The Duke and the 'Dancer' [Duke Gaston]

[Rosalia]

DATE: 1st day of Firstfall, 9:40 Dragon
LOCATION: 'The Rose of Orlais' Brothel, Val Foret
TIME: 15:00

Spinning around on the 'stage-area' of the Rose of Orlais Brothel, Rosalia gave a light chuckle as her skirt (if it could be called a skirt) whipped around her figure, giving the merest of glimpses of her upper legs and beyond before the view disappeared as a few groans were heard from the customers/patrons as she continued to spin around and continue with her dance. It was quite fast paced so her skin slightly glistened with some sweat to add to the allure but not too sweaty to be unattractive on the Ferelden dancer.

Her mahogany coloured hair was slightly pinned back so that her hair wouldn't fall in front of her face as she danced but it still flowed with her movements like silk does on a trim person's figure. Her eyes were mostly shut save for a small splash of her light green eyes which peeked through, though when she did have her eyes more open, they were half lidded to add to her allure and mystical quality which she held.
Her outfit though was the main thing that had people's attention: It was a dark green leotard which was held by two straps with silver eyelets (whether these were purely decorative or had a function, only Rosalia truly knew) which hugged Rosalia's figure perfectly with a sweetheart cut which showed enough of the swell of cleavage to peek anyone's interest without fully showing it, and more than enough to slightly frustrate men, and dipped quite low in the back. Around her waist was a silver belt like attachment and from it flowed a fine silvery grey sheer fabric that flared from her hips and went around most of her body save for the very front of her legs. It sparkled from the various lights as she danced as it obscured the fact that her leotard showed a fair amount of her 'hindquarters', unless someone had very good eye-sight.

She didn't have any shoes on her feet but she didn't mind, in fact she preferred to dance without shoes on as it helped show the full length and limber of her legs as her arms extended out from her like a swan's wings when they were outstretched before she gave two small 'flaps' as her right foot remained pointed whilst it was behind her before her dance continued as she waited for her next client.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

Duke Gaston du Val Chevin sat in the corner of the large drinking room, surrounded by his personal guards, with a glass of fine Orlesian red in his hand.
He wore an enormous brimmed hat with a lavish feather flying out of it and a gold trimmed doublet with a grand white ruff.
Across the room sat la Marquis Jean Luc, surrounded by other minor nobles and chevaliers, all covered in thick, travel worn cloaks and drinking from tankards of cheap mead.
They were loyalists to Queen Celene, and Emperor Gespard had sent Gaston to arrest or kill every one of them, ruthlessly and without mercy.
"Your Grace" Capitain D'eon chuckled, already drunk off of his cheap Anderfels filth. "Try to relax. We are in a brothel, forget our grim business for a few hours."
Gaston shot the Chevalier a fake smile and nodded.
"Indeed, Capitain, thank you for the advice." Gaston murmured, stepping from his seat and bowing to his guards. "Excuse me, gentlemen, I am off to purchase the full bottle of this excellent wine the barkeep has allowed me to try."
He strode through the room with grace and elegant swagger, periodically taking a glance at the traitors in the corner, drinking their cheap mead and murmuring to each other, no doubt paranoid and afraid of their own shadows at this point.
"What can I do for you, your grace?" The barkeep asked, a good looking young man in a stained white tunic, he was polishing a glass with a dirty cloth and whistling as he worked at it.
"First off, I'd like the bottle." Gaston requested. "And next, I'd like you to poison the next round of drinks for those dodgy looking gentlemen in the corner."
The barkeep suddenly stopped polishing his glass and slowly looked up to stare Gaston right in the eyes.
"Your grace..."
"Listen boy." Gaston sighed, pulling out the Emperor's seal from his pocket and shoving it in the barkeeps face. "Those men are traitors to the crown and I have been sent to bring them down, do as I tell you, NOW, or I will have your head placed over the battlements of Val Chevin." Gaston threw threw two pouches into the bar, grabbed the wine bottle and strode back to his table, one pouch containing powder poison and the other containing seven golden royals.
Right as he sat back down, a skinny man with a hooked nose approached him.
"Your Grace, Rosalia will see you now."
Gaston stood again, but turned back to his entourage.
"If they try to make a run for it, follow them." He ordered with a sharp tone to his voice.

[Rosalia]

Watching what was going on in the Brothel as she danced, Rosalia noted the appearance of one Duke Gaston de Val Chevin and how he was looking at the group on the other side of the main Brothel drinking area where she was also currently preforming. Some of her sisters, and indeed brothers, were making the simple rounds of either passing out the drinks, or giving simpler and more 'personal' entertainment whilst a room was prepared.

Seeing the man's tension, Rosalia caught the eye of one of her sisters and gave a simple wink to have her room prepared whilst she finished up. The group in the corner were particularly quiet on this day as she saw Gaston stride with his usual swagger to the Bar and slightly threaten the Barkeep as she subtly shook her head to him, cautioning him to not argue as she finished her dance with an elegant twirl before she stepped down to cool off, get some water into her system and dry off her sweat. Only then did she give herself a small brush down and step back out again before slowly walking towards Gaston, her hips rolling softly as she smiled mysteriously at him. Her usual pearl pendent resting in it's usual place just tantalisingly above her bosom as it seemed to stay still as she moved with it's six diamonds currently added to it.

"Your Grace.... My, my.... You seem to be more..... Tense than usual, I see.... Tsk, tsk...." She stated with her calm voice, though it was lightly laced with her usual seductive tone as she made her presence quite clear whilst she approached, shaking her head softly as she did so in order for some of her now released hair to fall in front of her shoulders to caress her neck and fall atop her cleavage as she batted her eyelashes slowly at him, "Well, we can't have that now, can we?" She teased lightly with her smile and a musical sigh as she stepped to the side a little to lead him to her room. During the journey, Rosalia would listen to his breathing, footsteps and look at his person to see what he would need. Whether it was a quick lay, a possible massage first to relieve some of the tension, or perhaps a more lengthy time to get him to fully relax and enjoy himself. All the while, her hips swayed with ease and grace so that Gaston's attention was on her.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

Gaston couldn't help but try catch a glance of the dancer's bare parts as she led him by the hand down the hall, but keeping his thoughts occupied on how she could help him, with information on other nobles and courtiers that he could use against them
though as he strolled slowly down the hall, Gaston asked himself, why was he so worried over the fate of a few men that could no longer pose a threat, when he could be properly enjoying himself.
He was in a beautiful city, in one of the finest brothels, with one of the most beautiful women who had ever graced his acquaintance, three years ago he would not have been fretting over minor traitors.
He put his worries behind and slipped his free hand along her side, and traced it down her flank and thigh, kneading her skin passionately with his fingers.
"You look especially ravishing tonight, my sweet." He whispered into her ear, letting all the other trifles and hardships of court fade from his mind, enveloping it solely with thoughts of how Rosalia would look under neath her minuscule garb.

[Rosalia]

Slightly opening her door, Rosalia smiled as she gently pulled the Duke inside where he was greeted with her room. Well her room when 'entertaining at any rate as she replied, "You should expect nothing.... But the best, your Grace." She purred as she shut the door behind her with a soft click, having heard his whisper as he stroked her side.

In there sat a finely furnished room with a King-sized, four poster bed with luxurious hangings and bedding, flanked by two bedside cabinets: one holding two carafes, one of water and one of wine along with some glasses, whilst the other held Rosalia's fan and two small bottles of... Well something. A few of candles lit the room as they wafted the aroma of vanilla, lavender and something else whilst also splashing their silhouettes onto the wall as Rosalia walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around to his front with a throaty chuckle, playing at his buttons.

"You work.... Way too hard, Gaston..... Time to see whether you play hard too...." She whispered into his ear as her fingers started to undo his buttons and ruff for him and her lips kissed his ear, trailing down to his neck before throwing away the ruff. She knew exactly what to do with him today.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

Gaston stepped with Rosalia into the comfortable looking room, keeping his mind on her curves, the way she moved and the seductiveness in her voice.
"Why of course, my sweet." He breathed as her soft, deftly moving hands undid his buttons and threw his expensive neck piece into a corner.
He rubbed her arms softly and pulled her close to him, her breath soft against his slightly revealed chest, her lashes beating like the wings of a swan.
But even with her in front of him, lusting for him with a passion, he couldn't help but think of the perilous situations that had become his life.
He knew that she commonly spent nights with Gespard, but Gaston was on the Emperor's good side, and had no need for information on his misdeeds.
He knew that the slime David was secretly loyal to Celene, but he doubted that he had ever spent a night with this glorious beauty of a woman.
Gaston suspected Nathaniel de Benier to have allegiance to some one other that Gespard, but he had no reason to cross the grizzled old man.
But of course, it was common knowledge that Leonardo dé Rialto, ambassador of Antiva, was a womanizer, and not only that, he was competing with Gaston as one of the Emperor's favorites.
Rosalia would have all manner of dirty secrets on the Antivan foreigner, from his possibly questionable sexual preferences to any manner of illegal trading he might be doing.
With that information, he could eliminate a rival at court, boost his own esteem in Gespard's eyes and gain a reputation at court.
He smiled at Rosalia, lifting her chin slightly and looking her in the eyes, his other hand slipping down her thigh and into her nether regions, prompting a slight and no doubt fake smile to lay itself upon her delicate face.
"My dear Rosalia." He breathed, seductiveness and charm laden heavy into his tone. "Please do tell me, have you ever been with a man named Leonardo dé Rialto?"

[Rosalia]

Chuckling richly as she was pulled against Gaston's chest, Rosalia delicately paced her hands against his chest before bringing them down slowly, her nails gently raking down as she went down to undo his boots for him before she was pulled back up by Gaston's hand whilst his other one tried to get her mind into a certain direction. "Business and pleasure today, hmmm? You naughty... Naughty man!" She smiled at him as she pursed her lips.

Pushing him backwards towards the bed, Rosalia motioned with her finger for him to turn around so that he was on his front as she ran the name through her mind to find a face. Leonardo dé Rialto..... An Antivan Ambassador, if she recalled correctly as she walked seductively towards Gaston.

Climbing onto the bed and straddling his back, Rosalia reached for one of the small bottles on her bedside table and poured some of the liquid onto her hands, having slightly rubbed her hands beforehand but rubbed them a little again before rubbing her oil covered hands into Gaston's back, the Rose Oil will help Gaston to relax a little as she massaged his back.

"Leonardo dé Rialto, the Antivan Ambassador? No..... I haven't had the..... Pleasure of actually knowing him...." Rosalia replied, the word pleasure was laced carefully with distaste as she worked her hands on Gaston's back, she'd do the legs later if she found the time. "Some of my sisters have though, he seems to have a thing against Human women who can use things aga....." She stopped talking as she hummed a little, she wasn't really supposed to be giving such information to people. To His Radiance, it was acceptable considering that he trusted Rosalia with some secrets which she would never say to anyone. But this?

If she knew her Gaston, which she did, he would use it to gain influence in Court.... And if Madame found out, or worse it went downhill... Her sisters would never forgive her. Such thoughts swam through her head as she kneaded deeply into Gaston's back and shoulders, at the moment working from the top down as her palms worked through the skin and into the muscle beneath.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

Gaston allowed himself to fall softly onto her comfortable bed, smiling as she motioned for him to turn over and got on top of him.
Her hands rubbed his back gently, releasing the mountain of tension he held and causing him to let out a light, relieved sigh.
She spoke, gently and soothingly, yet passionate and lusting at the same time. She was truly a master at her craft.
So the Antivan had visited this particular establishment, not surprising, and he was impressed with Rosalia for not spending a night with the flirtatious foreigner.
Suddenly she stopped speaking, right as she was about to reveal something useful, and broke into a soft hum.
"Rosalia." He breathed, barely able to speak through the pleasure of the massage she was giving him. "You seem apprehensive to share any information with me."
He groaned slightly as she hit a chord of stress in his shoulder, flooding his senses with equal amounts of pain and pleasure.
"Don't you know you can trust me? You know very well that I will only ever do well by you."
He grunted again, more knots becoming undone and his pleasure ever increasing.
"What is it that you wish for, ma chere?" He asked, trying to turn his head in a way to catch a glimpse of her facial reactions. "Do you wish me to bring you to court? Do you want me to bathe you in gold and silk?" He was asking on a basis of getting what he wanted, but in his heart, he truly cared for Rosalia and wanted her to be happy. She had always been there to share a useful piece of gossip, or relieve stress, or to just listen to what he had to say.
Yes, she was a prostitute, and was payed to do so, but it was still a great pleasure to have her in his life, even if it was only on the occasional visit to Val Foret.

[Rosalia]

Rosalia hummed as she worked his back, listening to his offers. Some of them were somewhat enticing but only one thing would make her relax so she bent down to whisper by his ear. "Technically by the rules of the Brothel, I shouldn't be giving away any personal information but.... So long as this isn't traced back to me, my sisters or Madame... Then I'll tell you what I know....." She replied as she gave a small nip at his ear before resuming her massage, going further down his back.

"Ambassador Leonardo dé Rialto is not the biggest fan of Human women who are above him.... Hence why his allegiance is to his most Radiance, and not the former Empress..... And hence why he did not wish to spend the night with me.... He prefers Elven Women, the lower the... 'Class'.... The better for him.... I have also heard of him being more.... Lenient to Mages, having offered safe passage to some groups with some... payment in return..." She stated as she cleverly used to her feet to gently and slowly pull down his trousers, smirking a little as she watched his expressions and listened to his moans and breathing.

She knew how to work best as she teased out all the knots in Gaston's back. "How much more work are you thinking of putting in, Gaston? Because you know how much I detest it when I'm trying to make you relax and have some fun.... It's make you tense for the wrong reasons...... And besides, my bed, my rules...." She purred as she threaded her fingers through his hair playfully.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

He smiled as she revealed the Antivan's dirty secrets.
It was not the easiest piece of information to spin into a scandal or act of treason, but it would do.
Lucky for Leonardo, he would be keeping his head, but his position in court? unlikely.
It was not illegal to engage in sexual actions with elves, but it was generally frowned upon, and such a scandal coming to light may move Gespard to send the swine back to Rialto.
And taking bribes from apostates? Well, that was most definitely on the illegal side, and if Gespard wouldn't have his head for it, Lambert definitely would.
"You are magnificent, ma belle" He sleepily slurred as she moved her deft hands around his body, arousing and relaxing him equally.
"forgive me for coming to you in such a foul mood." He he said, seductively and playfully. "Without you in Val Royeaux, the stress does nothing but build up."
He sighed, and moved one hand behind him to intimately play with her leg and thigh, while he used the other one as a cushion for his head.
"You are quite the magnificent woman, my dear Rosaline." He murmured, closing his eyes and allowing the sensations from her fingers flow through his senses. "If you had the heart and the mind for it, you could bring the world to your feet."

[Rosalia]

Chuckling, Rosalia gave a sly smile as she fished off his trousers before flicking them away with her feet. "Imagine it, my dear Gaston..... His most Radiance there, listen to the foul Ambassador... And you bring into light, not only a small scandal of him being in a relationship with an Elven Maid but also how he assists Mages...... Along with some.... Evidence of him sleeping with Apostates too......" She gave a dramatic gasp as she lied out on top of Gaston to lick his ear, "Such an embarrassment for the Ambassador, that his Imperial Majesty would have to remove him from Court, and of course reward you handsomely, my dear Gaston?!" She whispered as she put all her weight on him in a ripple like movement.

Climbing off of him, Rosalia smiled with her usual seductive stare as she took in how he looked without much clothing on save his smallclothes. "It is my job to ensure that your needs are seen to, just as much as his Radiance's." She answered as she slowly took off the belt, "My other customers are fine... But they don't hold a candle to you two...." She purred as she let the belt fall off her figure.

"I... Don't need the world, my darling Gaston....." Rosalia pointed out as she unhooked the silver eyes of her leotard and the green fell gracefully off her body and onto the ground. The only thing left on her was her Pearl Pendent. "Apparently the world needs a certain Ferelden Dancer, who knows how to make men relax enough to take their minds off of politics for at least an hour or so in order for them to rest...." She purred as she slowly walked back to him after delicately stepping out of the pile of clothing she left, her hips rolling in a figure of 8 so the rest of her body rolled as she walked, one foot delicately placed in front of the other.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

It would be an enormous scandal, not only would Leonardo be embarrassed by his preference towards lesser women, he would be punished for aiding apostates.
And just as Rosalia suggested, Gaston could plant false evidence incriminating, him of sexual acts... and possibly even sexual crimes with apostates. It would be the icing on the cake.
The gossiping nobility of Orlais would be talking about it for years, Leonardo would be disgraced beyond repair and Gespard would most likely reward Gaston, just as Rosalia predicted.
Gaston's thoughts raced to the recent battle at Sanglate Pont and the Invasion of Nevarra, putting the bloody memories aside.
If Gaston were to become the Emperor's favorite, he could be rewarded with territory in Nevarra.
He would be... Duke Gaston de Val Chevin... and Cumberland.
He rather liked the way that sounded in his head.
She climbed off of him and stepped away, giving Gaston the chance to turn onto his back and stare at the beauty that stood before him.
He rather liked the way she was looking at him, and the way she praised him, of course.
She unhooked her silver leotard, and with that, stood completely naked in front of him, save for a pearl pendant.
He couldn't help but silently murmur 'Oh my' as he took in the full view of her bare skin., how it reflected brilliantly in the candle light, how her curves sat elegantly, waiting for Gaston's touch.
She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met, and her lack of clothes only made him want her more.
"Of course you don't, ma cherri." He murmured, climbing back on the bed slowly. "I only meant to say that if you wished for it, it would be yours."
"For yours is the beauty that could topple an empire."

[Rosalia]

"Gaston...... You're thinking too much....." Came Rosalia's sing-song voice, laced with a flirtatious giggle at the end as she tried to bring him back to the present.

One candle burned somewhere behind her so it cast a light around her and through her hair as Rosalia smiled, she smoothed some of the Rose Oil that she had left over onto her skin just before Gaston turned onto his back so her skin glistened a little in reaction to the light.

Climbing back onto the bed, Rosalia crawled up over Gaston. "It seems to be something His Radiance and you seem to share... And I take only what I like...." She purred as she kissed him deeply, lying herself on top of him before everything faded to black.

~~~~

Some time later, Rosalia sighed happily as she stroked Gaston's head as he laid on her chest, she was satisfied and he was possibly on Cloud Nine if not somehow back in the Golden City, or an equivalent as they lied underneath the soft bed covers. Reaching over, Rosalia poured herself some water and sipped from it daintily as she waited for Gaston to see if he needed more attention.

"Feeling better, my dear Gaston? Or do you need some more TLC?" She asked, despite being a Ferelden in Orlais, many of the men here liked her very much. Especially Gaston and Gespard, they were frequents... But then again, she never judged nor held a grudge against the Orlesians, unlike many of her kinsman. She did a job which helped to satisfy her wants and needs, and it satisfied them. No wrongs done.

[Duke Gaston de Val Chevin]

Gaston grunted as he sat up from his comfortable position resting his head on Rosalia's chest.
He pulled the sheets from his body, slumped out of the bed and stretched, groaning at the mixed pleasure and pain.
"Oui, I am feeling much better, ma chere, thank you for asking." He chuckled, picking his trousers up from off the ground and pulling them back over his legs.
"I promise to be back soon." He laughed, winking at her as he found his doublet and ruff in a corner, and struggling tp ut them back on.
Finally, he found his hat, discarded on the ground, which he plopped back on his head lazily, majestic feather as elegant as ever.
"M'lady" He stated with the utmost phony respect and humbleness possible, taking a deep bow and chuckling when he came back up.
"I feel you would be an excellent conspirator and plotter." He laughed as he stepped through the door. "It's been a pleasure as always!" he called back at her from outside, catching the attention of a shady couple going at it in a corner of the hall, who promptly told him to shut up.
He sauntered away from the rooms and into the drinking room, louder than before, with a musician playing an Orlesian ballad in the corner.
Perhaps it had been just as loud before, but his pre-occupation with his work had stopped him from noticing.
His entourage sat at their table, quite drunk and nearly screaming at each other about idiotic epiphanies they were suddenly having.
In the corner, the Marquis and his co-conspirators laid dead, though their choice of seat in a dark corner would stop anyone from noticing for at least a few more hours.
Gaston did not want to wait for his men to finish drinking, so he strut into the street by himself, deciding that they could be allowed to be left to their own devices.
The brisk winter air hit him hard and he chuckled.
He didn't come to Val Foret often enough.

[Rosalia]

Smiling as she clambered out after him, Rosalia helped him a little with his buttons, "Must you go so soon? You still seem a little..... Tense, my dear Gaston.... And it is quite cold out there?!" She purred as she pressed her front against his back whilst she helped him redress himself.

Kissing him warmly, Rosalia playfully tapped his nose, "You better do, you know I miss when you go away..... And not so much business next time, all right? Makes it harder for us to have a good time!" She stated with a gentle wink as she started to gather her clothes.

"My talents are extremely varied, my dear Gaston.... I am extremely.... Flexible with my uses..." Rosalia replied as she started to dress herself until she bid him goodbye, "Au revoir, Gaston.... Try not to overwork yourself."

Once Gaston was gone, Rosalia sighed heavily as she tidied up the room. She hoped that Gaston would not mention where he got his information from, otherwise it would be her head on the line.... Mind, Gespard would probably find a way to keep her out of the firing range.