I have an appointment

[Devinia Nesrin]

Devinia had set up this appointment weeks in advance and was met with a letter to an address that wasn't the castle. Odd but she did not protest. Gathering her credentials and marks, all scoring extremely high, she dawned on a simple but elegant teal dress.

She would arrive about ten minutes early due to how she was raised but also that it was better early rather then late. A little nervously, she would ring the bell or knock on the door to announce her arrival.

While she waited, she checked over her items and the box of herbal tea she brought over as a gift for welcoming her into her home to speak with her.

[Nemeris Arundel]

Nemeris wasn’t really one to typically receive guests at her home unless they needed something from her. She lived a lonely, isolated life, and people were mostly intimidated by her. So when she had received Devinia’s letter, it left her feeling curious and somewhat annoyed.

After the war, she had lost many things and her heart really no longer was in her position as ambassador, though she remained and did her duties at a minimal degree and only as needed. She knew it was time to step down from it but wasn’t sure how to tell Queen Alexandria. The woman had taken her in, accepted her, and treated her with compassion when hardly anyone did. It was the least she could do to help out where she could. She just did not feel she was right for the ambassador role any longer.

She had prepared her kitchen table with an entire tea set up for her guest. She had perfected a good cup of tea using all of the herbs she grew herself. Unfortunately, baking things was not as easy, so she did not have any cookies or biscuits on the table, figuring nothing was better than burnt food.

When she heard the knock, she moved to the door and slowly opened it, bright blue eyes narrowly studying the woman on the other side of it.

Nemeris was an intimidating woman. She wore no smile on her face, her expression was dull and empty, and she clothed herself in all black. “Yes? May I help you? Are you lady Nesrin?” She opened the door a bit wider and stepped out of the threshold to allow the woman entry. “Please, come in.”

[Devinia Nesrin]

Devinia would wait patiently still for the woman to come to the door, on her arm a purse that held the papers to the school she went to and the languages she knew and cultures she was studying. She wanted to make the best impression possible with her to hopefully start working in the castle.

"I am yes, thank you," she told her kindly as she would step in. This place was...dreary but she shook that off as she then held out the box of tea to her, "Some tea, a thank you for meeting me here at your home my Lady," she told her politely as she would hope that she'd take it.

[Nemeris Arundel]

She stood there silently, her back against the door as she held it open for the woman, watching her as she entered. Once she was inside, she stepped away and allowed the door to close. Bright blue eyes fell to the box of tea Devinia was offering to her. Though she was an herbalist herself and typically made all of her own teas, she still graciously accepted the gift and offered the woman a small appreciative smile, “Thank you.” Her eyes looked over the tea for a brief moment before returning her gaze to the other woman. “Of course… Please come in. Would you like some tea? I have some already prepared.”

Nemeris gestured down the small hall that led into the dining room, set off from the kitchen. The table was already set with plates of biscuits and cakes, a couple of teacups, and a steeping pot. “Have a seat.” She wasn’t much for having company over, so she hoped this would be rather brief, and if she could push it along that way, she would.

She took her own seat and poured some of the tea into both the cups before she glanced across the table at Devinia. “So...what can I do for you?”

[Devinia Nesrin]

“You’re quite welcome my Lady,” she told her with a smile as she would step in and look around. It took the strongest amount of willpower to not sneeze here as that would be the rudest thing imaginable to do, “Oh I would love a cup, thank you very much,” she would tell her as she would follow her to the table and would sit herself down.

Setting her bag down with her papers in it, she would smooth out her skirt and look at her with a smile as she rested her hands on her lap.

“Well, I was directed to you about possibly working in the castle. I have my papers here showing the languages I’ve studied and learned. I also have been learning about each of the countries cultures and how hey behave politically as well but I did not know what I could do in the castle that would best use the skills I’ve been cultivating in my schooling for these years. So I was directed to you,” Devinia would explain to her with a little smile at that as she now stopped her nervous talking.

[Nemeris Arundel]

Nemeris sat across from the woman, keeping her bright blue gaze on her as she spoke, explaining why she had come to meet with her. She found herself curious over who and why anyone would direct the woman to her until Devinia explained further.

With Queen Alexandria gone and over in Tresteria, she had placed Orin in charge of handling what he could, and whoever was left of the council-- meaning her. Nemeris had been the Queen’s ambassador for quite some time now. It had been her who had been able to obtain the several alliances between Aralore and the other islands in Elysium. Unfortunately, she had partially been the reason for the arranged marriage between Aric and Alexandria--though, it would seem that had worked out for the two of them.

Now, with everything that had happened after the war, and that she had further spiraled into a deep isolating depression, Nemeris was hardly interested in being part of the council any longer. If so, certainly not as Aralore’s ambassador. She didn’t wish to travel and deal with people anymore. In pretending to be pleasant and engaging. It was beyond exhausting for her now, even more so as her powers grew stronger and she seemed to absorb the emotions of others far too easily.

Devinia seemed to have been directed to her for a reason. Nemeris forced a small smile and nodded understandably before she took a sip from her cup of tea. She thought of her words carefully as she sipped the hot liquid and then set it back on the table.

“How do you feel about traveling?” She asked, slightly devoid of any emotion. Sitting up straighter, Nemeris studied the woman for a moment before speaking again. “With your skills you describe, I feel we may have use for you as the kingdom’s ambassador… Traveling to allied kingdoms to keep relations and peace. Sometimes searching for other alliances.”

[Devinia Nesrin]

Devinia now would wait patiently, taking her cup of tea and then taking a small sip that made her internally bristle. This was not the best-tasting tea she’d ever had before but it would be rude to make any sort of face so she’d refrain from doing so. She was a lady after all!

The question made her smile some, “I love traveling, I spent a fair amount of time on ships so I’m comfortable on them,” she told her before her eyes went a little wide in surprise.

Ambassador was something she hadn’t expected at all but yet, a little smile and bow of her head would happen from that.

“It would be something I would do with great pride and honor for our people and country,” she told her honestly. It would be, traveling, meeting other dignitaries as well as keeping relations between the other countries smooth, and helping to build other connections. She loved it, wanted it more than anything. It was grades above what her family had ever done and she was trying to contain herself from how excited she felt at this prospect.

[Nemeris Arundel]

Even though Devinia did not show her distaste for the tea, Nemeris could pick up on the emotion, causing her to raise her brows in a sarcastic offended manner. She wasn’t offended, but clearly, the woman did not have good taste in her teas. Nemeris prided herself in her work with herbs and had gotten quite good at making a tea out of various leaves. She understood, however, that not everyone enjoyed certain things, and she did tend to brew her tea stronger than most, feeling that the herbs should be tasted for their full potency.

Nemeris forced a small smile as she noticed the woman’s eyes go wide with surprise, and she could feel the excitement radiate off of her. Although the emotion nearly made her cringe, she was pleased to see and hear that she seemed to be accepting of the position, and Nemeris nodded in acknowledgment. “Great… When the queen returns to Aralore, I shall arrange a meeting with her and introduce you and advocate for you. Though, aside from whatever credentials you have on those papers there…” She waved her hand dismissively. “I would need to know a bit more, to give you my trust and endorsements to recommend you to our queen…”

No one would describe Nemeris as a friendly person. She was cold and distant, holding everyone at an arm’s length, but she was willing to help wherever she could. It just took a bit of persuasion.

[Devinia Nesrin]

Devina was more so a coffee lover than a tea lover, so this was beyond what she normally enjoyed but she refused to be rude and would pick her cup up again and take another sip. She had been taught to not be rude, so she would not be with this since she was about to be given an amazing opportunity in her life.

It was nice to see that her excitement wasn’t frowned upon since she truly was just eager for this. Eager to start something for herself and help her family name. “That sounds lovely, yes,” she told her in agreement before she would think for a moment as to her question, “Well, my family has been around for some time. We were around before the war happened but while it was my parents sent me off to a school so that I’d be safe.” she told her, trying to think on how she could describe herself a bit more.

“I do not know how to really answer that question though my Lady, I will answer anything you have to ask and you have my word I’ll be wholly honest with what you ask,” she told her as she would take another pained sip of the tea. It was strong, airing on the side of bitter to her but again, Devinia wasn’t going to gripe on it.

[Nemeris Arundel]

Nemeris kept her gaze curiously on Devinia as she spoke and gave her a generalized background of herself. It was at least good to hear that she had grown up in Aralore and knew of the war, regardless of her not being around for it. She pressed her lips together and nodded in understanding. The war was a rough subject for many who had been here for it, and for those who lost loved ones.

She raised a brow when the other woman stated she wasn’t certain how to answer her question, and more or less requested to be interviewed. Fair enough.

Nemeris took a long sip from her tea as she thought for a moment. When she set it back down, she cleared her throat and raised a brow again. “You do not have to pretend to like the tea… I can see it on your face that you do not. Would you prefer something else?” The tone of her voice was even and non-accusatory or bothered. She didn’t mind or care that the woman didn’t like her tea. Not everyone did.

“Can you tell me why you would be good at being the ambassador for Aralore and why it is important to you...What do you like the most about your home and how would you represent it while visiting other countries?”

The questions were a start and hopefully would generate some more questions and responses.