|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 10:15:49 GMT -5
Hugging her back, I said whimsically, "Then I won't personalize it with, "Best of luck with your Mandrake adept, hugs, Jess," I teased lightly. "It's good to know that others may like to read it, and if my books are ever banned at least that one will survive. "
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 10:21:41 GMT -5
"Hopefully by then things will be more sorted out with my Mandrake adept," I said with a laugh. "As for your books, I will be glad to arrange for a space to be made for all of them. So no matter what your books will always survive here."
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 10:27:28 GMT -5
"Did you know you are as sweet as molasses candy?" I asked with a wide grin, very honored that, unread, she thought my books were worthy of sitting in her House library until who knows when. "In fact, I can't even think of a suitably modest and witty response past 'Thank you very much'."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 10:30:40 GMT -5
"You are very welcome," I said, pleased that I had made her happy. I was sure her books would be wonderful and I was truly looking forward to reading them. She had such a quick mind and great personality there was no way her books were anything but great.
"Would you like to see the library now? See where your books will live forever?" I asked, smiling even wider.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 10:52:02 GMT -5
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, my friend," I said with eyes sparkling. "I have seen hundreds of libraries and every one of them was different and beautiful. I wonder how this one will stand out."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 10:54:54 GMT -5
I stood, pulling her with me and slipping my arm through hers.
"Probably by the abundance of books relating to the creed of the House," I said with a chuckle as I led her back inside and towards the library.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 11:00:18 GMT -5
"Well, that will be something new; most things related to Valerian, outside of the purely obvious, are hard to find," I said in a scholarly tone. "Your House seems to like its secrets and holding the monopoly on that side of things."
As we entered the House from the courtyard I was again reminded how soothing it seemed, but not in the sense that a Mandrake might find it; more like it was built for the adepts to feel safe and secure once they had come home from their assignations. I made a mental note of that- details were wonderful things for a writer.
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 11:05:53 GMT -5
"I think the tendency to be a bit secretive comes from our history," I told her as we made our way through the halls. "It hasn't always been that our House was so popular and accepted. There was a time when most of those who visited us did so under a cloak of secrecy. There are still some who are that way, not wanting to acknowledge their true desires."
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 11:15:45 GMT -5
"Yes, it's interesting like that- people from other nations would assume we hide nothing, but in the end we all have secret codes we live by and try to fit others into. It's almost sad and a little hypocritical," I replied as I looked about interestedly.
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 11:25:06 GMT -5
"No matter how open a society, there will always be those who think that anything that is different from their way of doing something is wrong. Often those are the people in places of power, and so others feel the need to hide."
I opened the door to the library and led her inside.
"If you are curious enough I can show you an assignation room here as well, help with the realism for your stories," I said, smiling.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 11:41:28 GMT -5
Even the library here was quiet and calming. I walked along a wall and ran the fingers of one hand along the spines of the books, absorbing the scents and atmosphere of the place into the remembering part of my mind.
At her idea to see an assignation room I was indecisive; the Eisandine in me said it was where wounds were caused and therefore somehow sacred, like a chirugeons's kit; my writer's heart said that it wouldn't be offered if it was that secret and that there's no substitute for one's own eyes. "I think that would be nice, as long as there's nothing terribly shocking," I said teasingly. "After all, my pure heart couldn't handle it."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 11:48:23 GMT -5
I sat in a chair, tucking my feet up, and watched her.
"I promise I'll find one with all the blood cleaned up," I said, grinning.
"The rooms aren't all that shocking when they are empty. A few devices that might be new to you, but the rooms just create an atmosphere it is the people who perform the acts. I think if more people saw how clean and neat and organized the rooms are they would be surprised," I told her.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 16:43:22 GMT -5
At 'clean and neat' my Eisandine blood eased a little, no longer bothering me with questions as to the slightly healing side of me. "Well, as long as the blood isn't going to run into my shoes I think I'll be fine," I said with a wry grin. "This whole house seems so calm, like coming home to rest, so the assignation chambers may not be terribly different than I imagined from seeing the outside. I have a very active mind for such things."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 16:47:33 GMT -5
"Each House does have its own distinctive feeling. I have heard some say that Valerian is so quiet because the adepts here are too timid to speak and that is just nor true. The people here feel safe and accepted, that brings peace," I said with a soft smile.
"Have you been to Eglantine? That House is the busiest place I have ever seen. I have no idea how they get anything done, it is a constant storm of chaos.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 19:45:54 GMT -5
"Every room in my family's home has it's own feel- my sister Beatrix's room felt sort of like this, quiet and accepting. I have been to Eglantine, and my own room was most like that, a place of hustle and bustle, everything in seeming chaos with its own pattern. AS the eldest it was my obligation to host all of our little parties and mischief-makings, so I suppose my room was the busiest all in all."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 20:29:31 GMT -5
I laughed, picturing her room.
"I have no trouble imagining you in the midst of chaos. Perhaps if you had been born in the City you would have ended up at Eglantine, it is their loss that you weren't," I said, smiling.
"So, where would you like your books to rest? Pick a shelf and I will speak to the Dowayne about arranging for the space."
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 20:42:12 GMT -5
"I don't think I would have made a good adept- writing isn't a terribly interesting thing to watch, and I doubt my parents would have given up their firstborn anyway, seeing as I have an estate to inherit," I said over my shoulder as I poked and looked into nooks and crannies, feeling what place my books should sit.
A spot called to me, just a place on a shelf with other assorted works of fiction that the sun reached. "I like this spot, but don't ask me why," I said to Douleur with a grin. "What do you think?"
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 20:45:31 GMT -5
"I think it's a great spot. Good surroundings and very eye catching. Well chosen," I said, smiling and nodding in agreement.
"Is there anything in here you'd like to look through or borrow? Or are you ready to see an assignation room?" I asked her.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 20:50:46 GMT -5
"I think I'm ready to see an assignation room; if I start reading another book right now I'll never finish the one I'm trying to write," I said with a laugh. "Are you sure no one's going to be angry about me seeing this?"
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 20:54:56 GMT -5
I stood and took her arm again.
"I'm certain," I said, smiling reassuringly. "It is not uncommon for someone to want to look things over before entering a contract so prospective patrons look at the rooms. Also, it is not as if you are wandering around unaccompanied, no one will give it a second thought. But if you are unsure we don't have to. We can go back outside if you'd rather."
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 20:59:40 GMT -5
"No, I'm sure I want to see, I just don't want you to get into any trouble. You'd know more about it then I would though so I'll just have to trust you," I said with a grin. "Beside, that sounded a bit like a challenge, and I have never backed down from a challenge."
Raising an eyebrow, I said, "No one's going to jump out and try to scare me, are they?" I asked teasingly.
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 21:07:35 GMT -5
"Not here," I said, chuckling. "If you ever tour Mandrake I recommend you expect a someone to jump out from behind every corner."
"And I promise no one will get in trouble," I said, leading her down a hallway.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 21:15:00 GMT -5
"Good, because I hate to make a bad impression," I said with a chuckle. "And I'll remember that about Mandrake, shpuld I ever get brave enough to venture there. Thank you for the warning," I said with a wink.
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 21:21:58 GMT -5
"Welcome," I said, inwardly chuckling at the thought of her and Louvel trying to figure each other out.
We approached the area with the assignation rooms and I led her to an open door. It was one of the nicer, if not extravagant rooms. Nothing to shock her but would give her a good impression.
"Ta da," I said, smiling.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 5, 2006 21:30:20 GMT -5
Peeking my head in I looked around and up, taking in everything in a quick sweep. "Not at all like the dungeons they like to feature in the stories," I said, amused. "Then again, a good deal of those seem to be written by Mandrakes or people who have never been in Valerian at all, so that makes sense. The feeling I get from Mandrake, from my reading at least, is that they'd like to have people who meet them a little confused and fearful when they go, and those who have never been to Valerian have only the writings of those Mandrakes to research from. Misinformation spreads more quickly then less frightning truth, it seems."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 5, 2006 21:56:59 GMT -5
I chuckled watching her try and look at everything without going into the room. Perhaps she was more wary than she let on.
"Most of the dungeons described in stories actually exist in private residences. There are a few room here with a more 'traditional' feel, but most are like the other Houses with a few additions," I said, pointing to the hook securely embedded in the ceiling.
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 8:24:14 GMT -5
Unconsciously I entered to stand under the ring, takinig in the room to a greater extent as I did so. Once I was in I realized that the atmosphere of remembered pain and screams was not here as I'd expected; instead it was- quieter, calling to mind moans and whimpers. Those things I could ignore.
"I don't think I'd like to be bound up- part of me craves freedom too much for that," I noted, stretching reflexively to remind myself that I wasn't tied up at all. "Plus, I think I'd be rather good at slipping out of ties were I so inclined."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 9:50:15 GMT -5
I followed her into the room, watching her reactions with interest.
"There are bonds that are inescapable by their very design, no matter how inclined a person might be," I said, smiling. "It does come down to choice though, no one should be on either side of the situation if they are not willing."
I walked around, letting my hand trail lightly over some of the other object s in the room; the bench with it's conveniently placed rings, the wooden cross bolted to the wall, the chest hiding other instruments.
"And there is freedom in it, more than at any other time, more than walking unhindered among the streets of the City going where whim takes you. The freedom of choice and acceptance. The freedom that comes from giving yourself completely to another person, trusting them with your life. Letting go of all façade, all artifice and giving yourself over to the purity of pain and pleasure," I told her, my voice almost distant. "What greater freedom is there than that?"
|
|
|
Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 10:44:59 GMT -5
"The freedom of never needing another person or any bonds. The freedom of trusting myself with my life and no other, the confidence to never need another to take responsibility for those actions, I guess," I said introspectively. "Though I guess I wouldn't know about this freedom until I ever played this role. Instead, I love the freedom I do know, and maybe one day I will love this sort of freedom as well even if I don't now."
Looking more closely I realized that everything here was made to help facilitate tying down, in one sense if not more and that slightly unnerved me. This could easily become a prison from which one could never escape- how can there be freedom in restraint? No matter how much I turned it over in my mind I just couldn't grasp it. Pain was understandable, a body's response to damage, but to willingly be prevented from doing as you wished...
"So, is it the binding that plays the greatest part or the pain? I have contradictory information on that side of things," I said with an artists eye. "No one can seem to reconcile both, only one or the other."
|
|
|
Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 18:33:04 GMT -5
I nodded as I listened to her.
"I guess freedom, like pleasure, is different for everyone," I said with a smile.
"They play different parts for me," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "The bondage is like foreplay, setting the stage, nice but not required. The pain… it unlocks something deeper inside me. I can feel pleasure, even sexually, without pain but it is not the same. There is a deeper truth to pleasure born from pain for me."
"This too is different though. There are some adepts here who must know pain to know pleasure, and some who crave pain for pain's sake. There are as many or more distinctions in adepts within the same House as there are Houses in the Night Court."
|
|