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A little something inspired by the following conversation:

Cait:I like how we've got back to semi arguing cait/griff or just them both being like 'im in control, duh'
Me: It's how they roll
Cait: Clearly
Me: Like a huffkin
Cait: LOL
Me: That is now their tagline
Cait: HAHAHAHA oh totally

(A huffkin is a type of roll with a dent at the top made by the baker's thumb which originate from Kent).

Well, Isabel did not like this man one bit, however, he was a prince and so she was determined to better the situation. Normally a smile and a little flirtation and men were completely hers. She should not be surprised, he was probably spoilt and full of his own self-import. But just because they didn't like each other didn't mean they couldn't be useful to each other, and he was certainly useful to her.

At present, she was far too annoyed to try and pretend to be civil. She was a guest of his sister's after all, and while she was not there at present, he could not throw her out, so he was just going to put up with her. Isabel did not reply to his comment about his sister, but merely nodded her acknowledgement. She did not care one bit about his sister, but she had to keep up the appearance of doing so.

As he began to speak, rather rudely, unnecessarily so, Isabel glared at him, fists clenched. How dare he speak to her like that? He may be a prince but she was still nobility, and she was his guest. Did he not understand common courtesy? "I expected more than this, certainly." She let out an angry and frustrated sigh, trying very hard not to raise her voice, that would not be ladylike at all. "Do you honestly think this is the way to treat a woman of my standing? First you do nothing to make me feel welcome, and then you openly mock me. Well, I may not be royalty, but I am still nobility and I deserve to be treated with more respected."

Her sudden outburst had surprised herself, she was normally calm and never acted on her emotions, only through careful analysis of the situation. This, however, was not a normal situation. This was just unacceptable.

Isabel was not surprised at the woman's words. They could have been a lie for all she knew, or cared for that matter, yet it was expected that a woman like her should be spoken to in such a way. And besides, who did not want to speak to nobility? Isabel herself certainly had, it was how she had ended up where she was now. It had been her sole driving force, knowing that one day she would receive the same respect she had spent her whole life giving to others, she would be one who was looked up to and admired.

She smiled at the woman, it was not a particularly kind smile, but not an unkind one either. While Isabel had grown up with the lowest of society, she had not yet learned how to address them as a noble. "I am sure the feeling will be mutual." She said after a short pause. That may have been over familiar, but at least there was no one else around to see it.

Her smile grew as Maeve answered her question. This time it was genuine. She knew what it was like to have to beg, to starve in the streets, and although she doubted this woman did, she was still having to work to survive.

Normally Isabel showed little sympathy, or even pity to those lower than her, after all, she had managed to improve her social standing, so why couldn't they? But there was something warm and open about this woman that made it impossible for Isabel to completely look down at her. Perhaps it was because the only people of lower standing she met were servants, those whose sole purpose it seemed was to serve her. Maeve was just a young woman who, apart from social convention, and no reason to show Isabel respect and kindness, yet she did so anyway. "I should certainly like to see them." Isabel answered, almost surprised herself by the sincerity in her voice. "I have no coin on my person at the moment, but if you persuade me to take one, you shall be sure of having your money."

Again, this was rather uncharacteristic of Isabel, but she could not help but feel...something towards this woman. Perhaps it was because she was a young woman, seemingly on her own, and Isabel was taking it upon herself to help her. Whatever the reason, it was certainly a new one.

Isabel de Massard was the sort of person who liked everything to run as smoothly as possible, and when things didn't run as she'd hoped, well, that was when problems occurred. This was why she spent most mornings obtaining various ingredients that could be used in various potions. She was not currently in need of any immediately, but she liked knowing that she had more than enough. She had never once been caught out without an ingredient, such an event could prove catastrophic.

It was no surprise then, that this morning should see Isabel wandering through the Cantian countryside in seach of the morteous flower, a highly specialised plant, used primarily in the sorts of poisons that led to a slow and painful death. Isabel usually favoured a quicker death - she was rather impatient, but this one had it's uses.

She was just coming into a clearing when she stopped suddenly, having spotted a young woman. Normally Isabel would not give this a second thought, but she was carrying a rather deadly plant. It could arouse suspicion. As quietly as possible, she stepped closer, trying to see if she could recognise the woman but found she could not. Hmm, what to do now? It would hardly be fitting of her status to run away, and yet she could not announce her presence for fear or raising any questions.

Thinking quickly, she crouched down and hid the plant at the bottom of the nearest tree trunk. She could always come and find it again later, and then she stepped proudly out into the clearing. "Excuse me, but who are you, and what are you doing here?" Isabel was always suspicious of strangers, after all, they could be acquainted with the real Isabel de Massard and expose her as a traitor.

Isabel was well trained in reading people, having learnt to do so at such a young age, it was her way in. How could you manipulate people if you did not understand them? The man standing in front of her was hardly a challenge. She assumed him to be the king's son, Vortigern. Well, he was as she had expected and obviously not too enthusiastic about her arrival. That could be changed though, either with her potions or without. He did not bow, earning him a raised eyebrow from the young woman. Men were meant to bow to her, whether they were happy about or not. Clearly he felt himself above her. How sweet.

She would break him soon enough, she had a habit of doing so. Her mind was quite set and it would take more than the stubbornness of man to prevent her from her determinations. Besides, in her experience men were all the same: easy. A few smirks and a wink and they were hers. This Vortigern would be no different.

"Lady Isabel,"

She curtsied without breaking eye contact, a small smile at the corner of her mouth. "Your highness." When she rose her smile slowly faded and in answer to his question she sighed and replied, "I am afraid not, but I am sure an discomfort will quickly be dispelled in your company."

When the letter had arrived Isabel had read it more times than was necessary, well, of course she had as only once was necessary, but she had read it far more than she probably should have done, and with far more delight. It was not the invitation, or the people, or the place but the fact that this would be her first formal function as Isabel de Massard. This was proof of her new life, proof that Olwyn Caen no longer existed.

She had read it again in the carriage to Gawant while biting the top of her thumb. It was a habit she had adopted as a child and was the only thing that had stayed with her, apart from her ambition of course. Her ambition was the only reason why she had spent the last two days travelling from Cantia, it was the only reason why she was no longer a peasant starving in the street - well, that and her extensive knowledge of poisons.

Isabel sat back in her chair, she had been looking out the window but it all looked the same now. She was bored. It was a word she didn't like to use, she should always be doing something but right now there was nothing to be done. She had reached as far as she could, for the moment, and her stay in Gawant was not likely to improve her situation. She was not a noble in her own right, but one day she would be. All she needed was a man, but she was hardly going to find one here, was she? Not during a gathering for noblewomen.

Still, there was an advantage to her stay. This was her first outing as Isabel, her first taste of the world as a noble and she would not let the oppurtunity go to waste. While she was surrounding by these women she would watch and learn all that she could. She may be able to present herself as nobility to passing acquaintances, but if she fully wanted to exert herself she would have to learn the tricks of the trade, as it were.

She felt the carriage slow down and so leaned forward to look out the window. What could only be the castle of Gawant was in view. Isabel smiled with relief. This was it. This was what she had been working towards. Her carriage came to a halt. She was eager to get out, but that was not how women of her standing behaved so she waited patiently until the door was opened for her and a young man helped her out. She had yet to learn his name, he had only taken a position in her household a week ago, but he was well-mannered and worked hard, so she liked him just fine.

"Thank you," she smiled at him and on finding her feet brushed down her dress. It was pale green in a modest cut, entirely fitting for a woman such as her, or a woman such as she would have the world believe she was. As she looked around she saw several other women had already arrived. Good, she hadn't wanted to be first. She walked over to them, perhaps a little too slowly, but she did not want to appear eager or overexcitable. That would not do at all.

As she approached she couldn't help but think how similar they all looked, not physically of course, but there was no difference between her or them. Why should she not belong in their company? They were all made of the same stuff after all. If anything, they should not belong in her company. She had earned her position. She had risen from the lowest form of society, what had these women done? Nothing, nothing of consequence anyway. But she smiled politely and said, "Ladies," with a small curtsey, "I am Isabel de Massard, what a pleasure it is to meet you all."