Who: Penny, with cameos by the Brisbois clan (Gen written with permission!), Matt, and later, Julius What: It's a rough morning. Where: The Brisbois home, then Greenville. When: Morning, Monday the 20th Rating: F for fretful, frantic, and fun? Status: Threaded, Complete
Thus far, it had been a trying morning for the young Penny Brisbois and she knew it was going to be when she was awakened by the bed curtains being shoved aside by her anxious mother. Blinking sleepily, she was able to ascertain from her mother's strained expression and rapid speech that she was concerned for Penny's honor, that somehow she had been spoiled by the previous night's encounter. Though Penny assured her mother that she had not been truly compromised, it seemed as though her fretting mother was as shaken by the previous night's encounter as she was. In a way, she liked to have her mother's attention but at the same time, it almost annoyed her. She had been there for so long, constant and faithful and it took a near-disaster for her mother to even show an ounce of concern on her behalf. Concealing her annoyance, Penny insisted that she was fine and still quite marriageable and that wouldn't it be best if her mother left her be to dress for breakfast?
Still fretting, Penelope Brisbois the elder made her exit, leaving her namesake alone with her thoughts once more. Truly, Penny wanted nothing more than to sink into her mattress and sleep for eternity. Despite her assurances that her honor was not compromised, she still had felt violated from the previous night's encounter. She shuddered, the feel of Spebbington's lips pressed forcefully against her own burned into her memory despite her will to forget. It might seem like a small thing but to Penny it bordering tragic; she had been saving her first kiss, saving it for the one who would love her and now it was gone, wasted.
Well, it could have been worse, she consoled herself, slipping from her bed because she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep any longer. She was greeted immediately by Lucky, the dog's tail wagging so eagerly that she couldn't help but smile as she patted him and, as always, she felt a bit better with him by her side. Searching again for that reserve of strength she hadn't even known she had, Penny washed and dressed, intentionally putting on a bright, cheery summer gown, a reminder that whatever had transpired during the night had been for their benefit and that things would be brighter for it.
Penny's mood was improved but it was not to last. At breakfast, Penny's parents argued bitterly over her fate and she wanted nothing more than to sink through the floor. She had always thought she wanted their attention on her but now that it was, she found herself shrinking from it, wishing they would go back to ignoring her. While she was relieved her father defended her so firmly, Penny was anxious for the meal to be over. And then there was Genevieve. Despite the fact that she would smile to her each time their eyes met, there was something distracted about her smile and when she forgot herself, when she thought no one was looking, her smile would slip. Clearly something was bothering her and she was trying desperately to hide it.
It was a relief when the tense meal finally concluded and even Bernard seemed relieved, so thick was the tension at the table. Penny scurried to her sister's side to attempt to determine what was bothering her, only to be confronted with assurances that she was fine. Penny was persistent and it was when Gen spoke, a little too off-handedly, of how Julius was missing, that he hadn't come home the previous night, that Penny realized she was worried.
"Do you think he could have known?" Penny had asked anxiously but Gen shrugged it off, laughing stiffly and unconvincingly before telling Penny she was going off to ride in the forest.
Penny imagined her sister might be going to seek the one she loved, but she didn't say so and Gen was in too much of a hurry to notice Penny's expression turn thoughtful. Penny didn't know Julius very well, certainly not well enough to know where to look for him but she could only think of one place where a person would go: Greenville. She had heard tell he had a cousin in town, though who, she couldn't say. If Gen was going to blindly search, well, she would see if she couldn't help.
She knew that Gen would be gone in a heartbeat; her sister was prone to action, not thought or reflection. Indeed, by the time she herself made it to the stable, Leila was gone and Penny wondered if her sister had even taken the time to saddle the mare. She had Copper saddled properly before she departed, though once she was in the saddle, she was off at a gallop far faster than she had ever ridden before. Indeed, as she encouraged the mare into greater speed, Penny could only marvel at how fast she truly was, both frightened and thrilled by the speed. She and the mare were both familiar with the path into town by this point and they weren't even hampered by the dog that usually stayed by their side as Penny had left Lucky at home. The dog, unaccustomed to being left behind, had cried pitifully but there was nothing to be done; she was on a mission.
Penny didn't slow until she reached the edge of town, feeling as though she had to catch her own breath as she slowed the mare first to a canter and then a trot, finally into a walk. Truly, the pair of them must have been a sight after tearing through the woods as they had but Penny uncharacteristically was unconcerned with her appearance. She slid off the mare onto legs shaky from the journey and it took all of her strength to keep from crumbling into a puddle on the ground. She gripped her stirrup until she was steady on her feet and then assessed her surroundings.
To her surprise, she found someone staring at her quite openly. Of all people, it was the boy with the nice eyes from the magic shop. Penny's expression brightened as she saw him, figuring he might be able to help her. But, unfortunately, she couldn't remember his name still! Well, she'd do the best she could and truly, she was hardly thinking any longer.
"Oh! I am so glad to see you!" she blurted out, moving toward Matthias. Despite everything, her gait was still a bit unsteady and she nearly stumbled on her first step. Again, she paused to collect herself before continuing. "I was wondering if perhaps you could help me?"