Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
The autumn air was crisp and fresh, the trees putting on a dazzling display of oranges and reds. Loose leaves swirled about in the gentle breeze like skillful dancers and dreamy eyed Calliope watched with a faint smile, the content look on her face suggesting her mind was anyplace other than reality. Though she was quickly pulled back to reality when she heard someone call out to her. "Callie, come here this instant." the voice said, and Calliope blinked, sharply twisting around to see a chubby older woman beckoning her inside. She sighed, nodding and obediently she stepped inside the kitchen of a lavish estate. "Go on, get back to work. The Master and his wife are throwing that big ole party tonight and we've still got lots of work to get done." the older woman said, and Calliope merely nodded her head as she got back to cooking and tending to the mountain of baked goods she'd been baking since the early morning. Some would call her a dedicated employee, though that wasn't entirely the situation. She wasn't exactly an employee by conventional means, she was more like household property, no more valuable than a common kitchen appliance and she had been all her life. She sighed, and quietly she hummed as she stirred this batch of cake batter and checked on the tarts. Her soft hum filled the kitchen with a delightful melody, subtly taking off the edge off the stress all the other kitchen maids had.
The world Calliope knew was full of cooking and cleaning and knowing her place. Though she often stole away in the massive library of the homes, hiding away in the dusty stacks of books reading about a world so long ago. Reading, something an older slave had taught her in secret despite the threat of punishment. She cherished that gift, and used it to take a glimpse back into a world she wished for. She'd read of a time when people weren't enslaved, where such things were illegal and frowned upon after people fought against it. She read about man landing on the moon and other things that left her rather awestruck. The society she learned about wasn't like the one she lived in now. Now people were born into a position that they couldn't change. You were either born affluent or poor, as a lord or as a laborer or slave. There was no breaking that system it seemed, those who were below stayed that way and the wealthy never fell too far from their positions if at all. She longed for the time when people rose to greatness depending upon how hard they worked, something she knew she would never witness within her lifetime. Though she'd spent hours combing over the books in the library, she found chunks of time missing in texts, and with as much information as she could find she pieced together that massive wars and disasters had shattered the past society she longed for. Her society was what replaced it, and Calliope hated it.
Several hours had passed and soon all the party preparations were completed, all the food had been made and the massive ballroom had been adorned with decorations and tables of food. "So what's this party for anyways?" Calliope asked one of the other women in the kitchen who simply shrugged her shoulders. Calliope sighed, shrugging her shoulders as well. She assumed it was for a birthday considering the surplus of cakes she'd been told to make, but she wasn't certain and she didn't care that much. Well at least she pretended not to, though she had plans to find out for herself. Sometime after the party started and all the other slaves were either busying themselves with cleaning or relaxing with the little free time they had, Calliope was slipping into formal attire she borrowed. She'd gotten the gown from a slave from a different household, it was beautiful and had been discarded in the trash for some unknown reason. It was perfect and was by far the most beautiful piece of clothing Calliope had ever seen. And soon she was slipping on an elegant mask, and tip toeing her way into a party that was already in full swing. And the moment she stepped inside, she was awestruck by the people and music. No sooner had she stepped into the room did she immediately regret her actions, if she was caught there was no telling what exactly would become of her. Though in vain she doubted she'd be caught, she didn't think the Masters of the household even knew her name let alone could place her as one of their slaves.
The world Calliope knew was full of cooking and cleaning and knowing her place. Though she often stole away in the massive library of the homes, hiding away in the dusty stacks of books reading about a world so long ago. Reading, something an older slave had taught her in secret despite the threat of punishment. She cherished that gift, and used it to take a glimpse back into a world she wished for. She'd read of a time when people weren't enslaved, where such things were illegal and frowned upon after people fought against it. She read about man landing on the moon and other things that left her rather awestruck. The society she learned about wasn't like the one she lived in now. Now people were born into a position that they couldn't change. You were either born affluent or poor, as a lord or as a laborer or slave. There was no breaking that system it seemed, those who were below stayed that way and the wealthy never fell too far from their positions if at all. She longed for the time when people rose to greatness depending upon how hard they worked, something she knew she would never witness within her lifetime. Though she'd spent hours combing over the books in the library, she found chunks of time missing in texts, and with as much information as she could find she pieced together that massive wars and disasters had shattered the past society she longed for. Her society was what replaced it, and Calliope hated it.
Several hours had passed and soon all the party preparations were completed, all the food had been made and the massive ballroom had been adorned with decorations and tables of food. "So what's this party for anyways?" Calliope asked one of the other women in the kitchen who simply shrugged her shoulders. Calliope sighed, shrugging her shoulders as well. She assumed it was for a birthday considering the surplus of cakes she'd been told to make, but she wasn't certain and she didn't care that much. Well at least she pretended not to, though she had plans to find out for herself. Sometime after the party started and all the other slaves were either busying themselves with cleaning or relaxing with the little free time they had, Calliope was slipping into formal attire she borrowed. She'd gotten the gown from a slave from a different household, it was beautiful and had been discarded in the trash for some unknown reason. It was perfect and was by far the most beautiful piece of clothing Calliope had ever seen. And soon she was slipping on an elegant mask, and tip toeing her way into a party that was already in full swing. And the moment she stepped inside, she was awestruck by the people and music. No sooner had she stepped into the room did she immediately regret her actions, if she was caught there was no telling what exactly would become of her. Though in vain she doubted she'd be caught, she didn't think the Masters of the household even knew her name let alone could place her as one of their slaves.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
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400
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500
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300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William, or Will as he was known by his good friends though he didn't have many of them, was the eldest son of the Blackheart family. They were one of the founder families of the new world, or so the history books now said. Their world had been destroyed by wars, pollution and mainly greed. Things were more simple now. Every family had their eternal status. All the lands were divided equally. There was no wars over land anymore. Farming was done on small scales per land. Families like the Blackhearts were the owners of a set amount of land and took care of the men in women beneath them that lived in that land. It was supposed to be the perfect system.
Somewhere along the line they started to revert back to ancient ways of slaves and servants. It just seemed right. It started out as a punishment system for order but then if those under punishment slavery had children, their children became slaves as well where now in these days it wasn't a punishment but a status. It was the lowest of status actually. It was their way of life and there was no escaping it. Most slaves had a certain amount of rights and if they believe they are mistreated, in theory, they could go to the authorities and file a complaint, not that anyone ever did that.
The law enforcement was different. Without weapons things were done differently. Punishments were more harsh. Usually hard labor or death. There wasn't much less and no one was an exception to this. Even the 'royalty' were put to death if they disobeyed a set law. The only thing higher than the royalty that controlled the lands was a council that consisted of one ambassador from each of the lands set up on an island that wasn't influenced by any other land. They set the laws. Each ambassador had their own set of workers beneath them that made sure their laws were being carried out. Thus the judicial system was always intact.
Willam's birthday was today in which he turned 24. He was to be named the heir. He had always been the heir, being the eldest and all, but it was a ceremony saying that he was qualified. All he had done was what was expected of him as the next overseer of the lands. He didn't want this position. He never did, but it was his place. His younger brothers and sisters would be his responsibility now in finding them proper places amongst the lands. They would all be put as overseers of farms, textiles and other such businesses in which he would have to oversee them. It was a brutally boring process.
He had gotten in his best dress clothes, put on his peacock mask and behaved appropriately. The ballroom was filled with superficial people who all in one way or another had attachments to his family. Most of the people he did not even know who they were without their masks. Now it was just impossible. He danced awhile to show he was having a 'good' time then he seemed to disappear. He was tired of all the girls who were trying to get him to court them. He was not interested in marriage. He felt he was still young and that was just too much responsibility for him.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
Calliope moved along the outskirts of the grand party, and though she hated to admit it, she was so awestruck by it all. Never in her entire life, all twenty one years of it, had she seen something so grandiose. Ladies in ball gowns with thousands of small details, elaborate hair, accompanied by elegant eye masks. They flirted and batted their eyelashes at men dressed to the nines. As she observed the crowded ballroom, Calliope had the sudden sharp realization she didn't belong and would never belong. Had someone been able to place her for a slave, a kitchen maid no less, she would have been cast out immediately and punished, though even she wasn't sure to what extreme. Since she was a child in the household she'd made a point to stay invisible, to avoid trouble at all costs. But now she had flung herself into it with such force that she wasn't even sure what had provoked her to do such a thing.
As far back as Calliope could recall she'd always been a part of this household. Her mother had been a slave, her father as well. But the pair had long since passed away, they'd been sent into town for errands and an accident ended both their lives when Calliope was only six. In one sense she was lucky to have been born in her position, at least she wasn't alone, the other slaves took care of her and didn't allow her to be forgotten. Though she'd always been generally well behaved, she'd only ever gotten herself into "trouble" once before with the Lady of the house. She'd recently had a baby, and while Calliope was attending to picking up the playroom across from the nursery. She was still too young for any real work, so she did simple tasks like picking up the toys in the playroom or sweeping small sections of the home, or her favorite task, beating out the rugs with a tennis racket. But across the hall she'd heard the baby crying, and worried she entered the room though she'd been told many times not to. Too small to reach over the crib and console the child, Calliope plopped down on the floor beside it and quietly sang a lullaby to sooth the crying infant. A some point while she'd been there, one of the older children had come in and then ran off to get his mother. Panicked, Calliope didn't know what else to do. She didn't want to leave the crying infant, but she didn't want to be in trouble either. So she stayed, and when the Lady of the house stepped in she froze. Though the encounter wasn't what Calliope expected, the Lady simply lifted the infant and sat down in a rocking chair, beckoning Calliope over. She reminded the girl that the children weren't allowed to be in the nursery, and if she heard crying that she was to find the Lady. Apologizing, Calliope went to leave, but was told to stay and asked to finish her little lullaby for the baby. That was the only time Calliope could remember ever having been so terrified, at least up until the current moment.
Calliope's memories of the house weren't dreadful, most of the time she figured the family had forgotten of her existence. She never played with the children of the family, save one time she'd been asked. She'd only ever seen the Master of the house in passing, and she doubted if the man even knew her name. Even the Lady whom she rarely ever saw didn't seem to remember her, or at least acknowledge her. But Calliope was used to being forgotten, ignored. She knew her place, she was property and at the end of the day she that she was no more important than a lamp or piece of furniture. She was born in the household and her death would be in the household, forever a worker and forgotten about.
Sighing, Calliope moved through the party, her hazel eyes drifting over the masked faces. Despite the air of mystery in the room, she could pluck out specific people without a problem. Many years of encountering or seeing the same people granted her that effect, though for the most part the only half hidden faces she remembered were those of the household family. And she froze as her eyes landed upon William, she could tell it was him. She panicked inside for a moment, though it faded quickly. He'd never remember her, in fact she couldn't recall a time when he's spoken more than a few words to her. It was usually something to the effect of a request for tea or a snack, which she obeyed without question.
Shaking her head some, she turned and decided to make her way out. She'd seen enough, too much actually. Though she was in awe at the beauty of it all, it also made her stomach turn and twist. She couldn't understand how or why these people could go about their lives as though everything was fine and perfect. Part of her hated them for it, for the fact she was deemed unworthy of them at birth before she could even speak. But another part of her was furiously jealous, she had nothing when they seemed to have everything. She had virtually nothing except for a very small amount of clothing and one piece of jewelry that had belonged to her mother, a locket that hung around her neck at all times. But they had everything, too much, Calliope decided. The dress she wore had been something someone cast into garbage, even though it was a perfectly fine gown with no issues. It was the most exquisite thing that Calliope would ever have on, and she knew it. "Pardon me," she said, slipping through a group of people to make her way for the door. Her voice was singsong despite the irritation she felt.
As far back as Calliope could recall she'd always been a part of this household. Her mother had been a slave, her father as well. But the pair had long since passed away, they'd been sent into town for errands and an accident ended both their lives when Calliope was only six. In one sense she was lucky to have been born in her position, at least she wasn't alone, the other slaves took care of her and didn't allow her to be forgotten. Though she'd always been generally well behaved, she'd only ever gotten herself into "trouble" once before with the Lady of the house. She'd recently had a baby, and while Calliope was attending to picking up the playroom across from the nursery. She was still too young for any real work, so she did simple tasks like picking up the toys in the playroom or sweeping small sections of the home, or her favorite task, beating out the rugs with a tennis racket. But across the hall she'd heard the baby crying, and worried she entered the room though she'd been told many times not to. Too small to reach over the crib and console the child, Calliope plopped down on the floor beside it and quietly sang a lullaby to sooth the crying infant. A some point while she'd been there, one of the older children had come in and then ran off to get his mother. Panicked, Calliope didn't know what else to do. She didn't want to leave the crying infant, but she didn't want to be in trouble either. So she stayed, and when the Lady of the house stepped in she froze. Though the encounter wasn't what Calliope expected, the Lady simply lifted the infant and sat down in a rocking chair, beckoning Calliope over. She reminded the girl that the children weren't allowed to be in the nursery, and if she heard crying that she was to find the Lady. Apologizing, Calliope went to leave, but was told to stay and asked to finish her little lullaby for the baby. That was the only time Calliope could remember ever having been so terrified, at least up until the current moment.
Calliope's memories of the house weren't dreadful, most of the time she figured the family had forgotten of her existence. She never played with the children of the family, save one time she'd been asked. She'd only ever seen the Master of the house in passing, and she doubted if the man even knew her name. Even the Lady whom she rarely ever saw didn't seem to remember her, or at least acknowledge her. But Calliope was used to being forgotten, ignored. She knew her place, she was property and at the end of the day she that she was no more important than a lamp or piece of furniture. She was born in the household and her death would be in the household, forever a worker and forgotten about.
Sighing, Calliope moved through the party, her hazel eyes drifting over the masked faces. Despite the air of mystery in the room, she could pluck out specific people without a problem. Many years of encountering or seeing the same people granted her that effect, though for the most part the only half hidden faces she remembered were those of the household family. And she froze as her eyes landed upon William, she could tell it was him. She panicked inside for a moment, though it faded quickly. He'd never remember her, in fact she couldn't recall a time when he's spoken more than a few words to her. It was usually something to the effect of a request for tea or a snack, which she obeyed without question.
Shaking her head some, she turned and decided to make her way out. She'd seen enough, too much actually. Though she was in awe at the beauty of it all, it also made her stomach turn and twist. She couldn't understand how or why these people could go about their lives as though everything was fine and perfect. Part of her hated them for it, for the fact she was deemed unworthy of them at birth before she could even speak. But another part of her was furiously jealous, she had nothing when they seemed to have everything. She had virtually nothing except for a very small amount of clothing and one piece of jewelry that had belonged to her mother, a locket that hung around her neck at all times. But they had everything, too much, Calliope decided. The dress she wore had been something someone cast into garbage, even though it was a perfectly fine gown with no issues. It was the most exquisite thing that Calliope would ever have on, and she knew it. "Pardon me," she said, slipping through a group of people to make her way for the door. Her voice was singsong despite the irritation she felt.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
-
400
-
500
-
300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William had tried thinking of a way to escape for a time being. He didn't like a lot of attention unlike his father and mother. He wanted to sit in the library and read or go out for a ride on his horse and hunt, not that that was allowed. Yet another law for all, no hunting. The only meat that they could eat had to be from a farm. Free range was protected by the strictest of laws. He had always been interested in being able to use physical skills though like archery or sword fighting. They couldn't do those by law though since they were war abilities which was forbidden. Things like this ball was a complete bore to him. He just wanted to get away but that would be improper.
He had seen mask after mask after mask of women trying to get his attention and it was getting to him so during a change in music he slipped out of the ballroom through the double doors that led to the gardens. He took a deep breath as it seemed no one noticed nor followed him. He leaned on the banister that encircled the marble landing. He took his mask off and got fresh air into his lungs. The outdoors were so much nicer than being stuck inside all day which was the fate he was facing as the new heir. Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.
He had spent many hours thinking about what it would be like to be a laborer. To be one of the men that worked in the fields all day. He was sure it was tough work but growing up around that probably made it easier. He thought of all the free time they might have to just swim in the lakes and ponds. He never seemed to have that kind of time as he was learning how to take care of the land. He was always inside. At least when he could take breaks he could read of the wonderful things like the histories of the land and before.
The Black Era was the one thing he truly loved reading about though it wasn't all clear since a lot of it wasn't recorded. Mostly letters and diaries during the time between eras. It was constantly referred to as the Apocalypse or Revelations and even The End of Times. He wondered just how did they think the system they had now would work. Sure it hasn't been messed with in all these many years, quite a few generations worth, but it wasn't perfect by far. It wasn't equal. He actually hated having slaves like they did. He rather servants who got paid, had their own living quarters and such. People who wanted to work for them not forced to by threat of death.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
Calliope moved through the throngs of people, she felt the desire to run, but kept it in check. She didn't need to bring any unwanted attention to herself, she was already in over her head as it was. Finally she made her way out of the ballroom, though people filtered through the main hall as well. She was stopped a time or two to chat, but was able to slip away without much of a problem. She had nothing in common with these people, at least nothing she could have a conversation about. The women annoyed her especially, they might have been more educated, but Calliope still felt more intelligent. She didn't have their advantages, but she was quick on her feet and was grateful for the knowledge and skills she had, not allowing them to go to waste.
It seemed as though escaping the party was impossible, there were guests wherever she turned. She desperately wanted to get away from them, to get out of the dress and to retire back to the slaves quarters and curl up on her bed to drift off to sleep. She'd always dreamt about how the other half lived, and found herself disliking them more and more. Finally she ducked into the kitchen which was thankfully free of people. Though she was alone, she still felt as though she wasn't far enough away from it all. She moved to the kitchen doors, peering outside. The coast looked clear, and she stepped out into the cool night air.
She sighed, stepping down the small steps onto a stone terrace that ran parallel to the gardens. Reached down she hiked up the skirts of her dress, and made her way down the terrace steps and into the garden walking below the marble landing. She was muttering to herself in that perpetually sing song tone of hers. She was cursing the party and the people under her breath, unaware that just above her was the man who would essentially become her new owner in the near future. With her skirts still hike up, Calliope stormed over to the edge of the magnificent fountain. She plopped herself down on the edge of it, arms folded across her chest as she stared up into the night sky with her back to the party. She could faintly hear the music pouring from ballroom, and though she used to press her ear to the kitchen door to hear it during every other party, this time she wished it would stop. "Spoiled fools, the lot of them--" she muttered softly, though deep down the jealousy was what angered her.
Her thoughts drifted back to all that she'd read about the past, or at least what information that had been available or saved. She longed for a world where she could rise or fall based on how hard she worked instead of the family she'd been born to. She wanted recognition for the things she did, like how she'd literally slaved away over hot ovens for hours to prepare the cakes and sweets that would be thoughtlessly gobbled up at that party. Calliope wasn't thanked for how hard she worked, her only reward for it was the roof over her head and a few other things. Other slaves called her selfish and childish for asking for more, but they'd grown used to this life, where as Calliope was bitter and resentful. She did a fairly decent job hiding it, but her frustrations were starting to pool over and she could no longer hide her disappointment in the world.
It seemed as though escaping the party was impossible, there were guests wherever she turned. She desperately wanted to get away from them, to get out of the dress and to retire back to the slaves quarters and curl up on her bed to drift off to sleep. She'd always dreamt about how the other half lived, and found herself disliking them more and more. Finally she ducked into the kitchen which was thankfully free of people. Though she was alone, she still felt as though she wasn't far enough away from it all. She moved to the kitchen doors, peering outside. The coast looked clear, and she stepped out into the cool night air.
She sighed, stepping down the small steps onto a stone terrace that ran parallel to the gardens. Reached down she hiked up the skirts of her dress, and made her way down the terrace steps and into the garden walking below the marble landing. She was muttering to herself in that perpetually sing song tone of hers. She was cursing the party and the people under her breath, unaware that just above her was the man who would essentially become her new owner in the near future. With her skirts still hike up, Calliope stormed over to the edge of the magnificent fountain. She plopped herself down on the edge of it, arms folded across her chest as she stared up into the night sky with her back to the party. She could faintly hear the music pouring from ballroom, and though she used to press her ear to the kitchen door to hear it during every other party, this time she wished it would stop. "Spoiled fools, the lot of them--" she muttered softly, though deep down the jealousy was what angered her.
Her thoughts drifted back to all that she'd read about the past, or at least what information that had been available or saved. She longed for a world where she could rise or fall based on how hard she worked instead of the family she'd been born to. She wanted recognition for the things she did, like how she'd literally slaved away over hot ovens for hours to prepare the cakes and sweets that would be thoughtlessly gobbled up at that party. Calliope wasn't thanked for how hard she worked, her only reward for it was the roof over her head and a few other things. Other slaves called her selfish and childish for asking for more, but they'd grown used to this life, where as Calliope was bitter and resentful. She did a fairly decent job hiding it, but her frustrations were starting to pool over and she could no longer hide her disappointment in the world.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
-
400
-
500
-
300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William had been looking at the sky when he saw a figure of a woman come through the gardens. He couldn't hear her but he was sure she was talking to herself. He watched for a bit not sure if he wanted to go up to her. It was non of his business why this lady had gone to the gardens in a huff, but he couldn't stop watching her way as she sat with her back turned to him at the fountain. He sighed as something inside him told him he might as well go see what the problem was. He figured he might be able to help her, if not at least it showed he was a caring soon to be Master of the house.
He went back inside just to grab a plate of cakes and two glasses of wine. He would at least try to comfort the lady with food. He wasn't a ladies man in the least so he wasn't sure how he was supposed to deal with her but at least he would try. He was stopped a couple of times to talk since he didn't have his mask on but he didn't mind. He excused himself as quick as he could and sorta hoped the lady was still in the gardens. He went back outside and saw her still at the fountain.
He carefully and quietly made his way down the steps and to the fountain. "Mind if I sit beside you?" He set the plate down and offered her a glass of wine. "Do you want to partake in some wine with me? On a night like this it really is refreshing." He wasn't sure if he was being normal or just awkward. He wasn't like his younger brothers who always had women on their arms. He hadn't had time for such nonsense. Now he wished he had just so talking to this girl wouldn't feel so strange.
He sat down and took a deep breath as he looked towards the moon. He didn't want an awkward silence so he just started talking without thinking. "I read once that a long time ago, before the Black Era, that men actually went to the moon. They built some type of machine that flew them their like really fast birds. They said that it was the new frontier or something but I guess they didn't really get to do much their since that point." He put his glass of wine down, "I'm sorry. I am so rude. I'm William Blackheart." He didn't know who she was but he was sure even before he said his name that she knew who he was.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
Calliope sat, arms folded across her chest with her vision cast up at the sky. It was a clear night, the clouds parted and a blanket of stars dotted the ink black night. The moon was swollen and bright casting a beautiful glow over the grounds, it was picturesque but it felt unsettling. As she sat, lost in her own thoughts, Calliope sighed. She was less angry now, after watching the night sky. Though her attention quickly snapped from the sky to a voice that had pulled her from her thoughts. Her vision shifted from the sky to a face she found familiar, and her hazel eyes widened. It was William, and her vision trailed from his gaze to the glass he held out to her. She should have declined, pushed herself up from her seat and vanished into the house and back to her quarters. But she didn't, instead Calliope swallowed hard and lifted her hand to accept the glass, her fingertips brushing his as she accepted it. "Thank you," she said, a warm smile spreading across her lips and with her other hand she gestured to the spot beside her. She watched as he sat down beside her, and with some hesitation she took a sip from the glass. She'd never had wine before, the smell was sweet and so was the taste. Taking a few long sips she set it down, a little warmth spreading through her cheeks.
Almost out of instinct she straightened up her posture, sitting beside him she felt more inadequate than before. Calliope might have been dressed like a lady, but she certainly wasn't one. But she needed to play the part, despite how foreign of a role it really was. For a few moments the silence seemed unbearable, that is until William spoke up. A small smile spreading across her lips. "It was called Apollo. Uh, eleven I believe--" She said, turning her head to look at him. A small smile on her lips, as her eyes searched his features. He'd always been handsome, more so than his brothers ever were. The faint blush on her cheeks burned a little hotter thankfully it was easy to assume it was the little bit of wine that caused it.
As he introduced himself, Calliope swallowed hard. "I know who you are," she said softly, nodding her head and letting out a very soft laugh. "I'm--" she started, though she came to a stop. Could she give him her real name? What if he made the connection? She doubted that he would, if only because most of the household referred to her as Callie, even though she hated it. "Calliope," she said, a nervous hesitation in her voice as she offered him her name. "Shouldn't you be inside entertaining guests?" she asked, curious to know why someone of his station wasn't inside enjoying the laughter and music of party but instead outside sitting beside a slave girl playing dress up.
Almost out of instinct she straightened up her posture, sitting beside him she felt more inadequate than before. Calliope might have been dressed like a lady, but she certainly wasn't one. But she needed to play the part, despite how foreign of a role it really was. For a few moments the silence seemed unbearable, that is until William spoke up. A small smile spreading across her lips. "It was called Apollo. Uh, eleven I believe--" She said, turning her head to look at him. A small smile on her lips, as her eyes searched his features. He'd always been handsome, more so than his brothers ever were. The faint blush on her cheeks burned a little hotter thankfully it was easy to assume it was the little bit of wine that caused it.
As he introduced himself, Calliope swallowed hard. "I know who you are," she said softly, nodding her head and letting out a very soft laugh. "I'm--" she started, though she came to a stop. Could she give him her real name? What if he made the connection? She doubted that he would, if only because most of the household referred to her as Callie, even though she hated it. "Calliope," she said, a nervous hesitation in her voice as she offered him her name. "Shouldn't you be inside entertaining guests?" she asked, curious to know why someone of his station wasn't inside enjoying the laughter and music of party but instead outside sitting beside a slave girl playing dress up.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
-
400
-
500
-
300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William was waiting for the girl to flirt with him or look at him in awe of his 'wonder' like every other one but she didn't. She seemed quite normal. In fact she seemed actually intelligent. She knew of the journey to the moon. It was nice to talk history and other such things instead of how beautiful the drapes are and how expensive their newest endeavor was. He didn't care about all of that.
He gave this mysterious girl a good look after she told him her name. He had never heard such a name and it was so unique and yet beautiful. He leaned back as he put a hand through his hair. "I suppose I should be in there, but they don't need me to entertain them. They have their dances and wine. I have been seen and said the few words necessary." He didn't know why he was talking to this strange girl like he was but she had asked so he was being honest. He always strive to be honest even if it hurt him later on.
"I don't really enjoy such gatherings. I didn't even want this party. I was fine with a simple notice being sent out to everyone about be being the 'official' heir and that be that." He took a deep breath and stretched his arms for a moment. Then he looked to her her, "What about you? Are you going to let that beautiful gown go to waist by having no one see it?"
He picked up a small cake and took a bite. "I will say our servants do make the best cakes. Here try some." He never called the slaves, slaves. He always called them servants in hopes that they could rise one day to at least that. He didn't want to go back inside. He liked sitting out here. It wasn't so noisy or crowded.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
"Well they still are your guests," Calliope said with a shrug of her shoulders, though she didn't want to admit it, she found herself vaguely impressed with his attitude about it. While she'd been roaming the party she'd overheard what it was for, and she couldn't understand why a party was needed for something like that. She knew it wasn't any one in the family's birthday, or at least as far as she could recall. But as she listened to him explain what he would have preferred she smiled. "How modest of you," she said with a gentle chuckle, though she was poking fun at everyone else who seemed to thrive on the parties and the lavishness of it all. Though once he shifted the conversation to her, she fell silent, unsure of what to say.
After a moment or two she shrugged her shoulders. "Let me put it this way, I have no one I wish to impress or approval I need to gain." Calliope offered, though to be truthful she did technically need approval to do things, well certain things at least. Attending this ball and being dressed above her station was definitely something that would have never been approved. But as she sat beside William, she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all. He assumed her to be close to his station, but she didn't blame him. She was dressed to play the part, though the girl behind the mask wasn't at all who he thought her to be. Calliope was tempting fate the longer she sat beside him and talked to him. A small part of her wanted to remove her mask to test him, to see if he could place her as a slave in his household. Though he seemed far more kind than she expected, she had to take into consideration the fact she wasn't in her normal clothes. For all she knew he could have been the meanest one in the household, though for some reason she doubted it. Despite the fact she grew up in the house with him, Calliope never got to know the family, always being told it was in her best interest to stay out of sight.
However Calliope returned her vision to him once he spoke up again. Her heart sank in her chest a little as she listened to him and watched him take a small bite of a cake, something she'd spent all day doing. It was nice to hear the praise she'd missed out on for years, she resented it when he called her a servant, or referred to them as such. In Calliope's mind, servants were paid and willingly did the work in exchange for money or other goods. She was a slave, trying to cover it up made it sting a little more. Slave was practically a dirty word, but it was the truth, that's what she was. At first she declined trying the cake, truthfully she'd never really tasted them before except on a few occasions when she used a new recipe. But the small grumble in the pit of her belly encouraged her otherwise. Taking a small piece, she bit into it. It was delightful and sweet, and she felt some genuine pride in herself for it. Maybe one day she'd own a bakery, and instead of being required to slave away she'd do it because it made her happy and provided her with income that she earned. But that was just a pipe dream, if there were to be changed made to the system she would probably be in her dotage before she saw it.
"Servants? You pay them?" Calliope said, the words rolling off her tongue before she had the chance to stop them. She bit down hard on her tongue, wishing she could reach out into the air and snatch her words back. She was inviting more trouble to come forth, but she couldn't deny how badly she wanted to know how she felt about the situation. Did he call them servants because he was in denial? Or maybe he was just arrogant. No it couldn't be the last one, he didn't have that look about him.
After a moment or two she shrugged her shoulders. "Let me put it this way, I have no one I wish to impress or approval I need to gain." Calliope offered, though to be truthful she did technically need approval to do things, well certain things at least. Attending this ball and being dressed above her station was definitely something that would have never been approved. But as she sat beside William, she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all. He assumed her to be close to his station, but she didn't blame him. She was dressed to play the part, though the girl behind the mask wasn't at all who he thought her to be. Calliope was tempting fate the longer she sat beside him and talked to him. A small part of her wanted to remove her mask to test him, to see if he could place her as a slave in his household. Though he seemed far more kind than she expected, she had to take into consideration the fact she wasn't in her normal clothes. For all she knew he could have been the meanest one in the household, though for some reason she doubted it. Despite the fact she grew up in the house with him, Calliope never got to know the family, always being told it was in her best interest to stay out of sight.
However Calliope returned her vision to him once he spoke up again. Her heart sank in her chest a little as she listened to him and watched him take a small bite of a cake, something she'd spent all day doing. It was nice to hear the praise she'd missed out on for years, she resented it when he called her a servant, or referred to them as such. In Calliope's mind, servants were paid and willingly did the work in exchange for money or other goods. She was a slave, trying to cover it up made it sting a little more. Slave was practically a dirty word, but it was the truth, that's what she was. At first she declined trying the cake, truthfully she'd never really tasted them before except on a few occasions when she used a new recipe. But the small grumble in the pit of her belly encouraged her otherwise. Taking a small piece, she bit into it. It was delightful and sweet, and she felt some genuine pride in herself for it. Maybe one day she'd own a bakery, and instead of being required to slave away she'd do it because it made her happy and provided her with income that she earned. But that was just a pipe dream, if there were to be changed made to the system she would probably be in her dotage before she saw it.
"Servants? You pay them?" Calliope said, the words rolling off her tongue before she had the chance to stop them. She bit down hard on her tongue, wishing she could reach out into the air and snatch her words back. She was inviting more trouble to come forth, but she couldn't deny how badly she wanted to know how she felt about the situation. Did he call them servants because he was in denial? Or maybe he was just arrogant. No it couldn't be the last one, he didn't have that look about him.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
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400
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500
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300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William rolled his eyes though he hoped she didn't see. They weren't his guests. His parents had invited everyone. He wanted them all to go away and leave him in peace. He sighed, "It isn't modesty, I just don't like doing unnecessary things. This doesn't make me a better leader or heir or person. It just wastes a lot of resources." It was one of the reasons his brothers and sisters called him a Scrooge. He didn't like waste. Now he wasn't perfect and there were things he did that was wasteful but he tried not to be.
William was very different from his siblings. He was more serious and at times had more of a temper than them. He said it was because he had to be more responsible than them and he cared more though that was a bit unfair because it made it sound like they didn't care which wasn't the case. He would get angry more often than they were which was one of his biggest vices. He was like fire as his mother always said. She was always saying that he needed a good girl who was like water to cool him off. He didn't know much about that but he at least didn't take it out on anyone physically. A few harsh words but that was about it.
When Calliope asked if he paid them he sighed heavily. Of course a lady like her probably relished in the idea of having slaves. He felt more shame. Humans should be treated like humans, not less than though that is what happened with slaves. "No, we don't. Well, we have a select few servants, but mostly we have slaves." He stood up, "I know to you it should seem like such a bad thing to say but honestly I hate having slaves." He looked around and then said, "I should probably head back inside. Do enjoy yourself at the party."
He hated the subject of slaves verses servants and really didn't feel like getting into it. He walked away going back up the steps. He knew just then he was a bit of a jerk but he was just tired of everything. He got to the top step when he slipped on some liquid and had him crashing all the way down the steps.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
A small smile crept across Calliope's lips at his words. It hadn't exactly been the response she'd been expecting, it was far better. He seemed practical and she respected that, especially after how disgusted she felt by the opulence of party. It was too far over the top for her, and to hear him share her sentiments, if only in a sense, made her like him far more. "I see," was all she offered by way of a response, a smile still on her lips as she gave him a side glance.
Though her attention drifted to the question she'd blurted out to him carelessly. But this answer was one she'd been very much taken aback by. Both by his statement and the assumption that she thought it to be a bad thing. The irony was lost on him that the woman he'd be conversing with was none other than a slave belonging to his family. Part of her wanted to burst out into laughter at it, though she didn't need her cover to be blown. Though he seemed to be against owning slaves, she wondered how he'd react to one stepping out of place like she had and in fact speaking to him in such a manner. "Now, now. No need to jump to conclusions about me," was all she said as she watched him rise to his feet, a smirk on her lips as she looked him over. Nodding her head, she watched him step away, though she had her back turned to him as he climbed the stairs.
Only when Calliope turned to glance over her shoulder at him, did she see him slip and tumble down the stairs. "Oh no," she shouted, immediately jumping to her feet and knocking over the small plate and her wine glass in the process. The two pieces shattered on the stone walkway, and despite the heels on her feet she ran forth, hiking up the skirts of her dress. By the time she reached the stairs her was already at the bottom. Dropping to her knees, looked him over. "Are you alright? Oh goodness." she said, looking him over with wide and worried eyes.
Though her attention drifted to the question she'd blurted out to him carelessly. But this answer was one she'd been very much taken aback by. Both by his statement and the assumption that she thought it to be a bad thing. The irony was lost on him that the woman he'd be conversing with was none other than a slave belonging to his family. Part of her wanted to burst out into laughter at it, though she didn't need her cover to be blown. Though he seemed to be against owning slaves, she wondered how he'd react to one stepping out of place like she had and in fact speaking to him in such a manner. "Now, now. No need to jump to conclusions about me," was all she said as she watched him rise to his feet, a smirk on her lips as she looked him over. Nodding her head, she watched him step away, though she had her back turned to him as he climbed the stairs.
Only when Calliope turned to glance over her shoulder at him, did she see him slip and tumble down the stairs. "Oh no," she shouted, immediately jumping to her feet and knocking over the small plate and her wine glass in the process. The two pieces shattered on the stone walkway, and despite the heels on her feet she ran forth, hiking up the skirts of her dress. By the time she reached the stairs her was already at the bottom. Dropping to her knees, looked him over. "Are you alright? Oh goodness." she said, looking him over with wide and worried eyes.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
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400
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500
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300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William felt every step on the way down. It was so much pain but he couldn't stop. He didn't know if it was the pain or if he hit his head but his mind went blank. He felt pain and knew he was alive but he couldn't open his eyes, nor could he speak. Something was wrong but he couldn't say anything. He heard everything though. He heard Calliope's voice asking if he was alright. If he could speak he probably would have answered he was fine, though he wasn't. He couldn't be weak in front of a lady, but at the moment he had no choice in what happened because he couldn't speak or move. It amazed him that he was breathing.
Soon William's brother, Damion, who was two years younger than him, came out of the ball room to look for his brother when he saw him and a lady on the ground. It was obvious something was terribly wrong. He ran down, "What happened?" He looked for blood but couldn't see any. That had to be a good sign. "Will. William wake up you're frightening me and this lovely lady." He was trying to stay calm but it was really hard. He looked up to the girl, "Stay with him. I need to go get help." He ran back up the stairs to get help.
It felt like forever in between everything that was happening for William. At some point he was feeling nauseous. He didn't know why or what was causing it but it meant something very bad. He was trying so hard to move but it wasn't happening. Everything was hurting now to the point he was going a bit numb. He tried to say something and actually got a groan out.
Shotgun Sallie
Wicked Demigod
Ｃａｌｌｉｏｐｅ Ｒａｙ
Rushing to his side, Calliope dropped to the ground beside him. She didn't see any cuts or scraps on him, but the fall down must have been painfully. A sense of guilt wracked her that she couldn't explain, she felt as though it was all her fault. Had she not upset or annoyed him, he might have still been sitting beside her at the fountain. "It'll be alright, I'll--" she began to say, though no sooner had she opened her lips did Damion step out and see them. "He fell," was all she had time to say before Damion had left to retrieve help, leaving the two alone at the bottom of the steps.
Calliope sighed, concern in her eyes as she very gently took William's hand. She wasn't sure what else to do for him, she wasn't strong enough to try and move him, though that seemed to be an all around bad idea. Damion would most likely return with a few other male guests or something to bring him into the house. "Shh, don't try and talk. It's going to be alright, your brother will be back soon. We'll get you all fixed up," Calliope said as she watched him try to speak, her voice was calm and sweet. It was accompanied by her other hand reaching out and gently cupping his cheek. Within her there was still the selfish panic that someone would make her out to not be a lady, but it didn't reflect on the surface, her concern for him overpowering that. "You know, if you wanted me to stay all you had to do was ask--" she said softly in a joking manner as she sat beside him.
Though it wasn't long until Damion returned with a few other men and a stretcher of sorts. Though she was hesitant to release his hand, Calliope did and Damion helped her to her feet. "Bring him through this way, through the kitchen. Less steps to go up, a little more privacy as well--" she said pointing down the double kitchen doors that led out onto the parallel stone terrace. Without realizing it, Calliope was letting little things slip out that would have revealed who she was. The fact she knew Damion was William's brother, or the fact she knew the layout of the home in a way a common guest wouldn't. She was blind to her own slip of the tongue, more concerned with getting William inside than anything else.
Calliope sighed, concern in her eyes as she very gently took William's hand. She wasn't sure what else to do for him, she wasn't strong enough to try and move him, though that seemed to be an all around bad idea. Damion would most likely return with a few other male guests or something to bring him into the house. "Shh, don't try and talk. It's going to be alright, your brother will be back soon. We'll get you all fixed up," Calliope said as she watched him try to speak, her voice was calm and sweet. It was accompanied by her other hand reaching out and gently cupping his cheek. Within her there was still the selfish panic that someone would make her out to not be a lady, but it didn't reflect on the surface, her concern for him overpowering that. "You know, if you wanted me to stay all you had to do was ask--" she said softly in a joking manner as she sat beside him.
Though it wasn't long until Damion returned with a few other men and a stretcher of sorts. Though she was hesitant to release his hand, Calliope did and Damion helped her to her feet. "Bring him through this way, through the kitchen. Less steps to go up, a little more privacy as well--" she said pointing down the double kitchen doors that led out onto the parallel stone terrace. Without realizing it, Calliope was letting little things slip out that would have revealed who she was. The fact she knew Damion was William's brother, or the fact she knew the layout of the home in a way a common guest wouldn't. She was blind to her own slip of the tongue, more concerned with getting William inside than anything else.
freedomwitch
Blessed Wife
10,625 Points
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400
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500
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300
-William Blackheart-
-24-
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William wanted to apologize to her but he couldn't. Her voice was soothing though and helped calm him down a bit. He could feel his body be lifted up and put on the stretcher. He could hear his brother a few other guys who must have been helping. Something about Calliope's voice was so familiar. It was lovely in so many ways. I reminded him of his childhood though he wasn't sure why. It was at least comforting.
Damion followed the girl not really thinking of why she knew that it would be easier to go through the kitchen. He was worried about his brother above all. It was good she knew though because this way they created much less panic. They got William to his bedroom where they set him on the bed. William looked to Calliope, "Thank you for staying with my brother. You have actually handled this very well miss. I was wondering if it isn't too much to ask that you stay by him while I go get a doctor?" He also had to go inform their parents of what happened.
When they were alone in the room William tried again to speak but he had so much pain and it was hard to even think. He could feel and listen but thinking was just too much. He finally was able to just barely open his eyes. He could see her there. This girl was very pretty, no more than that, she was beautiful. He took a painful deep breath. He was getting tired though so he closed his eyes as he managed the sound, "Sssss." It was the closed to the word he could make.