[night court au] company come to call

[stillnotrachel]

It's early afternoon in the Night Court.

Rachelle no Mandrake has been awake for several hours: taking breakfast in the Adept's dining room and catching up on gossip, answering correspondence and scheduling assignations.

The Dowayne has asked her to provide a demonstration for some of the younger initiates before dinner tonight; she's mulling over potential forms while a Novice arranges her hair.

Comments

[gothamsheiress]

Brix lets out a burst of laughter.

"That would be a sight. It would be instructive for somebody, though I'm not sure of what."

Possibly knots, possibly predicament bondage. You know. Whatever.

[stillnotrachel]

Rachelle hides a smirk in her teacup.

"And I don't know if that counts as the 'less daunting' forms the Dowayne had in mind."

[gothamsheiress]

"I suppose it depends on who you're trying to daunt," she muses, picking up her own tea.

"What forms will you be teaching, then? Decorative or functional?"

[stillnotrachel]

"Some functional, certainly. Something for the wrists, I think."

She brings her hands together to demonstrate, still holding her cup and in no danger of spilling.

"My plans are leaning more toward the decorative, though. I think they should have the chance to appreciate the rope in itself before they start seeing it only as a tool. There are teachers enough here who can show them that."

[gothamsheiress]

"Honoring the aesthetics of an assignation is very important," Brix murmurs with a smile, thinking of red, blue, and silver cords.

[stillnotrachel]

"And they're as much as part of setting the scene as anything you say or do.

It should be a feast for all of the patron's senses."

Rachelle clicks her tongue. "Which you well know. I'm afraid my mind has been too much on instruction lately."

[gothamsheiress]

"If I had no interest in instruction, I wouldn't visit instructors," Brix says with a light laugh. "Between you and Havelock I feel like I'm still in training sometimes."

[stillnotrachel]

"I wish all our pupils were so attentive," she teases.

"But sometimes I think we never outgrow being students; there is always something new to learn."

[gothamsheiress]

"Elua, I should hope so. I can't imagine how dull it would be if I ran out of things to learn."

One of these days she really should get Parthene nó Eglantine to teach her more tumbling, though, now that she thinks of it. Eventually she's going to run out of ropework to learn.

"In any case, I only hope I do you proud." She smiles. "I've had good luck with that collar-and-lead you showed me."

[stillnotrachel]

"The only thing better than a student who listens is one who applies what they learned."

Rachelle takes a delicate sip of tea before asking, "With anyone I know?"

[gothamsheiress]

"No, he's not from the City, and I don't expect him to frequent the Night Court. It's a pity, really, you'd like each other."

She miiiight look a little like the cat who got the cream.

[stillnotrachel]

Rachelle sighs dramatically and consoles herself with one of the pastries from the tray.

"I don't suppose I can begrudge you keeping him all to yourself. Enjoy him, my dear."

[gothamsheiress]

"If he'll let me," Brix agrees, with a laugh.

"Ought I to ask after the patrons you're courting? Or being courted by," she amends.

[stillnotrachel]

"I think we are both well past 'ought' these days."

Rachelle tilts her head, mentally reviewing the letters on her desk.

"There is one that promises to be intriguing. The new Comtesse Toluard--she has a nephew by marriage and thinks we would get on well." She nibbles at the edge of her tart.

"Not my usual method of introduction, but the Comtesse had a fondness for showings of old and I trust her to smell Valerian when it blooms."

[gothamsheiress]

"Indeed? Have you met him yet, or is that still to come?"

[stillnotrachel]

Rachelle nods at 'still to come.'

"Soon, though. We've traded first letters. I think we'll need at least one meeting before the first assignation."

She smiles. "It has been a while since I dealt with a true novice--outside of the Court, I mean. I think it will be...refreshing."

[gothamsheiress]

"They need careful handling," Brix murmurs, thoughtful. "In Valerian, at least, they learn their limits."

[stillnotrachel]

"It will be slow going," she agrees, "but...it's like a gift, in a way. Peeling back the layers of someone who has never experienced these things before, finding out what's underneath. It's not something to rush.

I can't exactly speak for the young man yet, but I know I have patience enough for the both of us."

[gothamsheiress]

"That, I can certainly vouch for."

[stillnotrachel]

"As can the rest of my students, much to their frustration."

The Dowayne has perhaps assigned some of the more overeager novices to Rachelle for remedial instruction.

If they are very lucky, before the session is over, they are allowed to tie a few knots.

(But they all leave in much less of a hurry.)

[gothamsheiress]

Brix laughs.

"Poor things! They'll thank you for it one day. I do hope your young man can match you."

[stillnotrachel]

"I don't take it personally. Mandrake's children are too proud to show their appreciation until much later and more subtly.

And as for the young man, I have high hopes myself. We should know in the next few days how they will be met."

Rachelle lifts one bare foot from the floor and pokes Brix lightly in the calf.

"And how do they match you--your new friend, your new patron? I find myself craving gossip."

[gothamsheiress]

Brix chuckles again, but it has a rueful edge to it this time.

"The friend -- he's a good match. Very . . . kind, when he yields. He enjoys it for its own sake, but for his partner's as well, I think, and that is a lovely combination."

[stillnotrachel]

Rachelle wonders about that laugh, but elects not to pry (yet).

"It is," she agrees.

"A generous lover is a gift; the trick, sometimes, is getting them to be a little selfish."

[gothamsheiress]

"He is certainly vain," Brix says, amused, "but that is not quite the same thing."

[stillnotrachel]

"No, not quite," she laughs.

"Certainly easier to manage, though."

[gothamsheiress]

"Oh, and far be it from me to miss an opportunity to give praise where praise is due."