Rhia
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Posts: 16 
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Post by Rhia on May 12, 2019 3:10:55 GMT
It was strange, adjusting to a new city, especially one as big as Waterdeep. To not have any idea of who I was looking at, who they were, or what they'd been through during the city siege and rebuild? It was both a blessing and a curse. I walked the streets of the North Ward, familiarizing myself with the new district. My provisions had already successfully been shipped, brought to the villa, and unpacked by the home's main, albeit only, steward - Rothhall - who had done a wonderful job in preparing the home for my arrival. It was a smaller villa, and in slight disrepair, but nothing that a little bit of work couldn't fix. Soon it would be a point of pride yet again for the Gladelight Estate. I had plans to hire more people into the household, to help with its upkeep and care so I could focus on the stables. But before I did that? I wanted to unwind, walk the city, and fill the pantry with baking supplies. Tea just went so well with scones, it would be a shame to bake anything other than scones first in the kitchen. I wore a knee length tunic with leggings underneath, high soft leather boots, and a simple cinch around my waist to hang my coin pouch from. They were in teal and brown of course, though the sleeves darker than the tunic itself. I would have worn a finer set of robes, but to then carry my supplies back? It would have been unfair to Sadie to muse the fabric of her hard work. I had a basket with me as well, to place my provisions in once bought. And to carry samples of my tea blends. Hopefully I could hear of shops who were looking to stock new goods or perhaps at least trade simple things like honey or flour for a jar of tea leaves. I didn't have too much disposable coin yet after all. The scents of freshly baking bread drew my nose. Somewhere there was a bakery, I could tell. Standing here on Sammarin's Street, near the City of the Dead in the early morning I knew, just knew, there had to be an established bakery nearby. I hadn't eaten breakfast this morning yet, a few coins spent on pastries was never an ill-made purchase. Following my nose, then my eyes as I saw a crowd already lining up under a sign titled "Hriiat Fine Pastries". Biting my lower lip lightly in a pleased expression, a habit I've always had, I quickened my pace to set myself in line. It seemed like quite the queue though, it would be some time before I was able to set foot inside. By the smells? It would be worth it. |
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Post by pastels on May 12, 2019 17:01:26 GMT
An odd pair settled in behind Rhia.
The man was about a head taller than everyone else, with a build as rugged as could be had from a life of manual labor. His maize-colored hair was tied back into a short ponytail, although strands of it had already escaped and hung down in scraggly lines over his days-old stubble. He wore a handstitched tunic and pants with plain leather boots. And despite his aloof body language, his eyes were trained on the woman by his side.
She was a magenta tiefling and she wore a toga and sandals. The soft fabric was the color of a robin’s egg. It showed off some parts of her shapely legs, cut as they were above the knee, but one’s attention would more likely be drawn to her face. She wore the bare minimum of accessories—a brass armlet and simple caps on her horns—but the way she talked… Her voice had a certain musicality to it and she had the dramatic flair of a natural storyteller.
“… and of course, I told him to leave. The look on his face! ‘Tis a sight to behold,” Proserpina finished and giggled. Tiernan’s expression softened as he shook his head. It seemed she was just about to launch into another story when she spied Rhia, and her monochrome gold eyes took in the sight of her with a curious glint. As soon as the mysterious girl so much as flicked her gaze towards them…
“A bounteous morning to you, friend. May I say, what a lovely shade for your tunic. It fits your hair! ‘Tis troubling, sometimes, finding complementary shades,” The tiefling gestured at her own wine-colored locks, which were held back with a twining copper-and-silver headback.
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Rhia
Approved
Posts: 16
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Post by Rhia on May 13, 2019 23:08:06 GMT
At first I wasn't sure it was I being spoken to. So many conversations were happening around me by those already in line, and those building up behind me, that I simply assumed each were happy in their own little world. I couldn't help myself though from glancing up at each new 'hello' or 'good morrow' I heard though, too familiar with sending out a task list leagues long each time I walked down the streets of Siren's Crest. Here though? Having only met one person so far who knew me from a time I'd done best to forget I just assumed anyone was talking to someone else. But the brilliantly clothed tiefling caught my eye, speaking to me further only when we held each other's gaze.
"Good morning's dawn to you as well." I beamed a pleasant smile, my hand skimming over my ear to tuck my deep cherry hair out of my face. "I'm afraid the credit for the ensemble goes to Sadie, an air genasi who's well known for her skills and trade in fabric and design in Sirencrest." I always tried to use the city's proper name instead of my shifted nickname for it, Siren's Crest. "It's only thanks to her I'm as matching as I am." I never missed a chance to boast on behalf of the seamstress.
"I've seen her use the color of the sea at dawn to match a color similar to yours. And the spice rich goldenrod of turmeric. She would have a pleasant task if ever designing for you, I would think." It no doubt was something the tiefling heard a lot of, that certain colors would look dazzling against her skin. But in my learned experience? It was something one never grew tired of hearing.
"It seems Hriiat is a popular morning spot for pastries and maybe even tea?" I asked, hoping to learn more. "I'm new to the city, just the other day." I gestured to my basket. "Just out fetching a few supplies to stock the cupboard with before I go about the task of organizing the household. Do you know of the Gladelight family? They have a villa, just there in the North Ward on Anteos Lane. Rumor has it the home used to belong to the Anteos family itself before the Gladelights inherited it some generations ago after the two families had some... Disagreements of sorts. But what family is without disagreements, yes?"
The Anteos family was one of reputable evil, and when his dealings of secret Undermountain trade and setting up the House of Pain was discovered by the Gladelights? Well... They came to an agreement that lead to the 'gifting' of the home to Aura's ancestors. And when a drow Matron was displeased in dealings that infringed upon her own family's honor? I staved off a shutter at the thought. It often went in favor of the Matron.
"It's been boarded up and in storage, so to speak, but will be once again opening its doors. Rhia, Major Domo of the Gladelight Estate, and primary manager of the Gladelight Stable Outpost located closer to the Southern Gate here in Waterdeep. It is a most wondrous thing to meet you." I extended my hand and curtseyed my leg slightly behind the other in a brief bend of the knees, paired with the lightest of head bobs.
((Map location is N3 on the detailed map of Waterdeep))
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Post by pastels on May 18, 2019 14:14:26 GMT
“Sirencrest? Why, I believe I’ve never heard of the place before…” The tiefling tapped at her chin with one long, slender finger. “Although ‘tis not surprising, as I know little of the world outside the Old Empires.” The sentence was concluded with a warm, sheepish smile—a wordless apology for a stranger’s ignorance so early in the morn. It was no mistake she used the ancient name of her homeland. The way this woman carried herself and the gentle cadence of her words… Proserpina had an inkling that her origins might ring a bell. Chessenta, after all, had its own reputation; its people were rumored to be a passionate, athletic lot, brought up in warring city-states which spanned from the extremes of decadence to spartan rigidity. A simple test of worldly knowledge…
“Ha!” Proserpina beamed at the human, her expression brimming with indulgence. It seemed the compliment had some effect. She gestured to one side. “You flatter me, my dear. Not that I complain. Yet such words lend credence to the skill of this seamstress, Sadie. Please, do send my regards.”
The lovely lady with the plum-dark hair moved on to explain her status. It was to nobody’s great surprise—except Tiernan’s, really, though that was because he wasn’t listening—that she revealed herself to be a mayordomo. Her heart fluttered at the echo of her past role, and Proserpina’s eyebrows raised when the estate was mentioned. Oh. The poor dear. Truly, to manage a manor previously owned by the Anteos clan? She wouldn’t be surprised if there were literal skeletons in the closet.
“But of course,” the tiefling waved her hand in a dainty slash, “the House had the most horrendous sigils—a decapitated head on a spike. ‘Tis rather unappetizing, so I shall speak no more of the matter. House Gladelight though, I have heard…” The Anteos family were rumored to be evil slavers with strong connections to the Underdark, and other such prattle which came from the tongues of the common folk. Proserpina doubted they were evil simply because they had slaves… It was a common enough practice in Chessenta, after all, and such differences in culture were difficult to carry over in a new land. The tiefling brought her gaze back to the head castellan and winked, “Oh, worry not. All good things.”
When Ria bowed and extended her hand, Proserpina met the greeting halfway. She curtsied too, palm flat against her skirt as the other gave Rhia one, two tugs. Her rich, singsong voice was kind when she said, “How lovely it is to meet one of your stature, my lady. Warm rays and swift winds to your estate, and may your wine stores never run dry.” With a flourish, the tiefling drew herself up to her full height, her curved, sweeping horns adding to her regal profile as she pressed one hand against her chest. “And I am Proserpina Fellsong, a bard currently in the employ of The Jade Jug. ‘Tis a shame I could not tell you more about Hriiat’s establishment, only that their cream puffs are to die for…”
Her eyes crinkled at the edges when she brought her hands down. “My patron, the sweet Lord Eadric of House Talmost—a far neighbor of yours, in fact—mentioned this place in passing, and I thought I visit.” She spread one arm outward and unfurled one fist, the gesture bearing a dramatic grace, and the tips of her fingers pointed at the elegant curves of the Golden Serpent Street. “I shall make my way soon to Millomyr Harps to seek a possible replacement for my instrument. A breakfast in the most sensible bakery in the North Ward, then a visit to an esteemed instrument-maker? Pray, tell me I am not dreaming.”
Proserpina said nothing more, waiting for Rhia to dictate the flow of the conversation.
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Rhia
Approved
Posts: 16
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Post by Rhia on May 26, 2019 18:05:29 GMT
I had precisely zero idea of who this tiefling, Prosperpina, was describing when she stated the House Talmost - but I didn't let that stop me. I knew from her brief mention they were neighbors of sorts to the old House Anteos, a patron of the arts as inferred by Prosperpina's profession, and they liked pastries. Well, for one, who didn't like pastries? I ran the name through my head again and again, quick as a rabbit, then smiled. "The furrers?" I questioned, hoping I was correct. It had been impossible to know and learn all eighty five noble Houses, their heraldry, professions, preferences, animosities, and all the like. So I had started with those who had businesses I might be interested or at least be able to hold a passing conversation with. And a family who had built their reputation by trapping and fur-trades? It had reminded me of my childhood. I would have to increase my devotion to learning the Houses, otherwise Gladelight would never pull out of the rankings of The Body here within the city. Taking on the old House of Anteos was a risky move by Aura's sister, Aina, no doubt. But I trusted her to know what she was doing. The Matron had played the Underdark's Game much longer than I. "And of course I will sent on to her your regards." I beamed with a tilt of the head. I was proud of Sadie, I'm sure it was clear. Perhaps embarrassingly so - I still did not know all the nuances of The Game here in Waterdeep. Siren's Crest was odd in that regard - the siege had restarted everything, families, titles, positions. It was fresh as a babe. But here? The ancient bloodlines ran deep. I dearly hoped I wouldn't find myself too out of my league. I had a family to represent and a reputation to grow. "She will be thrilled to learn her work is appreciated."As for her hearing good things of House Gladelight? I doubted it if she'd not heard of Sirencrest... added to the fact we had not made waves here yet in Waterdeep but for my initial outpost for horses - something that Aura had seen to support me in, and Aina encouraged. The high hope most likely to reaffirm a step of prestige here in the city, but that high level of intricacies was still well beyond me. But the kind words put a smile of my face regardless. "Yes, all good things I'm sure." Our heraldry of a shield spider with crescent moon and starts on its torso drenched in the colors of teal, deep to dark blues, and a speck of gold would soon be known. I would make sure of it. But now was not the time to discuss Houses. It was a fine morning for pleasant chat and pastries! "Have you been here long then? It sounds like you know the ins and outs of the city." I was embarrassed to realize I had no idea what storefronts or locations Prosperpina spoke of, and hoped it wasn't too obvious. I would need to find a guide in this city, not just to show me where things were, but a patron almost of my own. And if I were lucky? Perhaps they would become a friend. Human friends, that is. I counted the mice, stray toms and dogs, and even the horses and mules who tugged carts all throughout the city as friends. But there was something to be said of having human companionship. And it was difficult, to say the least. To find friends. "It cannot be a dream, as it sounds like a pleasant standard morning of your day! The city is wonderful, isn't it? All its skills, goods, and markets?" A whimsical tone was in my voice and I couldn't help it. "I've just grown to love the city, the bigger the better! Sirencrest isn't near as large as Waterdeep here - I just hope I'll be able to learn my way around!" I bantered, then flushed when I spun slightly around in a half circle and noticed the line had moved up. I could feel the red in my cheeks as I smoothed my dress and took the few steps forward closer to the enticing smells curling from within. |
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