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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 23, 2011 15:03:39 GMT -5
There were a few different places in the City outside of Dahlia that I felt comfortable, and though many likely wouldn't be able to understand why the Generous Patron was one of them. The man who ran it was my brother Devon, older than me by a few years but as proud as any other member of my family the name I'd made for myself within the Night Court, and more than a few of the patron gifts I'd received had trickled to him to help fund the opening of this place. More important though was the comfortable atmosphere, the sense of family all around and the chance to speak to my kin in a relaxed fashion.
Today I'd decided to wear a gown of rich indigo and simply made with the bodice embroidered in a lighter blue, and I gave Devon a smile as I went in and sat at the table I preferred. It was a simple table off to one side and by a window where the midday sun would shine in, as well as providing a good view of the passing people. Without having to say anything my brother brought me a glass of an l'Agnacite red wine, which I took after thanking him, and I sipped it politely as I relaxed. I loved Dahlia and my daughters but everyone needed a chance to clear their mind and this was my time to do just that.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Mar 23, 2011 23:02:28 GMT -5
My search for a new place to eat each week brought me into a place called the Generous Patron. It looked quite inviting and, while I wouldn't object all that much, I hoped I wouldn't have to be too generous.
I walked inside and looked around for a table or perhaps a table and someone new to meet. I happened to find both, a young woman seated alone by the window. I approached and greeted her with a smile. "Afternoon, my lady," I said in a friendly tone, hoping for a like response.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 24, 2011 12:19:33 GMT -5
The inn was always quietly busy and I never paid too much attention on who came into the doors, trusting that anyone who wanted to converse with me would come over and do so. Perhaps it was my Dahlia pride that brought me to that conclusion, but that was as much a part of me as anything else I could claim and I saw no reason to second-guess it. After all, it had worked thus far and I had no reason to change a behavior that was successful.
A male voice greeting me called my attention and I turned slightly to look at the man, giving him a warm, pleasant smile. He was perhaps a bit older than me, but his features were calm and handsome, and there was an air of scholarly confidence to him. "And good afternoon to you as well, my lord," I replied in my usual rich, warm tone, inclining my head at him politely. Talking to strangers bothered me not in the slightest- after all, I was an adept and I enjoyed meeting new people as well. "How do you find your day so far? Please sit down if you'd like."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Mar 24, 2011 18:14:21 GMT -5
"Thank you," I told the woman and had a seat before continuing. "Well, quite well really. With weather like this and general peace, there's not really much more a person might want. I'm Guy de Mereliot by the way."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 25, 2011 10:33:02 GMT -5
It seemed that the man who sat down was easygoing, unsuspicious and generally good-humored, and that was a very good sign, considering the sort that sometimes happened to wander into establishments here, even those as well-run and orderly as my brother's. "A pleasure to meet you, Lord de Mereliot," I replied with a warmer smile and a polite nod. It was always a sign of a gracious, well-bred man that he offered his name so cordially. "I'm Allisande no' Dahlia, and it's good to hear that things are going well for you. The weather has been nice for quite a spell, though I don't know if I'd agree that there is peace in general." Perhaps it was too bold to say so, but I was never the sort who agreed for the sake of doing so, and my tone was still polite and conversational rather than argumentative. After all, that was how a conversation was made, was it not?
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Mar 25, 2011 15:53:26 GMT -5
I smiled, rather impressed that her slight contradiction of me. "I suppose that you are right. I was speaking simply on a personal level. Things have been strained of late." I almost felt remorseful for my diction now, but it was too late. It was only then that I paid attention to her name. She was a lady of the Night Court, a fact that interested me. The last conversation with an adept had been quite nice.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 25, 2011 16:06:53 GMT -5
Part of being an adept was being able to read the things that people didn't say and I smiled in understanding and nodded as he clarified his statement. "I meant nothing by it, please forgive me if I offended you," I replied in an steady tone thick with sincerity. "In most cases the personal matters are the ones that it's best to find going well in any case, and I couldn't disagree on that level for my own experience either. Because some things are going poorly doesn't mean all things must." Picking up my glass of wine I took another sip and gave him another warm smile. "What has been going so well for you, if I may ask?"
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Mar 27, 2011 10:29:17 GMT -5
I nodded, smiling at her words. "There was no offense taken. Nothing special's happening really. I suppose life is just good. I'm able to settle down, think about things, and enjoy myself." I grabbed my own glass, recently set down, and sipped from it. "And what of you?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 29, 2011 19:33:02 GMT -5
The fact that he hadn't been inadvertently offended was a good sign as far as I could tell and I returned his smile as I set my own glass down quietly on the table. "My life of late has been very good," I replied in a sedate, sincere tone as my expression widened just slightly. "I spent some time away from Namaah's service and have finally gotten leave to return to serving my House, which I've somewhat missed. I suppose whereas you've recently decided to settle down I've decided to become active again."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Mar 31, 2011 11:18:42 GMT -5
I nodded in reply. "Settling down though for me has meant leaving something I loved, the army. My leg was weakened to the point too much strain will cause damage. Now I serve as Comte, a position that gives me time to think and read, other loves of mine." I paused before asking, "What caused you to leave Her service anyway, if you don't mind me asking?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Mar 31, 2011 11:26:20 GMT -5
His explanation made a lot of sense and was something I very much respected. Serving Terre d'Ange by joining the military was a noble thing, and then taking his injury with grace and moving on to the next great service, looking after his land in another fashion, was equally noble. There were many ways that someone could uphold their ideals, a fact that some people forgot at times, but I saw it as the true duty of a Dahlia to appreciate everything that was done to allow us the lifestyle we had. "I hope the transition goes smoothly," I said with a wider smile. "For me, I left the activities of an adept to carry and then bear my twin daughters. As they are now at an age where they can be more easily looked after in the nursery it seemed appropriate that I start this portion of my life again." There may have been some adepts who wouldn't have wanted to admit to the children they'd borne, especially if they were taking assignations again, but there was no way I would deny my daughters and the pride I took in them.
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 1, 2011 20:14:17 GMT -5
Her talk of children made me smile. "That's as good a reason as any. I'm certain they are darlings, and will grow up to be as lovely as their mother." I had not heard of many adepts who had also been mothers and I wondered at the possible story behind it. However I wasn't about to be nosy. "You missed it I imagine."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 2, 2011 15:59:49 GMT -5
Though I did my best not to think of or show my apprehensions I knew there were some who wouldn't want anything to do with an adept who had borne children, whether due to their own paranoia or some imagined change in a woman's body that unnerved them. That made Guy's smile and response even more refreshing and my own expression warmed with sincerity and appreciation. "Your compliments are most kind, my lord," I said in all honesty. "I did miss it, though the reason for taking the time away was just as important. Do you miss your former duty as well?"
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 3, 2011 10:27:58 GMT -5
I nodded. "I do, very much. I had thought up until quite recently that I would do anything to be able to lead my men again." I hesitated before I continued. I wanted to go on and mention Mirielle. But does one share such things with an adept. "I don't think that anymore, however. Other things in life are taking that spot of supremacy."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 4, 2011 16:49:48 GMT -5
"I have found that to be the case myself, that other things can grow to take the place of what was left behind if a balance can't be found between those different duties," I agreed, though I counted myself lucky it hadn't been that way in my case. "There are ways to lead that don't always involved being in battle with troops. Perhaps being a good example in other ways can provide the same fulfillment."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 4, 2011 18:33:02 GMT -5
I nodded in agreement. "That's what I try to do with my leadership of my Comte." I tasted some more of the wine that I suddenly realized I'd hardly touched.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 6, 2011 10:53:07 GMT -5
"I may not have a noble title of my own, and I likely never will, but that seems like the most sensible way to go about things to me," I said with a quiet sort of assuredness that spoke of honesty. At Dahlia we studied a good deal of what were considered 'courtly' or 'lordly' matters so that we could converse with our patrons on the subjects that truly interested them. "But from what I've seen as long as one can lead with fairness and a sense of responsibility they do very well."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 6, 2011 13:55:40 GMT -5
I nodded. "That is most of the matter. I think there needs to be humility as well and almost a sense of love for the people that you lead. They should be the primary focus."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 15, 2011 14:20:08 GMT -5
Everything he said made perfect sense and I nodded before taking a sip of my wine. "And moderation to balance everything would be important as well I'd think. Too much in any one direction is where the trouble starts in most things, even for an adept. We Dahlia are supposed to be noble and confident, but at the same time there has to be a warmth and sensuality to everything we do. The skill is in knowing which side to lean toward more." Smiling a bit more widely I pushed a curl back from my forehead and considered him for a moment. "Though I would never presume to guess what it must take to do such a job as yours. I only know what I've seen for myself."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 16, 2011 16:56:40 GMT -5
I nodded once more, letting my smile take on a sweet, soft tone. Curiosity tingled at the back of my mind and I found a rather odd question slipping out. "And in my case, which side would you lean towards, pray tell?"
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 18, 2011 19:46:19 GMT -5
There was something in his manner that changed from politely warm to sincerely so and I was glad to see the transformation, as it made Guy's face more handsome for the softness it gave him. His question was also an intriguing one and I set my wineglass down once again and smiled softly as I considered it. "Though as a Dahlia we try to embody nobility at times it's always love and respect that we serve," I replied, my haze eyes taking him in with a gentle sort of intensity. "An adept wouldn't be suitable otherwise. No matter what we must have that affection for any who would approach us."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 21, 2011 10:43:28 GMT -5
Something about the way she looked at me subtly drew me in. She didn't answer my question specifically, but it was alright. "So have yourself quite busy with patrons now that you are back?" I asked curiously and I idly wondered if this was her break from it.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 30, 2011 10:24:15 GMT -5
With the fact that he was asking about the patrons I kept I began to wonder if he was starting to consider going that way himself, and I would have been honored should he indeed decide to do so. "I am lucky to have the patrons I do, but I wouldn't say I've been truly busy," I replied honestly, having never taken the view that lying could have any possible benefit. "Most of my time is spent training in various things and finding new patrons, though some have decided to visit me again after my long absence. Have you visited the Night Court often yourself?"
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on Apr 30, 2011 10:48:10 GMT -5
I laughed and then shook my head. "No ... no I haven't." I was really certain how much else I should say, honestly feeling suddenly embarrassed about my state. "I've actually only been once, to Gentian and that was only for a short conversation."
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on Apr 30, 2011 13:45:52 GMT -5
Not having a particular House in mind for the Night Court or not visiting was actually a good thing in some cases; it meant that the patron didn't have a particular taste that would have to be worked around or that they were an open individual. "Gentian is a good House for conversations," I replied with a smile, taking another sip of my wine and considering Guy for a moment. Why would he be uncomfortable about that fact. "I believe that everyone finds the Night Court or not as they're supposed to."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on May 1, 2011 15:04:33 GMT -5
I nodded. "I believe I agree with you. I'm sure that someday the moment will arise when I feel that it is right to go and take advantage of the opportunity to pay tribute to Naamah in that manner." In my mind I assumed it would be something after I was married, maybe with my wife simply to try something new.
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Post by Allisande nó Dahlia on May 23, 2011 0:07:01 GMT -5
"Everyone comes or not as they feel is best," I replied with an easy smile, resting my hand on his lightly for a moment before I took another sip of my wine and set my glass back down. Just because I was a Servant of Namaah that didn't mean I only had skills that related to people in the bedchamber, and while I had a mastery of those things conversation and comfort for others was often as important. "I am sure whatever House you decide on in the end would be honored to have you. At least I am sure Dahlia would."
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Post by Guy de Mereliot (R) on May 23, 2011 13:21:45 GMT -5
I took some comfort from the touch of her hand on mine and I adjusted my grip to squeeze it lightly. "Thank you ... Dahlia does seem to have an appeal to me. I look forward to it, someday." The someday lingered in my mind and I wondered how far into the future it was. That of course caused my mind to wander to Mirielle and a smile drifted onto my face.
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