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Post by Lili Walser on Mar 15, 2012 19:16:16 GMT -5
Lili was nervous. Oh, incredibly so - and dreading that every single corner, stranger, and moment would bring something horrid down upon her. She'd left the house again - though this time, she was with her maid, Sarah. Her most trusted maid - and the one Gilbert trusted most with her. Sarah wasn't afraid to shoot a gun. Lili was more terrified than ever - but had begun carrying hers now, where she hadn't before.
Sarah had suggested the pair of them take a drive to the little tea room that used to be Lili's favorite. It had taken some coaxing, but Lili had finally agreed - on the grounds that if she felt the slightest bit uncomfortable or uneasy, they come straight home. She hadn't been out without Gilbert or Uncle Toni since... ... since.
She couldn't even say why she was so incredibly nervous, if someone were to ask her. It wasn't as though she were physically harmed in the entirety of the little episode. She'd just been completely terrified out of her mind the entire time - and he'd told her things... that she'd never... she'd never... "Sarah... I want to go home."
But the maid looked at her innocently, and tipped her head. "But we've only just gotten here, Miss Lili. Let's at least go in and have a cup of tea, shall we?" She gently tugged the noblewoman from the carriage, and all but pulled the unwilling woman into the establishment. While Sarah seemed perfectly at home, Lili was more nervous than ever, wary and watchful as she'd never felt the need to be before. She glanced around the little parlor room, both curious and afraid to know whether there was someone she might recognize.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Mar 16, 2012 14:48:54 GMT -5
And there, sat in the corner, was a rather familiar looking man. Though this time, he was dressed up as a Nobleman, puffy sleeves, expensive garments, monocle, everything. It was rather nice to people watch sometimes, especially those of a class who's most tragic events were that of whether they were wearing matching undergarments that morning. Their lives were so trivial. Then again, Arthur thinks this and yet he fell for one of this trivial apes. Said trivial Ape had been having a crisis over the fact he was getting split ends the last morning he'd stayed there. Typical.
It was nice to pretend he was posh for a few hours, though. Even though he wasn't. There was another reason why he was here, anyway.
Arthur looked up for a moment, before his eyes widen a little at who's entered the room. Standing up abruptly, he calls across the room (perhaps rather inappropriately for where he was).
"Lili! Lili!"
He motions to sit with him.
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Post by Lili Walser on Mar 16, 2012 15:05:55 GMT -5
Hearing her name, Lili gasped and flinched simultaneously, though she did at least turn to see who it was. Upon recognition, however, she relaxed slightly, and nodded to Sarah to show that it was all right, then began to make her way through the other patrons to the table in the corner. "H-Hallo again..." She greeted quietly, though she didn't smile up at the gentleman. Arthur. She did finally know his name... she ought to start using it. She'd been so quick with smiles before...
Sarah, on the other hand, did not relax. She'd never seen this gentleman before... and if Lili knew him, that was odd. At some point or other, Sarah had met all of Lili's acquaintances - it was part of her job as a lady's maid... which also could be construed to mean "chaperone."
"M-Might I introduce my maid... and dear friend... Sarah? Sarah, this is Arthur." Lili's voice was quiet, almost hard to hear over the other patron's murmurings and chatter. Sarah frowned lightly, but dipped a curtsy by way of greeting. No last name? That was odd. And indeed, it had struck Lili as odd too, that he'd introduced himself only by first name - and given no last name since. She'd thought about it a time or two... and had come to the conclusion that perhaps he had a past that he didn't wish to share, or a family name that he was ashamed of... but she would admit to herself that she was dreadfully curious. Perhaps, perhaps this time she'd find the courage to ask him?
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Mar 16, 2012 15:15:30 GMT -5
Arthur stood up, and while his expression fell at how frightened Lili seemed to be, he made a lavish effort with Sarah, bowing low and taking her hand and kissing her sweetly. It wasn't quite as flirtatious and ladykiller as Francis would be, but it certainly was gentlemanly. Offering a sweet smile, he waits for them to sit down before he follows suit, the same smile.
"Wonderful to meet you, Sarah. I trust you are doing okay. Nice day for a tea-room visit, is it not?" He questions, picking up his own cup and taking a dainty sip from it. "To what do I owe the pleasure? It's been a while since I've last seen you, Lili."
That's when he looks up, and his eyes are a little more grave, just for a moment.
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Post by Lili Walser on Mar 16, 2012 15:46:51 GMT -5
"Charmed, I'm sure." Sarah wasn't as afraid as some maids might be to speak her mind to nobles - Lili would vouch for her, no matter what. She waited for Lili to settle to a seat, then quickly followed suit. She didn't have the fuss that Lili did with skirts, and for that, the maid was thankful. It allowed her to keep an eye out for danger while Lili settled herself. She hadn't been entirely convinced as to Arthur's genuineness, but as long as Lili was comfortable talking to him, and he made no threatening moves... Sarah would keep her opinions to herself.
The noblewoman finally looked up at Arthur, and attempted a faint smile. "It is a nice day, indeed." The smile faded when she saw his expression shift, and she tucked her chin. "Sarah thought it would be best to escape the house for a short while. I've... felt very... ill at ease going anywhere without my cousin." She shook her head, then looked up at him. "But how have things been with you since our last meeting?" She questioned, determinedly steering the conversation away from her. She'd rather not...
Sarah was content to let the pair talk, though she waved a server down to retrieve two teacups and a pot of mint tea. The mint would soothe Lili enough for them to be out of the house for an hour or two.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Mar 16, 2012 16:11:21 GMT -5
Arthur settles back, looking at the maid for a moment. He'd have to keep an eye on her, because it was sure as heck certain that he was not trusted.
Rather than keep on topic of her, he just smiles. "Yes, it's been a while. I've... been doing well." He remarks, looking to the side. "The usual."
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Post by Lili Walser on Mar 16, 2012 16:27:19 GMT -5
No, he wasn't trusted entirely. And Sarah would be keeping an eye on him - and reporting this to Herr Beilschmidt the first chance she got. She couldn't, in good conscience, do otherwise. She needed her employer to know that she was doing her job, keeping her charge safe... and if this Arthur wasn't safe, then she'd be keeping Lili from seeing the man again.
Lili nodded, and smiled ever so slightly, though the smile didn't last long. "I... I'm glad to hear it..." Even if she didn't know what the usual was, for him... she was glad that nothing out of the ordinary had happened to him since they'd last met. When the tea arrived, she allowed Sarah to pour, and then gingerly sipped the hot liquid. As soon as the cup was back in the saucer, she'd begun playing with the edge of the napkin in a very unladylike manner. How could she ask him to volunteer information about himself, when she wouldn't do the same?
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Mar 16, 2012 17:31:35 GMT -5
Arthur watches the other for a moment, his head tilting. She didn't know what to say, and for a moment, he didn't know either. She was shy, more shy than usual, and obviously it was excusable why this was. So, he tries to change topic.
"Have you seen Francis lately, then?" He questions, idly. He tries to hide the blush after, not quite sure why he brought him up. It made sense, but it admittedly irritated him how often he was brought up in his own mind lately.
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Post by Lili Walser on Mar 16, 2012 21:14:21 GMT -5
"O-oh... I... It's been at least a week since I last saw him... B-but I... I believe he's coming to dinner sometime within the next few days... I... I think Gilbert invited him..." She paused. This would be a chance to perhaps learn something about Arthur... even if it was something small. "H-he's been a family friend for m-many years. H-how is it that you know him?" It bothered her that her voice trembled more, asking this question. Really, it was just idle conversation! She wasn't attempting to pry into every detail of his life... she just... well, she needed something besides herself to talk about - and she did want to know just a bit more about Arthur. She was curious, and at this point, she'd think her curiosity warranted. He had rescued her twice now, that she was certain of.
Sarah huffed good-naturedly, hearing that Francis was to be invited to dine. It wasn't as though she didn't like the noble... she just didn't like the easy way he had... She was, after all, a chaperone. She considered it her job to look out for Lili's innocence. ... What was left of it, anyway.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Mar 17, 2012 18:28:01 GMT -5
It was pretty hard to miss the blush that arose on England's face. He fidgets slightly.
"Uh, I know him quite well. Owe him quite a lot, really. We go rather far back..."
The blush remains, and he looks at Lili, he tries to calm himself.
"And you?"
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