OOC: This thread is now tagged to
@JackieCat !
"Oh, Kia... Kia, Kia, Kia!" Came the calls from the glowing young woman, as her fancy hair bounced about as she rushed down the long stone steps towards the Alagory. It wasn't that she didn't know the way that was caused for her tardiness, but that Professor Hassleberrie's speech on the History of the Fell held her captivated for well? Longer than it ought to have! Where most of the students at the university were left snoring, she was tucked away back in a corner, like some hidden fairy from a tale, all done up for the evening's event- which of course was another dinner party her parents were more than eager to attend.
They didn't seem to mind when she promised she'd be home before it all began, but when the bell rang, she nearly cursed beneath her breath, and struggled to find a way to sneak out of the University unnoticed. As she ran, she tucked her notes up under her skirts, the still drying ink staining her hosery and hands. She couldn't believe it! Even her white satin gloves got stained.
"So much for that,"s he sighed, plucking them off and discarded them as she ran. But it was difficult to run in heels, which is why she was now bare foot as she rushed about, the train of her yellow dress fluttering like a curtain of fake flowers and lace. Her heels, however, were on the ends of her hands, for she wasn't about to soil her attire more than it was. And she only could hope the only soiling had been on those gloves as she rounded the corner, dashed past the church, and stopped right at the front of her parent's carriage. And there they stood, the creases of worry embedded into their faces as her mother sighed with relief at the sight.
"Oh, Phonecia.. you're late!"
Habit dictated the coddling, motherly hug. Though she was upset, she was more relieved her daughter was okay.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry mother," came her reply, as she sighed and blew some of her wild curls from her face. Her mother looked her over, sobering.
"Oh goodness, your hair... "
"She looks fine, Phanny," her father pressed, "let her wear it down just this once. We haven't the time to fix it, anyway. And you both look handsome."
Her mother sighed, but smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek. But upon seeing she left a lipstick stain, sighed and moved to rub it away.
"Don't worry mom, we're already friends with the Alagory family."
"I know, but some new families we have yet to be introduced will be there."
"I know, I know."
"And the more people we meet-"
"The more likely we can succeed," Phone went on to finish, and grabbed her mother's hand. "Come on, let's go!"
And as the family was bustling to get into the carriage, she heard one of the windows creak open.
"Have a nice night, Phone!"
It was Gabin. Phone's expression brightened as she waved enthusiastically to her young cousin.
"I'll be sure to have a few good dances just for you!" Phone called back, and soon their horse and carriage were off, carrying the family all the way to the building known to all as the Alagory- which had been in that family for countless generations. It was claimed their family was as old, if not
older than Serendipity itself!
That much could be said about it's house head, Lord Walterin Woosely Alagory. The man was over a hundred, had been married fifteen times (as he survived them all!), and had about a dozen or so children, who all had a dozen or so children, and as the man went on to explain to Phone at length about the Alagroy clan, Phone was having trouble keeping up.
"Wait, so you're telling me your son's son's son in law is in love with your mother's cousins's second wive's niece who was already divorced twice?"
Old Lord Alagory raised his shaggy eyebrows and agreed.
"Why yes."
She knit her brows.
"But yet your cousin's mother's granddaughter inlaw is in love with him?"
He nodded.
"Precisely! It's a most ornate and absurd love triangle if there ever was one!"
"Gosh.." Phone nodded, actually completely captivated by the tale, while the rest of her family remained in lively, social chatter with the other guests. But for Phone? She was quite comfortable to simply mingle and listen to the Lord's stories. They were pretty fun, even if some weren't believable!
"Now, if you'll excuse me, young Lady Phonecia," he went on with a chuckle, "I do think my sixteenth wife is calling."
She gasped.
"You got married again?"
He grinned.
"Well, soon to be.." and he gestured towards Lady Elsley int he corner. Phone's expression lit up.
"Oh, Lady Elsley? You couldn't have picked better!"
And once he was excused to go and flirt with his current lady love....
Well, Phone found herself all by herself, in her poofy dress, toying absent mindedly with the laces lining her garb while denying the third attempt someone tried to serve her some wine. Though thirsty, she wasn't a fan of wine, and last time she tried to hold a wine goblet just to look like she liked it, ended up wiht it staining her dress.
She took this moment to exercise her people studying skills with those around the room, and began to wonder who the knew people were. Sure she was introduced to them upon arrival, but having remained at Lord Alagory's side for the last hour, she more or less missed her chance to slip into some o f the congregated groups' conversations.
So idly kicking her shoes, she stared around the room in wonder, her thoughts taking her anywhere but here. Maybe she should check out the our d'ouerves... she had seen cute little flower shaped cookies earlier!