Jan turned and handed Theo one of the cokes with a smile.
"Theo it is then, My full name is a mouthful also Johannes which sounds very serious, I think. Jan does cause some strange looks here though Americans seem to think it is only a girl's name."
He wondered if it were meaningful that he was now considered a friend of some sort because she had not given him the shortened version at the beginning of their conversation. Still it could have simple slipped her mind and the rest just been a turn of phrase these days. Everyone seemed to have a ton of friends but possibly not even one that would bother to bail them out should they find themselves in jail.
Moving them out of the way of the line of people and off near a display of Chinese Opera masks. Turning to glance at it he said.
"I bet those have a lot of history."
Even more than he did if they were authentic masks like the little card descriptions claimed. Jan looked back at Theodosia and smiled.
"So anything else you would like to do before we head back to our seats? "
((OOC: The masks were made up by me and not in the Opera description so one could assume that they are a temporary exhibit and never have them mentioned again.
An Evening with the Devil
Theo made her way up to the box office of the opera house, walking regally with her head held high, like a queen. Dani had told her that all she had to do was tell the man at the box office her name and he would give her a ticket to see that evening's showing of Faust, which meant that she must be a very important person tonight.
She certainly looked important, with her long black gown and high heels. Very grown up.
She approached the little man behind the counter and spoke in a clear voice.
"Theodosia."Â?
She waited patiently for the little man to give her the ticket she was promised, believing that she had done what she was supposed to do.
The little man, though, did not seem to agree, and instead of giving her the ticket, stared and stared.
[COLOR=Red]He thinks you look pretty.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=SeaGreen]He's angry with you...maybe it's because he's old and bald instead of young and pretty.[/COLOR]
This seemed reasonable to Theo. Jealous people were sad and should try to make the best of what they had instead of coveting other people. Deciding that perhaps he needed some additional help, since he had started to turn away and gesture to the next person in line, she put her hand on the counter. Her nails were painted with clear polish and she wore a ring with tiny red garnets that made a butterfly.
"Give me my ticket."Â?
The bald man gave her a completely uncalled for look and put one hand on his hip.
'Get outta here, kid. Members only.'
[COLOR=DarkOrchid]Kid? Kid! Oooooh, the nerve of that man![/COLOR]
Theo considered her options, remembering to contain her anger. She could practically feel her eyes flashing, though, and that gave her an idea. Focusing on the bald man, she pushed the image of flames dancing in her eyes to him and flashed him a malicious smile.
Maybe that would show him this was no 'kid' he was dealing with. She only did it for a second and he would probably just think he was crazy, or had too much to drink, but he was unsettled enough to perhaps be a little more receptive.
[COLOR=SeaGreen]You scared him bad for a second![/COLOR]
Deciding the foolish man had had enough, she gave him another chance.
"Theodosia."Â?
Jan
19 years ago
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo took the offered coke with a slight smile and softly spoken thanks.
“Well I’m told Theo is a boy’s name so I suppose between the two of us we even out.”
Interesting. Did he mention where he was from?
She took a sip of her coke and immediately squinted her eyes as the bubbles tickled her nose and made her eyes water. She’d forgotten the bubbles.
Jan, meanwhile, was looking at an interesting display and Theo peered over as well, intrigued.
“I don’t speak Chinese…” she said, somewhat regretfully. It was odd, in her mind, to have lived so long and still have so much left to learn, though she supposed it could be argued that a lot of those years were spent doing something other than truly living.
You’ve been busy.
“Yes, though. I bet they do have a lot of history.” She turned and gave Jan a warm smile, shaking her head at his query and taking his arm once again to head back.
“It’s a shame they’re behind glass…I’d love a closer look. That’s my job; looking at things with history behind them and trying to understand.” There was a note of pride when she explained her job and she didn’t admonish herself for that. It was one thing for Evenhet to keep her out of a sense of duty but when Alfarinn had decided to give her a task she realized that perhaps she was wanted for her own sake. Besides that, there was the simple thrill of being asked questions that she had answers for.
“Well I’m told Theo is a boy’s name so I suppose between the two of us we even out.”
Interesting. Did he mention where he was from?
She took a sip of her coke and immediately squinted her eyes as the bubbles tickled her nose and made her eyes water. She’d forgotten the bubbles.
Jan, meanwhile, was looking at an interesting display and Theo peered over as well, intrigued.
“I don’t speak Chinese…” she said, somewhat regretfully. It was odd, in her mind, to have lived so long and still have so much left to learn, though she supposed it could be argued that a lot of those years were spent doing something other than truly living.
You’ve been busy.
“Yes, though. I bet they do have a lot of history.” She turned and gave Jan a warm smile, shaking her head at his query and taking his arm once again to head back.
“It’s a shame they’re behind glass…I’d love a closer look. That’s my job; looking at things with history behind them and trying to understand.” There was a note of pride when she explained her job and she didn’t admonish herself for that. It was one thing for Evenhet to keep her out of a sense of duty but when Alfarinn had decided to give her a task she realized that perhaps she was wanted for her own sake. Besides that, there was the simple thrill of being asked questions that she had answers for.
Jan
19 years ago
Jan grinned at her and chuckled at the oddity of their names. He hadn't even thought about Theo being considered a boy's name but then he had heard her say her whole name first and not the shorter version.
"That's true. We should just introduce ourselves as Jan and Theo and see how many people we confuse sometime."
He doubted they would have the chance to introduce themselves to anyone at the opera so that would mean that in order to play this little prank they'd have to go elsewhere at some point. Jan smiled to himself wondering what he was doing.
Theo's statement pulled him out of his musing and he looked at her in confusion. Pointing a figure at the little white cards with descriptions, he said.
"Well the tags are in English, which is a good thing because I don't speak Chinese either."
They headed back towards their seats and Theo explained that her job was to look at things and to understand the history behind them. She looked maybe fourteen or perhaps even sixteen certainly not of the age to being doing what sounded like archaeology. Was she a lot older than she looked? Jan sighed at his immediate conclusion and considered that perhaps she was the daughter of an archaeologist. Perhaps a wealthy one? And was allowed to help on the sites.
"I am curious and perhaps you will forgive me for asking a question most women seem to avoid answering but I was wondering just how old you were?"
"That's true. We should just introduce ourselves as Jan and Theo and see how many people we confuse sometime."
He doubted they would have the chance to introduce themselves to anyone at the opera so that would mean that in order to play this little prank they'd have to go elsewhere at some point. Jan smiled to himself wondering what he was doing.
Theo's statement pulled him out of his musing and he looked at her in confusion. Pointing a figure at the little white cards with descriptions, he said.
"Well the tags are in English, which is a good thing because I don't speak Chinese either."
They headed back towards their seats and Theo explained that her job was to look at things and to understand the history behind them. She looked maybe fourteen or perhaps even sixteen certainly not of the age to being doing what sounded like archaeology. Was she a lot older than she looked? Jan sighed at his immediate conclusion and considered that perhaps she was the daughter of an archaeologist. Perhaps a wealthy one? And was allowed to help on the sites.
"I am curious and perhaps you will forgive me for asking a question most women seem to avoid answering but I was wondering just how old you were?"
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo nodded her head in agreement; of course the tags were in English, but there were likely more interesting things to be learned. It wasn’t terribly pressing, though, and she happily swept up what she had coined ‘the bloody stairs’ on Jan’s arm.
Her eyes widened in surprise when Jan asked her age. She used to ask that question quite a bit until Paul explained that was a –personal question- and one shouldn’t ask –personal questions- of strangers. She wondered for a moment what it meant, that Jan had just asked her a –personal question-.
She quite contentedly concluded that Jan must like her and want to be friends, and beamed at the thought.
“I am one thousand six hundred and fifty two years old.”
It was odd, she thought, how many people would believe you when you lied, and assume you were joking when you told the truth. She wasn’t certain if Jan was that type of person or not, but there didn’t seem to be much point in making something up. He would believe her, or not, and there was always the out of ‘avoiding the question,’ which seemed to be what he expected anyway.
Her eyes widened in surprise when Jan asked her age. She used to ask that question quite a bit until Paul explained that was a –personal question- and one shouldn’t ask –personal questions- of strangers. She wondered for a moment what it meant, that Jan had just asked her a –personal question-.
She quite contentedly concluded that Jan must like her and want to be friends, and beamed at the thought.
“I am one thousand six hundred and fifty two years old.”
It was odd, she thought, how many people would believe you when you lied, and assume you were joking when you told the truth. She wasn’t certain if Jan was that type of person or not, but there didn’t seem to be much point in making something up. He would believe her, or not, and there was always the out of ‘avoiding the question,’ which seemed to be what he expected anyway.
Jan
19 years ago
Jan blinked once at Theo's answer and then his mind tumbled backwards to the small pieces of conversation that he explained away in some mortal fashion. It made those little details fit into a puzzle perfectly. Despite this mystery being solved Jan found himself more intrigued by the girl who walked beside him and not less.
He did wonder, for instance, what caused her to be honest with him. Did she know he was vampire as well? Perhaps she had some ability that led her to that conclusion. It occurred to him for the briefest of moments that she could be lying to him but something about the way she answered combined with the other things they had said, well, for some reason Jan felt that Theo wouldn't lie... at least not without good cause. Odd assumption to make perhaps, but he was going to trust his instinct and the matter of fact way she stated her age and simply believe her.
"What a fire hazard your birthday cake must be! I am pleased though, I like older women and its so rare to meet any these days. I have not even lived half that long. "
Was she in a clan? Was he treading on dangerous ground by association? Did he care? He already knew the answer to the last one so the answers to the rest of the questions were of minimal importance.
"You look lovely tonight. I should have mentioned before and here we had been speaking earlier about people who needed lessons in manners. I should certainly know better. I do hope you forgive me for not mentioning it sooner. "
Theo did look stunning, appearing so young but with a certain air about her of something more; he would have taken it for good breeding as they say had she not mentioned her age. In a dress of black with tiny sparkling pieces like stars, she looked like a muse who had stepped out from the night itself...
"In grace she walks through the ages
Night her faithful companion
She is the voice of the times before
Speaking wisdom to those deaf to all but the times ahead.
Immortal Oracle... "
Jan sang the words quietly to himself getting the feel of them and then looked around for something to write them down on. He needed to be quick lest he lose them. Pulling out the programme he had of the show, Jan smiled when they reached Timothy and asked.
"Do you happen to have a pen?"
He kept singing the lines over and over in his head until he was given a pen and could write them down. Turning to Theo, he grinned weakly, realizing he must have seemed very strange.
"I'm sorry but sometimes my muse just speaks to me and I'll lose it if I don't write it down quickly. "
((OOC: Theo's dress described with permission ))
He did wonder, for instance, what caused her to be honest with him. Did she know he was vampire as well? Perhaps she had some ability that led her to that conclusion. It occurred to him for the briefest of moments that she could be lying to him but something about the way she answered combined with the other things they had said, well, for some reason Jan felt that Theo wouldn't lie... at least not without good cause. Odd assumption to make perhaps, but he was going to trust his instinct and the matter of fact way she stated her age and simply believe her.
"What a fire hazard your birthday cake must be! I am pleased though, I like older women and its so rare to meet any these days. I have not even lived half that long. "
Was she in a clan? Was he treading on dangerous ground by association? Did he care? He already knew the answer to the last one so the answers to the rest of the questions were of minimal importance.
"You look lovely tonight. I should have mentioned before and here we had been speaking earlier about people who needed lessons in manners. I should certainly know better. I do hope you forgive me for not mentioning it sooner. "
Theo did look stunning, appearing so young but with a certain air about her of something more; he would have taken it for good breeding as they say had she not mentioned her age. In a dress of black with tiny sparkling pieces like stars, she looked like a muse who had stepped out from the night itself...
"In grace she walks through the ages
Night her faithful companion
She is the voice of the times before
Speaking wisdom to those deaf to all but the times ahead.
Immortal Oracle... "
Jan sang the words quietly to himself getting the feel of them and then looked around for something to write them down on. He needed to be quick lest he lose them. Pulling out the programme he had of the show, Jan smiled when they reached Timothy and asked.
"Do you happen to have a pen?"
He kept singing the lines over and over in his head until he was given a pen and could write them down. Turning to Theo, he grinned weakly, realizing he must have seemed very strange.
"I'm sorry but sometimes my muse just speaks to me and I'll lose it if I don't write it down quickly. "
((OOC: Theo's dress described with permission ))
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo turned to regard Jan at his easy reply, once again intrigued by the way he seemed to take things with such calm. She definitely liked being around him and his reaction indicated that he was of her kind, which was even better.
You might not have thought that way were you a bit more hungry.
Theo refused to let Paul drag her into that argument, instead tilting her head back loftily.
She grinned at the unexpected compliment, though she didn’t think there was any cause for concern regarding the timing, and told him so.
“It’s kind of you to say so. I think we both look nice and there’s nothing to forgive.”
I wouldn’t think he would be under any obligation to compliment the lady who coerced him to her opera box by taking his ticket.
She rolled her eyes inwardly at Paul, arguing that she would have given it back if he asked. Then Jan added to the compliment by singing, and she found she hardly knew what to say to that.
That –voice-. Listen to that voice.
She wasn’t certain if Paul was telling her or the other way around, but either way everything else save Jan’s singing seemed to go quiet after that.
She looked to Jan with something like awe when he explained the reason for his urgency and spoke in a nearly breathless voice.
“You hear them too. You’re…inspired.”
It wasn’t a question; Theo was certain, once Jan told her about his muse speaking to him, that he heard the voices as well. This was quite exciting to her, as she knew that not everyone was so fortunate. Of course, she also understood how difficult it could be; the voices were at times quite demanding and you had to be a very strong person to keep your own mind with so many others in your head.
“I understand perfectly.”
Timothy handed Jan a small notepad with a little pen tucked inside the spiral binding. He seemed to be doing his best to ignore the conversation. Dani had told her that Timothy wasn’t there to spy on her or tell other people what she had been up to, so there was no reason to sneak away or hide from him.
You might not have thought that way were you a bit more hungry.
Theo refused to let Paul drag her into that argument, instead tilting her head back loftily.
She grinned at the unexpected compliment, though she didn’t think there was any cause for concern regarding the timing, and told him so.
“It’s kind of you to say so. I think we both look nice and there’s nothing to forgive.”
I wouldn’t think he would be under any obligation to compliment the lady who coerced him to her opera box by taking his ticket.
She rolled her eyes inwardly at Paul, arguing that she would have given it back if he asked. Then Jan added to the compliment by singing, and she found she hardly knew what to say to that.
That –voice-. Listen to that voice.
She wasn’t certain if Paul was telling her or the other way around, but either way everything else save Jan’s singing seemed to go quiet after that.
She looked to Jan with something like awe when he explained the reason for his urgency and spoke in a nearly breathless voice.
“You hear them too. You’re…inspired.”
It wasn’t a question; Theo was certain, once Jan told her about his muse speaking to him, that he heard the voices as well. This was quite exciting to her, as she knew that not everyone was so fortunate. Of course, she also understood how difficult it could be; the voices were at times quite demanding and you had to be a very strong person to keep your own mind with so many others in your head.
“I understand perfectly.”
Timothy handed Jan a small notepad with a little pen tucked inside the spiral binding. He seemed to be doing his best to ignore the conversation. Dani had told her that Timothy wasn’t there to spy on her or tell other people what she had been up to, so there was no reason to sneak away or hide from him.
Jan
19 years ago
Jan finished his scribbling down of the lyrics and added a few musical notations to the margins. The music always seemed to stay with him better than the lyrics but if he had the words and some guide lines with for the notes then he could remember the music easily.
He blinked up at Theo and smiled at her with some bemusement. Did she hear music as well? He had said muse, so perhaps she was a poet or a writer, maybe an artist. The image of her dressed in more casual clothing with paint on her nose and stray wisps of hair falling down from a ponytail was rather enchanting and Jan wondered sometimes how he got these images stuck in his mind when it was music that was his constant companion.
Handing the note pad and pen back to Timothy, he said.
"Thank you."
And then led the way back into the box towards their table.
"And how do they speak to you? Mine is words and music..its sometimes a jumbled up mess in here."
Jan pointed to his head and shrugged.
" Sometimes there is just something that needs to be said or written or played and I can't rest until its done."
He blinked up at Theo and smiled at her with some bemusement. Did she hear music as well? He had said muse, so perhaps she was a poet or a writer, maybe an artist. The image of her dressed in more casual clothing with paint on her nose and stray wisps of hair falling down from a ponytail was rather enchanting and Jan wondered sometimes how he got these images stuck in his mind when it was music that was his constant companion.
Handing the note pad and pen back to Timothy, he said.
"Thank you."
And then led the way back into the box towards their table.
"And how do they speak to you? Mine is words and music..its sometimes a jumbled up mess in here."
Jan pointed to his head and shrugged.
" Sometimes there is just something that needs to be said or written or played and I can't rest until its done."
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo gave Timothy a shy little wave when he gave Jan a dignified nod, and walked back to their seats, feeling quite pleased.
“Oh, they mostly talk. They tell me stories sometimes, and secrets. But yes, it does sometimes get pretty noisy.”
Her eyes lit up when she mentioned secrets, which were, in her mind, one of the better parts of having the voices.
I cannot begin to describe how much I resent this accusation of being noisy.
Ignoring Paul’s complaints, she listened with interest when Jan explained the compelling nature of the voices, understanding that as well.
“Yeah, and they always seem to think they’re right, too.”
I am often right.
She gave a little roll of her eyes to prove her point, but then a thought occurred to her and she felt somewhat guilty.
“Do objects talk to you too? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have given you the loud glasses.”
She gave Jan a sheepish grin. “She was bothering me.”
“Oh, they mostly talk. They tell me stories sometimes, and secrets. But yes, it does sometimes get pretty noisy.”
Her eyes lit up when she mentioned secrets, which were, in her mind, one of the better parts of having the voices.
I cannot begin to describe how much I resent this accusation of being noisy.
Ignoring Paul’s complaints, she listened with interest when Jan explained the compelling nature of the voices, understanding that as well.
“Yeah, and they always seem to think they’re right, too.”
I am often right.
She gave a little roll of her eyes to prove her point, but then a thought occurred to her and she felt somewhat guilty.
“Do objects talk to you too? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have given you the loud glasses.”
She gave Jan a sheepish grin. “She was bothering me.”
Jan
19 years ago
Jan got the impression that Theo's voices weren't quite the same as his muse, or perhaps it was indeed similar, who was he to judge how people's minds worked when his was filled with the compulsion to express his thoughts and ideas in the form of music and song. Having voices that were more distinct might in some way be a blessing and he wondered if she could argue with her's better than he could his inspiration.
He laughed at the comment that they were always right.
"This is true and after seeing some horrible lines of music that I've been inspired to write down. I know good and well that this is not always true."
Objects talked to her? He supposed that explained the reason she said she did not speak Chinese. Jan smiled and shook his head to the negative.
"I'm afraid not. I am probably too noisy myself to hear them anyway. That must be an interesting gift to have."
Looking down at the glasses, he chuckled at the thought of them being so chatty that he wouldn't want to hold them.
"On the other hand, I can see where that could get annoying too. We have a few minutes before the show. I can show you one of my talents if you like. I use it sometimes when I sing."
Jan found himself somewhat shy, perhaps it was because he was talking about displaying talents that another vampire could understand or perhaps it was that he was sitting beside someone older than his father, his vampiric father, and was considering showing off his meager skills.
He laughed at the comment that they were always right.
"This is true and after seeing some horrible lines of music that I've been inspired to write down. I know good and well that this is not always true."
Objects talked to her? He supposed that explained the reason she said she did not speak Chinese. Jan smiled and shook his head to the negative.
"I'm afraid not. I am probably too noisy myself to hear them anyway. That must be an interesting gift to have."
Looking down at the glasses, he chuckled at the thought of them being so chatty that he wouldn't want to hold them.
"On the other hand, I can see where that could get annoying too. We have a few minutes before the show. I can show you one of my talents if you like. I use it sometimes when I sing."
Jan found himself somewhat shy, perhaps it was because he was talking about displaying talents that another vampire could understand or perhaps it was that he was sitting beside someone older than his father, his vampiric father, and was considering showing off his meager skills.
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo frowned for a moment when Jan explained that he didn’t hear anything from objects, worried that he would think she was crazy now. He seemed to take it at face value, though, and she soon relaxed again.
“It can get chaotic sometimes.”
Her curiosity was piqued when Jan offered to show her one of his talents, and the comments from the voices further roused her interest.
Oooh, he’s bashful!
He should certainly sing again.
“I would like that very much.”
It was somewhat rare, in her experience, to have the opportunity to see gifts simply for their own sake, rather than a means to an end. Over time many vampires became so accustomed to their abilities that they used them more as a matter of course then because they were special and interesting. She knew it wasn't seemly to 'show off' but it was good to find company where sharing was acceptable and understood.
“It can get chaotic sometimes.”
Her curiosity was piqued when Jan offered to show her one of his talents, and the comments from the voices further roused her interest.
Oooh, he’s bashful!
He should certainly sing again.
“I would like that very much.”
It was somewhat rare, in her experience, to have the opportunity to see gifts simply for their own sake, rather than a means to an end. Over time many vampires became so accustomed to their abilities that they used them more as a matter of course then because they were special and interesting. She knew it wasn't seemly to 'show off' but it was good to find company where sharing was acceptable and understood.
Jan
19 years ago
Jan decided standing was better for this and so he pushed back from the table and slid aside the chair. Closing his eyes he remembered his time in Vienna with the choir. While sometimes he used his glamour to enhance the mood of the music, in this case with Theo knowing what he was and being a more experienced vampire, he felt that such changes should follow their own course. Instead he chose to visual additions to the music and appear in the robes the boy's choir had used when mass was sung; he added a soft beam of illusory golden light shining down on him for the sake of theatrics and caused the opera around him to fade and appear as to be a stone cathedral with a sparkling window of stained glass.
Quietly he began the Requiem, pitching his voice to carry over to Theo but not so very far outside the box; after all, He wouldn't want any of the opera singers to become jealous.
"Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem:
exaudi orationem meam,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem aeternam dona ets,
Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ets."
He let the glamour fade and sat back down, finally looking up to smile tentatively at Theo, hoping she was not upset with him for using glamour on her in illustration.
((OOC: Abilities used on Theo with her permission.))
Quietly he began the Requiem, pitching his voice to carry over to Theo but not so very far outside the box; after all, He wouldn't want any of the opera singers to become jealous.
"Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem:
exaudi orationem meam,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem aeternam dona ets,
Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ets."
He let the glamour fade and sat back down, finally looking up to smile tentatively at Theo, hoping she was not upset with him for using glamour on her in illustration.
((OOC: Abilities used on Theo with her permission.))
Theodosia
19 years ago
Theo turned in her seat to better face Jan when he stood and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring grin. She started a bit when things began to change, her mind warring between what she saw and what she knew, but once he began singing she calmed herself. With the music it was easier to accept what her eyes were telling her and both the sound and the vision were too stunning to allow for anything other than being swept away by it all.
When he finished and sat down she regarded him for a moment, considering. Then she realized that staring was rude and spoke, albeit quietly.
“You have quite a gift; that was beautiful.”
My dear, you have a hidden ability for understatement. Isn’t it interesting that you two have so much in common?
She noted Paul’s observation and while she would tend to agree, it was interesting, it also wasn’t unheard of. In any case, everything about what Jan had done was fascinating; the song he had chosen and the vision that went with it especially.
“I’ve never really been sure of what it was like for other people, experiencing that. I don’t know if it’s the same when you…push the images on yourself.” She grinned. “I suppose now I know, thank you. Do you sing in church, then? In the choir?”
When he finished and sat down she regarded him for a moment, considering. Then she realized that staring was rude and spoke, albeit quietly.
“You have quite a gift; that was beautiful.”
My dear, you have a hidden ability for understatement. Isn’t it interesting that you two have so much in common?
She noted Paul’s observation and while she would tend to agree, it was interesting, it also wasn’t unheard of. In any case, everything about what Jan had done was fascinating; the song he had chosen and the vision that went with it especially.
“I’ve never really been sure of what it was like for other people, experiencing that. I don’t know if it’s the same when you…push the images on yourself.” She grinned. “I suppose now I know, thank you. Do you sing in church, then? In the choir?”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan smiled at the compliment and expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you. I hope I did not over step myself by using the images. "
He shrugged; it was the only way he could have shown the ability without finding some human and using glamour on them and then explaining what they saw. Somehow he felt it lost something of its appeal in translation.
"I use it for my own benefit from time to.."
Jan looked over at Theo and blinked in comprehension at her statement concerning the use of glamour. He looked down and actually felt the unfamiliar sensation of heat rising up his neck and into his cheeks. He had just shown off like a boy with a new toy only to find out she had the same ability and was quite used to it and was therefore probably very unimpressed.
"Oh, I did sing with the choir a very long time ago but I became too old."
He shrugged as if it were a minor thing but being turned out of the boy's choir had been like being thrown out of his own home. The closeted court life he had slowly grown accustomed to and thought would somehow remain his disappeared in a instant. Jan supposed he could have found some courtier who was willing to take him on as a servant with a dubious list of duties which would include a bedroom but the choir had been an escape from selling his body like his mother did and it seemed to be giving in to defeat if he allowed himself to be someone's paid toy, though he mused wryly that he would have been worth a whole lot more than his mother ever saw. Jan also knew that those that would have been interested in his youth and good looks would soon tire of him as he grew into a man and then he would find himself out of some favored spot as a pet plaything and out in the street or if he was lucky he might have stayed on in some job as a footman or household servant.
In his youthful confidence, Jan had decided he would make his own way back into a comfortable life. There would be no one to beholden to if he made it on his own and with his street smarts and courtly manners that shouldn't have taken long, right? Yeah right.
"The Vienna boys choir only keeps its members until they reach fourteen or until their voice changes whichever comes first. "
At least that was what was told to him, he was one of the original members and therefore one of first few to go.
"I suppose they got what they paid for out of me and it could have been worse; my mother's madam was looking to make money off me for those customers that preferred young boys. It was one of those men that she happened to... sell me to."
Feeling the growing disquiet in himself at the topic, Jan decided to change the subject; while it was normal for him to brood moodily over any of a number of things, the company and the opera were both far too good to waste on bitter memories that could be easily done at home in the company of his music and a bottle of wine.
Shrugging off the darkness with a shudder, he sat up straighter in his chair and smiled at Theo.
"I did not mean to kill the conversation I could have simply answered the question without going into an in depth explanation, I suppose. What about you then? Do you like to sing? Or go to church? "
He did wonder why he had gone into such detail as an answer and the only explanation that he could come up with was that the person in front of him was older than him and would understand, perhaps by reason of age, the nature of the choir and his life in it. It was also true that, despite his modern trappings and love of technology, a part of him would always long to be a choir boy in Vienna, part of a group, singing notes of pure gold with those similarly talented for kings and queens from around the world. Perhaps in all her years, Theodosia had seen the choir perform and so perhaps she would understand what he had lost; though Jan felt one had to be a part of it to truly understand. It had still been a long time since he had spoken to one who might appreciate the things of that time, waxing nostalgic with a bunch of Tacharan was generally an unwise idea most of the time, so like many of his clan, he kept to himself.
"Thank you. I hope I did not over step myself by using the images. "
He shrugged; it was the only way he could have shown the ability without finding some human and using glamour on them and then explaining what they saw. Somehow he felt it lost something of its appeal in translation.
"I use it for my own benefit from time to.."
Jan looked over at Theo and blinked in comprehension at her statement concerning the use of glamour. He looked down and actually felt the unfamiliar sensation of heat rising up his neck and into his cheeks. He had just shown off like a boy with a new toy only to find out she had the same ability and was quite used to it and was therefore probably very unimpressed.
"Oh, I did sing with the choir a very long time ago but I became too old."
He shrugged as if it were a minor thing but being turned out of the boy's choir had been like being thrown out of his own home. The closeted court life he had slowly grown accustomed to and thought would somehow remain his disappeared in a instant. Jan supposed he could have found some courtier who was willing to take him on as a servant with a dubious list of duties which would include a bedroom but the choir had been an escape from selling his body like his mother did and it seemed to be giving in to defeat if he allowed himself to be someone's paid toy, though he mused wryly that he would have been worth a whole lot more than his mother ever saw. Jan also knew that those that would have been interested in his youth and good looks would soon tire of him as he grew into a man and then he would find himself out of some favored spot as a pet plaything and out in the street or if he was lucky he might have stayed on in some job as a footman or household servant.
In his youthful confidence, Jan had decided he would make his own way back into a comfortable life. There would be no one to beholden to if he made it on his own and with his street smarts and courtly manners that shouldn't have taken long, right? Yeah right.
"The Vienna boys choir only keeps its members until they reach fourteen or until their voice changes whichever comes first. "
At least that was what was told to him, he was one of the original members and therefore one of first few to go.
"I suppose they got what they paid for out of me and it could have been worse; my mother's madam was looking to make money off me for those customers that preferred young boys. It was one of those men that she happened to... sell me to."
Feeling the growing disquiet in himself at the topic, Jan decided to change the subject; while it was normal for him to brood moodily over any of a number of things, the company and the opera were both far too good to waste on bitter memories that could be easily done at home in the company of his music and a bottle of wine.
Shrugging off the darkness with a shudder, he sat up straighter in his chair and smiled at Theo.
"I did not mean to kill the conversation I could have simply answered the question without going into an in depth explanation, I suppose. What about you then? Do you like to sing? Or go to church? "
He did wonder why he had gone into such detail as an answer and the only explanation that he could come up with was that the person in front of him was older than him and would understand, perhaps by reason of age, the nature of the choir and his life in it. It was also true that, despite his modern trappings and love of technology, a part of him would always long to be a choir boy in Vienna, part of a group, singing notes of pure gold with those similarly talented for kings and queens from around the world. Perhaps in all her years, Theodosia had seen the choir perform and so perhaps she would understand what he had lost; though Jan felt one had to be a part of it to truly understand. It had still been a long time since he had spoken to one who might appreciate the things of that time, waxing nostalgic with a bunch of Tacharan was generally an unwise idea most of the time, so like many of his clan, he kept to himself.
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo shook her head, smiling at Jan’s polite bearing. He had, after all, asked beforehand if he could show her something, and while it was surprising to see another with her gift at first the experience had been quite wonderful.
“Not at all; I’m glad you did.”
Theo watched curiously when Jan trailed off, seemingly embarrassed though she wasn’t sure of why. She wondered if she had done something to make him uncomfortable; that happened a lot it seemed. She considered encouraging him to go on but didn’t want to make things worse and after a moment Jan continued on his own.
She nodded agreeably, pleased that her guess, however educated it was, was correct, and while the voices were noting a hint of sadness she still thought it sounded like a good story. When he explained which choir he was from, though, she was all the more certain.
Her hands went stiff in her lap, though, when Jan elaborated on his situation, and she frowned, both saddened and angry that such a thing had happened to him. It was a thing she would burn away from the world if she could.
You are not your own.
Not considering Paul’s remark particularly helpful, she pulled her chair closer to Jan, continuing to study him while the voices played themselves out.
“Sometimes you have to tell the whole story. It’s important.”
She reached up with two fingers, curling the rest into her palm, and touched them lightly to Jan’s forehead.
“This is always yours.”
Theo rarely touched people, more because it hardly ever occurred to her to do so than any particular distaste for it, but when she had the impulse she rarely thought of what rules might be involved in such things.
Realizing she had been asked a question, she gave her head a clearing shake and smiled.
“I used to live in a church and it’s one of my favorite places to go. I don’t really sing but I like to listen.”
She nodded toward the stage, where the lights were beginning to dim. Before the opera could begin in earnest, though, she leaned forward, keeping her voice low.
“Things are a little better now, right?”
“Not at all; I’m glad you did.”
Theo watched curiously when Jan trailed off, seemingly embarrassed though she wasn’t sure of why. She wondered if she had done something to make him uncomfortable; that happened a lot it seemed. She considered encouraging him to go on but didn’t want to make things worse and after a moment Jan continued on his own.
She nodded agreeably, pleased that her guess, however educated it was, was correct, and while the voices were noting a hint of sadness she still thought it sounded like a good story. When he explained which choir he was from, though, she was all the more certain.
Her hands went stiff in her lap, though, when Jan elaborated on his situation, and she frowned, both saddened and angry that such a thing had happened to him. It was a thing she would burn away from the world if she could.
You are not your own.
Not considering Paul’s remark particularly helpful, she pulled her chair closer to Jan, continuing to study him while the voices played themselves out.
“Sometimes you have to tell the whole story. It’s important.”
She reached up with two fingers, curling the rest into her palm, and touched them lightly to Jan’s forehead.
“This is always yours.”
Theo rarely touched people, more because it hardly ever occurred to her to do so than any particular distaste for it, but when she had the impulse she rarely thought of what rules might be involved in such things.
Realizing she had been asked a question, she gave her head a clearing shake and smiled.
“I used to live in a church and it’s one of my favorite places to go. I don’t really sing but I like to listen.”
She nodded toward the stage, where the lights were beginning to dim. Before the opera could begin in earnest, though, she leaned forward, keeping her voice low.
“Things are a little better now, right?”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan smiled when Theo touched his forehead and he nodded.
"You are very correct that will always be our own...no matter how many voices come to visit."
He personally did not mind the visitations by inspiration despite the sometimes inconvenient timing and the occasional result of him looking like a mad man in the midst of some possession. The music was worth that to him.
Easing back towards a state of calm good will, Jan took a soothing sip of his soda and looked around at the modern well to do in all their finery; none were nobles or kings and he sat amongst them by his own hand and while a part of him regretted not being a part of a choir like he had been, another part of him was happy enough not having to perform on command. Instead, he thought as the lights dimmed, there were people performing for him.
He grinned slowly at Theo and her answer to his question. She had lived in a church? Had she been a nun or a dedicant at least? Too young looking for them to allow her to take vows and Jan could just imagine the riot in a convent if she told them what she was. No, I'm a lot older, I'm a vampire... yes, he could see the "get thee behind me,satan" quite clearly. Of course, he amended that it was entirely possible that this church was not Christian at all but he had yet to meet a religion that dealt well with the idea of vampires dwelling amongst them.
"I am much better. Thank you. Did you live in the church before becoming a vampire or afterwards?"
Jan wondered where she lived now. Was she Anantya or Evenhet or clanless? Her abilities did not seem to match Tacharan nor had he ever met her before and one would think you'd notice someone of her age at some point in 500 or so years.
"Do you like cartoons?"
"You are very correct that will always be our own...no matter how many voices come to visit."
He personally did not mind the visitations by inspiration despite the sometimes inconvenient timing and the occasional result of him looking like a mad man in the midst of some possession. The music was worth that to him.
Easing back towards a state of calm good will, Jan took a soothing sip of his soda and looked around at the modern well to do in all their finery; none were nobles or kings and he sat amongst them by his own hand and while a part of him regretted not being a part of a choir like he had been, another part of him was happy enough not having to perform on command. Instead, he thought as the lights dimmed, there were people performing for him.
He grinned slowly at Theo and her answer to his question. She had lived in a church? Had she been a nun or a dedicant at least? Too young looking for them to allow her to take vows and Jan could just imagine the riot in a convent if she told them what she was. No, I'm a lot older, I'm a vampire... yes, he could see the "get thee behind me,satan" quite clearly. Of course, he amended that it was entirely possible that this church was not Christian at all but he had yet to meet a religion that dealt well with the idea of vampires dwelling amongst them.
"I am much better. Thank you. Did you live in the church before becoming a vampire or afterwards?"
Jan wondered where she lived now. Was she Anantya or Evenhet or clanless? Her abilities did not seem to match Tacharan nor had he ever met her before and one would think you'd notice someone of her age at some point in 500 or so years.
"Do you like cartoons?"
Theodosia
18 years ago
Paul actually chuckled at Jan’s comment about voices coming to visit, and Theo found herself smiling as well.
“It does seem like a tea party at times…or a riot, voices aren’t always the best of houseguests.”
I am an excellent guest.
Theo stifled a giggle at that; of course she didn’t mean Paul but sometimes it was funny to tease him.
“Oh, after. It was supposed to be our meeting place, not so much a place to live, but I liked it so much I decided to stay there. The Venetian Elders didn’t have a problem with that, I think because they didn’t know where else I could go.”
She considered the question of cartoons, somewhat embarrassed, and answered carefully.
“I like…some cartoons.” She looked down at the stage for a long moment before adding, somewhat quietly, “Porky Pig scares me though. He’s very sinister.”
She had, in fact, broken one of the television sets in the towers after seeing a particularly disturbing cartoon featuring the famous pig and three large, fearsome companions. Their faces flashed larger and larger over the screen, drool dripping from large fangs and big black eyes staring at her hungrily. She hadn’t been able to reach the television to turn it off, as it was mounted high in a corner, so instead she threw a paperweight at it so hard that it smashed the glass.
She’d spent days in her room after that, gluing pieces together while the voices ranted in her mind, until someone came and told her they weren’t angry and to please come out and get back to work. She was glad no one was upset with her and after that most people knew to let her hold the remote control.
“It does seem like a tea party at times…or a riot, voices aren’t always the best of houseguests.”
I am an excellent guest.
Theo stifled a giggle at that; of course she didn’t mean Paul but sometimes it was funny to tease him.
“Oh, after. It was supposed to be our meeting place, not so much a place to live, but I liked it so much I decided to stay there. The Venetian Elders didn’t have a problem with that, I think because they didn’t know where else I could go.”
She considered the question of cartoons, somewhat embarrassed, and answered carefully.
“I like…some cartoons.” She looked down at the stage for a long moment before adding, somewhat quietly, “Porky Pig scares me though. He’s very sinister.”
She had, in fact, broken one of the television sets in the towers after seeing a particularly disturbing cartoon featuring the famous pig and three large, fearsome companions. Their faces flashed larger and larger over the screen, drool dripping from large fangs and big black eyes staring at her hungrily. She hadn’t been able to reach the television to turn it off, as it was mounted high in a corner, so instead she threw a paperweight at it so hard that it smashed the glass.
She’d spent days in her room after that, gluing pieces together while the voices ranted in her mind, until someone came and told her they weren’t angry and to please come out and get back to work. She was glad no one was upset with her and after that most people knew to let her hold the remote control.
Jan
18 years ago
Jan laughed at the idea of a mental tea party and felt the stirrings of more lyrics with the idea somewhere in his sub conscious but it had yet to manifest itself into a full blown need to hastily write anything down yet. He leaned back with a content sigh to continue listening to the conversation.
Interesting that she stayed in a church after she became a vampire. It would be kind of cool, they were peaceful and inspiring...or at least some were. Theo spoke of elders and that suggested a clan, considering her age, Anantya would be most likely though he gave a mental snort at the idea of them being tolerant of anything that went against their wishes. They could have wanted her there though, Jan decided he was being suspicious and potentially unfair since his view of Anantya was completely biased.
Smiling at her opinion of Porky Pig, he added his own.
"Well he's a pig and society generally does not give them good qualities, perhaps they are unjustly maligned but having seen pigs, I do not think this is so. It might be very callous of me also but I find his voice very grating."
Shrugging, he had not seen this particular cartoon but it sounded pretty scary and it made him wonder how many children probably had nightmares from it.
"The animaniacs are much better; though Dot does get on my nerves occasionally also."
He was a picky person he supposed or maybe some things just had a way of getting under his skin and an annoying voice was one of them. Picking up his opera glasses, he smiled; from the sounds of it, he should be glad he could not hear the voice of the person that she said was noisy.
Interesting that she stayed in a church after she became a vampire. It would be kind of cool, they were peaceful and inspiring...or at least some were. Theo spoke of elders and that suggested a clan, considering her age, Anantya would be most likely though he gave a mental snort at the idea of them being tolerant of anything that went against their wishes. They could have wanted her there though, Jan decided he was being suspicious and potentially unfair since his view of Anantya was completely biased.
Smiling at her opinion of Porky Pig, he added his own.
"Well he's a pig and society generally does not give them good qualities, perhaps they are unjustly maligned but having seen pigs, I do not think this is so. It might be very callous of me also but I find his voice very grating."
Shrugging, he had not seen this particular cartoon but it sounded pretty scary and it made him wonder how many children probably had nightmares from it.
"The animaniacs are much better; though Dot does get on my nerves occasionally also."
He was a picky person he supposed or maybe some things just had a way of getting under his skin and an annoying voice was one of them. Picking up his opera glasses, he smiled; from the sounds of it, he should be glad he could not hear the voice of the person that she said was noisy.
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo twirled a strand of hair in her fingers as she listened to Jan, deciding that she appreciated him attributing logical reasons for being frightened of Porky Pig. It was easy to assume that she was simply over reacting or that that was just the way she was and few people would have bothered to understand why it set her off so much. She didn’t, however, particularly resent it when people just backed off when she was upset regardless of how well they understood.
“I like their ‘good idea, bad idea’ sketch.”
Now that she was turned toward more pleasant cartoon memories, she considered which ones she thought were the most enjoyable.
“Charlie Brown is good too. One of the humans at the towers has a pet dog that’s a little like Snoopy.”
Fatty looks nothing like Snoopy.
Theo raised her eyebrows in surprise; she hadn't realized Paul had paid attention to the cartoons she watched.
“Well, he has floppy ears like Snoopy anyway.”
“I like their ‘good idea, bad idea’ sketch.”
Now that she was turned toward more pleasant cartoon memories, she considered which ones she thought were the most enjoyable.
“Charlie Brown is good too. One of the humans at the towers has a pet dog that’s a little like Snoopy.”
Fatty looks nothing like Snoopy.
Theo raised her eyebrows in surprise; she hadn't realized Paul had paid attention to the cartoons she watched.
“Well, he has floppy ears like Snoopy anyway.”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan nodded in agreement about the cartoon being referenced and smiled.
He contemplated Charlie Brown for a moment and considered what he liked about it.
"I always thought it was great that the cartoon focused on the kids and that the adults in the cartoons made no sense at all." Which, he thought, was about right for the way children see things. "My favorite was Woodstock. I'm not sure why really, I guess because he was a loyal friend... and he was a cute yellow bird."
It was funny that he should like the one character in the whole show that did not speak in any way but he always had a soft spot for the little guy.
"Really? I've never had a pet. Actually I have never had a pet for long."
Sometimes he would find an animal and keep it around a while and feed it. Some days it gave him something else to talk to but for the most part bread was something he had precious little of to begin with and the idea of sharing with another creature who could fend for itself seemed wasteful.
"What about you? Have you ever had a pet?"
He contemplated Charlie Brown for a moment and considered what he liked about it.
"I always thought it was great that the cartoon focused on the kids and that the adults in the cartoons made no sense at all." Which, he thought, was about right for the way children see things. "My favorite was Woodstock. I'm not sure why really, I guess because he was a loyal friend... and he was a cute yellow bird."
It was funny that he should like the one character in the whole show that did not speak in any way but he always had a soft spot for the little guy.
"Really? I've never had a pet. Actually I have never had a pet for long."
Sometimes he would find an animal and keep it around a while and feed it. Some days it gave him something else to talk to but for the most part bread was something he had precious little of to begin with and the idea of sharing with another creature who could fend for itself seemed wasteful.
"What about you? Have you ever had a pet?"
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo grinned as she remembered the squawking voices that represented the adults on Charlie Brown. She wondered for a moment if that might work on some of the people at the towers but decided she would just have to listen even if she didn’t like what was being said.
“I like Schroeder; he’s so serious, it’s cute.”
She shook her head at Jan’s question, giving a little shrug.
“No…I never really saw the point.”
Dani seemed to enjoy having her dog around and maybe she got something out of taking care of the lazy creature but Theo was skeptical on any affection being returned. It all came back to where the food was coming from in her mind. She had heard of animals who were trained to be useful but that was one thing Fatty was not.
She also doubted she could really take care of an animal no matter how good her intentions were, a fact which Paul was kind enough to remind her of. She was prone to doing what she wished, living very much moment to moment, and a thousand years of instability and transience had left her somewhat out of touch with what it was like to make a commitment for years at a time.
Everything she loved tended to get taken away; it was better now but old habits die hard. She knew, in spite of whatever desire she might have at a given time, that in a few days she would likely forget to give a pet the attention it needed and it would grow to hate her. That was a sad thought.
“I like Schroeder; he’s so serious, it’s cute.”
She shook her head at Jan’s question, giving a little shrug.
“No…I never really saw the point.”
Dani seemed to enjoy having her dog around and maybe she got something out of taking care of the lazy creature but Theo was skeptical on any affection being returned. It all came back to where the food was coming from in her mind. She had heard of animals who were trained to be useful but that was one thing Fatty was not.
She also doubted she could really take care of an animal no matter how good her intentions were, a fact which Paul was kind enough to remind her of. She was prone to doing what she wished, living very much moment to moment, and a thousand years of instability and transience had left her somewhat out of touch with what it was like to make a commitment for years at a time.
Everything she loved tended to get taken away; it was better now but old habits die hard. She knew, in spite of whatever desire she might have at a given time, that in a few days she would likely forget to give a pet the attention it needed and it would grow to hate her. That was a sad thought.