Fresh Air

[Kaden nó Gentian]

It had been some time since I had been outside the House, and I desperately needed it. Having spent most, if not all of the past winter inside with a few assignations that paid good on the gifts, I was one good patron gift away from making my marque. It also didn't help that since Queen Sabrina's death, I've been haunted by the same dream. It's been a week or so, and I've done all that I could to rid myself of it, but I couldn't. Today I had decided to walk in Elua's Square in the attempt to clear my head. I even asked Crispin to join me, which he did. Now he was standing on the side of the fountain singing so the people there heard him. I've never been to Eglantine, but even I knew he was out of tune.

"Cris, what in Elua's name are you doing?" I said, unable to keep a smile off my face and a hint of laughter in my voice.

[Rémy nó Orchis]

Since Orchis was silent as the grave and everybody was off doing Elua knew what, I thought mayhap I would go for a walk and relieve some of the bone-crushing, mind-numbing boredom I was currently experiencing. There had to be something going on in some corner of the City that I could get into mischief by doing; that was what we did, after all. We were Orchis: Bringers of Joy, Engineers of Laughter, Spreaders of Mischief. I had a reputation to protect.

So it was with a light heart that I began walking, stopping here and there to chat with a random stranger. As I neared the fountain in the Square, I noticed a young man singing, quite horribly out of key. Not to be outdone, I hopped up next to him and began harmonizing dissonantly, knowing the song he sang.

[Crispin nó Gentian]

"What do you think I'm doing?" I responded to Kaden. "I'm SINGING!" I picked up where I had left off, still off key.

I was glad to see that Kaden was finally enjoying herself. It had been some time since I've seen her like this. Mayhap it was the looming future that she will one day soon be free from Gentian. I wasn't that far behind. Another three patron gifts, and I'll be free. Suddenly, a young man joined me and began singing the same song I was. Surely he wasn't trying to upstage a former Eglantine fosterling who had two Eglantine adepts for parents. So, I changed my pitch and mid song began singing in key.

[Rémy nó Orchis]

I stuck my hand out in greeting as he sang and hoped he'd shake it, as he was changing his song so that he was in pitch. I changed my harmonies to match his pitch, no longer dissonant, and gave him a friendly grin to show I was merely trying to enjoy the music right along with him. I'd heard him talk to the lady before I'd jumped up to sing, and so I curtsied -- not bowed -- to her, an open smile on my face. I had no designs on her, of course; it was obvious she and this young man were together and I had no intention of causing dissent. I simply wanted to have some fun.

[Kaden nó Gentian]

I watched a young man join Crispin in his singing and wondered what he was trying to do. He offered a hand to Cris, which seemed to tell me that he was merely having fun. And it was about time that Cris changed his pitch. It was bad enough he was off key, but add in another being off... I don't know if I could have handled it. When he curtsied -- which seemed odd -- to me, I returned it. This one appeared to be right in the head, though there seemed to be something about him I couldn't place yet.

[Crispin nó Gentian]

The man stuck out his hand and I took it, shaking it. I wasn't going to pretend that I was above having a little fun. I finished the song and took a few breaths before stepping down from the wall of the fountain. I had seen him curtsy to Kaden and something had flared up when I saw him look at him, but he showed no other sign of being interested in her. Or, at least like how I was. Granted Gentian didn't allow such relationships before marques were made, I had my hopes high that once both our marques were made, Kaden would accept my proposal.

"Well done," I said to the man. "I'm Crispin and this is Kaden."

[Rémy nó Orchis]

I grinned as the man shook my hand, clapping good-naturedly at the end of the song before hopping down alongside the couple. Instead of curtsying, I bowed politely to them both, sensing that this man was protective of this woman.

"It's nice to meet you both," I said sincerely as he introduced them. "My name is Rémy nó Orchis, and you weren't so bad yourself mate," I said with a grin. "You should sing with a cup at your feet, you'd make a lofty sum!"

[Kaden nó Gentian]

"Crispin has so cleverly decided to omit that we're from Gentian," I replied with a curtsy to Rémy's bow. "And it's nice to meet you as well." Maybe Crispin should sing with a cup at his feet. "So, what brings you out to the square?" I had noticed that Crispin had been acting a bit unlike himself since my marque was nearing its completion and his was not far behind. But what was it?

[Crispin nó Gentian]

"I did, didn't I?" I said with a sheepish smile. "Thanks, Rémy. You weren't bad yourself. That's not a bad idea. Though I'd have to talk with my dowayne about that since I still have yet to make my marque." I kept my distance from Kaden, though I made it look like I wasn't trying to. I wasn't protective of Kaden since I knew that she was quite capable of taking care of herself.

[Rémy nó Orchis]

"My thanks, good sir! Ah yes, the marque. I have yet to complete mine as well, although I'm quite content with however long it takes to have it done and I'm nowhere near the end," I said with a smile. Indeed, my marque was only a third of the way up my back; I still had a very long way to go. I was fine with that. After all, I couldn't imagine a more fun way to earn something.

"In answer to your question, my lady, I am simply out and about, looking for some mischief. In a completely platonic sense, of course," I said, stepping back and putting my palms out as if to defend myself or defer trouble. Grinning, I stepped back to where I was. "Orchis House is entirely too quiet today and there was no one to play any pranks on, so I've come into the City. You could say I'm taking it to the streets. And what about you two? Simply out enjoying a stroll, are you? I can't imagine Gentian adepts to be up to making too much mischief, wreaking too much havoc," I said with a wink at them both.

I could see the man, Crispin, trying not to obviously hover around the lady Kaden. Ah, the poor man; he was besotted. Elua keep him. I was never going to allow my heart to fall prey to the fairer sex; that road led to disaster, I'd seen it a million times. But, if they had found happiness, more's the better for them.

[Kaden nó Gentian]

"I merely needed to clear my head of somethings and there was little in Gentian to help me," I replied. "Crispin had decided to come with me. And there's nothing wrong with Gentians causing a small bit of mischief." Why was Crispin acting so strange? He's surely keeping his distance from me. Did he have something planned? Had I been so preoccupied with my dream that mayhap I didn't see what he was up to?

"Yes, the marque determines nearly everything," I said. "I'm nearly done."

[Crispin nó Gentian]

"I was raised in Eglantine until I was ten," I said. "Parents were House adepts. I still have some Eglantine qualities. As for my marque, I'm a good two thirds finished." Was it obvious that I wasn't to make it seem like I was hovering by Kaden? I was taken by her, yes, but was it that obvious? I tried to make it not so obvious, but it maybe too late. "Besides, Gentian is quiet today, so there's not much incentive in making any mischief at the House."

[Random Event]

Random Event: A hawker cries out ahead, offering hot meatpies for sale.

[Rémy nó Orchis]

I nodded, taking in their words. I was opening my mouth to speak when I was interrupted by a hawker selling meatpies, and I realized as my stomach grumbled that I hadn't eaten any breakfast. Grinning sheepishly, I held up my hands. "Won't you please excuse me one moment? Don't go anywhere!"

I strode over to the hawker and paid for three meatpies, thanking the man with an exaggerated bow before walking back over to the Gentian couple and offering them the other two meatpies. "It's so rude to eat in front of others who haven't got food in front of them, and I have just realized that it is nigh onto the midday meal. Care to join me?" I asked with a genuine smile, if a mirthful one.

[Kaden nó Gentian]

I heard the hawker selling meatpies and heard my stomach growl. I hadn't eaten anything for breakfast, even though I knew I should have. I nodded, excusing Rémy and watched him walk over to the hawker. A minute later, if not less, he joined us once again with three pies, handing one over to me and another to Crispin. I wanted to refuse, but my empty stomach refused my refusal; so I accepted.

"Thank you, Rémy," I said.

[Crispin nó Gentian]

I saw Kaden's face when the hawker cried out that he was selling meat pies. I had tried to get her to eat breakfast this morning, but she seemed distant. Rémy went over to the hawker and returned with three meat pies. At first I had thought that he would eat all three due to some sort of high metabolism. But then he offered Kaden and I each one. I took one when I saw that Kaden did.

"Yes, thank you."

[Rémy nó Orchis]

"Of course! Happy to be of service," I responded as they both took the meatpies. I was glad they were warming up a bit at least; they seemed to be quite the somber couple. Or, at least, the lady Kaden was. Then again, with all that had been happening in the City lately, who could blame her? No one knew who to trust.

"So," I said to them, "I hate to sound ridiculous here, but as Gentians, did you already know I was going to buy the meatpies before it happened?" I hoped they wouldn't think I was making fun at them or having a jest at their expense; I was genuinely curious. I had never really met a Gentian adept before.

[Kaden nó Gentian]

I couldn't help but laugh at Rémy's question. "I sure didn't. If I did, you would know." I took a bite of the meat pie. "You see, I'm a didikani, a half-breed Tsingano," I said after I swallowed. "But as Gentian, I don't go around willy-nilly trying to see the future."

[Crispin nó Gentian]

I shook my head, having taken a bite of the pie when he asked the question. I've seen the future before, but it was during assignations and the futures were vague to the person, but showed enough of what was asked. I never actually sought the future on a daily basis. "Many Gentians don't actively search the future to see what's in store for them," I answered.

[Rémy nó Orchis]

I nodded as I ate, thinking their words over. A Tsingani, how interesting. Brushing my fingers off on my breeches, I nodded. "I suppose that makes sense; who would want to know exactly what will happen? Life's more fun with a bit of mystery to it. So, what will you do once you've both made your marques?" I asked them, moving over to sit on the side of the fountain. "If it's not too personal a question, of course."

[Kaden nó Gentian]

"I've been meaning on petitioning Princess - Queen - Coretta to see if she would have me as a palace seer," I said. I finished off the pie and brushed off my fingers and and loose crumbs that may have gotten on my shirt. "I don't see why she would turn away a Gentian trained seer."

[Crispin nó Gentian]

"I'm not sure what I want to do yet," I answered. In truth, I did know what I wanted to do, but I didn't want Kaden to know what I had planned. I was willing to go with Kaden when she petitions Queen Coretta on being a palace seer. Mayhap she'll accept myself as well. "Mayhap I'll remain at the House or start my own salon."

[Rémy nó Orchis]

I raised my eyebrows. "Impressive!" I said, meaning it. I wouldn't have the nerve to go petition the Queen for anything; they were far braver than I.

Standing up, I did a backflip off of the side of the fountain, landing in front of a group of ladies who were talking. With a wink to them and a deep, exaggerated bow as they tittered amongst themselves, I spread my arms wide and said, "I believe when I've made my marque I'll join a traveling circus troupe and make my living as a clown. Or mayhap I'll travel to Serenissima and make my living as a gondolier on the waterways. Of course, then I'd have to learn Serenissiman..." I tapped my chin as I walked around, shaking a young child's hand and slipping him a coin for a sweet later with a sly wink. "Or, mayhap," I said as I kissed a young lady's hand, "I'll become the great romancer of all the women in the City!"

[Kaden nó Gentian]

I had a reason to petition the queen to become a palace seer; I may know the identity of the one who poisoned Queen Sabrina and Prince Christien. I watched him back flip off the fountain and go to a group of women and smiled when he gave an exaggerated bow. "The circus may suit you," I said. "But with your skills of singing, mayhap being a singing gondolier serenading the Seressimani ladies would be a good job for you." I chuckled at the last comment. "I'd like to see you try and be the great romancer of all the City's women."

[Crispin nó Gentian]

I'll grant Rémy's choices of employment after he makes his marque. Mayhap if I was still in Eglantine, I'd be a clothier with a salon. "Beware, Kaden," I said, jesting. "If Rémy has any luck on him, he'll have women flocking to him."

[Rémy nó Orchis]

Grinning, I nodded. "Aye, I'd need a shepherd's crook just to keep charge of all of them, and a small whistle so that none of my pretties stray." Walking up to a young woman, I gave her a grin and asked, "Care to be part of my flock, my lady?" To her credit, the lovely young thing didn't even blink, instead sketching a curtsy and tossing me a smile of her own. "Aye, young sir," she said, "but only if I get the warmest stall in the barn!"

My eyebrows raised, I bowed deep. "The prized stall shall be yours, pretty sheep, and I shall hold you to it!" Kissing her hand, I gave her a wink and turned, walking back over to the couple. "Well, I suppose my career path has been chosen for me, that was rather easier than I thought it would be!"

[Kaden nó Gentian]

I watched him stroll right over to a young woman and asked if she would be the first of his flock of sheep. "Well, that's the first I've seen something like that," I said when he returned. "Granted I've lived in the Night Court for most of my young life."

[Crispin nó Gentian]

I chuckled at the sight. "You best be careful, Kaden," I said with a smile still on my face when Rémy returned. "He might try you next."

[Rémy nó Orchis]

Laughing I bowed to the pair of them. "Ah no, my lord, the lady Kaden's dreams are far too lofty for me; I fear I would hold her back with my simple dreams of the circus or gondolieri. And I'd hate to have to fight you as well, mate; you look like you could be a trifle dangerous, especially if you use those Gentian traits to anticipate what I'm going to do next!" I teased lightly.

[Kaden nó Gentian]

"Crispin," I said, a mock scowling tone in my voice, a smile on my face. "And it's not like use to anticipate on one's next move. And it's not like I don't have back up plans if the Queen decides to refuse my petition." What did he mean by not wanting to fight Crispin and him being a trifle dangerous?