From Wiki
| Athenais de Morhban
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| Statistics
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| Name | Her Royal Majesty Athénaïs de Morhban
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| Status | Alive
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| Age | 22
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| Class | Noble
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| Rank | Queen of Terre d'Ange
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| Affiliation | House Valerian
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| Themesong | "How Soon is Now?" The Smiths
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| Quote | "Ah, feed me and fill me with pleasure. Ere pain come in turn." -Swinburne
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| Portrayed by | Isabelle Adjani
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| App Status | Taken
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Background
Athenais was born Athénaïs no Valerian, daughter of Elise no Valerian, and the fifth generation of girl to be born from her line into that house. The fathers and grandfathers whose blood mingled into her ancestry were varied in stature and temperament, having only one thing in common, and that is having at one point fallen deeply enough in love with a Valerian servant to beget a child upon her. Thus it seemed clear that Athénaïs’ own destiny was to be a child of the Night Court, devoting her life to the yielding service that her House canon would require.
Yet to truly understand the twisted path of the future Queen’s destiny, one would have to first know the tale of her mother. Elise was a spirited creature for one of Valerian’s own, and caught the attention of more than a few gentlemen of note. One would serve his purpose in changing her destiny, and eventually history itself. Lucien Shahrizai was the son of one of the most prominent lines of that powerful Kusheline clan, and a frequent practitioner of the arts that would lead him to Valerian’s doors. Again and again, it was Elise that he sought there, and over time the passion between them deepened into love. The young nobleman (according to Elise) promised her that the two had a future together, and so she lit a candle to Eisheth to open the gates of her womb, while her beloved returned to his province to inform his family of his intentions. He never returned.
Elise was left distraught, and her daughter born with no name but Valerian. As years went on, Athénaïs would hear tales of her father, though no name was attached to him. She was simply told that she came from a powerful line in Kusheth, and that it was her destiny to serve them. The young girl believed with a whole heart every utterance from her mother’s lips, and whether her destiny was truly meant to be different or not, the child’s own beliefs would make it so. Five years later when Elise vanished from the city of Elua, some wondered if she had found this long lost love she sought. Athénaïs herself waited, refusing to consider a life outside Valerian house, in case father or mother ever returned for her.
The Night Court raises its orphans in an atmosphere of elegant rigor, and once bereft of a mother such was no different for Athénaïs. She was pegged from the beginning as a special creature, her desire to yield and please born from a deep seated and solemn fervor. Indeed, it would seem that the words of her mother had pierced the young girl straight to the heart. She gave love openly and asked for little in return. Yet whenever a visitor to the House revealed a tie to Kushiel or his scions, they claimed her rapt attention, the adoration reserved for the father whom she had never known.
In spite, or perhaps because of this, Athénaïs was afforded special treatment within the House as the years went on. Love and pity encouraged the Dowayne to take the girl under her wing and do her utmost to replace the vanished parents, and to help the girl find joy despite her serious nature. It worked well enough, and Athenais thrived as she grew, learning the lessons of the canon well. Indeed, she eventually learned to take some pride in her own abilities, enough so that briefly turning her marque over to Dahlia House was debated. Athénaïs however, would not hear of it, and wanted only to follow in the traditions of her maternal line.
As Athénaïs came of age and made her debut in the Night Court, her reputation was more for her level head and serious demeanor than it was for sensuality. Still, that pious nature appealed enough to the Dowayne to appoint Athenais as Second of the House, training her in one day guiding adepts to love and give against the harshest of Kushiel’s mercy. She also did not go unnoticed by patrons, one of whom would forever change her life.
In Duc Bastien de Morhban, Athénaïs at last found someone who understood her. What love and passion bloomed between them did so in the context of Kushiel’s grace. And finally she was given her chance to show the devotion and service she had longed to, to earn the destiny her mother had once promised her. When he asked for her hand in marriage, that he might unite the blood of Shahrizai and Morhban, and present his people with a Duchess who could both love and yield to them, she solemnly accepted. And when it became Bastien’s destiny to sit the throne, she followed. At last the great purpose she had prayed on was made clear. When the country needed strength, they would find it in their proud Kusheline king. And when it needed softness and love, she would be there to love all of them. Thus a pact was made, and a future born.
Dramatis Personae
Royalty
Bastien de Morhban - King Bastien rules both the country and the family, as his personality would allow for nothing less. Athenais is ever grateful and devoted to him, for allowing her to be the one he chose to follow in his dreams. Her loyalty and love for her husband are unwavering, and she feels that it is her duty to support him in all things.
Balcime de Morhban - Balcime is the King's younger brother, and a prince of the Blood. Athenais finds him sweet and caring, and is ever forgiving of his failings. Thoughts of family mean much to her, and so she has embraced both of her husband's siblings as if they were her own. (Or she tries to)
Marielle de Morhban (NPC) -
Daughter. Marielle the first of a set of twins born to the King and Queen, and at a few minutes older then her brother, she is Terre d'Ange's Dauphine.
Danton de Morhban (NPC) -
Son. A few moments younger then his sister, Danton is a Prince of the blood and second in line to the throne.
Ladies in Waiting
Néomie de Fontaine - Neomie has served faithfully among the Queen's ladies for more than a year, and yet it was not until troubling news came in from Eisande that the two ever truly got to talking. Her Majesty finds something comforting about the older woman's presence, perhaps because being mothered is not offensive to the young and unsure Queen. Of late Neomie seems to have taken charge of the East Vestibule, though it is an informal governance thus far.
Anne Shahrizai - Donatien's daughter is also the publicly acknowledged mistress of Athenais' husband the King. The Queen is careful never to speak ill of her, and tries to be as gracious as possible in allowing the King to follow his desires.
Briar Renaud - The Lady Briar has always been kind to Athenais, and serves her willingly and devotedly as a lady in waiting. Though there is not much of a true gap in age between them, the girl's hot blood often leaves Athenais in the position of advisor, and on the rare occasions that her wisdom is actually solicited, Athenais gives it willingly. There may even be times when she asks for some in turn.
Honore L'Envers - Honore's recent arrival at court is pleasing to the Queen, both for the continued representation of House L'Envers on behalf of Namarre, and because she finds the woman's company refreshing. She has not served among the ladies for long, but she seems to fit in very well.
Jehanne L'envers - The Duchesse L'Envers has been one of the Queen's most devoted and loyal ladies in waiting, and for that Athenais is always grateful. She knows more than many what it is to love and lose, and to bear a great responsibility at a young age. Jehanne's last months at court brought to Athenais' ears tales of troubled hearts, and she hopes that the woman will find happiness back in Namarre.
Adelaide de Royan - Athenais and Adelaide have known each other since before the young woman was elevated to the status of Duchess. But along with serving the needs of Siovale and raising her young son, Adelaide had remained utterly devoted to being the Head of the Ladies in Waiting at the palace. Some say that she left this position in order to marry, and if its true then its understandable that the Queen let her go.
Other Nobility
Donatien Shahrizai - When the subject of Duc Donatien comes up in conversation, the response from the Queen is a softly distant smile. She is extremely grateful for the role of adviser that he has played to her husband the King, and to her as well in the times where she might seek it. Rumors pass through the palace from time to time that the pair are lovers, but though she is never one to deny them, she does not encourage such talk either.
Hermès de Trevalion -It is no secret that the Duc Trevalion did not make fast friends of the Morhban throne, and thus likely not surprising that the Queen is somewhat wary of him.
Marius D'Aiglemort - Queen Athenais did not care very much for the abrasive Duc of Camlach at first, but later found some of his gestures towards her and the royal family touching as war loomed on the horizon. She mourns the loss of a loyal D'Angeline.
Maximus Corvinus - The King's Shadow, Sir Maximus is perhaps the most loyal man to the de Morhban crown Her Majesty knows. So much so that even after having fallen from grace, he shows only the utmost respect and admiration to both her and the King. There are wounds that touch him that she might heal if she could. Perhaps she is trying anyway.
Courtesans
Ariana - Ariana and Athenais have been close friends since Athenais herself was serving in Valerian House, both as a courtesan and then later as Dowayne. Even though the paths of the two women have clearly diverged over time, they are still quite close. It is likely well known how often Ariana comes to the Queen for advice, guidance, and friendship. But many would be surprised to know that it is no less often that Her Majesty solicits the same.
Evangeline - The indepedent courtesan was not always so, and it was through a gift of property from the Queen that she was able to establish
Le Jardin de Naamah. The Queen has heard only the best of her, the young woman held in high regard by both of the royals.
Gautier - Gautier. Her "Lord of the Camellias". Though whispers were once common about these two, now it seems Gautier's frequent presence at Her Majesty's side is simply the way of things, and few lift eyebrows anymore. There are tales occasionally of a rift or a reconciliation, but by now the palace has far more interesting gossip to tend to.
Genevieve - Athenais has never had much contact with Mandrake House, and certainly seems less interested than one might expect, given her history. Genevieve however, seems to set the Queen at ease, and certainly helps to spark her interest in the future of the Night Court.
Thomas - The newest Dowayne of Valerian House, Thomas was a childhood friend to the Queen, or as much so as either ever entertained the idea of having friends. The closeness between the two does not seem to have faded, but rather deepened with time, and they are known to seek one another's council frequently.
Verse
If you were queen of pleasure,
And I were king of pain,
We'd hunt down love together,
Pluck out his flying-feather,
And teach his feet a measure,
And find his mouth a rein;
If you were queen of pleasure,
And I were king of pain.
From "A Match" by Algernon Charles Swinburne
A praise so sweet in our ears,
That thou in the tempest of things
As a rock for a refuge shouldst stand,
In the bloodred river of tears
Poured forth for the triumph of kings;
A safeguard, a sheltering land,
In the thunder and torrent of years.
From "An Appeal" by Algernon Charles Swinburne
