|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 28, 2012 1:37:53 GMT -5
Everyone needs some private living space, now and back then. Any plot featured in someone's house, their section of the castle (Servant's quarters, rooms, etc), or the dorms within the Training Academy go here.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 28, 2012 3:32:53 GMT -5
Amelia opened the door to her home, Joshua right behind her. The house was small, with a large fireplace on one wall, with a pot hanging for cooking. A table with many chairs of different sizes stood at the other end of the room. The floors were clean, indicating someone had swept. Two children played in the open center with a wooden doll. They had blonde curls and brown eyes, and were identical to one another. A woman with blonde hair and lighter brown eyes than the children, was standing by the window, staring at Amelia and Joshua, before deciding to get angry.
"Where have you been?!" she yelled to Amelia, "Welcome by the way, young sir," she said sweetly to Joshua, before turning back to Amelia, "Do you not realize I need help at home??"
"I'm sorry, I got caught up in the village," said Amelia, as her two nephews came crashing at her legs, once again causing her to stumble.
"Amy! Auntie Amy!" they cried excitedly as they clung to her.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 28, 2012 15:54:39 GMT -5
"I'm very sorry." Joshua said, holding his hand out to shake. "I delayed Amelia in town. I'm Joshua Herdman, it's a pleasure to meet you."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 3:04:51 GMT -5
Amelia watched Victoria's face slowly go from anger, to shock, to a wide smile. Obviously, she had recognized the name. She gave Amelia an appraising glance, before sinking into a low curtsy, well, as low as a six month pregnant woman could, and took his hand, "Milord, it's an honor to meet you. Welcome to our home. I apologize for the scene I made earlier, but a mother worries. And while Amelia isn't my daughter, she is a precious sister, and still quite young and unmarried."
Amelia rolled her eyes, as she lifted Benjamin and Kent Jr into her arms, one on each hip, and watched the scene. A bored Benjamin began to play with her hair, while Kent fascinated himself by tugging at her earlobe.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 3:24:30 GMT -5
Joshua watched in amusement as the woman's expression changed to one of shock and welcome. He had to try not to laugh when she put such an emphasis on unmarried, and he hoped greatly that she did not notice.
"That's quite all right, madam. I completely understand." he turned to look at Amelia, who looked faintly amused, a child on each hip.
"And who are those two wonderful children?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 3:44:07 GMT -5
Vicky's face softened as she smiled. It was a smile she only reserved for when she discussed her boys, as mother said, and made the normally irritating woman look quite pretty. She only used it when discussing her sons, and husband. Amelia often marveled at the way Victoria's expressions could change so quickly.
"My sons," said Victoria proudly, draping her arm over her belly as she stood, "Benjamin and Kent Jr, say hello boys!"
"Hella!" said Benjamin, waving his chubby toddler fist as he siled widely, a dimple in his chin, while still clutching a fistful of Amelia's hair, making her wince. Kent ducked his head into Amelia's shoulder, his blonde curls covering his eyes, and then lifted his head to peek at Joshua. When he met Joshua's eyes, or felt he was being watched, he'd hide his head again.
"Kent, say hello," encouraged Amelia, but he shook his head, and she gave Joshua an apologetic glance.
"He's just shy," said Victoria, quick to dismiss any issues with her children as always, "Wait until the new baby's born and he's no longer the youngest, then he'll open up."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 3:50:29 GMT -5
Joshua smiled. He knew that Amelia had complained about having such a large family, but it seemed rather nice to him. It seemed like he had won the woman over anyway, talking about her children.
"Hello Benjamin, hello Kent!" he said cheerfully. "They're lovely." he added solemnly to the woman, glancing quickly at Amelia to check that he was doing the right thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 4:09:24 GMT -5
Amelia gave a slight nod as Victoria beamed and said, "Aren't you sweet!? Come here boys, mummy needs to feed you. Amelia, why don't you take this fine gentleman and show him around? I'll set the table for two more."
Amelia placed the boys down, struggling to detach them. Benjamin didn't want to let go of her hair, and Kent was clinging to her leg, trying to hide his face. Victoria couldn't be bothered as she went to the pot to set lunch.
"I think you won her over," said Amelia, detaching Benjamin from her hair. "Kenny, go with Benny!"
Kent took Benjamin's hand, and clapped another hand over his face, trying to avoid Joshua's gaze as the two toddlers headed to their mother. Amelia swallowed as she watched them, she couldn't believe she was going to leave them behind.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 4:20:21 GMT -5
Joshua smiled. "You have a wonderful family, you know. You made the,mound like fire breathing dragons before, I must admit I was a little worried."
Joshua stopped, and suddenly noticed the look on Amelia's face.
"What's wrong? You look like you wish to cry, Amelia."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 4:30:36 GMT -5
Amelia froze, and then tried to smile, "Nothing's wrong! I'm fine!" To prove it, she forced a laugh and continued, "They're lovely now, because Vicky likes you. Just wait until my brothers arrive! Wouls you like to look upstairs? The bedrooms are there, but my room is towards the back. Where do you want to go?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 4:36:09 GMT -5
Joshua raised an eyebrow, but said nothing about Amelia's sudden mood change.
"I'm sure that your brothers would murder me if I went anywhere near your bedroom. But I'm curious, and more than just a bit foolish, so let's go."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 4:46:57 GMT -5
"Vicky'll be delighted," said Amelia sarcastically, "There's nothing else but bedrooms in the house. Once the twins are fed, she'll be right outside our door, ear pressed to it."
She began walking to the curtain blocking the hallway to her room.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 5:17:00 GMT -5
"Well, we'll have to make sure we don't give her anything to gossip about then, won't we?" Joshua grinned. "One of the maids at the house is like that, although she enjoys nothing more than reporting back to my father."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 5:28:37 GMT -5
"Oh? I suppose she likes to get you in trouble then?" asked Amelia, as she pushed back the curtain, "Vicky loves to stir up drama. It's great when I need information, but horrible when others need information."
They walked a few feet, and Amelia opened the door to her room. It was a small space, with a small, rickety bed, and a large window, easy to climb out of. A small trunk with her dresses stood at the foot of her bed. Her favorite doll, Tara the Princess, sat worn and ragged on the window sill.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 5:53:51 GMT -5
"Yeah, she really does. Hates me with a passion, that woman. I have no idea why."
Joshuaa walked into Amelia's room, looking around.
"I love your room! It's personal...cosy." he spotted a doll sitting on the windowsill and smiled.
"I used to have one a bit like that when I was younger, you know. It was a soldier... My father took it away on my seventh birthday. Apparently I was too old for it then."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 6:03:21 GMT -5
"Maybe you favored another maid too much?" suggested Amelia, feeling odd as she remembered her aunt who had served as a maid in some noble house until she died. "Thank you!" She frowned when he mentioned the doll. She was starting to like the Earl and his wife less and less.
"That's not right. Children are meant to have a doll who grows up with them. All my family does, well, my brothers and I at least, and my nephews. Your never too old to play with a doll!" Then she gave a childish grin and picked up the doll, "Would you like ro meet her?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 11:33:15 GMT -5
"Maybe." Joshua mused, "There are a few housestaff I get along with, she was never one of them, she doesn't really seem the jealous type though."
Joshua laughed when Amelia picked up the doll.
"Very much so!"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 11:45:14 GMT -5
"It must be nice having maids. My aunt was one," said Amelia, and then with a grin she said, "This is Princess Cherry. She's named Cherry for her red hair and dress. She says it's a pleasure to meet you."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 11:54:12 GMT -5
"It's okay I guess, when you don't want to do something, but you get no privacy at all, which is annoying. Also, you begin to feel pretty useless after a while. You can't distract yourself with housework."
Joshua grinned at Amelia as she played around with the doll. She seemed a lot happier here, somehow.
"You get a lovely view out of your window, I must say."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 12:01:43 GMT -5
"I thought lords had their own maids," said Amelia in surprise, "Are they not supposed to respect your privacy?"
She turned to the window, setting down her doll, and smiled. Her house was set upon a hill, and her room looked to the back. From here you could see the woods, just by a small pond. It looked serene, and picturesque.
"That's where I learnt to swim," she said, pointing out to the lake, "And the woods are where my brothers learned hunting and trapping. We used to spend all our childhood swimming in that lake, it's lovely this time of year."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 12:15:48 GMT -5
"They respect your privacy when it suits them." Joshua muttered under his breath, sounding annoyed. "But it sounds wonderful, the lake. I imagine it would be especially lovely in the summer, with the sun warming it up."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 12:37:29 GMT -5
"Not at all," said Amelia, "It's extremely cold in fact, but a great place to cool off. It's best during the change of seasonsm when the temperature outside is cooler, and the water feels less cold. Would you like to go there after lunch?"
She wanted to go see the lake, for one last time. After all, once she left, who knew when she'd go swimming again!
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 13:09:59 GMT -5
"I would love that." Joshua smiled. "Although I'm not a very good swimmer."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 13:19:32 GMT -5
"I can teach you," she said with a smile, "Come on, let's get some lunch!"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 14:37:30 GMT -5
Joshua grinned and followed Amelia back towards the kitchen. Food. Now that was something he enjoyed almost as much as swordfighting.
"Are you sure you don't mind me eating with you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 14:42:48 GMT -5
"Not at all, though I suggest you eat quickly, Vicky's going to want to use this opportunity to learn everything about you so she can tell her gossipy friends," said Amelia as they entered the kitchen area.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 14:59:50 GMT -5
Joshua laughed. "I'll be prepared, honestly."
Personally, he was hoping to hear amusing stories about Amelia, and he was sure that Vicky would deliver.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 15:09:47 GMT -5
"There you two are! You sure took your time!" said Victoria, sounding thrilled at the idea of them spending time alone in Amelia's room. She was wiping Benjamin's mouth on the table, and waved the two over. "Have a seat, I'll get you some food! Amelia, be a dear and serve the lunch!"
Amelia rolled her eyes at Victoria, and grabbed two bowls. From the fireplace pot, she removed two bowlfuls of Victoria's Stew, which simmered slowly on the fireplace. With chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables all tossed into one pot, and several herbs, it had a decidedly different flavor each time it was eaten, due to Victoria's habit of using a mixture of whatever herbs were going cheapest at the market, or were being sold due to reaching the expiry.
"Here you go," said Amelia, returning to seat herself beisde Joshua on the kitchen table.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 29, 2012 15:28:42 GMT -5
"Thank you." Joshua said, taking the bowl offered to him. After taking a mouthful, he could definitely say that it was strong. Eyes watering slightly as he tried not to cough, he turned to Victoria.
"This is lovely, thank you." he smiled, trying to be polite.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 29, 2012 15:31:19 GMT -5
"Thank you!" said Victoria, beaming. Amelia was used to the strong flavor, and could see Joshua struggling to eat it. She smiled at him when Vuctoria turned around. "So, what are you two up to today?"
|
|
