#the witches of Isghard

[promethea-silk]

Black Light Guides You

The events of the past few weeks had left Cordelia with much to ponder. Between the opportunities extended by Vahalia and the interactions falling amongst the other Cress sister and her brother-in-law, Lady Gray had spent much time considering her next steps. It had been high time that Vahalia was to be given an invitation to the Gray estate once more, allowing the two women to discuss further at length the details regarding their soon-to-be intertwined business ventures as well as the looming interest amidst Valeria and Damien. 

Shadows decorated the walls and decor as flames from multiple candles danced within the darkened room. Warmth exuded in temperature and color from the hearty fire within the fireplace that was nestled in the center of the main wall of the large office. The first time Vahalia had visited her, they were in one of the expansive yet cozy sitting rooms but with the expectation that more business talk was to occur, she felt this would be more proper. Upon her arrival, Vahalia would be guided through the manor, much like she had been her first time, where Cordelia would be waiting for her with a teacup already in hand as she sipped from it and perused some paperwork upon the desk before her. 

It was Wren’s presence that first gave way to the silence in the room and the door opened, the jostle of mail with the soft din of heels at the floor that had indicated additional company. The Mistress of the House had already been foretold of Vahalia’s coming and promptly, she did. The woman was noted to be wearing quite the usual garments she normally did, a hint of satin greens peeking through the drape of lace at cuffs and skirts, “Pleasant evening, Cordelia.”

The greeting had caused a soft grunt from Wren which then caused the tall Viera woman to bear a look across to Cordelia a moment, then to the back of Vahalia’s head and with that bout of silent disapproval of the Ishgardian woman not properly presenting to Lady Gray, Wren excused herself entirely behind the closed door.

“Your presence is a sight for sore eyes. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve been kept at the old Slater estate watching the construction and pouring over vapid conversations.” like a ghost, the woman with sable hair swayed towards the spot in which Cordelia sat, a large item in hand which looked neatly wrapped in purple cloth.

A soft and gentle chuckle came as she noticed Wren’s reaction to the otherwise rather personal greeting. Cordelia gave no notion that it bothered her in any sense. In fact, she mirrored the informal interaction, simply lifting her head just slightly before gesturing to the seat in front of the desk after having set her porcelain teacup down.  “Likewise, Vahalia, I am pleased you were able to tear yourself from such a busy schedule. Please, make yourself comfortable.” With ease, Cordelia pushed the delicate teapot and empty cup toward Vahalia, a range of teabags and assortments adorning the spinning plate to allow for easy access to all. “Please, do help yourself.” 

“With the partnership with Osric settled, there is less pushing for it weighing on me. Admittedly.” Vahalia mused with a low hum and she settled across from Cordelia. She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word ‘marriage’ still the notion was entirely emetic. The Cress woman sat across from her equal at the desk and placed the large parcel within reach of Cordelia but not in the way of anything she had been working on.

The Cress Matriarch went at her leisure filling the teacup with hot water, a teabag of lavender settled within and a simple slice of lemon slipped into the slope of the hot cup, “I brought you the tome I spoke of. Have you been fairing well since we last spoke?” Vahalia looked comfortable enough as she crossed her legs, angling in the chair and plucking up a spoon to begin dabbling and stirring the contents of her tea.

Noticing Vahalia’s choice in tea, Cordelia smiled at herself having been pleased at her recollection of times prior and taking note of the woman’s preference. She plucked up her own teacup yet again, relishing in the warmth in her hand before enjoying a gentle sip. “I imagine no longer having the anticipation of completing the act no longer looming is perhaps relieving.” With the tome slid in her direction, a brow lofted curiously and her cup returned to its saucer just out of the way. 

“Oh, me? I have been riddled with nuisances here and there but otherwise, I am well. We recently got a new shipment of some beautiful patterns I have been excited to get working with.” As she spoke, her hands reached for the wrapping of the book to undo it, eyes flicking over the outside and inspecting the details of it. “Ah yes…I do recall you mentioning this during your last visit. Curious…”

Honey-colored eyes followed Cordelia’s actions without any prompt of word and she simply saw to her tea, allowing the Lady of the house to browse at her leisure. A stint passed and after a gingered sip from her teacup, Vahalia smirked gently, “I’m sure you’ll find it to be quite stimulating. One of two books of its kind.” 

“I look forward to diving into it. Quite the treasure to come by, I am curious as to why you are entrusting to me.”

"Because you've expressed your interest and coupled with that, I like to give tokens of good faith."Adjusting to find comfort within the chair once more, the Cress woman’s eyes leveled across to Cordelia, “Your nuisance is none other than the same you spoke of when we last saw one another? A gentleman by the name of Damien if I am to assume?”

Fingers had flipped through a few pages gently, the sound of the old parchment crinkly with each turn was somewhat of music to Cordelia’s ears. The mention of her brother-in-law’s name brought a slight scowl to her features, however, “Unfortunately. He and Ambrose often argued over the split in business, it would seem as though I have taken my husband's place in more than one way.” A hand lifted, waving through the air dismissively. “Just part of the duty, I suppose.”

“How very vague of you.” Vahalia snerked openly, mildly amused but it mattered very little. She often left others to their own devices and affairs. Idly, the nail of her index finger tapped along the curve of her cup handle, “I’ve recently went about having Valeria keep her distance. I realize she and Damien have become fast friends but I’d rather not let her and her heedless nature and soft heart have her wrapped up in business that isn’t hers to wrestle with. In truth, I think she’s hungry for companionship and she’s been cooped up for so long that she thinks someone batting some lashes at her means they have some kind of interest at heart regarding her and they care to know her beyond the warmth between her thighs.”

There was a pause and Vahalia tipped her head, her eyes darting back across to Cordelia, “Not that I’ve pegged Damien himself the sort, that might be dishonoring him. But I know men well enough and if Ricard Blythe is anything to go off of, he already tried sleeping with Valeria to stoke my ire before their marriage was finalized. Men know no bounds.”

“Mm, I had heard through some incessant whining from Damien himself that you decided it best Valeria keep her distance. Truly, it is likely best, at least until I can garner better insight to the man’s plans.” A soft scratching sound came from the very top of Cordelia’s nail just barely grazing the book that was just gifted to her as her finger traced the details of it. Obviously, this caused no harm to the integrity of the book itself, it was simply an idle gesture. 

A brow peaked at the mention of Ricard followed by a thoughtful hum. “It would seem they do not, thus I am thankful for my change in marital status to widow…” Her hand finally came to rest palm down upon her desk somewhat closer to Vahalia’s direction. “Let’s not ruin the eve with blabbering about them then, hm? We have far more important matters to discuss regarding further plans. Tell me, how is it that you see Gray Industries aiding your cause?”

Listening to Cordelia talk, Vahalia merely listened with the side of her jaw nestled into the nook of her knuckles and her elbow resting leisurely at the armrest. She was pretty good at reading people, even with scant details and it was enough to cause the sable-haired woman to loose a gentle hum, “The cause of the Court? It isn’t so much to aid me so much as it is to aid those within the same sphere, directly or indirectly. It would benefit you just as it would me. You get your wares to further reaches which there in brings more money for you.”

Casually her hand motioned to herself, “And by paying me to see to your transport, then I am also making more money. They say to never mix business with pleasure but I’d rather do business with the devils I know as they are far better than the devils that I don’t.” Her head moved and she slipped her hand away from her face, “There is no point in beating around the bush. In short, gil and great influence for both of us. When reaching out to people to begin transporting goods, you were at the top of my list. I’ve recently come into some land in Valain and having some influence in the far east I think could benefit you greatly. Internationally.”

Cordelia nodded slowly, understanding the points Vahalia made and surely she agreed with them. “Ah, yes of course that all makes sense. As mentioned before, it seemed Ambrose had no interest or drive to seek out alternative lines of trade or procurement beyond Ishgard.” She clicked her teeth, tutting in an unamused fashion. “Surely he had his reasons but those reasons are no longer my concern, however that does leave me unfortunately and admittedly a little unaware of the best trade routes outside Ishgard and Thavnair.”Being a rather prideful woman, Cordelia never truly admitted any downfalls but she was aware that making the progress she sought after would require her to become a bit more humble in this sense. “That being said, I presume you suggest Valnain be the beginning of extending that reach then?” 

“Valnain is but a part of that. My ship, the Sirensong will be set to sail all across to the western cities and states using Black Water Bay as a hub between stops where trade shops are going to be located as well. Travelers from all over will be able to dock within the bay and access goods there as well as have them transported to them. Valnain will act as that very same hub in the eastern regions though Valnain is not under my rule as Black Water is, I only have pull there through my family name. That is more than enough I suspect for monumental things to happen, with some modicum of care, of course."Vahalia paused, her eyes steadily watching Cordelia as the pair spoke.

Vahalia opted to steal away a chaste sip from the side of her teacup before continuing, “I have people currently working on ship assets to assist in the protection of cargo. Weapons, if I am to be blunt. Magitek in design if I’m lucky. I can provide security on my vessels that most cannot. Sure, seafaring ships are slower than airships but they are far more cost-effective.”

A slow and steady motion of nodding came near absentmindedly as Cordelia listened and took in Vahalia’s words, filing away the details in the back of her mind. “Mm, I see. There would be a set schedule on the comings and goings I presume? If all is well, I would likely send a member of my household to oversee inventory and the books, of course. Mostly to make the transactions more… streamlined between the field and our ledgers and stocks.”  

“Of course, as you would wish. I hope you don’t mind if I happen to bookkeep on behalf of House Cress. I’ve been an accountant and ledger coordinator now for years even for the Ashen Wolves. Gives me more of an idea on what happens with sales.” Vahalia’s tongue smoothed out over her bottom lip and she reached absentmindedly to gently play with the handle of the spoon that rested within the saucer of her teacup, “I do have a request however.” Vahalia began, hand dropping away from the spoon and resting in her lap, “The request is simply, be exclusive to me in transportation and I will be exclusive to you in your wares. As long as we do business I will not transport other merchants' gems or textiles you could very well consider competition and you would not seek transportation from another company except through me for transportation services that I could consider competition. I would very much like for myself and you to be exclusive to one another in the aspect of business deals.”

Her hand lifted and indicated as she spoke, “I could easily toss in a list of names and buyers in the various regions within our reach for you to do business with as potential buyers of your products if that is of interest to you. More good faith, I believe they would call it.”

Cordelia raised a hand to gently rest upon her chest with a simple nod as she smiled. The expression was hardly a bright one but it suited her well enough. “Of course I do not mind, it makes complete sense for you to handle such this as you and your people are spearheading most of this. As far as exclusivity goes-” She bent her wrist just so that her hand facing upward extended just slightly in Vahalia’s direction. “- I believe this is something we can also accommodate. I see no reason as to why that would be an issue. This agreement between the two of us, especially, can lead to great things if it is handled correctly and if these are the stepping stones we must cross, then so be it. In truth…I feel this could simply be the beginning of what could be.”

“Indeed. Be it far from me to muddy the waters and I would like to see you flourish in your own way since you’ve come into your newfound freedom. Giving you all the strings to pull on your own. You tell me what you want transported, where and how much on which given day and we will make it happen. Deadlines are something we can factor in as well as needed. I only look to see my acquaintances also share in the wealth. Truth be told, I thoroughly enjoy seeing women rise above.”

“As we should. Rise above, that is. I look forward to sharing this journey and partaking in the success that comes from it.” By now, her cup was empty and she set it aside toward the rest of the set that had been assembled for their enjoyment. Cordelia took a moment to consider her next question, a soft drumming of her nails to the desk as she did so. “I’m curious…Perhaps you could tell me more about Ricard Blythe, seeing as you mentioned him earlier. I know little of the connection between the two of you, and of course your sister, but I can’t help but wonder.” 

Vahalia rose a brow looking across the desk to Cordelia. It was evident that something Cordelia had said or perhaps didn’t say that gave a pause to the Cress woman, “And what have you come to wonder about him, Lady Gray?”

“In short there is nothing kind I can say about the man. I tend to find his work to be quite sloppy at best and he thinks he is so much smarter than those around him or at the other end of a quick push off a balcony. He might have some charm laced in his words but the man is as needy, halfassed and self-serving as the next. No real job beyond pushing a pen, flipping folders or point his ‘men’ in places he needs them to go. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man successfully conduct anything with precision.”

Vahalia leaned across the desk, hands coming to cross infront of her bust as palms had found the cold wood, “He doesn’t take no for an answer and not in an endearing way. The man is annoying, delusional and doesn’t know how to keep his nose to himself even if you ask him to keep his fingers out of your business. Sharp dresser but not exactly sharp in the sense he likes to think he is.” her attention was afforded fully to Cordelia, “I know that his network was compromised about a year or so ago. A monumental task in which he sought out my help for. His trail is messy and continues to be. He has no real assets and the man has a high debt with me he still needs to settle. He might like a stiff drink and a fancy cigar once in a while but he’s as low rung as they come with no real sense of direction, ambition or know-how.”

“I won’t even get started on the sideways shit he tried to pull with my sister just to feel some slice of power for thinking he might get back at me. In short I know plenty of Ricard Blythe, I know him right down to every scar and everything he is capable of – or rather how the incompetence overshadows the capability. I know him down to the very marrow of his being. How ‘curious’ he claims to be of the world around him and how ‘interesting’ he finds folks with no real substance to anything he prattles on about, he talks because he likes to hear himself talk.”

Lacquered nails softly drummed along the desktop a few times before Vahalia’s hands slipped away and to her lap, a lopsided smirk had found itself nestled into her cheek, “The sex wasn’t that impressive either. Might have been enough for me to stay but not even that was a saving grace. Alas, as you stipulated before, lets not ruin our evening by talking about them. There are far more important and interesting matters.”

Brows lifted slightly as Cordelia could hardly hold back a smirk after having been rather taken aback by the devastation Vahalia essentially just unleashed. Once she was finished, she raised her hands with her palms facing her company as if signaling a white flag on the conversation. “My my, I was not prepared to hit such a nerve.” Hands returned now to rest within her lap as she adjusted in her seat, her smirk settling into the faintest of smiles. “What other interesting matters might you suggest?”

“Not at all.” Vahalia reassured her, “You asked and I thought it would be quite an untimely lie if I were to omit my own experiences with the man. It’s no secret that there is no love between him and I, not even a fraction of amicable course considering the position he put my sister in, twice over, which was both a slight to her virtue and her health.”

Vahalia simply offered a slight shrug, she certainly had little to no interest in discussing Ricard but the interest merely lay with Cordelia itself. Brushing the notion aside she flicked a finger in Cordelia’s direction, “Do you have any long-term goals going forward?”

“That’s fair.” Cordelia gave in retort, a gentle rise and fall of her shoulders in a shrug. When the conversation was turned away from the matter of Ricard, she quickly adjusted and changed course with Vahalia. “Aside from ensuring my brother-in-law lives a life of hell? Despite the Gray name not being my origin, I have, in all ways, taken it as my own and I look to make it as such and grow it. Grow it beyond what this family has been able to accomplish and then some. It will take some time but, thanks to you, those steps are already being made in full stride.”

A soft click sounded out as Vahalia gently fussed with her nails, listening to Cordelia, “Why not hand over the Gray estate to him and make your mark with your maiden name? You are a widow now and all indicators point to how much you disliked your late husband, why hang on to anything of his, including his name?” she waved her hand slightly, “Money of course has no name, it fits into any pocket big enough to carry it. Take the business, take the gil – leave the rest to those who would work against you. Just a thought.” Vahalia smirked as her shoulder ilmed up towards her chin, “I’m of the belief that poor investments need to be cut loose.”

Cordelia chuckled quietly as she pressed her lips together in a soft hum. “The consideration has crossed my mind…” A brief pause came as she glanced off at nothing in particular before allowing her attention to fall back to her company. “Perhaps the rational or smarter option is blinded by pride and a bit of pettiness. I want people to know it was me who did what the men of the Gray family could not. Plus, I’ve made this place my own as well. I like it here.” 

Nodded firmly as she looked around the space, “I can understand full well that drive and what it means to women like us. Pride, stubbornness – whatever negative thing they might tack on to it. I like to think of it as ambition, having aspirations and simply being assertive.”

She smiled, genuinely, and her nails drummed at the armrest of her chair, “Well – if we have an accord Cordeila, I do believe I should leave you to your vices for the rest of the day as I imagine you – much like myself – are a busy woman. I can have a fresh manifest ledger sent to you, you can fill it out and we’ll get your cargo situated and I’ll have Edalene see to those deliveries.”

“I’m glad we agree.” Finally, the first showing of a true smile met Cordelia’s lips and reached the corners of her eyes. Her hands came to the desk to push from her seat, nodding lowly to Vahalia in regard. “I truly look forward to working further with you, Vahalia. And should anything of interest come from this -” She paused, a long-nailed fingertip tapped to the book given at the top of the evening. “- I will certainly let you know.” 

The witch-woman stood, “Likewise. I’m a stone’s throw and a missive away should you need me. I’ll swing by again soon to check in and come for tea, which is impeccable by the by.” her finger had lowered to tap at the side of the teacup, “Give your House my regards and I’ll be seeing you again in due course, be well Cordelia.” a firm decline to her chin came, a thankful nod in the Lady Gray’s direction that was sure to be conveyed even in the lingering silence as the Lady Cress made her way from the office, that very same trail of lavender lace and the scent of black plum and anise following in her wake.

[Collab with @vahalia-cress-ffxiv]

Mentions: @spirit-speaking @damien-gray-ffxiv @ricard-blythe-ffxiv