Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on May 30, 2011 1:00:43 GMT -5
I was dressed in a dark brown strapless gown, with a skirt that billowed out slightly as it fell toward the floor. My hair had been brushed to fall lightly on my shoulders. It had been a long arduous day of studying and writing papers. I was eager to stretch out my legs and perhaps meet someone new. I looked around the market place and began taking a interest in a booth that had delicious berries on their stand. My lips curved up as the idea for a berry pie came to mind.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on May 30, 2011 22:13:10 GMT -5
"You know I hate going out on market day," I muttered to Adrien as I tried to focus on matching his movements. Gods knew I hated crowds, it was so nerve-wracking to think that one wrong move could lead to my colliding with someone.
"You need the fresh air," came Adrien's response, to the point as always. "Besides, it's not like your blindfold's going to come off like it did the last time--you don't have to keep touching it."
I dropped my hand from where I had been fingering the smooth fabric. I wore the white one today, any other colour would have caused more people to notice me, and sometimes you didn't want to be noticed in Night's Doorstep, no matter the time of day.
"Well, at least this way I can make sure that you actually buy things that are at least partially edible." I said, grinning a little.
I heard him snort. "Y0u always eat the things I make for you, Mael."
Well, I couldn't deny that...
We started walking at a more measured pace, which I knew was more for my benefit since it gave me the opportunity to smell the air, to taste it on my tongue.
Adrien moved forward a little, and I smelled berries. "Adrien, if you were planning on buying berries, buy these." I said, turning my head in what I hoped was the source of the smell. "They're ripe, or close to it, smells like..." I sniffed again, trying to confirm my decisions. "Would that I had sight to see them..."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on May 30, 2011 23:26:26 GMT -5
I looked at the clerk, "I'll take a full basket. How much is that?" When the clerk told me how much, I reached into my coin purse and counted out the proper amount. I paid the clerk. I looked through the various baskets and found the one that I had the best looking ones. Just as I was picking it up, I heard someone talking about ripe berries.
I turned toward the attractive blond haired man with the blindfold over his eyes, "Hello, I'm Jessamine. You must have quite a nose. I can't smell them, but they do look quite delectable. You can try one of mine if you wish." I picked up a black berry and held it out to him in my hand. I wasn't sure if he would be aware of it or not, but I didn't think it would hurt.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 12:35:41 GMT -5
I felt Adrien take my hand and guide it to where it needed to be to accept a berry. "My thanks, my lady." I said, popping the berry into my mouth.
The berry burst, flooding my mouth with its sweetness. I resisted the sudden urge to throw back my head and laugh. "Oh yes," I confirmed. "These ones are ready to be put into pies, made into jams, sweets..." I could barely keep my mouth from watering.
"Of course, they are just as delicious as they are," I amended, feeling my cheeks heat. "One mustn't forget the simple pleasure of eating berries in the sun."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 12:49:58 GMT -5
I smiled as I watched him eat the berry. I popped one into my mouth and ate it with my eyes closed, "Mmmm! It is quite delicious. I think I'll make myself a berry pie. I'm Jessamine, by the way." I reached for his hand to give it a gentle shake. I wasn't sure how he would feel about my touch. I hoped that it wouldn't be to upsetting to him. I smiled at his attendant, introducing myself to them as well.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 13:40:31 GMT -5
"I know," I said, glancing in the direction of Adrien's snort. "You told me your name but a moment ago." I turned my head towards her voice, grinning. "My name is Mael, this taciturn fellow to my right is Adrien. He will, like as not, grumble in response to everything you ask him, even though he speaks D'Angeline well enough."
Adrien muttered a particularly strong curse in the language of Bodhistan in response. I hoped, for his sake, that she didn't understand the meaning of the words, the intent was clear enough.
I coughed. "Well, now that we have the introductions out of the way, what brings you to the market? It's hardly the place for someone so well-spoken."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 14:11:57 GMT -5
I laughed a little when he mentioned to me that I had already given my name, "I'm sorry, I guess I was hoping you would give your name as well. I haven't been out of Valerian House too many times. I suppose my social skills are a little rusty..." I blushed lightly.
I turned toward Adrien and gave him a smile of acknowledge. I wondered why he didn't talk much, especially if he knew D'Angeline.
I heard him say something, but I didn't understand what it was. My brow furrowed slightly, and then I turned back to Mael, "I'm just here to meet some new people possibly do some shopping. My debut is in a few days, and it just seemed appropriate to get myself familiar with the city. Are you looking for anything in particular?"
My eyes widened a little and I put my hand to my mouth, as I realized that he wouldn't be looking for anything. A light blush covered my cheeks, but I said nothing else. Afraid to make my words even worse.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 15:58:08 GMT -5
I laughed. "Not looking for anything, no!" I was accustomed to such figures of speech, and regularly used them myself. "Adrien, on the other hand, is keeping an eye out f0r our supper." Something that she had said, a term she had used, it sounded as if I should have known it. Debut, now where have I heard that term before...
"Debut?" I asked, suddenly startled by the feel of Adrien's hot breath in my ear, feeding me the necessary information.
"Ah, I see," I said, blushing a little at my idiocy. "You're an adept, or, well, you soon will be." Despite having visited three out of thirteen Houses, there was still much I did not know about adepts.
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 16:06:48 GMT -5
I nodded and then realized that he couldn't see me, "Yes, my debut will be on my 16th birthday. I'm pretty excited. I've been staying at Valerian House for most of my life. Have you always lived in Elua?" I silently wondered if it mattered to him that I was a soon-to-be adept. I didn't want him to dismiss me as someone to talk to simply because my commitment to Naamah. Or perhaps he would want to talk to me more because of that. I wasn't sure what he thought of it.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 16:18:26 GMT -5
"In the City?" I shook my head. "I only came to the City of Elua when I was ten. I did live not too far from the City, though."
Thank the gods for that, or I might have died the night when...
No, best not to think about it, lest my expression betray my thoughts and she started asking questions.
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 17:33:31 GMT -5
I picked up a berry from my basket and took a bite, "Oh, really? Where did you used to live?" I asked the question with light curiosity. I offered him another berry.
So far he seemed like a nice guy. His name didn't sound like a noble name, but I was still committing a lot of them to memory. In either case, I was eager to get to know him. I was especially curious as to how he damaged his vision. It didn't look as if he was born blind, but I wasn't sure that it was polite to ask.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 17:50:55 GMT -5
I made a vague gesture. "In L'Agnace, a few leagues west of the City of Elua. Close enough to go to market, far enough for peace and quiet." At least, that was what my mother had said. "Like as not you'll only find grass where my home stood. It...burned to the ground years ago."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 18:13:53 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I say with a look of concern on my face, "That must have been difficult for you and your family. I can't imagine loosing everything I owned. Is that why you moved to Elua?" It looked as if he was open to sharing with me. I took his hand in mind and gave it a light squeeze.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 1, 2011 18:33:58 GMT -5
"What?" I shook my head. "You misunderstand me. My mother is dead and my father--I have no idea where my godsdamned priest-whore of a father is! Likely whoring himself out to whomever will ask!" I would have said more, but then I remembered to whom I was speaking to.
"My apologies, Jessamine, was it? I do not fault Naamah's priests for doing....what they do...but my mother raised me alone, hoping he would return to her." I scowled. "It seems they were both fools, in the end."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 1, 2011 20:10:05 GMT -5
"Oh, that must have been horrible. I knew my parents for a short time before they sent me to Valerian. Sometimes they send me letters, but it's not the same as being with them," I said while my thumb gently caressed his hand. I noticed that he hadn't moved his hand from my grasp just yet.
"Sometimes I feel like I don't have a family. If you like, I could be your friend. I like making new friends," I spoke with a soft voice. I wanted to give him a hug, but I didn't want to be too forward.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 4, 2011 22:19:35 GMT -5
I smiled. "I think I have made more friends in the two years since my mother's old man of business found me than the six years I spent in the gutters..."
"That's not true," the coldness in Adrien's voice startled me. Adrien was the sort of man who spoke little, but what he did say spoke volumes.
"Of course not, Adrien," I amended. "It just seems that way, sometimes." My smile widened. "As I was saying, I have great need of friends, Jessamine. Thank you."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 4, 2011 22:37:13 GMT -5
I listened with expectation, hoping that he wouldn't turn down my offer for friendship. I heard him mention how many friends he had made, and then I turned as his attendant spoke. A smile lit my face, and then widened when it seemed that he accepted my invitation for friendship.
I stepped toward him, sliding my arms about his waist and giving him a excitable hug. "Thank you, Mael. I'm looking forward to being your friend." I stayed in his arms for a moment before pulling away. "Perhaps I could help you find the ingredients for your supper?" I was very excited to have a new friend.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 5, 2011 23:12:28 GMT -5
I smiled. "An extra set of eyes would be most welcome, especially D'Angeline eyes." I gestured in Adrien's direction. "Bhodistani eyes are good for picking out spices, not so much certain other foods..."
I heard a snort that was most likely Adrien giving his opinion on such things. "It's not you that has to cook everything, Mael."
"I know! Gods, Adrien, why are you being such a fussbudget today?" Silently I wondered if he had been to the bath house recently, or, conversely, that he had not been to the bath house recently, and that was the reason he was so disagreeable.
He took my hand again and started to move. "Come on, maybe you'll be quieter once we get you some bread, eh?" I could almost hear him grinning. "Nothing silences a D'Angeline like bread...or wine...but for you, bread..."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 6, 2011 11:33:40 GMT -5
I slipped my arm around Mael's arm on the other side of him. I laughed softly as I listened to him speak to Adrien. It sounded like they had a interesting relationship, and I was enjoying the interaction between them.
"What were you thinking for dinner? What kind of foods do you like?" I asked him as I began looking through the market.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 6, 2011 17:18:14 GMT -5
I shrugged. "I'll consume anything edible." I still remembered those days when I had to do without and how the hunger pangs had wracked my insides. "Some fresh bread would be welcome, and cheese..."
"What's the matter with my cooking?" I heard Adrien grumble, doubtless as he inspected something that he was thinking of purchasing. I hoped to all the gods that it was something I could pronounce without difficulty.
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 6, 2011 18:02:57 GMT -5
As we were walking along, I listened to Mael mention bread. My eyes searched the general area and I saw a booth with fresh baked bread in baskets. I left Mael's arm to pick up a french baguette. I placed it under Mael's nose, "What do you think? Doesn't it smell so good?"
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 6, 2011 18:59:01 GMT -5
I drew back a little as the smell invaded my nostrils, taking another, more tentative sniff, I grinned and nodded. "So it does, I think two will suffice, much else likely won't last long enough until we have a chance to eat it."
"You're carrying them, then," I didn't expect that Adrien's voice would be so close, yet there it was. He spent the next few moments arranging the bread in my arms while he took my other arm. He seemed to intensely dislike the fact that another person had linked arms with me.
"I suppose you'll expect me to carry the cheese as well when we come to it?" I teased, remembering belatedly that cows and their milk were sacred in Bhodistan. Sometimes I wondered if Adrien didn't reckon us all savages due to our consumption of such things.
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 7, 2011 22:43:51 GMT -5
I pulled the bread back a little, when I could tell that it was too close to his nose. I laughed a little at Adrien's response. "Why is he so cranky today? I have heard adepts speak about people who are cranky, they claim that a trip to the Night Court lightens most moods..." I smiled at Adrien before looking back at Mael. I was curious to see what the two of them thought of my suggestion.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 7, 2011 23:03:33 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Ah, no, my lady. Adrien's tastes are...not so expensive." I knew something about what Adrien did on those nights that he was not taking me around the City, had even heard mention of Jasmine House, but it was not something I thought he indulged in frequently.
Then again, there are many things I did not know about Adrien.
I shrugged. "We all have our moods, no one can stay cranky forever, right?" I wondered how deeply he was scowling at this moment, I could easily picture it.
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 8, 2011 0:36:08 GMT -5
"I suppose that's understandable," I responded when he said that Adrian's taste were not so expensive. "I hope he won't be cranky all the time. I might just have to do a cartwheel or something to get a smile on his face." I glanced at him to see what he thought of that idea.
Then I looked ahead of us, "It looks like there is a cheese cart just a few feet away now." I looked over the various types of cheese.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 16, 2011 22:21:44 GMT -5
I chuckled. "I wouldn't bother, he's not one for smiling often, but when he does, I can hear it in his voice. Oh, cheese?" Cheese was alien to the Bodhistani, and Adrien had only tried some after much pleading from the others, or so I had heard.
"I should like some brie, and cheddar," I said, already moving on ahead.
"How about you spend every last coin we brought?" Adrien muttered, and I felt him turn me in what was probably the right direction. "You aren't even going the right way, petit souris."
"Will you stop calling me that? People will think that it is a term of...excessive affection..." I protested.
Another snort. "Unlikely...m'lady here seems fine with it..."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 17, 2011 22:01:30 GMT -5
I cocked my head slightly when he mentioned that Adrien didn't like to smile. That was okay with me, I wasn't going to push the issue if it wasn't him. I laughed softly when they began talking to one another.
My eyebrows raised when he mentioned excessive affection. I shook my head, and then realized that Mael couldn't see me, "I think affection is a good thing. Being affectionate comes naturally to me."
We came to the cheese cart and I picked up a wedge of brie and placed it in Mael's hand, "What do you think of that?" I wondered if he would know it was brie by the smell. I didn't remember brie smelling like anything that distinctive.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 17, 2011 22:54:09 GMT -5
I took a sniff as instructed. "It smells fine to me, aged well, it seems, so long as it isn't noir. Is it dark in shade, Adrien?"
"No," came the terse reply.
"Fine, let's take this one, and some cheddar, if you please." I heard the chink of coin and guessed that Adrien was paying the cheesemonger. Finally, after some shuffling about, I heard Adrien grumble: "There, we have the cheese and bread, are your D'Angeline sensibilities satisfied?"
"Are your Bodhistani sensibilities offended?" I countered, grinning. "Elua, Adrien! It's just a few simple foodstuffs. My apologies, Jessamine, we are so used to having only each other to talk to that sometimes we forget when we are in the presence of others."
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Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian
Adept
Adept of Valerian House
"We are bound soul to soul to Elua's holiest laws; If I am an angel, Why you are the cause."
Posts: 239
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Post by Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian on Jun 18, 2011 10:19:49 GMT -5
I listened to the two men interact, unsure of exactly what the problem was. It almost seemed like Adrien was upset just to be upset. I gave Mael's hand a small squeeze, "It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I find myself rather entertained by it."
I looked down at my basket of berries, "Well, I think I shall go work on that pie, so that it will be ready for dinner with my house mates. It was lovely shopping with you and chatting with you. You should stop by Valerian some time." I stood on my tip toes to give Mael a kiss on the cheek.
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Post by Mael Leblanc on Jun 19, 2011 13:27:32 GMT -5
I nodded. "Yes, we should be getting along too. It seems like there's always something to do, and time waits for no one." The kiss was unexpected, and while I did tense a little, I was gradually becoming more accustomed to displays of affection.
"I think, we might see more of each other," I said, grasping Adrien's arm. "But for now, be well, Jessamine." I grinned, then, leaning slightly on Adrien, began to move towards home, the two of us alone, just as it had always been.
I had a feeling that would change, eventually...
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