Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Ikuze frowned in the mirror as Linda fastened the accursed torture device to her waist. "Do I-" she began to ask before a sharp tug took the breath from her for a moment. "I'm afraid so milady. It is sort of customary for ladies to wear corsets." said the maid sympathetically, a grunt of protest coming out from the thief's nostrils. "Thought I asked to not be called "milady"... I ain't no lady..." the blue haired girl muttered, only to be tsk'd at by the blonde. "Nonsense. You're Master Storm's grand-daughter, and from what I've gathered, you've been getting tutored by Baron Cockfoster's daughter, the lady Caitlin, in etiquette and such." Ikuze made another discomforting noise. "You really have to call him "Master" all the time? Only times I heard someone call a bloke master was urgh!" she cried out as the corset was fastened. She glowered at the all too innocent looking maid who simply smiled back at her.
"No more talk like that Milady. It's very rare that your grand-father ever actually hosts a dinner, and he has invited guests this evening that will put you to the test I'm afraid." said Linda as she began the process of putting the young ladies gown on her, causing Ikuze to raise an eyebrow. "Who dare I ask is coming to this?" she asked, Linda biting her lip for a moment before answering, to which Ikuze's voice echoed throughout the house in reply. "WHAT?! GRAND-FATHER!!!"
Lefiruc simply looked up from his study at the ceiling above and cursed under his breath. "That maid really cannot keep a secret from that girl."
Stephen knocked at the door, an irritated look already on his face. "You must have done something right to get invited back here, eh?" he father had laughed before forcing him out the door to the little dinner party. He though he might be able to skip it up oh no, his father had the carriage escort them both to the Storm's residence. The man had babbled the whole way about Mr. Storms recently recovered granddaughter, trying to convince his son of her stunning beauty and charming wit. Obviously the man had forgotten that it was HIM that found the girl and brought her back to her remaining relative. The nerve of that man. Not only did he nag him to no end about trying to woo the little blue- haired minx, he ended up ditching him last minute as well; he said something about having a date with 'a fine lass' before booting him out of the carriage and onto the Storm's steps.
With an irritated sigh, he adjusted his dinner jacket, flicking off non existent pieces of dust on the wrinkle free suit. His father had insisted that he should dress to impress. He had on a dark red vest with black swirling designs going through it. The collar was black with thin red stripes through it; the back of the vest was also black satin. He had on a white button up collared shirt and black dress pants with thin grey lines going down them. His jacket was regular black cotton the hung down past his waist. Who he was impressing was beyond him. Yet there he was, dressed for the Queen's ball.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Jul 7, 2014 2:45:44 GMT
As Ikuze honorary tutor in etiquette, there was no way that Caitlin could avoid this little dinner party, but haven't sat through too many to count of her own, it was nice to watch someone else host for a change. Caitlin and the Baron both arrived at the Storm Manor on time. She had wanted to show up fashionably late, but her father insisted they go early, saying something about how he never appreciated tardiness at his own affairs.
Caitlin wore a beautiful green silk gown, dressed with a layer of black floral lace sewn into the waistband and flowing over most of the skirt. The neckline was square cut with added black lace to soften its hard edges, and the sleeves were draped with slit lace as well. She'd chosen this gown over others specifically because of the sleeves. The summer had been way too hot so far to suffer a gown with actual silk squeezing her tiny biceps and making her sweat. They showed up on the doorstep right behind the Lelands and Caitlin smiled at Stephen, having seen him recently in a pet store, she had a new soft spot for the grumpy noble, knowing that the kindness he couldn't be bothered to share with people he passed on to animals.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Stephen glanced up from cleaning his jacket to spot Caitlin. He gave her a polite smile "Afternoon Miss Cockfoster. I am guessing you were invited to this dinner party as well. No doubt, since you are here as well. To be frank, I am glad I am not the only one who is wearing dress attire for this evening. You look splendid in your gown" he commented, picking for polite small chat that no doubt he would drop when he spotted Ikuze.
The butler/cook/manservant George answered the door and bowed as he stepped aside for the four guests. "Greetings milords and lady. Please, enter. Master Storm is already waiting in the dining room. We're both honoured and glad that you could attend." he said. Once all the guests were inside, he would lead them to the dining room, where the table was set with the best china and silverware, and there was already a selection of wine bottles and glasses on the table, along with varied salads, breads and such for pre-dinner snacking.
Lefiruc stood up from his chair as the guests approached and gave a bow. He was wearing a formal black suit with red waistcoat that had a subtle black floral pattern weaved throughout the red, and a white shirt. "Good day Sirs and Lady. I can only assume that George already stole my line about how glad and honoured we are that you could make it tonight?" he asked, the servant already pulling out a chair for Caitlin. "Apologies for not doing the customary route of the drawing-room... it is still lacking I'm afraid, and I did not wish to offend your eyes." he said, sitting down once everyone else had. George would then offer to pour a glass for each person depending on their preference.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Jul 7, 2014 18:25:38 GMT
Caitlin gave a nod and a thank you to Stephen before the door was answered and they were all ushered inside. She listened to the polite introductions and customary gratitude for their appearance. She smiled through it all as one should.
"Oh that is no trouble at all," She reassured mr. Storm when he apologized for the deviation from the drawing room. In all this she wondered where Ikuze was hiding.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Stephen followed the others in, walking into the dining room. Taking his jacket off he listened to Mr. Storm's introduction, thinking to himself that the man was laying the polite factor on a tad much. Who could blame the man though: Caitlin Cockfoster was in his house after all. Plus, he himself had been guilty on playing up the polite act for her as well. Ikuze was nowhere in sight; she probably locker herself into some room, refusing to be apart of the noble riffraff. Stephen smirked a little to himself "This is fine Mr. Storm. Thank you for inviting us over" he said, his smile turning polite again as he sat down in his chair. "Where might Miss Rikuzeyah be?" he asked innocently, using her full name on purpose as if he did not already know how much she hated to be called that.
Ikuze came down the stairs and just caught Stephen asking for her whereabouts... by her full name as well. She looked about ready to kill him when a stern glance from Lefiruc cooled her mood... a little. "Right here Mister Leland... apologies for my lateness, there were some... technical difficulties getting ready." she said. Those technical difficulties being her trying to escape the maid in little more than the corset and stockings as she wished to throttle her patriarch. Of course, here she was now in a turquoise gown with white lace around the edges, her hair done up in a bun behind her head. She curtsied before the gathered ensemble before taking a seat at the table, Linda standing by in case of some emergency or desire from the guests. She was about to make a remark towards Stephen concerning her name when she caught Caitlins eye and recalled one of the lessons she'd drilled into her.
No sniping at the dinner table. Thankfully she was spared the endeavour when George re-appeared with bowls of lentil soup, offering each to the guests as the starter. Oh gods... which spoon was it again?! the girl mildly panicked in her head as she viewed the vast array (in her mind) of cutlery before her. She glanced around the room subtly to try and see which one it was that everyone else was using.
Post by Stephen Leland on Jul 8, 2014 13:49:18 GMT
Stephen's smile widened, turning to Ikuze's annoyed sounding voice. "Ah there you are. I thought maybe you decided to skip the dinner party. I am quite glad that you did not. That dress looks very nice on you" She certainly had cleaned up from her usual street cloths. He had to admit she did really look nice. Not that he would let her think he really meant it what he said.
Nodding to George as thanks he was about to start on the soup when a movement from Ikuze's direction caught his eye. Although she was trying to be discreet, it seemed that she was looking around for something. Narrowing his eyes at her for a moment as he tried to figure out just what she was looking for, the realization came to him. She did not know what utensil to use. Funny, something that was so simple to him was utterly confusing to her. Clearing his throat lightly to get her attention, he picked up the farthest spoon to the right. With a small smirk he waved it lightly in the air so that she got the point then he began working on his soup, the small amused smirk still present.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Jul 9, 2014 0:09:45 GMT
She looked like a real lady and Cait was impressed. She smiled at Ikuze and nodded along to Stephens compliment. "So sorry my father couldn't make it, today is, unfortunately, the day he balances the ledger and he didn't want to get off schedule. I hope you'll accept my apology on his behalf." All formalities, all part of the routine. She too picked up her spoon and began eating her meal.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Lefiruc gave an internal grimace as his grand-daughter struggled with the spoons before the Leland lad lent her a hand in his own way. "That's quite alright Lady Cockfoster. In honesty, I fear my grand-daughter could use a little more learning before I make your father suffer through a dinner with her." he said, earning himself a frown from Ikuze as well as a swift kick in his leg. "I joke of course..." he managed to say, reminding himself to not make such jokes when the lady in question is wearing particularly sharp heels.
"Although that does raise a query I've been meaning to ask Lady Cockfoster. How much schooling have you given her?" the patriarch asked as he took pains to keep the soup out of his beard. He did so like the thing but it did make eating liquid meals such a pain.
Post by Stephen Leland on Jul 9, 2014 23:44:30 GMT
Stephen sat quietly, listening to the idle chat. It did not seem necessary to account for his father's whereabouts since Mr. Storm probably felt it a blessing that the rambunctious man decided to skip out on the meal. Finishing his soup, he set the spoon down into his bowl, glancing around the room with a hint of boredom. If Ikuze's grandfather was not here, he would probably tease her. It was entertaining to watch he get flustered. Then again, she would probably try to attack him, so it might be for the best that Mr. Storm stay in their company.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Jul 10, 2014 22:10:04 GMT
She tried hard not to laugh when she heard the dull thud of a kick under the table. The old man winced and she could tell by that momentary expression he'd been on the receiving end. Only one guess who delivered the kick then. Silently she applauded Ikuze rebellious behavior, since she'd wanted a dozen or so times to do the same thing in her childhood when she was going through propriety lessons.
"Well as you know there is a lot to learn and were off to a late start. She should be presented for a suitor this Fall and Winter seasons given her current age," Caitlin looked across at Ikuze with a meaningful gaze as she delivered her next line. "However, she wasn't given proper tutorage in her youth so it may be many years yet before she is ready for that kind of commitment." Oh if only Caitlin had such an excuse!! She was giving the girl a get-out-of-jail free card and she hoped the blue haired bandid understood what she was trying to do for her here. Whether she wanted to hear it or not, as a noble woman, she was officially on the auction block now for marriage.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Ikuze had to fight back the urge to choke on her soup as Caitlin spoke. Linda looked at her in concern before the thief shook her head to indicate she was fine. "Suitor? As in... marriage?" she asked, looking at the three more experienced nobles for clarification, her face going a pale white at the prospect. To her chagrin and horror, her grandfather appeared to be seriously considering it judging by the expression on his face. "I think we should defer to Lady Cockfosters judgement in this grandfather... wouldn't want to scar the poor boys now would we?" she asked, trying to win him over to the idea of waiting.
Post by Stephen Leland on Jul 11, 2014 1:16:53 GMT
Stephen returned from his daydreaming about what he would get cat's on the way home when he heard Ikuze choke over the idea of suitors. "It is very common for arranged marriages to happen in nobility. My father has tried many a time to pair me up with some noble girl" The annoyed look on his face returned "Thankfully none of them worked out" The girl was lucky but unlucky at the same time. She would not be pressured into the annoying business but if she waited too long she just might not get a decent husband. Most men these days preferred youth over intelligence, which was in unfortunate truth.
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