Fantasy The best laid plans .. [Golden Spider X rainingxme]

[rainingxme]

A nod was her submission. She'd be lying if she said she didn't want to know what it would be like to sleep in a room as glorious as this. She did have a bed at the guild, but it could probably be more so described as a cot. And despite the fact that Mor did have money she never wanted to put down roots here. Her end goal had always been to go far away where hopefully no one recognized her face. That would involve getting out of Thane's control first though.

"I do suppose it has it's perks, but having an entire wing to yourself is utterly absurd. Are you close with your sister?" She asked now reflecting on the massive portrait from earlier.

Mor walked about the room, fingers trailing along the four poster bedframe. She took in the decorative wall paper and the entire ambiance of the room. She wondered if his mother had designed it all herself or if she paid others to make the choices for her. She'd imagine with so many rooms to decorate it was most likely a hired hand.

 

[Golden Spider]

He shrugged. Insane or not it was the only childhood that he knew, even if he did realize that it was rather unique, especially after his time in the boarding schools of his youth. "We were." was all that he said on the topic of his sister however. There were some things that weren't for outside ears to hear.

He watched as she wandered the room, he could imagine how this would be overwhelming for her, though she was like no whore he had ever met, admittedly not having met many however, He realized that though it seemed small to him a room like this was sometimes just as big as some families entire homes.

Thankfully the silence was kept from being too awkward by the arrival of the servant. Evond gave some quick instructions, the making of the bed, and including the request of Madame Tesbin to possibly lend a nightgown, which of course she would be compensated for. "Is there anything else we can get for you Na- Miss Natalia, some tea before bed? again anything you want you just have to ask."

 

[rainingxme]

Mor took the hint and nodded with a small smile. She found herself wondering if she'd be able to see him again after tonight, and wasn't that just the craziest thing. Wanting to be around an aristocrat and actually caring about his input.. She really was trying to get herself caught.

Her thoughts continued as she made her way around the room. Just about back to Evond as the maid had returned. She moved to stand near him so she was out of the lady's way.

After the maid was finished Mor bowed her head to her. "Thank you Ma'am." Mor watched as the maid scoffed but not in a ride way. More of a pish posh.

"Get some sleep dear." The maid said and then looked to Evond. "Is there anything else Sir?"

Morrigan also looked towards him, as he spoke of tea. Mor shook her head. "I am alright. Thank you. To both of you." She gave a kind smile to the maid, one Evond wouldn't have seen yet before she looked back to him and it fell slightly. The thought of not being able to see him again weighed heavy. "Have a wonderful night." A clear dismissal as she wrapped her arms around herself thinking she probably wouldn't be getting much sleep tonight.

 

[Golden Spider]

Evond nodded his dismissal of the servant after they had made up the bed and set the well folded nightgown on the foot of it.

Evond stood there awkwardly for a moment when Miss Natalia had dismissed him, both searching for the words that he wanted to say but holding himself back from saying them as well. He found himself not wanting to leave her company, but not from any fears of her being unsafe, he knew that the guards were being ever vigilant in keeping the guests of the still ongoing party from straggling upwards.

He could tell that she felt it too, a connection, maybe an attraction, but over it all a pall of reality that said they would likely never cross paths again and the sorrow that that realization brought, despite only knowing each other for a scant few hours.

“Right. Sleep well Miss Natalia.” He bowed before leaving the room.

He then hurried off after the quickly departing servant stopping him and discussing in quiet tones though Natalia was the only soul currently residing in this part of the house; arranging a small token of his appreciation to be left for the woman he knew as Miss Natalia to be found in the morning before making his own way to his quarters

 

[rainingxme]

Mor followed him, but just far enough to slip the door shut. The latch fastening it closed made a small sound and then her forehead rested on the cool wood. "This wasn't supposed to happen." She spoke in barely a whisper to the empty room. She needed to be gone at first light. Allow this moment to be a dream that she held onto in the depths of her heart. A moment that could have been something else if she were anyone else. She'd wanted Evond to stay and that thought probably scared her more than anything else, but as he'd mentioned the rumor mill was already bound to be turning come first light. She didn't expect the maid to stay silent as they seldom did and.. Mor let that train of thought break off, it was no use. She righted herself from the door and began working at the fitted bodice's corseted back. Maybe she could have asked the maid to help her undress.

After sheer determination and deft fingers she was finally free. She worked to remove the blades from herself, the one she'd kept down her bodice and the other strapped high on her thigh. She set them on the dresser as she then folded the stunning red dress and worked to hide the blades within. She walked to the foot of the bed clad in very little now and grabbed up the nightgown. It was a soft material that she'd rubbed to her face before sliding it on. Then she began pulling the pins from her hair, the long golden locks falling just above the curve of her rear and she ran her nails along her scalp closing her eyes.

With a heavy sigh she let her hands fall, those blue eyes opening to take in the room once again. "This is utterly insane." She walked to the lanterns in the room and stared puzzled at them. These weren't normal candles.. Though they seemed. Another heavy sigh. "Lights on tonight it seems." Making her way to the bed she slid in and pulled the blankets up and over her head as she curled into a ball. She closed her eyes despite not feeling tired and laid there for a long while, at some point it seemed sleep did finally claim her and she wouldn't rouse until early morning.

 

[Golden Spider]

Evond quickly retired to his own quarters the floor above, but sleep was not a companion for him either. He had left a couple more instructions for his servants to not disturb her and allow her to rise when she wished, and to also provide as much of a private and quick exit as she desired.

He knew that the rumor mill, and thus his father would learn of this eventually, but he would take the punishment when it came. He could practically hear it now, him ranting about letting some random person to the upper floor, let alone a courtesan seen on Hastings arm all evening. The only bright side, to his father at least, would be that the likelihood of their meeting again would be astronomical.

And by the time that sleep finally had grasped a firm reign on the last shreds of his consciousness and lead him into oblivion he had almost convinced himself that we was ok with that

 

[rainingxme]

The morning sun was bright through the east facing window as Mor had moved the covers down. It took her a minute to process where she was and once she did she groaned. "Oh no.." She threw the blankets back over her head. 'I have to move. I have to put my dress back on. Let the people lead me out and then be done.' Mor sat up suddenly letting the blankets fall away and slid from the warm bed. She pulled the nightgown over her head and folded it neatly before grabbing her blades. She secured the one to her thigh and began fighting herself into the heaps of Tulle.

Finally righting herself and securing the corseted back, though not as tight as the night previous, she froze. There was a red singular rose on her nightstand. She walked to it, picking it up with careful fingers and bringing it to her face. The gentle aroma had her closing her eyes and smiling. Placing it back on the nightstand she smirked. "Let him wonder." She grabbed her other blade slidding it down her bodice and pulled the rope she'd been instructed to use.

Mor shouldn't have been surprised at how fast someone arrived but surprised she was. She expressed her need to leave quickly and quietly. She was glad when they listened and soon was on a carriage taking her back into town.

 

[Golden Spider]

Through a quite large effort Evond had forced himself to keep his distance, and did not even trail near to the room where the Miss Natalia had rested until he was informed that she had risen and departed, there was no reason to drag it out further.

When he was also informed how she had left behind the rose that he had left for her, he simply nodded. Of course that would be how she reacted, by the nicest definitions given how they had met with her being on the arm of Lord Hastings, she was a hired companion, or a courtesan, likely only took his offer as an excuse to have a warm luxurious bed for the evening, and likely only saw his gift as a sign that the fish had taken the bait.

He shook his head, how foolish he was! He could see it now in the morning sun, he knew exactly what his father would say, that she was only trying to seduce him, get her hooks in him and get him to lavish her in fancy gifts that she can pawn off for some extra spending money.

Even as he told himself these things. He realized that he didn’t truly believe them, he had faced women like that before, but she had seemed different but convincing himself otherwise would help with the knowledge that their paths would not cross again

 

[rainingxme]

It has been two weeks since Lady Valmont's party, and Morrigan has seemed to be off her game since. She straightened, the maids attire that had been stolen from the launder a few days previous. She turned to look at Aaron "So? How does it look?"

Aaron had just finished tying the sleek black shoes that went along with Duke Fredricks manor attire. "You'll fit right in." Aaron grinned at her as he rose to his feet. He was a good deal taller than Mor and as he looked down at her his smile fell slightly. "Will you be okay today? You've been distracted as of late."

Originally Mor was supposed to go in on her own. But apparently her lack of return the night of the Valmont's party had set the guild in a tizzy. Xander and Aaron had been keeping a close eye on her. Though Aaron has always been the more sympathetic of the two. She'd given a story about how she'd almost been caught and had chosen to lay low but no one cared after she was able to give a description of the first two floors. She hadn't dared to tell anyone about what had really happened, more so of concern they'd use the possible connection for more harm and for some reason her usual lack of moral compass wouldn't allow it.

Mor waved her hand as if dismissing the concern and smiled. "It will be fine. You ready?"

After the confirmation they quickly walked the rest of the way towards the manor, having stopped in an alley to change quickly. Their original clothes stashed in a crate stacked with others. It was easy to slip in through the servant's entrance, as the whole manor was a bustle for getting everything together with the guests.

A frenzied maid caught sight of Mor and grabbed her arm. "Oh thank Heavens you're here. You must be the help sent over by Lady Danbury." The woman exclaimed with such excitement.

Mor and Aaron hadn't planned for that, but what fortuitist luck. "I am, and the Lady sends her regards. How may I help?" Mor grinned over her shoulder at Aaron as she was hurried away to begin helping.

Mor used the back of her hand to wipe at the bit of sweat on her brow. She was impressed her long blonde hair had stayed as secured as it had. She'd been put to work helping plate in the kitchen and the heat was suffocating. She was glad when the last of the plates were set. She could hear the chatter of guests having arrived and she'd already been prompted on the rest of her jobs for the evening. Which happened to leave her free for quite some time to wander the Manor. Plans were still being laid for the Valmont's as the last floor had not been lain out, but Duke Fredricks, this was it. Aaron and Mor were meant to steal his seal from his study as well as some correspondence with a neighboring kingdom. Mor hadn't been briefed on all of the details, but Aaron had been. Xander would be back in the alley at 9 to pick them up.

After dinner Mor was to help with the dishes and then she was free to go. So dishes she did and when her time was finally up she snuck from the kitchen and walked through the foyer looking for Aaron. She hadn't seen him since they'd arrived but she'd heard the other maid's giggling about his good looks so she knew he was still around. As she turned a corner she gasped and flung herself back around, covering her mouth. He'd been there, clear as day..Evond. Another butler looked at her curiously trying to place if she was meant to be there.

"Aren't you supposed to be in the kitchen? Why are you out in the foyer where everyone can see you?"

"I-I apologize I was looking for someone." She wanted to sink to the floor, coherent thought didn't seem to be her friend and she only hoped Evond hadn't seen her, or heard the reprimand to come looking.

 

[Golden Spider]

For the last 2 weeks despite his best efforts, Evond had not been able to get his mind off of the woman he knew as Miss Natalia. He had weathered the storm of his father's fury a couple of days later once the rumor mill had reached a fever pitch so high that even the Duke Valmont couldn't escape it, which in and of itself was a feat as his father had rarely left the comforts of his home anymore, entrusting most duties to Evond, both of them just waiting for his fathers 70th birthday, which both by decorum and by their house customs he would retire as Head of house and pass his titles on to Evond, that such event now only being 3 years away. But in the end as it goes the rumor mill quickly moved on to a new juicy target, especially as as the days went on there was no more tales or evidence to suggest that the "scandalous fling with a common whore" had continued beyond that night, or that it had even happened in the first place.

Now Evond was attending yet another dinner, this one a lavish affair, at least for the man who had put it on; despite being a Duke himself as well, House Fredricks had been in a decline for as long as Evond had been alive, a series of bad business decisions, gambles that had backfired, and personal tragedies and scandals had whittled their once sizable fortune down to the point where they only had their title, and home in the city left, having had sold their ancestral estate just outside of Marsol a handful of years ago. Duke Fredricks had even pulled favors to get the help needed for said event according to the ever present rumor mill. Despite their decline however the Fredricks still managed to have a stong grasp on politics, and it was for that reason Evond was here tonight. Fredricks had a lot riding on the dinner, and Evond was determined to make a deal with the man, a deal that was decidedly not much in Fredricks favor, but would still help the ailing house from the oblivion that still loomed over it.

That was the intent at least, but Duke Rachard Fredricks had managed to avoid and slip away from Evond at every opportunity this evening, and as the dinner plates were cleared and the groups split up to various studies and sitting rooms, to either talk business or enjoy idle chatter over whisky and cigars, he had found himself once again eluded. He found himself wandering the halls, in search for the man or someone that could take Evond to him. Exiting the Foyer he came across a butler that looked to be reprimanding a maid, the maid was looking suitably abashed with her whtie blonde head of facing her shoes. The sight of the somewhat rare coloring brought a small smile to his face. "White-blonde, almost like.." he shook his head to refocus himself, She was gone, they would never meet again, and could never be anyways. "you there! stop harassing that poor maid and take me to Duke Fredricks! we have business and he has avoided me for too long" He addressed the butler, who seemed to have a couple more harsh words with the maid before shooing her off and turning to Evond "Of course My Lord, right this way."

 

[rainingxme]

Mor froze, head down when she heard Evond's voice. A curtsy at her dismissal and a quick "Thank you Sir." Before scurrying off before he could recognize her. She was so utterly grateful he hadn't even if it was a stab to her own chest. In her rush to get away she smacked right in to Aaron. "Shit." she panics at first not knowing who's before her and then grabs his sleeve. "I've been looking for you! We have to move. Now. Valmont's are here..."

Though she didn't give all the details of the evening it was clear by her expression that she did not wish to be seen by them. Even if her heart begged for something different. "I'm clear of my duties for the evening, lets grab it and get out."

Aaron pursed his lips, the plan had been for a little later that evening. The rush is what ends up making people sloppy. He looked down into Mor's eyes and groaned. "Fine. Come on."

The two of them made quick work of getting upstairs. Dressed in the uniforms and having met most the servants that day, no one batted an eyelash at them. Upon reaching the door Aaron pulled a key from his pocket. "Swiped it off of the Duke before dinner." Mor grinned and as soon as the door was opened they slipped inside.

Aaron locked the door behind them and they began their search. It didn't take long to find where everything was hidden. Mor assumed Duke Fredricks thought he was a clever, there was a worn knob on the desk that once pushed opened a hidden compartment. She stepped back to let Aaron go through and grab what they needed as she pressed her ear to the door. There were footsteps approaching.

"Aaron, we've got company." It was a barely audible whisper as they both glanced around the room for somewhere to hide.

She heard the booming arrogant voice of Duke Fredricks. "Now where is that blasted key!"

Mor couldn't help the small silent laugh as she threw her hand over her mouth. "No time. The window." She mouthed to him. It was a second story window but they could figure it out, the drop wouldn't kill them.

Aaron silently unlatched the window and swung his leg out. Luckily there was a trellis and he made quick work of scaling a few feet down, then waited for Mor. She waved him on and closed and latched the window as fast as she could. There must have been a spare key and that was definitely the door unlocking. There was a small curtained alcove and she rushed hiding herself there and making herself as small as possible. She didn't even breath as the door finally opened.

 

[Golden Spider]

Evond followed only a few steps behind Fredricks as the larger and rotund man stomped down the hallway. The other Duke was not quite happy about being cornered at his own party, but Evond's patience in the man had run out, and now they were making their way to the fellow Duke's study to discuss business. Evond suppressed a sardonic smirk as Fredricks hastily searched his pockets for the key before signaling for a servant to rush and get the spare. Which given their lord's mood was no surprise that that same servant came back only scant minutes later, somewhat winded, wordlessly holding out a spare brass key to Fredricks.

As the door swung inward Evond glanced around at the office, No longer as well decorated as he had been told it was decades before. If Evond, and most of Society in general, didn't know better it could have easily been mistaken as a purposeful expression of minimalism. All that stood in the large office with its Navy blue walls and dark Walnut floors, broken only by a plush carpet underneath the sole desk, the one equally plush chair behind it, and the two other chairs in front of it for discussing business. most of the walls were bare save for one large painting of the Fredricks family on the far wall

Evond walked over to the only other piece of furniture in the room, a small table festooned with a crystalline decanter of some fine scotch and a set of glasses, that stood next to what seemed to be an alcove covered by a curtain.

"Thank you for finally agreeing to meet with me Lord Fredricks." Evond began as he started pouring the both of them a finger of the scotch "on the rocks or straight?"

"Rocks, and make it a double! If I'm going to have to deal with this headache of your blasted bill then I may as well enjoy myself" Evond chuckled at that and returned to the desk, handing Fredricks his glass before settling in one of the visitors chairs before the desk himself. "Now Fredricks, you only have yourself to blame there, I have been trying to get a hold of you for weeks, we could have had this sorted out ages ago, you truly left me no choice, the vote on the St. Justine's bill is tomorrow, and I need to know I'll have your support. You may think its a burden on the city funds but the truth of the matter is that St. Justine's provides low cost, affordable medical assistance to the most hardworking and diligent men and women of the city, if it shuts down it may save us money in the short term, but long term without somewhere for those to go they will not be able to have their maladies healed, which means they will not be able to work, which will bring the economy to a nosedive. We must renew the charter!"

 

[rainingxme]

Inara held a hand tight over her mouth. This was a less than ideal situation, and that voice.. Oh Gods please no.. Being caught was one thing, but if Evond actually recognized her. She didn't dare breathe.

Her brows furrowed as she listened to the men talk. She hadn't had to have much interaction with Fredricks. Party prep had been to busy through the day, but if the way he spoke to Evond who was supposed to be a respected equal was any indication, she was glad for it. There was a loud noise, maybe Fredricks slamming his glass down and she took the second to gasp down a few quick breaths. They needed to leave, she couldn't be caught. Thane would kill her.. She had no doubt about it, didn't matter how useful she was to him. In the last few weeks she's become a liability and he couldn't have that. Even with her success into Shadowghast. She shoved herself further back against the wall and prayed to whatever god of luck and protection there was.

 

[Golden Spider]

Evond continued to discuss the plans and the pending bill with the man, and by discuss is really meant that Evond told him exactly what Fredricks is going to do with his vote, and what House Valmont would do for them in return, promising an exclusive contact with House Fredricks for a number of their smaller properties, essentially providing Fredricks with a infusion of money that they sorely needed.

Neither Fredricks or Evond were too stupid to realize however that the agreement was also a sword of Damocles over the head of Fredricks; the contact could be broken for any reason on Valmont's side but it was not the same for Fredricks, requiring steep fines and specific reasoning if Fredricks wanted to get out. If Fredricks was a smart man he would quickly invest the cash into other businesses, but the state of Fredricks finances were so poor that that may not even be a possibility for him.

Evond however, was also keen and observant enough to notice a small sound, almost like a gasp, as Fredricks slammed his glass onto his desk in frustration "You're taking me for a ride you blasted Valmonts! But i can see have have no choice, fine, you will have my vote for the agreed upon terms" Evond again looked around the sparse room for a possible hiding place, before landing again on the curtained alcove. However his thoughts of the reasoning behind hiding was much different

Fredricks was, like most older houses, a fan of tradition and "the way things are done" change always took longer to affect the higher and older houses, and despite House Fredricks declining financials it was still one of the most ancient house in the kingdom. As such Evond knew that Fredricks still held to a policy that servants should not be seen nor heard unless summoned, he assumed some poor maid was cleaning the study when Evond and Fredricks attempted to access, hence the missing key, and she had to hide to try to escape the also well known wrath of her employer. "I am glad to hear it, now come, lets finish discussing the finer details over whiskey and cigars, get out of this drafty room." hopefully that would give the poor servant enough time to quickly slip out behind them and make their escape without Fredricks ever knowing

 

[rainingxme]

Mor could feel her head starting to hurt, her attempt at holding her breath slowly working against her. At Fredricks loud outburst she let that breath out again and took the moment to take a few slow breaths. Become a thief they said, it would be fun they said. The adrenaline rush was a high like no other though, was she scared? Absolutely, and despite her current reservations she always found the jobs worth it.

Listening closely to what the men were saying she bit her lip as she heard Evond deeming business done and to go and celebrate. Though she was sure it was true having listened to the conversation she could kiss Evond for the sole fact he worked to usher Fredricks out. She wondered though if he had sensed someone was there. Mor knew Evond was more astute then Fredricks but she also figured he was probably more so than most people gave him any credit for.

With the men finally leaving the room she waited for the tell tale click of the door. She let out a shuddering breath and made a run back for the window, making quick work of scaling down the side of the building and jumping the last few feet. "Let's go before anything else happens." She panted, still not fully recovered from holding her breath. A small bead of sweat sliding down her neck but the adrenaline a drug coursing through her being. Aaron needed no other prompting as he grabbed at Mor's hand and they ran to where their clothes had been stashed.

____________________________________________________

Mor held the handle of the umbrella tight, her breaths shallow with the tightness of the corset. 'This was a blasphemous idea...' She mentally kicked herself. She'd found herself lying awake after the manor and had Evond stuck on her mind. She figured running into him again and getting those feelings out of her system may be the best bet. Seeing him out and about, somewhere he didn't have to be cordial. She knew subconsciously her idea was utter nonsense. She'd met the real Evond, she was sure of it. She still hoped to have something shatter that image of him that she had made. That draw of interest that she couldn't fully place. She had no reason to be as infatuated as she was, considering she was supposed to be stealing from him. The more her mind dwelled though the more she couldn't keep away.

It had been a week since Fredricks manor and in that time she'd done a bit of stalking. Learning Evond's movements, but staying well out of sight. So as she strolled she knew for certain he would be at this very park in the next few minutes. She wore a deep blue dress today, one that brought out her eyes and seemed to be in more traditional fashion with the upper class. Part of her hoped he wouldn't fully recognize her and maybe that would play into the demonizing of him in her mind. Those blue eyes scanning the park as she walked along the cobblestone path ever searching for the man who'd consumed her thoughts.

It had been longer than she'd expected but she finally saw him. Setting her plan in motion, she held the umbrella in one hand and a book of poem's in the other. With casual steps she made her way towards him, seeming to have not been paying attention before crashing right into the Viscount. She startled, stumbling back book and umbrella falling to the ground as she began talking, flustered. "Oh my! I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention in the slightest."

 

[Golden Spider]

Evond didn't quite know how it had started, but he had come to consider his weekly mid-afternoon walk through the grand Yenview Park to be a calming and invigorating ritual. It was one of the rare times that it was just him, no butlers or servants around, though they were of course waiting at the entrance in the carriage for him to return. He always insisted though that they as well treat the couple hours as a break, and after the stiffness and awkwardness had long since past they had embraced that ideal fully, today bringing a blanket and a thick book to sprawl out and relax under a tree.

He had hoped that his distraction worked for the poor maid that had found herself trapped in Fredricks office, and that she had managed to extract herself quickly and quietly enough, at least he had not heard of any sudden firings of Fredricks staff for unknown reasons

And of course a topic that his mind frequently returned to as he walked was her, Miss Natalia, that he had met that night of his mother's birthday ball, despite his best efforts to forget her he had found he could not. He had even pondered making his way over to the streets where Hastings was known to pick up women like her, solely in the hopes to see her again. The damage to his reputation that would have caused though was something that his father would never had stood for, and what exactly would he have done? pay her to go on a date with him? how could he have ever trusted what may grow between them again?

No, despite his heart's desires this was the better way. It wasn't even heartbreak, he wasn't that naive. It was easier to cut that branch at the first signs of rot, then to let continue.

His mind was so distracted that even had it not been intentional they may have ran into each other anyways, as a sudden feminine figure in blue collided into him, stumbling back in surprise. Without even thinking he reached out and pulled her back slightly to stabilize her, unintentionally putting themselves in a closeness that was nothing short of intimate "Not at all my dear, it was my fault I assure you, I was rather lost in my thoughts..." It was then that he realized who it was that he had collided with "Miss Natalia! I do say we must stop running into each other like this, quite figuratively it seems" For some reason he was unable to keep himself from growing a faint blush, as if he was a bumbling schoolboy. He gracefully bent down to retrieve her book and the umbrella, both because it was the right thing to do, but also to disguise his face momentarily. "by the sixes own hands, i was just thinking of her and here she is. If only I believed in fate." he mused to himself.

As he retrieved her book he could not help but glance at the title "Twelve days in Olum? I would not have figured you for the works of Tommond, I'm more partial to Armose myself."