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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 21:30:12 GMT -5
One day I was sitting on the steps of the House, taking in the fresh air and sunshine- just the day before I had turned fourteen and was getting to the age where people took my work in class was being taken very seriously, as how well I did would affect my virgin-price once I was allowed to set a debut. People moved about, patrons and adepts and trainees alike, taking in the last warm weather before the chill of winter. Like storing a dream of riches, hopeful but utterly disappointing in the end; the sun would sleep and the cold would come no matter what.
Someone was bringing up to the steps a young girl, about the age of dedication with a bandage on her hand and a singularly dazed expression; everyone knew that. She'd loved the pain and held it close; I called then 'first wounds'. Red hair shieled most of her face though I could see her features from where is would swing with her steps and I instantly felt pity and compassion for her- her mother wasn't of the house and no one had met her outside, so most likely she'd be alone.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 21:34:42 GMT -5
I had tried to understand where it was my mother was taking me, but had finally given up. She said it was the right place for me, but I thought home was the right place for me. I held my bandaged hand against my body, delighting in the little thrill of pain that came with each step I took.
I looked up as we entered the place and looked around. My eyes met with a boy sitting on the steps. He reminded me of my brother William and I smiled at him.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 21:39:43 GMT -5
In sympathy I smiled back, standing up and brushing off my pants. She was confused but good-natured, that much I could tell- like my little sister, taken to Mandrake so recently. As she and the similarly red-haired woman- her mother?- walked by I watched them enter the doors, then walked and watched them. Trinette would take her, she almost never turned anyone away. After all, where else could people like us belong? Slowly, wading though the people without an adept's grace they went to Trinette's door, knocked and were admitted. Once they were inside I knelt by the keyhole and watched the events unfolding. The girl looked so frightened.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 21:45:12 GMT -5
I liked the lady we met with, Dowayne Trinette. She was kind and sweet, and I felt an immediate bond with her.
Then I realized I was to stay here, that I wasn't going home again. I bit my bottom lip, tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn't want to stay, I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with my brothers and sisters. I looked pleadingly at my mother, but she just caressed my cheek and kissed my forehead. She told me that I would see everyone again, that this wasn't forever. I couldn't speak, I was so scared and heartbroken.
The Dowayne moved to the door, saying she would find someone to show me to my room.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 21:54:43 GMT -5
Seeing Trinette approacing the door I quickly stood and stood next to the door; she'd know that I'd been watching but I didn't think she'd be angry.
Opening the door the Dowayne looked out and saw me, leaning against the wall as though I'd been waiting for her. With a disapproving look she sighed. "Go on the Gareth, show her to her room. I know she's rather like your sister so I'm not suprised. This is Douleur."
Smiling widely I went into the room and smiled at the girl compassionately, wiping the tears away from her eyes. "Hello Douleur- it'll be alright."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 21:59:58 GMT -5
I took his hand with my undamaged one, hold to him with all my ten year old strength. I could see my mother trying not to cry too, and I tried to be brave.
I looked up at Gareth, hoping he was as good as he seemed, I was so very frightened.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 22:05:45 GMT -5
Feeling her tight grip on my hand I let her squeeze it as she wished. As I led her out the door I asked, "Do you know how to read and write? If so, you can write to your mother any time you want and then you'll be able to talk to her. I have a brother and sister in other Houses and my mother and father left Valerian about a year ago; I write to them all of the time. It will help, really it will." In an effort to keep her distracted I kept speaking about little things, knowing the crying would come anyway but at least wanting her to be in her room so she could do so in private if she wished.
Finding the housekeeper I asked about a free room in one of the girl's dorms and was given directions, leading Douleur there slowly. "Do you want someone to look at your hand?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 22:10:36 GMT -5
I nodded when he asked me about reading and writing, my parents had been very good about making sure we learned both.
"No, thank you," I told him softly. "They had a chirurgeon stitch it up."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 22:23:23 GMT -5
Nodding in understanding I said, "Well, you don't have to take anything for the pain if you don't want- most people don't. I've never had a wound, so I don't know if I would; they gave me the candy test. Still, it's going to be hard with your hand bandaged like that- if you want I can write for you until you're well enough to do it yourself. Everyone here is very nice, and I know it will take a little getting used to, but everyone will try very hard to help, you'll see."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 22:27:10 GMT -5
"It doesn't hurt much anymore, just little bits. I broke a glass and they had to pull the pieces out," I told him. I was feeling a little better, I liked the way he talked. "What is this place?"
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 22:29:11 GMT -5
A little confused that she hadn't yet been told, I said, "This is House Valerian of the Court of the Night-Blooming Flowers. Didn't your mother tell you?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 22:41:26 GMT -5
I shook my head again, my hair almost over balancing me. "She said I was going to a place where people would help me find who I was, that the people here could teach me to be who I was meant to be," I told him.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 23:02:18 GMT -5
Smiling, I pushed her hair behind her ear. "Well, she's right; they will. This is where you come when you crave the pain and you want to be a Servant of Namaah. You could meet kings and queens and princes and princesses, all sorts of royal people from around Terre d'Ange and the world. My mother and father both were Servants and my brother and sister and I are all going to be Servants too." I was very sure of my place in the world and I wanted her to understand how wonderful that place could be. "You'll always have pretty clothes and learn to dance and please your patrons."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 23:06:26 GMT -5
"But I didn't want it to happen," I told him, afraid I was in the wrong place. "I just didn't want it to stop when it did happen."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 23:13:18 GMT -5
"But now that it did happen, do you want to take it back?" I asked quietly. Being in this House means that patrons will hurt you, but you will learn to take the different kinds of pain and turn them into pleasure. Like the cuts, but moreso. Or so I understand."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 23:22:12 GMT -5
"I don't understand," I told him, completely lost as to what he was saying.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 23:24:53 GMT -5
Smiling, I said, "It doesn't matter- if you could take back what you felt when you cut your hand, would you? That's the important question. What do you know about the Servants of Namaah?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 23:27:58 GMT -5
"No, no to both," I said, biting my lip again. I could feel tears coming to my eyes, I was confused and scared again. I wanted to go home.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 5, 2006 23:30:27 GMT -5
I saw her lower lip tremble and gave her a quick and brotherly hug. "I'm sorry, I sometimes forget that not everyone knows about the Houses and the Night Court. Don't cry, it'll be alright. You belong here with us and we will be your family until you can see yours again. Tell me what's wrong and I'll try and fix it, I promise."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 5, 2006 23:32:00 GMT -5
"I want to go home," I told him. "I'm scared." I felt the tears running down my cheeks again.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 0:32:34 GMT -5
"One day you will go home," I told her calmly, sincerely believing it. "But until then your Mama left you here so you could learn about what you are. What are you scared of? Nothing here can get you and you are one of the luckiest people in the world. Nothing will ever really hurt you once you learn. It will be alright, just wait a few days. I'll stay with you if you want and make sure."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 0:54:16 GMT -5
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, or what you are talking about, or anything, and I'm scared," I told him.
I couldn't take it any more, I pulled my hand from his and scurried into a little alcove. I balled myself up in the corner and began to sob.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 1:07:48 GMT -5
Sighing and ashamed of myself for being so stupid I ducked into the alcove and let her cry, my hand gently rubbing her back. "You're tired, you need to go to sleep and wait until morning to worry. Then it will all seem much clearer. Just be yourself and no one will ever ask any more of you than that."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 1:10:35 GMT -5
I turned to him, burying my head against his chest.
"Will you stay with me?" I asked through my sobs. "I can't sleep by myself. Please."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 1:16:06 GMT -5
"I'll sleep in your room and hold your hand," I conceded, knowing that she wouldn't understand the rules that said we couldn't sleep in the same bed; I was just getting to the age where I understood them and I certainly didn't see Douleur like that. She was only a child.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 1:29:26 GMT -5
"Thank you," I told him. Pressing closer. He did remind me of William, so sweet and always watching out for me.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 8:53:27 GMT -5
Crooning softly I rocked her back and forth until her breathing returned to normal, then stood and pulled her up with me, brusquely dusting off her gown from where it had become wrinkled as she huddled on the floor. "C'mon, we should find your room and get you settled; did you bring anything with you? Once that's done it should be time to eat."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 10:46:15 GMT -5
I looked up at him. "I had a bag, but I left it in the Dowayne's office. I forgot it," I told him, eyes wide.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 10:51:54 GMT -5
Laughing lightly I smiled. "That's alright, the Dowayne has probably already had it sent to your room. If we get there and it's not we can always go and get it. Does that sound alright?" My tone was matter-of-fact and calm; she seemed to need someone who knew what was going on and steady. "I know it's new here, but really it's just like a big home."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 10:56:15 GMT -5
I took his hand again, holding tightly.
"Yes, that's alright," I told him, still feeling unsure, but better when he sounded so confident and reassuring.
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