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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 9, 2009 12:51:39 GMT -5
It was with notebook in hand that I descended upon the Caisse de Pomme, eager to begin interviews for the tome I planned to write in the next decade or so, at the rate I was going.
I was dressed in a simple black doublet and white shirt. I could have worn the houppelande that marked me as a scholar, but it would have been pretentious of me, and I would have been no better than my countrymen, who had turned arrogance into an art form.
Besides, the damn robes made it hard for one to walk about, and comfort was more important to me than appearing fashionable.
I was the recipient of a few nods as I made my way to a table which I had reserved for this purpose. I was tucked away in a corner, away from prying ears. I did not see my contact anywhere. Perhaps she had required a trip to the latrine, or maybe she simply hadn't arrived yet, no matter.
I seated myself and rested my notebook on the table, carefully extracting the case which held pens of various sizes and a few inkwells. I selected one and rested it next to my notebook. There, now all that was needed was my subject for the day.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 10, 2009 23:01:05 GMT -5
I arrived at Caisse de Pomme with hardly a moment to spare. It seemed to be the kind of day that everything was going wrong and it was with a frustrated sigh that I finally came through the doors.
I cast about for the man I was going to meet, and I found him across the room in a private corner. I hurried over, throwing myself into the chair across from him with a smile. "Monsieur de Giuvre, I must apologize for the lateness of my arrival." I said, tucking a loose curl back behind my ear.
"I seem to be having what you D'Angelines call 'one of those days' "
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 10, 2009 23:43:21 GMT -5
I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "'Think nothing of it, Lady Kutsouris. I suspect we all have 'one of those days' at some point." I casually flipped open my notebook to a blank page.
"If you prefer, we could conduct the interview in Hellene," I offered in the same tongue. "It would be best if your responses weren't somehow limited by language, whatever would make you feel most at ease."
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 11, 2009 0:00:13 GMT -5
I was a bit startled that he spoke my language, but it was a nice change of pace. I lapsed quickly back into Hellene with a large smile.
"That would be lovely, thank you. I usually only get to speak Hellene to my servants, but even then not as much as I would like, as I want them to learn the language."
I settled back into my chair and eyed his notebook a bit warily. The idea of being interviewed for a book was distinctly odd, but also a rather singular experience, which was why I had agreed. Being with Idaeus had caused me to decide that more than just coming to Terre d'Ange to see things, I wanted to experience them as well, so here I was, ready to open up to a total stranger.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 12, 2009 22:50:54 GMT -5
I noticed her looking at my notebook and did my best to reassure her with another smile. "If you wish to review my notes when the interview has concluded, that can easily be arranged. I have not been accused of slander yet.
I dipped my pen in the inkwell and held it poised above the parchment. "To begin, would you mind stating your name and country of origin?" I knew this information, of course, but it would be easier to keep track of the interviews once I had interviewed more peers.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 13, 2009 0:10:29 GMT -5
I laughed a bit ruefully. "Oh no, that won't be necessary. I'm sorry, this is new for me." With that I settled down to answer his questions.
"Daenara Kutsouris, Hellas." Well, if all of the questions were this easy, we would be done before lunch even hit the table!
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 13, 2009 0:36:19 GMT -5
I nodded, recording the information with my pen. "And how long have you lived in Terre d'Ange?" I hesitated to say 'the City of Elua' in case she had previously lived elsewhere in this fine nation.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 14, 2009 23:56:02 GMT -5
"Only a couple of months," I replied, relaxing a bit and settling back in my chair. "I came to see if there was a chance for profitable trade between Terre d'Ange and my family's business interests." He hadn't asked why I had come, but either he would and I'd already answered, or he wouldn't and it was just an interesting (to me, anyway) tidbit.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 18, 2009 14:47:45 GMT -5
I nodded, transcribing all that she had said, even the bits that I hadn't asked for. I wasn't one to balk when an opportunity to glean more information from those I interviewed presented itself.
"Tell me about your initial impressions of Terre d'Ange. Are there aspects of D'Angeline culture that were easier to...stomach...than others?" I hesitated to ask her outright about the Night Court, as that seemed the most obvious aspect of D'Angeline culture that constantly puzzled foreigners.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 28, 2009 20:59:59 GMT -5
That was an interesting question, and I paused to think about it for several minutes before answering. "I don't think I've found anything hard to stomach, I must admit that I have much enjoyed most aspects of D'Angeline culture. Some are very foreign to me, such as the Night Court," I blushed a bit at the mention of it, "but I do find it fascinating how liberated people in Terre d'Ange are."
I paused again, then added, "I think the only thing I've found difficult is that not all D'Angelines are terribly friendly, and it can be daunting to a newcomer." I hoped that he didn't find that offensive, as it was no reflection on him personally.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 28, 2009 21:44:01 GMT -5
I nodded. "You are right, of course, I expect the same could be said of every nation, but we D'Angelines have turned arrogance into an art form. Feel free to be frank, Lady Kutsouris. There is little that offends me these days..."
I took a few moments to think of my next question, wanting to stay as far away from sensitive subjects as I could. "I am curious as to how you find the cuisine," I said. "It may seem mundane, but I have heard that some foreign peers have become ill due to a drastic change in diet."
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Dec 29, 2009 21:08:20 GMT -5
I chuckled at his words, though in some ways he was right, but not every D'Angeline was as bad as all that.
"I think you're right, every nation has its quirks, and I suppose being descended from Angels gives one license to a bit of arrogance. Plus, you are all so lovely to look at!" It was true - I had not seen one ugly person since I'd been there.
I pondered his next question before answering. "Well, the food is more rich sometimes than what I am used to, but there is such a variety that I do not find it difficult to choose things that are similar to Hellene foods. Not to mention, there are restaurants that serve food from a number of countries, so I do enjoy sampling cuisine from other places in the world without actually having to go there. I suppose it might be different for someone who was visiting that did not have access to as much coin as I do, though." I said thoughtfully. "Having coin makes everything easier, it seems."
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Dec 30, 2009 1:03:21 GMT -5
"Oh, indeed," I agreed. "He--or she--who has the gold makes the rules, as they say." An unfortunate situation, but one which allowed me to print my books.
"Would you care to elaborate on some of the more...foreign...aspects of D'Angeline culture--within reason, of course." I said. "You seem to have adjusted well for someone who has lived here for such a short time. Are there certain things that remind you of home, or customs that you keep?" I rested the feather tip of the quill against my cheek. "I realize my questions may sound silly to your ears, but I find that my countrymen seldom paint an accurate picture of other nations, and I am concerned with giving a true account of the life of foreigners in Terre d'Ange." I dipped the pen in the inkwell again, ready to record her response.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 1, 2010 23:47:29 GMT -5
"Oh, I don't think they're silly, I understand that you want to be accurate," I assured him with a smile. "Hmm," I continued, reflecting on his questions. "I do think I've adjusted well, but part of that comes from being prepared. I read and studied a lot about D'Angelines before I came here. Not to say that I have not found some things different than how they are portrayed in books, however."
I paused to consider my daily rituals, and what I had from home. "I don't think I do things any differently here than I do at home, so some things feel the same, and also I did bring servants from home, so I think it helps to have other people to speak Hellene with and to reminisce about places and things we miss. And my cook still manages to make baklava once a week, so that keeps me happy," I added with a small laugh.
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 2, 2010 0:03:30 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Ah, yes, I have had that dish. It is quite sweet, but it does not assault the palate with its flavor." Her comments regarding how she had prepared for life in a new land were valuable, perhaps I could find others who had done similar things.
"It is refreshing to hear that you have had a positive impression of this land, a few bad apples notwithstanding." I stroked my chin idly. "Is there something in particular that you wish to speak about?" It was sometimes useful to allow the subject to direct the conversation when I was unsure of whether they would react favourably to my queries.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 2, 2010 0:11:45 GMT -5
Of course the Night Court sprang to mind at his words, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I even contemplated speaking about my time with Idaeus. But if I were to be honest, the Night Court was the most strikingly different thing about Terre d'Ange aside from the beauty of its residents.
"I suppose the Night Court comes to mind," I said, smiling softly. "It's very different the way your Servants of Naamah are revered, whereas back at home someone of a similar profession-" I did not wish to use the word "prostitute" as I felt it might be considered offensive - "would be looked down upon, at best. The sexual liberation of your culture is actually rather refreshing, if difficult to get used to."
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 2, 2010 9:22:39 GMT -5
I nodded. "You speak of the hetairai of your homeland, correct?" I did not care to dwell on the Night Court, for it was one aspect of D'Angeline culture that I had not directly experienced myself, but it was obviously important to her, so I recorded it on the parchment.
"Oh, I am sure you will have no trouble finding someone that pleases you," I said, shaking my head a little. "My countrymen--and women--tend to be very forward when it comes to such things." The turn of phrase was deliberate on my part, and I wondered if she would catch that I had not included myself in that sentence.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 10, 2010 2:01:34 GMT -5
I found myself intrigued with Leandre, even though I was the one being interviewed. He did not seem to be cast from the same mold as a lot of the other D'Angelines I'd met, and I wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. I suppose I hadn't enough experience to know for certain.
"No, I'm sure I won't," I murmured, thinking immediately of Idaeus, whom I might have thought was the kind of man who would please, and yet who had become an inextricable part of my life.
"Yes, I have noticed that D'Angelines can be quite forward," I said, smiling at him. "I wonder if you all think that the rest of the world is terribly provincial in its attitudes?"
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 10, 2010 10:42:42 GMT -5
"Some would say that, yes," I agreed. "I am not one to judge the ways of others, for surely they feel the same way about Terre D'Ange as some of my countrymen feel about their nations." I shrugged. "I suppose if either side is going to accuse the other of barbarism, then we can all be barbaric together and cease worrying about details."
I made a few notes on the parchment and looked up at her. "What I am chiefly interested in, Lady Kutsouris, is truth, and so I wonder: If you had the opportunity to clear up a misconception that my countrymen have of your people, what do you think you would say?"
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 17, 2010 2:28:47 GMT -5
"About my people?" I mused the question, thinking about things that I had experienced thus far. "To be honest, I have yet to face any sort of unfounded notions about Hellas. It may be that because I move in higher circles I am more likely to meet those who are more educated about other cultures?"
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 17, 2010 12:22:03 GMT -5
I nodded, making a note on the parchment. "It has been my experience that we D'Angelines greatly admire the work of Hellene philosophers. Mayhap we know not to bite the hand that feeds us, so to speak."
I carefully set the quill down and looked up at her. "To tell you the truth, Lady Kutsouris, I cannot think of anything else to ask you. You have given me a lot of excellent material, and I think I could easily fill an entire book with your comments, but I think it would be fair to give others a chance to speak."
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 17, 2010 23:27:29 GMT -5
I smiled as he set his quill down. "Well, I do have a habit of going on sometimes," I said, laughing softly. "But a book with only my thoughts would be rather boring, and quite a limited point of view. Thank you for speaking with me, however, I do find the idea of having any thoughts of mine in print rather thrilling. Silly of me, I suppose, but there you have it."
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 18, 2010 0:46:40 GMT -5
"It is something all published writers must face, seeing their words in print," I replied. "But I can see how it would seem daunting to someone who is not used to it. I do not expect that all my subjects--for lack of a better term--will be accustomed to seeing their words in print. It is part of the reason I never use their real names, as well as for their own protection."
I cleaned the quill with a few quick swipes of a cloth I kept for the very purpose. "You will have to excuse me, Lady Kutsouris, like all academics I have a tendency to ramble on about subjects which I am sure are of little interest to my listeners."
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 23, 2010 14:22:54 GMT -5
"Oh no," I said, chuckling softly as he cleaned his quill. "I find the subject very interesting, I assure you. I am not much of a writer, but I do love books very much. I find sometimes that I even like them more than people, though I know that is a terribly anti-social sentiment."
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 24, 2010 0:54:15 GMT -5
I nodded. "I spent most of my childhood in my parents' library. I can understand the appeal of books as...companions." Those days were behind me now, but I remembered them with a certain fondness. Even the collection of books that I maintained in the City was small compared to the tomes my parents had amassed.
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Post by Daenara Kutsouris (H) on Jan 29, 2010 22:48:46 GMT -5
"Companions, yes, that's a good word for them." I said, laughing softly. "I suppose that's a sign I need to get out more, isn't it?"
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Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jan 29, 2010 23:04:49 GMT -5
I thought about that for a moment. "It is good to socialize with other human beings, but sometimes one needs to be alone, yes? Even the most sociable of D'Angelines take time for themselves..." I shrugged. "But I am a hermit, myself, so I would not be the best person to ask regarding socialization..."
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