My Dear Roses - Part 3

COCOA ROSES

Cocoa Pods

Let’s see what cocoa does to roses. First, Nikola asks Rosa. “Have you ever been to the Thracian Tomb at night?” Kazanlak, home of the Thracian kings, is the site of the best-preserved Thracian tombs and Nikola works at the one that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rosa gazes at Nikola’s red hair and blue eyes, traits that come straight from the Thracians, some say, while others say Thracians were dark-haired like Rosa. “I’ve never been there at all,” she says. They fill a few vials, to sniff along the way.

Rose Rebelle Respawn by A Lab on Fire. This starts out fresh and green, but quickly the strong musk/cocoa/frankincense base dominates. The center florals do come through the base but never overtake. The result is intriguing, rather than beautiful. “Maybe this tries to be as complex as an oriental with just a few notes,” Rosa says. I think it’s not unpleasant. I could wear it. After a while it develops a sort of dark loveliness. “It’s something Penza would wear,” Rosa says. Nikola, loyal to his sister, wishes she wouldn’t talk like that but says nothing.

Rose Kiss by JoAnne Bassett. “True to its name, this rose kisses the nose,” Rosa says. I agree. It’s even better on skin where cocoa, balsam and frankincense warm the two rose notes, vanilla sweetening just enough. This musky beauty goes on my wish list and into the final sniff-off. “I will buy it for you,” Nikola says. Rosa kisses his cheek and Nikola is shocked but very pleased.

Untitled #2 by Magnetic Scent. Rosa has heard how Yasmin fell head over heels for Magnetic Scent Untitled #1, a Jasmine with cocoa, and anxious to smell the rose version, puts it to her nose but swiftly takes it down. “Something went wrong this time,” she says. I look up the simple notes — milk, cocoa, vanilla, rose — and try to identify an acrid third note that was either introduced or coalesced from these. I’s better on skin, but the sour note remains.

Santal majuscule by Serge Lutens. “It’s the second best of the group,” Rosa says. Yes, the sandalwood top comes through first and remains throughout. The cocoa center adds subtlety, if not much, while the Turkish rose base lends beauty. This perfume succeeds, if not wildly because of the un-nuanced top wood.

They approach the tomb reached by stairs atop a great mound in the city, new summer leaves rustling and casting shadows. Nikola leads Rosa through the cobble-stoned site and to a door. “It is a beehive tomb,” he says. “They made a replica for tourists. I am taking you to the original.” Impressed, Rosa asks, “You won’t get in trouble?” Nikola smiles. “Not if no one knows.” Swiftly they’re inside a low-ceilinged squarish room. “They buried the king’s horse and maybe his slaves out here,” Nikola says. Retrieving a flashlight, he leads her along heavy stone walls into a narrow passage with a triangular roof. It is painted in wide horizontal bands of blue, black and red. They reach a small, round domed room. “This is where the king was buried. The top half of the wall is the famous color, pompeii red.” Rosa knows pompeii red was first created when the gases from Vesuvius fell on yellow paint. She notes a band of blue or black separates the top of the wall from the neutral bottom. Nikola points the flashlight up and Rosa sees a spectacular round mural painted into the roof of the dome. “Oh! That is the woman on the back of our 50 stotinki coin!” The woman sits on a throne next to a man who wears a crown that looks like sun rays. In a touching gesture, she rests her outstretched hand and wrist on his. Around them, servants bring food and possessions and hold a team of horses. “This is a funeral feast. They loved each other unto death.” Rosa takes Nikola’s hand and they leave quietly together.

Thracian king and queen
Next morning, Kazanlak’s local news carries a sad tale. A tourist here for the rose festival was found dead in his bed last night, apparently from a heart attack. Rosa wonders at the rumor he had a look of fright on his face.