• Closed • Tea For Two (Darcy)

[Valeria Burhan]

.

The blonde smirked at her companion, turning her attention away from the cat.

"Well, that's ironic. Not helping people for the sake of their well-being. Helping by not helping," she giggled, batting the other woman on the arm. She reached out for her tea, finishing it off and then pouring herself some more. She offered Darcy a refill. She took a sip of the new tea before she set it down, letting out a sigh. "I am first in line so I don't really have much choice in the matter. Well, I get to choose a husband - at least ideally - but I am 22 so... to be honest, I'm half-expecting a letter from my mother some trial soon asking if I'm ever going to find a husband before I become a withered old maid. Withered old maid is probably only an arc or so off in her mind," she added with a laugh that carried a trace of bitterness.

She couldn't deny that her age was a matter that worried her, a matter that didn't appear to bother Darcy in the slightest despite being the same age. Perhaps it was because the Burhan had her title to rely on but also her beauty and beauty had an expiration date. Already she was convinced that it was beginning to fade a little, no longer as beautiful as she'd been in her first bloom of youth. That had been before Zanik had marked her, that had been arcs and arcs ago and now every time she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she feared that her beauty was already beginning to wilt. Darcy had more going for her. She had her talents and a natural beauty that far surpassed Valeria's own. She could afford to wait a few more arcs but it was safe to say that the young woman would probably be snapped up sooner than Valeria. Who wouldn't want Darcy?

"You wouldn't take an arranged marriage? You say that as if..." she laughed softly, derisively and smiled indulgently."Well, you aren't going to say that you'd marry for love, are you? I mean, you know that that isn't a thing. Love, I mean. It's just something people say that excuses away lust. Lust is far more simple than how people try to explain it with love. As if it's something noble." The blonde bit her lip, realising that she might have allowed her cynicism to have too much free reign. Perhaps Darcy was one of those people who believed wholeheartedly in soppy love stories and dreamed of being in one some trial. The Burhan had no idea how to take it back without sounding like a fool so she shut up instead.

There was a sense of awkwardness in her demeanour, her gaze becoming an uncomfortable dance of blue and grey hues as she worried about the air between them. With a cough, she cleared her throat and spoke as if she'd said nothing on the subject of love, a happy fantasy that she hoped the Venora would indulge. It would be better if she just pretended forgetfulness, especially as she didn't particularly want the young woman to be frightened away by her words or attitude.

"Oh well, I'm sure that a gala would be an excellent opportunity for meeting suitable nobility," she commented, specifically choosing not to use the word 'men' as she smiled almost shyly at the Venora. Her eyes took on warmer, autumnal tones of ochre and umber although the cooler anxious colours muted them a little, still providing certain undertones. "Do you think you'll meet anyone interesting there? Would you want to?"

[Darcyanna Venora]

4th Zi’da, 717

Darcy smiled, shaking her head at the refill and glancing at the time. It was still early-ish, much to her relief. She had music theory in the afternoon, but was not yet in any need of having to depart.

Having a woman to talk to was pleasant. She needed this distraction.

“By the Seven, if that’s the case we’re both old spinsters then!” Darcy said with a laugh, sipping on her tea and shaking her head. It was a symptom of the title, nobility demanded networking and youthful offspring made wonderful bargaining chips. At the mention of arranged marriage the pianist made a most unladylike sound, wrinkling her nose.

“Fates no. Not ever. I’m not my parents property to be bartered like cattle.” The blonde almost choked on the hot liquid as the next word escaped Valeria, her face darkening to a deep crimson as she placed the cup down and picked up a napkin to dab at her lips.

“L-Love? I mean...I uh...I don’t even know really. It’s erm...I just...” The word was too fresh, too new. Love? Was that the feeling of butterflies and hurricanes in her stomach every time she thought of the tall diri. Her eyes shifted, lilac and gold, widening slightly as the blush crept down her neck onto the pale skin of her chest as the Burhan proposed that lust was far more real than love.

“Lust? I couldn’t...I can’t answer that. Those. I don’t...not a lot of experience in...in that area.” Darcy wanted to crawl under a rock and hide as her blush disappeared under the neckline of her dress. All over two little words, and one clear face in her mind.

Love and Lust and....

Caius.

The name in her head gave the young Venora cause to draw her own lip between her teeth in a moment of heated memory, her amythest and amber gaze a little distant. As Valeria asked about the gala, and if Darcy was looking to meet someone, the blonde smiled just a tad.

“I think I’ve already met someone...” She breathed cryptically, mind still elsewhere in places it really needed to get away from, her eyes holding the other woman’s as though sharing a private joke.

Oh by the Seven, she really needed to think of other things.

[Valeria Burhan]

.

Her age was something that got Valeria down from time to time, something that she dwelt on when she felt that no man was going to show the right sort of interest in her. It wasn't something that she could often see a humorous side to but when Darcy spoke, she let loose a giggle. It was like when they'd laughed the previous night about swearing, when ordinarily it wouldn't be something that was particularly funny. Being a spinster was something that would upset her, a quite understandable reason for her to want to bawl her eyes out about her perceived undesirability. Instead, she struggled to stop laughing, enjoying the camaraderie between them more than the subject.

The Burhan was glad that she'd invited the other noblewoman for tea, even if it had been extended under less than ideal circumstances. She certainly hadn't been in her right mind at the time. She hadn't been drunk but she hadn't been in possession of her full faculties either. It could have taken a very different direction indeed, and a negative one, but she thought that it had worked out quite well. Aside from a little awkwardness, they'd been getting along just fine and she was quite pleased with how everything had turned out.

"A pair of spinsters are we!" she trilled, giggling at her impromptu singing. She found herself grinning afterwards, sipping at her tea while she listened to the older blonde speak. At the mention of cattle, she flipped her hair back and adopted a snooty accent, consciously mocking many of the older noble ladies that she'd heard talking. "Oh no, not cattle. Darling child, no! You're willing involved in contracts for the good of yourself and your house. You have a mind of your own and you agree quite willingly I'm sure. No one's forcing you to do anything, dear, but you don't want to let people down, do you?"

Her piece said, she snorted, shaking her head in disapproval and rolling her eyes. She'd meant it as satire of course but it sounded so unsettlingly true to the reality of the situation that she felt more than a little uncomfortable. It was a game, she knew, this whole marriage thing. It was a matter of shuffling pieces on the board to achieve an advantage over others, to end up on top. It was a game that she understood the value of but she wished that it was easier to play. If it didn't involve so much work, so much that was likely to be disagreeable about succeeding. The young woman could reflect on the matter at great length but it would be far from polite to do so. Still, the Venora appeared to be ready to give her more to think about.

The mention of love and lust had caused an interesting reaction to take place in her companion, a reaction that was fascinating to witness. Her eyes were an amazing colour, mesmerising and she found herself staring as the other noblewoman caught her lip in an attitude that Valeria found quite... distracting. Her breath hitched, her own irises shifting into a pleasant golden hue. Her next words sent confusion through her but also a mixture of shock and hope. Surely she wasn't referring to the Burhan? And yet, the expression on her face made her wonder. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know whether to question her outright or make a move. If she chose incorrectly, it could be disastrous.

She licked her lips, setting her cup down carefully before she shifted her position. She turned more to the side, drawing her legs up so that they were almost beneath her, draping one arm over the back of the settee. Glancing downwards, she adjusted her skirt, allowing her fingers to brush off the leg of the other woman as she did so. "I see and... this person... have you known them for long?" she questioned softly, her hand remaining resting in her lap. They were close, legs practically touching off each other. Her gaze rose, eyes hooded as she regarded the other woman from beneath her lashes.

[Darcyanna Venora]

4th Zi’da, 717

At the sudden antics of the other blonde, and her proper laughter, Darcyanna couldn’t help herself. Her giggles turned into proper laughter, her cheeks hurting and her sides aching.

“Oh fates stop! You sound like my mother!” She laughed, fading into giggles and finally a hum of delight. It felt good to laugh. To properly laugh. The Venora was somewhere lost in herself, fretting over the man who had disappeared and leaning far to heavily on the narcotics that had dictated her life for the past four arcs.

It was nice to just mindlessly laugh with another.

As they resumed the discussion on matters of marriage, Darcy felt like her blush would never disappear, staining her pale skin forever like some guilty mark of private thoughts worn for the world to see. The movement of the woman beside her seemed little more than a shift to get comfortable, and the brush of fingers could have been an accident by any standards. The blonde pianist saw Valeria’s eyes shift, golden now and so similar to Caius’ she couldn’t help but look down with a chuckle.

“No...not long at all really.” She said softly, lifting a hand to tuck away a stray lock of hair and pressing her thumbnail between her teeth gently.

“But I feel like I’ve known them forever. There’s something...there. A spark. Something that makes me feel....I don’t know.” Shifting to sit up a bit further, the woman turned to face Valeria a little more, engrossed in the conversation.

“Like for the first time in a long time I’m not just a convenient party attraction. That I’m....worth something.” Smiling she made a sound and tilted her head back on the padded fabric behind her, staring at the ceiling and making an embarrassed laugh.

“Sard it all. Maybe you’re right...maybe it’s all just lust. I just...” Sighing, Darcy glanced over at the blonde Burhan and shook her head.

“It’s..uh...it’s complicated.” She said in a soft voice, hands resting on her lap, fiddling with her nails.

[Valeria Burhan]

.

Being told that her impression was an accurate one was music to her ears. She felt a warmth at her core, pleased that she'd managed to elicit such delightful laughter from her companion. She smiled softly to herself, smug as she watched the blonde, feeling that they were closer to one potential ending although she had no idea if things would take that direction for certain. Even as she brought them closer together physically, she still wasn't wholly certain just how receptive the other woman was. Her mannerisms seemed to be giving the Burhan some very positive signals but she was understandably nervous. Women could be tricky to read, more subtle than their male counterparts and female friendship could sometimes dance on the line that lead to attraction. To wrongly make a move on an uninterested party could have truly disastrous effects. She hadn't reacted to those little touches, not in any way that Valeria had seen anyway.

Goodness, the Venora was stunning though. It was that unconscious way she radiated beauty, apparently oblivious to how she looked and the effect that she could have. To think that she had thought herself the odd one out in her family, hardly worthy of the name that she bore. It was unbelievable to the Burhan. The woman had eyes so surely she could see how she looked, how dazzling she was. Her blushes were enchanting, her giggles infectious and that way she had of biting at her nail exuded a vulnerability that was deliciously but unknowingly seductive. Perhaps she shouldn't play this sort of game with the other noblewoman but it didn't feel like she had a lot of choice in the matter. Really, how could she not.

Something that Valeria had been slow to learn was that not all women were aware that same-sex attraction was a possibility. Some of them just didn't realise that a member of their own sex could have any interest in them. It was strange to the young woman given that she could hardly remember not having that sort of attraction to others and thus, it was difficult to fathom. It was possible that Darcy didn't actually know what those touches and looks were supposed to convey. Yet, the way she blushed, the way she spoke and how she acted all made her doubt that that was the case though. She had no idea how they could have gotten their lines crossed and so she decided to take some manner of action, far less subtle than she perhaps should have been.

The Elithem stretched out a hand towards her companion's face, fingers gently settling beneath the woman's chin as she coaxed her to look straight at her. She leaned a little bit closer so that the Venora would have very little else to see within her field of vision. "Hey, there's nothing to feel bad about. I know quite a few things about lust and even if you know it's not the best idea, it can be incredibly... persuasive," she cooed, her golden gaze shining as she plucked at that power within that Zanik had bestowed on her. If Darcy was experiencing guilt for her feelings then Valeria intended to show her that there was no shame in it. Seduction could be undertaken for many reasons. It could be done for the sake of power or fulfilling lustful impulses. Sometimes you wanted to know that you were desirable, something that the Burhan had always been drawn to more than anything else, even though lust got a fair look in. Right now though, it felt like an act of charity. It would be good to open the Rose's mind, encourage her desires down paths from which she might otherwise shy away.

She coaxed the mark-given aura over her eyes, enhancing the natural colours and the glint. She let her hand move to cradle the other blonde's face as she brought the aura to her lips, licking them softly and leaving them slightly parted. "There's no shame in lust," she murmured, thumb lightly stroking the other's cheek as she leaned ever so slightly nearer. She let her head tilt a smidgen to the side but she wasn't necessarily going to kiss the woman, not unless she made a definite move to that effect. Val was only cheating a little bit. It wasn't as if Eye of the Beholder was a guarantee of anything but it could be persuasive, especially given how powerful the ability had grown.

[Darcyanna Venora]

4th Zi’da, 717

At the touch of the other woman’s hand, Darcyanna found herself captured by the tawny gaze of the Burhan, unable to drag herself away from the blonde’s captivating eyes. They seemed much more intense then before, uncannily attractive. The Venora swallowed hard, as her gaze was tempted away from golden eyes to soft full lips, her own breathing reduced to shallow half breaths. Wide silver lilac eyes watched as Valeria came closer, heart racing in her chest.

“Persuasive...yes...” She muttered, barely paying any attention to the words being said as she lost herself in the strange moment she found herself caught in.

The Elithem was close now, much closer than friendly, and Darcy could feel her cheeks burning as her body responded with confused arousal. Was this another Burhan custom she didn’t understand? She tilted her head slightly, captivated by the intoxicating warmth of the woman’s lips so close to hers. Leaning in almost involuntarily, the pale noblewoman nearly brushed against them with hers, until a sudden rush of memories and feelings swept up in side her.

What in the Seven’s name was she doing?

“Oh my...Valeria I am so sorry!” Darcyanna stammered, standing up suddenly and backing away from the couch, bumping into the coffee table as she did so. Jumping, she reached out awkwardly to stop the tea from spilling. Fates, what the sarding hell was wrong with her? Surely this wasn’t what she thought it was? Oh Seven, the Burhan noble must think her mad.

Damn it. She was loosing the plot.

“I should probably go...I have...class and...just...you know. I’m not...my head isn’t in the right place right now.” The Venora pianist stumbled over her words as she reached for her cloak, blushing furiously and embarrassed to met the other woman’s gaze with her own shamed hazel gaze.

Was she so desperate for Caius to return that she was now confusing friendship for affection, from a woman no less?!

“This is entirely my fault. I’m so sorry Valeria. I’m not well and I just...I shouldn’t have come.” Running a slightly shaky hand through her hair, Darcyanna made her own way to the door, careful not to trip over the cat along the way. She’d made an absolute fool of herself. What the other woman was thinking of her right now...fates she didn’t want to begin to imagine.

“I hope you can forgive me, but I need...I need to excuse myself. Thankyou, for the tea.” Bowing a little, she grasped the door handle and opened it, escaping quickly into the chilled Zi’da morning. Pulling up her hood, the Venora took a breath, thick with tears that sprung to her eyes.

She’d managed to make a friend and ruin it all in one spectacular morning. Fantastic.

Moving rapidly along the cobblestone street, Darcy hid her face, hating the sobs that wanted to choke her as she walked. It seemed to take forever, trudging across the University lawns and up to her room. Slamming the door shut, she threw herself into one of her arm chairs with a growl of frustration, covering her face with her hands.

“You idiot.” She whispered to herself, pushing her hands through her hair and looking over at the piano. Sitting there, like a beacon of false hope, was a small vial of bright yellow liquid. Sunshine, a new ingestible drug that she’d procured. For a moment, she considered it. To throw away the rest the day and drown her self loathing and embarrassment in its sweet embrace.

No. She had class, and if she missed any more of it the administration would probably come knocking.

Later. Darcyanna promised herself.

Later.

[Valeria Burhan]

.

The idea was for the Venora to come to her. There was no better indication of the woman's interests and inclinations than if she moved closer to her, tried to kiss her even. Watching her closely, she could gain a sense of how things might go. Obviously, Eye of the Beholder would have a way of drawing the gaze, earning an awed stare at any time so that wasn't a clear indication of anything but her eyes shifted from Val's own to her lips, and then there was that blush. She watched Darcy's head move, tilting in a way that definitely suggested that she was going to lean in. The blonde didn't take her eyes off the other, although she let her eyelids droop closed a little. They were heavy-lidded but still shining and intense, allowing that draw to continue, coaxing the young woman to lean in and let their lips touch.

It almost happened. It was a very near thing, the ghostly aura of her lips practically caressing her own, their breath mingling and then she was gone. The intimacy ended abruptly, Darcy recoiling from her as if she'd been stung. She released Elithem immediately, letting its power wane as she tried to come to terms with what had just occurred. The other had been about to kiss her, had definitely been tempted and then she'd thought about it. Evidently she felt guilt and shame about the very thing that Val hadn't wanted her to feel. The Burhan bit her lip, wondering what she should do, what she should say. Should she come right out and say that it wasn't wrong, that it was perfectly natural to have such attractions? She was better at playing a game, dancing around certain things and playing into some expectations, all part of flirtation and seduction. This sort of thing - difficult emotional stuff - was not her area of expertise and right at this moment, she felt the lack.

"No, Darcy... it's okay. Really, it's all right! Don't apologise, you've nothing to apologise for," she reassured her quickly, unable to keep the panic from her tone. She didn't want the Venora to freak out and run. She was tempted to grab her and kiss her, to allow her to experience it and understand that she wasn't alone but she worried that it would send her over the edge, making her less inclined to stay or accept her inclinations. Hence, she didn't follow the wild impulse, remaining where she was with an unhappy, pained expression carved into her features.

She untangled herself from her own limbs, sitting properly so she could get her feet on the ground, raising herself slowly so as not to spook the woman and send her skittering away. Best to try to keep the damage to a minimum, keep her calm and soothe her obvious distress.

"I'm glad. Glad that you came, don't apologise," she murmured, her gaze now a mournful grey blue, quite a change from where she'd been just moments before. "And I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she whispered, even as she watched her former companion rush outside. The blonde merely stared after her, feeling a weak pang of loss within her. She'd felt a connection to the woman, had been pleased by her company and had wanted them to kiss. She'd so wanted to feel that soft skin, to hold her in her embrace and enjoy the gentle pleasure that she imagined would come with being with Darcy.

The Burhan was left with what ifs and what might have beens, gazing miserably at the teapot, even as the cat gently butted her fluffy head against her owner's leg. The marked woman was too focused on recent events to be concerned with her pet. It was the kind of thing that would probably affect her mood for the day but what was done was done. She could only hope that things would be smoother the next time that they encountered each other, perhaps at the gala that her brother was due to host. She could only hope that Darcy would forget enough in the interim.

[Muse]

Your review is ready!

Ahem. I'm not invested in this thread at all. Nope. Nuh-uh. Hmm.

Anyway, you two play the awkward/not-awkward well here, the subtle and not subtle, the confused but not quite. There's a little suspense here, but not in the usual way. Hahaha. Anyway. Oops.

Valeria Burhan

Points

XP:
15 | These points cannot be used for magic.

Fame:
Nah.

Loot

Nope.

Injuries + Overstepping

Nah.

Knowledge

Skill Knowledge:
Acting: Putting on accents
Detection: Spotting a lie
Detection: Finding signs that your interest is reciprocated
Etiquette: Preparing tea for a guest
Etiquette: A guest's needs are top priority
Intelligence: Being non-threatening can help you get information
Logistics: Preparing for a guest
Politics: Handling potentially awkward situations
Politics: Opportunities for women
Politics: Parties are a good way to meet important people
Rhetoric: Deflecting attention away from yourself
Rhetoric: Choosing words with care
Seduction: Shameless flirtation
Seduction: Encouraging your quarry to meet you halfway

Other Knowledge:
NPC - Alena: Val's cat
NPC - Alena: Extremely nosy
Darcyanna Venora: Alcohol doesn't agree with her (apparently)
Darcyanna Venora: Has a way with words
Darcyanna Venora: Wants to collaborate with you musically
Darcyanna Venora: Studies music and medicine
Darcyanna Venora: Almost kissed you
Darcyanna Venora: Interested in you?

Darcyanna Venora

Points

XP:
15 | These points cannot be used for magic.

Fame:
Nope.

Loot

Nah.

Injuries + Overstepping

No.

Knowledge

Skill Knowledge:
Resistance: Dealing with a hangover
Cosmetology: Make up fixes everything!
Politics: Smile, smile, always smile!
Politics: Discussing women's state of affairs
Politics: The finer points of Rynmere's game of houses
Sociology: Pets are people too
Sociology: Getting signals crossed
Sociology: Sharing your feelings with a friend
Seduction: Accidental flirting
Seduction: Leaning in for the kiss
Rhetoric: Reminiscing about home

Other Knowledge:
Valeria: Lives in mid-town
Valeria: owns a cat called Alena
Valeria: Has really nice eyes
Valeria: Has really nice lips
Valeria: Is a friend
Valeria: You nearly kissed her (and liked it!)
NPC: Alena - Grey furry cloud cat

If you've got a question or concern or if I've missed anything, don't hesitate to PM me!

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Reviewed By

Muse

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