675-05-28 - The Gift of Female Company

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The Gift of Female Company
Summary: Madame Edris encounters members of the Golden Lion delegation on the castle grounds and engages in a pleasant conversation, giving some hints to her past.
Who: Edris Alachri, Nadhir Imamu, Najla Eniola and Zuhur Nuru; featuring a rather unobtrusive appearance by Bertram
References: {{{Refs}}}
When: May 28th, 675, early afternoon
Related Logs: None, really.
Date of RP: 28/05/2014
Where: Gardens - Royal Guest House, Isle of the Crown
Room Desc: The cobbled path ends before a large multi-storied house, it's gardens spread out around it. Before the house, there is a marble fountain sculpted into the shape of a nude woman seeming to stand upon the water in the base. It is said that it is the image of Onimora herself from the day she rose from the ocean. Whomever crafted this fountain, could not have done a better job in capturing the utter beauty in features or form. Water spurts up to fall around her, dripping over her body and into the basin beneath. The sides of the basin beneath the fountain make for a nice place to sit, though if one wishes to stay dry, there are other benches set out amongst the various trees that are found within the garden. Many are old, with branches that reach towards the sky. And yet the native trees are not the only ones here, but other fruiting trees have been planted as well from citrus to plums and pomegranate. The fruit is often plucked and brought to guests that stay here in the house. The house itself is surprisingly large, it's front doors flanked by guards in red and gold. To each side, small lemon trees are planted near the windows to help keep privacy of the rooms within. The windows are curved, including those upon the higher stories, each one decorated with a stained glass insert of a lily, the symbol of House Onimoria, lest anyone forget who's hospitality they partake.


The gardens on the castle grounds are tranquil as usual on this early afternoon, as only a few have had leisure enough to stay here for a while, with most of the servants having been busy first with packing, then some with unpacking, because of the great question whether the Two Rivers delegation would stay or leave. However, the weather couldn't be more pleasant. The sky is blue, with only a few clouds drifting here and there, the rays of the sun already offer warmth beyond what spring promises, as summer is almost there.

A summer that may be reflected in the dress of Mistress Edris Alachri, as it boasts in colours of yellow and orange. The woman enters from the direction of the gates, with noone to accompany her but a man that appears to be too handsome to be a sellsword, and to muscular and sinewy to be one of those in her employ at the Night's Dream. Her fiery red hair is worn in a modest braid a the back of her head, and she walks indeed with a certain grace, her movements fluid like that of a dancer.

When the statue of Onimoria catches Edris' eye and she strolls closer, to claim one of the benches for a moment of contemplation, her guard retreating beneath a shadow of a tree close by.

And the Golden Lion delegation has been here longer than usual, since the question of themarriage has come up, and whether the treaties will hold. And so it is that Shaykh Nadhir is walking in the gardens, marvelling still at the luxury of flowers and fruit, where water flows freely.

Edris' head turns when she hears a sound of the steps, and tilting her head she will probably notice the man of the Golden Lion delegation as he is walking the gardens. Her lips at once curling into a smile she will raise her voice for an unobtrusive greeting. "Good afternoon." Followed by a light incline of her head. She may already be past thirty, yet Madame Alchri is still a woman of good looks, the dress she is wearing of modest cut, despite the flashiness of the colour.

Nadhir looks over, and then gives a nod to the brigthly-clothed woman. "And to you," he says in flawless Common, though with a Leonine accent. "It is good to..." He trails off, and he looks curious. "Please forgive me, but you remind me of a lovely lady I have met before. May I know your name?"

The grey-green eyes of the madame may narrow just the tinyest bit at the question of the Golden Lion man, trying to place him, obviously. Before they regain their amiable sparkle and she giggles, in a rather elegant way. Covering her mouth with the slender fingers of her hand. "I am Edris Alachri, my lord." Certainly she can sense his noble bearing. "Oh wait... you must be Shayk Nadhir Imamu." Her face twisting into a smile now, as she rises and offers a curtsey to Nadhir. "Mayhaps... our paths have crossed once. Some time ago." This remarked, more as an afterthought.

Nadhir nods. "I saw you with my cousin. Over six years ago...but the red hair, the green eyes. I had not seen it before," he remarks. "Madame Alachri, I hope that time has been good to you."

Escaping the guest house, Najla steps out into the garden with her bevy of handmaidens and a house guard. Talking with one of the young ladies with her, the Enoilian can be heard to laugh as they walk the garden path. When voices are heard, eyes lift to peer before, spying then the redheaded woman speaking with Shaykh Nadhir.

"Oh, I remember..." Edris remarks, lowering her gaze, while that amiable smile changes a bit and turns into a thoughtful one. "You cousin. Rasil Imamu." And there, a brief shadow falls over her features. "A kind man he was. I am sorry our ways parted the way they did. But even moreso did the news of his death grieve me, Shayk Nadhir." Grey-green eyes shift to Najla as she emerges from the guest house, and still standing as she is, Edris will offer another curtsey. The man watching over her from below the shadow of a tree, however, will not.

Nadhir nods. "Thank you. The loss is...old. To be borne and remembered, and grieved, but not to lose myself to." Unguarded, without a companion of his own, this makes it five instead of six in the gardens, and when he sees Najla, he smiles warmly. "Najla! The day is good for you so far?"

Najla is quick to offer a curtsey to the Shaykh before dipping her head in a polite nod towards the redheaded woman unknown to her. "Good day." Turning to Nadhir, the young woman smiles warmly then, "It is quite nice, though I had enough of staying inside. I think I will miss the green whenever we head back home to Golden Lion."

"The loss may be old. That will not make me want to miss his acquaintance, Shaykh.", Edris replies lowering her gaze, before it jumps back up to follow the exchange between Najla and Nadhir. "You are about to leave then as well?", the redhead inquires with a curious smile. "But not too soon, my lady?" She doesn't know Najla either. And as if remembering that fact she'll introduce herself with an amiable smile. "I am Edris Alachri. I have had the...pleasure of visiting your kingdom in the past, my lady."

"We will be staying some time longer, at least two weeks. Madame Alachri, may I make known Lady Najla Eniola?" He gives a warm smile, and a half-bow. "But whenever we go, we will miss the rain, the flowers, the fruit...much of this land."

Najla smiles as introductions are made, "A pleasure to meet you, Madame Alachri." Cheerful is the young lady who's gaze lingers upon the older redhead. "It's more than any oasis back home... " A yipping bark is soon heard, and from out of the guesthouse a small canine looking animal comes hurrying along. Seems someone woke up and discovered his mistress was gone and came looking! And yet when close, it is not a dog, but a small sand fox that moves to Najla's feet to be picked up in her arm, "I am right here, Rafee." Words spoken in native language along with a scritching behind the ears calms the fox.

"I am glad to hear that. Two more weeks!" Edris smiles, and her hands clasp before her. "You may think us fools that we sometimes wish we had that much sun and dry air as you have in your lands," she counters smoothly. "The rain may have benefit for the growth of plants, it forces us to stay inside however." And there she glances towards Nadhir, and the hint of a wink is given. Najla's greeting is met with a pleased smile, and the appearance of the sand fox elicits a delighted outcry from the fiery haired woman. "Oh... is that yours? What an adorable little fellow, that one."

"I have also heard it said, 'In flood, the heart longs for dry land,'" Nadhir says. "We all wish other than what we have...unless perfectly content, and I have never seen anyone perfectly content." His blue eyes flash as he smiles to Najla, "Though some times closer than others."

"I believe it only natural for us to wish for things we do not have great abundance of, be it changes in weather, or even wealth." Najla offers before the fox arrives to be scooped up in her arms. With Nadhir's words, that look and smile is exchanged, a pretty flush to touch her cheeks then, "Much closer.." She agrees before turning to Edris, "This is Rafee, my companion. He is one of the sand foxes from near my own home within the lands of Enoila. I found him several years ago caught in a trap. "

Madame Edris can be very perceptive, and so she notices that reaction of the Eniola lady to her remark, and Nadhir's reply. She'll smile when Najla introduces her to the fox, and she inclines her head to the animal. "Pleased to meet you, Rafee." Her gaze shifts to Najla. "So you saved him? That proves you to have a gentle and a generous heart." Which indeed is meant as a compliment.

Before much could be said, a man wearing the colors of Imamu arrives, and Nadhir makes his excuses to the ladies to step aside and speak with him, leaving Najla alone for the most part, with Edris. Watching the young Shaykh move away, Najla turns back, smiling. "I enjoy animals, and they seem to be happy with me." The words draw further color to her cheeks, her embarrassment to cause the tiny fox in her arms to turn and lick at her cheek with a churr of happiness at the scritching.

Her grey-green eyes follow Nadhir as he moves to the side to speak with his man, but soon Edris' attention shifts back to Najla. "I have... contemplated acquiring some sort of animal,... a cat perhaps," the redhead muses, "Yet at the moment I am without." A faint shadow falls over her mien there, like a temporary veil that muffles her cheerful smile, that is soon gone as swiftly as it came, when Najla's blush is noticed and met with a warm smile. "You can consider yourself fortunate then, my lady. To be liked is a gift, it often is not limited to either animals or humans, but actually encompasses both."

With Nadhir having stepped aside, Najla and her handmaidens and a guard, remain standing upon the path to speak with Edris. In the young Enoilan's arms is the small sand fox that is her usual companion. "Felines are nice, depending on the feline, I guess." She laughs softly, the sound husky and sweet as the smile that is soon shared with the redheaded woman, "From your mouth to the ears of the god's, Madame." There's an inherit grace within the young woman, seen in the way she moves, "I have been tempted by the monkies, though I do not think they would do so well back home, much like the plants found here, even as much as I would dearly love to bring back some of the fruit trees."

Zuhur exits the guest house her guard in toe, hand maidens at her side whom whisper amongst themselves. She moves into the gardens and she looks around slightly - she sighs softly and nods her head to them as she walks amongst the gardens

Edris smiles and nods. "I'd prefer felines, in a way, as I feel their temper fits mine own too well. But nooo, definitely no monkeys. They would ruin my place, those undisciplined scoundrels." She chuckles softly, and then her gaze comes to rest upon Zuhur. Edris may have seen her already now and then, and so she lowers herself into another curtsey, in silence this time.

There's a whisper from behind Najla, likely that of her handmaiden who has noticed the Princess' arrival. As Edris curtsey, she turns to offer the same, "Young Majesty." Head bowed and eyes downcast for a moment before she might rise once proper to do so. "All is well?"

Zuhur nods her head softly to Najla though she seems a little worried about something. "All is as expected, thank you" she loks to Najla and she smiles faintly "Are you staying or shall you be coming home when our ship is to sail back?" she wonders

As she is aware of certain rules of etiquette, Edris will remain silent when she straightens from her curtsey, smiling as she listens to the exchange between the two females of the Golden Lion, yet clever enough to remember her place.

Najla blinks, then looks to the princess, noting the worry spied there. No doubt, if alone, she might seek to find out what troubles the princess, but for now, she answers, "Whenever House Imamu heads back, House Enoila will as well, as we traveled upon the same ships together here." A pause, and she adds, "Shaykh Nadhir mentioned a few more weeks, I believe?" And then, with Edris being so quick, she takes it upon herself to make introductions, "Emirzade Zuhur Nuru, Madame Edris Alachri." She glances to Edris, and offers quietly, "Princess of House Nuru of the Kingdom of the Golden Lion."

When Najla introduces the Golden Lion Royal, Edris will lower herself into a deep curtsey. "I am... honoured to make your acquaintance, Your Highness.", she offers in greeting. Perhaps wondering if the noble lady and the royal are indeed aware of who they are conversing with.

Zuhur looks to Edris and she seems unaware of who she is, her eyes are on the noble who traveled with her and she nods "perhaps for you, yes. I am awaiting reply from my brother, I may need to stay."

It would seem that both young ladies are sadly lacking in the knowledge of whom Edris is exactly! Oh, the gossip that could come from this, right? Najla blinks, then peers towards Zuhur for a moment, then wonders lightly, "A negotiation, perhaps?" For her hand, is hinted at, maybe.

Zuhur nods her head to the woman's inquiry "yes ... I spoke to Nadhir, it seems there must be a marriage ... if not me.. one of our nobles. Tell me." she calls Najla over "have you found a suitor here worthy of you?" she wonders as she looks to her handmaiden "fetch us some fruits please."

The address of 'Madame' might already be telling enough. Without being asked to do so, Edris will not give the information however, as she seems to enjoy herself just fine at the moment. A sympathetic sigh leaves her lips when the two women engage in talks about negotiations of matches. But then she smiles once again. "It seems to be the bane of those of higher rank..." Her voice trails off, as Edris seems to be content for a moment to just watch and listen to the conversation between the lady and the Princess.

With fruit requested, a seating area is soon found nearby, Najla offering the first seat upon a bench to the princess. When asked, she blushes a little, "Father is in negotiation with Shaykh Nadhir and a match between he and I..." The comment is made quietly before her gaze once more turns to Zuhur, "Enquires were started before we came here." To Edris, she nods quietly, "Not only for those of higher rank. Women, be they of noble birth or common, are always the ones to be bartered in marriage."

Zuhur blinks slowly to Najla and her eyes move over the woman carefully she nods her head as she moves a dark hand over her lap. She looks to the lady they sit with "Madame?" The princess says softly "what is your profession?" she asks as she seems to think only nobles get bartered.

Edris will so far not show any inclination to join them on the bench. "True," she replies to Najla. "Yet I am indeed spared from such a fate." Then turning towards Zuhur as the Princess asks for a more specific explanation. "I am Madame Edris, in charge of the Night's Dream.", the redhead admits with a soft chuckle. "It is a place that offers diversion and entertainment,...to those who have uncouth needs." Men, mostly. "It is a place with a high standard, however.." That seems important enough to be stressed. "And it brings about enough coin to buy me an elegant attire as this." And there she beams, showing off her dress in yellow and orange, elegantly cut and made of costly fabrics.

Najla watches Zuhur, once more to study the princess' reaction to her words. Questions might well be there to ask, and yet she holds off, turning instead to Edris who answers the question put forth to her. Learning of the woman's profession brings a bloom of rose to further color her cheeks, "Oh." She fidgets briefly before clearing her throat, "Such places are... common here.. on the Isles.. are they not?" She's heard the rumors, at least!

Zuhur flushes as well though she nods her head to the woman, she sidetracts herself with the fruit as it arrives but the Princess, is not chatting much anymore as she listens

"Common, aye, but quite diverse in what degree of comfort and diversion they offer," Edris replies with a wink. "The Night's Dream is at the village of Steelea, it is where the tourney grounds are, quite close actually to where you witnessed the Knight's Tourney." She pauses, pondering for a moment on whether to offer some more insights into her trade. But then she shrugs, and casts the man beneath the shadow of the tree who watches over her a glance.

When Zuhur quiets, busying herself with the fruit brought out for them, Najla turns to Edris, listening as she speaks of her place. Even while blushng, she murmurs, "I see. And... you said you visited Golden Lion before? " With Rafee the fox in her arms, she settles within a chair, the fox soon to curl up in her lap to doze, though ears flick back and forth in a way that suggests he's listening to things around them in the garden.

Zuhur lightly subtly draws her hand across her belly and the princess looks sad as she listens .. far removed from communication she eats the fruits her handmaidens provide, one even kneels to take her feet and clean them. There is soil on the Princess's toes - she can not help running around here without shoes.

"Aye." Edris replies to Najla, with some emphasis. "I... got there by coincidence rather, not by my own design. A gift, that was offered to an emissary of your lands." A faint smile at the memory. "It happened some years ago, my lady. I've had many benefits from this journey." Her mouth twists into that diplomatic smile. She'll glance towards Zuhur, and relaxes, noticing the princess isn't very much interested in her story anyway.

Najla listens, showing further curiosity to some degree as the story comes about. "A gift.." Such thoughts in her head then, though she glances to Zuhur again, brows slightly furrowed upon her face. Leaning in closer, her voice drops to whisper to the princess, concern worn upon her face.

Zuhur shakes her head a little to Najla and she stands, her fingers touch the lady's shoulder as she whispers back and she gravely moves back to the guesthouse.

The whispering does not go unnoticed. And assuming the princess and the lady may wish to be amongst themselves, Edris will offer both a smile. "I must be off. Your Highness, my lady, it has been a pleasure. A good day to you." She lowers herself into a curtsey, and turns to leave for the path that leads back towards the city of Deavel, that man stepping out from the shadow of the tree and soon falling in behind her.

Najla nods towards Edris, and says simply, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Madame." And oddly, she seems to mean it. If nothing else, she's met some interesting people while here on the Isles! But still, she turns back to the Princess, to step forwards, "Please, young majesty.." She seems concerned and worried about the princess.