Recent Events on Mont Nuit
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Rumors spread throughout the City of Elua...
Rumor runs rampant through the night court. A word here, a whisper there, but it is clear that things aren't quite as calm or relaxed as they should be between the houses. Division seems to reign between them once again even as the meeting that was meant to join them casts even more doubts about the future of Mont Nuit.
Did the Dowaynes by majority decide to outcast as a whole those fully marqued courtesans that choose to take a second calling? Are the decision makers so full of themselves so as to cut themselves off from some of the best in their ranks, those who have chosen to stay and dedicate their time and lives to worship as pure as that of the priests of Naamah?. To assist with the training of the young ones?.
How about those who voted against such decision, will they stand by the vote of those others or bring the issue back to the ones not present in the meeting? Why was such vote never listed or brought to thought and debate before being issued? More importantly even, just what amount of control is one person's agenda going to hold over the heads of so many?. And just how will this affect the Houses economically? How close was the vote and what was it on, exactly?
It's already started. Ariella nó Dahlia was seen leaving the house itself, having lived there most of her life. Not one to be a Dowayne that one, but rather a gentle, regal lady with many regular and generous patrons. She was heard saying that if she wasn't to be considered a part of the house, she might as well serve where she would be appreciated. She was the go-to woman for deportment lessons too, considering she also has a place in many of the most affluent households to teach the young ladies and gentlemen how to move in the higher circles. Perhaps one of those she trained will be able to fill her shoes.
Balm and Eglantine seem to be in somewhat of an uproar themselves, few if any of their senior members knowing exactly where to stand in the issue but knowing that they are likely to be some of the most affected. Actually some things are being said about the current Eglantine Dowayne, and a few of the older courtesans there seem to be of a mind to actually twist her arm to renounce to her position and let someone else take over. Someone with less interest in spending their whole day and night with a patron while this kind of things are decided. Who will take over though, and what will their position be?. Will Balm take a similar stance? a thing or two have been heard about their Dowayne's lack of availability to her charges.
There are rumors about some Bryony courtesans packing as well, the two ones that had started their brokering advice a year or two ago for certain, and there is talk amongst those who work as advisors to the crown as well as other nobles. The word of the day is "What pays more" and worshiping is not always the answer. From Orchis there have been no sounds quite yet, their announced debut continues its course and those involved have little to say about the issue, while in Heliotrope the rumors are of a different kind. Those few who were fully marqued have been seen together of late, near the rental office and talking amongst themselves in hushed tones.
Tempers are running short at Mandrake, the Unyielding canon seeming to not take too well to being told that they must choose between their personal goals and the house, and a fist fight or two have barely been avoided so far when tempers seem to flare over the smallest of issues. A bruised Mandrake doesn't attract as many patrons though, so the question is whether they can be stopped for much longer.
The return of Thomas nó Valerian to the house of his upbringing seems to have brought a sense of hope and tranquility, the rumors from the house more related to what he is going to do about the house itself than whatever else is going in Mont Nuit. For now. Jasmine still grieves the loss of its Dowayne, and even in so the uncertainty is there. Few have seen Aurele of late, and the whispers range from succession to devotion, though a few voices have been raised as well in questioning of the validity of a regulation imposed without Jasmine's take.
Of all the houses, Gentian seems the quietest, and that might mean good or bad depending on which eyes it is being looked at. The augurs and dreams that were shared freely seem to be witheld now, as if there was something that doesn't quite want to be said or shared. The Dowayne grows weak in her sickbed, but still holds tight the reins of the house after the retirement of her second. She means to name a new one, but who?.
Camellia and Alyssum seem to be doing well after the initial shock, not much coming from within their walls other than support for their Dowaynes' decision and a wish to stick together. That said, there are still rumors about doubt and uncertainty from them as well, perhaps not for themselves but for those who are to be most affected.
And of all the houses, Cereus itself seems to be the least affected, probably due to the fact that most of the fully marqued courtesans had already left the house before Mireal took over. That leaves her and very few others to attend to patrons and training both, and some are wondering where she gets the time to meddle in politics and, for that matter, just how long their coffers will hold for at this rate...
The reactions continue in the garden of night blooming flowers, and they are different for each house, it appears.
House Dahlia seems to be recovering slowly, particularly since Ariella has taken over the training of their adepts again and taking much of the actual work from its ailing Dowayne. How is that for a change of heart?. It is said they have met and made up, but the older Dahlia courtesan hasn't exactly moved back in yet. There are high hopes amongst the younger ones that she just might soon.
The shuffling of Dowaynes hasn't come without a price. A lot of people are looking at the night court these days with a certain kind of wariness. Some comment on it as a good thing, others aren't quite certain of it, but the truth is that there has been a noticeable lowering of the night court patronage as if they were holding off to see how things pan out. And the letter circulating between the city's nobility did not help either.
Mandrake's change in leadership was quiet but effective, and the internal disagreements seem to have been dealt with swift and accurately. Mostly by those who failed to behave in a canon-like manner finding themselves too busy with small but important tasks to be able to focus on more. And for some reason, none seems to mind. Patrons are starting to return there, one by one.
Eglantine and Gentian remain quiet as each finds the transition in their own way taxing. No courtesans have left these houses though, in spite of previous threats in the first, probably because of the change in leadership and expective of a new meeting to clear the air. The eglantines haven't stopped performing for coin, and the Gentian slowly gather around their new Dowayne for guidance and prayer.
Valerian, Camellia and Alyssum remain strong and in waiting, while Bryony's change of mind surprised more than one. There are rumors here and there that the letter of the circular passed as a decision in between the houses doesn't exactly reflect what was actually voted on in the meeting, but that is just word of mouth, or perhaps people's hope.
Orchis last debut brought in quite a few supporters apparently, and served to ease a few nerves at least as well as to fill some of the coffers again. Jasmine seems to be slowly growing out of its detachment, with courtesans and adepts working together towards a solution. There is actually no Jasmine official Dowayne yet, but for some reason they aren't in a hurry to pick one. On the contrary, the decisions have started to be made in consensus where needed. If there is a leader in that movement, it isn't obvious at this time.
Balm and Heliotrope have lost a few more courtesans by now, but it isn't clear whether it has as much to do with the council decision as with perceived friction with the leadership and the opening of the Jardin du Naamah which gives them a place to go that could be their own. Will their Dowaynes do anything to stop it? Or will the other Dowaynes take action? It is hard to tell, because the night court is meant to be one rather than thirteen, and things like this affect them all.
Cereus is still quiet, though now speaks as of the resolution having been passed as a 'temporary measure'. There are other things going on in the background there, and a quiet arrival or two in the night. Some people may know more of those than others, so in time more will come clear as gossip spreads through the grapevine.
Truth is, there are more eyes than just the Night Court in this. The crown is isolated from it without a representative of Mont Nuit in court or a First House to refer to. And the Nobility looks up to them with questions of their own. A select group of them have taken to calling the Jardin the "fourteenth house", though it would be hard to tell just what their canon is and it is clear that the name is somewhat mocking of the whole situation as it stands. And the world turns. In any case, if the Hazaran take over, none of this will matter.
