Creak.
Creak.
Scurry-scurry.
Creak.
Thump!
Owww.
==========
Groggily, I pull myself up on my, er, bed. It doesn't really feel like one. Completely stiff wooden boards that creak with every movement, not to mention the lumpy, much too soft mattress. No springs? What a foreign concept for a mattress. o.o
Of course, it doesn't help that I'm wearing some woolen nightdress thingy, either. It's totally frilly, oppressive, and as revealing as...a funeral shroud.
I moan pitifully.
A knock at my bedroom door dispells my stupor. I walk to the door, rubbing my eyes and stretching. I haven't slept at all tonight.
"Snow?" A horrified voices whispers.
I blink, just holding back a sigh. Oh, lovely. One of them.
"Erm, good morning," I manage gracelessly.
The auburn haired beauty glides in, tutting at my lack of manners. "Has no one taught you manners? Really, it is quite rude to keep your hosts up while they wait for you to arrive for the morning meal."
I wince as she slides the curtains open. I had no idea it was so late in the morning. Those curtains are so thick you wouldn't see the sun until they burned through the cloth.
Perhaps it would help if I could read one of their clocks. Don't blame me! Being a daughter of a future generation, I can only read digital. But that's a foreign concept, too.
"I'll be right there. In a sec."
Miss Proper looks scandalized at my carefree language, but leaves my room anyway. I ignore her, rifling through my, erm, wardrobe. Reaching in, I gingerly touch the fabric. Geesh, these people are rich. Cashmere and satin and silk...
I pick a yellow one out, suddenly realizing I have no idea how to put on this horrid dress. Petticoats, underlinens, countless buttons. My goodness.
I take a deep breath. Time to tackle this chore, I suppose.
When I finally arrive downstairs, huffing and puffing like a hippo, I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one suffering. I snicker at Sar. Although my hair's down because I didn't have anything to put it up with, at least my hair looks...feminine. She's wearing a bonnet, ha ha. I plop into the seat next to her.
"Lovely hat!"
She glares. "At least my hair's not blue!" she hisses.
Well, I suppose so. I suddenly wish for a tube of hair-dye. Once again, a foreign concept. I don't trust these old world bleaches and things.
The table falls silent as we pick daintily at our breakfasts, only the tinkle of silverware hanging in the quiet. I take the opportunity to glance around the table.
Yunsi seems to be as disgruntled as I am, and takes a lot of time to pull her shawl around her shoulders. It would seem that she's not overly comfortable with the low neckline of her own dress. Who could be? We'd all be better off prancing around topless, us girls.
Chibi-bunni, sitting next to her, is trying to use her best manners while using the variety of silverware around her bowl stacked on a plate stacked on a platter. I didn't bother, instead using one fork for it all. Apparently, her patience isn't lacking.
YYugi sits nearby, rather dashing in his own frockcoat and ruffles. However, the lacy sleeves don't seem to be agreeing with him. He pulls at the excess material, trying to keep it from falling into his food.
Then is Nerfe. He seems unaccustomed to the massive cloud of silence, looking as if he yearns to make a joke. However, after the incident yesterday, I'm rather certain that he would much rather not say anything. What's so improper about bare feet?
Adri and Fae look most graceful. Adri has picked out an extravagant dress that doesn't look at all overdone. What a mystery. I know I'd look like a clown with all of the bows and embroidery. Her hair's even up in sausage curls that fall over one shoulder. Fae's the total opposite, wearing a stately, plain dress. However, it does not pale in comparison to Adri's outfit. They compliment each other, and Fae manages to look completely elegant and in control.
Des looks completely casual, as if he hasn't noticed the difference of timeframes. I've seen him look just as comfortable in pajamas as he looks now, wearing a hunting jacket, booted legs propped up on one chair leg. I glower at the three. Why are they so comfortable?
As it is, the three aforementioned LOians are the ones that break the silence by addressing our graceful hosts. Soon, Chibi-Bunni joins in, followed by the others. Nerfe and I don't say anything, attempting to stay hidden as not to be noticed.
Our hosts are a family of four, plus a cousin. Lord Lunar, whom the estate was named after, has a rather strict look about him with his neatly combed gray hair and furrows between his eyebrows. However, he can be very fatherly. I know that if I want to ask anything, it will be of him. I'm not asking one of the girls, that's for certain. One's his daughter, the other his neice. They both simper about us all day, picking on us travelers. They're rather outspoken, I think. His son is quiet and polite, and has a very pretty smile. And Lady Stella is a goddess. Lucky her. Pretty and graceful, she dotes on Fae and Adri. They don't seem to mind at all.
It would seem that we've suddenly decided to go hunting. We return to our rooms. Guess why?
To change. x.x
Apparently, our dresses are not proper for hunting. Why ever not? It's not like we're the ones hunting, anyway. The only one who didn't have to come up was Des, who had mysteriously found out about this hunting escapade early. Explains his jacket, it does.
Pulling on what the daughter, Felicia, has told me is a hunting dress, I wrap my hair in a big knot and borrow one of Valentine's hats. A horrid name, Valentine. I almost feel sorry for the cousin as I secure the hat on my head. At least that will hide my hair color.
I go outside to see Chibi-Bunni, Adri, and Fae chatting. I join them.
"Oh, Snow! Your dress is so pretty!" Adri exclaims.
I glare at her. This thing is horrid. Reminds me of carpet. I say as much.
"Nonsense," Fae interrupts, waving her hand in an easy fashion. "It's quite the style. Besides, it's convenient. That's the best part."
Easy for her to say, I sulk. Her dress looks completely simple compared to mine and Chibi-Bunni's. We exchange looks.
"Aren't you hot in that dress?" I mutter to her.
"Sweltering," she mutters back, fanning herself. We both sigh as Yunsi comes along, dragging along a very unrecognizable Sar.
"Yunsi! Why is she out her dressed like that?" Adri asks, alarmed.
"You can help me. Here, explain to her the needs of a dress," Yunsi says, fuming. Rarely is she angry, but making bad impressions seems to do that to her.
It's not as if Sar's wearing a towel. Honestly, it's just breeches and a jacket and boots. Totally sensible.
"I raided the guys' closet," she says smugly.
All of the guys appear to be sharing a room, or rather, a suite. They've even got a bar, if I heard correctly. That is so not fair. I turn to Sar.
"Why didn't you invite me along?"
Yunsi sighs. "That's not quite the response I was hoping for..."
The guys stroll up, looking rather content. I eye their ensemble with envy. Man, will I ever get to wear pants again? They all carry apples and sugar for the horses, I assume, by their bulging bags and pockets.
"Hey, guys," Des says nonchalantly.
"Lovely day, isn't it?" YYugi adds.
"Look, Lord Lunar."
I groan. This is going to be horrid.
==========
Author's Notes:
Read the opening few words before the break really carefully. C;
But beside that, I decided to write because I was bored. Sorry if it's lacking in humor. xPP
SnowPheonix · Mon Jun 18, 2007 @ 06:01pm · 7 Comments |