Let me just start this recollection with a mention of how my intuition leads to great successes, even more so when paired with my charming personality. Yes, we wanted to meet Harris, but those are not the important parts. I managed to get an audience with the Duke, taking Aggma with me. For the exotic factor. And, as it turned out, she really made a name for herself as a healer and the Duke even heard of her. Not wanting to compliment myself too much, but this was a genius move.
Long story short, we managed to get the Duke to visit Lady Trudgeons fundraiser, as it should be. And the Duke announced he now know who we are and makes sure to keep our services in mind.
After leaving the castle, we inform the others of our success in talking with the Duke, and then talk to Lady Trudgeon as well. Seems like there is nothing in the way of this being a successful evening.
I decide to get back to Charles, taking his kids out shopping. Getting them finer clothes for the big event. And giving Charles and his wife Stephanie some time for themselves. Having six kids certainly takes a toll on your intimacy. Fed and clothed, Uncle Christopher brings them back home.
And now we just wait for the big day tomorrow.
I arrive at the orphanage when Lady Trudgeon asked for us. We quickly decide who would do what kind of task, and off we go.
I am the one greeting people, talking with them, and directing them towards the donation box. Being the model orphan of the house. Doing things to impress people wanting to be impressed, to loosen their wallets a bit. After some times of this, I take my place directly beside the donation box. When a lot of people are already present, someone that hops between groups is just a nuisance. And most of those that arrive just now, are either the most important people or the personally invited ones. And they will either look for Lady Trudgeon directly, or the donation box, where I will be waiting already.
Oh, I do enjoy those events! Smiling, shaking hands, just as practiced and almost perfected. And a delightful day it if. We all made sure of that.
But all good things must come to an end. A lesson I learned some time ago. The Abolins-Family arrived. Before my brain can register what I am doing, I tried to sign Sett to not let them in. A stupid thing to do. They're influential and rich. As evil and cunning as they are, they're important not just for Tilley, but the the whole area. And they're loaded. Donating a hefty sum here would just help their image. I can't avert my eyes from them. I know I am glaring, but at least I somehow am able to not grimace.
Gregory moves towards me, with two people holding a chest. Just great. I get the affair over me, trying to be as nice as possible. He is provoking me and it costs me every ounce of self-control I can muster to not lash out. It is for the fundraiser and Lady Trudgeon. I can ignore his visage.
And as soon as he is out of the way, I head towards the courtyard. In hindsight, I know how childish and stupid my behavior was back then, I still decided to let the ground feel my frustration through my fists.
After I calmed myself down, it was now time for the gala part of this fundraiser. Important people holding speeches, while the rest eats. All in all, a pretty normal evening. That's when Lady Trudgeon gave me the sign. It is now time for the dance. The one thing I was really looking forward to.
We both go up to the front of the room, where everyone can see us, and in that short moment when she takes my hand, I remember that one time from my childhood. A year when no fundraiser could be held. There was important construction work going on, or else the building could have collapsed. And even if we couldn't get any new clothing or toys or something, she made sure all the kids were happy and had us all dance with her. Some silly group dance.
But, confident as always, I take the lead and we dance to the music of Patrick Singalong. I feel the stares on my head, but at this point in my life, I got used to them. And in just the right moment I tell her about the command word she needs to speak, to have the dress shine even more brightly. The sylvan word for hope. A language I, for whatever reason, know by heart. I might tell her what it means, if she ever asks me about it, but for now, it is enough for me to know. And after we say the word in unison, her dress and my suit start glowing, like a line of fire, that slowly lights up all throughout the fabric, like a light that shines for a future
Cliché, I am aware. But this is also an
event for people that like stuff like this. And every once in a while we
all deserve a happy moment like this.
We finish the dance, and
now it is time for other people to join. Most look far too shy, so I do
what I always do and take the initiative to invite someone else to dance
with me. Pretty soon, more people join, and more people want to dance
with either me or Lady Trudgeon, someone even asks Patrick for a dance. I
am a bit surprised to not see Oris on here, but no time to worry about
this.
I did not have time to focus on anything else than the
dancing, I just saw from out of my line of sight, the others from my
group slowly leaving the room. Not surprised by that, Nila and Ratyn will continue their guard duty, Oris is always doing something and Sett
is probably just wandering around, checking everything for safety
reasons.
I have no idea how much time has passed, but it was
after everyone left. I heard loud screaming from outside the room, and
then Ratyn's voice, followed by Nila's. And is that Harris? Did he react
to Oris' invitation? No time to think about that, because the next
thing I hear, is the sound of an explosion, right next to all of us.
Right here in the orphanage. At the most important evening for Lady
Trudgeon and the children with no other home.
What just happened?