Where Voices Speak Out

"The Rites are kept secret for a reason I know. But you cannot blame me for wanting ot research what I could, Monsieur Chaubert," Faelyn said softly, her head and heart still buzzing after the Initiatory Rites. "You never know what to expect."

"I would be suspicious of anyone who did not know what they were getting themselves into, Mademoiselle," Chaubert said. "Some of these members within the order barely take the time to read, and those that do scarcely understand any of it."

Faelyn shook her head, a look of disbelief crossed her features, "How could they not? Is it so hard to grasp these concepts? I dont understand how someone could just mumble words they have no context for. What if they were doing the very things the Order and others like it get accused of doing - like selling souls? How can one not thirst for knowledge?" Her questions were not easily answered but showed her mind.

Augustin Chaubert gave her an amused smile. He admired her fire and her outspoken nature. It was far different from other women he had met in London.

"From the look of your dress, I can see that you come from a prosperous background. You have been to garden parties? To tea parties? Men and women gather, they gossip, they eat their petit fours and drink their expensive brews. That is all that some of these men, and women, think of this Order," Chaubert shrugged. " To them, t is not unlike a garden party, only in place of fancy satin, white cotton and linen, they wear black silk."

The young woman sat up a little straighter, her mouth turned down a the corners slightly, "I have been to such soires', yes," she said, "and while I do agree that the people can be shallow and in search of thrills, or some new novelty, I assure you, Monsieur Chaubert, I am not one of them. Although, I do know some of the people whom you describe."

"I believe you," Chaubert said firmly They were seated at a small table in Leland's study, thankfully, far enough away from the thinning crowd of the night's rituals. "You said your vows with conviction, with confidence and a competency far greater than any one person I have met here. Even Leland Worth does not match you. The old man..." he halted hoping that their conversation had not been overheard. "Well, I should not speak ill of my benefactor and our Grand Master."

"I meant every word of those vows," she said. "As far as Mr. Leland, he is not bad, at least not to me. But then, you are his assistant, and sometimes people behave in private in ways they would not dare when scrutinized." She was struggling to find a balance and knew that what had emerged was a most unmagickal mindset, to be sure.

"I do not seek to undermine his authority, Mademoiselle. But a critique can sometimes be in order."

She took a small sip of her brandy, "Agreed, and I did not mean to infer that you would do such a thing. If it sounded that way, I apologise. As for a critique, I hope that you and Grand Master Leland and and everyone will be honest in your assessment of what I can do."

"If you mean that you hope that members of the Order, and indeed Leland himself, will overlook your sex in favor of your capabilities, I am sad to say that this might be problematic. Men are blinded by their arrogance, Mademoiselle, but I am sure I do not need to tell you this."

"No," Faelyn met his gaze and put her glass down, "and are you, too, blinded by the fact that you had the good fortune to have been born as a member of the superior sex? If these men are looking for some seamstress to merely correctly embroider the signs and sigils on their voluminous robes - symbols that most of them do not even know how to pronounce, let alone what they do or why. - then they have given admittance to the wrong woman. I hate embroidery." Her words were sharp and her eyes flashed a fire behind .It was an old fight - and one that she had never quite won.

"Not everyone is of that mind. I judge on merit. Faelyn" again he gave a grim look. "I assess on deeds accomplished and plans yet to be. You weren't let in to be a seamstress,"

Faelyn wondered nearly aloud if the man had a humorous bone in his body. Augustin Chaubert was an effective man, imposing.

"Someone, I will not say who, had to speak for your worthiness," he remarked at last.

"But who...." she gave him a look that showed she was deeply mystified. "I know only Mr Watkins and you...but, that is not possible, we pm;u just met."

"I assure you, Mademoiselle, that I was not the one to speak for you, though..." he said thoughtfully. "Meeting you this afternoon certainly felt as though I've known you for a very long time. No, I believe your good works, your charity and good name, and possibly your fortune, all made you a welcome candidate."

Frances, who was now to be called Faelyn by this man and the members of the Order, tried to keep the disappointment from showing on her face. "I see, so my fortune, my father's name - and the things that I do just because they are the right things to do, these made me worthy in someone's eyes at least. " she picked up her glass again sitting back, but as a proper lady never letting her back reast against the back of the chair, "I am not my father," she said,"No matter his money, anything I have done is from my own money. I reached majority three years ago."

"I cannot deny that Leland values wealth and status over magickal prowess, but something tells me that you might surprise him."

At that moment, the door to the study opened, and a large, bulky man with a thick silver beard stuck his bald head inside. "Oh! I had not realized my study was occupied at the moment, " The Grand Master placed particular emphasis on the word, My.

Faelyn's face flushed, "I am terribly sorry, Grand Master Leland. I am afraid it is my fault," she said apologetically, "I was asking a great many questions of Monsieur Chaubert. I forgot the hour. "

"Come, come, child. If you were to ask anyone questions, I would rather it be me! Chaubert has work to do, don't you Augustine?" The old man flashed Chaubert a look that told him to leave or risk being more forcefully dismissed.

"Of course, Grand Master. I shall take my leave," Chaubert rose and bowed stiffly to his Eldermentor and to Faelyn.

Faelyn felt her heart catch in her chest, mortified that she had in some way gotten Doctor Chaubert in trouble with the Grand Master. "Of course, Grand Master Leland ," she said quickly. Of course her eyes followed Chaubert out the study door and ached to see beyond it once the pocket doors were slid closed again.

"Francoise McKay," Leiland wheezed,"you know, I once knew your father. A long time ago," the rather fat man settled himself into an oversized leather chair for what was undoubtedly going to shape up to be a long, borig story, "oh, before you were born I believe. He must be very proud of all that you have accomplished, given your lack of husband and current marital prospects."

At his inference, Faelyn all but ground her jaw. "My father would never abide me marrying beneath my station, Grand Master, "and the things I wish to accomplish in the world do not require that I have one. " she gave him a teasing smile, "If the Order had rejected to me, I could always have opted for Saint Hildegaard's Convent as a bride of Christ." Faelyn resolved then and there that she wanted to be out of this man's presence as soon as possible.

The old man's grey eyebrows would have shot straight up to his hairline, had he had any hair left at all, "Surely you wouldn't. You know we frown upon mixing Christian fervor with our work."

"I do believe it was my feeble attempt at humour, Grand master. Saint Hildegaard was a visionary and a mystic, and was a Gnostic. Of course, that cannot be discussed openly - sort of a little like the Order is not spoken of publicly."

"Ah, yes," he coughs, his face very red, "You spoke to my assistant. Might I inquire as to your conversation? Something I can assist you with?"

"I was merely curious as to how I was allowed in the order in the first place. I am aware of the fact someone must vouch for you. Being a woman, I would imagine getting any of the current members to do so without fear of being ostracized by his peers was tricky, yes?"

"Tricky, but not unheard of. Usually they are the wife of a current member, or a well-renowned woman such as yourself. The men have more difficulty, if I am honest, as they are usually seeking Initiation as spies. It's easy to weed them out," he waves it away. "But lo, look at the time. Isn't it past your bedtime, my dear?"

"Yes indeed, " she agreed, "Again, I am terribly sorry to have kept you and Monsieur Chaubert up so late. Please extend my apologies to him and I wish you both a good night."

By this time, the old man had nearly nodded off. It was perhaps his rich diet of red meats and even more red meats that accounted for his girth and lack of energy. No doubt it was from the ultra-rich foods he consumed every meal.

"Mademoiselle," Chaubert was waiting for her outside the door, "I was not listening. I simply waited here for Leland to finish so that I might escort you home. It is very late.The streets are not safe this time of night."

Faelyn smiled at him, "I would like that very much. I do confess, however, the walk is further than might be reasonable. I can call a cab." Inwardly, she hoped against hope that he wouldn't. It would give them those minutes more to converse.

"Whichever you would prefer, though I am troubled to say," he hesitated, "that I have no means to pay for your transit."

I can pay for it, but I would enjoy the walk more."

"It might do me some good. This house is stuffy, as you can imagine."

The house was in a good location. It had been easily converted with few windows, and looked inconspicuous from the street. No one would suspect one of the largest and most exclusive magical fraternities used it to conduct their rites. What was more, it had a back entrance where the members could come in without being noticed. The night was damp and misting but not pouring like it had been earlier.

"Then we shall walk, " she said with conviction. "I do have my own home, and you are welcome to come inside and rest before I send you back out into the night. I can even have my own carriage take you home."

Chaubert opened the back door for her, checking both sides of the alleyway before they proceeded, "Thank you, Mademoiselle, but that will not be necessary," he said, "I must commend you for your tact. Leland must have found you suitable to sit and talk with him. He does not usually entertain women...at least, not formally." Chaubert did not blush, but there was a hint of suggestion that spoke of Leland's unsavory habits.

N"He only wished to chastise me before dismissing me.'" Faelyn had heard of the old man's proclivities that were a scandal. At least he was not doing what others within other London Orders had done - set up beautiful boys as alleged avatars of spirituality and magick, only to be ruined and cast away when their so-called mentors were through enjoying them. "I heard someone call you Doctor Chaubert in the meeting. I had no idea. "

"Oh, yes. But I have not had a license for a few years now. Grand Master Worth appointed me his honorary physician. Apparently I have done well enough in other areas to earn his trust."

"I see," she said, "but surely London needs qualified doctors." she was innocent of why he might have stopped but did not press him on the matter. "Well, I am sure you will do well by Master Leland," she said at last. He had offered her his arm and they strolled toward the neighborhood where she resided.

"We can hope," he said. "For our sakes."



Muse: Francoise de Rochefort (McKay)
Fandom: Original Character
Word Count: 2148