If she was the type, Emi would have absolutely bawled at the encouragement--that's how heavy that weight was! He shoulders dropped; the corners of her mouth lifted. "Thank you both so much," she said through a sigh. "If even the nobility takes breaks, I'm sure I deserve that much too," she decided. Something in that was puzzling to her though...
"Milady?" She pivoted on her seat to face the duchess. "It is so lovely to see you, but may I ask what brings you all the way to the castle? Surely it is not the books..." She allowed a soft chuckle to escape her lips. "Are you meeting with Lord Titanus and the others?"
Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives. ~Maurice Chevalier~
The elderly woman smiled pleasantly at the duchess. Would she ask to be directed and then give them space to relax, or would she linger and talk story with a small collection of servants. Ah, but what would she do and what was her memory but a collection of wisdom and stories?
Just an old woman to chat with if someone wanted to do their good deed for the day. But she did wish to reassure poor distressed Emi. She surely needed to know that even they, considered the least in the lord's household, deserved breaks indeed. Their hard work as not to be discounted, and surely not the maids who tried, strove for the best, helped and worked! The louts to spent their time being idle were exceptions in Sharla's mind, but this hardly seemed the time to bring it up.
She made it a point to reassure the maid with a proper hug in due course.
Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. ~Abigail Van Buren~
If Eleia were to be honest, she might have told Emi that the castle was the farthest from her estate she could get without anyone getting suspicious of her whereabouts. Not that she was obliged to let her cohorts know where she was at all times. They just knew her habits, and they knew what buttons to push that would keep the young duchess in line. Today, she had not felt like slipping beneath the radar, she just needed breathing room from the responsibility of the life she'd been given.
"Lord Titanus.." Before her lips could purse, Eleia bit down softly on her lower one. Had she heard about his arrival? Let alone his intention to travel to Zalto? The redhead took a brief moment to consider.. Perhaps she was supposed to be somewhere.. A flaw in her memory, maybe? In any case, she'd been silent a moment too long. Emi and Sharla would certainly know of her fumble, "Oh, my-- I must be honest, but no. I mean, yes, but.." her cheeks pinked a bit, "I was feeling rather claustrophobic at home." her delicately manicured fingers drummed softly on her book's binding, "If I'm near the castle, they tend to leave me alone." It was no secret that Eleia was not always as refined in her duties as others might be, but it wasn't for lack of care.
"Lord Titanius has arrived already, then?" She tried to keep away a bashful smile. Hopefully they would not think too poorly of her for not keeping up with the news.
Rihenian
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:02 am
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☆═━┈At your service┈━═☆
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Emi was quite aware that Eleia was not up to speed. Perhaps she had other business here? Whatever the case, Emi blinked blanked at the blanketing statements, eventually coming to smile as if to giggle silently at the duchess.
'Yes, he just arrived a few moments ago. The castle has been in disarray ever since--well, at least for us servants," sighed the maid. "But I suppose that's what they deserve." Here she admitted something she thought she would've forgotten by now.
"...I miss Ethe sometimes," mumbled the maid, eyes darting off to find Sharla sitting quite peacefully.
Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives. ~Maurice Chevalier~
An old lady knew embarrassment in a blush when she saw it. A part of her also wondered if there wasn't a hint of attraction for the charismatic man of Ethe. Even the recluse Sharla ended up hearing about this almost brash young man who worked alongside his people and who, rumor had it, was after the throne of Ethe. But then again, what old lady gave stock to rumors when her main focus was mostly on taking care of the little babies?
Her smile was wide and knowing, but she chose not to comment on her observations. There wasn't a need to. A person was free to love, or feel affection for, whoever they wished. What they chose to do with their feelings or how they acted on them was an entirely different matter.
Her eyes shifted, moving with the conversation. Emi was quite right, the castle was full of energy... from what she understood, the young man had a tendency to bring this kind of energy and disturbance wherever he went. Or, it felt like a guess. What was chaotic and hectic for the servant might just have been a clam day for the lords they attended. (Yes. Clams. That which a lord might calmly eat.)
"Is Ethe your home, dear?" Sharla asked Emi.
Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. ~Abigail Van Buren~
[Quote="Cotton Shorts Kid] [quote="TheBaddJuju]
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 12:03 pm
Emi's mumbled thoughts brought a tilt to Eleia's head. At that moment, she became very suddenly aware that it was entirely possible the young maid was far more displaced from the comfort of feeling at home than she. It was quite easy to become wrapped up in longings and personal ambitions. The duchess reached over and gently squeezed the top of Emi's hand reassuringly. Eleia, in all her passion, wanted to scoop the girl up and run away to Ethe for a visit.
Of course, she had to refrain from doing just so. Lots of trouble that would bring her, assuredly.
"Tell us about it?" Eleia inquired after Sharla asked if Ethe was home. Responsibilities, meetings with Titanus and other nobles could wait a few moments more, "If you could go back for a day, without restrictions.. what would you do?" The woman's tone was gentle enough to convey her sincere curiosity, and hopefully not to bring forth any painful reminders, but rather cheerful memories.
Rihenian
Cotton Shorts Kid
TheBaddJuju
Gracious Wife
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Cotton Shorts Kid
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 4:34 pm
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(Just to let you both know, her ability has been switched on. Please read up in the profile and enjoy the nutty creativity it allows. ^.^)
Was this in fact a woman or a goddess come down from the ideal realm of clouds of milk and honey and silken and satin breezes whispering into the fertile daydream-inclined minds of this plane the bliss of a thousand orga--
... Right. Sorry about that. Emi had become Zalto red. Eleia certainly knew that shade (though our young maid would be unaware), and pulled her hand to her chest. "I... Oh my," that same hand traveled north to her face, finding that it was in fact cool comparatively. It rung with the same heavenly resonance as a subliminal chorus. "--to go back home, it would be so great. The first place I would visit would be the old academy--Oh, I hope it's still standing." The shock of worry seemed to work out the top of her head, or else away, fairly quickly.
"Then I'd like to visit the Fire... Pray to Agni, our goddess. Then, of course, I'd want to see if the new tapestries and dresses are really as fantastic as they say," she nodded, visibly filled--perhaps overflowing, hm?--with the spark that her home had left in her. It was keeping her going, and just the invocation was enough to become fully recharged... Even if it did beg her ultimate return. That worry became ink on her snowy countenance. "Pray, why do you ask?"
Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives. ~Maurice Chevalier~
The girls seemed to be getting along just fine. She smiled and felt quite content to sit back and listen to Emi talk about her homeland and also to take joy and smile so widely at the idea of coming home.
.... .. Home.. Where was home?
No, home was always elsewhere. The elderly dragon blinked and looked around. Seemed that she was still in a library. Still? How long had she been here? Maybe she should-
Ah, no. Her concern faded. She knew what was going on. She was just getting a little confused again because she was a little tired. It was time for tea. Satisfied with this idea, she folded her hands on her lap and leaned back in the chair.
Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. ~Abigail Van Buren~
A rather odd sensation overcame Eleia as she listened to Emi so glamorously describe a perfect day in Ethe. Was she excited? Awe-struck? Either way, she was overwhelmed and practically leapt to her feet, pulling the young maid along with her as she spun about in a girlish, yet graceful dance. There was a giggle in her voice, a playful twinkle in her eye, "Because perhaps I may steal you away one of these days!" She tried to keep her voice down, but for some reason was failing to do so. Eleia could be mischievous, but not usually so downright bold.
"No one would have to know, and I'd put you back right where I found you!" As it would be for Eleia's alter-ego, but not the duchess! Not the woman who had to be smart and responsible, "We could do all those things and more!" In the moment, Eleia didn't think about anyone that might overhear her, "Our dear Sharla can keep it a secret too.." she winked before another crazy idea -- for some reason -- overcame her, "Or.. maybe I'll smuggle away the both of you, hm? A little vacation never hurt." Her voice lowered then, still playful sounding.
All her cares, worries and reservations had seemed to melt away in an instant. While she might have tried to remain collected in the presence of others, her normal sensibilities were mysteriously tossed aside.
Rihenian
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:06 pm
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☆═━┈At your service┈━═☆
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Giggles poured out of the young maid like milk infused with honey and overtook the quiet of the library with a gleeful air which seemed to be even more enjoyable. It was fluttering in the halls and kissing the first flight of stairs on the wing of the castle now, and though it was a joy which swept away all else one presence seemed to defy it, clung fast to a rock, like a snail, like a barnacle on a deep-diving leviathan--it was Ayane who came to weather the storm of exuberance.
"Oh, how I wish it needn't be laughed off--this is such a cruel joke, and yet so kind!" Her words were the line and each breath in reeled the hearts of those present in closer and closer to the bow of that paddle-boat on which Emi now traversed her Sea of Joy.
Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives. ~Maurice Chevalier~
As the two girls seemed to dance, Sharla listened, and turned to watch. Their excitement began to influence her. Made her want to get up and join their sudden and excitable dramatic scene.
"Oh how long since I've enjoyed a vacation..." She said dreamily. The elderly woman rested her head on her hand and she soon seemed to be carried away by her imagination. And you bet your backside that this old woman could keep a secret. "But will there be tea? And candles? And scones with marmalade?"
Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. ~Abigail Van Buren~
[Quote="Cotton Shorts Kid] [quote="TheBaddJuju]
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:14 am
Eleia paused her swaying and set her hands akimbo on her hips. She peered between Emi and Sharla, not yet totally lost to the mysterious change in the atmosphere. Rather, she was encouraged by it. She probably should have questioned the sudden switch in her demeanor, but it was a switch that snuffed the part of her that remembered to hold her wild side together. If even only for a few minutes.
"Well, then let's not let it be a joke." Her grin was broad, "We can have all the tea and sweets we want. We can try on all the dresses." She clicked her tongue, betting that it was entirely possible she could pull off a trip to Ethe without the scrutiny of her keepers, "Because.. why not? If you need a vacation, then by Mnerolth, I will take you on a vacation."
Rihenian
Cotton Shorts Kid
TheBaddJuju
Gracious Wife
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:30 am
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"Oh... You-you really think so?" Emi, curled into a ball of her own cuteness. She held a thumb to her lip. "I would think they would have all those things--Ethe's pastry chefs are very good--but how would we sneak out? They would miss us so..." A frustrated whine. "Oh, how I wish I could leave. They might not notice me, being a twin and all, but I couldn't bear it if anyone were in trouble..."
"... Then again. The lady is a duchess. Surely she could simply ask the masters to borrow Sharla and I..." She looked away, blushing at the idea of seeing her home country again, even if it meant working a little persuasion on the royal family.
Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives. ~Maurice Chevalier~
Sharla was just tickled and excited that she wasn't being overlooked just because of her age. The younger folks were, the more likely it seemed they would just forget about dear old granny when they went on adventures. Such a shame, because few love adventures quite like the elderly! Or at least this old yellow dragon.
As for herself, she knew she was a help to the castle, but she also knew fully well that the princess whose children she looked after was surprisingly willing to take care of her children, to be in their company, and Sharla had little doubt that the young mother would continue to take excellent care of the little ones.
"Why do you think a castle has so many servants, dear?" Sharla mischievously suggested before she clapped her hands together. "And besides, ask nicely and the world is at your fingertips. Especially if you're well liked."
Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. ~Abigail Van Buren~
Her lips pursed in consideration. It was entirely true. She could simply just ask. Truly, the gestures would be innocent and it was unlikely Eleia would have to do much convincing. The only bit that she might have to consider was if she was well liked. Among the nobles, Eleia didn't particularly care what they thought of her. When she was a young girl, her desire to run about was seen as amusing. At this age though? Not so much. On the other hand.. the elite could be tight lipped at times. Especially when it came to business or luxury, and this trip could easily be masked as the former if the latter came under too much scrutiny.
"Then it's settled!" Eleia sighed happily, triumphantly. Yes -- this is exactly what they needed! Any business a duchess could have with Count Dixon could wait for now, and besides, she couldn't recall any explicit instructions that she be there.. If it were a problem, she'd surely make it up later. Now was the time to find Sarah and the Princess, "Pray.. where might I find Miss Bellamy at this hour?"
☆═━┈At your service┈━═☆
☆═━┈At your service┈━═☆
