Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 17, 2010 13:18:18 GMT -5
Generally I wasn't a person who paid a good deal of attention to perfumes or other affectations of scent; there was virtually no use for them in my work or recreation and I went to very few events that required primping or prettiness. Even still I couldn't help but be somewhat attracted to the fine perfume shop while I'd walked about the Artisan's District. I may have been a soldier and a professional but I was still female. It seemed that people assumed to be one you couldn't fully embrace the other.
I was dressed again in my steel-blue casual gown with its concealed slit, my sword hanging on left and my hidden dagger in its wrist sheath on my right arm. The wind had picked up slightly that morning so I also had on my plain grey cloak, the hood of which hung along my back. The tattoo on my right shoulderblade had finally started to heal, making it easier to move about, and I'd foregone bandaging it that day to allow the skin to breathe. This area wasn't nearly so well to do as the square I'd been in a few days before but it wasn't nearly as rough as Night's Doorstep and the people seemed moderately respectful of each other. That didn't give me an excuse to pay any less attention to my surroundings though.
The door to the building was located near the corner of a street and I was just about to step inside when a sound from the alleyway drew my attention. Cautiously curious I took my hand from the doorknob and stepped around the corner to the side street and peered down to see what could be transpiring.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 17, 2010 13:59:21 GMT -5
I had to get out of the Palace. After all the time I’d spent in La Serenissima, I sometimes felt claustrophobic here in the City, and I had taken to wandering the various Districts to get rid of some of my nervous energy. I couldn’t say what the problem was, only that I felt restless, as if I was on the verge of something, without knowing what it was. Coretta had remarked on it on more than one occasion, gently probing, lines of worry on her forehead. I always smoothed those away, because what could I tell her? Something was on the horizon, and whatever it was, I felt no good would come of it.
Today I was simply wandering around aimlessly, finding nothing to interest me. That is, until I found myself walking down a side alley, just in time to hear a noise coming out of one of the garbage bags lying piled up next to what must have been the back door to shop of some sort. I jumped a little at the unexpected sound, saw the bag move, and surmised rodents. I should have kept walking but something stopped me. Instinct, perhaps? I took a step closer to the bag, leaning forward, but not too close … the last thing I needed was a rabid raccoon to the face.
I heard a thin whine then, a piteous sound, nothing like a rodent or a raccoon. On impulse, I pulled the bag out of the pile. It was heavy and wriggled, now a chorus of whines instead of just one. I squatted down and ripped the bag open to find a litter of puppies, looking to be only days old, if that. There eyes were still closed and they were likely starving. Not to mention cold and like to die any minute from lack of oxygen. Obviously I had arrived in the nick of time, but now what?
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 17, 2010 17:24:50 GMT -5
The figure in the alley appeared to be male, and was crouched over something that made the small, mewling sound of an animal, but the alley was a deep one and to assume anything wouldn't have been fitting to the situation. Unless I was attending one of the very rare formal events at the Captain's request I didn't wear heels, or even the more modest soft-soled slippers that many ladies preferred for walks; my gown concealed a set of soft grey boots that made my footfalls nearly silent even on the cobblestones but still afforded a good deal of grip. Still cautious but now certainly under the impression that something out of the ordinary was going on I walked closer, not trying to hide my existence but not calling attention to myself as yet.
Once I was about ten feet away and securely in the alley by at least ten more I was close enough to make out some details- the torn sackcloth and the puppies that lay shivering and gasping within it- as well as a bit more about the person who was nearby. He was young, and there was something familiarly imperial about his features that wasn't easily recognizable though I knew it was a face I'd seen before. That meant likely either a notable noble or someone from military history, or he simply bore a resemblance to one of those people. It wasn't enough of a hint for me to determine any different behavior on my part so I let a portion of my mind continue working at the matter.
"What's going on here?" I asked in a steady tone, my eyes calm but knowing as I watched the boy, my posture relaxed but poised just in case I'd indeed surprised someone with something devious or sinister on his mind. I could take care of myself but I didn't like to be caught flat-footed either. The puppies were still whining and seemed sickly though and that grabbed at my heart a bit; almost before I knew it I'd started to slide off my cloak and took another step toward the pack of nearly-newborn creatures.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 19, 2010 12:44:59 GMT -5
The poor things were cold and shivering, starving, and I wanted to find the person who had thought shoving them in a sack to die was humane. Or more likely, they hadn't cared if it was humane or not.
I was debating what to do with the puppies when someone spoke. I jumped a little, embarrassed that I had not even noticed someone approaching me, which did not say much for my keen senses.
"I found these puppies," I answered, wondering if she would recognize me. I found that the closer I was to the Palace, the more people recognized me but as I got into the further districts, I was not so notable. "They look to be near death, but not quite... I was just trying to figure out what to do with them."
As I spoke, the one on top of the pile whined again, a pitiful sound, and I fished him out, my heart going out to the poor little thing as he tried to suckle my fingertip.
"Any ideas?" I asked her, looking up and wondering if it would annoy my elder sister if I brought them home with me. That would be an unexpected bonus, if nothing else.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 19, 2010 18:07:58 GMT -5
The boy was obviously surprised by my presence but not guilty- in fact there was a kind of quietly brooding anger at the scene he'd come upon, or that would be my best guess. He didn't seem like an overly demonstrative person and I think I'd only noticed that reaction due to the fact that I'd startled him. The small pile of furry flesh was moving weakly where it was moving at all though and my concern for them prevented me from looking much more deeply into the matter of this other person. Either it would sort itself out or not but these creatures needed to be helped quickly if there was any hope for their survival.
"If a bitch doesn't produce the right pups from a whelping the breeders will often dispose of the puppies so the mother can breed again more quickly," I told the young man, my tone calm though it was tinged with an undertone of disgust as I knelt by the sack and started to carefully move the contents around. The litter had been of a good side, numbering at least six or seven, but more than half of those were dead. This was probably what had saved the three that were still alive though, shielding them from the worst of the cold and the damp with their bodies and the residual heat left in them.
My cloak was already off and I set it open across my lap, picking up another small male and the only female, setting them down in it and then looking at the blonde man again. I was used to dealing with recruits about his age and the key seemed to be showing that I was knowledgeable without giving meaningless orders. "They need to be warmed up and dried as quickly as possible, which will be easier to do if there's a layer of fabric between them and the elements," I offered, waiting to see if he set the one he'd chosen down with the others I was briskly rubbing with an edge of the velvet hood. "There's an inn not far that won't mind them being brought in to warm up and finish drying by the fire."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 19, 2010 18:34:34 GMT -5
She seemed knowledgeable on the subject, and what she said made sense, so when she put the other pups in her own cloak and began to rub them with the fabric, I reached over and gently lay the one I held along with the others. It was the first time I'd realized that the rest of the pups were already dead and I felt a sadness constrict my throat. Why I should feel so for mere dogs was strange to me, but they were so small and helpless, and no one, not even an animal, deserved to be treated with such callous disregard.
"That seems needlessly cruel," I said, irritated but on some level knowing that I had no idea about the whelping and breeding of pups. I stood up when she mentioned the inn, knowing the one she spoke of, which was only down the street. "Would you like me to carry them?"
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 19, 2010 22:31:21 GMT -5
He was right, it was cruel, but that didn't change the fact that it happened. I wished it didn't as well but unless there was actually a penalty for harming animals it was unlikely to slow down and since it was impossible to find out who'd actually done such a thing it wasn't likely to ever stop. I myself wasn't in a position to do any more than help such animals when I came across them or prevent the behavior when I saw it with my own eyes, but that probably wasn't even a fraction of what was needed.
"I agree, this is far from acceptable," I replied, noting the irritation in his tone as he set the puppy he'd been holding by the other two and I briskly dried it off with another edge of the cloak. Likely it would be damp and smell like wet dog until I had it cleaned but that was far from a pressing concern. At least the mess wasn't blood, gore or traveling grit so it was something of a nice change.
The puppies were a little drier by now and seemed to be writhing a little more, the warmth probably drawing a bit more energy into their previously frozen limbs. The boy's offer to help drew a raised brow but not of irritation or anger, simply speculation; either he was polite or he was one of those who believed women incapable of anything outside of holding up clothing. "You can carry them if you'd like, or I can. The trip isn't far," I told him with a slight smile. I wasn't the most demonstrative person but I was glad he'd found the puppies and I was willing to accept his help.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 19, 2010 23:29:21 GMT -5
She was businesslike, brusque but not rude, and another time I might have found that grating. I reminded myself that she did not know to whom she was speaking, though I actually preferred it that way. Whenever people became obsequious it irritated me to no end, and I would rather not deal with that just now.
I couldn't tell if it bothered her that I had offered to carry the puppies, so I made no move to take them from her, only rose and dusted my hands off, looking back one last time at the puppies who had been less fortunate than the ones we were taking with us. At least those had hope.
"Lead the way," I said, even though I knew where we were going. When she smiled, it lit her face up and was contagious, so I smiled in return. "They will be hungry, how can we feed them?" I asked her, as we began the trek down the alleyway and to the inn. It seemed to me that she knew more about this than I did, and I was not so "princely" that I could not take advice from someone who knew better than I.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 20, 2010 11:39:52 GMT -5
There was a sense that my reserve often made people uncomfortable, as though being more demonstrative was the normal way of doing things. Generally this wasn't my demeanor so I refrained from doing so. I had emotions and I could express them easily enough but my introverted nature probably played out too much on my features. As a child I'd always been more drawn to the world of knowledge, both inner and outer, than interacting with others, and perhaps that was my most obvious visual flaw. I'd grown used to speaking with others but I was still more self-contained than outwardly emotive.
Pushing these thoughts aside I wrapped the three puppies into the cloak until they were a small bundle, their eyes still closed but from the lack of struggling and the quiet way they breathed it seemed that they were on their way to sleep. Rest would keep them warm and from strugging as we walked which could potentially cause them to hurt each other. Once the animals were secure I rose, brushing off my skirts with one hand and holding the bundle in the other arm as I glanced sideways at the young man. I couldn't help but feel the same sort of sense of older-sister protectiveness toward him that I did toward the younger soldiers who were still learning about the world.
"It's this way," I told him in a milder tone, starting down the alley and then waiting for him to join me. He was right, they would need to eat and I only had a passing familiarity with how to handle infant animals. Growing up in the Temple I'd been exposed to many things and I had a few ideas but if they didn't work I'd be at a loss. I wasn't from the farms of l'Agnace but the mountains and forests of Siovale. "There may be a way to make them take milk from a scrap of cloth or find another dog that's nursing puppies but we'll have to wait and see."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 20, 2010 12:38:42 GMT -5
I was about to offer her a hand up, but she did not seem to require it, rising gracefully even with a cloak full of puppies. I followed after her, keeping pace with her. On the way, we were both quiet, neither of us given to small talk, it seemed. I had my fill of it at court and was grateful not to have to engage in any sort of verbal sparring; it was exhausting at times.
The inn came into view as soon as we rounded the corner, and I thought about what she had said about feeding the pups. We had kennels of hunting dogs at the Palace, and it occurred to me that it might not be too difficult to find a dog to feed the puppies, though that meant exposing my identity. I decided to wait and see what happened at the inn, just to enjoy my anonymity a little bit longer. Although, to be fair, something told me that this woman was not the type who would start fawning as soon as she found out who I was, which would be soon enough, I realized, because eventually we would likely introduce ourselves.
“Hopefully it won’t be too hard to find something,” I said noncommittally, looking over her shoulder at the little bundle. I didn’t really know why I cared so much about these poor little things, but because I had found them, I felt responsible for them. “Do you know a lot about dogs?” I asked her, hoping that the answer was ‘yes’ because Elua knew that I didn’t.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 20, 2010 17:20:26 GMT -5
The trip was as short as expected with no one interfering in it- but then that was as expected as well. People here wanted to go about their own business without interruption, especially when you carried a sword on you and looked like you knew how to take care of yourself. Besides, I wasn't doing anything exceptionally odd to attract their attention other than existing and with the grey clouds overhead the masses were finding themselves motivated to get to a place with a roof as soon as possible.
The boy's words drew another sideways look toward him as I gave a half-smile and a small nod before I made my way across the street to where the inn in question was located. "I've been around puppies and dogs before though I admit I know more about training than raising them. Someone is likely to have a dog who's just whelped and they may take in the puppies for a price if the milk feeding doesn't work. It may be healthier for them in any case, since it would allow a similar creature to teach them the skills they need as dogs."
The wooden building was pleasant and well-kept but not highly priced so it was often favored with the locals looking for a drink and a decent meal. I'd stayed in this inn on a previous trip to the City and found it to be moderately comfortable, or at least better than some of the others in the area. After sleeping in tents and on cots for long enough straw mattresses seemed a little luxurious. Smiling a bit more I shifted the cloak a bit to settle the puppies more comfortably, already feeling a little attached to the animals. I'd never been allowed to have a specific pet in the Temple but I'd thought of getting a dog for some time. "Shall we go inside?"
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 20, 2010 22:30:12 GMT -5
"I might know someone," I said, holding the door open for her, since she had her hands full with the dogs. I nearly bumped into her sword, and I was surprised to see it ... and that I hadn't noticed it before. She was a soldier, then, which explained much.
"After you," I said, holding the door and then following her in. I had been to this inn once or twice, and one of the things I liked about it was the anonymity it afforded. In a place like this, nobody was looking too closely at anyone else. There was an empty table near the fireplace, which seemed like a good place for us, for the pups to get some warmth. I gestured toward it, then pulled out a chair for her. Even anonymous, I still had some manners.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 21, 2010 12:28:41 GMT -5
Whoever this boy was he'd been raised with the manners of the peerage and was somewhat used to being directing people around; but that was fine with me, he probably knew the area even better than I did and I was generally good at taking direction as long as it followed my general train of thought. There was also the fact that he said he may knew of someone who could potentially take the puppies, which meant he was likely local or at least had better connections than I did in this area.
I nodded in polite acknowledgement as he opened the door and slipped inside as gracefully as I could while still holding the puppies securely. People scarcely looked up and there were only a couple glances for my sword before people went back to their food or drink. That's one of the reasons I'd stayed here before; working class people and artisans tended to look on a soldier without too much irritation while nobles could come up with all sorts of reasons to either object to your presence or start conversations. Not that all would, but enough of them did to make a vacation more like an effort in diplomacy. This inn had a sensation of comfortable conformity.
The table he'd indicated was close enough to the fire that I wouldn't notice the lack of a cloak in any case and I watched with a raised brow as he pulled out my chair and had the expression of speculation smoothed away by the time I sat down. Either I'd made quite an impression or his manners had been ground in very firmly indeed, not that I was one to object. Courtesy was always better than the alternative.
"Thank you," I told him with another slight smile as I began to unwrap the puppies from my cloak. It had served well keeping them shielded from the wind and containing their body heat on the way here but now the slightly dampened cloth would only slow down the absorption of warmth into their bodies. A moment later they were exposed to the fire and it was much easier to get a look at them- still shaggy as puppies, and emaciated, but strong-boned and still fighting to live. They had a strong will and, to me, that was always the most important thing.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 21, 2010 20:48:33 GMT -5
I sat in the chair across from her, then scooted it over so that I was right next to her, peering over her shoulder as she unwrapped the puppies so that the fire could do it's work in warming them. They were actually really cute, with fluffy hair, now that it was drying. They were tri-colored, black and white and red, and I had to smile as they began to wriggle toward the warmth.
"They're awfully cute," I said, reaching over to stroke one on the nose. It whined and tried to suckle my finger and I remembered that they were starving. "I'll be right back," I said, heading for the bar. I ordered some spiced wine for the two of us, and some goat's milk and a clean rag for the pups. The bartender looked at me askance, but while he did not recognize me, coin spoke as it always did. I gave him more than what his help was worth, and suddenly he a fountain of helpfulness. By the time I returned to the table, I had wine, cheese, goat's milk, two clean rags, and a few small blankets.
"For us," I said, setting down the wine and cheese, trying not to drop anything while I juggled the bottles and rags. "And for them." I set down the rags, but put the goats milk on the hearth to warm a little. "Is goat's milk all right for them?" I left the wine and cheese untouched for the moment, more concerned about the pups.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 22, 2010 17:00:06 GMT -5
There weren't many decent people in the world who could resist small animals, especially when they'd been treated badly and were in rough shape; in fact the boy's interest and care put to rest any other suspicions I may have had as to what he was doing in a dark alley on a rainy day. It wasn't my place to question it, of course, but it was something any sensible person may have done as far as I was concerned.
Even so it was interesting to see the response the boy had to the dogs and I could only nod in agreement- they were very cute puppies, well-formed when their malnutrition was taken into effect even if their breed was undiscernable. Perhaps that's what has caused them to be discarded, as they were by-blows from some chance mating. If the owners of the bitch had wanted her to bear a particular litter they may have taken this one from her and left them to die so the mother dog would breed again that much sooner. It seemed odd to judge a dog based on such qualifications so soon after birth, but I couldn't control the lack of sense other people had, only clean up after it.
I gently shifted the puppies around so that they could get equal shares of the warmth while the young man, whose name I still didn't know, walked over to the counter, presumably for the items with which to feed the puppies. Their fur was tri-colored and still slightly fluffy, and their faces were still too indistinct to give any clue about what breeds they may have been from but like humans breeding only meant so much. As they wriggled I ran my hands over them, noticing that they quieted much like other infant animals did. Though not human they still craved contact and I felt myself melting toward them a bit.
When the boy came over with the wine and the glasses, as well as some cheese to snack on and the tools for the puppies I raised a brow but accepted it with a nod and a quiet "Thank you." With that I picked up one of the rags and dipped it into the milk, then picked up one of the puppies. "It's not their native milk, so we'll have to see if they'll even take it," I replied, not thinking it right to paint anything other than the truth for him. "But if they do it should suffice until another milk-source is found." Smiling I brought the rag to the mouth of the puppy I held and waited to see if he'd take it.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 22, 2010 21:37:27 GMT -5
I leaned forward intently, hoping that the puppy would take the goat's milk. I was practically holding my breath, and I smiled in relief when the puppy began to suckle hungrily. Leaning back, I put a blanket in my lap and reached for one of the other puppies.
"May I?" I wished there were one more of us, but the puppies would have to take their turns. Before I took the puppy, though, I poured us each a glass of the warm, mulled wine, taking a quick sip of mine. That combined with the fire were warming me up nicely, and hopefully the puppies as well.
I looked sidelong at the woman, liking the confident way she had taken charge to rectify this situation. A lot of people would have said to just leave the puppies, or that it would be more merciful to kill them, and I liked that she had said neither of those. The sword she wore told me that she was no ordinary courtier, and that was another reason to like her. I supposed then that it was time for introductions; we couldn't very well go one without even knowing what to call each other.
"By the way," I began, gently lifting a puppy from her lap. "I'm Christien." I probably should have given my full name, but it seemed overly pompous to say 'I'm Prince Christien de la Courcel, and you?' Either she would put the name with the face, or she wouldn't.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 23, 2010 13:06:29 GMT -5
With another smile and murmur of thanks as the boy poured the wine I watched as the puppy suckled all of the milk from the rag, dipping it into the milk again before giving it back to the puppy who was now anxiously whining. It would be better to feed them completely before moving onto the next rather than constantly shuffling them and perhaps losing track of the order, leaving one underfed by the end.
Once my companion had taken one of the puppies while I made sure the others remained steady I reached for the goblet of wine he'd meant for me and sipped it- good stuff, and warming, a good choice for such a grey day and the work we were doing. The Captain probably would have liked it, though as a rule he preferred brandy for the burn and taste of the liquor, but I rarely drank anything that heavy myself.
I was just about to set my glass down, pleased with how well the young man sitting beside me was doing with his puppy when he gave me his name and my brow immediately quirked up slightly in speculation. An uncommon one in our land, to be sure, and of course there was one exceptionally notable blonde boy of teenage years known as such, which immediately popped to mind. He had the cast of features and the coloring to make it very likely, but he'd also given his first name rather than his title so perhaps he didn't want a fuss made. I could appreciate that and I respected and admired him more for it. "I'm Reza," I replied, using my first name alone and giving him a warm smile as I offered my now-free hand for him to shake. "It's good to meet you."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 24, 2010 14:47:56 GMT -5
I had to juggle my puppy a little bit to shake her hand, and it was almost comical how much easier she did with it, having two to hold onto. Ah well, at times I was not the most graceful of creatures, and I had made my peace with that long ago.
"Well met, Reza," I said, returning my hand to hold the rag of warmed milk's goat to the puppy's mouth. He suckled it readily, not seeming to know or care that it was not the type of milk had should have gotten. Had he ever tasted his mother's milk? I wondered suddenly when I had become so soft-hearted and the image of a pale-eyed beauty swam before my eyes momentarily. I shook my head to clear it, grateful that Reza wasn't the prying type, because it seemed like I still had not quite gotten my bearings since returning from La Serenissima.
"They seem to like it," I said, dipping the rag into more of the milk. Was it my imagination or was the puppy's little belly beginning to fatten up already? "That's a good sign, right?" I was already planning to talk to the kennelmaster at the Palace, old Rogier, who seemed a bit grizzled but who had forgotten more about dogs than I would ever know.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 26, 2010 15:52:07 GMT -5
It seemed obvious that there was something on the Prince-Dauphin's mind- for that was who made the most sense for him to be, though it was unsaid. That was really as it should have been for the sake of discretion, as saying anything outright would have required a change in behavior. In any case he seemed to pull himself out of whatever thought had gripped him and continued on with the feeding while I continued to feed the puppy I held, the other resting comfortably across the lap of my skirt. The one I'd grabbed to begin with was the most gaunt so his appetite was the greatest.
"It's a good sign, yes," I agreed with a slight smile, my eyes softening as I looked at the puppies. It really was a shame that these animals had been through so much when they'd never done any more harm than being born. "It shouldn't hurt to stop a little before they're fully sated. If they've never eaten then putting too much in their bellies could make them more ill." I had little doubt from what Christien had said about having a place where they might be fed that he'd thought of the hunting hounds they no doubt had at the Palace and that would be a place where they'd get excellent care.
Once the puppy I held started to slow its suckling I set it down on my bundled cloak, which I'd put on the floor out of the way of feet but close to the fire. "What do you plan to do with them once they're old enough to be on their own and healthy?" They were his as far as I was concerned; he'd found them, and even though I'd helped that hadn't been done with the intention of claiming any reward, simply out of kindness. I had to admit the soft, furry creatures were growing on me though and if I could pay for one I would.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 26, 2010 18:04:18 GMT -5
I was glad when she agreed that it was a good sign, because I had half been expecting her to say something to the contrary. Relieved, I turned my attention to the puppy I was feeding, pleased to see him eating so well.
"How can you tell?" I asked her, looking critically at the puppy. "When they're not quite sated, I mean." I added, looking over at her puppy. I was reminded of the time when we were children and I had begged for a puppy, but mother hadn't wanted a dog tracking mud all over the house and father had never been much for disagreeing with her. Cori had taken my side, of course, but eventually we had had to take no for an answer. Cori had somehow managed to get her hands on a stuffed toy, a little puppy, and I had carried it around until it fell apart. I smiled slightly at the memory, looking up to answer Reza's question, the idea cementing suddenly in my mind.
"One for me and one for Cori," I said, a smile lighting up my face as I imagined her surprise and hopefully delight. I realized that that left one puppy out. Sabrina? The idea was laughable. Renee? Too young. The obvious answer was sitting right next to me. "Would you be interested in having one? Without you, I wouldn't have known what to do with them, so you saved their lives just as much as me. More, really..." I hoped that she did want one, because I didn't want to see one of them end up as just another dog in the kennels at the Palace.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 26, 2010 21:39:27 GMT -5
"They'll start suckling more slowly as they get more full," I told Christien in a calm but gentle tone as I started to feed the newest puppy, noticing that it took the milk a bit more quickly than the other one had. It seemed that this one had residual strength that the others had lacked or it was just that much more determined to survive. Perhaps I should have been more deferrential considering who I was speaking to- but that would have made the answer slower in coming and seemed pointless in the end. He was young and royal but he was still asking a question and deserved a decent answer. My common sense always won out over my dignity.
At the mention of this Cori the Prince's face took on an expression I recognized as more commonly belonging to someone his age- and was most likely a nickname of his twin sister, the Princess-Dauphine Coretta. So he wanted the puppies for his family; a good sign, there were very few pets better cared for than those of the royal family, especially when it was their housepet. Somehow this boy didn't seem the type to have so many animals they all blended together in his mind and were then kennelled.
Then he was inquiring of me, and the look of surprise that crossed my face must have been there for at least half a second before I smoothed it again and smiled, the corners of my mouth turning upward warmly. "I'll take the other, but you should choose first," was my reply as I gave him a polite nod of thanks; I was grateful for the offer but I didn't want to make him uncomfortable either.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 27, 2010 22:30:16 GMT -5
"That makes sense," I said with a crooked smile. If I had thought about it for half a minute, I should have figured that out on my own. In fact, as we were speaking the puppy was beginning to slow down and his belly was becoming slightly distended. I took the rag away and rested him in the crook of one arm, where he lay drowsily nuzzling against my shirt.
With the puppy so occupied, I took another drink of my wine and helped myself to a slice of cheese. I saw that Reza was surprised at my offer, or maybe I was imagining the look on her face, because it was gone so quickly I had to wonder. I was pleased that she agreed to take one, because now I knew they would all be well cared for. Was it crazy to think that Elua had placed me in that alley for a reason?
"That sounds fair," I said, already attached to the little male in my arms. Cori would probably want a female, so that decided me. "I'll take this one, and the female." I reached out to pat the other male gently. "This little guy's all yours. Well, eventually... how long before they're weaned?" I supposed I could have been asking Rogier these questions, but I liked talking to someone who wasn't nervous around me. Or if she was, she didn't show it, which was just as good.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 28, 2010 15:01:07 GMT -5
It was good that this boy was actually in some ways more sensible than some of the nobleman who came through camp as minor officers, sure of themselves and the rightness of their opinions to such an extent that they refused to hear anything contrary. Christien on the other hand understood that he may not may know everything but still considered what was said before he made a final decision. The stories about him that made it out to the field were generally the ones of his wilder exploits, but it seemed that he also had some wisdom as well. Were he ever to rule he could be quite the leader.
"Then it's an arrangement with which we can both be content," I told him with the subdued, almost wryly warm tone I usually used when I was with those I trusted not to try and take offense at my words. The female I was feeding was starting to slow her own feeding so I offered her to him, noting that the puppy I'd been given was the largest of the group but he'd given it up nonetheless and chosen the male he'd fed. The boy was loyal, a trait I very well understood and appreciated.
"They should be weaned about eight weeks or so, though it may take them a little while longer with their circumstances," I replied, calling on what I remembered of the animals I'd watched and read about. "But someone who's more familiar with dogs may be able to tell a bit better if these ones will need special care. I only know what I learned from books at the Temple and while those are reliable they're nothing compared to experience."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Dec 28, 2010 23:07:03 GMT -5
I was pleased that she agreed with my choice, and I took the female from her with pleasure, examining the pup and trying to imagine Cori's surprise when I presented the puppy to her.
Eight weeks seemed like forever, I wasn't known for patience, but I supposed there was nothing I could do about that. "I'll ask the kennelmaster," I said, acknowledging her admission that someone else might know more. I also knew the difference between learning something from a book and experiencing it firsthand. She rose a notch in my estimation then, because she recognized that same difference.
I cuddled my puppy and Cori's and wondered if I should name them, or wait for my sister. I didn't like them not having names though, so I started to think about it immediately.
"Have you any idea what you are going to name yours?" I realized that I'd never named anything before, even my horse had come to me with a name.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 29, 2010 10:18:20 GMT -5
He had the palace kennelmaster to ask his more precise questions to; I would have to find a camp dog or one at a nearby home to keep my puppy from time to time while the unit was in the area. He'd probably end up with a few more hand-feedings than those belonging to the Dauphin but already I had complete faith in the creature's will to survive. If anything started to go wrong or my puppy got sick I'd be able to tell and adjust my plan accordingly.
The spiced wine was both warming and soothing, and between it and the fire I was feeling pretty well content, though it never made me languid or lazy. Simply being able to take a breath with my mind clear of all concerns for a moment was enough, and I was never the type to relax when there was something to be done. Fortunately right now what needed to be done was to sit and have a pleasant conversation, and I was grateful for the chance to do so.
Christien asked me what I was going to name my puppy and I raised my brow as I considered the question. I'd never really had a pet of my own and I'd let the Captain pick and name the horse I used- he was, after all, the one who may as well have been born in the saddle. It wasn't right for him not to have a name though, and the sooner he was accustomed to hearing it the better he'd listen.
Looking at the puppy where he rested, full on milk and lounging across the soft fabric of the cloak where it rested before the fire- he almost seemed a fully content and languid creature, seemingly concerned only with his own pleasure. But there would be loyalty in him, and he had the will to survive, as well as something charming just around the edges. An old story came to mind and I smiled a bit more widely. It would be quite the joke around camp, but I was sure that most people wouldn't understand the half of it, which would be my joke on them. "I think I'll call him Casanova," I replied a second later, then took another sip of wine and glanced back at the Prince. "What about yours? Will you name both or leave one for your sister?"
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 1, 2011 18:59:58 GMT -5
"Casanova," I repeated, smiling. "I like the sound of it." I looked down at the two puppies sleeping in my lap; they had moved so that they were curled around each other. Just like Cori and I, the shadow and the moon, and what better names for them? But not so obvious as all that, for Shadow and Moon were private names kept between my sister and I. Still, I was taken with the idea.
"Luna for Cori's puppy, and Midnight for mine." Her puppy would have my nickname and mine hers, a form of them anyway. "As long as Cori likes those names, of course." I finished my wine and paused to stroke the puppies foreheads. They didn't even move, sleeping contentedly, with their bellies full for probably the first time in their young lives.
"I'm really glad we found them," I commented, and I was, especially now that I had hope for their survival. At the very least, if they did not survive, they would not die cold and alone in a rotting burlap sack. "And I'm glad you were there, I'm not sure what I would have done on my own."
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 2, 2011 10:51:10 GMT -5
Matching names, twin names, and both relating to the night sky, easily understood and obviously with some kind of great meaning behind them, but was probably best not to inquire. I'd never had siblings other than possibly the other children in the Temple with me but we were all very separate people, more friends than family. Having lived with someone from conception onward had to have a profound impact on those involved and there was nothing in my own life that would relate to that.
"It was my pleasure to be there to help," I told him with a slight smile, pulling the edge of my cloak over Casanova's sleeping form. "But if I hadn't I think you would have managed. Perhaps it's not my place to say but I know many young men your age who couldn't have been bothered to check and even see what was inside the bag, or would have been so shocked the couldn't have dealt with what they found. You're a different sort." Maybe it was intuition, or some kind of informed reasoning, but I'd seen enough raw recruits to get a bead on their natures relatively quickly. If Christien showed up among us he'd very quickly gain respect.
Smiling slightly I took another sip of my wine and considered the puppies you were holding. "Though if I can offer a suggestion you may want to find a sack or some cloth to carry them back in so they don't catch a chill."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 4, 2011 1:06:20 GMT -5
I felt myself blushing a little bit at her compliment. You'd think as a Prince I would be used to compliments by now, but most of the time I felt they were insincere, whereas I could tell that Reza was not the type to drum up trite compliments just to flatter me.
"Thank you," I said, shifting Luna slightly so that I could refill my glass. "It's hard for me to imagine anyone just leaving them there, or walking right by, but then again, I can imagine it all too well. It's only unfortunate that I hadn't walked by sooner, so that we might have saved them all."
I shook my head and then tried to shrug it off. "Ah well, at least we gave these guys a chance." I took a sip of my wine and then thought about her advice. "Well, I have my own cloak, I'll take it off and wrap them up for the walk home." My tailor would likely faint at my putting a cloak that had cost more gold than some people made in a month for this purpose, but well, what was the use of a cloak except to keep things warm?
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 4, 2011 9:48:11 GMT -5
It was a good person who could look at dead animals and wish that there could have been saving them- because that generally meant they'd show the same regard for people, trying to spare lives whenever possible. It was good news for a soldier to hear on more than one level because, should the situation arise, our lives wouldn't be thrown away by someone who didn't care about the outcome as much as the effect. "But you saved the ones that you could rather than giving up. I would say that was the difference. Many can't manage that for other people, much less creatures that are less reasoning."
My wineglass was still halfway full and I wasn't that much of a drinker in any case so I took another small sip and then gave the Dauphin a wry smile. "That's as good an idea as any to keep them warm and I'm sure they'll appreciate the sacrifice of such fine fabric," I replied calmly but with that sense of dry humor under it. It wasn't as thought the cloak couldn't be cleaned and generally the expensive clothing of the nobility wasn't that much better than more common fare, it was just made up to seem so. That appearance was what people thought of nobility rather than the actual definition of the word, though perhaps I had a bit of a different perspective on it.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 5, 2011 22:53:04 GMT -5
I shook my head slightly, unable to fathom how a person could be so callous, and yet knowing it to be true. I pulled my cloak off with one hand, which was a bit of a feat and I probably looked ridiculous trying to get the clasp undone while juggling puppies in my lap, but I managed. I wrapped the puppies in it and then rested them back on my lap, full and happy and just waiting to be pampered palace pups.
I laughed softly at her comment, "Truly, the sacrifice is great, but it is the least I can do for such noble creatures, wouldn't you say?" I sipped my wine and considered the pups, and whether or not Cori would really want a pet. Unlike me, she did not make a habit of concerning herself with animal companions, whereas I found them sweet and fascinating.
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