Threads of the Past [Vivienne]

[Zephyr de La Valette]

I was never one to deny myself things of luxury, and silk had a special way of clinging to my skin. Ah, I was certain I would never tire of the feel of it.

Only the best of the best would do, of course, and the best the Artisan's District had to offer was here.

"Something like this, I think," I said, indicating a swath of silk the colour of deep twilight. I had patronized this shoppe many times in the past few years, and I suspected my measurements were now common knowledge amongst the staff.

"An excellent choice, m'lord," murmured the attendant at my side. Truth be told, I detested them, but it was important to keep up appearances, so I tolerated their yapping as long as they didn't try to nip at my heels. He took the fabric and spirited it away, awaiting a skilled hand to form it into a doublet that would be fit to grace my frame, perhaps even at a fete held by some minor noble.

No matter, I was already inspecting the other offerings, gently running my fingers along a length of black silk. I couldn't help but smile, it seemed appropriate for a spider who conducted his business in the shadows.

[Vivienne nó Camellia]

Life had settled into quite the routine at Camellia House, including my day of shopping. Once a week I went out, though I did not always spend much coin. Being Second actually meant having less time for assignations, and as such I actually had a bit less coin than I was accustomed to. However, the patrons that I did see were always the ones that appreciated perfection - and were willing to pay for it.

Today I was looking for clothes, a dress for an upcoming party that I had been contracted for. Going on the arm of the Duc who was throwing the party was a huge honor and I meant to show everyone what an adept of Camellia was truly made of. To that end, I was looking at dresses that were backless, because my completed marque was always something I liked to show off, when I noticed a man looking over some cloth, expensive silk, and always on the look out for potential patrons to bring to our House, I smiled and casually glanced over at him.

"If you don't mind me saying so, my lord, that looks as if it would suit you perf-" I stopped midsentence as I realized who I was talking to - Zephyr, a former Camellia.

"Zephyr, I.. hel.. how are you?" I stammered, feeling a slight flush stealing over my cheeks. He hadn't exactly left the House on good terms.

[Zephyr de La Valette]

I was ever mindful of the presence of others close to my person, but the last voice I wanted to hear in my ear was hers, or anyone associated with her.

"Hello, Vivienne," I said smoothly, turning to face her with a smile that barely masked the rage that simmered beneath my skin. Oh, how I wanted to take a knife to that pretty face, to trace out a pattern that would never heal...

My fingers twitched, I forced them into a fist, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"In answer to your question, I must say that I am well, I am alive, after all." I was half tempted to leave it at that, to leave so many things unsaid.

But I could not resist baiting her a little...

"Tell me, how does it feel to be Second now?" I asked, using the time to inspect my nails. "I do hope you have not had to deal with any...unfortunate accidents...during your term, but you haven't been Second that long, have you? There's still time, I suppose."

[Vivienne nó Camellia]

I could see instantly that time had not cooled Zephyr's fiery personality, something I had never believed suited a Camellia adept in any case. His words were laced with meaning beyond their face value and a hundred images flickered behind my eyes, most of them colored in blood.

"Being Second is amazing, thank you," I said, my smile not reaching my eyes. "Hopefully there will be no more ... accidents ... in the House. At least not on my watch." I felt some regret for what had happened to him, but the canon of Camellia was flawlessness, perfection ... it was part of us.

I wasn't sure what else to say, and the tension surrounding us seemed to fairly crackle.

"So, what have you been up to, Zephyr? You seem to be doing well for yourself." My concern was feigned, but being an adept was like being an actor, and I was well-versed at it.

[Zephyr de La Valette]

"Well enough, I suppose." You have no idea. My fingers lightly grazed the black silk again. Now it seemed sullied by this meeting, pity.

It took a supreme effort of will to force myself to turn and face her again, briefly entertaining the thought of tearing out her still beating heart and crushing it under my boot. A satisfying end, but not one that was very conductive to suffering.

"I think it behooves me neither to wish you well nor to wish you success in your endeavors. Such things often have unseen and very unfortunate consequences." I turned my back on her to feign examining another length of silk while surreptitiously tracking my man in the shadows.

I never traveled alone now, occupational hazards abounded in this city.

One gesture had the potential to end this conversation...

I looked down at the length of silk in front of me, crimson, like blood spilled at high noon.

I turned, holding it against my chest, moving to place myself between the object of my ire and a fatal bolt. It would be too easy to kill her. Those who simply killed the ones they hated were lacking in a creativity.

"Do you think this colour becomes me?" I asked, an innocent enough question, heavily laden with meaning, which, of course, we both knew. Vivienne had never been the simple-minded type, few adepts were.

[Vivienne nó Camellia]

“Success usually has better results than failure,” I said coolly, wondering if he ever considered that he had failed in one key way: the politics of the House and underestimating those who held high ambitions. I did not condone going to any lengths to advance my position, but I knew many who did. The Night Court could be more ruthless than the Palace at times. Politics were politics, regardless.

When he held up the scarlet cloth, I had a sudden overwhelming memory of blood and tears and … I pushed it away, the past was behind us and while I had perhaps had the misfortune of being privy to something I hadn’t wanted to see, it wasn’t as if I was at fault. I had simply chosen the right friends.

“It suits you more than the black,” I forced out, wondering what it was about Zephyr that always managed to get under my skin. Even before he’d left Camellia, there was just something about him, as if he knew things he had no right to. “Black is for mourning, don’t you think?”

[Zephyr de La Valette]

I laughed, darkly. "Do you take me for a man of violence, to wear its colour so? No, I prefer the black, I think, the colour of darkness and shadows and sweet oblivion." I could almost smell her distaste, as if I were a leper whom she only tolerated as long as there was no way to escape them without seeming rude.

Strange, how you could be adored one moment and abhorred the next, but I had learned that lesson all too well.

I carefully replaced the length of silk and took a step closer to her, wondering if she would flinch away as if I were an unclean thing. Look at me, you bitch. Tomorrow, it could be you in my position.

"I am through with mourning what I have lost," I said, surprised at how even-toned I sounded. "The ashes of the past are the foundation of the future, et cetera, et cetera." I made a dismissive gesture. Something flared in me, then, the accursed heat that I had once, in my hopeless naivete, called a "gift" from Naamah and the Golden One of my father's people.

Desire, ha! As much fun as the thought of reaming her, perhaps violently, was to me, I doubted she could stand to tarnish her spotless reputation with the Night Court's discards.

"Now, since I suspect we have precious little in common, if, indeed, we ever had anything in common, I should take my leave of you, there is money to be made, after all." I stepped back until I was at a respectable distance. "Say a prayer for me, Vivienne."

[Vivienne nó Camellia]

I crossed my arms as he stepped closer, too close. Seeing him was a reminder of how easily it could all be lost, and an uncomfortable idea at how shallow our existence truly was. Being beautiful was a part of all D'angelines, but Camellia strove to take it further, no flaw was too small to send someone to another House ... or force them out entirely. I could have felt sorry for Zephyr, but he made it too hard.

"It's nice to hear you're maintaining a good attitude," for once... I felt something then, a pull of sorts, and I frowned slightly. Naamah's Gift was obviously not very discriminating.

I brushed it off and was about to say my goodbyes when something he'd said struck my curiosity. "Money to be made? Tell me, how does an ex-adept make money?" This should be good, I thought, not bothering to say a prayer for him even in my head.

[Zephyr de La Valette]

I chuckled softly. "There are many ways to make money, or are you so sheltered that you cannot imagine not whoring for your bread? Don't be so naive, Vivienne, that is hardly a desirable quality for a dowayne."

I turned to leave, pausing only to speak to her over my shoulder. "If I may give you a word of advice," I began. "I could have ended your life thrice over in the space of this conversation. Perhaps your time would be better spent learning the value of a little humility, hm?"

I turned, then, executing a perfect parody of a courtly bow. "Good day, Vivienne. I pray that we do not meet again, more for your sake than mine, you understand."

I left then, trusting that my man would follow discreetly, especially if she decided to follow me in what would be the most startling display of stupidity I had yet seen. Maybe I would have to use that knife after all, and that, I had to admit, would be a shame.

[Vivienne nó Camellia]

I watched him go, stunned and angry at his words. Humility? Me? If that wasn't the height of gall ... I considered going after him, getting the last word somehow, but what he'd said made me feel cold all over. Well I remembered the day he'd left Camellia House, though of course none of would so much as look at him as he left. It was too uncomfortable, truth told, to see what could happen to any of us.

"Miss, are you all right?" A salesperson had approached me while I was staring openmouthed after Zephyr. I snapped my mouth shut with an audible click and strove not to be rude, my adept mask falling back into place.

"No, no, I'm fine, thank you." I reached for the crimson silk that Zephyr had shown me. "Can I get several yards of this, please?" I didn't know what I was thinking, the color did not favor me, but something I couldn't name compelled me.