Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 12, 2008 14:00:36 GMT -5
The morning of the Royal Hunt Fete I looked at Larquel with an arched eyebrow. What, did he think I was going to have my way with him? How cocky. Then again, he was handsome. Then again, he was one of my oldest friends, one I couldn’t afford to lose to a romp. Besides, I had sworn off adept affairs a moment ago already – something he didn’t know about, of course. I couldn’t blame him. “Of course. Then I take everything from them, and let them walk home with barely some breeches to cover their sorry bums,” I replied as I entered the Cockeral behind him, exaggerating completely. For it, I grinned wolfishly.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 12, 2008 18:49:21 GMT -5
"That sounds about right." I added following behind her. I flagged down the nearest bar maiden for a couple rounds. My old friends weren't around at the moment, but I was well enough known, and liked for that matter that the Tsigiani kept spirits high when I entered. It's like a secret club, and I was glad to be part of it.
I had a feeling though conversations might not stay jolly for long, so I grabbed a more secluded table. "So....?" I asked inquisitively.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 13, 2008 5:47:23 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but feel heartened by the welcome we got when we entered the Cockeral. Larquel did have a special link to the Tsingani – it was a little thanks to him that I had developed my strange association to Edgar at the Medecant’s Cloak, and even it if was really him they were cheering, I liked to think it was a little bit for me too.
The rounds were ordered, and I gave him a look. “So early, Larq?” I shook my head. “I don’t drink much, and never before breakfast.” With that, I called back the girl, and ordered orange juice, not minding the smirk it afforded me.
I looked at him a again, and shrugged. “So, what?”
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 13, 2008 8:40:15 GMT -5
"It's tradition I'm afraid. I can't not go to the cockeral without having one drink. If Tacoon or Reylic ever found out, I'd never hear the end of it. But anyways," I crossed my arms. "I told my story, now it's your turn."
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 13, 2008 9:03:30 GMT -5
I shrugged for his explanation, not caring overly so - he was a big boy, after all. “Tales. Mine don’t involve pirates, they involve princes,” I said as I reclined. “There’s a Burning Prince and a Sweet one. Which should I talk about first?”
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 13, 2008 13:56:19 GMT -5
"Hmmm," I drummed my hands idly on the table while I thought. Not much of a hint on either. "The first one then. He's not literally on fire is he, I'd imagine that would make a few daily activities harsh. Can you toast a scone off him?"
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 14, 2008 8:25:39 GMT -5
"Figuratively, you can," I replied with a chuckle. "Have you heard of Maurice de Somerville?"
Hmm. Scones. I could use one right about now, I decided as I felt my stomach growl. I'd left without having breakfast.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 14, 2008 11:11:43 GMT -5
"Of any personal meeting, not really, no." It seems the bar maiden heard what I did not.
"Larquel! How dare you bring a pretty little friend here and not order her a meal." She turned to Shona, "Don't worry dear, I've got some nice pastries hidden away, would you like one?"
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 15, 2008 7:57:02 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the lively woman who promised me pastries. She was pretty, and friendly – instantly, I liked her. “Thank you, it would be lovely to have whatever you are willing to serve,” I said with a thankful smile.
She grinned, and hopped along to the kitchens as though we had bid her the world and she had it to serve. Amused, I turned a grin to Larquel. “That was convenient, I haven’t had breakfast.” I shook it off, and said, “What was I saying?”
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 17, 2008 9:28:06 GMT -5
"Maurice de Sommervile. Something about him burning. Did you burn him, or is he just that appetizing to you" I asked cooly. I was paying more attention than people usually give me credit, you have to learn to keep sharp when at any moment some disaster could ruin a good prank, or get caught for pickpocketing.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 17, 2008 15:21:42 GMT -5
“He’s…” I paused, thinking. “He’s fascinating. But I call him burning because he is on fire in every single way – and like fire, he’s fascinating, and can hurt you, or warm you, depending on your skill and his mood.” I shrugged. “He’s entertaining.” I wondered why Larquel reacted so coolly to it. It was surprising. Besides, it’s wasn’t as though I were in love with Reese – I liked him, he intrigued me, but that was where it stopped. He was business and pleasure in one, a combination I enjoyed. Reese was the ultimate game.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 17, 2008 15:25:29 GMT -5
I quirked an eyebrow. "Entertaining, alright. But then, what's the problem. Did he murder another patron, is he cheating with you on another." I took a sip of the arrived ale. "Did he buy you chocolate?" I asked all rather haughty and humorously.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 17, 2008 18:47:56 GMT -5
“He’s at odds with my House,” I said softly, under my breath. I was toying with my juice, nursing it slowly. “And if I accept the very tempting position he’s offered me, I’ll be anathema. Bryony will never allow me to come visit my friends – and that’s a sore price to pay… yet, I have this strange compulsion to accept.”
It was simple. I was getting bored of Bryony, and even if Fisher had made clear the framework of my decision making, he’d offered me no alternative but to stagnate in his own shadow.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 18, 2008 11:01:07 GMT -5
I sipped slowly and occasionally on my drink. "Been attached that long, have you?" I said humorously. But I knew she was having a true problem. "Listen Shona, would it be a good assessment that you tend to make a lot of rash decisions?" I ended my question by hiding my face in my mug, not necessisarly drinking.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 20, 2008 4:29:15 GMT -5
I chuckled for his joke, but sobered up for his following comment. “No, it’s not,” I replied seriously. “I usually think long and hard on such matters, and in fact I am thinking long and hard about it. It’s a big deal, and tempting though it is, it is a gamble with high stakes. I’m a prudent gambler, Larquel. Believe me when I tell you I take this seriously.” Oh, and Elua, I did. Seriously enough to take it to Fisher, even if it had perhaps meant to lose Gaspard’s trust in the process – my advancement at the house had a ceiling anyway, and I’d met it a while ago.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 20, 2008 13:14:36 GMT -5
I followed her eyes. "I don't doubt you do." I still wasn't quite sure what she was getting at, but perhaps there wasn't enough I knew. "Well, you might be tempted to remove yourself from Bryony," I thought about my trips soon after I made my marquee. "But, If I were you, I think it would be wise to find out what it would be like to leave, without cutting yourself off indeffinitly. You might not know what your missing until it's gone."
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 21, 2008 4:29:09 GMT -5
I drummed my hand on the table. Remove myself from Bryony. Not a bad idea, that. Perhaps I would take a vacation at home, spend time on the farm, visit with Ma and Pa. Ma would have advice galore to give me, I knew. The idea had a great deal of merit.
“That’s a good idea,” I said with a little smile. “My Larquel,” I said, a little bit tenderly. “I’m missed you, you witty, charming man.” My hand reached across the table and sought his. I was grateful.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 21, 2008 17:11:55 GMT -5
I took it, chuckliing, "Careful, your tell is showing," I tried to hold back the full laugh. "Of course, I'm the real fool then, if I'm just seeing you, and giving you advice to leave. Then again, maybe it won't need to be geographic distance, just occupational. You don't happen to have any skills that don't conflict with Bryony's interests, do you?"
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 22, 2008 7:11:12 GMT -5
“I wouldn’t leave you,” I said with a smile. “I’d take you with me, rather,” I added with a teasing grin. It amused me to imagine Larq at the farm. I wondered how he would fare there.
To his request, though, I gave an earnest answer. “All my skills are competition to Bryony,” I said with a shrug. “I could I guess open my own salon and keep my regular patrons.” The lack of enthusiasm in my voice was dripping – I saw no value in that at all. It would cost me more and give me no benefit.
“The truth is, I’m bored, and I see nothing more at Bryony to feed my ambitions. What Reese de Somerville is offering me is the equivalent to a Second’s position.” I squeezed his hand.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 23, 2008 13:09:13 GMT -5
"At the ire of Bryony's, wouldn't it be." I took a sip. "I think Bryony recently had a promotion, didn't they. Weren't you friends with someone with clout there?" Admittedly, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention, but near every house is kept on some sort of loop in relation to promotions of seconds within all the houses. It keeps you on your toes, and motivated.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 23, 2008 17:57:07 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but swallow a little – it still ached, even if we’d parted in friendly ways. “Yes,” I said softly. “He is now the Second.” I toyed with the now empty glass of juice a moment, trying to make sense of it. “I congratulated him on his promotion, last night.” I’d said the latter a bit wistfully, though I looked at Larquel at the end of it. For the first time in a long time, I felt a little bit broken.
Thankfully, that was the moment his bar wench friend chose to reappear with some pastries, and the thought of food made me smile. “Thank you,” I told her sincerely. She said something nice and walked away, leaving me to turn my gaze back to Larquel.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 23, 2008 18:19:13 GMT -5
I sipped again, stopping the maiden. I felt a sudden urge for some fruit, and she retreated quickly to the back, coming out with a slice of watermelon. I looked at Shona knowingly. Even I could recognized that look. "Let me guess, you mentioned this prospect to him as well?"
And I imagine she met with something she didn't want to hear.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 24, 2008 14:15:18 GMT -5
Quietly, I nodded. “It would have been…” I sighed, and said, “for all the gaming I like, Larquel, I don’t cheat. I play fair, and even more so when it comes to loyalties.” I shook my head, and said, “One would have thought I was sitting on his cat. He was straight with me, but he’s thinking of the House first, and I can’t blame him for it.”
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 24, 2008 16:19:23 GMT -5
"Well, I can't pretend to grasp the complexities of your decision Shona." I took a sip. "But, I will find it hard not to support you in what ever you choose." I couldn't help but looking pitingly at her. "I'm sorry that you have such a conflicting decision. I'd help if I knew how, but, I don't think there is much I could do."
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 25, 2008 0:09:18 GMT -5
I sighed, even as I looked at Larquel with more fondness than before, if it was at all possible. “Just knowing I’ll still have your friendship, even if I make a move out of the Night Court means a lot to me,” I said softly. There was more than compassion in his gaze – he looked at me as though I were fatally wounded. “Do I look that broken, Larq?” I couldn’t help it, I had to ask.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 25, 2008 15:39:51 GMT -5
"Well, broken no. Though, I would imagine a light wind would be enough to knock you on your arse at this point." I grinned, sipping again. "Just think of me as your trusty house tree, that's always there, and you can spend your lazy days under the shade." I smiled, it was a good metaphor.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 25, 2008 15:48:36 GMT -5
Spending my lazy days under his shade. Even if he was right, he made me smile. “I might like that,” I replied lightly, trying to keep out of my voice how much the idea was appealing. He liked me. There weren’t that many people who did – most of my relationships were based on mutual benefit, rather than affection, as I’d recently learned. Of course, that didn’t include Nyx. She was too pure to be calculating. “You know you can always rest yourself on me, don’t you?” I asked with a smile.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 25, 2008 21:10:54 GMT -5
I picked up my fruit, which was snuck in quietly to my side. "Oh..." I took a bite, an innocent look on my face. "I had a good hunch." I'd known Shona for the longest time, and while I'd led a rather care free life, I knew she'd be one to turn to if I ever came against a dire situation. My eyes drifted as I begin to wonder, I'd always imagined Shona coming to my rescue after being cheated out of some assignation patron gift, and she with guile winning twice my worth.
|
|
Shona Tertignan
Priestess
Priestess of Anael; Fully Marqued Bryony Adept
Prosperity tries the fortunate: adversity the great.
Posts: 2,009
|
Post by Shona Tertignan on Mar 25, 2008 22:05:06 GMT -5
I smiled, letting Larquel drift into one of his fancies. After a while, I cleared my throat, and looked him in the eyes. “Am I interrupting anything, darling? I can leave you two alone, if you wish.” I teased him wildly, my smile wide and my eyes very amused. For all the direness of my situation, I was finding a great deal of comfort in his presence. Thanks to this meeting, I would be able to attend the Fete in decent spirits. Idly, my hand trailed to the horse shoe pendant as I addressed a wordless praise to Fortuna.
|
|
|
Post by Larquél nó Orchis (D) on Mar 25, 2008 23:52:00 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Leave who alone?" I asked curiously, catching her sentence. I tried pass off that moment of ignoring my friend, even though I was thinking about my friend. I looked into my mug. "Well, how bout that, this didn't last as long as I thought?"
|
|