675-12-03 - Mosaics and News
| Mosaics and News | |||||||
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| Summary: A look into the life of a Ningo Family, and Barbeta brings news. | |||||||
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Standing at the entrance to one of the new rooms of the residence of the Patrician branch of Family Cornelia is the tall figure of Agostino, ruler of the Ningo. He seems to be studying the mosaic currently in-progress designed to cover much, though not all of the floor. Standing next to him is another tall man, though at least a decade younger. The younger man is three inches shorter then Agostino and resembles the older man too much to not be related.
The younger man isn't exactly the same as Agostino in appearance, his nose is narrower and finer, he has a bit of stubble fitting for a man in his late teens or early twenties. He is dressed in the crimson tunic of a soldier, after all he is part of the army still. Agostino however is dressed in the longer tunic and toga of the social elite. "They seem to be progressing in skill well after doing so many mosaics in the rest of the city so far Father." Agostino nods to the boy and says, "Another reason to have the this district worked on after the others. We have very old technology which is still central to the culture of the Old Empire, but after centuries lacking the resources our craftsmen have to gain the experience lost." Domitianus nods to his father silently as though absorbing the details.
"Please Husband, he isn't a boy any longer, let him think for himself." comes a motherly voice as Ambra walks over to kiss her husband's cheek, dressed in a traditional Ningo dress, with her sides and a bit of cleavage exposed. Domitianus nods to Ambra saying simply, "Mother." as Agostino reaches around Ambra to give her a light, though affectionate squeeze.
Barbeta was walking around the new city, trying to get to know people, streets and... everything what she could. After all, it will be her new home. At least for now. Plus, she was trying to find the best place for the promised Temple. It happens, that she gets out of a small house of new villager, who came here from the Kingdom of Two Rivers. She gives him a few words in goodbye and then turns to see the backs of her new family. She looks over the back of that boy, who is her age. The son of Agostino. She still can't understand him as her son too. But she will never acknowledge that loudly. She notices that affectionate interraction between her husband and his second wife too. The girl does not interrupt. She remains standing a bit away, behind their backs. There is Esther beside, of course. Barbeta is wearing a proper gown for her culture. She was in grieve of her brothers, younger sister, mother, but now she is in grieve of her older sister and father. So, black color is her color. Today's black gown fits closely to the body until the midhip and then widens gradually to the hem. The neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart, stressing out her young forms. The wide and posh silver necklace attracts the gaze to her chest even more. The black as a burned stump stone is inlaid in the middle of the necklace.
Agostino and the others are speaking the Ningo language of course, since coming to their lands, there hasn't been much cause to speak the Common language of Felaguria. Though Domitianus has been studying with Esther to learn the language as he's currently the heir and may one day have to speak with Felagurians diplomatically. A bit of a quiet boy who doesn't speak much, Domitianus remains by his father. Ambra is released after only a second or two, as it was more of an affectionate greeting. Ambra looks over the mosaic and says, "I still say you should have gone with a depiction of one of the Cornelias in here." Agostino looks to Ambra and says, "It is to be a bath, a depiction of sea life and Aquae will do well. If you keep going on about it, I'll have the depiction of Aquae be based on Barbeta." in a teasing way, obviously trying toi give her a hard time, maybe make her a bit jealous to. She simply pouts in a way that would make most men give in, Agostino seems immune to it however.
"Look at them," Barbeta whispers to her handmaiden quietly, "Having fun, enjoying themselves. A real family, don't you think?" Esther shakes her head a bit, "Your Highness, you are their family too..." Barbeta shakes her head a bit and wraps her arm around Esther's, leaning even more closer to whisper again, "No. They will never be my real family. Do you think, that 17 summers girl can be mother to 20 years old man?" Esther nods, "Your Highness, not age shows the wisdom, believe me." "You are the only real family I have, Esther. You and the children to whom I will give birth. Woman is nothing without her children. Husbands can come, and go. They play in battles, die often. Children help us to make our positions stable." Esther offers a brief smile, "You are right, your highness, and you honor me, calling your family." Esther moves her hand around Barbie's waist to offer the girl a tight hug, "I will always be beside you, my princess." And then they break the hug, Barbie's eyes wander to her husband's back again. However, she continues just watching.
"Father, I believe your model can hear you." comes from Domitianus as he looks back to Barbeta and Esther, offering both a respectful nod saying, "Translator Esther. Mother." in a respectful tone. Agostino turns about and smiles saying, "I suppose I should stop letting my guard down around the home then." chuckling softly, "Your training as a solder is serving you well my son." as he walks over to wrap his arms around Barbeta in an affectionate hug of the same type given to Ambra, only from the front instead of the side.
There will be a tiny flinch in the corners of Barbie's eyes, when the man calls her a mother. However, she keeps standing straight, still, proud and offers him with Ambra polite, even warm smile. Then Agostino comes closer and offers that hugs. Tiny princess has to tiptoe a bit, just to give a proper hug to that huge husband of hers, "Good day. This place is wonderful," she says, moving away a bit, "I looked around, I like the place of the tample. I hope, it won't be obvious, that it is a temple. Not from outside, at least."
Agostino gives the same light, affectionate squeeze before releasing Barbie and says, "It has been handled. The outside will look like one of our temples. The Ningo will know our gods are not within and will go to the proper temples to the Old Gods. Felagurians wouldn't enter as they'd assume its to our gods. Only those of the Felagurians who share your gods will know about it, inside it will match the traditions of the Two River's old faith."
"Thank you, my husband," Barbeta tells, looking at the biggest building in the city - palace. The smile grows in her features a little bit bigger, "I hope, that my room will have a huge window through which I will be able to see whole city!" She peeks at Esther, who stays a little bit behind, still not used to all the attention and respect from royals. She still sees Agostino and his fmaily as royals. Handmaidens are not so dearly respected and noticed in Two Rivers, after all. "Also, I wanted to inform you, that I will be leaving soon." Barbeta tells firmly.
Agostino looks concerned and asks, "Why are you leaving? You have proven your survival skills, but it is still dangerous outside the walls." Even Ambra and Domitianus appear genuinely concerned.
Barbeta rolls her eyes a bit playfully, "I was not able to take /all/ my things at once. Some things of a great importance to me were left at the castle, hidden in my room. Also, I need to speak with some people, who share my faith. I need to give them a secret message in person. That they would share a knowledge of our new Temple with other people. Also, I want to inform my King in person, that..." Barbetta takes a little bit deeper inhale, "That in some month, he will be a grandfather." She looks over the trio curiously.
Agostino says, "Of course, I can have Domitianus go with you as an escort if you wish..." then he trails off as the last comment seems to sink in. Ambra giggles and says, "Seems you are too fertile my Husband." in a playful tease. Domitianus simply gives a respectful nod as Agostino laughs loudly in excitement and picks up Barbeta like a child and spins her about before bringing her to his chest, and hugging her legs so she won't fall. No doubt the tallest Barbeta has ever been. "That is great news." he seems very happy, but given how the Ningo regard children is it really a surprise?
"Yes, he can come. It would be great for Domitianus to see Two River, meet other people. After all, he is learning the language of Felaguria. Plus, shouldn't we find him a wife? There are many important ladies in Two Rivers. Or maybe he even meet someone important in another Kingdom. This way you could get more alliances. That I can do for you easily." She explains, when suddenly unexpected joy comes. The man already has so many chidlren, that Barbie was not expecting to see him so happy. Though, his joy makes the girl chuckle and smile as briadly, as she didn't smile since the day she left her home. Barbie even will lean, when she is raised up, to give Agostino a prolong passionate kiss, if allowed.
Agostino returns the kiss with equal passion and lust, seems having children is also a turn-on for the Ningo. Ambra smiles broadly and says, "Congratulations Barbeta." she actually seems genuinely happy, though Ningo culture does seem to be that Barbeta's child are Ambra's as well. Though the children do seem to go to their birth mother more then the others when they have problems, though non-birth mothers will sometimes still be asked for things as Aeliana, Agostino's youngest daughter once asked Barbeta a question about boys as she seemed to have found one she thoughts was cute. Once the kiss is finally broken Agostino lowers Barbeta to the floor and says, "I have been considering women from the other kingdoms for alliance purposes. Perhaps for my youngest brother as well as he's past time to marry as well." Domitianus says, "Such discussions are premature until we actually find suitable candidates Father." he then walks over, and attempts to kiss Barbeta's cheek saying, "Congratulations Mother." in what passes for a happy tone for the serious young man.
Barbeta will clasp her hands around Domitianus, when the man will come closer, "Thank you," she says, before withdrawing from the man and adding, "Don't worry, I promise, that the lady you will get will be the most pretty lady in all four kingdoms!" She winks and turns to Agostino, "Definitely. We can find a partner for your brother too..." Just then she looks at Ambra, "Thank you too. I am curious... Do you have good midwife in here or I should bring the one from my own Kingdom? Actually, I would prefer if one from my Kingdom could be there."
Ambra says, "We have the best available, most of the children lost to use are from complications or when they are older. With luck Unitas and access to new resources will help with that as we aren't in the tundra anymore and have walls." They never had walls around their settlements before? Agostino nods and says, "bring a mid-wife if you wish, we can have one from each, they might even learn from each other a bit." Domitianus seems surprised by the touch from Barbeta, but he doesn't resist it. He simply nods when she pulls away.
"Very well," Barbeta nods, "Then I should move to prepare myself for a journey. I would like to leave tomorrow, if that is alright," she smiles and then moves closer to Esther, "See you later," she tells, slowly starting to move further.
