"There are some things we were not meant to know, they say. But you wouldn't be down here if you took that seriously."
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"You turn – and see the Carnival's Bearded Lady. She wears a yellow and pink striped crinoline and carries a frilly parasol. Her beard is... actually, her beard is familiar. You look again. It's Jervaise."[2]
Jervaise is the head butler to Mr Wines, one of the Masters of the Bazaar.[3] How exactly he came into their service remains a mystery, though it may have to do with his wife's past pursuit of the Name.
History
"Jervaise and the Hooded Woman sit side by side, one oar each. They bicker ceaselessly; the boat goes in circles, barely half a mile off the shore. When they return some hours later, they are both beaming. "Marvellous," the Hooded Woman says. "We should do it again," Jervaise concurs."[4]
Once a simple fisherman[5][6] on Mutton Island, Jervaise and his wife - none other than Mrs Plenty,[7] alias Miriam, of Carnival fame - ran a bar called the Cock and Magpie before becoming entangled with the Masters.[8] He has past ties to the Drownies,[9] which may be relevant to his distaste for Rubbery Lumps[10] due to the true nature of the authentic snack.[11] Now that Miriam has busied herself running the Carnival, Jervaise moonlights as its Bearded Lady.[12] He and Miriam[13] both habitually smoke tobacco,[14][15] and they share a fondness for bickering.[16]
Jervaise has long been a source of support for Miriam; he helped her recover from the Seeking Road,[17] though the experience left psychological scars.[18][19] However, like just about any long marriage, theirs has seen its fair share of rocky periods. Jervaise's devotion is not absolute, as he frequently visits the Parlour of Virtue, where his encounters with Sinning Jenny go beyond professional courtesies.[20] Following the events of the Grand Clearing-Out, Mr Wines sent Jervaise to Mutton Island in order to collect love stories for the Bazaar;[21] despite already being married, Jervaise was willing to forge new courtships to provide material for these stories himself.[22]Mr Wines is well aware of Jervaise's indiscretions, and occasionally steps in as the couple's marriage counselor.[23]
References
↑'Meet me at the contortionist's tent at midnight.', Fallen London"You turn – and see the Carnival's Bearded Lady. She wears a yellow and pink striped crinoline and carries a frilly parasol. Her beard is... actually, her beard is familiar. You look again. It's Jervaise."
↑Surrender a third Mutton Island story, Fallen London"Jervaise is nowhere to be found. He has left a note next to a cold pile of Rubbery Lumps […] 'Assume all's well with whatever you've put together. See Wines when you're back in London at festival's end. As for me, let him know I've gone fishing. J.'"
↑Enlist help from the Drownies, Fallen London"Jervaise's attempts to listen […] are ruined by […] attempts to plug his ears […] They want to make you into one of 'em, and I'm telling you my love, blue ain't your colour!" Jervaise mumbles something about a favour having been returned, and stalks away […]"
↑Try Rubbery Lumps, Fallen London"The Dashing Drownie abandons his Lump after one bite. "What say I fetch us some nice fresh fish instead?" Jervaise's eyes widen. "Oh thank God," he says. "Yes, please.""
↑Yes, Fallen London"Lank hair, hollow eyes, stinking white skin. "I could have chosen differently," he says. "If I hadn't eaten it. The flesh, the fruit. I might only be dead.""
↑'Meet me at the contortionist's tent at midnight.', Fallen London"You turn – and see the Carnival's Bearded Lady. She wears a yellow and pink striped crinoline and carries a frilly parasol. Her beard is... actually, her beard is familiar. You look again. It's Jervaise."
↑Stories for Mr Wines, Fallen London"Jervaise waits outside the Parlour, carrying a ledger in scarlet leather. He nods as you emerge, […] putting out a cigarette […]"
↑Suggest a boat ride, Fallen London"Jervaise and the Hooded Woman sit side by side, one oar each. They bicker ceaselessly; the boat goes in circles […] When they return some hours later, they are both beaming. "Marvellous," the Hooded Woman says. "We should do it again," Jervaise concurs."
↑Sabotage a picnic, Fallen London"All you need do is ensure that the contents of the basket are replaced with candles. The expression on the Hooded Woman's face, and the horror on Jervaise's as he registers it, is enough to put a lid on the whole afternoon."
↑Show him the money, Fallen London"She exchanges kisses with Jervaise and he clasps her petite hands in his broad, hairy ones. "Dearest," he says. "Hello, petal," she replies. "I haven't seen you in a while.""
↑Offer assistance to Jervaise, Fallen London"He lists Mr Wines' requirements. Three stories, loosely on the theme of love, blossoming at the Fruits of the Zee festival. The Master has no requirements as to the nature of that love..."
