A Soothing Stroll

[Léandre de Guivre]

I stood gazing at the carriages which snaked their way through Mont Nuit. Some of them were making an effort to be discreet, but it was a little hard to do so in broad daylight. Besides, they were all there looking for the same thing--in different packages, perhaps--but as far as I could tell the product was the same.

I snorted and turned away from the procession of carriages. I wouldn't have been surprised if their occupants thought that death himself had deigned to visit the Night Court, for all the black I was wearing, like I was perpetually in mourning.

I paused when I reached Balm House. At least this house actually did something useful, which was more than I could say for most of the other houses, most of whom (in my opinion) were perfectly content to be purely aesthetic in nature. At least Balm ensured that chiurgeons were not overworked in this City. After all, chiurgeons did not deal in the pleasures of the flesh as a profession, and the prospect of mixing business with pleasure was not an opportunity that most would waste if they could help it.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

The days were getting shorter, and our stocks were running low. To that end, I was sent on an emergency errand to the apothecary. An adept or fosterling could have done it, but if they had lost or dropped the medicine, we would have been done for, so I went to do it myself. I was stepping out in my cloak when I noticed a man dressed in black brooding outside our house. He looked in need of healing, spiritual or otherwise. Carefully I approached him. "Can I help you, sir?"

[Léandre de Guivre]

"Hm?" I turned to regard the man who had addressed me, likely one of the adepts, as he looked much too old to be a fosterling.
"That is...unlikely," I said, in answer to his query. "It is my custom to take a stroll somewhere in the City each day, refreshes the body as well as the mind, gives one time to think." I shrugged. "Mont Nuit is as good as any other place for a stroll."

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I smiled pleasantly. "It is, isn't it?" I said. "I was just on my way for a stroll myself, errands to run, you know." I gave a slight bow to the man. "I am Selwyn, the second of this House. I do hope you will come in sometime." I straightened and smiled again.

[Léandre de Guivre]

I inclined my head in response. "Léandre de Guivre, and I fear I am the type of man who would call a chiurgeon for my ills. I am sure you do not lack for patrons, besides." I was sure I was in a good mood today, because normally I would have snapped at the man by now.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I smiled demurely at his backhanded compliment. "We are happy to extend the healing arts to whoever wishes," I said. "We can offer...a variety of services that a chirurgeon cannot. For example, a massage by a Balm adept cannot be matched."

[Léandre de Guivre]

I drew my cloak tightly around my body. "I am sure you speak truly, but I have little need for such things." It was frivolous, I told myself, a waste of good coin that could be used for ink and parchment and quills and other useful things.

Well, you have been working diligently all week--

No. I did not even let the thought finish itself before I crushed it.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I frowned. "Tis not merely for need, but also for want," I said. I noticed the way he was standing. "You have some tension in your back, between your shoulder blades. That can easily be remedied, if you wish."

[Léandre de Guivre]

"That is merely the ravages of age," I replied. "I am nearing forty, and a little tension is to be expected, I should think." It felt strange hearing myself admit that I was no longer a man in my prime.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I nodded. "I understand," I said. "Personally, I feel that the aches of aging may be alleviated, especially something as simple as muscle tension." I smiled. "Perhaps not today, but another time. You will feel better, I can guarantee it." I smiled and bowed slightly. "I must be on my errand, but you are welcome to join me if you wish. If not, it was lovely to meet you, sir."

[Léandre de Guivre]

I nodded. "Yes, of course, you should be on your way." If the second was out running an errand it had to be a matter of some import.

"And do not trouble yourself on my account," I added. "My experiences with the Night Court have not been...kind."

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I frowned. "I am sorry to hear that," I said. "You have my deepest assurance that you will find nothing but kindness within the halls of my house." I nodded again, before turning to go.

[Léandre de Guivre]

I was trying to decide whether he was being sincere or if this was another attempt to fill a House's coffers with my coin, it would not have been the first time that that had occurred.

I could have accompanied him, I suppose, but I did not want to seem like I was eager to take him up on his offer. Instead, I nodded to his retreating back. "I will take what you have said into consideration." It was the most non-committal answer I could devise at the present time.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I turned my head. "I hope you do," I replied, before continuing on my way.