Proper Meetings (Ave/Lilith)

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Was she supposed to dress up for this? Did she need a skirt? Aria wondered exactly what Ave would need to teach her….Then again she had already been stuck in a dress all day yesterday. You know what? Screw it…she wasn’t changing. So Aria waltzed down to the library from the training grounds with Lilith, in the same clothes she had gone there in. A sleeveless black tunic, from which you could see the bandages that wrapped her shoulder poke through. A red sash cinched tight around her waist, showed off her hourglass figure; hilts of daggers could be seen poking out from the red material in easy reach. She wore form fitting black pants and soft black leather shoes. Her hair was tied back in a low pony tail, the wavy red tresses falling down her back and stopping just above her butt. A black dagger tattoo could be clearly seen on her right forearm. Probably not the best outfit for lady lessons, but HEY she was going for 'lessons'.



She entered the library just before noon, with a flair she swung open the doors with a large goofy grin on her face.



”I’mmmm BAaaaackk!”
 


She hadn’t been here since her night with Saden, but hey it felt somewhat good to be back. She made her way through the library picking up some etiquette books…how droll… then finding her favorite bookcase to go climb up and do some light reading. All while looking out for the woman she was supposed to meet. Lilith could go do her thing while she got lessons from Ave; that or join in…it would be amusing to see how subtle Ave could be about her whole situation. Then after she would very much like to go meet up with Rivers….they had things they needed to settle up. That and she wanted to take a quick trip home to gather some more personal things to make her stay at the castle a little more pleasant.

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It was supposed to be the castle library. Castle library! But she probably should have made that more clear. One of the servants had managed to catch her as Aria was leaving the castle informing her of where the young woman had gone- her mother’s eyes were good for something, occasionally- and suddenly Aveline’s time had been cut in half. There was only so much she could accomplish in the carriage as it was too late to catch the girl and correct the mistake.

Once Aveline arrived at the library with escort in tow she had managed to put herself together. Her encounter from the night before had left small blossoming dark spots at the base of her throat and chest so any chance of a dress for cooler weather was out of the question. The higher necked dress was sweltering despite the lightness of the cloth and her hair was hidden within another wrap of cloth. She left her escort in the atrium as she walked forward, picking up her skirts as she walked towards the firey-haired young woman, quickly smoothing over the annoyance in her expression.

“Lady Wurud.” Aveline spoke when she reached her, dropping her skirts back to normal. She looked the woman up and down and sighed, annoyance and distress coming back into her expression. “Oh, we are already off to a poor start. What happened to your clothes? Did they not supply you with any?”

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Lilith had easily agreed to be Aria’s escort, after all the library was like a second home to her, visiting it seemed like a wonderful idea. That, and it had been a while, and she felt as though she’d been neglecting her duty there. When Aria told her the reasons for which they were going, Lilith couldn’t help but smile to herself, and silently wish young Avaline luck on this idea. Already it would be difficult, let alone Aria’s obvious stubbornness on the matter. When they arrived and Aria yelled, Lilith winced lightly, remembering the calm silence the library usually had. She shook her head as Aria took off, no doubt heading to her favourite bookshelf.

Lilith made her way to the centre of the library before going to join her, nodding shy hello’s to her coworkers, whom she hadn’t seen much of lately. She had no real purpose for being there aside from escorting Aria— she didn’t have time to take an actual shift that day, nor was there anything she could do with people working anyhow. She just wanted to see that old wooden desk and the creaky chair. After a couple of minutes, Lilith left it and ventured off to find the red head again. When she did the came at the tail end of Avelines question of clothes— Lilith had a suspicion that the Castle had definitely supplied her clothes, but she knew Aria, and Aria preferred exactly what she was wearing right now.

Lilith waved silently to the two woman, letting them know of her presence, and moved to sit in front of the statue that was next to the group. This would certainly be interesting to watch.

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Aria poked her head over the side of the bookcase she had been sitting on top of, looking down at the woman. Already was this woman displeased with her? Her hair was brushed at least! Aria took note of the woman’s appearance; did all nobles look like they would keel over from heatstroke? Really her choice of clothes although black, certainly was cut in a style that allowed the skin to breath. The material it was made of was also light; perfect for Nova’s brutal summers. Though they still paled in comparison to the heat of the deserts of Oraun.

As the woman made her way to the book case, Aria swung her legs over the side and began to descend the tall book case. She made quick work, gracefully jumping the last six feet and landing quietly on her feet. Aria turned and faced Aveline with a small smile.

”Good Afternoon Lady Zoe”

Aria unlike her noblewoman teacher remembered her greetings as she said them with a small bow. Aria tilted her head when she asked if they supplied her with any clothes.

”Actually no, they didn’t; besides for some old guardsmen uniforms. However yesterday I went shopping with the Arch Duke and purchased myself some clothes that would be more appropriate for around the castle. Apparently I’m now a guest of Palicos over there…also helping train the Princesses new Dragon so I will be about quite a bit.”

Aria turned to Lilith as she approached and waved with a smile; and turned back towards Aveline.

”Since I need an escort outside of the castle, Lilith here has agreed to accompany me today…frankly I think she’s more enticed with the idea that someone will be teaching me how to be a ‘lady’.”

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Aveline sighed as Aria bowed, shaking her head. “Then we will have to return to the castle at once. The Princess may be charmed by your country matters but I assure you the rest of the court will not.” she looked Aria up and down once more, frowning. “As long as you are a guest of his Majesty, you will dress appropriately like a lady shall. If the Arch-Duke did not supply you with the proper attire then… well. We are nearly the same size. You will fit into mine.”

Aveline looked over to Lilith and smiled a little, a familiar smile coming over her face. She nodded, turning back to Aria with full seriousness. “Before we go- a lady does not bow. You curtsey, inclining your head. You must not meet his Majesty’s eyes directly. A bow is for a man and you are not a man.” She demonstrated, sweeping low with the bow and bowing her head. “You curtsey to your social betters and as a guest, everyone in court who is not a servant is your social better. So- demonstrate for me and then we will go.”

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Yes, the idea of being able to watch you even try to be a lady is enticing. Lilith was shy, everyone knew that, but after a certain amount of time around Aria, sarcasm flowed like a freshly found river. When Aveline smiled at her, she curtsied for her, demonstrating for Aria what she should be doing, as well as mocking her silently and gracefully. Even if they returned to the castle, Lilith would try and tag along. This lesson would be far to good to miss, anyone who knew Aria would probably agree with Lilith.

It is very generous of you, Miss Aveline, to take time out of your day to teach Lady Wurud Lilith smiled softly at them both, hints of sarcasm hiding behind her eyes.

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Insults for favors it would seem to be, Aria placed a hand on her hip and let Aveline say her piece, while simultaneously insulting her as many times as she could in a breath. As she ran her mouth Aria let out a silencing spell around the area. The apple did not fall far from the tree it would seem. Aria took a few steps closer to Aveline her eyes holding no warmth, however a sweet smile was placed on her features.

”I am of a good nature normally, but I will not be insulted in the place of the god I represent. Is that understood Lady Zoe. Or am I mistaken and this is another lesson in how a Lady ought to behave? I wasn’t aware insulting his majesties family’s tastes was a very proper thing to do.”

She quirked an eyebrow with her last statement in a silent warning. Aveline seemed to feel free insulting Lucinda as well. Aria quite liked the woman whom had already welcomed her into the family with open arms. Aria took a step back and let her arm drop by her side; her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

”You would do well by treading carefully before you speak of any of the Norus preferences in a derogatory manner. I for one will not tolerate it; my social better or not. That goes especially for while in public QUIET places, in which you and your mother seem to speak so freely in. I have no doubt you are being watched.”

Ok her little rant, definitely a little noruish, but Aveline’s family was already on thin ice; frankly her silencing ward probably was up to late to save Aveline from some of the damage done from the first words out of her mouth. Aria may have been new to this court life, but even she realized how dangerous words could be. Especially since she was more than sure the king had his own personal spies about, after all they spent a good better part of the month tracking her in the forest after they had that run in in the gardens. Aria had already seen how protective Noku had been over family, even ones he had just found out about….she would hate to see what would happen if someone insulted someone he actually had attachment to. Aria turned her attention to Lilith whom, was also uncharacteristically being a smart ass….this quirked a bit of amusement back into Arias blue green orbs. She rolled her eyes.

”I do however thank you for the offer of clothes, it is most kind of you. Most of the ones I purchased are more of a simple country manner I suppose…”


Aria looked about both of them as they both curtsied; then Ave corrected her on not being a man….really that was easily solved. The air around her shifted, and soon instead of the small red headed woman who had been before them, the image of Garrett stood. Looking quiet handsome in Arias own outfit, stood with a small cheeky grin that she knew him to do when amused. With that she/he copied the ladies curtsy; looking utterly ridiculous while doing so.

”Well then shall I escort you two ladies back to the castle?”

Even her voice had changed to match his.

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Aveline bit back a laugh at Lilith’s retort but a smile tugged on her lips for a brief second.

Then Aria spoke again. And the faint smile instantly dropped from her expression. Aveline stared at Aria as she began to ramble, her expression completely stony. After Aria silenced again, her expression clearly incensed at the simple request that she curtsey correctly, she knew she was in for the long haul. But she was curious as to what Aria thought she had said that would get her into so much trouble. Only that Aria was a guest of the courts and she needed to learn how to behave, was all. No threats involved. But the girl seemed to take things so very, deeply personally.

It was disappointing to say the least.

“If that is completely off your chest now I would like you to curtsey like I simply requested of you in the first place, Lady Wurud.” Aveline sighed, waving her hand idly. There was no doubt they were being watched- she had her own escort after all. And she had a better eye for catching her mother’s spies than Aria would be. Her mother only hired the best, after all.

When Aria changed form, her expression only grew more stony. She sighed deeply in response. “Do not expect me to be impressed with this. No one in court will be impressed by your tricks either and if you don’t learn the etiquette you will only embarrass Princess Lucinda, who has put so much faith in you. Change back at once and come with me or you will find yourself a new instructor. And believe me, no one will be more patient with you than I will be.” Aveline turned curtly on her heel and began to walk back to the entrance of the library.

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Lilith kept her mouth shut during the whole ordeal. She may be Aria's escort, but she was in no position to comment. When Aria changed forms, she held in a sigh. She was purposly being difficult, though on her behalf, Aveline was being rather mean to her. The whole thing was kind of messy. When they both left, Lilith rushed to keep up with them, wanted to see where this went.