he would hate it. "I find it hard to believe that you have any patrons at all. The nobility, by and large, is lazy. They care nothing for working. I can just imagine how many leave before they even get your clothes off of you. However, that doesn't really matter. It's not our place to judge who is worthy and who is not. We should love as we have been directed, no matter what we feel about our patron's station in life. What is the point of serving Naamah and Elua if you will not follow their precepts?" I stopped in front of him and leaned in close. "You dishonor Naamah with your arrogance, Valerian. You are not even worthy to speak her name..." A cruel smile crossed my face. "... you midget."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 24, 2009 18:53:19 GMT -5
She was an inch taller than me. One inch. One measly little inch that could have been accounted to the fact that my hair was slicked back and hers was poofed up, but that single, sliver of an inch absolutely disgusting me. She was taller than me. This stupid, little Orchis was taller than me. Well, not so little, but you get the point. She did stab at some of his open, gaping wounds, however. From Sandrine, it was not the first time that someone had asked me why I was in the service of Naamah. It was a confusing business. To me, that was how I did it, regardless if people understood it or not. Just as many did not understand what pleasure one could take from being completely ravished and humiliated by a Mandrake, I myself still found enough patrons who enjoyed good challenge and scuffle every now and then apart from the other, compliant adepts in all other Houses. I enjoyed my services to her through my displeasure of it. That was the way of algolagnia and it was bred into me, at the very root.
“That is the way I dedicate my services to Naamah, who are you to stand or judge the way I have dedicated myself?” I retorted in absolute disgust. Judgment. She was judging me on a matter that she had absolutely no grasp on whatsoever. “If you know ‘I yield’ so well, then you should know that Valerians take pleasure in pain—mentally, physically and emotionally and my disgust for my patrons only exemplifies the paradox lifestyle that you could not even begin to comprehend! My patrons come to me for a reason and if it is the fight and chase they desire, that is what they always get from me.” I could feel rage bubbling within me, barely able to contained within myself like a shaken bottle of champagne. “Joy in laughter,” I mocked, “that’s as simple as it gets.”
“Maybe it is YOU who is the arrogant one. You jump quick to accuse me for not following her footsteps when you yourself cannot even begin to understand what it is like to be a member of the Valerian House!” I felt my chest heaving and my own roar rang in my ears. As the footsteps of the guard approached I stiffened.
“What in Elua’s name is going on here?”
It was my turn then, to be speechless.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 9:09:05 GMT -5
Poor Rochelle, once again the girl was under the weather. I decided to go out for the afternoon and perhaps find something that would cheer her up, some bauble or a new book, or perhaps I would stop by my sister's and see if she was willing to come for a visit.
I was strolling leisurely through Elua's Square when I heard the all-too-familiar sounds of an argument. Heated words were always spoken louder than intended, it seemed. A small smile crossed my lips as I wondered idly what the argument was about - my innate curiousity had sometimes crossed the line into nosiness. Still, it was not my business and I probably would have thought nothing else of it if I hadn't looked over at the participants of this little spat.
That was when I saw that Sandrine was one of them, and as far as I was concerned, that was unacceptable. It only took me a few short steps to be behind the man who was arguing with her, and I crossed my arms and asked in a level tone, "What in Elua's name is going on here?"
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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 Jun 25, 2009 10:30:32 GMT -5
I was shaking with fury when he implied that Orchis was a simple canon. He knew nothing about me, nothing about my house. I almost wanted to slap him again, but then the bastard would probably like it.
He reminded me of my mother in a way, how she was so angry when I got kicked out of Jasmine. She had said Orchis was simple too, but Orchis was the only house that had accepted me as I was, with no changes necessary.
I was going to open my mouth and say something, though the thoughts had not fully formed in my head, when I looked behind the Valerian and gasped.
Normally I would have been deliriously happy to see Guy, but not now. It seemed as if my whole body grew heated, and not with the pleasure of desire, but of shame. Gods, I was fighting in the street with someone I didn't even know! I took a step back, and felt the wall behind me. I wished I could vanish into the building.
"What in Elua's name is going on here?"
I swallowed hard. "Guy, I...we were just..." I was stammering, and I took a deep breath to try and calm myself, smiling shakily. "We were arguing about the finer points between the canons of Valerian and Orchis..." I gave the Valerian a smile, a devious thought in my mind. "...and I was winning."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 25, 2009 14:00:22 GMT -5
In my defense, me claiming that her House was a simple canon was about equal to, if not worse, her words about me being unable to truly serve Naamah. That if anything, had to be one of the worst things that an adept could ever hear. I was about to say more when I heard her gasp and turned.
“Cassiline,” I said with a low hiss in my voice. If there was one more thing that absolutely needed to irritate me, as if there wasn’t enough already, the Cassiline Brother was much taller than me. Not in the small margin that was me and Sandrine, but much more than a head. It was impossible to determine heights from faraway like when I had first spied Sandrine and Guy together, but up close… there was no denying how annoyed I was going to be. Now, against Sandrine, I actually stood a decent chance if it did get down into a fight, but with a Cassiline, I knew I had to abate some of my fires.
She addressed him by name so I knew it must be him, even if I did not recognize the man entirely. My jaw grew taut when I heard her dare to try to start something with me again in front of this Cassiline. Did she feel safe with his presence here? It was absolutely infuriating. “Oh, I believe you do want to rephrase that… you didn’t seem to have a retort against what I had just said,” I growled at her and looked Guy over. “So, you’re the Cassiline she seems so fond to defend who has eyes for her, hm?” I said with a smirk. I knew that I was treading in dangerous territory as I didn’t know what the Cassiline would do when I should I have unraveled his little… secret.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 15:04:27 GMT -5
While I could tell that Sandrine was dissembling a bit, trying to hid her anger, the Valerian seemed to have no such compunction. He seemed angry, furious even, and I had to wonder what they had actually been discussing before my arrival. It occurred to me, however, that though I cared for Sandrine, that did not give me the right to interrupt her private conversations, no matter how heated they might be. I was a bit embarrassed at my presumption, but that feeling dissipated when the Valerian spoke again.
My eyes narrowed in irritation, what had Sandrine been telling him? Our feelings were private, and could get me in a lot of trouble, and here she was, telling tales? I had half a mind to turn and walk away, let her sort out her own mess, but even in the present circumstance, I wanted to be where she was.
"Sandrine and I are friends, yes." I said, slowly, looking from one to the other. "Nothing more than that, however." I was a bad liar and I knew it, but I certainly wasn't going to incriminate myself to this stranger.
I turned to address Sandrine then. "Is everything alright here, Sandrine?" Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have felt that there was any type of threat from a Valerian of all people, but something about this man seemed dangerous; he seemed likely to boil over any moment, and again I wondered what I had interrupted.
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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 Jun 25, 2009 15:45:58 GMT -5
I glared at the Valerian. "I have plenty to say, Valerian. Unlike you I know when to be quiet."
And then I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood when the Valerian insinuated that I had told him about Guy and I.
Elua, Naamah, and Eisheth, he was going to kill the Valerian and then he was going to kill me. I knew what our love meant, I knew how it would destroy his life if anyone knew. I glanced at Guy for an instant. He couldn't believe that, could he?
I almost laughed when Guy spoke, despite the situation. He was a terrible liar. And then he turned his blue eyes on me and I fair squirmed under his gaze, not really helping out my case. I couldn't tell him what had happened, not without confirming the Valerian's suspicions.
Half of me wanted to call the Valerian out, just to see him get his comeuppance. But I was so much younger than Guy, and I didn't want to appear immature. Somehow I knew that Guy would not appreciate fingerpointing, even if he would pound the Valerian into a bloody pulp.
"Everything is alright, Guy, I'm fine." I said, hugging my arms around myself. "We're fine, here...how are you?" Oh Elua, now he was going to know something was wrong.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 15:53:56 GMT -5
It was painfully obvious to me that whatever Sandrine said, she was not fine, and I decided that while this Valerian seemed unpleasant, I would tolerate his company at least as long as it took to assure myself that Sandrine was really alright.
"I'm fine." I said, seeing that she was trying to turn this into a normal conversation. I had the feeling the Valerian wasn't going to let her... and what kind of Valerian was he anyway? His eyes hadn't hit the ground once. Was she being truthful to me about who this man even was. It occurred to me that perhaps this was something to do with an assignation, perhaps this man was a patron? That only made me angrier, so I decided not to dwell on the thought.
"Rochelle is ill, so I thought I would perhaps get her something from the artisan's district." I looked at the supposed Valerian again, then back to Sandrine. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?"
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 25, 2009 16:16:47 GMT -5
“You’re a poor liar, Cassiline,” I said, running my eyes all over him, trying to measure him up for all he was worth. “Even if you haven’t done anything with her, your face is already telling me all the things you would like to do if I weren’t here, if your clothes were off and if you weren’t what you were.” Oh, I was vicious and perhaps I was even crossing a few lines for myself. I always had fangs in all my conversations, but Sandrine had drawn out the worse in me, saying everything I absolutely hated to hear and trying to shame my services for Naamah.
“You sure had plenty more to say during the assignation.” The words left my lips before I could stop myself and when I was hooked in on an idea, I was hooked. I gave a devilish grin. “Stop lying to the Cassiline, that’s horrendously cruel, you might as well tell him for what it’s worth.” I stepped forward and bowed lowly to him, “I am Vincent LeBlanc, and you must be the Cassiline she seems so horribly fond of. She’s always talking about you.” I looked at her with a sidelong glance, feeding off any fury that I may find. I put a hand on Sandrine’s shoulder and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. If she struck me, that would only confirm to Guy that she was hiding something, likewise if she did nothing. I won either way.
He had not been here in the beginning of the conversation and she had already told him everything was fine. I was sure in Guy’s eyes, I had no reason to lie.
“Believe me, you are missing out, Cassiline, with that oath of yours. She’s wonderful. I daresay she almost cried out your name.”
Oh, I was a glutton for punishment. I was in for hell.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 16:32:32 GMT -5
I felt all the color drain out of my face at this man's words. I knew I wasn't the best liar, but I suppose I had been spoiled by all the time I spent in "polite company." I certainly wasn't expecting to be called out by this little fool. I glanced at Sandrine, I couldn't believe that she would have said anything, but then again, how well did I really know her? Had I been a fool, all this time? Longing for a woman who wasn't who I thought she was?
"But I am what I am." I said coldly, turning my gaze away from Sandrine. It hurt too much to look at her. "And regardless of your presence, nothing or no one would cause me to break my oath."
When the "Valerian" confirmed my earlier suspicions about not being a Valerian at all, it felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Sandrine had lied to me... and she had been with this man. Like Denis before him, I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands. Only my years of training kept me from doing it.
I clenched my fists to keep my temper. I had no hold over Sandrine, after all. We could never be together, so why shouldn't she be with other men? Besides, that was part of who she was, and I damn well knew it. But still, it hurt to think of her with someone else. Especially this arrogant little fool.
I spit the words out before I really had the chance to think about what I was saying. "Well, I hope you've gotten your money's worth, Vincent, I've heard that Sandrine is the pride of her House." My eyes had gone cold as I looked at her, this woman I thought I loved. Apparently I didn't know her at all.
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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 Jun 25, 2009 17:23:22 GMT -5
I could not have been more stunned if Guy himself had slapped me in the face. Even still it felt like the wind was knocked out of me. When Guy turned away from me my blood turned cold.
How could Guy believe the Valerian? How could Guy value his story over mine? Didn't he remember that night in Denis' house? How we agreed never to tell anyone? I wouldn't just throw that away.
I took the Valerian's hand off of my shoulder, and then I turned and slapped him hard, on the other cheek.
"Why would you do this to me?" I whispered harshly, my fists clenched, my whole body shaking violently. "I tried to help you, I tried my damnedest to save you, and you do this to me instead! I've never met anyone so cruel, so absolutely vile, so disgusting..."
I trailed off, my chest heaving in anger. I couldn't defend myself to Guy, not with the Valerian standing here.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Jun 25, 2009 17:34:14 GMT -5
I let Sandrine slap me, and hard. I relished in her anger, that fury behind her hit and the tingle that spread across my face. I absolutely adored it. "I told you that you didn't know who you were messing with. You were so determined to be better than me, weren't you? Well, not you really know who you are dealing with and not just some 'little' Valerian," I spat at her, low enough that the enraged Cassiline would be unable to hear.
"I definitely got my money's worth," I said, making sure it was too loud and clear for Guy to ignore. "She's worth double what I paid and she definitely has enough spunk for the both of us. Good day."
That was what she got for lying to me, for shaming my name against Naamah. I was infuriated but oh did I feel so much better. With that, I turned my heel and walked away, my chest and head a little higher.
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 19:42:23 GMT -5
I was shocked to see Sandrine lash out that way, her hand connecting with Vincent's flesh with a resounding smack that practically rang throughout the square. Her obvious distress caused my stomach to knot painfully. On the one hand, I was hurt and angry, on the other hand, I wanted to comfort her.
Before I could decide one way or the other, Vincent made another comment about Sandrine that might have caused me to abandon all caution and deck him. Whoever he was, I didn't like him, and I didn't want him around Sandrine, in any capacity. He strode away before I could lose my temper, however, and that was probably a good thing.
I turned then to Sandrine, who obviously upset. Well, so was I, for that matter. But I just couldn't believe that she would have told anyone about me, especially not some random assignation. I didn't want to believe that.
"Well, he's quite charming." I said, running a hand through my hair and trying to calm my emotions.
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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 Jun 25, 2009 20:42:50 GMT -5
I was still shaking as I watched the Valerian walk away. His face was etched on my memory. I wouldn't forget. Maybe he thought I was simple, that he was so smart, but he was wrong. I'd get back at him. I wasn't quite sure how, but I would.
Guy's voice snapped me out of my revelry, and I looked up at him before looking around. We had gathered quite the audience. I almost reached over and took his hand before I realized what that might seem like.
"He's not," I said softly, looking down. "Not at all." I paused before I glanced back up at him. "Can we...can we go and talk somewhere?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 21:00:55 GMT -5
I almost wanted to say no, that I needed to get back to Rochelle. I was afraid of what she was going to tell me. What if she said that it was all true? My stomach clenched with nerves, but I was no coward.
"Of course. Where did you have in mind? I can buy you a drink." She looked like she could use one, and hell, so could I. "What's close?" I leaned forward and had to use all of my self control not to touch her. Not here. Oh Gods, if anything, I should walk away right now, before my self control wore thin.
Of course, that was the last thing I wanted to do, and as I had been doing far too often of late, I gave in to what I wanted and stayed with her.
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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 Jun 25, 2009 21:36:15 GMT -5
He wanted to buy me a drink? As good as that sounded, I needed both of us totally sober.
"Follow me," I said, picking my way through the gathered crowds and into an alley that I knew was poorly trafficked, having hidden here several times in the past. As soon as I thought it was okay, I reached over and grabbed his hand in both of mine, looking up at him.
"Guy," I began, slowly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall, "before I say anything else, I want you to know one thing." I swallowed hard and willed my voice not to shake. "Guy, I love you. I wasn't sure at first, but now I know." I shook my head, laughing. "It's crazy, isn't it? Crazy, and stupid, but I can't help it, and I'm so so sorry."
I sighed and looked back up at him. "I would never, ever tell anyone about us, Guy. I haven't told anyone about my feelings for you." That wasn't strictly true, but I knew Sophine would never do anything to hurt Guy. "Though, I think Corin might suspect something. He's...he's sort of jealous," I said, looking up at Guy.
"Seriously, that person you saw, that Valerian...he was a liar. I tried to help him because he was being beat up, but he took my help the wrong way, and we started fighting...oh, Guy, I'm so ashamed! I...I would never want you to see me that way, but somehow he brought out the worst in me. He's not my patron, he's not anything to me, I don't even know his name! I just..." I trailed off, realizing that I was babbling, and looked into his eyes.
"You have to believe me," I said softly, still holding his hand in mine. "I swear it's all true."
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 25, 2009 21:55:39 GMT -5
Sandrine led me to an alley, and then began to say things that both lightened my heart and yet terrified me all at once. I let her finish before I said anything, though truly I didn't hear much after, "I love you." She loved me. Sandrine loved me, me, a Cassiline who had never imagined that he would feel this way.
Everything else didn't matter. This Valerian, whoever he was, the things he said melted away with Sandrine's words. Oh Cassiel, how did any withstand this amazing feeling?
"I love you too, Sandrine." I whispered, tears standing out in my own eyes. "I can't say the things he said didn't hurt, but I do believe you. I do." If it made me a fool, then so be it.
And now I had to say the hardest words I'd ever said, even worse than that night she'd come to me after being with Denis. "But you know, it doesn't change what I am. Who I am. As much as I love you, we can never truly be together."
It hurt so much to say those words to her, to deny myself the only thing I'd ever truly wanted in my life.
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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 Jun 25, 2009 22:16:28 GMT -5
I felt faint, like all of the stories I had read about love in my life. He loved me back, oh Elua, he loved me back! And then I wanted to dance and sing every song I knew, wanted to run and shout it in the streets...
Until he said what I already knew.
I did cry then as all of the pent up emotions from earlier in the day, the rage and the anger and the joy and the excitement, all of them burst from me. I sobbed as quietly as I could, though it hurt, it hurt so badly.
"I...I know, Guy, I know, and I don't want to change who you are at all." I laughed ruefully. "I love you because of who you are, Guy, not despite it." I sighed softly and squeezed his hand again. "I am content to never have more than this, Guy. I can't hurt you...I would just as soon cut off my own finger." It was dramatic, I know, but it was true. "I'll...I just remember that kiss, that's all..." I looked up at him and smiled. "It has to be enough, doesn't it?"
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Post by Guy de Layne on Jun 26, 2009 22:06:19 GMT -5
Oh Elua, I felt such pain at her tears that I could hardly bear it. At that moment, I seriously considered throwing aside every vow I had ever taken as if they meant nothing. What were they but hollow promises, in the face of Sandrine's pain?
But if I did such a thing, I would not be who I was, and I could no more abandon my oaths than I could stop loving Sandrine. What could I do but reach out, touch her damp cheeks and smile softly.
"It is enough, that memory. It stands forth in my mind the way the sun blazes in the sky, you could never ignore it's presence. I know it hurts that we cannot be together, but it doesn't make our love any less." In fact, to my mind, it was more than could be expressed by a mere fleshly coupling. However much I wanted her, the feelings that we shared transcended a sexual relationship. At least, for me, I couldn't speak for Sandrine.
"I know I have no right to your heart Sandrine. I cannot marry you, or give you children, or even a night's pleasure, but nonetheless, I do love you. I will always be here when you have need of me, I can promise you that, if nothing else."
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