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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 23, 2011 18:55:01 GMT -5
I had been visiting the various temples here in the city, drawn to the peace and beauty of them. With my hands clasped behind my back, I entered the Temple of Anael, my eyes moving over everything as I took in the similarities and differences to the other temples I’d seen.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 24, 2011 1:40:28 GMT -5
I'd just returned from outside the City walls – to talk to those who farmed, bless the fields, and witness the breeding of a particular set of horses intended for a highborn noble whose name did not matter. My robes were a bit rumpled from the ride, but I was in a good mood – the clean air had done me good.
A young man was in the temple and he seemed to be taking in the earthy wall, the creeping vines and the fresh floor. I smiled a little, and as there was none other about, I went to greet him.
“Good day,” I said, my voice soft, breathy in reverence to the lord. “I am Sister Shona. Be welcome.”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 24, 2011 16:59:47 GMT -5
A voice drew my attention and I smiled at the holy woman before me.
“Thank you, Sister Shona,” I said, bowing respectfully. “My name is Sébastien Fleury. I just came to experience the temple, is that permitted?”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 24, 2011 21:20:08 GMT -5
He bowed and I inclined my head in response, offering him my hands to touch for luck.
“The Lord's house is open to His children,” I replied, still smiling quietly. “You seemed to be searching, is all.”
He seemed young, but calm - with something wise about his gaze that told me he might have found his place in life early.
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 25, 2011 19:36:27 GMT -5
“Looking more than searching,” I said with a chuckle. “I’ve been visiting all the temples since I’ve come to the city, but I knew that this one would be different.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 26, 2011 0:52:57 GMT -5
“All temples are different,” I replied, smiling sweetly. “But Lord Anael does give one a particular peace.”
I tilted my head, examining him.
“You are earthen, yourself. I can see it on the way you hold your shoulders.”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 26, 2011 0:58:05 GMT -5
“Earthen, I like that description,” I said with a wider smile. “Yes, my family raises flowers. My mother always said I was bloomed more than born.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 26, 2011 2:11:22 GMT -5
I smiled knowingly, thinking to myself of how many word plays one could make with that particular affirmation.
“You bloomed in the day, though, and not at night,” I teased. “That, also, I can see.”
Though he had grace, he was not an adept either – that also, I could see, just like any who had spent much time in the Night Court could.
Like calls to like – while an adept can be plucked off Mont-Nuit, the Court of Night-Blooming flowers ever inhabits the heart of the adept. I'd learnt it the hard way, almost paid an awful cost for allowing myself to believe otherwise for a short, mad while. Oh, I knew.
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 26, 2011 21:21:41 GMT -5
“Oh yes,” I agreed, getting the hint that she meant the Court of Night Blooming Flowers. “I am from the borders of Eisande and L’Agnace. I’ve only been in the City a short while.”
Somehow I felt very comfortable with her, I wondered if that was like nature or if she was just one of those people others got along with.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 28, 2011 11:25:08 GMT -5
“Be welcome, then. And come, let me show you the gardens – I have an intuition that you might.... appreciate them, hm?”
He seemed to be the sort of young man easily liked – gentle and wise, probably beyond his years, and there was something calm about him that I found rather soothing.
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 29, 2011 1:29:02 GMT -5
“That would be wonderful, thank you Sister,” I said, smiling and bowing to her again.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 29, 2011 1:32:53 GMT -5
“This way, then, please,” I said as I started to lead Sebastien along the corridors to the back gardens. “Have you ever been to any other temple of Anael, before?”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 29, 2011 1:44:11 GMT -5
“Yes, the large one out of the City,” I answered as I followed her. I tried to look around and see everything we passed as we walked, but it was hard. I also noticed just how at home I felt here.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 29, 2011 13:21:55 GMT -5
“It is rather... quite impressive, isn't it?” I said lightly. “I find this one... somehow truer.” I grinned, then, and touched the earthen wall, caressing a leave of climbing ivy in passing.
“It is both fresh and homey, and a calming place to meditate.”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 30, 2011 1:19:49 GMT -5
“It does feel more intimate here,” I agreed. “Though, I am rather connected to the land back home so the large temple did feel a bit more connected to me.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 30, 2011 11:41:18 GMT -5
“I can understand that,” I replied as I led him through the corridor – it smelled of earth and fresh herbs, with a tinge of basil and thyme. “And where is home, Sebastien?”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Jul 31, 2011 20:06:24 GMT -5
“My family’s estate straddles the borders of Eisande and L’Agnace,” I told her.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 1, 2011 23:11:22 GMT -5
Of course. And so he'd been touched both by Eisheth and Anael. It made sense.
“It's well,” I said. “Are you like the King's family, then, horticulturists?”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 2, 2011 22:44:10 GMT -5
“We are,” I said. “In fact, I am friends with the King’s brother. We met over business, or lands are not that far apart.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 3, 2011 1:00:29 GMT -5
I nodded, rather politely. “A lofty friendship to claim,” I replied. “I just returned to the city, and will admit to knowing little of the King or his family – though I would wager that if they come with your recommendation...”
It was a small jest, well-intended, said lightly, without sarcasm.
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 3, 2011 19:34:06 GMT -5
“Oh no…. I didn’t mean it like that,” I said, disliking that I may have sounded as to be dropping names. “I just meant that I know his brother, not that I can claim anything from it.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 3, 2011 21:50:32 GMT -5
I gave Sebastien a kind smile, shaking my head. “Ah, no,” I said, “I didn't think you would. It was merely a jest, nothing more.”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 3, 2011 23:16:35 GMT -5
“Ah, forgive me for not getting it,” I said with a chuckle. We passed a trellised plant I didn’t recognize. “Pardon me, what plant is this?”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 3, 2011 23:56:40 GMT -5
It was a heavy vine, covered in white blossoms that would look, from afar, like fleece, and I smiled a little.
“It is clematis terniflora,” I replied. The low light exposure has prompted it to bloom earlier than it usually would. Beware, though – it is poisonous, and may burn you only a little, if you touch it.”
I suspected there would be questions – but there was a good reason it was there.
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 3, 2011 23:59:46 GMT -5
I clasped my hands behind my back even as I leaned in to study it more closely. “Where does it come from?”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 5, 2011 10:41:13 GMT -5
“It may be found anywhere in Terre d'Ange, but I've seen it most in Kusheth,” I replied amiably. “It's beautiful, though, isn't it?”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 6, 2011 0:30:40 GMT -5
“It’s amazing,” I said, studying it as closely as I could. “I am amazed I have never seen it before.”
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 6, 2011 8:45:26 GMT -5
I chuckled a little. “Like a beautiful but feisty lover – this clematis entices until you reach out to her.”
I tilted my head. “Would you like a shoot for your own gardens?”
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Post by Sébastien Fleury on Aug 6, 2011 16:43:57 GMT -5
I straightened, giving her a happy smile. “I would love one, thank you so much!” I said enthusiastically, delighted.
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Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
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Post by Shona Tertignan on Aug 6, 2011 17:47:12 GMT -5
I straightened, giving her a happy smile. “I would love one, thank you so much!” I said enthusiastically, delighted.
“Of course,” I replied. “Though I would recomment extreme caution when handling it. While it will do wonders to protect your walls from intruders, as you imagine, the clematis does not discriminate.”
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