Meandering Along (Anora)

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · June 3, 2008, 09:16 PM

TimeStamp: 40th of Pontius

While the city of Jaedaxia was not part of Carmelyn and her jurisdiction Elmaryia loved the city. Perhaps because she came here many life times and crossed path's with Blain or its rich culture this she did not know. Though she did find herself drawn to the city. Ever the early riser Elmaryia left her room at The Little Crown and after eating a meal decided to walk the streets of the city. Hopefully this brightening she did not have to worry about being hit in the noggen and whisked away to the lair of a lover from her past. She has summoned Blain earlier upon her visit making good on her promise. After all Elmaryia was not a coward and as soon as she entered the gates the vampire was aware of her presence.

Though she would not let thoughts of him plague her mind. This brightening Elmaryia was dressed in her crimson velvet cloak that had white rabbit fur trim and underneath a silk blue dress graced her slender form and her black hair drapped freely past her shoulders. The last time that Elmaryia was here she was not able to see much of the city though upon this visit Elmaryia wished to see all that Jae had to offer.

Comming across some children that were throwing snow balls at each other a boy had his arm bent and aimed it at his friend, but before the impact had manged to scamper away. The snow ball had hit Elmaryia in the chest instead. Upon seeing it hit the lady his cute face reddened with embarassment and he began to appologize. Laughing softly Elmaryia rolled up a ball of snow and gently threw it at him.

Anora Eventide · June 23, 2008, 03:31 PM

But the boy was in the hale of his youth, all agility and recklessness. He dived from the tossed snowball's path as an elegant figure moved past. The white orb struck the woman's side and flew into sparkling little bits, leaving only a distinctly moist spot on her pewter cloak. That and a gentle lurch in the cadence of her step.

From the side, only the tip of her nose and the shape of her mouth were visible. The glimpses spoke of breeding and reserve, emphasized in the neat hem of her dark gown and fur trimmed habit.

The woman made no sound but stood eerily still but for the motion of her head and neck as she surveyed the soggy mark on her apparel.

Blue eyes followed the line of fire beyond the child to where Elmaryia stood. When the woman seemed on the brink of expression, she only lifted an eyebrow. The expression recalled an unruffled but severe governess.

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · June 23, 2008, 04:02 PM

Perhaps if the proper lady had screamed or cursed it would have been less frightening, but she just stood there raising one eyebrow. The boy pailed and his lip began to quiver in fear. After all he was just a pauper boy and he had hit a lady a rather refined lady at that. Unlike the other pretty lady, Anora did not find his lack of aim amusing and her frown was as tight as a corset. Sensing the tension the remaining children left leaving there companion alone with the frigid lady. " Sorry miss I was aiming for the other lady and you walked on by," the boy said as he looked at his black boots. Of course Elmaryia's heart went out to the boy and she walked over to him and wrapped an arm comfortingly about his shoulders. " I am sure this fine lady knows it was an accident, now why don't you go run after your coward friends and pummel there backs with a few snow balls." Elmaryia said with a chuckle as she patted the boy on his head. With that said the boy smiled at Elmaryia and ran off.

Looking at the woman Elmaryia was not at all put off by her frigid disposition, after all she was cousin to Iseult and she was the Ice Queen. " Well it seems that boy needs to work on his aim. Since it was my fault how about I treat you to a meal so that your dress may dry? My name is Elmaryia Leonard and it is a pleasure to meet you. My with just a raising of a brow you sent those children scurrying. I bet if you showed the soldiers how to do that I bet the orcs would simply scurry away." Elmaryia said with faint humour as she let a smile curve her lips.

Anora Eventide · June 23, 2008, 05:27 PM

The boy's plaintive looks did little to alter the woman's even expression. She tilted her head to the side as he explained his actions. There was neither irritaion or indulgence in her looks.
Elmaryia's initial comment was acknowledged with a polite glance. Before the boy scampered away, Anora briefly restd her hand on his head, like a benediction.
Her voice was a sophisticated purr, "Do be careful, young man. There are unpleasant people less indulgent than us."

The brief encounter with the child over, Anora turned her face to the brunette woman before her. The brunette held herself with some authority, but it was lightened with ease and humor.
Elmaryia's apologies and jibes summoned a look contrary to what one would expect from a rather prim lady: a wry smile. It was a slight show of humor, Anora indulged the inclination on occasion. One did not need much heart to recognize irony and sarcasm, those were mostly born of the intellect.

Anora's voice never raised above a volume proper for parlor conversation. Its cadence was soothing, bereft of outbursts of sentiment or realization.
"Orcs have difficulty with subtlety, children respond better to such tactics, Miss Leonard."
Dipping into a shallow curtsey, Anora made her own introductions, "I'm Anora Eventide, Anora is prefered if we are to take a meal together."
The woman raised a hand in gentle protest, "I was going to sup anyway, so I must decline your offer to treat. I have had worse things mire my clothes then dirty water."

Even Anora sometimes enjoyed stimulus from conversation, especially considering the solitary nature of most her days. Even letters escaped her of late. Plus, the woman had an uncanny thirst for knowledge, her aptitude for listening was often praised. Each interraction yielded more information, a precious commodity in her eyes.

"I would like company, though. I am an uncommon visitor here and find myself more ignorant then I like of the city."

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · June 23, 2008, 08:29 PM

Relief coursed through Elmaryia's heart upon the refined ladies reaction to the boy's apology. It also pleased Elmaryia that the woman understood her humour. Life was far to precious to be worried about wet fancy fabric. Hearing Anora's humorous reply Elmaryia chuckled softly her blue eyes glinting with mirth. " That may be but a woman's glare is more sharper then a man's sword and far more deadly. You shall have to show me how to pull off such an intimidating glare, for when my husband tries my patience. He can be quite impulsive. One brightening he purchased one hundred goats and during the spring they run amuck," Elmaryia said with a chuckle as she shook her head.

Pleased that she had harboured no offence to the cold missile and at the acceptance of her company, Elmaryia walked beside her. She was quite lovely to look upon and she carried herself with an air of grace. " Anora now that is a lovely name, and I shall have to ask you to address me as Elmaryia or Elma or Ellie whichever you prefer. This is my second trip to Jaedaxia it is a lovely city. Very rich in culture and food and wine, while I prefer the bitterness of ale wine is lovely on occasion." For a moment she paused for a moment thinking of where to go there were many fine taverns in the city with divine cuisine. " Have you eaten at the La Petite Morte d'Michellethe?The food there is very good and they have a fine wine list as well." At her faulty pronunciation Elmaryia chuckled softly. " I always butcher the pronunciation of the establishments."

Anora Eventide · June 26, 2008, 01:07 AM

Anora allowed a soft smile at Elmaryia's compliment to her name and murmured a lady-like thanks. The pair moved in a graceful tandem over the snow packed streets as Elmaryia spoke. With each phrase, Anora fluttered with appropriate expressions, each painting the portrait of a clever but reserved girl.
She waited patiently until the end of Elmaryia's talking before offering any answer of her own.

"La Petite Morte? I cannot say I have been there yet." Anora glanced to the path before her feet, "I am a trace reclusive these days, despite the fine scenery."
Her eyes, glittering and unfeeling as gems, were struck with a quick enchantment, as if she saw some priceless thing buried in the snow. She blinked and the look was replaced by calm.
"But the prospect of fine wine entices me. I come from a family of vinters in Daltina. My father would likely bleed a Merlot if he cut his finger."
A serene smile was paired with her reply.
"I will say that your husband sounds like he continually surprises you."
Anora did not like to be surprised by those she kept intimate company with, as they had consistently been unpleasant surprises. Surprise: you're illegitimate, Surprise: I know you're a necromancer, Surprise: I have a torture chamber, Surprise: you're destined to dwell among the dead. Elmaryia's husband's surprise with the goats, while troublesome, seemed manageable.

"A stern look does do wonders with a fellow if he is enamored of you. I'm sure you already have your own expressions that melt his resolve. Experience has shown mine only work for a time."

Anora folded her hand in front of her, letting them rest near her bell like skirts.
"I am here to indulge my curiosity over some unique happenings that have lately graced Jaedaxia. It is also a holiday to gather my wits, I suppose. What brings you here, Elmaryia?"

Anora preferred the woman's full name as it rolled so pleasantly off the tongue.

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · June 28, 2008, 01:35 PM

A chatter box was a term most fitting for Elmaryia Leonard and if given the opportunity she could talk ones ear off. Her companion was kind enough to listen to her ranting about goats and her impulsive husband. Well it was an interesting story after all who else had one hundred goats? At least Elmaryia thought it was and Anora too much of a lady to tell Elma to shut up. " Oh it is a lovely establishment and a treat for the taste buds. Though I am sure here you shall spread your wings like a butterfly. The city offers so many interesting sights and sounds to be cooped up in ones room. I shall be your tour guide if you like, and we can explore the city together. Perhaps if I have not talked your ears off we may partake in seeing a show. I alwasy did fancy other peoples drama's then my own," Elmaryia said with a soft chuckle.

Upon hearing that Anora was the daughter of a wine maker and Anora's jest Elmaryia chuckled softly. " Well then the responsibility of picking a fine wine lays upon your shoulders. I usually drink ale or dwarven whisky, but I do also enjoy a glass of wine from time to time."

Indeed her husband constantly surprised Elmaryia but they were often wonderful surprises and she loved him dearly. He was her prince and Robot his donkey was his noble steed. The mental image of Straylor in knight armour riding Robot was quite amusing. " Well our marrage is new enough that I have not had to give him the look."

Why was she here? Was it because she missed Blain? Or to experience the culture and have some time to herself? The latter explantion was far more comfertable then the first. " Jaedaxia is a wonferful place to get away from ones troubles. I am here for a bit of a vacation I have some friends here also."

After some time the two ladies were before La Petite Morte d'Michelle. " Well here we are." Opening the door Elmaryia let her companion in first and then followed her inside the establishment. Taking the lead Elmaryia walked through the dimly light establishment and sat at an empty table. Removing her cloak revealing a light purple silk dress, Elmaryia draped her cloak over the back of the chair. Once both of the woman were seated a waiter came and placed two menues before them.

" Good Brightening ladies can I start you with a glass of wine?" Asked the waiter in a strong Jaedaxian accent handing each of them a paper with the wines offered.

Secrets :

Wine by the bottle

Secrets :

Anora Eventide · July 2, 2008, 12:45 AM

"I had a fiancée for a time in Vortex and utilized such looks even then," a slim smile, part rue and part humor, "Consider yourself privileged to have such an accommodating beau."

Anora tugged on the edge of her gloves with a slight cough. What Anora was running from became more apparent with that delicate sign.
"But congratulations on your recent nuptials, Elmaryia," she added with a polite smile, covering her faint tracks.

Flicking her eyes towards the sky, and then to her companion, Anora hemmed her commentary with a pleasant look.
"Yes, it is fine to find a place where grayer thoughts may be supplanted."
And she left it at that for now, pretending to find diversion in the architecture draped in ermine snow.

While Le Petite Morte did boast an excellent wine selection (but not too excellent since none of her family's vintages were included), what it also offered made genteel Anora a degree uncomfortable. A strange quirk of her personality, especially since she had lived for cycles in a Madame's company and helped adorn harems and harlots, both living and dead. Propriety was Anora's refuge, and she did not welcome leaving its shelter.

Browsing the winelist, Anora considered her funds, the hour and her palate and decided on a glass of "Golden Mist". It was too early for her beloved red.
"I think it will be pleasant enough for a casual drinker of wine," she elaborated to Elmaryia.

As the server left, Anora stood a little taller in her seat, a difficult task since her posture was pristine and balletic.
"I am glad for chance meetings, Elmaryia," Anora was surprised at the authenticity of this feeling, "Easy company can be hard to come by."

Nessani's wings had mended enough for her to fly from view, and Dimitri had been severed and the rings returned. That was not the sort of winter ceremony they had contemplated in autumn. And Avrie, Anora could not look at a face that was turned away from her, only wait for the blade to pass cleanly through. Austin was so happy in his own triumphs, she could not force herself into his rapidly moving existence.
So she meandered here and tied the candlemarks with ribbon. In Jaedaxia she could fall into the familiar shades of winter and whoever she met would be none the wiser for what knowledge she carried from Vortex.

"It seems we are both in pursuit of a holiday here, but from what is the better question."
Anora played tit for tat and told a frcation of her own story, "I am glad to breathe crisper air than that of Har'oloth's. As much as the place is a marvel to me."

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · July 8, 2008, 08:38 PM

The woman was quite subtle and from Anora's tone of voice and her body language it was apparant that she wished not to discuss her fiancee. If it was a close friend or a family member Elmaryia may have pressed the issue, but Anora was but a stranger to her. Upon entering the establisment Elmaryia murmured her gratitiude for the congradulations pertaining to her nuptuals.

Once they were seated and Anora had ordered her wine of choice, Elmaryia too had offered a glass of the Golden Mist. After all she was a winer's daughter and Elma was sure that Anora knew how to choose a fine wine. Perhaps after they had partaked in pleasent conversation and a few glasses of wine, Elmaryia would sample some of the fine cusine. She had eaten here before and the chief was a master.

Unaware of the secrets that the woman before her kept, Elmaryia was not leery of the woman. For she had no knowledge of the hidden darkness that layed within. The woman was proud and took much stock in what other's thought of her. This Elmaryia determined by the straightness of her spine. Never one to associate with proper ladies other then buisness, Elmaryia found that she too enjoyed the woman's company. " Yes easy company is hard to come by, especially with my position of Imperial Consul of Carmelyn. Once people are aware of your position they tend to act different." In a few moments the waiter came and placed two crystal goblets before the woman, and left them to their conversation.

Lifting the goblet Elmaryia took a sip and let the sweet liquid dance over her pallet. The wine was sweet but not overly so and very pleasing to her tastebuds.

" This is a lovely vintage. I shall have to purchase a few bottle's for my husband. Though I am here simply because I love the city. The food and the people as well as the culture are superb." At least those were the reason's that she would admit to herself. Perhaps Blain did have a small part in it, but Elmaryia wished to ignore those musings. Though the mention of Haroloth made her frown, as she detested that city.

" Yes the city is quite crowded and dark," that was all Elmaryia would say of the city.

Letting a smile curve her lips she looked at the decour around her. " I always did wish to open up a tavern and now that I have some funds I may do that. Perhaps a establishment that is a tad upscale. Though I do know little about managing a tavern."

Anora Eventide · August 3, 2008, 01:35 PM

A mildly surprised smile glanced Anora's mouth and she raised her glass in a passing toast.
"Consul?" The smile melted into something polite, "How fine for you, Elmaryia. It is good to see women in such positions. Who would know better how to barter and cajole?"
A sip of the pale gold glass to commemorate the point.
"I have plans to meet with the esteemed Regent on similar matters, but concerning Arium."
So many similarities, this rendez-vous had a disconcerting touch of fate about it. Lighter and darker reflections of the other in several ways, but neither was enitrely fair or foul for a perfect juxtaposition.

Crowded and dark. Ah, so she had descendd into the stone belly of Vortex. But by her hasty summation of the matter, she did not care for it. Anora had gleaned that Elmaryia was bold in her conversation, broaching topics at first meeting that Daltinan ladies wouldn't breath until later encounters. Or perhaps Daltinan belles were merely more proper than the average female. Either way, this dismissal was plucked from a deeper chord. Anora could tell by the sound.

The women turned their conversation to lighter things, and Anora gracefully followed the lead.
She was a Daltinan favorite long before she was a gray duchess. Many had found her company soothing in those days, and miraculously, it still was. Her manners were accomodating and her looks were calm but for the glints of interest that illuminated her blue eyes.
"A tavern, what a splendid endeavor," Anora still loved entertaining guests, so the idea pleased her. She could not help but wax a little longer on the subject.
"My brother opened a fine establishment in Natura, it strikes me as a pleasant business. Creating an ambience and a tenor for the locale I think would be an absorbing task. It reminds me of the little balls and dinners I used to throw, but it would be on a grander scale."

Odd, the woman who had robbed graves, poisoned slave children, and spoken with ghosts was still able to be perfectly taken with something like arranging a menu or decorating a space.

In a way it made sense. It was exerting control over the tumultuous outer world. For once she could press her will on the world and make it into a bewitching vision. Aesthetics were a great comfort to Anora. Beauty still had power to please and move the heart when the heart was dry of sentiment, as it relied on more than emotion to gratify the viewer.

Elmaryia Grey Leonard · August 18, 2008, 04:03 PM

Still Elmaryia felt unease in the world of silken dresses and drinking out of crystal goblets while dancing in lavish ball rooms. A rather passionate woman Elmaryia Leonard was, and prefered to discuss topics that proper ladies swayed from. " Thank you Anora, and yes one should never underestimate the intellegence or the bartering of a woman. The regent is a kind man and I am confident in his leadership of the Empire," Elmaryia said letting a polite smile curve her lips as she brought the goblet to her lips and took a sip of the sweet wine.

Upon hearing that Anora was interested in the province of Arium Elmaryia smiled in pleasure. " I have never been but I am sure it is a lovely province. It will do the empire good to have more female politicians. Perhaps in the spring I shall visit Arium. I have done little travelling this season, other then Demois and Iefferon. Have you been to Iefferon? I was their for my honeymoon it is a lovely city. Even in the winter it is warm and you are not burdened with heavy cloaks."

The young woman before her was very intuitive and Elmaryia was pleased that she turned the topic of their conversation to lighter things. It seemed as though the two woman had interestes and aspirations in common. It was quite wonderful to speak to someone that had simular interests. " Yes I do believe that it shall be quite fun. My husband is a druid and along with my cousin has a glass globe buisness. She makes the globes and he enchants them. I long for something that is my own I am thinking of starting the tavern in Frigid River. Though while I have the funds I do not know the first thing of running a tavern."

Anora Eventide · September 3, 2008, 11:25 PM

Anora tilted her head, considering not only Elmaryia, but a renegade idea that was strolling temptingly through her thoughts.

She needed more space between the whim's formation and it being aired, so Anora gladly bandied about other polite subjects.
"Ieffron?" a discreet swirl of her wine in the glass as she observed its legs, "I have not travelled that way."
A light smile, "Perpetually warm weather would make me wilt." Though a touch of olive warmed her complexion, everything else about the woman marked her as a winter-breathed creature.
"Arium's perpetually temperate climate has a charm for me."

Her idea had steeped for a time, not as long as she would prefer, but the conversation could quickly flit to a subject too varied to be smoothly reconnected to her point. Anora liked an order to things.

"Miss Elmaryia," still maintaining her pristine carriage, Anora eased back into her chair, "Are you a daring sort?"
Those mild blue eyes were beginning to cut and pry at Elmaryia, but ever so delicately. It was a surgeon's hand, not a butcher's.

"Myself, I prefer boundaries and schemas for endeavors." Even if she rarely got them.
"But I wonder if you would like to collaborate on something. You have the means to open an establishment, yet decry the fact that you have no inclination for its minutia."
Anora rested her hands in her lap and glanced towards the hem of her bountiful skirts: a portrait of gentility. Gray? Hollow? Divided? No, not this young woman! How could such a well-mannered and velvet-voiced thing be any of those things.

When she looked back up, her expression was smooth.
"I find that I am detail oriented, and come from a background that has brushed with the business of hospitality. Would you perhaps consider the idea of allowing me to help you in your hope of establishing a tavern in Frigid River?"