A Portrait of the Gentleman as an Artist (Nikki L’ Evienne)

[Alexis Sapientia]

Alexis awoke early, just around the time when the suns were already peeking their way up, and at the moment when they had barely reached the edge of the horizon. Pale orange streaks of light spread from a solitary point on the horizon, making the light blue sky appear like a canvas that had been precipitately dabbed by an artist’s brush. The sight of it from his bedroom window made the young noble wonder whether Ioannes had completed his artistic work for the early brightening, or whether the Creator of all and sundry had simply dabbled with the orange hue, and then taken a break for a very early rosyun. Either way, it made Alexis wonder, and that was sufficient to make him start the day with a very pensive and warm mood.

The mark of a philosopher, or that of any true thinker, really, is to maintain the faculty of wonder. Without wonder, one fails to realize the grandeur of Creation, the strange diversity and variety of living things, and bewilderment at how Someone could have had the time and patience to create all this. By studying it all, one can easily come to the conclusion that the the Master of the Heavens had been truly creative…or truly, and magnificently, bored.

Alexis was so inspired by the sight that he had dressed quickly, grabbed rice paper and pencil from his desk along with a washboard from the privy, and headed towards the gardens, where he picked a vacant bench, sat on it, and distributed the assorted materials on the washboard that served as a temporary writing surface, crossing his left foot above his right knee to serve as a stronger foundation for the makeshift table.

So, we begin. Alexis smirked as he tried to picture where exactly to start. With a mischievous grin, he set the point of the pencil on the paper, and like a man possessed, he made the stylus appear to move of its own accord, Alexis seemingly having no control over the erratic sketch that slowly made its way from the surrounding environment and onto the paper. In time, a faint gray image of a spot of garden and a corner edge of the Palace appeared on the paper; the trees, rose bushes and building structure showing a marked difference in composition, compared to the soft orb of light that began to touch every surface.

Now we try shadows. Alexis studied the diffusion of light and its manner, and began to mark the parts of his sketch accordingly, darkening some areas, lightly shading a few others. Tilting his head as he began musing lightly, Alexis fought the urge to begin humming a made-up tune. While music generally soothed the savage beast, it usually tended to distract if the artist and musician attempted to perform both at the same time. One could do one or the other, but not both. It would cause the detriment in quality of either skill.

Finally, the not-so-petty details. A small butterfly landed on a nearby gardenia, and Alexis utilized the opportunity to test his skills in sketching a momentary item. At this time, generally he’d have something to chew or bite on, like a toothpick, a top of the pencil, or perhaps even the edge of a finger knuckle. It had begun as something of a nervous tick, really, but it seemed to help bring out the creativity in him—or perhaps, it was just the mind’s way of helping him deal with the stress of having so little time to catch a moment that was fleeting.

Alexis looked up as that thought entered his consciousness, and tried to remember that blissful time when Catherine had cheerfully looked him in the eye—something that generally caused his young heart to flutter or to nervously skip a beat—and by some grace of Aslan, a keen observer would later see where reliving that particular episode made its distinct imprint on the paper. The details just seemed so vivid, and by some trick of the pencil or an innate instinct of the eye, one could apparently see captured emotions just by the way an object was presented.

A dew-laden orchid by the Palace window could evoke sorrow, loneliness, and despair, while a mimosa in full bloom bestowed the thought of happy, laughing children escaping from the nefarious clutches of school. A tall, imposing tree reminded Alexis of his similarly authoritative father, and adjusted the details to make the behemoth of the garden appear more stately. A cherub bearing a jar, from which spewed water from the marble fountain basin, reminded the young noble of Milo, the Public Defender of Taralon, and he included a whimsical, drunken smile, and the bright, intelligent eyes of—and that made him ponder for a moment—well, it’s true. I consider him more than a mentor, more than a colleague, and, yes, even that, more of a trusted confidant and a close friend. He paused at that, added the bright, intelligent eyes of the passionate defender of the people, and saw in a perched cardinal the simple beauty, the grace, and the shy, yet dignified bearing of Lady Nell du’Galle, Governor of the Sherian. This he added to the paper as well.

Then, for an instant, there appeared a newcomer to the scene, emerging just beyond the edge of the rose bushes, and Alexis bit his lower lip and redoubled his efforts in order to faithfully capture her image in as short a time as possible. He yelled out in an urgent, pleading manner as he grasped and maneuvered the pencil tightly, praying that the graphite tip wouldn’t break with all the pressure he’d currently placed on it.

“Wait! Stay there, please! Don’t move!”

[Milo L'Evienne]

Nikki rose late, but it was a habit common someone who’d made most of their living during the darkening hours. It might not have been one of Telath’s oldest professions, that which she’d made hers back in Medonia, but it was close. She’d still not adjusted, but not only on that count. Now she wore fine gowns instead of breeches, wore her dark hair free instead of tied back. This morning, she’d tried to bully it into one of those styles that Nellie favored. Instead, she’d only managed a riotous pile of waves that fell in curls around her face. She wore a green gown that matched her eyes as well as a jade stone hung round her neck on a silver chain, a gift from Milo.

But under the gown, her feet were bare. She disliked the feel of tight slippers on her feet, but was fond of the feel of damp grass in early morning. She’d made it past the staff without them noticing and of her brother, he’d gone off early to the office.

Still, she hadn’t quite managed to figure out how to occupy her time in her new position as lady. She didn’t have a hand for sewing, though she’d managed to mangle a few of the bits in Nellie’s basket in some vain attempt. Those had been hidden under the sofa in the parlor. She could sing well enough, but couldn’t play an instrument, and the songs she knew would raise more than a few eyebrows anyway. But the garden, she liked and wandered it often.

Seemed to her, one could take the most common flower of the field and insert it amongst the more highbrow plants, and it would make itself right at home, no apologies. Lend it’s own sort of charm so someone might come along and have kindness enough not to pull it up by the roots and toss it away. It gave her some hope that she’d find a place of her own, where she often felt out of sorts. Like Milo, except he seemed to have adjusted, even if he did add his own slant to the situation.

These thoughts were occupying her mind as she wandered nearby, moving out from behind a row of high hedges and on her way to the fountain. Alexis’ call took her by surprise and she jumped, swinging her gaze in that direction. She looked like a startled deer for a moment, then blinked and smiled, typically tilted and not overly noble as she laughed. ”Why not? Is there some ghastly beast poised to pounce if I do?”

[Alexis Sapientia]

There we go. A gray silhouetted image of a gowned female appeared by the rose bushes, and Alexis was pleased that he’d managed to place it there in time. When that was done, he went on to the more pressing business of greeting the new arrival.

“Salvaluti,” Alexis said, and momentarily froze when he realized who it was. “Oh. It’s you. I apologize for the trouble, I was just finishing up a sketch. No beast to worry about, so sorry. Good brightening.” He smiled shyly, slipped the pencil in his breast coat pocket, tucked washboard and paper under his left arm, and proceeded to greet her, just stopping several paces in front of Nikki. He took out the rice paper he’d been working with, and presented it to her with his right hand, while his eyes involutarily traced her fine outline, from her curly strands to her bare, slightly wet feet, finally centering on the jade stone by her chest…his vision lingering there for more than the time considered appropriate in polite society.

That was when he felt the familiar feeling of warmth on his cheeks. Oh, shythe. Good Ioannes, this can’t be happening, not now, not while she’s here! It’s too fricking embarrassing…

The strange way she seemed to stare back at him seemed to confirm that fact the he was, indeed, blushing. Alexis’ eyes quailed at that realization, and his first thought was to mutter an obscenity, then to run, but he found himself strangely rooted to that spot. Move, feet! Fly! Flee! Get away…

Oh feth oh feth oh feth oh feth oh feth Alexis could feel his heart beat faster and sweat start to build up on his forehead. No, she’s coming closer. Oh my Ioannes, this can’t be possible. This is so fething insane. Wake up, Alexis! This is a dream, I’m sure of it! Wake up, wake up, wake up! Oh, Aslan, why can’t I wake up?

In his anxiety he almost wet himself. Almost, that is. Providence was smiling on him that day, perhaps with more amusement than what was the norm. After all, it wasn’t every brightening that the usually very-confident and verbose Alexis could be caught sweating nervously and stutteringly silent.

Alexis could feel a tremor start to build up from within him. She’s here, boyo, here, to talk to you. Alone. Eep. He swallowed. Hard. Make conversation, moron! Talk! Say something. Anything. The weather, for example. He swallowed again. I can’t talk to her, she’s The Goddess, for crying out loud. Goddesses don’t talk to mere mortals like me. Then he could feel a clamminess build up in his stomach. Oh Ioannes if she holds my hand, or if she grabs my shoulder, or ruffles my hair, I wouldn’t know what to do… His eyes crossed with hers. Is that a hint of amusement? Is she smiling at me? Is she ridiculing me? He decided to throw caution to the wind, and blurted out the first thing that entered his head. The dress. Yes, her dress. Say something about the dress and how it complements her body. Yes, that’s a good one, a compliment. Girls like compliments.

“That’s…uh…a nice wear you’re dressing.” Oh, shythe. Did I just say that?

[Milo L'Evienne]

At first, Nikki didn’t know what to do. So she stood there, self-conscious and shifting her feet nervously. She’d spent most of her time for the past few cycles trying to keep a low profile, as either thief or bodyguard. It was a different notion, having someone stare at her. She rubbed at her nose, hoping there wasn’t a smudge on it.

So she was relieved when he finished and spoke to her, and smiled in return. ”Good brightening Alexis.” She took the paper curiously and had a look, then smiled again and glanced up, though it wavered when she caught him staring. She’d put a lot of energy into getting Garrick’s attention and had never quite managed, no matter what Milo thought. Having it now from another was an experience she wasn’t quite used to and she didn’t know how to react. So she did what any woman would do under the circumstances. She blushed. ”I didn’t know you were interested in art. It’s very good. I can’t draw but I do like the paintings in the palace."

Then there came a silence that was even more unsettling. She was used to talking with Nellie, or fighting with Milo. Rarely was she at a loss for words and she wished he’d say something. Anything. She considered asking him if he was alright. He looked as if he might collapse on the ground at any moment and she glanced around, looking for the quickest path to help should he decide to. It never occurred to her, a condition Milo was already aware of and agitated about, that she was the source of unrest.

And when he did speak, her mouth curled in the way that only a L’Evienne’s could, but more the variety at home on a feminine face. While she’d rake Milo over the coals and make him suffer for a similar slip of the tongue, for the simple pleasure of it, it was far more forgivable in Alexis. Though she couldn’t resist a laugh that implied she wasn’t making fun of him, but merely relieving the tension. ”Thank you Alexis.” So saying, she let green eyes wander across the garden, deserted by all but themselves. ”I’m not usually up and around this time of the morning. But the gardens are nice before the staff is out and around. I was going to take a walk. Would you like to join me?” If it wasn’t proper form for a woman to approach a man in such a way, it didn’t occur to her. She was new to this lady business.

[Alexis Sapientia]

So she didn’t notice my little gaffe, or maybe she did. Determining which was so was ambigious, as it was primarily dependent on the manner in which Nikki had laughed. Looking closely, though, Alexis noted not a hint of malice in her green eyes…which probably meant that she was either being polite, in which case, she had noticed my little spigure of feech…err…whatever…or, he held in his breath with somewhat anxious expectation, she really finds me funny and interesting. That would certainly be a relief.

She has a great smile. Very expressive. With none of those dangerous emotional undercurrents Milo seemingly has about to break her surface, but then again, one never knows. He paused at that. Hopefully nothing spoils it. It’s starting to look like a great day. Another gaze at the sky. I wish this moment could stay on for a long time.

The way she fleetingly stared back at his eyes after gazing at his drawing was more than enough to send a shiver of excitement through him. Seeing another chance to get into her good graces, he delicately pressed the sketch she held further into her hands, and gave a boyish smile. “Please, keep it. A little gift, a keepsake, from me.” The fact that he managed to say it with a straight face and with a modulated tone was accomplishment enough. The poor boy was actually shaking all over.

Then came the compliment about his skills, and he gazed down at the grass with a somewhat humble aw,shucks grin and an accompanying shrug of the shoulders. He was too worked up now to pass the opportunity to slip in a hint of his knowledge. “Well, that’s art for you. Art is always subjective, and is always seen through the eye of the beholder. Mind you, however; I believe that you, personally, would have no shortage of requests to be someone’s muse.” This Alexis said with a straight face, but with sparkling eyes and a playful smile. Damn, Alexis, where are all these words coming from? Another hesitant look up to once more meet her eyes, while his toes fidgeted under his shoes as he awaited her reaction. Yup, he was putting the famed Sapientia charm on, stealing appreciative glances towards her as he did so.

“Yes, they are,” he managed to reply to her initial observation with regard to the gardens. So I’m not alone in thinking that, after all. “It does have a certain…purity…in the early morning.” A pause, and a hesitant intake of breath, followed by a smile.

“I’d be glad to walk the gardens with you,” Alexis said with barely concealed excitement, his eyes sparkling, and he followed her with somewhat of a spring in his step, enthusiasm showing in his gait.

It seemed the lonely and somewhat idle kid had finally found a kindred youthful spirit.

[Milo L'Evienne]

He wasn’t like Garrick. Smooth…oily, Milo had said of the elf. Course, it was likely the effect Garrick seemed to have on women, and her, had Milo’s back up. The young lord’s words weren’t measured, though he might have wished them to be. Nikki lacked enough experience to be sure. But as for Alexis…At odds with Garrick, but not in a way that she disliked. In contrast, and no doubt in retrospect, he’d a more honest appeal to him. And Garrick wasn’t funny on his best day, though she’d yet to come to the conclusion that Alexis was trying to be. These things were too complicated for someone used to dealing honestly, thief or not.

As for that, she wondered what he’d think of how she’d earned her living in Medonia, before she’d met her brother. Truth was, for meeting the sire only a scant few times in her life, she was oddly like him, resent him though she did. Few rarely spoke of it here though. It wouldn’t do for public knowledge to claim a thief as sister in law to the Governor. As for a body-guard, there was a notion that she’d be the perfect choice to travel with Milo on that rare occasion, keep him out of trouble. Much as he resisted the notion.

”Thank you,” she said, blushing at the gift. She had jewels and gowns plenty, provided first by Garrick, then by Milo. But for their value in crowns, there was little thought put into them, as if she could be bought or pacified by simple crowns. Such a simple gift appealed to her on another level and a curious one, for being unused to it. She tucked it carefully into the folds of her gown. ”I’ll keep it safe, and one day when you’re famous,” she said with a smile, ”I can claim I have the first of your works.”

He wasn’t so self-assured either, as the elf had been. That was appealing too, she concluded and nodded with another smile at his agreement to share a walk. Maybe it was a lack of arrogance, though she'd have denied it before. She took the less traveled path, preferring areas grown more wild or thick, to those carefully manicured, though even for a lady, she employed a very light step over areas that would have other women hopping and rubbing their bare feet. More agile than one might have expected of a run of the mill lady. Nevertheless, she was more accustomed to listening than talking, though not in Milo’s presence, and was unsure how to proceed with idle conversation. ”So tell me about your home, where you’ve come from.”

[Alexis Sapientia]

Don't praise my charm too much,
Don't look so vain with me,
Don't stand in the rain with me~
People will say we're in love!

Don't take my arm too much,
Don't keep your hand in mine.
Your hand looks so grand in mine,
People will say we're in love!

Don't dance all night with me,
Till the stars fade from above.
They'll see it's alright with me,
People will say we're in love!

He’d seen her blushing again, and it gave his youthful heart a bit of a flutter. He’d guessed right, that presenting the sketch had been a good idea, and he was further filled with this odd, odd feeling, one that made him fidgety and uneasy, and always wondering if he’d said the right thing, or smiled the right way. Strangely enough, it also made him, the always fastidious fellow, wonder if he should have wiped his shoes dry before venturing out into the garden, only to get it wet with the morning dew. Why am I sweating so, when it’s such a cool, cool, brightening? He surreptititiously mopped his brow with a white handkerchief. Hopefully she wasn’t looking. He’d chuckled at her observation that he’d be famous one day. “I’d like that. One never knows how many crowns people will part with for a paperful of idle scribbling. Mark my words, however: artist’s works appreciate in value only once the creator lies dead. After all, why spend so much when the fellow’s still alive to churn out more?” Then he gave a cheery smile at that little joke. “Besides, I’m quite fond of living, thank you very much.” Silence again as bushes came into view on both sides, until that question about the young boy’s home.

“Habichtsbergen? It’s a dull, dull, place in the Eunesias, way up in the north, filled with dull people who’d rather sit up by a mirror and look at their faces for ages.” Alexis looked up at her, giving somewhat of a sheepish smile. “But if you’re the sort who likes all the stuffy panoply of court life, it’s grand, no doubt. Sartorial finery, seven-course dinners, dancing until dawn...that sort.” He crinkled his nose in pretended annoyance. “It gets boring after a time.”

The hydrangeas and other floral wonders of the garden weren’t enough to take the young boy’s attention from her face. Every intake of breath, every slight movement of her lashes, every tilt of her jaw was observed in a silent, admiring fashion. But she’s older than me. Who are you fooling, Alexis? What makes you think she likes you? Perhaps she’s just being polite. That elicited a snort from his conscience. If she was fooling around with you, she wouldn’t have invited you to walk the gardens, now, boyo, now would she?

His eyes fleetingly traced the smooth edges of her right arm, from her cloth-hidden shoulder to her seemingly fragile forearm. Somehow the thought of just arbitrarily taking hold of it without so much as a by-your-leave seemed rude, bordering on the offensive; but the lad couldn’t help but marvel at it. He knew that he had to ask her permission, first. But I don’t want to…though doing it on impulse is more exciting…yet perilous. A frown and rippled forehead appeared for a second, and then disappeared after a shorter time of pondering.

After all, what have I got to lose? That was easily answered by the devil sitting on his right shoulder. Your dignity, if you’re lucky. Didn’t he know that she could have him flat on his back, out of breath, and in a new world of gonadic pain within three seconds after just grabbing that arm? Apparently not, and perhaps that was just as well. As they say, ignorance is bliss. In this matter, knowledge may have hurt more, instead of helped. Gut-check time for young Alexis.

Let’s see whether this Rioughe fellow’s advice is as gold-plated as Milo acclaims, or as foully cursed as the females tend to believe. Deep breath. He closed his eyes, and chucked the dice. Here goes everything.

He stopped walking and just faced her somewhat plaintively. Those five seconds of silence seemed like an eternity without words, and it seemed as if the entire world had stopped spinning. During all that time, he was tempted to just pick a flower and give it to her to fill the silence, and renounce all hint of this pending foolishness.

Pause.

Intake of breath.

Clearing of throat.

Meeting of eyes.

“Umm…Nikki…err…would you mind if I…um…that is…take your arm?” That small, hesitant voice, with a similarly small, hesitant, smile; like that of a wee child seeking permission from a stern mother to take the last cookie from the kitchen jar. His left arm lay slack against his side.

Pause.

Intake of breath.

View of her wet, grass-ridden feet.

Another pause.

Intake of breath.

Hesitant meeting of eyes.

Dear Ioannes…what…have…I…just…done…? Have I ruined it? He flinched involuntarily, seconds after the words left his mouth, expecting a hefty slap on the right cheek momentarily for his hasty and ill-advised…impertinence?

OOC required credits advert: post background intro music from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “Oklahoma”.

[Milo L'Evienne]

”I’m not sure,” Nikki said with a smile when confronted with the question of fondness after the fact. Rioughe was no artist, at least not the kind lauded in gentler circles. But he was certainly renowned in others. ”Maybe you have a point. I know that I’m far fonder of my sire, since he’s gone missing,” she said, aware that her view of the elder, and Milo’s, were sometimes at extremes. It seemed at times that Milo was trying to make up for Rioughe’s lack of care where she was concerned. He’d raised Milo and seemed to favor him above countless children. Nikki, being a daughter, he’d as much as ignored beyond the gifts of crowns and such. She didn’t mind so much, her brother’s determination, though he went too far.

She tilted her head and brushed a stray strand of hair from the corner of her mouth as she pondered his description of Habichtsbergen. It didn’t sound so different from other locales of the noble variety, though she’d yet to adjust to this one. Good thing neither Milo nor Nellie expected her to, for she’d fail miserably. ”I suppose it could be boring if it’s all you know,” she conceded but laughed with the same mischievous spark in her eyes that Milo had mastered long ago. ”But it doesn’t sound like a bad place to visit.”

She walked along gracefully enough. In part, likely due to a profession that required such finesse. But even at that, she wasn’t unaccustomed to gowns and finery. If Garrick hadn’t returned her affections, he’d kept her decked out well enough. It was nice though, that Alexis paid more attention to her than the flowers. Though truth told, she’d have been concerned about him otherwise.

But what was he thinking, looking at her like that without a word? She was unused to these things, having come from a world, and a bloodline, where what you were thinking, was exactly what you said. And damn the consequences. She frowned, clearly puzzled. But as it was, it was risky business taking Nikki L’Evienne’s arm without her leave. Taken off guard, Alexis might well have been left crumpled on the ground, groaning out any number of grievances. She’d once doubled Milo over, simply for not letting her know he was leaving town, before he did. Alexis might have learned, then and there, at least some of the nature of Nikki’s profession.

But Alexis did warn her. And in a way, that stuttering unsure way, that would have made it seem out of the question to take action to the contrary. As it was though, she was trying her best to keep up a lady-like façade and since he hadn’t done anything yet to send the walls crumbling down to reveal her more colorful side, not such a hard task really, she was bent on keeping it up. She smiled and brushed the strand away from her cheek again, then offered her arm. ”You may.” The irony of it was, though, she’d have liked the bolder approach, no matter the inherent danger in pursuing that particular course.

[Alexis Sapientia]

She agreed! She assented! Oh, joy of joys! The smug youth took her right arm with his left, and started acting nonchalantly about it, even if he was failing at it. The mood, that is. In truth, the kid felt so elated, he felt that he was embarrassing the girl. In time, the novelty of it soon faded, and it was time to talk about other things. Again, he looked at her with that goofy grin, the sort little girls considered as a sign of friendship, and bigger girls considered an act that ought to be rewarded with a slap.

What else is there to talk about? I’ve given my side, but she hasn’t given hers, though I suspect that it wouldn’t be proper to just ask her to talk about her childhood. No, no. Those things girl ought to say of her own volition. There’s a good way to prod that answer out, however. He edged closer to her, and started talking, as if he were just thinking aloud. “I, um…thanks!” He stopped and manage to rein in his tongue for the moment.

Come on, Nikki, what’s the deal between you and your big brother? Surely you can tell me, I won’t tell anyone else! Honest! He did feel uncomfortable about the whole thing, as if he were prying, and it seemed the past were things the L’Eviennes didn’t want to talk about. With a heavy sigh, he began to dig deep into his own past, in the hopes that it would entice the girl to dig deep into hers.

“I never had many friends, you know. Growing up, oh sure, there were lots of people always around. Servants, petitioners, Mum’s teatime ladies and Father’s drinking buddies. But somehow, I never really managed to have that one special friend, the one you share secrets with, the one whom you know will always be there. Oh, I had a cousin, Rainier, he’s around my age, but he can be such a querulous, irascible, cantakerous dolt, the sort I wanted to beat to a pulp sometimes. Oh, but mum wouldn’t let me, because it would be so unseemly. ‘Think of the scandal’, she would always say, ‘if someone of your stature were to engage in fisticuffs, fighting and strutting in the dirt…and with your own cousin!’ Then she’d go off and find reason to scream at some poor hapless maid.” He said with a small frown and a shrug of his shoulders, staring at the ground for a while, and then looking up at her eyes, the twinkle of youth in his. “All that prim-stiff-upper-lip stuff can be quite tiresome.”

“I remember lying in bed most darkenings, wondering what it would be like if I were kidnapped while travelling, and became a pirate, having adventures on the high seas, killing, plundering and…umm…raping,” he said with a flush on his cheeks and an embarrassed look away, “and no one really had much use for etiquette and protocol, where one tore off a hunk of meat with one’s dagger if one was hungry, and played cards and gambled all the time, belching at the most inopportune times.” He said with a nostalgic sigh, and a similarly nostalgic smile.

“Then there were the times when I’d just wander off to the lake at the edge of our estate, dip my feet in the cool water, and throw bread at the ducks. I once brought a rucksack along, because I had a fight with Mum…I must’ve been ten patterns old…and I decided that I’d go grab some ducks and live in the woods, live the life of an outlaw, skinning deer and robbing errant passerby, never to come home again.” He didn’t know that as he was saying this, his head was lightly leaning upon her arm. He looked sad for a moment.

“Aye, the tales Milo tells when he’s swigging a bottle are very interesting…interesting enough that I’d often wondered how life would be so fun if I were a L’Evienne.” A downbeat smirk. “Never did have an elder brother, nor an elder sister. I didn’t want the heavy responsibility that came with my birthright.” He met eyes with her again. “By the Gods, Nikki, I was a kid—in some respects, still feel I am—and Iwanted to have fun.” Little did he know that with his current line of thought, he’d left her an opening.

[Milo L'Evienne]

It seemed Alexis had angst to spare. Though she couldn’t see what he had to complain about, being raised in all that luxury with two parents around to take an interest. On the other hand, it was an odd realm he spoke of that she couldn’t imagine. A life of luxury. Though she lived in it now and still couldn’t imagine it. Not that she’d wanted for anything. At least not in the material way, for Rioughe had seen to that. It wasn’t the man’s support she’d missed, but his care.

But still, he spoke as if he’d been raised in a near prison and she only smiled silently as his head leaned against her. As with Milo, she’d been free to do as she pleased. Though not for the same reasons. Her mother, left alone to raise her, was rarely there. And as a result, or perhaps the result of only a few times she’d met her sire, she’d become more like him than her mother. Maybe she’d made him out to be something he wasn’t. Though Milo would say she was right on. Though he’d deny the parts that weren’t as flattering.

For all their differences, the siblings were much alike, inheriting different bits of the same source. It was likely though, they’d both deny it for the pleasure of disagreeing. ”You’d have to ask Milo if it was fun being a L’Evienne. I wasn’t raised by him and didn’t even know of Milo till less than a pattern past. Milo had one up on me though, to hear him tell it. While he knew of his siblings through Rioughe, at least a few, my father never spoke to me of Milo, though I only met him scarcely a handful of times.”

”From what I understand, Milo was raised wild and free on Ieffreon, being tutored to be just like Rioughe. It wasn’t difficult I suspect, for he’s just like him, down to his looks. Same ideals, same notions, same way of approaching life. It’s probably why Rioughe claimed him, and not the rest, and I hear there are plenty of us around. Milo was a son that he could mold in his own image. He didn’t have much use for a daughter.” She brushed a stray hair from her eyes as she gazed out over the garden. She looked sad, lost in that memory.

"My brother swears that Rioughe loved me. That he was only trying to protect me by staying away, what with the way he made his way in life. I don't believe it, but Milo's content to think I do. So I let him."

”I used to think he was this grand, mythical sort of figure, the few times he came around. He was bigger than life with a loud and infectious laugh. It was as if he took everything in life at full tilt and damn the consequences. Very charming,” she said with a memorable smile. ”I knew a few of the things he did to make his way, and he did them successfully. He was a writer, a bit of a political troublemaker, a rabble-rouser and a thief of sorts, though I’m sure there’s more. So I thought if I was more like him, it would change things. But I didn’t do it like him. He was the sneaky snort. Fix you a drink, charm you into giving up your every possession for a good cause. It was more often his own cause, though Milo will deny it, saying that Rioughe was a philanthropist. I did it the old fashioned, honest way. Thief,” she said with a whisper, and a small smile. It was no secret after all, at least to Nell and Milo, along with the staff. Not anymore, anyway.

”Bodyguard too, but I’m retired in both,” she claimed with a mysterious grin. In truth, Garrick had reminded her of Rioughe, perhaps the source of her interest in him on a level she hadn’t seen. At least to hear Milo tell it. She might see it now, but she’d be damned if she’d let Milo know he’d been right about that.

”Milo mourns the fact that Rioughe’s gone missing, won’t let go of it, though our sire likely arranged it himself,” she said with a sigh as she wandered towards the fountain. ”But to me, it’s no different. He’s always been missing. He’ll probably turn up some day, like a bad copper and thinking nothing of it. Bragging about how he put one over on everyone and proud of it. But I think that’s why Milo tries to control things the way he does. He’s trying to make up for Rioughe’s disinterest. I resist it well enough, but truth is I don’t mind so much as I let him think,” she said with a secretive grin, a plea to Alexis not to tell Milo she was more agreeable than she seemed. It would take all the fun out of thwarting her brother's every effort.

[Alexis Sapientia]

One thing that overly irritated Alexis was the fact that every adult—that is to say, anyone above twenty patterns of age—always considered, nay, expected adolescents like him to be the ill-tempered, foul-mouthed menaces to society that they were acclaimed to be, sporting radical hairstyles and perenially partaking in all sorts of mayhem such as breaking windows, looting chattels and other mobile property, and engaging in other stupid things, really, such as knocking a girl or two up, or, on the other side of the coin, getting themselves pregnant with the child of some uneducated fellow who couldn’t even spell his name. Despite trying to distance himself from his similarly hot-blooded kin, the young noble always found himself unfairly labeled, all the same, and referred to, in the same breath, with the same unwashed ruffians. He hated the fact that everyone expected him to be nothing more than a repository of angst, nothing more than a time bomb ready to explode, and he positively loathed the animosity such erroneous designs foreboded, and the fact that everyone was always looking at him with suspicion, even if he hadn’t really done anything malapropos. Perhaps that was the reason he found himself connecting well with Nikki, because she was nearly the same age, and more so likely because despite their varied backgrounds, they had kindred, common experiences, the sort they could mutually relate to.

What’s a kid got to do to get a little unconditional love and respect these days? He sighed.

Being parentless was something the young noble had been wishing for, and strangely enough, now that he had it, he found himself grateful that at least he had that experience to look back on with a measured fondness, with copious tales of evil parental jailers to amuse many an acquaintance. This kid who once, it seemed, had everything, could sense that this girl who’d never wanted for anything, truly lacked for something. And with that strong sense of intuition all teens his age seemed to possess, he could feel Nikki grieve, even without her even saying so. The young Sapientia ignored the words recited by the accidental noble, and instead, focused on the emotional undercurrents, on the waves of sentiment she was stirring, precisely by the words she wasn’t saying. He continued walking with her, listening to her rant about all things Milo, his head resting lightly on her arm. A line she said broke into his contented reverie.

He didn’t have much use for a daughter, the younger L’Evienne had sniffed. Alexis lifted his head at that, and locked his blue eyes with hers, trying to dispel that ridiculous notion, with surprisingly gentle words. He’d said it so matter-of-factly and without much thought that he didn’t realize, until after the fact, that he’d let his little secret slip out.

“Don’t talk rot, Nikki. I love you just the way you are.”

It wasn’t just simple jealousy, or sibling rivalry. The poor girl was pining for parents she never had, people who’d support her while she was in a vulnerable state, keep her away from danger, and hold her tight when she was terrified by the demons outside. She was seeking nurturing, seeking familial nourishment, after all this time of living without it, of living a lie, of living the delusion that she could handle anything and everything a cruel world could throw her way. Certainly that was one of the reasons why she’d chosen those particular professions, unorthodox as they were for a female. Her confession had come as a bit of a pleasant surprise, one in which Alexis had wholeheartedly smiled and warmly received, but which smile, he could see, did little to lift her feelings, or raise her dour demeanor. Seeing the uncertainty in how she perceived Milo’s affections broke his heart. He shook his head in silent rebuttal. Why? Why, why, why, dear girl, are you torturing yourself? Why do you doubt in something so lasting, in something so tangible? Nikki Sea L’Evienne, why are you playing the hapless fool? You have no idea how blessed you truly are! Alexis knew the answer to those questions, but didn’t want to openly admit it, not even to himself: that she wasn’t sure of Milo’s love, in the same way she felt that Rioughe was unsure with hers. He couldn’t blame the girl for thinking that, but he regretted the fact that Nikki would do so, and he felt wretched sympathy for her. She was feeling abandoned, and being the quintessential good girl, even if she denied it to herself, she’d decided to just go through with it, and continue soldiering on with that hurt, lonely a path it may prove to be.

He knew he had to break that misconception fast before it took further hold.

The boy, through her eyes, could see straight through her soul, and discerning the inner conflict, deftly let go of her arm, faced her, and then, on impulse, hugged her tight; holding her in his strong, youthful arms, and channeling all the love and happy memories he’d dredged up during the eras in his strong embrace, as he gently set her head upon his left shoulder, carefully stroking her hair in an effort to calm her further. This he did with a tenderness so innate within his being, that it couldn’t possibly be misconstrued as anything further but pure empathy, absolute and unsullied cherished reverence for her entire person. He hoped the words he whispered would make their way to easing the pain in her wounded heart.

You don’t have to be alone and suffer in silence, Nikki. Ioannes knows, you’ve borne this burden by yourself for far too long now. Let it all out…and begin by letting go. He sighed, smoothed her back and her disquiet with his right hand, giving her the requisite space, and all the time she needed, to finally bring closure to eras of unspoken enmity and come to terms with the wonderful reality she’d been denying all this time. The benevolence he gave was heartfelt, the restrained sparkle in his blue eyes devoid of duplicity.

I’ll be right here.

[Milo L'Evienne]

It was as some point during this exchange, this embrace, that a third pair of feet made their way through the gardens. Young John’s, to be exact. Off on some errand of his own, or directed by the housekeep, he swept the perimeter of the gardens with neither Nikki or Alexis being aware of his passage. He, equally unaware of the words exchanged between the two prior, only witness…though heavy foliage betwixt him and fountain, an embrace that from his point of view, seemed wholly intimate. He paused in his silence and scowled darkly at first, himself having a secretive fondness for the lady L’Evienne, then smirked before silently going on his way, an expression of satisfaction on his young and freckled face. Now wouldn’t the temperamental Conservator for the People, and more importantly…elder brother of the lady, be interested in what he’d seen? For John’s less than charitable opinion of the young lord, the situation pleased him.

Completely unaware of the footman’s trek through the gardens, Nikki stepped back from the embrace with a thoughtful smile. It wasn’t unwelcome, and she not completely unresponsive. There was comfort in it after all, where she’d not expected it, and an unexpected ally in whom she could confide. Though in truth, she was unaccustomed to such displays or embraces. Sure Milo had hugged her now and again, and she’d endured or returned it. But the siblings were more apt to pick, tease and she at least, punch out her affections on his arm or shoulder. The words he’d spoken, in retrospect, brought an even more uncertain smile to her full lips. That, she’d heard rarely. Milo, a time or two, had declared a familial affection, but uncomfortable in his way of admitting such things, he’d typically worn the expression of one who’d thoughtless trod on a fat toad, and was then bearing witness to the carnage smeared on the bottom of his boot.

And so like any other L’Evienne not sure what to say or do when faced with an uncommon declaration, she stuttered a bit before gaining command of her senses and speech. ”I…Hmm,” she said, smiling wider at an apparent loss of words. ”I don’t believe anyone’s said that to me before. Not like that anyway.” Still, she was more accustomed to teasing, and did. Especially since she was unsure if the love he spoke of was a platonic or romantic one. She’d not make a fool of herself by assuming one over the other. So teasing was a mechanism to protect herself either way. ”I’m a bit long in the tooth for you, am I not?” she asked with a tilt of her head, a mischievous gleam in her eyes and a tone that was wholly affectionate. After all, they were close enough in age that it should be a non issue. ”I’ll keep it under advisement though,” she vowed with a more solemn smile, then seated herself on the edge of the fountain, indicating he should sit beside her.

”But you should be aware you might not know me so well as you think. We L’Evienne’s are an impulsive lot,” she said mysteriously as she reached into the folds of her gown and tugged a gold chain from a hidden pocket, from which a gold watch dangled and spun in the morning light when held aloft.

”Restrivi,” she explained with a smirk. ”I promised Milo I’d stop, but I was passing Restrivi’s office on the way to Nell’s and couldn’t resist. The old goat was sleeping, tilted back in his chair and rattling the ceiling with his snores. I saw the chain on his chest and… She smiled again and laughed. ”It was easy, he never skipped a beat in his snoring, so now I’m just waiting on the opportunity to put it back. You see, I should warn you, I ‘m not as reformed as Milo would like.”

[Alexis Sapientia]

The shock on her face was something he’d expected, but her reply to that little slip was something for which he had not been prepared. Not in a million years. That solemn smile of semi-approval would probably have made him whoop for joy if he had been courting her, but only elicited a humorous, delighted chuckle from him, considering that the opposite was true. Indeed, the former thought was farthest from his mind at the moment.

“Well, now I’m saying it. And to your face, too.” He said seriousy with level eyes, and then grinned gaily, the sort that would get his hair ruffled in jest, or his face unceremoniously shoved into the fountain for sheer cheeky impudence. “Unless you’d like me to leave and have Milo come here and say it, with droopy eyes and a bad countenance, just as he does with Nell. Oh, I’ve seen the way those two profess it. No doubt seeing him do the same would amuse you.”

He took a seat to her left. “Ah, Nikki, dear Nikki, I’ve only been talking to you for less than a candlemark, and it already feels as if we’ve been lifelong friends.” He sighed as he set his right hand above her left, stroking it gently as it lay on her left hip. “And damn you for being such a tease. ‘Take it under advisement’? You’re bad enough, you’re starting to talk like Milo!” He gave an annoyingly adorable crinkle of his nose.
“Hanging around him is going to be bad for your health. Look at me. The short time I’ve been here, he’s already introduced me to the worst vices a man could have: tobacco, alcohol…and women like you”. This he said in a teasing manner.

That reminds me, by Ioannes, I’m itching for a smoke right now. He began to surreptitiously riffle through his pockets, certain to find a few of the cherry-smelling stuff he’d stored away…unless the girl had already beaten him to it, first. Without his knowledge.
The kid gave a scoff and a bit of indignation as he listened to her remark about her age. “And what you’re suggesting is ridiculous. You’re seventeen, just my age, right? You certainly look it.” A bit of flattery there, one that didn’t really harm anyone, though in truth, he probably didn’t, and couldn’t, care less. About her age, that was. He gave a warm chuckle at that, with a satisfied smile and sigh at the end.

“By Ioannes, in what closet has that brother of yours been hiding you? You’re an absolute riot, Nikki, I swear, if you’d been with me back home, life would have been much more tolerable.”

He gently raised her left hand to his mouth, and locking eyes with her once more, gently, and playfully kissed the top. I don’t know whether I want to hug you, kiss, you, or chase you around with a rolling pin in tow.

“You know…perhaps that’s what I like about the both of you. This…spontaneity…this impetuousness, it’s different; very, very different from how I was raised. We, my father’s side of the family, at the least, never made hasty decisions. Everything was premeditated, examined from every perspective, weighed from all sides,” he gave a chuckle as he absentmindedly dipped his fingers in the water, making ripples in the small fountain pool, “…basically like a magistrate or High Archon would. Perhaps that’s why I’ve taken to law like a duck to water. It seems logic’s in my blood. Perhaps, in the same way, that may very well be my curse. Too much thought isn’t conducive to decisiveness.”

The presentation of the Prefect’s artifact brought a rise to his eyes and a similarly wide smile, first at her skill, and second for her sheer audacity in robbing Taralon’s chief crimefighter, well, blind. His next thought was to check his own pockets, lest his billfold likewise be unknowingly screaming for release from a strange lady’s hands. She did say earlier that she was a thief, after all, and perhaps it was an additional blessing that the kid wasn’t that attached to money, anyway, considering it more of a handy, negotiable means to conduct commerce, than as a sole end to be hoarded for all the ages. Still, he’d may have imperative need for it considering that he was merely a guest here, and could never tell when he’d overstayed his welcome.

It likewise was to the younger L’Evienne’s favor that she’d voluntarily confessed to her peculiar avocation, surely proof positive of sincerity and virtue on her part. Out of polite courtesy, he had to make a gesture of his own, one to show his trust, so he didn’t pat his pantsides. Not overtly, anyway. And he still couldn’t find those smokes.

Besides, since this moment, he began to realize that it wasn’t just watches she was capable of stealing. He began to notice that as he felt a warm glow come upon him every time he locked eyes with her, or set eyes on her face. Seemingly with a sense of awe, or a semblance of adoration. But not lust, not physical desire. Only that of a particularly close friendship, one of a confessor and a fellow confidant, kindred spirits, indeed; though relationships of that sort were known to blossom into more intimate bonds. Given sufficient time, that is.

[Milo L'Evienne]

”Milo?” Nikki snorted with a wide smile. Perhaps an unladylike laugh in most circles, but an honest one. [I]”Milo may be a fine actor, argue a brilliant case in court and talk an orc out of it’s own hide and have him believing it’s his own idea, but when it comes to expressing himself in that way, he’s like a man who looks like he’s choking on his own tongue. ”I don’t know,” she added, slipping Restrivi’s prize, hers for the moment, back into the folds of her gown. ”I think it’s all up here,” the girl said with a tap to her temple. ”Rioughe made a career out of charming every woman he came in contact with. Making them believe they were the one true love of his life. He was incredibly charming. Dozens of them, to have heard him tell it, and not one knew about the other. Or so he thought. Milo’s mother was treated the worst of them, and for the short time she kept him to raise, he saw enough of how those women suffered. A dozen children or more too, from all accounts. If he fell to some darker mischief, rather than simply gone missing, I’d be willing to bet it was one of those women who did him in, or some man that felt the need to defend their honor. I think Milo was so determined not to be like Rioughe, though he is in countless ways, that he’s gone to the extreme as far as expressing himself.”

With a slightly guilty, and moreover mischievous gleam in her eyes, she dipped into her pocket again and produced the two cigarillos and striking stick she’d pinched from his pockets during the embrace. With a wider, and rather unrepentant smile, she handed Alexis one, and lit both. ”I’m sure that’s why Milo is so protective of me. Why he was so bent on getting me out of Medonia. He knows I can defend myself physically, but he doesn’t trust any man not to manipulate me, and can’t trust me not to be manipulated. And he’s so stubborn about it, so distrustful where I’m concerned, that I thought he might go after the man I worked for, just for the suspicion of something inappropriate. There never was,” she said, having learned that Garrick was married, ”but you can’t convince Milo of that. But if he had gone after Garrick, he’d have gotten himself killed before he even listened to the truth. That it was me interested in Garrick, and not the other way around. It was easier to leave Medonia, than argue with him about it. Besides, for all his hardheadedness, I don’t mind. It’s nice he cares so much, even if he’s an arse about it at times. I’d rather be here, because no one’s ever cared enough to make an arse of himself for it.”

”And there’s worse vices you know,” she laughed when he kissed her hand, and harder at the following comment. ”There’s nothing logical in our blood, though both of us make a show of it once and again. As for my age, I believe I’ll be an old maid, Alexis, despite your flattery. I might have good friends, which I now count you one of, if Milo can be convinced that’s all it is. But any man who has more interest than that, will have to get through Milo and his temper first, be patient and devoted enough to wait it out for his blessing. There’s a very brave and worthy man, when I find him,” she said, puffing on the cigarillo like a professional.

[Alexis Sapientia]

“Aha! So there they are. You little scoundrel…” He took the proferred cigarillo with a grateful smile, stuck it in his mouth, and cupped his hands around the edge as she lit it. “Thank you,” He looked back up at her with a somewhat appreciative smile. “…for this,” he said, waving the sin-stick as he exhaled, “…the compliment, and your trust.” His blue eyes met with their counterparts, again.

He noticed the way she held hers. “By the gods, he said with a laugh, “…you do that like a professional. I got the distinct impression that Milo had warned you away from those…though I suspect that’ll explain why even the stuff I’ve pinched from Milo’s library stash have begun to get fewer and fewer.” He inhaled, let the taste swirl around his palate, and then exhaled, towards the gardenias. “Ah, that’s grand.”

“I know it’s a bit early in the brightening, but…” he shrugged and produced a hip flask, full of Milo’s brandy he managed to procure from the library, and left the remainder unspoken.

A puff or two later and he began to reflect on what she’d said. So there’s one sure way to get Milo’s goat. I suppose then that there’s one sure thing Milo’s passionate about, enough to go get himself killed for.
“Well, certainly what you say helps explain a lot of things. Can’t say that I pity the chap, considering what all he’s gone through. It does help, however. Puts things into perspective. My Mum’s a bit that way, too, so protective sometimes that I’d fancied running away once or twice, as I think I’ve told you, I’m sure.”

Commenting on this Garrick would seem impolitic at best, so I suppose I’d rather leave that alone. If she wants to expound, I suppose I’ll let her, on her own terms. They continued on in what seemed like more silence for nearly a quarter of a candlemark, merely letting the smok drift upward, before the young noble was able to formulate his own riposte.

He tapped the cigarillo to rid it of an ash and then faced her with inquisitive eyebrows and a sly teenager’s smile, certain she’d either take up the challenge or tease him for being such a kid after Milo’s heart.

“What other vices?”