It was always wise to keep an eye on the competition. To that end, Quintilian Frey maintained a membership at a number of clubs throughout the city. The White Room was one such, and a fine one at that. Even though the excessive drapery rather set his nerves on edge – there were no clear sightlines in those secretive warrens where muffled conversations blurred into breathy sighs.
He always half expected an ambush. It would be dreadful small talk instead of Antaam spears, to be sure … But not tonight. He was hunting, instead. The White Room had a new dancer – one whose ethereal performances filled seats and circulated rumors. One night, no one knew who she was, an identity as thin and insubstantial as her ghostly partner. The next, noted to be in the company of the scandalous Lady Tilani, a figure always heavily featured in the gossip sheets.
How interesting. And Quinn liked to collect interesting things and people, at least for a time. Truly, Lord Pavus and Madame de Solar were his only long term associates, too dear to discard.
He’d come to see her performance for himself, though he did not consider himself any great appreciator of art. Watching her invoked a sort of calm melancholy that he did not wholly care for, and yet … It was utterly unlike any of the stage shows put on by the Blind Eye or half a dozen other establishments. It would be something of a coup to lure the dancer away.
So he ordered the drinks and waited for her to reappear, gliding over with a stemmed glass in either hand and admiration in his eyes.
“Quintilian Frey, my lady. Might I beg a few moments of your time?” He offered her a choice of glasses, taking in her clothes and gleaning a sense for her magic. Subtle, like her art. You did not meet so many skilled in umbramancy – aside from those belonging to the House named for it, of course. Quinn gestured toward the seating area, wanting her to have her pick.
“Forgive me for resorting to base flattery, but your control over the light is very impressive.”
@Seraphine Salvo
He always half expected an ambush. It would be dreadful small talk instead of Antaam spears, to be sure … But not tonight. He was hunting, instead. The White Room had a new dancer – one whose ethereal performances filled seats and circulated rumors. One night, no one knew who she was, an identity as thin and insubstantial as her ghostly partner. The next, noted to be in the company of the scandalous Lady Tilani, a figure always heavily featured in the gossip sheets.
How interesting. And Quinn liked to collect interesting things and people, at least for a time. Truly, Lord Pavus and Madame de Solar were his only long term associates, too dear to discard.
He’d come to see her performance for himself, though he did not consider himself any great appreciator of art. Watching her invoked a sort of calm melancholy that he did not wholly care for, and yet … It was utterly unlike any of the stage shows put on by the Blind Eye or half a dozen other establishments. It would be something of a coup to lure the dancer away.
So he ordered the drinks and waited for her to reappear, gliding over with a stemmed glass in either hand and admiration in his eyes.
“Quintilian Frey, my lady. Might I beg a few moments of your time?” He offered her a choice of glasses, taking in her clothes and gleaning a sense for her magic. Subtle, like her art. You did not meet so many skilled in umbramancy – aside from those belonging to the House named for it, of course. Quinn gestured toward the seating area, wanting her to have her pick.
“Forgive me for resorting to base flattery, but your control over the light is very impressive.”
@Seraphine Salvo
10-25-2024, 02:17 PM
