RP:Manicure in the Shade of Drama

Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc

Part of the The Dust Up In Cenril Arc

Summary: Josleen visits Hudson's new nail salon to support his business. Her knight Irenic accompanies her. The list of horrors:

• Valrae is employed there! Is Hudson betraying Alvina again? Josleen certainly thinks so and makes things as difficult as possible for Valrae.
• Irenic, whom Valrae loves, had disappeared without an explanation, and has now returned without wings or the ability to speak common. The couple argue, and Josleen takes advantage of the situation to humiliate Valrae further.

Sloping Road outside Fort Freedom

  Irenic slips in with the royal guards escorting Queen Josleen on wherever her errands were taking her this day. He fell in line well enough and pulled his visor over his face in hopes to blend in entirely for he can't really explain why he's been gone in the short time since his pledge. He realized his superior avian armor sets him apart anyway and internally curses 'merde' while preparing himself for a yelling at. Oddly enough the armor to his wings seemed to be there but somewhat vacant, giving him the illusion of wings. One of the guards next to him whisper, "Irenic, right? Where the heck have you been!?" The lone silver eyes takes in the man, but the glare he was getting shut him right up.

Hudson's Nail Salon

Josleen | The Queen leaves the fort today to visit the new business of her long-time friend Hudson. A visit from the Queen is sure to boost the nail salon's popularity. Her security detail is larger than usual after the recent vandalism and threats against the crown. Five armored men flank Josleen who is overdressed, as always, in a gown with a resell value that could feed a family of four for a month. Irenic makes the sixth knight. Once Josleen enters the shop, all but one of the knights will be stationed strategically outside the building. The one remaining knight will accompany her inside, and it's Queen's choice. She stops outside the salon to choose a knight, and sees him. It's not just the armor that gives Irenic away. Irenic, my dear, real talk, when you're 6'11", a mask does little to hide your identity. Which one is Irenic? Oh, I don't know, maybe the impossibly tall one? "Sir Irenic?" She beckons him forward and gives him a brief, concerned look tinged with annoyance. King Macon likes to personally vet the royal guard, but Irenic snuck in on Josleen's recommendation. Thus, whenever he disappears, it reflects poorly on her. "Where have you been?" she whispers when he steps closer. "We'll talk about it later. Glad you're alright." She enters the salon donning a sun bright smile, "Hello," she says to the receptionist. Pause for bows/nods/formality when in the presence of royalty. It's brief. "I've heard the best manicurists in all of Lithrydel can be found here."

Irenic is smart for a brute of a knight, but he really thought the guard should be more taller and he cursed his sore thumb height. When called upon he stepped forward carefully as to not disturb the armor dangling precariously on his shoulders and bringing Josleen's favorite scent with him. Oh no, he's supposed to speak now and he stumbles on his response a long moment, but gives a relieved sigh when she passes over it to enter. He bows deeply for an apology before holding the door open for her. He enters first though and scans for any threats, so far there is none and he motions the queen through. His face covered and nearly every bit of his skin in attempts to hide his identity in case these duties run into the night... At least the armor hides it well enough now.

Valrae | The witches who were currently free of clients had been outside giggling, gossiping and trying to catch a close glimpse of royalty before they realized the salon was the Queen's destination. When it became evident, they sobered quickly and slipped inside to tidy and whisper a hurried heads up. When Josleen and her guard enter the nervous giggling would hush. Most of the witches kept themselves busy and their eyes on their task while Joanie, an older woman with star shine silver hair cut in a fashionably choppy bob and crows feet around sparkling cerulean eyes, greeted them. Her bracelets jingled merrily as she welcomed the Queen and quickly agreed with her bold statement. Obviously, there was no wait for a Queen. She would be lead through the typical motions. What can we do for you today? What color would you like? Do you have a particular style or design in mind? And when the necessary questions were asked and Josleen and her guard, because they wouldn't leave anyone with the royalty out, were made to be comfortable with refreshments they would be lead to an unsuspecting Valrae's table. In truth, Valrae had been hired by Hudson to work the secret parts of business that didn't involve magically enhanced nail art but Joanie had insisted that she also be trained in the goings on of the face of business. It wouldn't do to have a worker at a nail salon who hadn't the first clue how to do nails. So, why would Joanie now lead the Queen to the newest witch in the salon and not take what would most definitely be the most important client of the salon's professional life? Because Val was a quick study. She had been painting her whole life, canvas and figurines and all manner of things she could put paint to, and she had an impressive amount of raw talent that had been polished over years of practice. Secondly, because the same also could be said of her skill with magic. So, though it hadn't been a full two weeks working in Hudson's business, she had made a name for herself here and one that was worthy of the honor that was the Josleen's nails. Apparently. Her hair golden was pulled back in a high pony's tail. The dress she worse was simple, peach and coral patterned and stained with polish. She stood because she assumed that's what one does in the presence of royalty and smiled. "Welcome your majesty, I'm Valrae and I'll be taking care of you today," She was nervous and her palms were sweaty. She rubbed them on the skirt of her dress and pulled her dark eyes away from the queen to give her guard, who she does not recognize as Irenic, a polite nod. 

Josleen chats politely with Joannie. What a lovely place. She'd like peach nails, simple, but perhaps a small drawing of her poodle, Gigi, who is totally here and wasn't forgotten with Josleen's first post, on her right ring finger. Simple white on peach, nothing too flashy. Also, she chipped a few nails, so could their lengths be evened and perhaps extended with a little witch magic? Thank you. Josleen turns to greet Valrae with a smile, but as soon as that witch utters her name, that smile falters. Privately, Josleen is incensed. How -DARE- Hudson hire his 'ex' mistress! Is she even still his ex? Does Alvina know? Likely not! If Alvina knew, Josleen assumes, Valrae would have been fired, or, better yet, Hudson given the boot. Alvina must not know. Would it be a betrayal of Alvina to accept Valrae as a manicurist? No. Josleen is here now to do recon for Alvina. Oh poor Alvina! Her heart breaks for her friend. How can Hudson do this to her--again! Humorless, Josleen sits. If Valrae strains her ears, she can just make out the faint clicking of a hundred doors of opportunity, the types of doors only Queens can open, shutting in her face. Queens are not above the tribal relations of women, and Josleen and Alvina are firmly in the same clique. "Valrae, was it? How long have you been working here?" Gigi marks Joannie for a softie and hams it up with puppy eyes and whines for treats

Irenic spots Valrae immediately, how could he not, she's the woman he loves and the light of his quickly darkening life. He immediately felt too warm in all of his armor and only clears his throat  once when the workers attempt to make him comfortable as he will only stand at an acceptable distance away from the women. Possibly, Valrae picked up her favorite scent off the avian, but any avian would do that, right? Any nearly seven foot tall avian would do that, yeah. Did I mention he's been avoiding Valrae until he can figure this curse thing out? He has no idea who Josleen's friends are or even who Hudson really is for he's never really had that conversation fully with Valrae. Nor did he care. One silver eye can't help but to stare at Valrae as she interacts with the Queen, but he would periodically glance about the salon to seek out any dangers. Valrae though, has her skin always been so supple looking, her hair so silken, or those eyes so deep and mossy. Under his titanium visor there is an eye patch covering the unseeing brown eye. Any refreshments offered him weren't even acknowledged and only a shake of the head would be given for he was afraid to even speak right now. How can he be so undone by this woman.

Valrae is hard of hearing, unfortunately enough, and has missed the narrowing of her future prospects. Joanie and Josleen fill her in on what is expected of her and she sets about her job. Joanie and a few of the other women not with clients are cooing and doting over Gigi as if it could be the first time they've ever even seen a dog. Granted to be the only royal dog and they wouldn't dare miss the opportunity of scratching royalty behind the ears. She started on the enchantments to even and fill her natural nails first. The process would seem like a normal manicure but feel every bit as magical and relaxing as a skilled bard's song might. The crystal bowl of warm water she soaked Josleen's hands in would scented with lavender and lemon grass. The lotion she used was made from honey and rose oil. While she worked she smiled and made polite chat. "Not very long," The witch answered diplomatically. "But you're in very good hands, rest assured. That's a beautiful dress." She dried her hands and it was about the time she was going to clarify what finger the Queen would like Gigi's likeness to be painted on when the scent of salt and sand reached her. Her dark eyes drifted to the masked avian. Any avian would give off that scent, she knew that in some part of her rational mind, but her mouth moved before that part of her brain could override the desperate command. "Irenic?" She was still holding the queens hand in her own if she hadn't moved away.

Gigi is happy to oblige all royal-petting fantasies. No need to take a number, ladies. There is plenty to go around. He even blesses them with his hot, humid dog breath as he pants joyfully in their faces. "Thank you," Josleen says curtly in reply to the compliment paid to her dress. We're not friends. We will never be friends. Wives don't befriend mistresses. There are rules. "Are you new to Larket? What inspired you to move here?" That's when Valrae gawks at Irenic and Josleen, confused, looks to her knight as well. Why does Irenic know this harlot?

Irenic curses himself in his mind. He cannot speak common at the moment, only something French sounding from his home land. If he stands extra still would they mistake him for a stone statue? No? Some awkward silence passes an he glances over his shoulder to the windows that look outside, its still daylight, good. A sigh was given when his gruff tone came out muffled from his helmet, "Ouais, bonjour mon amour," He pulls his helmet off finally to reveal his face, left eye covered with an eye patch. He continues, "je suis désolé, je suis parti." She wont understand anything he said, he knows this, but he was cornered here. That chilling silver eye looks to the Queen with a half bow as to not disturb the empty wing armor, "Excuses, Queen Josleen." The language sounded like it was written for love, but his old accent on it and the gruff tone lessened the effect a bit, possibly. He takes a deep breath as he knows how bad this must look since he hasn't seen Valrae in what felt like forever, but he's been shamed and the longing to pull her into a hug was there. He stood his ground for his duty as he glanced back to the window to make sure the daylight was still there.

Valrae didn't really hear Josleen or Irenic. Sadly still missing the subtle chill Josleen is giving her. But she couldn't hear anything over the sudden pounding of her heartbeat in her ears. He'd answered. He was pulling off his helmet and, ah, there it was. Her Irenic and somehow not. Distantly she recognized that whatever he was saying was far from common. Josleen's hands would still be in hers. The witch was dumb struck in her chair and holding on to the Queen's hands while she gaped openly at her knight. Time slowed, maybe not just for her. A Thing occurred to her. If Irenic was here and working for the queen that would mean that they've been in the same town for weeks. Irenic was in Larket, where he'd run out on her in the middle of the night after the most intimate moment they'd shared in an otherwise cautious relationship. Fury skittered up her spine. Finally, she would drop Josleen's hands. The witch stood so quickly her chair toppled backward and clattered loudly to the floor. Joanie was standing, her attention pulled away from canine royalty, and looking at Valrae as if she'd lost all of her mind. "You've been in Larket? All this time?" She wasn't yelling but the tone of her voice suggested that she was building to it. Joanie started to make panicked noises. "You leave me, without any reason as to why, to think that you're in trouble or worse.... But oh, you're just in Larket paying dress up with some queen!" Towards the end she was defiantly yelling and using emphatic hand gestures. Joanie looks as if she might faint. Valrae's coworkers are properly shocked and scandalized. Valrae obviously doesn't care that she's making a scene, she's got tunnel vision.   

Josleen cants her head to the side and squints at Irenic when he speaks in a foreign language. She's about to ask, but Valrae beats her to it. The witch jerks the Queen's attention her way, and Josleen recognizes the look Valrae gives Irenic for it is the same look she has given current and ex-lovers when disappointed, shocked, and hurt; and it is likely a watered-down version of the anguished look Alvina gave Hudson when she discovered his affair with Valrae. It doesn't matter what Irenic did or didn't do. The schaudenfreude is strong with the Queen. Normally Josleen would politely excuse herself and forgive her manicurist in an act of solidarity among women-whose-men-give-them-grief (aka, all heterosexual women), but Valrae is excluded from the sisterhood. As Joannie approaches her, Josleen stands and swings her purse over one shoulder. She makes a scowling when Valrae spits out 'some queen'. "My goodness!" some queen says to Joannie, "I could find the grace to forgive a girl for failing to deliver on a paid service," she wiggles her half manicured nails indicatively, "but to speak of me so rudely! And to accuse a loyal knight," who Josleen was upset with for disappearing, but that fact has mysteriously vanished, "of playing 'dress up!' And the insinuation that he has pledged himself to me," word choice for Valrae's miserable benefit, "out of some romantic play acting is downright insulting to me and my husband, the King!"

Irenic was cornered a subtle red tint coming to his cheeks in embarrassment as he could feel a hundred eyes on him now and everyone's neck practically snapping to catch all the action. Why can't he just explain 'No no, you don't understand. I don't even understand what happened that night.' But it came out as "Non, non, vous ne comprenez pas. Je ne comprends même pas ce qui s'est passé cette nuit-là." The alluring language flows wonderfully through his gruff and dark tone. He dare not move from his spot though even if he willed his legs to move he was paralyzed with embarrassment and some how duty. A frustrated grunt came through clenched teeth at his attempts and his glances behind him at the window once more. There was only one thing to do to prove something wrong and not to do with Valrae was going on. A sigh as his head dropped and his free hand pulled at the thin rope about his collar in allowing the armor to the wings that are supposed to be there drops with a loud clank on the floor; otherwise being able to suspend on those massive ivory wings of his, but no. Not today. He was a wingless avian - what a joke. He couldn't raise his gaze to look at either of them, in another failed attempt to talk common in apologizing came out as, "Je suis désolé. Je suis vraiment désolé." The skies were darkening by now and he puts his helmet back on right after shaking his head in shame and when he turned to pick up the armor that fell behind him, the both of them can see where the Avian armor parts for wings and leaves it bare exposing his back; what horrible welts traveling down either side of his spine where his wings used to be. He hurries out of the nail salon, but not without sending the next guard in for the Queen.

Valrae is definitely going to be fired, if Joanie had anything to say about it. She had gotten over her shock by now, as Josleen stood to leave, and was trying to convince her to stay. She would take care of the rest of her manicure personally! Their would be no charge for her today or any other day! Val had a hard time understanding what Irenic was showing her. She watched him leave stunned and pressing a hand to her mouth. He'd lost his wings? She was angry and hurt and confused but a small ache of pity still started in her chest for him. She didn't go after him. Josleen is ripping apart her unfortunate choice of words and adding onto her misery. The witch's hand drops as her dark eyes turn back to the Queen. "I..." She what? Could people be beheaded for insulting royalty? That unpleasant thought tap danced it's way through her crowded mind. "I didn't mean any insult to you... or the King." This was said lamely as she bent to open a desk drawer and pull her own bag out. Joanie was staring daggers at her, Valrae wouldn't need to be told in so many words that she should leave. Clutching her bag to her chest she walked out of the nail salon with her chin high and her eyes dry despite leaving with only tattered remains of dignity. She would leave without knowing Josleen's connection to Alvina and she'd leave with out knowing she'd done plenty to give merit the idea that Queens shouldn't keep the company of mistresses.

Josleen gasps at Irenic's back and is about to ask what happened, but then realizes he cannot answer. So she changes her mind and instead if about to advise him to return to the fort and be seen to by a brilliant scientist the royals keep on retainer, but the avian is leaving. She'll reach out to him later. Valrae apologizes and Josleen says nothing. She feels victorious as Valrae leaves. Once the witch is gone, she smiles at Joannie and smooths the situation over. "It's hard to find good help. You have been professional and the grace with which you handled that awkward situation speaks highly of your character." The Queen herself is capable of graciousness, too, selectively and when she isn't feeling vindictive. "I am afraid I cannot stay, because I had only a very tight opening in my schedule for this, and I must rush to the next appointment." She lies effortlessly. In truth, she just wants to go and immediately invite Alvina for tea, both to drink and spill, in another sense.