Gwen - Genevieve's sister has given her a stronger tea than the one Genevieve gave her, for her thigh irritation. How a tea works for irritation Cleo still struggles to understand till this moment. The woman however, said that they might have to see what the exact problem was internally - if it didn't go away. Cleo tried not to whack the woman over the head with the nearby potted succulent plant that was eyeing Cleo with a look that said if she wants to open you, break her head open with me! since she entered the infirmary. Cleo still considers doing it to the woman, no matter how brilliant she was. The healers has thus given Cleo no choice but to lie about the ameliorating of her thigh. Each day it will be better. Because she under no circumstances, will allow her thigh to be cut open. Even if she has to fake the healing of it.

Cleo sighs and cups her chin, digging that elbow on the round table in the center of the meeting room. The room she was envisioning burning  to the ground. And the people in it. For once in her life let there be peace. Just once. She really needs to stop threatening to burn the entire City to the ground already.

She woke up with a foul mood this morning and it wasn't just because of the meeting that was to take place. It was her underlying mood. She wasn't in the state of mind to talk to anyone. But when she remembered her awful bath the previous evening, she had no choice but to call the maid into her room - a new maid that is, to run it for her. Surprisingly the new lamb knew what to do, as the bath was still better than Cleos'. And she has then come to the conclusion that she has been cursed. Utterly and cruelly cursed. The heavens just refused to bless her with yet another skill, burning people alive seemed to be better than the skill of running a bath. But it's a bath for goodness sake, not a life or death situation. She thought perhaps it was oils before water and not her way which is water before oils. She'd try that tonight. If it means having her own peace, she'd do anything to gain it.

As she turns her gaze to the art work of the Elementals, her name gets called.

"Miss Cleo?"

It was Landon. Old Landon.

She gives him with a questioning gaze, "Yes?"

Landon takes off his monocle and wipes at it with his handkerchief. Many other courtesans have been summoned to this meeting, necessitious courtesans to discuss future issues and to amend the Court's  current disputes; which was very important as Cleo were to make the necessary decisions and new laws. But she didn't even know what was happening. She still wanted to ask Landon about Kaleb Drakon? Darran? She can't remember. But so far the meeting has gone on rather repellent not to mention that the red-headed woman with the plunging neckline has given Cleo a flagrant look since she entered, Cleo but only returned the look, she didn't care that the woman was head of matronism or anything for that matter. This Lady Delilah could jump into a sea of fire for all Cleo cared. Cleo wasn't sure why Lady Delilah gave her that look either. Could it be that Cleo was more beautiful than her or that Cleo was better off than she was?

Cleo looks into the woman's colassal voluptuous breasts. What a perfect  spot for shrouding her weeds. She wonders if Lady Delilah cares to lend her some. Whatever will she do with all that jelly anyway. Noticing that Cleo was looking deep into her breasts, she gasps out loud and cowers up. But she didn't seem to have a problem when all the men, guards and Landon himself were scrutinizing them. She actually crouched her torso lower to gain the attention of them. And Cleo thought that she was the vexing one in the meeting.

"I was saying," He takes a deep breath before returning his monocle. She wonders if this was the fourth or fifth time that he repeated himself for her. "There have been numerous complaints about the ploughing of crops and farms and the animals not feeding enough because of it."

"Not numerous Landon. Galore." Sir Andrew; head of the agriculture compartment face palms himself. Poor face. His cheeks were blood red. Cleo wasn't certain if it was from the heat or if he were exasperated. Cleo went for the latter. She herself would kick herself out if this was how she reacted to meetings.

"And what is the problem with it?" The first thing Cleo has uttered that meant something important. Well she thought it did. Everyone else looked annoyed that she wasn't co-operating.

Landon and Andrew equally offers her shocked expressions.

Yes. The bitch has returned.

"All complaints were sent to you, in the paperwork Miss." Landon says, he gives the I know you didn't do it look.  And funny thing is — he was right.

"Right. Yes I am working on it." She lies.

The table becomes aggressive. Various tatter coming from everyone. Until the room sounded like the buzzing of the Markets.

It was until Sir Andrew pipes up again that the room quieted down, "Miss, there is something wrong with the weather."

"It seems fine to me. Nice and sunny. Look, even the birds are having a better time than us." Cleo points towards the balcony at the non-existing birds in the clear blue sky.

"Not that way Miss."

Cleo gives him a look, "Are you telling me we have another set of weather Sir Andrew?"

Andrew seemed even more exasperated now but he takes a deep breath and blows it out loudly before saying, "On the crops throughout the night and day is a layer of frozen dew that forms on them. And it actually freezes the crops and the fodder to a point where they are completely barren and useless to us. Hence why there have been lesser productions made. The livestock don't eat enough."

The table suddenly goes deadly silent. Ah. Cleo could get used to this. This was what peace meant.

"Sir Andrew, the sun gives heat not ice." Cleo couldn't help but think of how the situation deemed similar to the maids suddenly getting cold too. She looks to Landon's lips, in hopes of seeing that blue tinge but it has disappeared.

"Yes Miss. But this is something we have never seen before. The farmers are frustrated that their wages won't be to its fullest cost-"

"I understand, " Cleo cuts him off, "How are the fish productions?"

Sir Andrew frowns and replies  after a few heartbeats, "No complaints there  that I know of Miss."

It was Lady Delilah that cut her off this time, "Well if the fish are fine then everything else should be. You're always one to bring unnecessary hustles into the meetings. Remember the last time?" Her voice matches her breasts. Horrendous.

Andrew sighs again, "Delilah that is not up for discussion."

Delilah pulls her breasts up. As if Andrew's attention has fed them enough. Her ginger hair glimmers just as much as her ruby red dress, "The last time you said  there was too much money being spent on necesssary furnishings and gowns for us  women as well as female paraphernalia and medical equipment, all of which are most important Andrew. And you're here complaining about a damn cow?"

Landon looks heavily uncomfortable, he has slouched into his seat, his one hand playing with his sideburns. But she knew all too well that he was listening to the childish chatter.

Andrew suddenly stands up briskly, and palms both hands onto the table, his tall figure is intimidating compared to the rest who were sitting. He looks down at Delilah, "Are you attacking me at the General's table Lady Delilah?" His jaw is clenched.

Lady Delilah follows suit and stands up - opposite Andrew, "No, not at all Sir Andrew's. I am simply stating facts. We all know you're coin hungry, and always want the best for yourself." Everyone at the table gasps except for Cleo and Landon. This was old news. Andrew and Delilah have been enemies since day one. Always trying to be the top courtesan. But Cleo knows  that neither are court material, nor will either be crowned the next General.

Cleo looks to the rest of the table. On either side of Lady Delilah on the left of the table, was Lady Genevieve and other side Sir Evans. Sir Evans is a quiet man, he gave his input to meetings but further on he kept to himself. His peaceful demeanor evokes utter benign in the Court. She didn't know his contribution to the Court strangely. But she appreciated his gentle tranquil composure. It was only his toddler of a son that really seemed to bring out the talkative side of him.

Opposite them of the oak table was Sir Andrew, accompanied by General Landon and the only man she will  actually listen to in this meeting was drop dead gorgeous —Kaleb. Kaleb hasn't uttered a single word during the period of the meeting, which is understandable since he is new to the Court and learning how things work here, but Cleo can tell from his face that he was afraid. Afraid of her? Afraid of Delilah like everyone else is? Cleo wasn't too sure. But in the set of his broad shoulders and the way he was eyeing Delilah and Andrew, she could tell he was feeling overwhelmed.

His tousled hair, waves around slightly at the edges of his ears from the gentle wind coming through the now open double doors, enhancing his handsomeness. His locks are too long Cleo noticed. Those sensual strands keep falling into his gorgeous green eyes across his forehead making  him look like a male replica of herself.

Feeling her burning gaze into the side of his head, Kaleb turns his gaze to her. He first only watches her, pleading with her to shut up the chatter of the two loquacious beings in the room and then he grins. The action uplifting his whole face spreading across those handsome features and finally settling on his teeth. His teeth is as lustrous as a clear creek.

Her heart skipped a beat before thumping rapidly and her breathing stilled. She had the urge to look down to lessen the overwhelming feeling of her now anxious self. But she didn't. She only held his gaze back and  would of beamed back if she were happy with her setting, but she wasn't. So her features remained neutral.

"Miss are you hearing this? This is an offense to me, in my workplace. I will not tolerate this." Sir Andrew gawks at her with a questioning gaze. Did he want her to respond to that? Once again Lady Delilah interrupts. Cleo silenty thanks her, she didn't know what to say.

"Miss. There are more needs for medical supplies than anything else. Our health comes first. And it always will be." Delilah has actually given her a more pleasant look. Cleo decides that she can keep her precious globes.

Sir Andrew curses under his breath before chastising, "We need goddamns food as well  Delilah. Your pretty little nurses aren't the only most important thing."

Delilah faces him again and sucks in a breath, "Pretty little nurses?  They save lives Andrew. Your life. And to my understanding your pretty little cows are still singing away. Have any died hmm?"

Andrew finally looks like he is giving in. He knows he can't win an argument against Lady Delilah. That was just inhumanly impossible to achieve. What still startles Cleo is the fact that he still tries. He still tries to argue, even if it was to no avail.

"No." He sighs out loud. And falls back onto his seat. His shoulders drooping.

"Exactly. And here in the infirmary, people are dying. So shut your damn mouth." Delilah scowls at him, before taking her seat.

Thank the Sun Gods. She thinks back to the old pauper, how he wailed to the Sun God's all proud and happy, his only hope in life, but now he couldn't. A sudden drop of guilt begins to etch into her. She feels very much fearful about any new news. News from the Villages, any sort of news that could relate to her. But when there weren't  any, she released  a huge sigh of relief.

The table is quiet again. Landon has resorted to playing with his beard, and beside him Kaleb is going through papers pretending to be doing something.

Cleo guessed they were all waiting for her to say something.

Delilah has decided to give Sir Andrew her dirty look instead of Cleo.

"Sir Andrew, I want you to get some trackers skimming the crops in means of finding where they come from might and day. Let there be shifts, so that they could get bouts. It could be  new pests taking over I'm thinking. And Lady Delilah you will receive all your necessary supplies. Also you'll both have equal wages the way it has always been so take your nosy businesses elsewhere."

The dirty look returns to her face.

Landon looked shocked but also proud at her outburst,"I will keep track of the records Miss."

Sir Andrew and Lady Delilah both agree to what Cleo mentioned, but she knows they both feel ashamed at what they said. At least their arguing were down. She did everyone a favor.

Cleo concludes the meeting there. Biding everyone their leave.

Fucking finally.

                                                      °°°

Genevieve and Sir Evans were the first to leave. Followed by Delilah fluttering her skirts about — wildly, when Andrew stood in front of her at the threshold, causing him to halt and giving her the most fake smile Cleo has ever seen before giving her room to go before him.

Cleo shakes her head.

That left her alone with Kaleb and Landon. A better combination than the previous bunch in her opinion.

She stands  up and and truts over to Landon languidly, "Where did you get this one Landon?" She points to Kaleb still seated beside him. He was watching her again. But not the hungry gaze like that of Jezio's. It was something else. Something soft.

Landon clears his throat and takes a sip of water from the cup sitting on the table, "He comes from the Villages Miss. A highly recommended one that is compared to the others."

Kaleb looks down. She could see that he was grinding his teeth.

She hums before getting a hold of her high ponytail, separating it into two pieces and pulling it tightly in opposite directions, before letting it brush down her back once again. Damn heat. Her bangs hang softly against her forehead but she whipped the longer loose strands over her ear —those long strands too short to be in her ponytail but too long to flag her face.  It  could be a real pain in the ass sometimes, annoying her to the brim.

"Rest assured Miss. He is a better trusted man than the previous King of the Guard. I can sense it." Landon smiles warmly at her. Whenever he did that, it means he was serious.

She still didn't know what happened to the previous one. But she didn't dare ask him. The last thing she wanted was to give Kaleb the idea that Cleo didn't care for anyone in her Court. Which was the case mostly, but she wasn't letting a handsome man like himself slip right through between her fingers like sand granules.

"Not only is Kaleb Drannon a skilled brawler and swordsman, but he also has brains. An intelligent young lad. He is  very wise with his decision making they say. You were supposed to meet him yesterday but you-"

"I know." She sits on the table right next to Landon's cup of water. So it was Drannon. "Well then I guess you're perfect."

She feels a  tad bit bad that they are talking out loud, while he is sitting here hearing everything they say about him. She hopes she didn't make him feel like a slave.

Kaleb looks shy, his cheeks have become more red and he chuckles before responding, "No not at all. I will just do my untmost best work to properly and substantially  serve you and your people Madam-Miss." He remembers. She had to grin.

She crosses her one thigh over the other and leans back onto both hands behind her on the table. The action got his attention and he eyes her thighs thoughtfully. She has decided to go for a short loose cream dress, a hideous outfit yet the perfect one — which  she only chose  for the meeting so that  the courtesans could see the matching misery in her face and her clothing. Now sitting here on the table, with the dress riding up her thighs she had to admit that she loved the attention and the way he looked at her. She doesn't regret the terrible dress one bit, instead she appreciated its shortness. He refused to meet the globes of Delilah she could see, even when the woman wiggled her torso to gain attention. His attention to be specific. But now she gained his.

"Well Kaleb," His name rolling off her tongue, "You won't be needing to do your services tonight, as I decided to have an early night and won't need your assistance for anything. So you could have the night off. That is if you want the offer."

She was so glad Landon didn't notice her naked thighs or the way she looked at him and him at her. His attention has gone to the wainscoting walls.

"Thank you. But I will rather stay put, who knows if something happens and you may need me?"

"He is right Miss. You've been having many early nights, is something the matter?" Landon frowns at her. Concern etched into his gaze. His attention back to her.

Good. He didn't know about the throbbing in her thigh.

"Nothing. Everything is perfect."

She beams, making sure Kaleb sees her precious smile.

                                                           °°°

The corridors were silent. No sign of Kaleb, save for a few guards doing their night shift. She wonders if Kaleb has decided to take the offer— after realizing the pure boredom in this Court. She won't be surprised if he did.

In her night gear with the hood pulled low, she secretly moves out onto her veranda, and escapes out into the night without a single sign of her leaving.