<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/fJ9JoZV.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:  Madame Celeste (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=266077.msg13127459#msg13127459)</strong><br/><br/><strong>STAFF</strong><br/><br/><strong>Situation:</strong>Greeting a special customer<br/><br/><br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Stephen<br/><br/><strong>Content Warning:</strong><em>None</em><br/><br/><br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>Madame Celeste's smile broadened a slight bit as her appearance reduced the young man to stammering, perhaps giving the impression that she enjoyed having that effect.  As Master MacCobble's young protege's attention wandered toward one of the brides, she turned, too, breathing in a slight sigh as she noted that Snogflog still clung to her rather ordinary leathers, though her magnificent form certainly gave them definition.  The things the armormaster might do to make her truly stunning -- the addition of studs or spikes, perhaps, or a color that would highlight her eyes and the exotic tone of her skin, a few alterations to perhaps spur those who would claim her to more immediate, aggressive battle ...<br/><br/>But her attention did not wander long.  That was a conversation that she and Snoggie had had before, and would likely have again.  Only when she was ready for such steps would such attire do her justice, or she justice to the attire.  Attitude was a good portion of the battle.<br/><br/><em>"You might be surprised, dahling, but there is wisdom at testing yourself in a few skirmishes before heading into the major battle." </em>Of course, he did not quite look like the warrior type, so the analogy might be wasted, but it had been long enough since she had visited the place whose aura still hung about his thoughts that she probably would not do any better if she tried to use more ... what was the word? ... scientific terminology.<br/><br/>And, with more courage than she had perhaps allowed him from her first examination, he admitted to his desires.  There was hesitation, but, only because he wished to make a good impression with his phrasing rather than not knowing what he wanted.   She reached out, her thumb moving  alongside her fingers in preparation to deal an affectionate pinch ... and then changed her mind at the last moment, opting instead for a brief caress along the stubble.<br/><em><br/>"Mmmm ... I do love a bit of beard on a man," </em>she purred to herself, eyes glittering with amusement at his reaction before she drew away and continued on in a more business-like tone.<em>"Oh, I am occasionally conquered ... but you would find that, I think, an even more difficult task than our formidably beautiful Snogflog Nosebiter of the Shattered Hand Clan."</em>Her eyes said, even if her words did not, that it was not a challenge, only an observation.<br/><em><br/>"Well, the first step in achieving your goal, my sweet, is to see which of our lovely brides interest you most.  There is no need to hurry ... your night, from now until the dawn, is courtesy of your master." </em>That was an assumption on her part, but a logical one, and she did not apologize when his reaction told her it was not, precisely, the current situation.<em> "To properly conquer any woman is deserving of at least a full night.    If it takes less, you have not chosen wisely.  If it takes more ... well, there will be, no doubt, other nights.  To have impressed Master MacCobble, I am certain you will have the resources to return here if you wish, and equally as certain that this night will give you reason to prove me right."</em><br/><br/>Her eyes swept the room, spied a familiar figure, and her slow smile returned.<em>"Depending upon how confident you are in your abilities, if you find yourself uncertain after you have at least viewed the garden, I might suggest that you introduce yourself to Psyche, that gorgeous creature just over there.  Tell her that I recommend her highly ... yet I warn you, she will present a challenge rather than an easy victory ... but it would be worth a substantial effort upon your part, and the reward ..."</em><br/><br/>Celeste's smile turned knowing as she patted Stephen's cheek again.<br/><br/><em>"... the reward would be even greater than that given you by a master tradesman."</em>