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A Not-So-Subtle Matchmaker
Topic Started: Jan 13 2014, 08:57 PM (3,926 Views)
Demoness
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Despite being the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere, all was not gloom in Demoness. The season was called Second Summer and was indeed more like its counterpart than an opposite. The weather was warmer and slightly humid, though the latter was due to the shower was predicted to visit Sacred Rock later that evening. For the time being, the weather was overcast as Ned Davion descended into the airport. He would soon be followed by Gavrila de Sud, but he was not quite aware of that fact yet.

Visits between Fenwick and Demoness had become more than routine, with the prince representing his country more often than his father, and they had lost all their formality; a simple phone call announced his arrival and a car would meet him at the airport with little fanfare. He was admitted to the Plateau and after a little witty banter with the Guardian of the Gateway, an ex-girlfriend, he was led into Jia Li's private solar.

Though technically a solar, it was more specifically a library and Jia Li lounged with her legs across her husband's lap; a chitael, either Nemesis or Aphrodite, lay in hers. She propped up a book on her chitael's head, reading happily while her husband reviewed something on a tablet. She looked up as Ned entered and smiled. "Hey, Ned-mitsu," she greeted. "I'd stand but..." She indicated the hundred pound animal purring on her lap. "When did you get in?"
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Demoness
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As soon as Jia Li rose, so did her two chitaels, who followed her around like faithful hounds, and it was a bit different to see her in her home as she was constantly followed by a silent entourage. Makoto Kanzaka, the Solar High Guard Gavrila had seen in Cetatensia, would have normally interacted with Ned as well, but he was not friends with Gavrila so it would have appeared too casual.

It was easier to see as they moved who watched Jia Li. Servants bowed as she neared, whether she acknowledged them or not, while the guards ignored her. Gavrila, however, would notice that there was at least one of the better dressed female servants within sight.

Jia Li's apartments were located in the northern wing on the second floor and were close to Ned's, which was a floor further up. This section was reserved not only for the Imperial Family, but also for the few in the palace who were allowed locks. Xel technically even had his own apartments as the High Priest, but he spent most of his time in Jia Li's, and he had considered releasing them from his use.

The apartment had a small entryway called a genkan where Jia Li, Xel, and Makoto took off their shoes; unlike the solar, this wasn't a public place. They had house slippers and Ned had his own pair there, but a plush pair was provided for Gavrila. While the floor was still stone here, it was covered with a thick layer of carpets and Jia Li immediately went over to a low table and sat down. This was closer to Demonessian life: the low table, only a foot off the ground, was surrounded by pillows and the ground was further padded by carpets. Xel chose to sit up as well, crossing his legs, though Jia Li's preferences were quickly overridden by her pets, who wanted to lounge on her lap; she directed Aphrodite to bother Ned. A different servant brought the same type of refreshments from the solar, though there was the addition of tea cakes, fruit, and other light snacks, and hot washcloths were also brought on a plate.

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour," the servant announced. "Would you like anything else?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila followed the Empress up to her apartments, noticing the way the servants reacted to her. It was very different from Cetatsenia, Sudest especially. While servants were still rather formal in Cetatsenia, bowing whenever the ruler walked by just seemed like a custom that'd get in the way; what if the servant was busy? Aurel was the way he was because of his age and the fact that he had a deep respect for House de Sud.

At the entrance Gavrila followed everyone else's example and slipped her shoes off. She assumed the one remaining pair was meant for her and slipped them on without making sure. If they weren't, then she could always just take them off. However, that was the only extra pair and Aurel was forced to stand around in his socks.

She grinned when she saw the low table and the pillows. She thought it was a neat change from the norm, and sat down with her legs crossed. She was about to open her mouth when the servant brought in the refreshments. Gavrila grabbed a snack almost as soon as they were sat down on the table, and when the servant asked if they needed anything else Gavrila just shook her head, since her mouth was full of food.
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Demoness
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Noting a lack of slippers on Aurel's feet, a servant brought him a pair that probably came out of a plastic bag or box. They were comfortable, more comfortable than standing around barefoot, but it was likely they were cheap.

Likewise, the young servant who brought refreshments signaled Gavrila behind Jia Li's back. She pointed at the plate of washcloths and motioned using them on her hands. She smiled.
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Cetatsenia
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Aurel nodded to the servant who brought him the slippers, and quietly thanked them before slipping them on. And Gavrila noticed the servant girl behind the Empress and tilted her head in confusion. Then after a moment her eyes opened in realization and she looked down at the washcloths. She picked one up and looked to Jia Li, "So, zese are for our hands?"
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Demoness
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Jia Li nodded. "Yes," she said and demonstrated, washing her mouth and then hands before placing the used washcloth on an empty plate. Part of Morante was an obsession with cleanliness, a habit that had been downplayed on their visit to Cetatsenia. "Since a lot of our food is eaten with fingers, it's rather important to make sure they're clean. They should bring another dish when dinner comes along."
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Fenwick
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Ned followed suit with the washcloths and declined anything else. The food and drink that was already there was more than enough to tide him over until dinner. "So... might I ask what's for dinner this evening?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila shrugged and cleaned her hands with the washcloth. Cetatsens didn't eat much with their fingers aside from snacks, but it made sense to clean your hands if you were going to.

When Ned asked what was for dinner Gavrila perked up and looked up from the snacks she was eating. She quickly swallowed what was in her mouth and asked, "Yeah, what are we having?" She was obviously looking forward to dinner and to trying actual Demonessian food.
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Demoness
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"Well... I think the cook was a little jealous when I told him about Horea's cooking." To Ned, she directly added, "I tried to get a recipe or two from him, but the way he treated it was like they were state secrets." She smiled and shook her head. "Anyway, I asked the chef to prepare some more traditional dishes, but especially tsun since you said you hadn't heard of it. They will be smaller portions than what you're used to, but there will be several courses," she continued, mostly for Gavrila's benefit. "There will be a soup to begin, followed by a few pickled dishes, and then they'll move onto the main courses."
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila grinned. "Oh man, zat sounds great. I can't wait to eat," she said, still eating the snacks that were put on the table, "And Horea does not treat his recipes like state secrets, he is even more secretive." The Knezinja smiled and laughed at her joke, while Aurel leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Are you sure you will be able to eat, doamna?" he said, "You have been eating quite a lot of snacks."

Gavrila just waved him off, "I will be fine; I can eat much more zan zis."
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Fenwick
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Ned leaned forward. "Gavrila, do you have any special plans for your visit, or are you just here to take in the sights and make a general social call like me?"
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