Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 7, 2009 15:43:52 GMT -5
I had heard that the Sanctuary of Elua was quiet, peaceful, and had vast lands and gardens, and, being surrounded by buildings and cobblestone, when Christophe asked me where I wanted to go, it was the first thing out of my mouth. It might have surprised him, a boy my age wanting to wander around gardens and trees as opposed to an exciting romp in the Night Court, but I missed home, and the land, and how I felt at peace and one with it. I think mayhap he understood my request, odd as it was, because in minutes we were in a carriage and headed to the City's Temple District. Once we had arrived at the roofless structure, I took a deep breath, climbing out of the carriage, clad in simple tan coloured cotton breeches and a white tunic, my boots clean but obviously worn in, my hair straight and blond as the sun was bright.
I turned toward Christophe, my brother who seemed more like a distant relative due to our long separation. I had so many questions, so many things to say and wonder at loud about, that had been building since the day speculation arose. I knew what he was, why he had come here. But I did not understand why it was so terrible, I did not understand what it was in his nature that made him despised by some of the others in our family. I shook my head though, dispelling the thoughts for a moment, smiling.
"So this is it?" I asked softly as I walked forward, my voice almost a whisper, unsure of how to really carry myself when about to enter a sacred place.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 9, 2009 12:32:18 GMT -5
I had wanted to spend a day (well, far more than just one day if I was being honest with myself) with both Marie and Henri alone. Get to know them again after so many years apart. Today was my day with Henri, and we headed to the Sanctuary of Elua at his request.
Considering our destination, I had run upstairs to fetch a purse of which to make an offering. I didn't otherwise change my appearance, and that included the collar that was settled comfortably around my neck. The priests of Elua understood love, even if my older brother didn't. Besides, the way Henri had been watching me, I had a feeling that he wanted to ask about it.
"This is it," I confirmed as we walked toward the entrance. We were greeted by an acolyte who led us over to a bench to take off our footwear. My boots were soon placed neatly beside the bench and my toes scrunched in the grass that grew even here by the bench.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 10, 2009 9:39:33 GMT -5
I smiled at Christophe as we entered and were greeted by a smiling acolyte. He sat first, obviously aware of the customs of ritual, and though I had been a few times to Temples, none like this, and my visits were rather rare.
I followed suit, sitting on the bench beside him and removing my boots as well. I looked around us and noted that it was just so... green, everywhere, flowers and grass sprung up, even in the cracks. "They say," I said softly, "that grass and flowers and plants would spring wherever Elua walked," I was sure he was aware of this, being a servant of Naamah and al, and I felt mildly foolish for even mentioning it, but smiled nonetheless. "It's such a peaceful thought. The idea that someone could make somethign grow just by touching it." I said with a wide smile as I rose, bootless, the grass tickling the soles of my feet.
"Do you come to this temple often, Christophe?" I asked, knowing that he must visit the Temple of Naamah, and that of Kushiel as well.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2009 11:03:23 GMT -5
"Not as often as perhaps I should," I replied, joining him as we made our way into the sanctuary proper. "Elua has certainly given me a great blessing."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 10, 2009 11:14:48 GMT -5
"Oh?" I said as we entered the temple and I looked around, taking everything in, the roofless structure amidst all the lush plant life. "What has he gifted you with, brother?" I asked, settlign my gaze on him.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2009 11:24:28 GMT -5
"Malabelle," I replied simply. I glanced around to find only acolytes, for we were here quite early in City time. Henri was used to farmer's hours, so I had done my best to drag myself out of bed at a reasonable hour.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 10, 2009 11:31:54 GMT -5
"Ah," I said, understanding, though a little confused. "I suppose... I don't know... I thought that would have been a gift attributed to Kushiel?" I inquired, seeing as she was Shahrizai, and he was a servant to both Naamah and Kushiel alike. I had not thought about their love as a gift from Elua. "Then again," I said pondering outloud, continuing my thoughts, "Elua is the one who bid us love as we will," I murmured thoughfully. "I... I am sorry if that seemed rather... brash Christophe. I am still wrapping my mind around everything. It doesn't all make perfect sense."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2009 11:38:23 GMT -5
"It's alright Henri, I don't mind explaining. At least you're willing to listen," I said with a soft smile. "Naamah brought us together the first time. And Kushiel helped us move on from... a mistake I made. But it is Elua who has kept us together. With all we've been through, it's the love we bear for each other that has been our bond."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 10, 2009 14:05:00 GMT -5
I nodded then, though I wondered at his mistake, but didn't ask. Twas not my business, the quarrels between lovers. "Christophe, I ... never understood really. Why mother and Pierre are so upset, so angered by your choice. You cannot help who you are anymore than anyone else can, but their ignorance is just so astounding that... well I always wondered whether there was even the inkling of truth behind it? Is it shameful? To be in Naamah's service? Or..." I stopped for a moment, stopped moving stopped talking and watched a butterfly pass by, "or was it moreso the House... what it means I guess... being aValerian?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 10, 2009 16:24:36 GMT -5
I sighed then, and gestured for him to sit beneath a tree, joining him when he had settled. I leaned back against the trunk, and thought of how to explain.
"When Pierre and I were growing up," I started after a pause, "it was clear that we would both make good soldiers. You and Marie were young enough that your futures weren't set yet. But it was clear where Pierre and I belonged. We were going to learn how to protect our country and our family, just like Father."
"The skills needed for the Service will never defend our borders. Real men would never enter the Service. That is what both Mother and Father believed. But it wasn't that simple. The Night Court was the only place they could think to send someone like me. Tell me little brother. What does Valerian mean to you?"
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 11, 2009 8:48:41 GMT -5
I nodded as I listened, getting a glimpse into the intricacies of our family that I had been denied. I wondered, then, how mother and father did not hate me. Where Christophe and Pierre were skilled in what all Camaelian men are skilled in, I was a terrible failure. Then again I had my hands. I looked down at the ground, the tree shrouding us fro the sunlight, then looked to Christophe.
"You know I know very little about these things, about the Night Court, but," I said moving to sit cross legged. "I hear that it is the house that has adepts that enjoy pain, or at the very least maybe have a very high tolerance for it. But they like it in various forms. Emotional, physical...,"I had snuck away to do a tiny bit of research of my own, though not much. Twas difficult to ask questions about something like that. "If that is right then that means more strength than weakness. Any person can take pain, but to take it, enjoy it, and do it as a service to please others. It may not be fighting for your country, or saving it, but it is still doing it a service."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 12, 2009 17:49:57 GMT -5
I shook my head. "I'm not sure why exactly Mother reacted the way she did. Maybe she couldn't understand how someone could take pain, and have it not be truly painful. Maybe I embodied desires that she had kept hidden and repressed for years. I'll never know now. Father sided with her when she saw how upset she was, and how adamant she was that I leave."
I drew in a deep breath and then sighed again. "I was lucky, very lucky, that Mother and Father loved me enough to send me to the City and Valerian. I found a home there, and learned what my desires are. For some adepts it's about the pain. But not for most. I entered the Service because I like to be dominated. I love the illusion that I have no control, that I am at the whim of my patron. But it's just that, an illusion. My lover might push me, test me, but I hold the trump card. I can stop it at any time that I wish. Mother and Father don't, didn't, understand any of it. In their eyes, I am the perfect victim. Which is the exact opposite of the values every Camaeline holds dear."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 13, 2009 9:19:42 GMT -5
"But," I said pensively, my hand caressing the grass absentmindedly as I plucked a dandelion and looked at it, "if you think about this logically, you DO have the power, you are the most powerful in the situation, because even as you bend to their whims, they must unerringly bend to yours. It is a delicate balance. I suppose, with who we are, where we are from, there is no such thing as a power balance, only the stronger forcing their will on the weaker," I said with brows knitted together.
"Yet... I know you to be skilled in the sword, and were there some sort of draft, you would put many a Camaelian man to shame, I am sure," I said with a smile. "I do not think that the sword should test a man's worth." I said this last part more quietly. Christophe was no stranger to the fact that I had not taken to the sword. I couldn't, my body would never be trained to the formations, the handling, parrying, the delicate dance of swordplay, though I was strong and lithe, built for it even, my brain was not. I rubbed the back of my neck, looking up at Christophe. "I understand that, having been sent here, you learned and grew but... a part of me can't help but wonder how we all would have been had you stayed... had they understood. We wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation, and you mayhap wouldn't be with Malabelle. But, who is to say... fate is an odd thing..." I noticed I had been rambling and shook my head, feeling my cheeks heat.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 14, 2009 16:53:37 GMT -5
"If I had stayed... If I had stayed then I would be a soldier now, possibly dead. If I wasn't, I would be hiding my desires from my unit," I said, shaking my head. "Mother and Father are not the only ones who do not understand. No, there are things I would change if I could Henri. Trust me, I would give up a lot to have my last memory of Mother to be different. I would have loved to have written both you and Marie after Mother died. I would love for Pierre to understand me. I would love to have Father at the wedding."
I sighed and shook my head again. "But the main... plot if you will, the fact that I came to the City and entered the Service, that I would not change. I can only change the now, not the past. Which is why I invited you all here. I want to have siblings again Henri," I told him with a little smile.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 17, 2009 11:46:14 GMT -5
"Well, you had never lost me Christophe. I just wanted to understand, aside from what everyone was saying, the noise abotu it all. I just never really saw what was so important. Maybe I just don't have the mind for it. Or maybe I'm too naive," I said with a soft chuckle. "Sometimes... sometimes I wish I could have somehow ben a priest, in service of Elua. It would seem fitting, you know," I said, looking up at my brother, squinting to keep the light from my eyes.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 17, 2009 21:28:44 GMT -5
"I think if that had been the path that you had chosen, that you would have made a very good priest," I said with a smile.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 19, 2009 12:59:54 GMT -5
I smiled back, happy that my brother would agree. "But now... now... I don't know what to do really," I sighed softly. "Here I am, in the City, for a very important cause of course," I said smiling over to Christophe, "but I miss the land, the feel of life in my hands. I don't knwo what to do with myself here," I admitted sadly. "Do not get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to be here, with you and your future wife," I grinned, "but, it feels a part of me is missing."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2009 14:05:32 GMT -5
"Well, there's the garden around our house if you'd like to get dirt under your nails," I offered. I knew Henri had been used to stability in Camlach, and I didn't want him to lose that if it was at all possible. "Or were you looking for something bigger?"
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 19, 2009 14:10:38 GMT -5
I smiled at his offer. "Well that might keep me busy a few hours a day, unless you want it exapnded to nigh half your land," I said with a chuckle, "but something bigger... would be nice and.. well," I blushed softly at what I was about to say, hoping he would not think me callous, "well... I was hoping for a job I might be able ot save some money with. There was something I wanted to get for Marie, and it would be nice to have something to start off with in my coffers," I said witha soft smile.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2009 14:43:50 GMT -5
I didn't even think of offering to get it for him to give Marie - that obviously wasn't the point.
"Of course," I said with a soft smile. "I can speak to André if you'd like, see if he's looking for anyone. He's the head gardener at Valerian. The wage wouldn't be huge, but it would be something."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 19, 2009 15:39:23 GMT -5
I smiled, though I blushed and ducked my head a moment. Being so close to so many adepts, well, it made me feel a little awkward. "That would be nice. Thank you, Christophe." I brushed my palm over the blades of grass, letting the tips tickle my flesh. "I had thought of also seeing if I might apprentice on the Palace grounds as well, if I can muster up the courage to see to it," I said with a laugh.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2009 19:00:44 GMT -5
"Apprentice?" I asked with a surprise chuckle. "How long are you planning on staying?"
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 20, 2009 10:58:56 GMT -5
"Oh... well.. I.. um...," I stumbled, looking away, "I don't know. The Gods know I might like staying if I can find a suitable job, but they also know that our lands only grow under my care. Father," I faltered again, shaking my head gently, "father doesn't really go out there, not to work, to oversee once in a while, but I have been doing it for so long that it isn't even needed anymore. I think he does it as a token gesture, to show that he hasn't forgotten."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 20, 2009 15:08:55 GMT -5
I reached over and squeezed his shoulder slightly. "You only have to stay as long as you wish brother. And you have quite a bit of time to decide. Nothing will be growing in Camlach until the spring."
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 20, 2009 15:13:18 GMT -5
I smiled at that.
"This is true, Christophe, very true. It would be nice to stay here until at least that long. The house is competent enough to do what is left for them, and to look after father. I mean," I said smiling and running a hand through my locks, "should you and Malabelle still wish our presence. You never know," I said with a crooked smile, "we could drive you absolutely insane."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 21, 2009 0:47:54 GMT -5
"The house is big enough to avoid you if needs be," I teased him, then laughed.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 24, 2009 12:57:03 GMT -5
I laughed at his words, a wide sgrin on my face. "I could build a shed and hole up outside until the dust settles," I laughed again. "Ahhh, Christophe. It is good to have the siblings together again. For the most part," I said with a bit of a sigh. "Do you think Pierre will ever get over his ... issues?" I couldn't find another word for his problems with Christophe and his lifestyle.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 31, 2009 1:10:29 GMT -5
My smile faded and I sighed as well. "I don't know. I don't think so. He has convinced himself that all that I represent is wrong and morally evil. Unfortunately it clouds his judgement. But I believe that Pierre is trying to be the best big brother he can be for the two of you." I tried not to be bitter as I said it, for it was the truth as I saw it. Even if Pierre had three younger siblings, not just two.
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Henri Legard
Citizen
Son of Phillipe and Henrietta Legard. Brother of Pierre, Marie, and Christophe Legard
Posts: 354
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Post by Henri Legard on Aug 31, 2009 6:33:52 GMT -5
"I suppose," I said quietly with a large sigh as I tried to smile again. "Regardless, it is exciting. A wedding is to be had! What are the plans? How do these things work in the City? Where will it be? Will we meet all her family?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Aug 31, 2009 18:01:22 GMT -5
"We're holding it the second week of winter, right here as far as I know," I replied with a smile. "I'm not sure how many from Mala's side will be coming, I left that part of the guest list to her. But I don't expect it to be a big affair."
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