You Shall Go to the Ball (Rina)

Open for Play
Brunnhold's college town, located inside the university grounds.

User avatar
Niamh Madden
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:50 pm
Topics: 9
Race: Galdor
: I'm a good girl...
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Writer: Maximus
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:41 pm

Bethas 40, 2719 | Late Morning
Rina's House, The Stacks
.
Image
Niamh was in a tizzy. Well, maybe tizzy wasn't the right word - too narrow. It was more like someone had taken a variety of emotions that didn't work well beside one another, shaken them together and dispensed a potent cocktail of distress in the form of the final year student. Despair, anger, hopelessness, determination and possibly some hysteria had all been blended together as well as some reckless abandon.

She was going to do something stupid. She was going to do something intentionally that was exceptionally stupid and was likely to lead to a world of trouble. But she didn't care anymore. She hadn't asked for this and if her father disowned her then well... she'd prepared for this, hadn't she? And she'd be better off than Fionn who had also done something so unforgivable that their parents acted as if he'd never existed: he'd been born passive.

Okay, maybe it wasn't truly world-shattering, she highly doubted that her actions would send ripples shivering through Vita that threatened to rip its order apart and cascade it into chaos. It was a dress. It was just a dress, women wore them all the time, just... not women who were meant to be very sensible, respectable and newly betrothed. What she was planning might have been all right, fuelling some gossip, earning some raised eyebrows and amused looks if she'd been planning on wearing such a thing while hanging on her fiancé's arm. Wearing a revealing dress to an event and publicly snubbing your future husband was the act of a wanton woman, one who was interested in exploring the market rather than one that had been all but bought and sold.

But she wasn't Caleb Darcy's wife yet and she had no intention of becoming his either. If she snubbed him publicly, if she showed that she wasn't some trembling and helpless little wallflower then perhaps everyone would stop trying to walk all over her. The eldest Madden was sick of being walked on and as had become quite evident recently, she was more than capable of letting people know it. This time, she had no intention of losing her temper with anyone, not losing control in a wild and uncontrollable way. There would be no accusations that she was hysterical, no sir.

She would show them and damnit, maybe she would show Harper something in the process too because damn her family, damn society, she should have the bloody right to choose.

It was petty, childish even but it would be her little rebellion. She was a grown woman and maybe it was time to make people sit up and take notice of that. So she had come to a decision and even though she was scared and nervous and doubted her intent to some degree, she was also set on making her presence at this year's St. Grumble's Red Tie memorable.

It was what was driving her into the Stacks this tenth, unaccompanied despite the recent fears about the safety of Brunnhold's students. The truth was that the Living Conversationalist only had a vague notion of fashion and she also had limited time. Limited time meant limited options and her friends were few and far between so there weren't many people whose advice she could seek. However, there was someone she was friendly with who knew about fashion and from all accounts, had experience in shaking things up in a scandalous fashion: Rina Salifa.

The half-Mugrobi girl had attempted to take the redhead under her wing, offering her opportunities to socialise and be part of things, doing her best to draw Niamh out of her shell. It hadn't exactly worked out but that wasn't Rina's fault; sometimes you needed a person to meet you halfway. Now was the time to make the necessary effort.

Thus, the young woman was out on the final day of the weekend and the month at an hour that might still be early for those who were taking advantage of the last bit of freedom before classes resumed. The necessary enquiries had been made and the requested directions given to lead her to this particular location, sturdy red-brick homes towering above her, as solid and impressive as those of Brunnhold but these were for just a few people, not the multitudes of galdori youth who required an education. These were the sort of houses owned by very well-off galdori, which were either kept for personal use or to turn a profit by divvying them up for renting purposes. It seemed unthinkable that the wealthy younger student would be sharing a household with anyone, even if they were giving her parents money, and yet it also seemed unthinkable that one person could possibly require so much space.

The precise location of the house hadn't been known to her but it was recognisable for its unique modification: a ramp in the stead of a step. Knowing Rina's need for it, she could see how that simple slope opened a world of mobility for the half-blood and her wheelchair. Shoes tapped softly on the gentle incline, a small gloved hand raised to grasp the brass knocker before there was a pause. A pulse went through her field, a nervous energy trembling out from the epicentre as her resolve wavered a tad. As doubt tried to creep in. However, she was already holding the chilled metal, the cold seeping through the material between it and her skin and she shoved it back against the wood before she could talk herself out of this. An initial slam, more forceful than strictly necessary, was followed by two smart but more measured taps. She let the knocker fall from her grasp, clasping hands and letting them dangling before her. After a moment, they went behind her back instead; she was fidgety, her body language betraying her edginess as readily as the anxious eddies in the mona surrounding her.

Moments stretched by with painful slowness, the youth nibbling her lip as she wondered if this would be an inconvenient time, if Rina would want to entertain an unexpected guest so early on a tenth. Would the girl be cross or bewildered? To think that after all her attempts over the past two months that Niamh would appear of her own accord and in so unexpected a guise-

The door opened and revealed a servant - a butler. As the man looked her over, the student straightened her coat self-consciously before thinking better of it; she straightened her posture instead.

"Good day. I need to see your mistress on a matter of urgency. I understand that she won't be expecting me but if I could come in out of the cold, I can wait for her. Provided that you assure her that she needn't rush herself on my account. You can tell her that Niamh Madden is here to see her," she announced grandly, feeling warmth enter her freckled cheeks that she doubted showed thanks to the flush brought on by the lingering Bethas chill.

Her words sounded too adult to her ears, too false and insincere, more akin to the words that her father might use; apparently, Toibin Madden had taught his daughter well after all. Surprisingly, the shake didn't show in her voice although the chaos within was likely felt in her field, no matter how closely she held it around her. There was either sufficient command in her voice or he had some standing orders concerning certain sort of guests - or perhaps her specifically - because she was ushered in and placed in a room with a fire roaring in the hearth. The enveloping warmth was gratefully received, the galdor keeping her coat on as she shivered her way back to a reasonable temperature, perching on the edge of a chair that would likely have been comfortable if she'd been willing to relax rather than adopting the attitude of a bird ready to take flight.

She didn't want Rina to overexert herself on her account or make unnecessary haste but at the same time, the young woman selfishly hoped that she wouldn't have to wait long for her to appear.

Tags:
User avatar
Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:53 pm
Topics: 7
Race: Galdor
: "For Gods' sake, just call me Rina."
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Plot Notes: Plot notes, incl. thread history
Writer: Rachel/jadeowl
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Sun Nov 24, 2019 4:47 pm

Rina's house The Stacks, Brunnhold
on the 40th of Bethas, 2719 Late Morning
Rina was still in her nightdress, sipping her coffee as she leaned over the table precariously and pointed at a paper with a quick sketch of a dress on it. "No, no, Estella. I don't think those lines will work at all. They'll bunch up and make me look heavier if I twist the wrong way," the tawny-skinned woman said to her passive before sitting down heavily in the chair. Her coffee splashed on the paper she had been looking at.

Estella inclined her head ever so slightly. "If you say so," the passive said, her curly fringe of hair shaking along the shaved sides of her head as she patted the paper dry and moved it to the larger of the two piles of papers on the table. "I think you're overthinking this. The party isn't until Roalis. You don't have to decide on a dress right now."

The two women had been trying for the last week to come up with a dress for Rina's hired tailor to make for Rina's debutante ball during summer break. Estella was right -- there was plenty of time. But Rina was all too conscious that too many people would be unable to look past her wheelchair. Rina felt like she had to look as good as possible to even be on a level playing field within galdori society. Once this ball was over, she'd be forced on the marriage market and she felt helpless, like there was nothing she could do to avoid making a poor match if people couldn't see her as something outside of a hopelessly flawed creature who should have never been let out of her bedroom after her accident.

Really, Rina would have preferred to avoid marriage all together, but she knew she probably wouldn't have a choice in the manner. All the half-Mugrobi woman could do was hope there was a very lengthy courting process.

The curly-maned galdor reached up and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I know, I know. I'm just… scared," she said, her voice a mere whisper. "I don't want this. I wish I could get my parents to see that," Rina said as she reached for her coffee to take a deep sip.

"I know. But your parents have yet to see you as the competent woman you are," Estella said as a knock came at the door. The passive frowned and looked at Rina. "Did you expect…?"

Rina shook her head once and put her coffee down. "Barclay will get it. Go get me a dressing robe," she said as she waved at her silky, cap-sleeved nightgown. "I can't take a guest in this."

Estella nodded quickly and ran off as Barclay entered the room on his way to the front door. The elderly human paused for a moment gave her a slight nod. "I will try to give you a few moments to get appropriately covered if they want to come in. Hopefully, it will just be a delivery."

"Thank you," Rina said gratefully as she stood up slowly. She cried out as something in her back pinched, leaning heavily on the table, as she gasped for breath. Barclay paused for a moment, concern touching his face before Rina waved him off.

Estella entered the room with a long-sleeved Hoxian-style robe and swearing as she heard Rina's gasps. "Hulali's tits, Rina. Why didn't you wait for me?" she askd as she propped Rina up. The two of them managed to get the robe on, though they had to take a few moments to wait for Rina to catch her breath when she got another spike of pain from the damaged nerves in her back. Once the robe was on, the passive helped her back into the dining room chair.

While Rina was trying to make herself presentable, Barclay answered the door. The elderly man might have taken Niamh aback with his dusky, liver-spotted skin and cotton-white puff of hair. But his uniform – the same black suit that many butlers wore, but with a black shirt underneath and a black bow tie – marked his position in the household.

Before Barclay could ask what the galdor before him needed, the redhead opened her mouth and a river of words came out. The Mugrobi man couldn't hold back a gentle smile, the corners crinkling in amusement as the woman finished. "Oh, yes! Miss Madden," he said in a melodious voice that could put any baby to sleep. In fact, it had put the woman he currently served to sleep many times when she was a restless tot. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Miss Aeinsa has said many good things about you."

He let out a soft chuckle at the look that passed over the Anaxi woman's face and the flickering change in the galdor's field. "Ah, yes. I forget she goes by Rina at school. I promise you, you're at the right house," he said, waving Niamh in.

"Miss Aeinsa's up, but it may be a few moments. Why don't you wait here in the library? I can get you something warm to drink if you'd like. Perhaps some tea or coffee? Miss Aeinsa has hot cocoa also, if that's your preference," he said as he turned into the archway that lead to the library. He waved at the couch and chairs in the room. "Please. Sit where you wish, except for the chaise," he said.

He waited until the girl settled in front of the fire before leaving to get a warm beverage and to let Rina know who was awaiting her. Once he entered the dining room and got a look at Rina's face, he frowned. "It's Niamh Madden. She's in the library. Should I…?" he started.

Rina shook her head fiercely. "No. I've been hoping she would stop by. I'm not going to turn her away now that she has. Estella, can you go get the chair?" she asked the passive before turning back to Barclay. "Drinks and a light snack?" she requested before she leaned back in her chair.

"Of course, Miss Aeinsa," Barclay said with a slight nod of his head before leaving his employer to her preparations.

Last edited by Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa on Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:58 am, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
Niamh Madden
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:50 pm
Topics: 9
Race: Galdor
: I'm a good girl...
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Writer: Maximus
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:39 pm

Bethas 40, 2719 | Late Morning
Rina's House, The Stacks
.
Image
Niamh had only interacted with the butler and yet she was already second guessing herself, wondering why in the Lady’s Name she was making such a fool of herself. Had she really said that it was a matter of urgency? Really?

It was something that had to be dealt with quickly, certainly—time wasn’t on her side in this endeavour—but it wasn’t of such high import that it deserved to be termed as ‘urgent’. She had done a great job of seeming like a conceited bitch and this human—she could feel the absence of field or nexus—probably thought that she was some spoiled golly heiress or something. Although she had been spoiled in many ways over the years and she was a galdor and in theory-

Gods, she needed to focus! She didn’t think that she’d made a very favourable impression and that was something to be regretted. Yes, it was only a human but Rina was still his employer and perhaps the coloured girl would ask him about her, perhaps he’d repeat her exact words and then it would be revealed that she’d only come about a dress for herself.

Niamh didn’t feel as if the world revolved around her or ought to do so—honestly!

But her name didn’t seem to surprise him—no doubt he was too well-trained to reveal such feelings in any event—and what was more, it seemed familiar to him. Had Rina been talking about her? Had a visit been expected from her at some point? Well, the invitation had been there, open for her to accept whenever she chose and it made sense that the younger student hadn’t wanted her staff to be caught off-guard, perhaps questioning who the eldest Madden was.

The fact that she was recognised made her feel rather worse about the whole situation if she was quite honest, her heart plummeting and a wince barely suppressed when he explained that he’d been told many good things about her.

Maybe he’d think that she was nice to people who weren’t her racial inferiors; she’d just seem snobby towards humans and the like. Just what she wanted—wonderful!

But Miss Aeinsa had told him?

The redhead’s expression grew quizzical, quickly overridden by panic which she hastily smothered. Still, the doubt remained in her field. She’d asked about Rina and while she hadn’t been certain that this was the right house, she had the correct area based on the directions that she’d been given and it wasn’t as if every house had access for-

He set her mind at rest by confirming that it was indeed Rina of whom he spoke. But how had he known to offer the reassurance? Had she really been that obvious? Oh gosh, this was going to be horrible. If even a human man could read her then it meant that the other galdor was liable to know everything that Niamh was feeling; the eldest Madden was feeling many things right now.

“Of course, I wouldn’t- I don’t expect her to rush on my account,” she explained to Barclay, clutching her coat more tightly around herself as she crossed the threshold, shivering at the change in temperature. She’d take it off once she was somewhat settled; it could act as a shield of sorts for now. The student followed him to the library, finding herself torn over the question of a hot beverage.

“Um… tea please. No! Hot cocoa- Tea! No! Cocoa! Yes, cocoa, sorry,” she replied awkwardly, feeling her cheeks burn more acutely than from the mere return of blood to her wind-chilled face. Coffee didn’t appeal to her and tea was what she was meant to drink—it was suitably adult—but the mention of hot cocoa had caught her, the young woman momentarily torn. It was a childhood treat, something she remembered sharing with Fionn as they curled up together in the library alcove and hid from the world. Cocoa was attached to many pleasant memories but it was something childish or at least not sophisticated enough for a young lady—at least according to both of her parents. Right now, the prospect of the slightly bitter cocoa mixed with the heavy sweetness of milk or cream, and sugar sounded like a little piece of heaven; she needed something like that right now.

For someone who had come here with such determination and conviction of purpose, the sorceress now found herself in a whirl of indecision, first, the choice of drink and now the choice of seat. She hovered, considering the couch and even drifting in that direction before she hummed to herself and perched on the very edge of an armchair seat, a nervous bird ready to take flight. It didn’t help that the butler actually lingered until she seated herself, only realising that he was still present when her eyes cast over him; there was no field to sense.

Once the man was gone, the eldest Madden didn’t relax much. She couldn’t bring herself to sit back, couldn’t settle herself. She crossed her feet at the ankles, hands in her lap for a few moments. Fingers interlaced and wrung together before separating again, elbows resting on the arms of the chair while she began worrying at her nails instead. It was a disgusting habit and it was a difficult one to break, particularly when she was nervous.

Niamh didn’t know why she’d come here, not anymore. She questioned why she’d allowed this spontaneity to happen. Here she was putting Rina out to do… what? Make demands of the young woman? Throw herself at her feet and beg her to sort out a dress for her that was fit for a… a… a trollop? It was laughable. Laughable!

Here was Niamh Madden, stripping off her coat to reveal various shades of brown including a knitted sweater vest and a long skirt. Mousy and neutral, the clothes of someone who would be happy to fade into the background, not entirely easy given her fiery hair, even when it was tied back to be out of the way. How could she honestly request a scandalous dress without Rina laughing at her?

She found herself on her feet, coat draped over the arm of the chair as she walked to the fire, standing before it with her arms crossed. There was a tremor of anxiety in her field and nervous energy in the tap of her foot.
Last edited by Niamh Madden on Fri Jan 24, 2020 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:53 pm
Topics: 7
Race: Galdor
: "For Gods' sake, just call me Rina."
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Plot Notes: Plot notes, incl. thread history
Writer: Rachel/jadeowl
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:45 pm

Rina's House The Stacks, Brunhold
on the 40th of Bethas, 2719 Late Morning
Estella quickly returned with the wheelchair and Rina stood up again, swearing loudly -- perhaps too loudly -- as she stood, her bad leg turning into lightning as the muscles spasmed. "I'm getting really tired of this chroveshit," she muttered after she practically collapsed into the wheelchair, Of course, she had been tired of it for years, but stating it outright sometimes helped with the frustration of feeling like her body was slowly failing her. It was better than breaking down crying or screaming in rage, though she did both of those on occasion, too.

Saida came out of the kitchen at the same time Barclay did, flying around the older man's head as he balanced a tray of cocoa and marshmallows expertly. "Cook said she was driving her crazy and demanded the brat leave the kitchen. We're having duck for dinner," the man said. His stoic nature cracked slightly as the creature trilled and danced through the air, an amused grin slipping onto his face. "Miss Niamh asked for cocoa. I'll bring you some fresh coffee after Miss Madden is settled."

Rina laughed brightly. "If I had known that, I would have kept Saida out of the kitchen. Poor Cook," she said as she waved the butler past her. "Cocoa will be fine. Go ahead of me. I'll be there in a minute," she said as she snapped her fingers to catch Saida's attention. "Come here, you little brat."

The miraan chirruped and glided down, wrapping herself around Rina's neck as she started grooming Rina's curls. The galdor reached up and scratched between the miraan's ears as Estella stepped behind her and pushed the wheelchair around the table and towards the library.

When Rina entered the room, Barclay was serving Niamh hot chocolate. Rina gave a tiny sad inward wince as she saw how awkward Niamh was. She had tried to reach out to the girl, to make friends with the church mouse, but the girl's nervousness and the year's difference between them had always kept a wall between them. Maybe this was the first of many visits.

"Niamh, darling. I'm so glad you're here!" Rina said cheerfully, masking her pain with ease. Her welcome to Niamh wasn't even remotely fake. "Hulali's tits, Barclay. Take the girl's coat already. You should know by now that Estella can manage me if we get a sudden visitor," the tawny skinned girl scolded her butler. Her tone wasn't angry, though. It was more of a gentle teasing. "You're getting forgetful in your old age."

Barclay laughed, his laughter a deep rumble as he took Niamh's coat. It was quite clear that he was used to Rina's teasing. "You say that to the man that read you bedtime stories," he said with a shake of his head and a mocking cluck of his tongue. "I would have thought your parents would have raised you better."

Rina rolled her eyes, blushing slightly. She waved Barclay off once Niamh's coat was on the coat rack. "I'll be fine. I have Estella here if I need help, all right?" she said, relaxing a bit as Barclay nodded and left the room.

She gave Niamh a shy smile. "Sorry about that. He knew me before the accident so he's... a bit protective. Sometimes he forgets how to be a proper butler."
Last edited by Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa on Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Niamh Madden
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:50 pm
Topics: 9
Race: Galdor
: I'm a good girl...
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Writer: Maximus
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Sat Jan 25, 2020 4:20 pm

Bethas 40, 2719 | Late Morning
Rina's House, The Stacks
.
Image
Edgy, so incredibly edgy.

When something in the flames let out a cracking pop, the Living Conversationalist damn near leaped from her skin, wound up so tight that it was a wonder that something in her tense body didn’t snap. A hand found its way to rest over the organ knocking wildly in her chest, sucking in air as if it was fast growing scarce while she waited for things to return to something like a regular rhythm.

It was as bad as jumping at shadows and the young woman didn’t know how she was going to manage this. She could hardly leave now though, not when people had responded to her arrival; she didn’t want to inconvenience anyone further. So she tried to go over a script in her head instead, thinking about how she’d present this to Rina.

Well, I know that you’re interested in fashion-

You did say that you’d like to see me put myself out there more-

I’ve found out that my father has basically sold me so I’ve decided to send my reputation down the Arova...

I don’t want to be a good girl anymore!


Oh yes, they all sounded great ways to approach this conversation. Her scattered thoughts weren’t helping at all, Niamh finding that her mind jumped from one thing to another although managing to stay relatively close to the main topic. She didn’t know that she wanted to admit what had happened with Caleb Darcy. She didn’t know that she wanted to field a lot questions but how could you ask for something like that and expect no real response? How could she expect the half-Anaxi to simply go along with things, no questions asked?

There was nothing reasonable about the request—the veritable demand—that she had come to make. There was nothing rational about this situation either; she’d given total leave to her senses clearly.

She’d begun to pace a little again by the time that Barclay returned, a hesitant smile skirting her lips as she moved back to the armchair she had briefly occupied before. The student accepted the offered cocoa with a murmur of thanks as she set her coat on the arm of the chair. She came bloody close to upending the contents of the cup into her lap when Rina appeared, the second time she’d startled in as many minutes.

She remembered how to breathe, eyelids fluttering closed and she took a moment to gather herself before exhaling slowly and opening her eyes anew. Niamh tried a smile, which was quickly marred by a wince at the choice of vulgarity from the young girl’s lips. She didn’t like to swear and that… term on top of everything really made her uncomfortable beyond reason. Just that one word, regardless of intent or blasphemy or anything else, had made the galdor flush and she honestly didn’t know what to do with herself.

She plucked up her coat to offer it to the butler, trying for a smile again as she split her attention between the human and her hostess.

”Uh hi, hello, Rina,” she greeted awkwardly, shifting the cup around in her grasp so that the handle moved from one side to the other. She felt the urge to stand as if the darker-skinned girl was someone who required such a show of respect instead of a peer who wished to call her friend. It was probably all the nervous energy that she hadn’t successfully harnessed, just partially suppressed so that she could sit herself down and stop pacing. Now here she was barely able to prevent herself from squirming where she sat. It was too late for the student to be regretting her choices now but she did wish that she could back out of this now, especially given the general air of camaraderie between Rina and her servants. The redhead was left feeling as if she was on the outside of things, sitting there with her cocoa and wishing that she could sit with her hand clasped tightly together and jammed between her thighs.

Niamh remained silent during the banter between butler and fashionista, hoping to go unnoticed and forgotten but her hopes were dashed when Rina turned her attention to her and made a somewhat sheepish apology.

“It’s… it’s okay. You don’t have to- I’m y-y-your guest so you don’t have to- It’s fine,” the sorceress stuttered, lips twitching upwards before she tried to take a sip of cocoa that was too hot. She managed to wet the tip of her tongue with the scalding liquid, feeling it burn and then deaden. She was left feeling as if she had a huge lump on the end of it, the young woman trying to poke at it subtly to check. Well, she wasn’t going to properly enjoy her drink now because of hastiness brought on by nerves.

“I just mean that you don’t have to explain anything to me,” Niamh clarified, sighing as she rested her cup carefully against her leg. “I suppose you want to know why I’m here.”

She fidgeted, carefully pulling down the material of her skirt even though it clearly wasn’t riding up and didn’t need to be straightened.

“I know that you said that I could call on you at any time and I know that you- well, you want us to be friends—not that I don’t want to be friends—but this isn’t exactly a friendship thing. I mean, I’m not here for a social call. I actually came to ask… a favour.”

The Living Conversationalist cleared her throat, raising her gaze to Rina’s face. Her field seemed to wriggle, something nervous and uncertain thrumming through her monic aura. She dampened her field to a degree, pulling it in for the sake of politeness, not wanting to force her feelings onto her companion. The younger woman hardly needed to be able to read her fellow galdor’s field in order to know what she was feeling. She was terrible at keeping her expression neutral at times like these and so her nerves were apparent as well as some guilt. She did feel terrible about this because it felt like she was here to use Rina.

Which she kind of was.

But she did feel bad.

“I- Actually, have you… been thinking about the Red Tie at all? The one for St. Grumble’s. Attendance is um… mandatory so uh… we all uh… have reason to think about it…” she murmured awkwardly.
User avatar
Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:53 pm
Topics: 7
Race: Galdor
: "For Gods' sake, just call me Rina."
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Plot Notes: Plot notes, incl. thread history
Writer: Rachel/jadeowl
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Tue Feb 18, 2020 1:17 pm

Rina's House The Stacks, Brunnhold
on the 40th of Bethas, 2719 Late Morning
Rina gave an awkward smile to Niamh as Barclay left, still slightly embarrassed that the girl had seen the teasing nature of Rina's relationship with Barclay. She always worried that she would appear "too relaxed" with her help. Some of the more haughty and self-important students had teased her about her propensity to treat her help like they were worthy of respect and caring. While Rina's intuition said that Niamh wasn't one who would judge Rina for her relaxed nature, her anxiety said otherwise. She liked the girl and didn't want to alienate her.

The young woman rolled her wheelchair over to the chaise lounge next to the fire. She carefully transferred herself from the chair to the chaise, trying to mask her pain as much as possible. She was only half-successful. If someone looked closely, they would see slightly narrowed eyes and an almost imperceptible wince as the galdor nestled into the corner of the chaise. The pain touched her field lightly before Rina dampened it.

Estella rolled the wheelchair into the corner of the room and sat in the chair by the head of the chaise as Rina watched Niamh speak nervously. A light sense of sadness touched Rina's field when Niamh admitted it wasn't a social call. Rina didn't mind helping out the girl a single bit. In fact, she adored helping people out and her ja often teased her that she would have made a wonderful doctor if not for her weak stomach. But, deep down, she had hoped for gossip and tea, not business.

Rina reached up to scratch Saida's head, the soft sadness in her field being overwhelmed with a sense of glee. "I have! My dress is already being made up by my tailor, though it took me forever to decide on a design. I've been working on my dress for my debutante ball in Roalis," the girl said as she wrinkled her nose a bit.

Rina wanted to be presented to proper society about as much as she wanted her monthly cycle -- which is to say she would have done anything possible to avoid it. Rina enjoyed her freedom and knew that the debutante ball would be the beginning of the end for hers. The idea of marriage nauseated her. Of course, her parents would ensure they made a good match for her, but Rina was under no illusion that they would have a wide array of marriageable men to choose from. Once they found a match -- and Rina had very little hope they wouldn't, as her parents were very persistent at times -- Rina would be expected to fill her wifely duties without complaint.

Rina pulled herself out of her gloomy thoughts with a shake of her head. "I have to get my dress approved by my parents, which should be so much fun," Rina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes. Her parents tended to favor the more conservative Anaxi styles, while Rina enjoyed the fun and playfulness that came from Mugrobi fashion. And with an event as momentous as a debutante ball, Rina would be expected to be at the peak of Anaxi fashion.

"I assume the favor you want to ask is about your Red Tie dress?" Rina asked, putting the dots together a bit belatedly..
Last edited by Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa on Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Niamh Madden
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:50 pm
Topics: 9
Race: Galdor
: I'm a good girl...
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Writer: Maximus
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:57 pm

Bethas 40, 2719 | Late Morning
Rina's House, The Stacks
.
Image
There had been no easy way for her to broach the topic, at least not from her perspective, but Niamh still felt as if she could have done better. Hell, Rina’s miraan could probably have done better than the final year student. She didn’t know why she had to be so bad at this sort of thing. Honestly, she knew how to interact like a real person, she really did and she could behave like one but it just… seemed to elude her most of the time. She’d certainly been better with people before although her ability to make friends had largely seeped away by the time she entered into her senior years at Brunnhold, possibly because she grew more focused on her studies, more determined. In truth, there had been more chances of friendship before she started taking extracurriculars. Really, she could pinpoint her social demise as being when she started working in Laboratory Beta, the young woman making a move that went against the grain and then of course, she’d had the cheek to condone what the professors were doing rather than laughing with everyone else and claiming that she was just doing it for the credit. She hadn’t always been this anxious or ineffectual at communication. Oh she certainly hadn’t been quite good enough at it for her father’s liking, her interactions a little too pleasant and open for the political sphere but she had done well. But once she’d crossed a forbidden line, it had all gone to hell, earning the disapproval of her parents and the near constant bullying attention of her brother.

She’d grown so insular in the last year or so to protect herself that she really had forgotten how someone her age was meant to act. Even so, the young woman knew enough to assume that this wasn’t what the half-Mugrobi had wanted when she extended the invitation that she had. Hardly, what you wanted on a tenth either, a young woman calling about business instead of light conversation. Unfortunately, when it came to topics of light conversation, the redhead thought she could manage to talk about lamps and that would be as close as she came.

Even so, her mention of the Red Tie managed to open the way at least, the other able to make conversation all on her own while Niamh looked on in mild fascination. The girl was a chatterer but unlike the eldest Madden, she simply seemed to enjoy talking as opposed to spewing words at high speed usually in a panicked attempt to fill any potential awkward silences and usually creating them in the process. The idea was to talk at a normal speed so that her mouth never got too far ahead of her brain. Keeping her mouth shut for the most part was also liable to help.

Stranger things had happened.

“A debutante ball!” she remarked, lips sliding back in the beginnings of a sneering grimace, the prospect sounding far from pleasant. The other girl didn’t look particularly keen on the idea but the redhead mustered a wan smile at her clear lack of amusement about having to run her dress past her family. She imagined that Rina had big ideas, probably quite daring ones but her parents would no doubt rein her in. Any sensible parent would do the same, she had no doubt, the need to present the right sort of image something that they had to consider very carefully for a daughter. Only daughters needed that sort of attention because there were far too many bad impressions that a girl could make, the mere hint of wildness (independence), intelligence (thinking for herself) or sluttish tendencies (any sense of her own sexuality) would cause all sorts of problems. It made her think of the dress her father had had her wear back in Ophus and she shuddered subtly, grey shivering through her field. It came and went swiftly, the redhead dampening the emotion with a flush of determination.

No, she’d come here for a reason and while events back in Ophus had worked towards cementing things in the present, she was now aware what her tidy and meek presentation did for her and had every chance to pull herself free of any plans her father was making before they were truly set. Have her engaged well in advance of an actual marriage, would he? Well, if he’d assumed that she’d go along with it like a good girl then Toibin Madden was in for a shock and perhaps Caleb’s parents could be given plenty of reason to reconsider such a union.

The young woman sat a little straighter, chin tilting up so that she was regarding her companion more fully than before.

“I did actually. I know it’s rather short notice but it’s been a rather… spontaneous decision so I could hardly plan it well in advance now, could I?” she quipped, beginning to smirk.

“I was hoping that you could help me come up with something based on something pre-existing, it can hardly be made from scratch at this late stage although I’m sure that you know the right sorts of people who could rush alterations. I can assure you that my father can afford it,” she added with a bark of laughter, imagining her father’s expression when he discovered what his money had been used to purchase.

Readjusting the cup on her leg, she leaned closer, her voice becoming low, conspiratorial.

“I’m aiming for daring, possibly scandalous and at the very least, something of which my parents wouldn’t approve. Scandalous would be tricky, I suppose, given that I haven’t got um… much in the way of natural assets to work with…”

Her face began to redden, hazel gaze dropping self-consciously to her own figure. Sure enough, the confidence that determination had brought was also beginning to bleed away.

“But I suppose there is such a thing as creating an illusion of having more to keep under wraps than you have in reality. So do you think- Well, I shouldn’t ask if you think it’s possible. I should um... probably be asking if you’d be willing to help actually? So… would you? I know that I’m asking for a lot but I… well, I consider it important but it wouldn’t be the end of my life if you didn’t agree.”

No, probably just the end of my freedom and independence, she added in glum silence.
Last edited by Niamh Madden on Fri May 15, 2020 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:53 pm
Topics: 7
Race: Galdor
: "For Gods' sake, just call me Rina."
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Plot Notes: Plot notes, incl. thread history
Writer: Rachel/jadeowl
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:03 pm

Rina's House The Stacks, Brunnhold
on the 40th of Bethas, 2719 Late Morning
Another look of distaste crossed Rina's face. "Yes, a debutante ball! It's so old-fashioned. We're in the 2700s, not the clocking 2400s! And we both know that it's useless to try to find me a husband, considering this," she said, waving her hand along her body.

Rina knew that the topic of how people perceived her injuries was hardly a proper topic of discussion. While the curly-haired student often pushed boundaries, she was smart enough to know what boundaries were firm. But the idea of being married off upset her so much that her mouth ran faster than her brain. "I've made my peace with my injuries, but you know how men see us. We're clocking brood mares. And I, by Hulali's blessed waters, can't have children. Who the hell would marry me?"

Once she realized what she had said, her hands came up to her mouth in shock at her horrid display of impropriety, mortification coloring both her face and body language. "Oh, Hulali's tits. I am so sorry!" she spat out, truly taken aback by her own behavior. "I'm usually not an idiot like this, I swear!"

She buried her head in her hands in embarrassment for a moment before looking up at Niamh through her lashes, then letting her hands fall. "Let's… just forget I said that, all right?" she grimaced, her usually cool and collected façade shattered in the presence of the Anaxi galdor. Something about the girl lead to Rina being swept up in her emotions, her usually well-hidden anxiety peeking out as it recognized a kindred spirit.

She clapped her hands at Niamh's mention of altering her red tie dress, her mortification being momentarily forgotten under the excitement that came with the idea of a fashion challenge. "I can most certainly do that! You'd be surprised what a proper shaping and padding can do. Estella, go grab my sketch pad? Niamh, can you tell me what the dress looks like now? Or you can run back to campus and grab it if you want. Either will work! I'm not going anywhere today and I'm sure that Estella would appreciate the break from me stressing over my debutante dress."
Last edited by Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa on Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Niamh Madden
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:50 pm
Topics: 9
Race: Galdor
: I'm a good girl...
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Writer: Maximus
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Sat May 16, 2020 5:30 pm

Bethas 40, 2719 | Late Morning
Rina's House, The Stacks
.
Image
It was a good thing that she’d brought up the subject of the Red Tie, which had been waiting in the wings for when an opportunity arose, because what Rina came out with made her utterly incapable of thinking anything other than the most inappropriate things. If she hadn’t had the social event and the matter of the dress ready to go on her lips then she didn’t know what else Rina might have come out with to fill the silence while the eldest Madden recovered from the shock and mortification of… that. It gave the half-Mugrobi some direction to go in so that it was easier to bite her tongue and prevent herself from indulging in a curiosity that could only have been termed morbid.

Despite the other’s embarrassed plea, she couldn’t simply forget what she’d said, especially as the implications had driven themselves deep into her mind and brought forth a fount of questions that swamped her consciousness, ready to overflow and sound exceptionally insensitive.

Rina was infertile. Well, she didn’t know if she was barren or if her magical injuries meant that she was incapable of carrying a child to term, but the how of it didn’t exactly matter, albeit some part of her mind was speculating about that. How far reaching and varied were the consequences of the diablerie that she’d been caught in?

Whether it was the result of her accident or an additional cruelty, the prospect that her companion couldn’t have children deeply upset Niamh. The young woman might be viewed as rather radical by some people but she was by no means against marrying and having children. In fact, she really wanted a family of her own one day but she wanted it on her own terms with someone that she loved and of course, she didn’t want to be reduced to simply having children. It was why she wanted the chance to continue her education and pursue more before she settled down and it was those desires that worried her parents, as if she might do some irreparable damage that might make her unmarriageable, which was probably why they were so keen to marry her off early.

To be unable to have children struck the girl as devastating, although perhaps it didn’t bother the other student. After all, she mustn’t assume that all women wanted children and perhaps her infertility was a blessing rather than a curse. Even so, it was difficult for the redhead to imagine how she would cope if their positions were reversed. To be married off in spite of that inability also seemed unnecessarily cruel because from the perspective of her parents, what was the point?

A chilling prospect occurred to the Living Conversationalist, one that she couldn’t shrug off in light of the comment about young women being like broodmares in Anaxi society. She thought she’d said something akin to that to Harper Moore a few months ago but she didn’t know if she’d commented that sometimes it seemed as if heirs were more important than the women who produced them. Given that Rina’s parents were still so keen to marry her off and do so well, could she actually conceive but a pregnancy would kill her?

Gods, no, that was horrifying and surely one’s own family would never-

It was one thing to do something ‘for your own good’ that would make you intensely miserable but no, surely no one would do that to their own daughter. Her father might have effectively sold her to Caleb Darcy, something that would have rather unsavoury results if their marriage went ahead, but he wouldn’t do such a thing if he knew that he was dooming her to die. No, the other must simply be unable to have children and the marriage was for the sake of security, a different sort of transaction than one involving children.

However, the gooseflesh that had risen on her arms refused to go down.

“The dress, yes, I- Well, I actually have more than one because I- And I’m not good at describing clothing but I could-” she stopped herself, inhaling deeply while she considered what she wanted to say instead of merely spitting out words to fill the space so that the other wouldn’t realise that she’d had her mind on other things.

Niamh licked her lips and rubbed her hands reflexively against her skirt.

“You see, I get a certain allowance from my parents and I’ve been saving what I can but- That’s not important but I have to spend it sometimes so that I have something to show for it. I do have a few dresses that would be suitable for a Red Tie but they’re all rather, uh… conservative…”

She reached up and curled a strand of her hair around her finger, just stopping short of shoving it in her mouth. It was a horribly childish gesture and one that she was wont to do when she was alone and thinking something over.

“I did buy a new one before I decided that I wanted something… different. I should probably go to get it because all I can say is that it’s um… red and kind of long with a high neckline. It has sleeves? Yes, I’m not very good at this. I should hurry off and get it so you can look at it but I suppose that it should be easy to work with because there’s a lot of material so there’s room to chop and change. I… really don’t know what I’m doing with this,” the Living Conversationalist admitted, sighing wearily as she set her cup down on the floor and placed her face in her hands.

Was she being a fool? Was it right to consider doing something far outside of her comfort zone to what? Piss off her father? Attempt to break off her new engagement? Catch Harper’s attention? Were any of her reasons good enough to justify altering a dress to a point where it would be considered scandalous?

Her hands smacked down into her lap as she stamped her foot. Her field pulsed, expanding outwards as her frustration pushed her to ignore her etiquette.

“Ugh, I don’t know what to do!”

Her lips twisted, a sound of disgust rattling in her throat, hazel eyes flashing as she thought of the arrogant face of her betrothed, which she’d seen so often in the vicinity of her ersehole of a brother. However, it wasn’t Caleb’s face in front of her right now but Rina’s. Her face grew hot, her shoulders slumping as the fire left her.

“I’m sorry, I-I-I- it hasn’t been an enjoyable week for me. I uh… I found out that I’m… engaged,” she explained, shamefaced as she bent to retrieve her cocoa, anything that would stop her from inadvertently catching the other’s eye.
User avatar
Aeinsa Zahaarina Salifa
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:53 pm
Topics: 7
Race: Galdor
: "For Gods' sake, just call me Rina."
Character Sheet: Character Sheet
Plot Notes: Plot notes, incl. thread history
Writer: Rachel/jadeowl
Writer Profile: Writer Profile
Post Templates: Post Templates
Contact:

Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:06 am

Rina's House Brunnhold, Anaxas
on the 40th of Bethas, 2719 Late Morning
Rina listened to Niamh babble about the dress then smiled. "It's okay. Not everyone has the eye for fashion. If you tell Stella where your room is, I can write up a note for her to run to campus to get the dress. And while she's gone, I can draw something up, then we'll see what we can do."

Estella got up and moved to the desk, taking out some paper and a pen. "Describe it as best as you can, and give me directions to your room and I'll pop over and get it," she said cheerfully as she handed the stationary to Niamh. Once Niamh finished writing directions out, Estella went over to Rina, who quickly wrote out a note explaining why Estella would be on campus. "You'll have to sign this too, Niamh," she said as she handed the permission letter back to Estella. Once Niamh had signed it, Estella dropped into a curtsey and hurried off.

Rina gave Niamh a soft, sad smile when the red-haired Anaxi sputtered out that she had been engaged. Rina hated how galdori handled marriage – marriages were so often arranged based on money or power over love. If Niamh's father was anything like her brother, he most certainly made sure that he got the most power out of marrying away Niamh. "Ah. I see. My sympathies," she said quietly. "Are you trying to impress someone else or just trying to make a statement that you're your own woman? If you're trying to impress someone else, you might want to go a bit more… scandalous," the curly-haired said with a wink as she grabbed her sketch book and pencil. "Personally, I'm all for scandalous, but I know you're much more conservative than I am."
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “The Stacks”

  • Information
  • Who is online

    Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests