poly_chromatic | { dance no. 2

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

You flatter me, of course. Because my appearance helps you earn your living at the casino.

I speak only the truth because I've been smacked around enough times for lying to pretty women. They're very good at telling these sort of things.

And I was earning a living at the casino before you arrived so I'm not worried about that.

It is because a beautiful woman has been lied to so often that she must either learn to read the signs or see herself broken.

Which is a shame. Of course it's a shame for it to happen to anyone.

[Her expression changes into one of amusement again, perhaps slightly forced.]

I see you only as the man with the cards and know so little about you, Monsieur Sammeth. Surely this is something we must remedy.

And I know you only as the hostess. I'd be happy to remedy it for you. You do seem like an interesting woman.

It is a compliment which means more than any flatter, of course. To be acknowledged for one's self rather than one's facade.

Though you could argue that your facade is part of your self.

How clever an observation to make! One should think you are also paid the meager wages of a philosophy scholar.

I'm very wealthy back home so it's probably more like the idle rich having too much time to think.

[Wealthy as in his father is ~~one of~~ the richest men in the world...]

[The mere notion of wealth is enough to catch her interest and her smile changes, subtly. Turning much sweeter.]

No one must think the rich do not employ their minds as well as their finances. At times, the two even come together to create great things of beauty.

[Oh darling dear Marguerite, you don't think Theo's seen his share of gold diggers? He was swamped with them back home. Swamped. Besides, he's certainly not pulling in enough money here to give her a luxury lifestyle.]

We have to get our finances somewhere, using our minds is usually the best way.

And I suppose they can create great beauty. Certainly a great deal of art and buildings were created by the very wealthy commissioning them.

The opera and the theatres, too, would fare poorly without their benefactors and patrons to support them. Likewise, it is with the courtesan.

You sound like my uncle. He was always fond of courtesans. Apparently he had quite the harem.

((ooc: The mun of Theo's wife wants said wife to meet his co-workers. Clearly the two of them meeting would be a ~~horrible~~ fantastic idea. Y/Y?))

Ah, he exhibited good taste. A man who can appreciate the company of a courtesan has learned a little more about the true pleasures of this world.

[Theo thinks about his uncle combined with good taste for a moment and will allow that.]

He's always been fond of the finer things in life.

[If she is trying to suggest that Theo try the true pleasures of the world with her, he will politely be oblivious to that.]

[Marguerite is not one to force herself on anyone. So as Theo ignores her implicit suggestion, she ignores the subject altogether.]

So have I, if I am to be honest. The precious stones and the expensive fabrics. The most expensive of wines and the best of meals, prepared for me.

[Good. Good. He's quite fond of his wife and his wife is quite scary at times.]

I've discovered that sometimes the best meals aren't the most expensive ones. Though I know a pretty damn good whiskey that's got a hefty price tag.

Oh, whiskey is far too strong a liquor for me! [Hardly. She'll drink it if there is nothing else.] However, if it comes with your recommendation, I shall gladly have a taste.

{ dance no. 2 | video }

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]