675-11-08 - Court of Cookies

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Court of Cookies
Summary: People meet in the Court of Cookies.
Who: Barbeta Brais, Luanda Brais, Ralph Fennim and Emalee Gluton.
References: None
When: 675-11-08
Related Logs: NOne
Date of RP: 2014-11-08
Where: Court of Cookies
Room Desc: Known locally for its past life as Woodwatch's best brothel, the well-constructed two-story wooden structure has begun life anew yet again. The current reincarnation is as a nobility themed family bakery and gathering place. The former inn's main room features a vaulted ceiling supported by thick timbers. Four banners hang suspended from the timbers, each expertly embroidered with a different object of the harvest: a head of wheat, a farmer's sickle, a grinding stone, and finally a baking paddle. Long wooden tables sit below the banners, allowing patrons to casually converse and eat their purchases, giving the feel of being in a lord's great room.

The air is thick with the hunger inducing, saliva stimulating smells of baking bread and pastries. A long counter smartly displays the various finer baked goods available for purchase including gingerbread, biscuits, fruitcakes, pies, custards, tarts, crisps, and fritters, each atop a small copper cake stand. Across the room, shelves of more commonly purchased foods sit on display with half pound table loaves stacked tightly together in triangles, while trechers stand in columns for purchase in quantity. A large wooden barrel sits in the center between the displays. Utilizing a false bottom, the barrel appears to be overflowing with buns stacked high in a pyramid. A cloth girdle around the barrel declares "Our Infamous Bare Buns". While the buns are supposed to be 'bare' the scent of sweet honey is strong when approached.

In keeping with the nobility theme, tapestries hang from the walls, providing colorful coverings of commoners working the harvest or preparing baked goods. Often a local musician occupies a corner, plying the strings of a harp or lute during the busiest hours. A wooden bullet board hangs from one wall, posting various public notices. One parchment states in block letters: "Court of Cookies - Rules - 1. Be respectful. 2. Only touch what you will eat. 3. No stealing. If you are starving just ask."


Its morning at the Court of Cookies, the busiest time of the day. After all who likes eating half dady old bread? The air is an intoxicating concoction of smells, baked goods mingling with ladies perfumes, and the body odors of young, vigorous men. Waitstaff rush back and forth, all dressed to look like nobility even though they are nothing more than common waifs. The Court of Cookies is a themed business, one designed to pay homage to the realm's royalty though see such 'affection' as insolence.

In charge of this whole affair is the self-proclaimed Dutchess of Dough 'Princess' Emalee. The young woman, an old girl really, still stuck in the akwardness of adolescence runs around, doing just about every task that falls short. She fills drinks, brings orders, takes orders, leads customers to their table, she doesn't stop moving. She's dressed as one might expect of a princess though her fabrics look fairly inexpensive. It's just a costume really, a far cry from what a lady of such station might actually wear. But its the look is all that matters. Atop her head is a sliver crown which is the most expensive part of her entire wardrobe and appears to have been something of importance at one time though there are only empty socket where jewels were once inlaid. The crown is just a shell of its former self, sitting atop the head of a girl who manages to hold Court over a Kingdom contained within four walls. She hustles about, stopping from time to time to adjust her crown. She spots the paid entering, the young woman and the girl and buzzes right over. "Good morning m'ladies." She gives a little curtsy. She's never seen these two before. New customers! She turns on the charm with a big warm smile. "I'm the Dutchess of Dough. Would you like me to show you to your dias?" She gestures to a wooden picnic-esque table with a red cloth over it. Not much for a seat of power. It's an attempt at least. "Or are you just here to peruse?" She gestures to the counter with the baked goods. Some people just buy and run, not interested in taking the time to sit down and eat.

The guard in colors of House of Brais opens the door of the Court of Cookies. He bows deeply in order to let the young princess Barbeta Brais inside. She walks in slowly, keeping all these graceful manners of her mother. People were whispering that the young princess becomes more and more similar to her mother with each year.

Her hair color of the darkest night are tied into a neat bun, letting just a few curls tickle her wonderful little nose. These two curls give her some mischief and playfulness, while dark eyes are wandering speechlessly from one person to another, from one cookies to another.

Even more elegance to this young beauty, gives the neckline made out of black silk decorated with the expensive posh glinting stone in the middle. The black color just stresses out that radiating soft and flawless pale skin. The young woman's shoulders are bared, covered with the lucid silken scarf color of silver, like all these decorative small flowers on her head.

Barbie is squashed into a black corset today, which just emphasises her young womanly curves and slim waist. Though, the long skirt of her black gown is just a thorough creation of tiny pieces of the fabric. It creates the view, that the skirt is incrdibly wide and it sways in the wind making Barbie to look like a soaring ghost. Moreover, her arms till the albows are hidden in elegant black gloves made out of really soft fabric.

The young princess if followed by two guards and Esther, her faithful handmaiden.

Barbie turns to look at the young girl, who is, likely, speaking with her. The princess listens for that funny looking "princess", though she does not smile back, just looks up at these cookies near the counter. She ponders for now, freezed somewhere in the middle of the room.

And then the door opens again. One guard this time, dressed in the royal livery, and a young woman enters. She is perhaps a year or so older than the other girl, dressed in regal simplicity. The cloak about her lithe frame is lovely and warm, but not extravagant. Her hair is lightly pinned, with most of it tumbling down her back. She looks at the Duchess with raised eyebrows, her expression thoughtful, pleasant.

"My dais?" Her lips twitch. "That would be welcome. And my retinue." She turns to look at Barbeta. "Sister. I thought that was you I saw. Good morning."

Princess Emalee looks at the pair, studying their clothes. They had guards and a handmaiden. Obiviously they were important. She just smiles to the group and leads them over to the 'dias', allowing them to seat themselves before she gestures for a waitstaff to bring over some pewter cups. She fills them with water sanitized with a touch of alcohol. "What would you like today, m'ladies," she asks, respectfully. Usually she pretends to be a Princess and more authorative but sensing these sisters were high class, she didn't want to 'overwhelm' them with being 'in character'. "Fresh bare buns? They are our most popular item." She pauses and colors a little. The commoners loved the name. But . . . she now regrets even mentioning it.

Barbie flinches slightly, hearing the voice of her sister. That voice wakes up the girl from all these deep deep thoughts, "Oh, sister. It's you..." She drawls offering polite nod, "Haven't see you for awhile. Though, we both were kind of busy with our own matters, right?.."

The young woman looks back at the cookies then and that "princess", "Cute dress," she comments.

Then princess will wait till her sister will settle with the lead of Emalee. Though, Barbeta herself won't take a seat. Instead, she will ask for the young girl, "Can you pack some of your best stuff? Sweet stuff? I want to make a gift for my husband. Do you have some kind of very very special cookies?"

The door to the court of cookies opens, and yet another customer enters. A man in his mid-thirties, with dark hair and a beard, his dark-brown eyes matching the sombreness of his clothing as he wears black. His bearing is that of nobility however, and noticing the two princesses he will step closer and greet them first.

"Princess Luanda. Princess Barbeta. A pleasure, albeit an unexpected one." They both know him, of course. It's Lord Ralph Fennim, a man who has been often sent on diplomatic missions by the king. A smile is offered, as well as a polite bow. Then the Fenni will turn his attention on Emalee. "Mistress." As the other two princesses may still have business with the young woman, Ralph will be content to wait until it is his turn.

Luanda's handmaiden pulls out a chair at the table, while Luanda nods her head to Ralph. "Lord Fenim. Unexpected pleasures are often the best. I like to savor them. Good morning. She blinks at Emalee and then turns to look at Barbeta. "Our duties call us different ways. Still. I am glad to see you. Would you join me? And you, Lord Fenim?" She then offers Emalee a soft smile. "I have never tasted the delicacies of your..... fair abode. Your realm?" Her lips twitch. "I would have a feast set. A royal feast, if you would. Of your finest goods."

Emalee turns to Barbeta, her jaw slacking as Ralph fills in the important information she was not aware of. Princess?! She looks almost afraid now of how to adress the two. She reaches up and takes the crown off her head to not offend them any further. Some of the nobles who come through, even the minor ones, get pretty prissy about stuff like pretending to be someone she's not. "I-I umm, yes your majesty . . . ies. M-my most special cookie I have on hand today are gingerbread. I can get some for you right now if you like." She looks exceptionally nervous now. When Launda asks for a royal feast, Emalee's face drains of color. "I'll see what I can do, your highness." She turns and walks away looking like she has see a ghost. Several minutes pass and the waitstaff start bringing out trays with the best the Court has to offer like pies and tarts. The all female staff looks nervous and no one is pretending to be in character now. Slowly patrons start to exit the business, the crowd slowly dwindling down more and more, the noisy space becoming quieter and more regal.

Barbeta Brais offers a polite nod to Ralph, "My lord, I hope your day is well..."

Then she turns to her sister and shakes her head, "The time will show, whose ways are more useful and the time calls me once again. Forgive me, but I do not have time to enjoy cookies right now..."

The Princess will offer polite and barely seen bows of her head to Ralph and Luanda, before moving after Emalee, "Please, be quick and pack me these gingerbreads. Pack them nicely."

After Emalee will fill the order of the younger princess of Brais, Barbie will pay her, take the gift and leave.

"Certainly, Princess Luanda," Ralph replies in a friendly tone, his gaze drifting towards Emalee next, and he looks at the crown she wears, his brows furrowing ever so slightly. "Ah... I understand...", he remarks after a moment with a soft chuckle. "The Court Of Cookies. And you are.... the queen?" He will study the sweet delicacies with curiosity when they are brought out. After all he came here on a business as well. A brow is raised when he notices Barbeta's hurry. "Are you already leaving? And these are for the way to your new home?", he muses, likely more to himself.

"There's no need to fear." Luanda waves over to Emalee. "Please. If we are to have a feast, then who will be the guests? And...." She pauses. "So I...." She looks at her handmaid and smiles, whispering in her ear. "So. If you would send one of your handmaids into the town, my cookie mistress.... and collect the children.... and let them know that there is a feast for them...." She smiles. "I will see you are paid for it. But of course.... Lord Fenim... if you have other business I will have to have the pleasure of your company some other day..."

Luanda regards her departing sister and shakes her head, then waves after her.

"You are too kind, your highness," Ralph replies with a light incline of his head. "I have however not mentioned I had any business elsewhere. In fact, I am here on a business matter of some kind..." His dark eyes drift towards Emalee and he smiles. "Sweet delicacies... I wanted to get some for my children." His smile intensifies, even if there is a slight flicker in his eyes. It is a known fact that this Fennim is a man twice widowed as well as unmarried at the moment.

Emalee would love to be a queen but her royal blood only extends as far as her fingertips. She comes bearing some fresh fruit cakes, setting them down in front of Launda and Ralph once Barbeta is on her way with the carefully packaged gingerbread. Emalee took the time she was in the back to change out of her princess gown into her regular commoner clothes. The other waitstaff slowly change as well so its not an abrupt transition. Eventually the last of the patrons leaves, turning the hall into a space for the Princess and Lord and their entourage. "Yes your highness," Emalee intones softly. She turns to her staff and whispers to them gently. Several of the most energetic girls leave quickly. It takes about ten minutes or so before children start to filter in, one by one, most red faced from running all the way. They climb up on top of the chairs. Most look pretty gaunt and hungry. The waitstaff brings them fresh hot bread to fill them up on something decent before bringing them cookies. Within half an hour the space is abuzz with youthful voices and faces of angels. They don't seem to fearful of the nobles and several go up to give Launda a hug from behind. Someone told them the nice lady was providing the meal.

There are tears, quickly hidden, and then a very gentle smile. Luanda shakes her head and motions to Ralph. "Please then, sit with me? And.... perhaps we should have this...." She pauses, drawing a painfully thin child into her lap. "Cookie Mistress join us." She looks at the boy on her knee and wraps a corner of her cloak around him. "A feast for the children. Oh. It *is* good."

"But, in fact," Ralph remarks pointing at some smaller sweet fruit pastries he has glimpsed. "Could you... put three o'those in a small box?" The question is aimed at Emalee obviously. His attention returns to Luanda, and whether or not he notices those tears remains a mystery. "You honour me, your highness. I would very much like to." His dark gaze shifts from Luanda to the child in her lap. "You have a generous heart. A rare quality. am sure your cookie mistress here will be most grateful - as will the other children, I am sure!"

"Alas. I have some hungry children waiting at home," the Fennim continues with a wink. "They will be wroth at me if I tarry. Forgive me, but I fear I can't accept your invitation." Hungry children at the castle? He is jesting indeed!

The dough dutchess returns with three pastries for the Lord already packaged for his return. "Here you are m'lord," she says softly. As the princess asks her to sit she bows her head and starts to until one of the waitstaff runs over and grabs her by the sleeve. "Ema, we need more hands in the kitchen. We're out of cookies!" Ema smiles and then gracefully departs with a humble 'excuse me', happy to escape the judging eyes of nobility.

Ralph takes the pastries with a pleased smile, and he gets out his purse to pay Emalee. Even if he resides in the castle, he prefers to pay at once. "There you are, Queen of the Court of Cookies." he smiles. "If these are to my children's liking - which I do not doubt - you will see me here again soon." A bow is offered to Luanda. "Give us the honour of coming to Woodwatch Keep, if you like. The Duke would be most pleased to see you, I am sure, as would be the duchess - your cousin. But for now, I would not wish your feast for the children, your highness. Have a nice day." And there the Fennim goes, the box with the pastries held under his arm.