Evangeline
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Evangeline is an independant Servant and owner of Le Jardin de Naamah. She is formerly of House Balm and was a member of the Night Court.
This page is a work in progress.
Contents |
Background
Childhood
Evangeline was the daughter of a Servant of Naamah, Ysolde nó Heliotrope, and the man she chose as her singular and permanent patron up through the final purchase of her marque. A churgeon of some renown, he passed away shortly after Evangeline was born, and to this day her mother speaks very little of her Eva's father. Nonetheless, her childhood in Heliotrope was a happy time, especially since she had her cousin Didier for company, as he was Ysolde's sister's son, and she was also a courtesan in the same house.
Shortly after Evangeline's seventh birthday, her aunt was murdered under mysterious circumstances, and bereft, Evangeline's cousin left Mont Nuit, much to the despair of his younger cousin. In an effort to comfort Evangeline, Ysolde took her to the Temple of Naamah so she might accompany her while devoting a dove in honor of her departed sister. While there, Ysolde observed Evangeline weeping over the fate of a neglected dove that had fallen out of its cote. Evangeline cuddled the bird to her and declared her intention to make it better, as she could not do for her aunt, nor for her departed cousin. Ysolde, recognizing the heritage and mark of her lover's healing abilities in her child, took it as a sign that her daughter's future was best put into the hands of House Balm, and the little girl's future marque was sold accordingly.
At first there were tears, but when Evangeline was made to understand that her desire to help those who were hurting were best served in Balm. Eva gained immediate attention for her particular penchant for being quick to bring wounded animals to her teachers, and was often one of the first to comfort the others for the sorts of scraps as children may be inclined to, while being quick to ignore her own. During this time she met her best friend in House Balm, Pascal. Her earliest lessons focused on a full range of academics, as well as the basics of herbalism and healing.
The Life Of An Adept
Evangeline declared her intention to become a Servant of Naamah at the age of twelve. Her already richly diverse academic education became even more dynamic, as she was introduced to the sensual arts as well, and encouraged to explore the nature of other Houses and their passions to better understand her own. While she visited many that had a certain appeal to her, the only ones she otherwise seemed to have an affinity for were the House she was born into, Heliotrope, and of all things, House Orchis - the house of laughter, for they were folk who appreciated her oft-times too clever tongue. To this day she counts a good handful of the courtesans of Orchis amongst her friends, most notably Perrin and Lisette. Evangeline excelled in her lessons as a healer though, and was considered one of the top students who pursued it as their focus. For his part, her dear friend Pascal elected to pursue the arts of relaxation in concentration instead, but even these divergent interests did not keep the pair from being close. Still, it was Evangeline's goal to become a full fleged Servant of Naamah she might serve to soothe not just the body, but the mind and soul of her patrons.
She sought to emulate Naamah's compassion, however she wasn't always as careful to guard her tongue as she should have been, reflecting a wit that some found too dry for Balm. Nonetheless, shortly after she turned 16, Evangeline's Debut was held. His Majesty King Bastien de Morhban, his mistresses the Lady Anne, and his recently returned brother, Prince Balcime. Evangeline was presented, and the bidding came fast and intense. Finally, it was the King himself who outbid Duc Marius d'Aiglemort of Camlach for Evangeline's virgin night, much to the Duc's outrage, and this was further aggravated by the King then presenting Evangeline to his brother as a gift in celebration of his return to the city. The final bid for Evangeline was 125 ducats, considered an impressive price both in general, as well as for the fact that Evangeline bared no part of her body during the course of the auction.
A Courtesan Of Balm
While only at the start of her career, Evangeline became arguably the most popular courtesan in House Balm. Her patrons included high ranking nobles, the most affluent members of the middle class, even a Dowayne or two. There had even been evenings on which the royal carriage had been parked outside Balm.
She continued to pursue her studies, and in an unspoken agreement with her Dowayne, was permitted to take a portion of the House's medical supplies to Night's Doorstep to provide them to those who might not be able to afford a churgeon readily. While there is no true poverty in Terra D'Ange, some folk are now and again down on their luck. Evangeline made many friends amongst those who came to her for aid. It was during such adventures she met the likes of Alec Comte, Decimus Correl, and others. She would later discover the truth about Alec's double life, and voluntarily played her part in maintaining it, even going so far as to assert the assistance of the "two brothers".
There, And Back Again
When he informed Eva that he was being sent to Camlach to track down the youngest of the d'Aiglemort sisters, she was initially so enamored of him that she insisted on coming too, striving to present herself as possibly useful in the effort to find Alexara, and it didn't hurt that the Duc had invited her to Camlach previously. She traveled there under the guard of Alec's alter ego, the Cassiline Julien Montaigne, and was joined by Gabrielle nó Heliotrope, who had become a recent favorite of Marius and his twin sister. Evangeline and Gabrielle had been amicable aquaintances previous to their journey, but during the course of it, they became fast friends.
While in Camlach, Evangeline discovered the depth of Duc d'Aiglemort's hatred for the King and his family, as well as his plans for battling the Hazaran. While she was no soldier, even Evangeline could see that what he proposed would have been suicide for those committed to its course, and discreet correspondences were sent to Elua and back which resulted in the delay of the Duc's plans, and all without anyone ever knowing who'd had a hand in their prevention.
Not all of the time spent in Camlach was devoted to intrigue, however. Evangeline was given the rare privelege of studying with those priests of Cammael devoted to tending the wounded, and in a short time, Evangeline's limited field surgery and triage techniques expanded considerably. She was even praised by the high priest of Cammael for her skills and told that were she to remain during the battle, she was competent enough to command one of the healing tents herself. With Gabrielle at her side, Eva made frequent visits to Cammael's temple, spending time with the soldiers, offering her smile and her pride in their service in the day, as well as her arms and body at night. Both she and Gabrielle became something of an inspiration to all the soldiers, embodying in their sweet smiles their own sweethearts left behind. But eventually, Evangeline returned to Elua, having delighted in the opportunity to travel, but grateful to be home.
Tongue Like A Mandrake
Not everyone favored Evangeline so readily, and in fact, some were even behooved to enmity. Gabrielle once sent for Evangeline to come treat her Dowayne, and in Evangeline's eyes, there was nothing wrong with the woman - just a desire to indulge in hysterics at the parting of her lover due to an argument. Evangeline had little sympathy for Christine, and more or less told her to get out of bed and start acting like a Dowayne. This created something of a fued which would eventually spill over into the royal court, as well as the politics of Mont Nuit itself.
While Evangeline's relationship with the Royal Inquisitor started off well initially, over time Eva and Decimus' personalities clashed too greatly for them to continue as courtesan and patron, or even as aquaintances. He found her to be an upstart, and she found his threats of influence over the Night Court to be arrogant and unfounded. After her initial trip to Camlach, the pair had little to say to each other form that point on.
One of Evangeline's patrons was Mireal nó Cereus - the Dowayne of the first house of the Night Court. Despite Evangeline's initial closeness with the woman, Mireal spearheaded an edict with the Night Court Council which would prevent fully marqued courtesans from pursuing secondary occupations (such as healinig), and still remain members of the Night Court. While Evangeline was not the only courtesan affected by this, it is worth noting that those who pushed the hardest for the edict were those who she'd clashed with.
Evangeline's Dowayne, Esmeraude, was another puzzle all together. Despite the fact that Evangeline had brought significant income and even royal favor to House Balm, Esmeraude seemed more interested in what negatives others had to say about Eva. She was constantly chided by Esmeraude, and over time Evangeline found it appalling that her Dowayne would so readily listen to critcism and slander, while ignoring those who would offer compliments on Eva's deportment as a Servant of Naamah and member of Balm. And in the end, it was Esmeraude who offered the greatest betrayal of all, when she cast her approving vote for the edict that would end Evangeline's career as a healer, as well as the careers of other courtesans who'd taken up other ways to offset their sensual arts and honor their Houses.
A Walk In Naamah's Garden
Evangeline was taken aback by her sudden circumstance, faced with the prospect of having to give up healing in order to remain in the Night Court, she was uncertain as to what to do. At the urging of a patron, she was inspired to step away from the Night Court, declare her independence, and open her own salon. She received funding from various well placed sources sympathetic to her situation, but she still had one dilemna - where would she house her new salon?
Initially, she considered renting one of the city's finer town-houses, but one day while sharing the blueprints of one such home with Gautier nó Camellia, he managed to intill grave doubts with regard to her course of action. Distressed, later that afternoon Evangeline found herself barefoot before Elua's statue in shrine at the Palace. As she prayed, begging Elua for direction, Queen Athenais entered, and as Evangeline explained her situation, Her Majesty made an offer of a house on Mont Nuit that she had previously gifted to another courtesan who'd gone independent before parting from Terra D'Ange entirely. The deed reverted back to the queen, and then and there she bestowed it upon Evangeline. Eva took it as a sign from Elua that her course was the right one, and the irony that the house shared the same street with House Cereus was not lost upon her.
Word went out to other courtesans in a similar situation, and she was joined by others. In solidarity, her own mother left House Heliotrope after decades to be at her daughter's side, and they were eventually joined by other members of Heliotrope, Cereus, and Balm. Evangeline named her salon Le Jardin de Naamah, and to this day it is one of the most - if not the most popular independant salon in Elua.
For The Boys
War finally arrived to Camlach's border, and as promised, Evangeline packed her bags and went, with Brother Julien of the Cassiline Order as her companion. She was given command of one of the triage tents behind the lines, and continued to be provide the soldiers hope; a beautiful face amongst the war ravaged.
Word was received one day that one of the D'Angeline officers of some import had been wounded in a skirmish, but was stuck out on the field. After considerable argument with her Cassiline guard, Evangeline was able to take him and a small squad of soldiers out to the field - or rather the forest where the skirmishes were occuring. She located the officer and was able to sufficiently tend to him. As he was being taken back behind the lines, Evangeline noticed another soldier; this one a commoner of the infantry, badly wounded. She insisted upon remaining to tend to him as well, and while doing so a pair of Hazaran scouts appeared, engaging Julien and attempted to drag her off. Julien dispatched them quickly, and the pair helped the soldier, one Avery Chevalier, off the field.
Evangeline was later joined by Gabrielle, though the Heliotrope had a harder time dealing with the harshness of the war than Eva did. Gabrielle had also been deeply affected by the disappearances and presumed deaths of most of the d'Aiglemort family, including the Duc, Marius. Eventually they returened to Elua after D'Angeline forces were victorious, and upon the return of the first legions of soldiers to Elua, King Bastian granted Evangeline one of the crown jewels, the Heart Of Eisheth, in recognition of her service.
A Dark Night In Kusheth
Evangeline was asked by Lady Anne to serve as her companion during the Royal Progress to Kusheth, a task which Eva took up happily. While there, it was brought to her attention that Her Majesty, pregnant again, seemed to be unwell during the course of the journey. Evangeline was asked to keep a watchful eye, but was likewise asked to be discreet. She did so, but not long after the Progress arrived in Kusheth, the Queen lost her unborn child. Evangeline committed a grave error; notifying the queen's lover before her husband.
When Bastien found out, he was not pleased. He banished Evangeline from Kusheth, ordering her back to Elua and advising her she was no longer welcome in his court. First Donatien Shahrizai, Duc of Kusheth attempted to interceed, but it was his daughter Anne who persuaded the Kusheline King to permit Evangeline back to both Kusheth and his court...provided Evangeline was suitably penitent and accepted due punishment. What transpired as her punishment is not something Evangeline speaks of to anyone, ever.
All Roads Lead Home
Evangeline continued to appear at court, but some began to whisper her that her star had risen and fallen. Coming into her nineteenth year, significant changes came into her life, introduction of new friends as well as a change in status. Not long before the Longest Night of 1186, the Dowayne of House Balm grew ill, and requested that Evangeline come to her side. On her deathbed, she requested that Eva follow her as Dowayne. Not wishing to create an uproar in the House, Eva consulted with Balm's senior courtesans, and it was agreed that Evangeline would submit her potential status of leader of Balm to the Night Court Council for consideration. Unsurprisingly to many, Eva's petition was passed.
But now the fate of Le Jardin is in question...
Talents & Skills
- Academics - Eva is an avid reader and enjoys learning. Though in recent times she's had few opportunities to indulge, works of literature, philosophy, and treatise on other cultures and exotic places are of particular interest to her.
- Archery - Eva enjoys the lawn game equivalent of the sport, and is quite good at shooting stationary targets. She has no taste for hunting or any of th more practical applications for a bow and arrow, and hitting a moving target would likely be more a result of luck then actual skill.
- Healing - Evangeline was a prized pupil in Balm for her innate gift for the healing arts. Her initial training involved pharmacopeia and the use of herbs and other natural remedies, as well as various forms of therapeutic massage, body adjustment, and midwivery. As she grew older, Evangeline took an interest in exotic healing practices, which in turn resulted in the exploration of Hanzu techniques involving acupressure and acupuncture. While at Balm she also received minor triage training, and she would later become fully trained in triage surgery and other more advanced techniques during time spent in Camlach while training under the priests of Cammael in the months before the Eastern War.
- Languages - Like many of her time who are considered education, Evangeline speaks several languages aside from her native one. Her Aragonian is almost flawless, and her Caerdiccan is fluent, but accented. She has spent the last few years learning to read Hanzu for a project involving translating their healing texts into D'Angeline, and has in recent months been learning to speak it. Unfortunately, her Cruithne is very limited and borders on laughable. At present she speaks no other languages, but has taken an interest in Bhodistani which she may pursue in the future.
- Music - Evangeline is a competent singer, but not of performance quality by any measure. She can sing along with others and has a pleasant voice, but that's the extent of her musical ability.
- Pampering - While at Balm, Evangeline learned the arts of soothing and comforting her patron. Massage, both for relaxation and erotic purposes, as well as various forms of spa relaxation such as hot stones, cosmetic attention such as brushing her patron's hair or bathing them, and other techniques meant to provide relaxing attentions were part of her training.
Dramatis Personae
Royalty
Nobles
Azzalle
Camlach
Eisande
Kusheth
L'Agnace
Courtesans
Alyssum
Balm
Camellia
Eglantine
Heliotrope
Jasmine
Mandrake
Orchis
Valerian
The Priesthood
The Cassiline Brotherhood
The Temple Of Kushiel
Middle Class
Foreigners
Aragonia
Caerdicca Unitas
Other Nations
Evangeline's Wardrobe
Dress
| Name
| Description
|
 | Debut Gown | It's the color that does it; the warm cream against her skin deepens the exotic tinge, emphasizing that hint of Other to draw the eye. The cloth is a thin layer of soft cotton that clings to every curve but is otherwise demure -- her body is covered entirely from high neck, to wrist, to ankle. The only true decoration on the otherwise simple ensemble is a tiny pomander that dangles in the hollow of her throat: the comforting scent of cinnamon drifts around her, faint but undeniably rich. A high waist lengthens her figure, tied just beneath the breasts with a braided cord of muted copper and gold. That same cord threads down her right side and serves to hold the skirt together. A gentle tug would unravel it all and the ease of that motion reveals deliberate purpose. This is clearly a dress for peeling away, a dress for anticipation of what will be revealed beneath. Her feet are bare, given no protection against the world because none is needed. |
 | Gold Gown | An elegant but understated dress that in fact seems made of seperate gown pieces. The underdress is red, draped just off the edges of her shoulders, the neckline frilled slightly and shaped to her curves. A corsette of muted gold cinches her torso, making her elegant figure even more hourglass, before sweeping out into a skirt that splits in the middle to reveal the deep red tones once more before not-quite-brushing the floor. The underdress' red shoulders are accented by longer, darted wrist-sleeves of the muted gold material. A matching necklace of red jewels drapes in linked, lace cascades like a high collar on her neck before resting just above her breasts. |
 | Dress | The color of rich red wine, the top piece a spaghetti strap halter with gazy slashed sleeves that drape off her elbows. The bodice has touches of blue accents, fitting snug to her curves all the way to the top of her hips, before returning to a red,flowing material that fals to the floor. Her ornamentation includes dangling earrings, and a thin silver chain with a heavy red and silver pendant around her neck. |
 | Blossom Gown | Her shoulders are left smooth and bare, save for the thin straps of her dress, which actually starts at mid-shoulder. Gauzy yellow material whisps its way down her upper arms and across the top of her chest. Gathered at the forearms, the material is held in place by ribbons meant to match the ones in her hair; the interlaced colors of spring: greens, whites, pinks, pales blues, and yellows interlacing and knotted at her wrists before fluttering down for some inches beyond. Her stiff bodice is made of a brighter material of the same shade, offset by trios of pink rosettes, fitting to the curves of her body before the skirt, of similar material to the blouse with a simple overlacing of eyelet flowers and vines, drapes down to the floor. Simple white shoes cover her feet. |
 | Velvet Two Piece | The velvet material of her outfit is the color of rich milk chocolate, and is made up of two pieces. The first is a one shouldered halter top, affixed over her left shoulder, edged in a trim of lighter colored satin and darted to fit to her body. It leaves a few inches of her curves exposed, rather like the dresses often found amongst the Bodhistani. The skirt fits to the curve of her hip, made of a lighter material then the velvet and swaying just a touch as she moves. Additional accents include a forearm sleeve on her left arm, and a simple ribbon on the right, as well as dangling earrings, and raven pendant on a silver chain about her neck. |
 | Gown | Her dress is soft and airy, as befits an occaision that celebrates the warmth of spring and summer. Made of lightest silk, it drapes in a halter style that leaves shoulders and arms bare, affixed to her by a mother-of-pearl collar necklace of geometric design, that likewise leaves her bare from behind down to the small of her back, offering full view of her brightly colored, completed marque. The off-white of her gown fades into soft pastels as it drapes downward, becoming palest yellow at the torso, to just the faintest hint of blushing pink at her hips, to a robin's egg blue at the knees, before pooling into a soft lavender at the very bottom. Silver and mother-of-pearl arm bracelets affix the draping mid-shoulder sleeves at just above each elbow, sweeping down to her wrists and draping in sweeps of fabric which gather up and are pinned back at the back of the dress. |
 | Crimson & Gold Gown | This gown is crafted of a beautiful double-sided silk dupion, which causes the garment to shimmer in the deepest, fullest crimson, edged with the dark allure of black. The garment itself is sewn in three pieces - bodice, skirt, and train. The stunning crimson bodice sheathes the upper body in shimmering silk, with a scooping heart-shaped neckline descending from slender straps and waltzing tantalizingly over fine cleavage. Thin, nearly invisible laces cinch the bodice up tightly in the back, smoothing the chest and waist into a gentle hourglass figure. From the smooth cinch of the bodice, a waterfall of silk pours smoothly over the curve of the hips and down the legs to brush lightly against the floor. The skirt is tight in the front, whispering against the legs with every motion, and wide in the back, forming a base for the magnificent train. Of the same crimson silk as the remainder of the gown, the train flows out about a foot behind the dress in ripples and waves, filling out the skirt, and emphasizing the curves of the figure. The sole adornments on the dress are the images of golden butterflies studded with glistening garnets, rubies, and the occasional blood red opal, which grace the end of the train in a fascinating drama of crimson and gold. |
 | Kusheline Gown | A very slim piece, the top half a smooth black corsette that leaves her shoulders bare and emphasizes the curves of her bosom, cinching at the waist to emphasize her figure. The skirt all fits snug, an almost silvery material that has been embroidered over in black lace, clinging to her curves before fanning out just below the knees to provide freedom of movement. A long, shimmering scarf of black has been knotted at her throat and trails down her front to knee length, and her forearms are covered in fingerless black sleeves made of the same material as her corset. From behind, one can see the very tiptop of her marque, peeking provacatively above the edges of her corset. |
 | Sari | The couture of the far away land of Bhodistan seems to suit her. She wears a sari of rosy pink and cream, made of a guaze-like, whispy material that conceals while still offering a silhouette of what lies beneath. The choli, a short sleeved top shirt that cuts off at midriff, has a square, low-cut neckline and is edged in a scrolling balm embroidery - and when one comes close enough, the faint fragrance of lemon seems to emanate from the dress itself. The pallu is tucked into her skirt, then coils around her back and over her shoulder in the proper fashion, but otherwise leaves her stomach bared, all smooth and soft curves while still being toned. The skirt rests just above the hips and flares in a sweep down to the floor. Like the choli, the pallu and the skirt are also embroidered with scrolling balm leaves and balm flowers along the edge, and her feet are colored in soft cream slippers threaded with seed pearls. |
Soundtrack
- You Owe Me Nothing ~ Alanis Morissette
- No Day By Today ~ RENT
- Fix You ~ Coldplay
- Stand In The Rain ~ Superchick
- All The Same ~ Sick Puppies
- Can't Take It In ~ Imogen Heap
- As Long As You're Mine ~ Wicked
- Anywhere ~ Evanescence
- The Word Of Your Body ~ Spring Awakening
- Touch Me ~ Spring Awakening
Links
Balm Of Eva: Evangeline's Journal
Evangeline's WikiSpace
Herbal Remedies Reference Page
Morena Baccarin Online Gallery
