Details for Barbed Words and Travel Plan |
Summary: | Arla and Antimony exchange barbs over tea. Arla mentions taking a trip. |
Date: | 05.28.1940 |
Location: | Cafe Tasseo |
Related: | — |
Characters |
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Cafe Tasseo
Named for the art of Tasseomancy (Tea Leaf Reading), the posh Cafe Tasseo offers complimentary tea leaf reading to its customers. The cafe has a sort of French elegance to it, but it is much less flagrant, which makes it pure British. The chairs are all padded dining chairs of mahogany and golden embossed fabric one would expect to find in a Louis XIV style without all the pomp of leaves and flanges, just smooth curvaceous lines of mahogany. The use of mahogany, gold and pristine white is throughout the spacious room.
The ceiling is a floral mosaic of white and gold with chandeliers and light fixtures dangling from the mosaic in appropriate places. The gold gilding continues into the walls, accenting raised relief panels on the columns between the windows. The panels share the floral motif of the ceiling, intricately crafted down to the last detail. The windows themselves are just as magnificently turned out; the top quarter is draped in gold shades, the bottom half covered by white sheers, allowing the patrons privacy yet letting ample light through the uncovered section of glass.
What a beautiful spring evening! Summer is closing in now, the days are longer and brighter the air is warmer and warmer. There is a chipper feeling in the air with the big black sky alight with stars and a crescent moon that looms elegantly above in the cloudless sky.
The Caf isn't overly busy, but the street is. It's a great time to shop tonight as most shops are open late to welcome those who wish to be outside enjoying the weather, and there is a lot of them. There is the smell of tea and food in the air, and soft chatter that would befall any who decide to enter.
SOme of that chatter comes from a table, two old crone and oak like couple sit there talking with a younger woman - Clara. There is map before them, they seem to be pointing places out. The young witch takes notes here and there as plans are confirmed. The trio seem to be, against the chipper evening, a little more serious. After some time the map is closed and hands are shook, for it seems all is settle over whatever matter it is they are closing.
This lovely evening finds Antimony out and about, any rehersal or auditions she has had for the day overwith and the rest of night hers to do with what she wants. She must be feeling a bit peckish, why else would she come into the tea shop, certainly not to rub elbows with the staff or strangers she would find there. Walking in she glances around, taking in the various customers, none she seems to recognize until her eyes fall on her cousin and her companions. A sly smile comes to her lips as she begins to navigate between tables and chairs to where the trio sets, "Why cousin dear," she greets with pleasantness, she's probably faking it…actors "how nice running into you here."
The tea had been finished, and the old folks pay for the order - after much debate from Clara. It's hard to argue with such a cute old pair after all. When the bill had been paid off and it seemingly the end of the meeting her cousin arrives right at that time. Now, she knows well her cousins moods and mannerisms and the acting doesn't go unnoticed by the witch. Returning the pleasant smile, in such the same way as her blood is, the witch greets kindly. "Hello cousin."
That's when the older couple push to stand eyeing the woman who had arrived. "Well," Says the old woman with a croak of a voice, but it's kind through and through. "We best push off, grandkids to see in the morning, you," Eyes move from Antimony to Clara again. "Come back in one piece this time, okay?" The old man gives a nod, the old woman gives a quick hug the treasure hunter before they are gone with a respectful farewell. Once they are gone Clara sighs and shakes her head at something. "Care to join me?" She asks her cousin, going to clean up the notes and maps that are on the table.
Antimony seems full of curiosity as she takes in the old couples parting words and the array of maps and charts laid out. This is not feigned. She waggles her gloved fingers at the couple as they depart. "Why I thought you would never ask." it sounds perfectly sincere, she really thought she wouldn't be asked. Waving over a wait staff she orders a cup of tea and a scone, and then seats down gracefully, arranging her dress just so before pulling off her gloves "Planning another trip are we?"
Resting back in the chair a bit she reaches out for the savoury scone she ordered and takes off a small piece, but doesn't seem overly hungry. Perhaps she is distracted. Looking to her cousin with a weighed expression there is a short nod. "That old couple that just left, they often use my services as a treasure hunter to fetch items for them. They've contracted me out for about five years now. They want me to go get another item for them, so we're planning it out. Seems I'm leaving next week." She shrugs, saying nothing of what happened last time she had taken a trip for them.
Antimony listens as her hot tea and scone is set before her. She of course doesn't reply until she has stirred a cube of sugar into the tea and taken a delicate sip. "Next week?" this seems to be a bit shocking to her, "Don't you think next week may be cutting a bit close to your father's impending vow renewal?" she sets the cup in its saucer "What if something where to happen to you? Like last time?"
Clara gives a wave of her hand as if to dismiss any worry. "I'll be fine, truly. It's not like in the past where I had to go in a break charms and curses, it's a simple pick up and leave. They are a bit to old, plus, they are paying my a load of money for it." Not that she -needs- it, but it always helps to have something saved just in case! There is a chuckle and a grin. "You should some Dominic though. I don't think he is.. overly happy with my leaving again, as he was the healer who fixed me up after my last adventure. But this one is different, I should be back in a day, or two tops, easily enough."
"They are paying you a load of money…for just a pick up and drop off?" Antimony questions in disbeleif. She's been in to many plays where something simple becomes an impossible task. "Dominic, your beau? Sounds like a sensible man, if a bit over protective of you.
"They are," Clara replies about the money. "It's a cherished family heirloom, and they only are trusting me to get it. Not even their own family! It's something to them, important and valuable. So hence the payment being larger than normal because of last time." She shrugs and grins at the mention of Dominic. "Yes I mean him, he is very sensible. He was there when I got hurt last time, saw the damage I think that plays a little bit into it. But I assumed him, as I will you, that this is a simple grab and go, nothing fancy this time, I'll be fine." Even if she sounds sure, her eyes do mark a hint of worry. "And what is new with you? Any special man in your life?"
She makes a hmming noise as she takes another sip of tea, "Makes you wonder what kind of wastrels they have for family." she pauses to arch a brow at Arla, "Does it not?" she nods breifly at how the pair meet, "Of course it does. I doubt he wants to see you hurt again." though after that last question, she might want to see her just a little hurt, "I got a few call backs on some new plays coming up…and no, no man special or otherwise."
"They are good people," Clara replies "But the family is at odds over possessions, that's why they asked me to get it. Because I'm neutral and will do retrieve it fairly." She takes another bite of her scone, but only a little one, in an almost idly gesture. "Yes I highly doubt he wants that too, hell, I don't want it either to be honest. The -only- reason I took this job was because it was so simple and calm. I stopped treasure hunting and seeing the world with reason. For that couple, I'll do one more, then I think I'm done." There is a sigh. "Oh which plays? And what of that Ethan fellow, I think he'd be a good fit for you sweetie."
"I have no doubt that you will retrieve it fairly. The question is in its distribution." Antimony then shrugs, really not caring just seeing it Arla has thought that part through, "If I were a betting woman I would wager that you will never been done. To much wanderlust in your blood perhaps. You must get that from your mother." it's definitely a dig, almost a backhanded compliment but not quite. "The Warlock's Hairy Heart and My Dear Apprentice…or something like that." she must not be really enamored of the latter if she can't remember the name, "Mr. Moody? You can't be serious?" she is aghast at the suggestion.
Most things Clara can shrug up, but what her cousin says with how she must be like her mother makes her jaw tighten and eyes harden. Truly, that's about the worst thing that could be said to her, as her family knows what level of hurt was left in her heart by being a banded at such a young age by her maternal mother. Wishing there was suddenly a drink in her hands but not able to have one the food is taken as her big silver eyes look away to the ceiling where the painting is avoiding the cruel remark completely. "Why not you two? Both think more of yourselves then what may be true, prideful overly on your looks and charms. You two seem like the perfect fit, and wouldn't your mother be so happy. I feel for her, wishing her daughter would find a good man to be with and to always be disappointed." Eyes flicker to her cousin, there is the faintest smirk, and she pops some of that scone into her mouth.
Her own smirk at the reaction is hidden by her cup as a sip of tea is taken. It's in her nature to relish the jabs that hit their mark. "I can never be with a man who worships himself more than he does me." as if that should be painfully obvious. "Well if mother would throw proper men my way maybe I will deign to give them the time of day." proper of course being wealthy purebloods, preferably from one of the sacred families, but not fully necessary. If any of the words sting it's hard to tell.
Having recovered quickly, Clara laughs at her cousins remark about being worshiped. "And here, silly me, I thought a relationship was mutual, my then I guess Dominic and I have it all wrong." Her big silver eyes roll, in the sarcastic manner that it was given. "I'm sure you can find a dullard one day darling, a perfectly rich dullard to entertain you." She grabs a napkin and wipes off her fingers and then puts it on her plate. "So when is this play of yours out anyway? So I can make sure I'm to busy to make it." She jokes, sort of, maybe.
"Not wrong dear, just different." Antimony isn't so bad that she is going to diss on what someone else wants in a relationship. She certainly wouldn't want her cousin in a relationship that made her miserable, that's her job. "Oh I certainly hope so." she says hopefully, whether its true or not, "They haven't announced the dates yet. That won't happen until it is fully casted..and even then it may change." she laughs coolly, "Oh don't miss it on my account. Mr. Moody auditioned too you know. And I did promise tickets to that adopted brother of yours, Mr. Cohen."
"You're right then. But I rather like my relationship the way it is." Clara grins, just thinking about it seems to make her happy. "Well I'll wait to hear when tickets are out, don't worry sweetie you won't stop me. I'll be there, hopefully in the front row to watch you perform, and Ethan. And then I guess, along side Graham." That's when her items are taken up, and she moves to stand. "But for now, I must go and finish getting my items together, then go see Dominic, he'll be done work soon. Have yourself a good evening, my dearest cousin." Again she smirks as the items are put into her satchel.
"I do hope so." there is no acting there, Antimony is sincere, she loves an audience, no matter who is in it." she gives a little moue when Arla begins to leave. That means the fun of needling her cousin is over. Strangely though she has another sincere moment, "Do be safe on your trip dear. Best of luck." she waves her fingers as her cousin departs.
Clara, before she is gone, turns and smirks. "Don't worry, I wont steal the show." She waves back with a chuckle and then turns to depart, heading out for the rest of her evening.