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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 12:15:43 GMT -5
His words made me beam with pride, dropping my eyes to my glass, finishing its contents slowly, with a sip, and then raising my eyes again to his.
"Thank you," I said, reaching across the table to let my hand cover his own. "I am glad that you enjoyed it." I pulled my ahnd back slowly, my fingertips trailing over his knuckles and fingers as I did.
"And soon it will be your turn to show off," I teased, laughing softly. "I cannot wait to hear you play," I said as I glanced up at the stage. No one had taken it just yet.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 12:22:15 GMT -5
Her touch on my hand and the light drawing of her fingers over my skin caused me to inhale just a little more sharply than I might have otherwise. "You're quite welcome, but it was only truth," I responded, and looked up on stage when she mentioned it would be my turn soon. It seemed that one or two of those immediately after her had lost heart in having to follow her performance. "After you, my only hope is that the fact that the song is so different will appeal to people," I said with a soft laugh.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 12:26:59 GMT -5
His eyes followed my own as he glanced at teh empty stage as well.
"I chuckled softly, shaking my head, my locks moving in cascading waves to fall over the front of my shoulders before I gathered them up and pushed them back behind me. "I am sure you will do a lovely job. And besides, diversity is the flavour of life. I love hearing different things."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 12:56:46 GMT -5
"I hope you do enjoy it," I told her since, truthfully, I was now going up mainly to satisfy her curiosity, not thinking that anyone else in the room would be particularly interested after her performance.
We were soon to find out the truth of the matter, however, as it turned out that everyone between she and I had lost heart and decided not to take their turn. When my name was called, I exhaled deeply, and with a brief look at Cerise, I stood up and made my way over to the stage.
As I told the servants that I was going to use her harp, they looked to her, as if awaiting her permission before they would bring it out for me.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 13:05:08 GMT -5
I was regarded, and did not notice it for a moment until it dawned on me, and i waved at them in ascent, feeling my cheeks warm slightly at my confusion and delay. I sat backk, though, smiling, and watched, waiting for Leon to play. There were a couple of mutters amongst the crowd as people no doubt gossiped to try to explain who we were to one another - brother and sister? Distant cousins? Friends? Lovers? An amused smile played on my lips until I turned my gaze back to Leon and waited.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 13:21:07 GMT -5
Once the servants moved the harp back into place for me, I smiled over at Cerise again, and took a seat. I could hear the murmurs as well, but did my best to block them out. Focusing on them too much, especially the ones that mentioned the possibility of us being lovers, was only bound to cause me to make mistakes.
Taking my seat before the harp, I gave a few delicate, testing pulls at the strings, as it had been few days since I'd touched one, and then began to play. The song was haunting and stirring at the same time; the words of the song exalted a particular general of the Republic, a man who had defended his home with his life, a cross between a requiem and a battle hymn.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 14:36:39 GMT -5
I watched as he got a feel for teh harp, plucking a few of teh strings to test the tone, no doubt, and teh feel, and then he went to playing his song. I listened, feeling the notes move through me, the resonance symbiotic with my own internal resonance. I had to stop myself from swaying to the time of the music he played, and forced myself to keep my eyes open, even though all I wanted to do was to lose myself in it and listen, mind body and soul. The tune was ... i would not say disturbing, but there was something sad yet sweet about it, haunting but uplifting at the same time. I listened still, wondering what the song was about, and where it came from, what nation, and the song's history. I reminded myself to ask Leon once he was done. For now, i was enjoying the song. His skill was good, very goo din fact, better than he gave himself credit for.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 14:44:41 GMT -5
In playing, attempting to avoid the talk that was going on in the crowd, I focused my attention on Cerise when I was not glancing at the strings to make sure that my fingers were correct. She seemed to be enjoying the song, which gave me a bit more confidence as I progressed through the song. The crescendo of it was rousing, gradually losing some of the sadder tones, where the words to it would have been singing of the great pride that Tiberium had in its mighty hero, exalting him for his prowess and devotion.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 14:52:59 GMT -5
The melody became more robust, rounded, even excited as opposed to emlancholy, like how someone would feel after being locked away from teh sunlight, only to burst free during a sunny, spring day. It had exuberance, and made me shiver, and I smiled, proud of Leon, even though I did not know him terribly well. Proud that he had the strength to get up there and not wither away like those after me and before him had, and very pleased with the outcome. I grinned widely, lettin ghim know tha ti was very much enjoying his tune.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 14:59:36 GMT -5
When I saw the grin lighting up Cerise's lovely face, I could not help but smile back at her gratefully. With time, the song gradually slipped back toward its original tone, and then moved further toward becoming a full blown requiem, as the song expressed the sorrow of that same hero's death, and the loved ones he left behind. The smile on my lips faded somewhat with the emotion of the song, but remained on my face as I looked on at the Eglantine adept.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 15:11:13 GMT -5
Our eyes locked and we both smiled at each other, though I watched as hissmile faltere,d, just a little as the song became sad, woeful, sounding like a pained agony. My own smile diminshed as well, not because I did not enjoy the song, or his playing had taken a turn for the worse, but because I could feel the emotion of the song. I smiled, or tried to, though it was a sad smile, and I knew we understood each other. I tried to remain strong for him, as I for one always cried if I saw someone else crying, and I would hate to break down and let the tears trickle and cause the same to happen to him. So I stayed stalwart, and listened to the beautiful music that Leon played.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 15:21:19 GMT -5
When the song came to an end, I almost didn't realize it, though my fingers stopped when they were supposed to. Once I did come out of the near-trance I was in, I stood up slowly, and took a bow, smiling at those who applauded. I didn't linger, though, unused as I was to such attention, stepping down from the stage and making my way back to the table I'd been sharing with Cerise. As I sat down, I asked her in a soft tone, "How was it?"
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 19:56:17 GMT -5
The moment he stopped, I had started applauding, as did others around me, appreciating the song. He did not linger, bowing gently and then dismounting from the stage to hurry back to the table.
"It was lovely, so very lovely," I reassured him, "please, please you have to tell me what it was about. From what I heard... it was pertaining to something sad, yet at the same time glorious."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 28, 2011 20:07:25 GMT -5
I smiled at her praise widely, and nodded at her supposition of what the song was about. "Caius Artorius Clodian, a general during the Tiberian Republic. He was accounted a decent tactician, but he inspired incredible devotion amongst his men," I explained to her the story behind the song, "When barbarians were descending on the city, he led his men out to break them, scattering them before they could lay siege. He ended up dying as a result of the battle, but saved the lives of many in the city. The words to the song tell his story."
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 15:09:54 GMT -5
"That is lovely, and admirable, I can understand why they would make a song to pay tribute to him," I said as I leaned on both my hands, letting them cradle my face as I looked at Leon. "And I am sure that is a song that many d'Angelines would understand. We have a few of our own, when it comes to paying homage to heros."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 15:28:11 GMT -5
Meeting her gaze, I nodded softly at her words. "Most cultures do, though not all are so good at it. Some are better at expressing sorrow, or at simple songs of hearth and home," I relayed my musical experiences. One of the other advantages of being at the University was meeting people from such a wide variety of cultures, and sharing in their music. I was not as skilled as some, but I had a very broad base of songs to draw upon. "Perhaps you can share some of them when you come to see what I have copies of," I added with a curious smile.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 15:37:18 GMT -5
I smiled at his words. He was so very learned, and the conversation was enjoyable. Time was passing quickly and I truly did not even notice.
"I would love to share whatever knowledge I can with you," I said, knowing that it had multiple meanings, but judging from his earlier responses, guessing he would only pick up on the literal one. "Tell me, do you know anything about the Skaldic people and their music? The only thing I have come across is songs of hearth and home, and none that have been documented really. Have you come across much in your musical findings?" I inquired.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 15:43:34 GMT -5
I was thrilled to share knowledge with one who was able to devote so much of her life to music, but I had no idea that there was any further meaning behind what she said, figuring she was only being friendly. Which, truly, was better than I would have expected from one as lovely as she was. "A little. Not as much as I might have liked, but a few of the southern chieftains occasionally send a child to the University, and I happened to share a couple of lectures with one of them," I explained, recalling the few conversations I'd had with Heinrich, "He had an incredible singing voice, and I was able to puzzle out the melodies of one or two of their battle hymns with his help."
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 15:48:59 GMT -5
My eyes grew wide with aswtonishment.
"I never would have thought that... well I suppose everyone deserves knowledge, but they just seemed more like a warring people... to think more with their swords and axes than even men from Camlach do," I said with a soft laugh. "That is truly interesting. Did you happen to bring these written melodies with you? And the words?" I asked, becoming more and more excited as this conversation progressed. He was kind, his smile was warm, and true, and his eyes were bright with knowledge. He seemed almost innocent though at the same time, I knew he was a grown man. And a lovely one, at that. Randomly, the thought of our hair, so similar in colour laying across our skin, bodies entangled flashed across my mind. I did not let it register on my face though for fear of upsetting Leon. It was a lovely image though.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 16:06:42 GMT -5
"Some of the southern tribes are a touch more civilized, even going as far as to try to set themselves up like Caerdicci princes," I told her what I knew of the trend among them; Heinrich and I had not talked often, and usually when we did, it was concerning music. "And yes, I brought all of my music with me. That is one thing I try not to travel without," I went on then, oblivious to what images might have been crossing her mind. It would have shocked me, certainly, but primarily because of the fact that I couldn't imagine one such as her having that sort of interest in me. "And I have a translation of the words," I added, "I don't speak Skaldic, and they have no written language, so he could not write them down for me."
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 16:14:27 GMT -5
I smiled. "Right of course," I mused, about the language barrier issue, "though is it not true that they have attempted to come up with their own written language and alphabet?" I asked. "Perhaps that was just something I heard in a passing rumour," I mused.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 16:44:58 GMT -5
"I don't know if it ever stuck, really. Or else some tribes use it and others don't; I'm not terribly sure. My acquaintance didn't know it, unfortunately," I explained with a bit of a shrug, "If I ever find someone who knows that alphabet, maybe I can get them to re-translate it back. It likely wouldn't be exactly the same, but I'd love to have the original words even if I could not read them yet."
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 16:48:19 GMT -5
I smiled, then laughed softly. "I think finding someone like that in the City might be difficult. Skaldi and Terre d'Ange haven't really had the best of histories," I said with a slightly saddened smile. "Then agin, perhaps that would be the exact reason why someone would look into such things."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 17:00:06 GMT -5
Her words reminded me of my first encounter with Heinrich; I had been scared witless at him simply saying 'Hello'. "I know. It was a bit frightening to talk to him at first, given what I'd been taught about them, but Heinrich was actually a very pleasant and rather intelligent man. He left shortly after I met him, though, but I'm sure he will make an excellent chief when his day comes," I told her a bit about the one Skaldi I'd had the opportunity to speak with at any length.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 17:07:57 GMT -5
"I imagine you would be, I would be," I murmured. "I suppose we cannot judge a whole people forever by the actions of their predecesors. I suppose we cannot say that they cannot change. Everyone has the ability and the potential for change, and changing for the better," I said wtih a smile, then I laughed. "We've gone from discussing music to politics," I teased, "anymore heavy topics we wish to cover, how about the economy?" I laughed softly, to let him know I was not offended, but amused.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 17:41:23 GMT -5
At her laugh, I chuckled softly, myself. We had ranged rather far from our initial discussion, after all. "No, I have little head for economics, though that is one of the things I will need to find an advisor for, at the very least, if not a tutor," I said, as it dawned on me how terrible such a lack of knowledge could prove to be in someone responsible for a Comte. Giving a slight shake of my head, I went on in a softer tone, "I will have to see about that in the coming days, along with the other business I need to see to."
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 21:06:25 GMT -5
The talk of economics seemed to bring back thoughts of his duties, which I did not want to burden him down with, though perhaps I had a bit of knowledge that would help.
"Well, if it is tutoring you seek, I would seek out an adept at Bryony. They are terribly good with their money," I explained with a smile. "I mean, sure they gamble and enjoy their fun, but if you want to know how to handle your funds and estate effectively so you are not out of money before the year end, they would be great for that."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 21:33:30 GMT -5
At her suggestion, I nodded gratefully; it was not a place I would have thought to seek a tutor in economics, but from what I recalled of my teachings about Bryony house, it made sense now that she pointed it out. "Thank you. That is not a place I would have considered looking," I admitted to her, my cheeks flushing just slightly at the thought of going to the Night Court for anything.
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Post by Cerise nó Eglantine on Feb 2, 2011 11:27:08 GMT -5
He coloured and I cocked my head sideways. "Few do, but it is true! And I try to promote the Night Court Houses whenever I can. I would have suggested myself but I am just really terrible with numbers," I said pouting, then laughing softly.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 2, 2011 13:24:33 GMT -5
"Well, thank you. Perhaps I will see them about a tutor. As for yourself, the music you have said you will share is precious enough in its own right," I told her, giving her a warm and grateful smile as a waitress came by to refill glasses, mine among them.
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