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Post by Hatter Mad. on Mar 8, 2010 4:33:25 GMT -5
Dressed in finery only a royal would be forced to wear, Beatrix leant on the window sill, staring out over the village she would one day rule. Or the village she would one day watch her husband rule. She didn't ever want it to come to that, she didn't want to be like her mother. Sitting there, a ghost, a trophy wife, to a man who was 'important'. The Queen did nothing but look pretty in this generation. Beatrix would change that when she became Queen. Woman would rule!
With a sigh, Trixxy looked down the rough stone wall of the castle. She wished she could go down to the village without having to hide the fact. If her father knew, Beatrix would be locked in her room, or the King would put a loyal servant on her tail from sun up, to.. sun up.. Twenty four hours a day, in other words.
Taking a deep breath after that sigh, she grimaced, realising that a deep breath was hardly something you could do in a tight laced corset. Beatrix looked down at her clothing. As well as an extremely tight corset, she wore numerous petticoats, crisp white bloomers, and a full length hooped skirt, in what most would call a 'pretty' shade of green. Beatrix detested it. If it were up to her, she would wear simple dresses, or even pants.
With a start, Beatrix looked up from her daydream. Someone was here, either a family member or a servant. Looking carefully at the far away figure, Beatrix could tell by the clothes that it was no royal family member. Probably one of the maids. Beatrix was glad of that. She didn't really feel like talking to some princess or 'lady of the court' Those girls were always so pompous, like their gentry other halves.
Hello! She called gaily, trying to fool herself into a jolly mood. She knew how the girl would reply. Yes, miss? or something like that. Most of the time they were too scared to talk like a human should, for fear of being punished. They were servants after all. Most treated them without respect. But that wasn't my way, and I didn't think I'd seen this girl before. Maybe she'd be my new lady in waiting or something, and actually be fun..
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Post by perceptive on Mar 8, 2010 7:45:00 GMT -5
Giselle took a sharp breath. Here she was at the Castle. She had been briefly trained in the days leading to this and now she was a fledgling maid. She attained her orders from the prim Head maid at Cockle-call this morning, and was set loose on the castle to fluff pillows and to make the beds and other very exciting housework.
Really, she thought there'd be more labor. Long days and uncomfortable nights but here she was, just cruising along at her own pace. Giselle let her mind wander as she meandered through the many corridors, richly adorned with silk tapestries and portraits disregarded from the main hall. As she came out of one of the smaller rooms she had visited pfft, small! She'd seen whole families living in such sized rooms, AND they could still fit the important livestock in... ... and rounded the corner, she stopped in her tracks. Princess Beatrix was a way down the hall, staring out of the window. Was that longing etched into the non-existent lines of her face?
Giselle squinted a bit, trying better to read the expression when the Princess turned to her. She was still to far away to tell but Giselle thought she saw the face change to a look that could possibly have been of boredom. The Princess called out gaily, 'Hello?' and Giselle realizing her mouth was open, shut it and stood to attention. How to reply.. How to reply.. what was that old bag saying yesterday "The most important thing is to never talk to or touch any member of the court or monarchy, understand..." Giselle sighed. She was torn between her talkative, bubbly nature and the rules that mono-browed bag had lazered into her with her beady raven eyes.
With the seconds still elapsing, Giselle opened her mouth whilst a mental argument was carried out. Finally she spluttered faintly and quite out of character, "Erm, G-good day, mi- your Grace" She blushed and fell silent. This wasn't like her. Now the princess would think her another timid ghost, like most other maids Giselle had crossed paths with this morning.
Color once again flushed her face as she curtsied and began the stiff walk toward the Princess. She flashed a smile and stopped in front of the Princess. She bowed her head and began again. "Good Morning Madam, might there be anything I can fetch for you?" . She looked up into the Princesses face in anticipation and was struck by the look in the Princesses eye...
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Post by Hatter Mad. on Mar 8, 2010 8:13:31 GMT -5
Beatrix sighed again, forlornly, as the maid approached. The girl seemed quite lost for words, and Trixxy smiled curiously, trying to coax her into talking. Many of the girls who worked in the castle were from working and faring backgrounds, they were very timid around royal family. The girl curtsied and Beatrix tried to keep her smile wide and inviting, though she was thinking this maid might have been like all of the rest. Small, cowardly, and obsessed with cleanliness. Or loud, obnoxious and a waste of space.. If this girl was either of those things, it definitely wasn't the latter, it seemed.
Beatrix felt quite embarrassed that the girl was so timid in her presence. When she finally stuttered out a 'good day', with an accompanying blush, Trix turned completely from the wall. One hand roaming her back for the tight lace that was digging into the flesh of her back from the annoying corset, Beatrix spoke. "Call me Beatrix, please. I'm no more ladylike or worth more than you. Wouldn't be surprised if I was less." She said with an abrupt ending. This was the turning point at which a maid either passed the test, or failed it. Calling her 'Princess' or 'Madam' again would cause Beatrix Astibois to turn and walk away in disgust.
Beatrix let the girls accent sink into her thoughts. It was cute, a very strong English accent. What was it they called it? Cockle or something.. Cockney? Well, there is one thing you can fetch me.. Your name? I like to know who it is I'm talking to. I would simply detest having to call you 'Maid' for the remainder of our conversation. Beatrix grimaced, she sounded so formal. It was the corset, she thought. All of these clothes can't not go to a girls head.
With a more expectant face now, Beatrix waited for the maid servant to speak. Resting her eyes upon the girls lips for a moment, she saw how beautifully red they were. She was a plain girl, but the lips are hair made her look quite cute. She had to be around Beatrix' own age, too.. This got Beatrix thinking. This girl really could be a promising prospect for a lady in waiting............. (dotdot XD)
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Post by perceptive on Mar 8, 2010 9:40:20 GMT -5
Phew.. Giselle sighed on the inside. The Princess had acknowledged her and the 'conversation' they were having, though it felt more like a test of courage, like the children used to play back home in Cheshire... The Princess still meaningfully awaiting Giselle's reply cleared her throat quietly. Giselle crashed out of her day dream and something stirred in her stomach. This is my comfort zone! I can easily pass this test.. "My name is Giselle Matriarde mam, and I simply can not call you by any other name, if you please. I am a new maid here m'lady and there would be a terrible fuss if any of the other maids heard me conversing with you so commonly. They're all in the race to be your Lady in Waiting.."
Giselle paused for breath. She looked to the Princess and for the first time noticed the disgusting green dress Beatrix was draped in. And her corset! It was done up far too tight, it was any wonder the poor thing could breathe, let alone stand up straight and smile so warmly! "So might there be anything I can do for you mam? Your corset does look awfully tight if you don't mind my saying, perhaps I could adjust it for you? I've acquired many a handy skill whilst traveling before settling here nary a month ago.." Giselle tried to hide the smirk threatening to invade her lips, in the privacy of her own mind, she re-said the words that had just fell from her lips and had to restrain herself from rolling around on the floor laughing her rear off at the formality of it all.
Giselle looked up into the Princesses face, it amused her to do so, because Princess Beatrix was barely taller, if not the same height as herself and yet her posture seemed to demand it. There was a glint in the Princesses eye that made Giselle smile like crazy on the inside.
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Post by Hatter Mad. on Mar 9, 2010 4:02:05 GMT -5
"Wonderful to meet you, Giselle." [/b] Holding her hand out in what was hardly a lady-like fashion, to be shook, Trix continued. "Well, I suppose so. Keep with the ma'am stuff then? Long as you don't keep calling me Princess or Highness or Grace and that jargon? It's very demeaning to your character." With a chiming laugh, Beatrix listened to Giselle's next comment. To think that they expect me to choose some air head like those girls! This was said in a half joking, half forceful tone. She meant it. No ditzy chamber maid was going to be her right hand lady. One hand drifted to her stomach as the maid commented on her corset. Though Beatrix didn't like to appear weak, this corset was done up awfully tight. The maid who helped her dress in the mornings was far from gentle. Beatrix' slight frame was constantly squeezed into smaller clothes, apparently to make her more attractive. "Possibly just a little looser.. If you don't mind. That old maid is strong as a horse when it comes to lacing." Realising it would soon be supper, Beatris added, "But not too loose. It is supper soon, Mother will not forgive me if I'm not 'properly dressed'."[/color] The petite girl smiled at Giselle, motioning for her to follow the Princess. They couldn't exactly do a loosening in the middle of the hall. What if a knight or her father came around the corner? They'd have to move into her parlour. Beatrix wondered whether she could find an excuse to change into a nicer looking dress, maybe in a shade of purple? Her parents hadn't seen her yet today, only the old maid had, and who was she to question the Princesses actions? She walked into her bedroom, which ran through to the connecting parlour. Staring at the four poster with satin sheets, Beatrix wondered what it would be like to sleep in a less comfortable bed, like the commoners slept in, with straw fillings. And the servants too, what did they sleep on? She made a mental note to go down there some time soon, and find out. Stepping through the lace curtain, into the parlour, Beatrix waited for Giselle.[/blockquote][/size]
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Post by perceptive on Mar 9, 2010 7:32:55 GMT -5
Giselle followed Beatrix into her parlor, closing the doors behind her. As she did she let her eyes alight on some of the richest garners she'd seen in all her venturing through the castle earlier this day. How time had flown!
The Princess was standing at her regal four-poster bed, back to Giselle and held a curious look upon her face whilst staring distractedly at her bed. Giselle cleared her throat, "Ahem, are you ready for me to begin m'am?" Giselle was about to ask if Beatrix knew where her dressing maid might keep a tool for undoing the mass catches but decided she probably wouldn't.
She scanned the room for any possible resting places for such things and her eyes fell on an antique oak dresser adorned with polished copper and intricate carvings. Giselle suppressed an 'Oh..' and practically marched to the gorgeous piece of furniture. After a little rummaging she found just what she needed and began undoing the catches holding the back of the Princesses gown together. Again she was reminded of the ghastly dress.
"Really m'am, I thought you were more of 'rich color' kind of woman, royal hues of purple and the like and frankly I find this color dress on you not at all alluring" Giselle held her breath as she reminded herself it was the future Queen she was talking to! Nature or not, she had to keep her tongue in check. Luckily or unluckily, Giselle couldn't see the Princesses face. She finished unhitching the dress and made some adjustments to the corset. Once finished she announced; "All done! How does that feel?" She had tied the corset and hoped it was fine, because Beatrix's' supper only drew nearer and she still had to complete her rounds before too late, else people would be sleeping in unkempt beds..
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