Spirits of the Earth

OOC: This Thread has come from: The Dessert Table (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15587.msg156752#msg156752). See Rules of the Table before joining! Thanks!

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For Angsar's sake, was this ball ever annoying; at least those were the thoughts inside Lord Davishire's head as he took another sip of his dark wine and rolled it around irritably inside it's fancy, gilded goblet. He flattened his lips, drawing them into a flat line as he staked himself out in the most uninvolved room (so far) at the party. No doubt, the drawing room would have others joining soon, considering it was attached to the music room, where he heard a group of women giggling over the piano.

Sighing again, he lowered his head, the mask on his face almost consuming his features, but not that strong jaw- making him appear even more ferocious than normal; considering he chose the most fitting costume for himself-
A dire wolf.

With ragged, tufts for ears pinned atop of his hair and a fur trimmed mask that covered msot of his face, his suit was also lined in the fur, and a tail at the bottom, fashioned from a real wolf and his cape, also completely made of wolf's fur...

It was kind of itchy, and making him bloody hot beneath it. He gave a tug to his collar and sighed again, itching at the fur that tickled the portion of his chest that was bared (but only appropriately enough) before lifting his goblet to his lips and wondering if the alcohol would really be enough to make him become invincible at this event and survive the day. Damn party.

Illi felt... well... out of place. The costumes all around were magnificent and the building was unbeatable, but she was starting to wish that she had brought a book with her. That way she could just stay in the corner in her own little world. Shaking her head, she tossed the thought out. She came to socialize. To meet fun girls and, if she was lucky, a perfect man.

That's why she left all of her siblings. Not like they would have stayed with her, anyway. Well, maybe a few of them, but everyone wanted to get to know new people. Even Janette... though the reason why may be a little suspicious. But so far, the whole socializing thing wasn't going too well. Being in the middle of the Treyburn kids, nobody paid her much attention. And, honestly, she didn't pay anybody else much attention. So besides the occasional, "Oh, Illi, look how much you've grown!" or the ever dreaded, "You're growing up to look just like your mother!" from some of the older women, she hadn't done any talking.

She had also realized that most of the other ball-goers were dressed up as animals.

But she couldn't be frightened off. All good heros had troubles, right? She just had to work past them and get up the courage to speak to somebody. So Illi took a deep breath and started walking again. Her heels clicked lightly on the ground while she spent all of her energy on not falling or running into anyone. Illi was starting to wonder if she should have practiced walking in her shoes. At least her gold dress looked pretty.

Seeing a fairly empty room, Illi decided it would be a perfect place to talk to someone in a more open setting. So she walked in and started heading over towards the piano, where a group of girls around her age seemed to be having fun.

And then she noticed a man, standing all alone. After a brief hesitation, she turned her path towards him. Nobody should have to be all alone, after all. Even if they did look a bit frightening and irritated.

Her voice quiet and shy, Illi slowly approached him and said, "Hi? I like your costume... it's a wolf, right? My name is Illi." She shot him a small smile, hoping he wouldn't just tell her off.

Like the predator he appeared, his eyes shot to her sharply when she spoke. He hadn't even bothered to look at her until then, knowing full well she approached as he lowered his scratching hand from his neck and gave her a scrutinizing glare. He appeared as one unhappy 'pup'.

"Yes, a wolf," he replied with a soft, threatening growl to his tone. "And wouldn't the Queen of Aerona be afraid to approach a wolf?" He said, smirking, only slightly as he caught her costume in full detail. Lifting his drink to his lips, his scowl returned to his face as he looked away from her, as if bored.

Illi's eyes widened and drew in a breath when the wolf man spoke. He knew who she was! And, honestly, was probably the only person here who would! Despite his obvious bad temperament, she was elated. Whether he liked it or not, she planned on talking to him.

She curtsied politely as she replied, "Sorry, let me try this again." Then Illi calmly walked out of the room, went a few steps past the door so he wouldn't be able to see her, and walked back in. Her head was held higher this time, throwing off confidence. Her eyes skimmed the room before resting on that of the wolf.

Then, in true spirit of her character, Illi pointed and yelled, "Wolf! Oh the woe that has befallen me, he resembles my dead husband!" Despite the realization that she may have said that a little too loud, she continued on while placing her hands on her heart. "Speak to me, handsome creature of the night. Are you the spirit of my one true love?"

Davishire kept his eyes careful upon the woman as she left the room.
He was about to mutter something under his breath about her being 'odd', and was momentarily relieved when she had left the room, only to be surprised a moment later when she returned!

This time, she held a different persona, throwing herself into character and forcing Davishire to stare. He felt his throat tighten, his lips, now flattened tightly before his face relaxed back to it's normal scowl.
"I think you have me mistaken for another wolf," he growled. "This one would devour the Queen whole." ANd as was proper, he bowed to her, even as he looked bored while doing it. "Lord Davishire Callister." He said, before turning away from her, so his shoulder faced her as he took a drink. Hopefully his 'reputation', or what the gossiping girls said about him would be enough to deter her. Most other girls would have gotten the hint...

After all, the group of girls she WOULD have approached were already talking...

Illi walked up to Davishire again, shaking her head and tsking. "Ruining my fun, are you? I mean, obviously I ruined yours. You looked like you were having a blast, standing alone and staring at that wall." She stopped walking when she was a foor or two in front of him. Tilting her head up, she slowly added, "See, now you can stare forward at the wall, but not be alone..."

How tall was he, anyway?

Glancing down at his drink, she wondered if it were alcoholic. Alcohol and her didn't mix well. A glass of wine and any restraint she had on listing off book information was gone. Maybe she would go and get herself something to drink... but something nonalcoholic. Then again, he'd probably be gone by the time she returned.

Looking back up at his eyes, Illi finally processed all of what he said. "Wait... a lord?" she asked. "I suppose I should be more polite, seeing as my rank is much lower than yours. But based on your knowledge of past history figures, I'm willing to bet you have no more interest than I do in talking about which one of the lovely men here today will ask that hairy turnip over there on a date." She motioned to one of the girls by the piano with her head. "Plus, I think I missed the polite train as the beginning of this. Shall I exit and enter again, this time paying attention to formalities?"

As she approached, his eyes slowly followed her form from the corner of his eyes. When she put herself right in his line of sight, his frown remained, especially as she stared at his drink. ANd then she went on again, seeming to care about status or whatever formalities nobility dictated and at that, he visibly sneered at her. Oh, she was one of those girls. He had, somewhat, hoped she had been different. But as usual protocol, she was just the same as the rest. And did she need to point out the other girls to prove it?


With a roll of his eyes, he stared up at the ceiling then back down towards her, then down t his drink- by now, it was.. empty. And as if on cue, a servant walked into the room carrying  a few goblets and paused before the pair.

"A drink for the lady?"
Needing a drink for himself, he figured why not? And placed his own empty drink onto the tray and grabbed two fresh drinks before bowing to the man and handing one over to her while he took his own...
"For you, my queen."
Then moved to walk away.

Illi took the drink, not quite knowing what else to do. It seemed rude to not accept it, even if she had no intent on drinking it.

Then again, it was also rude to leave someone in the middle of a conversation—even if it was primarily one sided.

So Illi walked after him, trying to keep up with his pace. But her heels kept clacking on the ground in an offbeat pattern and she kept almost stepping on the hem of her dress and then that almost became an actual and she started falling. Towards Davishire.

She caught herself by using his back for support and already felt bad enough. But upon standing up straight again, she realized that a good portion of that red liquid of doom in her cup had made its way onto his costume. Leading to a large red stain across his back.

All she could do is gasp, frozen in place, with her hands on her mouth as she stared in horror.

The clanking of her heels was god-awful annoying, and it grated on his nerves more than her words could. Confounded women and their dreadful 'necessity' of fashion!
And then there it was, he felt her hands upon him-
"What do you think you're-" and before he could finish that thought, he stared at her in about as much dismay and shock as she, as he stared down at the red wine dribbling dwn his furs.
Frowning, he simply sighed and resumed his usual scowl before he commented, "Looks like the Queen has finally killed her wolf." And he turned to hand her his drink, before attempting to walk away...

Again.

Illi still stood frozen, though her arms were at her sides (now holding two cups), as he walked away. Normally she would have chased after him, insisting that she paid for his costume or got him a new one or make up for her dreadful mistake somehow, but his comment got to the innermost makings of her heart.

Her voice full of pure agony, Illi whimpered, "That's so sad... Why did he have to die? They were such a perfect couple... I've read stories of their love so many times and they always makes me cry." The waver in her voice made it sound like she was going to cry just by remembering it, but she knew she couldn't. Not at an event like this. Even still, she couldn't help but have the death of the queen's husband play over and over again in her head as her eyes seemed to be on the verge of tears that she was trying so hard to keep back.

He had made it to the door when her voice caught his ears, and he paused at the door frame, a smart remark on his lips, but he pressed his lips together at her tone and found himself replying with a softer scowl,
"Because no life is a fairy tale."
And he walked out the door.

OOC: If you're following Edward, he's gone here: To the Triple Chocolate Cake (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15606.msg157450#msg157450).

His words snapped her out of her own depression and she quickly started walking towards him while trying to not spill any more wine from either cup. While she may have succeeded in not spilling any more, Illi realized that she would not be catching up with him. After all, when she finally reached the doorway, he was nowhere in sight.

At first she was a little upset. She wanted to continue talking to him, even if he was a little cold. But then she paused and thought for a little while. With anything bad, something good came with it. She learned that from all the books she had read. Even if someone lost a fight, it taught them how to improve. Even deaths ultimately had some sort of benefit—even if the death was still insanely depressing.

So what if he wasn't within eye sight? That just gave her time to do a little research. That way, when she did find him, she could prove to him that life really could be a fairy tale. And she knew just the place to do that: the study. So Illi clanked right out of that room, handed both cups of wine to a waiter who conveniently happened to be nearby, and set out more confident than she had been when she entered.

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Exit to: Triple Chocolate Cake (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15606.new#new)

Janette missed Illi, and the Wolf-man exiting the room, and instead found herself sighing, and starting to get angry or frustrated, she didn't know which.

What was she doing here? She wanted to be out, climbing the street tops of Reajh, taking coin and splashing out on herself, not stuck, cooped up in some god forsaken palace with a bunch of stuck up, high class people.

As much as she pretended to be one of them, she wasn't. She wouldn't ever fit in here, with these politicians.

She needed to be out on the streets.

She needed someone to go to with all these feelings. She needed a man.

She sat in a chair, trying to think clearly. All she could think about was that she'd flirted with her brother, kissed a few men cheekily, then buggered off in here to sulk.

She was pathetic. What sort of man would like her romantically? She was a tramp. She was proud of it, but she was a tramp. She wouldn't find love here. She would never find love. Girls like her never did. They died disease ridden deaths born of promiscuity.

Of course, she had drunk enough that she was thinking these thoughts, and soon enough she was on the verge of crying. Damned violent mood swings.

If Braxton, Trevian or family members found her, she'd be too embarrassed to explain, too upset to do anything but cry and too drunk to recognise the most likely. Of course, the experience wouldn't be mutual. She forgot everything when she was drunk, the most painful stuff.

Killian Gryst was doing his rounds- and most awkwadly so. Becoming a 'knight in training' beneath the great General Serenus had been a dream for him. But little did the aspiring knight know what this entailed! Sure, the armor was beautiful, crafted by only the finest of men and materials, but he- well.. he still wasn't used to wearing it! As a young boy only hailing from an Apple Orchard from the duchy of Allar, and only having barely a years worth of training in the army, he still looked rather dashing with the glint of metal armor hugging his form.

Now he was clanking about (in a way that HE thought he looked awkward- when really, he did look quite normal) but he was having a hard time walking about in his armor. The helm of whihc, thank God, he did not have to wear, had been discarded, but even stil, he was sweating and his white hair was stuck to his face.

As a knight in training he had been commanded, under the orders of the Grand Duke himself, to maintain rounds that night and his first stop was.. well...

Blinking, he moved his wrist from his forehead (as he was still trying to wipe away that pesky sweat!) and observed the title of the room.

"The drawing room.."
Yep, he was in the right place. Wiping his forehead again, he drew in a breath and stepped on into the room....

Janette heard the door go and instantly looked up from where she was to see something that sent a tingle up her spine. A young soldier, ripe for the taking.

Now there's what I want... Janette smiled as she wiped the tears from her cheeks, readjusting herself for feeding time.

"Why hello there handsome... Or should I be calling you sir?" Even Janette knew what a knight's armour looked like. Intricate, gorgeous. The only real thing that the army had to offer that was nice. Maybe she could see what the knight looked like without that armour on. Maybe even without clothes if she played her cards right.

As she walked over to him, she made sure to walk coherently, especially considering she'd had another round of wine. And it worked. She looked as if she wasn't drunk. Good.

The man's face was clearly visible, so she assumed he was a guard. Surely one guard could spend the night somewhere and no-one would notice.

Subtly she ran her eyes down the knight's body, holding in places she felt she should.

OOC: I'm so tired while I write this! I hope it makes sense! I'm adding a brief summary of Killian's history up to this point (very brief >_>) so mentally, one can know where he is coming from!

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Being in a grand party full of women in decadent costumes put Killian in a prime place to do a bit of appreciative people viewing, but that was, honestly, the furthest thing from his mind. He had been sweet on a girl long before this event, but things hadn't gone welll, and now she had disappeared, and along with it, his heart, so it seemed.

So It was hard for him to focus on much of anything, but what brought him into becoming a knight was General Serenus's generosity, and he... gladly excepted the position and did not realize that he would have been separated from his 'girlfriend' Solita. But finding out she was a mage, and one who saved his life, complicated things greatly..
Then she simply..
disappeared.

So while he was still lamenting over a lost girl, he hadn't realized where he was walking for just that moment and nearly walked clean into a incredibly tall, female snake
His blue eyes went wide at the sight of her, and then his face, red from the loooks she gave him
For a moment, he was paused, half in horror, half not knowing what to do, considering he always tensed up under scrutiny (or in this case, flirtation!)

But recalling his manners quickly, he bowed his head to the lady.
"My lady, apologies! but I must be on my way. The Grand Duke himself has assigned me to doing rounds, so please forgive me. I hadn't meant to nearly run into you, er.."  and he paused to observe her curious costume, and wanted to comment, but felt weird and assumed it was not his place. After all, he was a knight- and she a lady- and he was not a guest, after all nor a true knight (yet!)

Janette loved the sound of his voice instantly. This was her dream guy. Physically anyway.

He was cute, and he certainly looked appealing. Maybe if she couldn't have the whole meal, she would just get a quick bite.

"I'm sure he won't mind... I've heard he's forgiving..." Janette smiled at the knight, taking one of his hands in hers.

"Come and keep a girl company for a while? I'm so lonely at this ball, it's horrible..." She was going to try all the tricks with this one. Lying about who she was, playing on his nerves, sitting at all the right angles, to make him see just enough to leave things on his imagination. Everything that had worked before.

Giving a gentle tug on his hand, she smiled.

"Come, sit, I'm sure there are plenty of guards to go around and not notice they're just missing one man. They won't mind me stealing you, sir....?" She enquired about the knights name.

When Janette took his hand, he couldn't have felt more rigid or flustered as words failed him as he took a none too elegant step forward in his clunky armor.
"Please, my lady, er..?" he realized, he did not know her name, then again, he was not nobility so...
"I have a duty to uphold. To ensure you and all the guests are well and safe!"
But boy, if this girl wasn't a bit strong. And he blinked and realized, she was almost a foot taller than he! Few men he knew were even that tall, and awkwardly, he gaped at her when he realized this. Poor thing! He didn't mean to stare!

Janette smiled, realising how much of a pitfall she had set up for him. "Well come and protect me..." She could keep her first name the same. Maybe change her last name.

Oh, Angsar's balls, what was the Grand Duke's last name?! Janette thought as she tried to decide what lie to create to see how much she could squeeze out of this knight. Maybe he had a thing for high nobility.

"My name is Janette Allarrick, I'm sure you'll recognise my uncle... The Grand Duke." It wasn't perfect, but it could keep her out of trouble.

"Someone was assigned to keep an eye out for me, just as a precaution, but they left when some women came over flaunting themselves. And now I need a new guard." Janette gave another gentle tug, hoping her lie would convince him to stay long enough that she could at least kiss the damn guy.

"Well, er, see the thing of it is.." Killian began, at her first request, that made his cheeks rosy. He wasn't foolish enough not to know her game! And he in this situations did not fair well! After all, even not being nobility himself, he was still a gentleman.

"Er, Allarrick?" But at her last name, his eyes went wide, and not knowing what else better to do, he dropped to his knees, as if she were royalty herself!
"Forgive me, I... I am still knew here. I'm just a knight in training, this being my first duty..." And he kept his head bowed, an arm across his chest, fist resting over his heart in allegiance.

And he probably looked like a fool!

In the back of her mind, fireworks started going off in celebration as the nervous knight bought into her lie. Now she just needed to avoid any complications.

"It's ok, really, I'm not like my uncle. He loves his celebrations and his formalities, and I am so much more relaxed. What's your name?" Janette smiled. She could get used to people bowing to her like that. Now to continue her "feeding".

"Come and sit, talk with me. I'm lonely, and my guard has abandoned me..." Janette went and pulled another chair up for the knight to sit at, smiling.

She wanted another glass of wine, but it could wait until she had ensnared him in conversation, or he left. Hopefully he wouldn't bring up that the "Grand Duke's niece" was flirting with him. that would spell trouble.

Killian looked up from where he was on bended knee.
"I.." And his cheeks were still pink as he replied, more softly, "Killian. Killian Gryst, beneath the command of General Serenus and the elite forces of mordecai beneath the Grand Duke's allegiance." and then he cleared his throat, wondering if he sounded as nervous as he felt, for formalities felt as if they were just falling out of his mouth.

And then to the chair his blue eyes went and he raised his brows at the woman.
"My lady? But I... it wouldn't be prudent of me to leave my station..."

Janette saw this man was exceptionally loyal, and decided to play on that factor in his personality. It was probably the difference between her getting a kiss and her not. That was all she was getting out of this guard. It would take a lot of drink to get him anywhere near a bedroom, and his loyalty would stop that.

"Well if you want to leave me on my own, and at risk, fine. This is a masked ball after all, anyone could be here." Janette frowned, as if she was unimpressed by his priorities, and made it clear she was.

"Or, stay, and simply explain to General Serenus that you were making sure I was ok until I found my guard. I'm sure he'll understand." Janette knew this guy could potentially lose his position because of her, but she didn't care. She wanted him, and his appeal, nothing more. He was an object to her.

"I.." Killian found himself faltering, his face still flushed. How could he argue with that?
"This is true. It would be unwise to leave you so... er, unescorted. I.." and he had no idea what he ought to do now! He was to be making his rounds through all rooms, not just this one! Though technically, only this hall...
Perhaps he could stay with her for at least a little while?

"I suppose it could not hurt." And he rose from the floor and kept his head bowed. "To ensure a family member of the Grand Duke is not harmed, I shall obey."

The General, he hoped, would understand!

The Knight was caught between Janette's metaphorical jaws, and she'd sunk her fangs in to keep him there.

Janette wanted to just say "SCORE!" but it would have been inappropriate, and probably would have revealed her true intentions.

"Thank you, Sir Killian." She used the formal title, only to make him feel more nervous than he was. The more nervous this knight was, the more she would enjoy taking the kiss from him.

"I'm only here until I go to meet a fellow noble, who has a guard, so if you stay with me until I have to go to that, then I'll go straight there, and meet with him." Janette's intricate web of lies would no doubt tangle her up later, but in the state she was in, she just wanted to meet her ultimate goal with this knight.

"In the meantime, please, come and sit." She would make him squirm, then at the goodbye, she would bite.

Killian shifted uncomfortably. The way this woman looked at him made him nervous, it was almost as if she were acting like the snake she was dressed up as. Avoiding eye contact, he shifted his weight again.
"But my Lady Allarrick, would it not be better if I remain at your side and standing?" He could at least try his luck here by standing. That way, no one would question if he was still doing his job or not! Angsar help him if the General were to show up and he were in a chair, flirting with a noble lady at the party!

"Sit. Do not tire yourself by just standing, conserve your energy for something more useful than just standing guard." Janette beckoned again, smiling in a friendly way at him. Sitting and showing me how you treat women the right way would be more useful. She gave herself fifteen minutes to work this piece of prey. Fifteen minutes to either work her poison, or just take a bite before she left for other, more filling prey.

"Sometimes these balls are such a bore, I really must be honest when I say that, I often find the best bit is judging the quality of the drink served. Do you enjoy coming to these sorts of balls?" Janette posed the question in a way that made her seem so much more sophisticated than she was.

Killian, still not sure it was ok for him, only nodded.
"I suppose there is no harm if I sit with you, but briefly, Lady Allarrick..." And he took a bow and a seat beside her before he blinked at her question. "Forgive me, my lady, I would not know. I was but an apple farmer before I joined the military, and only more recently, a knight in training. I am not familiar with these sorts of affairs."

"Oh it's quite alright, really. How young are you then?" Janette was interested as common courtesy dictated that he didn't ask her name. But she wanted his nerves to make him slip up, the more nervous and uncomfortable he was, the more she enjoyed it.

I'm a really bad person for doing this, but god, I love it... Mmmm, and that face looks so kissable... Janette leaned toward him, feigning interest in a conversation to cover the fact it meant she had to move less to get a kiss in at the end.

"I should imagine you aren't that old then?"

"I uh..." Killian's face was pink again, and probably the rest of the skin on his body. He felt so hot beneath his armor, he thought he could steam! Shaking it off, he swallowed the knot inside his throat and informed her,
"Twenty-four, no, twenty-five. Er, NO! No! I did mean twenty four I just-"
Angsar help him! He was floundering!
Wiping at the sweat at his brow, he tried to smile for her but.. eh!?
He blinked and looked down- when had she gotten so close?

"And y-yes, I suppose I'm a bit young for a knight. But the General said I had great potential. I.. really owe him a lot. He is the reason I am here, after all."

Janette saw the reaction the guard had, and smiled. She loved seeing them like this. It was so much fun. No-one in Connlaoth ever seemed to expect Janette to be so dominant, so commanding. And that made it a whole new ball game.

"Well, you are young..." Janette adjusted herself ever so slightly, and thought of how to embarrass the knight-in-training even more.

"But that doesn't give you an excuse to stare down a lady's dress..." She couldn't stop herself smirking at the accusation, ready to thrive in whatever reaction he gave.

"I suppose I could make an exception for you though, you are only young after all... Boys will be boys right?" She teased adjusting so that he could actually stare down her dress, but only enough to send his imagination crazy. She didn't care about anything but the reaction and the enjoyment of said reaction.

If Killian thought he was red and hot before, he was ten times hotter now! He felt acid burn within his nose as he gasped, and- inadvertently DID look at her assets after she had accused him.
"What!? Me! Lady Al-la-la-larrick! You must be mistaken! I would never! I-!"
Gods! And he stared at her in disbelief, at her coy look and the sparkling green sequence of her costume.
She really was a snake! And he ensured he was sitting as far away from her as he could on his side of the settee...
No need to keep close enough to get a snake bite...

Janette let him sit back, but felt she must say one thing. God the reaction just set her blood pumping. Seeing the shock in her prey. The disbelief. That was what she loved so much about men. The reactions were so amusing. So exciting.

"Please, call me Janette. Or Lady Janette." Janette sat back herself, letting her chest protrude slightly, and she wanted to see how he would react if she did something really un-lady like.

She uncrossed her legs, and it seemed as if she shed a layer of skin, the relatively short skirt revealing just as much as she wanted it to. Nothing indecent. Just provocative.

"So how long ago was it that you became a knight in training?"

Killian didn't have to look to know what she was doing, and he visibly gaped, before finally sputtering a response.
"I-I... only a few months." Was it even that long? He didn't know! But his mind was numb and his eyes remained glued to hers, afraid to look down as he was sweating beneath his armor.

"Ah, so new to it... What kind of training does it entail? Other than guarding these boring events?" Janette let her eyes visibly wander, teasing of things the knight would get if he simply took a few hours off. Of course he wouldn't, but making him feel he had missed out would be the purpose.

"Do you ever get to have fun?" Janette's voice changed subtly, something she had mastered over the time she had spent toying with men, to convey a very miniscule amount of lust.

Before Killian could explain himself, she had to go there.
And for a moment, he stared at her before he was able to find himself.
"It uh.. it is a lot of training. So far, I haven't had a reprieve. Mornings are spent in a routine training session, to learn the skills of the sword, even spear, though a knight's primary weapon is always his sword- so we practice quite a number of times a day. The rest is all learning formalities.. I.. I never knew this job could be so..." And he tried to think of the right word, before he added softly, avoiding the snake's gaze. ".. political."

"It must be exhausting physically... Do you have lucky woman to go home to?" She didn't know if she had to watch for backstabbing and rumours from another woman if she went to take a taste. If she didn't, then he would get bitten. But her voice was more serious in tone, and the lust disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"I don't have anyone at home..." Janette realised again for a second how lonely she was, before she focused on ensnaring her prey again. "I have always wondered what it would be like to be able to go home to someone..."

Janette let a hint of sorrow into her voice. She was lonely really. Someone regular would be nice. But no-one wanted her regularly, not that she had met. And this knight certainly wouldn't when she was done with him.

"Who me uh? I uh.." Killian blinked, thinking back to Solita and feeling guilty, considering he had wanted her to be his girl, but what had become of her?

"I.. I don't know.." he answered softly. "The girl I had been seeing disappeared during the middle of this war, and just before my knighthood I..." He shuffled his weight uncomfortably, and then at her question, his face went scarlet.

"L-lady Allarrick, I, I don't think this conversation is headed where it ought. Do forgive me but.. I. I should really go back to my duties..." And he moved to rise from his seat. Really! The last thing he needed was to lead this poor girl on! Did she think he was interested!? And what had he done to warrant it!?

Janette decided there was no more to be done here. Instead she was going to get that kiss.

"I'm sorry..." She put a sympathetic hand on his cheek, before moving over to kiss him. It wasn't as passionate as she had originally planned, but after hearing his story, she decided not to torture him any more and she felt slightly guilty.

"I'll see you around, and have a good time at the party..." And with that, Janette left to go and find other prey.

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Exit to Dance Hall (When it's up)

Killian just stared, and stared and stared moments after 'Lady Allarrick' had gone. It was a surreal moment, and he wasn't sure what happened. The kiss, only numbed him, and to a degree he wasn't even sure if he had been kissed on the mouth, cheek, or even nose! So his mind only returned to him long after the girl had left, and Vesirk's voice carrying out the announcement that the voice was to begin. Oh, boy. He'd better get back to work.

Still flustered, the knight stood and tried to recompose himself and got back to work.


OOC: It wasn't specified where she kissed him so... 8D
But I just 'assume' it was the lips but hey- I also went with him being THAT flustered that he doesn't even know!

Entrance from the Dance Hall (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15643.new#new)

Janette's return to the music room was probably about as dignified as her exit, truth be told. But this time she was being carried, unconscious, by the Lords Carwick and Draven. With the help of Edward, Avery carefully maneuvered Janette onto one of the couches in the drawing room. Since most people were in the dance hall now (watching an entirely different mess unfold!), the girl would at least be able to get some rest here.

Once she was down, Avery turned to Edward. "I've already accomplished my first good deed of the night," he said in reference to Davishire and Jillian finally finding each other, "I may as well keep it up while I'm on a roll. No point in both of us looking after her." Also, Avery knew that this was one of Edward's first appearances at a social gathering since his wife died, and he didn't want the widower to have to spend his night with a drunk giant. "Plus," Avery added with a joking grin, "you don't want to miss all the excitement going on back there!"


Riley hung back, hiding behind a corner as he watched the two lords and his aunt. He really, really didn't want to see Edward now! But hopefully Edward would take up the other man's offer, then he could go take care of his most terrifying of aunts. Since he was the only one who would do it!

"Yes, well, thank you for your help with this," Edward said, gesturing to Janette. But he seemed to ignore the man's suggestion as he fussed over her.
"Are you going to be alright? Are you even awake?" he asked, lightly shaking Janette's shoulder with one hand.
"I wonder if anyone has any smelling salts," he mused worriedly. "And I don't think I could leave a guest, knowing that she needs some attention."


It was here, the knight-in-training from earlier (a certain Killian Gryst) spotted 'Lady Allarrick's' fainted form and gasped as he trudged through the room and approached the two men.
"What has happened to Lady Allarrick? Is she ok? Should I alert the guards?"
For really, he was in quite a panic to see her state in such distress! The poor 'niece' of the Grand Duke!

Inwardly, Avery sighed. Why did he even try? Everyone seemed quite intent on having an awful night. "Really, Lord Draven, I'm perfectly capable and she isn't your guest." Or his, for that matter, but oh well. He looked rather amused at Edward's suggestion, though. Smelling salts. As though she were a lady fainting from exhaustion instead of a passed out drunk. "I don't think smelling salts are going to..."

But he was interrupted by the rather alarmed looking soldier. Apparently nothing could happen tonight without spiraling into a Situation. But, 'Lady Allarrick?' Someone clearly had their wires crossed. "There's really no need," he assured Killian (and Edward, too, for that matter!) "Lady Treyburn will be fine. She's just drunk and probably only needs to sleep it off until her family can take her home. I've seen much worse among soldiers on their first leave."

---

Oh, goodness, this was getting worse and worse! Riley just wanted everyone (or at least Edward!) to leave so he could take care of Janette without bothering people about it. It was bad enough all these scenes the Treyburns had caused, and now strangers were having to take care of his passed out drunk and terrifying aunt! It was all so embarrassing! But he didn't dare leave his hiding place while Edward remained. Riley was far too ashamed to face his new friend now... assuming Edward even still wanted to be friends with him!

Edward sighed, but took a puzzled look over the 'Allarrick' comment. But... the man was right- but he still felt obliged to be with this fallen girl.
That was until he noticed Riley by the door.
"Excuse me for a moment. I.. think I have a friend here to check on me. ANd perhaps his Aunt as well." ANd he moved from Avery's side to the door to where he peered out into the hall and spotted Riley.
"Hello, Riley. Have you come to check on your aunt?"

((OOc: Oh god, Killian xD You planned this. Both of you. You planned to embarrass her))

Janette wasn't out for long, the adrenaline from seeing her brother get punched giving her huge amounts of energy. That and the alcohol being broken down while she was out. When she woke up, she just felt hungover.

"Oooooh, my head..." She looked around to see the knight from what she thought was last night, the guy she had been dancing with talking to Riley, and some other guy.

The knight.

Her first instinct said flee, her second said knock him out and flee and the third said try and lie. But Riley was their, so option three was out. Then option four occurred to her. Blame it on the drink.

"Morning all... How much did I drink? And where am I?" She acted like she couldn't remember as much as she did, and genuinely thought she had been out longer than a few minutes. She hoped to trick the guard into thinking it wasn't a conscious decision to call herself Lady Allarrick, and that she had done it more as a "crime of passion".

She was also curious as to why she hadn't woken up with Megraph slithering all over her. But she didn't know where she was, or how long she had been out. That much was genuine.

((Haha, Janette would definitely NOT be even remotely sober by now! :P))

Oh no! He'd been spotted! Riley shuffled uncomfortably when Edward approached and didn't quite manage to meet Edward's eye when he answered. "Oh, yeah, of course. I had to come check on her after..."

But Riley stopped and looked suddenly alarmed. She was awake... and talking!

"See, oh, there she is!" he blurted out, and rushed over to Janette. Riley squeezed his way onto the couch, sitting so that Janette's head was resting in his lap. As though she were a sick child and he were a loving adult. "There, there, Aunt Janette! Hush now. You just rest now, that's all you need. Why don't you just rest here - quietly - with me?"

He even hugged her. Gross. Then looked up at the three assorted men and smiled a big, confident, and fake smile. "See? She's my favorite aunt," he lied, "so it's probably best if I just take care of her. Myself. I just love her so much."

He wasn't being a very convincing actor, but it was readily apparent that Riley was desperate for them to leave. Riley shifted uncomfortably. Then, to make things more convincing, pet Janette's hair to relax her. It's what his mom always did when he was sick, after all. "See, we'll be just fine. You just need to rest, don't you, Aunt Janette?"


Avery tried not to smile at the child's antics. He recognized the boy, having met him before while Karol was still alive - though he doubted Riley remembered him - but he seemed less acquainted with the boy than Edward. So Avery looked to see what Edward made oft he situation.

Edward, for the moment, remained hanging by the door to ensure Riley would be ok. He felt a bit guilty, but seeing as there were now three men seeing to Janette...
"I shall see you later this evening, Master Riley," he called over to the child, and bowed before making his leave. BUt as he stepped out of the room, he found himself releasing a heavy breath.
By Angsar's soul, it has been quite the night! But he needed to collect his thoughts and made his way to the veranda (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15622.msg157850#msg157850)...


Though the knight had registered what was said to him, he found himself blinking as he stuttered.
"But I met this lady in the game room d-during one of my rounds. She had... had told me she was.. was.. a niece to the Grand Duke."A nd he felt embarrassed, ashamed almost to say it, his cheeks, now turning red.
"Are you to say she is not an Allarick?" It was just too much for the poor knight in training to take in!

((OOc: We'll blame it on the wine. We're in a fantasy universe, we can have wine like that. I think. Maybe it'll come back on her or something. xD))

Janette was worried if Riley was broken or something, as his behaviour was rather odd. Maybe Riley had drunk too much.

"I said that?" She knew she had said it. The only reason she faked forgetting was because she knew she had. She refused to have this knight get her thrown in jail. She would flee to Ferendipity first.

"I don't remember...." Janette kept her head in Riley's lap, a genuine headache coming on. Maybe if she kept telling herself she didn't remember, she might forget.

((OOC: After some tampering of the Treyburn timeline, Riley is nine years old. He's just precocious!))

Riley heaved a sigh of relief after Edward left, but what lies had Janette been telling now? Lady Allarick, indeed! He gave Killian his best Innocent Child face when he answered, "Oh, you'll have to excuse her! She gets confused sometimes. Don't you, Aunt Janette?"

Then he lowered his voice to a stage whisper, "She's not right in the head."

Then he patted Janette sympathetically. "Don't worry, Aunt Janette. It's not your fault. You just rest now. I'll take care of you. You just lay there quietly, Aunt Janette."

Avery looked on amused. He couldn't help but see his old friend in the little boy, but he kept the thought to himself. "Do you always take care of your aunt, Master Gray? That's a responsibility."

"Oh no," Riley answered. He had to stay believable, and now that Edward was gone it wasn't quite as important to put a good face on the family. "Not always. But my uncle just got into a bit of a scuffle. So everyone else is a little occupied. But I'm very happy to get an excuse to spend some time with my favorite, favorite aunt!" Then, worrying that Janette would want to spring back up into action, he added with a clear threat in his child's voice, "But you just stay right here and rest, Aunt Janette!"

Killian wasn't sure exactly how to take all of this in! He blinked a few times before releasing a breath he hadn't known he was keeping.
"D-do... Do you need any assistance?" The knight in training pressed. "Perhaps I could go get the lady some water?"

Janette was actually slightly worried that someone had made Riley go insane while she'd been out.

She wanted the knight in training to cater to her. At least she could say who she actually was to keep him around now. I'm such a typical attention seeker...

God I love being an attention seeker.

She went to roll over, and the sober feeling she had devolved into a sickening feeling. Had she really been out that short a time that the alcohol was in her system? Apparently so.

"Um, yes, sure, please," came Riley's uncertain answer to Killian's offer of getting water for Janette. "Yes, that's probably a good idea! I'll stay here with her. Thanks a lot!"

Maybe he'd pour the water on her head once the guard came back with it.

Riley waited a few moments after Killian went off on his errand then, once he was sure the knight was gone, Riley swat Janette hard on the back of he head. "What's wrong with you, Janette? Why are you always causing trouble?!"


Edit
((OOC: Oops! Forgot Avery was still here!))

Avery gave a short snort of laughter at the boy's admonition of his aunt. Despite the whap on the head Janette received, Avery didn't intervene. Not at the moment, anyway. Avery couldn't blame the kid for being annoyed with his drunk and troublesome aunt.

"Steady there, Master Gray. You don't want to make her sick while she's still using you as a pillow!"

"What can I say? He's hot..." She smirked, feeling her drinks start to creep back up on her. That was her cover blown in other words. She adjusted to make herself comfortable. "What do you think it'd take to get him to carry me all the way back home to my room?" She thought out loud, before giggling.

"It was one itsy bitsy little lie... A woman's allowed to have her fun after all... Just, keep up the pretence that I didn't know I was doing it?" She smirked, pinching Riley's cheek playfully.

"Oh, you're still so innocent... But that makes it all the more fun..." Janette turned, remembering the other man stood nearby.

"You can go good sir, I'll be fine with my nephew here. At least it's good company... Not that I have any doubts you wouldn't be..." Janette was a bit more formal and courteous with the man, and not wanting to keep him from any suitors who were in slightly less of a state than her.

Internally she was fuming with herself over this. When Killian and Avery were gone, she needed to rant and rave about herself, ideally to Riley. Every time she came to these events, something along these lines happened. Every time.

Riley swatted away Janette's hand when she pinched his cheek. Oh, he was so mad at her. But as much as he didn't really want to be alone with Janette, he figured it wasn't any better with the other man here.

Plus, she was saying more and more embarrassing things all the time. "It's really fine," Riley agreed. "I think he'll be back soon with the water. And I'm sure one of my uncles will come soon."

Avery, for his part, ignored Janette, but nodded to Riley. It was clear the boy was dying from embarrassment and he didn't particularly want to add to it. "Alright, Master Gray, if you're sure. But you feel free to come find me or give a shout if you need help, okay? My name's Avery Carwick. I was a friend of your father's, and I'd be happy to be of service to you."

Riley swallowed at the mention of his father, but nodded. "Thank you, Lord Carwick. I will." Then, when Avery left, he hit Janette hard upside the head again. "Will you stop it? You're embarrassing yourself and me and it's just gross! You might be having fun, but it's not fair if your 'fun' ruins everyone else's night!"


((I'll add Avery's exit when I decide where he goes...))

"Oh, I had a little too much to drink. Your problem is that you're taking things a bit too seriously Riley. I passed out. It should be funny, not something for you to fret over." Janette smiled, sitting up slowly.

"And if you hit me once more, I will actually find you, wherever you're sleeping, and set Megraph down on you." She warned him sternly. She wouldn't tolerate a beating from her nephew.

"I'm seriously pissed off with myself! I do it every time, I come to balls and parties, hoping to pick up a guy, then I screw it all up! I envy Illi sometimes, able to fascinate herself in her fantasy worlds where she doesn't have to do anything to find the men she likes! She doesn't even have to leave the house to watch it all! Braxton found a wife, no doubt Illi has found a man, Cherie probably found one. Maybe Jan as well. For Angsar's sake, I bet even Oscar and Florry have got someone they want. And what do I have?" Janette let a tear run down her face, genuinely frustrated that she seemed to be the only unlikable person in her family.

"Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?!" Riley demanded. He wanted to smack her across the head again, but thought better of it in light of Janette's threat. He didn't think she really would, but... better not to test her.

"Maybe if you didn't get so drunk you wouldn't ruin it for yourself. I'm nine years old and even I can see that. And the way you act, Oscar and Florry and Illi and Cherie probably will find husbands and wives before you. Because they're nice to people... most of the time... and don't only think of themselves. People like people who are nice more than people who aren't. And people like people who aren't selfish more than people who are. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, maybe you could act like a nice person for a change."

Riley huffed, annoyed. "Didn't you go to school? How did you not learn that?"

"And I'm not too serious. Your'e too... un-serious! You probably don't even remember it, but the man who you were dancing with before you fell over drunk was maybe going to be my friend. I'm sure he won't want to be now. But of course you don't care about that."

"You don't know the thrill though, none of you do. I'm not unkind... I treat myself, I don't maliciously attack anyone. I never have... I flirt a lot, yeah, but when am I genuinely unkind? Only to kids who deserve it. Kids who need to learn that there aren't nice people." Janette defended herself angrily, annoye that he didn't seem to get the point of what she was saying.

"And I'm not worried about the fact I haven't found someone yet. That wasn't the point I was trying to make... I'm worried that when the time comes, and I want to change, I won't be able to... That I'm addicted to this lifestyle... I'm already addicted to other stuff... But you didn't hear that last bit." Janette sighed. There was nothing worse than not thinking you can settle own and enjoy marriage.

"I want to live the calm life, but I don't know if I can take it... If I can make the change in myself. I love my life right now, but when I'm like this all I can think about is whether I will ever be able to find it in myself to change, or if I'm just going to do this till I get thrown in a cell to rot..." Janette was mostly lamenting to herself, but there was something about Riley. She wanted to confide in someone, and he was the easiest option.

She wanted to confide about all of it, the drugs, the drink, the sex, the stealing. All her emotions and thoughts. Maybe she did want to settle down, but only at times. Like now. But when she woke up tomorrow she would want to go and steal something.

"Yeah, you're a real sob story, Janette," Riley remarked dryly. Another successful use of sarcasm! It was a skill he was just now getting old enough to use. And then he added seriously, "Just so you know, not caring about how your actions affect others counts as being cruel."

Really, had she not gone to school? How did she not know this stuff?

Before Riley could say more, though, Dahlia appeared in the doorway. She took a moment to take in the scene. Janette lying sick drunk (by all appearances) with only poor Riley attending to her. She didn't say anything at first, then asked tentatively, "And what are you two up to?" she asked.

Riley, feeling absolutely no loyalty to his aunt, jumped up off the couch, unconcerned about the fact that he'd been Janette's pillow. "Janette got super drunk," he immediately tattled. "She was even flirting with Trevian because she couldn't tell who he was. And she passed out on the ball room floor. And she told a guard that she was Lady Allarick."

Dahlia gave Riley a look that said 'that's enough' and the boy shut his mouth. She looked at her sister for a long time without talking and then, when she finally did, her voice was not admonishing or angry, just... tired, and perhaps unsurprised. "What's going on, Janette?"

"Oh, of course my darling sister turns up..." Janette muttered as Dahlia turned up. She didn't like Dahlia. The woman was so... Janette didn't know why she didn't like Dahlia.

"I'm enjoying myself. Do you have a problem with that? Of course you do. My darling sister Dahlia, you have a problem with it. Otherwise you would have gone back to your life. Your boring repetitive life." Janette felt the alcohol working on her again, but not in the same way it had before. Now she was feeling much worse.

"I only wish I could settle down and do what you do! Live out the same regretful thoughts, over and over again. But I can't. It's an addiction. I have to get out, have to feel the thrill, but you, you're privileged, you get to sit and mope about your husband daily, and tend to two kids. I'm not that lucky. I'm lucky if I can sleep at night!" The incoherency and inconsistency of Janette's subject of rant was proof enough that she was still under the influence. She just didn't know it anymore.

"I can't sit still for more than 5 minutes! I don't know why! I don't get the privilege of the relaxing life of a family... I probably never will..." Janette had stood up in her heated babbling, and when she realised how alone she was always going to be, she sat down, and just began to cry. The alcohol had taken any reasoning centres away, and she was just ranting and crying because that was genuinely how she felt. Angry and upset at herself.

It was just the only thing she knew how to do. Throw her anger and upset at others.

Entrance from The Creme Caramel (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15603.msg159151#msg159151)

-----

Trevian had arrived just in time to hear the worst of it.  His mouth had opened, even as his face had darkened -- but the girl had forestalled the tongue-thrashing he was about to give her by bursting into tears.  His mouth snapped shut, almost comically, and he put a hand on Dahlia's shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

Because that had, perhaps, been the meanest thing their younger sister had ever done to anyone -- and she had quite the reputation.

But beyond that, he wasn't at all sure how to handle this...

(OOC: Just leaving it there so you can have Dahlia react!)

Dahlia waited impassively as Janette went on her rant against Dahlia and her impression of Dahlia's life, arms crossed, eyebrows raised in mild skepticism. She only interrupted to remark dryly, "I have three children, actually." If Janette had hoped to provoke a reaction from her older, she didn't seem to succeed. Janette was acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum, as far as Dahlia was concerned, so she would treat her like one and wait her out.

But Dahlia knew that it was easy to let Janette's comments roll off her back now, in an unfamiliar place crowded with people and music. Later, when she was back in her own room, alone, when she wasn't making jokes about Narwhal and Elongated Cat with Kerry, when her bed was empty, she was sure that Janette's words would hit her mark, but there was nothing Dahlia could do about that now. It was possible that some pain at Janette's remarks showed in her eyes, but she certainly wouldn't give the drunk, careless girl the satisfaction of reacting to it now. But Dahlia gave a sidelong look of appreciation at Trevian.

Riley, however, was not as composed as his mother. Hot, angry, silent tears streamed down his face and he made to lunge at Janette, but Dahlia caught him by the collar of his shirt. Handing the scruff of the nine-year-old over to Trevian, Dahlia went and sat besides her sobbing sister. She put an arm around Janette, rubbing the girl's back.

"Alright, Janette, I think it's been five minutes now," she said gently, but perhaps less sympathetically than she might with another sister, "let's get you up and out of here. I think it's time for at least some of the Treyburns to go home. I'll go with you."

Dahlia shot Trevian a meaningful look. If Janette was as drunk as this, it was important to get her out of here. Not just because of any embarrassment or cruelty she might inflict on the family, but could she be trusted if she crossed paths with Jana?

((OOC: Haha, you thought getting Janette to stay would be easy! Wroooooong... ;) ))

Janette heard the comments, quieting down as she let tears stream down her face. She didn't even react to Riley's defense of his mother. She just looked down at the floor.

Then she stood up again.

"I'm not going home with any of you..." Janette said firmly. She needed to find a place where no-one could see her. She needed to forget this whole ball, the only way she knew how. She hated her family right now, and she didn't want to remember it. She wanted to find a certain someone right now.

A certain place that she could spend the night.

That world that only Angsar's Tears could give her.

"I need some air..." She tried to move around the two, hoping to go for the balcony. If she needed, she would take some in her room. She would only remember the world she had invented under it's influence.

The faceless men, the children that adored her. Nothing there had a face except her. She was unique, and it was her world. She only wished she could stay there.

Trevian was rather impressed with his sister; his own reaction wouldn't have been nearly so kind.  Sinking down in front of Riley to be at eye level, he offered the boy a soft smile and his handkerchief.  "There will be time enough on the way home to be angry.  Right now, it's important we make our exits graciously.  You can escort your mother..."  A shadow fell over him, then, and he exhaled in exasperation.  Really?  Again?

Trevian rose to his feet and turned to provide an obstacle to exiting the room.  With his arms crossed and a remarkable seriously look on his face, he looked rather like the soldier he was supposed to be instead of the charming playboy he usually was.

"Think very hard before you cause your scene, Janette.  I know you don't want to hurt anyone, and I know reputation isn't as important to you, but consider, please,  that it is to the rest of us.  We've finally convinced Cherie to stop following Brax around like a lost puppy and to meet some of the gentlemen present.  A scene with any of us would scare them off...and she'll be lucky to be invited to any other social events.  And Oscar has been dancing with the Grand Duchess herself.  How often does that happen?  How often does he leave his moldy classroom to dance with women period? They're having a good time, Janette.  Do you really want to ruin that for them?  For any of us?"

Well, so much for the hope that a drunk Janette would be more pliable than the normal  Janette. Dahlia watched, unsurprised and unimpressed when her sister leapt up from the couch. At least in her current state Trevian and Dahlia ought to be able to physically detain the giant if absolutely necessary.

If she had thought her strategy of getting Janette out of here was a long shot, though, she thought Trevian's was even more of a gamble. As he went on about all the ways Janette might ruin everyone else's night, she couldn't help but wonder if Trevian hadn't made a bad assumption: that Janette didn't want to hurt anyone. And especially when he brought up 'reputation,' she worried that he might be giving her too clear of a blue print to ruin that very thing.

But maybe, maybe she was underestimating her sister. But Dahlia was ready to jump up and cuff her sister - however freakishly tall she might be - just as she had her son as soon as Trevian's plan fell through.


Riley nodded to Trevian and took the handkerchief, though he kept it balled up in his fist and wiped his tears, instead, on his sleeve. For now his anger at Janette eclipsed any lingering resentment he'd felt towards Trevian. When Janette got up he bristled besides Trevian. He might be small, but if Janette tried to force her way through the door, Riley was pretty sure he could take her out at the knees!

Janette was offended. It hurt her to hear that coming from Trevian, even if they weren't close, it hurt. It hurt to feel that even her brothers and sisters thought she would ruin things.

And it just made her more upset and angry.

"I don't want to cause problems for you guys. When have I ever caused problems at these events before?! I'm glad that they're off doing something they enjoy. That they feel they've got it in them to change! Well as much as I finally want to, I can't find it in myself to change what I do. So you, Florry, Oscar, Jana, and Ma, can all go f**k yourselves as far as I'm concerned right now." Janette decided to leave completely, trying to push past Trevian and Riley.

She would go home anyway, even if they didn't stop her. She wanted to lie on her bed with Megraph, in her dream world. In her fantasy. The fantasy of a calm life. It was a new fantasy, and she loved it. It was only in the last half a year that she had begun to want to settle down, but she just seemed to go out with her street friends more and more.

Trevian blinked, looking suspiciously taken aback.  Alright, he supposed he could see how she would be upset -- but he wasn't entirely sure his assumptions were inaccurate.

"Janette," he said gently, taking a step back to stay more firmly in the doorway and in her way.  Simply put: he wasn't going to just let her by.  "You've been drinking.  A lot.  You're not acting like you're alright, and that's all I meant."

He could give her better examples when she sobered up.  For now, it was probably best not to piss her off if they wanted to get her out of there without causing a bigger scene.

"Let's just get you in a carriage and on our way home."

Dahlia couldn't help herself. With Trevian facing her and Janette's back to her, she couldn't help but look a bit amused and mouth to Trevian, 'When have I ever caused problems at these events before?!' But the momentary amusement was fleeting. They had, after all, a real problem on their hands. A real drunk, soppy, upset problem that was at least a foot taller than either of them. Whimsically, Dahlia wished they had one of the concoctions kidnappers and cut throats used to knock their victim unconscious before hauling them away. And she made a mental note to procure some before the next big event they brought Janette to.

"Think about it this way, Janette," Dahlia said, getting up off the sofa and putting a hand on her sister's shoulder. Not a restraining hand, but an encouraging one. "What would piss off Ma more than seeing at least some of her unwed children come home early from the Big Exciting Most Prestigious Ball Imaginable? She'll be through the roof, hopping around like a mad old toad, croaking about what Major Disappointments and Horrible Children we are, and how we're all going to send her to an 'early' grave. Don't you want to see that? I think it'd go a long way to cheering us all up. Well, maybe not Ma, but," Dahlia gave a shrug to show that Ma's feelings were beyond all their control anyway.

"Then once we're home, I'll personally knick a bottle of port or wine or whatever you like from the cellars for you and leave you alone."

Janette didn't listen to Trevian's comments, and simply just thought that pushing past more aggressively would solve the issue.

Until she heard what Dahlia had to say.

Something about the idea of pissing off her own mother appealed to her. But that wasn't what she wanted, and in a rather stroppy tone, she just spoke in a hushed voice.

"Dahlia, I don't want to cause trouble... I just want to go home, and take the drugs for Angsar's Sa-" She cupped a hand over her own mouth, realising she had just mentioned her biggest secret. A feeling of pure dread overcame her, as she processed the fact that she had just fessed up to her own sister that she was a drug addict.

Janette's mind went back to old tricks, and said "run". And so she started off. Not literally running, but putting distance between her and Dahlia.

"It'sbeenlovelychatting,butIhavetogonow,BYE!" There were no pauses in her rather short farewell, and she simply tried to barge past Trevian more forcefully. Not forcefully enough to actually move him. But enough to make sure that he knew she was going now.

Trevian's usual smile tugged at his lips momentarily -- but Janette's words wiped it completely off his face.  If he hadn't been standing in the doorway, he may have been too slow to react to stop her; however, the first move she made towards him shook him out of his shock, and he squared his shoulders and reached out to put his hands on her shoulders.

"Janette," he began, calling on a sterner, more big-brotherly voice than he was accustomed to using with any of his siblings.  "Stop trying to run from us.  We want to help you.  We're taking you home."  Looking up at her, there was nothing but compassion and concern in his eyes...

Oh, Janette... Where was Redly when you really needed him? Surely dealing kindly and patiently and fatherly with the more unruly of their siblings was his chosen responsibility.

Dahlia would probably be more troubled by what Janette had unwittingly admitted later, when she had time to think about it, but right now she was preoccupied with getting her sister out of here and somewhere safe. Then they could deal with whatever else was going on with her. One step at a time.

So she took ahold of Janette's arm, firmly but not roughly. (But she was also ready to duck if things got physical!) She put her other arm on Janette's back, pulling her sister close to her. "You don't have to cause trouble," Dahlia assured her quietly. She saw no reason to mention anything about 'the drugs' now. "Let's just go home, alright? Then we'll leave you alone tonight, if you like."


Riley wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He didn't really know what was going on, but he felt the sudden shift in mood. He stood poised next to Trevian, not sure if he should be ready to fight or comfort his aunt. Finally, he decided to try his part in breaking the tension.

"Janette?" he piped up, then changed the subject all together. "I'm sick of birds. Do you think you could teach me a bit about snakes tomorrow?"

The idea that her two siblings wanted to take her home and leave her alone once she got there finally sunk in. Her bottom lip trembled slightly as she fought back another wave of tears.

"Yes... Yes, let's..." Her voice shook slightly, then what Riley had said sunk in. Her nephew wanted her to teach him about snakes. The one thing she loved. She could show him Megraph.

"I can show you a lot about snakes if you'd like.... Megraph isn't half as aggressive as he seems Riley, I'm sure he'd co-operate..." Janette smiled, even if it was just for a second.

"Okay... Take me home..." She spoke calmly to Trevian and Dahlia.

Atta boy, Trev thought, feeling more relieved than he could have possibly put into words.  He offered his younger sister a friendly smile, then shot his nephew an encouraging one.  If Riley could keep her talking about snakes, it would go a long way in calming her down...

"I'll have our coats brought and leave a message for Brax," Trevian murmured.  He let Janette step by him, then, and glanced to Dahlia questioningly.  He thought she had it under control, but if she was uncomfortable being left with just Riley and Janette, he'd find a servant en route to the door.

Riley was getting everything he wanted for a week. Dahlia could have lifted the boy and kissed him right there. But that would distract from the task at hand. And anyway, Riley was probably getting too old for that sort of thing now.

But Dahlia hugged Janette, wondering when the last time she'd done that was. "Alright," Dahlia said, giving Janette another squeeze, "let's go home." She withdrew, but kept an arm around Janette's shoulder. "We'll meet you at the door, Trev," she told her brother, and gave a microscopic shrug to say 'I guess it'll be fine?' "Come on, Janette."

So as Dahlia began gently leading her sister towards the doors, Riley took his aunt's hand. "That'd be great. Sorry I got mad at you earlier. Maybe we can start with a smaller snake first, though? I mean, just before we meet Megraph? One of the boys at school told me that there are snakes that can jump from branch to branch straight through the air. Is that true?"

[Exit Dahlia and Riley from the ball? Unless Janette doesn't want to teach her nephew about snakes and makes a break for it. Maybe a thread or two more depending!]

Janette was surprised at the hug from Dahlia, but gladly accepted it from her. She found it nice even.

Then she got round to talking to Riley as Dahlia showed her to the door.

"Well, a few species of snake can. Only a select few, and from what I've heard, they live in the Kishahn jungles. They're thought to be highly venomous, and it is almost certain that being bitten by one will kill you. That's what I heard anyway..." Janette smiled.

"And Megraph is not the biggest snake out there. He's actually quite small. Most wild snakes grow to about 10 feet, and there have been reports of some people seeing snakes in the Kishahn jungle that are 40 feet long, or more. Never confirmed, but more than likely." Janette was enjoyinh spouting facts she knew about snakes.

"Some snakes can swim across water surfaces. Like those bugs, water skaters. There are some snakes that can do that..." Janette stated, giving Dahlia a slightly teary look, almost to say thank you.

Trev nodded slightly in response and, without a word more, spun to search out a servant.

(OOC: Shortest post ever!  Just didn't want you two waiting on me!)

"Really? Bigger than Megrath? Are you sure?" Riley asked dubiously as he walked with his aunt and his mother towards the doors, away from the ball. "But I like the idea of snakes skating across the water. I saw a snake in the water once when I was catching water skaters with Lilly, but it wasn't 40 feet long! Maybe you can travel to the Kisshan Jungles one day and find the giant snakes. I would like to see some of the birds there. There are supposed to be really colorful ones!" Riley was so used to blathering on about the things that interested him, he forgot for a moment that he wasn't supposed to like birds anymore. "I mean! I used to want to go see the birds. Now I think I'd rather see the snakes. I think it'd be neat to see the jungle in general, though. I think since Milo will inherit, I'll probably become an explorer when I grow up and go see the Kisshan Jungle and the Moraki Desert and the Glass Desert and - oh I don't know. All of those places. You can come with me and find all the snakes. Then we can come back and write a book about it for the university."

Dahlia let Riley do the talking. It seemed to be what he was best at tonight! Really, she found herself quite impressed with him. The precocious little feather bag. But she paused when Janette, still teary eyed, smiled at her. She returned her sister's smile, then kissed Janette on the cheek and squeezed her shoulder. Maybe, she thought, she'd been spending too little time with her younger siblings these days.

"Oh." Riley made a sudden realization during the moment between Dahlia and Janette. "Mom, I forgot to say goodbye to Lord Edward."

They were at the doorway by the carriages now, just waiting for Trevian. Yes, she realized suddenly, so had she. "You can write him a letter," Dahlia assured her son warmly, not wanting to worry the mood, "I'm sure he'll understand. And everyone loves getting letters."

"Yes, I suppose that's true!" Riley agreed. Then looked up at Janette again, pouting cutely at her. "How come you never write me letters, Aunt Janette?"

Thankful for Riley always being so on the ball, Dahlia glanced back over her shoulder. 'If you need me, I shall remain as an idle wallflower in the ballroom.' Dahlia frowned a little, remembering the masked bluebird's last words to her. She hoped, fervently, that he hadn't been serious. But he was so serious... Well, she thought to herself, maybe she'd have to write him a letter, too. Or maybe she would just add a note to Riley's...

[[Exit Dahlia and Riley from the ball once Trevian shows up to escort them all away!]]

Janette blushed slightly at the idea of going to the Kishahn jungle. It was supposed to be magnificent. But she wouldn't. She couldn't go that far. She had only just started wanting to settle down. A taste for adventure was the last thing she wanted.

Janette wasn't thinking too heavily about the birds comment. She knew her nephew had a thing for them, and for it to very suddenly change wasn't something she cared about. "The birds are supposed to be gorgeous. I've heard that most things in the jungle are either unnoticeable and lethal or pretty and lethal. Nothing like the desert though. The desert is just harsh. The snakes are small, more venomous than anything anyone can imagine, and the scorpions. I wish I had the guts to take care of the giant scorpions in the desert. You can ride them they're that big you know?"

"And as much as I'd love to, it's not my thing. I'll stick with one snake. Cause if I went, I'd want them all. I'm sure I can find you some young vixen who's just as interested as me, who's younger too." Janette grinned mischievously. She needed to hang out with her family more often. They were nice. Maybe minus the tears from Janette.

"I'm often too busy with my colleagues. It's a very taxing job that I do." Janette knew better than to tell Riley that she basically ran around stealing. Wouldn't set a good example for him. And her activities with the group weren't exactly as tame as they used to be. "But I promise I'll try and make time for it, ok?"

((Exit: Janette from the ball))

(( Scooby Doo! Entering from Triple Chocolate Cake (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15606.new#new). This post is directed towards the the player Vincent and his character, Ewan Rodric. I just want to establish this so someone doesn't mistakenly think/assume I'm approaching their character. xD Thanks!   ))

"I don't believe this, " Braxton huffed as he and Cherie moved through the halls and crossed into the music room, "how can no one have noticed a woman that's even taller than I am dressed in a snake costume. Are these people blind or intoxicated because I swear..."

In one of the far corners of the room there stood a tall, and elegant looking young man dressed in such fine clothing that would have made Ma blush with envy. He didn't seem to be preoccupied with anything in particular and so , Brax thought, maybe he'd seen or noticed more than those who were too busy chatting away.

The lad was staring off forlornly across the room, his expression perfectly matching the melancholy tune that the violinist was playing. Failing to note the tears in the man's eyes, he approached, " Good evening. Uh...sorry to disturb you ,but have you seen a giant snake woman running around here?"

The start of the evening had gone precisely as he anticipated that it would. As the youngest child of Duke Rodric now ,Ewan sat quietly with the Rodric men in the drawing room, listening to powerful men from all corners of the country discussing the current events, politics, religion and economics. Were it not for his mother urging him to come with her , he would have remained there all night. Having spent much of his time at sea and across the border in Serendipity, helping to strengthen Folkvar's relationship with their Serenian neighbors, Ewan was grossly behind with the local news. It helped him take his mind off of something that had been troubling him.

It was with great reluctance that Ewan let his mother guide him out of the drawing room and into the music room to meet with a and rather fair young minor noble lady from Allar, Lady MacArthur. The lady seemed nice at first, but as soon as his mother left them alone and she started talking... oh dear Ansgar did he ever change his mind!  He exchanged a rather awkward and agonizingly long conversation that revolved around her and he couldn't get a word in edgewise. Ewan wouldn't have minded that had it not been for the girl's ceaseless complaining about petty things.

Ewan smiled politely and tried to sway the conversation multiple times in a more pleasant direction, but each time Lady MacArthur would simply increase the volume of her voice and speak right over him. Fortunately for her, Ewan, unlike most Rodrics, had inherited a gentler and forgiving nature that was more associated with the Redmond side of his heritage. He was had an impressive amount of patience in-spite of the Lady's limitless insolence , however,  when the conversation finally focused on him and his interests, she quickly found an excuse to go powder her nose. He silently thanked Ansgar for her hasty departure. She really wasn't a very nice lady anyway!

Dreading that his mother was waiting for him near the drawing room, Ewan found a quiet corner to stand and listen to the music. Alone with his thoughts, his mind drifted to the very thing he'd been trying to push from his thoughts all night, and the night before, and the night before that. Rodric men did not cry. His father forbade showing weakness at the funeral and Ewan , being the sensitive lad that he was, had not hidden his feeling easily. He managed. Barely though every time he was alone it made him think of poor Logan still fresh in the grave...

Ewan felt a great weight tugging at his heart. He felt his throat constricting , his lips tugging into a frown and the burning threat of tears starting to form in his eyes. He bowed his head and told himself quietly, "No, you compose yourself. Do not do this here."  However, telling himself this only made matters worse. Blasted music! Why couldn't they play a livelier tune in here!? Ewan shook his head and wiped the corners of his eyes with his gloved hand. He forced himself to take a deep breath and tried to compose himself. 

The sound of a voice within close proximity caused Ewan to jump in place. He turned to regard a peculiar looking gentleman accompanied by a fair young lady, neither of whom he was terribly familiar with. The man dressed as a bear inquired about a giant snake woman. Goodness, what a peculiar question!  Was there really such thing as a giant lady or was this poor fellow drunk? Ewan stared at Braxton , fighting to keep his expression polite and neutral but he couldn't help but stare, the confusion evident on his face. He was aware and ashamed of his rudeness and offered a quick apology, "Your pardon, good sir but you seem to have caught me off guard. I did not mean to stare. A giant...snake lady, you say? " He adopted a thoughtful expression, recalling the faces or , rather, the masks he'd seen that night. "Well, I know not about a Lady, but I did indeed see a snake."  He sniffed and wiped his watery eyes again. He was honestly grateful for this distraction even if it was quite odd!

"Willful ignorance," Cherie announced pointedly.  It was one of her new favorite terms, picked up from their brother during one of his moodier complaints about the mage camps.  She had become rather fond of it in the past weeks -- and, if everything she said were true, everyone in Connlaoth lived in little bubbles of sunshine and daisies, completely set apart from even each other.  (She may have misunderstood the meaning, slightly.)

The young lady's attention, much like the butterfly whose costume she wore, fluttered away from her elder brother then.  It was captured by a man wearing the strangest outfit -- yellow fur and floppy ears like an animal (a dog, perhaps?), and a sort of toga made from red and white checkered cloth.  He looked like a furry picnic basket with ears...

Realizing she had been staring only when her eyes met his, she smiled apologetically and hurried in Braxton's wake.  She was only a few steps behind him -- and, obviously, quite distracted herself -- and, therefore, heard more of Ewan's speech than her own brother's question.

And his answer made her laugh out loud.  It was an abrupt, but not entirely unpleasant sound.  There was a genuine, lighthearted joy that seemed too pure to contain for long, and it left her eyes shining with that same bright light.  "You have no idea just how right you are about that."  She giggled softly, a pretty, girlish sound of delighted mischief without a trace of malice.  Her eyes slid to Braxton, and she added, "But you're not allowed to tell her we said so!"  It was all in fun, after all!  Although, Janette being Janette, she might find it a compliment...

"Which way did the giant snake go?"

The sniffles and watery eyes went entirely unnoticed by the girl as her attention was drawn away by a passing plate.  Atop the china sat a little wafer decorated prettily with a puff of whipped topping and a cherry.  Oh, but that looked delicious...

"She didn't happen to go towards the dessert table, did she?" she prompted, scarcely giving the poor young man a chance to reply to her initial query.

At Ewan's response, Braxton couldn't help himself. Laughter practically exploded from his lips. It was loud, deep-bellied and rich. He clutched his aching stomach and leaned forward as though he'd just run a marathon at top speed and was pausing to catch his breath.

Cherie's comment didn't help him to compose himself either; he laughed some more, and this time,  even harder. "Good one!"  He found his composure quickly though and straightened up, grinning, " Bah! She'd take it as a compliment!" Well, really, she would!  Because she was Janette!

Braxton looked over his shoulder at his little sister whose attention was now on dessert, "Focus, Cherie!" But, even as he said this he helped himself to relieving a plate of a slice of apple pie from a passing servant carrying a tray over to a table.

"Heh. I haven't had anything to eat all night. Don't mind me." Braxton explained and then, without any shame whatsoever, he picked the pie up with his bear hand and proceeded to cram it into his mouth, devouring it almost whole like a starved bear.

(( Short post , but there's more for Vinny to reply to at the moment than yours truly! Also, I am so so sorry, Ewan. lol . Treyburns. That's all I got to say. ))

This man wasn't very polite, Ewan thought with a slight frown. However, being the kind soul that he was , Ewan assumed that Braxton forgot his manners because he was so preoccupied with his search for a missing person. Ewan understood the feeling and sympathized. A lack of propriety was , for the moment, easily pardoned. He was about to tell the man where he'd seen the tall snake individual when the two Treyburns started laughing.

Cherie's comment  made Ewan's cheeks burn furiously. Unfortunately, the silly grey shark's mask only covered the upper portion of his face and did not hide much. Oh dear! He certainly had not intended to refer to a lady in such a vile manner! Even though (and much to his surprise) the two strangers found this amusing, he still could not help but feel utterly mortified by the thoughtlessness of his response, " Oh! Th-That's not what I meant!"

He nodded when Cherie instructed him that he couldn't tell the snake woman what she had said and when he did so, the fin atop his head wobbled and dropped like a puppy's ear. "I would never dare repeat such a thing. " It certainly was true. Ewan never really had an unkind word to say about anyone even if some people were not very nice and tested his patience and faith many times.

Now Cherie asked him the same question her brother had earlier and he tried not to show his disapproval when Braxton stole a pie and ate it with hands. Inwardly, poor Ewan was feeling a tad bit mortified by these people's manners or the lack thereof. Before he could answer, she cut him off again and asked him if the snake had slithered- no, gone to the table , "Well, she was seated over near the table, but then she got up when a man dressed as a...a... I think it was a Connlaothian tracker approached her and then they were talking. It seemed fairly heated and then I think she stormed off to the terrace. He followed after her. " He turned left and pointed , " I saw them go that way. "   

Ooc: I think it might be best to presume that who Ewan saw was someone else.

It was difficult for even someone as easily distracted as Cherie to miss the color creep into the face of the gentleman before them.  He turned as red as the cherry Cherie had been eyeing a moment ago.  Her expression, although still a smile, turned more sympathetic, and she lightly reached out to pat the young man's shoulder.

"Please don't think we're laughing at your expense!  You would have to know our sister, and, well..."  She laughed quietly again as she slipped her arm, quite naturally, through his.  "She's certainly one of a kind.  Brax is probably right, though.  She really would consider it a compliment.  She adores snakes.  The creepier the better."  As she spoke, she was guiding the poor young man away in the direction of the terrace without leaving him much choice in the matter; it was either escort her or interrupt her.  "And she loathes society.  Not that any of us really blame her?  Do we, Brax?"  She cast a look over her shoulder towards the bear. 

Watching him gobble down a dessert whole, she added quietly -- although certainly loud enough for him to hear, "And he eats like a bear, too.  I think we all came as ourselves tonight.  But you don't seem to be much of a shark..."

Her stomach gave a small gurgle of protest, then, as she thought about food.  She hadn't even eaten lunch -- her stomach had been doing flip-flops at the thought of the upcoming ball, and her mother's constant presence hovering and barking orders had done little to help...

But, Brax was right -- priorities!  Especially if Janette was starting arguments...

"Thank you, by the way."

-----

Exiting to Vanilla Pecan Candies (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15622.msg161319#msg161319)

Braxton heard his sister's comment about his eating habits and he snorted, retorting through a mouthful of food, "Hey, a man's gotta eat, am I right?" He looked at Ewan but didn't wait for  the poor, flustered young man to reply before he shoveled more pie into his mouth.

Brax finished gobbling down the pie and set the plate down on a nearby table. He wiped his mouth on the back of his furry hand and then grinned as the trio walked over to the veranda. It didn't seem to bother Braxton at all that his sister was sort of just guiding poor Ewan away without even bothering to ask him if he wanted to come. Even if someone had pointed that out to him, he probably wouldn't have seen the problem. It wasn't as though the man was protesting.

He grinned and teased the young nobleman whose name he still hadn't had the decency to ask for  , "So, what do you think ,young man? Doesn't she sound like a dream come true?  How'd you like to court our sister? We'll pay you take her off our hands. Maybe the whole damned inheritance."


((Exit to : Vanilla Pecan Candies (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15622.0)))

Cherie's reassurance through gesture and polite words alleviated a small portion of Ewan's embarrassment. However, when she confessed that her sister was peculiar and went on to say that she'd be take being called a snake a compliment, he looked even more baffled. Who in their right mind would like being called a snake let alone adore them? "Indeed?" Yes, this Janette did sound unique; And a tad bit disturbing, mentally speaking.

Ewan was accustomed to his mother taking him by the arm and leading him around and he'd never been told what to do when a strange lady did the same thing. And he was quite at a loss. Was it not the gentleman who offered his arm and the lady took it? Now this was feeling quite backwards , wasn't it? Except for the fact that she hadn't precisely offered him an option. She sort of just took his arm as though they were related and pulled him along. What to do? He could have refused and made a bit of a scene about it , but he wasn't all that offended. Besides, these people were distracting him from thinking of Logan and that was something he needed right now.

Still, he felt so terribly awkward. However, he was quite impressed that Cherie guessed his costume, "Very good, miss. You're the first person this evening who has managed to guess what I am, "he frowned, " Everyone keeps calling me a fish out of water and then they laugh hysterically." He wasn't quite sure if they were laughing at him or at their own banal wit. More than likely, it was both. "My mother made this, you know. She insisted that it would make me look fierce, but I think I've made more people laugh this evening than anything. I don't imagine that I'm very shark-like. Sharks are rather violent ...and they eat people sometimes. I don't eat people." He blushed at his final statement and hid face with a hand , "Oh Ansgar, how silly of me. Of course I don't. "

Braxton's teasing made Ewan feel very uncomfortable and he wasn't sure whether the man was joking or not, but what a horrible thing to suggest! Ignoring the fact that Janette sounded more like being a lady that would appear in his nightmares rather than in his dreams , he found Braxton's suggestion more than a little offensive." Wha-what!? Pardon me, but that's- that's not..." He was so flustered that he couldn't finish the sentence!

However, when Cherie, "You're welcome. 'Tis my pleasure to be of assistance."   

ooc: Exiting to  Vanilla Pecan Candies (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15622.0).

Entrance from the ball room. (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15643.new#new)

Avery led the red-haired woman on his arm into one of the smaller drawing rooms where some privacy might be assured, but left the door open to avoid any suspicion or scandal. Once they were inside, his bright and cheery demeanor dimmed a bit, and he looked at Winnifred with some concern.

"Are you alright, my lady? Forgive me for being presumptuous, but it seemed as though you were bothered by more than a torn dress, and if I can be of any help to you..."

((OOC: Super short post is super short!))

Winifred was more than thankful for Lord Carwick's intrusion to 'rescue' her from her fiance, if at least for a little bit. But the moment they were alone, she was about ready to rip the damn train off. Her fists, now tightly gripped into balls upon the fabric, were carefully placed around the already ripped section when his words caught her ears and she blinked and narrowed a gaze at him, seeming to glare (for she was).
"What?"

She didn't think he'd have the gall to just directly ask her such a thing. How rude of him to be so presumptuous! Though if she were to remember things straight, she could have seen some of the tell tale signs herself.

"And yes, that's presumptuous indeed!" And she gave the man the cold shoulder, turning away from him as she returned her attentions back to her lacy train, but after contemplating the actual tearing of the clothe, she paused a moment to turn back towards him, her expression still mean. "But really, I know it would seem rude of me not to appreciate your help, which do not get me wrong, I am extremely elated for, but do not think for a moment you can assume a woman would just..." and here, she looked him over while wrinkling her nose and stated, chin to the air, "Need any more help from you. But thank you,a nd perhaps goodbye. I don't think I'll be staying at this ball much longer." And she turned away from him again and prepared to tear the train again, whe her boot heel got caught on it, and she gasped after hearing another rip before the haughty costumed angel nearly tumbled to the floor.

Avery was, it had to be said, a little surprised when the lady's demeanor swung back to what could only be called 'hostile' once they were alone again. Perhaps it shouldn't have, given the way she'd started out. Inwardly, he sighed. What a ball this was turning out to be. And he didn't even have a drink anymore. Hopefully, he thought flatly to himself, Bryony was having a better time of it than he was...

"I'm sorry for causing offense if I have done by being too forward, my lady," Avery responded calmly to her outburst. "But you'll have to forgive me if I don't apologize for offering help where it may be needed. But if it is not," he made a conciliatory bow of his head, "of course I won't keep you. Though I would be happy to help with your dress, if you still need it..." He'd began to say this with a bit of a smile, but off Winnifred went - rip!

Doing the only thing he could do, Avery jumped forward to catch her mid-fall. He couldn't help but grin a little at her when he did. "You might want to choose your dresses more carefully in the future, my lady. If it isn't too presumptuous for me to say so." He tried to give her a friendly grin. After all, he was still a bit concerned about her earlier behavior - even if it was none of his business - and he thought maybe a bit of levity would help.

Being caught by Avery brought a flush to her face, as her hands caught around him in a sort of ungraceful, or presumptuous form of dance between people who might have been more acquainted than the pair of them certainly were. And at his small grin, and even his response, she found herself gasping.

"Presumptuous, indeed!" But even she couldn't help herself and spared a small smile as she looked away, shaking her head of things and trying to save face by hiding it. Though her dimpled cheeks told another story.

"I'll keep that in mind next time. Though it has done me well, if only to relieve me but for a moment of my life when things are more or less unkind. Though I'm not sure it will matter if the lace is fixed. I   am a woman of my word, and as I stated, I do intend to leave this ball."
Yet there she was, still holding onto him awkwardly before she realized, oh how rude it might be, and she found her footing and daintily stepped away.

"Forgive this 'fallen angel',"s he said, with a rigid bow. "But I am just in no mood for parties any more, and you, unfortunate sir, just happened to be there when I fell. Though I suppose I ought to thank you again, but I'm afraid if I do, I might end up in a worse situation for it! After all, there is only so much of my dress I can rip before everything becomes unmendable."

Avery mirrored her smile now that the woman had finally smiled! He let her step away, releasing her once she did. Her words troubled him but... what could he do? He wasn't acquainted with her and certainly not with her fiance (who he found himself disliking more and more by the moment, despite how little he might know him!). Avery had never bought the philosophy that if a bad thing was 'none of his business' then he had no responsibility to do anything about it, though, and he felt hesitant to leave her now.

"I have to say, I've received better compliments than being described as 'just happening to be there,'" he said, but it was a lame attempt of keeping her talking to him, and he knew it.

Thankfully, just then Bryony showed up in the doorway of the drawing room. "Oh, there you are!" she exclaimed happily when she saw Avery, "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

The girl, for she couldn't be more than eighteen, was petite with a mane of honey-colored hair and a bright spring green dress. She had a happy air of innocence and sweetness about her, and it was directed at Winnifred once she saw her. "Oh, hello!" she greeted brightly.

Avery returned his little sister's smile and nodded to Winnifred. "Lady Rosalina, can I introduce you to my sister, Bryony Carwick?"

Bryony bobbed a quick curtsy, beaming at Winnie. Then, seeing the torn dress, she looked earnestly at Winnifred. "Oh, your dress! I bet my clumsy brother did that! Can I help you mend it?"

Winifred could not help but blush when Aver caught her smile, and just as she was to open her lips to make her apologetic 'goodbye' more official, a pretty young thing waltzed into the room, and Winifred found herself being introduced to Lady Bryony.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Winifred said, smiling and giving a quick, rigid curtsy back in reply, but when the woman was suddenly gaping at her torn dress, Winifred's gaze shot to Avery before looking towards his sister.
"I.. I couldn't possibly. I think the lace might be so far gone it's beyond repair."

In other circumstances, Avery would have smiled a bit broader at Winifred's brief blush. If it weren't for the general sense of unease about her and his memory of the way she flinched at her fiances. But his smile did, genuinely, broaden at Bryony's typical antics, both sweet and a bit oblivious.

"Oh no, not at all!" Bryony insisted, looking only all too happy to help. "You should have seen the damage I did to my dress at our sister's wedding. It was so beautiful, but Cass, my other - and much more impish! - brother, he thought it'd be great fun to spin me properly around during the country dances and he picked me right up off my feet and my skirt caught a corner on the trellic and an entire panel came off! I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed!" Bryony blushed just from the memory. "I mean, I had a slip on, of course, but still! Well,, thankfully it was at our home, so I could go mend it inside, but I still didn't have a lot of time, obviously. And that came off okay - at least well enough for the rest of the reception. And now," she blushed again as she admitted the following, "I actually keep some thread and needle with me. Because what if happened somewhere else?"

Avery chuckled at Bryony's story, but his eyes stayed on Winifred. "You can't force your good intentions on everyone you meet, Bryony," he admonished warmly. "If Lady Rosalina is intent to leave, we can't politely keep her here." The look in his eyes, though, said clear enough that he was happy for Winifred to stay.

"But I can do it in just a moment!"

Winifred blinked, a hand resting now to her chest.
"That is quite the story," and regarding her brother with a knowing gaze, she returned that gaze back to Bryony and smiled warmly. "Though I suppose it would be rude of me to refuse such help. I just feel foolish for accepting, considering I will be leaving the party here shortly."
Which, if Bryony would have taken notice, she'd realize Winifred was going to leave just only after the dancing had begun!

"But you can't be leaving now!" Bryony protested. "The dancing's only just begun! You wouldn't want to suffer through all the stuffy talking and gossip to miss the dancing." She'd already fished the needle and emergency bit of thread from where she'd hid it under her bodice while she insisted on the folly of Winnie leaving the ball so soon!

"Here, see, it will only take a moment," Bryony declared, and she lifted the torn bits of lace into her hands, needle and thread balanced between her teeth as she bunched them together. "Probably easier if you sit down, though," she added between the needle.

Avery, thanks to his experience with three sisters, stood by and stayed out of it!

Winifred, opening her lips to protest, simply sighed through a smile and nodded.
"Very well." And she took a cushioned seat upon a lounge, which was extra cushioned due to her bustle, but she had to be wary in the way she sat due to her wings, and as she fussed over them , a few loose white feathers fell onto the ground. Not htat she minded as she finally turned to Bryony with a nod.
"Alright then, let's be on with this, then."

Bryony seemed totally oblivious to Winifred's unease as she worked quickly at the lace, muttering to herself about this or that as she worked. Within a few minutes, the task was done - or at least done well enough! Bryony beamed up at Winifred, clearly proud of herself (though she'd never say it)!

"There you go!" she declared brightly. "Now you don't have to leave before not even half the dancing is over!"

Winifred blinked. Blushing awkwardly, she nodded. "Yes, I can see that." Unfortunately, that was not her plan as she tucked back some of her hair. "Thank you, Lady Bryony." And raising to stand, she peered over at Avery. "I suppose it's time to return to the ball room..." But there was hesitation there, as she knew Avery would understand as to why- but it seemed fate kept prodding her back towards her despicable fiance...
Perhaps she'd have to do more than just tear some lace to get out of this.

Bryony lit up when Winifred said that she should get back to the dancing, certain that all the woman needed was to have her dress fixed in order to want to dance. And she'd done that! "Oh, good! I knew you'd want to get back to the ballroom once your dress was fixed!"

At first Bryony wanted to say they would join them, then she suddenly remembered something and she frowned. "Oh. I would say we should join you, Lady Rosalina, but," she looked back at Avery, a bit sheepish, "old Lady Bronswick was just begging to meet you, Avery, since you came in cousin Harlow's stead and... well... I couldn't really say no to her."

Avery's face was masked, but inwardly he frowned at Bryony's words, his eyes still on Winifred. He didn't mind networking, even when it was only because he was going to be a Duke... one day those contacts might be important. But he didn't want to leave Winifred. But he also didn't want to disappint Bryony. And he knew how seriously he took those things.

So, after a small sigh, Avery gave Winifred a half smile and stepped forward and took her hand, kissing it. "Well then, Lady Rosalina, it was lovely to make your acquaintance, but I'm afraid duty calls. I meant what I said, though: if you ever need anything, I hope you won't hesitate to ask me."

Winifred found herself speechless, only blinking long after the kiss when her cheeks began to heat. Rigidly bowing her head, she turned her eyes to the ground before looking up into his.
"I shall keep that in mind. Have a good evening, Lord Carwick." And she gave a curtsy, and as she watched the pair exit- she paused a moment to reflect on the evening, before slipping out into the hall and making herself scarce. Her fiance might be pissed off, however, she couldn't bear to even look at him just then. So she called for her carriage, and left for the night.