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La Rose Sauvage — Night Court
A huge hearth of black marble, with gargoyles of stone adorning the mantlepiece, governs the foyer of the Salon de la Rose Sauvage, which emanates a certain dark air, the interior design of the more heavy sort, that could easily be encountered in a gentleman's club, especially with the dark cherry wood wainscoting used on the walls. Dark leather upholstery is predominant in the furniture of chaise longues, couches and long-backed chairs that are arranged in a half-circle, leaving space in the center for courtesans (or patrons) to kneel for an inspection. Three tall windows with circular stained-glass insets are framed by dark red curtains of heavy brocade, a few golden threads worked into the fabric catching occasionally the light of flickering oil lamps at the walls. The lamps light a pair of portrait paintings, of the two founders of the salon, Edouard Shahrizai and his cousin Annabelle no Mandrake, resplendent in their dark Kusheline appeal; and a cabinet in a corner, holding a number of quality wines and a flagon of uisghe.
The foyer has a high ceiling, and a gallery beyond a balustrade of dark teak wood, carved in the shapes of gargoyles. Sometimes a few veiled creatures can be spotted up there, stealing glances at what is going on below; from the gallery, which can be reached by ascending some winding stairs at the back of the foyer. Beside the stairs leading up is a hallway on ground level, leading further into the building to where the offices of the leader of the salon and his two Seconds can be found, along with the two wings of private quarters for roses of Mandrake and Valerian canon.
When looking out of the windows, you see: It is a winter morning. The weather is cold and fair.
It is early in the morning, and the Rose Sauvage has not opened to the public yet. A few adepts are in the salon, some assigned to preparing it for the day, others enjoying a moment of quiet at the beginning of the day. Close to one of the lit oil lamps, Denise is kneeling on a cushion, dressed in a simple if somewhat sheer nightgown. A small wooden frame is set on the ground before her, and she seems focused on the process of tying a length of small rope to it with an elaborate knot, now and then glancing at a small open book on the ground beside her.
Early mornings are favored by Séverine when it comes to venturing into the foyer, as it is at these times that she is more at leisure to pay attention to the interior, to see what needs to get fixed, in preparations for patrons arriving later in the day. The Second of Red Roses wears a loose flowing gown, the dark green contrasting nicely to her pale skin. Long sleeves cling to her upper arms all the way down to slightly above the wrists, where they flare out. Long skirts conceal her legs almost entirely, while the marque on her back is visible due to the deep dip of her dress there. The neckline sits high enough to appear proper, and low enough to reveal a glimpse of the upper boundaries of cleavage, and her collarbones. Blonde hair with a faint reddish glow has been twirled and gathered in a loose knot.
Spotting Denise, Séverine approaches at a leisurely pace, before she comes to stand slightly behind the adept, to glance down at the book, and then at the knotwork in progress. "Good morning," she greets. "I didn't know you were skilled in ropework? Is this a new hobby of yours?" Her tone is curious and not unfriendly.
The book is an illustrated guide to various types of knots, clearly borrowed from the library of the Thorny Roses. At Severine's voice, Denise looks up, the faintest hint of an embarrassed flush on her cheeks as she straighens up, settling back into abeyante position. "Good Morning, Second." she murmurs. She glances down at the ropes, then back up at the woman, a faintly wry smile on her lips "I suppose so, yes. A bit of curiosity, you might say. But I also thought it might come in useful. There are those patrons who enjoy a girl that can assist in securing another one before kneeling herself…"
"The Thorns always know best in these matters, don't they?", Séverine replies with a smile. "But you are right. Constellations like that happen. I…" she smiles, as she reaches out to claim another length of rope, as of yet untied. "I have some knowledge about ropework myself. Because, it is as you say. Sometimes a patron requests to watch. There are simple knots, and then there are the more elaborate ones. Or… the combination of many knots that can create a quite delightful state of immobilization."
Denise bites her lip ever so faintly, reaching out to brush her fingers along one of the knots she tied. "Yes" she replies quietly. "I have seen some demonstrations of the truly masterful ropework. I doubt I'll ever get close to that sort of skill, but the sheer artistic beauty of creation is breathtaking.."
"I wonder…", the Second muses thoughtfully. "Would you like to become part of such an arrangement, as the one that will be tied? I am considering options for an event we can hold here, at Rose Sauvage. Once our currently so deserted Marsilikos has regained some of its nobility from Eluan exile? Ah… Longest Night. It tends to keep them for a few weeks there, even after the feast has concluded." Holding the length of rope in one of her hands, the other reaches out to touch Denise's cheek. "I daresay, they will return impressed with the grandeur of Mont Nuit, of Mandrake House, and Valerian. We should take the opportunity to demonstrate that our Roses and Thorns can offer something, Mont Nuit cannot. Or won't, at least not to an open public. A combination. The complementing elements that form together a whole. Rope art seems to be a fitting motto for a fête, don't you think?"
Denise tilts her head to the side a little, a thoughtful glint in her eyes at the Second's suggestion. She leans ever so slightly into the touch, letting out a gentle breath. "A very striking one, to be sure." There's a moment's pause as she seems to be considering the idea, before a faint, almost playful smile flits across her lips. "There's certainly something very… flattering about the idea of being turned into an artwork…"
"There is.", Séverine agrees, with her lips curving in a faint smile. "And I know how very enticing beauty arranged in such an artful manner can affect those that delight in seeing someone restrained." Her hand leaves the adept's cheek, and the Red Rose Second considers. "In turn… If you like I can show you some of the basic knots. If you need more advanced training… I could speak with Baptiste, if there is any Thorn he can recommend to train you, or perhaps…" She smiles. "He might train you himself. But I fear, ropework is not one of his strong skills. What do you think?"
Denise lightly tilts her head back up as Severine's hang is removed. She gazes up at the Second, studying her quietly for a moment, before another slow smile curls her fulls lips. "That sounds… delightful, actually. I am honored by the offer Milady, and I gladly accept."
<FS3> Severine rolls Rope Art: Good Success. (4 8 8 3 4 4 3 4)
"Denise," Séverine intones, her grey eyes glittering faintly, as she begins to turn her attention towards the length of rope in her hands, "It is always good to know the craft and expertise it takes that we need to bring ourselves to the attention of others. There are knots and there are knots. Some of our patrons take a particular thrill in watching the process of putting a Red Rose in restraints, the more artful, the better…" She slings the length of rope about Denise's wrists, and in a quick practiced manner ties them together, pulling them a bit forward as the rope is wound about the adept's lower arms. It will remain a brief demonstration of skill, nothing more, even so, Séverine will watch Denise with attentive curiosity, to see and gauge how she responds.
Denise shifts to kneel upright as Severine takes her bare arms, her eyes carefully watching the Second's fingers as they begin to work the rope around her wrists and pale limbs. "Certainly it must be two very different things to understand a knot in its basic form, and understand it as bound unto a person…." as the rope tightens, drawing her arms together, her breathing accelerates ever so faintly, her gaze fixed on the cords gently pressing into her flesh.
Séverine goes gently about it, it is not her aim to make the rope tightening about Denise's lower arms cause any bruises. And yet. That quickening of the adept's breath brings about a brightening of those grey eyes, that linger upon the young dark-haired Red Rose. "It can sometimes be a game, to know both sides, a fact that might make you all the more special to a patron," the Second murmurs into Denise's ear, and maybe, just maybe she delights a little in the enthusiasm of the adept — because she has been there so many times before herself. "This knot here… it is simple, but through the repeated pattern, of winding more rope about your limbs, Denise, it becomes a statement.", Séverine continues, leaning away, to finish of the knot and admire her work. "We of all know more than anyone else about… those tiny nuances that make our blood boil with excitement, but also thrill those that seek us out. In this, we are more powerful than most would think, Denise."
Denise lets her tongue brush lightly over her lower lip, the barest hint of a shudder running down her spine at the whispered words. "I know…" she whispers softly in return, her gaze fixing onto Severine's grey eyes for several long moments. "It is one thing to feel the power a patron has over me… another to feel the sheer delight he finds in that power" she whispers in response. she arches her back ever so faintly, holding out her firmly bound arms, admiring the way the ropes criss-cross around them.
"Exactly," Séverine murmurs back. "And the more delighted they are, the more likely it is that they will return to us." She holds the gaze of Denise when the young adept looks to her, and then her features soften in a smile and she shakes her head ever so slightly, with a soft chuckle rising in her throat. "You are truly delightful. Seeing you kneel like this, your arms bound and you, so obviously affected already…" With a soft sigh, she begins to undo the knot, and slowly frees Denise from the rope that binds her. "I trust it won't take long for you to finish your marque. You have a great potential, and I can see why you were chosen to join us."
Denise flushes softly at those words, averting her eyes even as a slow smile curls her full lips. She lets out a gentle breath as the knots are released, the pressure around her arms giving away, leaving behind only the faintest of aches and red lines that will soon vanish entirely. She flexes her fingers briefly, then lowers her hands to her knees as she murmurs softly "Thank you, Second. I appreciate those kind words." Then her gaze lifts up a little, a glint of playful daring in them as she adds "Although I must in fairness say that it is very easy to be a responsive plaything in skilled hands like yours. That might skew your judgment just a little…"
Séverine tilts her head a little to the side, the smile that was about to vanish, curling just a bit more, when she hears Denise's counter. "I am more often on the end that is tied, rather than tying," the Second confides with faint amusement. "That does not mean, that I don' appreciate the subtle compliment." The length of rope is gathered and rolled up, before it placed back all orderly on the table, as Séverine observes, "You have lovely skin and flesh, and it shall remain so, until your next assignation. As for the fête idea… I shall let you know, once I have spoken with Jacques about it." The leader of the salon has been scarce of late, but that may be due to him withdrawing from the daily routines of the salon to deal with the challenges of setting up special arrangements, and ties with influential nobles.
Denise keeps that smile as she settles back onto her heels, still breathing just a little quickly from the thrill of the ropes. "Well, as you said… truly understanding our canon probably does involve seeing the other side of the coin a little." Her smiles widens a little as she gives a gentle but enthusiastic nod. "I very much look forward to it."