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May 8, 2005 |
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| Amber | Trump Deck | Logs | RL Pictures | Main |
A trump call...
To the image of Lisle, Yosannah says "Lisle...?"
The image of Lisle says, "Good morning, Yosannah." She's somewhere in a castle, a few statues of armor behind her. "I wondered if you felt like coming though to Amber and seeing my Aunt."
The image of Lisle says, "The gowns you know." Lisle doesn't seem too excited about the idea really, maybe dreading it a bit, maybe not so bad, hard to tell.
To the image of Lisle, Yosannah says "Your Aunt," she inquires, "For the gowns." It takes a moment for the issue to resound. Her eyes widen a little bit and she nods, finally, "Yeah yeah, sure.""
The image of Lisle almost desperate, "Thank you. Well, she chooses all kinds of things like that for events." Then more cheerfully, "I wonder what she'll have Ben wearing." Just as she offers her hand.
The image of Lisle offers to pull you through.
You grasp Lisle's hand and she pulls you through.
Lisle's Suite - Castle Amber...
This room is just big enough to be comfortable. A four-poster bed of walnut dressed in blue and cream is against one wall. A sitting area, three upholstered chairs and a low walnut table, sit peacefully in front of a marble fireplace. The window has heavy drapes of rich blue velvet to keep out the cold. An armoire and matching desk complete the furnishings. It is the rugs that draw the eye, rich things of indigo, black, and sky blue. A few books are in a bookshelf that is empty, otherwise, and a telescope stands ready near the window.
Arrives through a shimmer of contact, her hand in Lisle's. She seems disoriented first, but offers her friend a supportive smile. "How are you. Getting anxious and nervous and all that other wonderful stuff?"
Lisle says, "Aye," smiling at Yosannah very warmly, "I'm so glad you'll be standing beside me then, and today. Thankfully Aunt Flora has done all the arrangements. I suppose I'm a little anxious."
Yosannah crosses her arms over her chest and shifts her weight to one leg. "Aunt Flora. How is the Princess." Accent on the first sylable as she tries to feign coy and fancy.
Lisle's eyebrows creep up, her smile more charming, "Princes ~Royal~," with the same sort of coy and fancy demeanor. "Very busy helping Bleys. But come, let us off to her room."
Yosannah nods and gestures that she might follow Lisle.
Upper Halls...
This collection of halls is orderly, and spans the entire upper level of the castle. A large portion of the level is devoted to the residences of the royal family, their special guests, and their favorite employees. The halls are well lit in the day, by skylights, and almost as well in the night, by evenly spaced torches. Although rare, the occasional statue or painting of the Unicorn, or of some famous family member or another can be found. There are towers at each corner of the castle, as well as a few staircases leading to lower parts of the castle.
Lisle walks out of her room, locking the door behind her, then proceeds down one of the long corridors.
Lisle stops at a door.
Lisle knocks on the Flora's Rooms.
Lisle tells Yosannah, "Bleys is doing to marry Laurent and I in the chapel here in the castle."
Yosannah slides her hand to the back of her neck. She lets her gaze drift about the hallway, taking in the expanse, "I've never seen the chapel, actually. Somehow I suspect it'll be lovely." She looks to Lisle, "Who is your fiance's groom'sman?"
Lisle says, with a smile, "Didn't I tell you? It's Ben. Our Ben, of the Gideon Club. The Amber Minister of Trade."
At first glance this Yosannah is of average build and height and seemingly in her late twenties or early thirties. Her eyes are almond green and her hair is auburn, hanging well below her shoulders and clasped at the back of her head. Dressed comfortably, she wears a white linen tank - light, airy and scooping at her neck. Matching pants brush at her ankles and are tied low on her hips. A silver ring adorns her left ring finger and her nails are freshly painted in a French manicure.
Clasped around her right wrist is a delicate, braided band that twines about an opaque stone of white. She wears a small pendant bearing two red gems each no larger in diameter then a dew drop.
She lifts a brow and asks, dubiously, "Really?" A pause, "I didn't know he and your fiance were... close."
Lisle says, "To be sure," pushing up the sleeves of her black sweater, "I didn't know neither. I mean, I knew they knew each other. But I think Laurent has spent more time at the Gideon Club than I have. They're both kind of secretive."
Yosannah nods, "I first met Laurent a few years back at the Club. He used to have much more contact with us, I'm told." She scratches at her neck, "But that was well before my... official involvement."
Lisle says, "I would like to have more involvement there, as you know," something going on behind her eyes, hands slipping into her jeans pocket. "One still does not know what will happen in Amber."
Flora's Rooms- Castle Amber...
Sugar and spice and everything nice. Little changed after the destruction. The antechamber and bedroom of a faery-tale princess, from the canopied bed to the curtained balcony. White damask brocades are accented here and there by blues and greens. There are plenty of gilt-edged mirrors, and flowers blossom in window boxes. A heraldic rug depicts the Unicorn crowned with lilies. Certain jewels and gowns, saved after the disaster, are always kept here, no matter where their owner may travel.
Siblings may notice a special chain, once worn by Oberon's consort Dybele and given as a gift to his fairest daughter, which still hangs proudly in display upon the dresser. There are also many portrait miniatures upon the walls.
Yosannah follows in after Lisle. It is clear the two women have been talking. There is a tightness about her eyes at some private thought. When she enters the room, however, it fades at the sight of the Princess. She lifts a hand to her chest and offers the Lady of Amber a bow of her chin.
Lisle and Yo come in, both women and slim. "Good morning, Aunt Flora. Do you remember my friend Yosannah? Yosannah, I think you've already met my Aunt, Princess Flora."
Yosannah offers Flora a soft smile. She nods for the Princess' sake.
Lisle says, "As you must have heard, Yosannah, my Aunt also has a new title, Princess Royal."
"I had not," comes Yosannah's reply. "But then, I have not been to Amber in quite a while, actually." She lets her hand slide from her chest. Congratulations?" The statement is meant to offer well wishes, but also expresses her uncertainty if she should be offering well wishes at all. She is not one for royal etiquette.
Flora greets, "Dearest, ah, yes, of course, Yosannah. Do come in, Dears, and make yourselves comfortable. Ada should b ehere any moment."
The room is set up for a fitting, with standing triple mirrors and a pedestal.
Flora adds, to the congratulations, "Thank you, Dear. I am still just 'Your Highness', however. Very simple."
Lisle goes over to take a seat, sitting with her usual ramrod straight posture. She sits so there's a chair next to her for Yosannah. "I told Yosannah you had some ideas for what we'd be wearing, and we're both curious."
Flora makes it sound as if this phrase were the simplest and unfussiest thing in the world.
Flora says, "I've more than ideas..." then the servants arrive. One bears a tray for snacks and drinks and such things, including coffee. The rest bring in a parade of gowns, most protected in garment bags... they are hung on a coat-hook. Most of the servants go, leaving just Ada and a seamstress.
Yosannah mouths the words, 'Your Highness'. Just testing it on for size. She is quiet as the women exchange words.
Lisle stands up again when the gowns are brought, too curious not to go and look, her hands touching the garmet bags. She looks curious.
Flora nods her chin, "That one first. For Lisle." And the seamstress and Ada go to unzip and remove it...
Yosannah gestures at the coffee if she is able to catch Flora's eye. A question lingers in her eye, not wanting to indulge without the woman's permission it seems.
Lisle steps back to make room for Ada. Her hands are in her jeans pocket, eyes soulful.
It is a gown of allmost balletic grace, with a soft pearly-white bodice and a skirt that only hints at the palest, shimmering blue, made of silk that looks as if it will float on a breeze. No froo froo. Pearlescent daisies of Venetian-style lace form the neckline, such as it is, sweeping up over the shoulders as the only straps. There are long gloves to match.
Flora remarks, easily, "We change any detail, of course... the lace, the color... "
Flora remarks, disapprovingly, "I do not care for the blue, myself."
The skirt will clearly not-quite touch the floor when worn. "We could also," Flora muses, "Make it longer, and add a train."
Finally, Yosannah simply pours herself a cup of coffee. Cream and sugar. Her gaze goes sidelong as she considers the the gown. And though Flora voices her disapproval of the 'blue', Yosannah nods her head slightly at the dress.
Lisle says, "Oh Aunt Flora," as if she's pleased, her fingers touching the skirt. "Daisies are my favorite of course. And its beautiful. I don't think I'd change anything."
"Well, of course... there will be daisies /everyhwere/, I hope you realize..." Flora nods to Ada to start unzipping the next dress. "For your headpiece there will be a crown of fresh daisies, with a veil in the back only. There's no sense in coverying your pretty face."
Lisle reaches for the gown to hold it up, the black of her sweater punctuating its outline. She looks to Yosannah, "What do you think? I rather like the pale blue."
The second gown is unzipped. This one has a bodice of brocade done in a daisy pattern, with subtle golden thread that is never gaudy. It, too, has balletic sensibilities, and is sleeveless, with a soft white skirt of silk illusion with only a hint of embroidery to match the bodice at the hem. "Another variation or, if you prefer, Yosannah's gown."
Lisle smiles at Flora, "I like the idea of daisies everywhere and a crown them in my air."
Yosannah nods at Lisle as a means of offering her approval of the gown.
Lisle says, "Oh I like this one for myself, with the daisies over my shoulders." She means the one she is holding.
Flora nods with an easy smile. The seamstress is looking slightly less jittery by the moment as the princesses are pleased.
Lisle says, "What think you, Yosannah, of wearing the other gown?"
Flora remarks, easily, "There are many others."
Yosannah offers, "... if you like it, Lisle." She sips at her coffee. Pleased at the taste, "It's your wedding. I'll be comfortable in anything. It is pretty though." She holds the cup between her hands.
Flora nods to Ada to unzip another. This one has less of a dipped waist, and is all white with no brocade, simply daisy embroidery at the ballet-style collar (there are again no sleeves) and at the hem of the skirt.
Lisle says, "Well then Aunt, it appears," smiling, "That if you prefer something else for Yosannah so it will be, for I think I am very pleased with all of these." She's still clutching the first one though, and with a hand on its skirt she twills around so that the fabric floats.
Flora notes, "This were all in suitable fashion to be Lisle's gown... we'll choose another color for Yosannah, of course. Pale yellow or blue."
Flora encourages Lisle, "Go behind the screen, Dearest, and try it on." She means the one Lisle is holding.
Lisle does as asked, the sleeve of her black mourning sweater over the top of the screen as she changes.
Yosannah nods at Lisle from behind her cup. Encouraging.
Flora remains in her own black, of course. Ada offers Lisle the gloves that match her gown from the other side of the screen.
The details are breathtaking; the whole is unforgettable. For some it is the luminous skin which will linger in memory, for others the perfection of eyes the rich blue of a cloudless lake on a summer afternoon. The pale gold hair, all of a cross between sunset clouds and the outer edge of a candle flame in an otherwise dark room, will surely stay. She'll leave behind a scent of stirring springtime when she passes, and the impression of a secret or a kiss her lips concealed.
Her clothing is carried rather than worn by a body of ravishing proportions. A gown of simple black is laced at the bodice and tied-on sleeves, showing a soft dove-grey chemise below. Only at the square-cut neck is there an embroidered border of gold with blue and green heraldic lilies. Pearls dot the chaplet that contains her hair.
Lisle steps out from behind the screen, turning around, the gloves making her look like the kind of princess in a fairytale, the long blonde of her hair to the small of her back, the gown's fairy fabric whispering on the floor.
Flora nods, smiling approvingly. "Yes... very nearly perfect." She steps forward. "We will get rid of this blue in the skirt, I think. All one color." She glances sharply at Ada, who marks this down in her notes.
Lisle doesn't really seem to care what color the skirt is. She steps up onto the peddestal to turn around so she can see the back. "It's the fit and texture that I really like, Aunt Flora."
Yosannah smiles at Lisle, warm. A sight she is. She nods her approval. Pours more coffee.
Lisle tells Yosannah, "One hopes one's husband won't forget what she looked like on their wedding day, non?"
Lisle steps down then, unrolling a glove with her arm stretched out.
Flora laughs a little, "I am sure he will not. For one thing, we'll have you stand for a formal portrait in the gown. After the wedding."
Lisle smiles at Flora, rolling down the other sleeve, then unrolling them both to hand to Ada, "Oh, I haven't stood for a portait in years."
Lisle says, "Yosannah, would you like to try on your gown? Though I wouldn't be surprised if we wear close to the same size."
Yosannah sets the cup aside and nods, "Of course."
Lisle pages to everyone in the room: Let's just say Yo wears the second gown with any changes flora wnts to make and leaves it at that, t hen we can just kinda fade here.