Welcome to Gaia! ::

Léonce nodded. Open heart and mind, as he said before. Though, of the two, he had a feeling he would get along with Rio better despite the fact he hadn't met the other. Perhaps because he had been a good sport about the teasing. In any case he had another story to tell.

Ah...Blessed Elua. Born from blood of the Son the One God and the tears of the woman that mourned him, nutured by the womb of the Earth. He wandered the lands because he wasn't recognized as a son of God. It seemed like blasphemy and that's why the King of Persis had him arrested. It was an odd story really, now that he sat and thought about it.

I've told you the story of how that went, though as to why Namaah did what she did...that debate still goes on. That alone is another topic in itself. He laughed a little and stretched before continuing. It wasn't until they had reached Terre D'Ange that the One God took notice of Elua. Sending a messenger to welcome him to Heaven.

Elua refused. 'Your heaven is bloodless and I am not.' To prove his point he cut his hand with Cassiel's dagger, drops of his blood falling to the soil like blooming anemones. When Elua and his Companions departed they went to the true Terre D'Ange that lies beyond, and it is said that when D'Angelines die we are able to rejoin Elua and his Companions.

Those are the two houses of pain, in the Night Court of the Blooming Flowers. Thirteen houses in all, made up of Servants of Namaah. Each caters to different tastes and holds a different belief of how Namaah bestowed herself to the King of Persis. Alyssum, Balm, Bryony, Camellia, the First House Cereus, Dahlia, Eglantine the house I belong to, Gentian, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Mandrake, Orchis and Valerian are all their names.

The Night Blooming Flowers are bond servants, to the house that owns their marque. The house pays for education, training and development of an adept's skills; until the contract is repaid and their marque completed we have little leave to choose our own patrons. I will remind you though, that Namaah's Service is entered of our own free will, so you would be aware of what it entails. Those who fit a house's canon, be it looks or belief, is kept. The ones who do not have their marque sold to another house where they would fit better.

Léonce sat up then, removed his shirt and pulled the cable width braid of hair over his shoulder before turning so Rio would be able to see the completed marque on his back. The tattoo was large, extending from the base of his spine up all the way to the back of his neck. His was completed and had been for a little more than a year now. It had been limned into his skin with a tapper and ink by a master. It had been quite painful when it was being worked on, but it was a matter of pride now that it was complete. It meant he was free.

Marque patterns vary from house to house, mine is the marque of Eglantine House. It is said that Namaah ran her nails down the back of patrons that pleased her and those marks never faded, we earn our marques in honor of that. Each little bit at a time earned through patron gifts that are given beyond the fee to our House.

He looked back over his shoulder at Rio, wondering what the god was thinking about all this.

Léonce shivered, eyes closed and sighed contentedly when Rio touched his back. It took a moment to find enough breath to speak.

Eglantine is the house of mapcap genius; we treasure lore, learning and creativity. 'To create is to live.' is the motto of the House. All the adepts are dancers, singers, playwrights, clothiers, tumblers. You name it we probably have or have had one. It is the claim of Eglantine House that Namaah charmed the King of Persis with the sweetness of her song.

His hands fisted in the grass, willing himself to relax but Rio's continued attention was proving to make the task difficult. I would be glad to accompany you, if you wish. It was his training to be subservient to a degree, to go along with a patron's whims. Ah Elua...if Rio kept up this teasing...

He turned his head forward now, doubting he could keep his composure if he looked Love in the face again. You called this place the Pantheon and mentioned other gods? Care to elaborate on that?

Léonce listened patiently, some of it made sense in a way. It certainly explained the similarities between the Gods of some cultures, if there was some truth at the root of it somewhere. His trembling stilled gradually, stopping by the time Rio's hand simply rested on his back. His eyes flew open at the mention of hosts, but he didn't move to turn around just yet.

Do you think that is my fate then?

Rio being so open and honest about the concept made him think it might be the case. The thought of dying was more than a little scary...even if it was for a good purpose.

Léonce turned to face Rio then, tanking the God's hands in his again and kissing the top of each tenderly. If it is the case, then I'm glad to have met you before it happens. I doubt you'll ever fully understand how much of an honor it is to be sitting here talking to you. He smiled softly. Sure, he was frightened but he would be brave and face what came, when and if ever the situation arose.

There is also another possibility worth considering I think: maybe I was just brought here to know you. He had no real understanding of gods, or how there gifts worked. He had no knowledge of any sort of magic in general. You said that you can call to mortals. What's to say you didn't bring me here yourself? A little hope, hopefully enough to put a smile on Rio's face.

That, I am good at, my lord. Léonce leaned into his touch, eyes closing again, looking quite pleased. He was glad to have put a smile on Rio's face even if it was a little one; it was like a little flame that could be nurtured until it blazed brightly. He lifted a hand and rested it atop Rio's that was on his cheek, his thumb caressing the side of it tenderly.

Ask it of your Servant and it will be done.

He scooted closer to embrace Rio when the god's head came to rest on his shoulder, extra mindful of his wings. Mmm.. His hands drew lazy circles on the other's lower back, a shiver passing through him when he felt the brush of lips on his throat. Been a long time, since I was asked just for this. He smiled, even though Rio wouldn't see it; his tone gently teasing.

I think I can offer something that might help a little. He withdrew somewhat, arm unwinding from Rio's waist, coming up to brush his cheek lightly to coax him to tilt his head.