A Not so Mysterious Gentleman
"A Not So Mysterious Gentleman"
Noon on the19th of Decembre in the Year 1185
Odette, Jeremie
House Valerian: Anteroom, Salon
Odette lounges on one of the padded benches in the anteroom. Her long legs draped haphazardly and dangling towards the floor as she lays on her stomach sketching in a drawing pad. Not at all the decorum one would expect here in the House, but then again she is the only one in the anteroom, and appears to be bored. The door to the anteroom opens, letting in a rush of cold air as a man enters, the toes of his shoes thumping politely against the step to shake off excess snow before crossing the threshhold proper. Jérémie looks around the anteroom, his brows rising at the sight of only Odette, lounging, with a sketch pad.
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Odette hears the door just a few seconds to late, and scrambles to sit properly. But soon realizes shes already to late, his look gives it away. So she quickly gets to her feet and walks to greet him, her gait and demeanor the essence of Valerian service. She lowers her eyes as she meets the man and looks up through her lashes to capture his features. "Greetings. Welcome to House Valerian. How may I serve you?"
Jérémie straightens up and closes the door behind him as she rises, walks over and seems to suddnely become the perfect valerian. He mouses his lips, one arm moves across his middriff, the other to his chin, his thumb settling along the curve of his jaw and forefinger slanted to his cheek. "Tell me. Can you turn it on, just like that? or have you had to learn to work at it?" The brows eventually lower, and his voice steady.
Odette looks up to meet his eyes, her own green ones filled with a brazeness. Suddenly her free and light laughter fills the room and her Valerian demeanor slips away somewhat. She smirks and says. "Yes and no. Its all in me you see.... but folks who come in they expect a certain look about the place." At this point, her country accent reveals itself, though it has been highly polished by years in the Night Court. "So I am here to yield, that includes how i may choose to show myself.. but i aint gotta do it when I am alone do I?" She smiles as if shes sharing something secret.
"No, no, but your on duty no?" Jérémie inquires, his eyes focus on her as he waits for the answer. Not once does his straight back bend, nor his shoulder droop, just silent expectation.
"Yes I am and I should be more mindful, but its almost lunch. and I think Naamah will forgive me..." Her smirk softens to a grin, 'Even if Kushiel wont. But I am being rude. Can I take your coat... offer you something to warm your bones?" Despite her somewhat irreverent attitude, it is clear that Odette is more than pleased for the chance to serve another, even eager.
'Who are we to know what she will or will not Forgive" Jérémie Spoken with a half grin before unfolding his arms. 'I came to see if Marnet was unoccupied, take her out to take a meal. Or is she occupied with a patron?"
You say, "Good point. Touche." She smiles and hopes she hasn't gone to far.. again. He's still smiling so thats something , she thinks. "I am sorry to disappoint you (and you really feel as though that is true) but Marnet is instructing some of the other adepts at the moment. But you have come through such bitter cold, are you sure you would not like to take something warm... tea or wine?"
It was a few moments, as he studies the girl at the door before his hand reaches up and undoes the clasp that help his rich and heavy looking cloak in place, allowing it to slide from his shoulders. 'Find another to take your spot. I'll have some wine. Marnet is occupied so you, shall do"
Odette offers a quick nod and goes off with the graceful step full of hurried purpose. She goes part ways down a nearby hall and give a short whistle. Some hushed whispers pass into the anteroom and soon a fellow adept, a few years younger enters with Odette and takes a seat on a bench, looking like an obedient statue. She makes her way over to the attractive man once more, her bare feet silent on the tiles. She gestures to a few comfortable leather chairs in the corner with several small tables scattered among them. "Would you care to sit?"
Jérémie guides her up the stairs and into the salon, obvious that he's been here before. With a look in the salon, he chooses a sofa not too far from the doors, a coffee table before them. He releases her arm and gestures for her to sit. "Well. How long do you have left?"
Odette folds her adept gown neatly and takes a seat with grace. She looks to be pondering something, when he asks his question. She answers quickly her accented voice frayed slightly with frustration. "Its in the Dowayne's hands.. hopefully within the next few weeks." She pauses a moment and looks to him, "If you don't mind, I mean unless you prefer an air of mystery to your lunches, may I ask your name?" She says it with humor, but theres also the possiblity that it isn't, a delicate line to balance.
Jérémie eases down into the sofa, taking up the corner, not right beside Odette, an arm going across the back of the seat. "Why should I tell you? Maybe I would enjoy that mystery. Maybe it would amuse me to go about my day, thinking about the dark haired Valerian trying to figure out who I am" A thin easy grin spreads across his face. "Who do you think I am?"
Odette chuckles and shifts her weight, so she more casually resting into the opposite corner of the sofa, her legs crossing at the ankles. "Hrm... well granted I love a puzzle and a bit mystery in my day. Let's see... you act like a fine gentleman... not too unlike the Duc who I spoke to earlier today... but by your dress and your willingness to dine with an adept... in her House I'd say not. So your a blossom of the Night Court, I'd say. You've got a strong way about you... hrm, so maybe Dahlia.. or not you could be Mandrake too. Though I think I would have seen you if you were during one of my lessons.
"I suppose you'll just have to ask Marnet now will you not?" The arrival of the wine heralds a flash of a bigger smile, the glass presented to him. "Jérémie nó Dahlia. Marnet and I often go out for lunch, though I am prone to meeting her. With the weather and ice I had thought to escort her. I do not think I will stay to long though, perhaps just the drink. A few weeks hopefully you spoke?"
Odette smiles with his introduction and nods. "Yes a few more weeks after the rash of other debuts... or maybe during. I feel that Dowayne has gone Mandrake and is torturing me.... its already been a year of waiting. By the way, so you dont have to go around calling me the dark haired Valerian.. I'm Odette. " She takes her own glass of wine, with something of a look from the adept who's offered it. She grins and waves the boy away. "Dowayne has asked me lately about what theme I want and if i had my thoughts for a potential buyer... but I really am not sure. What was your debut like?"
'A long time ago, that I have completely forgotten" he replies, a dip of his head to the departing Valerian. "But, they are all different and special in thier own way. Nothing can prepare you quite for the night"
Odette smiles and sips her wine, a fiery red with a dryness that makes you savour the sweetness of the lingering berry tones. "So I've heard. I'm nervous but more than that I'm gnawing at the bit. This last year has been the longest I've lived. " She says this with all the drama of an adolescent but still there is some truth it. "I'm thinking about asking to have a dual debut... with Micheline. But who knows..."
"Micheline, another of your valerian sisters?" Jérémie inquires, savoring the wine as he sips, ankle resting on his knee comfortably as he watches the girl, taking in how she sits and everything about her. "Your longest year right now, might seem this one, but then, it will also feel like the last year of making your marque is the longest"
Odette rolls her shoulders slightly and crinkles her nose in thought. "I hadn't considered that, I'm sure you're right." She sips her wine and shifts once again, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulder to frame her pale face. She looks to him directly, no sense of moderation in her eyes, only a passionate intensity as she speaks of her friend. "Sister thats a good word for her. We are like sisters, Micheline and I. Well almost." There a hint of something in her final words... suggestive but playful. She giggles and takes a sizable drink of wine.
"She is part of your house, your house is your family, therefore, she is your sister" He smiled at that. "A Dual Debut. It has been some time since I have seen one of those" He tilted his head back and forth as if in though then nodded. "You'll send word round to Dahlia, when it is set?"
Odette nods eagerly. "Hmm. Of course. Have any clever theme suggestions for a dual Valerian debut.. if that is what is to take place? You seem like a witty fellow."
"Chained to a cart" He replied with no hint of jesting, looking at her.
"Slave auction? Thats been done before I think.... Hrm. What about strategically placed ropes... binding us seperately but also together.. the one of us moves the other feels it? Thats not very creative though.. "
"I am sure that Dowayne Thomas will come up with something. Have faith, in his knowledge of when it will be right" THe half drunk cup was set down and unfolded his long legs, rising to stand and offering his hand to her.
Odette she takes it with polished poise and stands, her other hand brushing her hair from her face. "I'm sure youre right."
"Not all the time. But I like to pretend I am" The hand was brought to his lips, a chaste and regal kiss placed upon the foremost knluce before her hand was dropped with all gentleness and grace. "I shall return to my house. You will let marnet know I was here?"
Odette smiles gently at the chivalrous behavior. "I"ll be sure to, of course. Hope I wasn't to much of a poor substitute..." Again she walks that line, humor but truthful inquiry. She likes to know where she stands with others expectations. Her green eyes look up to him full of curiosity.
"If I wanted a substitute, I would have called for Eloise. You, you were a different choice" He studied her and turned heading for the door "A good choice. Companions watch over you Adept Odette. You will survive, I am sure"
Odette follows behind him a beaming smile on her face. "Why thank you. And Companions watch over you too, Sir Jeremie." She laughs, but says his title affectionately.
"Just Jeremie" He replied, a hand coming up most of his fingers curled loosely save his middle finger and his forefinger, pressing some invisble spot in the air. "Just Jeremie"