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Lightbringer
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As he had already put one of her arms around him, she didn't hesitate to bring the other one around and cling tightly. She was glad that he didn't seem like he would get mad at her for clinging to him. At first she tried to be ginger, but she tensed up. "I second that," her voice was muffled behind him. "I don't think I could agree more. Why would they send me with you when I can't ride? Are they hoping it would discourage you entirely? Do they want me to break my neck?" her voice became higher pitched at the end. After getting accustomed to the smooth walk, she began to relax and enjoy the surroundings and being so high off the ground. As a servant and a female, it wasn't stylish to be tall, and she wasn't supposed to look up into her superior's faces. She doubted something similar would happen again anytime soon. When she realized that he was becoming impatient and urging the horse to go faster, she clamped on like a clam. As she bounced around while the horse trotted, creating a lot of extra unnecessary weight, she was reminded of an ungainly bag of lumpy potatoes jiggling around. "Can't. Reach. In. Your. Pocket. While. Trotting," she managed to hiss through clenched teeth, when he asked her to check the time. It was very against protocol to be so close, and even more so for a woman of her class to dig out the watch. However, she was becoming more used to him being okay with throwing out the rules. After he slowed to a walk she flexed her hand and took a deep breath before she reached inside to check the time. "Oh look at that," her laugh was unnaturally high, "Definitely time to start heading back." It wasn't time. He had another hour or so, but she was hoping he would take her word for it. By the time they were back to the barn it would be too late to go back out. A loud gasp escaped, as she saw the rocky paths looming up ahead. "Are these rocky paths safe? Your horse seems to be unsteady and lurching a lot." The ground around the lake was really mushy, and the horse left a trail of hoofprints behind him as they went along. The horse lurched and she fell off into a big pile of mud, dragging at James slightly as she slid off. While most of her face remained clean, she had little splatters of wet dirt everywhere. Her hands and the front of her dress was covered. "Great!" She threw her hands up in the air. "I need to get back. I'm supposed to look decent for this ball, party thing, because I'm serving, and this is far from decent. They're going to think I am crazy for even coming in the house." She doubted he was willing to let her ride behind him now, so she started squelching back the way they had come, hoping that she wouldn't get in additional trouble, and he would fall in line behind her. She didn't look behind her to make sure that he was coming with her, as she didn't really care anymore. She tried to brush her hair out of her face and got another dirt smear on her cheek. |
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Neutral
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James looked at the maid who had fallen and gawked. She just slipped off and into the mud like it was no one’s business.He didn't know whether to laugh or make a snarky comment. Either way, now the woman was muddy and needed to be taken back to the house to change. He knew that he was on Mother’s side when it came to this sort of thing. The staff are a reflection of the nobles of the house and he would not allow anyone in the doors this dirty. She would need a whole bath and then get ready. James sighed and looked at his hands still bunched up in the leather reins.
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He slid out of the saddle and offered her his hand. “Such levels of impropriety would not be necessary if I found a girl to marry tonight, would it? I suppose I could always join the military,” he said it more to himself than to her. He didn't add that he didn't have to actually love her, that was implied by everyone who asked why he hadn’t married yet. True love and marriages that are both beneficial happen once in a lifetime and Myrtle had beat him to it. For several heartbeats his face was in thought, scrunched up as if in an aggravated confusion before his green eyes snapped back into being alert and he scanned the maid once more.
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“I'm afraid to get back in time, you are going to hate the seating arrangements. We will have to go rather fast so you’ll be in front and I will be in the back.This way you won’t fall since I will have my arms around to grip the reins. I will take us in through the backway so no one will make assumptions or notice the new face cream you’ve decided to try,” and before she could object, he lifted her to the saddle and checked the horse over. He led the gelding away from the rockier areas before he climbed onto the horse behind the woman. Gripping the leather strips, he clicked to let Stone know to move and clenched his legs to keep his grip better.
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He had the beast take up a gallope as soon as he possibly could and the horse gladly obliged. James nearly let the horse lead himself home, he was a bit more focused on keeping the poor maid on Stone. The horse knew the way. Favored it. And he didn't really give her a choice when it came to riding but she expressed her concern for propriety and she had no clue how to ride the animal. So many worries out of one person. It was truly maddening.
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Once the house became a blot on top of the hill, he slowed the creature down a bit. Still a good few minutes ride, but now that he could see it he relaxed. There was still plenty of daylight as well. Perhaps he would find his brother to fence… then again he would probably be told to prepare for the event of the night. James held in a deep sigh and it out through his nose.
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“If anyone asks, are we going to invent a story for them? Most likely useless, the way our staff gossips everyone will know you were sent to babysit the brat lordling. Wouldn't you agree?” he asked, eyes ahead towards the manor. At the mother waiting inside. And he silently prayed that he would be struck by a sickness for the night so that he might not have to attend the “festivities”. But he was hatching a plan in the back of his mind and if you looked hard enough, you could see the wheels turning behind his green eyes.
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A grin spread across his face. |
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Lightbringer
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Matilda closed her eyes frustrated expecting to hear mocking unkind laughter or for him to yell at her for her clumsiness. Hearing nothing of the sort, she opened her eyes and stared up at him. Getting up, she went to town being annoyed, so that he would completely miss the opportunity for an unkind reaction. She kept silent, when he mentioned marriage not seeing how it was any of her business. "I'm sure your proper wife wouldn't want to be dragged out like this, so there is a good chance this same situation would've happened. I'm too low to be considered a temptation." She rolled her eyes. She knew that while in the eyes of the public they might think it's true, there was a good chance a wife wouldn't be pleased about her presence, even if she was decently plain. Her eyes widened, when he threatened her with going faster than they had. "I fell off going super slow. What makes you think I'll make it at a faster pace?" her voice was a mixture between blustering fear, you are stupid, and annoyance. She didn't think anything improper would've happened in the mud, but she supposed what he said made sense about propriety and all. She didn't know why the seating arrangements made any difference to her. He was the one who would be coated in her filth. He moved quickly before she had time to protest more. By the time they were moving at a good fast pace, she was concentrating on not falling off. She shrugged. "Do we need one? High society won't care about me, unless you are worried about yourself. Dare I say that if you are worried about your own reputation I won't have any decision in the lies that will be told, and you are correct; I won't be able to hide anything from my peers. Your mother sent me to watch over you, and I'm a useless servant who can't do a simple job. Simple as that." She hoped. Who knew what kind of backlash she could recieve. "If you don't show up at the ball tonight proper and all, I'll hunt you down with my considerable resources." She turned to look at him, now that they were going at a slower pace. "What does that grin mean?" It was hard for her to care about manners being covered in mud. When they arrived, she hurried off to get cleaned up. It took her an hour to become presentable once more, and another hour to become presentable for that night. She darted back in to help prepare for the festivities, but she decided to go looking for James. The party was about to start, and he needed to be in the area. "Where are you?" she hissed. "The party is starting, and your mother is calling everyone to the foyer. People are arriving, and it's considered more polite if you are standing around waiting for them. Why are you being so stubborn hiding away from the party?" She gave up looking for him figuring that he would turn up eventually. She went to stand with some other servant girls who were counting the guests as they arrived. "There is Lord Cumberton," hissed Rowan. "He has two eligible daughters. I bet the Lady is keeping an eye on those two rich beautiful girls for Lord James." Macy giggled, "What are those ladies wearing? Is that supposed to be a peacock? They don't fit on hats." Mrs. Lewis came sweeping in, looking disapprovingly down her nose at them. "Are three of my girls giggling together? That is not proper behavior for your class. You should be out there serving and making yourselves useful. I hope I don't have to separate you three again during work, especially if you are going to indulge yourself in this behavior. Now off to work with you." After she was gone, they headed toward the kitchen where they could grab some trays and serve food. They would be walking along for a long time with the uncomfortably sized tray balanced over their shoulder until it was gone. She told the two girls all about her day, as they hurried to look busy. Once they had their trays, they split ways. |
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Neutral
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The Young Lord had hidden away. He had mere minutes before his mother would start her hunt for him. The original costume his mother had for him was absurd, he had seen the drawings months before and asked for a different one. Now he stood in front of a full length mirror to examine the work the tailor had done. The small, blonde woman was now standing in the corner, quietly observing and making minor adjustments to the outfit. He had to admit, she had outdone herself. The suit itself was black, or perhaps a very dark brown. The boots shining leather with gold buckles up his shins. The mask was the only thing that wasn't simple. Held in place by an orange ribbon, the copper mask had all sorts of thorned designs across its surface to make out the face of a fox. The only thing it would reveal was his sly grin that stared back at him.
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He loved it, and expressed his gratitude as he rushed out the door. The blonde woman watched him go with humor in her eyes. While he entered through the back, many eyes turned in awe of the Sly Lordling. One of those was not his mother. Instead she looked at him and her face started to slowly match her crimson gown. She made her way gracefully across the dance floor where a waltz had begun. Linking arms, she hissed in his ear while holding a smile on her face, “James, what is this? Where is the Parrot costume I had for you? It was beautiful!” She said, leading him through the crowd of ladies in their finery. He didn't dare look around for familiar faces. They landed in front of Lord Cumberton’s wife and daughters.
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James nearly gagged. The darker haired one’s breath reeked and the blonde, Elizabeth, looked like she was about to faint… or melt.
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“My Lady, you have done a fantastic job tonight. The decorations are exquisite!” The other lady said, already eyeing one of the trays that was floating through the crowd. “Lord James, I’d like you to meet my daughters: Brittany and Elizabeth.” She smiled widely to reveal buck teeth that it seemed both of her daughters shared. James bowed, but did not take their hands as they offered them, earning a warning glance from his mother.
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“Lovely to meet you, but I must be going.” He said as politely as one could when in the presence of women looking at him like chopped meat. He could see Charlotte making graceful swoops with a very reedy looking gent while his brother was spinning his yellow-clad wife around the dancefloor. His mother eventually sighed through her nose, not daring to let her shoulder sag, but she nodded to him to take his leave. James went straight for the refreshments where a raven-butler waited to fill him a glass of champagne. He nodded a brief thanks before heading out to watch the dancers.
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Myrtle would have loved the colors attacking this room. The chandeliers sparkling down onto the women dressed in jeweled colors and men in some just as bright. Viola, a daughter of a wealthy Baron, seemed to be the only one with some sense. She arrived as a living rose, and yet she looked at the others with such envy, James wondered if she regretted her simple red gown and crown of thorns and gems.
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“Viola, hello,” he said to the dark haired girl and he set down the now empty glass. She smiled and brought her blue eyes to his. Immediately the courtier voice and look appeared. “May I have this dance?” he asked, holding out his gloved hand. She took it and allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor as another song started up. This one slightly faster than the last.
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“Your mother has been singing praises about you again. Says tonight is the night you pop the question,” Viola said calmly as they raised their hands for a spin. “She’s lying, isn't she?” She asked, raising a fine lined brow. James shook his head, making the brunette’s eyes pop. “Really, Myrtle didn't say anything about this…”
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“Viola, Myrtle was my friend before she was yours. Don't question our loyalties.By the way, I love your dress. You look much more refined than the ladies prancing around with whole stuffed birds on their heads,” he grinned, stepping in on the beat. “But it's really a surprise… for everyone.” He finished as they switched hands, almost tripping as someone’s gown slipped under his foot. It was Viola’s turn to grin. “Yes, I know. I know. But I do think you’ll love her. She hates me too.”
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The dance picked up pace as they spun to switch partners, leaving the woman’s jaw dropped as she was transferred off onto a different man. James smiled politely at his new partner, Genevra, if he remembered correctly. He was glad she was wearing gloves. Under her mass of furs, he was sure she was sweating underneath it all. She had to be. They didn't make much conversation after that and he switched partners thrice more before he was released. Already the lights bouncing off the walls were too much for him and he was hot. He longed to take off the mask, but that wouldn't happen until the big reveal.
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He had a plan hatching since the end of his ride with the maid. His mother and father would be absolutely furious. So the fox stood in the bird’s nest, waiting for the right moment to pounce on the right bird. His grin showed off his pearly whites. The image could have been attractive to the right eyes, as he grabbed himself another glass and stared across the room at the trays floating through ladies dressed as birds, butterflies, and what he could only assume to be a treasure trove. Some admired the look while many skirted away from the young lord, already fearing what that face meant. |
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Lightbringer
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Matilda had managed to tell part of her day to the girls she was with, but they wouldn't get a real satisfactory details until after this long night would be over. She was sure that the rich people planned to stay up all night, and she braced herself for feeling the sleep deprivation. If one of her class dropped a tray, things would go very badly for that person. As the night went on, holding up trays would only get harder. Matilda was trying to guess who were all behind the masks, as she went up to different higher class people, demurely not making eye contact, and offering what she had on her tray. Around her many of the servants were dressed as different type sof blackbirds, so that they would fit the theme and their uniform. She was wearing a face mask, and so she hoped that James wouldn't be able to find her. Behind her Rogers came up, and bent down besides her. "Hey it's me." She turned with a small smile, as more wouldn't be appropriate in this situation. "Roger. Hello. I haven't seen you all day." He replied, "And I you. Are you okay? Did..did James do anything?" "It was okay. His focus wasn't on me, except I did complain a lot. He was wanting to ride his horse." "I can't believe she made you do that. They should have sent a manservant with him." he shook his head angrily. "We can talk about this later. I've already attracted Mrs. Lewis' attention once, so I better get back to work. Love you," she darted off as she could see Mrs. Lewis looking around. When she turned to serve someone, she made sure that she could see Roger. Her brother came up and whispered a few questions. After nodding, he walked away. She had feeling that he had been concerned about her safety as well. They shouldn't have asked. It was too late now, and there would be no way to get their revenge on their master's family. She supposed they could also blame Mrs. Lewis, which would be more in their reach. However, it wasn't worth losing their jobs and any chance at a new one. They could just send her away in disgrace. Rowan had been keeping an eye on James. She was curious if she would learn any details, so she kept serving people in his vicinity. Her brother Theodore had told her what his costume looked like, so she was able to follow him much easier. Not only had her brother had delivered it and put it in this young man's closet, but James' costume wasn't the same species as everyone else. She had to conceal her smile, as someone complimented it. It was often rare to hear any type of praise. The wealthy upper class too often were in competition with each other, so they refused to acknowledge that anyone but themself had something nice unless they wanted it. She lost him to the dancing, so she kept walking around the outskirts of the dance floor. She did manage to hear parts of the conversation between him and Violet, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. What question for who? She had a feeling she knew what question, but that still left the who. Macy came by to get another tray, when Rowan stopped her. "Something is going down tonight. I heard them talking," she gestured to where James was. "It doesn't concern us," Macy huffed. "Come on, you need new trays as well." Together they headed back. They were surprised to see Matilda. The men servants were stronger, so they should be able to carry the fragile glasses of drinks around. The noise was getting louder in the next room, so she could see that the men were doing a good job of serving everyone drinks. "How many trays have you done?" Macy asked the other two. "This was my first one." Matilda was stretching before she took another one. "I'm going to be so sore and stiff tomorrow. We're supposed to carry them on one certain shoulder, but I don't know if I can keep this up." "I agree." Rowan nodded her head decisively. "It'll be no wonder if one of us spills a tray or drops it entirely. Good luck girls. Hopefully, they'll want to stop eating and drinking." They all headed out again. Macy tripped on another servant's shoe, and everything went flying. She began scrambling to pick it up. Her friends looked helplessly at her, because they were heavily laden and not allowed to put it down. She could see Mrs. Lewis coming to either help or scold. Mrs. Lewis began to help, and the girls remembered that she knew to scold in private, so she didn't disturb the party. Her friends gave her sympathetic looks, as she was taken away. She would probably be back later....they hoped. |
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Neutral
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The man looked around and felt his heart start to beat faster than he had thought was possible. He had sent a small note with a servant notifying the mother of Matilda of his intentions. The fool-proof plan that would set them up handsomely and get his mother off of his back about marrying some poor dame. Everything was blurring in the ballroom. The faces covered in masks and brief glances of blonde curls under ridiculous hats. The plan was to quickly get Matilda away and explain the situation before he called everyone’s attention and announced that he would be marrying the maid.
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Not actually, he’d put their family into a position of power in the tavern that was his inheritance. As soon as he called off the engagement.
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But this bloody broad was nowhere in sight. Everytime he caught the sight of a maid, she would turn to reveal that she had red hair, blonde, or her skin was more olive or mocha. How could someone just pop out of existence like that? He even muttered a low question to some of the ones he could get ahold of when he got close enough, taking a champagne to just hand it off to the nearest Lord or Lady, once to the Duke who was already stumbling. James was close to fuming when he caught the arm of a maid.
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“I would like to speak with Matilda, send her to me.” He said, sending the girl off. Ignoring the fact that she already looked absolutely exhausted with her workload. The young lord was only interested in getting the evening over with so that he could live the rest of his life in peace and the longer he searched, the less time he would have to explain the grand scheme of things before the proposal. He could not afford her to say no. But then again, who would refuse him? He had been written as the most eligible bachelor for three years in a row, but this past year they had turned him into a picky male uninterested with the complete species of women and said he would be the catch of the century. There had been polls- POLLS- on which season’s most promising bud would steal him away. Of course, most people voted Myrtle, but when she ended up with another nobleman the people seemed confused.
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Who knew there was such a consequence to being the prince’s second cousin?
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He glanced around and spotted his mother, looking at him with a false fondness from across the room. His father was talking animatedly with a hand wrapped around the waist of his wife. They had to have been talking about him because the other two nobles were motioning to a group of brightly clad young ladies, but at least there were none with feathers. Deciding he was done waiting for the maid, he pulled aside a butler, pretending to look at the assortment of finger foods. “Bring me the maid Matilda, I’ve sent a maid after her but there has been no deliverance. You have seven minutes before I come looking for the both of you and you will be finding yourselves in need of a new job.” He smiled, taking a small cucumber sandwich piece and popping it into his grinning mouth.
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Lightbringer
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Matilda’s mother began to wring her hands, when she noticed a messenger coming her way. What could the messenger possibly want with her? She wasn’t important, so she must only get big news. Trying to keep her face unexpressive, she listened to the message. Once the messenger had left, she let her eyes widen and nostrils flared. What was the meaning of this? Why would this noble think it was a good idea? Why Matilda? Had her daughter been doing something improper to catch this man’s attention? She set off towards the party determined to find her. It was dangerous to go in, when she wasn’t working this job, but she needed to talk to her daughter. Her mind ruminated on the sense in this plan. It was totally improper, but they might get farther along in life if they assisted this man. On the other hand everyone could scorn them for seemingly clawing their way up the ladder. They wanted to have everyone’s good will, not just their employer. Another con was that her daughter would have a harder time getting someone to marry her. She already had a man who was sweet on her that the whole family approved of. Why should she potentially give that up? The maid almost jumped when her master asked her to go find someone. “Of course sir. Sorry sir.” Which one was Matilda again? Most of the time those at the party ignored the servants entirely. She wasn’t accustomed to being noticed. It was frightening. Although he had a mask, she could feel the annoyance emanating from him. The servant girl he managed to get a hold of promptly forgot as she struggled to continue to serve. She did keep an eye out for a little while, but was easily distracted by the demands around her. The butler hustled off, annoyed that someone else hadn’t already done this. After he had a few minutes stewing, and he couldn’t find her, he began to wonder why the man wanted Matilda. Has something improper happened? He began to get worried. He was decent at calculating time, and he still hadn’t found her. He bumped into her mother, and his jaw dropped. “What are you doing here dressed like that?” “I’m looking for my daughter Matilda.” “I am as well,” he huffed. “I suppose we can search together.” It didn’t take much longer before they found her. “Mother, what are you doing here?” she asked as she got another tray. “Someone told me that Master Disraeli was going to propose to you.” Her mother hissed at her, trying not to let the butler overhear. “You had better go tell her that she is on the way, or take this tray for her. She hasn’t got much time to lose.” The butler had informed the mother how he had been threatened. When he started moving out of earshot, she continued, “It’s not a real proposal. He wants to distract people, and he’ll set us up nicely if you accept.” “What?” her jaw dropped. “I can’t just marry someone from that set. Everyone will masacre me. I’ll have no friends and be a complete oddity. Why would he do this to me? What does he think he’s playing at? Why did he choose me? Curse the person who had us go on a ride together.” Her voice was raising, and she was obviously distressed. “Come on. You can always say no. I’m sure it would make just as much distracting drama, but he ordered you to come or people are going to start losing jobs, so let’s go!” Her mother grabbed her by the hand and started pulling her in his direction. The butler came huffing behind them with Matilda’s tray. “I finally found her sire. Here she is. Is that all?” He was ready to back away. He preferred not being noticed. "Sorry I took so long to get her." Matilda curtised remembering that her mother said James was in a huff. "Nobody informed me." She was too afraid to continue speaking and add more to the excuse. "How may I be of service to you?" she kept her head down. She looked up from under her lashes, not very surprised at the costume he wore. Could this really be happening? Surely, someone was playing a prank on them? No one would ever propose to a maid like herself! |
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Winter 
Night 
