Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Jan 23, 2011 9:06:19 GMT -5
Romily was more surprised at herself. She would have never shared the truth about Jaxon’s existence with anyone. “No – I don’t want to either, I doubt that he knows about everything given his age, he’s still quite young”. Ok not as young but a revelation like that would ruin his life. “If, however he did then im sure he’d jump at the chance of being the rightful heir to Wolfhall Manor – that puts me out of the picture entirely.” No matter how hard she tried, it was hard to like Jaxon. She’d never even met him but as soon as Bonnie had given his name to her she disliked him instantly. She couldn’t help but think that he’d most likely inherited her – sorry, their father’s traits. “I’ve painted a picture of him in my head. He’s every inch of my father, but there’s another side that makes me think he’s kind hearted and innocent. I suppose maybe one day our paths will cross”.
Yassia explained about the type of men she met on her travels. They all sounded the same to Romily, and Yassia didn’t hold back in voicing this. Romily laughed, “One thing – yes it seems as though most men care only for that and that alone. They don’t check to see if they’ve hurt out feelings.” She smiled at Yassia. “I truly believe that after all you’ve been through –you deserve someone who will give you anything you want. And of course he won’t be smarmy!” she chuckled.
Romily watched as the princess glided into the room and looked around with hopefully a look of approval. Thankfully this was confirmed when she told her that it was perfect. “Im glad you like it. Eldon likes any traveller to feel welcome and thankfully there are no lice and fleas of any sort, I ensure that all of the beds are rid of them before the complaints come rushing in” Romily smiled and walked into adjust a few things in the room – such as fluffing pillows and whatnot. “Well earned rest I think not – I spend half of the evening tending to the travellers that have something to complain about. The shutters letting the cold air in, the pillows being too hard, even the bed being in the wrong place!” she tutted, “You won’t be disturbing me at all. If ever you do want to talk though, just come and give a knock on my door – I’ll either be there or down in the bar” she told her, said goodnight and left Yassia to settle.
Back down in the bar she began working hard to clear up. The locals were gone, travellers in their rooms and the inn locked up. All was quiet except for the silent sobbing that came from lonely barmaid trying not to break.
It was just Romily, herself and time.
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 24, 2011 10:26:00 GMT -5
Yassia felt the animosity Romily seemed to feel towards her younger stepbrother and chose not to dig deeper into the subject. Although she couldn’t help but wonder what she herself would think about such a fact in her own life. As far as she knew her father had never been unfaithful and didn’t have any illegitimate children. Mircea had been a totally different matter, he had been more of a foster brother than a stepbrother, as she was not related to him by blood in any way. He also never could have enforced a claim on the throne, and he had never wanted to either. Mircea had been content with serving as knight with honor and loyalty… Though if her father had lived longer, there might have been a stepbrother with better claims to the crown than Yassia, but even that would not have been so bad. She had never wanted the responsibility of it all, if her elder brother had survived, or if her younger brother had been born … if, if, IF! There really was no use in sulking over impossible things! She should take a leaf out of Romily’s book big time!
A warm glowing of gratitude towards Romily spread out inside Yassia, as she heard her new friends words. It was nice to think someone believed you good enough to deserve the best. Yassia was not so sure about that. Often enough she was headstrong, insulting and thoughtless. What she needed was a man who could put up with her occasional explosions and still had it in him to love her. And such men didn’t grow on trees… “Thanks for saying that! Though life taught me over the last few months that you very rarely get what you deserve. I might just have to learn to pull through on my own first, before I can think about love… if I ever am free enough to choose that is. At the moment the term ‘anyone but my cousin’ rates high on my priorities.”
Yassia laughed when Romily painted such a vivid picture of her customers peculiarities. She herself had witnessed such complains countless times, and if she was honest at first she had been amongst those never to be satisfied with what they got. Getting rid of this princesslike attitude had been a hard lesson to learn, but she had learned it alright. “Those idiots, truly! Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t wait for me though or anything, it might be I drop on the spot!” With another grateful smile she watched Romily leave and settled down in her room, putting some water in the bowl that was used for washing and – gladly – seemed to be standard here. One could really tell what Romily had been used to once, regarding the tidiness and homelike air of the simple room.
She retired to bed and expected to drift off to sleep soon, but somehow her mind was still buzzing like a whole beehive, trying to work out the day’s revelations and surprises. After a good ten minutes of tossing and turning, Yassia decided there was no use in trying any longer now, maybe she would call on Romily’s offer after all. Hearing soft noises from the taproom below, she decided the barmaid must be still working and didn’t even try her door. Slowly and silently she made her way down the steps, careful not to disturb any of the other guests for the night. When Romily came into view, Yassia took a moment to watch her idly, admiring the swiftness and grace of her routine evening work. She was just about to offer help, when she saw the woman’s shoulders trembling and imagined to hear a sob.
In an istant, Yassia glided down the remaining steps, calling out lowly: “Romily? Sweet stars, what’s wrong?”
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Jan 31, 2011 14:16:54 GMT -5
She heard the footsteps drawing nearer as she worked hard to clean the bar. Romily quickly wiped her eyes and regained what little composure that she had left. On hearing Yassia’s voice ask if what was wrong she turned and smiled calmly at her friend.
“It’s alright, really im fine”
She didn’t want to go on about her life than Yassia wanted to hear about it. Besides it wasn’t as though Yassia would be staying here for much longer – if she were to have started living in the village then perhaps Romily would have found it even more easier to confide in her than she had done already. Yassia already had problems of her own and Romily wasn’t prepared to load of hers onto her as well. She couldn’t help but contemplate her thoughts of what it would be like if she returned home now. She was sure her father wouldn’t like it at all, but she felt so tempted as for him to see her now that she was almost willing herself to walk straight out of the job and back to Carmelide.
“Was there something you wanted?” she asked, “Is it too cold in the room?” she was worried now. She doubted that Yassia would complain given the fact she’d already stated spending her nights in a far less delightful environment, but Romily couldn’t help but ask. She was a barmaid; this was her job – to make sure that all her customers were looked after. Romily found herself scrubbing at the bar far harder than she’d anticipated, it wasn’t even dirty, she’d already cleaned it at least one hundred times that evening. With that she set the cloth down and waited to hear what Yassia had to say.
OOC – so sorry it’s taken a while to post, Millie hasn’t been as talkative as she usually is!
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 2, 2011 9:47:00 GMT -5
Fine??!! Since when did crying alone in the night count as fine? It seemed like her first notion of Romily had not been thoroughly right after all. It was not like her friend didn't care about what had happened to her, she just was a pro in hiding it. It was only consequent she didn't want anyone to know about this show of weakness and already Yassia felt uncomfortable she had happened upon this scene. She really would like to help Romily, but was not sure how. She might just be a needless bother.
„Are you sure?“ she still asked, not quite ready to leave things like they were. Romily had helped her so much tonight, cheering her up to the point where she almost felt content and even happy, and now she was feeling sad herself. It was not simply an obligation to return the favor, it was a desire. Romily did deserve way better than feeling like this, living like this, making the best out of nothing just because she had been the one breaking out. Sometimes the phrase 'anything is better than this' didn't quite fit in hindsight. Yassia had had such moments before, and she wondered if Romily was reaching such a point right now, when she rather turned back time and accepted what before had seemed inacceptable.
Romily's question took her by surprise. Did she really think she had come down to complain about something? Well, that probably was what she was used to by other customers, like they had just talked about a few minutes ago. But at least in case of Yassia that notion needed to be corrected. „No, no, really, like I said everything is perfect up there, please don't worry!“ Not worry anymore than she already seemed to do that is. „I just couldn't sleep and figured I might as well keep you company for a little while longer. Though“, she shrugged, a little uneasy, „if you rather be alone, just say. I don't want to intrude.“ she half turned back towards the stairs. „I just would want to know if there's anything I can do... to make it easier, if not better.“
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Feb 14, 2011 15:01:53 GMT -5
Romily smiled. She’d never received such concern or kindness from anyone before. “Im fine” she told her again and sat down.
Yassia told her about the room. Thank goodness she liked it. “Couldn’t sleep? Well – join the club” Romily smirked wearily. “I only run on so many hours sleep before I have to be up again doing everything here.” She poured a drink for herself and her friend. “You’re not intruding, if you were I would’ve sent you packing by now” she chuckled, “besides, it’s nice to have someone to talk to who I can actually be myself around.”
She’d lived a lie for a year – she wondered how on earth she’d managed to maintain it. There were times where she wanted to scream at Eldon who she really was. Everyone here truly believed she was a travelling peasant girl looking for work. Nothing dawned on them that this barmaid had three nice noble dresses hidden in the back of her cupboard. She hadn’t brought any jewels with her – only her mother’s ring that was safely on her wedding finger. Sometimes she used this as an excuse to men who she couldnt shake off. “Im tired Yassia. Im tired of this job – this life, but it pays my way and keeps me going. I know that if I give it up, I give up my lifeline, and right now im wondering whether or not I can actually afford to. I can never go back to my father, even though I told you I thought about it. I just wonder whether any of this is worth the bother anymore”, she sighed.
“Anyway, you being here for me to talk to is all I am thankful for. I’ve never had any real friends – or just any friends for that matter.” It had only just dawned on her that she didn’t really have anyone. “I guess that you’re my first real friend that I’ve had in all my life”
Romily leant back against the wall and sipped at her drink. Everything was in order now and there wasn’t really a reason for her to stay down here. She looked to Yassia. “Anyway seeing as I’ve just finished for the evening, we could go have a late night chat in my room? Staying down here might rouse Eldon – he sometimes comes down during the night to get himself a drink of water”
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 21, 2011 11:10:22 GMT -5
Yassia might not be an expert in reading people she didn't know, but she had been around too maby polite lies not to know when she saw one. Romily wasn't fine, but she also didn<#t seem to want to delve into her misery. The princess did respect that, she could very well relate to that as well. She had only put on the mask of a commoners girl for a considerably short time, just adjusting it whenever she met people. But she had no intention of staying with them anyway, and as soon as she was alone, the mask dropped. Yassia couldn<#t even begin to imagine what it was like to live a constant lie, pretending every waking hour to be sonething you were not when every little slip could be your undoing. It had to be so very hard! But she was also sure Romily wanted anything else but pity.
"How long have you been here?" She asked hestitantly. This question was roughly the summary of all that had been going on in her mind. But then she changed the subject for Romily's sake, adopting her joke. "Oh and no doubt you would have! I'm sure you're quite feared here for being so adamantine in certain behalves." She made a show of backing away from her friend, fake fear in her eyes, then chuckled herself. She would not say it to not deepen Romily's discomfort, but this kind of resolutness you were born to. It came natural with growing and being able (and allowed) to give orders.
Yassia listened to Romily's words with a serious face, sighing inwardly. Now everything she had feared to be the case was more than confirmed. She could very well imagine her to be tired of it all. "I see!" she mused, cocking her head and extending a hand to touch Romily's forearm. "It feels like you're stuck, right? With no alternative to go to. I felt like that before my stepbrother suggested asking my uncle for help. Now I have an alternative, but I can only hope it'll pay off. But... maybe that sounds lame, but alternatives often come in the most unexpected way and time. At first they might not seem as such, but then suddenly there's a way... and a place where you belong!"
Now that she thought about it, the subject of friends was more or less a blank page for her as well, at least the female aspect. Mircea had be both, a friend and a brother, the only one she could talk to about certain things. Now that he was gone and she was away from all she knew, the hole he had left was an empty crater. Romily's frank confession warmed her heart. It felt good to be considered a friend, someone trustworthy. "I can only give that back"[/color], she said with a warm smile. "I have told no one in a very long while who I am... let alone someone that could give me away. But I know you won't and not only because you're in a similar situation."
She stood up, nodding. "Alright, let's go there then, but just say when you need to go to bed, you have a long day tomorrow!" Yassia would have as well. A long arduous day of walking walking walking. How far until Camelot? She really wished she knew.
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 5, 2011 10:13:35 GMT -5
She found that she had been daydreaming for a moment, as Yassia’s voice knocked all the thoughts from her head. "How long have you been here?".
“What?” she looked at her blankly and then shook her head, “sorry – my mind was wandering, but here at The Ram? Nearly a year or so” she told her. “ So not exactly long”.
She smiled at Yassia’s next words. They were true. "It feels like you're stuck, right? With no alternative to go to. I felt like that before my stepbrother suggested asking my uncle for help. Now I have an alternative, but I can only hope it'll pay off. But... maybe that sounds lame, but alternatives often come in the most unexpected way and time. At first they might not seem as such, but then suddenly there's a way... and a place where you belong!"
Romily nodded at this but sighed all the same. “I don’t belong here though, no matter how much I try to make myself and others believe that I do. Hopefully things will work themselves out for the both of us”
They headed p the stairs to Romily’s room. She put the key in its lock and opened the door. “Home sweet home” she smiled and allowed Yassia to pass. “This is where I spend the least amount of time in my day” she laughed lightly and shut the door.
“Take a seat” she gestured to the chair in the corner of the room, “infact, wait a moment – I need your opinion on something.” She opened the cupboard and rummaged around until she found what she wanted to. She pulled out a pink dress – one of the few that she’d brought with her from wolf hall. It had collected dust at the back of the cupboard for the past year – hidden from everyone.
“I brought some dresses with me from Wolfhall – just incase I had some mad idea that my father would allow me to return again. Should I keep it for a little while longer?”
Romily knew that her father would never allow her back, but it was the only bit of her past that she had left.
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Mar 7, 2011 13:10:48 GMT -5
Yassia looked at Romily ponderingly as the woman stated she didn’t belong in the Ram’s Head. She had to admit it was true. Romily might have abdicted her former life, but it would always be there to remind her of what could have been. When you were born a noble you couldn’t just peel that skin off and be done with it, part of you would always wish for more – unless you found something, or someone, that made you feel content with ‘less’. “Who knows”, she mused with a slight smile. “Imagine us in five years time, many things can happen until then. We might look back and laugh at how disheartened we were. If we keep our eyes and our minds open, we will surely find the place where we belong!”
Yassia had been very curious to see Romily’s room. In her eyes a room revealed much about the owner’s personality. Her own room had been grand but never seemed vast and empty. She had filled it with so many different things Mircea had often called it a cabinet of curiositities. His own room had been neat and tidy – but only if you don’t knew where to look to find the hidden heaps of personal treasures. Romily’s room now was very much what Yassia had expected it to look like. Scant but homelike still, clearly reflecting how little time the barmaid spent in here, and yet the princess could detect the same kind spirit behind it she had witnessed in her own room. There were rooms you didn’t want to spend much time in, because their interior was so little welcoming, but this room looked amiable enough. “I like it”, she commented, trailing her fingers over a few surfaces ponderingly, then made to sit down, before Romily’s call got her treading closer, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
When she saw the dress she retrieved from her wardrobe, Yassia was torn between awe and amusement. Amusement because this just fit into her notion that a room was the mirror of the personality. Only a person like Romily, the secret noble now working as a barmaid, would have a fine gown hidden somewhere, if only to have the option of turning back someday. Or maybe not even turn back, just take up her old role as noble once again. The reason for awe was obvious. “This dress is absolutely… I don’t even know the right word for it”, she confessed, and slowly shook her head. “In Ailantha we would say ‘meravellós’. Pretty doesn’t cover it!” The style was different from what Yassia was used to from her homeland fashion, but imagining Romily wearing it was not hard. She would look regal! “You should keep it just because it’ll be a shame to throw away!” A sly smile crept over her face. “Come on, try it on. Just this once!”
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 7, 2011 14:31:03 GMT -5
“Imagine us in five years time, many things can happen until then. We might look back and laugh at how disheartened we were. If we keep our eyes and our minds open, we will surely find the place where we belong!”
Romily smiled. She’d like to keep Yassia as her friend, she understood her and didn’t judge – plus they were technically in the same boat, although Romily’s had appeared to have sunk the lowest.
Yassia didn’t bat an eyelid at how the layout of her room was. Instead she just nodded with approval whilst looking around. “I like it”. “It wasn’t always like this. It’s taken a long time to make it feel like home” Romily smiled. “Not as comfortable as my room at Wolfhall was but I’ve made do with what I have. Better than a bed of straw and just a candle” she chuckled slightly.
“This dress is absolutely… I don’t even know the right word for it”,
“Pink?” Romily smirked, “I must admit, the colour is quite bold – even for me”. She looked down at the bodice that was criss-cross woven threads of gold. Romily remembered that she hadn’t worn this dress much, once if she thought rightly. It had been a present from her father.
“In Ailantha we would say ‘meravellós’. Pretty doesn’t cover it!” Yassia carried on.
“An abomination? Ugly?” Romily laughed, “This was my father’s choice. I have a few others with me that I couldn’t part with. The silver one especially, that’s always been my favourite”.
Romily could now see a look on Yassia’s face, a mischevious one at that. “What are you thinking?” she couldn’t help but smirk back at the other woman. “Come on, try it on. Just this once!” Romily put the dress on the bed. “I couldn’t” she sighed. “I haven’t worn this dress in ages – it might not even fit anymore”. She looked to Yassia who seemed keen to know how she’d looked as ‘Lady Romily’.
“Oh alright! But im taking it off straight after ok?” she finally gave in and went behind the screen to change. The dress felt weird. Even though it fitted perfectly still, it felt tight and stifling – like her old life had been. She caught her breath and looked down – feeling like her old self. She unpinned her hair and let it fall down, before emerging from behind the screen.
“Well …” she looked at the floor. “This is who I used to be”
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Mar 12, 2011 16:59:47 GMT -5
Yassia joined in the chuckle as she took in the room once more. A bed of straw and just a candle? Yes, that definitely wasn’t the furniture she wished on anyone, not to mention Romily, who had grown up to entirely different standards. Yet Yassia was not so naïve to think this wasn’t the standard for many people in Romily’s current position and in the whole class of peasantry and workers. Still, her friend only deserved the best, and even if she didn’t feel like she belonged there, she should feel at least a little at home in this room. Yassia herself often wondered when she would feel like that again, belonging somewhere. After months of travelling, never staying anywhere for more than just one or two days, she had almost forgotten how that was like. The human mind probably just worked that way.
“It’s the little things right?” she mused, cocking her head. “Something that just lies there or stands around with no practical use. Those make a room a home. Something that doesn’t belong to the usual inventory like bed, table or chair. Everything surplus is personal.” That’s probably why you never felt at home in tavern rooms. There everything was functional, made to serve everyone there. And when you travelled on foot, you didn’t have room for many personal belongings.
In fake annoyance Yassia rolled her eyes and growled when Romily took advantage of her friend’s loss of words. It was friendly banter, nothing more, still, Yassia hated she couldn’t express what she meant quickly enough. “No, no and NO! That’s not what I meant and you know it!” she grumbled, but winked. “I don’t think it’s ugly just… a little unusual. Not what a noblewoman would wear in Ailantha if she didn’t want to stick out immensely… besides, pink usually doesn’t go well with black or dark brown hair.” To Romily’s compaints she just raised an eyebrow that probably said more than a dozen words. It was a challenge as well as a show of disbelief. She couldn’t very well imagine Romily to have gained weight with the life she led.
Waiting with bated breath for Romily to come forth from behind the screen, Yassia wondered about a few things. How come she had a screen anyway? That was quite some luxury, and she must have either risked a great deal asking for one, or she had somehow managed in a different way. And would she get the bodice laced on her own as well? Yassia had a hard time doing that with the simple lacing of her riding dress she used as travelling clothes as it was – and such a robe? “You don’t need my help in any way?” she asked just as Romily came into view – and that was enough to erase any thought from Yassia’s mind.
The change was indescribable. Of course Yassia had seen the nobility in her friend’s posture and demeanor before, but now, with the right attire, it was even palpable! It was like Millie the barmaid had shed her skin, as if the duckling had transformed into a swan. And it was a glorious sight. Yassia found herself smiling brightly like the sun. “Now I am really in loss of words…” she said after a while of awestruck silence. “But the moment I have found both my mind and my voice again I will tell you this: Don’t let go of this side of you, Romily. Even if you can’t turn back, then you need to find a new space where you can unfold like that. It's who you are. This is the place you shine in. Don’t dismiss that.”
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 13, 2011 6:17:43 GMT -5
Romily couldn’t agree more with Yassia’s comments. After all – this was her home now, and she’d done all she could to make it into her own Wolfhall – from the flowers that she’d picked for the chipped jug that was set on the table, down to the layout of the room. “This is home for me” she smiled, “I suppose I could call it my castle if I were that proud of it – but it’s cosy enough”.
The conversation then turned back to the dress that was slung over Romily’s arm. “I must admit, it was my father’s choice, then again he was trying to sell me off to every man in Albion.” She told her friend, “anyway im sure you’d look great in it” she winked and looked over to the cupboard, “I have another dress in their, a nice silver one if you want to try that on? I feel like a child again!” she chuckled, “go on!” she urged, “im sure silver would suit your features better than mine”
Romily smirked as she could see Yassia noting the screen. “I suppose you’re wondering how a commoner like me would end up with one of these?” she called from where she was now dressing. “Truth be told it was actually a gift for Eldon’s daughter from a travelling nobleman who stayed here”. That had been quite an experience in itself, one that Romily wasn’t about to launch into. “Anyway due to circumstances she didn’t want it and gave it to me” she grinned, even if Yassia couldn’t see her. “No idea, why – she could have sold it and made some money.”
On reply to Yassia’s question of help she shook her head to herself. “Im fine, since I was a little girl I’ve always learnt to dress myself – my maid wasn’t happy about it but allowed me some independence”. Dear Bonnie – she missed her dreadfully. Romily wondered what had become of her after she’d left Wolfhall. “Anyway im nearly done”. After emerging from behind the screen and declaring herself the true noble that she really was she saw Yassia’s face change dramatically. Immediately the young woman gasped at the sight, stating her loss of words.
“I think poor Eldon would faint at the sight” Romily laughed, “his daughter too”
She smiled at Yassia’s next words. They were a comfort, and it was nice to know that even if she didn’t go back to her father, she still had a piece of her past left with her. “What about you?” she asked Yassia, “Will you unfold like that when you reach Camelot?”
Romily sat down on the bed, “I hope one day that I can be myself again. After all – however this dress may stand out, I used to stand out like it – I sort of miss it, but it’s also nice to be in a place where no one expects so much of you. Well apart from Eldon of course” she smiled.
“One day, I hope to go to Camelot, by the way you’ve spoken about it, it sounds a far better place than how my father used to describe it. And I need a change.” She looked at Yassia. “You’re becoming more of a friend to me than…” she paused, “well – you’re my only friend, and im glad. Thankyou”.
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Mar 14, 2011 5:30:53 GMT -5
Yassia’s eyes lit up when Romily mentioned the silver dress. Though she had never considered herself vain, the thought of dressing up with such a beautiful gown made her heart beat faster. In her case it would not even be much of a dress UP, it was her usual attire after all, not this shabby and stained riding dress she had been walking in ever since being washed ashore in Albion. “Oh… well if you wouldn’t mind I would love to! But let’s see you in this dream of a dress first. Silver sounds very good to me… I always liked the color!”
She nodded as she listened to Romily’s story. It was unusual but plausible, and really, it was not half as unsual as two women entering a chamber as a barmaid and a common travelor, but inside showing their true colors: being nobility and even royalty. But this truth had to stay within these walls, for both their safety. Romily needed the secrecy to have any standing in her current job, Yassia was sure Eldon would never let her live it down. He would refuse to let a noble work for him and that would leave her friend without a perspective. And Yassia herself… there were just things that better were not mentioned. “It’s befitting to you even if she didn’t know it”, Yassia commented with a grin Romily couldn’t see. “Such little jokes can light up a dull day!”
Not able to deny that she was a little jealous, Yassia cocked her head and gave a little sigh. No matter how long she had been travelling alone, she had never managed to dress quickly on her own. She had never needed to and, unlike Romily, never felt the need to learn it. In the beginning Mircea had tried to help her which had led to a few awkward scenes between the step sibilings. But there had been no possible way to bring a maid with them on their flight.
Romily’s question caught her a bit off guard. Unfold… yes she knew exactly what her friend meant, and she couldn’t wait to. But Ailanthans were a superstitious folk, it would only be bad luck to launch into detailed descriptions of what she was supposed to do once safe behind the walls of Camelot Castle. “I wish I could”, she replied with a little sheepish smile. “And I surely planned on it. But when I got boat-wrecked while crossing the channel I lost almost everything that I wasn’t wearing or clinging to, including two ceremonial gowns. So this”, she looked down at herself with a shrug, “will have to do!”
She then smiled brightly when Romily admitted she saw Yassia as her friend. The feeling was more than mutual. Yassia, usually reserved to strangers, had never opened up quite so quickly to another soul, and yet here it was happening. Was it the oddity of two girls with similar backgrounds meeting that had brought them together? Or shouldn’t she even try to explain it, just savour this feeling of friendship? “Well, I can only give that back, Romily! I would have never expected this to happen, and yet here we are. And I would encourage you to come to Camelot soon. Even if I heard some bad things about it, my uncle will be there so it can’t be all that bad.” She grinned. “Besides, then I will make sure YOU’ll feel at home! Got a lot to repay after all!”
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 15, 2011 12:37:04 GMT -5
Romily smiled warmly at Yassia’s reply – it seemed that the feeling of friendship between the pair was a mututal one. Thank goodness! She chuckled, “Well if your uncle lives there and has survived its known ‘perils’ then I should very much like to come and visit you once you have settled”. She toyed with the sleeves of her dress before turning back to her friend, “you have nothing of the sort to repay” she told her, “besides, making the guests feel at home here is all part of the job.” Eldon had high expectations of running a satisfactory establishment and if that meant Romily sacrificing her evenings to help drunks to their beds then so be it. It was the least she could do after he’d given her a roof over her head and a job on top of that.
Romily looked at Yassia’s dress. That seemed to be the only dress she had and from her story the only item of clothing that she actually owned. Boat wrecked, my oh my that was an unfortunate, and losing two gowns that had been of some sentimental value too. She felt for her, she’d endured far worse than Romily herself had and yet she was still in good spirits. Romily could only admire the woman’s courage – she’d got this far and was so close to her destination.
Romily got up and headed over to the cupboard again and pulled out a neatly folded bundle of silver fabric. She had only worn this dress once. It had been yet another present from her father in a bid to make her alluring to any man who came to the house. Of course, Romily was always instructed to look presentable. As much as it was of value she didn’t want to keep this one. She turned back to Yassia and handed it to her. “It’s not my intention to offend you, but I want you to have this” she smiled, “It will only go to waste if it stays with me and anyway, you’ll be able to wear it to all those festivals and feasts in Camelot!” she chuckled.
She sat back down on the chair and looked at Yassia, “Go on, why don’t you try it on – im certain that it will fit”
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Mar 18, 2011 12:11:46 GMT -5
Yassia was tempted to clap her hands in delight like a child. The sheer thought of Romily visiting Camelot while she was still there made the forced stay there all the more bearable, even to something looking forward to! She didn’t even know what to expect, her uncle might not tolerate her, King Uther might have no intentions to help her… anything could happen, and it eased her worry quite a bit to know she would be entertaining a visitor. And not just any visitor, her best and only friend, this wonderful woman she had met by sheer goodwill of fate! “Do come! I hold you to this promise, Romily! Oh, it will be wonderful!” she exclaimed but then clamped a head over her mouth and giggled as she realized she had been way too loud.
Holding her breath, Yassia watched Romily taking out the mentioned dress. Even the small part of it she could see, the upper part of the bodice as the rest was neatly folded, made her exhale in a hiss of pure awe. She had seen many beautiful dresses alright, and as princess of Ailantha had owned most of them, but apparently she had forgotten the splendor of such a sight. The sheer simple elegance of the shimmering silver fabric took her breath away, leaving her speechless. It wasn’t as heavy as she had expected it to be when Romily laid it into her tentatively extended arms. She didn’t even dare to unfold it at first, so deep was her respect to her friend’s precious property. But then she had to, simply had to take a full look at it, and the sight surpassed her wildest dreams.
“Sweet stars…”, she mumbled as her fingers traced over the fine fabric. “And THIS to be mine? Romily, really, I cannot accept this!” But deep in her heart, she already envisioned herself wearing this dream of a dress, paying homage to King Uther in it, showing the court of Camelot who she really was. Sadly enough the saying: ‘Fine feathers make fine birds’ was a key notion to observe in the realm of the high and mighty. “You sure you won’t regret it as soon as I walk out the door and take it with me?” she asked, still unsure.
But then curiosity won over her hestitation, and giggling like a teenage girl, she vanished behind the screen. Getting out of her riding dress was done in mere seconds, at least that she could do on her own. Getting into the shimmering silver dress wasn’t as difficult as she thought it would be, the fabric was a delight to her skin, barely tangible like the touch of a feather. The lacing of the bodice sent her capitulating though. She tried it for a few minutes, but then sighed and left it half-laced. “I’m coming”, she called out, slight annoyance in her voice. “But like I told you, bodices are my worst enemies… maybe you can help me with that?”
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 22, 2011 14:50:12 GMT -5
Romily laughed as Yassia begged her to visit Camelot. “I shall come” she smiled, “you have my very word.”
She watched as the young woman’s eyes were practically out of their sockets when she was handed the dress. “You can and you will – after all why should it be sitting in the back of my cupboard collecting dust when it could be worn to impress some of the men that Camelot has to offer” she chuckled, “the dress needs an outing and you seem to be the best person to do this.” Regret it? Of course she wouldn’t! “Not at all!” she shook her head.
Yassia went to try on the dress and Romily waited patiently for her. The woman then called out for help. Romily chuckled as she told her that bodices were not exactly a forte of hers. She rounded the screen and began to tighten the laces. “They were never mine, but I learnt over time – my nursemaid used to make me practice.” She told her and pulled them a little tighter, “I remember when my father first gave me this dress – it was for a some occasion that I had to look pretty for. When I first put it on I felt like a princess, and even though I wasn’t treated like one I still felt like I was pretty enough to be noticed by whoever my father wanted me to marry at the time. But now when I look at it, I don’t like it – not only does it bring back memories but it also symbolises that im not that girl anymore.”
She finished tightening the dress and knotted the laces, “you, however, will have every man in Camelot after you when they see you – even the King himself!” she grinned, “Trust me, you look very much like a Queen now”.
Romily stepped aside so as Yassia could see herself in the mirror, “so…what do you think?” Romily had to admit that Yassia looked very stunning – the colour brought out her friend’s complexion. “and if by the time that I come to Camelot, you are not married then i shall be having words with every man in town". she chuckled.
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Mar 26, 2011 16:48:18 GMT -5
It was still hard to grasp but slowly Yassia started to trust her luck. Yes… she apparently was the new owner of this wonderful silver dress. Getting new dresses had always been exciting for the spoilt princess, but it had been almost a given. Every feast, be it her own birthday, that of her father or some other celebration had hardly come without a new dress. So this should not be such a moment of wonder after all, and yet it was. Why? Was it because it was the first dress after a long while of hardship? Hardly. Deep down Yassia knew that this was more than just a bulk of shimmering fabric. It was a gesture of kindness and friendship, a sign of hope. Hope in a time that had been trying for Yassia like nothing else. With this dress came a promise Yassia hadn’t had in quite a while, and maybe never at all, now that she thought about it: That someone cared about her without wanting anything in return, being kind and generous just because she needed kindness and generosity right now - and a friend.
“I don’t even know what to say, Romily”. Yassia’s voice was trembling even now. “Believe me, thanks doesn’t even half way cover it.” Laughing good-humoredly, Yassia listened to Romily’s tale of her maid with the independent mind. Her own maids would have never thought about demanding such a thing, but then again, Yassia had already found other kingdoms to be very different from her own, both in peasantry and nobility. Most of her servants had been happy if they hadn’t evoked one of her feared temper fits. Looking back now, Yassia often wondered if she had been overly selfish and spoilt back then. Perhaps they, indcluding herself, would only be able to judge how much she had changed when she returned to Ailantha. “Was she a very adamantine person? Maybe I would have needed someone like that around me”, she confessed. “Alas, I pretty much could do what I wanted.”
It was never good to talk while laces were tightened, as the constant heavy breathing would only result in making the lacing inordinate, so Yassia only listened for a while when Romily told her what the dress had been for. In the short period of time between her mother’s death and Diodore marrying again, Yassia had witnessed such persistence on marriage as well with her father. Just that she had been too young to marry yet then. And then, with her father suddenly gone, other candidates than her cousin had not been taken into account… Closing her eyes for a minute, Yassia tried to shut out the unpleasant memories. All this talk about marriage was making her edgy. When the lacing was done, the princess didn’t even dare to look into the presented mirror for a few precious seconds, too scared of what she might see. Romily’s praise might only be kindness… with her comparably filthy, ragged appearance she doubted she looked any other than out of place in such a wondrous dress… A foreign queen was staring at Yassia, wide eyed and apparently equally surprised to see her. The silver fabric flowed gently around her body like a cascade of shimmering water, bringing out her slender curves to perfect appearance. Her skin seemed to glow from the inside, probably caused by the shimmering silver itself. Was that really her? It had to be.
Words could not describe the turmoil inside Yassia in this very moment, and so she didn’t use any. She just turned and wrapped her arms around her friend, her eyes glistening with tears.
|
|
Offline
May 31, 2012 7:08:21 GMT -5
Tag me @romily
|
|
Post by Romily de Braose on Mar 29, 2011 14:03:28 GMT -5
Romily smiled as Yassia was still staring wide eyed at the gift. “There’s no need for thanks” she shrugged, “as ive said, it’s of no use to me”.
The pair of them talked as Romily laced up Yassia’s gown. It had turned to speaking of Bonnie, her maid. “She was wonderful” Romily commented, “she practically raised me when my mother died, but gave me the independence I needed to become who I wanted to be – I miss her terribly”. Romily did. She’d left Bonnie with no other job in the house and she was almost certain that the maid would have been sent away by her father soon after. Romily did feel guilty. Bonnie wouldn’t have stayed – and she’d even begged Romily not to leave. Of course she couldn’t have made her stay. "She was the only one who actually wanted me to stay - of course there was gossip between the servants about whether what they'd heard was true or not. I took notice though, because the only people who knew the turth were me, Frederick and Bonnie".
Romily was a little surprised when Yassia flung her arms around her. She was almost in tears! She frowned a little and then pulled away. “What’s wrong?” she asked, “oh I knew this would happen – I didn’t want to offend you!” Romily smiled weakly, “Honestly, if it’s upset you then I really didn’t mean it”.
She hoped her generosity hadn’t upset Yassia, because quite frankly she could see that this was a woman who needed something good to happen to her for once.
|
|
Offline
Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
Tag me @yassia
|
|
Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Apr 1, 2011 15:50:54 GMT -5
No need for thanks?! Well, that might be Romily’s idea, but it was by no means Yassia’s! The gown being of no use to Romily didn’t diminish the generosity and friendliness of the gesture. Not in her eyes at least. So what if she didn’t want to wear it herself, she had still kept it all this time, so it must mean SOMETHING to her. And she probably wouldn’t have given it to anyone as well. ”There is always need for thanks when someone shows you the hand of friendship”, Yassia protested mildly. “At least that’s what I was taught ever since a little girl, and in my opinion you can’t go wrong with a few thanks too many. Only with a few too little.”
The way Romily talked about her nursemaid, reminded Yassia strongly of her own, Constancia. The woman had already be in midage when she had taken over the task of raising Yassia, pregnant with her last child of six. She had been a kind soul, and Yassia hoped she still was, even after she had been left with Guifré and all the trouble he might cause. In her opinion, Constancia would always be there, would maybe be the first to welcome her home, just as she had been the only one to see Yassia off in the night, when she had been fleeing with Mircea. “I can understand that, really I can”, she commented compassionately and clucked her tongue. “Those who raise us will always have a dear place in our heart. But like Constancia, my nursemaid said: ‘There comes the time for the little birds to fly, and we might be able to catch them when they fall first, but then we can only watch.’” That sounded so very odd being translated into a different language. It lacked the beautiful ring and rhyme her mother tongue had brought to this phrase. But Yassia guessed it would have to do.
The minute Romily started to apologize, Yassia realised her friend had got it all wrong. Working up the strength to speak cost a few precious seconds and the misunderstanding just grew deeper. Finally, Yassia did the only thing she was able to do right now: she started to chuckle, shaking her head. Then, in the ends the words came to match. Locking her friend’s gaze, she replied, still interrupted by occasional chuckles: “Sweet stars, Romily, what ARE you talking about? This”, she pointed at herself, “is not me being offended, this is me being apparently in loss for words because I’m so grateful! I… I don’t know how to put it… it’s like… all this time things just tended to go wrong for me. Everything that could go wrong did. My brother was killed, leaving me heir to the throne, my father died an untimely death before I was ready to take up my role. Then my stepbrother who should have seen me safe to Camelot got lost in a shipwreck. I got stripped of everything that meant anything to me… and now you come and give me this dress, showing me you care…” she had to swallow hard again, but she smiled. “I guess I’m just not ready yet to believe the tide has finally turned.”
|
|