frøm rîçhëš to ràgs {crystal only <3}

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Tell me, Miss Blackthorn, when was the last time you went to a party like the ones your father threw?" Rylan asked. He could use a party.

[~echo~]

Wren gave a sort of smile. She had served at many parties of the old woman's but she hadn't actually attended one. "Oh, it's been quite a while, actually," she said with a small, shy grin.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He took out a pad of paper from his cloak pocket and scribbled on it with a pen. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "Show that to the guards at my manor and they'll let you inside. The party will be in three weeks."

[~echo~]

Wren smiled thankfully. "T-thank you, sir. I do appreciate it," she said. "I will be there." With thy, she curtsied and walked off to buy things for the old lady. And cloth for a new dress.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan turned and continued on his way. When he reached his home, he walked to his bedroom and removed his cloak.

[~echo~]

Wren bought her wares and then walked back to the woman's house to start work on her dress.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Time skip?)

[~echo~]

(Yeah)

Tonight was the night. Wren had arranged somebody else to take care of her duties while the old woman was slipped a gentle sleeping pill that would make her sleep until about eight the next morning. The maid slipped on her dress after it was confirmed that the woman was asleep and slipped outside to walk to the man's manor. While she knew that this was terribly tacky, she also knew that she hadn't the money to pay a carriage to take her there. It wasn't a far walk. She showed the guard her 'ticket' and then proceeded inside. It was the most beautiful sight she believed she had ever seen. Ballgowns, wine, all lovely. She gave a wide smile to herself as she was announced and then walked over to a corner. She didn't know a lot of people and anybody she did know wouldn't have recognized her anyways.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan was talking to a group of nobles, a glass of wine in his hand. He wore a black suit with a golden undershirt that brought out the color of his amber eyes. His usually messy blond hair was slicked back. He looked quite presentable, actually, far different than the way he'd looked when he'd met Wren.

[~echo~]

Wren actually only recognized the man for his eyes. Nervously, she walked up to him and gave a shy smile. "Hello," she said.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He blinked, taking a moment to recognize her. "Ah... Wren, right?"

[~echo~]

Wren's eyes were swiftly downcast and she looked up at him through her eyelashes. "That's right, uh, sir."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan glanced at the women standing nearby. They were watching them curiously, but the glare he gave them made them scurry off. "I have to admit," he said, turning back to Wren, "I'm surprised you came."

[~echo~]

Wren chuckled shyly. "Yes, well... I'm glad I did."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan smiled faintly. "You are? You seem a little... nervous. Out of place."

[~echo~]

She shrugged slightly. "I don't know anybody but you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Exactly," Rylan said. He held her gaze, curious to see how she'd react. "I would think you'd know some nobles, given your father's former occupation."

[~echo~]

Wren barely missed a beat. "The woman I live with has me read to her several times a day; when my father died, I was in finishing school. I was the only one from around here there so I have forgotten the names of my childhood friends."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan studied her for a second before saying, "Ah. I see." It was hard to tell if he believed her or not. "Would you like to dance, Lady Blackthorn?"

[~echo~]

She smiled brightly. "I would love to!"