|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 11, 2011 23:31:08 GMT -5
I nodded at the typical subjects that she spoke of and grinned at her scoff. "I can see how such subjects might seem boring, but they are quite useful in Terre D'Ange society. They are the tools that can bring favor upon your House and those of your teachers. They might even bring you favor with the King and Queen if done appropriately."
"Do you think you need to expand your social circle?" I asked her quietly. I wondered what she thought of her own social skills, rather than rely on her parent's opinion.
I looked forward when she asked about me, "I am here to get myself fully engaged with society as well. I am just getting to know a few people, but I hope to be heavily involved with community activities." I was also looking for a wife, but I wasn't ready to disclose that information to her. I didn't want to give her the impression that it was the only reason I was escorting her. True, she was a breath taking-ly beautiful woman, but that only made me the more weary. Besides that, she was so young and seemed sheltered and inexperienced. No, she was not marriage material, but perhaps she could be a friend and possible support toward finding he right one.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 11, 2011 23:39:43 GMT -5
"I was never concerned about my social skills," I answered honestly. "I'm the youngest of four children. My brother will inherit the title, my sisters are married. I didn't understand why I should have to bother with any of it; but I suppose I would not want to be a burden on my brother once he's married. Not that I would be, I plan on making my own fortune through my own skill."
I realised that I had rambled on about myself, something I didn't normally do. I quickly turned the conversation back to him, nodding as he mentioned getting involved with the community. "Have you visited the court yet? It would be a good start. Given recent events the time seems as good as any."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 0:06:18 GMT -5
I nodded with understanding as she spoke about herself. I enjoyed hearing her ramble on. She spoke of her family and her own ambition, and I wondered what plans she had for herself.
"Do you have a plan for making your own fortune?" I asked quietly. I was curious to see how serious she was in making her own fortune.
I shook my head, "No, I have yet to go to court just yet. I'm hoping to find someone to escort to the next palais event. I will likely get around to making my way there at some point."
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 0:14:27 GMT -5
"I'd like to maybe rise to being an ambassador," I said thinking of my studies in languages. My sister would be able to help me towards that ambition, if I wanted to pursue it. "Or working with keeping records. Activities that require research, I suppose."
We were approaching the familiar buildings of the residential sector, just a little distance from the townhouse. "I've not yet been to court either. Maybe we shall run into each other there." I hoped we would, he seemed like a very nice person and someone my parents would approve of as a contact.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 0:40:50 GMT -5
I smiled as I listened to her speak about her ambitions, it said a lot about her that she was striving towards a goal. I was currently trying to avoid accomplishing my goal.
"Perhaps a Royal Archivist might be a position that you would enjoy as well," I suggested. "It sounds like you have a good idea of what you like and what you would be good at. That's a good step toward finding the right position for you. "
"Perhaps we will see one another there. Are we coming to your residence?" I asked as I took in the sight of the various homes.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 1:05:14 GMT -5
I nodded at his suggestion. "Mm, archivist sounds like a nice occupation too. What are your hobbies and interests? Swordsmanship, I'd guess from the way you handled the riot." I wondered which province he came from, Camlach, if his earlier demonstration of fighting was anything to go by.
"We're coming up to it. Just a townhouse up there."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 1:17:47 GMT -5
I smiled when she asked me a question and then answered it herself. I nodded to her, "Yes, you're right. I'm interested in fencing, martial arts, and archery. I practice my archery skills nearly every day if I can. I enjoy reading, playing chess, hiking, swimming, and camping. What do you like to do? Besides read sacred religious texts?"
I became more familiar with the street as we walked down West Borough. I had not been down this way before, but I felt confident that I could find my way back.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 1:32:03 GMT -5
"You must be rather energetic," I smiled, referring to the activities he favoured. "I wish it were acceptable for me to learn how to handle a weapon. I used to enjoy swimming in Siovale, in the summer but that's about it for physical activities with me. I'm more inclined to scholarly activities not necessarily just reading and theology. I like figuring out how things work and learning languages. Although, I might challenge you to a game of chess sometime."
As we got closer to home it occurred to me that it might be best to release him from his obligation of escorting me. "I think I can manage the rest of the distance alone. It'd be easier for you to make your way back to the East Borough from here, rather than from my townhouse, and after all that you did for me today I wouldn't want to further inconvenience you."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 16:48:16 GMT -5
I grinned lightly when she called me energetic. I shrugged my shoulders, "I actually don't consider myself energetic...it's just normal for me, I guess..." I laughed softly. I heard her talk about using weapons and how it wasn't as socially acceptable for a woman to use one. A woman didn't need to have a weapon if she didn't choose to, all she needed to do was surround herself with men like myself, or able bodied guards.
I smiled when she offered to play chess with him, "I would like that. You are welcome to send for me or stop by my home whenever you have time available."
I paused when she mentioned that she could find her own way home. I didn't want to offend her, but I wouldn't feel right leaving her- even if it was a much safer street. "You would do me a great honor if you allowed me to continue to escort you. My mind would be made worry free knowing that you arrived safely at your home." I hoped that my careful vocabulary would communicate my duty clearly to her.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 17:30:42 GMT -5
"All right then," I set my hand on his arm again and we continued walking. "I just thought I might spare you from walking the extra distance." And from Owen. I was sure my guardian would be angry; he had after all told me to take Darmus with me but in my excitement to see the city I had forgotten. Elua, I hoped he was engaged elsewhere and wouldn't notice my arrival home.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 17:48:19 GMT -5
"I'm energetic, remember? I enjoy long walks like this. Have you been enjoying the beauty of the city so far?" I gave her a soft grin before looking forward in taking in the sights of the buildings. She was a beautiful woman, but I knew that I couldn't let myself be pulled in by her. I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders. My eyes kept wanting to go to hers to try to figure out what color they were. They seemed to change a little as the light passed through them.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 17:56:51 GMT -5
"Oh yes that's right, energetic. Silly me I forgot," I teased. "The city is beautiful, in its own way, I guess. It's very nice, though I suppose I'm rather homesick for the mountains. I grew up in Siovale so I miss the air there and sense of freedom."
I looked up looked up at him in question and couldn't help noticing that his eyes were a bluish grey that was somewhat reminiscent of a sky veiled with thin clouds. "What about you? What was it like where you grew up?"
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 18:11:19 GMT -5
I nodded when she mentioned that she missed the mountains, "I completely understand that. I'm from Camlach where most of the terrain are mountains. The air is thinner...but so much more fresher. The sound of goats can be heard almost at any time of the day. The citizens watch after each other, protect one another....everyone is like family there. Theft is almost unheard of because everyone is so well armed. Even strangers dare not make a move towards a village. The architecture is practical and stable, and everyone takes pride in a honest days work of physical labor... That is home to me." The more I spoke of it, the more I felt a little sad talking about.
"My sister is there watching over our land and home," I added. I hoped that she was doing okay without me. I missed her just as much as I missed Camlach.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 18:24:32 GMT -5
Camlach. I had assumed right. The picture he painted was similar to the community we had in Siovale, only we were united by our thirst for knowledge more than our need to protect each other. I smiled at his descrption, then noticed his voice had turned rather tender when he mentioned his sister.
"Do you miss her very much?" I asked softly. I could understand. I missed my brother, who was beginning to slowly become more involved with his duties as the heir back home, and my sisters had both married and by the time I was twelve.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 18:37:43 GMT -5
I nodded to her question, "Yes, she and I were very close. Our mother passed away when I was 14, Angelique was only 11... I think we became even more close then. Especially when our father re-married. Neither of us got along well with her.. I hated her..." I shook my head in disgust. I scratched my chin, reminding myself not to give away too much information about myself.
I turned to her, "What about yourself? Do you have siblings?"
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 18:46:22 GMT -5
At the mention of his mother, the guard had come back down again. I decided not to press that point, but noted that she seemed to be a bitter spot I should be wary of bringing up.
"Your sister probably misses you a lot too," I said, remembering how I felt when at seven when my brother had left for his studies at Tiberium. Sometimes it was harder being left behind than it was to leave. "I have a brother and two sisters, all older," answered in reply to his question. "I was the baby of the family; my parents had me later in life so I was a bit of a surprise. I suppose that's why they put up with my eccentricities for so long."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 19:00:58 GMT -5
I was happy when the topic was more focused on her. I nodded as she spoke about her position in the family, "It must be fun being the youngest. Your parents made all of their mistakes on their first child and were able to fix them by the time you came along." I nudged her lightly to the side in a playful move.
"You remind me a little of Angelique. She had a lot more freedom than me..." I mentioned thoughtfully.
I turned toward her, "Have you seen that man who was in Elua's Square..? What was his name again...? What do you think might happen to him...?"
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 19:12:00 GMT -5
I laughed at his comment. "I think it was quite the opposite, rather, my parents did a good job on Nicholas and got complacent with the rest of us. Your sister sounds lovely. Maybe you should invite her to come stay with you for a few days?"
I'd forgotten about the man in the square, a fellow Siovalese if my memory served correctly. "Baron Citrine? Leandre de Guivre. I'd heard of him as being so much a recluse that he hardly ever ventured from his apartment. The commander just mentioned questioning, so it shouldn't be anything too drastic."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 12, 2011 19:50:10 GMT -5
I laughed along with her, "Lucky you, then."
I shrugged my shoulders at her question, "Perhaps. She's 18 and still unmarried, so it might be a good time to bring her to court. I would rather have her here where I could be with her, rather than have her in Camlach on her own."
"Leandre de Guivre...I will have to remember that name. I might check up on him to see that he has not been unfairly incarcerated. If anything he was attempting to avoid a riot, although I'm not sure that his way of doing it was as successful as it could have been..." I spoke my thoughts out loud.
I looked down for a moment, attempting to get a hold of my thoughts. This woman was somehow making her way through my defenses and I didn't like it at all. I would have to monitor myself a little more.
"I'm not sure how good is the word of the Commander. Some men with too much power, will willingly take advantage of a situation if they can," I warned her.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 12, 2011 19:55:06 GMT -5
"Mm," I agreed, at everything he said. Especially that last bit on the Commander, he hadn't seemed like he really wanted to be there at the time so I wondered if he'd handle it professionally.
We began to approach the drive of the Townhouse, and suddenly my earlier misgivings returned.
|
|