AetherMUX - Monday, March 06, 2000, 4:52 PM
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Inner Courtyard - Living Quarters - Palladium - Haven
A colonnade surrounds the perimeter of the inner courtyard,
whose paved paths lead to various domiciles, each built in the
traditional Empyreal style. Tiled roofs, arches, columns, and
even balconies are common features on all the homes, and the
decor is light and airy--much like those who dwell within. There
are no staircases, although there are some residencies that
extend to a second floor, for the occupants have no need of
stairs when they can simply glide through the air. Almost
everything is built of pale marble in shades of white, cream,
or rose, and climbing vines of flowers mirror their hues when
the season is right. A circular fountain graces the middle of
the courtyard, and residents can often be found seated at its
edge, whiling away a few hours.
Contents:
Olivia
Olivia steps out from the silver doors of House Augustus.
Olivia has arrived.
Julius sits by the fountain in the center of the courtyard, a
few scrolls scattered about him a bit haphazardly as he pours
over one, then lifts his eyes upwards, moving his lips in
memorization...
OLIVIA
In a race where beauty is the norm, where women should be
breathtaking and men strikingly fair, she has captured the spirit
of the Empyrean people and offers the feminine allure in a classical
fashion. Her cheekbones, scuplted high on features of transluscent
alabaster, have the immaculate arch as if an artist labored days to
find the perfect angle; their slender configuration matches her
aristocratic, aquiline nose, which offers the barest upturn on its
tip. Eyes, too, are wide and luminously bejeweled, aquamarine
gemstomes against the silvery gold of her lustrous hair. She is
neither tall nor short but a comfortable place between, and her
figure has the lissome quality for which Empyrean ladies are known.
A gown of icy blue, evoked in gossamer silks layered atop a
heavier opaque base, graces her figure without further adornment
beyond a silver ring upon her right hand. The garment is
sleeveless, demonstrating the slender snowy lengths of her arm
when not concealed by a matching cloak. Wings maintained to pristine
whiteness sweep widely behind her, with nary a feather out of
place. She is well-groomed, always, and maintains her hair in
an arrangement atop her head's crown, from which a few stray
tendrils drizzle.
For her part, the lissome winged creature in ice blue, she who
belongs to Augustus by marriage, emerges from her House's rooms
on quiet, small, sandalled feet. Olivia has the standard grace
of her people, and she looks dignified as she approaches the
fountain with her book.
Julius doesn't look the same at all. With a vehemance he goes
line by line, word by word, over his document as if he were on
trial. So rapt in his work he doesn't notice the young woman
approach...
"Ave, Dominus." Primly, properly, just as a proper noblewoman
should speak, but with the warm that speaks well of Olivia's
heart.
Julius looks up, a bit startled but he hides it well. He catches
sight of the noblewman quickly, inclining his head in a polite
fashion. "Ave, Domina." his voice is barely audible, raspy and
dry, bespeaking some long injury. And then... something on his
back moves. Familiar with the shifting of wings, this movement
from under the Jovian's cloak seems wholly unnatural, a side to
side gesture...
Olivia's smile loses nothing of its warmth, and her eyes attain
a sparkle that illuminates the aquamarines from within. "Something
occupies your attention wholly today, I see?"
Julius seems a bit confused before he nods, "Yes... a bit of study
I have longed to catch up upon..." he whispers.
"Ah...well. I ought not interfere," says the Empyrean woman, with
a gracious bow. "May I ask what you study? Just of interest."
Something about the man seems washed out, as if he were a worn
blanket or wrap that has been delt the fading of washer woman's
hands, his hair, skin and clothing quite light... except for his
eyes, which retain nearly all the colour of this man. With those
eyes he looks to you, answering in polite conversation, "I study
my liniage... from the house of the Kronian," he adds, just in
case the question should arise.
Olivia ahs. She has a sweet smile, this lady of House Parnicius
who wed into Augustin, and she glimpses the page before murmuring,
"One studies the past to prepare for the future, I believe."
Julius lifts a pale eyebrow. "I don't think I understand..." he
says, waiting for any explination... the thing on his back moves
again, shifting with a sound similar to rustling feathers...
Olivia pauses, trying to consider best how to explain. "You
study your lineage, yes? Well...as to who did what and why?"
Julius nods, pacient for her words.
"Why better to study such things than to learn from the past...
and therefore be better prepared for the future?" queries Olivia,
patiently indeed.
Julius hrms. Not a man of study, he does understand your logic,
nodding his head. "I see, but I must admit that such far reaching
goals were not my motivation for learning...," his eyes seek
out the paper once more in his hand, looking over a name or two
before speaking, "If I may be so bold as to ask you a question,
Domina, what do you know of whom your parents were and who their
parents were in the grand scheme of history?"
Olivia's laugh is delicate, soft, sweet. In answering she mentions
only, "My family's house was very minor. A Praetorian here and
there...little more. But yes, I have some realization of from whence
I come. Why?"
Julius asks, "With theirs, do you see your name in their place
someday? Someone years form now will place your name with theirs
in their family? That you will be part of a greater whole?" he is
still polite, nearly meek if it wasn't for that bright colour in
his eyes.
Olivia, gently, must answer, "Dominus, I have no aspirations to
greatness. All I desire is to care for those around me and learn
what I may of the world."
Julius says, "Everyone has some place in history," with his quiet
whisper, "no aspirations are needed as long as someone remembers
you. With that,do you find yourself a part of something? Even as
a Empyrean, as a race of gods," a bit of reverie in his tone now,
"do you see yourself among them?"
Olivia nods in agreement. "Of course, Dominus, but I accept my
role is smaller than many. Still...'tis most interesting, how
essential even a small part may be in the larger scheme of things."
Julius nods, something in him settled. "Yes. I only seek to find
my place as well."
"Then I shall wish you much luck in it, Dominus...but I must tell
you, those men who seek their place in history have already secured
it, in a way, more than those who live without a thought to it."
Olivia's smile perks a bit as she bows formally. "It was a pleasure
meeting you, Dominus."
A ghost of a smile lifts at Julius' lips as he gives another
inclination of his head, "The pleasure was mine to meet a woman
with such insight, Domina." he stands, slowly as if with pain.
"Forgive me lack of manners, but I have yet to introduce myself.
I am Julius Justinius Jove."
Olivia, again, is too gracious to make note of anything beyond
a slight leaning to assist if necessary. "Olivia Parnicius
Augustus, Dominus. It is a pleasure."
Julius nods. "Thank you," he whispers, then a bit more meekly,
"I am sure I have already taken up too much of your time...."
"Certainly not, and the conversation has been most wondrous. Good
luck with your studies, Dominus." Olivia offers one final, dulcet
smile, then a formal bow, and she heads back from whence she came.
Olivia pushes open the silver doors to House Augustus and steps
inside the building.
Olivia has left.
*fin*
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