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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 7, 2010 22:58:20 GMT -5
I was taking a rare afternoon off of my studies, after having enrolled in some classes at the local academy. My afternoon with Cosette at Balm House had given rise to the desire to study more than the traditional healing arts. I wondered briefly what Shiloh would think if he could see me now, but that way lay bittersweet memories that I did not wish to relive on such a lovely day.
After going to the market and buying some herbs, I wandered over to Elua's Square, specifically to the fountain, which I enjoyed sitting next to and reading or simply enjoying the sun. Today I had brought along a book of Ch'n remedies that I had found after much searching, but I found that I could not concentrate. With a sigh, I looked up, just in time to have two small children who running around the fountain crash into me, knocking my book into the fountain.
"Oh no!" I cried as the two looked chagrined and ran off, presumably to find a parent nearby. I hardly noticed as I was frantically pulling the pages out of the water, despairing of finding another if the pages were not readable.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 7, 2010 23:15:37 GMT -5
I was walking along in my usual thoughtful state when the sounds of children distracted me. I had always loved children their play. I remember well my days out in the woods or the streets pretending to be a great warrior. And then I became one for real, and -or so I told myself- I would be one again.
I watched the children as they came near the woman, crashing into her. I moved quickly to her and helped her pull the pages out of the water. I removed my cloak and placed the pages on it to help them dry. "They should come back and apologize," I muttered.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 7, 2010 23:37:58 GMT -5
I was near tears when someone stopped to help me, though I was feeling rather foolish over being so upset about a simple book. Still, it had taken me ages to find it and it wasn't as if I could simply hop over to Ch'n to get another one.
"Oh, I'm sure it was an accident," I said, my cheeks staining a bit as he laid the pages out on his cloak. "Thank you for helping," I added, smiling up at him. "It's a rather rare volume, I'm afraid. I suppose it was rather foolish of me to read it by the fountain."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 7, 2010 23:42:37 GMT -5
I nodded and calmed myself. "I'm sure you're right and think nothing of it. It's my duty and pleasure to help." My eyes turned to the pages of the book that no dried themselves on my cloak. "I do hope it is salvageable..."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 7, 2010 23:47:40 GMT -5
I sighed, afraid to look but forcing myself. Some of the words were smudged, but it did look as if it was at least mostly still readable. "I hope so too," I said, fingering one of the pages gently.
Realizing that I did not even know who my white knight was, I turned from the pages and introduced myself. "I'm Noelie de Maignard, by the way," I said, "and I really cannot thank you enough."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 7, 2010 23:58:20 GMT -5
I smiled and introduced myself. "I am Guy de Mereloit, my lady. It is a pleasure to meet you." I looked at the bench. "Do you mind if I sit down for a bit?"
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 8, 2010 0:08:11 GMT -5
"A pleasure to meet you," I said, patting the spot next to me along the fountain. "Please do, I would love the company." It was true, which surprised me a bit, but in a good way. Perhaps I was finally coming out of my shell, after all of this time.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 8, 2010 0:20:25 GMT -5
I sat down, folding my hands in my lap, eyes traveling from her to the pages and back again. "You are a sort of scholar I assume?" It was an obvious question I knew but hopefully it would spark a conversation.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 8, 2010 0:54:22 GMT -5
I nodded, laughing softly. "Well, I style myself as one anyway ... I'm studying to be a physician." I nodded toward the drying pages, the ink having smeared here and there. "This was a book of ancient Ch'n remedies that I had gone to great lengths to procure." I sighed again, but it was with less melodrama this time. "Still, it is only a book and I'm sure there are others." Turning back to him, I shook my head, "I'm sorry, here I am going on about it as if it were made of spun gold. I daresay it seems rather foolish."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 8, 2010 1:08:18 GMT -5
I smiled and shook my head. "No it isn't. A physician is a worthy occupation, my lady. This source is clearly valuable to you in this. If it is not replaceable I will do my best to replace it." There went my generosity again, always getting the better of me.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 8, 2010 18:17:03 GMT -5
"That is very kind of you," I said, impressed by his generosity. After all, it wasn't his fault that I was in this predicament. "But I wouldn't hear of it, you've already helped enough." Resolving to stop obsessing over the book, I changed the subject, hopefully not too abruptly.
"So, what brings you to Elua's Square on this somewhat fine day?" It was winter, after all.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 8, 2010 18:23:49 GMT -5
My mind had to suddenly take on a new train of thought. I had to talk about myself again. "Well, I'm looking for a place to stay actually. A nice inn in town. I plan on being here for the winter." I wondered if I should add the reason. Probably, she'd ask eventually. That knowledge brought a smile to my face. "I'm looking for some old army friends of mine."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 8, 2010 23:47:32 GMT -5
"Ah," I said, thinking on what I knew of the inns in town. "I believe that there is a nice one in the Artisan's District," I said, but then added apologetically, "Though I cannot think of the name. I have not been in the City overlong, and most of my time has been spent at the Sanctuary of Eisheth. I had to have a map just to find the academy and the bookstore!" I said, laughing softly.
"Oh, you were in the army?" I asked, thinking of my friend, my first patient, who had lost his leg in the war. "I find the idea alternately thrilling and terrifying, I must confess."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 9, 2010 0:03:07 GMT -5
I nodded with a light chuckle. "It is, and that's why I was a part of it. Unfortunately I recieved an injury that will keep me from being able to return. However it was all for the best as I needed to take up the position as Comte anyway." I sighed and looked at her. "War either makes men or destroys them. I joined to live my dreams and become one."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 9, 2010 0:41:52 GMT -5
"Oh, you were injured?" I asked, before I could stop myself, "What sort of injury?" Realizing that that was a personal question, I ducked my heat slightly as my cheeks heated. "I'm sorry, it's the physician in me, but I understand if you do not wish to speak of it."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 9, 2010 0:56:49 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, you asked and I must answer. The tendons in my leg were ripped. If I over exert myself it could happen again." It was a simply answer but it was more than that. That injury brought my dream come true to an end. That was not something I would tell her however. "So I'm readjusting, coming to terms with things, and trying new things."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 9, 2010 1:20:43 GMT -5
I nodded, being familiar with injuries to the tendons. "You should come to Eisheth's Sanctuary sometime, perhaps they can help in some way. Or to Balm," I thought, thinking of young Cosette and the interesting remedies she had shown me. "I have learned a lot from both places."
"Trying new things," I said, nodding my agreement. "That has been my mantra for the past few months. If it's any help, it gets easier with time."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 9, 2010 1:26:20 GMT -5
I nodded. "It's been three years and I've been to the finest doctors available to me...It's not going to get better." I sighed a little. If she only knew how much time and money had been put into the fruitless venture. "I have thought of going to Balm though, just for relaxation, though I suppose there must be many places to achieve that here."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 9, 2010 22:19:52 GMT -5
I nodded sympathetically, having seen people in similar positions. No matter how many physicians there were in the world, some things just were not treatable.
"I'm sorry," I said, sincerely, impulsiving touching his hand lightly with mine. "And yes, I hear that Balm has relaxation down to a science," I replied with a smile. "Though I confess I have only been there to study, not to experience their arts, so that is only hearsay."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 9, 2010 22:33:17 GMT -5
I smiled at her and nodded. "Well, if it makes a difference I've never been to a house of the night court period." I smirked. "So it's certainly hearsay from my perspective." I didn't flinch when she touched my hand, although I wasn't really used to a woman touching me, even lightly like that.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 10, 2010 12:17:28 GMT -5
"Me either actually," I laughed, shrugging. "I know it's renowned and all of that, but the idea of going in there and requesting a stranger, I don't know, it's a little bit off-putting for me." I felt my cheeks heat a little at the admission; most D'Angelines did not have as many issues around bedding someone that I seemed to have.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 10, 2010 13:17:42 GMT -5
I nodded. "Exactly...well furthermore I had made a vow that I would remain chase so long as I as in the army. Of course I've realized I'm out now. But yes for 33 years I have been a virgin." I blushed a little. "Seems we have a little in common in that respect...I don't know I may go to Night Court, though I'd rather bed someone for true love." They could not take the chivalry out of me.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 10, 2010 13:25:11 GMT -5
I smiled warmly, I liked his view of things, as I had found myself in similar circumstances. I had only been with one man, and had loved him dearly. "That's understable, to me at least," I had to laugh softly thinking of our fellow D'Angelines. "It seems we are both a bit of an oddity here in the City."
My gaze traveled toward Mont Nuit for a moment, then back to his. "I think one day I would like to visit the Night Court, but my true preference is to have someone who is truly mine."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 10, 2010 13:30:22 GMT -5
I chuckled and looked in that direction myself. "I agree, and I think we are in the same situation...But tell me, if you don't mind, what caused you to adopt this philosophy?"
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 10, 2010 13:45:15 GMT -5
That was a good question, one that I wasn't sure I had an answer for. "I'm not certain, to be honest. It just never seemed right to me to lay with a man until I fell in love ... and then after that, well the idea of being with just anybody does not arouse my interest. I like the connection, I suppose, of being with someone you care for and who cares for you."
I smiled and turned his question back to him, as I was genuinely curious. "And you, why did you vow to remain chaste while in the military? It's a very Cassiline view of things, I suppose."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 10, 2010 13:50:46 GMT -5
I smirked. "A lot of people said that I should be a Cassiline, but I knew I wanted to make love someday. However in the army such things are a distraction from the main mission. I removed anything that would hinder me from being the best warrior. And as you said I wanted that deeper connection. In war you don't see enough of women to build that."
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 10, 2010 14:06:57 GMT -5
His words made sense, and I could see why the Cassilines adopted the philosophy they did, though their reasoning was sometimes more philosophical than logical as Guy's was.
"Yes, it seems to me that as a warrior one would quickly tire of camp followers and a warm body here and there when you pass through town. For me, I grew up with my father and brothers, and I suppose they were just a bit overprotective..." I laughed softly, "So the only men I spent much time with were all related to me."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 10, 2010 14:22:37 GMT -5
I grinned. "At the same time however, perhaps it is best that they were. You seem to have become a fine young lady." I meant that sincerely, for from what I saw of her she was honorable, dedicated, a lady in the truest sense of the word.
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Post by Noelie de Maignard (H) on Apr 10, 2010 14:30:37 GMT -5
I blushed slightly at the compliment, I was most accustomed to praise in my studies, not for personal reasons, but I had also learned to accept them graciously.
"Thank you, I'm sure my father would be rather pleased to hear it." I smiled, my spirits having lifted considerably, despite the way this conversation had begun. I glanced at the pages of the book, which had begun to dry out. "Though I understand Blessed Elua's precept, I think that there is something to be said for saving oneself for someone they care about."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 10, 2010 14:37:11 GMT -5
"Most assuredly. In fact the precept means nothing really if you cheapen love to mere attraction. It takes much more than that to love someone. And when you love them then you are ready to give yourself to them." Another one of my mini speeches. I could have went on but it would be rude to do so. Besides I would be preaching to the choir.
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