Lords and Ladies (OPEN)

[Bsquad]

Lord Simons stood on the stone worked balcony high above the courtyard, watching with a keen eye as his manor staff went about their duties. His silvery eyes tracked Delara as she was led off by one of the squires. More than a little suprised at the boy's willingness to step forward, though he couldn't blame the lad for wanting to escape mucking out the stable. The Lord decided to let Delara have some time among the staff before he sent for her....though there were more interesting things to attend too. He watched as Lady Aveline entered the courtyard and decided to duel with one of her attendants.

The woman had been sent to his care in the hopes that a taste of a soldiers life would drive her from the perposterous obsession that she held with becoming a warrior. He had been intrigued with the request, though the girl was good...she was no real soldier. He watched as she easily bested her attendant. She hadn't fought real soldiers...she hadn't fought him. He chuckled to himself. While Delara might be something other than what she appeared to be, Lady Aveline wanted to become something more than she wished. Perhaps he could show her the folly of her beliefs.

"Lady Aveline! Perhaps you would join me in my quarters for a demonstration of your abilities?" Lord Simons called down to the blonde haired woman standing triumphant in the courtyard.

 

[FaeBites]

Aveline flinched in surprise as the voice called down from above her, her sapphire eyes that had glittered so mischievously flickered upwards to where Lord Simmons stood. She swore silently, all manner of words she wasn’t supposed to know as a ‘Lady’, as she realized she could avoid her host no longer. Still, his request was an interesting one, and all too soon she felt the thrum of anticipation thicken her blood. To prove herself to the commander! Her parents be damned their plan would have turned around and bit them in the ass if she could pull it off. With a pretty sweep of the victorious blade, she dipped into a courtly curtsy. “As you wish, My Lord.” She responded, unable to help the grin that flittered on her lips, still on a high from her triumphant duel.

She issued a few soft commands to her guards about her horse, Lacey, wondering where the hell the stable boy was distractedly. Within the grounds, her guards didn’t need to escort her everywhere, so they left to train with the other soldiers. Aveline stepped into the cooler shadows of inside, one hand combing through her curls, plenty of which has escaped their pins in both her wild race on horseback and the duel. She didn’t bother to fix it, they’d just come undone again anyway. So it was only a few minutes later she was at the door, one shiver of foreboding before she knocked confidently.

A cocky half smile still lingered on her rosy lips, her mind to ensnared in the downfall of her parents plan. All she had to do was prove herself, she didn’t hold any exaggerated belief that she might beat the Lord in a duel (she could almost laugh as much as any other at the thought) but she just needed his attention. With Lord Simmons on her side, her father would have to agree. Today had the makings of a great day, for Lady Aveline.

 

[Bsquad]

Lord Simons withdrew from the balcony and deeper within his private chambers. The balcony itself was set off of his private study, a large room which encompassed most of the top floor of the towering keep. Open and airy it was filled with racks of carefully copied manuscripts, tomes dating back to the old empires, texts on the art of war as it was known to other cultures. Acompanying it wer emaps set among rich tapestries and sculptures. It was a wealth of gilded gifts that had been given to a victorious leader. Seated behind an exquisitely hand crafted desk he awaited the arrival of Lady Aveline. His fingers drummed on the desktop as he waited for the young woman to show herself.

He chuckled quietly before calling out.

"Enter Aveline. I do not belive you to be someone stopped by something so paltry as a door." Lord Simons called. He was guarded about just what Aveline wanted him for, though her father had warned him that she was intent on getting his support... He chuckled at the thought of what she might be willing to do for it.

 

[FaeBites]

Her eyes rolled at the wooden door as she heard the Lords words, her tongue clucking quietly against the top of her mouth in amused irritation. She opened the door and stepped inside the large room, letting it close behind her. Her hands felt suddenly empty, and she wished she had retained the practice sword – for a sense of security despite how silly she’d probably look walking around with it. “It’s not so much the door as what lies behind it…. My Lord.” She grinned, her words teasing, sure it had been years since she last saw her fathers’ friend, but she wasn’t one to be intimidated by a reputation.

Aveline walked across the room, the soft soled riding boots near silent on the ground. Her eyes were drawn to her surroundings, admiring the tapestries and sculptures. “A collector of fine arts? Who’d have guessed it.” She murmured, turning back to face him with a movement that sent the blonde tumble of curls flicking back over her shoulder. She stood before his desk, her finger tips resting on the beautiful wooden edge. “You wished for a demonstration? What sort did you have in mind?” Aveline smiled, curiosity lightening her gaze as she pondered on it herself. Duels, exercises, challenges… her ignorance to anything else was rather obvious.

 

[monique_minx]

As Kai entered and swiftly went to work on her dress Delara muttered her thanks and stared out the window at the beautiful young woman that had ridden in with her guard. Obviously a noble, Delara watched her practice duel and guessed that this girl was only a year or so younger than Delara herself.

'Perhaps his Lordship courts her?' Delara thought to herself although as she pictured the glint Lord Simons had in his eyes whenever he looked at Delara, the mysterious danger that lurked there; a little voice in the back of her mind told her she was reaching.

Delara suddenly felt the unmistakable feeling of her corset loosening and her eyes widened, she would have easily dealt with this as a noble woman but she had no idea how a slave would deal with such a thing.

Delara decided to play dumb, the boy was over-excited and that was all Delara thought to herself, I'll let him keep his dignity over this one.
"Kai? Is everything alright? You're cert- you...sure are taking a long time to do up my dress."

She heard Lord Simons calling out to the woman, Lady Aveline; Delara knew that name from court when she had visited here. Her parents had been telling the Empress that they didn't know quite how to deal with their 'wild daughter Aveline'. Delara had never seen her before nor had she taken any interest in the conversation at the time but now Delara got the feeling that every tidbit of information was worth its weight in gold given the situation she now found herself in.

 

[renthead29]

Kai froze, suddenly certain of two things.

1) He was not supposed to be UN-dressing Delara and...
2)There was the unmistakeable call of his name, from two sources: Ian and the old maid that had sent him here.

He felt his heart drop below his feet and he frantically looked for somewhere to be, some way to escape.

"Don't tell them I'm here!" he whispered, more frightened than a baby rabbit out of it's hole and he dove under the covers of the bed and lay as flat and as silent as he could.

And just in time, because he could hear the steps beyond the door, though if it was the old woman, or Ian, was anyone's guess.

Under his thin blanket of cover, Kai prayed.

 

[monique_minx]

Delara barely suppressed a grin as the old maid burst through the door gasping for breath, Delara was still holding her dress up and there was an odd lump in the bed. When the woman got her breath back she frowned at the scene and shook her head before she moved to the bed and reefed the covers up.
"Come along Kai, you're not going to get out of this by hiding yo'self under there" The old woman ordered poor Kai and Delara couldn't help but giggle.
"Cap'n McCloud wants ya an' ya better get yo'self down there now!"

She wandered over to Delara and shook her head "That'll never do, hold on to somethin' then love"

Delara gripped the window sill as the old woman tugged on her corset and swiftly retied it before she did the same to her dress. Delara's eyes bulged, she feared what this woman might do to her if she were choking on something!

The woman tossed Delara's apron to her and she tied it on quickly.
"Thank you...Miss?" Delara wasn't sure what she was supposed to call her.

"Oh none of that, I'm just May if ya please."

"Thank you May."

The old woman nodded "I s'pose we ought to be getting ya a meal befo'e we get you started but I'll have to ask His Lordship where he wants me to place ya. First, food!"

May led Delara to the door and peeked back at Kai "Get a move on lad or there'll be hell to pay and ya know it!"

 

[renthead29]

Kai sprinted away, glad he hadn't gotten the hell promised, yet saddened by the sudden lack of Delara in his life.

He found himself wandering the halls in the direction of the stables, slowly, relishing each moment that he wasn't working...

But he knew that if he dawdled, he'd never hear the end of it...and neither would his hide. So he was soon in the stables again, waiting for the Captain to return and hand out his punishment.

Kai shoveled another pile of shit out of the stall. Back to where i started...

 

[monique_minx]

Delara followed the old woman down into the kitchen where she was brought a meal of bread and vegetables, she ate it gratefully as the only food the Slaver's had given her was runny oatmeal and she didn't think she could stomach another bowl.

The old maid told her to eat while she went to finish storing the rest of the preserves. Delara took this time to note the windows, doors and the other servants and slaves of the Manor as they came past. The chef was easily recognisable and to Delara's surprise also a slave, generally they were servants but Delara supposed that this was a different country.

When the old maid returned Delara had finished her meal and handed her plate to one of the other maid's as she was directed by May. May led her up the stairs to find Lord Simons' quarters so that she could find out where she was supposed to place Delara.

"I'm not sure where I'm even s'pose to house you young 'un, His Lordship rarely buys slaves anymore so I'll have to ask Him where ya s'pose to sleep too."

Delara nodded in response and came to a stop at May's signal and the old woman knocked on His door. Delara stared hard at the floorboards as though there was something of interest to them, she didn't exactly relish the thought of having to speak to His Lordship again and in fact still cradled her anger at the way he spoke to her. It frustrated her no end that he wouldn't just come out and say what he was thinking....but then neither would she...

 

[Bsquad]

Lord Simons looked up at Aveline, considering her for the first time since her arrival. He could see that her father's concerns were more than justified. Aveline looked like she seemed to delight in causing scandal. Her gown was as close to skin tight as one could get from a respectable tailor. Her long blonde hair and blue eyes were enticing as was the unorthodox views that she had. Far from being dissuaded by her intrests and unusual desire, she found the young woman's obsession with becoming a soldier...though in his eyes she was more keen on becoming a warrior. His eyes swept over Aveline slowly before he leaned back in his chair.

"Well Aveline, you certainly have made quite the impression upon the household staff...and the guards. They claim that you are quite adept. High words of praise considering the talent and training of my men." Lord Simons said, subtly prising his eyes away from her permiscuous attire...and the flesh that was so closely beneath it. He watched her and wondered at her reaction. He had been just as subtly dismissive towards Aveline as he had been with Delara...Aveline had been sent to him so that he could straighten her course in life. Her father had hoped to offer Aveline as a bride to the son of a prominent noble house, a step that would have earned him much prestige. But Aveline had been opposed to that idea.

"You wish to become a warrior don't you Aveline? That's something that seems to have caused some angst to your father. Enough to send you to me to address this...impertenance." Simons said and at long last gestured for Aveline to sit down in the chair across the table from him.

"Why would you want to enter the world of warfare...being a woman of nobility after all, and not some wild barbarian woman." Simons asked her bluntly.

 

[FaeBites]

Aveline stood tall against the Lords considering look. She had a moment to ponder to the luscious time his eyes seemed to take to return to her face, but dismissed it for the moment as her imagination. It wasn’t as though the Lord wasn't attractive, in fact she doubted there was a woman – married or otherwise – that hadn’t fantasies about the Commander at some point. Aveline, for all her scandalous behaviour and clothing, hadn’t given much time to be so inclined, romantic or not. She knew the moment word of such actions reached her parents they’d pounce on the weakness. Sure, she’d messed around, but only in the context to tarnish her name towards the suitors her family would insist on. She was using the unfair system of gossip and slander for her own purposes, Aveline was still as pure as pure could be – despite popular belief. A small triumph on her part, she thought.

Delight played out on her features at the compliments of his staff, she was after all an unorthodox noble who also believed all people were worth her time. Not just those born to money. She ignored his tone with the ease of someone who was use to it, her lips twisting slightly in bitter amusement as Lord Simmons addressed the knowledge they both knew. With a brush at her skirts, the young lady sat with the natural grace that hinted her upbringing hadn’t been entirely for nothing. She relaxed back into the chair, refusing to show she was at all at odds around the strong character across from her.

Her curved brows pulled together in a frown at his last words, her head tipping to one side as she observed the Lord. “So then you believe only barbaric woman have the ability or right to take arms?” She mused; her considering eyes flicking over his form. The words were more of a statement, as she didn’t expect an answer, nor waited for one as she continued. “Simply; noble life doesn’t appeal to me. Sure, I’m privileged, I always have food, clothes, and an abundance of time to cause havoc –“ Her eyes glittered in mischief, “But I don’t possess the patience, nor the want, to sit idly in the drawing room of some obnoxious nobles home. A husband who respects me only for the pleasure I can give him, and the heirs I could bare. I am not an object, I have a soul, and a heart, and warn any of those that would wish to see me otherwise that they’re in for a nasty surprise.” Warning glittered dangerously in her eyes, whether or not it was directed at him seemed unclear.

“I want danger, and adventure – but I want to do something that’s actually worth while. Whether I get it through proper means, or destroying the reputations of those around me until someone puts my talents to better use – I don’t mind. But I will get my way, Lord Simmons. So I urge you to give up any beliefs that you could do anything to ‘straighten me out’. I’m not some simpering house pet, who slaves over the Master of the houses word or affection.” Passion had fired her words, and her defiant attitude definitely didn’t seem to care how blunt, or rude her words may have been. Steely resolve, and purpose, darkened her eyes, but that calculative gaze never left him for a moment. She knew just how close her words were to invoke rebellion within many males who believed themselves superior. Aveline definitely was one for pressing buttons, buttons were after all what made up people in the end. Once you knew what set them off, you could control anyone.

 

[Bsquad]

Lord Simons listened to Aveline's firm declaration of her intentions. It was not hard to blame the girl for being vehement that she did not wish to be set to her status in life simply because she was a woman. She had fire, intelligence, and heart. Perhaps if they were funneled into more acceptable realms she would draw suitors in numbers to stagger the mind...but no, she seemed to be intensely keen on driving away the noble born men who sought her out. What few their were these days that were acceptable. Of course there were rumors about her, she was awild spirit whose thoughts of what she could attain were beyond the norm...so of course the rumors of what worldly delights she liked to indulge in were also beyond the norm.

Simons smiled lightly at the mental repeating of the more...scalacious details that had been imparted. But he acceptated that those rumors no matter how outrageous were just that; rumors. Something within this girl told him that she was not willing to accept a man's dominance over her in the bedchambers, no matter how pleasurable it migh tbe for her.

"You want to be a warrior, Aveline, not a soldier. You would do best to know the difference between the two." Lord Simons said, turning slightly in his chair and gesturing to the large map that hung upon the wall along one side of the chamber. It was the map of the Empire. The crimson expanse of the Empire's boundries strectched acrost the continent and to the shores of the northern islands and into the icy north, south into the tractless deserts and east into the flowing green steppes. The boundaries rivaled those of any of the ancient kingdoms and realms.

"Look at it Aveline. I can tell you where the realms inhabited by Warriors once stood, the places that they called their kingdoms, their tribal lands, their homes. Each of them was swept under the armies of our Empire, each one defeated by Soldiers. You wish to become one of those conquering heroes, someone like Captain McCloud? Or a commander of men and winner of Wars like myself? You cannot become either." Lord Simons said with a blunt finality that brooked no argument. Before Aveline's face could contort into rage he heald up a hand to silence the brewing argument before it could explode from her lips.

"A Soldier has discipline, has control, they can follow orders without question and fight for something far greater than themselves. That is why that map hangs on that wall, that is why the Empire has always grown, because of Soldiers. You have a fire that will not be quelched by anything shy of having your needs satisfied. You want what you want, and that is all there is." Simons said with a shrug before turning back to her completely and looking into her blue eyes with a searching gaze, like a jeweler examining the facets of a stone for it's inner value that lay beyond that of a mere shiny rock.

"You would make a terrible Soldier Aveline, but an excellent warrior. You may not find your place amongst the noblity of these lands but there are warrior women beyond the eastern expanses of the Empire. They are a barbarian tribe these Amazons... Women of deadly skill and dangerous cunning. But then you would be forced to enter their world, to accept their society and for somone like you I dare say that might prove difficult. I've met their kind, both in battle and in peace, they are...energetic in both." Simons said with a small chuckle, looking at Aveline with a smile on his lips that was as cryptic as it was indulgent. His own throughts were drifting back to the times he had known their women in War and Peace.

 

[FaeBites]

Aveline knew when the time to hold her tongue was; it was just rare that she actually acknowledged such a time. She held it now at his reprimand, her gaze dragging to the giant map. The challenges and adventures the land represented, it was enough to make her fidget slightly. Her head whipped back to him as he denied her either of what he spoke of. Her blistering words contained barely within her lips as he held up his hand. The more he spoke though, the more the anger died away. She relaxed back into her chair once more, a wry smile twisting on her lips. No, she wouldn’t make a good soldier.

Her eyes returned the searching look well, as though he held her salvation somewhere, just refused to show her his full hand. She made no comment about either look or words he ended with. Her eyes distracted, and her lips turned in dissatisfaction. This was the first time someone had actually spoken realisticly with her about the subject, rather then just telling her she was a Lady and should act like such. She found herself warming up to Lord Simmons for this fact alone.

Finally her thoughtful pose broke and she made a frustrated sound. She stood in her agitation, pacing towards the window like a lioness in a cage. She loved her home, and for all the battle and glory to be found in these warring tribes – that wasn’t what Aveline had meant when she wished her talents put to use. She was loyal to the Empire after all, despite all her trouble. “And if I’m unwilling to make either sacrifice?” Her piercing gaze shot back over her shoulder, her lips pressing into a hard line. “No, I refuse to believe those are my only choices! I can’t just… accept the plot I’ve been given in life because I was born without a penis!” An agitated hand ran through her curls, her words snarling crudely in her anger, the movement causing the last pin to slip, her locks tumbling free to fall unhindered around her shoulders, unnoticed by her.

Aveline fell silent for a moment, looking out over the grounds below, when she turned back her emotions had calmed slightly. “I’ve been raised and tutored with the finest in the realm, I can defend myself, I’m fluent in two other languages, I’ve yet to be bested on horse back, I understand people, and have exceptional observational skills and memory recall.” She listed the qualities off, not arrogantly but just stating facts. “And your saying there is no better use for me then to be auctioned off to some petty male who thinks I’ll look nice in his drawing room?” Her mouth twisted in disgust at the idea, something caught though and a glitter of hope lit her gaze.

“What about the SpyMaster?” She asked, her voice lowered in exaggerated whisper. The SpyMaster identity was of course, always kept a secret, but she had little doubt that a man such as Lord Simmons wouldn’t know whom… if it weren’t he himself. Before she could hear the Lords response though there was the maids knock at the door, interrupting them. Aveline made another frustrated sound, close to a growl, in her throat. Turning towards the door to see who would enter when the Lord admitted them.

 

[Bsquad]

The outburst was not to be unexpected. Though Simons could sense that Aveline was not content with his words, he was gratified to see that his words had not simply been ignored on the whole...he could at least reach her. But as she stood and stalked the room like a caged lioness, he could tell that she would not accept anything less than what she desired. Though what she desired was something unattainable. Keep her station, keep her dream, sacrafice neither.

He drummed his fingers on the deep ebony wood of his desk slowly. As she spoke he calmly catalogued her listing of her acomplishments. Like many nobles, she had been well trained and educated, as was fitting the elite of the realm. Noblewomen weren't schooled in the art of warfare so their studies were focused on the languages and arts...Aveline was of average ability, though considering the fact that she had filled her education with training more befitting a nobleman, this was nothing to be ashamed of.

The words that shocked him out of his apraisal were the mention of the Spymaster. His eyes widened and he leaned forward over the desk, his face a carefully etched mask that concealed his shock and suprise. He pointed to the chair across from him, gesturing Aveline back into it.

"Sit down...now." Simons said, the final word landing with the force of command that he used in the field...it was firm enough and clear enough to be heard out beyond the stout door of the chamber. He knew of the Spymaster because he was the Emperor's best general, he knew of the Spymaster because he needed the information that she provided. He also knew just who the spymaster was. That secret was far beyond the knowledge of even the most privileged nobility. How this girl had learned of the spymaster was a dangerous bit of information he intended to find out. He rose from his chair and walked around the desk to stand over Aveline.

"You will wait a moment." He called out to the door to the chamber, commanding those on the other side. After a moment he looked down at Aveline.

"The spymaster is a woman of extreme importance to the Emperor's armies and generals. How you have learned about this woman is an extremely dangerous piece of information. If you were a man of similar station you would be in just as grave a danger, so do not think this as being an admonishment of a woman learning things she should not know..." Simons said darkly, his voice low and dangerous.

"...right now you could be executed for what you know. Without a trial by the court of nobles...without any consideration for your status or the connections of your family. I owe your father a debt, I swore to him that I would assist him...because of that, and because you are merely a foolish young woman, I shall keep this bit of information discrete. But if you bring it up again to anyone and I learn of it...you will face the consequences." Lord Simons said, his voice utterly lacking the understanding that it had shown her so recently, even his eyes lacked the amused and playful twinkle that had danced in them as he watched her indignant claims. He remained silent for long moments to let his words sink in, and to let her know that as of that moment he had a very dangerous card at his disposal. Death for a matter of this improtance was not a pleasnt or quick one...much less so for a woman.

"Now that you understand that...enter!" The last word was called to the door to the chamber and the pair waiting beyond to enter...though why the head of the household would have brought Delara to him now was beyond him. He had given instructions not to be disturbed accept upon his orders.

"Yes? Why have you brought the new aquisition here?" Simons asked May pointedly.

 

[monique_minx]

Delara watched the old woman flinch when she was told to enter and May slowly opened the door and walked inside with Delara in tow.
"Beggin' ya pard'n My Lord" She curtsied to him and then to Aveline "Milady."

Delara also curtsied to both of them though she glared daggers at Lord Simons for having to do it, her corset hugged her tighter as she did so causing her bust to become more pronounced through the thin material of her dress, the old maid had tied it tighter than she had ever had it before but she was more than familiar with it after wearing corsets most of her life.

"I'm not sure what it is ya want me to do with this one My Lord, I've had her changed and fed her. Where do ya want me to house her and place her in the household Sir?"

When Delara straightened out she continued to look at Lord Simons, her expression was blank and unreadable now and she took stock of the room from what she could see in the corners of her eyes. It looked much like she had expected from the man, maps and work everywhere for even at home a commander was at work.

Delara knew she wasn't to speak unless she herself was spoken to, she had her own servants and slaves back home so that much was obvious to her. Her hand moved over her stomach absent mindedly as she smoothed the dress over her corset and reminded herself to breath evenly.

Delara wondered what had gotten him so obviously riled, she knew Lady Aveline was a little difficult but to yell? That was another matter entirely, nobles very rarely raised their voices to each other at all, it simply wasn't necessary.

 

[FaeBites]

The sudden snarl of the command shocked Lady Aveline, her blue eyes dragged up to meet the direct intensity of the now glowering Lord. She found her legs obeying him; before her mind could catch up, sinking her into the chair she’d left previously. She couldn’t ignore his intimidating presence now, fear radiating up through her body as she immediately regretted playing her trump card. The low and dangerous tone brought goosebumps rippling down her spine, a distracting aching sensation in her stomach though seemed out of place, and in direct response to the dominance that seemed to seep from under his skin.

Her mouth snapped shut, the lips pressing tightly together stubbornly as he spoke of the Spymaster, unable to feel a little thrill as he revealed she was a female. She hadn’t known that. At mention of execution her nostrils flared in alarm, the sinking sensation in her stomach mocking her for having trusted when she usually wouldn’t. Damn him, damn him to hell. He acts like he could be on her side, respects her for her intelligence, then explodes and sinks into threats and intimidation. Her vivid eyes glowered at him, masking the fear that had sharpened them moments before.

Lady Aveline didn’t take kindly to being threatened, her fingers itched to slap him, but the danger that now pulsed around him begged her otherwise. While the talk of execution ruffled her, she couldn’t help but feel that seemed a little extreme. As she had said after all, wouldn’t she be more valuable as an asset? Aveline wasn’t stupid though, just stubborn, and his threats definitely didn’t feel like bluffs. His silence was unnerving though, and eventually she broke eye contact and looked away. Her anger flushing her cheeks.

As the maid and the slave entered, Lady Aveline took a moment to compose herself back to cool and calm before turning to see them. She smiled slightly as she recognised May, her eyes turning curious as she looked over the new girl. She'd taken time to get to know all the regular staff when she first arrived, another side to her personality that wasn’t all hot-headed and danger prone. Besides, Aveline found those that weren't born to nobility usually made for better friends, and more interesting characters. Her smile wasn’t as easy as it usually was though, and the atmosphere in the room still held it’s sharp, tense note.

Her interest, and skill, in observation caught the undercurrant from the slaves defiant look at her new master. Avelines eyes glanced between the Lord and the slave a for a moment, a ploy slowly forming in her mind. Before Lord Simmons could respond, Aveline interrupted, her voice free of any of her previous – harsher – emotions. “My Lord, I am in need of a new maid – my last attendant couldn’t, well, keep up. Someone younger might fit the demand better, and I’m sure it would appease my parents for me to not be causing all my havoc without some voice of conscience.” Her laughter was lighter, as she stood with the grace of any noble born, her domineer meek in comparison to how it had been as she asked her request. “Might I take her off your hands for my stay if her cleaning services aren’t in high demand?”

Lady Aveline was a formidable actress. She wouldn’t be able to cause such drama if she wasn’t so good. So there was no outward sign of the plan that was beginning to form in her mind. If she’d made an adversary out of the good Lord Simmons, he was about to see just what her talents could accomplish. Execution indeed. It seems she was back to finding her place by herself, though she couldn't help but get a shiver of excitement at the thought of having an actual challenger now. Perhaps she treated the whole thing to much like a game, whether that caused her down fall or not, only time would tell.

 

[HotSouthernGuy]

Jaik hated walking up the stairs of lord simmons manor. in fact he hated everything to do with the imperial guard. it had been a little over a year sense the guard had forced him to leave his family and serve under the empire's flag. a little over a year sense he was given the order to burn the villages of "enemy" territories to the ground. hundreds of thousands of innocent lives gone thanks to the orders of a then major simmons. thousands of innocent, unarmed children and women die and simmons gets promoted. the thought of those months made him sick. sick and angry to a point where he wanted to watch the empire burn, starting with simmons. he sighs but that would never happend anytime soon. what he needed was someone, anyone that was close to simmons. someone that can make it easier to slip a dagger between his ribs.

 

[renthead29]

Kai worked for awhile, shoveling, mindless, grueling, but oddly comforting work, once you took a satisfaction in getting it done.

And get it done he did. Finally, when the stall was clean, Kai leaned on his shovel and wiped the sweat from his brow.

Delara. He had to admit, the girl had interested him. Hell, more than that, she intoxicated him. And she also got him really aroused. He'd have to take care of that. He sniffed himself. A bath was most definitely the answer.

Kai stalked off into the castle, looking for a maid to draw him a bath. There wasn't a whole lot of authority he had, but Lord Simons kept a shipshape castle, clean as a whistle, and baths were mandatory.

 

[Bsquad]

Lord simons was not suprised that Aveline was able to conceal her emotions with ease. She was a member of the nobility, concealing this was a talent that you learned young...adn the thought of that made him look at Delara, who seemed like she was concealing far more than Aveline was. As he gazed at the slave girl, he could see that she was poised rather provocatively, her simple dress shifted in such a way that she seemed to be just as enticing as Aveline's too tight clothing. There was an intriguing contrast between the two women, one noble who wanted the one thing that she couldn't have, another a slave who wanted...just what she wanted was beyond Lord Simon's knowledge at the moment.

As Aveline spoke up quickly, he shifted his gaze back to the young woman. His face didn't hold the slightest trace of anger or rage, anyone looking at him wouldn't think that he had been warning Aveline of her possible death by execution for treason. Lord Simons had been angered by her knowledge, but he didn't relish the thought of condemning a woman to death. If she kept silent he would not say another word of it, she had enough issues that needed to be sorted out. But he finally let that thought slip from his thoughts as Aveline requested Delara to be her maid.

"Most certainly Lady Aveline. I am remiss for not considering your needs more fully, you are a guest of my manor. Please, Delara is a new member of the household, so do not consider her to be as experianced a servant or assistant as May. Though she may have potential." Lord Simons said, his eyes looking at Delara again, watching for her reaction to his words. Once more he treated her like a posession, though again he called her by name.

 

[monique_minx]

Remiss? Delara raised a brow; after what I just heard? Delara thought to herself, remiss is hardly the word I would use to describe it!

Delara was well aware the she had indirectly been given an order, much to her annoyance he once again spoke of her instead of to her! Still almost mechanically she curtsied gracefully and returned eye contact with Lord Simons.

"As you wish My Lord" she spoke demurely and with care to leave the anger out of her tone, she then turned and curtsied to Aveline "My Lady".

She made certain that this time everything she did was almost too perfect for a maid, she wanted to put Lord Simons off balance for a little while.

The old woman also nodded "I'll be gettin' her a pallet to put in Milady's room then" she curtsied to Lord Simons and then to Lady Aveline before she made her exiting mouthing 'stay put' to Delara on her way out. Delara nodded to the maid, she had not been dismissed and had no pressing reason to leave though even if she did; she would still have to ask permission.

Delara figured she would probably have to stay by Lady Aveline's side now in any case, at home her own ladies-in-waiting slept on a pallet in her room and were practically stuck to her like glue unless she dismissed them. This may present a problem Delara thought to herself...or an opportunity.

Delara quickly realized she was staring at Lady Aveline as she was considering all of this and dropped her eyes nervously, embaressment rising in her cheeks. She tugged on her hair gently which was still pulled over her shoulder, it seemed to remind her of what she needed to do and it comforted her in some strange way.

 

[FaeBites]

An eyebrow couldn’t help but cock at his pretty little speech, her eyes glancing at the maid in question. She found herself more annoyed at the Lords treatment of the girl then Delara herself it seemed. But Aveline didn’t say a word; this was most nobles’ attitudes after all. The Ladies weren’t much better either, especially given you’d think they would relate with being treated like a possession. Lady Aveline instead just smiled at Delara as she curtsied, nodding a goodbye to May as she bustled out of the room.

Her gaze ran over her new attendant, acknowledging her own beauty with a slight tilt of her head. Delara was the perfect contrast to Avelines own blonde hair, blue eyes whirl wind. Especially if she could keep up that act of demure servitude. Oh yes, Aveline wasn’t fooled, she’d faked that look one to many times to not notice the lack of sincerity. Her curiosity demanded to be satisfied when it came to the mystery the young woman provided. Aveline too, then noticed Delara had been matching her look one for one, and grinned as she looked down. Definitely a better choice then the old stuffy attendant.

The Lady’s gaze was drawn back to Lord Simmons, instantly her amusement fading as she remembered why she was in this room after all. “Are you finished with me, My Lord?” she inquired, her tone flippant and cold, not seeming to care what her new acquisition thought of the straight out disrespect. Her head tilted proudly, her eyes defiant, as though she almost dared him to bring her up on it. I’m not afraid of you, her eyes seemed to glare. It was a lie of course, one she told to herself as much as she told to him.

 

[renthead29]

Kai skipped around the castle, thinking to himself that all the maids were avoiding him. It was understandable, no one wanted to draw a bath for a stable boy, but still! How could he wander the whole place without seeing a single one??

He started drifting closer and closer to the noble's quarters, hoping to snatch one cleaning a room or dusting the hallways. There had to be a maid somewhere, right?!

 

[Bsquad]

As May left the chambers Lord Simons watched the two young women who remained standing before him. He could sense that there was something brewing there, but he couldn't put his finger on just what might be in store. He wasn't in a position to read the minds of either woman, or to read the gaze that had passed between them...but Simons had a sudden sense of foreboding filled him, but his gaze didn't shift an inch.

"Well then I guess that if you are satisfied with having Delara as your servant while you are my guest, I can hardly deny her to you." Lord Simons said, looking at Delara as he spoke to Aveline. He turned to smile at the noblewoman and caught the gaze in her eyes that spoke so clearly to him. In response his face split into a very devious smile, though his eyes seemed to glare at her as fiercely as her blue eyes.

Underestimate me at your own peril. His own eyes replied to Aveline before he looked back at Delara, a smile on her face as he saw a somewhat nervous stroking of her hair. For the first time since she had passed across the bridge to the Manor, he adressed her directly.

"Delara, though you are a new arrival at the mannor, I can tell that you ar eexperianced enough to service Lady Aveline properly. Should you not continue your duties with adequate dilligence, I'll have to adress the issue." Lord Simons said to her finally, a small smile on his face that was eerily kind. His gray eyes watched her for a long moment before he shifted back to Aveline at last.

"Would you care to join me this evening for a quiet supper Lady Aveline? Perhaps we could discuss some matters of importance to you. Your excentric hobbies and interests would be one of the topics." Simons said cryptically, not willing to treat Delara as merely a mindless servant or something little more than a mere fixture in the room. Her eyes were far too inteligent to allow him to do that.

 

[monique_minx]

Delara's forehead crinkled with annoyance as she nodded to Lord Simons, he only seemed to threaten her subtly when he spoke directly to her, even when they first met at the slave markets; everything he said to her held some other meaning with that hint of threat.

"Of course My Lord" she curtsied "I will serve My Lady well."

Delara had released her hair, she would have to find some way of tying it back later or else it would only hinder her. Delara watched Lord Simons edgily, his kind smile (if you could call it that) unnerved her somewhat and she wondered what was going through his mind that made him look at her like that.

She remembered that was not the first time he smiled at her in such a way either, Delara thought back to Kai's concubine comment and shuddered at the thought. She was still Lord Simons' property even if she were to serve Lady Aveline, she felt like an object that was being loaned out to someone else.

Delara stood back against the wall, she didn't lean but kept her hands behind her so neither Lord Simons nor Lady Aveline would see she was fidgetting. May wandered back into the room, she curtsied to both Lord Simons and Lady Aveline and then turned to Delara, she handed her a length of ribbon, it was made from wool and grey in colour to match her dress.

"For ya hair love" she murmured and Delara nodded her thanks before she pocketed the ribbon reminding herself to tie her hair back later.

"Scuse me My Lord, My Lady. I've set up the las' pallet, just got to go 'rrange fo' dinner this ev'ning." Again May curtsied to each of them and rushed out the door, she was a busy woman!

May came upon Kai and and groaned "Oh boy get yo'self to a bath, ya won't be 'llowed to go to supp'r like that! Come along."

May led Kai to the servants washrooms and proceeded to draw him a bath, when she left she turned to him and said "Don't fo'get to wash behind ya ears boy! And be quick 'bout it, Her Ladyship will prob'bly want to go for a ride this ev'ning, such a beaut'ful night and all".

She left the boy to wash and went to check on how things were coming along in the kitchen, it took a long time to get a meal ready for an entire household!

 

[renthead29]

Kai thanked May profusely. He stripped his clothes and settled into the warm water gratefully, sitting for a few moments before scrubbing himself thoroughly, even behind his ears.

a ride!he thought. with a Lady?!?! This was more than he could hope for! He washed himself more thoroughly than usual and stepped out of the tub. He dressed himself in his finer clothes in his room and groomed himself to look his best for that night.

When he was all spic and span he started walking gallantly toward the dining hall. He was going to feast tonight!