Post by Kasia nó Gentian on Mar 27, 2011 20:02:38 GMT -5
There were a lot of old stories told at Gentian, things that the other Houses wouldn't understand. You had to sprinkle salt if you were scared of the spirits. If you dropped a card while shuffling your Tarot cards it would come back to haunt you unless you set it aside to be read immediately. And always, always hold your breath when you walk past the cemetary or anywhere else that death resides. The older people always said these things in the tone you used to keep people safe, as warnings, but the younger ones said it was superstitions and fear from where the opium and the things they'd seen had driven the elders a bit batty. I thought it was both, but if it had been the life of a Gentian that made them so worried, what did that mean for me?
My sister never worried about those sorts of things. Felicja let the opium and the patrons soothe her, but I didn't like the former and had never known the latter. When I had to inhale the smoke it made me dizzy and numb and I could feel the pressing weight of old voices. At times I would bite my tongue until it bled because I couldn't feel it and I didn't like that either- especially when one of the dead did that for me in their frantic wish to get their words out. Octavian thought it was very impressive though and I often had to think of excuses to avoid those lessons. For my sister it was alright though. Her gifts were different.
Right now we were walking hand in hand through the City, though why I wasn't exactly sure. Generally trainees weren't allowed outside of the Night Court but since my sister was older I could accompany her and she would act as my chaperone. I did like the chance to be outside of the walls, but I knew she was likely after something else and to keep from learning too much I let my mind wander, though not over the things others may expect. If I questioned when I would have my debut I only had to lay down my cards or throw the rune-stones to get something of an answer. For questions about my parents and the brother I didn't remember it was much the same. When a person can know some kind of answer, whether it's right or not, there's not much to think about except the things that no one can ever know one way or the other.
When we had to pass La Cimetiere I didn't hold my breath. When I got older there would be time for that. I didn't know whether or not Felicja held hers, but a moment later we passed it and nothing was different. The pressure hadn't been any greater passing the graveyard than anywhere else, and I hoped that was a good sign. Looking around I smiled faintly and let myself thing of happier things.
My sister never worried about those sorts of things. Felicja let the opium and the patrons soothe her, but I didn't like the former and had never known the latter. When I had to inhale the smoke it made me dizzy and numb and I could feel the pressing weight of old voices. At times I would bite my tongue until it bled because I couldn't feel it and I didn't like that either- especially when one of the dead did that for me in their frantic wish to get their words out. Octavian thought it was very impressive though and I often had to think of excuses to avoid those lessons. For my sister it was alright though. Her gifts were different.
Right now we were walking hand in hand through the City, though why I wasn't exactly sure. Generally trainees weren't allowed outside of the Night Court but since my sister was older I could accompany her and she would act as my chaperone. I did like the chance to be outside of the walls, but I knew she was likely after something else and to keep from learning too much I let my mind wander, though not over the things others may expect. If I questioned when I would have my debut I only had to lay down my cards or throw the rune-stones to get something of an answer. For questions about my parents and the brother I didn't remember it was much the same. When a person can know some kind of answer, whether it's right or not, there's not much to think about except the things that no one can ever know one way or the other.
When we had to pass La Cimetiere I didn't hold my breath. When I got older there would be time for that. I didn't know whether or not Felicja held hers, but a moment later we passed it and nothing was different. The pressure hadn't been any greater passing the graveyard than anywhere else, and I hoped that was a good sign. Looking around I smiled faintly and let myself thing of happier things.