The Queen's Chambers

[Deleted]

That brought a smile to Alice's face. "I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you - how hard it must still be. Are there any ladies at court who are your friends?" Surely the queen must have friends, though Alice wasn't entirely sure how long she had been in Westeros.

[The Gambler]

"Just the wives and daughters of my husband's friends, but I suppose that is how marriage works," she said, with just a hint of bitterness, before seeming to realize whom she was talking to. "No offense intended."

[Deleted]

"None taken," Alice returned with an easy smile. "I couldn't really blame you. Your Grace, would you tell me about your home? I have heard much of the Free Cities but I know very little of Volantis." She paused. "It is Volantis, isn't it?"

[The Gambler]

The Queen bristled noticeably, her warm demeanor momentarily evaporating.

"Tyrosh," she replied, moving some blue hair that had fallen in front of her eyes as if that alone should have given it away.

[Deleted]

"Tyrosh, I... I am sorry," Alice said quickly, hoping she hadn't insulted the queen too badly. "I... would still like to know more about your home, if you wish to speak about it. Perhaps I can tell you of Harroway's in return, though likely Tyrosh is a far more wonderful place." She smiled.

Charm: 81

[The Gambler]

(Success. Alice gains 1 Disposition Level with the Queen)

"It certainly is wonderful," Rohanne replied wistfully, seeming to forget or forgive the girl's ignorance as she seemed to go elsewhere in her mind, across the Narrow Sea. "So colorful, so vibrant. Pear brandy at the top of the Bleeding Tower, watching the sun as it sink into the great harbor great harbor. Splashing around in the Fountain of the Drunken God during his summer festival. Wandering the bazaars for hours marveling at the exotic goods and colorful garments from every civilized port from Oldtown to Leng. That is Tyrosh."

[Deleted]

"It sounds beautiful, your grace!" Alice said in wonder, picturing the place in her mind's eye. "I would love to see it one day perhaps. If you ever visit could I perhaps come along? I suppose as Lady in Waiting I should." She laughed softly. "Lord Harroway's certainly pales in comparison. Wood and stone houses, some cheap taverns and a gate which doesn't look too strong. But our family have held it for quite some time and we are proud of our little home."

[The Gambler]

"You will and wondrous other places as well, I am sure," she assured Alice. "I do not intend to sit in this putrid city for the rest of my life. Daemon and I are partners and I have more to offer as a diplomat than a trophy." She gave a little laugh at the unladylike dig at the city. "We always have a fondness for our home, though your family does not have a little one any longer."

[Deleted]

Alice beamed at the thought of being able to travel far and wide with the queen. Her dreams really had all come true! At the latter she nodded. "Not anymore, no... though I count myself glad that I do not have to live at Harrenhal. I have heard such dreadful things about it that it gives me nightmares!"

She looked about for a moment and then spoke up. "Your grace, I do not wish to be too forward but... well..." She looked away briefly, clearly worried. "I've never had any makeup before and I.. well, could I perhaps try some of yours?"

[The Gambler]

The queen simply nodded solemnly, having heard the grim reputation of Tyrosh. However, her face lit up again at Alice's request.

"Of course, my dear, what are friends for?" she asked, as she opened a drawer and began pulling out various cosmetics and explaining them. She pointed to the first one, explaining patiently. "This is foundation , used to achieve the paler-looking complexion currently in vogue." As she opened it, Alice could see that it was a white powder, made from pure wheat flour ground and blended with water, then left to crystalize and evaporate until it left a makeup white as snow. "When you want to use it, mix it with a bit of rose water and spread it on your face after it has been washed with warm water."

She pointed to another vessel, filled with a dark red greasy substance. "This is lip balm. It will keep your lips from chapping and make them moist and soft while affording them a red tint." It was made from fresh suetmarjoram formed into balls and sprinkled with good wine, then cooked down, then scented with a little musk or civet.

She pointed to the third and final vessel, which was a red powder. "This is rogue. Dust a bit on your cheeks to give them a rosy glow." It was made from dried safflowers.

[Deleted]

"Oh thank you your Grace!" Alice said when she was given permission, before patiently and attentively listening to Rohanne's instructions. When she was done she nodded, hoping she had taken it all in correctly before beginning to go to work. The foundation first, though Alice decided to go a little light on it as she was fair of complexion anyway. After that she went for the rouge, taking probably a bit more than was necessary due to lack of experience before finally moving on to the lip balm. Again she took a somewhat large amount, smudging it a little and having to wipe some of the excess balm off.

When she was finally done she looked at herself in the mirror, giggling when she saw her reflection. "I look very different!" She said. "More... well, more noble and... exotic." She grinned brightly at the queen. "I've heard there is coal for the eyes too - do you perhaps have some of it?"

[The Gambler]

"Smokey eyes have not been in style since last season," Rohanne replied, with a dismissive wave of her hand. By "last season" she meant years, not since she was a child. "Still, part of the fun is inventing your own style," she reached into the back of the drawer and removed some deep black kohl, made from powdered galena.

[Deleted]

Alice frowned a little when she found out about the shift in styles but when the queen gave her leave to experiment anyway she was happy. She quickly applied some of the black powder to her eyelids, before adding a little more white foundation to contrast the extremes in colours. With a smile looked back at the mirror, pursing her lips a little and giggling at how silly she felt.

"I have another question, your grace," She said, turning back to Rohanne. "Well, I'm not entirely sure what sort of dresses are in fashion... or rather, what the modesty is. At Harroway's the bodices are usually rather open and, well, I don't want to appear improper..."

[The Gambler]

"It suits you," the queen admitted, smiling at her next question. "As with the cosmetics, best to forge your own path. A woman from Tyrosh will give you a different answer from a maid from the Reach, I am sure. Wear what you think suits you. With Lady Shiera and myself at court, I cannot imagine any would dare deem you improper."

[Deleted]

"Hmmm," Alice said, thinking on that for a moment. "I will come up with something good then!" She did laugh at the latter comment. "I've always thought that women should be proud of what we have and make it no secret... but I wasn't sure that would be appreciated at court. Good to know that I am free to be who I want." She smiled.