The Escort (Annia, Pete)

[Lovely]

June 18, 2009
mid morning
Kingdom of Viridan - Annia's suite

The day was warm but not overly hot, it appeared as if today would be a mild but pleasant day in the paradise kingdom of Viridain. Annia was dressing and preparing for her journey to Marchessies, she stood in her room wearing hardly more than a sheer slip as she selected her garments carefully. She would likely arrive to meet her intended in what she left wearing. She'd bring only a few changes of attire as the trip would take several days but she had to pack most of her things in the trunks that would be carried seperately and as far as she knew had already left to arrive at Lord Sigil's keep before her. She sighed chewing her lip, stuck between two choices, she'd been taught what the Lord perfered but did not know the man herself to yet know the way she would come to, what would be most pleasing to his tastes. The doors to her chambers opening and someone entering was of no importance to her as servants had been rushing around since before the sun rose to make everything ready and she assumed it was merely more of their preperations.

"Bring her, it's time." The call came from the corridor, sending the servants to do their chore of pulling the young girl from the home she'd known. It was earlier than she'd been told, than the servants seemed aware of either, sending them scurrying in a dither to collect the remnants and the girl as ordered. The sounds of metal... armor, chain, readied steel... echoed as the man and his charge waited.

One of the servants opened the door to her chamber for the man, motioning him to collect Annia. "She's not finished dressing." She explained with a slight bow and left the man to do what he would as she herself scurried off to finish gathering Annia's things.

If the servant hadn't bowed away in apology and formality, a heavily stiffened gauntlet might have struck her into obeiance. "She wears what she has," he said, striking the door with the flat of his fist, letting it swing wider. "Now. His lordship won't tolerate delays."

Annia herself looked up now and stepped from the edge of her bed where her two choices were laid, revealing the slip that barely masked her with a shadow of sheer color. "Do you believe his lordship will be pleased if you deliver me in this? Or do you think he'd be furious that you dragged me out less than properly dressed, allowing all his men to see that which his for his pleasure alone?" Her eyebrow arched slightly and her lips toyed with a bit of a smile, she was not haughty in her question, merely explaining her side of reason.

"His lordship does not discuss his feelings with me any more than he will with you," he countered sharply from behind shaded eyes. She would see beyond them that his hair was light and his features as pointed as his words. "What pleases him... does. What doesn't is his to deal with on his terms." The tone nearly masked the hint of accent in his speech. His hand reached out to her, beckoning her from her repose and from her safety.

"I suppose then you will offer no help in choosing which would be more flattering.." She motioned to the dresses on her bed, the two she'd narrowed it down to. "It wont take me long to dress."

He seemed uninterested but behind the reflective coverings that masked his eyes, it was simply impossible to tell whether he was gawking or not. "The one closest to you," he offered, then called the men from their guard beside the door. "Burn the other and take what's ready - cut off any hands that try to stop you!" He turned back toward the girl. "We have no time for tea parties... put that on, now." He also appeared uninterested in turning away, standing his post while he waited for her to slip into one of the two dresses.

[Lovely]

She reached to pull the one nearest to her into her hands and she regarded him with questioning eyes. She was made to please and conditioned to be as accomidating as possible. His gruff nature was met with a pleasant smile. "I am not yours to order around. Why are you in such a sour mood?" He didn't turn away and so she slipped the bit of material that had covered her off and let it drop, facing him the entire time as she bared herself then slid into the dress one silken leg at a time. Her feet slipped into the shoes beside the bed and her fingers worked the laces of the dress as she stepped toward her escort.

"Between this room and Lord Sigil's hand, I am the only one who will order or request anything of you," he explained in a softer tone as she pointed out his gruffness. "Turn around," he suggested in order to help her with the lacings.

His explaination was met with a slight nod of her head, she turned without a protest to further show her compliance. Her hands dropped away to allow him to help her with her laces. "Is his lordship truly as harsh as you've implied?" She asked softly.

He tugged at the strings to hold her securely, meant to pull her to him for him to whisper at her ear in response. "He is not as kind as I am and he does not answer questions - he asks them. Don't... attempt to answer them. He knows the answer he wants already. With me, you may speak freely, but not until we're beyond the city, is that clear?"

He tugged and it was with a strong enough force to make her step back, coming up against him, there he held her and whispered in her ear. For the first time Annia felt the twinge of fear in her tummy and she trembled ever so slightly. Was she truly intended for a cruel and heartless man, how would she please such a creature? She could only hope what she had been taught would be enough since they had not taught her of this asspect of her intended. Annia nodded her head, to tell him she understood as her hands reached to rest against her abdomen as if it would quell the sudden flutter of butterflies there.

The bands and laces now tied, his hand followed hers, pausing the briefest of moments in the chilling embrace before pulling her fingers into his own to spin her back to face him. Her reflection would meet her closely, doubled, in the polished lenses he hid behind. "He eats fear and breeds it well in his chambers," he warned.

That was not at all reassuring nor was his hidden eyes as she saw only her own reflection in his glasses. She nodded slowly, her fingers tightening in his without realizing it. "And this is what I am intended for? Not to please as I am or have been taught, but to be broken down to nothing for his amusement?"

"I don't know," he sighed, furious, frustrated.. letting go of her hand and stepping back. "He does what he will, it's not my concern. It is yours, but I can't tell you what I don't even know myself. You're intended to be his, property of his lordship, courtesan, cook, maid, trained monkey for all I can tell you here."

"It doesn't matter, the deal has already been struck. I will serve my purpose whatever it is meant to be." Her voice was soft, the fear barely audible in the slight tremor but she smiled a small beautiful and soft expression. "My cloak if you would. I would not wish my dalliance to bring you his ill regard."

"My fate is already sealed much as is yours," he grinned strangely, some inside bargain, a small joke or amusement, perhaps only a sad realization... the grin faded quickly as he turned for the garment and held it for her to enwrap herself in.

She stepped into the cloak and her fingers grasped the material to hold it around her, she felt suddenly chilled and it had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. She looked around the room, feeling like she would never know comfort or safety again. The hood was pulled up to shadow her beauty and her sadness from the others, her head tipped slightly down she reached to the elbow of her escort to let him know she was ready. "You have your duty as I have mine.. may your fate bring you sweetness and delight.. as I fear mine will not."