For wisdom is better than jewels [Open]

[withoutspice]

Sitting on a bench under the shade of a large tree within a garden of the Vatican City, Ghanima Atreides was slowly reading the large book that sat on her lap. She had found an old Roman Catholic Latin Bible in one of the rooms of the 'Casina' of Pius IV that she, along with Alia and Duncan - or Hayt - had claimed as their own.

She had needed time to herself, time away from worrying about her aunt, and how her aunt was taking the news of how Hayt had no recollection of his marriage to Alia. It was sad, though she was sure that time would only lead the two on the path they both belonged on - such was the way of life.

She had chosen a small garden as her refuge, and had found she enjoyed the silence that surrounded it. It seemed as though the Vatican City was not a place that many ventured to, and for that Ghani was indeed pleased.

While many from her world had forgotten the old Earth languages, Ghani had always enjoyed speaking, and using them as a way to communicate with her twin brother, Leto. It had been their secrect way of communicating when they didn't wish others to know what was being said. It was one of the gifts that having so many Other Memories had given them. And it was a gift that provided useful now as she read over the Latin words.

"*... melior est enim sapientia cunctis pretiosissimis et omne desiderabile ei non potest conparari. Ego sapientia habito in consilio et eruditis intersum cogitationibus." Ghani read aloud and couldn't help but agree with the small two verses.


*Proverbs 8:11 and 8:12
11 "For wisdom is better than jewels ; And all desirable things cannot compare with her."
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion."

Comments

[withoutspice]

Ghani had heard him approaching, but she had also in a way hoped that he'd continue walking on. So much for the garden being a place of quiet and refuge.

"For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion," Ghani translated for him as she slowly lifted her gaze to finally look at him.

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Not bad," he nodded as he stared down with his fiery red eyes at the pretty blond. "I tink it prettier de other way though. You say it nice."

[withoutspice]

"Thank you," Ghani smiled slightly. "It's Latin. It's not a language that's used anymore though in the world I'm from."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Not used much where I from either, cher," he replied with a wry, playful grin. He's flirting with her. He's Gambit. Of course he's flirting with her. "But it still pretty. Especially de way you say it."

[withoutspice]

"No, I don't think you understand," Ghani said, studying the man. "It's been forgotten. Though, I am surprised your world doesn't use it much. Isn't it one of Earth's languages?"

"Thank you, that's nice of you to think so." She knew what he was doing, it was written quite plainly all over him, his whole stance basically shouted it. She was just choosing to ignore it.

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

Playing hard to get? That's okay. Gambit likes the chase. It's half the fun.

"Oui, it is," he said with a nod, his smile widening a bit. "But dere be lots of languages don't no one use no more. And de last time I hear dis one I be in church and Gambit ain't been to church in a long time."

[withoutspice]

She couldn't help the smirk that momentarily flickered across her lips. For some reason the thought of the man in church was hard to believe. Probably because he experience with religion was limited to that which was based around her father.

"And why would that be?" she asked with a touch of sarcasm in her tone.

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Because mebbe I catch on fire if I try step foot in one," he teased. He got a smirk out of her. That was a good sign. A good sign in deed. Now if only he could get a smile. He bet she had a pretty smile.

"And Gambit hate when he get dat hot and bothered."

[withoutspice]

What was was with the men on this ship? Were they really all that sexually deprived that every phrase to leave their mouth was an innuendo pertaining to sex?

Her eyebrow arched and she shook her head. "I'm sure you do. Though you've probably found a way to cool yourself down by now."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Oui," Gambit replied. His smiled disappeared momentarily. This one was hard to crack. Getting her to smile was harder than gator wrestling drunk. Well, if subtle charm wasn't going to work, maybe a little bolder action would.

"So what is dat anyway?" Gambit asked, nodding at the book. But before she could answer, Gambit snatched the book out of her hand and walked several paces away, flipping through the pages. "Mon Dieu! Dis a Bible?"

[withoutspice]

Ghani frowned, actually truly frowned as the man not only snatched the Bible away from her but walked a few feet away. Normally she wouldn't have let such a thing happen... But she really hadn't had a reason to be watching him that closely. Obviously now she did.

She slowly rose to her feet, running a hand over the front of the cream colored ankle length dress she wore. "It is," she said. "I found it in one of the rooms of the building I'm staying in."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah?" Gambit arched a brow as he turned to face her again. "And just which one might dat be, cherie?" It wasn't quite the same as a phone number...but on this ship, it was probably as good as it got.

[withoutspice]

She shot him a bland look and held her hand out for the Bible. "One you're not staying at."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Gambit didn't say nothin' about havin' no sleepover, cher," he countered. His smile was back, though a little more playful and mischievous than before. "I just thought I might stop on by for visit, that all."

[withoutspice]

"Oh you did, did you?" Ghani smirked slightly and motioned for him to hand over the Bible. "I hardly know you, and truly you just stopping by for a visit would be highly inappropriate."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Says who?" he asked, finally relenting and handing the book back over to her.

[withoutspice]

She took the Bible from him and studied him intently. "My Aunt and Uncle for starters," she informed him with a careless shrug of her shoulders. "Why would you even want to stop by for a visit?"

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Cause dat be de polite ting to do," Gambit replied, his red eyes staring at her through several loose strands of brown hair. "And if Gambit anyting, he a gentleman."

[withoutspice]

"Gentlemen from my world generally don't stop by for a 'visit' without first being invited." Ghani said, lifting her chin a bit. "Those that do, don't normally get a very warm welcome."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Well, cher," Remy said, taking a couple of steps nearer to the pretty blond before leaning in close. "In case you ain't noticed, we ain't in your world no more."

[withoutspice]

And just as Gambit was leaning in toward her, Ghani's Crysknife was pressed ever so lightly against his groin. "You're right, we're not. Because if we were on my world you and I wouldn't even be conversing."

Her eyebrow arched a little. "Now I suggest you take a step back."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

Remy's grin vanished. Immediately.

"All right, all right, petite," he said as she stepped back, holding his hands up in surrender. "You don't want me around, fine. Gambit ain't gonna be anywhere he isn't wanted."

[withoutspice]

She smoothly resheathed her crysknife and once again lifted her chin. "You invaded my personal space," she informed him with a slight smirk. "You'd already taken the book from me without permission, I had to make sure you understood that some things aren't to be tolerated."

[cardsharkgambit.livejournal.com]

"Oui, I get de message," Remy said as he continued to back away. Then, he slowly turned, casting one last look over his shoulder, a frown etched on his face, before completely turning his back on her and starting back the way he came.