Taking Tea (Invite Only)

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina's eyes widen in surprise. "Are you telling me Lady Granville said such things to you?" She seems genuinely surprised. "And no, of course we should not discuss the ah, topic in question here, but it would help my understanding to know who supplied you with th knowledge in the first place, hence my asking..."

She trails off shaking her head in surprise. "Well, well, I never did!"

[Bronwyn93]

Angelina looked curious at the mention of letters, leaning in a little to be a part of the conversation, intrigued as to the content of the letters. But as soon as Meredith started to explain, and mentioned her presence that evening, her eyes widened in a little shock of what was being said, and her mouth opened at the insinuation of her understanding.

"I assure you, Meredith, I was as in the dark as you were as to the matter of what was being explained. I was simply shocked and appalled that we were being told of such a thing, in such a way, in such a place. Truly." She said, a little flustered. "I trust you didn't keep the doll afterwards...." She added on, looking at her for a moment, before shaking her head with a sigh.

"Yes, definitely not the subject for here." She agreed, glancing around.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina is now completely at sea with the relevations that her Brujah friend apparently gices out dolls of lewd sex acts in public places.

"I'm sorry, you have dolls of such things?!" It's a scandalised whisper, even in horror Valentina is acutely aware of their surroundings.

"And not having any knowledge will cause you trouble in the long run Miss Fontaine. The, ah, practical, you can take or leave but you really should learn the theoretical so as to be prepared. After all, you favour the Rose do you not? And Roses do have a certain reputation you know..." And she smiles angelically at the other two, speaking softly enough that patrons nearby wouldn't hear her words, though she assumes Hamlyn can.

[Meredith Llewelyn]

"Well yes, I did keep the doll but it would be unkind to deny Jean- Jacque ...and the doll was completely innocent too, she didn't mean to do such promiscuous activities. I'm sure we can understand and forgive her for this." Meredith fiddles with the lace of her sleeve.

"But Valentina dear, surely just because we are of the Rose doesn't mean we have to act a certain way. If so we would all be so boring and there are many attributes of the Rose we can all show well. We were selected for these attributes and skills after all. We don't have to know...everything, do we?" Meredith voice lowers as the waitress appears with the tea and cakes. She places the delicate sweets in front of each Lady and pretty porcelain pots of tea in front of them.

"Thank you," Meredith nods to the waitress waiting for her to leave and be out of earshot, "After all it seems to me that some Clans are a more active participant in the art of courting."

[Bronwyn93]

"But how can you look at the doll and think of anything but the demonstration. Such a display was too shocking." She pointed out with a small shake of her head.

Angelina gave the waitress a kind smile and thanked her as the sweet treats were placed in front of them.

"I know there is an expectation of the Roses to know things... And I know my lack of knowledge on the subject has caught the attention of someone. But at the same time, I don't see that knowing of such things without the intent of using that knowledge... I don't understand the necessity in it. I have actively avoided such things." She explained.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina also gives the waitress a kind smile and murmur of thanks before turning her attention back to the conversation.

She gazes at the two neonates beginning to feel hopelessly bewildered and decides to put the whole confusing mess of rearguarding dolls aside until later when hopefully they'd return to the shop with her and could explain in private.

She frowns at Angelina's last comment. "Actively avoiding knowledge is foolish darling. You never have to use knowledge, but if you do not have it, then you have taken that option away from yourself and needlessly disadvantaged yourself. Ignorance nearly always invites trouble. Or haven't your recent forays into courtship shown that?" She raises her eyebrow at Angelina as she fusses with the teapot, lining the strainer up neatly as though it's being a milimetre our of place irks her.

"The last time I did not know something I nearly died from it." She adds frankly.

She shakes her head sadly at the others. "Do you think me so very improper? Or dear Valmont? Or even the memory of darling Francis?"

[Meredith Llewelyn]

Meredith rushes to answer, leaning across the table and taking Valentina's hand in her own. "We do not think you improper dear, nor the others of our Clan. You are a great lady with knowledge and experience that I can only hope to gain but you must look at it from our point of view."

Looking to Angelina, "I cannot truly testify for Angelina because I do not know her story fully but nor does she in that retrospect. But we are not normal Roses, we have been taught to keep to ourselves and to not look into places we were not meant too. Why do you think I enjoy romance's so much." She says trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Besides if I thought so ill of you then why would I ask you such questions and write to you and no other. Dear heart, know that I ask because I want to know what you know and learn all I can so I can meet the expectations that come before me. This does not mean they will not shock or confuse us, a dove who lives in a cage can only know that world until she is freed. And there is so much to explore including the more popular activities of our fellow Roses."

Looking to Valentina with a twinkle in her, "Won't you help these little doves fly free."

[Bronwyn93]

Angelina's eyes widened and she shook her head quickly. "No, no, not at all. Truly I almost envy the others of our clan who are so comfortable within themselves that they are able to enjoy those pastimes. I do hope that I will, at some point, be able to find them enjoyable as well. My avoidance of the matter is more a reflection on myself than on my view of others." She clarified quickly.

"Truly I did not wish any offence from my opinions." She said softly and looked down.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina doesn't even try to hold back the laugh the bubbles up inside her at Meredith's suggestion she see things from the neonate persepctive.

"Oh darling, that's not how our society works is it?" Though she does pat Meredith's hand sympathetically.

"So, if we are none of us improper, it stands to reason that the knowledge alone cannot be terribly dangerous. It is upto you how much or how little you use it and I promise you it's far easier to avoid awkward encounters if you can spot them coming. And you won't need to spend so much time untangling thread then." The last is said with a smile at Angelina, clearly inviting her to share the joke.

She smiles at both of them, picking up her cake fork and toying with the cake on the plate in front of her whilst she orders her thoughts.

"So, I think we have established that this is not a bad thing to learn of, in theory at least. If you promise not to be too terribly shocked, I shall endeavour to answer any questions you might have, though we should perhaps retire to the Thimble for that conversation? In the meantime, why don't you tell me more of your market trip? Did you make any purchases?"

She smiles at them, momentarily captivated by the thought of new pretty trinkets. When she was back in Bristol shed have to see if Dyonisia would like such a stroll.

[Meredith Llewelyn]

Meredith sits upright in her chair as Valentina laughs not quiet sure how to take the reaction as she truly meant to defend her dear friend. Perhaps there is still so much to learn and it would do her best to keep her more 'silly' thoughts to herself. Surely, she would have to inform her Sire of this and that will not end well for her.

"You are right, it is not how our society works and I do need to remember I am not the Lady of the House anymore. I apologise Miss Audley. I do hope you will not regard this as a stain upon my reputation but more as a cheeky neonate who wished to only make you laugh. I will learn my lesson and keep it close." She says with a slight sheepishness pouring herself a tea.

Taking Valentina's tea pot, she serves her tea in a show of her place, "It truly was an enchanting night, I did not believe aqua sulis held so many wonders before I arrived here. My first purchase was two beautiful ribbons, one a soft pink and the other a sky blue. I was hoping actually you may be able to help me pair them with something so I may dazzle a certain someone."