High Tea for the Flowers of Cear

Rheia Althia · Post by **Rheia Althia** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:02 pm

(I would have replied sooner, but I haven't been able to access the forums all morning)

Maeve look to the windowsill, her ashen hair blowing into her face from the wind. She had remained quiet for the most of the tea, smiling and nodding, laughing when the others laughed. She wouldn't admit it, but this would be her first tea. She would occasionally reach forward and pluck a grape from the table, popping it between her scarlet lips.

Maeve's mouth moved in a prayer of protection as the loud sound from the window permeated her hearing. Her eyes twinkled as the silver dagger appeared in Latishe's hand. I guess they had the same idea. After all, Cear could be a dangerous place. Her hand rested near her ribcage, where her own weapon lay hidden.

Her jade gaze shifted to the tiefling, her eyebrow quirking in recognition. Chia.
She looked to her two companions and blinked.

"Well then...I have to admit, I haven't attended a tea where tieflings flew through windows..."

She looked to Chia, an amused look cascading over her features. Perhaps this would get interesting.

Chia · Post by **Chia** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:51 pm

Hanging for her life, or at least avoidance of a certain degree of bodily harm, she scrambles for purchase yet again as her toes lose their support on the wall. With the bright flashes of shortness of breath mostly gone from her vision, she tries to raise her head to examine the occupants of the room. Failing to angle her neck enough to see further into the room, she settles for an apology, largely distorted by her jaws clenched in the effort required to avoid an unexpected departure.

“Sorry! Just passing through!”

The thin, soft leather of her garb, somewhere between comfortable everyday clothes and light armor offering as much freedom of movement as possible, wrinkles with the strain of supporting her weight by the sheet pressure of forearms and elbows against the other edge of the windowsill. She sags slowly, the motion finally allowing her a glimpse of the individuals within. The words that follow are punctuated by odd contortions as she attempts to find a spot to secure her feet on, ineffectively trying to stave off the gradual sinking of her body through the window.

“Oh. Um. Hi.”

SnorriHT · Post by **SnorriHT** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:04 pm

A Halfbreed! Within an instant the clawed creature inside Latishe known as the a Varanian Noblewoman, reared its ugly head. A sneer tore across her previously kissable lips, transforming them into a gaping maw of clenched teeth, and exposing her prominent (but natural) canines.

Latishe's face hardened into a caricature of ruthlessness, and she stomped over to the window and grabbed Chia by the arm. She then dragged Chia into the private room and stood over her with menacing intent. A subconscious chant fuelled her menace:

I am Varanian, I am proud and ruthless
I am Varanian, I am proud and ruthless
I am Varanian, I am proud and ruthless

The Varanian Noblewoman in Latishe wanted to see, and wanted to enjoy Chia's pain, suffering and final surrender to obedience. Latishe licked her lips with delicious anticipation.

"No." Was Latishe's only word.

The Varanian Noblewoman fled to darkest recess of her heart and her face visibly softened. Conscious of her mistake, and unsure what to do next besides torturing Chia, Latishe looked pleadingly at Pylia and Maeve for guidance. Oh Brintha what have I done? Will they understand? Please give them a sign that I want their friendship. I want to change.

Pylia Ju'ein · Post by **Pylia Ju'ein** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:14 pm

Pylia watched with an arched brow as Latishe warred with herself. She opened her mouth to say something as the priestess loomed over Chia, then snapped her mouth shut. She knew that Latishe had to fight this battle on her own. As the noblewoman won her battle with herself Py nodded then gave Latishe a small encouraging smile.

The bard then looked between Maeve and Chia, her own distrust of the tiefling showing plainly on her features. Pylia squared her shoulders and fixed a friendly smile on her lips that did not quite reach her eyes. The things I do for the sake of my friends."Well Chia, that is what most of us bards would call a grand entrance." She flashed an impish grin at Latishe, then started laughing. "But for the sake of the vines and the drapes, next time...use the door."

Chia · Post by **Chia** » Fri May 25, 2007 12:31 am

Taking time to enjoy the solidity of the floor under her, she checked herself over for any immediately visible tears and cuts. Luckily, the leather once again proved to be quite a suitable material for her adventures.

Skin stretched and wrinkled unpleasantly on the damaged left side of her face as she scowled at the laughing bard.

"Hey, I was just trying to get back to my room, all right? Not my fault the cursed creepers gave up on me this time..."

A sulk entered, chasing the scowl away with a nudge before settling down on her face. For all the circumstances, she managed to retain the air of injured innocence put to most unfair test.

Glancing curiously at Latishe, towering in front of her, Chia tilted her head in a not so quiet study of the woman's features.

"You look like you just found out the last guy to buy you a drink helped himself to all your money, too, in the morning..."

Rheia Althia · Post by **Rheia Althia** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:12 am

Maeve sighed deeply, watching the two. She noticed the strange look on Latishe's face, a look of conflict and offered a supportive and kind smile. Her jade eyes then darted to Chia and she shook her head slightly, an amused look on her face.

"Now, Chia, no need to insult Latishe, as she was the one to pull you from your precarious position. You just gave us a start, that's all. It's not every day someone barrels through the window! You are lucky we didn't act quicker thinking you were someone else out to harm us" Maeve offered a smile to the tiefling.

Maeve sighed again, thinking of the other times she had acted as somewhat of a buffer between Chia and some others she knew. This one certainly liked to provoke those around her. Sometimes...sometimes...But I can't help liking that tiefling.

SnorriHT · Post by **SnorriHT** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:13 am

Latishe caught the encouraging look in Pylia's and Maeve's eyes. Latishe then began to smile, looked back at Pylia and Maeve and then began to giggle.

Then she looked at Chia and smiled with a mixture of joy an relief. "Oh Serendipity. At least you are female. Care to join us for Tea Lady Tiefling?" Latishe offered a hand to Chia with a theatrical flourish.

I think I'm learning to...give a little? Thought Latishe. Such a strange feeling! Is this why both Maeve and Pylia glow with natural feminimity? A penny suddenly dropped.

Rheia Althia · Post by **Rheia Althia** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:33 am

Maeve smiled, and chuckled looking to Chia studying the tiefling's face.

"Chia, this is Latishe. Latishe, this is Chia. Chia is a friend of mine as well."

Chia · Post by **Chia** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:52 am

Blinking between Latishe, Maeve, and Pylia, she swiveled and sat up, still examining the three festively dressed females.

"I wasn't offending her, you know? Just saying. She looked really... eh, never mind. Tea, huh?"

Her eyes moved to Pylia, and for a moment one could swear that her irises narrowed into two slits. A blink later, they regained the naturally rounded shape, and she shrugged.

"Hey, sure. I was going to go sleep, but this sounds so much more interesting!"

Her scar stretched unpleasantly, changing the wide grin blooming on her face into a macabre, quietly disturbing expression.

Pylia Ju'ein · Post by **Pylia Ju'ein** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:04 am

Pylia regarded Chia with a bland expression. When the tiefling looked at her with naked hostility, the bard shrugged, gave a saccharine sweet smile and then turned her gaze to the ring on her finger. Wonderful, tea with Chia. I wonder how long it is necessary for me to stay without appearing rude.

Then the bard's head lifted with pride, her posture becoming that of a queen as all the lessons on decorum her mother drilled into her head came to the fore. To hell with that, I was actually invited. With the grace elves are known for, she reached for the teapot and serenely poured a cup of tea. The picture she presented was perfect as she offered the cup to Chia, her enchanting smile in place. "One lump of sugar or two?"

Rheia Althia · Post by **Rheia Althia** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:11 am

A warm and honest smile slipped over Maeve's full lips as she looked to Pylia. Her features were calm and serene. She nodded her head slightly and winked, the smile on her lips one of support.

"Why don't you tell Chia the wonderful news Pylia."

She turned her gaze back to Chia and smiled again, hoping that things didn't blow up between the two. I feel so out of place here...I should be out killing something evil...or at the least drinking ale.

SnorriHT · Post by **SnorriHT** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:24 am

Latishe smiled thinly at the halfbreed. "Welcome Lady Chia. A most unusual entry." Latishe picked up another chair near the sideboard. Latishe, with senses well accustomed to identifying the silent signals of courtly tension, thought briefly about putting Chia's chair next to Pylia, but then checked herself. Be nice, Latishe. She thought. Now it is your turn to help. Instead she put Chia's chair between her own and Maeve's. "Please be seated, Lady Chia"

Chia · Post by **Chia** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:09 am

Chia's nose wrinkled, the expression magnified by the movement of the damaged skin of the wide burn.

"Um. I'm not too good at all this high society stuff. Can you just call me Chia? I sort of get the creeps with all this 'lady' stuff."

She glanced briefly at Maeve before refocusing back on Latishe.

"Hope that's all right?"

SnorriHT · Post by **SnorriHT** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:18 am

"That is fine...Chia." Latishe continued with a thin smile. "Please sit down, your tea is getting cold and Roggin's has promised to bring up hot scones, Jam and fresh cream soon."

"And don't worry Chia. This is new to me as well."

Latishe turned to Pylia and smiled expectantly. "So do tell us about the ring."

Chia · Post by **Chia** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:07 pm

The tiefling's face wrinkled in a deep frown. She hesitated, glancing toward the window.

"Um. He's not coming in in, is he? Erm..."

Tapping her fingers on the floor, she glanced at Pylia, then grinned broadly once more.

"I think I'll hang around a bit, thanks!"

Standing up, she glanced at the indicated chair, then turned toward Latishe.

"Oh, and thanks for pulling me in."