Backpost: Proper goodbyes [Calista]

[Sébastien de Loréan]

Backdated to shortly before the wark with Skaldia breaks.

So war was breaking, and I'd come to take my assignment – I had hopes, in response to old loyalties, to be sent to Azzalle, if only because August was no longer there to lead his forces, and his friends should be, at the very least, be coming to his widow's – or his would-be widow's aid.

I'd have lied if I'd said I wasn't lobbying, and hadn't in the past.

On the morrow, I would leave wherever it was they would send me – and I had no trepidation in myself, only the calm that comes before battle. I knew what to expect, even if this time, it wasn't sand I would be treading.

I'd come to fetch Calista at House Valerian – for having contracted her far and few between, I'd come to think of her as much as a friend as she was my usually chosen adept, and not knowing what the coming months may bring, I wanted to treat her... properly.

It seemed fitting to eat in the Queen's dedicated establishment, so there we were, escaping the carriage, and I smiled at her a little more widely.

“Is it your first time here, Calista?”

Though the morrow might be bloody, I tried to keep my tone light – bantering. There was no reason to worry just yet.

[Calista nó Valerian]

When Sebastien had come to Valerian to contract me and take me out of doors, I'd been both surprised and gladdened. It was nice to see him, especially in this time of worry and strife, and I took to him like a fish to water, glad to have a friend to spend some time with.. and a friend he was, if in the complicated, twisted way an adept and a patron could be.

Truth be, I worried for him. He was a Marquis now, but a soldier as well, and I knew without having to be told that he was going to go off to war. I sat close to him through the drive, not caring where we were going, spending most of my time smiling up to him, laughing softly, offering comments in response to the subjects at hand. When we stopped, though, and I saw where we were, I found myself smiling for that too.

"It is," I replied as I settled my skirts, taking a quick glance around us. Sebastien was always generous, and though I'd had patrons with the title of Prince multiple times before, it was still a little overwhelming to be in the Palace district. "Have you been here before?" I asked, curious, though I was fairly certain he had been.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

“First time for us both,” I replies, grinning, and because I could, and she was mine to contract, I reached for her and slipped my arms around her waist, giving Calista an impetuous and gratuitous kiss.

“It seems fitting, considering that I'll be going on to her Majesty's service tomorrow,” I said softly on her lips. “But tonight is for you and I both – I don't need to worry about the battlefield, it'll worry about me soon enough.”

I touched my nose to hers, then, gave her another quick kiss, and led her inside. “And you must have plenty of stories for me, don't you?”

[Calista nó Valerian]

Sebastien was always one patron that was easy for me to be around.. I didn't worry about misstepping with him, at least not overmuch. He was relaxed and happy, he was generous and kind, he was as willing to kiss me as he was to dominate me. And kiss me he did, leaving me breathless as he tugged me after him, my body already having responded to his touch.

A smile adorned my mouth as we entered the building, and I stayed close to his side as much as I had in the carriage, enjoying his presence. "I don't have many stories," I admitted, a little shyly, but still with the smile, and always with good spirits. "There's not much that happens in the life of an adept... not like you, I'm sure," I offered, pleasantly.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

I laughed a little, still tugging tugging Calista with me, and I all but kept her close – I'd made sure to dress nicely for the occasion, because I wanted to give her a nice memory, in case it was the last one.

Which of course, it wouldn't be.

“Ah, yes, the trepidating life of the estate. Well, you'll be happy to know that the horse breedings have been going well, and I have a few apple orchards that are yeilding good results, I'm told.”

I posed, and gave her a rueful smile.

“It's fascinatingly tedious.”

[Calista nó Valerian]

I laughed, trying to imagine what it would be like.. his estate, and having one to run. Having a horse, let alone multiple. Alas, though, that wasn't my life, and I was content with what I had, especially in moments like this, when I was able to spend some time with a patron who had contracted me times enough to consider them a 'regular.'

Always, my thoughts seemed to drift towards the war, and fighting, strife and hurt, and the possibility of death.. I wanted to wrap my arms 'round him, but I didn't, held myself proper and still, though I didn't try to tamper the smile on my mouth as I might have with some patrons.

"That's good to hear," I replied, laughing softly. "The next time I eat an apple, I shall think of you."

My eyes twinkled a little, and I brought my opposite hand up, laying it on the arm I held just for that much more contact with him. "Lets see.. I've been teaching a class writing, and have been spending time in the nursery reading to the little ones. Other than that... There's not much to do," I added, my eyes up on his, smiling in merriment.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

My little admission to boredom was greater than I'd made it to be – in fact, part of me was relieved to be called to arms again, part of me, in fact was excited to fight once more. I had a small contingent, but it was well trained, and men I knew and loved well. Men I trusted. It would be good to lead the charge with them once more... even if the City, I knew, would seem far.

“Writing?” I said, “You should tell me about that – and about the little ones, too.” This was all too comfortable, and I was seriously considering taking Calista back into the carriage for further... conversation... was the maitre d'hotel interrupted us.

I asked for a table for two, by the window, up on the highest floor, so that we could enjoy the view, and promised myself a reward for my patience.

[Calista nó Valerian]

My ability to replied was postponed by the arrival of an employee, and I flashed Sebastien a smile as I trailed along beside him. I was well suited to allowing people to take over for me, making decisions and directing me in what to do. I stuck close to his side as we walked, and after a few steps I deigned it polite enough to continue our conversation, something I did with cheeriness.

"There's little to tell, I'm afraid," I admitted, a touch guiltily. "I have a class of seven and eight year olds that I tend to thrice a week, teaching them their scripts, forms and words. There's a little girl, Dasha, that keeps me on my toes," I added wryly. We reached a sweeping staircase, and I gathered my skirts daintily in my hand as I began ascending the stairs beside him. "I didn't know you had orchards, though.. Are they well established, or growing still?"

I knew little of such things, but there were a few key things that I could relate to and talk to him on. Speaking of growing plants always reminded me of LaValle, and I couldn't help but wonder how long it'd been since I'd seen him. Life moved on, it seemed.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

“Thankfully, they're well established, and yet more thankfully, Savage loves trees.” I smiled a little, and added, “You know, for all the grooming I received in my youth, to get ready to succeed to my father, I never expected it to be such a complete task. I'm grateful for any help I can get.” I gave her a bit of a rueful smile, and added, “But talk to me about Dasha, and about your writing, and your life, Calista.”

I tilted my head, my eyes tracing the fine line of her jaw, the rich softness of her lips. “I'll be off to the frontlines soon, and I think I'd rather spend this evening distracted by a beautiful woman than talking about apples.”

I winked, then, a promise of more ... distractions... to come. But tonight, I wanted more than just a bedding – my assignations with Calista always had something personal to them, this was no exception. I didn't really admit it aloud, but this was a touch beyond the ordinary bond of a patron and his chosen adept. Best not to dwell on that, though.

[Calista nó Valerian]

I laughed, softly, at the idea of someone named Savage loving trees. It was such a paradox, so ironic that I instantly was warm towards it - though I'd never met Sabastiens brother, if he was anything like him, I knew I'd like him. I kept close to Seby as we moved, not enough to crowd him out, but enjoying his presence. I glanced up, looking him in the eye more than most of my other patrons; there was no pretenses with Sebastien, no games; he was as he was, and I knew he wanted me as I was.

I wanted to ask him if his brother ever came into the City, or anything else about his family or estates, but at his urge to turn the conversation onto me I let it fall by the wayside. Especially, truth be told, when he gave his reasoning for listening about me.

My cheeks warmed a little and I was hard pressed not to lay my head against his upper arm. "Dasha is a wiley little thing.. I think her patrons will either love her or hate her," I said, smiling a bit fondly. "I suppose it depends on how much she can control her, and how much.. humor.. they might have. She comes up with the most surprising of comments though. Much different than her younger brother, Davian; he's quiet and subdued, as if he lets his sister do all the speaking for him." Dasha reminded me much of Manon, truthfully, and Davian was much more like myself.

We reached our table, and I smiled at the server before turning my attention back to Sebastien. I was unused to talking about myself so much.. A comment or two here or there, but even this much felt as if I were monopolizing a conversation. "There's little much to tell of everything else, I fear," I added, though it was true - my life was far from exciting, repetitive and predictable, but I wouldn't trade it.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

I enjoyed walking with her, how open Calista was this night, and how she lit up when she spoke of her wards – her students. I had squeezed her hand reflexively as we were walking up, and I held her chair for her, as I would for any lady.

“It sounds like you have your hands full,” I replied, smiling as I waited for her to sit. I indulged a moment in taking in her lithe form, the life in her eyes and the way she was utterly, entirely present. Was she like this with all her patrons? I wondered – I wanted to think I had the advantage of being special to her, but was that not exactly her trade? Regardless, it was enjoyable, and I opted to bask and not question it too much.

“Perhaps you might have some insight on how to handle a particular situation, then,” I said after I'd reached my own seat. “Have I ever mentioned my Alban cousin to you?”

I couldn't remember if I had or not, though as Briallen came every year, I couldn't imagine never having brought up her visits in the past.

[Calista nó Valerian]

I sat as he guided, light and easy, perching on my seat rather than filling it. I watched him as he moved away to seat himself; the crisp line of his body, the precise way he took his chair, his napkin, his glass - he knew who he was, and he knew the discipline of military. What girl didn't enjoy that? An adept, I'd been trained to appreciate such niceties mayhap more than nobles and royals who take them as their due - mayhap it was that Sebastien wasn't even aware of how lovely he looked. My blood raced a little more for it, already eager to be alone with him and feel his hands and kisses on my body.

"I believe you have," I replied, smiling gently as I wracked my brain. "It was a goodly time ago though.. A lady, though I most apologetically cannot recall her name," I added, embarrassed.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

“Aye, a girl,” I replied, and I slipped my hands under my chin. “Briallen – my first cousin. She just celebrated her sixteenth natal, and luck,” that was a bit sarcastic of me to call it such, “has it that she is summering here, even as war breaks.”

Ah, but she had accepted to come with me rather than go on her own, and that alone had felt like a battle. I was exhausted, just to think of all the trouble she might get herself (and by extension, me) into.

“Ah, Calista, will you believe that she insisted on coming to war, and might have gone alone, if all else failed?”

In truth, I was at a loss with her – it seemed nothing I could say would make her understand my position. I suspected it was of her age, but still.

[Calista nó Valerian]

My eyes widened a little as he spoke, and lips parted in a soft gasp - she'd have gone to war? Alone? "Is she well trained for battle?" And, abruptly, another thought occurred to me. "Are you taking her with you on the morrow?"

That Sebastien would care for her was a given - truly, the idea that he wouldn't never occurred to me. It wasn't that that worried me, no... it was the sudden realization that the distraction of caring for his wayward cousin might end up hurting, or, the gods forbid, killing him on the field. Ice began to form in the pit of my stomach, and I tried not to blanch.

Gently, carefully, I reached across the table, my fingers seeking his to lace with them. A warm gesture, from one friend to another. One lover to another. Take great care, I wanted to say, but instead I sat in silence, watching his handsome face.

[Sébastien de Loréan]

My hand was slipped and threaded with Calista's without a second thought – she and I knew each other so well, had enjoyed each other in so many ways, that I could have said in all earnest that I never felt so comfortable with one who was not kin, as I was with her. I could see in her lovely face that she was nervous – worrying, suddenly, and I squeezed her hand reassuringly.

“Yes,” I said, simply and stoutly. “I would sooner have her where I can see her, or have others see to her, than know she is gone on some wild tangent. My hope is that in the camp, she will find enough to occupy herself, to start, and well...” I smiled reassuringly. “I'm not new at this. It will be fine.”

I leaned over, and smiling like a conspirator, I made Calista a promise. “It will be over in a heartbeat – and you will have a few more scars to kiss, is all, my sweet.”

Part of me knew – in the solitude of the camp, I would think of her – and not as one does of their mother.