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mistral4543 · 08-05-2006, 10:25 PM

She was familiar with that faint smile, and it weighed on her heart a little to consider what underlay it. He's not really convinced. She trudged on, her eyes darkening a little. Or worse still, he's only humouring me.

It was not too long ago that she herself had given that smile, and thinking of that incidence now, she could assume a detachment that had been near impossible then. Poor Justin...

It was her coming-out ball, and Mama had nearly flipped when she had refused to wear the pink satin dress with a layered skirt that resembled a wedding-cake, and those horrendous laced sleeves. "It's my ball, Mama, and I'll wear what I want, or not turn up at all." Papa had sided her, of course; and besides, his raised eyebrow when he saw her mother's choice had given him away from the start.

So reluctantly, even if she had succeeded in getting her own way for her choice of garment, she had made her way down the grand staircase. Reluctant she was, as she knew that this was a parade to the eligible bachelors around the vicinity and beyond; and for the right price, the victor would take her as his wedded wife and bring further glory to the family.

Despite her misgivings, and a further lament that Altair had completely disappeared from the society circles, the gawking stares and envious glares she received had given her a tremendous boost of confidence. She had known that the empire-cut, long-sleeved beige gown with simple lines had fit her, but this was more than a look of tolerance in her viewers' eyes and she smiled irresistibly. That smile had pierced more than a handful of hearts, sealing her fate as the most-engaged dance partner for the rest of the evening...

"Lady Mehlingard..." Justin Everloft had later summoned his courage to approach her as she escaped from the ballroom to take a breather in the gardens. "I... I would have a word with you, if I may." Nodding her assent, she let him continue. "I don't know how to make eloquent speeches, Lady Mehlingard, but I..."

"Please, just call me 'Robyn'." Altair would have rolled off the balcony laughing, if he had witnessed this scene. He would never have called her that... but was it fair to compare Justin against Altair, though? He had never had a chance of being her playmate, and his honest face and frank demeanour were not altogether repulsive. What was she doing, thinking of Altair anyhow? Almost angrily, she banished these thoughts of him away; that was what one did to traitors.

"Very well, then... Robyn." Justin's face was brightening, with his gathering confidence and gratitude. "I wanted to say that I... I think that you're the loveliest lady I've ever met, and I... I do hope you'll give me a chance, to revisit you again." He swallowed a gulp, before continuing. "Very soon, and not simply as a social visit." Then he fell silent, probably taken aback at his own forwardness.

Robyn watched him closely, her heart alternating between the states of softness and hardness. He was a harmless fellow, and really, it would serve Altair right if she just took this artless young man for her lifelong companion! But the pendant weighed on her conscience and chest, and she could only fix her compassionate gaze on his flushed countenance.

"I'll be pleased to receive you as long as my father is, Justin." She hoped the sincerity of her voice came through. "I'm always happy to make new friends, but I can't be allowing them all to make more than social visits, can I?" This attempt at light-heartedness did not seem to go to well with him, however, and she bit her lips. There was no point encouraging or discouraging him; it was too early to tell if he was the right one, and she did not want commitment at this point. "Come, let us return to the party. They'll be looking for us."

And as they re-entered the ballroom, she caught Papa's speculative frown. Poor Papa; he did not want to lose her so soon. She dimpled and threw him a reassuring nod. But as she turned and saw the exchange of smirks between her mother and Lady Everloft, she suddenly felt like throwing up. Papa caught her look, stepped up and rescued her, whisking her off to another delightful dance.

"What am I to do with you, you little hoyden?" He raised his left hand momentarily to pluck her nose playfully. "This old man is getting too old for you, eh?" He chuckled, his breath warming her cheeks delightfully.

"Then why throw this silly event in the first place?" She retorted, her green eyes flashing as she threw back a wicked grin. "Come, Papa! Let's show these people what real dancing is about!" And they spun around the room, their spirits soaring as they heard the applause and compliments swirling around their ears. Papa, Papa... I don't want to leave you...

The happy moments collapsed as once again, reality sank in as she recalled his piteous state. Inhaling deeply, she plunged ahead, determined to reach Alesbridge by nightfall.

[ 08-05-2006, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

08-05-2006, 10:25 PM	#241
mistral4543 Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: House of Freelight Age: 49 Posts: 3,159	She was familiar with that faint smile, and it weighed on her heart a little to consider what underlay it. He's not really convinced. She trudged on, her eyes darkening a little. Or worse still, he's only humouring me. It was not too long ago that she herself had given that smile, and thinking of that incidence now, she could assume a detachment that had been near impossible then. Poor Justin... It was her coming-out ball, and Mama had nearly flipped when she had refused to wear the pink satin dress with a layered skirt that resembled a wedding-cake, and those horrendous laced sleeves. "It's my ball, Mama, and I'll wear what I want, or not turn up at all." Papa had sided her, of course; and besides, his raised eyebrow when he saw her mother's choice had given him away from the start. So reluctantly, even if she had succeeded in getting her own way for her choice of garment, she had made her way down the grand staircase. Reluctant she was, as she knew that this was a parade to the eligible bachelors around the vicinity and beyond; and for the right price, the victor would take her as his wedded wife and bring further glory to the family. Despite her misgivings, and a further lament that Altair had completely disappeared from the society circles, the gawking stares and envious glares she received had given her a tremendous boost of confidence. She had known that the empire-cut, long-sleeved beige gown with simple lines had fit her, but this was more than a look of tolerance in her viewers' eyes and she smiled irresistibly. That smile had pierced more than a handful of hearts, sealing her fate as the most-engaged dance partner for the rest of the evening... "Lady Mehlingard..." Justin Everloft had later summoned his courage to approach her as she escaped from the ballroom to take a breather in the gardens. "I... I would have a word with you, if I may." Nodding her assent, she let him continue. "I don't know how to make eloquent speeches, Lady Mehlingard, but I..." "Please, just call me 'Robyn'." Altair would have rolled off the balcony laughing, if he had witnessed this scene. He would never have called her that... but was it fair to compare Justin against Altair, though? He had never had a chance of being her playmate, and his honest face and frank demeanour were not altogether repulsive. What was she doing, thinking of Altair anyhow? Almost angrily, she banished these thoughts of him away; that was what one did to traitors. "Very well, then... Robyn." Justin's face was brightening, with his gathering confidence and gratitude. "I wanted to say that I... I think that you're the loveliest lady I've ever met, and I... I do hope you'll give me a chance, to revisit you again." He swallowed a gulp, before continuing. "Very soon, and not simply as a social visit." Then he fell silent, probably taken aback at his own forwardness. Robyn watched him closely, her heart alternating between the states of softness and hardness. He was a harmless fellow, and really, it would serve Altair right if she just took this artless young man for her lifelong companion! But the pendant weighed on her conscience and chest, and she could only fix her compassionate gaze on his flushed countenance. "I'll be pleased to receive you as long as my father is, Justin." She hoped the sincerity of her voice came through. "I'm always happy to make new friends, but I can't be allowing them all to make more than social visits, can I?" This attempt at light-heartedness did not seem to go to well with him, however, and she bit her lips. There was no point encouraging or discouraging him; it was too early to tell if he was the right one, and she did not want commitment at this point. "Come, let us return to the party. They'll be looking for us." And as they re-entered the ballroom, she caught Papa's speculative frown. Poor Papa; he did not want to lose her so soon. She dimpled and threw him a reassuring nod. But as she turned and saw the exchange of smirks between her mother and Lady Everloft, she suddenly felt like throwing up. Papa caught her look, stepped up and rescued her, whisking her off to another delightful dance. "What am I to do with you, you little hoyden?" He raised his left hand momentarily to pluck her nose playfully. "This old man is getting too old for you, eh?" He chuckled, his breath warming her cheeks delightfully. "Then why throw this silly event in the first place?" She retorted, her green eyes flashing as she threw back a wicked grin. "Come, Papa! Let's show these people what real dancing is about!" And they spun around the room, their spirits soaring as they heard the applause and compliments swirling around their ears. Papa, Papa... I don't want to leave you... The happy moments collapsed as once again, reality sank in as she recalled his piteous state. Inhaling deeply, she plunged ahead, determined to reach Alesbridge by nightfall. [ 08-05-2006, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]