Make-up
The "Uneventful" Sevenday. Mia & Paris.
Compared to most nights Calais and Paris returned home to Jouet Square early this Sevenday, sometime after dinner. The most noticeable thing about them when they entered the Party's common room was that they were both dressed to the nines -- and Paris was wearing a different dress than the one that had dropped jaws that morning before church. Possibly a little more elegant, but the colours on this one were not quite as carefully chosen to enhance Paris' blue eyes and black curls. But, having seen Paris that morning, the group surely found more to stare at in Calais. If you didn't know better, you might take him for a young lord! Brillig snorted in disgust at the pair and deliberately turned away to work on mending one of his slings.
Paris and Calais both seemed pleased with their evening, so it was clear that Rhori's question about seeing any more 'sewer men' brought Paris up short. Her mood went from happily relaxed and excited almost instantly to abrupt wariness. Gradually the questions and answers around the room brought out the fact that an ambush had been thwarted and that a great many important people seemed to have taken an interest in seeing that Paris and her picnic had gone smoothly. When all that was going to be said on the subject had been said, Paris looked down at herself. Immediately she seemed aware of how un-Paris like she must look. "Excuse me," she said to the room in general, one hand absently fingering a soft fold of her skirt, "I really should change." As she turned for the stairs, it was clear that her eye must have caught Calais' for he grinned and stood up, "Me too."
The flash of rich colour and the soft glow of white silk moved up stairs. Mia glanced around the cozy common room. Rhori was absently picking burrs from Hobbes' mane as the lion lay stretched across the entire area in front of the glowing fireplace. Anton was picking out a tune on his lute, softly murmuring lines that rhymed with 'pain'. Brillig's sling gave a testing 'twang' which sound seemed to galvanize the shy woman. Leaving the cocoa mugs to tend themselves for a few moments, Mia quietly slipped up stairs.
A timid knock and then Mia peeked around the door to Paris' room. "Uh, hi" she smiled timidly at Paris, "I thought - well, you might -- Do you need help with that dress? Could I -- well, I thought you might like another pair of hands."
Paris who had, indeed, been frustrated by a badly placed lacing knot, looked up and smiled. Mia realized that, really, when the warrior-girl did that, looking like she had this day, she was really very pretty. Paris' voice was low but had a touch of gladness. "I would very much appreciate help with this. I -- rarely have to deal with -- this sort of thing -- by myself. You are a god-send, widow Mia!"
Mia smiled happily at Paris. "This is really beautiful fabric... I wonder what my mother would've done with this..." [Mia's mother had been the village seamstress]
As the older woman deftly untied the lace and the gown slipped off the younger woman's shoulders, Paris sighed. Then she glanced back with a smile. "You know, Mia, I used to think that wearing clothes like these -- that being decked out like a lord -- would be easy! My classmates, the grand people of the court, all of them, make it look easy. But it's almost as much work as armoring up, I think." Paris laughed lightly.
Mis: "Does it feel that way? -- you look -- I - I mean, well, Paris, you looked really nice today."
Paris grinned. "You mean because Rhori thinks I suddenly looked like a girl?" She was obviously teasing, but it's directed more at herself than Mia. Mia was, nonetheless, a little disconcerted. "No, um, yes, well, yes, of course -- you looked like a lady. Very beautiful. You - you've learned a l-lot about that -- that sort of thing, haven't you?"
Deftly Paris hung the gown on one of the pegs in the upper section of the wall, next to her cloak. With a trace of affection, "I have had a very kind teacher in the palace. I am glad that you think she has taught me well. Thank you, Mia."
As Paris pulled an every-day tunic over her dark curls, Mia felt her courage evaporating. If she didn't just come out with it, the opportunity would slip away. Paris emerged from the tunic top and reached for her sword belt. Mia burst out, "P-Paris? I w-would -- I - I - um. C-could you teach me how - how to - to use makeup -- and - and stuff?"
Paris looked at the blond woman, her momentary amazement quickly controlled. "Of course, Mia. I - I would be happy -- to try and teach. If you want to. I'd never thought, that is, I'd always thought of you as beautiful." Mia smiled, shook her head "no", and blushed. Paris continued, "But, of course Lorraine has taught me that it does not hurt even the most beautiful to know how to enhance herself when appropriate." She smiled again. Mia grinned somewhat wryly back at her. Paris went on, "I am no where near as skilled as Lorraine. But I do know a little about teaching. We can certainly see if I can show you what I know. Would - would you like to start now? We've only candle light and that's not good. But I'll be back in class tomorrow and it'd be no better at dawn or midnight when I'm back again then. Shall we...?" She gestured over to the bed where Mia under which could be seen a small wooden chest -- almost a miniature trunk -- large enough for Paris to have brought her dress - and other little things - in from the palace.
"I'd love to start now! Should I bring the candle from my room too?" Mia rushed off to her room and returned with her candle and her hairbrush. "So, um, how do we began?" Paris seated Mia, and they began. Sometime during this new and unusual process Mia asked, "What's Lorraine -- the lady you said taught you? -- like?"
[Sunny doesn't know enough about medieval to Victorian make-up practices to go into detail here... :-s ]
[Given that Pat invented the notion of makeup in his campaign, we don't much go into it either :-) ]
"Lorraine? Ah, that's right. You haven't met her yet. She's come to church a couple of times. I - I think she's my best girl friend now. Lorraine is about a year younger than I, a student in the girls' classes, and the daughter of my teachers Lord and Lady duGryphon."
"Oh..."
Paris held one of the little pots of powder up to Mia's face and then shook her head. "You and I are not the same colouring; I'll have to ask Lorraine for a bit of help in choosing the right stuff for you. She says that she and I have basically the same colouring -- except that I'm tanned and my hair is curly -- which is why her dresses suit me." Paris gave a little grin. "Well, actually they pinch a bit. I'm broader in the shoulders and have more arm muscle. Which makes sense. I've done manual labour most of my life and she's been a court lady since she was 14." Paris smiled at herself, "Well, at least that's how it seems to me. She says she's not allowed into 'society' until graduation. But she has such a lot of poise and polish. Always attracts the boys and always able to find a smooth way to defuse a problem. Well," Paris frowned slightly, some contrary thought apparently having crossed her mind, "hm, at any rate, I've reason to be grateful to her. She's been one of my best friends in the palace since I first arrived, my first friend there -- which is saying a lot given that there were important people who really didn't approve of me at all. People who are important to Lorraine."
Mia: "Don't approve of you? But why -- and why do their opinions matter?"
"Everyone's opinion matters at some time or other," Paris said gently. "The opinion of the Duke's court could matter for a great many things. I - I am a peasant and a woman. But I am learning the craft of the sword, studying to become a knight and a noble -- things almost unthinkable for a woman and a peasant in the tradition and history of this court and this kingdom." Paris studied the older woman with serious eyes. "If you think about it, it would have probably been unthinkable to the town elders of Jouet before the Change. As someone said once to me, 'It is not done!'" Paris paused for just a heartbeat gazing into the distance, before continuing in a voice that had lost all trace of harshness. "Because of the Change and by the will of my Prince, I am doing it." She turned back to Mia. "Can you not thus see why some people would not approve -- at least of what I represent: change most cruel?"
Mia looked at her with wide eyes.
Paris smiled softly. "Many, of course, do support me in what I do. Lorraine and her parents, most particularly." Paris thought for a moment. "She thinks the world of her father -- and I'm pretty sure I see why; I think the world of him too. I'm not sure why, but she and her mother seem at 'outs' most of the time. I think her mother is pretty splendid, myself. Knowledgeable, caring, sees right to the root of social problems, knows me better than I do, I think. The other students claim she's harsh but..." Paris bit her lip and gazed off into the distance for a moment. Mia nodded a little in understanding. "But there are times when I want to give her the sort of hug I used to give Maman. They are splendid people, real salt of the earth. And I can see clearly that Lorraine gets her beauty, intelligence, bravery -- and great big heart -- just from them. I really, really hope that she chooses a splendid young man who wants to make her happy -- when she gets around to choosing. She -- well, she's been that good to me. But finding the right husband seems to be what court girls are being trained for. And I take my classes with the boys. So Lorraine and I have 'our time' when she's helping me get ready for the evening dinner and dance. She was a tremendous help with those occasions too -- particularly when I first arrived and didn't know anything. We - we don't study and dream together -- the way Genelle and I used to -- but, but, I think - I think that I've learned to live more in having Lorraine as a best friend."
Mia smiled at Paris, "I bet you have a completely different perspective on all the boys --what're they like? Which one do you think would make her the best husband?"
Paris looked unhappy. "It is not my place to make a game of my friends. She -- and her parents -- have had years to come to know the strengths and hearts of the boys I train with. I have had scant weeks. I do not even really know her heart -- any more than I know yours. I'm not sure I even know what would make me happiest, much less anyone else. I know that I count courtesy and honour highly, and that I respect prowess and intelligence in whatever field a man -- or woman -- chooses as his or her career. Each of my classmates excels in various of these. One, I think, balances them best. But that is only my opinion. I can only wish both him and Lorraine and all the rest the very best that Fortune has to offer them -- for whatever value my wish may have."
After they're finished with the "make-over":
Mia looked into the mirror, trying to turn so the light caught both her face and the mirror. "It's so bright -- It doesn't look a thing like me!" However she continued to peer into the mirror and preen a little bit, standing up straighter with her chin held up. Suddenly she giggled and relaxed back into her normal stance, "But she sure is pretty!"
Paris laughed; it was almost a giggle. "I said something like that, too, the first time Lorraine made me up. But it made me rather uncomfortable as well. Like I was pretending to be someone I'm not. Lorraine looks perfect all the time. And the other girls look good too. I -- wanted to learn what a lady knows, but -- I also wanted to be myself. However, the boys I train with see me sweaty and grubby after every practise -- and all dressed up every evening -- and, once they got used to me, it doesn't seem to really matter. We put on our 'dressed-up' manners in the evening -- but that does not mean that we aren't chivalrous and courteous on the practise field as well. In both cases, I think it is to do honour to the people around you."
Girltalk: Paris and Lorraine
Michael and Barry wanted to know who (of Ewen, Jules, and Rod) have the richest resources. They seem to think that one of them will be able to get enough cards to be Spd 4 -- to add a bit more of a challenge to my tourney problems. :-) I don't think Paris would know or care who was 'richer.' My guess is that Rod counts as a potential 'king's man' given the position his father holds in Pelier. He's probably got the greatest 'status' background-wise. I'm not sure how a baron rates vs. a Master of Horse. Lord Justin seems to have lost the respect of a great many peers, so, socially, Jules' family might rate higher than Ewen's no matter the technical status difference between them. Nonetheless, Ewen himself should not be rated lowly just because his dad's not living up to the family history. Sorta depends on how politics works in your world; Paris isn't very much of a political animal.
It does strike me however... (hm, I'm getting really off target; obviously I want to role-play more than I want to learn tactics) ... that during Paris' mulling over to-kiss-or-not-to-kiss those last few days at Westmore, that she might at last have given in to the girlish 'want to know more about those that interest her.' Now Lorraine can, undoubtedly, move the conversation off into irrelevant gossip -- but I think Lorraine and Paris are close enough friends now that that might not happen. Besides, Paris is more and more aware that she wants to know how Lorraine came to be so _much_ 'in Jules' pocket,' given that she (Paris) thinks that Lorraine could have _anyone_ whom she showed real of-the-heart interest in (given the reactions Anton and Calais had to what Paris felt was Lorraine's polite but genuine interest).
Which implies that there is no one Lorraine actually wants to give her heart too, given that she has stated that she wants a wide range of choice. Or that Paris' arrival somehow 'tipped the apple cart' and changed various 'affaires de coeur' as much as she did the 'standard of prowess' on the training field. [I did that, myself, in college. I'd gone away for foreign study and came back my junior year to find several new additions to my little cadre of friends. It took half-a-year to realize that one of those young men who developed an infatuation for me fairly quickly had, before I arrived, been the 'target' :-) of one of my best girl friends. Took me another half-year to untangle that young man's affections but he and my girl friend did, finally, get married the year after I left school.] That's an awfully complicated set-up and I don't think it would have occurred to Paris at all. So her attempts to elicit information are going to be far more general. She has always liked to hear Lorraine talk about Prince William; now she realizes that she wants to know more about Ewen, Jules -- and Rodric.
Such conversations, as always, take place in the dressing rooms. :-) It probably happens First Day or Second Day after the picnic.
"Lorraine," Paris smiled at her friend, knowing that she'd find this bit of news pleasant. "You've done such a good job with me, helping me learn to be presentable, that Mia -- one of my friends from Jouet whom you haven't met -- noticed Sevenday and asked me to teach her how to put on makeup!" Paris grinned. "It was a bit of a challenge given that she's sortof a brownish-blond and the colours you've showed me to use don't suit her at all. But you were right; it is fun! But it was also odd. Widow Mia is the eldest of my comrades, and," she shrugged gently, "it hadn't seemed that we'd ever have much to teach each other."
"Mia, Mia," Lorraine frowned. "No, I don't remember her. An older woman? Was she sitting behind us at church?"
"She's a little older," said Paris. "In her early twenties. But, no, she wouldn't have been behind us, I'm pretty sure. She goes to a different church." Paris gave a tiny smile. "Where she's found someone -- cute, I think."
Paris was turning thoughtful. "I've changed a lot since coming here, since the Change altogether. It makes me wonder..." she looked at her friend, "what everyone here was really like before the Change. You and Ewen and Rodric and Jules.... Tell me, do you think you've all changed? What were you all like before?"
Lorraine raised one eyebrow, with an impish smile to counterbalance it. "Changed? Why, do we seem different? Fairytale princesses always live in tall white towers, don't they? So what's different?" She broke into a giggle. "Sorry. What was it like before..." She looked out the window for a moment, turning as thoughtful as Paris. "It seems like we were on holiday, now. Not worried about armies of orcs coming into town, or war across the land. Just worried about who you were going to marry, who loved who, making it through the classes." She looked slyly at her friend. "More specifically, well, Rodric as you know was easily tongue tied any time a girl talked to him. He seems to be rather comfortable around certain women now, I've noticed. Jules," and she looked out the window again. "Well," she finally continued, "the past few days especially he's grown tense and quiet. I think he must be worried about the tournament," she smiled at Paris. With a truly wicked smile, she asked, "Was there anyone else you wanted to know about?"
Paris smiled back, meeting her friend's eyes. "Of course. I said I wanted you to talk about Ewen. But I like to hear about the others as well -- and anyone who interests you, 'cause you are my dear friend. Now, Rodric worried about more than just girls, I think. I hope he's simply grown more comfortable with himself and his own strengths. That may just be part of growing up and not part of the Change at all. Jules," Paris' eyes dropped for a moment and then looked back at Lorraine. "Jules had the World on a platter and then the World stabbed him in the side. I know that much about how the Change affected him. I'd like to think he's been growing up a lot too. It -- can't have been easy -- growing into his own man -- with such a mother as his. But, then, I'm probably not very objective although I really want to be." She watched Lorraine carefully although she tried to keep her tone light. "I think one could safely say that I don't bring out the best in Lady Chivar."
"No," Lorraine said, a little bit sad or angry. "And I don't really know why. I think she always disapproved of Mom, but didn't say anything because Dad and Sir Marion are such good friends. Maybe you remind her of Mom." She glanced around the room, to see if anyone else were there. "None of us were quite sure what Sir Marion saw in her."
Paris gave a lopsided smile. "Except that I think I know what you mean, I'd take it as a great compliment if someone thought I was likely to grow into a woman as gracious, as intelligent, and as valuable as your mother." She moved back to the topic of Lady Chivar. "I suppose it might make a difference if we knew if Sir Marion was feeling the pressure to marry -- or if he took the time necessary to get to know her. At any rate, she gave him a son he is proud of and I expect that means a lot."
"Three, actually," Lorraine said. "His older brothers are off with the Royal cavalry. I was born kind of late to Mom and Dad, just about the time Jules was born. Dad and Sir Marion always hoped the two of us would get together."
A line of worry started to niggle at Paris. Slowly she said, "Lorraine? Is part of why Jules is cute -- that? The notion that you two 'getting together' would please your father?"
"Phooey." Lorraine grinned at her friend. "Not hardly. But the Chivars are a good family, they've been part of the Duke's war leaders...well, since there was a duchy. So, Jules is a suitable match, since all the Chivars will do well. And besides," she winked, "he is the best kisser."
[S: Hm. She's changed her mind. She originally said that Silvan was the best kisser. I wonder what he did to slip to at least 3rd on the list. :-)]
Lorraine laughed and continued. "Ewen was the second best rider and fighter in this class. Cute, too, and second best kisser if you don't mind my saying so." She seemed to search Paris' face intently. "Um, that is, uh, you don't mind, do you? It was long before you showed up here."
[GM: That was months ago. :-)]
"Hm," Paris smiled, "I forget who you said was the first best kisser back then. I know you told me -- long ago." A shade of seriousness settled. "No, Lorraine, you dear, dear soul, I don't mind. Why shouldn't you try out anyone you wanted. You've taught me to understand that that isn't bad. And you still think he's cute." There's a hint of question to that last. "It means I'm not, that is -- I -- wouldn't want to -- practise on someone you wanted." She took a deep breath. "Given that I've found him so admirable, I had wondered why he even considered giving me a second look when there was a fairy princess like you to try for. I'd wondered why you didn't have him in your train. Is that a rude thought for me to have had?"
Lorraine was barely able to contain her impish smile. "Well," she said, drawing the word out to four syllables, "I suppose he's all right." Her laugh finally broke through. "Well, of course he's cute. A good catch, too, since he'll inherit the Barony." She shook her head. "Tried to throw him and Cordelia together, since he and Rodric were such good friends, but it just didn't stick. The powers of we fairy princesses are vastly overrated. Cordelia is a little more like her brother, loves words and history and poetry. Ewen is a little, well, uncultured. Loves the tales of adventure, talked a lot about the farming of vines and winemaking, but just wasn't quite right for her." Lorraine was definitely warming to the subject. "The first girl he really fell for was Daphne duRayonne, she was two years ahead of us. Followed her around at dinner like a lost puppy..." and she continued through two years of the romantic history of the young man.
"Adventure and farming." Paris sighed a little. "They don't really go together. The adventurer had better leave a well-trained steward or wife at home to look after his lands or there won't be lands worth farming when he gets back from adventuring. Sometimes I wonder if that's why I shouldn't be looking for 'the right one.' I'm not exactly getting the normal training in being a useful wife, I suspect." [This gives another excuse besides parents to explain why Paris didn't kiss after she'd decided to. :-)]
There was a rueful smile on Lorraine's face. "I don't know, if things go on like this, knowing how to use a sword might be the most useful thing you could know. And everyone is sure going to treat a Sir Paris different than they would a Lady Paris." There was a pause of several moments. Lorraine finally asked, in a small voice, "Do you think you can teach me how to use a sword?"
Paris replied slowly. "I can teach sword-work. I'd be happy to. The question is 'may I?' I know the Duke has forbidden such instruction to ladies -- until I have been made a knight. Would - would you be willing to wait that long?" She smiled. "You've got timing and balance. Dancing actually helps with that, believe it or not. Strength, will and practise is most of the rest." She looked at Lorraine ruefully. "I don't want to seem like I'm putting you off. I think you know that. But the duke must have a reason for his decision and I do respect his authority." Paris paused. "I'm not sure I like the idea that 'Sir Paris' will be treated differently than 'Lady Paris'. Yes, they're both different from the 'peasant farmer's daughter Paris' -- because a lord swears to her responsibilities and accepts more such than just herself and her family, and a peasant does not. But ... Paris, the part of me that hasn't changed, the me that is inside the armor or the silk dress or the grubbies ... is the same no matter the label. I am either a person striving to be honourable and good and useful -- or I am nothing at all. I do not like the idea that 'Sir' is different from 'Lady'. I thought they were the same. Maybe I just don't understand...?" She looked questioningly at the other girl.
Lorraine's smile was gone, but she wasn't sad, just earnest. "Sir Paris will sit at the table where decisions are discussed and made. Her voice will be heard in the open. Men will follow her lead. Fairy princesses have to work behind the scenes." She smiled again. "I intend to tell my daughter, someday, that she has a choice, because I knew Sir Paris when she was just Paris."
"It still does not sound fair." Paris bit her lip and looked earnestly at her friend. "I hope I'll always be 'just Paris' to you, Lorraine. You, your parents, being here in the palace -- has been like shaping and polishing a stone. If -- when -- Prince William adds a title it - it will be a bit like an elegant setting for a stone. But the value of the stone -- its flaws and perfections, if any -- is still as it was when I first came to you. No one should know that better than you and the others I've trained with here." Paris paused, then added softly, "If there is any change in the essential Paris, it was the addition of -- Hope -- given me by our Prince when first I met Him." There was a long silence.
"There is a difference now, though," Lorraine finally said. "I don't know if it's just the approaching graduation or the Change or what. But everyone is more serious. Scared, a little." She moved over to the window to look out at the evening sky. "We're all going to have to make some choices soon. Choices that will determine the rest of our lives." She was quiet for a while. "Choices like that are scary."
"Well..." Paris mulled the thought, "most of us want to grow up really fast when we are children. But -- when you buy your first furlong, or get married, or swear fealty -- those all involve oaths that colour the rest of your life. Those are grown-up decisions -- choices. And it means being responsible for those choices for the rest of your life. I suspect most people lie awake the night before wondering if they're making those choices at the right time. Yes, that's pretty awesome -- and it doesn't take orcs or war or Changes to make it moreso. One can make such choices before one is enough grown-up," Paris thought for a moment of all she'd seen and heard of Mia's marriage, "and be really unhappy for it. That's what really scares me: to realize that I might not yet be grown-up enough to properly make my choices. But I've had to and I have to and I'm going to ... so I guess I've grown-up some too since I've been here." Paris looked at Lorraine; her friend seemed to have her mind on something of the sort, she thought. "You've been such a great help to me -- to my growing up -- learning about boys and kisses and being a lady and all. You - you've listened to me a lot. If - if I can help you -- well, I can listen too -- and be a friend."
Lorraine sighed. "It's only a little over a month and I'll have to decide. No more trying on different boys to see what I like, but settling on one. Forever." She reached over and held Paris' hand. "I don't think you can help with that. Maybe your Widow Mia, but ...is it terrible to want to keep having a choice? Rather than making one?"
Paris gave Lorraine's hand a gentle squeeze. "I know I haven't got all that much experience, but I think I know something about what is Right. It is not terrible to want to not make a choice if The Right Choice just hasn't turned up yet. Is it better to choose just because everyone else is and so make a choice you'd regret when the Right One does show up? Or is it better to let the current choices slip through your fingers on the chance that the Right One will eventually make your life a worthwhile Ever After? It takes a form of bravery to hold out for what is best for you. But Love, real Love, makes the oaths --'mutual society, help and comfort ... in prosperity and adversity', 'to have and to hold... for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death...' -- all of that -- something you really want to promise for all of your life. I truly believe this, Lorraine. Otherwise.. well, otherwise one might spend a great deal of one's life trying to convince oneself and others that the Wrong One was really the Right One. I -- think that's what happened to Widow Mia -- but - but I'm not sure she'd be willing to admit it even yet. Jouet wasn't so different from here. People wondered what she saw in Nicholas. But he was big and handsome and talked a good talk -- sometimes. And now? Well, sometimes Mia still seems younger than I. But she's been growing up too. Most of us manage to somehow." Paris grinned.
Lorraine grinned back at her. "It's time for dinner. Come on," she said, linking elbows. "Let's go kiss some frogs."
"Girltalk" copyright 1999 P.Shea, S.Fuller & S.Knowles. The contents of this site are copyright 2004 Sheryl A. Knowles unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.