[Venora] The Pink Room

[Darcyanna Venora]

49th Zi’da, 717, Just Before The Ball

“You would think, after living in this for half of my life, I would hate the colors, but I guess they must be burned into my brain or something.” Darcy sat in front of her dressing table mirror in nothing but a matching set of dusky pink lingerie, stockings and a pink silk dressing gown, pale hair drawn up from her face and shoulders with a simple shell hair clip. Leaning towards the mirror, she pursued her lips to apply an almost not there shade of lipstick, pressing them together and sweeping her hand around the room to emphasise the words. Indeed, her childhood bedroom was lavishly decorated in the bold magenta of Venora’s banner, along with various other shades of the color.

Spinning in her seat, she turned to look at Charlie with a wide grin before standing to walk over to the small coffee table and pick up a glass of bubbling pink moscato. It was actually growing on her, the pretty drink that hailed from the Bluebell Vineyard right here in Bellesoir. Since the twentieth, Darcy had been trying so hard to do anything she could to avoid the crutch of narcotics that she’d spent so long leaning on. The wine would never replace that, but it was nice to enjoy the little buzz the drink provided. A nice socially acceptable buzz.

“Soooo....tell me about you and Oli?! I need to know more—well some more. Not all of the more there is to know.” She said with a giggle and a false shudder of disgust before taking a sip on the drink. Moving across the room, she pulled open her wardrobe and walked inside, searching around with one hand for the shoes she had in plan for the evening.

“Ooh! Charlie! I have something for you!” The shorter Venora called from within the depths of the wardrobe, loosing herself in amongst various dresses and items of clothing.

“It’s for Soirée, but also, I really wanted to say thankyou.” Emerging from the wardrobe Darcy held her drink in one hand, her shoes already on her feet, and under one arm a rather large black box tied with a white ribbon. Putting the box on her pristine white baby grand piano lid, she turned to the Warrick with an almost wicked smile, like the cat that had stolen the milk. Approaching the Sergeant, she sipped the wine again and raised a delicate elegantly manicured finger.

“You can’t have it yet though. Not until we get you sorted for tonight.” She paused for a moment before grinning again, slipping off the dusky pink heels now she’d found them. They were trimmed with a gold filigree leaf pattern around the top of the heel, truly one of her favourite pairs.

”And you let me paint your nails.” The younger woman said, her tone indicating that whether Charlie agreed or not, it was happening.

[Charlie Warrick]

Charlie was not nearly as undressed as Darcy was, the other woman comfortable swanning about in frankly very luxurious lingerie. Charlie had acquiesed to 'dressing down', but she was simply wearing a black satin nightgown, the very opposite of the bright pink decor that Darcy seemed so comfortable in. Charlie was by no means opposed to make up, girl time, and dressing up - it just wasn't her favourite thing to do.

"Maybe it's burnt into your brain by now, and you can't ever escape it," Charlie teased back, smiling at the other woman, as she took a sip of the delicious red ale that Oliver, the housekeeper said, had ordered especially for her. The thought made her flush, but more than that, it made her feel wanted. She hadn't seen the handsome Venora to-trial, but she knew that when she did, she wanted to be looking her best. Charlie stood, and traded places with Darcy in front of the mirror.

"Your wine matches your outfit," Charlie noted dryly, smiling easily at Darcy before turning back to the mirror. It was a good thing she had, for Darcy's next words made the Warrick's cheeks flush as red as the dress she was planning to wear. "T-there's not much to tell," she stammered, meeting Darcy's eyes through the mirror. "Really. I just stayed over the one time..." Charlie couldn't help the slight smile as she applied the first layer of foundation, an ivory liquid that she dusted with a slight shimmer along her cheekbones. "There's not much to tell, but I'm hoping after tonight, there will be." Charlie grinned cheekily, before applying her mascara and a slight tint of kohl around her eyes. Simple, but effective.

She was just applying her red lipstick, a deep burgundy that matched the lace of her dress, when Darcy's voice rang out again. Charlie swivelled in her seat to gape at the Venora. "Darcy, you didn't have to! Really!" She flushed, feeling awful. "But I didn't bring anything for you..." Her mind raced. Was she supposed to? It had been so long since she had had female friendships outside of the Skyriders that she wasn't sure of the etiquette anymore. Had she ruined the friendship already?

Feeling awful, Charlie nodded. "Alright. It's better that you do it. I'm awful at it. I always get the polish more on my skin than my nails." Charlie stood, cracking her neck, and took a long draught from her beer. "Where do you want me? I'm at your command, Major," Charlie grinned, saluting at the demanding - but sweet - Darcyanna, a woman quickly becoming her closest friend. And that was a novelty for Charlie, and not one she wished to give up.

[/align]

[Darcyanna Venora]

49th Zi’da, 717

Darcy laughed, looking down at her so-called outfit with a raised eyebrow, holding the glass against the silky fabric of the dressing gown for comparison.

"Ha! So it does! I'm cursed to forever be bathed in the house colors." Taking another sip of wine, she watched the older woman blush a deep scarlet, unable to avoid the grin as they looked at each other through the mirror.

"Just that one time? Of course. Ever the gentleman my sarding brother. So...is it...serious?" She prodded again, watching as Charlie lay down her simple yet elegant make up. Like Darcy, the Warrick was not overdoing her look, and it worked beautifully.

Oliver was lucky to have such a lovely person like Charlie.

Waving a hand at the comment about the gift, Darcy giggled at the salute and grabbed the Sergeant by the hand, guiding her to sit on the bed, stealing a vial of deep burgandy nailpolish from the array of colors sitting on the edge of the vanity. Opening the laquer with an ease that came from years of experience, the pale skinned Venora held Charlie's fingers as she deftly applied the color with a careful and steady hand.

"You weren't expected to. This is a gift from me to you. Tradition dictates that each Zi'da we share a gift with someone special in honor of Soiree. I felt that this time, for me, you were that someone special. Caius already recieved his...er...gift from me, and Oli's requires a bit of work." The blonde blushed deeply at the mention of the Gawyne, her smile much less innocent than it really should have been. Clearing her throat, Darcy moved across the Warricks fingers with a practiced speed, before indicating she should swap hands.

"I know that it's only been a handful of ten trials, but honestly Charlie, I don't think I could imagine my life without your friendship." Glancing up with a softer smile, her eyes shifted to a swirling lime green laced with lavenders Charlie would have seen in Olivers own gaze.

"When the boys ambushed me...I mean, with all good intentions of course...I have never felt quite so alone to be honest. I felt betrayed, which is silly because frankly, it's the right thing to do. I know I have a problem. I'm not blind, but..." Trailing off, she sighed, looking down to finish off the polish on Charlie's thumb.

"It was good to be able to come and talk to you. Talk to someone who could just let me rant about rubbish and not judge me. Not that Caius or Oli judge it's just...different with you." Sitting back to admire her handywork, Darcyanna smiled and closed the lid.

"There, now let that dry." Standing, she moved back to the piano to pick up the black box and her glass, placing the gift beside the brunette on the bed.

"Now, before you open it two things. One, I had no idea what I was doing so if its not suitable please let me know and we'll organise a replacement. Two, I want to see what you can do with it sometime." Grinning, the blonde sipped her drink, eagerly waiting for Charlie to open the gift.

When she did, the Sergeant would find a forest green mastercraft shortbow and forty mastercraft arrows, both made of cobalt. The craftsmanship was of extremely high quality, and yet maintained a slight flare of the artistic in true Venoran fashion.

[Charlie Warrick]

Charlie let Darcy guide her to the bed, where she sat on the luxurious bedspread. It was incredibly comfortable, and Charlie tucked her legs beneath her as she surrendered her hands over to Darcy. She honestly didn't care what colour her nails were, and she was sure in her line of work that they would chip as soon as she began training, but it made the younger girl happy, and that was worth it on its own.

Charlie flushed, tucking her hair behind her ear as she stalled answering Darcy's question. Serious? Her and Oliver? How could she answer that? "I don't know..." Charlie stalled, trying to find the words that would explain how she felt about the mysterious nobleman. "We have only spent the one night together. I cannot say after one night. It shouldn't mean anything, but..." Charlie flushed, thinking about that night. "But I think it does. To both of us. I don't know. I guess we'll see where it's going. Chances are some other beautiful lady will snap him up by the end of the night." She was joking. Charlie, strangely, had faith in Oliver, even so quickly after their first night together.

Charlie let the Venora take the other hand. She was about to ask after Caius, but Darcyanna forged ahead. And how her words made Charlie flush with happiness - and guilt. "I'm really glad you feel like that, Darcy," she said, her voice honest and clear, her eyes seeking the other woman's out. "It's been so nice for me, too. Spending time with Oliver is wonderful, but I've never really had female friends, and certainly not one like you. I feel truly blessed that I met you that day." And she meant it - but still...

"I know I've said it so many times before," Charlie said hesitantly, as she pulled her nails away and let them dry. "But I truly am sorry for going to Oliver that day. Not... I mean, I do think it was the right thing to do, but it must have hurt to know that I did that, and I'm sorry. I truly am." Charlie took a deep breath, and chanced a smile. "But for what it's worth, Darcy, I'm truly proud of you. You've made such progress, and it's amazing to see you like this - happy."

She flushed happily as Darcy brought out the gift, the black box sitting enticingly in front of her. Careful not to smudge the drying paint, Charlie hesitantly opened the lip. She could not stop the gasp that escaped her lips as her hand flew to her mouth, taking in the masterfully crafted bow that lay before her. Charlie sat silently for a moment before standing and rushing over to Darcy, taking the other woman in her arms in a fierce hug.

"Thank you, Darcy!" she gushed, a grin blooming across her face. "Oh, I love it! It's so beautiful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Charlie squeezed the woman again, pulling back and grinning, returning to the box to trace one manicured finger over the string. Warmth bloomed through her chest as she looked down at the bow. She chuckled and shook her head, looking to Darcy with amazement on her face.

"Now I have to plan a really amazing present to give you," she teased.

[/align]

[Darcyanna Venora]

49th Zi’da, 717

Darcy narrowed her eyes, a sudden lightning streak of indigo shattering the delightful lime of her iris’ at the mention of some other noblewoman stealing Oliver away at the gala. It was clearly a joke, and yet the blonde pianist was not joking when she spoke.

“Over my cold and broken body Charlie. No other woman is worthy of Oli,” For a moment, the younger woman was cold and dark, entirely out of character for the Ivory Rose.

Perhaps there was a little bit of Pythera in all the Bellesoir Venora.

“Besides, no other woman has my friendship either. You’d be surprised how much a sisters blessing means. Oh, and you tell me if Oli ever acts the fool with you Charlie. I’ll set him right.” She said with a slow smile, the indigo fading away like so much melting snow, the pale musician trying to come back to the lighter mood of before.

Sipping her wine, the blonde averted her gaze at the mention of Charlie’s betrayal. It had hurt, it had sarding stung, but out the other side of the fire Darcy had nothing but thanks for the three of them. Caius, Charlie and Oliver. It had been a painful necessity. Glancing back, she matched the Sergeants smile with warmth.

“I am happy. So happy. It’s not all roses and rainbows, I still have bad days. But it’s getting easier.” Finishing her wine, the slightly self conscious Venora waved at the box.

“Come come, enough of that. Open it!” Grinning as she watched the Warrick open the bow, Darcy made a small ‘ooc’ at the crush of the hug Charlie drew her into. Laughing, she reached to hug her fondly in return.

“You are so very welcome my dearest Charlie. So very welcome and deserved.” Pulling back, she tucked a loose strand of hair from her face, watching the skilled archer trace the string with wonder. The young woman had no clue how to even use the weapon that she’d purchased, but she was fairly confident Sergeant Charlie Warrick did.

Blushing at the brunette’s teasing, Darcy returned to the wardrobe to find her dress.

“Don’t be silly! Seeing your face is a gift enough for me.” Taking a dusky pink long gown from it’s hanger, the musician returned, holding it up against her arm with a careful eye. It was a lovely outfit, directly from the fashion house here in Bellesoir. Where she could, Darcyanna always purchased her goods locally. It supported the barony’s economy as well as creating jobs for the villagers. Besides, in her mind there was no artisan in Rynmere more talented than the Venoran people.

Removing her robe without shame, her scars were bared like battle wounds of a war torn survivor. She wore them not with pride, but with strength. A symbol of the darkness that had threatened to consume her, in which she had overcome. Drawing the soft fabric up over her hips and slipping her arms in, Darcy turned her back to Charlie and looked over her shoulder.

“Button me?” She asked politely, holding the front of the dress against her chest so it didn’t slip.

[Charlie Warrick]

Charlie flushed at the sudden seriousness in Darcyanna's tone. It was unexpected, the steel in reply to what Charlie had intended as a dig. Suddenly, she wondered if Oliver had ever shown such interest in a woman before; or perhaps, if he had, it had gone badly. Still, Charlie twisted her bottom lip between her teeth, and said nothing. She didn't know what she could say.

And the mention of Darcyanna's addiction - what could she say to that, either? "I'm glad it's becoming easier, Darcy," she said softly, offering the younger woman a slight smile. But she wondered how true that was. From everything Charlie had heard on the streets of Andaris, drug addiction ruined lives. It took hold of them; the withdrawal a constant spectre inspiring fear, inspiring the need to get high again, just to avoid that horrific experience.

Bad days, Darcy said... how many bad days had she had? And how many had she avoided with yet another hit of drugs? Shaking her head, Charlie focused on the bubbly young woman. Now was not the time; not rushed, not when they were having such a pleasant evening getting ready together. Charlie took a deep draught of the beer to clear her head.

When she turned, Darcy had divested her dress, and her mouth went dry. Charlie knew Darcy had suffered at the hands of Pythera, not just emotionally, but physically. Still, it seemed the Venoran took no notice of them, and Charlie avoided the scars as she stepped up to the woman. Silently, Charlie buttoned up the beautiful dress, making sure it was secured snugly against Darcyanna's frame. "There," Charlie said, smiling, stepping back. "Beautiful."

Hesitantly, Charlie took off her own robe. Her own lingerie was simple, without garters as Darcy had had, but she stepped over to the chair where she had laid her dress. Unzipping it, she came to Darcy, stepping into the dress, but this time, she did not hold the chest of the dress up. She let it sit across her waist, exposing the jagged scar that Pythera had left on her own skin. Charlie reached out, touched Darcy's skin gently, and then brought her fingers back to her body, where she traced the now-healed skin.

A soft smile, and Charlie turned around, waiting for Darcyanna to button her in turn.

[/align]

[Darcyanna Venora]

49th Zi’da, 717

Smiling, Darcy turned around as the dress was clasped, blushing a little at the woman’s comment. It was difficult to believe herself beautiful, after what Pythera’s insanity had wrought. Whilst she wore them without shame, it didn’t wash away the marring.

As the brunette undressed, the blonde moved to step into her heels and reached up to release her hair from its clasp with a cascade of platinum tresses. Running a hand gently through the soft waves, the Venora turned to the Warrick, smile faltering a little as she saw the mark that her sister had left on the woman as boldly as her own. The Sergeant ran her fingers lightly over Darcy’s own scars, before touching her own, a silent moment shared between the two. Hesitantly, the delicate Venora reached out to gently trace the angry streak across the woman’s chest, curling her fingers slightly and swallowing hard as Charlie turned around. As she buttoned the dress, the pianist spoke softly.

“I’m sorry Charlie. For my sister. She’s the root rot that eats away at the roses above. It seems, no matter where I turn, she’s there in some way.” Finishing the dress, she smiled and turned the woman back around.

“Only now, she doesn’t realise that the scars she’s left on others have only made us stronger together.” Taking Charlie by the shoulders, she hugged her fondly, a best friend. A sister, already it felt like the sister she should have had, not the sister she got.

Pulling back slightly, she laughed and knuckled at the corner of her eye.

“Damn it, I’m not crying tonight. Look at us pair.” Blinking rapidly, Darcy stepped a pace or two back and looked the Warrick over critically.

“If my brother doesn’t just loose every breath in his lungs at the sight of you I will sarding well smack him.” Moving to pick up her wine glass again, the musician glanced at the time.

“Speaking of which, you should be sure to make an entrance. Stand at the pinnacle of the stair case, just so. It’ll show off the dress and your gorgeous figure.” It was something Kalani would say, and for a moment Darcy caught herself with a wrinkle of her nose, sipping the wine with a shake of her head.

“Fates save me, I sound like my mother.”

[Charlie Warrick]

She was glad she had turned around, for she felt her eyes close in pain at Darcy's words. Charlie inhaled sharply, shaking her head, but her eyes betrayed the pain that the memory of Pythera brought. "Please don't apologise, Darcy," Charlie said, her voice firm. "You are not responsible for your sister, nor is your family. Only Pythera is responsible for Pythera. Her choices do not reflect you."

She turned around when the dress was done, determined to keep speaking, but was surprised when Darcyanna brought her into a warm embrace. The surprise made her flounder for a moment, but there was no hesitation when Charlie brought her arms up and around the younger woman, smiling easily. "I'm glad I met you, Darcy," she murmured before pulling away, grinning.

Her own eyes were dry, but it didn't mean that Charlie was not moved by the emotion between the two. Her red cheeks, flushed not only with rouge but with pleasure, belied how Darcy's words affected her. "No crying," Charlie admonished, but she was smiling and her voice was warm. "You spent too long on your make-up to ruin it now." Charlie brought a hand up to Darcy's cheek, her thumb trailing against a tear quickly, before flushing at her words.

"I hope he likes it," Charlie admitted, also taking a sip of her drink. "I never really cared too much what men thought of how I looked. But your brother is... different," she said, flushing. Straightening her back, as if she were about to walk out into battle, she exhaled and placed her drink down.

"Alright. I'm going down. You'll be down soon, yes? Caius will just about faint when we sees you," Charlie teased, smiling at Darcy before she head to the door. Just as she was about to pull the door open, she paused, and looked back at the woman.

"Darcy? Thank you. I never had another girl want to spend time with me like this. It means a lot to me."

With a final smile, Charlie opened the door and was gone. It was time to see what Oliver thought.

[/align]