{ dance no. 2 | video }

[luxuryflower]

[Marguerite is sitting in the middle of her living room, with her back to the windows whose curtains are drawn, letting sunlight pour in - spilling onto her bare arms and hands, fingers gripping a bag of sweets. She looks perfectly relaxed, in her white lace dress that, like everything else in the room - the vases, the figurines and the flowers, has been bought with Meyer Lansky's money.]

Let it be said of Marguerite Gautier that she prefers bonbons over witchcraft, that her ambitions rarely extend beyond the burning desire for a new necklace and that she may be described as cunning and tenacious, but she would much rather be called beautiful.

[With a slight laugh, she puts the bag of sweets aside and reaches up to run her fingers through her hair which is hanging loose around her shoulders.]

How much of one's self can't be revealed over the course of a single weekend, a single day, a single hour...?

[As she leans forward to change the settings on the network device, strands of hair obscure the view of the camera, leaving her features in shadow for a moment.]

(( private video to meyer lansky ))

[And as she straightens up again, only Meyer can see her. She looks completely unconcerned about their little Divination adventure, busy as she is - digging out a silver hair piece from the mess on the coffee table next to her. Holding it out for him to see, she cocks her head slightly. An amused smile on her lips.]

But look, what I came upon when shopping yesterday! Is it not a stunning piece of jewellery? It shall go well with my grey dress. Oh, it will compliment it perfectly -- Perhaps I shall wear it tonight.

You shall see me and be in awe, Meyer. It is a promise.

Comments

Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[For a moment, he just looks at the screen quietly, regarding her, then looking at the hair piece, then frowning ever so slightly.]

I don't doubt that I'll be in awe, but I think we may need to have a discussion about your spending habits.

video;

[luxuryflower]

Ah, but if you knew my creditors in Paris, you wouldn't find it necessary at all! I owe far more there than I shall ever do here, in the City.

Re: video;

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm not sure that's something to brag about.

[A pause, and then a sigh.]

I'd like to speak with you. It's up to you whether we speak in person or not. Either way, a conversation is required.

[It's a firm tone, although not an angry one. He knows better than to sound angry right from the start; it never inspires people to discuss things reasonably.]

video;

[luxuryflower]

[She falls silent. Regards him with some contemplation. Then, speaks. Finally.]

You know, of course, the way to my apartment - having made the arrangements yourself.

[sociomonere]

[ Whoa lady. You're makin' his little teenage heart beat. ]

Uhm, you are pretty beautiful.

video;

[luxuryflower]

[She simply looks at him for a long moment, with a smile on her lips. Then, she leans closer to the network device.]

What is your name, Monsieur? I have not had the pleasure of being introduced to you, I believe. [A pregnant pause.] Yet.

video;

[sociomonere]

Uh.

[ What do. ]

No, we haven't met. I'm Tallendi.

video;

[luxuryflower]

Tallendi? It is a striking name. [She cocks her head, observing him wordlessly.] And I do not doubt that it suits you.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Wow. You've... really settled in well. That's great!

[She doesn't sound too sure about that. Penny hasn't spent any of her two years in the City pampering herself and can't quite wrap her head around the idea that someone would buy themselves so many nice things instead of spreading the wealth around to people who need it.

Not that she'll judge! It's just... baffling.]

video;

[luxuryflower]

[Penny's attitude doesn't go unnoticed, but only earns her a smile. Marguerite feels no guilt in regards to her spending - she never has and most likely never will. She grew up as a farmer's daughter. She shan't ever return to that kind of life again.]

Penny! It does seem, doesn't it? That it is now within my abilities to repay your kindness. And in abundance, too.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

It's really not necessary. I mean, I wouldn't say no to contributions to the Welcome Center, but please don't feel like you owe me anything.

[Marguerite seems nice, and that's what really matters.]

video;

[luxuryflower]

[There's a moment of contemplative silence. Then, Marguerite waves one hand at the network device. Not dismissively, simply settling the conversation.]

If it matters to you, I shall gladly make a contribution to the Welcome Center. However, have you no wishes for yourself? Is there nothing I may attempt to grant you?

[missrosetyler]

Reckon then you were cursed?

[luxuryflower]

So that I was able to tell the future.

[missrosetyler]

Were you accurate?

[luxuryflower]

I saw myself working in the same manner I do now - and predicted the same for the man with whom I work. Yes, I should say I was accurate.

[video]

[deadmanbusiness]

[Say hi to a co-worker.]

My wife would rather have witchcraft... as some people here call it... to bonbons. (Not that she'd turn them down, mind you). But she's also rather fond of taking me out shopping for the latest dress from Paris or New York as well.

However, I've also noted that she's also quite beautiful wearing military fatigues and mud. A truly beautiful woman is like that no matter what she wears or where she is.

[video]

[luxuryflower]

[At those words, he earns himself a laugh.]

Are you saying I am not beautiful, Monsieur Sammeth? Or rather, that I am indeed beautiful and could wear anything to compliment it?

Re: [video]

[deadmanbusiness]

I'm saying you are beautiful enough that even in rags and covered in soot people would recognize it.

[misterblackbird]

I think one must guard oneself carefully to keep very much from being revealed.

video;

[luxuryflower]

It is so very fortunate, then, that I have nothing to hide. From anyone at all.

video;

[misterblackbird]

Is that so? I find that hard to believe. Most ladies have at least one secret.

audio;

[reallygreathair]

Wellllll, ah, that would probably depend on who you're trying to reveal yourself to.

[He pauses to consider his words.]

Actually, that might not have come out sounding the way I intended. Sorry. You're French are you? From which part?

audio;

[luxuryflower]

I'm from Paris, Monsieur. The most glorious of cities. Bathed in light, night and day.

Re: audio;

[reallygreathair]

Welllllll, that's all true. I took a few friends there on different occasions. Always turned into some ordeal or other. Still a lovely time.