Gilded lilies

[Erika Leroux]

Erika laughs softly. "The usual Princely business of worrying about the Domain, what stupidity might occur - please the heavens there'll be no burning of houses, or exploding of Princes by the medium of front doors or train wrecks. Though it's safe to say that our Kindred are an imaginative bunch. And then there is the little trip to Reading." She smiles, pauses. "I'm considering a different...style for the evening. I'm still considering that."

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatiana notes Valentina's flicker of discomfort and decides that it is one of those English sensitivities she'd been warned about. How sad to live in a world where the only form of contact one has is a firm handshake, she thinks to herself.

Her eyes widen a little in surprise at Erika's jesting comment about the Kindred activities in Bath.

"No, we haven't found a property that meets our needs yet, but we are still looking," she says with a sigh of disappointment. "So many places are so small, others just dilapidated and some just entirely unsuitable for my equipment."

Suddenly her airy studio overlooking the canal in Amsterdam seemed so very far away, the jolt of sadness didn't cross her face but she could tell it had fluttered across her aura.

Tatiana settled in the see where this meeting would take them all and if a meeting of two artists would be at all possible. She hoped that Valentina would defrost a little and not to difficult to collaborate with, it would be so boring to have the mixing of mediums spoilt by petty things.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina notes Tatiana's disappointment and a flutter of sympathy brushes over her own aura. It is vexing when one cannot find a suitable workspace, Valentina can only too recently remember the frustrations over setting up a second shop and that was a comparatively simple process!

She gestures her guests into the comfy seating area, some how managing to, apparently without design, end up on the sofa nearest to Erika, the seat beside her invitingly free.

"If you wish it, I could have my ghoul make some enquiries for you darling? He's had recent experience in setting up a new establishment." She offers to Tatiana sympathetically.

At Erika's comment about a trip to Reading Valentina tries and fails not to look slightly smug, pride and wonder flitting briefly across her aura. "Reading, yes, I'm quite looking forward to that! I rather think I'll wear my white gown. It's not new of course, but my Prince rather favours it."

Dyonisia did love the white gown and so, even though it had none of the upto the minute fashion of her blue London creation, Valentina favours it also. Perhaps not the tiara this time? It seems presumptuous to wear such a thing to a meet of Princes... Maybe the headband instead? Something perhaps to ask advice on... She turns her attention back to Tatiana with a smile.

"You know darling, it occurs to me you might be just the right person to ask something! You see, my white gown is made to be worn with a tiara and when in Bristol this feels entirely correct. However, I'm not sure it would be quite the right thing for a meeting of Methusulah. Do you think that I could get away with a jewelled headband instead? Only I should still like to have something with a little sparkle in my hair..."

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatiana smiles appreciatively at Valentina, her mind flipping to one of her favourite subjects, jewellery.

"I am a fan of improvisation with all things hair ornaments, fashion changes so swiftly whereas jewels tend to lag behind." She pauses to assess Valentina's face, hair and head carriage before continuing "When a tiara, diadem or crown would be too much, I personally like to attach a pleasingly shaped brooch to velvet or silk ribbon and have it arranged into the hair. A hairband would, of course, be fitting, if not a little more usual"

Placing a hand over her heart, she continues "Thank You so much for your kind offer Miss Audley, my ghouls are currently working on this project and the likely cause of my disappointment is my own finickety nature."

She pauses to allow the women their own thoughts on the matter.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina is quiet for a moment, thinking over her modest collection of jewels and if any of them could be repurposed into hair ornaments. There might be one or two options she decides.

"I shall have to give it some more though, but I thank you for the idea about the brooch on ribbon." She smiles gratefully at Tatiana.

Turning to Erika she asks curiously "What change of style were you thinking of darling?"

[Erika Leroux]

"I've been using a manly form on occasion of late - it allows me to travel and interact with others with less...need for delicacy. Femininity is a delightful form, though not, for those less enlightened, apt for all occasions. Besides it allows me to escort beautiful ladies" She pauses, smiles at Valentina and Tatiana. "With more ease. Some of my less salubrious haunts are quite wearing on cloth."

"I'm thinking of something that is both elegant and fitting. And something which is harder wearing for when a ...gentleman...requires to attend a bar."

[Valentina Audley]

There are so many questions Valentina has about this ability some Kindred have, to seemingly change their shape? Possibly the least relevant is how does it change experiences in the bedroom. Least relevant and most intriguing... For a moment she considers asking it aloud and then remembers that they are not alone and until she has a better measure of Tatiana discretion is probably prudent.

"I cannot thing of any fabric that would withstand some of the haunts South of the River and still be suitable for the pleasantries of the North darling." She grins as she speaks, wondering if Erika would find her south of the river garb as appealing as Reggie does.

"Generally speaking I reget that one must have two rather different wardrobes to pass from one end to the other, though there is a small crossover section. It is regretably rather drab though."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika's mouth twitches. "I don't intend to do drab for this particular occasion. I'm thinking something with taste, good cut, something that states I am Prince. But nothing vulgar." She pauses. "It goes without saying that I do not, and have never associated vulgar with you - it's simply that there are certain Kindred who cannot help but wear items which under other circumstances or with different combinations might be quite elegant. Yet they manage to completely miss the brief of elegance full stop. I'd rather like not to be that sort of Kindred."

She sighs. "I'm rather afraid I need an outfit that would please even the most fastidious Prince. And yet look alluring. A female form has so many more advantages." She punctuates this by leaning forward and loosening the scarf around her neck, allowing a brief glimpse of creamy bosom. "How do I do such as a man?"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina's eye follows the scarf and a slow, lazy smile crosses her face. Ostensibly looking for a sketch book (the room has several scattered about, clearly for this sort of occasion), she checks how Tatiana is reacting to the conversation.

Opening the sketch book and locating a pencil she starts to draw rapidly as she talks. "Style is many things darling, it's an exquisite fit, the best fabrics and..." She pauses to look up and grin before going back to her drawing

"It's a certain amount of knowing how good you look and simply letting that show. Did you see Elder Rafael at the London ball? Those britches are so out dated and yet on him... simply perfect!"

She stops drawing again and holds the book away from herself, eyeing it critically before bringing it back to adjust some of the lines.

"The modern gentleman who wishes to be ready for anything and also to cut a stylish figure would no doubt adhere to all the rules of evening wear. But a Prince of Kindred need have no such compunction if sufficiently daring, which I am certain you are. So, how about this?"

She holds the sketch book out so the other women can see her work. In it she's drawn a handsome man, reclining casually in tight trousers, knee high boots, a light shirt and cravat and a rich velvet smoking jacket.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika studies the sketch carefully, a slight frown across her face, but she's nodding at the same time. "I like that. It is a relaxed and comfortable image, yet there is sensuality to it also. Oh, I remember those britches well - as you say, they were perfection."

She turns to Tatiana, signals her over. "Come, have a look, see what you think, would it need much in the way of jewellery?"