(1311-12-08) Coquelicot Gardens
Summary: Some members of the Coquelicot house socialize amongst themselves in the gardens.
RL Date: Sun Dec 08, 1311
Related: None
cedric niobe soleil 

Gardens of Devotion

There is a playful air about the gardens, especially in spring, summer and autumn, when flower beds of red tulips, roses and poppy flowers add colorful dots to the well kept green that is trimmed to a look of wild romantic scenery, despite the everpresent hands of gardeners that keep trees and bushes under their care. The path winds along in generous twists, offering many secret meeting spots to share kisses and vows of love, some of them part of the natural surroundings, while others provide more shelter from the view, arbors of simple beauty with flowery vines twining about posts.

In the center of the gardens is where a second building can be found, pillars of white stone reminiscent of an old Hellene temple. Within, tiles of light rosé marble cover the floor, ten feet high walls are painted a slightly deeper shade of the same color, and interspersed with white columns sporting painted colorful floral ornaments. Curtains of white and lavender gauze flutter faintly before the windows that bathe the Shrine of Love in light during the day. On evenings and nights, the predominant source of lighting is a multitude of burning candles in various bronze candelabras and the pair of chandeliers suspended from the ceiling.

The hall is furnished with chairs and couches of light maple wood carved with flowery designs, upholstered in white and red velvet, with several smaller cushions added for comfort. It also has a medium sized S-shaped loveseat in the center, where two people can lounge, facing each other. A faint scent of roses is ever present, as is the overall romantic mood that is often enhanced with the occasional recital of a love poem over the rippling tones of a lute or harp. While Coquelicot adepts and courtesans of Heliotrope canon attend to the visitors with the pleasant lightness and easy warmth, the salon is known for.

A door at the back leads to a patron room of wildly romantic flair.


It's a quiet afternoon on the fall day. The Coquelicot salon in general is not the most rambunctious of places. More designed for people to rest and recuperate and luxuriate. It's not clear which one of those Cedric is indulging in but he seems to be laying out in the gardens in linen clothes with a book open in front of him. His feet absently dangle one way and then another as he takes notes in his small little book. His pink tongue emerged from his mouth as he considers, and then halfway through writing he seems to get distracted watching a ladybug work it's way across a blade of grass.

It's a quiet afternoon on the fall day. The Coquelicot salon in general is not the most rambunctious of places. More designed for people to rest and recuperate and luxuriate. It's not clear which one of those Cedric is indulging in but he seems to be laying out in the gardens in linen clothes with a book open in front of him. His feet absently dangle one way and then another as he takes notes in his small little book. His pink tongue emerged from his mouth as he considers, and then halfway through writing he seems to get distracted watching a ladybug work it's way across a blade of grass. <Reposes>

Into Cedric's field of view pounces a marmalade kitten who's pretty sure he saw that blade of grass move. He's not sure where the ladybug went — it's long gone — but he stands on hind legs and waves creamy paws at the sky just in case he might catch it. Then he attacks the grass again so that he can fiercely bite it, as it moved. He saw it. It moved! Then he pounces his own tail and falls over onto his back.

A few steps behind him comes laughter. "Please pardon Le Chat Roux," says Soleil in measured, pleasant tones. "He is just a baby and does not realize that he is an idiot."

And a few steps behind that comes another voice. "I think idiocy can be forgiven when he's so sweet, though," notes Niobe, in the process of tucking the ends of a bright green scarf into her coat to keep the autumn chill off as she moves into the garden. "Handsome looks make up for all kinds of other deficiencies."

Cedric blinks at the arriving kitten and he smiles laughing at the pouncing and the tumbling. He reaches a hand over to the kittens nose for sniffing or pawing. He smiles, "Oh? Well it is… He certainly is adorable." He says warmly and agreeably at Niobes addition as he chuckles, "Le chat Roux is it?" He asks in amusement and he glances up to Soleil smiling warmly to her and then to Niobe, "Good afternoon." He says to each as he tries to give the kitten scritches. "Perhaps I should adopt his mannerisms? I wonder if I could pull it off." He muses absently.

"Yes, do gambol about like a kitten and see if it gets you anywhere but in a room full of strange looks," Soleil agrees with a charming laugh, watching the kitten as he sniffs Cedric and decides that he's good, and promptly rubs against his hand before getting distracted by the grass again. It moves in the wind! That's exciting. The kitten crouches to pounce …something, probably nothing. "There are some things that babies get away with because they are adorable."

Niobe moves a small distance away from the cat and her fellow professionals, reaching up to stretch first one arm and then the other above her head, leaning to one side to warm up the muscles. "Oh, come now, Soleil, surely you're not implying that our young friend here isn't also adorable? If, perhaps, not in the same league as le chat."

Cedric smiles delightedly at kitten rubs and scritches until the kitten goes to pounce 'things'. He smiles, "Oh? I don't know I'm sure some might find it charming." He pouts, "Am I not adorable?" He sighs dramatically, "I suppose I must be aging." He says lightly as he sits up and shuts his book slowly. He looks to Niobe and nods agreeably and beams at her. See… she gets it!

"Well, you aren't able to easily count your age in weeks, so Le Chat does have that on you, but I …I suppose you are young and adorable and charming," Soleil concedes with a dramatic and playful laugh, winking at Cedric. "Gambol as you like, then! Gambol about! I insist!" The kitten sits, watching them with his head slightly tilted, just in case they do something of interest to kittens.

Niobe laughs as she folds an arm behind her head and tugs on the elbow with her other hand. "Oh yes, this I'd like to see. Perhaps some pouncing? Play with an end of ribbon?"

Cedric beams, "I'll take it." He says warmly sitting up as he gathers up his book and gathers it to him. He smirks as he does a small set of tumbling and rolling, "I gambol!" He says and he peeks at the kitten and tries to mimic it and then rubs at his forehead with a pawed finger, "Mmm a ribbon. I should have more ribbons." He says thoughtfully.

Soleil draws one out of her hair, a fancy silken ribbon with a thread of gold through it. She waves it in Cedric's direction curiously, just to see what he might do in response, arching one of her perfectly manicured brows at him with amusement. Her actual kitten watches in utter fascination as all of this goes on out of his reach, above his head.

Cedric makes a show of batting at and trying to wriggle and catch at it hands waving back and forth absently. He grins at that and then laughs as the kitten looks up to stare as well, "Hmmm I think both of us are being trained I don't know how I feel of this."

"If you're very lucky," Niobe insists, flashing a grin of pure mischief, "She might even give you a fish for your troubles. Do excuse me," she adds, setting off at a jog to begin her run around the gardens.

Soleil swishes the ribbon back and forth so that the kitten's gaze is almost compelled to follow it, and she laughs, then ties it back in her hair. "While kitten-like playfulness may serve you as a courtesan, I do not think that playing as a kitten necessarily has much to do with it," she laughs, smiling at Cedric easily. "I am Soleil L'Envers no Coquelicot, from Elua." She does sound like she was trained on Mont Nuit, what with the elocution of her vowels and careful manner of speaking. Plus her vibrant yet dreamy Gentian marque. "I don't think we've been introduced. I've come to Marsilikos recently with Le Chat Roux and the Baronne de Vezelay, my elderly grandmother, to see if the climate suits."

Cedric peeks at Niobe and makes a face at the fish offer. He chuckles softly and he shrugs and he lays back smiling, "Cedric delauney no Coquelicot. Welcome to Marsilikos, and to Coquelicot. We're always happy to have more." He looks intrigued as he sits up, "I would love to hear more of your experience in the City of blessed Elua." He admits and he beams. "I do hope the climate here will suit you. And i hope it will suite little Roux here."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, monsieur," Soleil replies with an easy smile, keeping an eye on the kitten, who has lain down in the grass to observe the humans to see if they do anything of interest. "He comes from the city, but I don't think he remembers much there except for his mother. He was a parting gift to me, and has been my companion since I arrived. The city is lovely, but I needed a change of pace, and it will hopefully be slower and more relaxed here."

Cedric smiles warmly, "Does he?" He smiles, "Well Marsilikos welcomes all sorts and I'm sure he will enjoy his time here." He nods at that, "It's… a pace all it's own. We have diversity but I can't imagine it's anything like the City of Elua. Still people are pleasant and we have our own draws and challenges." He smiles, "How have you found it so far? Interesting or quiet?" He asks curiously letting fingers trail through the grass as he considers Soleil.

"Mostly quiet. I don't have a patron list here, so that is something I must work on. There are those who have shown interest, but I am used to my time being full, rather than having idle time. I spent quite a lot of time helping the Second, as well, and… well, the pace here is slower," Soleil remarks with a little shake of her head, smiling. "And you? Are you making your marque?"

Cedric admits, "It is…quiet. Gentian is not as common a draw as I think some of the other salons. But there are those who wish our help and guidance and I have a variety. Massage as well as dreaming to help people relax is sufficient for me. So… I am if not overly quickly." He smiles, "There are some who make it far faster I think." He smiles, "But… it is not an unpleasant time I enjoy it and I am not so very rushed."

"It took me five years in the City of Elua, so it is quite understandable. You have true oneiromancy?" Soleil wonders curiously, shifting her foot in the grass a bit so that the kitten will come play. "I should, perhaps, seek out the services of one who can walk in dreams to help me deal with my grief." And yet she seems so composed, with a kitten pouncing her slipper.

Cedric nods at that, "Even in Elua?" He looks curious and fascinated by the talk of the city. He considers that and he smiles, "I can guide such things." He looks curiously, "Your grief? I would be happy to help if you wish, either in your dreams or simply to speak over it." He watches her curiously and he wiggles his nose head tilted, "Oh no… I should…I'm late but if you should wish someone to speak to I'm always willing to assist how I can." He offers warmly and he moves to rise reaching a hand to brush Soleil's shoulder giving her a warm look before starting to hurry off to whatever errand he'd forgotten.

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