@Dreol> [The Court of Love, Paris, July 10th 1261, 11:00 PM]
<@Dreol> [You have returned to Paris from the ruins of Carthage. The 
journey was mostly uneventful, and Pierre is greeted with a bow by a 
servant at the door. "Ah monsieur Pierre. The matriarch has been awaiting 
the report from you and your companions." Pierre shakes his head. "Sadly, 
there is some research I must attend to. I will allow my companions to 
deliver the report." and he walks off in the 
<@Dreol> direction of the library. Meanwhile, the servant motions for you 
all to follow him up the stairs and walks into the same room where you 
met with Matriarch Salianna earlier.]
<@Dreol> [Begin.]
 06* Moriel follows along quietly enough, and makes his bow to the 
Matriarch when they reach her.
 06* Eliana raises an eyebrow at the disobeying of the matriarch's 
orders, however subtle, but she goes off to see the Queen of Hearts.
 06* Cosimo heads off to see the matriarch as well.
 06* Anstace looks to Pierre somewhat puzzled. "<i do not understand. 
where is everyone going?>," she asks in ancient greek.
 06* Anstace frowns when he seems to disappear without answering.
 06* Rolf heads that way too. Yeah, reporting. He's got his strut goin' 
on.
 06* Moriel glances at Anstace, but can't answer because he has no idea 
what she just said.
 06* Cosimo turns back to look at Anstace. "<follow>"
 06* Anstace looks at Cosimo and nods, though still quite lost in terms 
of what is happening. she follows the rest of the group.
 06* Eliana explains in Greek as Anstace moves to come along, "<We are 
reporting to the ruler of this city and court.>"
<Anstace> <i see.  is there anything i should know?>
<@Dreol> [Victoria follows in the back. She idly runs her fings through 
her hair, trying to make it look a little more tamed.]
 01<Eliana> <She's a Toreador.  I assume you're familiar.>
 06* Anstace nods.
 01<Eliana> <Follow Moriel's lead for social cues.>
 06* Eliana nods in the Malkavian's direction before she continues, 
"<Bowing is acceptable if you're not familiar with a curtsey.>"
 06* Anstace nods. "<which is better in this situation?>"
 06* Moriel glances at Eliana as he hears his name, eyebrows raised, but 
he keeps walking with a mental shrug.
 01<Eliana> <A curtsey is considered more acceptable for your gender.>
<Anstace> <how do you curtsey?>
 06* Eliana stops, briefly, and demonstrates (as best she can without 
wearing a dress, but then, Anstace isn't quite in one either).
 06* Anstace watches closely and then attempts to curtsey as well, which 
she manages a bit better being a little less restricted by her somewhat 
tattered attire.
 06* Eliana nods. "<Good,>" she says as she continues on.
 06* Anstace nods and catches up.
<@Dreol> [The walk doesn't take all that long and the servant stops at 
the door to the long gallery and clears his throat. "Matriarch Salianna, 
our guests have arrived." He bows and walks away. The Matriarch, who had 
previously been looking at another piece of art from the one she was 
admiring last time you met her here. This one is a sculpture of a man 
wrestling with a lion. "Ah. A shame Pierre could 
<@Dreol> not meet me himself. What have you to report?" She pauses on 
Anstace, "And who is this lovely creature you have brought with you?"]
 06* Anstace looks at Matriarch Salianna, who seems to be looking at her 
and talking in her direction and then at Moriel to see what social cues 
she should be following. and then just to be safe, curtsies.
 06* Moriel does the bowing thing.  Then he looks over at Rolf, being as 
Rolf is Team Leader.
 06* Moriel otherwise makes himself polite, attentive, and unobtrusive, 
once he notices that Anstace is apparently watching him for cues.
 06* Eliana bows because she wants to.
 06* Rolf bows slightly, then says, "She's, uh, one of the original 
people of Carthage, before Troile took over. We rescued her and found a 
good lead on where to find Moloch. Pierre is looking at it now."
 06* Cosimo bows, his palms open per usual.
<@Dreol> [Matriarch Salianna nods and looks over Anstace's clothing, and 
then says in Greek. <I am Matriarch Salianna, and this is the Court of 
Love. Please make yourself at home.>]
 06* Anstace looks up at Matriarch Saliana and smiles ever so slightly. 
she curtseys again, with a quick glance to Eliana to make sure she's 
doing it correctly. "<thank you. i am called Anstace. your hospitatlity 
is noted and appreciated>"
 06* Eliana nods to Anstace. You got it!
<@Dreol> [Matriarch Salianna smiles and continues in Greek. "<I am, 
unfortunately, a bit out of practice with Greek. Do You speak Latin?>"]
 06* Anstace nods. "<yes, it is one of the languages i have proficiency 
in>"
<@Dreol> [Matriarch Salianna nods and switches to Latin. "<Much better. 
So besides our lovely new friend, what is it you uncovered in Carthage? 
What is Pierre looking into?>"]
 06* Rolf replies, slowly, "<He, uh, is looking into where Moloch was 
moved to... we think perhaps the western isle.>"
 06* Cosimo spits at the mention of the unmentionable.
 06* Eliana nods. "<I managed to trace one the identity of one of the 
Brujah who moved him, as well as his sire, and his sire.>"
<@Dreol> [Salianna nods. "<I see...>"]
<@Dreol> [She walks closer to the group. "<And that led you to the 
British Isles?>"]
 01<Eliana> <Perhaps.  Cadeyrn was the Brujah in question and Eóghan his 
sire; both names originate from the general area.  Presently Cadeyrn 
would be our best lead.>
 01<Eliana> <Unfortunately, he *is* Brujah, and if he's in New Carthage 
then we may as well give up and pursue other avenues.>
<@Dreol> [Salianna tilts her head in thought. "<Which means we must 
assume he is not in New Carthage, or else Troile would not have sent a 
search party to find Moloch. She would have known where he was.>"]
 06* Cosimo spits.
 06* Eliana smirks. "<I wouldn't say *must*, but yes, I agree it 
decreases the likelihood.>"
 06* Rolf suddenly gets a strange look on his face as he looks at 
Salianna's weird interest and approach. "<Yeah, that's why the 
researchin'. Why'd they get split up too.>"
<@Dreol> [Salianna shrugs. "<Yes, well feel free to make yourselves at 
home as always. I will be sure to have a servant set up a room for 
Mademoiselle Anstace>"]
 06* Eliana nods. "<Than you, Matriarch.>" She turns and heads to where 
she remembers her room is.
 06* Moriel bows again and follows Eliana out.
 06* Cosimo nods his head and silently leaves the hall.
 06* Anstace watches Eliana and Moriel. She curtseys again and then 
patiently waits for one of the Matriarch's slaves to show her to her 
room.
 06* Moriel glances back at Anstace and then tilts his head at her in a 
'follow me' gesture.  "<Come, Mistress Anstace.  We can show you where 
the guest quarters are.>"
 06* Anstace looks at Moriel and nods, the slightest look of relief on 
her face. she follows quickly.
 06* Eliana glances back, and she changes course to walk with Anstace to 
her room.
 01<Eliana> (Not that it's much of a change, really.  At all.)
<@Dreol> [When Anstace, and anyone with her, enters her room there are 
several dresses laid out for her. They come in a variety of colors. There 
is a bright blue dress, a maroon dress, a bright yellow dress, one of 
deep crimson and, finally, one in black. They look complicated. They have 
all of these components that Anstace is not used to clothes having. There 
is a servant outside her room, should she 
<@Dreol> need assistance, and perhaps Eliana could assist her as well.]
 06* Eliana gets one look at the clothes, and she snorts derisively.
 06* Anstace looks at the dresses with an ever so slight look of concern 
on her face. she looks back at Eliana.
 06* Moriel doesn't enter the room - it's not his, after all.
 06* Eliana walked in, because she's just that rude - besides, Anstace 
doesn't seem to mind. She says to her in Greek, "<The matriarch wants to 
dress you. It would be rude to turn down her hospitality.>"
<Anstace> <is this common?>
 06* Eliana raises an eyebrow. "<She hasn't attempted to dress *me*. But 
you are a special guest.>" She nods to the dresses. "<The latest fashion 
in Paris, no doubt.>"
<Anstace> <i do not believe i would even begin to know how to wear one>
 01<Eliana> <Unsurprising.  If you want to wear one, you could call a 
ghoul for help - or I could.  They're not dissimilar from dresses I've 
worn in the past.>
<Anstace> <will it require the help of two people besides myself?>
 01<Eliana> <Not two, no.  But one, yes.>
<Anstace> <would you mind?>
 06* Eliana smirks. "<Yes. But I'm feeling generous, so I'm willing to 
help anyway.>"
 06* Moriel has fortunately made himself scarce by this point, so he 
doesn't hear that.
 06* Anstace looks at Eliana. "<i am not certain i understand, though 
your help would be appreciated>”
 06* Eliana makes sure the door is closed and starts shedding her bag and 
her cloak. "<Which dress do you want to wear?>" she asks, ignoring 
Anstace's statement. "<They're likely to be equally cumbersome.>"
 06* Anstace looks at the various color choices. "<i am not certain. 
perhaps this one.>" she points to the maroon one.
 06* Eliana nods, and she goes to look it over, then notices a few other 
items. "<Hm, she did not spare attention to detail here. Even 
undergraments and accessories were provided.>" She picks up the first 
layer of clothes that Anstace is going to have to put on. "<Strip.>"
 06* Anstace looks at the other items, again a slight look of concern and 
confusion in her eyes. she nods and takes off her clothes.
 06* Eliana hands over the undergarments. "<Put these on. Here, this one 
goes on your legs - see how it works?>"
 06* Anstace nods, putting on the undergarments. "<these are rather 
constricting. i am not certain i will have a full range of motion in 
them>"
 06* Eliana hms. "<I don't find them that bad. This, on the other 
hand...>" She hands over the underskirt. "<Pull it up around your waist 
and I'll help you fasten it.>"
 06* Anstace nods. "<why are there so many different items which must be 
worn?>" she pulls up the underskirt.
 06* Eliana shrugs. "<Fashion. Ways to differentiate themselves.>" She 
moves to do as requested; when her hands brush skin, Anstace feels a 
chill even through the gloves. "<There must have been something along 
those lines in your time.>"
 06* Anstace looks at Eliana's gloved hands when she feels the chill but 
says nothing about it. "<attire tended to be more based on which class of 
society you belonged to. but usually it was all functional.>"
 06* Eliana pulls the skirt tight enough to hold well, but no tighter 
than that. "<Exactly. This is based on class.>"
 01<Eliana> <If you're of a high enough class, you don't require 
functional attire.  Others are functional for you.>
<Anstace> <which class would wear these?>
 01<Eliana> <Aristocracy.>
<Anstace> <i see>
 06* Eliana moves to pick up the dress itself. "<Hands over your head.>"
 06* Anstace nods and obeys.
 06* Eliana places the dress over Anstace's head and pulls down, making 
sure she gets her sleeves on correctly, then instructs her to bring her 
arms down before shifting it to align properly. Once it settles on, she 
starts lacing up the back - again, not too tight, but tight enough.
 06* Anstace squirms a bit, finding everything to be a lot more... 
awkward.
 06* Eliana says with mild annoyance as Anstace nearly squirms out of the 
dress, "<Hold still. It'll stay on better once I finish lacing.>"
 06* Anstace frowns slightly. "<i'll try. this is much heavier than i am 
used to>"
 06* Eliana laughs. "<We're not finished yet.>"
<Anstace> <no?>
 01<Eliana> <No.  After this, there's the bodice and surcoat, then shoes 
and other accessories, and your hair.>
<Anstace> <i have to put on more hair?>
 06* Eliana snorts. "<No, but that's a fair assumption. We just need to 
fix your hair.>"
<Anstace> <i see.  why do you not have to wear this?  are you not of the 
same class?>
 01<Eliana> <I was actually born into minor aristocracy, in Milano... an 
Italian city state that wouldn't be considered especially far from the 
Greek city states you probably remember.>
 06* Eliana laces as she chats. "<I never liked what I had to wear, so I 
avoid it when I can. Most are used to it by now.>" She ties it off. "<Try 
moving your arms.>"
 06* Anstace turns her head to look at Eliana. "<Milano>" she tries to 
move her arms, and though they move, she still has a very slight look of 
disappointment. "<i do not remember it. was it Roman?>"
 06* Eliana nods. "<It's inland of the peninsula Rome was on, yes.>" She 
goes to pick up the bodice and starts fitting it on Anstace, and about 
now is when things may get uncomfortable.
 06* Anstace is immediately uncomfortable and it is barely on. "<what is 
this and why must it be so tight?>"
 01<Eliana> <A bodice, and it helps give you shape.>
<Anstace> <i did not know uncomfortable was a shape>
 06* Eliana laughs.
 01<Eliana> <A more womanly figure, then.  I'll make this as loose as I 
can get away with.>
 06* Eliana does, in fact; she could be tightening it considerably more 
than she actually is. Especially since Anstace doesn't need to breathe!
 02* Moriel (May@ool-43563d9a.dyn.optonline.net) Quit (Quit: *poof* )
<Anstace> <why does the aristocracy of this land bind its women so?>
 01<Eliana> <I'm of the opinion they don't want us doing anything.  
Common wisdom is women are weaker and less intelligent than men, as well 
as more likely to fall to temptation and sin.>
 06* Eliana ties off the bodice, then picks up the surcoat helps Ansace 
put it on. It's another layer of clothing, but it's certainly not as 
comparatively confining as what she just started wearing.
 06* Anstace turns her head slightly. "<that does not hold true. nor does 
it seem wise. what are the women taught?>”
 06* Anstace squirms again.
 01<Eliana> <It depends on the woman- hold still.>
 06* Eliana fastens the surcoat and steps back to check her handiwork 
over.
 01<Eliana> <For the aristocracy, it's most important we learn how to 
maintain a home and entertain.  For the peasantry, they often work the 
fields much like the men.>
 06* Anstace squirms again. "<i do not believe holding still will be as 
difficult when the rest of these bonds are applied.>"
 06* Eliana smirks. "<Not as such. Personally, as I said, I'm in favor of 
simply being rude.>" She waves for Anstace to sit down.
 06* Anstace sits down, awkwardly. so many layers!
 06* Eliana offers, "<Smooth your skirt before sitting, or it might bunch 
up,>" as a bit of advice before circling around. She starts to comb and 
braid Anstace's hair.
 06* Anstace stands up and then tries smoothing the skirt when she sits 
down. this time, it is only slightly less awkward
 01<Eliana> (Put that in between my previous pose: advice, then Anstace 
action, then Eliana combing.)
 06* Eliana works Anstace's hair into an acceptable style of the time, 
and at least that's not so bad. She doesn't have much to say unless 
Anstace asks more questions.
 06* Anstace is actually rather quiet for awhile. she seems to be 
thinking. or trying to get used to the feel of the new outfit. strangely, 
both look the same on a stoic face.
 06* Eliana finishes with the hair, then! She puts jewelry on Anstace 
where appropriate (a bracelet, a brooch, a necklace, a comb) and starts 
touching her up with cosmetics. Eliana is strangely adept at clothes and 
styles she actively avoids.
<Anstace> <this seems to be a lot of work>
 01<Eliana> <You're correct.>
<Anstace> <and i am still uncertain for what purpose>
<Anstace> <and it clearly is not something that can be done alone>
 06* Anstace squirms again.
 01<Eliana> <Consider, then- hold still and close your eyes- something 
that cannot be accomplished alone requires help.  What class would be 
able to acquire such assistance?>
<Anstace> <the aristocracy.  no, your hypothesis is valid.  but it is not 
easy to accept>"
 06* Anstace closes her eyes and attempts to be still.
<Anstace> <also, why am i closing my eyes?>
 01<Eliana> <So I can powder your face.>
 06* Eliana does just that, and powder doesn't get into Anstace's eyes!
 06* Eliana puts the cosmetics back in their place. "<You can open your 
eyes now,>" she says as she reaches for the shoes.
 06* Anstace opens her eyes. "<i am starting to believe that you are 
correct that the purpose of all of this is to limit me>"
 01<Eliana> <It's my personal supposition, yes.  Though in the interests 
of fairness, I would find wearing what you had when we found you - even 
were it not ripped and deteriorated - immodest, for lack of a better 
word.  Some of it has to be cultural.  Still.>
<Anstace> <you object to being naked then>
 06* Eliana snorts. "<Obviously, but you clearly were not buried naked.>"
 06* Eliana helps Anstace into her shoes, as in her present state she may 
have some trouble putting them on herself.
<Anstace> <no.  i was not>
 06* Eliana moves away. "<Stand. There's a full mirror over there, if you 
want to see how you look.>" She gestures.
 06* Anstace looks at the shoes closely, wondering why even these must 
cover every part of her.
 06* Anstace stands up, also a bit awkwardly. She walks over to the 
mirror and looks at herself.
<Anstace> <it is quite heavy.  as a young girl, racing naked with the 
other children, i never imagined i would be wearing so much at one time.>
 06* Eliana shrugs with one shoulder from behind Anstace; she can see her 
in the mirror. "<New experiences. As they go, this one shouldn't hurt 
very much. Do you want to attend court?>"
 06* Anstace turns around to face Eliana. "<i do not believe that my 
wants factor into this. but as we have spent so much time and effort 
trying to get me ready, i believe that i must.>"
 06* Eliana nods. "<Accurate.>" She moves to open the door and then lead 
Anstace to court, so they can show off her new look.
 06* Anstace squirms a bit and follows Eliana.
 01<Eliana> [End!]