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La Rose Sauvage: Solar
Compared to the darker, heavy interior of downstairs, the solar feels like a pleasant contrast, where the use of light pastel tones and white provide a light air that is almost convincing. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city are guarded by curtains in light shades of pastel greens and blues. A few thick carpets cover the polished oak floor, where a few high backed armchairs are arranged about a kneeling cushion in the center. Beverages offered here will usually be white sparkling wines, to lighten the mood and keep up a certain innocent air. The tapestries on the white walls are kept to lighter hues as well, picturesque depictions of alyssum flower arrangements along with those of modest maidens in innocent situations, while the darker side to Alyssum canon reveals itself only to the attentive eye, in the details of the woodwork in dark mahogany side tables and the seats, depicting a pair of man and woman caught in obvious amorous entanglement, she faintly resisting and averting her gaze.
When looking out of the windows, you see: It is a fall night. The weather is warm and drizzling.
There's a small easel set up near the window with a small painting on it. It's a painting of the view out of the window, though considerably less gray than the weather outside suggests, though there's a bit of autumnal melancholy to it nonetheless. The artist lounges sideways on a tall backed chair, comparing her work to the view, one little white shoe peeking out from under her voluminous white skirts. She is the picture of boredom, her arms crossed, her spine twisted, her work untouched.
Remy makes his way up into the solar having heard there is a novice getting ready for her debut he figured he'd visit the White Roses and see what the fuss was all about. The Viscomte is dressed in his practical but well tailored clothes and he smells like the sea spray and the sea most of the time. Pausing at the entrance of the Solar he knocks on the doorway before he makes his way in to avoid surprising the young lambs.
The knock on the door startles Alienor to her feet, and she rises swiftly in a swirl of skirts, for her white gown is quite full and all gathered at the waist. She settles herself and she curtsies deeply to the arriving nobleman, looking up at him with interest, for she is a petite creature, small of stature. "My lord," she offers pleasantly. Her veil is more of a barrier than a concealment, and she studies the tall man with wide green eyes.
Remy offers the young Rose a bow of his head, "Good day to you little one. I'd heard that there was a novice that was preparing for her debut. Looking at how much time you have on your hands right now am I right to assume that's you?" A pause, "And by the way I'm Remy Morhban, Vicomte de Quimper."
"That is I, my lord," the girl replies. "I am Alienor nó Rose Sauvage, and I shall be making my debut on Saturday, less than a week away." She looks slightly nervous about this fact, as if she's a bit incredulous about it, but she puts on a very pretty, very girlish smile for the nobleman. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord."
Remy nods a bit as he motions towards one of the seats, "Do you mind if I take a seat? And are there any refreshments to be had Alienor no Rose Sauvage?" He steps over to one of the chairs and pulls it out to sit down, "So tell me are you nervous about such a big day for you? It seems you've been quite the talk of the town had to come up and see if you were everything that the rumors have made you out to be."
"Oh, my apologies, my lord. I should have invited you to sit right away. Would you like wine or tea?" Alienor replies, flushing a bit as she follows him to his chair and waits to see what it is he might like. "Quite the talk of the town, my lord?" she echoes, and that makes her flush quite a bit more. "I admit that I am indeed rather nervous, but I am looking forward to it with excitement and apprehension."
Remy chuckles a bit, "Actually I'd only heard of you from my friend Theodosia and only in passing. I just wanted to see how you'd react to the idea of rumors about you. I also tend to stay busy on my ship or dealing with family affairs." He hmmms, "A crisp white wine would be lovely I think. But only if you can join me. If not wine perhaps a tea with a bit of honey."
"I'm afraid that novices are not permitted wine outside of holidays," Alienor replies smoothly. "I shall fetch the tea, then." She heads off to fetch a tea service from a servant so that she can prepare him a cup of hot tea, freshly poured, and with a bit of honey in it for sweetness. "Here you are, my lord. I am honored that you have come to seek me out. It's quite the privilege." She takes her own tea similarly, adding a bit of lemon juice to her cup as well.
Remy smiles a bit as he picks up the tea as she finishes pouring it and handing over to him, "Thank you. And I haven't been to a debut of a novice in a while now I figured I might try and work yours into my schedule. Just seemed to be better to have gotten a chance to meet you before hand I don't have much experience with the ahhh White Roses I believe you are called here correct?"
"Yes, White Roses are Alyssum. The innocent ones," Alienor replies with a beautifully girlish smile, her eyes wide and soft and perfectly framed by long lush lashes, even through the barrier of the veil, which seems largely there to remind patrons and guests that she is innocent and untouchable.
Remy smiles and nods a bit, "As I said I don't have much experience with the Alyssum. So I suppose I'll have to learn a bit more about them. Tell me about yourself and your canon little one. I know you're the innocent ones but I assume you're not completely innocent" He motions towards the wood work in the room, "It must be a difficult balance for you?"
At that, Alienor blushes, her gaze falling to the familiar furniture but briefly before she looks away. "All canons have …darker sides. Of course, any Alyssum you contract will have consented to the details of the assignation, and so if you want mild protest or strong protest, thus may you be served. Really, Alyssums are about …creating the fantasy. So that it is like the first time every time. The blushing maiden or boy, vulnerably available to the patron," she explains.
Remy hmmms as he sips on his tea and nods, "I see." He eyes the young novice and mmmms a bit in thought, "I wonder what that must be like." He motions towards the picture, "So you paint? Just landscapes or do you do portraits as well?"
"I do paint, yes, my lord," Alienor replies to Remy with a lovely smile, looking towards the landscape for a moment then looking back to the lord. "Mostly landscapes and still life. The still life has the advantage that I can eat the subjects when I'm done. I don't think that the subject of a portrait would appreciate such. But perhaps I could do portraiture. The idea has occurred to me."
Remy nods as he takes another sip of his tea, "Well… Perhaps they would appreciate it but I don't believe that's your canon at all. You should give a portrait a try at some point. Possibly not mine somebody more handsome I would think."
For a long moment, Alienor gazes at Remy trying to decode his meaning, and then she flushes in embarrassment. "My lord! That is not what I meant at all!" she says in a fluster. "Fruit is… still life… is meant for… my lord." She pauses. "Perhaps I shall paint you as well, at some point. It might be a lovely diversion."
Remy chuckles as he takes another sip of his tea, "Oh it's too easy to tease you little one. So what is your preferred fruit for painting? Apples? Cherries? or perhaps a pear?"
"Cherries are delicious, and I can manage to tie the stem into a knot with only my tongue," notes Alienor helpfully. "And they go along so well with my favorite fruit, which is the lemon. I love lemons. Lemon tarts are perhaps my favorite things to eat, but I am also happy to peel and eat lemons."
Remy smirks a bit as he listens to her talk of her favorite fruits, "Oh can you? That's a special little talent there. Although I think the lemon tarts sounds tasty." Another sip of his tea and then he looks at the now empty teacup before he sets it down, "Sounds like you're an interesting young lady. And so polite haven't asked a single thing about me yet."
"Will my lord tell me about his ship and about life on ships?" Alienor wonders, moving to kneel on one of the floor cushions, then sitting back on her feet, looking up at Remy. It's almost disappointing that the neckline of the dress is so high; he'd otherwise have the perfect angle on her.
Remy chuckles as he leans back in his chair, "I'm a pirate hunter my dear. I'm not quite sure how much you want to get into that but I've been out on a ship for likely almost as long as you've been a novice here. There's been some lovely port of calls I've made but I'm not sure that is a conversation appropriate for you in this setting."
"Oh, no, my lord. I have innocent ears and I would appreciate not having inappropriate conversations in the Solar," Alienor replies seriously, though she does somewhat open up the possibility of inappropriate conversations elsewhere. She glances for a moment at the chaperone who continually stares at her, making sure she remains untouched, literally, and then she looks back to Remy. "I have been a novice for eight years now. I just recently had my sixteenth birthday and thus was able to schedule my debut."
Remy nods a bit, "I've been sailing since I was a teen… So over a decade and some change." He does eye her in her position and hmmms, "I think it's safe to say I've got a fair share of stories of violence, romance and well lust." He looks over at the chaperone and smirks a bit, "Don't worry love I'll keep her innocent ears innocent.
"I am quite interested in stories of romance," Alienor replies with a pretty little smile that does not eliminate the other two topics, but does rather put them on hold for the moment. "I will listen if you will tell me. Have you been in love?"
Remy hmmms a bit, "I was married once. It was a political match but I'd grown to love her. But she passed in childbirth and I lost both my wife and my child. So less romance there and more grief. I had some affairs of the heart since then but…"
"Oh, my lord, I'm so sorry for your loss. That's quite terrible. How very unfortunate and sad," Alienor replies, furrowing her brows together and frowning deeply. "I shouldn't have asked. I apologize."
Remy shrugs a bit, "It was years ago and although the pain never fully goes away it does fade. It's fine that you asked. If it hurt too badly to answer I wouldn't have."
"It's just that I'd prefer that you be happy and content here in my company, that's all," Alienor explains gently to Remy. "If there's anything I can do to make your experience better, please ask."
Remy nods a bit, "That makes sense and no my visit here has been nothing but pleasant." He climbs up to his feet, "But I've got business I have to attend to. Perhaps I'll come visit again sometime before your debut." He offers her a bow of his head before he starts to head out of the solar.