Two Young Women

[Janice Olivia Monroe]

Two Young Women
different by chapters, united by volumes

Lady Janice Viscreed

Yestereve presented a chance for Janice to give pause to the forces of cause and effect.Cause: ursurping a thrown led to mayhem, power mongering, and violence. Effect: subtle violence would end all the causes to replace it with atrue solution to an ongoing problem. Cause: Master de Aquitaine had recommended Julian for the Italian Matter. Effect: Near lose of heartbeat, ability to breathe, and cognative reasoning skills. Cause and effect were relevant in scientific study so it stod to reason that they were observed greatly in all natural subjects, even the ones with the alleged highest reasoning. It was easier to thrive on instinct, but she wasn't a roaring beast. In the early noon of the next day, the morning's sunshine making it new faded to a pale haze holding everything in a misty little glow. Summer tried to make one last thrust against the onslaught of September with a day warm enough for only a shawl when one stepped outside. This was where the bookseller could be found, in the gardens seeking a little respite. To further the request of either master, she saw to it that the suites of deCervillion were assigned with two pages for messages, an extra guard the lady could call upon for an escort, and Mistress Mouse for the lady's needs. Being that it could be much to fufill such needs, Janice sought to find a second recommendation for deAquitatine to survey so Mouse wouldn't be alone. She liked the quiet, shy nun and hoped to bond with her further, for no one else save Brother Diarmuid came from anything like the inside of a convent. Still, she could only haunt the steps of so many busy-bodies before her body was busied out. Literature should be as sick of the young woman as any entity too long in her possesions, but it was said the written word bent to Viscreed in the same manner as mountains were moved the masters. If it could be spoken, it could be learned. Why else was she reading Greek for the sheer delight of it? (d)


Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

Though accustomed to living one's life hidden, it felt almost like a prison to be housed in Ebony Hall so. Not that her husband was not given every comfort, but he was rather vocal about it as a Welshman was prone to be she assumed.Jean-Claude had given her too, every comfort but she could not help but feel like a claustraphobe in her chambers. The lady's maid pressed upon her was quiet and well mannered, astute to leave the princess to her moods. Had there been some other opportunity for her employ, no doubt Ana-Catalina would have found her marvelous company. As it was, she simply wished to be some where other than beneath the quiet woman's watchful gaze. So it was that she found herself going much like a silk clad ghost might into the garden. A little stone walled affair that was as private as it was pretty. Today was an unadorned gown of emerald, heightening the olive and roses complexion of the Italian. It was high waisted as was the current Flemish style, with no train and coupled sleeves that showed to the best advantage the fine cream colored chemise of lawn beneath. But there was no jewels, no embroidery. It was a gown perhaps better suited to a minor noble's daughter than that of a Princess of Naples. Ana-Catalina rather liked its simplicity if for no other reason than it gave her another sort of anonymity. Gray eyed in the noon light, she found her feet paused as she entered, seeing the young lady from the previous evening there with book in hand and thoughts quite heavy. "Forgive me, Lady Viscreed. I did not mean to disturb you." She had planned a little heavy thinking herself, alone. Now it seemed that she would have company. Whether she liked it or not. (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

The garden was inside of an open courtyard, and infact one of three gardens the hall had. The low stones gating off places for private instrospection were companioned with the last of the blossoms for the year as well as the nowstark, dark leafed beauty of some of the fruit trees. The Madame was fond of them; peaches, citrus fruits, olives, reminders of fondness in otherwise hard-pit times. It took great cultivation to make them bloom in this climate, even if spring was want to come early. Excessive rain, excessive cold at other times. It was here one could see the architecture of the house for what it was, while the outside boasted it as a three leveled house, one could see seeming four levels from here, with the ideal that blending in with the stonework it took up additional land to the sides and even further behind. Many names for one thing: Ebony Hall, the Ebon Hall. The Black Castle, The Hall of Illusions, Mirror Palace... how did something so complex ever come to be called just home? Over the edges of her book she noticed the emerald shape moving further forward. Shutting her text she rose, offered a curtsy, and smiled "There is nothing to forgive, my lady. Have you found your chambers to your comfort?" If so that was delightful. Even then, one could only remain in doors so long. (d)

Princess Ana-Cantalina deCervillion

Not for the first time she found her stay within Its walls odd. But then, she had grown up into an exceedingly eccentric house, so she never asked questions. Only observed and prayed. "They are exceedingly comfortable. More so than I am of late, used to." A smile was offered, not by way of friendship, but one of polite civility. Ana-Catalina knew if nothing else, how to be polite when it was called for. Hands clasped at her waist, she strolled just a little, taking in the air, the myriad of scents that found their way into this little area of green. "Will you be checking with the archives today? Before sending away to the World theatre to see who might be a friend to me?" Though scarce able to believe that truly they planned the down fall of not one monarch, but another was almost enough to keep her from s the edges of intrigue and blood from her thoughts. Curious as to the woman's occupation with her book, she nodded toward it. "What read you there?" If nothing else, she might ask, since she herself had an affection for the written word. (sleeping the previous night. Luckily enough wine, and the gruff complaints of her husband helped to soothe away the edges of intrigue and blood from her thoughts. Curious as to the woman's occupation with her book, she nodded toward it. "What read you there?" If nothing else, she might ask, since she herself had an affection for the written word. (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

When she first arrived to these walls she was seventeen years of age with a life four years patterened by stone surroundings. What was this place if not a continuation of the cloister's objectives? One wall begat another save this had doors that opened with a world to learn of. The man whom she would have married passed as men of age are want to do, leaving her youth intact. "Good, God grant you and your husband much respite within them.." Inveryne's tutelage allowed her to navigate the realm of civility with a refined ease. One thing that always stood out in Viscreed among other courtiers was that her kindness was never forced. "Yes, madame that is the intention. I have already begun to do so. It seems thus far you will enjoy great success among the Germanic states, even unto Luxemburger, the Wittlebach. I feel thus far in Germany we may stand the strongest chance, as your cousin is the Emperor. Next I should like to come through Spain. By province, to see whom might champion your cause. " Fear wasn't alien; the entity twisted, turned inside of her breast behind a shield of virtue to keep other dragons at bay. She learnedto swallow it beside angst as does an apothecary infusion. "Then I will write to them forthwith." Latin was impeccable, like the Greek, "I'm reading a greek work called Ion, my lady, by Euripides." Latin translations were the standard norm but some had taken a closer look at reviving the work in their original texts. "It seems rather heavy for light reading, but I have never ceased to be fascinated by the Greeks. Their Gods and oracles, the mysteries of the myths. All of it influenced much of ancient Rome. Reading has never ceased to be a solace to me, as much as it is a great privelege." (d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

At this point as she listened she continued to traverse the garden, pacing as one might with hands now clasped behind her back. In earnest thought. "I pray it not come to needing so much force as that." Though coated in steel, the words were soft. There were so many uncertains when it came to the theatre. Who knew who might at first be an ally only to turn into a foe in the end. Pushing aside politics for the moment she smiled more warmly then, the facade of the Italian cracking beneath the weight of literary delight. "Ion. A story that is very appropriate even today, is it not? Mistaken identities and all that." A hand went out, one sweeping gesture that encompassed so much but gave away nothing. "If only Delphi still housed her Oracles. Perhaps so many rulers these days would not embark on such hideous plans." (d)

Lady Janice Viscreed

"I doubt it will, the Madame will do so discreetly, and it will be to her personal allies in such areas, it seems to be the source of all of their political knowledge even when they stand not in such places. In this way she hopes tohave them ready to influence, if necessary. She wishes a strictly your recommendations of people from your realm and only a few of our own for the actual task. Master Laurence is anything if exceptionally prepared. No one will wage an open war." No one could afford them with the constant nature of Europeans desiring to battle, it was amazing every treasury wasn't cobwebs, rats, and old dreams. Betrayal to manners was bridged by love of books. "I heartily agree, if only the Greeks knew how well their predacessors would be living it. We could only hope. Perhaps someone would distract an irate ruler with a mystic telling. Or a shower of golden rain before manifesting in to some beauty or other." She looked outward over the tips of the trees "Would you like to walk m'lady? That way you can have a knowledge of where to go when all the duplicity becomes to much. At least here a is a tree," She lifted the book to her lips, chuckling as she looked at the tree "Thank God." (d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

"Quite, Lady Viscreed, quite." She nodded while setting herself there at the young woman's side. It was uncommon to walk among the gardens of her home before.

Lady Janice Viscreed

Through the garden walked one Italian blossom of Naples, and another of Anglo-French origin. Dress hem whispered soft hush along the pathway stone as Janice opened up the petals of her countenance. Citrus trees sleeping under interesting cover for wamrth as if in their own row of tenting. Beautiful green vines waited to blossom in a new year, still the scent of their jasmine was heady enough to make a young woman dream. In a hot house the season of chill was still a dream as a few specimens of roses ,and purple flower known as the Iris came to be. "You are more than welcome to tour this garden. There is another one, not very far. They helped me to survive, a little bit of color when the world had changed so drastically." (d)


Princess Ana-Cantalina deCervillion

Though schooled in the art of small, pleasant conversation Ana-Catalina thought it best to extend some sort of olive branch to the young woman whom she felt might play a great part in what her future might be. "Indeed? It seems my life has been spent in one garden or another that wasn't my own." She found it oddly amusing that such should be her life, but what else could she do? (d

Lady Janice Viscreed

"To remember the world in blooms, in what you thought in each place will only be as a trail of recollection for when you do stand in your own gardens at last, your journey completed." Janice would accept the olive branch with gentle, timid hands. Her confidence in such conversation improved with every year but there would always be a vein of uncertainty. So the world had found her ill of favor to but a few, why seek succor beyond what God gave? It was always within the heart of humanity to want, to desire. No more so than the heart of a woman (d)


Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion


"It is more or less to remember the world in terms of which walls of stone went with which blooms, isn't it? When you're a prisoner the whole of your life beneath one captor or another." And that wasn't to say she thought her husband as such, oh no! Quite the opposite! But it really did seem as if she had been someone's prisoner of sorts all her life. Her uncle, the Pope, the King of Lithuania. It was all the same to her no matter what language they spoke. "There are times when I do not wish to take the throne, but perhaps to be forgotten by history all together. It is so much more simple to live the life of the gentry than to partake of a higher calling." (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

"I could never claim to know what it is to be ordained by God for such a purpose as to sit on the throne..but to remember blossoms is better than to remember how high the stone, how long, or who built it." She found in this that imprisonment must vary from reason to reason. Brow furrowed as nothing came forward from her mouth but then she said, "I think that history never truly forgets, there will always be someone to remember something, or things of obscurity would never be found. You do have a choice to remain in obscurity, or instead of them finding you burst forth. Try to arrange things in your own fashion." She looked down to the steps just before them, "I have no idea what it is to be again, on a throne but..I know what it is to be wanted for some fact of life you can not change, or your lineage, or something you may represent. It is how I came here..from a convent." (d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

She felt it to Janice's benefit not to be at the constant ready for disaster when it came to her person. Really, it wasn't the life she would wish on her enemies. But then, she had many of those and most of them could come out from any dark corner at a moment's notice without giving leave to tell her she should worry about her safety! "A convent? Really?" There was bemused inflection in her voice now, since well, wasn't that just where she had come from? "And did you find your time there ... pleasant? Meaning of course, the daily ritual of the sisters there?" Ana-Catalina had found it soothing for the first few weeks, then grating up until the point where she had escaped. (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

Ah, but that was the rub! She had only not feared for her being since returning on local shores yet the threat loomed as the hairs on her neck felt ever risen. "Mhmm. In Marsielle, I lived in an abbey of Poor Clares for four and a half years, visiting them often as a girl before that with my mother. It was very...calming, yet repetitive." she chuckled softly but her voice held the air of remembrance to it, "There were many things there that happened that I cherish even now, the Reverand Mother and another sister saw to it one thing of the outside world remainded on the interior, and increased. Books. I am amazed by the amount of knowledge a nun might emass that is unseemly in any other woman when displayed. In time the Reverand Mother allowed me to assist her with her Greek, instead of the other way 'round. She had a high fascination in thing sfrom the East that way, and one of the people who donated often to the abbey was a traveler. He would bring all matter of books. In them, I did not feel so alone nor so scared. I was supposed to be there so long as it took to arrange a suitable match, and to relieve the pain of a trauma my mother worried would scar my soul. She was increasingly religious with each year I lived. I never went forth much from our cottage in Avignon, nor even when we were in England, so the convent was not so much different when it was all of the time." She took the step ,"My lady. It may come about so I will tell you myself. Sometimes it is still whispered here, much to my dismay as it is so old by now. I am the only daughter of the Madame's former master. I am certainly no princess. he was in the service to an Earl of Canterbury when such a post existed, and thus to the Archbishop as well, in our world though it has caused me to understand what it is to be shut away, before I knew it..and after. I truly do hope you will be able to enjoy your own garden. God willing, and walk beyond it to every garden in Italy." She grinned as she moved down a few more steps (d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

"Should it matter your lineage in so much that you do your best to honor those who employ you." A pithy shrug then, for she had listened with great intent to all that the Lady Viscreed said, yet heard so much more with the way her voice moved over certain words. There was much more, Ana-Catalian suspected of the woman that she was not saying. Such were the ways of those that seem to be somewhat other than they are and vice versa. "Naples is a very beautiful country. Our family has held that seat for many generations and I am loathed now to let it slip from our family tree. But it is more the care of the people who concern me. They look to their King for guidance in all matters, yet how does one trust a madman?" They had all such hope when Cesare had taken the throne. How quickly that all turned to ash in their mouths when it was later discovered after some time being married to Juana that her brother had indeed inherited their father's sickness. That of the mind. It was sly and cunning, stripping him slowlyof his faculties until he would be little better than a raving lunatic. Sad, the sate. Fingers clenched together, overlapping one another as she clasped her hands about her waist. (D


Lady Janice Viscreed

It was an object of fascination for some who came to find it out about it, the story of a girl who should have been nothing whom to an underground world was the Key. How hard it was to forget at times the heavy feeling of duty utlized in body instead of the mind, but that was a time becoming less vivid with every year. "Perhaps then it is the same thing, it matters not your lineage on the whole, but only that you hear in the people what others can not here so will pay them some service. It is one they will thank you for. I am still sorry over the state of the King, your brother, I will lend him to my prayers." At the base of the stairs she looked to the autumn blossoms that would be the last of what would flourish beyond the means of scientific expense. "It is amazing, I think, how well women become at prayer." (d)


Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

Her smile was a rueful one that turned the olive and rose complexion into a mask of sarcastism. "It is because men are so pitiably poor at humbling themselves before God. Only a woman could bear the pain of Original Sin. Only woman can bear children and it is only woman apparently who knows the true bounds of what it means to be mortal. We seek happiness in the simple because we know that to extend ourselves otherwise is merely to seek trouble." Or so her mother had always cautioned her. But hadn't she herself wanted adventure? Hadn't she wanted to see more of the world than what was beyond the walls of her own? Now it seemed she wanted to return to that simpler time. Ah, the strangeness of that greener pasture that wasn't for better or worse, greener in any way. It was rather like the oasis in the desert illusion, Ana-Catalina thought. Something that wasn't there, but seemed as if it was. "It was indeed a pleasure to speak and walk with you, Lady Viscreed, perhaps in time we might better friends. I shall to you my copy of The Life of Pericles. It is indeed quite a book, mostly dedicated moreso to his courtesan come wife, Aspasia." The smile disappeared, but there were traces of the warmth left over in those too solemn features. (d


Lady Janice Viscreed|

"Hm, true. Though I always thought that such a steadfast lesson, one small little thing to make burden of trouble for all the world. There are more of Eves daughters worse for the wear to accompany the worst of Adam's sons. Tis a pity many more men can not tell the difference but forbid they listen for we have lips of honeycomb that shall go down to dust,no" She looked upward as if to scoff the notion this equated to women's supposed biblical inferiority to men. Was it women often waged wars in the name of the spirit or fashion themselves in so many crazed contexts? "I am glad you think its a pleasure,"one smile faded, another remained firmly intact. "Thank you, my lady. It will be a favored addition to my library." (d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

A pert nod, for she knew nothing of what it meant to simply be female amongst other females and then a slight swish and flicker of silk skirts. She couldn't help that to most she seemed stiff and unamiable. It was certainly because for the most part -- she was. Where most young ladies of the court would learn to flirt and fancy among the gentry, her's had been a stalwart and stoic upbringing. Though perhaps the fact that she was friends with the notorious deAquitaine might change that soon enough. Who knew,she might actually become a person people could openly like! (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

"You've seen the gardens. How stand you to views? There are places in the house that have wonderful views if it takes up none of your time. I understand you are married and you've a husband to tend to." That was another bane to being young was when one had duties other young people did not. Wasn't the age a standard of expectation? Should they not both have heirs, be the prime women of a household? So many things that weren't. (d)


Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

"We do indeed have some pretty views from our respective chambers, and a husband I do have." Though it had been some years since there had been anything more between them than, well, polite conversation. Not to say she did not think her husband a vigorous man, oh no! It was simply that he was injured now and that took up most of her thoughts or desires. Simply to see him healthy and safe. "He is ... cantankerous at best at the moment. His leg greatly pains him, and he is not very fond of Jean-Claude." And was there any wonder as to why? The man was taken as much as he could be with Seithfed's young wife. Bad leg or no, the Frenchmen was warned. (d


Lady Janice Viscreed

"I made sure of such, a room with no windows is just atrocious. That would be the one thing in the convent that became hard to grow accustomed to, for awhile my room had no window. Cantankerous? Perhaps he might do with some cheering when it suits him to receive it, though Jean-Claude.." She couldn't help but to chuckle behind her upturned hand at the thought of a man with limited mobility still finding resource to set him straight upon what he considered his own versus what belonged to the Frenchmen.." The Master is very appreciative of beauty. If he were only surrounded by men I think he should go mad. He means well he is simply very..." she was hunting for a word. "Exuberant in his expression. He would make a nation of husbands hate him if unleashed."(d)

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

"He surely is an odd person at times, at least to me." Although he was always courtly toward her, there were at times at least in conversation that she felt that perhaps Jean-Claude to be laughing at her simply for the fact that she was such a serious and literal minded person. "Seithfed can be, quite charming when he puts his mind toward it. It is simply that he has had such a hard go of it lately." She sounded almost English with that turn of phrase but nothing would ever reduce the lilt of that great mount from her voice. She was of course, Italian right down to the ground. (D

Lady Janice Viscreed

"He is odd to all of us my lady, we love him as he is for he could be no other way. It is not too strange to think on, the amount of women he designs for, his ability to be so charming. Thank heavens he prays often." She chortled a little then her voice settled to a gentler one "Your husband from what has been said of him has had a hard time, and God willing they will become easier with time. It isn't good for the soul to have such runs of luck, even if supposedly our suffering does make us closer to God."

Princess Ana-Catalina deCervillion

"He has had to overcome a great many things." Her voice was soft, almost as if she were thinking to herself and speaking aloud, recalling something rather than in full on conversation with another. When she looked at Lady Viscreed, it was with an apologetic note in those gray eyes. "Master deAquitaine is yes, strange. But his pursuits seem to put him on the right side of God." Even if, she thought to herself, some would call his business hersey. Ana-Catalina was perhaps more progressive in her thinking toward the man. "At any rate, were it not for him, I would not have such greater recourse for my future."

Lady Janice Viscreed

The tone made her wish to reach out and touch Ana, but she wouldn't be so forward. This was new territory for each, being in the company of the fair sex, near similiar age, sharing minds and finding no recourse for doing so. "He always finds a way to do right and well by all. We are indebt to him for many things. It was his pleasure I am sure, it is not him to sit idle by when things go awry." (d)