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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 7, 2011 23:03:31 GMT -5
"I come pretty regularly. This is only the second time with company though." I opened the door for her and walked up to the counter. I'd let her order first though.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 8, 2011 0:36:15 GMT -5
He opened the door for me and stood back to let me order first. I went for a mild tea with a small plain pastry, simple.
"So they must know you here then," I said with a fleeting smile, "like one of those customers who always orders the same thing."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 8, 2011 14:30:27 GMT -5
I whispered to her before making my order. "They know me, but I always like to change it up." I gave her a smile and then transferred it to the person at the counter. I ordered some tea sweetened with honey and a sweet bun. The person nodded and I looked to a nice spot by the window where the sun poured in. "Shall we sit, Raisa?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 8, 2011 17:04:03 GMT -5
He leaned to whisper to me. "Crafty," I whispered back, holding in a giggle. Then, when he finished ordering and asked if we should sit, I nodded.
"Of course," I smiled, then walked towards the empty place he had been eyeing that seemed to be bathed in light. "It is really lovely here. You choose your hang outs well."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 9, 2011 14:27:06 GMT -5
I smiled at that and rested my chin in my hand. "You choose your company well." That was not something I would have said six months ago. Part of me still wondered if there was any Alyssum left in me at all. Perhaps if I encountered the right personality.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 9, 2011 20:35:22 GMT -5
I laughed out loud at that. "I don't usually. I'm often too shy to start conversations with anyone, most of the time. But I guess you're special." I said with a lopsided grin. And he was, I'd never so much as spoken to anyone apart from clients and the odd relative or acquaintance who'd popped up from the Yeshuite quarter, let alone someone who had been from the Night Court. Perhaps I should do it more often.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 9, 2011 22:16:10 GMT -5
As she talked I found my smile growing. She reminded me of myself in some ways and it made me trust her even more. "Thank you, Raisa. You're special too. I think we were meant to meet today." That last bit hadn't meant to come out, but it did and it was true in my mind. I felt like I could talk to this girl for a long time and not tire of it, like Noemi but in a different way. It wasn't because of personality, which she had. She intrigued me as well.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 9, 2011 22:22:24 GMT -5
I found myself blushing slightly at his words, although they made me think. "You believe in fate? Some greater scheme that we're all a part of?" I personally believed in Adonai, that everything happened to his will. But I wasn't sure what it was like with D'Angeline deities. It was definitely a differnt turn in conversation but I was curious.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 9, 2011 22:38:57 GMT -5
"I think that whatever happens can be twisted ... no that's poor word It can be transformed into something good, something that will better help us in life. I think the companions used my accident, and everything to allow this conversation to happen so that one or both of us leaves it a better person, or at least with a fuller life," I explained to her. It was what I felt, more so than anything I had been taught per say.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 9, 2011 22:51:49 GMT -5
Taking his words into account, I nodded slowly. "Have you ever thought though, that they might have willed for your accident to happen in the first place? Rather than just turning it around to your benefit?"
I shook my head. I was confusing myself. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to reconcile the idea of free will and that of God. I just wonder if that particular conundrum exists for you."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 9, 2011 23:15:17 GMT -5
I shrugged. "No I... I hadn't really considered it. I think that the official teaching is that the companions may will or cause many things, but they don't control everything..." I had a feeling I should know more and that I was talking about things I didn't really understand. "I don't think any of us can really know for certain about such things, at least not me." I glanced down and took a sip of tea.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 9, 2011 23:53:12 GMT -5
"Mm," I agreed, deciding to leave it at that, though I still wondered at the finer points of D'Angeline theism.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 10, 2011 15:14:18 GMT -5
I was silent a moment realizing how little I knew of everything. It's an odd sort of feeling really, knowing that you don't know and not knowing what should be done about it.
I nibbled on my sweet bun and watched her for a bit. Several thoughts went through my mind at once. One was that she was very very pretty. Two: I wondered what basis the Yeshuites had to reject Elua. Three: well, three was more me admiring the way she moved and sipped her tea. The last one was how nice this day was turning out. Any day in which I can meet someone new is a good day.
"Raisa, if you like we could go see a priestess of Naamah, or someone and she could answer your questions."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 10, 2011 18:07:23 GMT -5
"Really?" I stopped eating. My first reaction was yes, I wanted to know, I wanted to really understand why my mother had turned from the religion of her birth. Then came a feeling of guilt, the thought that she would not be best pleased at me doing this.
But if I am staunch in my faith then what harm is it to merely listen to theirs?
"I'd like that," I replied eventually. "As long as you're up to it too." It was very kind of him to suggest let alone offer.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 10, 2011 22:36:56 GMT -5
I nodded. "I think it'd be fun. Do we want to go today or maybe some other time? I know we were talking about going out and chatting. It's completely up to you of course."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 10, 2011 22:40:18 GMT -5
"I don't mind," I replied honestly. "We can always detour and talk on the way there... I've never been to a temple before. Do you think they'd mind?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 10, 2011 23:39:35 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Of course not. From what I know they are very welcoming," I told her as I finished off the last of my sweet bun. The sugar dissolved on my tongue and I quickly sucked the extra off my fingers. There was still some tea left though so it wasn't quite time to be running off.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 11, 2011 2:04:42 GMT -5
I had finished my meal so I idly played with the teacup as I watched him. There was something serene about him that I hadn't encountered in other D'Angelines. I suppose that Jess had something like it too, so maybe it had come from being in the Night Court. "You've been there before though haven't you? Initiates are dedicated there aren't they? Do you remember yours?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 12, 2011 0:31:24 GMT -5
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Oh of course. It's been a long long time though. And yes I remember it. I'd rather not go into it though. In fact ... the less we talked about the night court the better I think. It brings up memories both good and bad. Right now, I'd like to stick with the present, wouldn't you?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 12, 2011 0:37:55 GMT -5
I blushed slightly, feeling guilty for pushing a subject that was obviously rather sensitive. "Mm. I'm sorry. You said you were a messenger boy, do you get drawn into intrigue?" I teased.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 12, 2011 14:28:36 GMT -5
I laughed at that, but honestly part of me was worried that I had offended her by shutting out my past to her for the time being, and my smile came out half-hearted. "No, no intrigue." My next laugh had more of the sincerity in it. "For a while I worked for myself til I was taken in and given a permanent job. My mistress is away right now though, on her honeymoon so things are slow to be certain."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 12, 2011 17:46:15 GMT -5
At his latter words I brightened. "So you have a little more free time these days? Maybe we could meet up more often then, while you still have the time off." I hope I wasn't being too forward but I'd been drawn to him from the beginning, and it'd be fun to have a friend to explore the city with.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 12, 2011 21:33:40 GMT -5
"I would love that!" I said, the words just slipping right out. "I really would!" I smiled and finished up my tea. "I'm ready if you are!"
I loved how quickly we were becoming friends and the fact it seemed we were going to be spending a great deal of time with one another.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 12, 2011 22:22:00 GMT -5
I beamed back at his enthusiasm. "Ok, let's go."
As I stood from my seat I looked at him. "Where's your favourite place in the city?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 13, 2011 14:46:37 GMT -5
"Good question! You know, I'm not really sure I have one. There's an antique shoppe that's a lot of fun, but we were already in the gallery. I like this place. Other than that though I have found I have a deep love for the countryside," I explained to her as I set down the money for our food and drink. I rose and offered her my hand. "You?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 13, 2011 16:04:46 GMT -5
I felt a rush of guilt as he paid for our meal, but it was swept up before I could pay for my own share, not that I had enough on me at the time. I resolved to repay him another time, as I took his hand and replied: "The antique shoppe sounds fun, we should visit it sometime. I haven't really explored enough to have a favourite place. My mother was very protective about my whereabouts and just recently I haven't really been motivated to go out." I smiled at him. "Though now that's changing. Do you get to visit the country side often?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 15, 2011 1:15:05 GMT -5
I shook my head as we left the shoppe. "I've only been out once recently. I suppose with the time and freedom I have right now I should go out there more often. It's certainly something that we can do together if you like." I looked down the street. "That way to the temple I think." I said, giving her hand a squeeze before walking in that direction."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 15, 2011 3:34:15 GMT -5
"Really?" I trilled with excitement as he mentioned maybe getting to see the country side together. I'd barely even explored the city properly let alone the rest of L'Agnace. But then he mentioned the temple and, squeezing my hand in reassurance, began to walk towards it. I fought the momentary urge to blush at the contact and started to fret over the fact that I knew none of the protocol of the temple.
"Is there anything I should do before entering?" I asked. At our temple there was blessed water with which we made the sign of the cross, in recognition of Yeshua. I knew none of what they did for D'Angelines, or if it would even be appropriate for me.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jun 15, 2011 13:44:32 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, there's nothing special that one must do. Things are rather free for us. It would be nice though if I had some sort of offering to the Companion. But as I said, it is not necessary."
We rounded a corner, leaving the Artisan's district. "Also you'll find the priesthood very kind and welcoming." I wondered how they had stayed pure, when the Night Court seemed to be becoming more a selfish endeavor.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jun 15, 2011 17:26:12 GMT -5
I relaxed a little bit more; if Eric said it was ok then it would be ok. But still, there was some part of me that dwelled on what I used to hear from the brief time we lived in the Yeshuite corner; about how the preisthood, or the Night Court for that matter, was a living example of debauchery and lost souls. My parents had never gone that far but they still would rather I hadn't had much to do with it, when they were alive. Then again, it was half of my heritage, whether my mother had liked it or not, and I wanted to know more.
"That's a relief," was all I said out loud. "Our rebbes can be rather strict."
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