Private Tales A Head Full of Dreams

[Signe Lusce]

Today was the day! A very important day! A day that Signe had been waiting for all month. She had diligently thought out every detail, like any good-standing young fae woman should do, and it kept her very busy. She stepped around the tea table, a ruler in hand as she measured each and every item. A grand floral circlet was the centerpiece, Signe had spent hours making it the day before with the native blooms in Night Court, and it highlighted the three towers. The one in the middle had five layers and was the largest of the three, with sandwiches decorating each shelf. The other two were only three layers but held items such as scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, marmalade and honey.

Some of her sisters may have found this process to be stultifying but this was one of the few areas that Signe felt she actually shined. The decor was perfectly, the colors in perfect harmony and pleasing to the eye, matching the delicate floral pattern on the tea-set that Signe had lovingly chosen. A gift from Saang, as thoughtful as ever, her brother was. It was thanks to him that Lord Rerreno and company would even come today. Another thoughtful gift. Perhaps if all men were as kind and caring as her brother then perhaps she could actually like them.

As it currently stood, Signe really couldn’t say she had found any sort of pleasure in talking to a duanann born and raised in Night Court.

Signe finished measuring everything, pleased at the innate symmetry of the table and went to put it away. She was already dressed in typical noble-fae attire, her dress the gentle, soft color of moss with ribbons of pink to tie the tulle sleeves just above her elbows; embroiled white and pink lilies around the low v-cut neckline and along the tight bodice. It was a dress that reminded Signe of a lily pad about to bloom for spring, and a favorite of hers.

She hoped her guests would appreciate it as much as she did.

Signe stopped by the kitchen, checking on the sweet rolls that were currently baking until a brownie came to get her attention. Signe squealed in delight, clapping her hands together excitedly and beginning to prance back to the day room— before stopping almost immediately. She cleared her throat, pulled her shoulders back and lifted her head up high, and attempt at copying the way her mother walked and commanded attention in the room.

She walked back to the tea room at a level pace, hiding the shiver of excitement and at down at one of the large, plush armchairs. There was a book at the end table and she opened it to a random page, and looked down, pretending to read. Ugh. Political history. Who was last reading this? Saang? Her mother? How dreary and boring!

 

[Rerreno]

To say that he was in odd territory was certainly not an understatement. Rerreno was the Vitae lord of diplomacy, the main proponent of peace in a court dedicated to life, freedom, unity, and harmony amongst mortals. Yet, here he was being escorted to a tea room in the heart of the Night Court, a place where if his shadowy brother's dossiers were to be believed, was best to be visited by Wulren and a whatever forces they had managed to muster upon since reactivating.

Dressed smartly in a gold suit, accented by vine like designs of pitch black, Rerreno let his eyes run over the decor, his usual polite smile turning up ever so slightly in approval. Upon their first meeting, Signe had been an interesting person to observe, her mind seeming to wander between topics without focus or direction. But here, he could see an attention to detail that belied her first impressions. Everything was coordinated and expertly placed and while perhaps the most fashion oriented of his siblings, Rerreno had to admit that he was sorely outmatched by this woman, his goal simply being to facilitate communications between people. This, what she had done, was art.

"I must say, you've managed to catch the beauty of midnight for what could have otherwise been a rather dull environment. I applaud you, miss Lusce," he complimented as he arrived at the door to the tea room. His Golden eyes lifted up tot he book in her hand, taking quick note of the title before moving to her face where a real reaction could be found to his arrival.

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe beamed openly at Lord Rerreno. Their first meeting had been the first time she was outside of Night Court, and she had enjoyed the party immensely. Even if she may have had too much to drink, and may have said things that shouldn’t have been said. But she had meant some of her parting words and had kept in touch with Rerreno as much as possible without causing suspicion— she was sure that if she sent too many letters to any man outside of Night Court that it could be cause for a scandal, or worse, seen as some sort of dissent from her.

Signe felt that her letters probably did little to brighten Lord Rerreno’s day. Yet, his brought her much joy, a sort of excitement. It had culminated now to this little get together of theirs, and Signe was positive that she was going to make this one of the best afternoon tea parties that Rerreno would ever attend! She’d make sure of it!

Standing up, she curtsied down low to him, setting the book on the end table before coming up to meet the blonde man. Two hands reached out to take only one of his as she smiled warmly up at him, a glitter of ebullience dancing in her green eyes.

“I wanted to make sure your time here would be memorable. Come sit, Lord Rerreno, I hope you enjoy teatime almost as much as I do.” Teatime was her favorite, even if it was much simpler with just a cup and a bit of milk and sugar. Have a porcelain cup that warmed her hands as she held it was a small Joy.

“How did the ley lines treat you? Or did you travel here by a different sort of means?” Signe asked as she led Rerreno over to the table, looking over her placement of everything once again just to make sure that it was still perfect. It was but Signe felt one could never be too careful about such a thing.

Rerreno

 

[Rerreno]

His bright smile held as he shook Signe's hand then continued on towards a seat, his eyes roaming over the tea set and table settings. His bothers couldn't be bothered with it. Wulren belonged in a tavern and Varos would rather have a glass of wine in his study. But Rerreno knew that tea-time could start and end wars. "Only when I spend it with delightful company," he responded to her hopes. "Though, I think we've got that covered."

He smoothed his jacket as he settled into the seat, every action poised and regal. Even when relaxed, the master of diplomacy's noble demeanor didn't slip. He found that it was far easier to make oneself the picture of a gentleman than to worry about the slippage of a mask. "I've many spells at my disposal, though unfortunately, the ley lines remain the fastest way to move. Teleportation remains elusive and I'd rather not face the consequences of breaking the laws of magic." His head inclined as he leaned back a bit, growing more comfortable in his seat. "How've you been since our last letter? Well, I hope."

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe nodded her head along as Rerreno spoke, looking him straight in the eye whenever she could, a jubilant smile permanently on her full lips. As Rerreno would tell Signe of his travel through the ley lines— and some naughty, naughty talk about achieving teleportation!— the noble fae woman would pour them tea. Her hands were skilled in this, and contrary to her ditzy demeanor, the way Signe handled such a thing showed a dedication to this sort of craft. Much like how a blacksmith would have pride in their metalwork, Signe took immense pride in the structure of tea time.

There were steps that she had learned long ago and had memorized, even if it was a difficult decade. But through the years she had only grown more elegant and had even added her own flare to the “ceremony” as she liked to call it.

The tea Signe poured was incredibly fragrant and entirely floral. Notes of lavender and rose and chamomile were easy to pick out, but there were simpler, subtle notes as well that would only appear depending on how one would dress their tea. Honey would bring out the hint of Chrysanthemum , milk would showcase the earthiness of hibiscus, and sugar would accentuate the bite of bergamot.

“Oh, Lord Rerreno, many things have happened since my last letter.” She paused, and then looked at Rerreno, her smile still there but not meeting her eyes, the twinkle from before having dimmed. “My father has started the process of getting his daughters engaged! Very exciting for us here, although perhaps not to you. Lord Rerreno that reminds me! What do you think of love? Do you believe in love at first sight?” A horrible way to detract the conversation from herself, but hopefully it would work.

Rerreno

 

[Rerreno]

Taking in every action, the Vitae lord found himself somewhere between surprised and impressed. Every calculated action was far at odds with the woman he had met at his home court, and as the scent of the tea filled the air, he found himself even more enthused with taking up the invitation to this small meeting. Still, his jubilance ended as he noted her words and lackluster smile.

Rerreno wasn't Varos. He was not the lord of secrets, hounding after hidden meanings and crafted lies. But much of what was said in a conversation was hidden among that which wasn't spoken. To say there were differences between their courts would be an understatement, and Rerreno didn't need his brother's skill with secrets to tell that such differences weren't always enjoyed. "No, I don't." His hand settled on the cup as he held her gaze. "I believe love comes from trust. Trust is gathered through communication and shared experiences. Its a wonderful notion that some beauty or beau might walk into one's life and pierce your heart with a smile leading to happily ever after, but I've been around too long to believe in such things."

"I suppose that trust is why we in the Vitae court believe so fervently in enduring marriages. It's the ultimate expression of trust to offer your life to someone so completely." His eyes finally moved down to the tea, watching the steam dissipate into the air. "We may be a bit cynical, but I think even Varos hopes to find someone with whom to trust with our life's work. Even if I'm the one who hears all the prayers for marriages in Veradune."

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe tilted her head to the side. Veradune? She had never heard of a place. Immediately she thought of a lush, green forest filled with pine and birch and ferns. When she would take walks during summer— winter was far too chilly for a fire-aligned duanann in Night Court— the scent of pine needles and moist earth always created a steady balance of refreshment.

She ceremoniously added honey, rock sugar and cream to her cup of tea before bringing it up to her lips to take a sip.

“Night Court takes marriages seriously, too,” she said lightly, not reprimanding Rerreno whatsoever but perhaps trying to convince herself of the fact. Of course, there were some facets missing. “Even if they’re arranged marriages, I am sure duanann find love in the end. Perhaps because as you’ve suggested, trust is built over time?” Surely, that was possible wasn’t it? Not because women were denied the right to get a divorce or for the fact that politics were such a formidable force in their court that arranged marriages were more set in stone than the rules of magic.

Everyone could tell a story about a married man that fooled around often, even in front of their wives from arranged marriages.

“Can you tell me about Veradune, Lord Rerreno?” Signe asked, setting down her teacup. “I have never heard of a place before but I’m afraid geography has never been my forte.”

Rerreno

 

[Rerreno]

It took effort to contain his wince, the slight twitch in his left eye being the only sign of Rerreno's displeasure as he lifted his cup to take the first sip. It was certainly a fine drink and the lord allowed himself a moment to appreciate it, letting the flavors course over him before returning to the conversation at hand. "The mortals I spoke of at my court created it. Its where they live, sleep, pray, and gather. Its deep in the Ixchel so even most mortals haven't heard of it. Like us, they believe in life, freedom, and unity."

There was a war raging within him. Diplomacy against conviction. The three tenets that had been given to the mortals were the entire basis of his life in the past millenia. Conviction inevitably won. "I've heard of arranged marriages working," he said quietly, "but I don't trust them. Trust is about allowing one to choose. Your father, I think, would be wise to listen to his daughters when searching for a suitor. Such is the best chance for such unions lasting with joy." There was an unusual steel in his voice, almost hidden by its low tone. So many times Rerreno had listened to voices pleading for happiness, for the return of affection, love, and for blessings to a united household. In the dead of night, and in the early morning, such prayers filled his mind. It was a sacred thing to him, just as Wulren held sacred the honor of a duel.

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe smiled when Rerreno spoke of Veradune and the race that the brothers had created. She had completely forgotten what the race was called. Zorrens? Zolas? Zoras? Zoro? Zero? Something with a ‘Z’ she wasn’t sure which word exactly it was but she was certain that she was close to it!

But when Rerreno spoke of arranged marriages, and the last biting comment about her father and the part about lasting joy, the smile faltered into a frown. Signe looked down into her cup of tea, a swirl of emotions in her viridian green eyes. A soft sigh fell from her full lips and she looked back up to resignation with a sort of weary resignation.

“I was… supposed to be engaged. To a wealthy family that sources many sorts of magic weapons to the army my father is the general of. Of course, well… his son, well, he’s the worst type.” Signe whispered, then paused. “I shouldn’t speak so poorly of him though, he’s missing. He may be dead. But. Well. That’s besides the point. I… switched places with my younger sister, Siobhan. You met her. She married him in my stead.” A deep sigh and she shook her head.

“I doubt my father would take any of my advice from here on out. I’d be lucky to marry to a man who only beats me when upset.”

Rerreno

 

[Rerreno]

'You sister must love you very much,' was what he wanted to say. Praise to one's family was almost a fine diplomatic answer. A wish for luck would have also been appropriate. Instead, Rerreno's smile faded away completely. His calm demeanor and cheerful disposition vanished like snow on flame and the room became filled with a palpable power, released by a simmering rage with lord barely moving within his seat. "Should a man ever lay a hand on you, I will happily remove it from him." His words were quiet, kept away from prying ears as he recognized the nature of his statement. "I could erase him from this world if you so wished. You needn't even write a letter. A prayer would suffice." The underlying rumble in his voice was a growl that had terrified mortals centuries before, the sound of the gilded coyote who prowled the nights at the behest of the wild hunt.

What he didn't say was the consequences for her father should he find his newfound companion in such a predicament. To sell one's own daughter to such a fate was a betrayal of family like he could never imagine. To willingly put them in harm's way, enslaved to another's wrath. His hand quaked as he tightened his grip on his cup. An incantation fell from his lips, whispered as he struggled to smoothly bring his cup to his lips to cover the action. [And should you wish to leave, I can offer wings with which to fly and a place to rest. The Vitae halls are open to all who need sanctuary and freedom.] A telepathy spell. No matter how much he trusted Signe, he couldn't trust the court to allow complete privacy. He spent too much time around Varos for that.


Signe Lusce