Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489 
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
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Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 5, 2016 18:49:42 GMT -8
Genevieve and Odette were definitely impressed with the surroundings of the palace. For the mother, however, it brought back memories that were still painful and raw. For the daughter, she was bouncing on her heels, wanting to explore.
Both of the blondes, however, were very tired and Odette looked particularly pale and exhausted. Wordlessly, they moved into the room Naoki indicated, and Genevieve let go of Arianne's hand.
She was quiet while Arianne spoke, and then mentioned quietly afterward, "Odette and I will also be taking quarters within the city. We could not possibly impose on your generous hospitality any longer."
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 5, 2016 21:01:44 GMT -8
Madame Naoki nods quietly, understanding of Arianne’s exit. Though she was hoping to have an opportunity to speak to Arianne at greater length, she wouldn’t consider keeping her from Renaux any longer. Even though it’s been some ten months, to keep Arianne another unnecessary ten minutes would be intolerable, and the height of discourtesy from Naoki.
She continues to listen carefully as Genevieve speaks, noting her choice of words. “Will”. She knows perfectly well that she could stay in the palace, but has decided that she will not. Why? Naoki has no idea. Perhaps something to do with being the sister of the current queen. Perhaps the familial relations are awkward. Though that does leave her without much company in the palace, Naoki again decides not to challenge the decision.
“Fair enough. I’ll probably see you tomorrow; until then. However, let me give you this…”
Reaching into her pocket, Naoki pulls out a trio of identical, hexagonal amethyst gems. She offers one to Arianne, Genevie and Odette.
“These gems enable telepathy for the holder or wearer. Sending letters is awfully slow in comparison, so I offer you each the opportunity to take one and keep in touch- both with me and with each other.”
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Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
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Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 6, 2016 16:22:28 GMT -8
Naoki had hit the nail on the head. Genevieve had no idea if her father was still around, and so far, the relationship between herself and Arianne had not been public. In fact, this trip was perhaps the... third? Yes, third time she'd ever even seen her little sister. It wasn't just a decade (or more) that had distanced the sisters, but lineage and scandal as well.
Perhaps Genevieve was stirring a sleeping dog with her presence in Gauldin, but now she was here, and she wasn't going to hide any longer. Genevieve smiled to Lady Naoki and stepped forward to take the gem. "You have been unfailingly kind, Madame Naoki, as have your associates. I am always grateful." She could feel the magic in the pin like a warm stone, just as it could no doubt sense the warm and maternal magic within Genevieve.
"I will be shopping for business store fronts and perhaps even a home in Gauldin while we are here," she told Madame Naoki. "It has also been a long time since I have been in Travere, so per'aps we can take in the sights together, non?"
Odette seemed very tired, and even more pale now than before. She stood by her mother's side, her eyelashes drooping over her eyes. It became very apparent to all that the girl was indeed as sickly as Genevieve had considered, and as her head nodded forward, the little girl collapsed to the floor, her hand slipping from her mother's grasp.
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Queen Arianne
Dedicated
The Queen of Gauldin
Roleplay posts: 217
Age: Twenty
Physical Description: Arianne is plump in her bosom, with a little waist and a flare of hips. Because she is active, she is well toned with sleek musculature in her stomach and arms, and her long legs are finely made. She has flowing red hair and thick-lashed blue eyes. She has smooth strawberries-and-creme skin dappled with freckles. Her face is always active with some emotion or another. | JUST HAD A BABY!
Clothes and Equipment: Arianne wears finely made adventuring clothing. Although she has grown up considerably since her marriage, she still enjoys the finer things, so her leathers are always tailored to her gorgeous frame and feminine to boot. She has a sabre, a shortsword, and a dagger usually upon her.
Registered: Dec 6, 2015 14:59:45 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Arianne on Apr 6, 2016 16:39:01 GMT -8
Arianne hesitated before she took the pin. "Thank you," she said to Madame Naoki, although she did not immediately put it on. She wasn't sure if she wanted to. The woman in that dress, it made Arianne feel uncomfortable, not only because she could only imagine how Renaux was going to react, but also because Arianne herself was beginning to wonder about Naoki and what she was... like.
"Trust that I will make sure your business here goes smoothly," Arianne told Naoki. "Like my sister I am--"
Her words were cut off as the little girl collapsed, and Arianne's eyes went wide.
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Artemis
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 205
Physical Description: Artemis is a sturdily built woman of medium height, with blonde hair tied back in a professional bun. Clad in a sharp black business suit, with black tie, dress shirt, and gloves, her appearance is utterly unremarkable; save for a single, flawless, purple gem, set on a simple black ribbon, worn choker-style around her throat. Her demeanor is such that she blends seamlessly into the background of any situation when her services are not required.
Registered: Sept 13, 2015 6:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Artemis on Apr 7, 2016 8:44:04 GMT -8
Artemis observes the room. The group is looking mildly uncomfortable, each for their separate reasons. Their glances linger on Naoki slightly longer than propriety would suggest, an excellent indicator of future performance. Odette's uncomfortable appearance is not related to social anxieties, though, she muses. The travel must have taken its toll on the girl.
Suddenly, Odette's head starts to loll forward, and her knees begin to buckle.
No magic detected, outside intervention unlikely. Probably just exhaustion. Short fall, no obstacles around, unlikely she will sustain substantial injury, Genevive likely to be distressed regardless. Distance closeable, could catch her. Negatives: would reveal a portion of my ability, could startle the others, could make them uneasy around me in future. Positives: maternal gratitude, appearance of compassion, likely positive effect on their viewpoints.
Thoughts flash through Artemis's head as Odette begins to fall. Making her decision, she springs from the couch, closing the distance to the stricken girl in a matter of moments. She falls to a knee and extends her arms, letting Odette collapse into them.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 7, 2016 9:12:38 GMT -8
Naoki hardly even has time to register that Odette is falling before Artemis is in motion, and the action is complete before she can move in any meaningful way to assist. Instead, she lowers her hands and and exhales slowly. When entering the room, she didn’t think that the hardwood floor would be an issue.
With relief obviously present on her face and without much more to say, Naoki remains standing and moves away from the couch, taking a step to the side. Perhaps they’d like to move Odette to lay on the couch for a while as she recovers.
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Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
· · · · · ·
Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 7, 2016 19:22:07 GMT -8
Immediately guilt struck Genevieve in her heart, striking her right next to the concern that blazed there. She was so grateful to Artemis, who caught the girl that seemed so very slight and so very light in the blonde woman's arms. Still, it did not seem as if Genevieve was completely surprised.
"Oh, Odette," she murmured gently. She saw Naoki move away from the couch and Genevieve shot her a grateful look. She gestured for Artemis to lay her out on the couch. "She'll be fine," Genevieve said to them. It did not even appear as if Odette was breathing. In fact, it seemed as if all of her bodily functions had stopped, and that she was just... just a corpse.
Genevieve went to her knees beside the couch and tenderly stroked blonde curls away from Odette's head. "Perhaps we will have to stay at the Palace for the night," Genevieve said with a bashful blush. "The traveling took too much from her." The beautiful seamstress turned to look at Artemis specifically. "Thank you for catching her."
The entire time, Genevieve forgot to even look in Arianne's direction. Her main concern was for Odette.
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Queen Arianne
Dedicated
The Queen of Gauldin
Roleplay posts: 217
Age: Twenty
Physical Description: Arianne is plump in her bosom, with a little waist and a flare of hips. Because she is active, she is well toned with sleek musculature in her stomach and arms, and her long legs are finely made. She has flowing red hair and thick-lashed blue eyes. She has smooth strawberries-and-creme skin dappled with freckles. Her face is always active with some emotion or another. | JUST HAD A BABY!
Clothes and Equipment: Arianne wears finely made adventuring clothing. Although she has grown up considerably since her marriage, she still enjoys the finer things, so her leathers are always tailored to her gorgeous frame and feminine to boot. She has a sabre, a shortsword, and a dagger usually upon her.
Registered: Dec 6, 2015 14:59:45 GMT -8
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Post by Queen Arianne on Apr 7, 2016 19:38:24 GMT -8
Arianne's heart lurched in her throat when she saw Odette collapsing, but Artemis was quick to catch her, impressing the young queen-in-limbo. She would have stepped forward, but it seemed that everyone was centered around Odette.
She was in good hands, with her mother near. Taking a step back, Arianne slipped away and out of the room, unless hindered.
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Artemis
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 205
Physical Description: Artemis is a sturdily built woman of medium height, with blonde hair tied back in a professional bun. Clad in a sharp black business suit, with black tie, dress shirt, and gloves, her appearance is utterly unremarkable; save for a single, flawless, purple gem, set on a simple black ribbon, worn choker-style around her throat. Her demeanor is such that she blends seamlessly into the background of any situation when her services are not required.
Registered: Sept 13, 2015 6:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Artemis on Apr 8, 2016 4:14:33 GMT -8
Artemis places Odette on the couch, as Genevive directs, then steps back, allowing her space.
Genevive's reaction was more subdued than she was expecting. It would seem that this was not an uncommon occurrence. The deathly stillness of the girl was surprising, as well. Perhaps there was more than simple sickness involved.
At Genevive's thanks, Artemis dips her head in acknowledgement. "Think nothing of it. I'm just glad I was able to get to her in time."
Excellent. Her evaluation was not wrong, even if not totally accurate.
Out of the corner of her eye, she catches sight of Arianne slipping from the room, but chooses to say nothing.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 8, 2016 5:57:49 GMT -8
From her position standing in the corner, Madame Naoki looks down on Odette. As much as she would prefer to properly assess Odette, check her pulse and all that, there’s one massive red flag that catches Naoki's attention immediately.
“Ms. Genevieve? I… I don’t mean any disrespect, but are you entirely certain? She’s not breathing.”
Naoki reaches a hand into the pouch on her hip, and selects a few assorted gemstones. They clink together as she moves them about in her hand, but she doesn’t begin any spellcasting quite yet.
“I have a fairly wide variety of healing magics here, and I’m sure that the palace doctor has more. If there’s some sort of issue around you being seen here, I’ll take responsibility and have it smoothed out, but I’m concerned. She’s not breathing.”
The second time Naoki states her assessment of Odette’s status, a more evident uneasiness worms its way into her inflection. Though she hasn’t really interacted with Odette personally very much, something is very obviously, very seriously wrong, and Genevieve's lack of reaction seems highly uncharacteristic.
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Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
· · · · · ·
Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 8, 2016 13:49:09 GMT -8
"Non, non," Genevieve said as she threw out a hand, not to throw a spell or anything, but mostly just the gesture one makes in an effort to stop someone, like Madame Naoki, from trying to interfere with what was happening to Odette. "Really, my daughter is fine, it is... it is a very complicated condition that my daughter is in," she tried to feebly explain.
Genevieve turned back to the girl, her eyes closed, her arms over her stomach. She looked like a little princess, asleep by some... curse. Her mother gently brushed some curls away from her forehead and kissed her there. A warm, golden glow formed where lips met flesh, and lingered for a moment after even when Genevieve had pulled away.
"We must get a room quickly, however. She can not stay in this state for long, otherwise she will..." Genevieve looked away for a moment, tears springing to her eyes that she quickly tried to blink away. She wiped at her nose, sniffling. It did not seem that she was saddened by the event that just occurred, but by the entire tragedy of Odette's life.
Coming to her feet again, she bent to pick her daughter up in her arms, cradling her to her chest. Odette's hand hung limply down, growing colder and colder.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 8, 2016 15:08:54 GMT -8
Silently, Madame Naoki pockets the gems, her mouth becoming a thin line. She shifts her gaze between the pair, considering the seamstress and her child. It doesn’t take a scholar to deduce some manner of strange magic condition is in play, but Naoki hasn’t ever heard of any afflictions that cause cute little Gauldish girls to fall over dead-but-apparently-not. Regardless, it’s clear how Genevieve would like to proceed, and Naoki figures it probably for the best to go along with her. She nods curtly, and begins to take steps toward the door.
“Fair enough. Let’s go, then.”
Naoki pushes the door of the sitting room open, and habitually glances both ways down the corridor before crossing the hall, and opening the door directly opposite. Inside, she finds another sitting room, a mirror image to the first. She moves down the hall to the left, and the next door, conveniently enough, turns out to be a bedroom, complete with a large, four-poster bed, every bit as lavish as the rest of the wing. Seeing as how there doesn’t seem to be anyone inside, the door was unlocked, and none of the members of the embassy have selected their rooms, Naoki figures the room must be an unoccupied guest room, and probably fit for Genevieve’s purposes. She gestures inward with a wave of her arm, though the wrinkle of concern between her eyebrows is still present. Naoki is inclined to trust Genevieve- she would have no reason to be less than truthful about the matter, at the same time, Odette seems to be stone-dead.
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Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
· · · · · ·
Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 8, 2016 15:43:52 GMT -8
The seamstress was so grateful that Madame Naoki wasn't going to question her, or Artemis, the solid and steadfast blonde that always seemed to be at Naoki's side.
Cradling Odette to her chest, she moved into the hallway, glancing around to see if there were any servants to witness any of this. Thankfully, it seemed empty. Her cloak whispered on the tiles, her long skirts swaying around her legs as she moved into the room that Naoki gestured.
Once inside, Genevieve had no time to marvel at the further opulence of the place, its gaudiness, its fixings. She moved toward the bed and laid Odette upon it. Then, instead of reaching for any remedies to heal her, Genevieve arranged her so that she would be comfortable, the dead little girl like a fragile porcelain doll.
"Everything will be fine," Genevieve said, more to herself, as if she also needed convincing. She took off Odette's cloak and boots, and then took off her own cloak and moved to shut the blinds. It seemed as if in her worry, she'd forgotten Naoki and Artemis were still in the room.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 8, 2016 16:25:10 GMT -8
Naoki takes a single step to follow Genevieve into the room, and leans up against a wardrobe just inside the door. First, she crosses her hands over hands over her chest, watching Genevieve putter about and close the blinds.
She opens her mouth as if to speak, but shuts it again. She shifts uncomfortably on her feet, stands upright off the wardrobe, and moves her hands to clasp each other behind her back. One of the gems in her pouch is capable of highly conditional resurrection of the recently deceased, if provided enough energy. It would be nothing more than an underhanded toss and a hand signal, and Artemis would be on top of Odette in mere moments, using her substantial mana reserves to breathe life back into the girl.
But with each passing moment, the likelihood of the magic being successful dwindles. As she understands, roughly ten minutes after the time of death, her gem would be useless, instead requiring a specialized sort of necromancer or holy magic to resurrect the individual in question.
“Ms. Genevieve. Though I don’t mean to pry, whatever is going on here is very obviously not OK. Odette appears to have died before my very eyes, but you insist that she’s fine. I would very much like to help, and believe I have the capability to do so, but it seems like there’s more going on than you’re telling me. If you would really prefer, I’ll leave you, but… at least tell me if I can help or not, even if you would prefer not to disclose the entire... situation...”
Madame Naoki trails off, and looks past Genevieve to the pale child on the bed.
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Lady Genevieve St. James
Dedicated
Enchantress & Entrepreneur
Roleplay posts: 489
Age: mid-30s.
Physical Description: Her hair is sunshine gold, her skin is peaches and creme, and her eyes are periwinkle, sometimes lilac, sometimes blue. She has a comely body that is not too curvy and not too slim, and a height that is not too tall and not too petite. A beauty mark marks her cheek just below her left eye.
· · · · · ·
Clothes and Equipment: Genevieve is always clothed handsomely, although not ornately, and uses good fabrics for her well-fit and well-made clothes. She wears a long necklace, the thin golden chain easily visible but the pendant itself is usually tucked beneath her bodice, unseen. In the well-hidden pockets of the full skirts of her gowns, she usually has odds and ends hidden away.
Allegiances: Isra, Aozora, Gauldin
Registered: Nov 28, 2015 11:03:51 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Genevieve St. James on Apr 13, 2016 16:36:37 GMT -8
Genevieve turned away from where she had closed the curtains, moving now to light the candles and lanterns of the room. There was a melancholy smile on her face. She didn't appear crazy or insane, or mad or angry. It did indeed seem as if Genevieve was sad and heartbroken, but it made everything all the more bizarre.
"It is a very long story, Madame Naoki. The simplest explanation is that Odette has been cursed with the Sleeping Death since she was in my womb. My magic sustains her, but unfortunately as she grows, she needs more and more magic. I underestimated how much traveling would have taken from her." Her accented voice was soft in the now candlelight-hued air.
"I must help her now, and I would prefer to do this in privacy. I am so very sorry for any troubles this may have caused you. You have been wonderful to myself and my daughter and my sister. Both of you." Her fond smile turned from Naoki onto Artemis and then back to Naoki again.
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Artemis
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 205
Physical Description: Artemis is a sturdily built woman of medium height, with blonde hair tied back in a professional bun. Clad in a sharp black business suit, with black tie, dress shirt, and gloves, her appearance is utterly unremarkable; save for a single, flawless, purple gem, set on a simple black ribbon, worn choker-style around her throat. Her demeanor is such that she blends seamlessly into the background of any situation when her services are not required.
Registered: Sept 13, 2015 6:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Artemis on Apr 14, 2016 12:24:28 GMT -8
Hmm, so there was a magical ailment at play. Intriguing. Sensing Naoki about to speak again, likely to continue to offer assistance, Artemis interjects. "If you wish, Miss Genevieve. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
Taking Naoki by the elbow with a gentle but firm grip, she escorts her from the room. After one last glance into the dimmed interior, she closes the door on the stricken girl.
"We should examine your quarters, Madame." A series of subtle signals indicate that they should remove themselves from the public eye before conversing further, and another set advises guarded action in the face of possible surveillance.
At the end of the hallway, a door opens to the ambassador's chambers. A large space, furnished with a desk, four-poster bed, movable privacy divider, wardrobes, and all the other trappings of a very lavish room from several centuries ago. The furniture is ostentatiously carved, and encrusted with gilt, inlaid paintings, and all manner of expensive baubles.
Artemis's lip curls a little at the sight. Hmmph. At least there was an attached room - more like a closet really - for a servant. A piece of utility among the puffery.
Motioning for Naoki to remain guarded, she closes the door behind her and locks it. Her eyes glowing with her manasight, she sweeps the room for any traces of espionage, whether mundane or magical. She informs Naoki of the results of her inspection.
Assuming that the room is clear as it should be, she turns to Naoki, the expression on her face indicating that she is willing to listen if the other woman wants to talk.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 14, 2016 15:06:53 GMT -8
As Artemis takes her arm, Naoki knows Artemis’ judgment to be correct. Perhaps not pleasant, but the situation had stopped being pleasant a while ago. After one final look and muttered farewell, she dutifully follows Artemis down to the chambers at the end of the hallway, and stands silently as Artemis does her inspection.
Taking in the sights of the room, a slightly furrowed brow betrays her dissatisfaction and irritation. A situation that she was not able to resolve. A problem that all of her wealth and influence left her powerless to solve. It had been a while since she had run into any issues like that. By combination of her inability to solve the issue, grief for Odette, and the obnoxiously opulent chambers she would have to stay in, Naoki cannot help but feel and express irritation.
As Artemis turns to hear what she has to say, Naoki meets her gaze for a moment, before wordlessly shrugging. What is there to say? All that’s possible at this point is to proceed forward in the most optimal manner available.
To this end, Naoki figures that the best possible course of action is to flop face-first onto the bed, and lie there for a moment. She exhales deeply, before murmuring some instructions, slightly muffled by the obscenely expensive linens. “Get the crystal ball out, would you? And a change of clothes.”
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Artemis
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 205
Physical Description: Artemis is a sturdily built woman of medium height, with blonde hair tied back in a professional bun. Clad in a sharp black business suit, with black tie, dress shirt, and gloves, her appearance is utterly unremarkable; save for a single, flawless, purple gem, set on a simple black ribbon, worn choker-style around her throat. Her demeanor is such that she blends seamlessly into the background of any situation when her services are not required.
Registered: Sept 13, 2015 6:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Artemis on Apr 14, 2016 15:32:29 GMT -8
Artemis views Naoki's prostrate form with some concern. The situation was unpalatable to her as well, but given her knowledge of what went on between those fuzzy ears, Naoki would be taking her impotence rather hard. Nothing to be done about it now, though, and they both know it. At Naoki's request, Artemis replies with a quiet "Of course, Madame," and slips from the room. Several minutes later, she returns with their luggage. A crystal ball and stand are retrieved from a small padded box, and set up on one of the room's tables. A black velvet cloth draped over the whole serves as a failsafe to keep the scenes on both sides of the inactive communication separated from each other. That done, she returns to the trunk, and begins pulling out articles of clothing. Several dresses are placed in the wardrobes before she reaches the one she was looking for. A folded purple chestpiece, married to a gauzy black skirt by silver leaf motif.Carefully, she lays the garment out on the bed, a little distance away from Naoki. "Your dress is ready, Madame." She stands quietly by, ready to help her change if necessary. If unneeded, she returns to her task of unpacking. |
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 15, 2016 17:33:55 GMT -8
As nice as it might be to simply pass into unconsciousness, Madame Naoki knows that there is still more to be done. Begrudgingly, she rises from the bed and assumes an upright position. Bending down, she gathers up the folds of her gown, and pulls the entire garment up and off over her head. It was a shame that sArianne, Genevive, and even the servantry hadn’t reacted in any meaningful way… but she supposes that she’ll get another shot at it tomorrow. The King would presumably be more pliable in that regard.
After folding the gown carefully and securely away into its case, Naoki wastes no time in changing into the outfit Artemis provided. For as lustrous as the room is, it’s also awfully cold. Something about all of that gold being difficult to heat, perhaps. She mentally questions Artemis’ choice in clothing, but dismisses the thought promptly, instead choosing to compliment the light dress by wrapping a matching black shawl around her shoulders.
Dressed as such, Naoki runs through her mental list of things that need doing. Next up is to settle matters back at The Sun. Multiple reports of individuals who would like to speak with her have come in over the course of the day, and obliging them swiftly would leave more time for tomorrow. Naoki first reaches out to Skarlet, and requests that she set up the other end of her crystal ball. As Skarlet is busy with that, Naoki takes a few minutes to familiarize herself with the accommodations and assist Artemis in unpacking their luggage into the room.
As she approaches the servant closet, she scoffs. Is this how Gauldinian royalty treat their loyal servants? With a room just large enough to accommodate a single, rotting cot? Despicable. She shuts the door firmly, and slides one of their larger trunks in front of the door with an air of finality.
After a short while, Skarlet finishes setting up the other end of the communication. Naoki seats herself before the crystal ball, and begins to calibrate it, tapping gently on the sides until an image of Skarlet’s face comes into reasonably clear view.
“Ah hah, I’ve done it! I can see you, Skarlet! This is excellent, and will work out excellently for my purposes, thank you…”
Over the course of the next few hours, Naoki proceeds to meet with each of the guests who requested to speak with her, and ends up hiring a handful of them as new employees. Overall, the meetings are a massive success, and after the final instance is complete, Naoki stands, somewhat pleased with how they turned out, yet also rather drained by the events of the day. Further, if she gets her way, tomorrow would be a day filled with cardiac activity, so it would probably be best to recharge in preparation for that.
Clasping one hand in the other, Naoki raises her arms toward, arching her back in a stretch. However, as it turns out, her bodice isn’t quite as flexible as all that, and fails to continue to function in the intended manner. A malfunction, even. Looking down, she chuckles slightly, but makes no attempt to conceal herself. The floofy garment would need to come off anyway to sleep. And so it does, thrown to rest atop one of their trunks. Without any further bother, she enters the bed once again (decidedly more gracefully than the first time), and proceeds to make herself comfortable and find rest.
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Artemis
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 205
Physical Description: Artemis is a sturdily built woman of medium height, with blonde hair tied back in a professional bun. Clad in a sharp black business suit, with black tie, dress shirt, and gloves, her appearance is utterly unremarkable; save for a single, flawless, purple gem, set on a simple black ribbon, worn choker-style around her throat. Her demeanor is such that she blends seamlessly into the background of any situation when her services are not required.
Registered: Sept 13, 2015 6:26:06 GMT -8
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Post by Artemis on Apr 16, 2016 7:48:09 GMT -8
Artemis spends some of the time while Naoki is using the crystal ball to finish unpacking, and spends the remainder brushing up on her Gauldish. It would be very inconvenient to have to consult a dictionary or ask Naoki for translation during conversation, to say nothing of the perception advantages conferred by knowing the language at a conversational level. She could traverse the language fairly well already, but still tended to be overly formal, and occasionally botched the tense or gender of words.
That was another strike against Gauldin. Do they see skirts or pants on their furniture? The chair has no gender, dammit, so why does their language have to give it one!?
After a few tedious hours of rules and exceptions to those rules, Naoki is mercifully finished with her duties, and Artemis tables her book.
She quells an errant flicker of desire at Naoki's wardrobe malfunction and subsequent state of undress. It was hardly the place, here in the middle of the royal palace, and it was hardly the time, with the events of the day. The bed would have to remain unsullied tonight.
Speaking of beds, that was another issue. Naoki's actions had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that Artemis was not to be sleeping in the servant's quarters. It wasn't an issue for her, she'd certainly slept in much more uncomfortable places during her life, and her constitution was quite hardy. Naoki, however, wouldn't countenance it, which left joining her in the main bed. This presented its own set of problems. It would be detrimental to her given role as the servant and bodyguard to be discovered sharing a bed as an equal. Additionally, Gauldin seemed to be a rather... non-progressive realm, and she was unsure how they'd react to two women sleeping together in such a fashion.
On the other hand, the bed looked comfortable, the room seemed reasonably secure, and it was a little cold, even by her standards. They could both probably enjoy the extra body heat.
Her decision made, she peels out of her clothing. As she does so, she sends a mental message to Reese, requesting him to keep an eye on the wing overnight, and warn them if anyone was coming.
With that, she joins Naoki under the covers, scooting close enough to the other woman that they warm the same air space. With the bedlinens soft against her skin (one good thing about Gauldin, she muses), she drifts off to sleep.
The warm sheets are gone. Cold steel against her back. Something hot running down her stomach. A coppery smell. Blood - her own. Sobs - not her own. She tries to move, and cannot. Her eyes dart to the left, in the direction of the sound. A pile of limbs and corpses. A young girl, in a bloodstained white shift, sitting in the middle of the pile, crying.
The scene shifts. She’s standing in the middle of a crowd, in a town square. In the distance, a burning building, impossibly large, fills the sky. Her eyes flit desperately from face to face around her. Condemnation. Pity. Revulsion. Lust. Hatred. Rage. Rough hands grab her shoulders. She screams, and pulls away, only to be grabbed again. Her fists fall impotently on her assailants. One of them grabs her shirt and tears violently. Coarse laughter, from male and female throats. One of the women pulls out a dagger, and slowly licks the blade. One of the men starts to pull down his pants, and she freezes. No, no, no, nonononono this can’t be happening not again please God why NO PLEASE STOP NO!!
She wakes with a start and a strangled cry, struggling briefly with tangled, sweat-soaked sheets. Her heart beats loud in her ears as she stares wide-eyed into the darkness. A dream, only a dream, but she is never quite able to convince herself of that until the morning comes. She closes her eyes again, and invisible attackers hover over the bed, ready to strike. Glowing blue searches the room, banishing the demons, only for them to return again when her eyes close.
After a few more minutes, she can't take it any more. She shifts in the bed, bringing herself closer to Naoki, barely far enough away to not touch her. Eyes shut tight, she breathes in and out slowly, focusing on the other woman's scent, and tries to stop shaking.
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