It was obvious almost from the moment of her birth that Jeannine would go to Orchis House. She was a gloriously happy baby, laughing and cooing at all that caught her eye. Born to Valerian House adepts, in the heart of the Night Court itself, she is intended for Naamah's service, and duly trained in the arts of the Court. (They do not even attempt the test of the candies, not with her. She is, quietly, spoken for; she is a child of joy and laughter, and Orchis it will be.) Though the scholarly ways are lost on her, she finds the arts of etiquette and grace are as natural as any could have wished. The story of Blessed Elua and his Companions, she adores, and begs it out of their priest of Elua as many times as he will tell it. Sparkling blue eyes and eager smiles do their work as well on Elua's priests as on any other, and Jeannine hears the story no small number of times.
At ten, she departs for her new household in Orchis House. They have paid surety for her since she was a child; now she is theirs in truth. She finds the other children as bright and lively as she, and delights in their company. As a group they are rather mischievous, in truth, but as long as they play with good nature and light hearts, their antics are not much discouraged.
At thirteen, she is formally dedicated to Naamah's service at last. Her dove is a small but cheerful one, true to the spirit of her dedicate, and flies over Elua's temple with ease- one and all rejoice in her good fortune. Instructions in the arts of Naamah is added to her schooling.
At sixteen, she begins her marque. She falls in love with the design from the moment she lays eyes on it; it's a shower of roses falling down her back. Here and there hides a thorn, a testament to her origins in Valerian, but the flowers are beautiful shades of pink and purple and float and spiral down her spine. She adores it. Slowly, so slowly, she makes progress on the tattoo itself; she may not be the finest adept of her generation, but she is talented indeed. She does not lack in willing patrons to leave her a patron-gift towards the marque's creation. She is becoming known, to those with the inclination to know, as a particularly fine example of the Orchis canon.
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naamah's servants
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
And it is for that reason that Ninette Fortier requests Jeannine when she comes to Orchis House in search of a traveling companion. It's an unusual purpose for which to engage a Servant of Naamah, and like to be an expensive one, if she travels for long - but Ninette can certainly pay. The house of Fortier is, if not especially notable, at least especially rich.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
At the summons from the Dowayne, Jeannine arrives, kneeling abeyante as she has been taught. "My lady," she greets Ninette with a cheerful smile, "well met indeed! How might I serve you?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"I am going on a journey," she says. "With my sister, whom I love very much, but who is not what I would call cheerful company. It would delight me to no end if I could bring someone who laughs more than once a week. I know it's not precisely what Servants of Naamah are for, but at least I think it in keeping with the spirit of Orchis House."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine laughs. "Never let it be said Orchis lacked in laughter! It would be my pleasure to be your companion, my lady, and bring some measure of gaiety to your travels. But if I might ask- to where will they be taking you?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"Here and there!" she says cheerfully. "Through Siovale to start, most like. We don't have a route planned, but Sara is very fond of libraries. Like water flowing downhill, she always ends up where the books are."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine looks pleased. "My friend Emmeline tells me the most glowing stories of Siovale," she says. "Were you planning to stop by the Maynard estate? I believe they have no small library, unless Emmeline tells it false."
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"I can't say we were planning to, but mayhap we should! Tell me more," she invites.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"I must admit, I do not know much in detail of their library," Jeannine laughs. "I see Emmeline perhaps once a year; they do not spend much time in the City. Theirs is a rather traditional Siovalese family, for what that would tell you. Emmeline is, of course, somewhat scholarly- I would not be much surprised if she speaks more languages than I have taken patrons!- so there are likely a fair quantity of foreign books?" she offers.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"Ah, my sister will love that," says Ninette. "She adores obscure things. We'll visit your friend Emmeline, then! Unless she wouldn't like us to...?"
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"She will likely welcome the novelty," Jeannine says. "I do not believe they see many visitors, in her corner of Siovale."
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette giggles.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine informs the Dowayne that she is amenable to Ninette's contract, and it is drawn up and signed without delay. Ninette receives a bright smile and a cheerful kiss for her trouble. "Well and so, milady; now I am yours, and now we may be off!"
"...or will we be off? I had supposed us to be leaving shortly, but truly, now I recall you specified no particular time! Shame, shame upon me."
"...or will we be off? I had supposed us to be leaving shortly, but truly, now I recall you specified no particular time! Shame, shame upon me."
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"We will be off!" laughs Ninette. "I will bring you to meet my sister and then we will all take to the road. If there's anything you'd like to bring along, now is the time to fetch it."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"As my patron commands," Jeannine giggles, curtsying briefly. She is back in short order with a small pack; no Night Court adept is overly attached to worldly goods, living as they do in the luxury of Naamah's temples, but she has some small number of personal effects she wishes to bring, and of course she will need clothes.
(During the day, at the least.)
Upon her return she locates Ninette and leads her back to her carriage. "And heeeere we are," she proclaims gaily, holding the door for Ninette. "After you, my lady."
(During the day, at the least.)
Upon her return she locates Ninette and leads her back to her carriage. "And heeeere we are," she proclaims gaily, holding the door for Ninette. "After you, my lady."
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"Such courtesy! I'm charmed," she giggles, and in they get and off they go. It's a short drive to the house of the Fortier sisters, a cozy little place that looks to be easily maintained by no more than a single servant.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine is enchanted with the Fortier estate, though caught somewhat wrong-footed. For the home of a woman who just hired an adept of the Night Court for a whole journey, she was expecting somewhat rather- larger.
Not that one would say as much to a patron, of course.
"What a lovely home," she remarks instead with a pleased smile. "Is your sister likely to be about, or shall we find somewhere to await her?"
She alights from the carriage gracefully and retrieves her baggage, then looks to her patron for her instructions. She would not wish to intrude in their home without an invitation.
Not that one would say as much to a patron, of course.
"What a lovely home," she remarks instead with a pleased smile. "Is your sister likely to be about, or shall we find somewhere to await her?"
She alights from the carriage gracefully and retrieves her baggage, then looks to her patron for her instructions. She would not wish to intrude in their home without an invitation.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"She'll pop up," Ninette says cheerfully. "When we least expect her, most like. Go on in, I'll see to the carriage."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine enters the estate, as instructed. She halts when she arrives in the main hall; once here, she has no clear idea where to go. As it happens, she does not mind the wait. Elua knows it's less onerous than most of her training.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette reappears soon enough.
"No sign of Sara?" she guesses. "She must be out doing Sara things, then. We've a guest room where you can leave your things - I'll show you."
"No sign of Sara?" she guesses. "She must be out doing Sara things, then. We've a guest room where you can leave your things - I'll show you."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"Whatever a Sara thing might be, it would appear she is indeed off doing them," Jeannine agrees, amused. "Thank you, my lady. I'll just," she waves her arms vaguely, attempting to convey her uncertainty regarding direction, "follow you, shall I?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"This way," she says cheerfully.
There is a guest room! It's not far. It is small and comfortable-looking.
"There," says Ninette. "Now to wait for Sara, who will tell us when we're leaving. We have a little library, do you like libraries?"
There is a guest room! It's not far. It is small and comfortable-looking.
"There," says Ninette. "Now to wait for Sara, who will tell us when we're leaving. We have a little library, do you like libraries?"
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"I adore new stories," Jeannine admits. "I am no Siovalese, to surround myself in naught but reading, but I would much enjoy new tales. But what of you, my lady? Do you have aught with which to entertain yourself as we await your sister?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette shrugs. "I can sit in the library with you, can I not?"
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"And welcome, of course!" Jeannine assures her. "Have you a book of your own? Or I might attempt a reading," she suggests with a chuckle. "I am no Eglantine, born to performing, but I could certainly read you a tale." She adopts a deep voice, straightening to a more formal stance. "And so, the Lord of Marsilikos did come to court, all attired in his wife's finest gown," she intones, eyes alight with mischief.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette bursts into giggles.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"And much did the Duc of Camlach-that-was regret that day, for truly, the Lord of Marsilikos made a lovely maiden. And much did his wandering hands lament his mistake..."
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"Ah, poor man! But mayhap he was not too disappointed by the surprise..."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeannine abandons her posturing in favor of laughter. "One must hope, certainly. But still and so, that his hands wandered at all- t'would be an awkward revelation, in the midst of a court meal!"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette giggles some more. "Well, what did the Lord of Marsilikos think of all this?"
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"Why, he was most indignant- in the course of the banquet," Jeannine replies promptly. "Buuuut, Court legend would have it that they later sought out the Night Court for some amusement after the festivities." She smirks. "A happy ending all 'round!"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"The best kind," Ninette asserts.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"But of course!" She tidies herself up quickly, then turns back to Ninette with a flourish. "Well and so, my lady; to the library, then?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"To the library!"
To the library.
The library contains: books.
To the library.
The library contains: books.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"Name of Elua, there's so many of them!" Jeannine breathes in delight. "Oh, joy. I might remain here a while..."
She wanders blissfully between the shelves, examining the titles. She takes note of those she wishes to return to, then comes back to Ninette's side. "Would you care for me to read you a story, my lady?" she offers. "Or, perhaps, we could enact one of our own...?"
She was, after all, hired for a purpose. And this particular patron has quite a presence, of which Jeannine resoundingly approves.
She wanders blissfully between the shelves, examining the titles. She takes note of those she wishes to return to, then comes back to Ninette's side. "Would you care for me to read you a story, my lady?" she offers. "Or, perhaps, we could enact one of our own...?"
She was, after all, hired for a purpose. And this particular patron has quite a presence, of which Jeannine resoundingly approves.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette beams. "We could," she agrees.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"We could!" Jeannine laughs. "Do you wish to relocate, then, my lady? For I must admit, I paid little attention to our path, and haven't an inkling where we might go."
They need not seek out other rooms, if one is to put a fine point on it, but it might perchance be more comfortable.
They need not seek out other rooms, if one is to put a fine point on it, but it might perchance be more comfortable.
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"I'll show you to my room," Ninette says cheerfully. "Mine is the bigger bed."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Well then, Jeannine shall follow Ninette to her room, and sets about the task of proving why it is she is so well regarded in Orchis House.
(And of course, in the doing, to have rather a lot of fun.)
(And of course, in the doing, to have rather a lot of fun.)
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
Ninette is so very, very pleased.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
As it would happen, Jeannine is quite pleased herself!
Naamah is her favorite goddess.
Afterwards, she lies in Ninette's bed, reveling in the luxurious feel of her sheets. She curls a finger lazily through Ninette's hair, watching it fall back to her shoulders with a smile. "Would that all my patrons were half so enthusiastic," she laughs softly. "What now, my lady? Do we wait still for your sister's return?"
Naamah is her favorite goddess.
Afterwards, she lies in Ninette's bed, reveling in the luxurious feel of her sheets. She curls a finger lazily through Ninette's hair, watching it fall back to her shoulders with a smile. "Would that all my patrons were half so enthusiastic," she laughs softly. "What now, my lady? Do we wait still for your sister's return?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"Aye," she says. "Knowing Sara, it may be that she now waits for us. I should go look for her, I suppose, but—" she giggles softly "—I am so comfortable where I am."
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
Jeanine giggles in response. "I must agree. Your bed is so wonderfully soft." She rolls back and forth on it playfully for a minute, then cuddles back up to Ninette. She smiles at her archly. "But if your sister already awaits us- a little longer won't hurt, surely...?"
Antoinette Edith Lalonde Stark
sparksflying
"I like the way you think," says Ninette.
Jeannine nó Orchis
joy_in_laughter
"I'm so delighted we agree!" beams Jeannine.
After they finish paying homage to Naamah (...again), Jeanine sighs and reaches for her gown. "No more!" she declares, feigning a swoon. "You have worn me out, servant of Naamah though I am!"
After they finish paying homage to Naamah (...again), Jeanine sighs and reaches for her gown. "No more!" she declares, feigning a swoon. "You have worn me out, servant of Naamah though I am!"