One ~ Décor

My darling A-----,

       So very glad you could attend the soirée last evening, my dear; a fabulous party, wouldn't you say? I had such a time putting it all together! Having so recently taken up residence here, it required far more running about than I should have liked. I had to personally visit a florist, can you image? Simply dreadful, I don't know how the rest of you can abide this city. Were it not for the ready supply of so many interesting novelties you dears have found here, and all of you so desiring my company, I should have gone right back to B-----, where our presence is known, and no more than a word or a gesture is needed for our slightest requests to be realised, as it should be. Whyever should we be treated as mere mortals, and have to make petty bargains with them? We may be relegated to walking the same ground as they, but we are obviously so much more.

       But ah, darling, such a party it was! Certainly worth my efforts, perturbed as I was by the preparations. Did I not tell you that chandelier would suit the ballroom perfectly? Thousands of sparkling crystals surrounding and refracting each point of light, with every droplet of illumination striking the exquisite gold filigree. When it was given to me, I was told over and again that such delicate craftsmanship had never before been accomplished, and likely never would be again, truly it was a treasure beyond any price...

       I wish you had only been there to see! An expression of utter dismay and hopeless worthlessness instantly overtook the man's face when I led him into the sitting room, and subtly drew his attention to the fireplace - you recall, the grate with its threads of gold and crystal thin as a silkworm's, and the marvelous intricacy of carved marble and gold lines which the fireplace and mantle are made of. I was inclined to laugh aloud at the magnitude of his discomfiture, but I withheld my mirth, preferring to watch the full reality of his inadequacy, the limits of the talents he had so prided himself in, sink into his decimated ego. Less obvious but far more delicious than the rage which my laughter should have led him to - anger which might have driven him back to his work in a fevered determination, completely undoing my devastation of his soul.

       How delightful it is to be able to see directly through these simple creatures! They have spent all of their short millennia of existence in trying to understand the most simple facts of their own workings - and such fantastic absurdities they have concocted! Never will I understand why such things were granted souls and free will, gifts were never so wasted as on these stupid beings.

       I am afraid I shall have to replace that lovely settée in the drawing room. Certainly you remember the dreadful person N----- arrived with? Until N----- delivers an appropriate apology, he will not be asked to further gatherings; he should have observed the boy far more carefully, such deplorable behavior! A beautiful face, surely, with a body and willingness just as appealing, it would seem, but terribly uncouth, and such a lack of manners! It was well that he kept his mouth otherwise engaged for much of the night, as his speech was crude and ill-formed. Talented, yes, but without the polish that should tastefully frame that talent, making it pleasing to the eye, palatable to others. Raw aptitude can be found like stones in a field - numerous and unappealing - it is the man's character, his presentation, that make his abilities something notable. Fame and admiration require far more than crude skills alone.

       This boy put his tacky, ill-fitting boots on the spotless, unpressed violet velvet of my favourite settée, earth's refuse on my finery, and wiped his soiled fingers upon the cushion, leaving stains which stiffened the soft fabric. Detestable creature. Were N----- not in such favour at the moment, I should certainly have done something suitably excruciating to the boy.

       N----- only laughed, and wasn't the child simply precious?

       But let us not dwell on such disagreeable subjects, there were so many delectable details of the evening. I must say that I outdid myself on the décor, exotic woods and delicate handwoven fabrics, sumptuous tones and textures, everything designed to invite tuch. The golden fire from hundreds of candles warmed the light scattered over the room by carefully shaped glass and carefully considered reflections. Every guest (with the exception of N-----'s erroneous companion) was admirably well-dressed, and the lighting accentuated the richness of material, brought out the contrast of diamonds and of silk, everyone a wash of luxurious colour and glimmer. Never for a moment did the conversations fade: gossip and rumour, dramatic confidences and fantastic boasts, the glamour of our lives and the splendour of our persons. Such a party, darling! And such delicious company were on hand to finish our the night... Quite a successful affair, I must say.

       I should like to ask you for your recommendation of a suitable seamstress in the area? An acquaintance of mine needs a dress repaired, and I would like the work to be done well. (I will not tell you the cause of the tear, but I am sure your guess will be near enough.)

       Have you gotten word of when C-----'s next revel will be held? I was told it would be within the week, and I have other arrangements which need to be made around it.

       Oh, and I simply must compliment you on your superb storytelling. The tale you told that young woman was delicious, and seemed quite affecting. Innocent princes of Heaven, cast down after a plea for a human soul, fated to spend the years in bitterness at the rejection of their ideals - you painted us quite nobly, was that one of your own fictions? You had her tearing in sympathy, darling, eating from your silk-gloved hand. Absolutely delightful, my dear, the work of a master, full of over-wrought phrases and glittering imagery.

       Such things they will believe, especially from the lips of an angel...

       Even if the angel has long since fallen.