“My name is Maester Rafael, and I believe …”
He was a middle aged man, with tanned skin that spoke of Fallien origin. Yet, he held himself with an uncertain style and finesse that did not quite revoke the desert country. Instead he seemed the business man, with a straight back, a sharp beard and a wrap of fabric bound over his head. A fine robe was dressed over his body in a cotton material and a rich, green colour. Two small dark eyes poked from large brows and a hint of brown hair beneath his turban. A small flicker of a smile appeared on his lips, as he extended his hand to her.
Uncertainty, standing at the doors to the vast mansion that was Vitruvion's base, Stare gave a small nod back. Carefully, she took Maester Rafael's hand and was thankful to high heaven that she had on her more fancy clothing. A white, chiffon and cotton tunic, with layers, and a silver cord that ran around the centre. A rare piece of jewelry hung from her neck as a single pearl on a thin chain.
“Stare, yes,” the kenku said quietly, her eyes meeting the man's who had helped to seal her personage fate. “Welcome to Beinost.’
Maester Rafael dropped his hand and swung it back behind him, with the smile on his face growing. In the background the stoney driveway of the mansion was glistening with its sandstone colours in glorious summer light. A carriage that spoke of being hired by its plain design and casually uniformed drivers and coachmen stood on it, mostly unpacked by now but with a single young woman amongst them. She was dressed plainly, and had her hair pulled back tight against her hair and sealed with pins.
“Shall I give you a tour of the house first, or would you like to freshen up first … sir?” She asked quietly to the man who had just travelled halfway across the ocean to meet them.
Maester Rafael watched her for a few seconds as his smile expanded before he gestured at her in a manner that reminded her a lot of Vitruvion. Great men who were alike got on apparently. “You may show me around this house of your master-” he cut himself off, and regarded her. “Of course, you do not call him that. It is private, yes?”
Stars blinked a few times and gave a tense tilt of her head behind her to ensure there was nobody behind her. Her jaw tightened before she nodded a little.
“Please follow me, Maester Rafael,” she twisted and gestured inwards to the house, sideways on to him.
The Maester looked at her for a while before nodding once and striding the last step up into the house. He passed through the double open doors, his eyes dancing with delight as he was faced with the glory that was Elssmith manor. Stare moved in behind him, but not before she looked back at the young woman at the carriage. Their eyes met, black kenku versus deep green human ones, and the woman smiled. Raising a hand she waved at her kindly, before continuing with her work.
“Stare, you said your name was?”
“Not my original one, Maester, but the one I have now.” She turned as she closed the door, finding the tanned man now facing her, the backdrop of pillars and glorious ornaments framing him well.
