The good part of town

[versed]

Well, darlings, we've relocated.

Not a moment too soon, if you ask me. The ghastly noises at the ancestral estate were escalating, and I, for one, would rather leave the decrepit manor to the spirits. No exorcism for me, thank you. I'd rather just run, darlings.

In other thrilling news, it seems my son is not my son

Comments

[hushes]

*sticks his head in the study door* You rang, Master?

[versed]

*puts the knife down, looking you over* Don't you look fetching in those new clothes? Come in and have a seat, love. *smiles* Anywhere you like.

[cinderknightley]

*bounces into the study, stopping in the doorway when she sees Hayden*

*narrows her eyes* Skuzz.

[governess_cam]

*follows Keira into the study, laughing under her breath when Keira stops to glare at Hayden* What's going on?

[versed]

*to Cameron* If you manage to figure it out, darling, please, let me know, because I haven't the foggiest idea. Please, do close the door.

*motions to the chairs in the room* All of you, please, sit.

[hushes]

*flops down in a chair, giving Jude a quirked eyebrow, and glaring at Kiera* Oh, hello, skank. Shouldn't you be doing some laundry?

[cinderknightley]

*smiles brightly at Jude* Hi, Jude! *glares back at Hayden, baring her teeth and sitting in the chair across from him* If there's anything around here that could stand washing, it'd be YOU, Skuzzy. *smiles sweetly* But I'm not the person to help you there. Sorry.

*decides to ignore smelly Skuzzy, in favor of waving Cammy over to sit by her*

[governess_cam]

*sits down next to Keira, crossing her legs, ignoring the fact that she's wearing a dress* *laughs at Hayden and Keira* Hey guys, we already have two kids here, you know. *looks at Jude* Sorry. I was relying on you to figure this out. No progress?

[versed]

No progress that I care to report, darling.

*sighs* Well, let us get down to business, shall we? Hayden, love, there is to be a Ball to announce your betrothal to polite society on Wednesday. Your future bride will be here, so do try to be on your best behavior. And no running off to that theater between now and then, love, if you please.

[hushes]

*gapes at Jude* I have rehearsals. I have a performance this weekend. And so do you, big brother. You made a deal with me, if you haven't forgotten.

[cinderknightley]

*frowns and slips her shoes off, pulling her legs up to her chest and tugging her skirt down around her feet, watching everyone*

[governess_cam]

*glances over at Keira and raises her eyebrows, wondering why she's frowning* *turns back to Jude and scoffs* A Ball? Since we're inferior and all, are Keira and I supposed to fade into the background, or do we get to mingle with the Quality?

[versed]

*to Cameron* Of course you don't get to mingle, darling, but it's a perfect opportunity to start hunting for information - from everyone.

*looks at everyone* It's ridiculous to think we're the only ones like ourselves here. Hayden and I will make the rounds among the aristocrats at the Ball, and you two will talk to the other servants present. The coachmen, the valets, even the servants next door. We need to see how many of us there are. Safety in numbers, darlings. And maybe someone knows something we haven't managed to figure out on our own.

*to Hayden* And, yes, I know we've made a deal, and I fully intend to honor it - after Wednesday. Once we announce the betrothal publicly, it becomes rather impossible for Katherine's father to call off, without calling her decency into question. We need to be on our best behavior until then. Are we agreed?

[hushes]

*slumps in his seat, glaring suspiciously at Jude* You better not be trying to get me fired. And you better not be trying to get out of playing the second spear carrier from the left, because you are so going to rehearsals after Wednesday. *sighs* Fine, agreed.

[cinderknightley]

*rests her head against her knees* *quietly, to no one in particular* We're never going to get to go home, are we?

[governess_cam]

*pats Keira's back* Yes. We are going home. We are.

Dammit, Jude, who the hell decided on all these fucking social rules? *sighs* I understand though. And you're right. I'm sure we aren't the only ones here, and if more of us don't turn up soon, I'm going to start going door to door. Or maybe I'll send out a flyer with my name on it--I'm going crazy waiting around. *grins at Jude* Don't look at me that way--I'm going to talk to the other losers at the Ball, and I'm going to behave. *mutters quietly* For now.