Noblesse Oblige (Kadrin and SexyChick)

[Kadrin]

It's early in the day at the opulent Davos ski resort. The more dedicated ski bunnies are already halfway up the Pischahorn or Jakobshorn or whichever mountain they've chosen to ski down today; many less dedicated tourists are simply sitting around drinking and flirting, in preparation for an intense day of sitting around drinking and flirting. No one's come here without a great desire for luxury and an even greater bank account - the home of the World Economic Forum is no place for a pauper. Edward Cyprien chose this resort specifically for that reason. Wealthy, bored teenagers might go to Cortina, or Jackson Hole, but there's more to old money than simply age and wealth.

Not that Edward's particularly old. At forty six, his hair is still jet-black, and his face mostly unlined. He's taken care of himself over the years. The small plate of fruit he's having for his breakfast speaks well enough to that; his breakfast companion speaks to his desire to take care equally of others. There are some more Cypriens around, but most of them have made their own travel arrangements; Edward intends to spend his trip largely or entirely with his daughter.

"Do you have any particular plans for the day?" he asks her, sipping his water. "Shopping, skiing, meeting friends?"

He has to ask. This trip's important to him, because it's important to her. It's the last holiday before her entrance examination weekend at Diamond Cross Academy. Edward will not countenance them rejecting her; it's his intention to give her some final training whenever he has the time on this trip.

 

[SexyChick]

Vanessa Cyprien sat with her father, plucking a grape from the plate of fruit in the center of the table with her gloved hand, popping it into her mouth, chewing for the briefest of moments, and swallowing. Proper table etiquette even in the mountains, freezing, and eating the simplest of foods. Unlike her father her hair was a dark chestnut brown that fell past her shoulders to the middle of her back, although most of it was stuffed under a warm ski cap. She was bundled up from head to toe in a fancy fur winter coat, her cheeks flushed from the cold climate, her skin fair and although usually a warmer tone, the bitter frost drained the color from her face. Her emerald green eyes peered over at Edward and she mustered a smile when he asked about her plans for the day.

"I'm not sure yet." She replied simply in a soft tone, at the moment more concered about frostbite in her toes despite her warm, secure snow boots that had cost a pretty penny. In these conditions she afforded herself only the best. She thought this was meant to be a vacation, although supposedly she was also to be groomed for her entrance examination to Diamond Cross Academy, where her parents insisted she attend. Still what exactly he meant by 'training' eluded her.

 

[Kadrin]

"Well." Edward finished his serve of pineapple, laying his fork down at the side of his plate. "I am free for most of the day, myself; perhaps we could work out something to do together? I believe we will be taking receipt of the Italian dresses you ordered at the hotel today." He smiled at his shivering daughter. "Including the summer ones - so perhaps those would be better to try on in our heated room."

He thought, sipping the last of the cool (cold, really) water, blinking his blue eyes. "Perhaps we could work on your waltz lessons?" he suggested. "There are sure to be many dances scheduled for the opening of term at Diamond Cross; I know you enjoy these social events, and we could see how your form is?"

 

[SexyChick]

She figured it was natural for him to want to spend time with her, since that was what she thought this trip was all about. "Sure, that sounds nice." Vanessa remarked, her breath visible against the freezing mountain air. Despite her warm attire she still felt chilled right down to the bone, holding herself in her arms, desperate for warmth. Her father's mention of the heated room really made her want to get inside as soon as possible.

"Let's go in, shall we?" The girl suggested, closing her lips to keep her teeth from chattering.

 

[Kadrin]

"Perhaps tomorrow we'll eat in the hotel, hmm?" Edward suggested, standing and offering her his arm for the short walk back. "It would certainly do better for your constitution, I think!"

They chatted idly, on the way back, with very little to say one way or the other. At the front desk, the concierge caught Edward's eye, and came up in the flowing motionless-motion way expensive hotel staff have long mastered to tell him that Vanessa's dresses had been delivered, and would be waiting for them in their room.

Even from the heated hotel, the room itself was like a blast of delicious warmth, Edward keeping it at a higher temperature than most would be expected to. He changed quickly, joking with his daughter as he did so, managing to show only hints of his muscular chest and long, well-built legs as he put on a more relaxing ensemble.

"Well, then, Vanessa," he said, ever attendant to her desires. "Would you prefer to try the dresses, to practice dancing, or to simply watch a movie?"

 

[SexyChick]

So many choices. Shedding her winter coat, gloves, boots, and sweater, it left her in a pair of jeans and a casual tanktop, not very ladylike but she didn't like to be dressed up all the time. Her main concern for the moment, now that things were nice and warm, were to make sure her new dresses fit.

"I'd like to try the dresses, if you don't mind." Vanessa remarked, mustering a smile as she noticed them wrapped up and hanging on the door near the bathroom.

 

[Kadrin]

"Certainly," her father said with a smile - that disappeared the moment she entered the bathroom, replaced by a furrowed brow, a look of consternation. He flipped open the letter from his society, the organisation that had ensured his continued ascension and the preservation of his great wealth. Everything he did, he did for Vanessa; everything he did for Vanessa, his society made possible.

And now, they were demanding he do the impossible in place.

All new to Vanessa, of course, who found herself in the bathroom faced with a beautiful array of new dresses, everything from white satin sheaths to daringly slit fashion creations to huge pink ruffly wedding cakes of fashion.

 

[SexyChick]

"Wow." She murmured looking up the vast assortment of dresses and gowns, all looking so lovely just hanging there waiting to be tried on. Stepping over she removed the plastic cover they had arrived in, feeling her hand over the soft silken material of one of the dresses, it was velvety to the touch.

"They're wonderful, Father." Vanessa called to him, a smile of delight spreading over her face.