Planning on attending Yeticon for the first time in 3 years and low-key stressing about what to bring because I have barely made any new costumes in the past two years.

Wicked Lady cosplay made by me

It's early morning just as the sun crested the eastern horizon and Margaret Smyth is already awake enjoying a good cup of tea. An hour prior, she woke from bed and slipped on the blue floral dressing robe then left her bed chambers to the kitchen deep in the basement of the grand structure to put on a pot of water to boil. Once it boiled, she steeped the tea for the proper amount of time, then brought the tea up to the dining room where she sat down to enjoy the tea. Usually she'll enjoy a lovely cup of Bohea, but today she's trying the Young Hyson tea. She tried the Congou tea yesterday and although it was good, it wasn't a favorite by any means.

So here sits Margaret enjoying the tea freshly shipped and arrived. The young woman found herself being careful considering she's a new Housemaid at this East India Company building of both offices and residence for the Director. Plus, there is a new director who she has yet to meet. Does she even want to meet him?

She couldn't stay long because she's quite undressed and she's in the formal dining room which is fairly off limits to someone of her station. But the view from the windows is gorgeous overlooking the harbor full of East Indiaman trade ships. She smiles as the rising sun cast a warm glow over the African coastal landscape. A peaceful and welcome sight contrasting the sounds of lions roaring off the in distance late at night.

As she sipped the tea from the cup, her hand stilled because she heard footsteps - boots actually. He body tensed as she realized that someone else is awake and, God help her, if she was discovered! She sat there and listened, as the boots resounded upon the wooden floors partially covered with Persian rugs. Then the boots stopped at the doorway- "I do believe this room is restricted for formal use," came a rich, warm male voice. Margaret tensed even more as her bosom heaved. Oh, dear. She's in trouble now! She slightly turned her head and looked up while holding the teacup. "Apologies, sir?" There stood a man of slightly less than average height, hair well fashioned, his appearance extremely manicured, his piercing gray eyes shook her to the core.