Juliette Coulombe (clearyourmind) wrote in emillion, |
The area of the gardens cordoned off for public walking was likely only a small percentage of the palace grounds, but it was still quite grand in size. Juliette’s wandering had led her further and further away from the palace proper, until even the distant sound of revelry faded, and only her footfalls broke the silence. Gradually, the ice sculptures around her became smaller and less intricate -- it seemed she was coming to the end of the path. It would be time to turn around soon and think of returning to the fete, though the thought was resigned. She much preferred the chill and the quiet, given the option. As she thought this, she walked around the last curve of the path and discovered that it tapered off in a round, cobbled area with a fountain in its center, drained for the winter but carefully dusted of all snow the better to display its elegant lines. Beyond the fountain stood a wall covered in thorny vines -- roses asleep for the winter, she recognized. Set into a wall was a modest wooden door with a large iron ring to serve as handle, and at the door was a young woman with pale hair, seemingly attempting to open it. The gardens clearly continued on the other end of the wall -- a walled rose garden, perhaps? -- but just as clearly, the door was locked. Her first thought was to turn and walk away. This was, after all, none of her business. But her second thought was of the Kingsguard -- they were patrolling the gardens and could come upon them any moment. Would she be considered complicit in this clear attempt to venture outside the permitted area? And then, of course, what would they do, if they were here instead of her? She was not, of course, one of their numbers (yet, a hopeful little voice said in her mind), but even so, it was not difficult to imagine that this sort of thing might be frowned upon. The choice was clear: she ought to engage the young woman and ensure she did not stray into forbidden parts of the grounds. It was, after all, what needed to be done. Still, she was a bit apprehensive as she approached the other young woman. After all, she wasn’t in a Kingsguard uniform -- what good could she possibly do? Nothing for it but to speak; she cleared her throat then asked, “Excuse me… are you lost?” Cecilia had never been to a ball before. Or a palace. The moment she stepped over the threshold, she was seemingly whisked away to an alien planet - one where she was suddenly surrounded by luxuries she had only previously read of in books. She couldn’t name more than five of the dishes out of the dozens laid out on pretty platters. She had never seen more people gathered into one building. All of it was - overwhelming. She felt herself growing more and more claustrophobic. She only spent about fifteen minutes inside before she, along with some food, immediately went for outside. The crisp night air gave her goosebumps, no matter how tightly she pulled her coat around herself, but it was better than being surrounded by so many people. Usually she did not mind people - out in the road, or more open surroundings. Being in a room, however large, was pushing it. She made quick work of her snacks as she meandered around the garden, happening upon a door - and as Cecilia was wont to do, her curiosity won out and she immediately went to try to open it. However, it did not seem to be. She turned towards the voice, seeing a young girl around her height but who had much more graceful carriage watching Cecilia as if she were doing something odd. Was she? It hadn’t occurred to her. “Oh, no,” Cecilia said bashfully, “it was just too much for me in there.” She gestured towards the hall she’d come from and then without another word, turned her back on the girl and went back trying to open the door. It seemed locked, so she reached into her hair and hoped maybe a hairpin would help. |