Posted by Civilian Astrid Rousseau (Head of the Judicial System) in Cosgrove Villa- Post Dinner

(snip)

On display too were many of Halai’s intricately carved stone sculptures. Missing though was the former flying bird centrepiece of the room that had hung from the ceiling , as evidenced by the large hook that hung empty above the sitting area. Halai looked over her shoulder as she took off her coat, revealing her back tattoo in more detail than had been seen at the party. It was a vine that swirled up to the top of shoulder blades, ending where it could be easily concealed if she wanted it to be. The vine was several shades of a rich green with graceful tendrils and small intricate and long shaped flowers in pale pink and red with yellow centres. Amongst the seeming wildness of the vine that swerved back and forth and up her back where other symbols incorporated in the same soft black as on her face. And particularly keen eyes would see the almost hidden portions in white that on her warm coloured skin were less noticeable. They were deeply intricate filigree work with some sort of alien writing in them and their colour gave them a sense of mystery, as if they were there but not there at the same time.

“Care for a tour?” Cosgrove asked as she draped her coat over the back of one of the chairs.

“And that’s my cue to make myself scarce,. Ladies,” Paul said, bowing his head to them before moving out of the room.

~Halai Cosgrove, Head of S&T

“I would love one.” She said, placing her dinner box on the table so that she could move freely. Plus the food was making her hands hot. “Your home is very inviting. It’s got life. I think I shall secretly be taking notes. My decor is a little more formal than I like and I haven’t figured out how to relax it a bit.”

ROusseau, HotJ

Halai smiled warmly. “Thank you. It was a nice project when I first arrived, though I spent awhile waiting for some personal items to arrive from Earth and Tyrellia. I lucked out that there were so many natural elements used in the construction. It made the decision to take the place nearly instant,” she said with a laugh.

“Come with me,” I’ll show you the bedrooms and my other spaces and then we can come out to see the living area better. The back terraced gardens are my pride and joy.” Halai set her own food down and turned right to move towards the long hallway that was adjacent to the living room they were in now.

There were two doorways visible on the left and on immediately on the right. Halai gestured to the one on the right. “That’s my guest room, but it’s been my sister’s since she first came to the colony.” Halai didn’t go in and noted the evenness of her voice that made it evident that it was not a good place for her to be in. Instead she turned and opened the first door on the left. “This… is my studio.”

Inside the bright square room, it was sparely furnished with only a small table, a swivelling stool and an adjustable desk lamp. The walls were white and there were no curtains that might inhibit the light present. On the ceiling though, swaths of colourful sheer fabrics were draped along the surface, provide some sound absorption and warmth. On the adjacent wall to the door was a tall tool cabinet. In the opposite corner though was probably the more dramatic item in the room: a massive piece of black stone that glittered as light caught it. It was taller than both women and easily as wide and undoubtedly weighed a great deal. There was also a notable chunk missing out of the top corner.

“This is where I do my laser carving. Really, the room should just be as plain as I can make it because even with the incredible ventilation system I have and my incessant cleaning, dust seems to get everywhere. As it is, I have to have the fabric taken down regularly for cleaning. But I can’t stand just a white room,” Halai said with a frown.

~Halai Cosgrove