Lechance

Santiago had had his suit pressed, arranged for the services of Mr. Montrose again and consulted him on the suitability of his plan. He found he was slightly more relaxed this time around and thought it was perhaps because he'd already made the acquaintance of Miss Palmer. She'd been charming at the dance and he hoped she wouldn't mind walking out with him.

He waited in the lobby with Mr. Montrose after he sent his card up to her, hat in hand, and tried not to appear nervous.

Ms. Palmer,
I would be honored to call on you at 3 pm on Friday afternoon, if you would be able to receive me.
Thank you,
Jonathan Ibis

Once Santiago received the newest letter from Mr. LeChance, he sent out one of his own.

Ms. Palmer --

It would be my honor to call upon you this Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 if such a time proves to be convenient for you.

I look forward to talking with you again,
Mr. Santiago de le Vega

Temporary booths seemed to have sprung up overnight in the open space near Ms. Sheedy's hotel. Merchants of all kinds were selling their wares -- food and cloth, tools and trinkets, necessities and things people didn't really need, but wanted. Some of the expensive goods were tucked within the safety of more permanent "stores" in the building that housed the nickelodeon.

Performers roamed through the crowd and the streets, and there was a bright, festive feel all about.

A few blocks away, near the smithy, the livestock market was slightly less festive (and slightly more oderous) but still just as popular.

Wednesday morning, and Hattie had gone out for a walk with several of the other Beloveds at the hotel and (of course) a chaperone to inspect the damage caused by the earthquake.

They were a bit disappointed when they couldn't find any. It had seemed far too frightening a disturbance not to have caused any damage!

Sunday morning dawned grey and wet. Still warm, which was something strange to Effie, to feel warm rain. It made the day seem heavy, slow, and the air harder to breathe, weighted down with water. Still, Sunday was Sunday, and meant gathering her prayer book and hymnal and walking over to the cathedral with Ms. Sheedy and several other Beloveds who chose to attend morning service.

The service was a gentle one, on the parable of the talents, and Effie had quite forgotten the rain by the time she stepped outside again. She had a rapid reminder, though, at the sight of small clumps of people gathered talking under umbrellas around the path, and moved back into the porch, tucking her books under her cloak with one hand while reaching for her hood with the other. It was too warm for the cloak, really, but she had no umbrella.

After a moment or two, she became aware of someone else taking shelter in the porch, and offered a shy smile. "I had begun to wonder if it ever rained here," she confessed.

To be perfectly honest about it, Delphina was as nervous as she was excited. A little scared, a little unsure about what exactly to do, despite the many long lessons she'd had on how to comport herself when courting.

She took more time than she did on a day to day basis with her hair and dressing. She pinned and unpinned and fussed over how she looked, eventually having to literally smack her own hands and admit that she'd only make things worse if she changed her appearance again.

The walk to the hotel had her stomach in knots and her heart fluttering like mad. Mrs. Langston, long-married, mostly silver-haired and very patient, stopped her outside the doors to insist that she breathe before they stepped in to meet Hattie.

Who Delphina greeted with a cheek-splitting smile. "I hope you're Ms. Palmer."

Not, perhaps, the finest cardstock available, but not the flimsiest either. A card is delivered to the hotel for Hattie. It reads:

Ms. Delphina Salas requests an opportunity to visit with you. Though she recognizes that Sundays are generally not Visiting Days, given LeChance's unique nature, she begs an exception and would very much like to call at three in the afternoon. She greatly looks forward to your response.

It is signed in script, Ms. Delphina Salas

( Letters to Ascendants )

( Beloved )

Tuesday afternoon, and Hattie was at the little writing desk by the window in the drawing room, just finishing a lengthy letter to her sister Electra. She had already written to her parents several times and now it was Electra's turn to hear about Hattie's journey and arrival in Le Chance, the party and all that had happened since.

She sealed the letter and stretched, flexing her aching arm and glancing around, belatedly becoming aware that there was someone else in the room. "So much to tell!" she explained, with a smile, indicating her bulging letter. "I'm afraid I got carried away!"

William had been offered a house, his right as Ascendant, but he could not accept until he knew he could properly pay for upkeep out of a continuing wage, not just his meager savings. Consequently, when he set off that morning in his best black suit and simple hat, it was from the boarding house, along with a few of his fellow lodgers.

It was only after William had arrived at the cathedral and the others had dispersed that it occurred to him a chaperon might have been needed; Ms Palmer was unbetrothed after all. Yet the cathedral, while sizable for the small city, was well attended, with small groups of people chattering softly together around him, waiting for the start of the services, so they would not actually be alone together. That, surely, was appropriate enough?

Unsure, he introduced himself to the priest, explaining that a young Beloved new to the faith would be joining him. 'New to the faith' was, admittedly, somewhat of an exaggeration as Ms Palmer had only agreed to attend one service, but it gave him an excuse to remain with the priest at the cathedral entrance, engaging in rather stilted small talk while they waited for her to arrive.

Assuming she hadn't changed her mind since Friday evening.

The market square was covered in a large tent, glittering candles lighting up the green and the cobblestoned area. There was a feast, laid out for all new arrivals from the week before. Not all of the city were there by any means, though all had been invited. Still. The party was some 500 strong, food was readily available wine flowed, and there was dancing, a live band playing lively music.