Sour Greetings (Open)

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A lovely day…..for reading. The sun was beating far too bright for her fair skin today, at least not without a proper parasol. Which would have to be made she had nothing in style here. Her platinum blonde hair was neatly and tightly braded on top of her head. Small amethysts decorated the braids, along with jeweled butterfly pins. She sat in a white wrought iron chair by a small table by large impressive bay windows that stretched to the ceiling. The windows were pushed open to allow a fresh spring breeze into the castle. Ima was dressed in a lovely tight bodice with a sweet heart neck line, made with a light lilac colored material. Long bell like sleeves made with loose flowing purple material cascaded down to her calves. The gown itself brushed past her black slippered feet. Back onyx and white pearl butterfly embellishments went up the middle of the bodice and spread out along the neckline. The same jewels lined the hems of the dress as well. Even her black silk slippers each had a jeweled butterfly. Imajane was richly dressed, every inch of her an image of royalty.



She sat sipping tea from an elegant tea up, her charcoaled rimmed eyes half hooded as she read a book called the History of Teair. It was good to read about the kingdom you were residing in after all. She had been here for a couple of months now. Plus there were so many interesting rumors from her homeland concerning the kingdom…and the old king. …Kings…she had yet to meet the king chosen by the gods… well meet and had a conversation. He had just brushed off her arrival as if she were some low noble here on just a visit. Pleasant greeting, but nothing special…. However he was handsome… and dinners here were extravagant. He might not be much of a conversationalist but he was certainly a feast on the eyes. Apparently there had been an attempt on his life by some common scum. How such scum got into the castle was beyond her.



The sound of whistling drew her gaze out to the gardens, the site of jeweled colored hair greeted her….some common wench seemed right at home in the royal gardens. Imajane watched her stroll with calm controlled features, her disgust guised as polite calm interest. That guise was lost when she heard a deep voice call out to the girl; her eyes widened as the integration took placed. Her schooled features leaking her feelings of disgust as she shut her book and took a stand. Walking away from the site, there were sure to be spots with a more pleasant view.

[Rivers]

Rivers stepped into the hallway and saw Imajane walking away from the interaction between Aria and Noku in the courtyard. He'd been wondering what Aria was doing here so he'd come over to take a look, but his was a good opportunity to see some more members of the court, and to continue the 'game' he was playing. Rivers lacked his usual brown coat and was instead decked in fine clothing. The style was slightly foreign and seemed to give him a slightly exotic appeal, but this was subtle and would not attract particular notice unless he faced a strict inspection.

He disappears and reappears several hallways up, though he'd checked to makes sure no one was around to see him. As he after a moment he steps out in the hallway and pretends to have just noticed Imajane. He walks towards her, a measured and confident stride, but eyes slightly down-turned to indicate a respect and some deference.

When the get a bit closer he gives a formal bow and says "Princess De La Fontaine." His voice was measured and the tone was smooth despite the foreign name as if he had spent time rehearsing how to say it. "Greetings, my name is Vasher Rooke, I have been sent to provide for your needs and to entertain you. I am a Bard under the employee of the palace." He explains, Rivers had been spreading rumors of Vasher for a while now so most servants believed he was simply a bard who was seldom seen, and it was gossip but nothing of tremendous import among the nobles. Though none would find it strange for him to bee here.

Over Vasher's back were a pair of instrument cases that seem to be for a harp and a violin, cradled along his shoulder as if he was a flag bearer was a fine lilac parasol, and under his other hand was a set of folding table and chair. Despite the load he seemed to be carrying the man was not sweating at all, and his handsome features remained polite and undisturbed by the effort making him seem oddly formal and noble despite everything he was carrying.

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Imajane stopped, her cold eyes looking at the strange male. A delicate well-groomed eyebrow arching up in a silent question. She had not summoned a bard to entertain her; and no one had thought to send one to her before.

”Ah…the mysterious bard; this must be a special treat indeed. Tell me Mr. Rooke, whom set you? And so well prepared. Surely there are enough tables in the castle so you’re not required to carry one around.”

Her voice was quiet, but silky smooth. She took a small hand held fan from the folds of her skirt and snapped it open. Lightly fanning herself as she took in every detail of the mysterious bard in front of her. How fortunate though that he showed up….she was beginning to become bored.

[Rivers]

Rivers smiles at the question regarding who sent him, but there is the ever briefest hint of puzzlement, as if he was surprised she did not know he was coming. "I apologize Princess, but if you were not told I can only assume that my employer wishes to keep his identity unknown at the moment." Rivers replies in a polite and apologetic tone, as one who merely wished to help, his eyes betraying slight concern as if he was worried there had been some mix up.

"I will be more than happy to tell you more of what I know, but I am afraid that the hallway if not an appropriate place to discuss matters such as this." He admits his features returning to the calm that they had shown before. He stands up straight and shows a slightly sheepish smile. "If I am not to the Princess's tastes I am sure my patron will find another bard or some other kind of performer. If you tell me what you wish I can deliver the request to him."

Rivers stands up straight and remains quiet and still waiting for Imajane to decide what she would do with him.

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Imajane calmly fanned herself, mulling over the information that was given. Clearly in no rush to ease the bards worries. So he was sent by someone…a male to. She ran through the list of males she had met since she had come to the castle. None of which held any air of mystery…this certainly was a new puzzle. Her eyes focused once more on Rooke when he asked is she wanted to dismiss him.

”You may notify your employer I graciously accept his gift; it was very kind of them to think of me. I only wish I knew who to thank so I could do so properly. I would not mind finding a spot with a pleasant view.”

At that Imajane walked on, finding another spot in the castle; this one with a view of the city, and not of the gardens.

”Tell me Mr. Rooke; why has you employer taken an interest in sending bards to me now?...and how long have you worked for him?”

[Rivers]

Rivers waits patiently as Imajane sees to mull over what she as going to do with him. Since this was mostly a flight of fancy he did not mind if the woman sent him away, but he was interested to speak with her, and see what sort of hand she would play in this grand game. When she says that she would not send him back, a flicker of relief showed on his face before returning to the calm confident mask of a professional performer. "I am most grateful to hear that I am up to your standards," He says with a formal, but flourishing bow.

As Imajane begins to head towards another place Rivers follows her, wordlessly matching her pace and following slightly behind her while carrying the equipment. As they arrive Rivers quickly and efficiently sets up the parasol and begins to reply to her question. "I am afraid my patron fancies himself a dynamic but mysterious figure, but he has told me he has taken an interest in you and your dealings with the court. He has also remarked on your beauty and poise several times so I must assume that plays a role as well." He explains As he sets up the chair and table he opens an extra compartment in his harp case and withdraws a metal covered metal croquet of that seems to have been chilled. He also extracts a silver plate fork and then quickly arranges a variety of sliced fruits on the silver plate with excellent presentation.

Then from another compartment he draws a bottle of fine wine and chilled water along with a crystal glass which he unwraps from a cloth wrapping. It was surprising, but just barely possible to fit all of the thing he drew from the bag. The seat was of solid construction and had a large cushion on both the seat and back. With a flourish Rivers takes his equipment away and bows to Imajane.

"I hope these accommodations are to your liking," He says deferentially only raising his head after she had taken the seat. Rivers was well dressed and the efficiency he had set this up with actually made him seem more like a Master Servant than a bard, but to the trained eye the way he carried himself and his occasional flourishes showed through to the entertainer that he was.

When asked why he was sent how Rivers returns a small slightly self depricating smile. "I am not entirely sure why he sent me now, If you are interested in my guesses I think it is because he has been quite busy and because he wanted to give you the time to settle in." Rivers admits "but...these are only guesses, my patron seems to see the world more clearly than other men so it might simply be that I do not understand the factors at play."

When asked how long he had been serving his patron Rivers shook his head. "That might lead you back to who he is, but it has not been a particularly long time. My master prefers to keep me mostly as the stuff of rumor so that my performances carry that much more weight when he has me perform."

Rivers words and motions were carefully chosen and as he steps back towards his instrument cases before spreading his arms, smiling brilliantly and saying "it is an honor to perform for you Princess, I am accomplished in many forms of entertainment so do you have anything you wish for me to perform?"