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Blue Buttons and Dreams: Part 1

Elnias had answered the door and ushered in the small seamstress with a bow and flourish of hand, “The Grand Dame is awaiting you in the parlor, Miss Sunspell.” The man led the way through what likely seemed to be a maze of elegantly outfitted rooms which were perfect down to the very last detail.

Naivaria had been escorted into Lady Devonshire's study by a man who was unfamiliar to her; that was to be expected, for no sooner had she been announced had the man departed, leaving her alone to face the intimidation that was Anatheliea Devonshire. The woman -was- intimidating, too; an icon, a legend, and here she was standing inside the woman's home, one hand at her collarbone to clutch the little half-cape that she perpetually wore a little tighter around herself as she looked around the room with wide eyes. As soon as her gaze fell upon the lady Devonshire, however, she immediately dipped into a deep curtsy. "My lady," she intoned politely, not quite sure that her quiet tone would carry through the room to the woman's ears.

Lady Devonshire was sitting perched upon the settee and leaning down to the small robotic thing with a most curious look upon her face. “Elnias, darling, how is it that you do this again? I’ve quite forgotten.” A button was held in her hand and there were at least a dozen other buttons scattered along the floor. Clearly she had not been entirely successful in this particular venture.

Her brows furrowed for a moment more and as she looked past Elnias and as Naivaria interjected, the look dissipated into a broad smile. The Lady rose with arms extended and stepped forth to embrace the young woman, “Oh… Naivaria. I have so been looking forward to our meeting.” Hands gently ran down the young lady’s arms as the elder woman inspected the fabric. “You do a fine job, girl. It has been literally years since I have seen someone with the potential which you possess. But do come in and our boy toy will find a pot of tea in this old house.”

Elnias chuckled and dipped his head, turning on heel. In truth, he was merely her assistant although he allowed the woman to keep appearances and say mildly inappropriate things from time to time because it amused them both.

Naivaria has been so busy ogling the hallways that she had not taken much interest in the man, to be truthful. To be in a house this fancy caused her breath to catch at odd moments during their labyrinthine walk to the lady's study.

Whatever she had been expecting, though, it had not been a mechanical device or a bunch of buttons... or, it seemed, an embrace from the woman. She very nearly flailed, not knowing if it was really appropriate to hug her back... but, ah, then the woman was running her hands down the sleeves of the heavier robe that she had chosen to travel in this evening, and complimenting her handiwork, and she simply couldn't help it--she smiled and bobbed her head, her cheeks taking on that faint tinge of pink that they frequently acquired when she became excited.

"Oh, I have been looking forward to meeting with you as well my lady," she said quietly, the half-cape's warmth forgotten for the moment. "And you are too kind. Yours are words I never expected to hear from one of your iconic status."

Anatheliea laughed softly as the young woman blushed and reached up to unclasp the small cloak. “Put it over on the chair, darling. And do tell me of yourself while we try to figure out this blasted button contraption.” The matron turned and sat before the little thing again, trying to extend the button and saying the word, “Blue.” The robot did not seem to be having it. “Push the golden button on the front, my Lady.” The deep voice came from the direction of the hall where Elnias stood with a tray that was ornate silver. A beautiful tea setting of china rested atop it over lace and a plate which was overrun with small pastries. The man crossed the room to a small table and set it down, turning back to them.

Elnias turned back a moment too late though and the robotic creature clipped out words as lights began to flash. “Buttons. Blue. Buttons.” Lady Devonshire looked positively shocked and sat back abruptly with a hand raised to cover her heart in disbelief. It had sucked up all of the buttons on the floor and was now spinning around in a circle! The clamoring got louder along with a whirl of gears grinding and then the head started to turn round and round. “BUTTONS. BLUE. BUTTONS.” This was not going to end well.

Elnias rushed to gather the women for cover behind the settee and then went back to conquer the beast, but as he did buttons began to fly out of its mouth and the sound of pinging in machine gun like staccato was heard. Buttons were everywhere, some of them denting the walls, some of them ripping through the glass on the front of a figurine cabinet and breaking several pieces, others yet assaulting that tea service as the thing spun full around in a circle.

Elnias had wisely ducked back to shield the ladies and after the the thing grew quiet looked them both over. “One moment.” Carefully he inspected the robot who was still spinning but had thankfully run out of ammunition. He picked it up and carried it from the room at arm’s length, “I suggest moving rooms, my Lady.”

Lady Devonshire, for all of the immense fear that had run through her for about a moment or two looked at Naivaria and then to Elnias, and promptly began to giggle. And then, she began to laugh, loudly. “Have you ever seen such a thing? Why. I haven’t had that much excitement around here since the time Stephan accidentally mistook a jar of menthol rub for lubrica--. Nevermind. Stephan was my late husband and the topic is inappropriate for a first meeting. Suffice it to say that I’m rather pleased with that button thing. It didn’t work as intended but have you ever seen such a thing?” Apparently, the Lady thought it was funny.

Naivaria didn’t need any more prompting than the ominous words being repeated from the little robot to dive behind the settee as soon as Elnias gestured for the ladies to bolster themselves behind the furniture. Her eyes rounded as she did so and the sounds of breaking glass and robot insanity suddenly filled the room. One of the buttons flew under the settee and caught her in the heel, and though she was wearing shoes and there was no actual injury involved, the surprise of sensation alone was enough to make her practically jump into Lady Devonshire’s arms.

And once the commotion had settled and Elnias had ventured bravely forth to vanquish the demon bot, Naivaria simply looked to the lady and her lips parted. no words came forth, though; she’d lost them in the sheer absurdity of the moment. And then Anatheliea was giggling, and she clapped a hand to her mouth to muffle her own fit of giggles, her eyes dancing around the room once the small robot had finally been removed.

Upon seeing the destruction and upon hearing the Lady Devonshire’s words she tried to get her chuckling under control, finally managing, “Oh… oh, my lady, I am so sorry. Your teapot—and your cabinet, oh dear—and the pastries! What a crime!”

It was in that exact moment, as the elder woman rose to her feet as regally as a queen that Anatheliea made a decision. She liked the girl, no, she positively adored her. Looking past where she was to the broken tea service with shoulders still trembling with laughter which hadn’t quite subsided, the woman tried to pull it together. “I was rather hoping that the pastries weren’t ruined but I am sure that cook has more. Come now dear, I do not want you stepping on a piece of glass and injuring yourself.”

To be continued...

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