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FADE RIFT [INBOX]
ＬＡＤＹ ＬＡＫＳＨＭＩ
( Lady Lakshmi, Bai Saheba, Rani Lakshmibai )
( Lady Lakshmi, Bai Saheba, Rani Lakshmibai )
ＶＯＩＣＥ | ＡＣＴＩＯＮ | ＮＯＴＥＳ
- Unavaliable To All:
- 30mins around dawn
Only to Voice: - Hour training morning and evening
- Any time she's gone riding.
- When she's in the field.
Only to Book: - When she's otherwise in a meeting, leave a message.
- Very late at night or early in the morning.
Other: - She usually takes her morning meals in the mess hall with everyone else.
- Her days are usually spent in Kirkwall seeing to either her personal business or Inquisition tasks.
- She has a bath twice a day, every day.
action at the evening bell, here is my answer to your question, i'm in your inbox
So at the evening bell, promptly, he has found the door where he needs to be, and he is holding a jug of water (a jug? is it inappropriate? should have brought a waterskin instead, easily transportable?) to his chest. Rather than hold the jug by its handle, he has his arms wrapped around it, in a tight embrace. The cool of its contents is of little comfort.
He stares at the door. Quarters. His own room is one of the shared dormitory spaces, his only roommate a blonde Rifter with wary eyes. Griffin. A curious name. Young. They have not talked much, save for the few times that Salvio has been hopelessly struggling with some task and she has come over and took an object from his hands, or corrected him, nicely but firmly.
--Wait, why is he thinking of the Rifter girl? Hastily, he unwraps one arm from around the jug and knocks at the door.
There. It is done. If the woman does not answer within a few moments, he can leave.]
:VVV
Messer Salvio, I presume?
[ There she stands, all dressed in green. The saree draped around her comfortably, and it is casual, but for entertaining. Her hair neatly pinned on top of her head with flowers, the material clean and bright. The neat drapes of the material on her shoulder that let the pallu fall away and hang behind her. Swaying with her movements as her arm gestures. Stepping back to let him into the small rooms.
But beyond her, is the smell of food, and the array of plates set out. It wasn't quite as extravagant as the rounds and rounds of dishes she'd put before Marcoulf and Magni, but it is nothing lacking. In fact, arguably, too much for just two people. Even so. ]
Just take off your shoes, if you don't mind. I prefer not to have them in my room when I can help it.
[ And so too were her feet bare, as barely as they can be seen when she walks away to let him be about it without her fussing over him. So much as each step is noticeable by the faint chime of her anklets, the clank of bangles as her arms sway at her side. ]
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Slowly, as he processes what she is saying, he directs that gaze down to his boots. Shit. What?]
Oh, uh-- yes, I'll-- [She's already started away, which is a blessed thing. It breaks some small hold on him, little bells and all. Hastily Salvio looks for a place to set the pitcher of water. Finding no readily available surface, he sets it on the floor and then leans his back against the doorframe, bracing himself against it so he can get one foot off of the floor and start frantically pulling at its fasteners.
Once he's freed both feet (not an easy process), he picks up the jug of water again and stands, uncertainly, in the doorway. It seems cruel to leave his boots outside, where they might be stolen. Then again, they're quite worn. Maybe they will be safe. Salvio casts a sad look at them, and issues a silent farewell before he steps over the threshold. There is a hole in the heel of his right sock, a vulnerability in the thick wool. The chill of the floor passes up through his foot. He tries to ignore it. Thank the Maker that is not in the toe, where it might be more obvious.]
Um, yes. Sorry. I am Salvio. And you, uh-- What is it, that you prefer to be, um. Called?
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The call of her voice is tossed over her shoulder, answering briefly. Busying herself in taking up a larger plate with both her hands that was to be set in the middle of the table. ] Salvio, it is pleasure. Lakshmi Bai is what most manage easily enough. Or Bai Saheba.
[ That little sigh, like she's used to people mangling nuances of a different land, a different language in new and interesting ways. But - ] I am the Rani Lakshmi Bai, if you're to have the full of it by introduction since there is no one else to do it presently. [ She turns back to him, a patient look, a pleasant fixed smile that is slight - that is more in the crease lines at her mouth, at the corner of her eyes. ] Why don't you have a seat? [ She gestures with a bow of her head to the table, two seats there for him to pick from. ]
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Yes. Um-- [The seat closest is the one that he goes for, and sets down the water pitcher. Blessedly, none of its contents slop over the sides.] Bai. Uh, it is very--kind, of you, to. Extend this invitation. Extremely unnecessary. Which-- [sounds insulting] --is part of what, I suppose, what makes it a kind gesture.
You--bring the food from the hall, here, and eat?
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His question she chuckles at though, not particularly mean, but a steady response as she moves around him to the other chair. Stopping only to place the large plate she's holding in the middle of the table.
The food in the middle of it is nothing less than ornate. Ridiculously so. A way that the vegetables are arranged makes them look like flowers, the colour of the food coordinated to make each part look more delicious than the last. The smaller bowls around it had different dishes again. She would say it was a modest amount for them both, but it was a ridiculous portion for two people alone, really. ]
No. I cook it myself, then brought it here for us.
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[There is surprise in his tone, especially as he looks over the array of food spread before him. Certainly he has seen feasts before. Never really participated beyond the planning, or the observation.
This is more food than Salvio is accustomed to, and immediately enters into the 'feast' category.]
And you purchased the components? That is-- truly generous. And unnecessary. But-- but welcome, of course, it is not that I sneer at-- [Shit. He reaches to pick up whatever is near to him, a spoon or a fork or even a knife, blindly going for the nearest implement to demonstrate his interest and appreciation.] Thank you. Is what I mean. Um, what--is it called? The dishes?
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[ which is to say, there is a small fortune on each mouthful. But they are things she finds perfectly ordinary.
But when he asks, reaching for the plates of food, she laughs, wondering how quickly he will get himself tongue tied on this one. ] The one your are reaching for is a Paneer. It is spinach. I... Hope you do not mind, I do not eat very much meat.
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[The paneer looks strange. Soft. Perhaps not as spiced?]
I, uh. The spice alone must have been--costly. I hope that it was purchased in advance of-- this. Me. Um. That you would have used it anyways, is what I mean.
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It was. This is how I prefer to eat and how I was taught. Do not worry, I promise I did not pauper myself purely for you alone.
[ She chuckles, and with the food all set out and he settled to pick things himself, she settles down to her side of the table. ] What have you brought us to drink?
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[--A compliment that he regrets, instantly, for its weakness and ineptitude. It doesn't even make sense, really. Good, that she didn't pauper herself over spices, for a single dinner that she offered, to him, that--
Salvio realizes, then, that she's said something to him. Ah, shit.]
What? Oh, um-- water. [He goes to lift the pitcher with vague hope at its suitability.] Though had I know-- um, I would maybe have... Had I known of the spice, that is, I would maybe have brought goat's milk. Instead. I am, well, I was born, and spent most of my early, my life, in Antiva. Known for its spice. Goat's milk is recommended as a... um, mitigater. To temper the spice, I mean.
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[ Her good nature is easy to the surface, and her pleasure at hearing something so similar if not exact is immediate. Her smile broadens, her eyes brighten. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise, but a glad one. The full force of it turned on him completely as she goes about setting out the cups for them. ] No, no water is just fine. But we - we have a drink, I can make it for you, it is called a Lassi. It is cow's milk, yoghurt. Mixed with mango.
[ But for the time being, she leans over to pick up the water jug in one hand, pouring them both the water. ] I've not heard over much of Antiva. Will you tell me about it?
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An interesting blend. I, uh. I would be pleased to sample such a thing. Lassi.
[Weird word. If he could make a note right now without looking like a fool, he would. Instead, he picks up a utensil to try to figure out the paneer.]
Antiva. Um, I would-- There are others that might offer a more, traveled account of it, or a more--colorful, at least. It is to the north west, of Kirkwall and the Free Marches. Coastal. Antiva City is its capital, and that is where I-- Well, it is the most major of its port cities. Antiva is--has, I mean, has a mercantile tradition, so its ports and costal cities are instrumental to its financial success. Um. That is where the merchant princes-- why they are its power in governance. Um, it... there are flowers, many flowers. Many bloom constantly. And a great deal of rain, and-- a certain romance, but it is practical, too. [Um.] Fish chowder. A favorite dish. And wine, a great deal of wine.
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[ She rises again to go and get it, the drinks she made up - just in case. Some absent habit to over prepare, whether it were the battlefield or her own house that comes out of ruling, she suspects. A good hostess, is the faint echo, though she is no one's wife. Just someone who - well it hardly mattered.
When she returns with the drink - it's rich, sweet smelling. Setting it down beside his hands carefully amidst the overfull plates. ]
With the spoon - and use the bread and your fingers to eat it. [ Is the brief explanation off-hand as she goes to sit once more, watching his confusion on how to go about what to do with the food. Mercifully, perhaps, she doesn't linger too long on it to fluster him any more than that. Smoothing the material under her, jangling faintly as bangle and necklace moved. ] Ah, Princes of Industry, rather than of the blood? [ Quieter, lower, more an admission of something half homesick. ] I would like to see them. The flowers, I mean. I miss them, often.
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[Spoon, bread, fingers. He takes direction well, appreciates it for its clarity and straightforwardness. Still could mess up, but success is more likely, and so there is a gratefulness to Salvio as he picks up the spoon. So much so that it does not occur to him (yet) to be anxious by his potential to somehow ruin this moment.]
Thank you. And--for the drink, too-- [Which does look good, better than Salvio would have hoped for. He relaxes by a small fraction more.] Um, yes. Prince of industry, though of course there is a small bit of, inheriting, fathers passing on holdings to sons, and so forth.
You have an interest, in flowers? There are small gardens, in Kirkwall. Of course they are nothing like what is found in Antiva City. If--one cares for flowers, that is.
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An interest of a kind. Just... I once had them in great abundance. I liked to wear them in my hair, and we - well. Our festivals and the like would involve many of them. Though I have been taken to one garden here, in the Gallows.
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[He realizes then that she is serving herself, and he should be more observant on how she is serving herself, what she is doing with each piece and dish. Working quickly, he mirrors her portion sizes as best as he can, though lacking in her elegance.]
I, um. I know of someone that presses flowers, in books, and keeps... well, a decent record, it would be boastful to call it great, and-- in them can be found some of the flowers of Antiva. And elsewhere, but we spoke, of Antiva, so-- Um, not the same, of course, as to have them. [Wear them in her hair. It cuts a lovely picture that Salvio must put quickly away.] But, even so. You might like to, to see?
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I would be honoured to. [ Animated with it, she stills her dishing out of food. ] Are they a friend of yours? Or merely a matter of curiosity that you stumbled upon?
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[Salvio can feel his ears getting quite hot. He picks up his spoon, realizes that it is empty, and sets it down again.]
They, uh. Well--actually, it is me. I don't know why I phrased it in... in such a misleading way, or-- Um, it is a hobby, of mine. The--flower-pressing. The books are mine. So. You are welcome to see them, if you-- if you like.
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[ Her eyes drop, watching him fish for cutlery and pauses before she goes on to say more. Shutting her mouth and gestures. ] But if you don't eat first, I am not sure if you'll make it to that day.
[ Then she shuts up, waiting, patiently, for him to get a mouthful in and does so by way of taking one herself. The rhoti bread is pulled apart by her fingers to a spoon-sized piece. The taking her spoon to scoop a morsel onto it, folding the edges around and popping it into her mouth. But there is a particularness to it. Delicate, maybe on another woman refined, but she does not meet his eyes in it, keeping her gaze averted. ]