Red Roses

“I sit in the sky like a sphinx misunderstood; My heart of snow is wed to the whiteness of swans; I hate the movement that displaces the rigid lines, With lips untaught neither tears nor laughter do I know.” --Charles Baudelaire

[alistair-henry]

Returnng the smile, Alistair nodded politely as she seemed to get herself together. He liked to think that by allowing her to take things at her own pace, she could avoid any potential sense of wounded pride.

“I have been well as of late, my lady. I like to think the weather seems slightly nicer this past week, but that’s likely all in my own imagination. Have you been well?”

[thelittlestcariott]

“A lovely thought- one that may have some truth to it, in fact, it has seemed slightly less freezing than normal”, she huffed in amusement. She had always been slightly more accustomed to the cold, or so she thought, having very few memories of a time before the snow. 

She nodded. “These past few weeks have been surprisingly quiet for me. It can be dull, but I suppose that’s the better alternative these days.”

[alistair-henry]

“I would be more than happy to accompany you, if you would have me,” Alistair said, watching her carefully for her reaction. It was difficult to see how she got so lost, but it was not his business and he had no reason to suspect anything other than a slight curiosity. “It’s a large city; that’s perfectly understandable, my lady. Shall we go before it gets even later?”

[thelittlestcariott]

“We shall,” she nodded, offering him a small smile. She was beginning to get her feet on the ground once more, straightening her posture and speaking more clearly. She took a few steps forward in the direction of the shop- in truth, she knew these streets like the back of her hand.

“How have you fared recently, Ranger Henry?”

[ritari-nimelta-lavinia]

“What have you been doing tonight?” she asked. “It is late for a young woman to be out alone, not just nobility.” Indeed, Lavinia was curious. She knew something of the Cariott girls and what they tended to become. But unhappy wives did not a reckless person make. And The youngest girl was still unmarried.

[thelittlestcariott]

“Oh, here and there,” she answered nonchalantly, keeping her eyes on the ground. “Wandering mostly. Looking for something to do.” It wasn’t a lie, after all- it just wasn’t the whole truth, either. Things had grown boring recently, and she had been looking to make things a little more... exciting. It had been a while since she’d added a new diagram to her journal, and fewer people would notice a girl in the alleys in this part of the city.  

[alistair-henry]

“As you appear to be,” Alistair responded with a blandly polite smile, as if everything was completely normal and there was no reason at all for her to be concerned. “However, it would go against my conscience to let someone of your stature remain unaccompanied, my lady. Is there anyplace in particular you wish to go?”

[thelittlestcariott]

Tamzin kept her eyes on her feet, though she nodded slightly. “I was heading to my sisters shop,” she told him, making her story up on the spot. “I tried to take a shortcut. Though... I’m afraid I may have gotten a bit lost.” Her sister would be at home, she knew, but she had a way in anyhow. She could pretend to have forgotten something there, perhaps. 

[alistair-henry]

Alistair raised a skeptical eyebrow, but otherwise kept neutral, looking around the area as he spoke for clues of what had happened.

“There is no doubt of that. I was just walking by,” he lied, having caught wind of a potential situation not long ago. “However, I would be more than happy to offer my assistance if need be.”

[thelittlestcariott]

Internally, Tamzin cursed herself for having spoken up. She could have just slipped by unnoticed, if she had wanted to... but, then, maybe she really didn’t want to at that moment. 

She was jumpy. It had been a while since that had happened- she’d been good recently, stayed out of these parts of the city. Been a lady. Or at least, as much of one as she could be, even if it was mostly an act. 

Tamzin crossed her arms out of habit. “I’m fine,” she told him, shifting uncomfortably, though she was obviously lying.

[ritari-nimelta-lavinia]

“A noblewoman should not be alone, whether she is a skilled swordswoman or a delicate lace figure. I insist on allowing me to escort you.”

[thelittlestcariott]

Just her luck that Lavinia Gardener would be in this part of the city tonight, wasn’t it? Tamzin gave a curt nod. “Alright. Fine. I suppose that’s... reasonable.”

[thelittlestcariott]

“I can handle myself,” she stuttered to the other.

It was almost out of character for her, but it had been something of a rough evening.

[oh-tristan]

Tamzin seemed so out of her element. She fiddled and shifted, as subtle as she was, and Tristan felt he understood perfectly. Who could not be changed after a tragedy such as this?

“I was hoping for to create a small bouquet of white and red, if it pleases you,” he said with a polite nod of his head. “Carnations red and lilies white might be best here.”

[thelittlestcariott]

Tamzin stood from where she had sat, fixing her dress as she did so and nodding to the man, solemn. She made quick work, heading to the shelves and beginning to sort out some more the the flowers there, by their color this time, instead of by their meaning. Organizing like this had become something of a pastime for her in the recent days.

“Are they for anyone in particular?”

[oh-tristan]

“It seems appropriate that they are,” Tristan said. He held a small handful of flowers picked only for their meaning, all to be given to the royal family. The queen specifically. He wore a white coat over his jerkin, black as night. “I doubt any flowers would want to bloom in a time like this, even if they were made for winter winds.”

[thelittlestcariott]

She played with the hem of her dress. It had been far too long since she’d worn a long white gown such as this one, and with her hair up and the thin fabric draped against her -- cloak long discarded while she sat in the warmth of the store -- she looked almost picturesque, sitting in the little flower shop. 

“As these one are,” Tamzin replied, prodding at the silken flowers in front of her, “though I’m sure you already knew so.” She nodded towards the ones he held. “The shops owner is out, but if I may be of any assistance, I’d be happy to help.”

[tobealwaysthere-deactivated2015]

Victoria made quick work of walking through the market, with marks and fabrics being traded back and forth. She had left her dear sister in charge of her small floral shop and was eager not to leave her alone for too much longer. Her hand grasped a small handful of the skirt of her pale dress, with the intent to hoist the layers off the ground just slightly to help ease her stride through the market. She cradled her basket in the crook of her arm as she made her way from the stalls towards the studier buildings.

The white hood of her cloak was starting to slip off of her curls and it encouraged Victoria to hurry up. The sooner she was inside, the less likely the wind could catch her hood and send her hair billowing about her face. The Kingdom was still in morning of King Dominic and as such, her shop had been booming with people wanting her creations to help show their respects to the Royal family especially Queen Eira. Hence the need for more silk.

At long last she arrived at the store, and eagerly she pushed the door open. She could see her sister at the counter and before she could offer a greeting, Tamzin spoke. Her lips were coaxed into a smile as she heard her sister’s lack of welcoming words.

“Goodness Tamzin, no wonder the shop’s roaring with trade.” Victoria gently teased her sister, both of them knowing full well that no ill intent was present in her words. She walked across the threshold to lightly kiss her sister’s cheek, before raising her basket of materials up onto the counter. “Though one must wonder how silk flowers wilt.”

[thelittlestcariott]

Tamzin was slightly surprised at herself for not having recognized her sister’s form from the corner of her eye, or the usual patter of her feet, but she supposed she had been slightly distracted. She had been showing more interested in her sister’s flower as of late, but mostly after having discovered an unusual little book in the library that told her of a language and symbolism made up entirely of flowers. It was useful information. She didn’t know why it was useful, per say, but she figured she would find a reason eventually, as she usually did.

“In spirit, they are wilted, what with this dark cloud hanging over the kingdom, dear sister,” Tamzin sighed. 

“Everything right now is so depressing.”

Dull, more like. With the entire entirety of Nore in mourning, there was barely anything to do. While there was a part of her that enjoyed the sombre tone of things, the rest of her was itching for some excitement. Tragedy was only fun for so long before it got boring.

[thelittlestcariott]

Clad in a white mourning gown, Tamzin sat at a small table in her sister’s shop, arranging some of the silk flowers there into a small bouquet. She heard someone step into the store behind her, but she didn’t bother to turn around. “There’s rosemary,” she sighed, “that’s for remembering. And pansies, they’re for thoughts.” 

“I’d offer you some violets, dear, but they’ve all withered.” The girl pursed her lips, glancing at the other.

[lottaxthompson-deactivated20160]

Only the Finer Things || Tamzin & Lotta

[thelittlestcariott]

lottaxthompson:

“Oh, you are too kind,” Lotta put her hand over her heart, bending her knees slightly and blushing (which was not impossible to do on command if one put in the practice) at the compliment. When, in fact, she knew it was entirely true; she did look stunning, she always did.

And just as well, her gracefulness was impeccable. Lotta was convinced that she could say or do anything so long as it was ladylike and proper and get away with it. And so, slips of the tongue would not happen, no words would be misspoken on her part. This was not practice to her; this was child’s play, in a game she was a master at. After all, while Tamzin had a similar social standing to her, Lotta knew she was better at this then everyone, including royalty. And she was not afraid to let it show.

Bringing her hands back to her midriff, her smile turned to one meant for a ore conversational purpose, rather than one for receiving well-deserved compliments. “I have been eager too, it has been too long since last we spent time together. I am glad to hear you trust so in my eye when it comes to dressed, fore I’m more than happy to help, and I would never lead you astray.”

Not in the matter of clothes, anyways. Though Lotta would be more than likely to chatter about Tamzin behind her back when their time together that day was through.

Tamzin began to make her way through the crowd at a leisurely pace, ensuring the older girl was still near by her side-- she figured Lotta would end up following behind her anyways. She was like that.

“I’ve grown sick of my formal wear,” she began, “I wear it so rarely, and yet it’s so common. I wish to find something to replace them. I could commission that Miss Bridge for something, but it’s far more fun to go shopping with a friend,” she smiled, glancing over at Lotta. Truthfully, she didn’t care in the least where she got her clothing from, so long as there was much of it. There were parts of her that did enjoy dressing up, though mostly for the sake of putting on a show.

“I haven’t any idea what I’ll do with those leftover clothes, of course,” Tamzin sighed. “I do often wish I had a younger sister to spoil with hand-me-down’s, like my own sisters have done for me. So unfortunate about my mother, but there’s nothing to be done about these things, I suppose. Perhaps I’ll give them to Madeline.” She gave a nonchalant wave of her hand, mostly brushing off the thoughts of her family.

[thelittlestcariott]

fiat—lux:

“By hiding in a library, my lady. Reading, day and night, until the war was over and everyone became a scholar and started writing their own history. A fey would bring food to them in exchange for those mortal stories.”

I suppose it’s hardly surprising, if you should believe in this sort of thing-- stories are so often worth more than any material item. I’m quite fond of them, myself.

[thelittlestcariott]

fiat—lux:

“I have a story about surviving a war among gods, if I should remember correctly what my mother told me.”

“It sounds like a tale I would love to hear.”

[lottaxthompson-deactivated20160]

Only the Finer Things || Tamzin & Lotta

[thelittlestcariott]

lottaxthompson:

Spotting Tamzin inspired a sweet and completely false smile to wash over Lotta’s face. She was almost certain that Tamzin felt just as Lotta did when it came to their friendship, yet she would not say anything. She would act like a lady, like she always did, and entertain her acquaintance. Acting like a Lady should was, after all, a speciality of hers, and she found no difficulty in doing it no matter who she was with.

In etiquette, in grace, and in beauty she could outshine them all. In fact, she had already done so. It was only a matter of time before the world, and with it a handsome prince who would take her to the life she truly deserved, the life of a princess or queen, noticed as well.

“Oh, it is always too long, Tamzin, we really must get together more often,” Lotta returned, taking a few more steps to greet the other before halting herself, “You are looking lovely today, my friend.”

She smiled sweetly, though it was hardly true. Neither of the girls truthfully wanted to see each other any more often than they already did, Tamzin was sure-- both of them had other things to be doing. Lotta was entirely devoted to finding herself a prince, while Tamzin was much more interested in picking apart small animals than going shopping with some dainty little girl who cared about nothing more than social status. Of course, she would be a hypocrite if she said that it wasn’t important to her, too, but.... for entirely different reasons. Either way, being seen together was good for the both of them.

From young ages, Tamzin and Lotta had been trained on how to be ladies. They were experts in grace, and they both knew how to play the game of noblewomen well. If nothing else, an afternoon together could provide good practice for more important meetings, where a slip of the tongue could land Tamzin in hot water. 

“And as usual, my dear, you look absolutely stunning,” she replied. That, at least, was the truth-- while she had a sour heart, Lotta’s face was one of the sweetest Tamzin ever did see. 

She clasped her hands together. “Oh, I’ve looked forward to this outing of ours for some time now-- I’m in need of a new dress, and your expert eye is always welcome when it comes to finding beautiful gowns.”

[xxlincoln-marchxx]

A Lesson II Kendrick + Tamzin

[xxlincoln-marchxx]

“I shouldn’t say against Euorland Dougal should my skills be measured, Miss. You’ve an eye keen enough to tell good from poor swordsmanship when a man is over matched… Well done.” Ken would let the biting comment slide across the cool winter air and see if she bit.

He leaned against the wall and smiled, shaking his head. It was true, he knew, that he had a great skill. He’d had a few of the greatest Norn teachers, all the way from youth. He wondered why a woman, little more than a girl, would know so much about swordplay. “What is your name?”

[thelittlestcariott]

Tamzin smirked at the comment. So the man was cocky, was he?

She kept the sweet smile on her lips, tilting her head upwards slightly. “I am wind and rain, and fire and ash, and names are hardly important. Who are you?”

 She leaned against the wall-- she wasn’t about to give away her identity so easily. Her name was well-known throughout the kingdom. She didn’t wish for this man she knew so little about to have it so easily.

Still, he had been teaching a noble. Though she might usually dismiss one like him as being a street urchin like the ones she hung around when the sun went down, she suspected he came from more than that.

[lottaxthompson-deactivated20160]

Only the Finer Things || Tamzin & Lotta

Lotta Thompson had no shortage of hollow, poorly chosen friends whom she spent time with simply for the promise of gossip and conversation. She liked to be with others, really, she enjoyed looking down on them and reminding herself of why she was truly the best, why she was the one who they said had the graces of royalty and the looks that were beyond compare. 

And Tamzin Cariott happened to be half of one of these empty friendships.

Today, their agreed meeting place had not been either of their homes, rather the Market Square, from which Lotta had every intention of leaving to visit a dressmaker’s shop. She was in need of a new gown, perhaps one with less embroidery and a more simple touch. Of course, such things were hard to find. But when could one ever find just the right dress?

[thelittlestcariott]

Lotta Thompson was not an entirely pleasant person to be around, if one knew her well enough. Then again, neither was Tamzin.

The game they played was one that both girls were very, very good at. In truth, they probably both knew that the friendship they had formed was more for show than there was any sort of real affection between them. Both girls had reputations to keep up. Having been born the daughters of Lords, there were certain requirements they had to meet, and Lotta and Tamzin seemed to have a silent agreement in helping each other meet said requirements.

She smiled sweetly as she saw the other girl heading towards her. “Lotta, it’s been far too long.”