shelley_winters: (Red and white)
shelley_winters ([personal profile] shelley_winters) wrote2006-07-19 09:36 pm

(no subject)

Shelley stares hard at the floor after Mesaana walks away, ignoring the proximity of other guests and the way they look at her, hopeful or fearful or condescending. How dare that women even speak to her after- but the Forsaken all have that supreme arrogance, Ishamael more than any. Her expression tightens bitterly. After this, she is never taking any wager from him ever again.

She turns to pick up her wine for lack of anything else to do, and catches a woman's eye, who curtsies, and makes her way closer.

"My lady," she greets.

Shelley stares back warily before nodding politely. How is she supposed to address this woman? Saying 'my lady' back would sound silly, but she doesn't know who this is.

"Your dress looks wonderful, if I may say so," the older woman continues, apparently unconcerned by her silence. "I am Mohra Terail. Might I know your name?"

Shelley pauses. Well... why not?

"Thank you, Lady Mohra. I am Selae Arata Pilaera," she lies smoothly, and with no small amount of satisfaction.

The woman smiles widely at this evident acceptance of her company, and moves closer.

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Mohra smiled happily. She had not heard of this woman, but she had to be important to have the third name and even be here. It was a connection that she could certainly use. Being around all these Chosen was unsettling, but making connections like this could help.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Selae."

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
A small smile as she gestured briefly and made a show of calm when she picked up the wine as if she were used to Graendal's.... things. Mohra was not entirely sure that they were even people.

"So tell me, Lady Selae, where are you from?"

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
She did not have a Mar Ruois accent. That was odd. Maybe she lived elsewhere or the like. Drawing herself up slightly, she delicately placed a hand on her chest and informed with a practiced ease.

"Oh, I live on my husband, Lord Ioroam Regine Orstau's estate which is outside of Adanza."

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Mohra's brow knitted slightly. How had she not heard of her lord? How provincial were the Friends of the Dark where she was from? No sense being rude to the common folk, anyway.

"Oh, yes. He was talking with the Chosen Graendal when I last saw him."

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Lady Mohra blinked.

All her practiced social graces melted for a moment as she tilted her head. Surely, she did not say that...

"Excuse me?"

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
This lady was a... friend of the Chosen Graendal? This was certainly unsettling. She could be a powerful contact, but dealing in the affairs of the Chosen was always dangerous. Mohra's look of confusion only settled slightly.

"I see."

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lady Mohra, I see you have met my lady."

A smooth, honeyed voice interjected as a slight man in deepest black stood beside Shelley. Piercing blue eyes met her face with a smile.

"Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ishamael."

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Mohra's face went deathly pale as she stood still for a moment before stammering a reply. The Champion of the Shadow. This woman was his...

"L-lord Ishamael."

A pause as she glanced at the tiny redheaded woman. She did not know that he had a lady and that this was her. She expected her to be... different, somehow.

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
A turn and a small bow to Shelley. This minor lady's shock certainly was amusing and it afforded an excellent opportunity.

"May I ask the pleasure of a dance, my lady?"

[identity profile] woven-threads.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
The steadiness of her bow was a credit to her control before a deep breath.

"Yes, of course, my lady, Lord Ishamael."

With perhaps a touch of undue haste, Mohra slid off into the crowd.

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Taking her hand, Ishamael led her out to the dance floor. A soft smile as he waited for a moment for the music to begin.

"Thank you, Lady Shelley."

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Ishamael tilted his head as the music began to play. His hand rested gently on her hip, his thumb sliding over the embroidery as he spoke softly.

"Did something happen that I should know about, Lady Shelley?"

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
A small smile as he glanced over her shoulder. That stunt with Mesaana's alias was truly hysterical. He had been watching from afar for long enough to see.

"For the record, I think your use of the alias of Selae Arata Pilaera was both exceptionally clever and outrageously funny. To see the look on Mesaana's face when she learned of it..."

[identity profile] always-a-liar.livejournal.com 2006-07-19 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Ishamael nodded calmly. Yes, she was right. There would be a great deal of confusion as networks began to try to find information and failed miserably on almost every front.

"No, Mesaana will do no such thing."

A pause as the couple turned gracefully. There was a pleasure to dancing.

"And yes, I imagine that confusion will reign."