Violetta V's page

Sabelina scans the crowd over a glass of wine. Eventually, she does spot Donal and Violetta. They are sitting quietly on the upper steps of the circular stairs leading to Salli’s office – leaving the floor space for the Slattern’s customers. Similarly, Elsa (dressed appropriately) is being a wallflower in a far corner of the room. Violetta catches Sable’s eye and offers a discreet wave. She nudges Donal who sees the swordswoman and offers her a broad smile before reaching down his pants to pull out… a familiar note. He waggles the note in Sabelina’s direction and gives her a wink. It seems her offer may be acceptable.

Luck: 1d20 ⇒ 20 O.o

Violetta rises, resurrecting some of her previous playfulness. "Generally, yes, kissing is out of bounds. But I'll make an exception."

She pins 'Sable' against the table, bodies grinding, and kisses her like it may be the last time they ever meet. Then she helps the bladeswoman dress, with her hands doing things that prove more distracting than useful. She walks Sabelina to the red door and ushers her through it.

"Have a wonderful day. If you like what the Architect has to say, come see me."

A hint of a smile returns to her face, "Threshold isn't a monarchy. Bowing and ceremony have never been part of our culture. Basic politeness is advisable, whoever you meet. But, yes, you can visit the Architect straight away if you like... though I doubt your arrival will be completely unanticipated."

She pauses briefly, "If I may offer you some advice... the Architect is very direct which sometimes rubs people the wrong way. She is bright but somewhat clueless about what hurts feelings or bruises egos. She isn't mean-spirited, quite the opposite, but she just doesn't understand emotions. So, if you or your friends are thin-skinned, you may be in for a lump or two."

Violetta clasps her hands in her lap, navigating for an answer, ”Beginnings are delicate things. In the past, there were incidents. Some people spoke with newcomers too openly, too quickly, and without a full understanding of the community. The results were… unfortunate. It was decided then that introductions would be handled in a controlled manner to hopefully prevent any further incidents. I’ve been where you are now, burning with questions and frustrated by the silence. I’ll tell you what I was told then: ‘The Architect will answer your questions, whether you like it or not. Her office is in the Campanile.’”

Violetta isn't trying to hide her emotions so that roll should work... It occurs to you that she seemed to deflate when you spoke of leaving so quickly. If your supposition about Threshold moving is correct, then it seems reasonable to believe that the locals feel something like gypsies. They see new places, meet exciting new people, but then they move on. For a ‘people person’ that might be a bitter pill to swallow at times.

You also note that Violetta isn’t trying to entice you to stay or drive you to leave. She is very firmly avoiding trying to influence your choice either way… even if she has a preference.

"How often does the city move? If I wanted to go on to Absalom, to see if for myself, by when would I need to leave?"

Violetta frowns briefly and leans in to speak even more quietly than before. "That's a subject I shouldn't discuss with you. I'm sorry. And, truthfully, I have no idea how long we'll be here. Even the Astromancer can't predict a 'move' too far in advance. At this stop we're likely to have only a day or two notice before we depart. If you left right now for Absalom, my guess is we'll be gone before you return." She sits back in her chair and smooths her dressing gown, looking a little wistful.

Violetta smiles at Sabelina’s recounting of her future career. ”When you write about me, feel free to lie and say I had the power to make a dozen arch-clerics forsake their vows with a single kiss.” She chuckles lightly.

"Have you and Donal been in Threshold very long? I'd think if you and Donal were in a great city like Absalom or Oppara, the fortunes you could make would be hard to imagine. Fabulous wealth at your fingertips given your skills!"

”I’ve been here for 8 no 10…” she shakes her head and corrects, ”… about two years, give or take. Donal hasn’t been here that long, perhaps a year? I’m not really sure.” She relaxes in her chair, her finger idly running along the lip of her tea cup as she recalls, ”Actually, I did work in Absolom for a number of years, back in the day. The money was very good, the clients less so. When people think they live in the greatest city in the world, they start to believe they are the center of the world and, by extension, the universe. That’s a nice little bubble to live in until something pops it, reminding you that the universe is a very big place and you are nowhere near the center.”

Violetta offers Sabelina a sultry smile and a biscuit to go with her tea. Her answer, when it comes, is light but also earnest. "Much practice, Sable. May I call you Sable? It seems appropriate given how soft and silky you are... I'm a good deal older than I look. And I have been fortunate enough to study with some artists who are gifted at giving pleasure. I learn what I can. If you plan to make a career of anything, you shouldn't half-ass it, in my opinion."