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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 14:49:05 GMT -5
I reached over to trail my fingers through the soft threads of the whip. "This would be a lot less intimidating than some of the other implements you've shown me!" I laughed.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 15:10:07 GMT -5
I nodded. "Just so, there is a tool for every need, and, as I have said, sometimes there is no need to use tools at all. When a patron is bound by your voice alone, it can be...quite thrilling...for both partners."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 15:21:41 GMT -5
I reflected on that for a moment. "I'd imagine it would take a lot of discipline to do something like that." It didn't sound out of the question, though; perhaps I could do it. The thought sent a thrill through me and Ansel slipped into my mind. Perhaps I could ask him more of his preferences.
Shaking my head and deciding that that was something to be thought of later, and concentrated at the experience at hand. "I'm sure you've heard plenty of signalés in your day; what signale was your favorite? Not necessarily that you wanted to hear it but, upon the signing of the contract, what was your favorite to..." She trailed off, not quite sure how to explain it so that she didn't seem as if she was asking him which patron he'd enjoyed torturing the most; it was more about the word the patron chose as their signalé. She supposed there must be some interesting ones.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 15:34:29 GMT -5
"All signales are beautiful," I replied. "They are usually words that are significant to a patron in some way, a source of comfort and protection." My smile widened. "One I have heard is 'moonlight'. I like the simplicity of it." I had my own signale, of course, but I did not wish to confuse her by telling her so. Why would a Mandrake need a signale?
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 15:38:53 GMT -5
"That's very pretty and yes, quite simple. Do some patrons pick complicated signalés sometimes?" I asked.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 15:46:47 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Not usually, a short word is easier to say when one must needs say it quickly. The signale all Mandrakes first learn to answer to is 'red'. It has become a...default of sorts. I find it quite appropriate. It is the colour of blood, after all."
I cocked my head to the side. "Of course, sometimes one needs to rely on non-verbal ways of communicating, as when a patron is gagged and is therefore unable to speak, but such things are always established prior to restricting speech, sometimes it is written into a contract, that all depends on whether the patron anticipates being gagged or not."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 15:48:56 GMT -5
"So... How can you tell if a patron wishes you to stop if he or she is gagged then? What is one supposed to do; cross their eyes?" I giggled, crossing my own simply for good measure.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 16:01:55 GMT -5
I chuckled. "A hand gesture will suffice, but a patron may use anything that will make a noise, bells are popular, but a Mandrake must also use their judgement, and stop if they believe the patron has reached their limit. That is why trust is so important. The patron must trust that a Mandrake will pick up on their body language and stop. I've heard tell of patrons who have passed out from over-stimulation."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 16:05:37 GMT -5
I blinked. "Over-stimulation... It's possible to pass out from that?" Gods, I sounded utterly brainless. He was going to think me an utter bumpkin, this man. I shook my head. "It sounds... I don't know. Different, I suppose, since I'm not accustomed to things like that. Are there ever adepts who, although they fit the canon, find they simply cannot handle it?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 16:16:20 GMT -5
I nodded. "Flogging in particular is known to provoke a strong emotional and physical response in general. It is entirely possible for someone to pass out from pain--or too many climaxes..." I smiled, that particular form of torture was usually pleasantly agonizing for many patrons.
"As for the adepts," I shrugged. "I have never heard of such a thing, those who are unhappy with their work are quickly sold to another House or given something more productive to do. Once you have been formally dedicated to Naamah's Service, it is generally accepted that you 'fit' your House."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 16:25:04 GMT -5
"Hm." I took it all in, staying silent to absort all of the knowledge I was getting.
"How long have you been a 'former' Mandrake? I take it your marque must be complete if you've opened your own salon," I finally inquired, having taken his words in.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 17:45:07 GMT -5
I nodded. "Indeed it is, since this past winter, in fact." I usually kept it exposed, but I was still wearing my winter clothes, many of which were not missing a backside, which would have been impractical. "Would you like to see it?"
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 20:39:04 GMT -5
"May I? I've never actually seen one. Is there a certain design one must get according to their House? And, if there is, does it have to be the exact design and color or is it allowed to be modified in small ways?" I couldn't keep from asking questions; this was all so fascinating. I had no idea there were so many facets to the subject.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 20:58:51 GMT -5
"Of course you may," I replied, standing and turning so that my back was to her, my fingers already dealing with the buttons on my doublet. I let it fall, pulling my breeches down so she could see the whole thing unobstructed, but not so that my buttocks were exposed, which would have been unseemly.
"Some marques have slight variations," I continued. "But we adepts are all united by our marques." I fell silent. The exhibition of my marque outside of an assignation always seemed to evoke a feeling of solemnity, though I knew not why.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 21:05:46 GMT -5
I couldn't help but blush as he pushed his breeches down a bit, that I might see the full design. I gasped softly at the beauty of the marque, which stretched the entire length of his back. "Oh, it's so beautiful. Did it hurt?" I asked, gazing at the vibrant colors and strong yet artful lines that made the flower and the leaves, and the chain. It was so perfectly fitting.
"Who designed the marque? Do you happen to know?" I inquired before he could answer the first question I asked him.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 21:12:52 GMT -5
"It hurt quite a bit, thank you." I replied, wincing at the memory. It seemed as if my back was newly inflamed once more, but I pushed it out of my mind. "And I suppose the founder of Mandrake House was the one who conceived the design, but perhaps the marquists also had a hand in it." I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
"Actually, I would be interested to know if the marques have changed over the years. I admit there is a certain...romanticism...to the idea that the marque you bear is the same one that was borne by the first Mandrake adepts."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 21:36:56 GMT -5
"Oh, I couldn't agree more, and thank you so very much for showing me. I'm honored to have seen it," I smiled shyly.
"Is there any way you can find out about the history of the marque? I'd be interested to know as well," I mused, half to myself and lost in thought.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 22:00:25 GMT -5
I thought about it for a moment. "I imagine Cereus House would have records relating to the founding of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers; they were the first of the houses, after all. I cannot think of a reason why they would not let me peruse their archives." I nodded to myself. "Yes, I will let you know what I find."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 22:04:00 GMT -5
"Wonderful! As soon as I figure out where exactly it is I'm staying, I will be sure to send you a missive with that information," I laughed. In truth, I was rather excited to hear his findings.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 22:27:11 GMT -5
I laughed as well. "Yes, figuring out where you are going would be a good place to begin! But at least you know where to send a message if you wish to reach me." I pulled up my breeches-- feeling that they were about to fall and cause me some embarrassment--and picked up my doublet.
"Do you have any other questions, my dear? Or has your curiosity been piqued for one day?" I asked.
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 22:33:58 GMT -5
"Oh, my curiosity has been quite piqued indeed, messire," I answered with a smile. "I can't thank you enough for indulging me and all of my chattering. I will certainly send you a message with my direction and will await word of your findings."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Jan 30, 2011 22:40:56 GMT -5
I bowed. "It was my pleasure, my lady. I am glad I was able to contribute to your education." I gestured for her to precede me out of the assignation chamber.
"Do send me a message when you reach your destination, my dear. I would know that you arrived safely. My salon is named L'Agonie, but in case they do not know of it, just send it to Mandrake House."
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Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 30, 2011 22:56:06 GMT -5
I curtsied in return and walked through the doorway and back into the main parlor before him, moving to the front door before turning around to face him once more.
"I will be sure to send the missive, and I wish you luck on your mission to find out. I sincerely appreciate everything you've done for me today, educating me on the life you and so many others in this fair City lead. It was a truly eye-opening, educational experience and, like as not, one I will not forget. Congratulations on your aptly-named salon, my new friend, and I do hope to be hearing from you soon," I responded to him, a smile on my face as I tossed him a wave and shut the door softly behind me, making my way back to Ansel's with the hand-drawn map I had received from the former Mandrake adept.
I laughingly wondered, then, how I got myself into situations like this.
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