The Sultry South - Closed for Kitteness and Redbaron05

[redbaron05]

The South during the 1860's a time of Ladies and Gentlemen A time of Romance Adventure Intrigue and Turmoil. Follow along in our tale of Romance and Love set against the backdrop of the city of Atlanta Georgia during the tumultous time of the American Civil War.
Will our lovers find lasting love in these tumultous times or will their love go the way of the Old South?

OOC

Name - Rafe Jones
Height - 6'2
Weight - 180 lbs
Eye Color - Piercing Blue
Hair Color - Jet Black hanging a little past the collar of his shirt

INC Stepping off of the train as it pulls to a stop at the station Rafe looks around at the hustle and bustle around him soon he will be home at his beloved plantation just outside of Atlanta it was good to be home after years away.

 

[Kitteness]

The Southern Belle

Savannah Hampton-18 years old

Long, past her but when down blonde hair, but wear's it up in a high bun, wavy trendils to the sides, just like they have fallen naturally. Big blue eyes, with long lashes, and naturally arched eyebrows, both medium brown. Cute upturned nose, and big full lips. Strong high cheek bones, pale skin. Freckles across her nose and cheeks. Full, but not overly large breasts, narrow hips, and a 17 inch waist when corsets are on, 21 without. Hourlass figure. 5' 5.5" tall. 100lbs. A natural beauty, she turns heads everywhere she goes, and is probably the most sought after woman in the community. Although she is in no hurry to marry any of the boys around Atlanta.

She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Atlanta. Spoiled, rich, invited to every party and an only child. She and her family live in a mansion in the most prominent town in Georgia- Atlanta!

She steps out of the largest and most prominent retail dress shops in the city of Atlanta. She had just put in an order for her new dress she was to wear to the ball this weekend. Dressed in a pale pink cotillion dress. Buttons up the chest, tight to the corset she wore underneath, full skirt to the ankles where they are met with the latest tie up boots, in the same color pink. High collared, but fitting. Her breasts outlined perfectly. The silk bonnet tied just to the right of her chin, in a big bow. The material gathered around her face in waves, tendrils of hair framing it as well. The back of the pink bonnet meeting the top of her collar. She looks over at the train depot and wonders if her father's train was arriving this morning or this evening. She wasn't sure. But she would love to surprise him, as she loved him dearly and he had been in town on business in Charleston for nearly a month. Samuel Hamilton was the premier mercantile owner in the whole state of Georgia, running the largest shop in Atlanta, and various other cities across GA. Her mother had passed away of pneumonia when she was only 9. Her aunts and uncles all still lived in North Carolina, where her mother was from, or in Savannah, GA where her father was originally from. Her only mother figure, her nanny, follows her closely from behind as she walks toward the train depot...

 

[redbaron05]

Collecting his luggage from the baggage car of the train Rafe makes his way out to the street where the carriage from, "Heather Glen" his ancestral home is wating. Admonishing the footmen to be careful with the trunks and cases Rafe takes a minute to look around him and see how Atlanta has grown in his absense from a sleeply little village to a growing thriving center of commerce and trade. Looking down the street something catches his eye It is the most beautiful young woman he has seen in a long time Smiling he tips his hat as he catches her eye. Suddenly his attention is drawn back to the present by a crash. Berating the footman for dropping the trunk he was loading Rafe forgets the beautiful young woman untill he sees her again as he rides by in the carriage tipping his hat to her again as the carriage passes her by on its way to his home.

 

[Kitteness]

As she walked in the sweltering sun, she raised her pink umbrella to sheild herself from it's rays. She had worked hard to keep the sun from darkening her milky white skin and it wouldn't due to neglect it now. As she approached the train depot she noticed a handsome gentleman tipping his hat to her. Then she had noticed the sign on the carriage he had been about to inhabit, "Heather Glen", it was of an old and distinguished family her in Georgia, going back many years, and if she was not mistaken, was the sight of the picnic she would be attending the following weekend. She had let him catch her eye, then demurly cast them elsewhere. Even with someone that handsome, a girl had to watch herself, lest people got the wrong idea. Besides, from what she'd heard, he had been away for quite a while, and there had been rumors that it was over some very untoward business and was only coming back now to claim what was his right by birth. She had never set much stock in rumors, finding them to be somewhat of a nuisance and incorrect, but she couldn't help but wonder of the dark headed mans intentions in returning after so long...Perhaps they would find discourse to speak to one another at the upcoming festivities....

She turned her attention back to the depot with a smile. There stood her father smiling broadly as he walked towards her, "My dear Savannah, it pleases me greatly to see you here, I have missed you so..." He kisses her on the forehead, the buggy approaching them, "Hampton Manor" written in gold lettering across the buckboard. "Hi daddy, I have missed you as well, it is good to see you in such good color. I take it business went well?" She smiled genuinely at her father. Most men who had lost thier wives early in a marriage with a small child might have remarried or relegated the duties of the child off to someone else, but her father had delighted in her, and loved her, and...if she thought often enough...spoiled her rotten. She realized it would take a different kind of man to enter into marriage with her, she realized she could be difficult...ah well, best not to think to much of that just now, her daddy was home, and he so often was not now that she was older, she wanted to cherish the time they spent together. "Come back to me Savannah dear? Where did you wander away to my darling. Such a serious look in your young eyes?" She decided to lighten the mood. "I was just wondering what you brought me daddy..." They both laughed. "You shall see soon enough my wretched. impulent child..." They both laughed again as he teased her. The coach bantering off down the road at a languid pace. However, her gaze caught briefly on the eyes of the stranger she had seen before when their carriages passed on the way out...

 

[redbaron05]

As he rides to Heather Glen Rafe wonders who the beautiful young woman was and who she was waiting for, "Probabally a suitor or husband she appeared to be marrying age" he mused to himself.

Soon his thoughts are interuppted by the driver's voice as he says, "Master Rafe Heather Glen is just ahead." Looking out the window of the carriage at the fine old mansion that had been his childhood home and would now be his home once again now that he had returned home from running his fathers business affairs in Europe the memories of his happy childhood came flooding back as he surveyed the scene before him.

The multi storied plantation house with its tall white colums and large windows. surrounded by acres and acres of cotton and tobacco fields, the beautiful gardens that were ablaze with azaleas and magnolias and many other types of flowers and trees.

Soon the carriage was pulling up to the house as soon as it stops Rafe steps out and stops looking around him it was good to finally be home.

 

[Kitteness]

Savannah road home with her father in the plantations carriage. Talking amiably about her father's trip and return. She followed him inside the mansion, and went with him into the dining room where they took a high tea and some cakes. She enjoyed his company emmensely, and talked with him some of the upcoming affairs of his business and and the upcoming ball. It was with some suprise that at some point her mind wandered briefly to the stanger she had seen at the depot. And realized that it was indeed his plantation to which they would be traveling.

 

[redbaron05]

As Rafe looks around to reaquaint himself with the old homeplace the front door of the house swings open and out steps Preacher the long time house slave,"Welcome home Master Rafe how was your journey home?"

Smiling at his old friend Rafe steps up onto the porch and greets the elder man,"The trip was long, How are you my old friend?" Rafe asks as he shakes hands with the older man before he starts to retrieve Rafe's bags from the carriage.

"Oh with the good lords help old Preacher is gonna make it Master Rafe sir where do you want these sir?"
Before Rafe can answer Preacher another voice answers, "Take those up to his old room Preacher now hurry along now." Preacher replies, "Yes Ma'am Missus Jones right away ma'am."

Turning his attention from Preacher toward the new voice Rafe stops and smiles as he sees his mother standing there smiling, "Still giving the help a hard time are you Mama?" Rafe teases his mother as he embraces her and gives her a peck on the cheek.

Returning his hug she replies, "Oh Rafe it's so good to see you. Let me look at you." Stepping back she says, "You look so good son a little thin but good. Come lets get you something to eat." Smiling Rafe lets her lead him toward the kitchen. As he eats the plate of fried chicken and vegetables that is set in front of him his mother continues to tell him all that has been going on since he had been gone. As he eats he asks "How is dad?"

Clearing her throat and wiping a tear his mother answers, "Son the doctors say it's his heart if he doesnt relax some it's gonna kill him that's why you were called home to run the family business it is time your father retired and relaxed." Giving his mother a reassuring smile and reaching and squeezing her hand he tells her,"Don't fret mother he is a tough old coot and will be okay now that I'm here to run things."

Wiping her tears and smiling again,"Oh son you are home just in time the annual Cotillian Ball is being held here this weekend. All of the eligible young ladies and gentlemen will be attending it is the biggest social event of the season. We can also use it as a welcome home party for you." Shaking his head Rafe says, "Now now mother let's not get carried away" but he knew his protests were falling on deaf ears when Martha Jones's set her mind to something no one could disuade her.

Her parties were always the biggest events and everyone who was anyone was invited. Rafe wondered if the young woman he saw at the train station would be there. With these thoughts Rafe excused himself and went upstairs to rest. Finding his old room and seeing that Preacher had put his stuff away for him Rafe strips down to his underwear and lays down and soon dozes off.

 

[Kitteness]

Savannah had spent the better part of the week enjoying her fathers company. He had told her of the happenings of his trip, the new division of her mercantile he would be opening soon in the new settlement called Tex-as, and to her delight that he would be home for the next month as that particular store was built. He would be accompanying her to the cotillian ball at Heather Glen this weekend. So it was with great excitement that she rose that Saturday morning. She finished the plate of eggs, fruit, and cheese she had been brought for breakfast. It wouldn't do to swoon from lack of food once her stays were fastened tighly about her waist. And every woman knew one did not glutten oneself on food at these swarae's. After finishing her breakfast, she affectionately called out for her nanny, "Miss Becca, " she called in her southern drawl, "I must get ready for the party now, Daddy said if I wasn't ready to leave for Heather Glen when he was walking out the door, he would leave me here this time, and you know I don't want to miss this party...please." She heard the middle aged slender lady trolloping up the stairs and genuinely smiled. Her father had loved her mother and had had no inclination to remarry simply for the sake of his daughter. He had trusted Miss Becca to care for Savannah, and she had. Both Savannah and Miss Becca had great deal of love for one another. The Hampton's, though being one of the wealthiest families in the near surrounding states and beyond, did not live on a plantation, therefore they did not require the numerous number of slaves a plantation would, which was well and good, because not a member of the Hampton family really entertained the ideas of "owning" anyone. They had very few servants, and those they did have had their own branch of living quarters off the back of the mansion, well furnished and nicely set. Miss Becca stayed in the very front room of those quarters, next to "cookie", the cook. They were sisters and had been with Hampton manner since children. "Cookie's" husband, "Big Ben was the groundskeeper, and then there was "Mason", a young gentleman somewhat ill acquired, that was just a bit older than Savannah herself. He ran the stables and the horses and the like. "Old man", as he was affectionately nicknamed, as he had been around when Samuel Hampton had been a lad. He was the butler and general overseer of the house, since Savannah's mother Susannah "Sassy" Hampton had passed away. But "old man" had gone up to charleston to see his dying sister before went on, and to bury her, as they were sure she wouldn't make it through the week. It was this that Savannah was thinking of sadly when Miss Becca came through the door of her room. "Now Miz Saaavann-uh, you know Old Man't b done upset emslef if he knews you wuz gettin u-selves all upsets over his bi'ness, spec-lly jus before you is s'possed to go on down to that H'ther Glen and make nice. You jus buck it and and bring a smile to that there pertty face and let'us get you in'a this here new dress your papa done b'oght yous on his way through Chars'ton when he stop to see Old Man any way..." Savannah smiled and looked down at the new gown her father had brought her. It was a shimmery pastel purple. It had just enough color not to make her look pale, but not enough color to look...well,, just wrong with her skin tone and light hair. She was leaving it down today, and it fell in waves all the way to her bottom, the waves from the braid the night before framing her face. Miss Becca laced her as tightly into the stays as possible and her still be able to breath, then pulled the dress over her head, then buttoned it up the back and smoothed it over the petticoat she wore beneath. She slipped the new matching leather boots onto her charges feet and laced them up. She looked over Savannah with tears in her eyes, her little girl was grown up...

 

[redbaron05]

Awaking the next morning which is the day of the big ball Rafe dresses in his finest black suit,white silk shirt,matching black tie, and highly polished black boots. Looking at himself in the mirror he thinks to himself, "Not bad old boy not bad at all.

Making his way downstairs he sees his mother has the servants hard at it already finishing up the decorations for the party. Plates and trays stacked high with all kinds of good food and drink. There is a small band set up to play for dancing. Out on the grounds of the estate are tables and chairs and all sorts of preparations being done as Rafe wanders around helping where he is needed as their guests would start arriving soon.