Welcome to chapter 2.
Doesn't need much of an introduction, just some background and world building.
The chateau was in a constant state of fury at any particular time of day. The mornings and afternoon were a rush a giggling girl. Racing down the halls as they went to and from their lessons.
The entire building was white, then again that was why it was the Chateau Blanc. Large hallways of marble, pearlescent papers with embossed floral motifs. The linens and furniture were also shades of white. Even the students wore white uniforms. made of soft cotton and lush silks depending on the occasion.
The upper rooms were different, more colours made their appearances from their owners. The Companions had leave to decorate their own rooms once they were working. Jewel tones dominated in those area's, but it was all the occupants of the room choice overall. They were paying rent after all if they wished to stay at the chateau after they reached the age of majority.
More often than naught the younger girls were found on the upper levels after dinner. Helping and watching the companions get ready for their parties and other events. Eager to help fetch something for their older sister if should need anything.
The girls helping the one they were closest to. Sometimes in groups, or by themselves. Rivalries happened of course, jealousy was a natural emotion when ambition was present. The Madame often tried to raise her young girls to support each other. Tearing each other down never worked in the long run. Your sisterhood is all that you had at the end of the night. Men will come and go, but your sister will always have your back.
At thirteen Sarah was stretched across the bed as she watched Simone. Who was draping a blue sheer panel over her left shoulder. She tied a long cord around her waist to keep it in place. The shade so peculiar that it appeared more violet at times. The pretty brunette had long sable coloured hair with bright brown eyes. Ones that sparkled with hints of yellow and green depending on her mood.
"Why blue?" She asked after the question plagued her for many weeks.
"Blue is the colour of our king," Simone smiled. "I am his companion for the night. It allows others to know who I am accompanying tonight without question." Sarah nodded as she took in the information.
"I have no idea which road I will choose," she admitted. At thirteen she knew she only had a few years before she would be the one getting ready to go out at night. Companion was the word they used at the chateau when talking about career options. The world may know them as a courtesan but that didn't mean they had to call themselves that. A companion was compassionate, caring, respectful and respected. They were above the more common female night workers.
They never sought out men, it was beneath them. The Madame handled the payments and inquiries about her ladies. She was also the one scheduling the performers and their apprentices. Allowing them to practice their skills as their older sister watched carefully. Any man caught manhandling or making advances towards an apprentice was blacklisted.
The Madame took the safety of the daughters seriously. Teaching them how to protect themselves from unwanted attention. Most of the men knew the rules and were honourable to follow them. It was the one too many drinks that made them bold.
The more experienced Companions generally planned their own schedules with their patron. Their patron was usually someone who held an unofficial relationship with them. Helping cover their costs of living from clothing and jewellery. Whether sex was involved was between the two of them and no one else. The madame didn't stick her nose into it unless she felt like she needed to.
Of course, children were discouraged until later in life but they were never banned. The Madame knew that life was unpredictable. If one found herself in an unplanned pregnancy the child would always be welcome at the chateau. If the young woman decided she didn't want to continue with the pregnancy. That was her prerogative. All the Madame asked was that the father is allowed to weigh on the decision.
At thirteen Sarah was only beginning to go out in the daytime with her sisters for tea parties. Usually held prominent women who wished to show off her wealth. It was great practice for the young girls, not just for the fun of getting dressed up. It was the practice of dealing with women who didn't share the same values or life as they did. While the young girls were often petted and praised for their good looks and skills. The praised tapered off the older they got. When the wives saw their husbands attention turn into a curiosity that was not fatherly. It was necessary though, you could not do a job well if you couldn't deal with everything that came with it.
Not every apprentice was strong enough to make her way in this life.
They were never cast out, there was still plenty of jobs for them. Teachers, helpers, seamstresses to make the gowns that the robes the apprentices wore. Their skills were utilized in other ways that benefited the Chateau. They could take smaller parties, still accompanying the young apprentices to appointments. They often wore soft earthy sashes around their robes. So you could distinguish their role to the chateau if you were a guest.
Everyone was recognizable, with so many students there had to be a system.
The Students wore white.
The apprentices wore white with subtle pastel shades in decoration
The domestics wore sashes earthy tones of greens and blues
Companions wore generally what they wished during the day. There appointments dictating the style of clothing. Though generally, they favoured brighter colours if they were unattached. While other wore the colours of their host or patron after years of white.
Simone turned and smiled at the dark-haired beauty that laid across her bed. "Don't be in such a rush to decide. The choice is ultimately yours, never let another sway you to one side or another. " Simon patted her head. "You are special Sarah, you have such a look to you that will interest men one day. You will grow into it and it will be your choice how to use it."
"What about these," Sarah sighed as she sat up and looked over her shoulder into a mirror. Pulling aside her robe you could see the shimmering veins creep over her shoulders. She made a face at them as she never liked her artwork as she often called them. They shimmered on her ivory skin that rarely tanned, she was always jealous of the girls who unmarked. It was a constant reminder that she wasn't directly from this world.
"Your markings are beautiful, they are apart of you," Simone told her with a hand on the younger girls shoulder. "Now it's almost bath time downstairs, run along." She told her with a look. Sarah nodded and stretched out her long limbs as she stood up. Fixing her robes she nodded and headed for the door.
"Have a fun night," she said with a knowing smile. "You will have to tell me how handsome our king is one day." She added cheekily before running off to her own levels. Everyone knew what the king looked like in theory. Sarah always teased Simone about catching his attention.
The rest of the evening as Simone reminded her was spa night. A night where the girls gathered and helped each other with any beauty regimes. Waxing and sugaring were all on the menu for the young apprentices. The natural hot springs were hidden underneath the chateau. It was a favourite night for the girls in the winter month to escape the cold of the evening. Shower and baths were still taken when needed. However, the springs was always a treat on Saturday evenings.
Sarah floated over to her friends who were discussing the latest news. There was no need to worry about modesty with them. Most of them have been bathing together since they were young children. One must be comfortable in her own skin, self-confidence was a large factor in your career. Finally, bedtime was called and the girls made their way to their rooms. Small dormitories that held all the necessities they needed. Toilets were shared and between rooms for the twenty girls that lived at the chateau that was of her age group.
The lower level had the same number of young children. Nearest the mistress and domestics should they need help in the middle of the night. While the apprentices had more privacy. Something Sarah treasured when she had sleepless nights.
She didn't know what time it was when she starred out her window to the front gates. Some of the companions were making their way home now. She looked down to see the blue robes the Simone had been wearing. Next to her was a tall gentleman with a few guards behind him. Blonde with long legs she squinted into the darkness. He turned for a moment, his profile catching his profile. She tilted her head trying to get a better look at her king for the first time. She saw him laugh and kiss Simone's cheek before she went through the door.
She watched him walk away before turning back to look at the chateau. She didn't know what was on his mind when he looked back. How could she?
She palmed the window in her hand. She was here because of the dowager queen. His mother. It was no secret, they never lied when she asked exactly where she came from.
Then in a surreal moment, it was like he looked right at her. While she was dressed in her nightgown, illuminated in the faint glow of her lamp in the window. While the moonlight hit his face lighting it up.
He was handsome she told herself.
Then he tilted his head to her.
Did he smirk at her? Did he wink at her?
She blushed and scrambled out of the window seat. Shutting the curtain in adolescent embarrassment she hid against the wall.
What sort of King was he to smirk and possibly wink at young girl?
Now would the Goblin king wink at a strange girl? Maybe? Maybe not? Also, I am pretty sure that is from a book...'what a strange man to wink at a girl he doesn't know? or something along those lines or is it a movie? I forget...
To me, he's being more cheeky then creepy in my mind. He looks up to see a child out of bed in the middle of the night I think he would find that amusing. While at the same time the devil in me wants to have Jareth with a darker side. I mean he is dropping off a companion.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.
Tina