In Pheonix district, a building resides shrouded in secrecy behind a front hedge. It has been said such privacy is needed when it comes to matters of the heart and that was just what the establishment specialised in. The name of the business, ‘Karniut’, is beautifully signposted on the front saloon doors. Of Kermite language, the name of the establishment meant ‘To Love.’
The building is separated into two halves with a sheltered walkway separating the two halves from each other. As one makes their way to the front entrance different types of coloured sand could be seen under foot as one walked along the path; mainly the colours of yellow and terracotta which matched the colour of the brick building. Every so often, if one looked closely, heart shapes could be seen in the sand. On either side of the path rare and beautiful flowers grew in heart shaped clumps. Water fountains and statues of angels and cherubs were presented every so often in the middle of the flowered clumps and on the outside, in spaces between the fragrant hearts. Most of the angels were armed with an arrow drawn in a bow denoting cupid, the angel of love. Everyone agreed the angels were a worthy depiction of the business and the services they offered their clients.
As one enters the building they are greeted by a blonde haired female Elf seated behind a large oaken counter. As one looked around the room they would find that the reception room was open and cool with a high ceiling. Small glass windows lined the top of the red walls letting the sunlight enter into the large room. Carefully positioned on the red walls were pieces of artwork bordered with golden frames. On the right-hand side there were closed oaken doors. Empty plush chairs could be seen on the opposite wall from the counter and situated along the left hand side. A small table was placed to one side in the middle of the room with a large glass vase filled with flowers. The flowers fragrance filled the room with a sweet scent of Spring. Along the back wall towards the right-hand side of the room, the same oaken saloon doors were located. The saloon doors were closed preventing the sight of the sheltered path which takes a person to the other half of the building. That of the most importance to the reception room and where one's gaze lingered the longest was the description of the services and prices Karnuit offered. The sign was mounted onto the wall beside the radiant female Elf.
A friendly smile was displayed on the Elf’s face as one draws closer to the counter. In a warm tone the Elf speaks, “Welcome to Karniut, may you find the beauty, warmth and embrace of love and here at Karniut we will do everything that is in our power to help you find and relish in that love. My name is Selene. How can I help you this brightening?”
Goods & Services:
Classes:
Understanding the Opposite Gender – 150 gc
Art of Flirtation – 150 gc
Self-Confidence – 150 gc
Dating Practice – Practice your dating skills by going on a date with a male or female staff member. This service Includes coaching on the date and feedback after the date. – 250 gc
Match Maker – Set you up on a date with another single client. Service includes arranging the venue and introducing you and your date to each other – 50gc
Socialising Darkenings – Every 4 cycles, join in a fun darkening out with our client base. Includes drinks, dinner or dancing. This is the perfect chance for singles to meet other singles. Food/drinks included in price. - 60 gc
NPCs:
Selene and Zak’kare (Owners)
Secrets :
Name:
Staff of Karniut
Teaching Staff:
Nakita Ward – art of flirtation teacher
Bantem Drarnias- art of flirtation teacher
Maia Menstren – understanding gender and self-confidence
Date and Social Outings Staff: (Fulltime or Casual Status)
Many males and females of different races are contracted for practice dates depending on client’s preference of race.
Physical Description, History & Behavior:
Selene is wife of Zak’kare. She is of average height in Elf standards. Blonde hair, green eyes and pale skin. After marrying her husband she embraced Kermite lifestyle and now wears Kermite feminine dresses in bold colours. Has a Tattoo of a heart on her ankle. She is a true romantic with a warm, friendly and affectionate personality.
Zak’kare is solid built, tall and has a tattoo on his back of a Pheonix. He has dark hair, brown eyes. He has a shy nature and is well versed in lore. Zak’kare spent most of his brightenings in the library buried in a book with not much interest and luck with females and especially with love until he met and fell in love with his wife.
Nakita is tall and attractive with olive skin, Harlequin green eyes, long dark brown hair and hourglass figure. She is confident and charming with a warm hearted nature. She can appear cold or even harsh if she feels she is not being taken seriously or someone displays rude behaviour and mannerisms towards her. She is single, likes to be social and to dance.
Bantem is of medium height, he has a masculine and toned build, sandy hair, and green eyes. Bantem is the essence of masculinity. He is warm and has a humorous side, charismatic and helpful. It is said that he had ‘ugly duck syndrome’ when he was small but when he became an adult he grew into his good looks and because of this he is extremely understanding to the difficulties that bring forth a lack of know how when it comes to romance.
Maia Menstren is good looking for her age. She often wears a serious look upon her face and her age can be seen through her wrinkles when she either scowls or smiles. Maia has black hair tinged with grey. She wears glasses when reading and wears them like a necklace throughout the brightening. Maia is extremely knowledgeable in what she teaches and has spent many eras’ studying and doing her own research and investigations. Maia moves about silently often giving people a fright. She believes it is unlikely that she will find love again because of her age but relishes in the memory of her late husband.
Items or Property Of Note:
Beautiful front yard / garden. Large building with two separate halves connected by sheltered walkway. Number of offices and conference rooms.
Example Speech Pattern/Dialog color:
All staff are well spoken. Accents and tones, and length of speech patterns vary amongst staff. Zak’kare is the only person who is uncomfortable speaking more than a few words to strangers.
Can this NPC be used by players in self-moderation or training situations?:
Yes with Permission
Factoid:
Secrets :
District: Pheonix District Type of Location: Business Notability of Location: Common Knowledge: Place to go for help with romance and to find someone to share romance with. Training/Employment Opportunities: Yes. Can This Location Be Self Moderated?: By Permission Only Credits: AGM Stargrace
__________________
Status: Playing catch up....
Last edited by Stargrace; July 7, 2008 at 02:40 AM.
She would never be caught visiting such a place in public, which was why she pulled up the hood of her cloak on her way here. A mixture of curiosity and longing had brought her to Karniut, behind a solid wall of denial, and now Amelia stood in the central walkway of the building, surrounded by statues of angels wielding arrows of love. A vaguely unsettling sight, truth told, and an establishment that sold love tended to sound like a brothel to her, despite assurances to the contrary.
So why was she here? It wasn't that she was looking for a man, per se. In fact, Amelia valued her independence over mostly anything else... but she could feel herself inadequate whenever she dealt with the other gender. Everyone was afraid of her, even Giants twenty-five times her weight kept their distance, and while this was often the reaction Amelia wanted to elicit, other times she did that to people she wished to keep around. Even Vanderlou had said something that stung a bit if she stopped to think about it... something about changing her image, so to speak, though the underlying note was about her personality.
She pulled down her hood and shook her chestnut hair into place as she approached the receptionist, one eye often wandering over her shoulder, as if checking for witnesses. "Serale," she said, "I am looking for lessons in the art of fl... fl..." The word did not seem to come out. "Flirtation," she finally blurted out, clearing her throat afterwards. "I trust this establishment has a policy of full confidentiality." It would be really bad to see such a fine business suddenly overrun by creatures of the beyond popping up for some random coincidence, and the only local ghostbusting agency in town 'too busy' to deal with it. "I feel there might be some sharp edges to my character that would be best smoothed a little."
And indeed, standing there rigidly at her full height, Amelia did not look like a prime example of flirtatious girl. Oh, she had the potential, all right; she was easy enough on the eyes to pull it off, just that her face was more often painted with blood than makeup.
Selene looked up from her paperwork as a person entered into the building. Selene quickly glanced out the window wondering if that was the reason for the female to be wearing the hood of her cloak but from Selene's brief glance she could not detect rain nor even a slight wind; the weather was rather calm considering the season. Selene let is slide as she focused on the Female again as the female's hood was pulled down revealing an attractive Female with beautiful chestnut hair. Selene smiled and listened intently as the Female vocalised what she wanted. Selene's smile softened as the words finally came out. Selene firmly nodded her head. "Of course we keep our clients and every detail about them confidental. We would not be much of an establishment if we did not."
There was something about the Female that had been nagging at Selene the moment her hood was removed. She seemed familiar although Selene knew she had not met nor previously spoken to the female. Perhaps Selene had merely seen her around Zinn'Sunn when tending to her errands? However that conclusion did not satisfy the Karniut owner and then suddenly it came to Selene. She was the one - the ghost whisperer, she owned a store in same district as Selene, The Otherworldly Ways Bazaar of the Beyond. Selene only knew this because one brightening as she was waking past she became curious about the shoppe and peeped her head in. And that explained much to Selene on why the attractive Female did not have much luck in love. Almost as if Amelia was on the same chain of thought, Amelia voiced her last statement.
Selene nodded her head at Amelia's words and spoke reassuringly to her first offical client. "Our teachers are wonderful and will teach you as much as they can in the art of flirtation. Would you like to pay for your classes now? Or just a sum now and the rest later? We have two teachers in the art of flirtation, Nakita and Bentem, which teacher would you feel more comfortable having? Often Female's prefer Females and Males prefer Males, but you may have either one. As you can understand business is not completely booming so soon after opening." Selene offered the female another friendly smile, one that did not show fright nor worry at knowing who and what the Female was. Selene cared little about spirits and they cared little about her and that was the way Selene hoped in her lifetime it would stay.
Amelia seemed marginally reassured by Selene's words about confidentiality. To want to work on her character a little was one thing - to let the world know about that was another matter entirely. The decision to come here had been made in the spur of the moment, and she hoped she would not come to regret it, but for now she had started the dance, and dance she would. Truth told, Amelia's problems in love were not so much about her job as about the personality traits she had developed because of it. She had come to doubt that her heart was even big enough to harbor true love, but no matter what the truth was, she had eyes, desires and longings like the next woman.
Part of her fears in coming here was that an indepth analysis of her would reveal that, indeed, she was a lost cause, hopeless and condemned to be alone and rejected like the Outlaw she had always been. And a side of her loved it; another side hated it, making her a conflicted person. "I will pay for my classes now," she said without hesitation, never one to owe others if she could help it. She would pay the sum requested of her right away, and then state her choice of teacher.
"I would like a female teacher, if at all possible," she gave Selene a faded smile. "My working hours are flexible, so I can attend my class at almost any time, and I can start right away." Before she changed her mind, that is. Amelia was rather famous for her sudden 180's and seemingly whimsical changes of heart. The witch sighed a little, happy at least that she had gone through the request, quite possibly the most awkward moment of them all (then again, dealing with live people was always a bit awkward.) How could you step in front of someone and tell them 'Hey, I totally fail at this life thing. Mind giving me a hand?' For an incredibly proud and self-centered creature like Amelia, it had taken extreme effort.
Just as Amelia was more than she appeared so was Selene; however, in contrast to Amelia, Selene had the knack of reading people by their nonverbal communication - a gesture, facial expressions, a certain look that showed in their eyes. Selene looked into Amelia's eyes and saw a range of emotions flash past like lightening before it was gone from sight. Selene picked up on Amelia's self-doubt, anxiousness and relief, to name but a few. Selene knew Amelia was a determined person of strong character. As Selene nodded her head and accepted the full payment from Amelia she softly spoke. "No one in this life, and I doubt in the spiritual life, are perfect. We all have some flaws, a few rough edges and a few inner issues. My one piece of advice to you is to not give up because that is the worst flaw to have of all. This class will not tell you how you should be and what you should change about yourself, each person is different, but Nakita shall show you techniques that have trialled and tested and used throughout the ages. She will help fine tune your raw self, find and bring forth the goddess that is wanting and waiting to come out to play and to hunt, so to speak..."
Selene smiled almost mischievously before she looked down at the counter and began to shuffle through some paperwork. As Selene located the piece of paper she neeeded Selene wrote down the class taken, the teacher and ticked payment received before sliding it across the counter towards Amelia. "Take a seat and please fill in your details as well as adding the reason you are taking this class in as much detail as possible. Also include what you hope to learn from this class and what you think you need the most help with. Explain what you think you are doing wrong. When you are finished I will take you to Nakita's office and you can begin your first lesson. This document is solely for Nakita's eyes alone. No one else will see it, that I promise you."
It was both embarrassing and frightening to be in this place but he had good reason to be here and he wasn't going to let his fears get the better of him, or at least that was what he told himself as he struggled with urge to burst out the door from where he came in and hurry back to the shoppe. Of course being the cautious creature that he was the half-vagaran did take precautionary measures before coming to this place in the form of an oversized old hat. With the large visor covering his eyes nobody could make eye-contact with him without having to look at his face from an uncomfortable angle. He was certain now that nobody, save of course the people working at this place would be able to find out about his less-that-masculine extra-curricular activities, at least he hoped this would be the case as he approached the receptionist.
"S-Serale," he croaked, "I'm interested in the s-s-services you provide here." he stammered as he spoke, unable to look the woman in the eye though he was instinctively aware of the fact that she was looking at him, reading him like and open book while he stood there fidgeting. "I would like to understand women..." he brought his finger down the menu of the services they offered, still speaking in hurried and nervous tones. "A-a-and how to flirt and maybe... dating practice?"
"This too, a practice date... and finally..." he swallowed hard, his voice refusing to come out as he tapped the words: Match Maker with a trembling finger.
"Am I asking for too much? Is there a way that you could put all the lessons together...?"
The attractive Elf turned her full attention to the door as it opened and in walked a man wearing a rediculous hat -- all in the attempt to mask recognition. Selene could not help but give a wide smile at the measures first time customers took to try and prevent their further embarrassment from being seen by others; alas, usually the embarrassment they felt within was enough to drive many away from her doors. Selene greeted the male cheerfully and then listened intently as he managed to, somewhat coherently, get his sentence out to circle around in the air.
Her green eyes revealed sincerity and kindness as she gave a small nod before she replied in her honey toned voice. "Put all those lessons together? Well, since we are not exactly swept off our feet yet that should be possible. We will focus on the lessons first, then move onto the practice date...and then if you are still inclined, we shall try to find you an appropriate match...How does that sound? We have only one teacher for understanding the opposite gender, however, we have two teachers for art of flirtation. Would you prefer a female or male tutor for the flirtation training? I would personally recommend our female tutor, Nakita, for I believe a female dynamic would be of more help to you...but that is entirely your decision..."
Selene smiled softly as she waited for the man's response. She then gathered the relevant documents needed into her hands whilst she softly spoke again. "I will split the three different classes into thirds for you and half the price of each lesson. That makes a grand total of....225 crowns..." Selene's lips pressed together, a slight frown then appeared upon her face that revealed her concentration before it disappeared and the smile returned. "You have caught me in a good mood. Lets just settle for 200 crowns shall we?" His request spoke in volumes to the Karniut owner. She had the feeling that the bitter taste of loss may have been a factor, the push, that led the Vagaran to her business...she was one that liked to draw conclusions about the people she saw and she always listened carefully to what secrets their facial expressions revealed.
How was Vanderlou to know that Selene, despite only having seen him had already begun drawing conclusions about his character and exactly what it was that drove him to seek out help in such an establishment as this one? While it was indeed the loss of a chance at love which urged the half-vagaran to come here there was also a subconscious need to be noticed and desired that provided him the final push to come here for help. No, it wasn't that Vanderlou wasn't attractive - he had his charms though it was more his personality that had prevented women from ever truly taking an interest in him.
Vanderlou was a farmboy, far too timid and humble to make an impression with the people he met. He was as plain as bread and butter and he knew this fact for himself. If the lessons he could pick up here would change him for the better then he wouldn't mind putting up with a small dose of embarrassment if he could guarantee having a shot at love the next time it came around his way.
"You're the expert so... I guess this lady Nakita would be best suited for me..." he figured that who else would know what approach works best of women than a woman herself. "S-so who's going to teach me all about the opposite sex? A man or a woman?"
How could Vanderlou refuse such a generous offer? Two hundred crowns was a small price to pay in exchange for self-improvement so he quickly produced a pair of one hundred crown banknotes that he promptly presented to the lovely Selene. "Two hundred crowns... it's a bargain... how can I thank you enough?"
Selene beamed at the polite man's comment before she responded. "Helping you find what your heart yearns for is thanks enough for our staff. It is a beautiful thing being able to help another and especially when it comes to the delicate matters of the heart." Selene continued to smile as she accepted the crowns. The Elf had a feeling that her staff will be able to make a positive difference with this new customer...Selene's smile grew slightly as she leafed through the parchments that littered her desk. Finally she found the appropriate one. She handed the parchment and ink to the man and then explained.
"If you would be so kind as to fill in your details and answer the questions with as much information as possible...I take it you would want to start your first class straight away? I will go and alert your first teacher, Maia, that you are here. You will find her lovely indeed..." Selene gave another charming smile. "I will return in a moment to guide you to Maia's office." She then left the man alone in the room with only the sound of her retreating footsteps lingering in the quiet air; soon after, the clicks of the female's heels disappeared.
When the man looked down at the parchement, there he would find the questions staring up at him implying the need for an answer. Name and details. What do you want to learn from this class/classes? What do you think you need the most help with? Please explain what you think you are doing wrong.
~Morning, 3rd Brightening of Optia, Spring, Era XV Post Fractum~
In all honesty, this Telera found herself at Karniut when she got lost. Zinn'Sunn was easy to get lost in, as large as it was. It's beautiful flowers, along with the cherubs peeked Searena's curiosity. She had to find out what this place was. After leaving the boarding house, Searena has thought only of two things, singing lessons, and how she was going to find a husband and keeper.
Grey eyes lit up in pleasant surprise hearing the wonderful words coming from the elf who greeted her. They were here to help those like her find love?! That she found herself in this place could not be an accident. It had to be fate! The gods were helping her! They must be!
Perhaps later Searena would become nervous, but at the moment, as a very happy and warm smile lifted the corners of her lips, she was delighted. "How wonderful to be able to help people find love. I was certain that I would have to do this on my own, and honestly, am at a loss at how to go about it.
One of my goals is to find a husband, someone who would be a good keeper."
Searena, paused long enough to look at the sign mounted on the wall beside the radiant female elf. "I do not believe that I am lacking in self confidence, but the classes Understanding the Opposite Gender, and Art of Flirtation should be a good start. Would it be possible for me to take both classes?"
Selene greeted the female with a amiable smile. Her warm silken tone flowed into the air articulating her routine greeting, "Serale, welcome to Karniut." Selene's eyes held the same smile that remained constant upon her lips. She placed her ink and parchment down upon the counter and turned her full attention to Searena.
Upon hearing the female's words Selena nodded her head in agreement. "Yes there is nothing greater than helping another and what could be more important than helping someone find that significant other who can bring laughter and warmth into one's heart.." Selene then leaned forward before she continued to speak; the volume of her voice dropped slightly yet did not lose its charismatic warmth. "Do not fear many are at a loss and there are many factors that must be considered. Such as what is written here.." Selene gestured to the sign.
Whilst Searena read what Karniut offered its clients, the Elf silently studied the female. Selene waited in silence for Searena to ponder what services would be appropriate and upon hearing Searena's choices, Selena nodded her head and responded. "Just to be sure, is your goal to find love first that will result in marriage? Or do you want marriage first and love, if found in this lifelong commitment, will then just be a bonus?" Selene pressed her lips together and arched her brow.
Before Searena could answer, more words from the Elf were heard. "We advise one class at a time. Once the first class is through you are most welcome to then begin the next. So my dear, which class would you like to begin with?" As could be expected, Selene ended her sentence with another contagious smile.
If not for her father it would have been a simple question to answer. For Searena, the question about which class she wanted to take first was easier. "I think that the class, Understanding the Opposite Gender would be the wise first choice." Now what about the woman's other question? Her smile faded, she wished she didn't have to think of her family in regards to her future mate, but they were.. they had expectations of her. Especially her father.
My family is counting on me to marry and produce a male baby, my sisters are all married but have failed to produce a Teleris. If it were my choice, I would want to fall in love first and then marry. But I don't want to disapoint my father. It is possible to marry first and then fall in love with your mate, isn't it?
Searena counted out 150 gold crowns for the class, and handed them over. Her smile now seemed a little forced. Would it really be so bad to marry first? True there would be no guarantee that she would fall in love with her husband, or he with her, but there was always a chance. And if it never happened would it really be so bad, as long as they were at least friends?
Upon hearing the female's decision of the class to begin with, Selene inclined her head whilst a pleasant smile lingered upon her lips. "Your teacher for Understanding Gender is the lovely Maia Menstren. You will find that she has a wealth of knowledge at her disposal. I am sure you will learn much from her indeed. Your first class will begin upon the next brightening, if that suits?"
Selene turned her attention to gathering the necessary documents needed for the new client of Karnuit. Her beautiful blonde hair fell over her face as she leaned over and began leafing through the various documents the counter held. When halfway through her search Searena's words made her stop, slowly Selene's posture straightened, hair was swooped out of her eyes as she gazed upon the female. A smile, for the first time, was not visible to sight.
Sadness materialised in her eyes for a brief moment. With a soft sigh Selene responded. "It is possible to marry first. Unfortunately we cannot always attend to our heart's own wants. I hope your father will choose well for you and will take your wants and needs concerning your suitor into consideration. A lot of people do find happiness in arrange marriages, you very well may be one of them."
A touch of sadness and that of empathy could vaguely be detected in the Elf's eyes. Selene silently thanked Torek for gracing her with the blessing of her husband's love that came with no agenda or strings attached. Yes, she was one of the lucky ones... With a blink of her eye Selene focused her thoughts on the present and set her mind back to her previous task. After only a moment she found what she needed and with a genuine smile she passed ink and a parchment over the counter to Searena. "Please fill this out and give to Maia in your first lesson dear."
Selene accepted the crowns with a smile and busied herself with administration thus giving Searena the opportunity to seat herself and fill out the document. There upon the parchment, in perfect and easily readable writing, were the words:
Name and details. What do you want to learn from this class/classes? What do you think you need the most help with? Please explain what you think you are doing wrong.
![[Location] Karniut](http://www.playbypost.com/forums/iconimages/zinnsunn/location-karniut_ltr.gif)
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