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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 18:53:13 GMT -5
All of her words and the knowledge they expressed I locked away in my mind with every other knowledge about such things I had gleaned. "So would a person who enjoyed being bound but not the pain would be placed in a different House or this one? Is that one of those fine lines that's hard to place? I'm sorry," I said with a grin, still looking around but this time pacing a little and getting close enough to things to actually see details, "But these are the sorts of questions I have in my head- the exceptions and the new. It is hard to write stories of the norm, after all."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 18:58:56 GMT -5
"It's alright, you can ask me anything you wish. I promise to answer truthfully," I said, smiling. "I think that in that cast they would still be placed here. Bondage, to a point, is practiced at other Houses too I would guess, but not to the extremes as those at Valerian or Mandrake. There are plenty of instruments that are used that cause no pain at all, only varying sensations. Pain is not a requirement of every assignation here."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 19:07:42 GMT -5
"Oh," I said in enlightenment. "That does make sense, though I think a patron wouldn't expect that sort of person, given the propaganda that runs about this place. There are some really awful descriptions out there, some that say this is a place of broken souls and despair. I'll try to counter that in my own stories, I promise," I added in reassurance and winked. "I think it's a plot by other jealous Houses anyway."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 19:18:32 GMT -5
"I am sure there are and always have been tails to chill the blood and sour the soul about Valerian and Mandrake. It is just the way of things," I said, smiling. "I am happy that you are writing something less horrid, otherwise I might have had to find a different place for your books." I laughed and returned her wink.
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 19:38:46 GMT -5
"Like the refuse pile, where they'd belong," I finished for her, grinning and eyes flashing. "One day, if you ever manage to tear yourself away from your House, you should come visit mine- there are all sorts of books that you may not find here, including some of my Great-Aunt's letters. If you like to read such things, that is."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 19:42:09 GMT -5
I made a face and stood up.
"I tear myself away plenty," I said, laughing. "I even go shopping all on my lonesome. I would love to come visit you, and read stuff."
"Unless you are afraid I might sully your pure driven snow reputation," I joked.
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 19:48:28 GMT -5
"Bah, my reputation is probably already sullied as it is; in fact, I intend to go carousing at a later date, just so I can turn my mother's hair grey before my sisters do. We have a bet on who will make her first grey hair appear, and that person gets a prize of some sort, I don't remember exactly what."
Noticing the fact that she stood I walked over toward her, curious.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 19:55:59 GMT -5
"How lucky for your mother," I said, chuckling and smoothing the covers of the bed where I had been sitting.
I looked up, noticing that she was closer and looking curiously at me, I blushed slightly.
"Sorry," I said. "While it's alright we are in here, it makes me more… restless… than I thought it would."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 20:06:07 GMT -5
Smiling a little sympathetically while holding back a chuckle, I said, "That makes sense- come on, let's get you somewhere that makes you less antsy so I can ask you some more prying questions."
Taking her hand in a sisterly, tugging fashion I led her from the assignation chamber. "Let's go back to the garden so we can talk and then I'll go and try to finish that passage- I think I may have cracked a little through the writer's block, it's interesting how a change of pace can do that."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 20:12:20 GMT -5
I laughed and followed her out.
"I'm glad I could help you," I said, smiling.
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 20:18:56 GMT -5
"Me too- a big stone block in one's head is a little uncomfortable," I said with a laugh as I led her outside to where we had been sitting before. "If there was something you'd want put into a book about Valerian, what would it be?" I asked in sheer curiousity.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 20:26:17 GMT -5
"That we choose to be here," I said, not needing to think. "I know there is a perception by some that we are here as slaves, to be beaten and disgraced. That's not it at all. I would never be this happy anywhere else. I love my life here."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 20:35:52 GMT -5
Nodding, I looked serious as I pushed that exact knowledge into the back of my mind. "I'm glad you're happy, you certainly look it, even if a special someone does unsettle you," I teased lightly as I smiled warmly. "I'll be sure to get this in as accurately as I can, I promise."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 20:41:40 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, squeezing her hand. "I know that you will do your best to portray things accurately."
"Is there anything else you want to know, I will answer as much as you like."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 6, 2006 20:44:14 GMT -5
"Thank you, but I can't think of anything else at the moment; is there anything else you think that I need to know?" I asked curiously, wondering what else she thought should be out there about her house. "Or even something that is always included but unneccessary?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 6, 2006 22:51:24 GMT -5
I thought for a moment.
"There are more things I would like you to include, but nothing that I can express with words. I do not have you gift with language. I think some things may have to wait, and if some day you decide to watch a showing or experience a true Valerian House assignation then you will be able to include them," I told her.
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 7, 2006 10:08:03 GMT -5
"I understand, words are finicky things," I said with a grin. "If you think of something, write to me or stop by and tell me; I need all of the research help I can get." The idea of an assignation at Valerian still shocked me a little and made my Eiran blood twinge in pity; obviously, I wasn't ready to undertake such a thing, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. After all, no one could do everything at once, some things did take time.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 7, 2006 10:12:00 GMT -5
"I will do that, I promise," I said, smiling.
"Perhaps if my Mandrake ever stop unsettling me long enough to talk to him civilly then I will ask him if you can prod him for research as well," I said with a grin.
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 7, 2006 10:20:10 GMT -5
Eyes wide with delight I bit back a squeal and hugged her. "That would be so great! Then again, I may irritate him enough to commit homicide, but that's the perils of research, I guess. Still, don't let yourself become unsettled too quickly- in the right enviroment it could be fun, like spinning in circles on the grass until you get dizzy and fall. As long as you have something soft to land on, it can be pleasant to lose your footing."
Shaking my head slightly- I had a distinctly out of breath feeling, the kind that comes when you've spoken without thought or pause- I smiled widely as I let her go. "Well, now that I have my research done, I should be going; words are flowing out of my mouth, so no doubt they will out of my hands once I get a quill in them."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 7, 2006 10:28:43 GMT -5
I returned her hug, hoping somehow to be able to get Louvel to talk to her - and to be able to be there to watch the two of them interacting.
"I am so glad you came to see me," I said, smiling and slipping my arm through hers and leading her back to the front doors. "I hope I see you again soon and that your words flow freely from now on."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 7, 2006 10:47:55 GMT -5
"Thank you again- I'm sure they will, I can feel the block in my head lifting already. You must come visit me sometime," I said as let her lead me to the doors and pushed one open. "And once again, good luck with all that you intend to do- go talk to your Mandrake soon as well!"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 7, 2006 10:50:31 GMT -5
"I will, both the visiting you and the talking to him," I said with a laugh, releasing her arm and standing at the door. "Good luck to you too."
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Post by Jessamine de Mornay on May 7, 2006 10:54:06 GMT -5
"And behave yourself," I added, blowing her a kiss and turning to make my way down the walk, stepping into the carriage and waving out the window as I returned home. It was nice to have sisters so close, and ones I had chosen at that.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on May 7, 2006 10:55:41 GMT -5
I returned her wave and watched her go.
Then I let the door shut and headed back to my room, trying to decide just when I should go see Louvel.
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