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@countenanced
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ written by kati.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
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๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
intro / musings / visage / playlist / pinterest
Rebirth For Youย ย ๅๅไผ : Episode 11
Jiang Baoning
"perhaps because the first thing you do is lecture," she returns, her smile broadening with the playful back and forth she feels so much comfort in from her. it is not unusual for them to be at odds, when it does not matter, mostly due to her annoying little sister tendencies. "that's probably because i almost do it on purpose to vex you." she tugs the ribbons she had bought with her limited pocket money out of her sleeves, brandishing them with a flourish. "a gift."
โ "WELL, I WOULDN'T NEED TO LECTURE if you didn't come home with your skirts a mess, " though amelia can't help but laugh. in spite of all this, the ridiculousness, grace is the person in the world who most makes her feels like she belongs. it's easy to slip into back and forth like this, to say exactly what she thinks without worrying grace will ever abandon her โ well. most things. even sisters have their secrets. " just promise me you won't look like this when you meet the queen, " amelia says with a resigned sigh. eyes light up at the sight of the ribbon, smiling broadly. even if she's coming home to a lecture, her sister will always think of her. " it's perfect ! and you knew, " amelia smiles, " that it matches my dress for the ball. " there's a prolonged pause as she examines the ribbon, holds it up to her face in the mirror before she cuts her eyes back to her sister. " you didn't go into town alone, did you ? "
"you make me sound callous, my lady," nadir says. still, the smile on his lips stays, entirely undeterred by the lady's reprimand. her curtsy is returned with a bow, followed by a hand taking hers, already leading her onto the dance floor. "it is not meant to be a distraction. the way i see it, this is simply a chance i have no reason not to take. it is but an opportunity to dance with an esteemed lady, is it not? my aunt promised that the eldest lady zhang is a beautiful, perfect sweetheart.
"tell me, how many suitors are vying for your hand tonight? i must be very lucky to have won a moment of your time, let alone to be graced with a dance." in the background, the music slows into a classical waltz. nadir's free hand hovers amelia's waist. his smile is all teeth now, even as he sways to the music. "i suppose i must thank you, amelia." he's certain that the slip of his tongueโthe casual mention of her name without a titleโwould not go unnoticed.
one step leads to another, and then another, and another. and then he asks, "if i had told you that i so badly wanted to dance with you, would you have called me a liar?"
โ IT IS HARD NOT TO VIEW NADIR'S ACTIONS WITH AN AIR of performance โ though that would be a compliment to him, where others might see the showmanship as arrogance. of course, it is easy to portray such a demeanor without scrutiny when one is an eligible suitor. but no one knows who amelia really is either, and she carries herself with the elegance and importance of this season's diamond ( despite being a few years past fresh enough to truly court the queen's favor. ) maybe they can put on a performance together. " i do not want your flattery if it is empty, my lord, " amelia says, raising her gaze to his as they find the dance floor. " though i'll admit โ i am skeptical due to your lack of interest when we were first introduced. i would love to know how i inspired this change of heart, " there's an air of facetious innocence, a smile that lifts the corner of dark red lips as she tilts her head, eye contact only broken by the steps of the dance.
she could do this with her eyes closed, but she is grateful for the moment to spin out of reach when he remarks about her potential suitors. " well, you know what they say about me, " she says, voice lowered only slightly in the moments where nadir draws her closer, " i'm quite particular. take that for the compliment it is. " she contemplates his question a moment, her hands in his as they move in time to the warbling beat, in the center of the ton's attention. she wonders what is being said about him, that she's chosen such a rogue for her first dance this season.
" well, would it have been true ? " she asks, eyes narrowed.
There is the small voice in the back of Williamโs head warning him this is not how a dignified gentleman behaved. If he wanted to be seen as the nobleman his father was, he should act with chivalry and respect, two things he had never been good at. He did not bow and she did not curtsy. It seemed neither of them remembered their manners around the other.
โFalse concerns!โ William bought his hand up to his heart in mock hurt. โYou can trust, Lady Zhang, I would be very concerned if harm came to you. I have become rather determined to hear you admit you may need my help. I fear until that happens I will have to protect you with my life!โ
His eyes lit up with excitement โAre you saying you would like me to call on you?โ His grin was teasing but there was something else in it, something genuine. โI certainly can. I can take you for a ride through Hyde park? I hear it is the popular place to promenade, although perhaps a walk would be safer?โ
โ "WELL...WITH A FOOLISH GOAL LIKE THAT, then it is a good thing that you're, what was it that you said ? accostomed to disappointment ? " she retorts calmly, a gentle tilt of her head as she peers up at him almost expectantly. it is a good thing they're in the gardens, away from the ton that amelia has taken painstaking effort to remain in good standing with. she should not be speaking to a gentleman like this so openly, but the captain's arrogance seems to test her pride.
the way he looks at her makes her dart her eyes away, though it doesn't stop the warmth that she can feel rising in her cheeks, lips pursed indignantly. " that's not โ i am simply saying it would have been the polite thing to do, after i was nearly trampled to death, " she adds. while amelia โ secretly โ has no intention of courting this season, she thinks it's clear by the captain's inflection that there's no chance of either of them getting the wrong idea. " anyway, i have managed to ride through hyde park many times before. in fact, i would be more concerned that you'd be unable to keep up with me, captain. "
"And you are most attentive to meโ yes, I agree," Etta chimes in quickly, tilting her head towards her with bright blue eyes, getting an absurd amount of delight out of seeing that crease in Amelia's brow, the purse in her lips. It's strange, to be sure, considering she usually finds pleasure in seeing the gentle and earnest smiles of the ladies of the ton, but Amelia had always been so quietly oppositional towards herโ always on her with her mistakesโ that it had turned into something different for Etta. Still, there's something to be said about the way her attention sticks to the raven-haired girl like messy honey. "A picture is worth a thousand words, dear Amelia. And, I presume, hands-on experience must be a worth a million."
โ AMELIA'S SCOWL DEEPENS AT THE WAY THAT ETTA CALLS HER OUT. " that is entirely your ego, your grace, " the honorific drips poison rather than honey, eyes rolling indignantly the moment that etta's gaze seems to look through amelia's own, determined not to look back for too long. she knows how etta acts around other ladies of the ton, perception to keen not to notice, amelia would say, and it's not as if she's immune to such charms ( though she would never admit it regardless. ) just aware of them, and therefore determined not to play into the charade. " you want to me to play into whatever ruse ruined your gown so that i may look just as ridiculous ? " she questions, " i'm not going with you anywhere unless i have your word. stake your honor on it. "
it is a new experience, being under such a keen eye. she has a dim awareness that her cheeks are aflame, her breath held, as the strangerโs fingers hold her jaw steady. her head is turned left, then right in a careful inspection before she is finally freed. โno, i canโt say i was in search of a damsel.โ she nearly chokes on the words that fall from her tongue, voice unsteady. โto be quite honest with you, i hadnโt known exactly what to expect. mister clementine had bet this room during our game of cards, you see. i was curious as to what secrets were being hoarded up here and seem to have stumbled upon you.โย
overcome with a sudden need to sit, she moves to a matching set of chairs near the window. โmay i sit?โ it is more a courtesy as she is sat before the other can give a response. โthe alcohol is working its way through my system. take my advice and never venture to drink that man under the table. i suspect if you cut him open, spirits would drain forth before blood.โ perched from her seat, she is able to take notice of her surroundings for the first time without her vision reeling. it is a fine room, but a threadbare one. there are the chairs near the windows, a bed, a vanity, and not much else in way of personal artifacts or ornamentation. confusion takes hold as she peers closer to the details โ or lack thereof. it is as if one is peering through a window of a dollhouse, more reminiscent of a staged scene rather than a personal bedroom.ย
the woman before her could be a doll with her porcelain skin and soft, flowing hair, but the shadows cast over her face make her more haunted than demure. โif you are not technically a prisoner, then who are you?โ
โ THERE'S WARMTH THAT BLOOMS IMMEDIATELY underneath lucy's gentle fingertips, and she's immediately reminded why she tends to prefer the company of women. after all, she can't help but be fond of her own affect, and even more than that, it's hard not to admire the woman that's walked through the door this evening โ easily preferential company to clementine and arrogance and unseemly appearance. lucy's eyes might be bright, but they are extremely discerning ( likely why she's lived as long as she has with everything she knows about the members of the ton. ) her brow furrows only slightly as she attempts to put together the pieces regarding her unexpected visitor's presence โ though the indication that clementine won't be showing up certainly makes lucy's shoulders look lighter, there are some things she cannot hide.
" secrets ? oh, i'm sure there are plenty. but certainly not what you were expecting. " lucy stretches out on the bed, and pats the spot beside her. " you can make yourself comfortable, if you do not intend to leave soon. i may have had dreams about precisely what you suspect, but i have no intention of harming you, " a devious smirk lifts the corners of crimson red lips, " we are far away from the confines of polite society. i see no reason why we cannot sit intimately in conversation. you can relax, " the last sentence is said with a certain gentleness, as she can sense the way this girl is fighting against her senses and everything in her bloodstream to remain on high alert. while lucy is trying to figure out whether this strange situation holds any potential benefit โ or blackmail โย to her, she has no intention of doing any harm.
" lucy, " she says, introducing herself by her name first โ rather than her purpose. she would rather savor these last few moments without the inevitable judgement that will surely come. and frankly, she is a lot more interesting than her reasons for being here, she thinks. " clementine paid me quite the sum to keep him company this evening, " she is not cheap, let it be known, " โ and if you were not anticipating my company, who are you ? betting for my room in a game of cards ? " she asks, tilting her head, " how did you get away with that ? " oh, lucy wants to know everything, not just the improbability of what the woman before her has accomplished, but why, the purpose of such things. lucy feels like there is something larger here at play, and she wants to be dealt in immediately.
OPEN STARTERย
Edward was obligated to be there, he was a Prince of England and his mother had pretty much demanded his presence, making it very clear that she was picking the Diamond of the season and that he should pay attention, and heed her recommendation. He was of the age where his parents and the Kingdom expected him to be wed, so he wasnโt at all surprised by his social calendar for the season, and the garden party was just the first of many.ย
As he was introduced by one of the other courtiers, he bowed his head politely at the people he had just been introduced to, playing his role when a Garden party full of eligible ladies of the Ton literally looking for their Princes approached him, giving him barely a momentโs peace.ย
Chuckling as he saw that someone else had evidently had the bright idea to hide deeper into the gardens, he just cleared his throat.ย โI dont believe weโve been introduced โโ he said, staying where he was and making his presence known by the other.ย
โ SHE USED TO LOVE THIS SORT OF THING. generally in her element at any banquet, ball or soiree, amelia felt like she was born to stand at the center of the room among the ton. she still puts on airs like that, gliding about the room with a certain confident authority, whether it's chatting with the other ladies or offering her dance card. she knows that there's no possible way that she can accept a betrothal this season, but it's entirely about appearances for her. if only it weren't so suffocating sometimes, having to pretend. she misses the intrigue of her first season, of feeling like she belonged.
when she turns her head over her shoulder to meet the eyes of whoever's approaching, it's difficult not to resent the prince before her a little bit. things must come so easy to him. at the very least, he is a man, able to make a destiny based on more than what he can offer as a dowry.
" no, i would expect not, " there's a light smile on amelia's lips. her family has plenty of money, but the marriage of a prince can unite and save nations. she is not of the rank to be worth his time or interest โย and there is a strange amount of comfort in that, for a change. " i apologize, your highness. i can โ well, i shall find somewhere else, " she says, walking toward him so that she can return to the path.
location: palace gardens โ the garden party.
with: @countenanced โ amelia.
as it stands to reason, his aunt and uncle would be much better off sinking their time and energy into finding a match for nadir's own cousins. yet he has been pointed to no small number of lords and ladies tonight alone, so it seems like he must accept the dull reality: that not even he, a foreign ship captain with no real grasp over london society, may be spared from the marriage market. how he wishes that his aunt and uncle know of the deal he had made with franscesca toussaint already.
well, no matter. a garden party is no worthy adversary for captain nadir gulse. surely being thrown to wolvesโthe horde of dancing partygoers, that isโcould prove to be great fun.
his feet land him in front of the lady amelia zhang, though he's certain that the shove or two from his aunt helped nadir find himself exactly where she wants him to be. he supposes that he could have done much worse than her, so he offers his hand. "forgive the intrusion, my lady," he drawls, not sounding the slightest bit sorry. "i may have found myself in a predicament that only you can solve by dancing with me. it's my aunt, you see. she is, of course, the loveliest lady, but ah," here, he pauses, leaning in to lower his voice. laughter threatens to bubble over his lips, but he presses on. "she can be quite forceful. i simply must dance with you, she says. surely you would not let me return to her without having earned this dance with you?"
โ SHE'S NOT AS GLITTERY AS SHE WAS A FEW SEASONS AGO, at least. there's still waves of nostalgia at a party such as this, ones where she can remember her first season, where everything seemed possible. then the second, where she felt miserable and confused, but somehow found herself even more desirable due to an infamous rejection. and unable to enjoy it. then the third, where the offers came from unserious suitors looking for a challenge more than a wife, or men seemingly below her station anyway. either way, she wouldn't have the luxury of accepting any of them. and now ? she has other things on her mind, namely scanning the crowd for wherever her eligible sister's run off to.
she does not expect to come face to face with a man. " oh ! " a breathless exclamation. her gloved hand gently takes his, curtsying daintily. " lord gulse. how lovely โ and unexpected to see you here. are you taking part in the season ? " amelia asks. when they were last introduced, he could not have seemed less interested in her, or anything regarding society. her eyes narrow slightly as his explanation comes together. her lips purse. " ah. so you mean to use me as a distraction for her, " she observes, feeling insulted. it's only her pride that keeps her from hiding her shame, that this will be her first dance tonight, and it's with someone who's made painstaking care to emphasize they have no interest in her.
there's a glance toward the dance floor and back at him. this could be mutually beneficial. she does need to offer her card a few times tonight, to be seen courting. and he clearly needs to do the same. amelia might privately prefer romance, but over the years she has become far more comfortable with business. she holds it out to him, " very well. one dance. but i think you'll owe me. "
Who: @countenanced
Where: palace gardens
William was bored. Not a surprise really. He had never particularly liked these types of events, lacking activities and distractions. It left him with little to do but fret. Fret that his cravat was out of place, his air not dignified enough. Most of all it made him fret that peoples eyes were on him. He could not silence that little voice which said they know. They know youโre not one of them. Little bastard boy who could never belong.
Will needed a distraction, and he was extremely pleased when one appeared.
โAh, Lady Zhang.โ There was mischief in his expression, a smile that could only mean trouble. โI am extremely pleased to see you in one piece. I have been watching the papers, fearful I will see news you have rampaged down a London street on the back of your steed. An Epona, leaving destruction in your wake!โ
โ SURREPTITIOUSLY, AMELIA HASN'T HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF belonging in many seasons. she pretends, though, for the sake of it, and she has an important role this season โย assisting her sister in finding a prosperous match. grace, who has nothing to hide, who can entertain courtships freely with the wealth of their family's riches to offer, and yet . . . seemingly has no desire to do so. there's only so long that amelia can keep up the charade before it starts to feel suffocating. it's hard not to feel trapped by the confines of duty and blood in a society that's designed to define women by only their parentage or matrimony. ( and amelia has neither. )
" captain charles, " there's a glower in her own greeting, though momentarily the stifling nature of the air is forgotten, replaced by something else. amelia forgets to curtsy. " there's no need to parade false concerns, especially ones so ridiculous. or did you choose not to call on me out of fear that i might show you up yet again ? " she asks.
" MIGHT YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ? " is the first thing to fly out of his mouth before he can think better of it, tone only vaguely sardonicโotherwise known as aydin's typical tongue. he's well aware that in london, there are more than enough places where he could win ( or lose ) at a game of cards, but the abruptness of his evening feels like a sign that he should quit while he's ahead. the last thing he needs is to senselessly lose more money ; it's how he got in this mess in the first place. dark eyes take the woman in once more, sizing her up. she's certainly not afraid to speak her mind. " i am. " aydin is never coy. " lord aydin demir of swansea. and you might be ? "
โ LUCY LAUGHS. " for an establishment that doesn't look like the hazard room ? " she remarks. " i might know a few, " her tongue traces the shape of her teeth for a bit, drawing out the sentiment. generally, she's just trying to see how desperate he'll look at the notion. " but they all tend to fall apart the same way by the end of the night, don't they ? " granted, she's probably sharing her opinion with the wrong gentleman, considering he's likely arrived with full pockets โ but that's never really stopped lucy before. and neither has a method in which to line her pockets, " i do know of a place with a better wager tonight, " she admits, testing whether it'll pique his interest. most men are like an extra appendage to her, useful if only for only the ways that she can extend her reach. " lucy chapman. of tower hamlets, " she retorts, a mocking air to her tone as she introduces her lack of title with the use of her borough of residence. it's clear she doesn't care much for his title. " what brings you to london, my lord ? "
*dips quill bitchily into the inkwell*
โIndeed,โ he could no longer contain his laughter โfailure and I are old friends. Very well acquainted. Weโd need to be. Lose the battle but win the war and all that.โ He met her gaze, posture straightening. โFailure has never scared me.โ
It is hard to keep a straight face as he watches her pull the reigns. Obviously skill evidently not enough the move a horse so stubborn (even William shudders at the idea of trying to tame it).
โOn second thought, I think I will stay.โ He settles, evidently willing to wait. โI am rather eager to watch such a master at work. I suspect watching you make your way back to the stables may beโฆ rather enlightening.โ Either sheโll prove him wrong, and idea he quite enjoys, or he will get to watch the horse bolt once more.
โ "THEN IT'S NO WONDER YOU APPROACHED ME with such confidence, captain, " is her brazen retort, refusing to let his amusement get to her โ at least outwardly. but she can't help the bodily betrayal in the way her cheeks burn at the horse's abject refusal to follow her instruction. amelia DOES know what she is doing, having been riding since she was a child, but she's flustered by the captain's attention and his arrogant demeanor, and surely the steed beneath her can sense that.
she looks forward, toward the green pastures and the fields that roll out in front of them. amelia takes a deep breath as the wind ruffles through her hair, trying to find certain serenity that's escaped her for as long as she's acknowledged the gaze of william charles. there are leaves that whip past her, the chirps of birds that permeate what is otherwise silence. her heart rate slows.
she gives the rein signal again, squeezes her legs together. the horse begins to move, and amelia's face lights up, a full, genuine smile, her first that day. she's a bit proud of herself for getting the horse to obey a command, she's nearly forgotten the captain's presence. it's only when the horse seems to gain a little speed and she's pulling back on the reigns does she turn back to meet william's expression. " are you coming ? or still observing ? "
place: the modiste. with: @countenanced
once, as a very small child, hero had found a book on la fรชte de rois, a day where any common man could be made king as long as he found a bean inside a cake. back then, the idea of becoming a king had captured her young mind in a simple way, crowns and jewels and pastries. but the story of that book came back to her often even in adulthood, when she selfishly wished that only her desires and nothing else mattered. thatโs exactly what she was thinking about as her brand new gown was being adjusted. โi do so wish you would come with me to the queenโs party.โ she said to lucy, a bit petulantly. โheaven knows all the ladies there will be stumbling all over themselves to catch a gentleman, and the gentlemen wouldnโt be worth talking to unless someone transformed their tongues into silver.โย
โ THE CORNER OF LUCY'S LIPS TURN UPWARD, a smile soft and full of endearment as she adjusts the bodice of hero's gown. she plucks the pin from where it's resting carefully between her teeth, gathering the skirts together with precision. " as much as i adore spending time with you, i cannot think of an occasion more dull โ and i'm afraid you are not making it a very tempting offer, " lucy adds, her voice taking on a teasing lilt. " besides, you will have suitors vying for your attention all evening. i doubt i would get a minute of your time, " she can't help but roll her eyes a little at this sentiment. it is easy to poke fun at the concept, but despite all of hero's stubbornness, she can't help but fear that one day the blonde will meet her match, and a silver-tongued gentleman will take her away, and there will be no time in hero's life for all of their usual dalliances. lucy has lost a lot of people in her life in a myriad of ways. as meaningful as her relationship is with hero, it is hard for her to believe it is something she will have forever, like trying to hold a butterfly in your hands. sometimes she fears she will crush it, trying to hold on too tight. so, she tries not to act like hero's attendance at the queen's party does not bother her. but it does. " is there no way you can miss it ? "
IT'S NOT LOST ON AYDIN, the weight of her eyes on him, however brief it may be. the lord can only assume she's admiring his good looks, since it's not exactly something he's not accustomed to. he may be new to town, but by now he's seen her enough around this establishment to allow his own eyes to linger, usually when she's wrapped up in a conversation with another lord, letting the man's hands touch her most improperly. no woman that's any prize to be won would find themselves amongst this crowd, let alone enough to know the gossip between the men. however, aydin's judging is cut short by a crash sounding in the other room, making him flinch. none of this means anything to himโmen being menโbut she finds it so funny that his lips press together, not sure if he should find it amusing or not. it's a little bit of both. " unfortunate, " he sighs, peeking through the crack as well before looking down at the redhead. " do you often frequent yourself among this crowd ? " aydin asks, as if he hasn't seen her here before.
โ LUCY SHUTS THE DOOR BEHIND HER FULLY, allowing the men inside to indulge in whatever drunken rampage that follows. there are pros and cons to this โ now, she may have the night to herself. but such a thing also means forgoing the paycheck that her plans would have entailed. " well, i am certain you can find another establishment to rid you of your finances, " lucy remarks, leaning back against the closed door. his question doesn't surprise or offend her. they've never been formally introduced, and to men with a certain measure of arrogance, the faces of women tend to blur together. " often enough to know i could walk away with the pot if i were allowed to play, " she says, not feeling the need to play coy about it. " but you're new. " and consequently, she hasn't figured out aydin's tell โ yet.
location: brothel, london
โฐ @countenancedโ.ย โฑโ
a pall of cigar smoke coils through the air like fog, strangling the light from the room. itโs a battle against her body to not press a gloved hand over her mouth and nose as it cloys her senses. the silhouettes of men are more whisplike through the vapor in their drunken stupor. their voices reverberate off the walls and echo in rissaโs skull. still, she pushes on through the haze until she spots the man she is after: john clementine, steward to the earl of liverpool. he is gambling with cards just as she was told he would be, face drawn into a scowl as he folds his current hand. itโs with good fortune that the seat directly across from him is open for her to slide into as she says, โhit me.โย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ๐โ ๐โ โ หโ ๐ฌโ หโ โ ๐โ ๐
the stairs creak beneath her feet, the hallway crooked and claustrophobic. or is it the world that is tipping? rissa canโt say, though an onlooker might have a clue from her swaying frame โ itโs that damned clementineโs fault for drinking her under the table. a shot of gin turned into a pint of beer and then the spirits overflowed with rum; it seemed the older man could drown in liquor and die happy for it, but rissa was never one to be outdone. and she had won, hadnโt she? tolerance to copious amounts of alcohol was not something she had prepared for, but gambling certainly was. it was over once she had him provoked enough to accept the challenge, his pride wounded and all his bettings herโs.ย
it is why she is standing in a seedy establishment at the top of the stairs, preparing to open a door. it reminds her of a story she read as a child; one where curious women opening doors led to nothing but bloodshed and gore. she finds her hand is on the knob anyways, turning it and pushing it to reveal a room with a woman. this one is not on a hook much to her relief. โoh,โ she hiccups, blinking rapidly. โplease tell me john clementine doesnโt have you trapped up here to await a gruesome fate. i am much too inebriated to handle such a responsibility as spiriting you away into the night.โ
โ AS MUCH AS LONDON HAS BECOME LUCY'S SAFE HAVEN it is also her cage. she has found ways to shape it to her liking, of course, small avenues that give her an advantage. she ingratiates herself to the seediest of lords that can benefit her, collects secrets that she hoards like keys to a forsaken kingdom. the redhead has a discerning eye, having seen much more of the world than polite society has with all of their naivety. but she is still not free. when her brother comes home reeking of whiskey and debts that she will have to work to make up for, she cannot hate him. she knows he is only trying to cope with their past ; and in her own way, so is she.
even if clementine isn't at her door tonight, there is always someone else, isn't there ? another way to fulfill her never-changing role in society. and yet, she cannot let go of silly pipe dreams. this woman before her has all of the naivety in her eyes that lucy is envious of, something she lost long before she had the ability to recognize it. maybe the brunette doesn't know it yet, but lucy can tell โ she doesn't belong here. " no. i'm not technically a prisoner, " her laughter is light, cascading from her like a waterfall โ but a cage is still a cage. a smile curls the edges of lucy's lips, and she beckons the other girl a little closer.
lucy reaches out to touch rissa, slowly enough to allow the girl to pull away if she chose. her hand attempts to curl around the brunette's chin, tilting her head slightly so that she can get a better, closer look at her. she's so pretty โ gentle, skin softer than any lucy has touched in some time. was she a lady ? what was she doing there without accompaniment ? " i must admit, you are not who i was expecting to see tonight, " her brow furrows slightly, dropping her hand. her grin turns slightly playful, " tell me, did you think you were coming to my rescue ? "
What response he expected, Will was not sure, the one he received, however, was an absolute delight.
If William did not know better, he would suspect she was responding in such a way to get a rise out of him. He had never been able to resist an opportunity to nettle someone. From winding up his younger brother cousin, to ribbing the other soldiers in his battalion, there was a cheek to Will that he had never been able to repress.
โYou must be careful - that sounds an awful lot like a challenge to me, and military men have never been able to resist a challenge, althoughโฆโ a brief pause as he considers every military man he knew who would be extremely eager to flee from a challenge, โperhaps that is just me.โ
He sat up straighter in his seat, as if preparing to take off with his horse โa pityโฆโ he said, his voice making it clear he was getting nothing but enjoyment from this situation, โbut I suppose the beast seems relatively under control for now, and once I am gone there will be no one to spook it. I shall simply have to assume you have made it home safely.โ
โ AMELIA'S EYES NARROW SLIGHTLY, not understanding the captain's interaction. a sort of shine in his eyes, lips twitch like he's barely containing a smile when she's been trying her damndest to put him off . . . it doesn't make any sense. and she hates that it makes her feel curious, the unexpected interest to peel back the layers and understand what exactly he finds so amusing. she is not generally the source of such things. " are you accostomed to failure then, captain ? " she asks, upping the ante โ if he says that he enjoys a challenge, then she will give him one. " if not, then you will be, " it's her turn to smile slightly โ a little of her own amusement, too, at the back and forth. at the very least, she likes feeling confident that she could prove someone else wrong.
though even with all the bravado that amelia can muster, there's no denying that she IS nervous about her current state. only too stubborn to do anything but deal with it, especially if the only other option is begging. if he's trying to call her bluff, he will soon learn she's far too stubborn.
" i suppose you shall, " she retorts with indignation, yanking the reins toward the direction of the barn. the horse seems to be nearly as indignant as she is, a sort of kindred spirit, incidentally. " after all, i wouldn't expect you to call on me like a gentleman. so it is good that you can be assured that i can take care of myself. "
