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 Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:24 pm
Eliza was not at all certain what to think when she had received the delicate little invitation from Miss Bankes. People simply did not send such things to her. Oh, she was included in gatherings, but more as an afterthought than the main attraction. But this invitation suggested a personal tea, a private one, and Eliza had no idea what to make of it. Her sisters told her she was being silly, of course, but she could not help but wonder whether this was some newly-devised way to slight her. Spirits knew that the best she could hope for at dinner parties was to be forgotten.
However, one did not simply ignore such an invitation - especially when one was the youngest daughter of a Baron, and thus about as low on the social ladder as one might get within the peerage. So the next afternoon, she had donned a lovely mauve afternoon dress that always made her feel a little better and climbed into the family's carriage. If nothing else, at least she was allowed to bring Heather with her for moral support. Garden parties did have their advantages.
When at last the carriage arrived, Eliza allowed the footman to help her out and a maid to show her around to the garden where, she assumed, she would find a tea service set up at a dainty little table and Miss Bankes waiting for her.
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:55 pm
There was indeed the expected dainty table, and a tea tray in the center with four tiers, each covered with minuscule finger sandwiches and delicately decorated cakes. Standing a few steps away was Miss Bankes herself, her red hair done up in a cascade of curls and wearing her favorite pale blue dress. There was also a small black fawn, his coat marked by a few neat white splashes, gamboling on the lawn. The deer was currently engaged in a rousing game of chase-the-leaf; clearly, the rust, gold, and brown autumn leaves had done him some manner of insult that must be answered if the fawn's rambunctious bucking and bouncing was any indication. As the Bankes' maid cleared her throat to announce their presence, Rhoswyn turned and greeted Eliza with a small but sincere smile. "I'm so glad you could make it, Miss Winfield," she said, and her tone held a note of relief. "Please, come sit. Oh, and you brought a friend!" As the young lady noticed Heather the rabbit for the first time, her whole demeanor brightened. "She's one of the Wardwood rabbits, isn't she? Oh, she's just lovely. Perhaps she'll make friends with... Oh. Oh, Dante," she sighed, her tone betraying mild despair as the fawn chose that moment to forget how his gawky legs worked. The deer fell with a bleat of alarm, ending up in a tangle of overlong limbs and tiny white hooves, but he extricated himself quickly enough and was soon back at it with the sort of energy only available to the very young. "On second thought," Roswyn mused, "I hope he doesn't frighten her. Will she be alright, do you think?" she asked with genuine concern. Nyx Argyros Thanks for starting off! heart
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:51 pm
Though taken aback at Rhoswyn's exuberant greeting, Eliza nonetheless ventured forward and took the proffered seat. "Yes," she said. "Heather did come from the Wood." A fact that her mother had not realized until after she had purchased the baby rabbit and Eliza had already fallen in love. By then, it was far too late to get rid of the larger-than average rabbit. But that was alright. Heather was as faithful a companion as any dog, and equally intelligent.
The white rabbit with her tawny splotches hopped boldly over to Rhoswyn and sniffed at her skirts. She would not be adverse to being petted, should the Lady have a mind.
At Dante's spectacular display of coordination, Eliza could not help but giggle, her hands quickly covering her mouth. What a darling creature he was. She was already charmed by him, and dearly hoped to meet him properly. After all, she had rarely come across Guardians in the flesh.
"Oh, no," Eliza assured her, her fear at the meeting momentarily forgotten in the reassuring presence of the animals. "She is not so easily frightened as to run from a handsome young lad like him."
As though to demonstrate this, Heather hopped over to the fawn, intent on touching noses and otherwise investigating him.
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:18 pm
Rose smiled down on Heather sweetly, allowing her to sniff her skirt a moment before bending and petting her soft ears, careful not to startle the animal (though it seemed to her that Heather was not the startling type). "She's beautiful," Rose declared, watching as the bunny hopped away towards Dante, who watched the approach of the rabbit which probably weighed almost as much as he did with a curious cupping of his ears. "He is handsome, isn't he? I love his little feet," Rose agreed with a smile like a proud mother, watching as Dante leaned down to cautiously sniff noses with Heather. Thus acquainted, the fawn offered a playful bounce as though inviting the rabbit to play chase (though whether he meant to do the fleeing or the chasing wasn't entirely clear to his Chosen). Rose joined her guest at the table. "Hopefully he'll tire himself out in a moment and come say hello." She glanced up and saw the gray shadow of Mrs. Gaynesford within, her governess hovering like a particularly aged and vicious vulture, and sighed tightly. "I'm afraid my governess doesn't care for him much," she admitted sadly, allowing a servant to pour her a cup of tea, the same being offered to Miss Winfield. "She doesn't approve of large animals in the house, and while he's small now he's just a babe."
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 3:33 pm
Recognizing the particular variety pride and affection that Miss Bankes held for Dante, Eliza felt herself relax a little more. This, she was familiar with. This, she could relate to. Often, she felt a similar love for the animals she tended - Heather included. Perhaps this afternoon would not be as frightful as she had feared, after all. Not if Rhoswyn was capable of such displays.
"Yes," she agreed. "I imagine my governess would have similar feelings about such things. Luckily, mother gave permission for Heather to venture indoors when she was small enough to be easily overlooked." She smiled slightly. "And Heather is so good, the permission was never revoked." Though a rabbit that was larger than some dogs could certainly not be considered small.
The rabbit in question was not the least deterred by Dante's playfulness. Instead, she kicked up her feet and darted off, as intent on chasing as being chased.
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 4:43 pm
"Oh, what a sweetheart Heather is," Rhoswyn said with a warm smile. "I'm beginning to doubt that I'll have as good an outcome with my little fellow. Dante's already broken two vases and ruined Father's favorite rug that he brought back from Zhangguo," she admitted with a regretful sigh, watching as Dante first chased Heather across the yard until he managed to lightly n** her fluffy tail, then wheeled around and scooted away as though his own tail had been lit aflame. The sight gave her a fond smile, despite her worries. "He's... rather rambunctious. I've tried to tell Mrs Gaynesford that he just needs more exercise, but he won't permit one of the grooms to take him for a run, and Ms Gaynesford feels strongly that such athletic pursuits aren't proper for a young lady," she shook her head. "I'm not sure what I'm meant to do. It's not his fault he's energetic, he's just a baby!"
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:44 pm
"Perhaps..." she paused, suddenly unsure of her idea. But then, little Dante did need the exercise, and Miss Bankes did seem at her wits end searching for a solution. Maybe it was a silly idea, but a compromise was a compromise. "I know he is not large enough to ride now, but perhaps you could take a horse out to ride, and let Dante run along with you? When he grows, you will surely be able to ride him, but for now..."
Maybe that would be compromise enough to suit her governess. Miss Bankes herself would not be doing any athletics - even proper ladies were allowed to ride, were they not? - but at least Dante might get worn out enough not to cause trouble in the household.
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:51 pm
Rhoswyn paused, her teacup halfway to her lips, as she mulled over that revelation. "Is he going to get that big? Heavens. I... might not mention that to Mrs. Gaynesford that immediately. But that's an excellent idea, thank you," she said with a sincere smile for her guest, then finally took that sip of tea. "I'm afraid I'm rather in the dark as far as all of this is concerned," she confessed, hoping to draw her guest into revealing a little more. "I didn't know much about Guardians before I was Chosen, and things have been so..." She glanced up sharply as, with a bawl of surprise, Dante managed to trip again, going sprawling in an ungainly heap, then bounded back up and after Heather with a happy squeak. "Well, chaotic," she continued, choosing her words carefully as she'd been taught, "I haven't had time to delve into father's books. Not that Mrs. Gaynesford much appreciates it when I do, but he's my responsibility, I have to know how to care for him from somewhere."
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:51 pm
Eliza could only stare at her hostess. How could Miss Bankes not realize that a Guardian would grow large enough to ride? How could any Sunderlander have gone through life without hearing at least a few tales of the Wardens of old? Realizing that Guardians, of course, were at least as large as horses? The very concept of anyone being ignorant of such things was completely absurd. How on earth had Miss Bankes made it this far if she obviously knew nothing about the Guardian in her care?
Then, of course, Eliza realized that she was staring - or gaping, rather - and cast her eyes down, blushing furiously.
Oh, the diminutive young woman had no doubt that Rhoswyn cared deeply for the fawn. Her heart was certainly in the right place. Nevertheless, it was clear that she was in dire need of information concerning her charge. Why, she was even now admitting as much. Perhaps Eliza could be of some assistance.
As she pondered this, Heather rather determinedly circled around until it became unclear who was chasing whom. What was clear, however, was that the rabbit was having every bit as much fun as the fawn.
"I have read quite a bit about them," she volunteered quietly, eyes still downcast. "Perhaps I could venture answers to some of your questions?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 6:11 am
"Oh, would you?" Rose asked with a grateful smile and a blush. Eliza's expression only served to underscore her embarrassing ignorance. "He's such an odd little creature, I just don't know what to do with him sometimes," she continued with a fond smile for her little buck, who was presently so overcome with excitement at having a playmate that he was crowhopping right across the yard like a complete lunatic. At least he wasn't doing it inside this time. "The first thing that was immediately apparent is that he doesn't really care for food. I assumed he'd need to eat to fuel his growth, and he does eat but I have the impression it's mostly to please me." She looked back to her guest with another sheepish smile. Mrs. Gaynesford had always taught her not to let her embarrassment show lightly, but somehow she didn't think Miss Eliza would judge her harshly. "And then it occurred to me, he's not really a real deer, in a sense. I mean, he's solid enough but he's definitely magical, and he might not even need to eat. But he's growing like a weed, which seems the sort of endeavor that needs feeding..." She trailed off with a small, frustrated sigh. "At any rate, I just wasn't sure. Do you know?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 10:33 pm
"Oh," she said, not so much surprised at the question as caught off guard. Eliza supposed that she ought to have guessed that such practical questions would come up. The only problem was, practical information did not make for a good legend. Such sources were few and far between.
Luckily, there were new scholars strongly invested in acquiring such information, and Eliza was most interested in reading it.
"Most scholars agree that Guardians, as spirit-beasts, do not require physical sustenance," she began, more comfortable talking about her books than she would have been carrying on a typical conversation. "Though there have been a few recorded instances of Guardians weakening without food. There is a great deal of debate about how they survive as physical beings, but a popular theory is that they feed off of the spiritual energy of their Chosen in a sort of symbiotic relationship."
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:41 am
Rose actually looked slightly disconcerted by that idea for a second, then shrugged. Dante had been "feeding off of" her for days and she felt just fine, so likely it was harmless whatever he was doing. "Well, that's a relief," she said with a small smile. "I've been worried about him, needless to say." She glanced back at the deer, who seemed to have run himself out of the worst of his overabundant energy and was now sniffing Heather's ears curiously, never having met a rabbit before. "So he probably doesn't need to eat, at least not very much or very often," she mused, tapping her fingertip to her lower lip as she mulled over which of her many questions to ask next. "He does seem to be growing fairly quickly, but then, all young things do. Oh, I know... um... this may sound strange, but sometimes I could swear I feel his emotions. He's very watchful, and he always gets cross and especially wary when Mrs Gaynesford puts in an appearance, even if I haven't noticed. Often feeling that particular blend of emotions from him is the first news I have that she's... observing." In the woman's defense, that sort of thing usually happened when Rose was practicing her embroidery or some other ladylike, focused task whose progress Mrs Gaynesford wanted to check without interrupting, but it was still somewhat alarming to sense her companion's disdain and distrust and turn around and find her standing over her shoulder. "Is that... is that just my imagination?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:31 am
"Yes," she agreed, thinking how worrisome it would be if she had the care for a young animal, but that animal was not eating - at least, if she did not know that he need not eat. Especially since she was accustomed to seeing how much babes consumed to fuel their growth.
Heather twitched he ears, but did not seem overly concerned by Dante's interest. Instead, she returned the inspection, sniffing at his hooves.
Oh, now there was an interesting question. Eliza sipped her tea to calm her exuberance. It seemed that Rhoswyn, by association and conversation choice, had been included in Eliza's comfort blanket, which extended over animals and small children. As such, the young woman was coming a little more out of her shell, eager to share one of her favorite topics with this person.
"Oh, no," she assured. "The bond between a Guardian and his Chosen is a much-sung thing. No one is precisely certain of its nature, though one scholar suggests it might be part of the same bond which allows a Guardian to survive without eating. However, it is said that the bond grows stronger as the Guardian matures and comes to understand more things."
As for the feeling of watching eyes on one's back, well. Eliza could sympathize all too sell with that. Though she was often overlooked, of late she had noticed her father's regard, which was even more disconcerting than when strangers took notice of her at social gatherings.
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:03 pm
Dante was unperturbed by the sniffing of his hooves, using the time to snuffle along Heather's back curiously before growing bored with this endeavor and flopping down on his belly and side to rest. He still watched his new friend curiously, however, with cupped black ears and a keen golden gaze. Rose glanced back at Eliza, noticing the more confident note in her voice and smiled to see the young woman bloom as she found sure footing on a familiar subject. That was good; she certainly didn't want her guest to be terrified the entire time. And Rose found she quite liked Eliza's gentle nature and calm demeanor and made a mental note that they should do this more often. "Oh, that's a relief," she commented as Eliza concluded. Somewhat. It did mean that it would continue, but... it was soothing to have a bond so close to something that cared so much. That was another thing she sensed from the little fawn often; deep affection. "Let me see, what else... Is there anything he's going to need as in..." she shrugged as she attempted to speculate on the potentially strange needs of a guardian. "Specific herbs, walks in the moonlight... he is part spirit, right? If he doesn't need to eat and our bond sustains him, is there anything in that vein that I need to do to ensure his health?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 10:49 pm
Taking advantage of Dante's prone form, Heather made a slow circuit around him, inspecting him nose to tail and back again. Whatever she found seemed to satisfy her, as she huddled down next to him, whiskers twitching and ears swiveling in casual alertness.
Eliza graced Rhoswyn with a small smile, pleased to be of help to her and Dante alike. However, she had to think a moment on the newest question.
"As I mentioned, there is a great deal of debate as to what sustains a Guardian," she said. "Though from what I have read, they do not seem to require anything in particular." Or at least, there were so many varying accounts with so few consistencies that Eliza sincerely doubted any of them were correct.
Guardians seemed to do well enough on their own - an odd thing in and of itself, if one considered spirits in general. They were generally considered to be a type of being that did nothing for free, as it were. One might wonder, then, what the Guardians took in exchange for protecting humans. Sometimes, Eliza wondered whether their very presence in a person's life wasn't fee enough. After all, nothing would ever be the same again after a Guardian came into one's life. Were they a blessing and a curse all at once?
Looking at Dante, Eliza was not so sure. After all, he seemed like such a sweet thing.
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