Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 20:46:14 GMT -5
When the first rays of light poked themselves in through my window, I awoke. To my horror I realized that I had fallen asleep at my desk, cheek resting on page 367 of A History of Kusheth. Knowing that I looked a perfect mess, I dashed to the baths.
Slipping into a steaming tub, I soaped my hair and body, brushing the tangles out of my curls and rubbing the sweat and grime and ink off my skin. Satisfied that I was clean, I slipped back to my chamber and dressed for the day. Russet cotton gown, black slippers and that ever-present valerian flower necklace. I could hardly look at myself in with without seeing my mother's disappointed face, but I tried not to think about it. I was Valerian now, and I was content to stay.
I reported to Trinette's office as usual. After quizzing me on the lineage of the Shahrizai and which family member typically preferred what, she said to me, "You will no longer report to me in the morning, you have a teacher now."
"I do?" I asked incredulously. "Thank you, my lady...who is it?"
"His name is Gareth,' said Trinette, "and he is a fine adept, very patient. I thinnk you will like him very much. We are still in the process of contracting a Mandrake tutor, but rest assured, we will find one soon enough. Gareth is waiting for you in the library."
"Thank you, my lady," I said, before excusing myself and heading for the library.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 21:52:05 GMT -5
I'd been told by Trinette I would be tutoring a girl who, after some interesting events at the Masque, had been moved to Valerian and named Avrielle. That morning, in preparation, I had pulled a few books on techniques specific to the House and relating to the softer forms which she was allowing to be given in her contract. However, since she was so new, I'd decided that she would be reading them on her own at first and I could correct her misconceptions later- she needed to see one of the chambers and become familiar with the tools that would possibly be used. Patiently I waited, letting my thoughts wander to Dominique for a few moments as I waited for the new girls' entry.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 22:02:26 GMT -5
Slipping into the library, I observed the man who was to be my teacher: Tall, with long brown hair flowing down his shoulders and back, he was poring over a technical text, one which was on my reading list. Quietly, I approached him. "Good morning," I said. "You must be Gareth."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 22:49:28 GMT -5
"And you must be Avrielle- good morning," I replied with a calm smile as I took her in- she definitely had the appearance of an Orchis, what with her wide lips made for smiling and bright eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We have an interesting morning ahead so I think we'll start with any questions you may have." My tone was friendly but I was also her teacher and would need to garner her respect. "You needn't worry about anything shocking me- I was born into Valerian and my mother was one as well."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 22:56:03 GMT -5
I smiled widely at him. "Thank you, Gareth," I said. "I've mostly been studying technique and history out of books, but I haven't any questions yet, so I'm ready to get started." I could not hide the eagerness in my voice, I hoped we would do something practical today.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 23:19:59 GMT -5
"Then we'll take a tour of one of the assignation chambers," I replied with a smile as I stood, glad she was ready to get to work directly- and I was sure she'd have questions as she handled some of the instruments, both those that would be used against her skin and those that wouldn't.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 23:23:18 GMT -5
I nodded. "That sounds good," I said. "Will I have..." I phrased my question carefully "...practicals involving any of the instruments?"
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 23:29:09 GMT -5
"Absolutely not," I said firmly. "No Valerian has a tool used against their flesh until their first assignation. You will handle some things but using or touching them by yourself is completely forbidden."
Motioning for her to follow me I led her to one of the plain doors that hid a basic assignation, equipped with all of the tools and arrangements, including rings in the floor and ceiling. As was appropriate I left the door open and let her look and wander as she saw fit, watching for her reactions.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 23:40:50 GMT -5
Gazing around the chamber, I trembled with anticipation and frustration at waiting another six months to be here alone. Seeing the rings in the floor and ceiling, I examined them first. I knew that binding was not something I would prefer, but it would be something I could tolerate, provided it was done with silk scarves and not rope or chains. These things made me feel like a prisoner, instead of a supplicant, and I reviled them.
The rings on the floor were cool to the touch, and I stretched up to see how high the others were. I could not even reach the ones suspended from the ceiling, which made me smile a little. "Do many patrons stay overnight?" I asked Gareth, jumping up a little to try and reach them. They stayed out of reach though, mocking me from above. "I know that at Orchis or Alyssum, assignations can go on for as long as one, even two days."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 1, 2006 23:57:29 GMT -5
"A few patrons stay overnight, some do prefer to finish and return to their duties or homes though," I replied. "Some will always be somewhat stand-offish, some will stay only to keep the illusion of ownership- I'm sure you know about the types of patrons from your studies of Orchis, it is the same here- just to the other end of extremes."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:03:53 GMT -5
I nodded. Abandoning my examination of the rings, I noticed what looked like a wardrobe to the side of the room. Walking to it, I pulled the doors open to find a flagellary. I had never seen so many whips in one place, and though some of them scared me, some looked almost tempting. Pulling open a drawer, I found paddles in varying shapes and sizes. In another drawer I found scarves, ropes in another.
I selected the biggest, most terrifying whip I could find, a cat-o-nine-tails with metal tips, and walked over to Gareth, holding it as though at any moment it would bite me. "Will I have to take this if a patron wills it?" I asked softly. "I do not know if I can."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:10:22 GMT -5
"Not if it isn't written into your contract- and if one tries you will always have your signale and for a patron to ignore it is grounds for being banned from the House." Gently I took the instrument from her and, repressing a pleasant shudder, I replaced it. "Just as these." I pulled out a small box with a clasp and lock and took the key from where it was hidden to unlock it, revealing a set of flechettes, small and glittering with a cold metallic air. "Many adepts refuse to allow flechettes. To each person there is a different level of pain that they find pleasure in and no one has to cross that line if they don't wish."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:17:26 GMT -5
"I know something of flechettes," I said quietly. "They are legendary, but I do not think they are for me either."
Gareth looked utterly at ease around these dangerous toys, I could not help but shudder with fear at so many of them. I spotted something, hidden in the back of the flagellary, and seized it. A riding crop, a wide flap of lather at one end and a handle in the other. I smiled as I held it, letting the leather end rub the smooth flesh of my forearm. My skin tingled where it had been and I loved it, loved the crop, loved the sensations it created within me. I handed it to Gareth. "This," I said, "I like this one, but I know not why."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:24:12 GMT -5
The crop she'd picked was of a meduim weight and leather. "That is a simple riding crop of about average weight- the pain it causes is slightly stinging and somewhat forceful. The heavier the crop, the more it feels like a solid hit- the lighter, the more stinging. Some are leather, a few are thick fabric or silk and some are light canes of solid wood." For me these were beginning toys, something of a torment before the true lashes or flechettes were brought out. "The next step up from these is flails."
She seemed to be truly enjoying it in the same sense as I did when someone brought out one of my preferred toys and, as much as it would be easier to let her continue, I couldn't- it would only encourage her to solitary experimentation and that would be inappropriate and bring her trouble with Trinette. Holding out my hand for the crop I raised an eyebrow to let her know it was time to go on with the lesson.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:29:17 GMT -5
I handed him the crop, smiling. I knew from his tone and expression that we were ready to move on, and I was ready. I wanted to be a good adept, to prove to everyone who doubted me that I could be successful, and to do that I would need to be a good student. "What's next?" I asked him politely, but curiously.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:35:20 GMT -5
She was a willing and eager pupil, which would serve her well, considering how much there was to learn and in such a short time. "I have some books picked out to add to your reading list about what all of these tools and their effects on the human bodu- you will need to know all of them, even those which frighten you. Also, knots and bindings." Trinette had informed me that she was only for silk scarves and part of me was confused- the slick and unmarked fabric could tighten with an almost capricious will of its own, cutting into the flesh and leaving the limbs bloodless and white, especially with an inexperienced patron.
Walking over to the wardrobe I replaced the cat o' nine tails and the crop, pulling a flail as I told her what it is, choosing one with leather strips of a medium length and width.
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:49:45 GMT -5
I listened intently to him as he described the flail, noting down any question in the back of my head. "What are the differences between this and a cat-o-nine-tails, besides the number of strips?" I asked.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 0:52:32 GMT -5
"The cat will have braided strips while on the flail they are strips of soft leather," I replied. "Therefore, it is more likely to redded the skin than cut it unless the person is using an unnecessary amount of force or the skin is hit so many times as to weaken it. With enough hits or enough force any instrument can break the skin though it would feel much different than it being cut by whip or blade."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 10:42:09 GMT -5
I nodded to show I understood, and let him continue with his lesson.
Silently I wondered when we would talk about bindings. I knew very little of them, I only assumed scarves would be the most gentle, but after some reading I was no longer sure.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 13:12:04 GMT -5
"Now there are other tools but I think you've seen most of the type we work with- some people will have more innovative personal items and you will have to decide on them for yourself." She was waiting for something, probably the bindings, but first she would need to see the different places one could be tied to. Walking over to the bed's headboard I gestured to it. "Before we get into fastenings you will need to know where it's possible you could be tied. Many times the bed is where you will spend a great deal of time and there are many ways to be fastened to it. You have read- tell me three, only for the bed. Remember, there is more to the bed than you see."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 13:22:28 GMT -5
Three, only for the bed? In my mind, bindings were versatile, and could be used anywhere. I did not want to fail him, but the question was unclear to me, so I answered to the best of my ability. There was time to learn, time to know the correct answer and never forget it. "Straps or cuffs," I said slowly, "for binding to the posts. The sheets themselves, for being held to the mattress. And..." I struggled to find a third, more original way to be tied to the bed. "Rope, if one were to be tied to only one post instead of all four." I held my breath as I waited for his judgement. I knew I was not wrong, but was I right?
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 13:39:25 GMT -5
Evidently I hadn't phrased myself clearly enough. "No- no matter the material, all bindings can be done- the fabric or rope is inconsequential. Binding to posts, bindings to frames, bindings to headboard- those are the basics of bed-binding."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 13:44:44 GMT -5
"Oh, good," I said, smiling. "I understand."
I examined the posts and headboard, sliding my fingers in and out of the places where different bindings could be attached. "Which kinds of binding are optimal for being bound to each place?" I asked.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:02:06 GMT -5
"As I said before, the binding isn't want matters- no matter the situation they will all keep their traits. Hemp is the roughest, you can feel it beginning to burn almost immediately, but it is also the strongest and least likely to slip. Next is silk rope, which feels very soft until you realize that it has been rubbing and then the burn is intense. Lastly is fabric- silk scarves, rags, clothing- and those can be classified by the fabric they are made of. Wool, like hemp, will burn, as will linen. Silk and satin- they are tricky. They have no real texture and therefore slip tighter with the lightest movement, cutting off blood to the limb and occasionally causing the skin to bleed when they become so. Only those very experienced with knots know how to prevent such things and therefore fabric can be a dangerous proposition. Metal- well, it chafes and is heavy but it cann't tighten. Leather cuffs around the wrists with buckles will save your skin and are a patron's mercy."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:12:08 GMT -5
I nodded. "I thought silk would be the gentlest," I mused. "I suppose I was misled."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:19:15 GMT -5
"Silk may make the softest clothing but it is completely unforgiving," I told her gently, knowing how hard it was to have one's illusions die. "Just as only a master weaver or seamstress can fashion a silk gown only a true master or mistress of the chamber can tie silk without serious harm coming to those bound in it. Most adepts do not get the luxury of cuffs or enjoy them but if you are afraid of burns and cuts they are something I would recommend greatly. Instead of the bindings being fastened directly to you they would go through rings on the cuffs and then be attatched."
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:25:32 GMT -5
I listened intently to his explanation, making note to myself to edit my personal list of things to put in my first contract. The more I learned, the less I feared, and the more empowered I felt. Of course, in the bedroom I would be required to submit, but having knowledge at my disposal would empower me in my submission. It was a paradox, but a useful one nonetheless. Patiently, I waited for the next part of his lesson.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:31:08 GMT -5
The bed was done, for now- everything else could be shown to her at Mandrake, including some ways which she would be bound. Next I walked over to a set of rings, one high in the ceiling and one in the floor. "Do you have any idea how these are use in conjunction with each other?"
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Avrielle nó Valerian
Adept
Valerian House
Daughter of Annette n? Fronsac and Niall Southerly
Posts: 988
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Post by Avrielle nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:32:30 GMT -5
"I think so," I said. "My ankles are bound to the ones in the floor, and the wrists to the ones in the ceiling, correct?"
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Oct 2, 2006 14:39:03 GMT -5
Eyes wide I shook my head. "Absolutely not- that is the way bones get broken. The wrists are tied with rope, which is tossed over the ring in the ceiling and the long end comes down. Then, when you are dangling with your weight supported as the patron wishes- full-footed, toes touching or anywhere in between- they will tie the rope to the ring in the floor so it can be untied easily once they are done. Otherwise there are too many mistakes likely to happen, like knots slipping or getting stuck and if a patron has to cut a binding they must pay for it."
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