RP:Let In Happiness
Part of the Vinabre Cosmetics Arc
Summary: Brennia gets her fortune told by Verah and it upsets the avian, though, we do not know why.
Schezerade's Bazaar
The area is dotted with several multi-coloured tents where travellers sell their wares, be it exotic pets, rare and beautiful flowers or decadent clothes. Even valuable jewellery –gotten honestly or otherwise—can be seen changing hands for coin in the crowded marketplace. A trapdoor can just be seen in the ground, far away from all the stalls – what could be down there? A set of ivory steps lead upwards, a pleasant scent wafting from the upper area. Runners can be seen weaving in and out of the massive crowds purchasing or simply looking at goods. Entertainment is provided in the centre of it all by a small trio of bards that sing and play their instruments at any given time for a few coins tossed into one of their hats. ---
Today seemed best to set up a tent to match the other traveling merchants. The familiar carriage lingers behind the tent. An embroidered sun is etched into the side of the fabric. The entrance is wide open, although beads fall down to create a makeshift door. If someone were to walk in, Verah would be alerted. When patrons would walk in, or if they look through the beads, they would notice two red pillows with patterned designs. Between the two pillows lingers faintly lit, cream candles and an orange crystal ball. Other cards and a pot for tea lingers for any other form of fortune telling. Verah sits in the corner with a crocheted tanktop which is layered with gold jewelry. On her waist rests silken red pants that flow with each step loosely–for elegance and comfort. Rings rested on her painted fingers as she was in a wealthy, classy area in Lithrydel. Her pale, blonde hair is combed and flows loosely over her shoulders. Verah, however, is writing in a corner with a quill. Letters. A stack of them sealed with red, waxed hearts. Mostly her mark of being a ‘Matchmaker’ or a ‘Lover’s Therapist’. The girl had a multitude of side-gigs to keep the income flowing.
Brennia is making her weekly stop by the bazaar to sample imported fruits and flowers for various upcoming cosmetic products, but then solid teal orbs catch sight of a tent she hasn’t seen here before. “Oh,” she softly mumbles to herself in wonderment while admiring the embroidery of the sun on the fabric. The avian folds her large black as night wings against her slim figure while ducking into the tent and the beads announce her arrival along with whatever Verah’s favorite scent is, but she probably noticed this trait already from all the other avians in town. “Ah, hello,” she has a feeling she was intruding at the wrong time. Bre takes in the various details of what might take place in this new tent. “My name is Brennia. I hope you’ve been finding Schezerade to your liking, miss…” the warm alto timbre has a slight rasp to it as it trails off for the opportunity this newcomer may take to introduce herself. Surely, the welcome follows through just as sweet and pleasant as always along with a smile that pokes dimples in her cheeks. The bard pulls the collar of her loose chord knit sweater back onto her shoulder as it keeps slipping down ever so slightly. “Are you a mystic?” There is a genuine twinkle of curiosity in her expression and she pushes the large circular shaped spectacles up the bridge of her nose. Brennia is a lot more open minded than most avians, but the woman has been through a lot in the last four years and unfortunately that might be recognizable by the state of the six foot two woman. She is quite tall, but almost sickeningly slender with tiredness making a display in the form of bags under her eyes. Usually, she is adept at covering up all her flaws, but she’d been sampling her newest product and today her skin needs a break from such experiments today.
Brown eyes lift upon the clatter of beads. The smell of jasmine enters the proximity of the tent. An avian. The traveler presses her last seal down on the letter. “Hi,” Verah says cooly, sweetly, for the woman was nothing to fear. “Welcome in, Brennia,” the girl then stands before slowly moving towards the avian. “Schezerade is a beautiful place that I’ve come to travel to. They said it was elegant, and they were not proved wrong by any means.” Verah smiles happily, bubbly. The question of whether Verah was a mystic or not creates a gentle expression on the woman’s soft features. Butter chocolate hues stare up at the avian’s face. The stranger looks tired and the emotion creeps up the empath’s back. “Well, people tell me I’m a lot of things. Teller of fortunes and a hopeless romantic is mostly what I get. You look like you can use a cup of tea.” Verah was a truth stretcher not a monster, she understood common decency. “I’m Verah, but feel free to call me Vee, if you choose.”
Brennia finds it easy to smile in return to the newcomer, "thank you," she also finds the atmosphere comfortable enough to venture in a little further. Soft leather boots which have black leggings tucked into them are careful not to step on the large pillows on the floor. It is true that Brennia has not been getting good sleep the last couple of years because nightmares plague the woman, but she always makes sure that doesn't outwardly affect how she interacts with the rest of the world. She likes to think she has a control on her hidden emotions with her fake smiling and calmly pleasant demeanor, but deep down there is a bottomless pit of sorrow and longing to something much darker… something permanent. If the empath is able to tap into such emotions and the fact that the avian before her even made it out of bed at all, it just might astound the elf. "Really? That sounds wonderful. I am just a professor at the bard's college," even though there was a day when she was much more, but her body couldn't handle the stress. "A dear friend of mine and I have actually started creating a cosmetics line on the side, so I guess I am actually two things?" There is a short little raspy giggle to balance out the uncertainty in her voice before she nods with interest, "tea sounds lovely." Now that Verah is closer, she can see the intricate tattoo accenting her hairline and decorating the bronze skin of Brennia's shoulder/neck area because the pesky yellow sweater has slipped off her bony shoulder once more. "Verah is a beautiful name," she compliments while offering a tattooed hand for a handshake, "you may call me Bre if you so choose, Vee."
Verah tilts her head up at the woman before her and offers an easy smile. “Bard’s college? What do you teach?” The half elf makes sure all the questions are pin-pointed Brennia’s way. As for scoping Brennia’s emotions out deeper, the elf keeps her distance for now. She is not ready to test those waters. Cosmetics strike the elf, however, and when she is pouring steaming water in a clay cup, red lips curve. “Cosmetics? Really? A girl loves good skin care, or even a good lipstick.” The mug is given out to the woman. “Chamomile, to feel a little looser.” Brown eyes trace the tattoo on the slender shoulder of the avian. “Thank you,” she takes the compliment slowly before adding, “It means truth.” Loyalty. Everything that Verah was not. Brennia clips her own name, and the girl smirked. “Bre it is,” Verah sips on her tea before settling down on one of those pillows. She offers the avian the pillow across from her. The elf folded her slim legs in criss-cross. “So, you have any suitors…?” Time to reach blindly. Verah is creeping in to get a feel of the avian. The energy that wafts off of the bard before her is thick and intense. Something that almost sucks the breath out of the half elf. The empath blinks to not tread in the dark waters of the avian. The smile fades from Verah’s mouth, but she covers her surprise with a clay tea cup instead as she waits for the answer from the woman before her.
Brennia nods once, "yup, just past the topiary garden on the other side of town here in Schezerade." The happy little smile remains on her shapely lips as she tucks an unruly coily lock of hair behind her long tapered ear. "I help students study Interpretation where we explore the underlying meanings to epics, sonnets and other media of artistic expression, then we attempt to create our own piece born of those hidden expressions." Somehow the woman is able to make a seemingly boring topic sound fun and enticing. Maybe it is her poised posture, her warm alto timbre laced with a subtle accent or even the way her solid teal eyes twinkle with admiration for the subject, but then she realizes she is probably boring the poor woman and her large black wings shift ever so slightly against her slender frame, "oh… My apologies, Vee. Sometimes I get a little carried away," there is a short chuckle that follows as she accepts the mug with a murmur of, "lovely, thank you." Just before taking a sip, she gently blows on the hot liquid and then enjoys it. "If you'd like, I can send over samples of what we have created so far," she offers while joining Verah on the floor with both of her legs bent off to the side. Brennia's scarred left brow raises up in surprise at the question because she isn't sure if that should be taken as a flirt?! Of course she would be flattered, but it is always hard to tell with another woman if they are just being friendly or if there is more to certain compliments and questions. "Hmm," she ponders the question thoughtfully because she does have love in her life, but there is no courting needed there and she had ideas about Uriphiel, but he is off on a crusade to put an end to the Flewminati once and for all. There are so many things that remind her of Niall lately, but he must be traveling the world for his business, "not at the moment, no. How about you, Vee?" Her gaze rests easily on the woman's fair face, "a beautiful lady like you, I am sure there are many that wish for your attention." Her smile pokes dimples in her cheeks before taking another slow sip of her tea.
A smile slips on the sun-kissed elf as Brennia goes on a rant of poetic arts. A woman of depth, and somehow Verah feels related to this. The arts. Reading more into than what is on the surface. The half elf loved to play the game of… people. What makes them tick. “No, it’s fascinating. Tongues. The way people play with words that pull at the heartstrings in a multitude of ways.” She sips on her tea, “I’d love samples,” she concludes. The blonde takes in the avian. Scars. Tattoos. Posture. The surprise takes Brennia off on her own question, and it makes teeth show in a slight smile at the avian’s reaction. Verah can feel the fluster flow from the woman before her, and it gives Verah the type of pull to sink her elbows into her knees. Like a giddy mock-bestie. Girl talk. She likes it. No one? Perfect. However, the tone shifts as Brennia asks about her, which makes Verah pull away from that comfortable position. “A girl can dream,” can she? Really, she was just better at flirting than anything. Creeping under skin. That was her favorite game. Commitment? Well, that was a tightrope game with another person. A girl who knew how to guide in the romantic game, but could not keep one, herself–nor did she really try. A traveler. ‘A beautiful lady like you… many that wish for your attention…’ it pulses through her mind. A hand brushes blonde hair idly. Brown eyes look down into the herbal drink. “Well, I don’t pick so easily. Plus, I don’t really stay in the same spot for long.” Beat. “Hey, I have a list of suitors if you’re interested? Ask you a few questions for a blind date? -Or- I can play the game and try to read if something is in your future.” She hates that she is playing -that- faulty game. Setting up a blind date would be easier, especially on a woman who rested in the darkness. Should Verah be so ruthless to scam the woman? Well, she would leave it up to the avian in front of her to take her choice. Call it fate what the witches called it. She was not a witch, but she liked to be another person.
Brennia will dig deep into literature, poems, plays, and songs, but when it comes to people she is fine with whatever version of themselves they like to show because anything more is not her business. Her smile widens some more as Vee seems to have an interest in the arts as well, the smile revealing perfect pearly white teeth before she raises the mug to her lips for another sip. "Wonderful, I'll send along a package later on today," she offers with excitement in her tone. The avian is used to analyzing gazes from others outside of Schezerade because avians are too hubris to venture outside of the floating city, but Brennia has always found it easier to connect with walks of all life. There is a raspy short giggle that follows the offer of suitors, "it isn't something I have a need for in my life as I do not hang my value on if I am in a relationship or not. I do not need someone else's love to feel complete and I am valid all on my own while loving myself for who I am. I helped lead the bard's guild at one point, I ran for senator of Schezerade a while back, I played a part in bringing the end to a curse brought on by Vakmatharas, I am co-creating a cosmetics line and I built the DeVere College of Bardic Arts from the ground up. I think those are far more precious and interesting accomplishments than whoever I beguile," the bard concludes with a slow sip of her tea, but then chokes a little on it as she finally reads the damn room! Her voice softens in apology, "I am sorry, Vee… I, uh," the redness on her cheeks spread up to her ears as she focuses her gaze down into her tea, "get a little carried away sometimes and I apologize for my cynicism." Even if she engaged in a long term relationship, she isn't even sure her health would allow love to have the legs to go the distance. "This game you speak of sounds fun, go ahead and read anything about my future. Love, riches, fame - lay it on me," her smile returns as she sets her tea down and relaxes herself with one of her palms flat on the floor to hold her up. It will be exciting to see whatever the mystic conjures up and wouldn't be too surprised if all Vee can find is a black void of nothingness. "Here," she offers a hand out with coin after rooting around in the small pack that is hidden between her back and wings.
(1 of 2) Verah listens and soaks in every bit of information she could about Brennia’s speech of who she was. Independent. A leader and creator. A tainted soul. A pretty face. The half elf has a toxic problem of reading into these things, and there is so much guilt for an addiction the illusionist could not stop. When the avian chokes slightly, Verah shakes her head quickly. “No, no, Brennia. Those are superior things that you love. No one should drag you down. Mind you, I talk to plenty of people, and you actually seem like someone sane.” The blonde reflects… She does get a lot of stalkers. Weird letters in the mail. People trying to capture where she will end up next. Brennia was far from that fiasco. The avian appeared normal. Then… the bard before her opens the gates. ‘This game you speak of sounds fun…’ Here we go, Vee. The illusionist, although a true matchmaker on the average, decides to throw an illusion in it anyway since Bre requests a fortune rather than a blind date.
(2 of 2) Brennia’s hand extends and there is a beat when the brown-eyed elf takes the coin. That beat of guilt, for she felt that darkness. Curse her empathic ways. Curse her, in general. How did she get this far into her little routine? Perhaps, perhaps she can go from the list she kept and base the illusion off of that. A man that existed, but… one that Brennia might not meet. A silken smile rests on the faux mystic’s soft features. In order to play the magical love game, Verah hovers over the tangerine quartz ball in front of her. A crystal meaning of perseverance and the energy of understanding of events that affect people. Eyes stare down at the ball before hands are placed over the crystal. An orange glow illuminates from Verah’s hands, the glow turning brown eyes the color of topaz. The ball begins to darken, per the emotions she feels from Brennia before the darkness turns into a fog in the mirror and dissipates. Beyond the clearing is a tall flash of a man standing on a hillside, the image fades before storm clouds swirl around the crystal and a pair of intense eyes appear before disappearing quickly. “I see a man on a farm… very… warm. Hair to match,” Verah plays the vague role of fortune. “He’s tall,” Verah grins at her imagery and the woman is lost in her own fairytale she made for the avian. “A personality to match a quick-wit. Someone strong.” Brown eyes look towards the avian and the glow begins to fade. “There can be happiness. If one chooses to let it in,” the sun-kissed elf concludes.
[1-2] Brennia allows her gaze to focus halfheartedly on the ball. The avian isn't really a skeptic, but she has never encountered someone touched with gifts like the fortune teller is claiming to have and she has no qualms with believing Vee because she seems genuinely honest. Even if she decides to dig deeper and discover Vee for what she is, Brennia isn't the judgmental type because a lady gotta eat! There is a subtly content smile on her full lips as she watches the fortune teller 'reach' into the beyond to read her future until she mentions a man on a farm. 'There could be more than one man on a farm,' she thinks to herself as her brow knits together and her gaze is now locked in the images flashing by. The bard doesn't realize it, but she is holding her breath as her heart feels like it is being clutched in a vice. The tall detail is a given because she is quite tall herself and most of the time tall women opt for a tall man so that could be anyone. She swallows hard when she mentions the rest and her lungs start to hurt for air, but she doesn't feel the woman's eyes on her because her own are trained on that damn ball and a couple of tears spill over her waterline to make little trails down her cheeks. Finally she exhales in the form of a short chuckle while using the sleeve of her sweater to wipe her face, "I'll keep my eye out for him."
[2-2] Total lie because that was a pretty spot on description of Niall, but that chapter cannot be opened once more and it had made her happy in that time. Unfortunately he disappeared when she needed him most and that type of disrespect comes with boundaries if she ever meets him again. "Happiness -is- an inside job, you're right, Vee. Although, you cannot rely on others to do it for you I've learned and I have learned to be happy," the avian informs the fortune teller that she is happy because she cannot realize Vee can feel that is a lie. Brennia is going to be as happy as she can be in the living world, but that is just what happens when you die and are at peace because you'll always long for that peace. The type of depression Brennia has lingers, like in those moments you try to take a deep breath, but it doesn't catch like it should. When you drink water to quench a thirst, but then you remember there will be another and now you just have to drink water for the rest of your life to - what... not die? This is a reality that she has come to terms with and she doesn't want to die, but she doesn't care that she is living and it is a complicated issue that she has never shared with anyone. "I must get back to the college and prepare for my next class. I hope to see you in Schezerade again, Vee," she sniffles and fakes that smile again before standing up to part the beaded curtain, but then she shifts her wing to look over her shoulder. "Thanks," she wipes some more tears before disappearing into the crowd of the bazaar.
Verah breaks from the ball as she can feel the breach of air hit the tent. Brown eyes are wide as she watches the tears spill on the cheeks of Brennia. The breathless words of ‘I’ll keep my eye out for him’... Sh– but she has to play into it all and it makes the guilt string up her throat. Eyes trace the avian as she says she has ‘learned to be happy’... Has she? With something so dark looming within? “Then, why do I see…” tears, is what she wanted to say. Was that happiness? This did not feel like happy crying. Instead, the tent felt suffocating with the emotion from Brennia with the lie. Verah can feel that itch for a full catch of fresh air, but she cannot reach it. The empath is too deep in the avian’s emotions. The blonde half elf nods almost too fast towards the woman before her who is now getting up to leave. “Bye, I’m sor–” but Brennia is now gone. Once the avian departs from the tent, all the wind sucks back into Verah. The half elf clasps onto the ball before her and heaves at the intensity of emotion. Like she had been… drowning. Brown eyes watch the beads sway from the quick exit, and the wrongdoing begins to creep up her back like it always did.
Later on in the day, a group of college students come to get their fortunes read from Verah because Professor Cadenza spoke so highly of the experience. It seems the reading wasn't all bad if Brennia was able to drum up this much business and she probably made quite a bit of coin from this part of her journey. A package is delivered by a large white owl with vibrant orange eyes. It is carefully packaged and reveals a beautiful box decorated with plenty of filigree, but within is the real treasure. Many pretty little vials of sample products or tins which have engravings of vines and flowers which encompass a floral infinity symbol that has the words 'Vinabre Cosmetics' centered within it. Shades of lipsticks complimentary to Vee's skin tone, concealer, highlight creme and contour cream only to 'enhance what is already beautiful' the note indicates. There are also a few serums and of course a silky feeling sun screen cream that feels more moisturizing and less like a film suffocating the skin.