Submitted August 28, 2012 Chapter 1; Part 1 Enjoy and please don't forget to comment!!
Chapter 1 The birds chirped and flew past the window landing gently onto a tree branch. It chirped a single syllable again and looked straight at Alma dame’ Bailey. Alma sighed, as her chin slipped to the cusp of her palm. Her elbow stung from the pressure of her head resting on her hand, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was getting out of this room. “Alma!” an exasperated voice exclaimed, “Alma, pay attention! The sooner you learn this material, the sooner we both can leave. Now take up your pen and jot some notes down. At this rate, we’ll be here until dusk.” Alma blinked twice and away from the window towards her tutor. She dropped her gaze to her paper and quill and sighed. She couldn’t really counter that statement. Instead, she dutifully took notes in hopes of getting out of there before long. “Now, as I was saying, the Government of Maldonia is broken up into a simple hierarchy. The Queen, of course is at the top. Her job is to lead us. She is the tie-breaker on votes, but also the final decision. The Ruler is elected when the previous Ruler has died or is impeached. Every ruler is an Aristocrat…which means you, Alma, could one day run as Queen. So pay attention!” Alma rolled her eyes. Such a ridiculous notion when there are far better candidates. “Can we please continue, Professor?” “Below the Queen are the Councilors and the Handmaiden, both picked by the Queen herself. There are three Councilors and one Handmaiden, yes? Could you tell me each of these people in accordance to present affiliations?” Alma really had to reach for these answers. Politics never really concerned her, and she honestly didn’t care. However, it was important for her to know, she realized. “Well, obviously today’s Queen is Veronica dame’ Nolan II. Her Handmaiden is Eliza dame’ Worley. The Councilors are Sasha dame’ Sexton and her cousin Tyron ser’ Sexton, as well as…as…um…” Professor Vandell sighed in another great huff, “Really, now Alma! Please, at least write this down, will you? The last one is Jules dame’ Leas. Why can’t you remember these things?” Alma looked down at her desk and mumbled an apology. She knows she ought to know these things. It’s expected of an Aristocrat to know such things. She needed to be involved in politics. There are certain requirements. She didn’t argue, only because there was no point. There is one thing Alma dame’ Bailey had learned in her 23 years since being born and that is this: It doesn’t matter what you like, it doesn’t matter what you want. You do what is expected of you. Aristocrats had the luxury of being in line for the crown, for having money, and for having influence. Their price was their freedom. She heard another sigh from her Professor, though this one gentler. “Go, we’re done. Just, be ready to write things down. And for goodness sake, study! Next session, we’ll talk about the ‘Creators’ and why it’s forbidden to learn their science.” Alma stalled her gathering of her parchment and inks and looked at him. “Wait, we’re learning about the ‘Creators’ next time?” His eyebrows rose in surprise, “You’re actually interested in one of my topics? That’s a great surprise…and relief to me! Yes, we are. But it’ll have to wait until next session. Bring that enthusiasm with you.” At that her Professor left, leaving Alma in the room alone. She had to gather her emotions together after hearing their next topic. Indeed, she was very interested. He father Alonzo ser’ Bailey was a “Creator”. Of course, only she knew about it. But she also knew why they were so forbidden. Her father had told her why he had taken up these studies. She was told how that “Creators” had such potential to help the people of Maldonia. Alonzo had started as a “Creator” helping people with studies of plants, herbs, alternative resources. However, as technology improved, so had the lusts of the “Creators” wanting to prove how they were better than each other. They started creating flesh out of organisms and soon attaching it to the corpses of animals and humans. They started creating beasts, some beautiful, some foul. All of this was out of the eyes of the people and the government. As soon as a radiation leak broke out to the citizens of Maldonia, the Government found out about these experimentations. People started mutating into beings that were no longer human. Some people died, and then came back to life with a craving for flesh or blood. Some mutated into beings with multiple limbs, mindless, and violent. Animals had been spliced together by “Creators” and even humans had been melded to animals as well. They broke free, killing many “Creators” and brought their violence to citizens. Thus started The Crimson War of 798. This war continues, even after almost 50 years. Many people are still born foul and are usually killed on the spot. There are still current raids where these beasts attack the city, usually at night. However awful “Creators” are, Alma knew her father wasn’t like that. She had over-seen many of her father’s experiments, and had in fact learned quite a bit from him. Her father had spent years looking for a cure to the mutations, and Alma planned on helping him one day. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t allow her to perform any experiments on her own, or even with him. So, instead, she was stuck learning about politics like a good Aristocrat. However, her studies were done. As this thought peaked in her mind, she rushed out of the door, papers flying from the clutch of her arms and daintily falling to the marbled floor. Her small heeled boots clapped loudly against the marble as she hurried to the stairs and ran up them. She disposed of her belongings and began to change her clothes into proper attire for a noblewoman in public. Huffing slightly, she called out a maid to help her change. She stripped her comfortable leather corset and put on a stiff blue corset. Her skirt she adorned was of the same rich blue color that plaited down over itself for a dramatic look. Over her corset, she festooned a blouse with a v-neck dip and a sleeve down to her wrists that ended in a loose lace. On the front of this blouse was the same lace and small pearl-like buttons the shade of periwinkle, for design. She left her golden locks loose with a few pins to keep away from her eyes. She grabbed her powder and dabbed it across her cheeks and nose to hide her freckles, which she truly despised. Looking at herself in the mirror, she stared at her own face. Her green eyes, fringed in blue, reflected back at her, almost critically. She glared at herself, and jumped as she looked down at her hand She had almost thought she had forgotten her ring. Of course, that would have been silly. She had never taken it off, only when she is bathing and for resizing the ring had she ever. She caught her breath for a second and headed out of her room. “Dad! I’m going out to see Lucian!” Alma called out, almost not giving her father time to catch her before she opened the door. “Ah! Did you grab your parasol?” he asked, coming around the corner with a cup of tea in his grip. Alma winced and slowly turned around. “Do I really need it? I mean, it’s not raining, and it’s not really sunny out…” “Alma, do you want more freckles? Not that I personally care, they remind me of your mother’s but…” “I get it! I’ll go get my parasol…” she interjected. She really did hate her freckles, but she hardly saw it fair when he mentioned her mother, Nora. When she heard her mother’s name, she instantly thought of her twin, Chastity, who died the same night as her mother. As she left, with her parasol in hand, she lost a bit of her fervor to see Lucian. She still left, however. Only Lucian was able to bring her spirits back up. Lucian Kinsbury has been Alma’s friend since he was 7, she 5. They first met when Lucian’s father, Lt. Seth Kinsbury of the Naval Guard, met with Alonzo to see the new Naval Ship plans he had produced (Alonzo hid his love for Science by being an Architect Designer). Ever since that day, Lucian and Alma had stayed close. It was a little uncommon for Commoners to socialize with Aristocrats, but accepted. Commoners are, in fact, different than Peasants. Commoners consist of Artisans and local District Authorities. Lt. Kinsbury was Head Naval Officer for Lokbrie, the Capital of Maldonia, a very high status for a Commoner. As she made it to the Kinsbury Estate, she jumped off her horse and gave the reins to a stable boy nearby. She then walked up to the door and knocked delicately with her gloved hand. Within a few heart beats an old wrinkled man opened the door. “Yes, can I help yo—“ “Lady Alma dame’ Bailey! A pleasure to see you, as always!” a male voice interrupted. Passed the old butler’s head, Alma spotted Lucian. She smiled brightly and nodded dutifully. “As well as you, Lucian Kinsbury,” she said very diplomatically, but gleamed up at him with her eyes. Lucian bowed low with her gloved hand in his and kissed it delicately. He looked up at her with his brown eyes and laughed. “So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” She assessed him quickly, taking him in. His skin was a deep tan, probably from working out to become a Naval Officer himself. His black hair was shaggy, as always. She didn’t see how he could live with all that hair in his eyes. His attire was gentlemanly, black slacks, socks and shoes. A white undershirt beneath his black overcoat. “Oh, you know, finished my studies. I always need to visit you after those, you know,” “Ah, of course you do! As do I. You know, my father isn’t as fun of a teacher as you might think,” Alma laughed heartily, thinking of his stern father, “Are you sure about that?” “Most definitely,” he chortled. “Come on, let’s go!” They headed out towards town. Alma didn’t really get to go out much. The only time she really got to leave and be with Lucian was after her studies. She had them once a week or so. The rest of her week was spent practicing mannerisms, names, and discussing with her father about marriage. So, to say the least, she really enjoyed taking a break from duties and just being able to do what she wanted for once. “So, what did you learn today?” Lucian inquired. Alma produced an empty laugh. “Oh, you know. Politics. I so enjoy it,” “Well, what do you enjoy?” Alma looked at him from the corner of her eyes, “What does it matter? I can’t do them anyways. It’s best not to dwell on what I can’t have or do,” “Tsk, that’s not true. Besides, what is it you’re forced to do?” Lucian asked. “Hmph, well, my sole purpose in life is to practice being a Queen, just in case Queen Veronica dame’ Nolan II dies or is impeached…like that’s ever going to happen! Everyone adores her, not that I can blame them,” “Okay, but what do you do while you’re waiting to be Queen? Surely you’re not doing nothing,” Alma laughed again, but this time, to show incredulousness, “Yeah right! That’s my purpose. I’m to get married and make babies until then. No joke! Oh, no, wait, you’re right. I’m also suppose to not only host but attend every soiree that’s available,” Lucian whistled, “Wow, sounds rough. Though, that’s not too bad. I wish my sole purpose in life was to be King and sleep with women…” He smirked and looked at Alma, who glared and did a most un-lady-like thing and punched him in the shoulder, taking him aback. “Ow! What was that for, Miss Aristocrat! Uncalled for!” “Ha ha! Very funny sir! Why do I hang out with you?” “Because I’m handsome? Funny? Witty?” he supplied with a smile. “Funny, I’ll give you, if you think you’re handsome!” “Why not? I find you very beautiful…” Alma looked at him quickly and saw the seriousness in his eyes and looked away quickly with a blush on her cheeks. She let go of his arm, which she had been holding as she teased him. She really hated it when he said such things. Whether he meant them or not, it wasn’t possible. Aristocrats married aristocrats and that was that. The only person given the right to fornicate outside of their spouse is the Ruler. “You shouldn’t say things like that,” Alma stated quietly and briskly moved forward. “Come on, let’s go get some food,” Lucian sighed and ran a hand through his shaggy hair and followed Alma.
Quilty Nenniger · Wed Aug 29, 2012 @ 02:33am · 0 Comments |