(1310-05-16) Just Desserts
Summary: Séverine takes Desarae to task over her treatment of Ambassador Nimr, and suggests an apology is in order. A denial is given to a request made.
RL Date: May 17th, 2018
Related: All Roses Bear Thorns, Morning in the Palace Courtyard and Late Night Apology
severine desarae 

Valerian Second's Office - La Rose Sauvage

Only a little light from the window higher up the wall barely manages to penetrate through the thick curtains of heavy dark red brocade, which means that contracts and other paper work will be dealt with in the flickering light of an oil lamp at the wall, at the heavy table of dark mahogany, across which the Second in charge may face a potential patron of the salon sitting opposite of her in a heavy high-backed chair with dark red uplholstery. Quill and inkwell sit all orderly somewhere to the side of the table, beside a contract that only needs some details to be filled in before it can be signed.


It is late morning, already moving towards the hours of noon, and Séverine sits at the desk in her office, demeanor thoughtful as she glances towards the windows. She has sent for a novice under her charge, Desarae Mereliot no Rose Sauvage, and now she is waiting for her to arrive. Her honey blonde hair of slightly reddish tinge is gathered in a knot, and the Second is clad in a long-sleeved gown of dark blue silk, that keeps her back covered. Despite current concerns, her complexion looks healthy, a vividness there in stormy grey eyes as they glance expectantly towards the door.

*

Desarae had been expecting the summons from her Second, and it's perhaps no accident that Séverine had left to do so until now, for the morning hours have crawled for the novice. She wears a gown of ivory silk, and her hair is worn pulled back for once, fastened with simple pins which hold it in a loose knot at the nape of her neck. There's a sobriety to her demeanour as she slips into Séverine's office and closes the door behind her, for to offend patrons to the Salon is a major faux pas for anyone — let alone a novice. A deep breath is drawn, and with eyes that can't quite lifted to meet with her Second's, she waits to be invited to sit. Or not.

*

It had been clear ever since the incident, that this talk would have to happen between them, and Séverine may have intended to have it sooner. Looking up, in the moment Desarae enters, the Second considers the novice for a long moment, sobriety in her demeanor noted as she gestures towards the seat across the table. The smile she gives Desarae is a reserved one, possibilities looming there to quickly shift into a frown. "Sit down, Desarae," she says in that soft and calm voice Séverine usually employs to speak with her Red Roses. "I would have sent for you earlier, but… there were matters." A soft sigh, followed by a more pronounced twitch of a smile. "I suspect you know why it is that I wish to speak with you?"

*

Desarae settles herself in the seat across from Séverine, and a quiet nod of her head is given in response to the question asked. "Yes, Séverine." Her cheeks inflate with the exhalement of a breath, and the softness of her lower lip is briefly bitten as, with a scrunch of her nose she lifts her eyes and brings them to focus on her Second. "I offended the Lady Ambassador who was a guest to the Salon, and by default her friend, the Baron d'Eresse. I did not intend the offence, but it happened nevertheless." Her words are neatly and precisely put, and her hands tighten where they're folded together within her lap. Outwardly, she appears calm and composed, but there's nevertheless a tension that's held within her frame. "I am sorry. I have done the name of Rose Sauvage a disservice." Her lips pull into the smallest of pouts, and now that she's spoken, her eyes return to her hands.

*

Séverine's eyes flash brightly, and there is a subtle shift in her expression, a little less authoritative now as it softens. "Yes. You offended the Lady Ambassador. Apparently the Baron de Beaucare elected to extend this insult to his person. Overall, your conduct has caused a stain that now threatens to cling to the name of our salon." Despite the content of her words, the tone of Séverine's voice is far from a rebuke, more of a reflective quality. "I for my part was surprised to see such a reaction to a mere look, which admittedly, I had not expected to see from you, my dear." Grey eyes flick down to where Séverine's hands are laced upon the table, considering for a moment before she continues. "It pleases me to hear that the offense was not intended. It has caused another offense, for which the baron d'Eresse apologized to me last night. He wished to speak with you as well, but as he told me, you have not made yourself available to speak with him about this whole incident."

There is a pause, and Séverine looks up, head tilted just so as she studies Desarae attentively. "He very much regrets the tension that has been caused from all this. And what is more, he has voiced the wish to resolve this matter, which is putting him into an awkward position with your aunt's guest. Perhaps…" And here a strange thing happens, features warming in a smile, even as her eyes remain bright and attentive, gaze lingering on the novice that is soon to debut. "Perhaps, if we could arrange it that you apologize to Lady Aziza Nimr, to assure her that you meant no offense…" She draws a breath through her nose, leaving that sentence hanging in the air, unfinished for a moment. "The matter could be resolved."

*

<FS3> Desarae rolls Composure: Good Success. (6 2 7 5 1 6 6 8 6)
<FS3> Desarae rolls Politics: Good Success. (1 1 8 7 1 5 5)

*

Desarae's eyes lid, lashes lowering to conceal whatever emotions the young woman may feel at Séverine's request. "I cannot apologise for how I feel about foreigners. Séverine, for that would be insincere of me. I can apologise only for having allowed my composure to slip when confronted." A breath. "I do not trust the story that she has spun as to why she is here, Séverine. If it is true, why was she was not taken to a healer sooner? There are many cities and towns along the way where her party might have sought aid for her, and it is over two hundred miles and is a journey of several days by carriage to reach our border with Caerdicci Unitas. And yet, she arrived to my Aunt near close to collapse, bleeding and wounded." Her voice falters, and her fingers ruck the fabric of her skirts, shoulders stiffening as she brings her chin up so her eyes once more meet with her Second's. "But, if this is what is required to smooth the waters, then I shall make the apology you ask for."

*

<FS3> Severine rolls Empathy: Good Success. (1 4 1 3 7 3 3 3 7)

*

Séverine's jaw sets, grey eyes flickering when she hears Desarae's counter, still, the novice is granted the opportunity to state her position. "The way you word it, may be a fitting explanation of your lapse, but it won't do as an apology towards the ambassador. You know this already, of course." A fine smile curves her lips. "A Servant of Naamah must be able to guard her feelings, to keep her composure, and I shall have to work with you on that some more. In the moment, Lady Aziza entered the grounds of our salon, she is to be treated with utmost civility and courtesy, regardless of what your personal opinion on her may be." Her tone gains a bit of edge, as Séverine points this once again out to the novice. "Child, we serve the Ducal Court, we must be aware of political implications. If you have doubts about Lady Aziza's story, we know too little of her, and we are not in the position to question her words." A nod then. "The apology is required, and with adequate wording as not to cause further offense." Meeting Desarae's gaze, Séverine adds, "What about Lord Gauge? Will you be willing to hear him out? He seemed a little… unsure on whether he would bid on your debut or not…"

*

<FS3> Desarae rolls Politics: Success. (5 5 2 8 1 6 6)

*

"I will make the apology to the Ambassador, Séverine, and I will do my utmost to give it the appearance of sincerity," Desarae states, strain showing in her voice. A flush of colour paints itself upon her cheeks, and she takes a moment to blow a breath away before continuing on. "You are right in what you say, about us knowing little of her, and perhaps it is the case that my aunt has already instructed someone to look into the validity of the tale that she tells. But I have spoken my thoughts, and so now I shall put them aside and focus instead on my debut. As to Lord Gauge…" And here she pauses again, her eyes narrowing as her head tilts almost birdlike to one side. "Hear him out? I am unsure what you mean by that. Does he wish to tell me again that I am unfit to serve Naamah?"

*

"Fine." Dark blue satin shifts upon her frame as Séverine reclines in her seat, hands leaving the table as one elbow is placed upon the armrest of her chair. "We shall see when and where you shall offer this apology." And with that, the matter seems to be settled for now. It is however the curious question about Gauge d'Eresse, that brings a faintly amused glitter to her eyes. "He wished to tell you something, and if you'd use your mind you'd already guess that this cannot be about repeating his insult. No… I believe he wanted to call again later, to see if you are available. Am I to notify him that you'll refuse to see him?" A tiny hint of indignation shows beneath the facade of the outwardly friendly courtesan. "Hear him out. That's all I ask. If there isn't anything else, you may return to the salon." The latter is added with a lift of both brows. "Do I have to remind you that there is a debut to be had in about a month?"

*

Desarae takes a moment to digest what Séverine says. "Lord Gauge's opinion of me hurt, but you may tell him that I will meet with him should he wish to speak with me, and I will listen to whatever it is that he wishes to say." The tension inside her eases a little since it appears that the meeting is drawing to a close, her fingers straightening so that they can smooth the creases from her skirts. But then something occurs to her. "Could word be sent to the Ambassador so that my apology might be made by tomorrow morning at the latest? It is the Festival of Lights that my family traditionally host in Bézier this weekend, and my mother writes that I should attend if I can. She tells me it will be even more spectacular than usual, and with it being my debut soon…" Her voice tails off, though the brightness in her eyes and in the tone of her voice cannot hide how much she'd like her Second's permission to attend.

*

Indeed, it seems they are done with tackling that particular topic, and Desarae may note a soft exhale of relief from her Second as well, that telling straightening of her posture as if she were already preparing mentally for the next task of the day to get to. But… apparently Desarae has another matter to address, and so the lightness in expression fades into a cast that will instantly announce the denial that must follow. Even if Séverine tries to brighten her face with a somewhat forced smile. "Ah… that, my dear. I remember you mentioned this some weeks ago, and… yes I recall, we allowed you to attend last year's Festival of Light in Beziers, with Louisa watching over you." Her bottom lip is momentarily caught by a line of teeth. "I've spoken with Jacques actually about this, a few hours ago…" Ah those traces of sympathy that color her words, more cruel perhaps than if she had been yelling at her.

"You won't go.", Séverine states, rising to her feet as her gaze adjusts to consider the novice sitting before her. "We enjoy a lot of attention lately, and some due to you and your recent lapse. We can't justify rewarding you for this, by allowing you to attend the Festival of Lights. Besides, it's to take place in Beziers, not in Marsilikos, where advertising your debut may have been a sufficient reason."

*

Séverine might just as well have slapped Desarae across her cheek with her response to her request. The colour drains from Deserae's face, and her eyes cloud with disappointment. "But Séverine. My family wish to celebrate my natality with me, and it will be the last time that I will see them until after my debut." She speaks her piece, but it's with little hope that she expects to sway her Second's decision, and she bites her lip to halt herself from saying anything further as she also gets to her feet. If the request for an apology were a bitter pill for the young woman to take, then the denial of her trip the the Festival of Light is perhaps an even harder one to swallow. Despite knowing her request is now a futile one, especially since the decision was made by Jacques, she waits for that confirmation from Séverine that it's to be so before the inevitable dismissal that will follow.

*

"Your natality belongs to Rose Sauvage this year," Séverine tells Desarae with a certain edge in her tone. "Even after your debut, you will live a life of dedication to Naamah. We are your family now, at least until you will have finished your marque and are in the state to decide on your future path in life." Brows wrinkle a touch as she considers the novice standing before her, the grey shade of her eyes darkening just so. "It is the path that has been chosen for you, why should you be treated any differently from other novices trained at this salon? Just because you happen to be the niece to Her Grace?", she asks softly, but perhaps all the more cruel for the softness in tone, forcing Desarae to listen closely to catch every word. "You are dismissed." Said and expressed through the wave of the hand, while the faint smile is barely taking momentum out of said dismissal. "I have matters to see to now, and you will get to the remaining chores of your day."

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