Evening Stroll (open)

[Lady Grace]

Grace laughs,
"Oh my yes. I was stuck at the moment of the stairs with the other spirit, the Crone, I heard everything that was going on upstairs. Christine was in extremely good voice, Prince Erik and Vortigern my, my," Grace descends into giggles.

"After the first three or so people possessed by the spirit of the Crone I was lingering in the far room in the hope of avoiding it again. Then Aldrich, sorry Elder Beaufort bellowed that everyone should attend him and I just found my feet taking me there."

Grace looks at Meredith, " but I can't pass over your words my dear. Honoured by a glance, making wishes," Grace smiles, "do share who it is that has so turned your head."

[Meredith Llewelyn]

"Oh he's just a someone and I'm not really worthy of his gaze. So I am positive it was just in my head, but I hope it wasn't. But he is very handsome and gentle and kind and sweet...I'm probably a bit too much of a hassle for him too. Perhaps it is best I don't attract his attention and stay away for as I say he is a bit above me in ranking ..." Meredith rambles on deep in thought, "Can neonates really look to those above themselves anyway? It would seem improper to think of myself as one equal to someone above me? Don't you think Lady Granville?"

Meredith considers this question but then jumps to another, her mind all askew with questions. "Jean Jacque did I miss something at the party? Was there an intruder? Only why would Miss Day need a rear guard? Although she is very lovely and of course every lady would like a night in shining armour!"

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacque is chuckling gently and smiles at both `grace’s story, seemingly recalling something as she speaks, then as Meredith makes enquiry of the need for security in the stern, he smiles, and briefly looks around the stall.

“A moment ladies, grant me a moment”

He bows to each, and moves a few paces to one of the craft stalls. And spends a few moments speaking with the owner and he returns with a small paper bag.

He is chuckling as he opens the bag and removes three objects.

They are simple child’s toys, dolls, well fashioned, and unmistakably two are male, one female.

“Meredith, forgive my boldness, indeed Angelina , Primogen,” he smiles at each in turn

“Now I shall presume the same innocence for all, and as such shall leave the naked from to your individual imaginations, indeed I myself find that imagination can be a delightful substitute for the physical reality”

he takes the three dolls, and places one of the male ones aside, in his pocket.

He holds up a hand, palm flat facing the trio.

“Let is pretend this is a wall, just indulge me with your bounteous imagination “

He then takes the female doll and places it against his palm, and then holds it in place

He then takes one of the male dolls and places it facing the female doll and holds them together.

“Now then ladies, as I understand it, from hearsay in the poorer quarters of Bristol , you understand, I have no experience of such as one might expect of a gentleman, a Union is possible between a man and a woman, whilst the pair are upon their feet, a wall providing the mattress if you will”

He glances around to ensure he has their attention

“Sweet Meredith , you made enquiry as to why one my require additional security in such a circumstance, well let me explain my words with these props”

He takes the third doll and places it between his palm and the other two, facing toward them, such that the two makes hold the female in between them.

“It is important to note that such as this would not be so feasible should the central participant not be a lady, as, again so I am lead to believe, a lady offers the opportunity for a second participant to conjoin in unison with a first”

he looks at Meredith

“There you have it Meredith, the rear guard, is a simple euphemism describing how the second participant, in so much as they would often, though not entirely approach from the rear in such circumstances “

He smiles

“Now would you each care for a doll, I appear to have acquired three?”

[Bronwyn93]

Angelina nodded at the primogen's advice. The recent events had certainly shaped her view of the world, and of the kindred. Her experiences had caused a total paradigm shift.

"I remember more than I would have liked from that evening. I don't much care for those memories. Too many things were said and too many things happened. I am still oddly drained from the evening." She admitted softly, and fiddled with her bracelet. She registered the name of one of the participants with a look of surprise, but chose not to pursue the thread of question when things suddenly took a very blue turn.

She felt herself growing flustered at the conversation, and she quickly averted her eyes from the disgraceful display with the dolls, and she actively looked around the street to make sure no passers by had noticed the display in public.

"Jean-Jacques, I am sure there would be a more... proper way to explain such a thing, but even so, I don't know if this is even an appropriate subject for such a public setting..." She said flustered.

[Lady Grace]

Grace realises what Jacques is about to do with mounting horror. Unfortunately she is then transfixed into silence by a fascination with the explaination and the immediate response of the neonates.

Grace puts her gloved hand over Jean Jacques hand, covering the three dolls with a glare to him.
"These ladies DO NOT require such explainations in the street. What are you thinking Sir?!" The 'do not' is clipped and tight for empathsis rather than a raised tone. She glances around the street to check who is near and if they are being watched.

She closes her eyes for a moment at the folly of even a simple trip out in public. Then recovers into a strained smile.
"Jacques, my dear, the clan of the Rose are perfectly capable of educating their own without any help from us."

"If the ladies truely have questions of that nature, which I am quite sure they don't, this is not the time nor the place," a mental note, I must remember to mention this to Valentina.

She looks at Angelina's uncomfortable pose and Meredith's well, what was that expression exactly? How on earth are they innocents? It must be a bluff and a wise one too.

"Please gift the dolls if you must but otherwise please do not repeat that," she doesn't add, in public, "And I really don't require one so someone may have two," Grace tries to calm her face into open friendliness.

[Meredith Llewelyn]

During the explanation Meredith stares at the dolls quite confused as to why her question requires such an example. After all it is just a man making sure a Ladies dress isn't dirtied against a wall. But at the other ladies responses she soon realises that perhaps this is not all what it seems and makes a mental note to add this in her next letter to Valentina. Perhaps she has been more sheltered than she realises.

Feeling very ashamed that she caused a scene in public Meredith bows her head to her companions, "I do apologise if I approached a subject that wasn't quiet proper. I did not mean to lead you astray and into murky waters but thank you Jean-jaques for trying to explain. I am sure I understand now." Meredith smiles at him and laughs with uncertainty.

"But of course I will accept a doll from you! It shall take pride of place inside my haven. I've only just procured it and it is still looking in need of something sweet and idyllic. How about we search further down the market? Primogen Granville would you care to help me find a new ribbon? I would love to hear about Elder Beaufont and of course the mysterious lady that keeps Jean-jaques heart."

[Jean-Jacques]

Jean-Jacques smarts slightly at the admonishment he receives, and bows to Grace, then the two Toreador ladies in turn.

“My apologies for making such an explanation so explicit in such a public place, I shall indeed, Primogen, ensure this does not occur again...in public”

“Meredith, what a capital idea, some ribbons to entrance our dearest perhaps, my own aspirations would indicate some lime green ribbon would suit my own endeavour”

“So perhaps something less revealing then as a further subject whilst we peruse the offerings hereabouts,”

He ponders for a moment

“Ah yes, some gossip, personal to me, yet indicative of one of your clan mates “

He smiles

“At the celebration, I briefly ,made enquiry as to the availability of the lady Kira Black as regards contemplation of Lupercalia pursuits. imagine my surprise when , clearly misunderstanding my intentions she suggested that in exchange for a life boon she would consider such a union. “

He feigns a look of deep hurt, then smiles

“Well ladies, as you may expect, I politely rejected her proposal”

“I mean a gentleman should not consider such an arrangement a transaction, rather one of attraction, eh?”

“Indeed I should not wish her to feel unnerved by my response to her, but really, it’s just isn’t my scene”

He smiles as they consider the merchandise

[Lady Grace]

Grace looks at Jean Jacques open mouthed.
"Really? Well you can't fault the girl for valuing herself but, really?"

"Exactly who does she belong to these days? Does anyone know? I must congratulate them."

[Jean-Jacques]

He looks at Grace

“I actually believe she reduced her price in the end but someone did pay”

[Meredith Llewelyn]

Meredith picks up a light lavender ribbon and places it against her wrist, "Hmm maybe a bit too light."

Then she picks up a soft pink and stares at it watching it shine in the gas light, "Well if she lowered her price then the person was probably of high status. I've heard some things in passing but being new here, I generally don't make assumptions. I came to make friends after all."

She places down the pink and picks up a emerald ribbon, "But of course, making friends is a lot easier when one knows more about the person in question. So who could have been a better prospect than yourself, Jean - Jacque? For I am sure you would have treated her well."

Meredith places down the ribbon glancing at you through the corner of her eyes nonchalantly.