Solo The Perfume makes the Man

[Arianthe Swansong]

Time: 2nd of Winter 512 AV - Early Morning
Where: In the Old Part of the city is a little-known shop.
Tagged: Solo

In which Arianthe meets her mentor:

Arianthe made her way swiftly down the street and, with no little confusion, found the place indicated. She entered. It was a small, well-furnished and nicely decorated shop and she was struck by the unoffending light vanilla smell which wafted out through the door.
After a short period, a middle-aged man appeared from behind a red velvet curtain. He was tall, severe-looking and dark-haired with little spectacles, but as he walked forwards with a smile and held out a hand, bringing hers to his mouth in a gesture of respect, she felt all fear dissipate.

"Good Morning Miss. It is a pleasure to meet you but let us forego the niceties and get down to work. I am Xenil Lightouch, master perfumer. Pray follow me."

Arianthe did not need to be asked twice, barely able to contain her excitement as she appeared in a miniature laboratory and workshop, the brightly coloured walls covered with shelves upon shelves of little bottles.

"Do sit down."
She did so, settling herself in a plush red velvet armchair. After a moment, he cleared his throat and started, his eyes shining, his passion clear to the beholder.

"The creation of perfume is both an art form and one of the most stimulating forms of engaging the sense. Both young people and old people use and enjoy this smell and the scent used can reflect a feeling or a person's independence and style. Some people even suggest that a perfume says more about the person wearing it than anything else because they simply wear what they like rather than what society dictates." So he had launched straight into the lesson. Arianthe liked this, it took away some of her nervousness, "I will start off today by introducing you to various perfumes and you tell me what they remind you of or what they invoke."

He stood up and ran his hands along the shelves upon shelves of brightly coloured glass bottles. His hand fell on a large red one. He undid the stopper and brought it to the desk. After a moment, he pushed it towards Arianthe.

"Tell me."

She leant towards the bottle with a small smile, nervous. She had expected a lecture, a lesson. She had hardly expected to be asked her opinion. After a moment, the sweet and strong smell of the flowers of ylang-ylang, mayrose and Jasmine hit her. After a moment, she also scented the Neroli. Arianthe paused. Should she inhale it for longer. What was he expecting her to say?

"Well, it's rather beautiful. The Jasmine is particularly strong, and I like the exoticism, but it is not overpowering and issues a sense of respect." she was warming up and starting to get accustomed to the sound of her own voice speaking so forcefully, "The woman who wears this, for it is the scent of a woman, wants to be admired and respected. She wants position and..." Arianthe paused. It was just the sort of perfume her mother would have worn. It was almost exactly like the perfume which she once covered herself in one afternoon when she was bored. Her mother had been particularly unkind about it, telling her she had drowned herself in it like a trollop, and then had scrubbed it rigorously off, until Arianthe was yelling in pain. It was also very expensive. "The woman who wears this should be of a certain age. I would also suggest that it is a perfume for married women."

"Ah?"

"The woman who wears this..." again Arianthe broke off. Embarassed, she flushed and looked down at her hands.

"Perfumes can invoke memories."

Arianthe looked up, "Can they?"

"Yes. When one is learning or researching something important, then one should wear perfume. The smell of it will help you remember what you were doing when you last wore it."

"What if you wear the same perfume everyday?"

"It works less I suppose, but it is still worth doing."

He stood up, put the top back on the bottle and returned to the shelf. Just as he was picking something up...

"Sandalwood." said Arianthe suddenly, "It also had a smell of sandalwood."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I was wondering what it was, but now it has struck me."

Xenil nodded and brought another bottle to the table. Again, he pushed it gently towards Arianthe who inhaled deeply. This one was a lot lighter. She could smell orange and bergamot immediately. It was rather sweet. It was a couple of minutes before the rest of the smell of Jasmine, Iris, Vanilla and Patchouli hit her and she said anything.

"This one could be for a younger woman. This woman wants to be adored but she does not necessarily wish to stand out... I..." She felt very foolish, "I am sorry if this is not completely right."

"There are no right or wrong answers, only intelligent ones."

Arianthe felt encouraged and continued, "It is unmistakably feminine and avoids being overpowering. I would also state that it might be very versatile. Easy to wear in a variety of ways, both evening and afternoon. However, I also think it would be perfect for Spring and Winter, maybe for the early afternoon."

"Shall we move on?"

"Yes. Why not?"

He got up once again, and moved to the shelf. He took a lot longer this time, picking an item up then putting it back. It took a while and Arianthe leant heavily on her hand with a smile. This was just the start. One day she would be a perfumer. Not only that, but she would make the money to be able to travel the trade routes and attempt to find her brothers. Even six years after their disappearance, she still did not believe they were dead. A moment later Xenil tapped on her shoulder.

"Here." He placed a clear long glass cylinder-like vial in front of her, "This one is of a different nature."

Arianthe inhaled and immediately coughed. It was strong. Very strong. It was like the smell of perfume that she remembered by East Street, the one that mixed with the smell of washing, and felt as though it embodied the blue smoke billowing out of every door.

"The woman who wears this is a seductress..." but it was not at all subtle, and it did not feel expensive. Rather cheap really. Almonds, something of the same smell as marzipan, vanilla, jasmine... then musk. Strong Musk, "The woman who wears this is..." Jacarander wood and Moss was also now hitting her, "The woman who wears this is..." She didn't want to say it, but it was all Arianthe could think of, "The woman who wears this is a prostitute."

There was long silence and Arianthe was worried that she had gone too far. She had taken too much license, then suddenly Xenil burst into laughter.

"So you are not completely the embodiment of innocent and sweet. I am glad."

"I apologise."

"No. It was quite perceptive... and true, may I say."

"Thank you?"

Xenil returned to the door.

"Think about it and come back tomorrow. This has taken a lot more time than I thought it would."

Arianthe stood up, "Tomorrow?"

"Of course. Practise makes perfect."

[Arianthe Swansong]

Time: 5th of Winter 512 AV - Early Morning

It had been three days, but Xenil had sent a letter immediately, later on the day of her lesson to tell Arianthe that he would be busy with some travelling traders from Ravok, who were on the way to Lhavit but had taken an incredibly wide detour round Zeltiva. So, she had a few days to consider what he had told her and it was with great excitement, that she glided up to the shop. She opened the door and entered. There were a couple of elegantly dressed women trying on perfumes in a corner, but Xenil did not deal with anything but the most important customers so that a few seconds after she entered, he emerged from behind the same red velvet curtain she had seen him behind before. He was dressed in head-to-toe black satin, the same little gold spectacles as the day before and a warm smile.

"Arianthe. I apologise for not being able to see you the day after your first lesson to re-inforce what you learnt."

"You really do not have to. It's business and I understand. I should be grateful to you since you've agreed to do this without payment."

"It is a pleasure. The art of perfumery is getting lost in places. It is nice to have someone with an interest wishing to learn from me."

"I am keen to learn."

"I can tell you are. Come."

Xenil led Arianthe back into his workshop and laboratory. Today it smelled of Jasmine. She inhaled slowly and the notes of strawberries, violet and patchouli leaves reached her. It was lovely, one of the loveliest she had ever known,

"What is that?"
He knew instintively of what she was speaking, "This is a new scent I have spent the last couple of weeks creating."

"How have you named it?"

"It does not have a name yet."

Arianthe smiled, about to ask him if he might let her at least try to think of a name for it, but she sensed that he might see that as insolence. Yet, she could not fail from turning the question over in her mind. Cheva, in honour of the goddess of Love. Caiyha, in honour of the goddess of flowers. Or perhaps 'Ethereality', say Ethereal, or Charm, or... she almost missed what Xenil next said.

"Pray sit down."

She settled down into the red velvet plush armchair with a smile and crossed her hands gracefully into her lap, tucking her left leg under her right. Xenil cleared his throat and went back to the shelf.

"I think we should pick up off from where we were. You shall smell more items and tell me what they remind you of."

Arianthe couldn't help letting a small indistinguishable sigh escape her lips. She wanted to make perfumes, not talk about them and smell them. Then again...

Xenil picked a blue bottle with gold spirals up off the shelf with a smile.

"This is one of my favourites. I am very proud of it."

Arianthe smiled, determined to be kindly of it, whatever happened and, much to her delight, she did not have to lie to be wholly complimentary. It was fresh and zesty, with strong notes of Lemon, Marigold, Apple... green apple that is... and Bergamot. Was it a feminine fragrance? Arianthe decided that yes. It was not obviously so, but definitely too light and flowery to be masculine.

"This is a perfume for a lively woman. An artist, a singer, a poet. It is fresh adn rather different." Arianthe laughed, "It is not overpowering and neither does it fade into the background, but you could wear it every day. Quite easily, I think."

"Anything else?"

"It reminds me of the sea."

"What does the woman who wears this want?"

Arianthe considered this, pensively biting her lip and glancing up at the ceiling. Slowly she spoke, quite tentatively, "It's not a perfume that screams of seduction or grandeur or even a need to be noticed. I think... the woman who wears this want to be free and not held back by boundaries. She wants to create new things."

Arianthe sighed. With that in mind, she would have liked this perfume while she was still married. She could have pretended that there was something beautiful and charming in her life, she could have pretended she had ability and a future. She shook her head violently, trying to shake away these bad memories - why could she not let go of her past?

Already, Xenil had found another bottle and already he was sitting, waiting for her judgement.

Dutifully and obediently, Arianthe leant forwards and inhaled. There was an initial blast of Lime, Mint, Sage and Patchouli, an initial blast which told her that this was a masculine perfume of a light nature especially as this initial blast of citrus calmed down into down to a cucumber-like fresh green aroma, which reminded her of gardening in the Summer, in the morning while still the dew was fringed and nestled in every blade of grass.

"An artistic soul, but this time a man who creates things."

"What does he want?"

"To live."

Xenil smiled slightly, "This is the one I wear day to day."

"Ah."

"Shall I tell you why? Because it is light and and it doesn't overpower, because I can wear it all the time and because... when I want something for special occasions... I wear this one."

He pushed a tiny glass vial towards Arianthe, who picked it up between her two forefingers, bringing it up closer to her nose. It was the perfect belnding and balance imbued with fresh spices and an old-fashioned leather-scent. Along side this, she could smell the beautiful oakiness of dry chypre driven by a stark tobacco note. It was earthy but glamorous and very stylish, simple but complicated and evidence of much hard work. Above all, it was undeniably masculine.

"You wear it because you want to be noticed." remarked Arianthe with a bold smile, "And it is very different from what you wear day to day."

"If I did not tell you it was for special occasions and that it was my perfume, what would you say about it?"

Arianthe realised what he was asking, "I would say that the man who wore this was rich and elegant, seeking to seduce and be seduced. He wants attention and respect." she paused, "I honestly do not think I could dream up a better masculine fragrance."

"You might have to, but I admit... the reason why I wear this one is because it is one of a kind, I made it especially for myself and I think it might be one of the best masculine fragrance I ever made." Xenil laughed, "I realise I must sound egotistical, but what of it? I can afford to be."

Arianthe laughed too.

"You must be frustrated about the slowness of pace, but I suggest you go home and come back tomorrow. I am keen not to give you too much information at once otherwise you will not remember it."
Arianthe nodded respectfully but was hit by a pang of disappointment.

"Slow and Steady." said Xenil with a smile, as though reading her mind, "Slow and steady."

[Arianthe Swansong]

Time: 6th of Winter 512 AV

Arianthe arrived at the shop bright and early with a warm smile. She waited for five minutes in the main shop before Xenil emerged, looking unusually dishevelled and rough. His usually cleanshaven face had a stubble.

"Do forgive my state." He said with a smile, "Coffee?"

"What's that?"

"A drink. Exotic and rather expensive, but delicious, invigorating and I am devoted to it. Would you like some?"

"No thank you." Arianthe knew she wouldn't be able to consume anything. She was too excited.

"Then forgive me for a few minutes."

"Of course."

He disappeared again and, for a quarter of an hour, she was left alone in the shop. After a couple of minutes she couldn't resist the urge to run her fingers along the rows and rows of perfumes upon the shelves and counter. She picked them up and turned them around to see the neat calligraphic handwriting detailing the name of the perfume, in ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, amber golden yellow and jet black ink. They were so beautiful. Each bottle looked like a precious jewel, with its centre removed and replaced with a heavenly smelling liquid.

At that moment Xenil, re-entered the room. Dressed in a satin red suit and black velvet cloak, his hair combed and he, cleanshaven.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Oh. Sorry. I do apologise. I am so sorry."

"Please do not. It's good to be curious."

"I apologise."

"I told you not to. As long as you don't break anything, you are more than welcome. Shall we go through?"

"Yes, of course."

He led her back behind the red curtain and settled himself down behind a new marble desk that had not been there last time. Obviously, he was getting richer and more famous everyday.

"I am now exporting to all four corners of Mizahar." he stated with a smile, as though reading her mind, "Shall we start?"

Arianthe nodded.

"Now. By now you have probably grown bored of simply smelling different perfumes and I can assure that though I have not grown bored of listening to your perceptive comments on their subject, I do wish to do some teaching. Therefore, we now move swiftly onto the subject of notes." Xenil paused, "What do you think notes are?"

"The different elements composed to make a scent?"

"Correct. There are three type of notes, and less experienced perfumers would tell you that the top note is most important. The top note is what we often sell the perfume based on and is the immediate scent that hits you when you inhale. Less experienced perfumers would only pay attention to this element, but this establishment has a reputation for excellence. With that in mind, no element is more important than any other in order to create the perfect perfume, to make the customer return and advise their friends. You can not ever underestimate the importance of Middle notes and Low notes, which are simply the scents which gradually hit you later. On that note..."
He smiled at his own pun and led Arianthe to a large shelf of perfumes on the other end of the workshop, a shelf filled high to the ceiling.

"Pick one."

She looked at the large selection nervously, looking at crystal bottles of every colour imaginable, and metallic ones and even wooden ones, then finally she motioned towards a purple glass bottle with a little emerald-incrusted top.

"How does that one smell?"

"A top note of lavender then base notes of coumarin and oakmoss... a drop of rose essence too."

"That one then please."

Very quickly he picked it from the shelf and, indicated that she hold out her arm, pressed a small tear of the liquid onto her wrist.

"What do you think?"

She drew her wrist to her nose cautiously then broke into a wide grin.

"It is not to my personal liking but I can think of people whom this particular scent would suit and can smell the masterful touch to this." She looked up at Xenil with wonder, "To think that you can make these..."

"When you get home, write down what you can smell then bring it with you tomorrow."

"I will."

[Cascade]

Adventurer's Loot Arianthe's Loot : Skill XP Reward Observation +3 Perfumery +1 Philosophy +1 Lore: Meeting Xenil Lightouch Xniel Lightouch: Mentor A Married Woman's Perfume Perfumes Can Invoke Memories A Younger Woman's Perfume A Prostitute's Perfume A Lively Woman's Perfume Xanel Lightouch's Scent The Three Types Of Notes That was an entertaining read, and I learned quite a bit from it as well. I'm not sure if it was your intention but the thread seemed to lean towards making insights and gaining lores -- if you want her to advance in perfumery, you will need to actually teach her how to make the perfumes (how to mix them, etc). Luckily though, these lores and IC insights will help you get there. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me!