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A tour.
May 16, 2007 10:54:08 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 10:54:08 GMT -5
I gave the fosterling who greeted us a wordless smile, feeling almost awkward with the situation. Usually it were I who was leading and not following, though it was refreshing in its own right to give up the reins to someone else, so to speak.
"It's beautiful," I said to Geraldine, though directing it to the younger girl also should she wish to partake in conversation. "Excitement is well and good, though I don't think I'd want it for my own home." I smiled again, then looked about us.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:15:00 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 11:15:00 GMT -5
Madeline blushed profusely. Poor girl, I thought, what would come of her when her virgin price was bought? Once we'd crossed the threshold, Madeline closed the door behind us in a soft whisper of a gesture, and returned to her duties.
We were in the main hall, and before I continued the tour, I asked Mirielle what she wanted. "Well, here we are. There are several places to visit, so I'd like you to tell me where you wish to start. There is the garden, the pleasure rooms, the Dowayne's chambers (should you wish to greet my Dowayne), the Adept wing, and the children's wing."
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:21:35 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 11:21:35 GMT -5
I grinned, answering Geraldine almost immediatly after she'd listed the choices. "The childrens wing, if you wouldn't mind. My duty says to greet your Dowayne, though I would much prefer to hear giggles and laughter first." I glanced from the beautiful hall to the beautiful adept, my grin changing to a secretive smile. "You truly do fit here, you know."
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:28:47 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 11:28:47 GMT -5
I looked down at the compliment. "Thank you, Mirielle."
Turning around, I looked to see if Madeline was around, and as indeed she was, gesturing me that Valeraine was out. How convenient, I thought.
"No need to worry about duties. Valeraine would not be able to receive you at the moment. Perhaps she will be back before you leave, though. The children's wing is this way," I said, indicating an alley that bordered the inner garden, a lovely place of sunshine and greens, where the namesake flower of the house started to bloom abundantly, along with large daisies and one lovely smelling lilac tree.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:34:43 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 11:34:43 GMT -5
I followed Geraldine in the traditional sense, though rather than behind I remained at her side, looking at the garden as we passed it. "I'd say it were a shame for Valeraine being out, and it is, though it's one less thing to worry about completing I suppose." Adepts appeared here and there around us as we continued down the hallway, our footfalls thudding softly against the marble tile beneath our feet.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:48:26 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 11:48:26 GMT -5
"Valeraine is a great Dowayne," I said. "She looks after all of us as though we were her children, and is patient beyond imagination. I am very grateful that she is my Dowayne. I've tested her patience several times, you know, but she never gives in."
As we walked towards the children's wing, the noise of little voices arose. A hand brushed my arm, and I smiled at a lovely angelic, yet tanned face surrounded in golden curls. "Oh, hello Michel, it's nice to see you," I said, though not stopping for a conversation. "I'll see you later, honey," I said as he passed his way with a wink.
"Michel is one of my favorite Heliotrope adepts," I told Mirielle. "He redefines the word angel, don't you think?"
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 11:54:14 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 11:54:14 GMT -5
"He does," I agreed, giving the child a smile. I wished I'd known I'd be coming inside when we left Mont Nuit, otherwise I'd have brought something to give the little ones. Ah,well; perhaps it wouldn't be allowed anyway. "Does Heliotrope generally have a good number of children at any given time?"
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 12:03:49 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 12:03:49 GMT -5
"I'm afraid to tell you, you might turn back," I said with a tease. "We do have a large population of children. Of course, we have our own cherubs, but the houses sometimes send in their fosterlings if they are in need of.... " I hesitated, "special care. All in all, you should expect a little over two dozen children in the wing," I said as I opened the door, the little voices intensifying.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 12:09:23 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 12:09:23 GMT -5
"The more the better," I said merrily as I followed her through the door, glancing around. The walls were brighter here, and the plants, both potted on the floor and hanging, were generally of a sturdier build and not too fragile. "What kinds of special care do some of the children require?"
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 12:34:48 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 12:34:48 GMT -5
"Some children are simply in need of more love than others. Their houses have no intention of letting them go, but wish for them to have some contact with Heliotrope. We give them some measure of balance, and an outside eye they may not find in their own houses. Some of them ask to be fostered here, and transfer in, but they are exceptional cases. Madeline, whom you met, is an example. She was intended to be Alyssum, but asked to be Heliotrope. Valeraine took her in for her curvy features," I explained, not mentionning my own opinion on the affair, the only instance where, in retrospect, I'd disagreed with Valeraine. Then again, it was not my place to judge, and I did sincerely like the young girl.
"This is the Little Hall. The children would gather here for little fetes and group exercises. The play rooms are this way," I said, indicating a room where the voices were stemming from. Through glass doors, we could already see the children, engaged in various games. Several adepts were watching over and playing a little, and I recognized Daniel, a pleasant man of average build who had completed his marque just a few months ago. His lovely face was framed in platinum blond waves of hair, and I knew to expect deep brown eyes when he would turn towards us. I was glad to see him there, for he would be pleased to have us visit.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 12:44:48 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 12:44:48 GMT -5
I looked where Geraldine gestured, my gaze going to the doors that contained the children and thier young antics. A handsome adept, or whom I assumed was so, was standing in their midst, and I studied him as I did the kids around him.
"I don't have any children of my own," I said quietly, glancing from him and to Geraldine. "I used to play with the ones who lived on my estate in Azzalle, though there are none in my townhome here. I miss it," I said quietly. I'd be content enough to simply watch from here if that was how things were done; I didn't want to disrupt anything that might be going on anywhere else.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 12:59:47 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 12:59:47 GMT -5
"Children are the most precious of Blessed Elua's gift, Mirielle. I'm grateful I get to have so many around. Would you like to meet them?"
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 13:09:14 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 13:09:14 GMT -5
"Of course," I said, agreeing with her inwardly. The doors were pushed open and we walked through, though most of the children didn't look up as we did. I gave a smile for it; immensed so in thier games, it was likely as not that they simply didn't think twice about two people walking in. They might not have even realized, for that matter.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 13:33:36 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 13:33:36 GMT -5
When we walked in, I pressed to greet Daniel, planting a small sisterly kiss on his cheek. "My Lady Bellamont, I'd like you to meet Daniel nó Heliotrope." Daniel bowed deeply to Mirielle. "Lady Bellamont is very interested in the children, will you mind if you stay a moment? We are only doing a little tour of the House."
"You, and anyone you care about enough to spend your afternoon off touring the House with, are very welcome to stay as long as you like," Daniel replied, his smile a beacon of warmth.
A little hand tugged on my larger one, and I reached down to take her up in my arms. Immediately, she cooed against me, and my hand carressed her soft chestnut hair.
"Hello Sacha, how are you my sweet?" I said, my lips pressed against her hair. To Mirielle, I silently articulated "Alyssum."
Already, I saw Jacques, a small demure Heliotrope fosterling with raven hair, come to Mirielle with open arms. Still cradling Sacha, I nodded to Mirielle, "That's Jacques, watch out, he'll steal your heart."
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 13:47:08 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 13:47:08 GMT -5
I gave Daniel a soft smile as Geraldine picked up a young one; my nod of understanding was barely done as a little boy came up to me, arms wide and wearing an expression I couldn't bear deny. Without hesitation I gathered him up and set him on my hip, ignoring the fact that my gown was wrinkling under his bottom. "I can see how he would," I said, transferring my smile from Geraldine to Daniel, my hand supporting Jacques' back.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 14:11:06 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 14:11:06 GMT -5
Daniel smiled and gave a slight chuckle. "Looking at you, My Lady, one would think you come here everyday." He looked at me, teasing a little, "Dine, watch out with this one. If you let her, she'll sleep on your cot tonight."
I laughed heartily. "It's fine, Daniel, I'll take my chances." Besides, if she needed it, I'd soothe her nightmares, and Daniel knew it full well. After all, it was my specialty in the House. Brushing Sacha's hair from her face, I whispered, "Don't worry, sweets. You'll sleep well tonight."
I looked over to Mirielle. Jacques was fascinated with her hair and stroked it gently. "He likes you," I told her.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 14:15:50 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 14:15:50 GMT -5
I laughed as my hair was patted and stroked, toyed with between little fingers that were surprisingly gentle. "I like him too," I said, giving the little one a nuzzle upon his soft cheek. It never failed to amaze me how smooth chilren were; you'd think them fragile, though I'd seen the children of my estate run and dive, doing antics that I was sure would break my bones.
Glancing to Geraldine and Daniel by way of conversation, I voiced a question. "Is there much playtime here, or is most of their waking hours spent in classes?"
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 14:37:26 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 14:37:26 GMT -5
Daniel smiled, and, scooping up a little blond hellion responding at his whims to the name of Benito who was being somewhat overly rowdy, he adressed Mirielle's query, over Benito's protesting giggles. "These are the very little ones, so they get to play all day, though we try to teach them manners in the process," he pointed to the Lesser Hall, "next door, you will see some classes, but you wouldn't be admitted in, seeing as the classes are ongoing."
As I listened to Daniel, Sacha pulled my attention, whispering a non-sensical blur in my ear. I stroked her back softly, and nodded my patience.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 14:46:18 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 14:46:18 GMT -5
I nodded in understanding to Daniel, attemping to disentangle Jacques' fingers from my hair; he'd fiddled with it too much, and every time he moved the tangle became tighter. Laughing good naturedly I kneeled down on the carpet and set him down so he were standing, using two hands to free myself. "Understandably," I said with a smile to Daniel, reaching out to ruffle the hair of Jaques as we were parted once more.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 15:17:36 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 16, 2007 15:17:36 GMT -5
My arms still around Sacha, I asked Mirielle, "Are you ready for another area of the House?"
Sacha steered in my arms, gripping me more tightly. I pleaded to Daniel silently, and he sighed. "I knew she would do you in. Fine. She's only happy when she's with you, anyway."
I sighed in turn. Sacha had taken a liking to me since Longest Night, when she'd spent the night at Heliotrope and had had a terrible nightmare that left her trembling. She was the reason I'd arrived so late a the Fete, and I had kept a soft spot for her.
"Do you mind if we keep company for the rest of the tour?" I asked Mirielle.
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A tour.
May 16, 2007 15:25:45 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 16, 2007 15:25:45 GMT -5
"Of course not," I smiled, giving Jaques' hair a fond smoothing before standing back up, my hands brushing absently at my skirts. "Where to next, then?" My smile turned somewhere between teasing and flirtatious, and I glanced from Daniel to Geraldine. "Obviously not the pleasure chambers."
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 3:36:10 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 17, 2007 3:36:10 GMT -5
I chuckled. "In fact, the pleasure chambers are rather sedate. She won't see anything troubling there. If you are curious to know, they are in fact some of the most beautiful rooms of the House, and it would be a shame to miss out. The larger garden can also be a lovely place to visit, and there is the Adept wing. I doubt you would find it interesting, but if you are curious to see how we live, I don’t mind showing you my quarters.”
Daniel chuckled, “Only yours, Dine, please. Mind are not presentable as is.”
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 10:59:13 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 17, 2007 10:59:13 GMT -5
I considered her quietly, looking at the child in her arms. "Perhaps another time for the pleasure chambers; it would be awkward for me, I think." Giving Geraldine an apologetic look, I reached out and stroked the soft hair of the girl that clung to her. "How about the gardens? It's a beautiful day out, and I hear the Night Court has some of the most beautiful gardens one should ever wish to see."
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 11:17:48 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 17, 2007 11:17:48 GMT -5
I smiled quietly, "I understand," I replied. "You are right, it would be a little strange."
I accepted Daniel's kiss of good bye, and we strolled out of the room, Jacques waving a sweet good bye to Mirielle.
"He'll be referring to you as his betrothed, I'm afraid," I said.
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 11:26:41 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 17, 2007 11:26:41 GMT -5
I laughed as the doors closed behind us, turning enough to blow Jaques a small kiss. "He's more than precious," I said with a wide smile, following Geraldines lead to the gardens. I hoped the little one in her arms would like the sun and fresh air; she was the biggest reason why I'd suggested it, though I didn't want to voice that aloud.
"Heliotrope seems very loving, accepting," I commented as we moved through the halls, the sweet scents of the gardens filtering in around us.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 11:41:26 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 17, 2007 11:41:26 GMT -5
"It is," I replied. "And that is the main reason I love this house so much," I replied.
We crossed back to the inner garden, and to the main hallway. Its high ceilings made me think of cathedrals, and I basked in the sunlight as it shone through. At the end of the hallway, a large double door awaited us.
"I would open the door, but I'm a bit held up," I told Mirielle. "Just unlatch it and push, it will give easily."
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 11:58:17 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 17, 2007 11:58:17 GMT -5
I nodded and opened the door, holding it for her as she cradled the babe in her arms. After Geraldine had gone through I let it swing shut and moved out into the sunlight awaiting us, pulling a deep breath into my lungs. "I missed this," I said softly, looking around. "Spring... Winter is too dreary, too chilling for me."
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 12:13:45 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 17, 2007 12:13:45 GMT -5
"It is," I agreed. "I am addicted to light. When I met Darien, he was sketching outside and I had to wait for him to finish before we went in the shop.... the sunlight was soft and wonderful."
I walked slowly to the bench, taking stock of the garden. It was blooming slowly, holding the promise of lovely summer days.
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 12:30:24 GMT -5
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on May 17, 2007 12:30:24 GMT -5
I couldn't help but tear my eyes from the flowers and to Geraldine again, giving her a little grin for her words. "And do you associate Darien with such fantastical lighting?" I queried, amusement peeking through my words.
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Géraldine Grangier
Citizen
Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
Posts: 2,001
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A tour.
May 17, 2007 12:36:51 GMT -5
Post by Géraldine Grangier on May 17, 2007 12:36:51 GMT -5
Sacha had fallen asleep in my arms, and I sat on the bench, for it was dry and clean.
I blushed at Mirielle's words, for I had not realized I'd spoken such words aloud. "My memory revolved more around the light then him, Mirielle," I replied shyly. "You must know I never mentionned this to anyone before you."
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