Sightless [Sigr / Raina_Reader]

[Sigr]

Alexandra noticed that the recent events seemed to have made Evelyn prone to stay closer, not that she minded, but she would have to handle herself around other people. Her nuzzling just before informing her of the weather was nice, but the closeness didn't help her feel any less warm, although she didn't mind that either. "Yeah, Ravenwood can get foggy, specially around these parts" Alexandra nodded when Evelyn informed her about the mist. "I can use some leg stretching with a walk and a chat while we wait for the day to settle" she added, walking with Evelyn and still holding her hand.

"Hmm?" the girl hummed, not expecting the question and detecting a hint of nervousness on it. "Martha won't let me leave the grounds without two guards" she commented, aware of the usual fare even when she could see. "Although we never had any incidents, she won't budge, specially now that I can't see" she added, although Alexandra thought that Evelyn's worries weren't about having company watching over them, but probably about having too little protection. "That will keep us from being as close" Alexandra admitted, sounding somewhat bummed, "but I promised you that we would be safe and I'll keep my promise" she said, sounding serious, although her tone faltered into an amused one the closer Evelyn pulled her, specially as she talked about clothes.

"I- ah... thank you, but I'm sure you look nice, I'm still a girl..." Alexandra liked compliments, but that one had caught her unaware or maybe sounded specially honest, making her have trouble with an appropriate answer. Things didn't get any better as Evelyn kept talking about not only how pretty she had always been, but also about how nice and healthy she looked. "Evelyn..." she joined the woman on her giggling, unable to answer, leaning against her to keep her body steady in that fit of nervous snickering. "Yes, I'm good, I'm good" Alexandra managed to admit, once she was able to talk, her voice still a bit giggly. "Maybe a bit more warm than expected, my face feels like burning, but I'm not feverish at all" she said, not even thinking about the cause of such a thing. Female compliments couldn't be, as her mother's ones never had that effect on her.

"So then it's settled, unless the weather gets worse, we are going into a small trip" Alexandra said, smiling wide. "People in town will be able to see that I'm healthy despite everything, so that will calm them and prevent odd rumors" she realized, voicing it loud. "And we can get to a tailor there that can measure you up and get clothes ready. She has a bigger shop back in the city, but I've never been there" Alexandra commented. "Once she has your measurements and we tell her what we want, she can send the dressed directly here" she nodded, happy. "Oh! I know!" she suddenly said. "There is a beautiful place not far from town where we can have lunch before returning home, we just have to tell kitchen to have it ready and in a basket for us to carry" she was almost dancing on the spot. "I can't see it anymore, but I'd love to share that place with you" Alexandra said.

 

[Raina Reader]

The blonde haired girl nodded, her hair lightly tickling Alexandra's cheek due to their closeness and Evelyns habit of clinging to the other girl this morning since waking. "Two guards is good I suppose." She gave another nod which again would be noticed by the blind girl merely due to their sheer proximity to one another. "Ah--yes." Evelyn responded a bit disappointedly, ceasing in her movement within the vacant corridor. That will keep us from being as close echoed the fresh words in the back of her mind. Certainly, the guards would judge them harshly for being so affectionate. They were being overly affectionate weren't they? In the beginning, she had opted to be more physical in gentle ways purely for the fact that Alexandra was blind. A soft touch there, or a nudge here, as a kind reminder that she was close and there to help, yet in a day it grew into something different. She didn't even try to rationalize it to herself, there was no point, she liked being close to her.

"Do you think our friendly affections are too grand?" She inquired, not yet resuming their walk within the corridor, shifting her glance to ensure they were alone. The saddened tone in Alexandra's voice when stating they'd have to refrain from such physicalities did imply that she appreciated the closeness as well, but a nervous anxiety was taking root within the former whore. Was she so broken that she instinctively sought physical affections in another regardless of whom? Was there something more to this aside from loneliness and a need for safety? Did she desire this girl? Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and as was becoming a consistent thought in her brief time here she was grateful for Alexandra's inability to see her embarrassment. To make matters worse, Alexandra was becoming giddy over her compliments which filled her with a surge of burning joy before quickly turning to ash as it all but confirmed her fears about her feelings.

"Yes, a small trip into town sounds pleasant enough and I will show better etiquette especially when in public--er--It's just--Does it bother you when I compliment on your fair appearance, or when I hold close to you as I am." Her voice fell to a whisper, in case someone else entered the corridor, her hair still gently tingling against Alexandra's face. To any onlooker, if they happened upon them it would look as if Evelyn was merely aiding the girl in standing upright. "It's--what I mean is, the brief time we have known each other conflicts with the kinship I feel, and I fear I am forgetting my place." Not even Evelyn could tell if she was issuing an apology for her overly affectionate behavior to the Lady of the House, or if she was seeking some form of ratification, While the thought of sharing a lunch with Alexandra in some beautiful spot only served to burn deeper within her chest and enforce the fearful suspicions.

 

[Sigr]

"Hmm..." Alexandra noticed the lowered tone on Evelyn's voice, slowly growing better at identifying how she felt. "They are grand indeed" she voiced first, "never expected to feel so safe, so cared" she continued. "Maybe too grand for the time we have known each other, maybe too grand to be showed in public..." Alexandra had no doubt admitting, not wanting to lie to Evelyn. "What we have is not commonplace as far as I know. But that doesn't mean it's wrong, or at least I don't feel like it" she sighed, leaning her head a bit towards Evelyn. "Maybe it's a whim of destiny, maybe I'm just being naive, but I'm more than fine with too grand" she admitted with a giggle. "Both of us suffered enough, we shouldn't settle for anything less than too grand" insisted.

Even if Alexandra felt her face still blushing, she had managed to say all of that without a stutter or pause, convinced not only of the truth of her words, but also wanting to support Evelyn and make her doubts disappear. That didn't prevent that her cheeks kept burning in an embarrassing yet good way once she was finished talking, strangely happy of what she had managed to say. Maybe she wasn't as bad at talking, or as meek as she once thought, she was going to need all that courage and then some if she was to be Lady Ravenwood after all.

"Do I look like it bothers me? Please tell me" Alexandra stopped the walk, moving so she was face to face with Evelyn, the side hug turned into a frontal one. Her glassy blue eyes shone as she looked upwards to Evelyn's face, golden hair a frame of her porcelain skin and rosy cheeks. Alexandra's smile was warm and strong, yet playful and eager, completely natural and honest. "You aren't forgetting your place, as that's for us to decide" insisted. "But you are my eyes, so even if we want to indulge on our friendship, I need you to be aware of the surroundings" she added. "What we have is good, but also private. It's not for others to judge, but neither should we expose it if we don't want to be judged" Alexandra affirmed.

As a noblewoman, even if young, she was quite aware of keeping a proper decorum all the times. Even if she was starting to slip into a situation she wasn't quite aware of and never had even dreamed of it, ignorant of the path her feelings were taking her along, oblivious even to the evolving nature of those very feelings that inspired her into those very words she uttered. "I need you to be our shield as much as you need me to be ours" she voiced, sighing content afterwards. "We should head to the kitchen if we are to have a lunch ready to take out on our trip" she mentioned, unaware yet of the effect her words had on Evelyn and wanting to lighten the mood a bit.

 

[Raina Reader]

Whim of destiny... The words echoed in her mind, her breath catching in her throat as the noble girl leaned in close against her. Such words were dangerous to a young woman of fractured mind. One who had nothing, who had been used all her life and for the first time was met with such potent mutual emotions between her and another. Did Alexandra feel as she did? No, she was of noble stock and would never dare risk to even admit such deviant and blasphemous feelings, and yet, all the same, she was aware enough to have the sense to admit that they needed to be discrete. So was this merely a quickly blooming bond of deep friendship, one that she would corrupt with her history of whorish deviancy? What she felt for Alexandra did not feel corrupt or deviant, on the contrary, it felt pure and wholesome, but that's not what others would say, these were not normal feelings. Evelyn had, had a secretive patron of noble descent who was a woman, who craved the touch of another woman and yet was quick to admit it was deviant and that she would be publicly shamed if anyone from her circle ever learned the truth.

"No, you don't look like it bothers you." She too blushed, her thoughts drowning presumption and fears, turning to regard Alexandra and her expression carefully, unable to contain her giddiness as it became more everpresent how pretty she was. "Yes, I am your eyes, always, that comes first and so does the trust between us..." Indulge in our friendship The words rang in her ears as she struggled to remain focused on her words. Did she mean what she thought she meant? No, no, get it together. She was getting carried away with her thoughts and needed to reel herself back in, and yet as Alexandra continued to speak of keeping things private and not exposing it to be anyone lest they be judged, it certainly sounded how she felt.

"A--ah yes kitchen!" Feeling flustered, Evelyn started walking again, guiding her friend slowly through the halls towards the kitchens while her thoughts continued to spin out of control. Not natural, not decent Though her sexual encounters with women while rare were still the best experiences for her as an escort, but the very thought of engaging in such behavior with Alexandra made her feel vile and guilty. Her feelings went beyond sexual for Alexandra, she genuinely cared for her and wanted to protect her. Simply being next to her and holding her made her feel the happiest she ever had, and the idea of sharing a meal with her on some secluded hill near the town sound perfectly serene, like out of a fantasy.

Once they arrived to the kitchens, the cooks and servants within were a little taken back to see their Lady, becoming accustomed to receiving her wishes from afar. The sound of clattering dishes and footsteps came to a halt as everyone ceased in their preparations for the day to respectfully address Lady Alexandra.

Evelyn, realizing they now had an audience, had left her arms around her friend, but was not as close as she had been when they were alone, opting to merely stand at her side, keeping her upright in case the heat or smell of the kitchen unbalanced her. "Which kind of foods and other items would you like to see packed for your trip into town today Lady Ravenwood." She inquired professionally, doing her best to stifle a giggle as it now felt like they had some scandalous secret between them even if they had possibly misunderstood each others own feelings.

 

[Sigr]

Alexandra was content with how Evelyn reacted to her words, or at least as far as she could understand her short answers, bright but unsteady tone and physical proximity. It seemed that she had also gave her something to think about, or at least somewhat of a distraction, as she was slightly more silent than usual during their trip to the kitchen. Alexandra read it as her friend steeling herself, readying her disposition to make sure she properly behave in front of the servants when she was around. Or maybe she was making plans around their trip? Alexandra wanted to surprise her with the lunch location, but first they had to get to the town of Ravenwood, greet her people and get her measured for new dresses.

Small gasps and whispers from the service, the fragrant aroma of spices and boiling broth, and the shift in Evelyn's posture were all telltale signs that they had finally arrived to their destination. Alexandra couldn't help but wonder how their faces were, what the wonderful workers of the kitchen thought of her state, but soon the plans for the day made the clouds of her thoughts fade. Hearing Evelyn, no, Lady Rosewind conduct herself in the most elegant of manners was a bit funny, specially since she could kind of detect a bit of amusement on her voice. "We'll need first a couple of rations for the guards that will accompany us on our trip, make them hearty and nourishing as usual" she nodded. "I'd like something that can hold until lunch time, that can be carried without much trouble on a basket" Alexandra paused, humming in thought.

"Is that..." Alexandra sniffed, in a way that wasn't quite ladylike, but on the girl resulted somewhat cute and endearing. "It smells like roasted pork, always loved it how crispy the skin gets, you are skillful" she praised without a second thought. "Maybe in sandwiches with some rye bread... oh! Didn't you prepare it once with a berry jam? It was delicious!" Alexandra beamed, remembering dishes of old, smells invigorating her memory. Alexandra had a sweet tooth indeed, but it was true that pork went wonderfully with some sweet sauces like those. "Maybe some pickled vegetables in jars... oh, and a bottle of wine with a couple glasses too..." she continued. "Well, anything else that you may found appropriate you can add, I trust on your expertise, you always do a great job" she complimented once more with a small curtsy and a smile, even if it was a bit odd for her to speak aimlessly to the kitchen crowd.

"It will be done as you please, and thank you for your generous compliments" a middle aged man said, seemingly the head cook of the place, his expression a wonderful mixture of happiness and surprise, all painted over his rubicund face that matched his rotund body. "Allow us half of an hour to make sure everything is sorted out, Baroness" he added. Hearing the title referring to herself instead of her mother was strange, but not displeasing, as the voice uttering it was one of respect and admiration. It seemed that the young noble was loved by most of her servants, if not all.

Alexandra just nodded and turned to face Evelyn. "Lets find out Martha and inform her of my plans, so the carriage gets ready and she picks which two guards will go with us" she said, waiting for her friend to guide their around. "It should take more or less what the kitchen needs to get ready and our weather to clear into a sunny day" she guessed. "Good job" finally added as a whisper, a somewhat shrewd smile on her face, enjoying their harmless secret.

 

[Raina Reader]

Standing tall and perfectly silent, Evelyn listened to Alexandra get excited about all the foods and smells in the kitchen while making more and more requests for their picnic. Everything sounded so good, like out of a fantasy. Was this truly how the highborn ate all the time? Crispy Pork sandwiches on rye bread with berry jam? It sounded so surreal, so sublime. Pickled vegetables too? and...and wine with two glasses? If She had not already been standing very still to maintain an air of professionalism, her moment of frozen panic may have stood out. It all sounded so...romantic. A whimsical picnic with delectable delicacies hidden away in some fanciful destination with the dainty baroness.

Once the requests were made, it was as if there had been a sudden call to arms and all of the soldiers began rushing to their battle stations making haste at thrice the pace they had been when they arrived, clearly eager make an impression for this special visit. As one of the cooks; a young boy, stumbled by them with a heavy pot in hand, Evelyn found herself pulling Alexandra out of the way, quickly guiding her out of the ensuing chaos and back into the quiet of the corridor.

Steeling herself from the flurry of emotions that continued to bombard her mind, blonde locks of hair whirled and danced against Alexandra's face as Eve spun her head to face her. "Ah, Martha yes, let's go find her then. It sounds like this will be quite the eventful day!." She said in her familiar sing-song tone, pausing a moment as Alexandra commended her for her etiquette. "Why thank you Baroness Ravenwood" She said in a playful manner as they walked down the corridor alone, offering a gentle squeeze as she said this while no one was looking.

The rest of the morning continued in the same chaotic rush that was experienced in the kitchens as Martha sought to ensure complete preparedness for their journey. For some reason Evelyn almost thought Martha may object to Alexandra's plans either to due her health or lack of confidence in present company, but there was no argument, the older woman was proving to be quite the devoted professional, which made it impossible to tell if Martha did in fact harbor resentment toward her in some way or if it was just Evelyns lack of self-esteem. It was noon before the two selected guards were loading the carriage, the driver was strapping in the horses to their harnesses and performing final moment safety checks. Everything felt far more uptight than when she travelled here, likely due to her present company, and she couldn't blame them. It went beyond Alexandra's failing health, sickness or not, she was a beautiful soul that needed to be protected. Evelyn watched a large basket loaded into the back, which she assumed to be the food prepared for the day, and a smaller box which she took to be the food set aside for the rider and the guards. It was a strange feeling knowing she would be dining on the food prepared for a Baroness.

"All is prepared for you Baroness." The guard, Martha had introduced as Carlyle, spoke in a very thick yet obedient tone of voice.

After thanking them, Evelyn guided Alexandra toward and into the carriage and before she knew it they were on the road sitting within the cozy, red velvet box.They were alone but the open windows made it difficult to speak freely even with the curtains in place. It was here that she understood what Alexandra meant, they would have to continue to keep up appearances as frustrating as it was. She wanted to giggle and converse freely with her, like she had been in the morning or the night before. One saving grace was she could maintain the closeness they had been. The curtains were shut, and even if the guards or the rider peeked inside, one could argue that Evelyn kept her arms around the Baroness to keep her upright during the bumpy road.

It was midday before they arrived in town, and fortunately for them, the weather had indeed cleared, but the journey there had been insufferably suffocating. As each moment passed into the next Evelyn wished for a chance to be out of earshot from everyone else. How frustrating of a feeling to be alone but aware that you're being observed. Was this what it was like to be Alexandra all the time? To be a highborn girl growing up? Feeling both simultaneously coddled and alone. Up until now she had envied such a life but was beginning to notice the downfalls. Nothing was perfect it seemed.

"We've arrived at your first requested designation Baroness." The rider drolled out as the Carriage rolled to a stop, the dull roar of a lively town square echoing from behind the red curtains. They had arrived outside the tailor where the dresses would be ordered, from there they would tend to the remainder of their activities.

"How are you feeling?" Evelyn whispered, squeezing Alexandra's hand gently as she leaned in. "Ready to stretch your legs, do you need anything? Water?" It was difficult to conceal how restless she was feeling at that moment so she could only imagine how Alexandra may feel being as ill as she was.

 

[Sigr]

"Atchoo!" Alexandra sneezed, tickled by Evelyn's hair as she pulled out of the ongoing chaos and turned to face her. "Ticklish" she explained with a giggle, brushing the underside of her nose with a finger. "I don't mind it though, it smells nice" she nodded, before joining Evelyn in her enthusiasm. "Eventful indeed!" she agreed, cheerful. The next minutes were hectic around the manor, yet at the same time somewhat boring. Alexandra couldn't do anything but wait once Martha was arranging things, and even if anticipation made difficult for her to stay still, it wasn't like she could gossip or play with Evelyn, although the notion gave her an idea for other day. "One of these days we have to try playing chess" she said, "I can teach you if you don't know how to play" she voiced. The pieces different shapes, so even if it was slow maybe there was a way to do it, although it sure would be a challenge for her memory.

"Thank you" Alexandra nodded to Evelyn as she helped her getting into the carriage. It was a vehicle more practical than garish, given the nature of her family, but it still had those kind of nice details with materials or adornments that nobility had access to without a second thought. As Evelyn kept her close and steady during the trip, Alexandra started by leaning into her shoulder, happy to share an amusing trip with her and enjoying thinking about what was to come. The young girl felt her friend to be a bit more stiff than usual, probably due to the situation, but she was still close. A particularly big bump on the road caught them distracted, making Alexandra fall to Evelyn's side. "Don't worry, I'm fine" she said, resting her head on the woman's lap. Maybe Alexandra couldn't see her, but she still turned so she was facing up, those milky blue eyes staring blindly in the woman's face direction.

Once the somewhat stuffy trip was over, Alexandra was uptight again, not without Evelyn's help and just in time before the driver started talking. "I'm feeling better than ever, at least after these last weeks" she commented, her face the very image of a healthy red apple. "We can drink and such in the tailor, no need to inconvenience the guards" she voiced. "I don't know exactly where we are though" Alexandra waited for Evelyn to help her down the carriage. "Oh, that close? Not much for stretching the legs though" she commented when informed that they were just in front of the shop. "Doesn't matter, we have walked a bit already this morning and we have a long day ahead" she shook her head. "Now if you can guide us to the shop-" she paused. "Carlyle, you two will of course stay outside" she ordered. It went without saying, as the feminine nature of the shop rendered it forbidden for male clientele, but Alexandra still flexed her authority a bit. It wasn't as much as wanting to establish what was obvious, but mostly so she could get accustomed herself.

If the carriage was an exercise of restrained luxury, the inside of the shop was an explosion of extravagance. Reds, purples and golds mingled with silvers and blacks in an ocean of fabrics and finished dresses, old furniture than looked upholstered several times with different colors. The temperature inside was cooler, at least enough to escape from the outside, but nothing as cold as to inconvenience the works done inside. "If I remember correctly there is a fitting room on the back were we can-" she commented, oblivious to the visual spectacle that the establishment was, as the owner of the place interrupted them by appearing from the back with a cheerful good morning tune, oblivious of the hour.

Clad in an emerald dress that engulfed all the things she wanted hidden and emphasized the ones she wanted to show, Madeleine was clearly a middle aged woman quite older than the two of them, and yet she was so properly prepped that she didn't look like it. Behind the makeup was a sharp face that expressed clearly her feelings, framed by raven hair as she looked curiously at the pair with her green eyes. Madeleine was certainly curvy, exceedingly so, but her dress made her figure flow and dance as she approached them. "Lady Ravenwood! It's a pleasure to see you walking and healthy!" she exclaimed, sounding completely honest. The faces of the townsfolk outside had been of relief when they saw her walk by, but none had been as effusive as to come close to Alexandra and hug her. "You'll excuse this old woman for such private show, but I'm delighted to see you like that" she excused herself, seemingly confident that being on her shop served as a refuge of sorts for the three of them. "You must be her new aide for sure, Madeleine at your service, my lady" she did a small, jiggling curtsy.

"There is only one reason to stop by here" Madeleine admitted. "Come on, don't hesitate, do you want anything to drink? To eat?" she asked, almost pushing them to the back.

"Just some fresh wine will be nice to clear the road dust" Alexandra nodded, "as we have some arrangements for lunch later" she clarified, following Evelyn as Madeleine showed them the back.

"It'll be done-Sonya!" Madeleine shifted from jolly to severe in mere moments, and then back to jolly again. "This daughter will be the death of mine..." she shook her head, finally reaching the back.

The fitting room, choke full of mannequins, fabrics and tailoring implements was also the hideout of someone that that at first sight could have been confused for a young man, although a second glance made clear she was a woman. Having none of her mother's curves, Sonya was her daughter in focused emerald stare and raven hair only, as she wasn't just boyish, but dressed in pants too. "Welcome" she rapidly bowed, more of a soldier-like than a lady-like gesture. It was soon understandable her choice of attire, as it wasn't just youth what allowed her to move fast around, but her unobtrusive attire as well, as she readied the place for the task at hand.

"I'll need your hand to measure Lady Rosewind so we can get some beautiful dresses for her, Sonya" Alexandra commented in a friendly tone, maybe one or two years older than the tailor girl herself.