Thomas Corvin ♖ Jest (jesting) wrote in dunhavenic, @ 2019-05-30 07:24:00 |
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Entry tags: | !narrative, * jamie, c: thomas corvin |
WHO: Thomas Corvin → Jest
WHEN: May 30, 2019
WHERE: The Corvin Home
SUMMARY: Jest and Catherine's Garden Adventures Continue
WARNINGS: None!
SPRINGO: Prompt: Practical Joke
"I do believe I dreamed about you." "About me?" Well, now wasn't that interesting. Perhaps Time was working his tricks, yet again. "It is strange, isn't it?" "Quite." He paused. "Perhaps we know each other in the future and you’re only remembering backwards." Another pause, then, "So?" "So what?" Catherine seemed confused by his prompting. "Was it a good dream?" She puckered her lips as if in thought, but then finally seemed to realize that he was teasing her- and that smile turned into an easy scowl. "To be frank, I found it rather dull." "Ah, but you can't be Frank. You've already told me that your name is Catherine." Jest laughed at his own joke. "At least the memory of this dream has brought some color back to your cheeks. You were white as a dove when you fainted." Catherine seemed intent on defying him, or at least in just proving his worries unfounded. "As I said before, it was very warm inside, that's all. And I've barely eaten all day." "No doubt the corset of tortures didn't help." Even from this vantage, Jest could tell that she was laced into the garment within an inch of her life. But her scowl only deepened. "A lady's undergarments are not a suitable topic of conversation." He raised his hands in surrender. "Only a theory, my lady." Later, once Catherine had made her way back to her feet, Jest offered her his arm and was pleased when she slipped her fingers in the crook of his elbow. "Shall I escort you back into the ball?" "No, thank you. I'm very tired. I think I'll call for a carriage to take me home." As they walked, she added, "I hope you'll understand if I ask for your discretion. This has been a most unusual encounter for me." "Far be it for me to intrude upon a lady's untarnished reputation. But, to be clear," moonlight glinted in his eyes as he asked, "which part of our encounter should remain undisclosed? The part when you fainted in the grass and I heroically revived you? The part where we took an unchaperoned stroll through the gardens?" Jest clicked his tongue in mock disapproval. "Or perhaps the part where you confessed to having had a dream about me, and that I must be quite a scoundrel to hope it wasn’t as boring as you’ve suggested?" Unexpectedly, Catherine leaned against his arm. "All of the above?" "It will be my greatest pleasure to be secretive together, my lady." And, however strangely, he meant it. When they reached the main drive in front of the castle, dozens of carriages were there waiting for their respective lords and ladies. A carriage pulled up to them there, with Raven perched beside the driver- he had gone ahead to fetch the ride for Catherine. With the door held open by a footman, Jest offered a hand to Catherine so she could step up into the carriage. But even as she did this, his other hand found hers and he bent to press a kiss to her knuckles. "Ah- I almost forgot." Releasing her hand, Jest pulled his hat from his head, the bells clinking as he reached inside. "These belong to you." Catherine gasped, because- there in his hand was a bundle of long white cording. Her hand flew to her back, and she finally realized- her corset, while still on, was split open up the back, at least the full width of her hand. "How-?!" He danced back from the carriage, fully expecting her to slap him for this- but then just bowing his farewell. "Fair evening, Lady Pinkerton. I hope you enjoy satisfyingly deep breaths during your ride home." Whether she was mortified or impressed- or perhaps both- Catherine slammed the door of the carriage shut. |