A Dozen Roses (Give Or Take) 27th noon

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

This modest establishment has recently been renamed and renovated following a change of management in Darkenry 1225 AD. It is situated on a corner not far from Audrey's Other Wear in the Inner Ring of the Citadel. The main entrance is located on a busy street on the northern side of the building. Another bustling street runs along the eastern wall and on the western side, a narrow gated alley leads south towards the rear entrance.
Topped by a roof of mossy grey slate, the two-story building is constructed in weathered stone and freshly painted wood. Creepers of ivy climb around the windows and in the spring, a veritable rainbow of tea roses bloom from planter boxes along the sheltered front porch, and from the pots dangling from the overhanging balcony. During times of dry weather, chairs and tables can be set onto the porch and balcony for patrons who wish to enjoy their socialising semi-alfresco.
The main doors open into a spacious hall with polished wooden floorboards covered here and there by plush carpets. Bright sunshine floods the room throughout the day, but after the sun has set, the cafe is transformed - puddles of soft lantern light mottle the building, illuminating some regions with their warm yellow glow, rendering others shadowy and intimate by their abscence.
Dominating the southern wall is a raised stage where both professional and amateur acts are frequently invited to perform. In the southwestern corner, a green door leads to an enclosed stairwell which is also accessible via the back entrance of the establishment. The stone fireplace set into the southeastern corner warms the cafe during the cold seasons.
A series of wooden booths padded with red cushions lines the eastern side of the room. On wall next to each booth, square windows alternate with paintings and sketches commissioned by local artists. Chairs, sofas and high and low tables clutter the rest of the floor space; these furnishings are tasteful and elegant, in warm wooden and earthern tones enlivened by the occasional splash of pale lemon yellow.
A counter located to the west side of the entrance encloses a small open kitchen, tiled with terracotta, where hot beverages and sweet snacks are freshly prepared each day. From the beginning of morningtide to the end of eveningtide, the rich aroma of brewing coffee and baked goods fills the shop and wafts forth from any open doors or windows.
Customers are attended to promptly by the staff of the coffee house, who invite you to relax, to make yourself at home and to treat yourself to a few of life’s simple pleasures.

Aerin’s jade eyes cut a swath through Simple Pleasures as she entered, not looking for anyone in particular, just for an open booth or table where she could both see and be seen. She had asked both Trevyn and Yelena there for the simple acts of eating, drinking, and discussing the Red Rose Guild in more detail. `…it shall have to be something else.. something that is mine. I hope to find some more personal students, such as yourself. From there I can expand…’ Ashari’s words rang in Aerin’s memory as she awaited the arrival of her newfound companions, her fingers dipping into her new pouch for some of the non-mist tobacco…the kind which wouldn’t have her ready to hump anything with any part of their anatomy which could be stiffened and inserted, be it a tongue, or finger, or…

Snap out of it…

It had been a while since she had smoked what Wrinkles had celled ‘the mist’, but Aerin found herself to still be turned on – possibly more. She lit the smoke and peered once more at the door before smiling around her cigarette and placing her hands behind her head as she figured out why she was aroused.

“I am the pied piper…of pussy…” she smugly chuckled, almost inaudibly, picturing a pleased Ashari giving Aerin praise and casting her back out into the pond which was Citadel, her curvy little redheaded worm wriggling on a hook in the attempt to put even more fish on Ashari’s table. She was comfortable with that thought as she drew in another puff and confidently continued to wait - she decided not to order anything but water until everyone had arrived.

[Trevyn Sayres]

Trevyn made his way into Simple Pleasures, the coffee shop to which Aerin had directed him. The scent of coffee and baked goods lingering on the air caused his stomach to growl audibly, reminding him that he had not eaten. His gaze swept through the establishment, noting some rather plush sofas on which he would thoroughly enjoy dozing off. But not now, he scolded himself, the voice in his head sounding much more like his father's than his own. Now you need to focus on the business at hand. Figure out a way to set yourself up here at the Citadel. You cannot spend your time here living in some park. There will be plenty of time for lounging in the future, but only if you secure some means of supporting yourself-otherwise there will be no future. And no turning into a weeping sod just because some Adheil female reminds you of Marivanora. Trevyn blushed a little at the quick lapse in composure. It's not wise to let your emotions get the best of you, he reminded himself in a tone more akin to his mother. Just keep calm and focus on what you have to offer. With that thought, a nervous excitement began to fill him. He chewed on his bottom lip as he began to focus his gaze, scanning the establishment for Aeryn or Yelena.

[Grey Wolf]

Flo noticed the new guest quickly and came over a few flickers later, all business with a polite smile, several pieces of paper in her hand, and a sharpened piece of charcoal in the other. "Good day, miss. Welcome to Simple Pleasures. Would you like something to drink." She glanced towards the bar and added with a wider smile. "A new batch of brownies is done so if you would like something sweet to go with the coffee or tea, I recommend that." She paused, not wishing to overwhelm the guest with information, but ready to list the rest of the menu should such be required of her

[Yelena Kintessia]

Yelena was stuck in thought as she strolled along to Simple Pleasures. She was asking herself questions, to find out which felt appropriate and which would give her the answers the she wanted and so on. Also, this was her first time going to Simple Pleasures, so when she arrived at the building she was very taken aback by it's appearance. Oh oh, this is very nice. The girl's lips curled up slightly to express her pleasure in seeing the establishment. It was definitely a place she would have to remember.

As she entered, Yelena searched for Aerin immediately. She found the redhead at a table and after a flicker noticed the familiar face that belonged to Treyvn. Walking up to the man as she tried to direct him to the table. “She is over at that table.” A smile and a slight bow followed the greeting Yelena gave to Aerin as she seated herself at the table.

[Paige]

Wow, fancy... Paige thought to herself as she stepped into the coffee shop, noting the plush carpeting amongst the nicely polished floors. A bit beaten down by her previous venture into the Burpin Dragon, the sultry adhiel had high hopes for today. She was a very determined woman and knew that with a little work, anything could become possible.

Although, today Paige's mind was a bit clouded with various thoughts. It didn't seem possible to shake them from her mind at this moment in time, so she would just have to deal with them. Taking in her surroundings, Paige noted three people sitting at a table nearby and immediately recognized the blond adhiel woman as Yelena, the same woman that shared her table at the Burpin Dragon last eveningtide. Paige had to admit, seeing a familiar face improved her mood. Although, she didn't recognize the handsome man and the pretty, fiery-haired woman, it didn't stop her from walking over there to say hello.

With elegant strides, Paige approached their table cautiously and flashed her infamous seductive smile, "We meet again, Yelena. A pleasure as always."

Paige then moved her blue-eyes to look at the man and the red-haired woman, and smiled politely, "Pardon my intrusion, I am Paige...Paige Skiewynd."

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

The redhead looked up at Flo with a smile and was about to speak when she spotted Trevyn enter the coffeehouse. To Aerin, it appeared that the young man did not remember her well from the harbor which, while mildly disappointing, was also something that Aerin had come to expect at times. The ability to be an anonymous face in the crowd was considered by some to be a survival trait which is why Rat had originally trained her to be bait – they had been too good at their jobs and, subsequently, lost that particular talent along the way while Aerin was still a fresh face in the crowd. A nobody.

She opened her mouth once more to speak to Flo when a second familiar face arrived, this one framed by hair the color of spun silk. Yelena. The face which still struck the young mage as being hauntingly familiar. Yelena, unlike Trevyn, seemed to spot her immediately and pointed Trevyn in Aerin’s direction, moving that way herself to take a seat at the table, leaving room for Trevyn to join them as well as plenty of space between the three so that they weren’t sitting on each other’s laps in the figurative sense. Aerin gave a warm smile to both newcomers and then looked to Flo for her order.

In a move which pleasantly startled Ashari’s eldest student, however, her ability to order even the simplest cup of coffee was halted by Paige’s arrival. With just a touch of humor, Aerin trilled a short whistle as a joke only to herself, her kissable lips pursed for only a flicker or two as they imitated the song of a Pan flute. “It is a pleasure, Miss Skiewynd… I am Aerin Seleratus and this remarkable young gentleman is…Trevyn – I am sorry… I am blanking on the last name, dear…” she replied, the latter apology directed at Trevyn coupled with a soothing hand placed upon his for no longer than a heartbeat or two before her eyes returned to Paige’s face.

“By all means, please join us… My newfound friends and I were just about to discuss matters pertaining to the Red Rose guild and…” Aerin said, her eyes leaving Paige’s face and painting an invisible shroud of study up and down the portions of Paige’s body that she could see rather quickly before returning to Paige’s eyes. “…and you look as if such talk might be of interest to you as well.” Aerin looked at Yelena with a wink before turning to Flo for a final time. “First round is on me, as hostess of this little get-together. I would like an espresso, please, light on the cream and heavy on the sugar.” She gave Flo a warm smile. “If the spoon can’t stand untouched and upright in the cup when you are done, it is still too bitter for my tastes. Oh, and I believe we could all use some brownies as well, in addition to any of the other food that my guests might require.” It was not a literal order, as far as the sheer amount of sugar that it would take to hold the spoon upright in the cup, although Aerin still bore every intention of drinking it if the waitress decided to take her words at face value.

Her eyes returned to the minute crowd before her, studying them in an effort to figure out what each wanted as far as the guild. Were any of them students looking to join what had looked and sounded to be a noble guild house? Debt collectors seeking Ashari out in her moment of loss now that she was not – for obvious reasons – living there any more? Were any of them behind the fire itself, sent by whomever was behind the fire, if it was indeed arson, to stamp out the last flickers of life within the guild?

Her powers of interrogation and intimidation were fledgling at best and so Aerin decided to keep the ‘friend’ card in play, play stupid when she needed to, and to let each person at the table give his or her own justification for being there.

Of the three, it was Trevyn who posed the biggest riddle as she had assumed from Ashari’s talk that the Rose was a guild primarily for women although the woman had, to the best of Aerin’s knowledge, not implied that men could not be students. Aerin gave herself a small chuckle at the thought of her experiences with Ashari – Aerin herself was so green still that she did not know how her mistress took her morning coffee, where she kept the spare linins, or other such trivialities that most ‘second-in-commands’ usually knew about their guild houses – not that Ashari had bestowed any such title on her as it was, but here these three prefect strangers sat before her thinking that she was an authority on the guild. Aerin took another drag of her nearly forgotten cigarette and smiled at the group.

For now, it was best to act the part as best she could and hope that Ashari would condone the action.

After they had ordered, if they felt up to ordering at all, Aerin would turn first to Trevyn with another layer of warmth in her smile. “My dear, I hope you will not mind if ladies go first? I intend to answer everyone’s questions as best I can…” Her eyes would then turn to Yelena after awaiting a response, hoping that her diplomatic hint would not be lost on the man. “Shall we open with you, miss?”

[Yelena Kintessia]

“Shall we open with you, miss?”

Yelena nodded while giving some thought to what she would ask. All the pondering in the street didn't help her much because she did not have many questions at all. She wanted to know about the fire, about Ashari, about Aerin who was before her, and the status of the Rose itself. A finger crept up to her shoulder as she thought of the first question and started to twirl around some stray blonde hairs while her eyes directed themselves down at the table.

I should just ask about the fire for now... Yelena's eyes darted up from the table and back to Aerin. “Could you tell me what happened at the Rose building next to the Temple of Pan? Who or what caused that fire?” After Yelena saw the aftermath of the fire the day before, she wanted to what happened. A flicker after she realized she never gave Aerin her name. “Oh, sorry. My name is Yelena Kintessia, nice to meet you.”

The girl relaxed a bit after, sitting back in her chair comfortably while looking around the room again. Ah, this place has a nice atmosphere.

[Paige]

With a smile, Paige graciously accepted Aerin's offer and took a seat amongst the three. She was a bit unnerved thinking about what may or may not lie ahead for her at Pier Seventeen come eveningtide. Paige wasn't even sure if the Langredoc fellow would show up or not at the Ha' Penny Mermaid. Only time would tell, that was for sure. Paige hated the fact that she would need anyone to protect her, because it only meant trouble was brewing for her in the future. However, Paige needed to find out where her sister was, so she had no choice in going to the pier.

Shaking the thoughts of the future from her mind, Paige wanted to have a clear head at this particular moment. Her pointy ears perked at the sound of Yelena's mention of the Rose. Paige had considered herself becoming involved with companionship, and now the conversation seemed to be bordering on more useful information for the raven-haired adhiel woman. It had become Paige's ambition to pursue any opportunity to come her way, and it would be wonderful if the first thing to cross her path was companionship.

Smiling politely, Paige turned her attention to Flo, "I will have the same as Miss Seleratus, thank you."

Paige turned her gaze back to Aerin, shooting her a wink, "Thank you for your kindness."

[Trevyn Sayres]

“My dear, I hope you will not mind if ladies go first? I intend to answer everyone’s questions as best I can…”

Trevyn nodded in agreement to Aeryn. He had no need to rush into a barrage of questions, especially now that he was aware of the fate of the building that housed the Rose. It also seemed likely that Yelena and Paige may have similar questions. Additionally, he figured that he would use the amount of information that each of his companions presented about themselves as an indication of just how much of his history he should share.
At the insistence of his still growling stomach, Trevyn turned his attention to Flo. "May I please have a coffee with cream and a little bit of sugar?" In spite of his hunger, he did not want to be seen as taking too much advantage of Aeryn's hospitality. Besides, the brownies did smell wonderful...
Trevyn settled back into his seat and patiently waited for his turn to begin.

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

OOC: Trudging on with the conversation, if that is ok, GW...

Aerin sat thoughtfully silent as everyone ordered, a smirk on her lips as Paige reflected her order exactly – Aerin had not met many who could stomach what was, essentially, coffee-flavored syrup. It would be interesting watching her face. Trevyn seemed fine with allowing the ladies the first turns, which made Aerin happy, and the redhead listened attentively as Yelena rattled off her queries.

“The guild house? Well, I’m afraid that we know as much as you about the cause of the fire, although we do know that it was a bitch to fight…” Aerin answered, her own experiences in taverns and coffeehouses making her wary of ears around her listening even if the room had appeared empty – sensitive news tended to travel that way the fastest – and so she carefully doctored her words to not lie, per se, but to not give the whole of Citadel anything that they could use against herself, Ashari, or anyone else connected to the Rose that Aerin had not yet had the pleasure of meeting.

“We are glad, however, that no-one was hurt…” she continued, looking around the table with a smile which was buttressed by the affirmation that she and Ashari had shared that Aeris’ death had been painless. These outsiders did not need to know of Aeris just yet and, even so, it was not Aerin’s place to tell them. “Well, I was…a little…” Aerin continued with a small chuckle, flexing her recently-broken hand still trying to work out any lingering pain as it continued to heal. “…but I am fine now.” Aerin took another drag on her cigarette, studying the blonde through the column of smoke for a few flickers.

“Does that answer your question, Yelena?” a small bit of her Murrelbuck accent seeping through as she seemed to break the young woman’s name up into three distinct words in Aerin’s means of committing it to memory. “If so, why don’t we let Paige take a turn? Perhaps one question will raise others, mmm?” she asked, ashing her cigarette before taking another drag.

[Paige]

Paige listened thoughtfully to Aerin and Yelena as they spoke. So, the guild house was burnt down. Paige had only came to the Citadel the day before and she wasn't sure about the things going on in the city. It was indeed a pity, for Paige had every intention on locating it this very day. However, by the way Aerin spoke of such matters as the Rose Guild, Paige came to the conclusion that the red-headed woman would most likely have the answers to her questions. It was obvious that stopping in this cafe for a quick drink may have turned things in the adhiel's favor.

With a soft smile, Paige looked from Aerin, Yelena to Trevyn and back again to Aerin. It seemed to be Paige's turn to speak and she wanted to make sure she got her words out correctly. Clasping her hands together, Paige rested them on the table and cleared her throat, "I am terribly sorry to hear about the guild house. I actually planned on visiting it today to seek employment in companionship. I am new to the Citadel, and haven't had any luck in seeking work, thus far."

"Do you know how I might be able to get in touch with the head of the guild?" Paige asked politely.

[Yelena Kintessia]

“If so, why don’t we let Paige take a turn? Perhaps one question will raise others, mmm?”

Aerin was right. It was also what Yelena was hoping for. Treyvn and Paige could end up giving her more questions to ask. Yelena exhaled a little, relieved at the fact that no one was seriously injured and the only thing to suffer damage was the building. Looking over to Paige she straightened herself up in the chair, curious as to what she would ask.

"Do you know how I might be able to get in touch with the head of the guild?"

It was a question that Yelena wanted to ask herself, but it did not really matter. The blonde looked over to Aerin to listen to what she would say about Ashari. She wondered what the leader of the Rose was actually like. Was she nice? Was she mean? Was she extravagant? The last one is most likely a given...

[Trevyn Sayres]

I actually planned on visiting it today to seek employment in companionship.

Trevyn perked up at Paige's comment. So, I'm not the only one seeking to become a companion, he thought with a mild bit of amusement. How fortunate! Perhaps, if the head of the guild sees that there are enough new students, it will be enough of an incentive to rebuild. Even if it isn't, perhaps we could pool our knowledge and create a fledgeling guild of our own. I would prefer the former to the latter, though. I wonder if Yelena also seeks to become a companion.

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

As her answer seemed to be accepted by the group as a whole, Aerin set her attention upon the second question – how to get in touch with Ashari. Aerin had secretly wished that one, if not both, of the women wanted to become Companions, and she was happy that Paige had made it vocal. “Certainly.” She replied with a warm smile. “Mistress Ashari was just remarking to me yesterday about how she wished to gather more students. She and I both had errands to run this Morningtide, so I do not know where she is at the flicker…” Aerin continued, looking mostly at Paige. “But I do know where she might be later, an can take you there after we finish with our coffee and chatter here, if you would like.”

Aerin took another puff of her smoke and gave the matter further voicing. “She is young, but do not let that fool you, and I am not sure myself if she is the head of the guild or simply the one who runs it…” Aerin continued, giving both truth – for she did not know about the existence, roles, or influences of financial backers – and misleading information for listening ears as Aerin did not want to unwittingly paint a target upon Ashari’s forehead by claiming that Ashari was the metaphorical serpent’s head at the business end of the snake which was the Red Rose Guild.

“Now, Mister Trevyn…” Aerin stated, giving both Paige and Yelena smiles before turning to the only one of the four at the table who could piss their name in the snow without moving their feet. “First, let me thank you for your patience. Secondly, you told me at the gates that you wished to become a Companion, so the invitation to meet with Mistress Ashari is open to you as well, of course…” Aerin gave him a warm smile before flashing a glance in Yelena’s direction, one delicate eyebrow rising as if to challenge the blonde to join the herd, the corner of the redhead’s mouth rising in delayed reflection – Aerin’s déjà-vu about Yelena making her feel confident that even if Yelena were just fishing for information, her meeting with Aerin had not been coincidence. Aerin allowed the combination smirk/eyebrow to hover for only a fraction of a flicker before meeting Trevyn’s gaze head-on.

“Do you have any questions to add to this round-table before I take my turn?” Aerin said, completing her thought with a renewing of her warm smile and the addition of a wink. She wanted him to ask questions because it was often women like herself, Paige, and Yelena who slipped into such professions without much forethought and Aerin could only imagine that a male would make his way into the trade with lots of information.

Aerin knew that Companions were not the same thing as whores, of course, but as a neophyte herself, her mind still chose to compare the two and, from her limited experience, she had noted very few, if any, males in the predominantly female populous of the streetwalkers and tavernflies – so her interest in anything Trevyn had to say was definitely present as she awaited his reply.

[Trevyn Sayres]

Trevyn glanced at each of the ladies in turn, then settled his gaze back on Aerin as he began to speak. "I hope you won't mind me explaining a little bit of why I am here before I ask my question. Hopefully it will help make things a little bit clearer for you as to why this matter is so important to me." Trevyn glanced around again for any sign of disapproval and then hesitantly continued. "My family name is Sayres. I was born on Aveas a little over twenty yahren ago. My mother was a companion both here at the Citadel and in Aveas. Although I am not clear as to whether or not she herself was Red Rose Guild trained or not, she had a deep appreciation for the quality of companion that the Red Rose Guild turned out. The stories that my mother told me of her times as a companion filled me with a longing to see the things that she had--to do the things that she had done. I think she recognized a little bit of this in me. She taught me some very basic skills, such as massage, counseling, and even a little bit of healing. It was my hope to come to the Citadel one day and be trained at the Red Rose Guild."
"When you first shared the news of the fate of the guild with me," Trevyn said directly to Aerin as he struggled to keep his voice from cracking, "I was devastated. I did not know if I would be able to realize my dream. But then you mentioned going to meet Ashari, and that, coupled with the discussion that we're now having gives me hope that I may yet see my dream through."
Then, realizing that he was rambling, Trevyn stopped himself. "Well, now that I've prattled on about myself, I'll go ahead and ask my question. Has Ashari indicated to you her level of commitment to rebuilding the Red Rose Guild and whether or not she would accept help from her students in doing so?"

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin allowed herself another smoke quickly on the heels of the first as Trevyn listed out his history, skills, lineage, and plans along with a question thrown in there for good measure. She gave her answer a fair amount of thought before actually giving it, drawing up a good lungful of non-myst-laden tobacco - after the ordeal with Wrinkles, she wisely thought it best to abstain for a bit – and smiling at the group as a whole.

“A very good question, Trevyn, and very relavant to our meeting today, thank you. In my answer, however, please let me pose a question that you need not answer aloud…” Aerin’s left eyebrow arched high as her right eye winked. “or even at all…” The redhead looked to each face in turn as she spoke, trying to remind all three players that it was a group forum, so to speak.

“I am sure that everyone here has heard of the War of the One, even if just in passing, correct? In war, there are losses on both sides, all right?” Aerin gave a pause for nods (if they came) before continuing. “So let’s say that an enemy of the Oneists burned down one of their houses of worship. Did that end the war? No Did it shaken the Oneist faith in Dominicus? I don’t think that even the act of Dominicus setting fire to one of his own churches…in…the…flesh…while yelling ‘Stop worshipping me, dammit!’ could do that. So what did that tell us? Hmm?” Aerin took a drag upon her smoke and stood, putting her free hand upon Trevyn’s chest if he allowed it before continuing.

“Your mother had ties with the guild somehow… And you believe it was her training… That means that the training that she passed to you was Rose training and that the Red Rose Guild lies…” Aerin, if allowed, would slide her index finger up from his chest, along his neck, jawbone, and temple to come to rest in the center of his forehead. “…it lies right here, in a way, yes?”

Aerin would then take her seat again, draw upon a puff of her cigarette, and smile. “The building that burned is just a building, handsome… Our meeting here today is already laying some of the stonework in the new guild’s foundation, meaning that the rebuilding the Rose has already begun.” Her eyes turned to Yelena.

“Can I assume that your interest in the guild is the same?” Aerin asked, drawing in another puff after asking, allowing Yelena a precious flicker for a nod or shake of the head. “If so…” she continued “I would like to expand on Mister Trevyn’s volunteered information and find out a little more about each of you, such as where you hail from, what skills and interests you have, a little on your backgrounds, and…most importantly, what you wish to accomplish by choosing this line of work.” Aerin took another pause for a puff and stubbed the cigarette out. “I am sure that Mistress Ashari will be asking you the same questions and more later, but this little exchange here will help us all out as fellow students, I think, by letting us know more about each other so that we can teach each other as well as learn from the Mistress, if that makes sense…”

Her eyes moved from Yelena to Paige, Trevyn, and back to the blonde as she awaited the first of the replies.

[Yelena Kintessia]

It was true. Yelena wanted to become a companion and meet Ashari, yet out of four sitting at the table she felt that she was the least experienced or even skillful. Her view of companionship was drastically changing ever since she met Krys at the gates. From what she saw in Taquar to the views of Citadel had her feeling a little bit reluctant. It was not something she would sternly blurt out anymore, like she did to Krys. Most likely... no, it was certain that this was her own naivety that led to it, but somehow Yelena was quite fine with it. Mishaps and misjudgments are to be expected in life, or at least that is what one of the messages from one of her mother's poems said.

The allusion to the War caused Yelena to stir in her chair. It was not something she would have wanted to or even expected to hear brought up in the conversation. She took a deep breath to calm herself while listening to Aerin. Rebuilding the Rose does not seem like an easy task at all. I really wonder what Miss Ashari is like.

“Can I assume that your interest in the guild is the same? If so, I would like to expand on Mister Trevyn’s volunteered information and find out a little more about each of you, such as where you hail from, what skills and interests you have, a little on your backgrounds, and…most importantly, what you wish to accomplish by choosing this line of work.”

Yelena let her head drop for a quick nod to confirm Aerin's assumption and allowed herself a few flickers to form how she would answer. “I come from T'aquar of the Western Kingdom. My father was a member of the Emerald Guard and my mother was a very avid poet. I inherited my mother's love of writing and story telling, I suppose that is one of my skills...” She paused for a flicker. “As for what I want to accomplish, in honesty I do not know, but I am sure something shall open up for me.”

[Paige]

Paige listened to Yelena's response and patiently awaited for her turn to speak. She observed the young woman, whom come yesterday, Paige wouldn't have guessed had the same interest as she did when it came to companionship. Yelena seemed a bit more on the reserved side, well that was the impression Paige got from their meeting yesterday, not that it was a bad thing. With a mental smile, the raven-haired beauty hung on every word of the blonde adhiel's. Paige had always found it intriguing to hear about one's motives and where they came from. So when Yelena had finished speaking, Paige waited politely for a few flickers before responding, soaking in each one of her words.

With a gentle smile, Paige realized that it was now her turn to speak and became slightly flustered. She wasn't sure if what she had to say would be good enough, yet she knew that she wouldn't know if she didn't speak. Nothing ever happened to those who just sat along the river's edge and watched the waters of life pass them by. Slowly thinking everything over, Paige straightened up her posture with confidence and brushed back a strand of her long, dark hair.

"As for myself," Paige started calmly, "I was born on the Aveas, captured by a group of slaver traders and forced into a slavery on Amun Rah. I grew up mostly as a gentleman's mere toy. I have found my way here to the Citadel in search of my sister, and have been through a long and drawn out thought process regarding companionship. Being a mere street whore is something I wish to work my way out of."

Keeping a calm exterior, Paige continued, "I have ways to make myself focus in on a task laid before me and nothing else. Yet, about the accomplishment part, I guess I haven't thought that far ahead yet...I do hope that won't pose a problem?"

[Trevyn Sayres]

Our meeting here today is already laying some of the stonework in the new guild’s foundation, meaning that the rebuilding the Rose has already begun.

A measure of relief came over Trevyn as he reflected on Aerin's words. The rebuilding of the Red Rose Guild was certain. This gathering of aspiring students of the Rose was indeed a fortunate event. He still harbored doubts about his own future, yet as today's events unfolded, it seemed that the number of doubts that he had were dwindling.

Trevyn took a flicker to contemplate each of his companions. In a way, they all seemed to embody some sort of intriguing contradiction. Aerin conducted herself with the authority of a guild master, yet referred to herself as a fellow student. Yelena was bold enough to seek Aerin out in a crowd, yet she seemed to become more demure as the conversation progressed. And Paige, such composure and elegance, and yet she refers to herself as a "mere street whore". And then Trevyn began to reflect on what Aeryn had said about himself.

Your mother had ties with the guild somehow… And you believe it was her training… That means that the training that she passed to you was Rose training and that the Red Rose Guild lies…it lies right here, in a way, yes?

Could it be possible that Trevyn had already begun to receive the training of a Rose? He still did not know if Marivanora was affiliated with the Rose or just a fond observer, for as close as he was to his mother, she always kept her secrets well guarded. Trevyn knew how rare it was for a male to be a companion - his mother only had spoken of one male companion that she had met early on in her career. What if Ashari was not interested in training a male to be a companion? For someone who Aerin seemed to believe was already on the path to becoming a Rose, Trevyn still felt uncertain about his future.

Yet, about the accomplishment part, I guess I haven't thought that far ahead yet...I do hope that won't pose a problem?

Upon hearing Paige's question, Trevyn began to reflect on what his own desired accomplishments would be. There was no doubt that service to the Red Rose Guild was his way of honoring his mother, but was that all? Would becoming a companion help him on the road to reuniting with his father and brother? What opportunities exactly would it open up to him?

Trevyn spoke up. "I am in the same situation as Paige." He nodded to her briefly. "I haven't given much thought to what I wanted to accomplish either, other than being a part of something that was so important to my mother. I guess I was waiting to see what Ashari's vision of what it is to truly be a companion before I made up my mind about such things."

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin listened closely to the round, her bright eyes observing each speaker closely as if scrutinizing them for Ashari’s approval but – in reality – her ears were listening intently and her eyes were picturing each speaker naked. Yelena’s story brought a nod from the redhead, along with a smile. “Poetry is good, as is writing… Mistress Ashari has assured me, as she will all of you, that the Red Rose Guild is not a brothel by any means…” The redhead paused, smirking inwardly about her recent encounters with both Ashari and Wrinkles challenging that statement. “It is more of a school…where we will learn things like how to act among nobles, how to be proper wives, husbands, or lovers…” she continued, giving each persona a nod at each of the last three words, ‘husband’ – naturally – assigned to the only male at the table. “…and as such, I cannot think of any man who would not be swayed by you giving ode to his accomplishments or telling tales back to him of past deeds or fantasies…especially the latter, if it is saucy enough, yes?” Aerin gave Yelena a small wink and a little chuckle as she imagined the young blonde on her bed, dressed in only the air around her. “Oh I am sure something will…open up…for you…” Aerin said reassuringly, trying not to make her play on words too obvious.

Aerin’s eyes then turned to Paige as the brunette took her turn in the spotlight. A slave…? Aerin asked herself as Paige spoke, wondering how Paige came to escape her bonds but deciding not to delve into the matter in as open a forum as a coffee shop. If Paige was being sought after from escape, bringing the matter into discussion would only bring every runner and bounty hunter within earshot to direct attention rather quick. Aerin had hung out with that type before and seen former slaves take their own lives rather than to allow Rat and the others drag them back to the shackles from which they had escaped. The thought of a sister intrigued Aerin – for both the wrong and right reasons – the right reason being that Aerin had sisters of her own and could definitely put herself in the girl’s shoes. On the other hand, something about incest sparked a bit of curiosity in the redhead and, although both she and Ashari had said that the guild was not a brothel, Aerin could only imagine a noble requesting Paige and her sister as a set.

“Not a problem at all, dear…” Aerin said, blinking away the image of twin Paiges curled in each other’s arms in a steaming bath, their lips hungrily exploring each other’s as if the sisters were perfect strangers who had only just met. “It is nice to start out with a blank slate sometimes… A fresh start… You never know where it will take you, mmm?” Aerin gave the brunette a wink of her own and turned her attention to Trevyn.

“Mistress Ashari will make that vision clear to us each in due time, I imagine. Seems to me, if I were in her shoes, that she has four different lumps of clay here on her potters wheel, each waiting to be spun into a bowl, vase, pitcher, or whatever else we are destined to become…and then filled with her knowledge and wisdom before being passed onto someone thirsty for that knowledge to be put to use and looking for his drink in the container which meets to his or her liking, yes?”

Aerin opened her hands and then motioned to herself ever so slightly. “I am Aerin, as I said, and I am the eldest of a large farming family located out in the countryside near Murrelbuck. I am not a poet, a former toy, or a legacy Rose, but I am glad to have met each of you today and am happy that you each have decided to join the Rose. Now…” Aerin said as she looked to see where their drinks and brownies were.

“Let’s play a little game, hmm? Let’s take turns…in no particular order, telling three things that we like about ourselves and one thing that we don’t. Mistress Ashari’s teachings aside, I learned that it was easier to get along with my siblings…which you all I now consider to be…if I knew what to complement to make them smile and what to help them with when they were feeling down.”

Aerin started the ball rolling for them, knowing how hard it was to bare yourself to another person herself. “I love my hair, my humor, and my stubbornness.” She stated with a smile. “What I do not like is my…” she paused, wanting to be truthful but, at the same time, staying guarded. “…my inability to be myself at times. I both love and loathe secrets.”

[Paige]

With a silent sigh of relief to Trevyn's response about being in the same situation as she was, Paige flashed him a polite smile and looked back to Aerin. It was clear that her answer suited the fiery headed woman and Paige started to feel more at ease. Could it be that she was amongst people that would actually understand her? The thought alone brought a satisfied grin to her face. Paige was constantly misunderstood and for Aerin or anyone else for that matter, to not bring up questions about her former life of slavery, her blue eyes started to fill up with hope. However, Paige couldn't help but wonder what was going on through everyones' heads. Everyone else's backgrounds sounded finer than her own, but there was no way of knowing for sure. Paige knew that all souls had something to hide, even herself.

“Let’s play a little game, hmm? Let’s take turns…in no particular order, telling three things that we like about ourselves and one thing that we don’t. Mistress Ashari’s teachings aside, I learned that it was easier to get along with my siblings…which you all I now consider to be…if I knew what to complement to make them smile and what to help them with when they were feeling down.”

Aerin's mention of considering them siblings, surprised Paige at first, but the more she thought about it, the more Paige realized that she wanted a closeness like that. It wouldn't hurt to have those you could talk to when you had no where else to go, someone who would go through the similar events, but still it was far too early to tell if she would be able to let her guard down. That would mean the adhiel would become vulnerable, something she didn't have any interest in being. No matter how pleasant a person seemed on the outside, you never knew what they were hiding on the inside.

“I love my hair, my humor, and my stubbornness.” “What I do not like is my…” “…my inability to be myself at times. I both love and loathe secrets.”

Paige pondered her answer to this. She never really given much thought into what she liked about herself. Truth was, Paige didn't really like herself at all. Closing her eyes very briefly, she gazed into the darkness of the back her eyelids and let out a calm breath of air. She knew that she had to open herself up someway. The young woman knew that she wasn't going to get anywhere if she clammed up all of the time.

Bringing everyone back into focus, particularly Aerin, Paige bowed her head politely and began, "Well, first and foremost, I dislike my inability to trust."

Smiling, Paige thought about what she could say she liked about herself,
"I guess I could say in all honesty, I like my eyes, my legs.." She stopped and chuckled before continuing, "and my perseverance."

[Yelena Kintessia]

The introductions made the little blonde a bit more at ease. The air around her felt a tad lighter even though she did not know the cause of the sudden nervousness. Aerin's idea of a game was a good one, because it would help the group get to know each other better, as red head said herself.

“What I do not like is my…” she paused, wanting to be truthful but, at the same time, staying guarded. “…my inability to be myself at times. I both love and loathe secrets.”

Yelena looked up and to the side as Aerin gave her answer. Being myself. She never thought about herself that much, because she liked to think of others over herself. She would have to know herself to answer the question in this game. Three things I like about myself, and one that I do not like... Writing would most certainly be one...

Bringing everyone back into focus, particularly Aerin, Paige bowed her head politely and began, "Well, first and foremost, I dislike my inability to trust."

Smiling, Paige thought about what she could say she liked about herself, "I guess I could say in all honesty, I like my eyes, my legs.." She stopped and chuckled before continuing, "and my perseverance."

The word trust rang in her mind for a few flickers, and Yelena searched for the reason why. She trusted people too easily. It was usually her curiosity that led her to these people too. Ah. Her curiosity. It led her to believe companionship was something different than reality. It was her double edged sword. She chuckled inside. Yelena was beginning to like this game. Although she did not know how the others came up with their answers, she was very satisfied with how she came up with her own.

“The things that I like about myself are my writing and my education. I also love my curiosity, but I hate it as well.”

[Trevyn Sayres]

Trevyn thought for a few flickers. His initial impulse was to say something crude but humorous just for the shock value, yet something held him back. Perhaps it was a little bit of the nervousness from earlier in the day, or perhaps an unseen hand was guiding him to keep himself in check until he had a better understanding of his "siblings" as Aerin had called them.
"I would have to say that I love my body," Trevyn volunteered. "My father insisted that I work very hard to keep myself in shape, and so I take pride in what I have done to that end. I also love the fact that I can derive so much pleasure from various parts of my body. Finally, I guess what I love most of all is the fact that I have been taught to heal. And, I would have to say that the one thing that I do not like about myself is my temper."

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

“Great legs, firm body, smart, great eyes, honest, curious, pleasurable, witty, healing, and very, very beautiful… You three are like my dream lover split into three persona!” Aerin grinned. “…of course, with the distrust, nosiness, and temper… I think I have dated you already…” The redhead spanned her smile between her three companions. “We have all just met, and know very little about each other… and they say that first impressions usually set the tone, right? Let’s keep it light and happy – we can fight like true siblings later, in private.

“Right now though,” Aerin said, looking to her left at Trevyn. “Let’s take turns looking to the person on your left, when the time comes, and tell us all your thoughts about them as if describing them to someone who has never met them hmmm?” Aerin took a peek at the girls to ensure that they were game. “When it gets back to me, I’ll reverse it to the right, yes? We could all stand to feel a little better, I think”

Her eyes focused back on Trevyn. “Remember boys and girls, no blushing, no giggling, and no falling in love just yet…” She took a flicker or two to look him over and placed her hands upon his, if he allowed it. “Trevyn is a soft-spoken and gentle man – one that I would feel safe falling asleep with during a terrible storm. And his voice…I could give him a book on the higher principals of alchemy and listen to him read it aloud. And those eyes… when he looks at me, it seems like he is looking through me, seeing me as I really am and gazing with only understanding and calm temperance…” She leaned forward and took a small whiff of Trevyn, her words kind even if the scent of his recent journey was not.

“His aroma is like that of freshly baked bread, the light airy cologne hanging in his hair as he hugs me, his arms nice and strong against my body. Trevyn is a joy to be around…” After a small wink, Aerin sat back and smiled, allowing Trevyn to soak in the complements and do the same for the lady to his left.

OOC: Not sure who’s sitting by whom, so you get to pick between Paige and Yelena, Trevyn. That ought to make it pretty clear, eh?

[Trevyn Sayres]

Trevyn blushed a bit at Aerin's description of him, but then decided it best to focus on continuing the game. He turned towards his left and gazed thoughtfully at Yelena. "Yelena's beauty and frailty are enough to make one treasure her as if she were an exquisitely made doll. Her flaxen hair, emerald eyes, and delicate features would win over even the most jaded heart. And, when one gazes into those emerald eyes, one sees a soul with the sharpest of intellect and a thirst for new experiences and knowledge. Even the softness of her voice alludes to the poise with which Yelena holds herself." Trevyn paused for a flicker, partly to assess how Yelena was responding to his compliments and partly to keep himself focused in this current time frame. He continued, a little more softly. "Indeed, if history is an indicator, then Yelena has great things in store for her should she complete her training as a companion. I know firsthand of a companion strongly resembling her, both physically and in demeanor. Said companion was desired by many both here at the Citadel and at Pan's Isle."