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Post by Lili Walser on Jan 22, 2012 18:18:16 GMT -5
When he sat her on her feet, she swayed lightly, but stayed standing. Even his brushing off her skirt, removing the few loose blades of grass that had somehow gotten stuck on the fabric, didn't run a risk of upsetting her balance. He hadn't looked at her yet... but now that her mask was gone, it was only inevitable that he would... it was just a matter of time.
Oh, she hoped she hadn't been the cause of many of his bruises... she'd feel horridly guilty, even if it had been him to pull her off the railing. She saw the instant that Francis recognized her, and immediately tucked her chin, anticipating the scolding. ... It was warranted, and it was quite a bit less vehement and angry than Gilbert's would surely be at this point.
"I... I-I... G-Gilbert h-had duty tonight, a-and I... I j-just wanted to come for a short while... I..." But she fell silent. This was no place to attempt an explanation, not judging by the panicky noblefolk still overhead. "F-Francis, w-what do we do? Y-Your lovely home..." She could put aside her terrible fear of Ruthians aside for the moment, though even the thought of this being an attack had her trembling. Of course it was an attack. What else could it be? Explosions didn't just randomly decide to happen in someone's home in the midst of a party...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Jan 22, 2012 18:39:11 GMT -5
Francis allowed himself a moment to panic. He paced in the little space the shadows afforded him, wringing his hands and shooting Lili a reproachful look.
"My lovely house? What about you?" He gestured toward her in an abrupt motion. "You're here, in the middle of an attack, by the people your protector is working against, no less, without said protector knowing about it!"
Francis stopped and took a deep breath, calming himself enough to think clearly. The girl was now his first priority. He would have to escape with her and place her somewhere safe before he could return to his home and fend off the invaders.
"All right, then." He took Lili by the shoulders and looked her directly in the eye. "I am taking you home. Thank goodness it's only a few minutes' walk. And you are going to remain there for good this time, are we clear? I will stay with you until Gilbert arrives."
He turned to survey the gardens, spotting a few dark figures darting around. Francis couldn't be sure if they were Ruthians or frightened guests, but he was not going to risk it. It was going to be difficult to leave the property unseen.
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Post by Lili Walser on Jan 22, 2012 19:00:37 GMT -5
Lili watched him pace through her lashes. She hadn't ever meant for anything like this to happen... she'd only meant to come for a short while so that she could wear her mask... wherever it had gotten to. Flinching slightly as he gestured toward her, the motion so abrupt it startled her, she stammered softly, "I... I-I'm s-sorry, Francis..."
She twisted her fingers together in front of her as he stood still for a moment, almost afraid of the next words that would be spoken. She knew he'd take her home... and that he'd tell Gilbert... What had she been thinking? She couldn't recall. Something about it being a masquerade, and so no one would recognize her if she went out, so she'd be safe. It hadn't occurred to her then, though it was occurring to her now, that the staff would likely have told Gilbert anyway... and even if they didn't, well, the fact that she likely would have slept later the next morning would have.
She looked up at him as he placed his hands on her shoulders, then nodded. "J-Ja... I... I understand... I... I promise..." Oh, but if he stayed... i-if he stayed... his house...! "B-But Francis... y-your house... your other guests... Y-you don't have to stay with me... I... Th-the staff will be there..." Even as she uttered her protests, she felt sure that they landed on deaf ears, and so she fell silent. She'd follow his directions, then... perhaps that would redeem her a little in the eyes of her guardian...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Jan 22, 2012 19:13:40 GMT -5
Francis tapped his foot impatiently, muttering curses at the figures traipsing around the grounds. They needed to go now.
"Don't be silly, of course I have to stay with you," replied Francis brusquely, eyes still trained on the gardens. But barely a second later, he remembered himself and who he was speaking to. He had always been fond of Lili, even if Gilbert wisely kept their interactions limited.
With a sigh, he turned to face Lili, his expression apologetic. "Forgive me." His gaze was steady on her. "You see, there is a good chance that we will be spotted escaping and followed. I don't want to give any Ruthians any ideas about harming you after I leave you."
He squeezed her shoulder, both as a warning and an assurance. "Do not forget that you are a noble," whispered Francis. "And at times, it is the most dangerous thing to be. Now is one of those times."
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Post by Lili Walser on Jan 22, 2012 19:35:24 GMT -5
The brusqueness to his voice had Lili biting her lip lightly. She hadn't meant... she didn't want... He was... Oh, dear... It took her a moment to look up at him again, when he once more turned to her, but when she did, he'd easily be able to see her upset - and she his apology.
Of course, being that she was looking at him, he'd also be able to clearly see the alarm and terror that crossed her face at the notion of both being seen and followed... and the idea that a Ruthian might try to harm her. Mutti... Vati... They'd hear her, wouldn't they, and keep her safe? Keep Francis safe...? Find a way to get Gil to come home quickly...? Right now, all she wanted was her cousin. He'd keep her safe, he'd make certain that everything turned out all right.
Slowly, she nodded in response to his words. Vati had often said the same thing... she thought she could recall Gilbert saying it once or twice... "I... I'm sorry... t-to have caused you trouble, F-Francis... I... shall do my best not to cause you any more." Her voice was softer than it had been previously. "I... I shall do as you direct, then..."
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Jan 22, 2012 19:50:27 GMT -5
Francis looked back down at Lili, startled by her apology and soft voice. Her stricken expression positively made Francis' made him melt and softened his expression. He now wondered how he hadn't recognized those enormous eyes.
"Oh, my dearest," he breathed, throwing his arms around the girl, "I wish you wouldn't feel that way. It's not your fault. I understand you just wanted a bit of fun - what girl your age doesn't?"
He squeezed her before letting go, petting her hair affectionately.
"If I made you feel like a burden, I apologize, my sweet. You're not. It's just very important for you to be safe."
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Post by Lili Walser on Jan 22, 2012 20:05:15 GMT -5
She rested her forehead against his chest for just a moment when he hugged her, taking comfort from the gesture. Perhaps this is what she'd needed moments ago... and perhaps she would have held on, just a moment longer, if she could have seen into the future. But as it was, when he stepped back, she raised her chin to look at him again. She'd put her entire faith in him, then... he'd get her to Gilbert safely. She knew he'd never let anything happen to her that he could prevent solely from fear of what Gilbert might say.
"N-No... I..." She was a burden... one that could have been at home embroidering something impossibly complex and soothing if she hadn't decided to come to the party. Be that as it may, she was here now... and there wasn't any way a wish could change that. "I... I s-suppose I'm... I-I'm ready for whenever you think it's safe to leave..."
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Jan 22, 2012 20:33:31 GMT -5
For the first time since the whole chaos began, Francis was able to smile. He gently stroked Lili's cheek, then took her hand in his firmly.
"Good girl." The number of dark silhouettes in the garden was lessening. It wasn't long before Francis spotted the last one run into the mansion, far out of his sight.
"There may be others we can't see," said Francis in a low voice, "so stay down and no matter what, stick to me."
Still holding onto Lili's hand, Francis ducked down and crossed the open space of the garden. He headed for the shadow cast by a large, leafy willow on the garden wall and flattened himself against the surface.
Breathing deeply, he glanced around to make sure they had not been seen.
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Post by Lili Walser on Jan 22, 2012 21:37:06 GMT -5
The touch on her cheek caused her nerves to settle, ever so slightly, for the single moment in between that touch and his taking her hand. No sooner than he did take her hand, however, holding her own firmly enough to ensure that almost nothing would be able to break them apart, her heart started racing again. She wouldn't ask him to wait another moment... another moment might not come. She wouldn't ask that he reassure her - he'd already done as best he could. Not even the great Francis Bonnefoy could account for 'what ifs'.
She followed his directions as best she was able, gathering her skirts in one hand so that she could run, bending slightly - all that the corset would allow - and following his footsteps to the shadow of the willow. Rather than ask him if he'd thought they'd been seen, she used the moment to catch her breath, dropping her skirts and placing her trembling hand against the base of her throat.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Jan 24, 2012 10:32:13 GMT -5
As soon as he caught his breath, Francis looked over at his companion, trying to gauge her condition in the darkness. He couldn't see much; he could only feel her hand in his and hear the rustle of her skirts.
"All right there, my sweet?" He tried to smile, but realized Lili wouldn't be able to see it.
But from here he could see the garden gate, only a few paces away. It would lead out into the well-lit street, but if they could cross that, they would be hidden well enough to hurry to Lili's home.
"I'm afraid that was the easy part, my dear," Francis winced. "We're going to have to run after leaving my grounds. Can you do without shoes for a while?"
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