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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 19:44:02 GMT -5
"Hm. This is all very interesting. How does one know if they are destined to be either a Mandrake or a Valerian?" I asked. I hoped he wasn't getting tired of all these questions; he was a wonderful teacher. I didn't think I'd learned this much in quite a long time.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 19:57:57 GMT -5
I smiled. "Have you ever heard of the test of the spiced candies? Valerians are tested in this way, given candies that remind them that pleasure will ever be tempered by pain, sometimes suffering. Those who understand this are kept in Valerian House, those who relish the taste of the candies go to Mandrake, and the rest are sent to other houses." I paused. "Well, 'tis not so simple as that. Adepts of any house quickly discover that they have certain proclivities."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 20:09:31 GMT -5
This conversation was just getting better and better. I found myself wanting one of the candies that were used on this test simply to see what my reaction would be.
"Proclivities? Will you explain?" I asked with a smile.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 20:21:26 GMT -5
"Tendencies," I clarified. "Certain things that seem to come naturally. Some adepts are naturally submissive in their daily life, others are more assertive, and still others are the opposite of their House's type in their daily lives. I have known soft-spoken Mandrakes and loud, aggressive Valerians." Sinclair came to mind. Now there was one Valerian who did not fit the mold!
She seemed to have been particularly interested in the spiced candies I had mentioned, so I stood and went to the parlour, returning with a bowl of them.
"Would you like to try one?" I asked, surprised at how softly I spoke at that moment.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 20:27:18 GMT -5
With a shy smile, I nodded and selected a candy from the bowl, raising an eyebrow at him.
"How did you know I wanted to try one? Are you sure you're not a Gentian with Mandrake tendencies?" I teased lightly.
I placed the candy on my tongue and moved it around in my mouth and, as I felt the bite from the spice, my eyes widened.
"It's delicious," I said softly, "And with just the right amount of bite. If I were to be put into a house, what would my reaction result in?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 20:40:55 GMT -5
I leaned forward slightly in my seat, considering her. "Well, do you understand now that pleasure always brings with it a bit of pain?" I grinned. "Based on your reaction alone, I would say Valerian, a Mandrake would probably cringe or enjoy the suffering of others who were being subjected to the test. But, as I said, a Mandrake adept may be as quiet as can be outside of the assignation chamber and a demon inside it. You could be an exception."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 20:52:08 GMT -5
I considered that a moment, my expression thoughtful. "I suppose I wouldn't be able to know how I would react until I got there, in that sort of situation," I mused.
"So you must not have liked them then; why do you have a bowl of them?" I inquired. It made no sense to have candy around that you didn't like. Then again, this man seemed to be quite full of surprises so I had no doubt the answer, like all his others, would be an interesting one.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 21:03:19 GMT -5
I chuckled. "They are an acquired taste, but 'tis more fun to watch others squirm when they try one!" I set the bowl aside with one deft movement of my hand.
"Ah, you actually have an advantage over an adept. The citizenry usually have many opportunities to explore...preferences, of the sharper sort or no." I reasoned. "Mandrake and Valerian exist to serve patrons with very specific needs, but serve we do, in our own ways."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 21:06:22 GMT -5
"And here? What do you serve here?" I asked, no longer feeling shy. I had seen the many doors; what could be in all of those rooms?
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 21:20:38 GMT -5
A slow smile spread across my features. "This is a place where the proud are brought low and the haughty made to serve." I said, fighting the urge to lick my lips. "And pain, there is that, the pain of the lash, the blade, the cane..."
I glanced over at her, smiling wryly now. "This is a place where hidden desires are brought to light. I think you would be surprised to discover how many patrons find out something unexpected about themselves. That is always a treat, finding ways to please a patron in a way that they have never before been pleased!" I did not think that I had ever been so excited to speak of my own work, and I forced myself to calm somewhat. I did not wish to frighten her.
"'Lest I forget," I began. "This is also a place of trust. That is the first thing we Mandrakes learn, without trust, an assignation is..." I made a vague gesture with my hand. "Empty, useless, trust is the foundation of what we do here, and love, always love..." I paused, suddenly aware that I was beginning to philosophize. "Do you understand?"
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 21:36:16 GMT -5
I nodded. "I do, Messire. Now, what of the signalé? I know of it's use in Valerian; what part does it play for Mandrake?"
Reaching over, I snagged another spiced candy from the bowl and slipped it into my mouth, grinning slyly at Messire nó Mandrake. I hoped he wouldn't mind me having just one more.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 21:50:39 GMT -5
"Ah, the signale is very important," I replied. "But it is used by the patron at Mandrake House, whereas it is for the adept's use in Valerian. All patrons are required to write in their signale before signing the contract for an assignation, and it is the adept's responsibility to remember the signale." My fingers tapped out a light rhythm on the table. "To not stop when a signale is uttered is the grossest violation of trust, it is rape, and as such, is heresy. No Mandrake would dare continue an assignation after the patron gives their signale." I felt my hands clench into fists. I felt very strongly about this, as did Mandrake adepts in general.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 22:00:01 GMT -5
I blinked as I saw his hands clench. To change the tack of the conversation and hopefully cool his anger, I decided to ask, "Has a patron ever had to use their signalé with you?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 22:06:38 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Once, almost, but not since and not before." I chuckled. "I sometimes wonder if I should be ashamed or elated, having never pushed a patron to their limits." I shrugged. "Some enjoy that sort of play, pushing a patron to transcend their limits. I suppose I enjoy the simpler things: a blush, a trickle of sweat, the cries of a patron in the throes of passion, those things are of value. I do not collect signales like coins, by any means."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 22:17:09 GMT -5
"I think it's something to be proud of, messire," I said with warmth in my smile. "It shows that you have exquisite self-control and mastery of your situations and encounters. That you don't lose focus and never allow your needs to come before your patron's. It also shows that you're observant; you watch for the reactions, no matter how small. An indrawn breath, a shudder, a certain look in the eyes." I nodded once, authoritatively. "If I were you, I would choose elation."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 22:33:43 GMT -5
I grinned. "Well then, elation it is! And I do confess I enjoy watching my patrons react to the sensations. Tell me..." and here I leaned forward, adopting a conspiratorial whisper. "Have you ever done something to please another person, and then felt proud that you were able to do what no one else was capable of doing? That is what 'tis like, for me."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 22:39:04 GMT -5
I thought about the question he asked, biting my bottom lip in concentration. After a time, I nodded. "Yes, I would say that I have. But then, there is pride in pleasing someone else, in the case of a lover or not. I was proud when I pleased my parents as well. Perhaps I've simply not had enough experience with lovers, having had only two myself." I shrugged elegantly and smiled.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 22:45:08 GMT -5
"Two is better than none," I replied. "However, none is better than two bad experiences, but you sound as if that is not the case. I have had patrons who...were not so lucky..." I thought of 'Fand, Olivia, Yvaine, sighing inwardly.
"Ah, but I am not one to dwell on bad experiences," I continued. "Would you like to view the assignation chambers? I think you will find them less intimidating than they seem."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 22:47:07 GMT -5
I nodded, curious to see what an assignation chamber looked like. Ah, the stories I would have for my parents! I snorted softly, thinking of my brother's reaction.
"I would love to, messire, thank you," I answered, and pushed myself up and out of the chair. "Lead on."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 23:07:08 GMT -5
"Of course," I said, already walking towards the hall that held the assignation chambers and opening the door to the one closest my office.
"Here we are," I said, holding the door open for her. The wall on the far left was dominated by a bed, the only thing differentiating it from a normal bed were the leather straps at each end, used to restrain. On the far right was a simple wooden stake. Closer to the bed, shackles from which chains were suspended hung like coiled snakes.
The armoire, however, was the thing that drew the eye. It occupied a central place in the room, and contained all the tools necessary to satisfy the most discerning patron: flechettes, floggers, whips, clamps, aides d'amour of all sizes, blindfolds, lengths of rope, a cane, all arranged neatly in their respective places.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 23:12:56 GMT -5
As he opened the door to the closest chamber, I found I was holding my breath. What on earth did I think I was going to see, a couple already occupying the room? Messire Landis would never allow that to happen, that much I could already tell by his character. He was respectful in the utmost of the rules of his House and his lifestyle.
Stepping into the room, I simply gazed at first, and then I touched. Soft, light cloth; smooth, cool wood; polished, oiled leather; gleaming, dangerous steel. It was all beautiful in its own right. Beautiful, but rather intimidating. I left the steel implements alone for the same reason I had when Messire Landis showed me the flechettes; I didn't want to soil them. But the handles of the crops, the leather straps on the bed, even the coiled chains hanging from the ceiling, I gently grazed my fingertips across, all except my left pinky, which I kept tucked into my hand and that hand tucked into the folds of my dress as I always did. I really needed to find some sort of cover for that.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 29, 2011 23:30:13 GMT -5
I watched her explore her surroundings, her demeanor almost childlike. I did not feel the need to interject with any sort of explanation, confident that she would ask if she had any pressing concerns.
I walked over to the wooden stake, lovingly running my hand along the length of it, marveling at the smoothness of the wood. There were others just like it in the other assignation chambers, and one special one that I kept for my own use, tucked away where no patron could find it.
I turned from my inspection to watch my guest, not that I imagined she would harm herself. She had, judging from our conversation, a good head on her shoulders.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 29, 2011 23:34:21 GMT -5
During my perusal, I noticed my host make his way over to a large piece of wood and caress it. Coming up beside him, my footsteps inaudible, I spoke from behind his shoulder.
"What is that?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 0:22:41 GMT -5
I looked over at her with a grin. "Have you never been to Kushiel's Temple? Surely you have seen a stake before?" I leaned back against it, raising my arms above my head and resting my wrists against the leather straps.
"These are used to keep someone immobilized during a flogging," I explained. "A stationary target is easier to hit than one that is able to move around, and much safer, besides. Some adepts also use a whipping cross to achieve the same effect." I lowered my arms. "I do not have one in this room, but picture two wooden planks that make the shape of an X." I crossed my arms to demonstrate.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 0:30:46 GMT -5
I watched his arms cross in front of him, realization dawning on me at his explanation. "So is it used for punishment, or...?"
I didn't understand why someone would chain themselves to an object to be whipped if that's what they wanted in the first place. Wouldn't they just sit or stand or kneel still?
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 0:46:56 GMT -5
I stroked my chin, contemplating how best to answer her. "Some patrons enjoy the sensation of being bound while experiencing certain other sensations, like flogging. Actually, it seems to be quite common among the general population, not just our patrons."
I lowered my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "And, in all honesty, for some it evokes a feeling of being in Kushiel's Temple. For some, Mandrake House serves such a purpose, but we are still Naamah's Servants, not Kushiel's trained priests, although many of us are dedicated to the Punisher."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 1:13:55 GMT -5
I blinked, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.
"There's so much to remember, so much to think of and take in and consider. How do you remember it all, how do you not forget something important?" I asked, sitting on a chair at the end of the bed to collect my thoughts.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 12:03:30 GMT -5
I smiled. "Years of practice," I strode over to her and sat down on the bed. "Really, 'tis not that complicated. 'Tis a matter of watching for the subtle signals a patron elicits and choosing the correct tool to satisfy their desires. If you make the wrong decision, there are other cues that communicate a patron's displeasure. Of course, Mandrake and Valerian cater to a select clientele, so one sees many a familiar face and there are plenty of opportunities to build trust and bonds. It is difficult, if not impossible to learn all of a patron's preferences from a sole assignation."
I shrugged, still smiling. "This is, I believe, an art that is best learned by doing."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 14:11:08 GMT -5
"I believe I will both agree with you on that point and take your word for it," I smiled. "What else have you to show me? This is all terribly interesting, I've only ever heard about the Night Court, trained as I am to be a ladies' maid."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 14:33:05 GMT -5
I grinned. "Well, 'tis my pleasure to serve as your introduction to the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, my lady." I stood and walked to the armoire, emerging with a tassel whip. "Here we are, something that looks a little less ferocious."
I saw down again on the bed, running my hands through the silky threads. "A whip like this will only sting a little. See? The tails feel similar to hair." I ran my fingers through the strands, demonstrating. "This would be used on a patron who is hesitant to engage in any play involving pain. Most are able to progress to flagellants of greater intensity, but some find that this suits them just fine."
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