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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on May 8, 2011 22:08:08 GMT -5
Since my argument with Remy at Naamah's temple, I had tried to put him out of my mind, busying myself with gardening and lessons. However, like some lovestruck maiden in the old tales, I found that I had grown accustomed to his helping me with the gardening. He was still a friend, even if he was a boy and an adept.
A few days after that incident, I was sent on an errand to the Artisan's District, ostensibly to acquire ingredients that would be used in the making of incense, but I had to wonder if the true reason for this sudden errand--which any servant could easily perform--was simply an excuse to get me out of the temple for the day. Lady Elise could be a fussbudget when she so desired.
So that was how I found myself perusing market stalls where bundles of dried herbs swayed to and fro with the breeze, patiently waiting as one of the merchants examined what must have been his entire stock in order to find the requested resins.
"I don't understand why we don't just grow everything ourselves," I muttered. "It would certainly eliminate the need for these errands."
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Post by Faisan nó Balm on May 24, 2011 0:02:09 GMT -5
Leaving the House to go to the marketplace had not become any less terrifying, but I think I was becoming better, at least, at pretending that it wasn't. As an added boon, the weather was kind enough to make the trip not a hardship in anything but my mind.
I made my way through the streets as briskly as I could while still preserving grace and dignity. I don't think it is possible for any adept to be ungraceful; even if I meant to do so, I think some part of my life-long training would override me. Even so, my legs took me quickly from stall through stall, though a few of the late-blooming herbs I wanted still eluded me. The problem with living behind walls: once you reached the wall, there was no place else to put the next plant in one's collection.
Even as I examined quality, texture and scent from one of the stalls' offerings, it surprised me to hear my vague thought more or less given voice, and a familiar voice at that. I tilted my head, discreetly at first, to look at the speaker, then turned more fully, trying for a smile. It was hard not to hide behind my facade of solemnity here, so far from the protection of Balm's walls.
Well, I could at least put some humor in my voice. "Because if such as temples and houses grew all that we wanted to grow, soon we'd have no room at all for the people."
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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on May 24, 2011 23:07:18 GMT -5
"How silly, most plants don't take up that mu--Faisan!" I had not seen him for almost a season, and yet I still remembered him. I still possessed the scarf he had given me, hidden along with my few possessions.
I resisted the sudden urge to embrace him, forcing myself to keep a respectable distance while silently thanking whichever god had sent an adept to me when I most needed to speak to one.
"Ah, as I was saying, most plants don't take up that much space," I finished. "It is so strange that you appear at the exact point and time when I most need an adept's counsel."
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Post by Faisan nó Balm on Jun 18, 2011 21:56:15 GMT -5
Though she was a far cry from the cold and misplaced acolyte I had found during the winter, the directness and almost thoughtless wit was still there. It seemed almost awkward, to think of such a sunny creature as an acolyte at Kushiel's Temple, but I knew better than anyone that one does not always have a hand in one's destiny.
"An Adept's counsel?" I gestured to the merchant that I would not be purchasing his wares today, so that he might care after his other customers. Lightly, I teased her. "Now how could that be, unless you're in need of another warm drink?"
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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Jun 24, 2011 23:27:15 GMT -5
I tried my best to seem indignant. "This isn't about a drink!" I exclaimed. "It's about--it's about a...boy, but not just any boy, he's an adept." I realized belatedly that I was blushing. "But it's not what you're thinking! Er, it might be exactly what you're thinking..."
I took a deep breath. "Remy, he--he came to the temple one day to ask for directions, and before I knew it I had him helping me in the gardens. He's said...that he likes me, and that he wants to court me someday..." I felt my blush deepen. "I went to visit him at Orchis House, but I--ended up running out on him, so then he went to Kushiel's temple to obtain penance for causing me to run away, and I saw him...disrobed...completely." That image was still fresh in my mind, even though I had tried to forget about it.
"A few days ago, we paid a visit to Naamah's Temple, and while we were there, he asked if I liked what I had seen!" Here I scowled. "Why would he ask such a stupid question?! Why does he have to be such an...adept?!" I knew I probably sounded like a spoiled child, but it was hardly my fault that Remy had been so forward.
I sighed. "We spoke to one of Naamah's priestesses, and she seems to think he...cares for me...but I don't know how to do...any of this courting business, or what my Papa will think of it, but that still doesn't mean he has to act like such a...stupid boy!"
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Post by Faisan nó Balm on Jul 5, 2011 2:08:00 GMT -5
I merely leaned back against a well-settled pillar and listened as Adelaide's explanation did its best to run away with her faster than a four-horse coach. If I'd not been paying attention, I doubt I would have been able to catch onto the vital points as they popped up in between much indignation and her seemingly endless, sharp verve.
When she stopped, either to catch her breath or because she'd given me what she thought would be a good primer, I lifted a hand to count off. "This man, Remy, likes you. He's an Adept of Orchis. He flustered you, then sought to apologize. You saw him nude. He asked your opinion, and you think this is stupid of him. You want another man, another Adept, to shed light on his behavior and courtship efforts. Have I covered more or less everything?"
The Adept either truly liked this volatile priestess, or he had odd tastes for an Orchis, to request Kushiel's gift for upsetting her. Then again, she was His priestess, or at least His acolyte.
"I cannot judge for your father, obviously. But do you know House Orchis' motto, its ruling guideline? I think twice, at least, he might have tried to make you laugh. Nudity to an Adept..."
What could I say? It's a tool? It's a skill? We give so much of ourselves to our sacred calling, to be nude is sometimes no more than an afterthought. But then again, who knew if it might be different before Kushiel's cold regard, within His temple.
"... does not matter as much as it might to others. When he asked you, I think, I guess, that he might have done so in jest. Just to see you blush, and perhaps laugh a little. I don't think he counted with you being so... unused to such matters as you are? And I think, though obviously I don't know very much, that he does like you."
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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Jul 5, 2011 11:02:15 GMT -5
I was about to open my mouth and tell him that it wasn't the same, that he was simply infuriating, but I knew it to be true, even though the truth was hard to face.
"I suppose...I suppose you're right..." I said, kicking a stone that just happened to have the misfortune of being near my feet at the time. "I guess...I should apologize to him, right?" Even though he started it...
Put aside your pride, Adelaide. Master Auberon was always saying something like that, and I think I was finally beginning to see the wisdom in his words.
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