Chap 31: Tying up Loose Ends
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The day of the Induction Ceremony for the new Trainees was always an event well planned for, and much of the people of Haven looked forward to it. It can be safely said, however, that the Trainees were the ones who looked forward to it the least. Of course they were all new to this and being under scrutiny from the Heralds and the Kingdom was a lot for them to bear. At the orientation meeting yesterday, Herald Rowland, who oversaw everything from the supervision of the Guards unit to the education of the Trainees, simply had told them to be themselves at the ceremony, to act naturally. The look on the faces of the Inductees as they glanced at each other uneasily upon hearing this matter of fact statement of Rowland's seemed to imply incredulity directed towards him as well as it seemed to suggest an unspoken question from them, something like, "You are not serious, are you, Sir Rowland?" Yet, when they had heard from Rowland that King Theran was to give the commencement speech, they had become quite animated, discussing amongst themselves excitedly. It had appeared to Rowland they looked more eager to attend after hearing that declaration. He knew if he saved the information about King Theran's appearance to the last, it would help to 'save the day' for them. Then, it would be time for more serious matters after the ceremony...the hastily called meeting seemed to Rowland to portend nothing but ill fortune.
And so the day had finally arrived. It was yet another calm early morning of Autumn, with the various trees and their leaves painting the landscape with shades of crimson, cinnabar, burnt sienna, and gold yellow; their splashes of color contrasting artistically against the deep azure sky. Outside the palace everyone was busy as could be, putting up all the finishing touches for the Ceremony, and there was much murmur of conversation exchanged amongst them all along with the occasional shouts of instructions and commands.
While preparations were underway, Aine was in her quarters preparing herself for the Induction Ceremony. In contrast to her drab Trainee grays, she decided this time she was going to make herself appear a little more attractive, a little more feminine as it were. Aine was not normally self conscious but it did bother her that in her view, she seemed to possess somewhat of a 'boyish' figure. Of course a lot of this was due to the fact that she naturally became quite athletic because of all the hard work she had to do, and before she had gotten Obsidian around the age of fourteen, she always ran everywhere. Of course Aine was the harshest critic of herself, yet if one were to go by certain looks Aine drew from amongst the male population of Haven it would be inferred that she indeed was quite attractive. Deep down Aine knew she was attractive and she was aware of the looks the men gave her, but it would be out of character for her to admit this. It would also be not like her to acknowledge positive compliments about her appearance, vocal or otherwise; instead of a 'thank-you,' she would seem to get a little irritated and annoyed that anyone would say this about her. She figured the bearer of the praise must have had something else in mind other than to acknowledge her good looks; there had to be some other kind of underlying motive, perhaps to 'butter her up' for something. She gazed at herself in the silver plate mirror, noting the manner with which her blonde bangs hung down across her forehead. She dipped her fingers in the water basin and drew them across her bangs to give them more of an appealing sweep.
:It really shouldn't take much at all in the way of preparation for you to appear more beautiful than you are, my love.:
Xirthan had startled Aine, yet again. Will I ever get used to this mindspeak? she asked herself. Aine felt that overall she would be fine...as long as she didn't change into someone else that is. She shuddered yet again recalling that event; that couldn't have been Jewellyn's face taking the place of my own...Aine had no trouble appreciating the horror and irony of that event. And then to Xirthan:
:I thought you were getting good hay to munch on from now on, weren't you? Aine's eyes began to appear a little more steel blue as opposed to the cool cobalt blue glow they normally displayed.
Out in the Companion stables Xirthan, along with the other Companions, were munching hay. Soon their Chosen would arrive to primp them up and get them ready for the 'reviewal' at the Induction ceremony.
:And what relation does the quality of our hay have to do with the quality of your appearance?
Aine had to give a little laugh at this statement from Xirthan. It seemed to her he was genuinely puzzled. Of course with Xirthan, you could never really tell. His dry sense of humor sometimes left her wondering as to whether he was serious or not with his comments.
:Because obviously the quality has become so bad that it is making you delusional. It seems to me, Xirthan, that if the quality of the hay you have been eating was exceptional, you wouldn't feel compelled to compliment me. I think your efforts at getting quality hay lately from the stable-hands has failed. You want me to 'put in a word' as it were, to try and get higher quality hay. Hence the reason for you buttering me up. You know, I think it would be more effective if you were to go on strike: Aine saw her smile reflected back to her from the mirror as she continued to primp.
Now it was Xirthan's turn to be slightly startled, :It's funny you mention that Chosen, we were seriously considering that option. After all, if we were to continue to be fed moldy hay, our health and our constitution would suffer greatly. That should not be allowed to happen to us Companions. I would think you would have sympathy with this plight of ours: Xirthan tried to convey to Aine a hearty snort and a look of disapproval at Aine's turn of thoughts. :I still say your beauty needs no further enhancement, and I say this because I love you, not because of any ulterior motives or of the quality of our hay. Quite frankly, I am a little appalled that you thought I would compliment you for any other reason.: Xirthan tried to export to Aine his mock sense of dismay.
This caused Aine to laugh out loud. She continued her mindspeak :Xirthan I have to admit it. You are good. I have this feeling you would try to get in the last word no matter what. Though somehow I can't imagine you being appalled. Okay, okay I will put in a good word about your hay. See, I knew that was your motive for complimenting me Xirthan. Though next time, could you send me roses instead?Aine laughed at her reflection in the mirror.
With a mock tone of a mild rebuttal Xirthan replied, :I am aghast at the level of your cold-heartedness to me, Chosen. Indeed, I shall waste no more time trying to manipulate you with complimentary trickery, seeing as how you are insensitive to my plight no matter what. In fact, next time:-
:just send me the roses! Aine interuppted.
:I will send you the roses: Xirthan chimed in almost simultaneously.
:And no more pompous chatter either Xirthan, it doesn't become you.:
:Alas, you have wounded my sense of pride and high breeding, Chosen.:
They couldn't help it, they both 'laughed' inwardly quite heartily, transporting this sense of warm fun mentally to each other as they did so.
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"No matter how hard I try, I just can't get Aine out of my mind!" Jewellyn exclaimed out loud, startling herself. Thankfully though, there isn't anyone around to hear me, she thought to herself. She too was preparing for the Induction Ceremony. In fact it seemed the harder she did try to get Aine out of her mind, the worse it became, this despite her earlier success at exorcising that that...woman from her mind. Like a pesky fly or a wayward ghost, the vision of Aine kept insinuating itself into her field of mental vision. This continued to happen despite the fact she was gaining more control of her mental faculties via the use of her healing and empathy skills.
:Such are the trials of life, Jewellyn.: Mayei was in the stables with the other companions, resting and feeding.
:Ah, so you are tuning in on me. You said that so nonchalantly Mayei. Am I to take you seriously?
:Well I really don't want to meddle in your love life, Chosen, that only gets one into trouble. It makes a love relationship turn into one of hate, and I for one value our relationship. I think we can and will go far.:
Still, Jewellyn could sense Mayei's general frustration with her. It made her feel even more uncomfortable though. Can't I please anyone? she thought with a slight sense of frustration.
:It's not about pleasing people only in the hopes of getting your way, Jewellyn.:
That startled her, and it stung too. :Okay Mayei...point made.: She wasn't mad at Mayei, though the truth of things did hurt a little.
:It is a rare occurrence that I chide one's actions. I just thought you needed a little reminder, love.:
She looked in the mirror, now she looked a little crestfallen. :It is okay Mayei, I know you do it because you care.:
:And I won't belabor the point any further right now. I expect you will have fun at the ceremony, and we shall put on our best face there, right:
:Of course! Having fun is what it's all about.: She tried to convey a sense of emotional brightness to her, knowing she probably wouldn't buy it.
:I will leave you for now then Jewellyn.:
:Thanks Mayei...I really mean it too.:
:I know you do and you're welcome anytime of course.:
Having this conversation with Mayei prompted her thoughts to turn in all kinds of directions. As she continued to fix her hair and adjust the clothing, she remembered those earlier meetings with Aine when she and Fenix were still at the orphanage. At the thought of that, the memory of Aunt Tildy suddenly popped up in her mind causing her to feel a sense of pleasant nostalgia; along with the memories of some of the more harsher lessons they had learned. Such as the one about unconditional love. That thought had come up unbidden of its own accord and inside she felt a small pang of guilt. Especially when she compared her behavior of late along with her mixed and tangled feelings about love, to the lesson Aunt Tildy tried to teach them about unconditional love. Jewellyn kind of half-knew what part of the problem was. It was Aine that's what it was...No, stop it! That's not it, I refuse to believe it, I can't be that shallow...She tried to console herself, to tell herself that it was really her empath skills which were an additional element and problem to deal with as regarding the processing of her emotions. The process of healing and or absorbing an individual's pain was quite the intimate process. She was beginning to realize that she would have to develop that skill further, to further refine it and to somehow develop a professional distance from her clients as she used her empathic abilities upon them. I think I love Fenix though. I really do. Even though I'm not sure exactly why, she thought as she continued to put the finishing touches on her hair. She gazed at herself in the mirror now evaluating her appearance. Surely my appearance is more soft and warm as compared to Aine's. Or to anyone else for that matter, she quickly reminded herself.
Of course, she couldn't see the future either; a future, that as it became the present, would bring many harsh lessons. Not to mention a trial by fire which it seemed everyone had to go through to further develop their maturity and appreciation of life's mysteries and wonders. She would also learn that (though she thought she knew it already), that it was the small, pleasant things one did for one another which were essential to the development of the trust needed in a relationship.
Soon it would be time where they would all go out and see their Companions to get them ready for the ceremony. Jewellyn knew, of course, that Aine and Fenix would be present too. In a way, she hoped all would not be present at the same time, or maybe it would be better if they were there at the same time. Things should get quite interesting from now on, she thought with a sly smile.
Little did she or anyone else know just how interesting things would become. Nor did they have a clue of the high level at which things would become quite interesting.
Fenix found himself wondering as to how he could cause so much commotion without even trying. With the events at Knoll's Ridge and the horrors and agony following them he was desperately hoping for a bit of a reprieve. He didn't think he could stand much more of it, as it was only recently he began to feel somewhat normal and himself again. He didn't think Jewellyn could handle much more of it either. He knew it was thanks to her that he began to recover. Somehow she could draw the pain and agony right out of him. Of course it was a slow and tortuous process to them both.
I need to get Jewellyn out of my mind for now, if I don't, I'll never find my uniform, he thought with some anxiety. He also felt this strange sense of intimacy after one of her healing and empath sessions, and this confused him. Was it love I felt? Was that what was really helping me? he queried of himself. He knew intrinsically there was more to it, something a little more clinical perhaps. Although he found himself at times wondering if what Jewellyn was doing to him was indeed akin to making love. From what little experience he did have with physical love, he guessed that it was something like it, if not close to 'making love.' He had heard some people say that they always felt a little better 'afterwards.'
He was still searching for his gray Trainee uniform. He thought for sure he had put it in the cedar trunk underneath the small window in his room here. He became a little more frantic as time went on here because as sure as the sky was blue in Valdemar he would be late. He knew it, it was inevitable. It seemed he was always late. Of course his habit of putting things off to the last minute didn't help his cause much.
:Did you look under the bed, Dear?
Of course that was Aerali. She too was out in the Companion's stables awaiting the arrival of her Chosen. Soon, the Induction Ceremony of the new Trainees was to begin. No matter how many times he experienced this mindspeak, it always startled him. And even though he didn't fully appreciate his own ability to mindspeak with others as of yet, he realized the practice of this talent as much as possible was essential.
Fenix looked under the bed, there it was! :Did you know it was under there, Aerali?
:Of course not, Love. I just know you. Therefore it was just a matter of simple deduction.:
:Hardy har har.: Though Fenix did appreciate the humor behind his all too true abilities to lose and forget things, he sincerely wished he could overcome it somehow.
:Think of it this way Chosen, it is but one of the many endearing qualities you have, it's what makes you...you.:
Fenix tried to feel appreciative but he was feeling a little miffed, so to speak. :Can you define 'endearing' for me Aerali?
:Certainly, Love. It is the character traits you have which are perceived as cute and or humorous by others.:
:So you would call my procrastination and my forgetfulness as endearing?
:I would say to the outside observer, yes it does appear that way.: Aerali sent a sense of teasing play to Fenix.
:Well I am the inside observer and I really don't find it funny at all; it is rather frustrating really. I think it should be more like enduring instead of endearing. 'Enduring forgetfulness' almost sounds more like an oxymoron to me, and more apt of a description.: Fenix had to laugh a little at this observation of his.
:I see you are beginning to get my point in all this, Chosen.:
:I think I am Aerali, and frankly, though you can be slightly annoying at times with your observations, I thank you for it.:
:You are most welcome love, and this despite your endearing qualities! I will see you at the Ceremony…that is, if you get there at all.:
Fenix had forgotten the fact that he was supposed to be putting his uniform on! He struggled to put on the top part of his uniform, and as he tried to put on his breeches, he tripped and stumbled to the floor, banging his knees on the hard floor in the process. Fenix yelped with the pain of it and slowly got up and resumed the outfitting of his uniform. Once he got it on he looked in the mirror and then tried adjustments to the clothing as well as to the appearance of his brown hair. They were all to go out and meet at the Companion's Stables quite soon. He wondered though if they would really meet together at the same time. He secretly hoped that wouldn't be the case. Of course he would be glad to see Jewellyn, but he really was a bit more eager to make further acquaintance with Aine. He smiled. There now, I look better. I hope she notices, he thought as he primped himself in the mirror.
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Koromiel - Tada! And that's the last chapter you ppl are getting for a little while. I am in the process of moving from Washington (state) to California. So the computer is being packed tonight and then it's 'go go go!' So as always, reviews are appreciated.
