Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 17:50:53 GMT -5
A bead of sweat worked its way slowly from the middle of Antoinette's back, sliding down the delicate line of her spine; and she, discreetly, reached back with one lace-gloved hand and pressed her palm to the thin fabric there, pulling at it gently, trying to give her warm skin a bit of reprieve. The parasol she held in her other hand managed to keep most of the high-noon sun off her pale face, her golden hair swept into an ornate bun, braided along the crown of her head; but some of this strangely warm, late-summer weather could not be avoided; and as ever, Antoinette carried on with grace -- her discomfort, expertly hidden.
But of course, the Deveraux Princess, who cut a formidable figure regardless of where she went, might have tried a little harder to be discreet that day -- were that word part of her language... -- walking openly in the Orchid Quarter. It was, by no means, one of the worst sections of the capital city; but it was still likely no place for a woman of her caliber to be walking, relatively unaccompanied, from the stone-lined street that boasted the merchant's guild halls. Nonetheless, the clip of her heeled boots could be heard among the cobbles, even in the bustling nature of the Quarter, most of the skilled artisans breaking from their work for the midday meal. Antoinette herself intended to return shortly to the castle to indulge in just the same repast, having just finished her business before noon.
Antoinette Deveraux was not known widely for her philanthropy, but that in itself was a myth she didn't mind perpetuating; she required nor sought praise for anything positive she might yield, knowing that it could not likely combat the rather impressive whispers about her supposedly controlling and secretly debaucherous nature. But there were a few select things that Antoinette did that would likely shock her general naysayers; and the business she had just left from the weaver's guild hall would rank on that list. The Princess heir had long been of a mind with her elder sister on the unfortunate placement of women in their general society; and Antoinette's interests, surprisingly enough, had filtered down to the more middle class of their realm -- and the relative injustices dealt to their sisters of a more modest means. One of the first practices Antoinette had hoped to push -- with the backing of her sister, which would become more public and widespread once their plans for their father came through -- was to incorporate the female weavers in the general guild, to press for standardized pay practices and functional support.
The leaders of the guild, unsurprisingly, had initially been... resistant.
But it was hard to ignore an insistent Princess. And even harder to dissuade Antoinette Deveraux.
But of course, the Deveraux Princess, who cut a formidable figure regardless of where she went, might have tried a little harder to be discreet that day -- were that word part of her language... -- walking openly in the Orchid Quarter. It was, by no means, one of the worst sections of the capital city; but it was still likely no place for a woman of her caliber to be walking, relatively unaccompanied, from the stone-lined street that boasted the merchant's guild halls. Nonetheless, the clip of her heeled boots could be heard among the cobbles, even in the bustling nature of the Quarter, most of the skilled artisans breaking from their work for the midday meal. Antoinette herself intended to return shortly to the castle to indulge in just the same repast, having just finished her business before noon.
Antoinette Deveraux was not known widely for her philanthropy, but that in itself was a myth she didn't mind perpetuating; she required nor sought praise for anything positive she might yield, knowing that it could not likely combat the rather impressive whispers about her supposedly controlling and secretly debaucherous nature. But there were a few select things that Antoinette did that would likely shock her general naysayers; and the business she had just left from the weaver's guild hall would rank on that list. The Princess heir had long been of a mind with her elder sister on the unfortunate placement of women in their general society; and Antoinette's interests, surprisingly enough, had filtered down to the more middle class of their realm -- and the relative injustices dealt to their sisters of a more modest means. One of the first practices Antoinette had hoped to push -- with the backing of her sister, which would become more public and widespread once their plans for their father came through -- was to incorporate the female weavers in the general guild, to press for standardized pay practices and functional support.
The leaders of the guild, unsurprisingly, had initially been... resistant.
But it was hard to ignore an insistent Princess. And even harder to dissuade Antoinette Deveraux.