Post by Janice Olivia Monroe on May 5, 2009 11:09:05 GMT -6
Janice: A book, a book. All of the world for but one book! Or three (or ten, to be more precise and honest) for the hands of Miss Viscreed. The festivities had done well enough to swallow some trepidation and emerge triumphant with a fellow of like interests for a comerade. At the beginning of pagan ritual, Janice clapsed her hands at the cross about her throat while following the long line of minstrels. God would forgive curiosity, wouldn't he? Oh the stories! Oh the adventure! While she did not gaze at so much unabashedly exposed skin (she barely learned to show a bit of her arms and throat, they showed all else!) her ears devoured their far-aways and once upon a times. "Mr. Renquest, have you ever heard the tale of this curse" or "Why that hero reminds me of.." proved that to spark the ember of interest was to stoke the fire of brilliance. For what better did the introvert have to bond over save matters of living inside one's head? On the row now, there were three fantastic people who could work the astonishing printing presses. A book in an instant it seemed! Along with hand written fair, you might say that the pair of them could easily bond with their head stuck in individual pages. Wasn't that just romantic? (d)
Nathan:: In all honesty, Nathan had found the recent day altogether enjoyable, despite the awkward trepidation of the manner in which Janice brought on with it, and the awkwardness of being courted in the first place. He found in her a fairly like mind, and despite his initial apprehension found her indeed amiable company. In Janice as well he found an equal, able to reference the same books and stories and fill the gaps in the other's knowledge. He didn't know what to expect, but by the end of the night he had found himself to be quite enjoying himself. Perhaps it was that company that had brought him out of hiding to better peruse the materials with her, hands folded behind him as he perused leisurely along, greatful, as always, for the bit of a comforting distraction. It wasn't to say he didn't other company as well--it'd been entirely too long since he'd seen Anulia, honestly, and given what had last transpired between them in that, he felt it all the more necessary to make amends for it-or that he did not value the company of Kaori, but by contrast, he was much more comfortable in the company of Janice--a welcome relief in its own right.
...they spoke of texts, of successful events, and the scholastic work that busied Mr. Renquest's hands...
Natha: "Oh most assuredly yes. " Nathan's eyes flicked over the stylized print, being forced to admit a rather mixed bit of feeling upon their reflection, but nonetheless pleased in such manner. "Why, I'd say the event was most illuminating. I believe such customs may become of higher import as well, given the way things shape to change." the full measure of what was happening had barely even hit Nathan yet--the cusp of history and all manner of such things. For the lot of them born and bred on London Soil, it was nigh unthinkable in the first place. "For all we know, the traditions may spread to the home country now..." though, some small part of him wondered if any good would come of those things, he didn't wish to spoil her cheerful mood too much. "Ah yes, I do remember those old days... nose to the parchment, word for word. Lord, some of the Friar's handwriting were such a mess as well. All style and precious little substance. I can honestly say I don't miss them."
Janice: "I agree, and to see an old custom that used to take place in Isles of Britannia, vivid and alive as we are now. I confess, my Catholic spirit could hardly take the freedom that the old pagans have, but they are jovial. Perhaps the tolerant portion would not be so bad a thing to see in England, or in my mother's France. While the Lord has commandments, I..somehow do not think he agrees with all of the burning," The last part was whispered given the nunnery instilled holy terror for such things, but the nuns weren't their to pull Janice in now were they? Knowing what was known of her lineage offered her a pair of new eyes on which to view things, for she was not entirely one thing nor the other, to some degree. Though the thought of what went on in London...to think of a place called home burning or changed, was strange. "Ah but better things! Friars were messy? The nuns would have it not! They would be an army of quils and parchment, saying Psalms as they copied. For hours. Come to think of it, I do not miss that part much either." She laughed, purchasing the book and passing it to him. " A gift, to the new world and old customs, and to God that we have lived to be the generation to see it." (d)
Nathan: "Mmm, Well, there are thinkers who have a pretty heretical opinion to what some of the more militant of his name precisely achieve by such nonsense." he added, off-hand. Such words were never said in the company of paritcular Inquisitional authorities, quite naturally, but in such company--to say nothing of the way the winds changed, Nathan felt it as safe as any to bring out such things. "Ah, not messy precisely. That is to say entirely too concerned with the artistry of the words, so to speak, that they had forgotten one of the key elements of writing--namely, to be legible." her own musings had earned a sympathetic laugh as well, knowing full well how that felt, up until the g ift had been passed on him. Now if that wasn't enough to make him flush by itself. "O...Oh. Oh my. Why, Miss Viscreed. "Ah--thank you..."
Peregrine: "Mmm, what a touching gift." The pirate's Cheshire grin could rival the moon on nights, for it burned as bright. Slipping from the cradle of his post his swagger would close the distance long before his feet. "Lord, Nate at this rate buddy.." His voice trailed off as he fell in behind the little Janice and wiggled his brow to the bookie. Hands fell into the pockets of his pants with slow careless steps around them and ocean hues washed well over the pair. It was clear his motives were of his own doing, but the smirk upon his face enjoyed ruining evenings. Picking up one of the leather bound books he mused over the cover but flipped through the pages, no pictures..he wasn't interested as reading took time..and patience; both in which he had very little to do with. "You ladies feel up to a drink?" Turning then back to the pair, and eyes shifted of course over the true female, and motives were very clear as he rocked back upon his feet with a smile. (d
Janice: "You're welcome, Mr. Renquest." The stammering wasn't elegant. No, it was endearing. His articulation of language, his knowledge, and company made him most pleasant, and his shyness a true comerade in arms. It was hard to putoneself out there. Freedom to seek was easy. Once obtained, what do you do with it? So much to gain and so little experience at getting it. Just as she was abou tto move to another stall, the voice of the carriage-wrecker swam through a sea of dulcet tones to lodge in the shell of her ear. Mr. Jean-Claude had such a voice - at once sinister, yet beguiling. She gasped softly, turning around to view the speaker with a mixed reaction. Anxiousness and possibly potential upset? "Good evening, Mr. Peregrine." Civility was paid - for she'd been cautioned and so kept close that civility was always the first order of business when one lodged beneath the roofs of Ebon Hall. They had an image to uphold (despite their unusual fraternization) and given the care Masters Sorchal and St. Laurence took to form bonds, let not her awkwardness ruin them. "That would depend on what Mr. (puncatuated Mr.) Renquest would favor. I do not indulge in spirits," albeit she had tried just a little sweet meade, but feared the whole lot would go straight to her head and refrained from further libtion. So yes, Janice didn't drink. Oddly enough, she liked Jean-Claude's kindness but wasn't sure about Peregrine yet. He owed her a carriage (d)
Nathan: Good luck only lasted so far, or so it seemed. Thus far Peregine had been little more than a voice for his insecurities, but damned if he wasn't a master of timing in his own right, and the book-keeper groaned inwardly. "Ah, Mr. Peregine." said with the kind of unpleasant surprise usually reserved for ones in-laws and perhaps the Inquisition. The man's damnable expressions made things a damn sight worse, and he didn't know whether to turn right bled or bristle at the implications, and settled instead on a sort of careful neutrality. "Ah... I'm afraid I'd rather not. I'm in company today, and I try not to indulge in spirits" rather, he no longer did after horribly embarrassing himself in front of the Duchess, but he didn't need to know that part in the slightest.
Janice: How she yearned to say something entirely cheeky and tarty, but found that if Christ could turn the other cheek, so could she (if only for a little. Janice was succumbing to this odd phenomenon called the 'outburst'). Selecting another book in hand she waited until he finished talking about a lack of adventue and the need for sun before saying, "You read how someone else has seen the sun, it makes you appreciate each bit of sunlight that you might take in. An adventure may make you want to take an adventure, Mr. Peregrine, and even better yet when you find yourself outside, doing so." Mr. Renquest did have color! Ooh he was so infuriating! What was about it people that picked on others just because they were a little shy and a little quiet that just made her blood boil? "Mr. Renquest, would you like to go see the fountains? I hear that the artisan who made them has put in colored lights."
Nathan: "With honest respect, Mr. Peregine, were it not for those of us devoted to written word, your days lived would be but dust and ashes in your passing." which was about as close to riposting as Nathan would ever get with such sentiment, though the comment on needing 'color on the face' was passed without much retort, grimacing. to say that Nathan had endured enough 'adventure' in the past few days to make up for a lifetime was a supreme understatement, as far as he was concerned--he was only just now able to walk without the aid of a cane, all things considered. Clearing his throat and trying to retain some dignity (for alas Janice had not quite realized that her outbursts did little to make Renquest's own spine look rigid) he half-turned his head and half-heartedly smiled. "Most certainly. Shall we?"
Nathan: Uh..blushing didn't count as color, Nathan. "Like you have any idea of adventure, little one. You are a kept pet under a jeweled hand. Looking at lights of fountains." He could only scoff then turning away from them letting his gaze raise to the heavens before letting them fall on a vendor of ink--Jean was out. "The eve is too young, for lights on a fountain right?" He asked the vender who gave the pirate a cheeky grin, the man clearly not understanding a word he said, "You speak English?" Peregrine asked with a shake of his head, but still got nothing in return finally giving up and placing the coin out. "Lord.." He sighed.(d
Janice: Oh, was that so? Considering the dart of an assasin had killed her and his love of sparklers sent a carriage up into flames..twixt that and being sucked dry by leeches, being told what she had been told of stories that sickened, poor Janice would have had enough adventures. But, she was out and about. Enjoying herself. Living, mind you, God be praised and she was certainly no one's pet! She paid him no further mind, "We shall." And was content to view the 'colored lights' that made her so naieve, so simple. Well, naieve, simple, under-adventured Janice turned her head at the vendor. When the vendor spoke to the person collecting the change for the till, that was when she said, "He is Italian, Mr. Peregrine, if that helps." No smartness nor hard brass, just a simple kindness despite his underhanded slights. "He wants you to look at his hand, you over paid him." A headful of books did wonders at times didn't it? Now the reason why sister Mary Helen taught her Italian made sense in the light of those she resided with. No, she would not deprive Nathan of his spine, instead found a bit of her own backbone while watching the colors go from red, to blue, to green to gold and lavendar as water lept from bowl to bowl. People always dug. Pet. That had actually hurt. (d)
Peregrine: "Italian?" A snort left him waving his hand to motion for the man to keep it. "Didn't know they still made those." Italians? Ha! Who had ever heard of such a thing. "So..do you write your books, Janice? Or only read them?" He knew Nate wrote, but had he thought her unable? Turning to look over his shoulder he would see them already gone, and turned back to the Italian man, passing him a wink. "Women eh?" International language of frustration, and the man would smile nodding his head not understanding one word. (d
Janice: "I read and have copied on behalf of certain persons, sir." Janice replied, still looking at the lights," The only book I write is my own personal account in the journal Monsieur Jean-Claude was kind enough to give me." In all earnest? The poor girl was partially afraid of her own penmenship. Writing, intellect. It seemed not to bode well with prolonged life in her family, now did it. The Italian man grinned with a lack of English knowledge while she became a might distant (d)
Nathan "Which is more than enough. Nathan added, calmly. Though he was rather uncertain what Peregine meant by implying that Janice was some kind of pet. Granted, she was under the care of Claramae, but to say such a thing made no real sense to him. "Furthermore, not to put too fine a point on it, I'm not entirely sure what your definition of adventure is. Going to a tavern and partaking in spirits hardly seems adventurous. The whole thing is rather droll, and honestly, partaking in spirits leads to little other than stupidity." this in Nathan's firm opinion after the aforementioned incident. "If all this adventure has had part in the forming of your boorish behavior, I'd say the majority of it may be better off without the kind of adventure someone like yourself may bring. It is most unpalatable. " of course, if he had any idea who Peregine was, perhaps the opinion might have a bit more weight. If he only knew. . "Come along Miss Viscreed. Evening's still young."
Jean-Claude: The wind rustled newly fallen blooms from trees and pressed the water of the fountains across the stone in perhaps a chance to call out upon the maiden, and her book keeper. The day had been unkind, but the night would soon start again--all of this he captured from her face. "I have worried you did not get it, Jolie fleur." The kind eyes of the Frenchmen swayed with his dip of his chin towards the pair. "I have the same argument, Master Renquest of taverns and spirits. Yet to argue sense to this man is to speak upon the wind in opposite direction." A graceful motion this man's steps poised and polished; even to the leather of his boot. The soles were not worn, nor carried the earth but still could argue how many times he had walked this world over. "A thousand pardons, upon the interruption of your night." He spoke to the young couple, but his gloved hand fell upon the shoulder of the Pirate. "Adventures that : best wait for other nights." His whisper to the man whose eyes had narrowed upon Nathan, and teeth were clenched behind his lips. However, as always he was pulled back by the only level head he knew. Jean would turn the much smaller frame of the man clasping now both shoulders to move him in the opposite direction speaking in a low whisper the entire time until empty were his hands, and standing upon the street corner he found himself alone. The pirate had left, they all had their heads, and life would go on.
Janice" His eloquence gave him quite the spine. Well done, Mr. Renquest, well done. Janice listened, and her distant eyes pulled back a little as he found footing in the conversation. He argued his point in the same eloquent way that theMasters parlayed theres. Passions excelled. There was still a comfort, however, in the calm demeanor of the bookish. This was her world now for better or worse - elegance, subterfuge, and she the angel in the Laurence House. Giving them all a little something better, kinder, to look on. "Yes, let us be along, Mr. Renquest" The handling of the situation was well done, and her smile showcased this to him. A shake of blossoms swept peach flowers down so that a Frenchman could appear. Giving a curtsey to him she smiled softly. "Merci, monsieur. The journal is lovely, and I record in it faithfully each night." Despite his attachments, the strange Frenchman meant well enough. He seemed to wrangle Peregrine and take him away with more civility than the pirate had ever come. "Good night sirs." What would become of your carriage angel, Jean-Claude? So far, she seemed to have gained a figure, brightness to hereyes, flushed cheeks, and a recovered disposistion. "have you ever wondered, Mr. Renquest, over some ways in which the world works?" (d)
Nathan: Of course, they weren't the only ones watching the whole affair, but one in the errant crowd did little to give away his presence, but he chose not to reveal his hand yet. Not until he divined their interest, be it for ill otherwise. As they left, so did he, melting into the crowd and allowing himself to be swept into it while the two others departed--though he wasn't far. Nathan himself watched the two depart, glancing sidelong to Janice at the thoughtful question poised and hesitantly withdrawing--apparently he'd struck a nerve with the gentlemen in question, though he couldn't have fathomed just how. "Sometimes, Miss Viscreed, I can't even fathom a guess..." with faint bewilderment, he'd make his way to the fountains to doubtless, the very question rendering him silent and still.
Janice "Nor I, Mr. Renquest. For all their talk of adventure, I rather say it's taken for granted." She offered, following along as they walked toward the greatest fountain in the middle with four lions head that seemed to 'roar' faintlyas the water left, or the merfolk that 'sang' when their shells were tapped. There was nothing wrong with being simple. You appreciated a great many things, colored lights included. "Breathing proves to be its own adventure enough here in Turas Lan," she smiled faintly. A city seige. Murder attempts. Lord knows what other parael. Janice nor Nathan had to go very far to find adventure! (d)
Nathan: "You're telling me." Nathan replied grimly enough. after his last bout withi adventure--namely the kind that saw him buried under a ton of rock, he'd decided there was considerable merit in the quiet life, hands folded behind him. He laughed a short, biting sound at the very sentiment, and shook his head briefly. Adventure enough indeed. "Still, it's not the worst place I've ever been. Too terribly exciting for my tastes--yes, yes indeed. But, I still rather like it here, all things considered. " he straightened his sleeves, a preening gesture and added. "And it looks like I'll be here a while longer. I just received word from the Lord funding me. This whole upheavel is forcing him to consider other businesses--contracts terminated. So, for the time being, well.." he trailed off and shrugged, quietly, hiding his feelings on the subject neatly in one capacity or another.
Janice: "Indeed." She said in concurence, letting her arms wrap about her body, taking the shawl with it. When he laughed, she only silently chuckled. As if a nervous habit she simply rubbed at the faint scars on the inside of her wrists where the itch from a leech aggrivated the turned back cotton fabric. "There is so much here. There are ways for it to become better, and it shows that each day. The people here..they rise above what troubles them. I should much like to do the same." A curl of hair was tucked behind her ear as she listened to what the upheavel was doing to contracts. Would his be among the terminated, "If your contract is released, what will you do, Mr. Renquest?" As it was she fathomed she would be about Turas Lan if not the whole Isle herself, seeing this or that instead of four walls and a four poster bed. The attack, regretablly, still marred portions of her orientation enough to where every few days she suffered from an odd dizzy spell, but nothing moere remained. (d)
Nathan: "I-ah, well, I don't know." He replied, rather surprised to realize that he wasn't too sure of the answer himself. " For the time being I suppose I will continue my work under the High Scholar, but... well, seems that I'm free to pursue whatever interests I have, truthfully." the Scholar turned his eyes back to the young girl and seemed to reflect on her, oddly finding a strange parallel--ironic that it would take them to the same place. "It's rather sudden, to be honest, I wasn't precisely prepared for it--but, the High Scholar has said that there is a place for me, and it's.. well, an honor, I suppose." though the thought of never returning to London was chilling-perhaps made worse by the fact that what was home may no resemble it for long. "I...I think I could live here."
Janice: "Strange isn' tit? We have so many things that head one way and in the blink of an eye, the directions change." She turned to look at him, a man elder by a few years where she was still shaking off the last of girlhood to embrace this woman she was coming to know. Sitting on the fountain's edge, she put a finger to a ripple in a water and found parallel between the once undisturbed surface and the flux of life. "Work with the High Scholar?Prestigious, indeed. The city is quite a haven for all sorts of thinkers, you would make a good place," she said encouragingly. "It is not so bad a place to live. I think that I will do the same. It would be a pity not to put skill to use." Words and rhetoric. If anything, Janice was quite good at acquisitions, book keeping, and with time might be proded towards other ventures. As it was, knowledge so desired did hang like a rain cloud over her head. "May I be in earnest, with you, about something Mr. Renquest?" (d)
Nathan: Her words were considered, mingling with conflicting emotions and rendering his expression inscrutable, drawing him pensive until she diverted the line of thought with a different prompt altogether. "Of course, Miss Viscreed. You are more than welcome to." he had almost forgotten about such niceties and properiety spending so far out here. Asking for permission for something like that from a considered friend at the very least seemed almost unthinkable to Nathan, till he reminded himself that people in Turas Lan conducted themselves very, very differently from the others. "What is it you wish to say?"
Janice: "That it feels as if the world is narrowing the path for the express purporse of showing nothing else but this place." The mixture of emotion came from a bed of the same. She extended herself, lived on. Danced, sang. Sipped mead and talked about the wonders of a new age. But still, when you looked at what the simple was you considered where you had come from. "My heart breaks for our home. I can not imagine, how changed it shall be. To be here, 'pon the other side is like looking over a fence and not believing what you see. I spent half of my life in London.." (d)
Nathan: "I... I share your feelings, I really, truly do." He paused, flinching beneath the weight of words he himself felt far too keenly as of late. "I've lived there a great deal of my life as well. I.. I understand that the Lord Maubery was... a far cry from a noble leader, I'll admit, but I fear what his defeat has created in its stead, and what will become of the Homeland as a result... " he frowned, the colored lights of the fountain doing little to soothe his own feelings. "Still. It's not all bad, right? I mean, that's what some of us are here to do. To remember, to immortalize. Even if it is gone... well, pieces of it remain, in us, do they not? Perhaps in that, things will not change so much that we can scarcely recognize it. In our musings and our... children, when such a thing comes to pass, of course." the ghost of a smile crept on his face, and after a moments console he reached up and put a hand on her shoulder. "It shall endure, in part or in spirit, Janice. Don't mourn its loss just yet."
Janice: "The Lord Maubrey and the King had lost their way. If rule is by Divine Right, than God has his purpose in what happened, no?" His hand on her shoulder felt warm and kind. She smiled up and him and listened to what he said. He was right! What was good in it lived in the likes of the better sorts that London offered up. It lived on in the monuments that kept and the tenacity of those who would see it thrive no matter the ruler. "And when those children come we will live to tell them of the older but of the new, as well, that...we saw London from afar, and maybe one day..upclose, better than it may have ever been. Perhaps our horrors shall turn into the champion of an age, and people will not look on London as the seat of mean tyrants, but with as much thought as they do of a place like this. London, then, is a state of mind and being, no?" She let her hand go atop his. "And we London folk are not undone yet, Nathan ." Not Miss Viscreed nor Mr. Renquest. Only by the first names they were given. (d)
Nathan:: In all honesty, Nathan had found the recent day altogether enjoyable, despite the awkward trepidation of the manner in which Janice brought on with it, and the awkwardness of being courted in the first place. He found in her a fairly like mind, and despite his initial apprehension found her indeed amiable company. In Janice as well he found an equal, able to reference the same books and stories and fill the gaps in the other's knowledge. He didn't know what to expect, but by the end of the night he had found himself to be quite enjoying himself. Perhaps it was that company that had brought him out of hiding to better peruse the materials with her, hands folded behind him as he perused leisurely along, greatful, as always, for the bit of a comforting distraction. It wasn't to say he didn't other company as well--it'd been entirely too long since he'd seen Anulia, honestly, and given what had last transpired between them in that, he felt it all the more necessary to make amends for it-or that he did not value the company of Kaori, but by contrast, he was much more comfortable in the company of Janice--a welcome relief in its own right.
...they spoke of texts, of successful events, and the scholastic work that busied Mr. Renquest's hands...
Natha: "Oh most assuredly yes. " Nathan's eyes flicked over the stylized print, being forced to admit a rather mixed bit of feeling upon their reflection, but nonetheless pleased in such manner. "Why, I'd say the event was most illuminating. I believe such customs may become of higher import as well, given the way things shape to change." the full measure of what was happening had barely even hit Nathan yet--the cusp of history and all manner of such things. For the lot of them born and bred on London Soil, it was nigh unthinkable in the first place. "For all we know, the traditions may spread to the home country now..." though, some small part of him wondered if any good would come of those things, he didn't wish to spoil her cheerful mood too much. "Ah yes, I do remember those old days... nose to the parchment, word for word. Lord, some of the Friar's handwriting were such a mess as well. All style and precious little substance. I can honestly say I don't miss them."
Janice: "I agree, and to see an old custom that used to take place in Isles of Britannia, vivid and alive as we are now. I confess, my Catholic spirit could hardly take the freedom that the old pagans have, but they are jovial. Perhaps the tolerant portion would not be so bad a thing to see in England, or in my mother's France. While the Lord has commandments, I..somehow do not think he agrees with all of the burning," The last part was whispered given the nunnery instilled holy terror for such things, but the nuns weren't their to pull Janice in now were they? Knowing what was known of her lineage offered her a pair of new eyes on which to view things, for she was not entirely one thing nor the other, to some degree. Though the thought of what went on in London...to think of a place called home burning or changed, was strange. "Ah but better things! Friars were messy? The nuns would have it not! They would be an army of quils and parchment, saying Psalms as they copied. For hours. Come to think of it, I do not miss that part much either." She laughed, purchasing the book and passing it to him. " A gift, to the new world and old customs, and to God that we have lived to be the generation to see it." (d)
Nathan: "Mmm, Well, there are thinkers who have a pretty heretical opinion to what some of the more militant of his name precisely achieve by such nonsense." he added, off-hand. Such words were never said in the company of paritcular Inquisitional authorities, quite naturally, but in such company--to say nothing of the way the winds changed, Nathan felt it as safe as any to bring out such things. "Ah, not messy precisely. That is to say entirely too concerned with the artistry of the words, so to speak, that they had forgotten one of the key elements of writing--namely, to be legible." her own musings had earned a sympathetic laugh as well, knowing full well how that felt, up until the g ift had been passed on him. Now if that wasn't enough to make him flush by itself. "O...Oh. Oh my. Why, Miss Viscreed. "Ah--thank you..."
Peregrine: "Mmm, what a touching gift." The pirate's Cheshire grin could rival the moon on nights, for it burned as bright. Slipping from the cradle of his post his swagger would close the distance long before his feet. "Lord, Nate at this rate buddy.." His voice trailed off as he fell in behind the little Janice and wiggled his brow to the bookie. Hands fell into the pockets of his pants with slow careless steps around them and ocean hues washed well over the pair. It was clear his motives were of his own doing, but the smirk upon his face enjoyed ruining evenings. Picking up one of the leather bound books he mused over the cover but flipped through the pages, no pictures..he wasn't interested as reading took time..and patience; both in which he had very little to do with. "You ladies feel up to a drink?" Turning then back to the pair, and eyes shifted of course over the true female, and motives were very clear as he rocked back upon his feet with a smile. (d
Janice: "You're welcome, Mr. Renquest." The stammering wasn't elegant. No, it was endearing. His articulation of language, his knowledge, and company made him most pleasant, and his shyness a true comerade in arms. It was hard to putoneself out there. Freedom to seek was easy. Once obtained, what do you do with it? So much to gain and so little experience at getting it. Just as she was abou tto move to another stall, the voice of the carriage-wrecker swam through a sea of dulcet tones to lodge in the shell of her ear. Mr. Jean-Claude had such a voice - at once sinister, yet beguiling. She gasped softly, turning around to view the speaker with a mixed reaction. Anxiousness and possibly potential upset? "Good evening, Mr. Peregrine." Civility was paid - for she'd been cautioned and so kept close that civility was always the first order of business when one lodged beneath the roofs of Ebon Hall. They had an image to uphold (despite their unusual fraternization) and given the care Masters Sorchal and St. Laurence took to form bonds, let not her awkwardness ruin them. "That would depend on what Mr. (puncatuated Mr.) Renquest would favor. I do not indulge in spirits," albeit she had tried just a little sweet meade, but feared the whole lot would go straight to her head and refrained from further libtion. So yes, Janice didn't drink. Oddly enough, she liked Jean-Claude's kindness but wasn't sure about Peregrine yet. He owed her a carriage (d)
Nathan: Good luck only lasted so far, or so it seemed. Thus far Peregine had been little more than a voice for his insecurities, but damned if he wasn't a master of timing in his own right, and the book-keeper groaned inwardly. "Ah, Mr. Peregine." said with the kind of unpleasant surprise usually reserved for ones in-laws and perhaps the Inquisition. The man's damnable expressions made things a damn sight worse, and he didn't know whether to turn right bled or bristle at the implications, and settled instead on a sort of careful neutrality. "Ah... I'm afraid I'd rather not. I'm in company today, and I try not to indulge in spirits" rather, he no longer did after horribly embarrassing himself in front of the Duchess, but he didn't need to know that part in the slightest.
Janice: How she yearned to say something entirely cheeky and tarty, but found that if Christ could turn the other cheek, so could she (if only for a little. Janice was succumbing to this odd phenomenon called the 'outburst'). Selecting another book in hand she waited until he finished talking about a lack of adventue and the need for sun before saying, "You read how someone else has seen the sun, it makes you appreciate each bit of sunlight that you might take in. An adventure may make you want to take an adventure, Mr. Peregrine, and even better yet when you find yourself outside, doing so." Mr. Renquest did have color! Ooh he was so infuriating! What was about it people that picked on others just because they were a little shy and a little quiet that just made her blood boil? "Mr. Renquest, would you like to go see the fountains? I hear that the artisan who made them has put in colored lights."
Nathan: "With honest respect, Mr. Peregine, were it not for those of us devoted to written word, your days lived would be but dust and ashes in your passing." which was about as close to riposting as Nathan would ever get with such sentiment, though the comment on needing 'color on the face' was passed without much retort, grimacing. to say that Nathan had endured enough 'adventure' in the past few days to make up for a lifetime was a supreme understatement, as far as he was concerned--he was only just now able to walk without the aid of a cane, all things considered. Clearing his throat and trying to retain some dignity (for alas Janice had not quite realized that her outbursts did little to make Renquest's own spine look rigid) he half-turned his head and half-heartedly smiled. "Most certainly. Shall we?"
Nathan: Uh..blushing didn't count as color, Nathan. "Like you have any idea of adventure, little one. You are a kept pet under a jeweled hand. Looking at lights of fountains." He could only scoff then turning away from them letting his gaze raise to the heavens before letting them fall on a vendor of ink--Jean was out. "The eve is too young, for lights on a fountain right?" He asked the vender who gave the pirate a cheeky grin, the man clearly not understanding a word he said, "You speak English?" Peregrine asked with a shake of his head, but still got nothing in return finally giving up and placing the coin out. "Lord.." He sighed.(d
Janice: Oh, was that so? Considering the dart of an assasin had killed her and his love of sparklers sent a carriage up into flames..twixt that and being sucked dry by leeches, being told what she had been told of stories that sickened, poor Janice would have had enough adventures. But, she was out and about. Enjoying herself. Living, mind you, God be praised and she was certainly no one's pet! She paid him no further mind, "We shall." And was content to view the 'colored lights' that made her so naieve, so simple. Well, naieve, simple, under-adventured Janice turned her head at the vendor. When the vendor spoke to the person collecting the change for the till, that was when she said, "He is Italian, Mr. Peregrine, if that helps." No smartness nor hard brass, just a simple kindness despite his underhanded slights. "He wants you to look at his hand, you over paid him." A headful of books did wonders at times didn't it? Now the reason why sister Mary Helen taught her Italian made sense in the light of those she resided with. No, she would not deprive Nathan of his spine, instead found a bit of her own backbone while watching the colors go from red, to blue, to green to gold and lavendar as water lept from bowl to bowl. People always dug. Pet. That had actually hurt. (d)
Peregrine: "Italian?" A snort left him waving his hand to motion for the man to keep it. "Didn't know they still made those." Italians? Ha! Who had ever heard of such a thing. "So..do you write your books, Janice? Or only read them?" He knew Nate wrote, but had he thought her unable? Turning to look over his shoulder he would see them already gone, and turned back to the Italian man, passing him a wink. "Women eh?" International language of frustration, and the man would smile nodding his head not understanding one word. (d
Janice: "I read and have copied on behalf of certain persons, sir." Janice replied, still looking at the lights," The only book I write is my own personal account in the journal Monsieur Jean-Claude was kind enough to give me." In all earnest? The poor girl was partially afraid of her own penmenship. Writing, intellect. It seemed not to bode well with prolonged life in her family, now did it. The Italian man grinned with a lack of English knowledge while she became a might distant (d)
Nathan "Which is more than enough. Nathan added, calmly. Though he was rather uncertain what Peregine meant by implying that Janice was some kind of pet. Granted, she was under the care of Claramae, but to say such a thing made no real sense to him. "Furthermore, not to put too fine a point on it, I'm not entirely sure what your definition of adventure is. Going to a tavern and partaking in spirits hardly seems adventurous. The whole thing is rather droll, and honestly, partaking in spirits leads to little other than stupidity." this in Nathan's firm opinion after the aforementioned incident. "If all this adventure has had part in the forming of your boorish behavior, I'd say the majority of it may be better off without the kind of adventure someone like yourself may bring. It is most unpalatable. " of course, if he had any idea who Peregine was, perhaps the opinion might have a bit more weight. If he only knew. . "Come along Miss Viscreed. Evening's still young."
Jean-Claude: The wind rustled newly fallen blooms from trees and pressed the water of the fountains across the stone in perhaps a chance to call out upon the maiden, and her book keeper. The day had been unkind, but the night would soon start again--all of this he captured from her face. "I have worried you did not get it, Jolie fleur." The kind eyes of the Frenchmen swayed with his dip of his chin towards the pair. "I have the same argument, Master Renquest of taverns and spirits. Yet to argue sense to this man is to speak upon the wind in opposite direction." A graceful motion this man's steps poised and polished; even to the leather of his boot. The soles were not worn, nor carried the earth but still could argue how many times he had walked this world over. "A thousand pardons, upon the interruption of your night." He spoke to the young couple, but his gloved hand fell upon the shoulder of the Pirate. "Adventures that : best wait for other nights." His whisper to the man whose eyes had narrowed upon Nathan, and teeth were clenched behind his lips. However, as always he was pulled back by the only level head he knew. Jean would turn the much smaller frame of the man clasping now both shoulders to move him in the opposite direction speaking in a low whisper the entire time until empty were his hands, and standing upon the street corner he found himself alone. The pirate had left, they all had their heads, and life would go on.
Janice" His eloquence gave him quite the spine. Well done, Mr. Renquest, well done. Janice listened, and her distant eyes pulled back a little as he found footing in the conversation. He argued his point in the same eloquent way that theMasters parlayed theres. Passions excelled. There was still a comfort, however, in the calm demeanor of the bookish. This was her world now for better or worse - elegance, subterfuge, and she the angel in the Laurence House. Giving them all a little something better, kinder, to look on. "Yes, let us be along, Mr. Renquest" The handling of the situation was well done, and her smile showcased this to him. A shake of blossoms swept peach flowers down so that a Frenchman could appear. Giving a curtsey to him she smiled softly. "Merci, monsieur. The journal is lovely, and I record in it faithfully each night." Despite his attachments, the strange Frenchman meant well enough. He seemed to wrangle Peregrine and take him away with more civility than the pirate had ever come. "Good night sirs." What would become of your carriage angel, Jean-Claude? So far, she seemed to have gained a figure, brightness to hereyes, flushed cheeks, and a recovered disposistion. "have you ever wondered, Mr. Renquest, over some ways in which the world works?" (d)
Nathan: Of course, they weren't the only ones watching the whole affair, but one in the errant crowd did little to give away his presence, but he chose not to reveal his hand yet. Not until he divined their interest, be it for ill otherwise. As they left, so did he, melting into the crowd and allowing himself to be swept into it while the two others departed--though he wasn't far. Nathan himself watched the two depart, glancing sidelong to Janice at the thoughtful question poised and hesitantly withdrawing--apparently he'd struck a nerve with the gentlemen in question, though he couldn't have fathomed just how. "Sometimes, Miss Viscreed, I can't even fathom a guess..." with faint bewilderment, he'd make his way to the fountains to doubtless, the very question rendering him silent and still.
Janice "Nor I, Mr. Renquest. For all their talk of adventure, I rather say it's taken for granted." She offered, following along as they walked toward the greatest fountain in the middle with four lions head that seemed to 'roar' faintlyas the water left, or the merfolk that 'sang' when their shells were tapped. There was nothing wrong with being simple. You appreciated a great many things, colored lights included. "Breathing proves to be its own adventure enough here in Turas Lan," she smiled faintly. A city seige. Murder attempts. Lord knows what other parael. Janice nor Nathan had to go very far to find adventure! (d)
Nathan: "You're telling me." Nathan replied grimly enough. after his last bout withi adventure--namely the kind that saw him buried under a ton of rock, he'd decided there was considerable merit in the quiet life, hands folded behind him. He laughed a short, biting sound at the very sentiment, and shook his head briefly. Adventure enough indeed. "Still, it's not the worst place I've ever been. Too terribly exciting for my tastes--yes, yes indeed. But, I still rather like it here, all things considered. " he straightened his sleeves, a preening gesture and added. "And it looks like I'll be here a while longer. I just received word from the Lord funding me. This whole upheavel is forcing him to consider other businesses--contracts terminated. So, for the time being, well.." he trailed off and shrugged, quietly, hiding his feelings on the subject neatly in one capacity or another.
Janice: "Indeed." She said in concurence, letting her arms wrap about her body, taking the shawl with it. When he laughed, she only silently chuckled. As if a nervous habit she simply rubbed at the faint scars on the inside of her wrists where the itch from a leech aggrivated the turned back cotton fabric. "There is so much here. There are ways for it to become better, and it shows that each day. The people here..they rise above what troubles them. I should much like to do the same." A curl of hair was tucked behind her ear as she listened to what the upheavel was doing to contracts. Would his be among the terminated, "If your contract is released, what will you do, Mr. Renquest?" As it was she fathomed she would be about Turas Lan if not the whole Isle herself, seeing this or that instead of four walls and a four poster bed. The attack, regretablly, still marred portions of her orientation enough to where every few days she suffered from an odd dizzy spell, but nothing moere remained. (d)
Nathan: "I-ah, well, I don't know." He replied, rather surprised to realize that he wasn't too sure of the answer himself. " For the time being I suppose I will continue my work under the High Scholar, but... well, seems that I'm free to pursue whatever interests I have, truthfully." the Scholar turned his eyes back to the young girl and seemed to reflect on her, oddly finding a strange parallel--ironic that it would take them to the same place. "It's rather sudden, to be honest, I wasn't precisely prepared for it--but, the High Scholar has said that there is a place for me, and it's.. well, an honor, I suppose." though the thought of never returning to London was chilling-perhaps made worse by the fact that what was home may no resemble it for long. "I...I think I could live here."
Janice: "Strange isn' tit? We have so many things that head one way and in the blink of an eye, the directions change." She turned to look at him, a man elder by a few years where she was still shaking off the last of girlhood to embrace this woman she was coming to know. Sitting on the fountain's edge, she put a finger to a ripple in a water and found parallel between the once undisturbed surface and the flux of life. "Work with the High Scholar?Prestigious, indeed. The city is quite a haven for all sorts of thinkers, you would make a good place," she said encouragingly. "It is not so bad a place to live. I think that I will do the same. It would be a pity not to put skill to use." Words and rhetoric. If anything, Janice was quite good at acquisitions, book keeping, and with time might be proded towards other ventures. As it was, knowledge so desired did hang like a rain cloud over her head. "May I be in earnest, with you, about something Mr. Renquest?" (d)
Nathan: Her words were considered, mingling with conflicting emotions and rendering his expression inscrutable, drawing him pensive until she diverted the line of thought with a different prompt altogether. "Of course, Miss Viscreed. You are more than welcome to." he had almost forgotten about such niceties and properiety spending so far out here. Asking for permission for something like that from a considered friend at the very least seemed almost unthinkable to Nathan, till he reminded himself that people in Turas Lan conducted themselves very, very differently from the others. "What is it you wish to say?"
Janice: "That it feels as if the world is narrowing the path for the express purporse of showing nothing else but this place." The mixture of emotion came from a bed of the same. She extended herself, lived on. Danced, sang. Sipped mead and talked about the wonders of a new age. But still, when you looked at what the simple was you considered where you had come from. "My heart breaks for our home. I can not imagine, how changed it shall be. To be here, 'pon the other side is like looking over a fence and not believing what you see. I spent half of my life in London.." (d)
Nathan: "I... I share your feelings, I really, truly do." He paused, flinching beneath the weight of words he himself felt far too keenly as of late. "I've lived there a great deal of my life as well. I.. I understand that the Lord Maubery was... a far cry from a noble leader, I'll admit, but I fear what his defeat has created in its stead, and what will become of the Homeland as a result... " he frowned, the colored lights of the fountain doing little to soothe his own feelings. "Still. It's not all bad, right? I mean, that's what some of us are here to do. To remember, to immortalize. Even if it is gone... well, pieces of it remain, in us, do they not? Perhaps in that, things will not change so much that we can scarcely recognize it. In our musings and our... children, when such a thing comes to pass, of course." the ghost of a smile crept on his face, and after a moments console he reached up and put a hand on her shoulder. "It shall endure, in part or in spirit, Janice. Don't mourn its loss just yet."
Janice: "The Lord Maubrey and the King had lost their way. If rule is by Divine Right, than God has his purpose in what happened, no?" His hand on her shoulder felt warm and kind. She smiled up and him and listened to what he said. He was right! What was good in it lived in the likes of the better sorts that London offered up. It lived on in the monuments that kept and the tenacity of those who would see it thrive no matter the ruler. "And when those children come we will live to tell them of the older but of the new, as well, that...we saw London from afar, and maybe one day..upclose, better than it may have ever been. Perhaps our horrors shall turn into the champion of an age, and people will not look on London as the seat of mean tyrants, but with as much thought as they do of a place like this. London, then, is a state of mind and being, no?" She let her hand go atop his. "And we London folk are not undone yet, Nathan ." Not Miss Viscreed nor Mr. Renquest. Only by the first names they were given. (d)
