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 Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:10 pm
It was not often for Lord Irene Jewell to come out of his mansion, not after he had snuck out so many times without his mother's knowing. In fact, the mistress now suspects that something was up with the young man that he must be kept under strict watches. For the few months that he had been imprisoned, the young lord suffered quite a lot of mental beatings. Education, or, RE-education, as his mother put it, in an attempt to shape him back to the superior human being he was supposed to be. Irene had endured all of it without much complaint, knowing how his mother would react if he were to rebel. There was no real reason for him to do so, in addition, as the young Lord wasn't even sure why he was changing so rapidly those days and why he was despising the court of nobles more and more. The ladies felt the same, the environment didn't change much other than the fact that his mansion was getting a make-over with gold paints imported from some country far away, and the people around him...they were still the same folks. But Irene was tired of them, tired of the high philosophy and the extravagant speeches of gentlemen. Even the sword duels felt boring to him (but that seem reasonable considering he had held the win record for the 5th year in a role).
He needed a break, and he'd take every chance to get it.
Thank goodness that day came, and Irene's mother finally agreed to let him go out of the mansion and leave the city for once. Today, he was to visit a cousin's plantation in the Farmlands, a large area of green plains that served as an agricultural center to the city. The said cousin had his own mansion in the city. For 2 days in a month though, he'd be going over to his plantation and do a "works inspection". To put it in simple words, to see if the workers were working as hard as they could going sick on him. Irene tagged along during the 2 days of this month, and was secretly overjoyed to know that the said cousin had not yet gotten his mother's words on how ill-acting Irene had been.
Which means he had two days without having people watching him like a hawk in some shaded areas. Two days of complete freedom.
It was easy to get pass the cousin's guard, as he was busy with his own task. Irene went on a brief tour of the plantation the day he had arrived, and on the second he was free to roam about to walk the entire Farmlands. Well, on horseback, of course. Although at this very moment the young lord had dismissed his horse to a stable boy and wandered to a small plot himself. The said plot had interested him in that it had no food planted there, but rather different kinds of flowers, each pretty in their own ways.
And the flowers reminded of a certain lady he had met a while ago...
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:22 pm
It was perhaps just as often that the flower girl was allowed to go out to the family plot in her father's stead, but she had been allowed to do so for a week due to her father being ill. Kaoru had stayed behind to help Rose with the shop, and it left the young woman alone with some time to reflect on all that had transpired within the year.
Crystal waded into the sea of flowers, a light breeze tickling her fair skin with flower petals, the hem of her sleeveless sky blue sundress whispering behind her. It was delightfully warm, and she didn't want to wear a long gown to get caught with the delicate stems of the flora, also wearing light sandals to pick her way through. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, although many locks were free and dancing about her shoulders in defiance. A delicate hand lifted to shade her eyes from the sun, looking over the field of flowers. It was like a rainbow on earth, and she loved it. It was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen, and she drank it up as though she'd never see it again.
It was because of this position that she did not see the young Lord, caught up in the affair of the breeze upon her legs and the sun kissing her face.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:32 pm
The young lord wandered aimlessly across the small acres of the flower field. Eventually, he spotted someone with back facing him not too far away. He gave the figure a mere glance, turned to look at other flowers, then immediately looked back as if he had made a great discovery. That sense, that figure, that hair...could it be her?
It must have been her. Who else would appear in the field of flowers, other than a flower girl?
Irene swallowed dryly, took a few steps forward, then a few steps back. He didn't want to approach her, or, didn't know how to approach her without disturbing the peaceful scene. Even if he did, he wouldn't know what to say. The young lord had unconsciously wanted to see Crystal ever since they had their last meeting, and now...God was being so generous to him, that's all he could say.
Irene smiled a little to himself, and decided to move out of the way so the girl could have her own peace. Seeing her was enough, he thought, but appearantly his body thought otherwise. Just as Irene started to move, his one foot brushed upon a near by spray kettle that was randomly set, unnoticed, beside him. The metal didn't fall, but it made a rather awkward and loud noise from the unintentional kicking from Irene's foot, which would surely alarm anyone around him. Irene gasped, shocked at his carelessness. "Lady Crystal!" He immediately called out before the girl could turn and see what was going on to save his embarrassment. "What a pleasure to meet you again!"
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:42 pm
It was a soothing moment, peaceful, but she heard something faintly in the distance. Probably a bell from town, she couldn't tell with the wind blowing against her, and then--
Lady Crystal? It couldn't be!
The flower girl turned with wide grey eyes, her sight resting upon the lean frame she knew well. She was filled with unbidden glee, crying out in surprise before moving towards him. Her legs weren't hindered by a long gown, and as such, she was able to move swiftly over the flowers without disturbing them like some great doe. As she approached him, her smile spread into a joyous grin, extending her arms and wrapping them tightly around his broad shoulders. She hugged him dearly, laughing, "Irene! By the stars, what luck is this?"
She pulled back enough to look up into his face, moving her hands to cup his cheeks fondly. "What did I tell you about this 'lady' business, hmm? It's just Crystal...please. Pretty please?" The young woman was ecstatic to see him, and it showed in her glowing expression and happy smile.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:50 pm
Irene smiled initially, then all of a sudden he was wrapped in the arms of Crystal. Eyes wide and mouth gawking, the surprised young noble had to pause a moment to realize what had happened. And when he finally did, it hit as pure excitement and happiness. Crystal missed him! The thought made Irene flush to the cheeks, which he did not have the time to hide before his face was cupped in the girl's hands.
Irene blinked, and felt his cheek heat up even more at the warmth of Crystal's gentle touch. He smiled a little, tried to speak, found his voice shaking, so stopped and waited for a few moment, then started to speak again.
"F-forgive me, my l---CRYSTAL. Crystal. Cry..."
Finding himself at an utter loss at words, Irene closed his eyes and wrapped his arm around the lady's slender waist and sprang her around gently, before opening his eyes again and grinning at the girl in his arms.
"Thank havens for this, I never thought I'd meet you again!"
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:02 pm
His expression was perfect, and hearing her name on his lips was divine. She laughed with delight as he wrapped his arms around her, resting her arms over his shoulders again and kicking her feet playfully until he set her down. "That's much better," she teased, grinning and laughing softly. Crystal couldn't recall ever seeing him smile so easily before, and it made her unreasonably happy.
"No? After all you said to me last we met? That breaks my heart!" The woman pouted at him in a playful manner, fingers lifting to touch his ponytail and draw through the long strands. "I've missed you, and would continue to miss you were that the case. How have you been? Busy, I hope?" It was better than the alternative, and she sincerely tried not to think of it. He looked happy though, and for that, she could only have faith in his peace of mind.
She couldn't help herself, leaning against him again to give him another warm hug. "Ah, it's so good to see you again, Irene," she smiled up at him as she pulled back once more. Perhaps in all the strain of what had happened recently, she was thinking more clearly and appreciating more everyday blessings.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:08 pm
The young noble's smile faded a little as he thought about telling Crystal what happened after that night. The thought was driven out of his mind, however, as the girl continued talking. Irene shook his head lightly. "Not as busy, just everyday chores." He gave the girl a little squeeze around the waist and leaned his head against hers. "What about you? What had brought you to this lovely place?"
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:34 am
He was being so affecionate that she momentarily forgot where she was, and why. She sighed softly, nuzzling where he leaned against her, her smile sweet and content. "This...this is my family's land." Crystal turned her head just a little, not breaking contact but enough that her silvery gaze could sweep over the rippling spectrum of flowers. "We certainly don't grow our flowers in the shop. My father usually tends to the fields, but he's been ill this week. They let me take over, and...in this moment, I am grateful."
This was the Irene she remembered, the one who was free of fear. She didn't know if he was back to playing games or being flirty, but she didn't care. It was good to have him near without the awkwardness of social standing. Crystal closed her eyes briefly, resting comfortably against the noble, asking, "What brings you out here? I'd certainly never had imagined to see you in these parts."
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:48 am
"Your family's...?" Irene almost blurted out I didn't know lower class folks are allowed to have lands here, but held his tongue just in time. Same as Crystal, he didn't want to be reminded of his status right now, considering this was his day of freedom. Crystal's presence just made his day a thousand times better than it already was, and the young man was not about to ruin it by any misspoken words.
"Your father is a wonderful gardener." Instead, the young man smiled and gave a short reply. Since the other was shifting the topic on him, there was no need for him to talk any further about Crystal's family land. "I'm here to visit a cousin." He nodded to himself, and smiled playfully at Crystal, "But I don't think the cousin really cares about my company, so here I am."
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:46 pm
She nodded lightly as his comment about her father, although he probably would have been fit to be tied to be referred to as a gardener. He preferred complimentary terms like 'aesthetic landscaper,' but she wasn't about to bring that up. Crystal opened her eyes and smiled up at Irene, moving just a bit out of his arms to she could better look at him. "Oh? You have family around here? Are they of..." The Jewell family name, she almost finished with, but she, too, did not want the social standing between them. "...agriculture, or the like?"
Crystal smiled sweetly at him, giving his hands a little tug. "Well I enjoy your company, and could use a bite to eat. Would you care to join me, if even just to sit and have a cold drink?" She tilted her chin towards the small home on the plot in the distance, smaller than her own place. It was, of course, just intended to be a shed once upon a time, but her father had built on it to include a small bedroom and a place almost considered a viewing room that looked over the flower fields.
"It's nothing like my home, but it's cozy," she explained as she turned towards it.
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:47 pm
"Hm." Irene settled two fingers on his chin as if he was deep in thought. "I suppose you could say that. He runs a plantation here, although I have not paid much attention to what exactly he grows there." Irene chuckled and looked at Crystal. "Only beautiful things attract these eyes, I'm afraid."
With the girl beside him, the young noble felt an air of refreshment that he had long desired for. A chance to be with someone he enjoyed, a chance to be himself. When Crystal tugged at his hand Irene felt his heart warming up like the early summer sunshine had just poured down to his chest. At the same time, it flushed on his cheeks. The young noble was surprised to find out how much he had blushed being with the girl. Was it out of excitement? Or something else...?
Crystal's invitation stopped him from thinking, however. Irene automatically nodded. "I'd love to keep you company, my...Crystal." The words sounded strange to him, but he decided to not comment on it (the girl probably knows that he wanted to say 'my lady' again, but stopped short after the first word to fix himself). Without further saying, the young noble followed Crystal into the small room, one hand unconsciously holding the girl's still.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 12:45 pm
The young woman stuck her tongue out at him playfully at the comment about beautiful things, before smiling softly and continuing onwards. She really didn't even realize that she was still grasping his hand, leading him through the fields to the small, airy shack-made-home.
Crystal didn't comment on his slip of title and name, simply because she was used to getting nicknames at work; being called 'my Crystal' by someone she was fond of was hardly something for her to be upset by. She released him once they were inside, motioning to the two-person table to sit if he so chose. Moving to the modest kitchen counter, she asked, "Would you like a sandwich? I'm afraid all we have is chicken breast, my father rather enjoys it. Oh, and we have some poppyseed tea, or I can fix some ice tea if you'd prefer."
She paused with bread and trappings in her hands, looking over to Irene with a patient smile, as if she'd done this a thousand times before. She enjoyed fixing things for other people, it made her feel more productive, and made the food taste that much more delightful.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:01 pm
Irene enjoyed being grasped by Crystal's hand, and did not want to let her go even after they have entered the room. But the girl had already released him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The young noble was disappointed for a moment before getting distracted by Crystal's comment to sit. He hesitated, and moved to one of the hair, but did not sit in it. Instead, he stood beside it and waited for Crystal to come in and sit first---as informal the sitiuation may be, Irene's manners were habits that he could not get rid of easily.
"Anything would do, thank you." The young noble replied lightly and gave Crystal a charming smile, "I believe I'm hungry enough to devour anything that is sent to my way."
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:47 pm
The woman nodded in a bounce of soft curls, turning to fix the two something to eat. Crystal hummed softly as she prepared fresh wheat bread with the deli meat, adding a few flavored trappings out of habit more than anything. She poured two glasses of iced tea as well - it was warm enough that iced sounded good - setting those on the table with a smile before taking the sandwiches and placing them down as well. She had made Irene two, and a half of one for herself.
She bustled back to the counter, making an arrangement of fresh vegetables to go with their lunch (celery, carrots, radishes, bell pepper and jicama), setting the plate between the two before taking a seat. "Irene," she chided him softly, "you don't need to wait for me, you know. It may be manners, but I was raised with the woman's duty in the kitchen. Your legs would turn to jelly if you were so polite during Christmas." Crystal giggled a little, plucking a piece of the white jicama, nibbling on it while she watched the dark haired man.
"So what else have you been up to, Irene? It's so good to see you again."
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