Meisa Amorette
Ah. So while he didn’t recognize true beauty, between the books and painting, he had at least some learning and culture to him. Firenze hadn’t stopped preening the entire time, glowing under the attention that Camille showered on her by painting her. Of course, Meisa would drown her paladin in shit later, but for now she continued to be friendly with the painter.
“Hmm hmm, I see. Perhaps their intent was to grant you that very understanding?” she ventured, recalling the subject of the paintings that she had peeked at upstairs.
The golden-haired elf nodded at the question she received in return, expecting the bit of quid-pro-quo here.
“Hum… I suppose that’s a fair question. Two things,” she replied, holding up two fingers,
“I’ve been growing tired of the state of affairs of the past two centuries. Culture and civilization have taken a turn for the worse… and it feels like I’m the only one among my people who has any motivation left to do anything about it! Otherwise I would have started there, but it does feel like I’ve had a strange calling to come to Oratario that is difficult for me to articulate.”She shrugged at that, but continued on,
“On the Royal Road… I’d like to get a true feel for how the city works, as dangerous as it is. And I would rather not immediately return to old habits.”Meisa gave a small laugh at that. That, at the very least, was quite true.
"A calling? Like that of saints from the pre-Godfall Era?"The golden-haired elf hummed.
"Not quite, yet that's likely the best way to describe it," she nodded.
"That spark to actually do something does have a similar feeling.""Mmm, well, I'm sure that a work so great as 'improving civilization' could only be overseen by one with an equally great lifespan ahead of them. In absence of the divinity recorded by historians, it appears that others naturally drift towards self-servitude."A pause.
"Though I suppose that's always been the case.""Well, yes. Firenze does exist, after all. Do you see how well she preens?""Hey!"Meisa continued on.
"Eheh, I suppose. I've been finding the city wanting, but it's nice to see someone who appreciates the classics. As a native, what is your perspective on things here?"Camille chuckled at the interaction between the two elves.
"That countenance too, is a charming thing."He dwelled in silence a bit longer, intent on reaching certain point in the painting, before setting his brush down.
"I would say that Oratorio is very much a city that encapsulates the stories people tell of it. It is where opportunities and wealth spring up aplenty, and also where the lawlessness of the frontier manifests. And I suppose too, that it is this way by design."The young man turned towards Meisa for the first time.
"Could I ask for your perspective too, as one who laments the decay of society?"The elf shook her head. One could be cultured, and still have no taste. She allowed him his silence as he continue with his painting, her own curiosity making her lean in to watch until he furnished her with a reply. She didn't expect to be having a proper intellectual conversation today, fully expecting to continue trading barbs with her purple-haired companion, but the conversation with Camille was welcome and actually rather informative.
"Ah, well... You can apply the moniker of the former to any city in nearly any time period." She looked thoughtful as she hummed again.
"The only difference, I would say, is that in Oratorio, it is as you say, in the absense of divinity. Everyone works for themselves, rather than together, or for others, which is how a civilization properly functions. I am merely an outsider looking in still, but I find it a minor miracle that the city has yet to collapse in on itself without the proper cooperation I would expect..."She paused.
"I suppose the existence of the Abyss and the way it churns through fresh blood has something to do with it.""Or one could think of Oratorio as a microcosm of the world, rather than just a city. War breaks out and nations fall, but the world itself doesn't fall apart, no?""Ehh... as a political experiment, maybe. When it goes beyond, the comparison falls apart. As a city, everything is intertwined enough that each part is truly a smaller portion of the whole. A small amount of rot will eventually spread to the rest, and I don't just mean disease. The great merchants of my day would shudder at the lost potential of it all."She turned the question back on him.
"As a resident, do you not want to see the city and that within rise to its proper potential? At the very least, it must be tiring having to bring up the ladder every night."“What do you believe it’s proper potential will be?”Meisa spread a palm out.
"Far more than it is now! A city like this that draws so many people to it should be a prosperous center for commerce like in the great cities of old, not just one that entirely revolves around dying in a dark dungeon. Wealth and an extended franchise brings in better education, thus better appreciation for the arts, and arts develops a proper culture, as opposed to... whatever it is now that can't find any appreciation for proper books like the ones you keep.""A lovely dream."He turned back to the canvas, to Firenze.
"Is that why you chaperone her, madam?"Meisa huffed a bit at the easy dismissal, while Firenze tilted her head even as she kept her certifiably striking pose.
"Well, no. She's absolutely crazy, yes, but has some good ideas, so maybe. It's more force of habit than anything, you know? It's sad. I don't even get a royal salary anymore, or the perks that came with it!"She made a dramatic show of lamentation as Meisa's turn to exclaim came.
"Hey!""Oh, you're elven royalty?""Fuck's sake..." she muttered under her breath, resisting the urge to whack herself in the face with the borrowed book from her host.
Meisa shot Firenze --who was still in that damn pose-- a glare that promised a talk later, before she turned and gave Camille a small smile.
"By blood, yes. But that was a long time ago, before the fall.""You witnessed the fall?""Ah-- yes?" She blinked, confused for a moment.
"I'm sure I mentioned it earlier... but I did. We both did. I remember what it was like, before then. It might be selfish, but I do want it back. It's why I'm here."The man considered things for a moment.
"In that case, if you're willing to entertain further conversation regarding life and culture in the past era, I will be more than happy to offer what assistance I can provide to you and your lady, Firenze."Camille gestured, a lopsided smile forming.
"Even if that would be only an atelier, some tea, and my proficiency with the brush.""I wouldn't mind at all," Meisa agreed, after a moment's consideration of her own, happy at having finally gained a follower in Oratorio.
"Most people don't care for hearing about the past. I would be glad to tell you stories of the old era in exchange..." Her words trailed off as he addressed Firenze directly again, who was beaming now. Meisa clicked her teeth shut, but controlled herself as she let out a sigh. She had to consider who she was dealing with, after all.
"Certainly," Firenze chimed in, looking like the cat ate the canary. She would be staying under a proper roof again!
"I'm sure there's lots of lost history and culture that Meisa can divulge. In the meantime, you can paint me all you want!"The golden-haired elf rolled her eyes. She had to consider who she was dealing with, after all.
The conversation settled down after that, with Camille focusing on painting after the two elves finally accepted his offer of tea. Having gained a follower in Camille, she left him to his art as she cracked open his book and found a comfortable corner to relive some culinary nostalgia. The painting was done after a few hours—and when Meisa and Firenze had a look at the completed work, while it wasn’t terrible, it wasn’t a masterpiece, either.
Despite that, Firenze showered praises on the man and gladly accepted the offered painting.
No doubt he would continue to improve now that he had such blessed inspiration in the form of Firenze, at least according to her.
With a spare key in hand and the comfort of shelter, the gamble had paid off well. Of course, they still hadn’t actually gotten into the Royal Road, but with an actual property to work out of, there was a lot more to work with. They still needed some proper income, though, and more of a picture of Oratorio, so with some light still left in the day, the two elves left once more to explore the neighborhood around Camille’s atelier.
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