Welcome to Gaia! ::

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


It took Peter a little while to snap out of his observing daze and look towards Eduard. He had lost all traces of his acting face for a moment and looked quite plainly innocent. But he quickly shook out of that and replied with a knowing smile. "I would be delighted." Peter half bowed/half curtsied and presented his hand to Eduard to be led out to the floor.

As the dance started, Peter soon forgot much of what was going on around them and was only intent on watching Eduard to try and see what he was thinking when he was not speaking. Many of the couples around them were making polite conversation, mostly about politics or Lord Charmont's ball that took place not more than a week ago. Of course, Peter really didn't know much of the present day news, so he was at a loss for any conversation that would seem appropriate. All he knew were the private matters, such as Eduard's past, but it never bode well to talk about private matters in public.

All the while, the Viscount was walking around, trying to engage the partner-less men in the hall with the women seated near the main balcony. It was the host's duty to make sure that everyone danced at least once or twice. Once in a while, he would stand back and survey the scene with a satisfied expression. And always, as he scanned, his eyes would linger on Eduard and Peter for quite a while before moving on. Of course, he was trying to learn all the ways that he could bring that snobbish Marquess down from his high reign. It wasn't easy, but this ball provided him the perfect opportunity to conduct such studies.

(("observing daze".... such a paradox))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter smiled. "My father's birthday is coming up soon," he replied in a very feminine voice. Making things up as they went was quite fun. It was the most enjoyable aspect of acting for Peter, which is why acting in the theatre never really satisfied his cravings. It was all scripted down to the actions, so there was always less space for mobility. Peter didn't like to be restricted.

"And I am at a dilemma as to what to do. His health, as you know, is failing him and his fragile person cannot take much more strain. Yet, he has such a fondness for cherry tarts that it would be a shame if he could not partake in some for his birthday." Peter stopped himself there, not wanting to spout some nonsense. Was he overdoing it? After all, they hadn't practiced any speech styles and such, so Peter was left to his own imagination and what he could gain from the surrounding dancers. Was he speaking in too much of a straightforward manner? Were these matters too personal? It frustrated Peter a little that there were so many rules to the high society.

"But that's quite enough about me," Peter laughed his Rosaline bell laugh. "Tell me more about yourself, Marquess Michaels." He even batted his eyelashes a little to add some personality to the statement. Rosaline was supposed to be young, playful, yet still respectable and prideful. It was a difficult balance, but Peter had devised the persona that way, so he was prepared for the challenge.

Soon the Viscount gave up on trying to learn much. He knew that Eduard and him would meet again sometime in the near future. After all, the season was just starting. Soon, there would be many coming out balls and other such gatherings. There would be plenty of opportunities there. And who knew what girl Eduard would have with him then! Every girl provided William a different way into Eduard.

((And that's the only reason why I like Juliet when it comes to Romeo and Juliet. She spouts so many of them! Oh, and William is Rutherford's first name, in case you had forgotten.))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter found himself occasionally losing track of what Eduard was saying because of the lovely smile that Eduard had presented him. He was even too enraptured in his dance partner to even notice the other women and their obvious jealousy. Eduard was truly very beautiful. It's such a waste that a man like him didn't want to be attached to anyone. But even those who could catch his adoration for just a little were lucky.

Peter smiled at the mention of roses. 'Rosaline' and Peter both loved Roses probably to an equal extent. The scent of roses always relaxed Peter, even when he was in the throes of an angry justification tirade. He was, therefore, surprised to lean that Eduard had a garden of roses. "I absolutely adore roses. Their scent is just so... calming." And Peter really did look like he was at complete peace for a little moment.

Then his expression turned a little sad. "That's truly terrible. Yet another good man falls due to some malady or other." If Peter was indeed Rosaline, then 'she' would be thinking about her father right about now. Peter wasn't sure if any of the information presented in this conversation would be true or not. But what reason did Eduard have to lie? Peter made it one of his goals to find someone to do the gardening for Eduard's estate when they returned.

A couple of the men, noticing that their women were somewhat occupied with staring at Eduard, started looking over too. That soft smile that had manifested itself on Peter's plump lips and the curls that fell down to frame his face made for a very angelic lady—though he still wasn't even close to being as beautiful as Eduard was, at least, in his own eyes. A lot of people in the room, though they kept dancing, noticed that Eduard and Peter seemed like such an ideal couple.

Eventually Peter took notice and chuckled very softly, almost even unladylike. "If only they knew..." His voice was quite soft so that only Eduard could slightly hear. He was sure that Eduard would know what he was talking about. And it irked Peter a little to know that he looked so good when he was a woman and was almost completely ignored by the female race when he was a man. Such was the sad truth of his life...

((That's what I thought! I was re-reading some of Kuroshitsuji and I immediately thought of Eduard's last name as I crossed Sebastian once again!
William actually came from "Emma." I'm not sure if you've read that though.
It's weird how most of your names came from where I thought they came from. I guess we read/watch/do the same things xD))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter welcomed the breeze. He too wasn't used to wearing this many layers. The fake, but very convincing cleavage that Peter had was starting to weigh him down, just like acting on stage as a woman would. Aught to be used to all this by now, Peter thought with bitter humor. He still couldn't swallow the fact that he was a better woman than man. His manly pride stubbornly prevented him from accepting it.

"I'm having a very enjoyable time, Eduard. What about yourself?" Peter laughed lightly at Eduard's slight change in manner. Peter found that he liked Eduard better when he was being open and informal. It made him seem much more like the friendly and caring person that Peter felt he was.

Finally having a little time to themselves, Peter spoke with a little less guard. "It's hard to believe that it all began last night." Peter glanced at the sapphire ring which perfectly fit on his left ring finger, a small smile on his face. Eduard surely knew what he was getting at. Imagine if it hadn't rained yesterday. Peter would have been long gone on his bike to work. Oh, the irony. "You should appreciate the rain more," he teased.

(("Emma" is a manga/anime about a maid named Emma who took care of this old lady. Through her, Emma met an aristocrat named William and the two fell in love. But their love is forbidden, of course. The old woman dies and Emma is forced to leave to find a job elsewhere. William gets mad at her leaving and doesn't show up when she went to his house to say good-bye. He just didn't believe that she was leaving... Story goes from there.))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter laughed softly. "Agreed." Eduard surprised him all the time. He could never be sure what Eduard was thinking, and every time he took a guess, he was always well off the mark. "Such an interesting character..." He was more speaking to himself than to Eduard, but he spoke it loud enough so that both could hear it clearly.

Suddenly, a moderately good looking man came out to the balcony and bowed to Rosaline. "Lady Rosaline, it would be a great honor if you were to dance a round with me." He glanced at Eduard testily, but said nothing. He obviously knew that he had interrupted something, but he counted on the fact that Eduard was a prideful person to not make a scene. At least, Eduard seemed like an overly prideful person to most of the people that didn't know him.

Peter smiled sweetly, knowing that it would be rude if he declined. One could only decline if they were already promised to someone else. His lashes fluttered a little. He decided that he might as well have some in character fun with this man if he was forced to dance. He took one last glance at Eduard and then departed, figuring that Eduard knew Peter had no choice in the matter.

((It's very possible that it is a book. Now that I think about it, there's bound to be a book! Jane Austen? xD Do you mind if we just do a little action skipping? Something like... Eduard and Peter do a couple more dances with each other, and maybe with other partners, but only a little. Go right to the time of leaving so that Rutherford can have his last word or something...))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Rutherford took the grand opportunity to come over and chat with Eduard while he was alone. "Dreary weather we're having, isn't it?" Of course, they both knew that this wasn't anywhere close to the subjects that Rutherford was really curious about. What did weather have to do with Eduard's downfall after all? At least, that's what William thought.

Rutherford had barely any patience at the moment. He was in no evident rush, though he hoped to find out as much as he could before the set was over. He had head Eduard's claim on Lady Rosaline's next dance. But this was too sweet of an opportunity to not take advantage of.

He was also slightly seething and filled with jealousy. The spotlight had been taken from him after all, and it had stayed on Eduard and Lady Rosaline through the night since their arrival. It was his own ball and he was being ignored! Such was not the proud ways of the Rutherford family. He disguised his contempt quite well, but he let it slip once in a while through a hard stare at Eduard. They were relatively alone, so it was all right to let loose just a little. They both knew how Rutherford viewed Eduard, though Eduard might not know of the exact intentions Rutherford had.

((Great minds think alike, my friend. *wink* First post with no Peter!))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Rutherford thought quickly for an excuse. "This ball was a small celebration of my niece's coming of age, as you know. She just had her coming out ball at the very start of the season." That much was evident. There had been talk in the aristocracy about the young Madeline Rutherford. She was well kept and respectable; an asset to the Rutherford family. "It's sad that you arrived late, for she had to leave before you could make it. Her mother's sick and she's worried half to death. Poor girl..." Rutherford didn't look sad at all. "But anyways, I thought to only invite those that I wanted to know my own personal business. And you, being you, just had to be invited." He trailed off at the end, hiding only enough to keep it relatively civil between them.

"Lady Rosaline, you say?" Rutherford looked up with a delighted expression. "Charming name. It fits her complexion, don't you agree?" Rutherford was trying to kill two birds with one stone: change the subject from himself to Eduard; and pry into Eduard's view of his new woman. He chuckled lightly. "Are you planning on leaving her like you do with all your other women?" This statement would be very frowned upon had they been in an area more public. But this was just between the two of them, so William was more carefree. He had no time formalities at the moment.

((I just left Peter out because I felt there wouldn't be much going on between those two. Rutherford and Eduard would be much more interesting.))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


William Rutherford decided to take his chances. He could sense that he had sparked something inside Eduard by mentioning Rosaline, though not sure if there was a direct connection happening there. And it was obvious that he was treading on very thin ground at the moment, but it was all worth it in his eyes. He was quite sure that Eduard wasn't the type of man to make a scene here. Now, if they were to encounter each other again in complete privacy... that would be a different story indeed. And Rutherford vowed to not let that happen.

Trying not to let Eduard's comments get to him, even though they were already starting to leak through, he sighed, "I wonder how long you'll keep up that fantasy within your head. No sane woman would take you and not want your title and wealth." This society that they lived in was complicatedly cynical, and they both knew it. Eduard would be hard pushed to find a woman who wasn't after him for his position. Of course, Rutherford had no idea that they weren't even talking about a woman at the moment.

Now a little happier in knowing that he could, in fact, spark something within Eduard, and that Rosaline held some key to it, Rutherford walked past Eduard and into the ballroom. The waltz had just finished. "I don't want to keep you from your mirage of a lady. Good evening to you!" And with that, Rutherford went off to attend to his other guests and once again fulfill his duties as a host.

Peter walked up to Eduard, flushed and smiling. "That was very enjoyable! He was full of very interesting stories." He laughed a little loosely. It was refreshing to dance with someone who didn't know anything about him or the acting that he was doing. It gave him a chance to test out just how much wool he could pull over people's eyes. "I think this whole thing is quite a success," Peter whispered in Eduard's ear, still having to strain even though he was in heels.