Lady Evelyn

Allowing her eyes to linger upon the crowd, Freja couldn’t help but try to pick out the people who weren’t usually found within her ‘social’ group. It was always a  persons movements that gave them away—though the large supply of seemingly endless wine provided made that far harder. “If you were to create a whole new persona, would you chose to be a royal? Or would you chose to be a commoner who made a name for themself? Personally, I’d chose a commoner.”

“A commoner?” Evelyn echoed, realizing that having such a want likely made this someone who knew nothing of the life of someone on the lowest rung of their society.  It was something she’d noticed growing up, how each side seemed to romanticize the life of the other.  Princesses weren’t all ball gowns and glee and commoners weren’t all burden-less freedom from tough decisions and action,” I don’t know that I would pick either.  I find it more amusing and fun to be something a bit more mystical.  A traveler of the world with no home or name.  A nymph of nature with strong ties to the elements who’s taken a form to join the festivity...... something more like that.”

“That, they are,” he said, though at her next words, he paused to consider her statement. It was a hasty assumption to think that spending a lot of effort to appear nice that night was immediately and definitely a step towards world peace. “It is a bit idealistic, yes. They care, but we do not know for certain what they care about,” he said. “There are some present who are sincere in extending goodwill, some who don fantastic costumes just to make a statement or to outdo the others – it won’t hurt to remain observant, if only to know people’s true intentions behind their masks.” 

“I suppose so,” she said of his cautions,”  And what sort of person do you expect I am?”   It was a question that was a bit unfair, as he didn’t know her in the least and she hadn’t actually given him anything to go off of aside from her babble.  His answer would be interesting she supposed, or perhaps it would just be the regular flattery so many others gave.  Either way, it didn’t matter.  She saw tonight as one of the rare chances for people to be honest with the person they were and not let outward appearances dictate their behavior.

     Louiza listened to the other’s soft speech with deep care. The woman’s hair falling onto her shoulders with golden curls, beautifully combed. Pearls matched her heavenly complexion quite well, the spanishwoman thought. And although the blonde’s mask didn’t allow Louiza to behold their whole face, it was their eyes that enchanted her the most. As blue as the brightest of all sapphires. “Oh,” The princess let her fingertips touch her own lips and smiled gracefully. “Let us not ruin the mystery of it, then. It would break my heart to steal the delight off of your face.” She said, tightening the grip to the other’s hand as she walked down the stairs. “Tonight I am only a night dancer. The Scarlet Dame, who bewitches the hearts of men…” And women as well, the brunette thought, a giggle escaping from her lips. “…And leaves them poorer.”

Evelyn grinned as the woman created her persona,”  Tonight you can be whomever you wish.  You could be several different people if it caught your fancy.   It’s a night to throw away the bits of being and to just enjoy yourself without worry of consequence.”

“Okay…” Mari agreed slowly, not being able to help but find amusement in her friend’s reaction to the suggestion. Perhaps she was sweet on her brother? It wouldn’t be hard to believe; he was definitely considered an attractive man and was enjoyable to be around. She decided not to push it, however, because Evelyn’s next question demanded attention. “One would assume he would be my date, would they not?” She questioned without actually expecting an answer. The frown that slowly began to turn at the corners of her mouth were a clear indication that her evening was not going as she had originally planned. “We did not end things well yesterday evening and I insisted on arriving alone. I had thought we would meet up but I have yet to see or hear from him today. I would not be surprised if he does not come at all or decides… entertain himself with somebody else this evening.” It certainly wasn’t a thought she wanted to have but his absence was disappointing to say the least. “No matter, though. I will have plenty of company tonight whether he eventually shows or not.”

“Well,” Evelyn said with a smile,” If he doesn’t come, that’s his loss.  You look beautiful and there are plenty of men that I’m sure are more than willing to give you the attention you deserve.”   She linked her arm with Mariska’s,”  Put him out of your mind, you and I are going to make this evening ours.”

“Never doubt that your ability to entertain.” He said sincerely, as he clasped her hand gently in his and pulled her close. He had very much enjoyed his meeting with Evelyn; it was something about her innocence that made him look on her as something unique, something someone like him should stay clear of. He was the black moth who was completely drawn to the light, but Victor had not thought himself one to hide from the darkness. Regardless, he found her completely fascinating and wasn’t about to give up the opportunity to join her for a dance. He could see from the way she stared that she had recognised him; there was excitement in her eyes mixed with a hint of fear. A part of him enjoyed that she feared him. 

Her stomach knotted as he closed the gap between them and she sucked in a breath lightly as they started their dance together.   It was, however, his saying her name that really caught her.  She looked at his face, still focused on his eyes, as they were the most prominent feature the mask seemed to give.  To say she was mesmerized by such a dangerous man and his flattery would be an understatement.

“You’re here for peace talks?” He repeated dumbfounded. He’d always expected her to be a peasant. Admittedly, that was presumptuous. That was how she’d dressed, and he’d dressed middle class. He’d bought clothes specifically for the occasion, a way of abandoning his title. A way of letting loose, he supposed. He was always seeking freedom when he was young. “It’s uh, nice to meet you again, Lady Evelyn.” He said after a moment of absorbing the information. It wasn’t as though he was honest either, and now she saw him in clothes fit for a king (and were for a king). “Well, I may not have been entirely honest either. I’m Noel Tordai, King of Hungary. At the time, however, I was prince.”

“King?”  she breathed, not entirely sure how to take this news.  There was a far leap from the boy she remembered to the man before her that was now also a leader of a country.  Even more, she couldn’t believe that she’d not realized when they’d spent the time they had together.  She’d done just as he had, assuming it was someone of lesser status she was passing time with.  She’d though him somewhat different than the other boys she ran with during the days when she was younger, but she’d taken it to him being just that.... different.  Now it seemed so much more obvious that it was due to his royal upbringing more than anything.  

She nodded at his observations, holding her glance and watching the people around them,”  I’ve met so many people since coming here, and there are some that forget we’ve only seen the worst of.   There are others, I cannot seem to forget the intentions they have against us, although I try, for the sake of peace.  It’s easy for us, not being the ones who’s decision could make or break our country and the lives of the people we represent.... but’s chilling to meet some of those people.”

“Lady Evelyn,” he echoed with a rise of his eyebrow and a nod of his head, humming as he listened to her explanation as to why the princess was absent. It couldn’t be helped, he supposed, an urgent matter was an urgent matter, and a visit from a prince from the tiniest of countries just wasn’t that important, he understood. “Wonderful, thank you very much. I would rather we go to the local pubs, please. I wish to see what the country’s pubs look like and what the local liquors taste like.” Unable to wipe the smile on his face off, he gestured his right hand for her to lead the way. “I am under your care for the night. So it seems. Do you drink? To drink all by myself would be alone, you should have a few glasses yourself.”

“As you wish, Sir,” she said with a slight nod of agreement.  It had been awhile since she had been out of the castle, finding her company more needed by Isabelle than those she would talk to outside.   It would be nice to go out again, although she wasn’t quite sure how the people they met would act with her.  She was two quite different people between her lady in waiting duties and her free time.  Hopefully, it wasn’t something that would get in the way.   They wouldn’t be alone, of course, with at least one knight accompanying them, likely more, and that sort of official escort usually had people holding back more than they normally would if she were on her own.

“Well, Mr. Cynic.  Perhaps I can help you see a little bit of the light.  What is it that you’re seeing here that makes you pause on it being a good thing?”  She grinned.  She really didn’t even know how their conversation had devolved to this, but it was sort of amusing and she figured she could help look for something good for the stranger.  Perhaps it would be helpful?  She pondered his throwing the question thrown back at her, not actually prepared to have it asked back.  What did she think of her opinion and the weight it held?  “ I’m afraid my answer is rather boring.  I think my opinion has just the right amount of weight.  I can offer advice to those important to me, but I don’t have to worry about my opinions being the decision maker for entire countries.  I can have my opinions without burden then.  I feel many have to change their opinions to what is better for the people they represent, and I don’t have to worry about that.”

“Being positive is not that hard,” she said with a smile,” I find that the way you carry yourself helps bring the same to you.  So why not carry yourself with a positive air?  It needs no ambassador if we all just changed our thinking a little bit.”   She was on a roll, even she knew the fancifulness of her words, and even if she believed in them slightly, she knew it was not as easy as she was making it sound.  It didn’t really matter,”  And just how much weight do you wish your opinion had?”

send me a ღ for an aesthetic post for our ship.

lucreziaborgiad: