Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Sept 3, 2010 22:22:14 GMT -5
I frowned, but I was secretly relieved that she decided it would be best to part ways before we reached the rooms where the assignations were held. What would I have said to her? She was the adept and knew better than I what went on in there.
"I hope you enjoy the fete, such as it is," I said, automatically giving her a Cassiline bow which had ceased to be habit and was more a reflex action, even though I was anathema.
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Sept 3, 2010 22:28:45 GMT -5
At the salon, I stepped out of the carriage and waited for Crispin. When he stepped out, I offered an arm so we could mayhap enter respectfully.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Sept 3, 2010 22:33:04 GMT -5
From one Second to another, and this one I knew more intimately.
"Demetrius," I purred, stepping forward and giving him a lingering kiss of greeting. "Welcome to my new den." I glanced at the box in his hands, instantly curious.
"What is this, a gift?" I asked. "You did not have to bring me a gift, your presence here is gift enough. Unless I am mistaken, and you have taken to carrying around mysterious packages at fetes?"
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Post by Crispin nó Gentian on Sept 3, 2010 22:41:21 GMT -5
I stepped out after Kaden and took her arm and we walked into the salon to see that others had already arrived. "Looks like we're not alone here," I said.
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Post by Olivia nó Valerian on Sept 3, 2010 23:02:28 GMT -5
“Thank you, I hope you enjoy it as well,” I said, my smile faltering and fading once more. This fete did not seem to be going any better than the last as yet. I felt a worm of doubt as to whether or not I should have even come. “Have a good day, my lord.”
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Sept 3, 2010 23:03:01 GMT -5
"Indeed. Let's go say hi and congratulate Landis." I subtly led Crispin through the crowd in the front room, looking for the man of the hour.
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Sept 4, 2010 14:19:03 GMT -5
I opened my mouth to reply, but Landis had already forgotten me in the arrival of his Second. The smile I had been wearing turned to a slight frown, and I turned away. Clearly having the support of Valerian didn't much matter to him. I proceeded into his salon, looking around to see many of my Housemates here. And why not, everyone enjoyed a good fete.
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Post by Demetrius nó Mandrake on Sept 7, 2010 11:51:20 GMT -5
I chuckled at the greeting, being sure to give hima playful kiss of greeting on his cheek - though more at the corners of his lips. I pulled back from the embrace and looked down at the box in my hands.
"Something like Pandora's box? Are you curious enough to want to open it?" I chuckled, gripping his shoulder with my hand in a friendly manner. "Of course it is a present. And though I am fully aware my presence alone is quite the gift," I teased, smiling wryly, "you know I could not show up to your salon's grand opening completely empty handed. What sort of friend and former housemate would I be?"
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Post by Calista nó Valerian on Sept 7, 2010 12:14:50 GMT -5
Others began to arrive, mingling, stringing along alone, though there were by far more pairs and groups than stragglers like myself. I chose a spot off to the side a bit where I could face out into the room, a newly acquired glass of wine held delicately in my hand.
The feeling of freedom clung as I looked out across the room, taking in those who'd arrived. I'd spotted Olivia first, and shortly after her Karina. I didn't know either overly well, and since I didn't see Manon anywhere, I ceased looking for housemates and looked to others instead.
The Shahrizai I'd spotted when first walking in was no longer at the door, and neither was the flame-haired man of the hour. Landis, I knew, remembering him from when he'd sang with the Second of Eglantine at Midwinter. While I'd found arms to hold me that night, it'd still been a disappointment; I'd not seen Gratien, and I'd not been able to meet the man I'd eyed upon the dance floor, the one who'd, Elua help me, turned out to be the very Second of Mandrake. Absentmindedly I rubbed my hand over my arm as I tried to push away memories of the time we'd been able to not only meet, but couple, my cheeks growing warm.
Gods no, not now. Hurriedly I drank my wine - a bit too fast for my own safety mayhap, since I had low tolerance for alcohol, but I needed distractions. When I lowered my glass again, I dared to look out once more, my eyes coming to rest on Landis...
And Demetrius.
My heart jumped, and I colored all over again, all the while chiding myself on acting a bull-goose fool. He can't hear my thoughts, I reminded myself firmly, though I still felt incredibly idiotic. And he won't know what I'm thinking, not unless I give it away with my actions. Exchanging my empty glass for a full one, I stepped away and began mingling, exchanging small smiles and quiet words, blushing at the way eyes would go to my fully bared, fully marqued back. I'd never again wear a backless dress like this.. but once? Once wouldn't hurt.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Sept 7, 2010 12:18:03 GMT -5
"Why, I would consider you prudent, my friend." I replied, taking the box from him and gingerly unwrapping it. "I do hope this was not a great expense," I continued as I carefully pried back the lid.
"My gods, Demetrius," I murmured, gently lifting the flogger from it's place. "'Tis beautiful..." I caressed the leather thongs, ran my fingers over the steel tips. "I remember feeling the touch of one like it." I grinned, gently pressing my lips to his cheek. "I think I will carry it around for a time. Perhaps I will find a volunteer willing to help me break it in, hm?" I winked at him, then gestured for him to proceed inside. "Enjoy the fete, Wolf! Eat! Drink! Dance! Stop worrying about all the work m'lord dowayne gives you all the time!"
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Post by Demetrius nó Mandrake on Sept 7, 2010 12:30:11 GMT -5
I grinned at his pleasure, and the little inside comment that we shared.
"I am glad you like it," I said in response, then, playfully bowing low to him, I added, "and I will most certainly enjoy myself, Fox, and at your expense!" I chuckled, giving him a parting kiss on the cheek before making my way past him. he had certainly done well for himself, and moved on past Mont Nuit. I was proud of him, and I knew that our Dowayne was as well.
I walked away and further inside with a hop in my step and a smile on my face when I swear I felt the eyes of someone burning me, through me, and I glanced to the side to be greeted by hazel eyes, dark hair, dusky skin and reddened cheeks.
"Calista?" I breathed, my lips parting to form her name, and instantly I smiled while my head tilted inquisitively. She was beautiful, breathtaking as usual. Twas not the first time that our eyes had met as if by chance, and now I had to wonder if it was not by fate. I made my way over to her. Afterall, it would not be nice to notice her and then walk away, regardless of how much the Mandrake inside me told me it would be much fun to see her reaction.
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Post by Asfandiyar Azarkevanejad on Sept 7, 2010 14:48:16 GMT -5
I had not heard from Landis since our…. Unconventional assignation. I had not expected that I would be saddened by such a thing, considering I did understand the nature of the Night Court, the nature of my insignificance to the people of this country. But still, I found myself with a bereft feeling. Such an adolescent insecurity! Surely, I thought, it was a visible stain on me, hallmark of one with little experience in love and its… complexities. It was not as though he and I had any special relationship by this country's standards. It was only I, in my foreign ways and rank naïveté, who ascribed any depth to what we had shared. I tried to shrug it off like a proper grown-up. Kept my thoughts silently. Tried not to think of flame-red hair as I broke the flesh of my back again with the sraosho caranya.
So when the invitation arrived at my door, especially delivered directly into my hands by one of Landis' new servants, the thumping of my heart in my chest was almost an unbearable pain. I sat on the edge of the bed, hand cupped around the pouch over my heart where rested the Token Landis had granted me, and read the missive.
Even now, as I looked up at the façade of L'Agonie (what a name!), checking the address against the invitation for the third time, I felt apprehension. No little fear as well. I could not have refused the invitation… even though I had heard nothing from Landis, I knew in my heart I could not refuse him anything. I deserved nothing more and knew it well, but still dreaded being received as simply one of the many guests that were calmly slipping under the lintel. Also, I could not help but be reminded of the last fete I had attended that involved Mandrakes. I'd been thoroughly terrified there, too. Ah, I felt so obviously foreign, body and soul, amongst these composed people!
Well. I was here now. And the ache to see Landis, though I tried to suppress it, was impelling me forward regardless. I smoothed my hands down the front of the new qu'aba I had commissioned for the occasion, fussing. I liked it… the depthless dark blue of it was like a sapphire at midnight, and the hyper-d'Angeline embroidery was a riot of twisting pewter vines and thorns that seemed to strangle my limbs. But the cut was extremely close to my body, tight arms and sharp darting emphasizing every long and sinuous line of me, which I was not accustomed to. I wanted a familiar, but more d'Angeline garment, and the tailor had provided just that in a spectacular fashion… however, I felt I was still growing into it, in a way.
I brushed the low, loose ponytail I had made of my hair over my shoulder and took a deep breath as I entered Landis' salon. Just as I had done before going to Mandrake house, I convinced myself that I could always flee if necessary.
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Post by Anixiel nó Valerian on Sept 7, 2010 16:27:23 GMT -5
With no assignations at the moment, and the Dowayne's permission, I had piled myself into a carriage to attend Landis' salon's grand opening. I was jittery the whole ride, fidgeting my fingers in my lap, smoothing my skirts over and over, perhaps hundred's of times before I arrived outside of teh building. The driver had opened the door, but I asked him for a few moments to compose myself. I was not contracted for this, and was attending of my own volition. And of course I wanted to attend, needed to, because I wanted to show Landis that I supported him and was proud of him, but by the Gods, I was nervous. I knew that his friends would be there, as well as many others he probably did not know, and perhaps even family members, and I worried at whether he would see me, whether he would have time to speak with me, have a dirnk with me, and if there was family attending, what on earth they would think of me. I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the pure white skirts of my dress. It was strapless and highbacked, covering my unfinished marque, and flowed to the ground like whispy clouds. It was not see through, for I feared I would shame myself and my house with how fervently I would blush. I looked about me, the window coverings of teh carriage drawn, making the interior darker than it actually was, and appeart smaller too, which was not helpful. I cleared my throat, though no one could hear me, took yet another deep breath then knocked loudly on the carriage door. It opened, the driver smiling up at me, as though trying to be reassuring. I nodded a thank you to his silent approval and dismounted with wobbly knees. I stsepped away from teh carriage, one slow step at a time, adn watched as people entered into the place. I closed my eyes, centering myself, telling myself I had nothign to worry of, and that I loved Landis, and he me, and that was all that mattered. Then of course, I chided myself in thinking that I was so important that a fuss would be made over me at all! It was Landis' fete, the grand opening of his salon, not mine, and so the nerves were really not needed. With this in mind and one more deep breath, I walked up the steps and entered into the main entrance, standing behind someone who's long dark locks and feminine yet masculine face seemed terribly familiar - and a little unsettling.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Sept 7, 2010 17:58:28 GMT -5
I was starting to think that this fete's purpose was not so much to celebrate my accomplishments as it was to see how long I could last before I went mad. So many people to greet, so little time to greet all of them.
Thank the gods for wine, I thought as I took slow sips of a red vintage from a glass. Emile had returned from his errand, and I found that I was never more grateful for his presence. I was the eldest, but my younger brothers were the ones with all the combat prowess, and Emile was doing an admirable job of making sure that the guests did not suffocate me as they crowded around me to wish me well.
I noticed Asfandiyar first, and then Anixiel, remembering the events of the showing all too well, and I wondered what they would think of the other, wondered too, what my parents would think of them, for I intended to make introductions.
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Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Sept 7, 2010 20:18:41 GMT -5
"Drinks sound good," I said, privately vowing not to get so drunk as I had on midwinter, despite how incredibly well that night had gone. Still, I was too intrigued by this place to want to dull my senses, luckily I could hold my alcohol fairly well.
I smiled, enjoying the sound of Cruithne on his tongue, already feeling the heat in my blood just speaking with him. I did not linger while he went in search of drinks, but trailed after him, though slowly as I was looking everywhere at once, taking in the decor and the guests, wondering if I would see anyone that I knew.
Decimus was suddenly there at my side again, having found some wine and handing me a glass. "Thank you," I said in Cruithne, leaning into him and clinking my glass slightly against his. "To new experiences," I said, smiling suggestively and giving him a playful wink.
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Post by Crispin nó Gentian on Sept 7, 2010 20:44:01 GMT -5
It seemed a bit crowded, but mayhap it was to be expected for the grand opening. I flashed a smile and noticed a new arrival, though I didn't recognize her and didn't see much of a canon that would link her to a House. "I think I see him, Kade." I motioned with a tilt of my head. "Shall we go say hello?"
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Sept 7, 2010 21:32:07 GMT -5
"He looks busy." A servant passed by and I took a glass off of the tray, taking a sip.
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Post by Farid Djalily (H) on Sept 7, 2010 23:37:33 GMT -5
I was late, though it was like me to be so, for I ran on no man's time but my own. My father had received an invite to this party and after regaling me with tales of what went on in the twin houses of Mandrake and Valerian, my curiosity had been whetted. I did not think my father was going to make an appearance, being that he seemed to be on to something that he had not confided to me, but that occupied his mind of late, so I took up the invitation on his behalf.
I had slipped in quietly, procured a glass of wine and now simply watched, studying these D'Angelines, hardly believing that I carried their blood in my veins.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Sept 8, 2010 21:03:16 GMT -5
Procuring two glasses was easily enough done, and I gave Niamh a slow, quiet smile as I watched her toast and lift the glass to her lips. She was beautiful, carefree enough to make my inhibitions lessen, but not so much that I worried about anything. I was.. comfortable with her, to say the least.
Echoing her sentiment, I took the customary sip of my own wine before I lowered my glass again, bending down to kiss her lower lip. I didn't make it a chaste kiss, but one long and slow, running my tongue over her flesh before drawing her lip away from her mouth with my teeth. "You missed some wine," I murmured, running my hand over her back, down to the top of her rear, completely uncaring of who might see me touching her so intimately in public. Not horrible, no, but it was... lewder than many places appreciated.
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Sept 8, 2010 22:36:11 GMT -5
I spotted a familiar face, and it made me smile. I wound my way across the room to where he stood lounging against a door frame. "Hello Gabriel," I said with a warm smile.
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Gabriel Shahrizai
Aristocrat
*Voted Most Charming 2010*
The devil in angel's clothing
Posts: 3,884
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Sept 9, 2010 17:49:59 GMT -5
“Karina,” I said, returning her warm smile. “You look good enough to eat.” I reached out and traced my finger along her arm. “How have you been?”
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Sept 10, 2010 22:18:59 GMT -5
His casual touch caused me to shiver. "Thank you. I have been well. Getting used to the routine of being Second, for the most part," I replied with a smile that had turned a touch shy. "And you?"
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Post by Crispin nó Gentian on Sept 10, 2010 22:31:21 GMT -5
I looked and saw that he was indeed busy greeting other guests. "Shall we greet some of the other guests?"
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Gabriel Shahrizai
Aristocrat
*Voted Most Charming 2010*
The devil in angel's clothing
Posts: 3,884
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Sept 11, 2010 19:37:34 GMT -5
“Well enough,” I answered. My finger moved up and over her bare shoulder. “Though a touch bereft of good company lately. I was thinking of you just last night.”
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Post by Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian on Sept 12, 2010 2:48:14 GMT -5
My voice was low when I replied, and I could feel myself wanting to move closer to him. "Were you? Did you get out my gown?" Between his touch and the thought of him alone in his room last night, a flush moved over my skin.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Sept 12, 2010 11:42:43 GMT -5
I cringed inwardly at the use of the title, but still managed a proper courtly bow. "You as well, my lady." It was about time I returned to Landis's side before the steady stream of guests became too much for him.
I needn't have worried, for the stream had thinned and Landis was gawking in a way unbecoming of a host at two guests who had arrived. I recognized neither of them, though it was clear that my brother was waiting for either to approach him with a sort of nervous anticipation. My gaze shifted between them, two women, I thought at first, but while the noticeable bosom the one possessed proclaimed her sex, I could see no such signs on the other, an effeminate man, then, even by D'Angeline standards.
I was quickly learning that there was no accounting for taste when it came to my brother's...proclivities...
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Post by Kaden nó Gentian on Sept 12, 2010 21:06:41 GMT -5
"If there any to greet," I said, looking around. "It looks like they're all busy talking with each other."
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Gabriel Shahrizai
Aristocrat
*Voted Most Charming 2010*
The devil in angel's clothing
Posts: 3,884
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Post by Gabriel Shahrizai on Sept 12, 2010 23:50:37 GMT -5
“I did,” I answered, my lips curling into a wicked grin. “And it’s not the first time I’ve pleasured myself while thinking of you.”
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Post by Olivia nó Valerian on Sept 13, 2010 0:08:44 GMT -5
I watched him leave and took a deep breath. I would not let him ruin this for me. Focusing on my training and who I was, I joined the mingling crowd, hoping to catch the eye of an interested person.
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Post by Crispin nó Gentian on Sept 13, 2010 10:37:05 GMT -5
"I see one that's not," I said, spotting a young female that had a man leave her. "Come on, Kaden." I took the lead towards the woman.
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