I must confess that it took some time for me to come to terms with Einen's presence. I felt as though it surely must be some grand facade, and that servant of the Eizenstrauss house was indeed just an uncanny look-alike. But in the end, I could not deceive myself. Einen Eizenstrauss lived, though I often still hesitate to use the word.
He thinks, speaks, and acts as any other man or woman or child, yet there is an undeniable otherworldly sense about him. The best way that I can bring myself to describe it is that it's as if he has some glimpse into a world that is not our own but still connected. This other reality, then, must surely be a world singularly like our own, yet somehow more.
But I think I shall not speak more him for now, for it seems to me that to attempt to blather on about an idea that I can't put into words is, itself, a foolhardy and pointless endeavor.
I spent the rest of the night in the company of Lady and Lord Eizenstrauss--though perhaps I should not use that title to call him. After all, to everyone else in the world, he is simply 'Basil', the ever-present butler of Miss Millenia and groundskeeper of the Eizenstrauss estate. If any should discover his true nature, then surely pandemonium would spread.
I think I need not really detail much of what was discussed that night. In fairness, I believe much of what Lady Eizenstrauss told me was that which I already knew but simply had been uncertain. Perhaps the question I really wanted answering, however, was whether or not it this gift, as she kept referring to it, would ever go away. This seemed to put the countess off severely, and while I was thankful for Lady Eizenstrauss for inviting me to sup with her, I was glad to be away from the place.
When I awoke the next morning back at my Weston townhouse, I was surprised to find that a letter awaited me at the mail slot address from her Ladyship. At first, I did not read it, fearing that perhaps it may be some threat to my life on the chance that I might reveal her dark secret. In time, however, those fears were allayed when I discovered it was one part a thank-you for the pleasant evening, as well as part invitation to attend a gala the following night.
The ball in question was being thrown by Lord McNagel, a bishop in the Versian temple and small-time player in Nevarynn politics. No doubt the party was little more than a way for Lord McNagel to flaunt his own social standing among his peers. Lady Eizenstrauss, on the other hand, was likely attending more due to the obligation to appear within the noble courts--a fact that I did not envy her for.
As I looked at the invitation, I became keenly aware of something that struck me: it was not addressed in a way that should make me Lady Eizenstrauss' guest. Indeed, it was a formal and personal invitation to "Lady Traveleya of the House of Cleyne." Seeing my family's name embellished in such a way sent a curious feeling into the pit of my stomach. What could this mean? Surely there must be some mistake, yet the letter was hand-written and certainly must have been done by a careful hand.
I turned the thought of whether or not the accept the invitation over in my head as the day progressed. On the one hand, I found such events were usually not to my liking. I was never the type that enjoyed the long and arduous process of "getting all dolled up" as often I had heard it called. That, and I felt as though I may stand out among their ranks. After all, what was I but the daughter of a blacksmith of little renown and myself a mere records keeper?
Yet still I had to hesitate. Would it not be rude of me to refuse such a gracious honor? It was one afforded to few whom were not among the social elite, and it may very well be the only one I might ever see. And if nothing else, I would have at least one friend there in Lady Eizenstrauss, though perhaps her presence might make it all the more awkward.
I lay awake later that night still mulling the decision over in my mind, in the end I deciding against it. I had no dress, after all, nor the funds to purchase one that would not make me stick out like a sore thumb among the fashion-friendly noble women that would surely be in attendance. It was the right decision, but it did not stop the vision of dancing the night away in the arms of a handsome young nobleman from coming to me in my dreams.
I awoke to the chime of a small room bell on the wall nearby which indicated that someone must be at the door. The sun had barely broken through my window sill and a sharp beam of light lit upon my face as I rose from the comfort of my day pillow.
What on earth could possess someone to visit me at this strange hour?
As was customary, I pulled the little rope by the room bell, issuing forth a faintly perceptible din from outside to indicate that I had heard and would meet my visitor shortly.
A few minutes and a short jaunt to the powder room later, I opened the door to find a tall man in a suit and wearing a waxed mustache that looked as though it could be plucked and used to sew fabric. He bowed deeply and I could see an ornate black carriage with silvery trim behind him on the street. I looked at him perplexed and bid him state his business.
"I have been instructed to fetch you and bring you to the market."
"Fetch me?" I asked in astonishment, "By whom?"
"Ah, uh by Lady Eizenstrauss, ma'am," he replied with seemingly equal or perhaps more astonishment.
I wondered at this for a moment, myself quite unsure of what to make of this situation.
"My lady says that it is an urgent matter and that she wishes you come at once," he said after a brief pause, extinguishing the awkward silence that had overtaken us both.
Ever the more curious this young countess. What could she possibly want with me?
I sighed and bid the man wait a moment while I was to prepare, however, he caught me with a gesture of his hand.
"Apologies, my lady said I must stress the urgency and bring you as soon as humanly possible. If you'd follow me, please?"
"But I'm barely half dressed! Can't she wait half an hour?"
"I understand, but my lady wishes to assure you that this cannot wait."
I could not begin to fathom what grave matter might warrant such importance--especially from myself--but in the end, I slipped on a coat and a pair of flat shoes, following the driver to the carriage and quickly tucking myself away inside.
The carriage lurched forward violently and I pulled my coat tight around my body as we sped down the street, turning this way and that till even I, who had lived nearly all of my life in Nevarynn City, was lost!
Fortunately, I had been to the market in question. Queenstreet, as it was called, was an upper-class district in Nevarynn City that consisted of little more than a long, narrow road of shops, all of which were frequented by fashionistas and trendsetters of the day. I myself came here little; I always felt out of place when I did and today was shaping up to be no exception.
The carriage pulled up to the Barbed Crown, a particularly luxurious linens establishment that was known for importing Cerulean weaves. I'd never been inside of this shop, though a part of me had always wished to, yet as I stood before the doors in a coat and my pajamas, the only thing I felt was the nearly uncontrollable urge to run away.
"Miss Cleyne," came a familiar voice. Lady Eizenstrauss approached us from just up the street and I was surprised to see her wearing what amounted to a decidedly commonplace attire: a pair of thigh-high boots, a fleece tunic, and a heavy green coat. Her ebony hair, on the other hand, was spun together in a labyrinthine hurricane of braids and locks that I should have thought must've taken her most of the morning to put together. It was difficult not to think of her in this state as being even more younger still than she was.
Einen was also present, and he cut ever the trim and attractive figure in the light of day, though remained in the traditional black suit and shoulder sash as is typical of a servitor of a noble house. Did it bother him, I wondered, to be out in the daylight? Or was that something that only applied to vampire stories and the like? He certainly didn't seem to turn to ash at the sun's touch--in fact, he seemed to let himself bask in it as though he'd not seen it in days.
"Miss Cleyne?" Lady Eizenstrauss repeated, a hint of concern in her voice, "It isn't too early in the day for you, is it? "
"Ah, my Lady--yes, apologies. I suppose I am not just used to being roused and hurried out the door in such a manner. Your coachman seemed to believe that your call was of the highest importance?"
"It is indeed, we have a very important task today," the young countess said, a knowing smile crossing her face as she broke eye contact and began to tread delicately towards the Barbed Crown.
I followed silently, all the while my eyes passing from face to face that I saw on the street. I could tell that innumerable gazes were focused on me, though as I stole a glance or two I found that I was not the only target of their scrutiny. Just as many, if not more, were centered on Lady Eizenstrauss. Certainly, she was something of a celebrity even within her own social sphere to have captivated so much attention--I suppose I really did not know.
As we entered the establishment, a waft of aromas flooded my nostrils. This seemed to awaken me fully and I was forced to wipe away a sudden bit of moisture from my eyes. In all honesty, I could not describe what the smells were; there were far too many, and they were each of them quite potent. Any one of them could easily mark a room with their scent and linger for hours.
The room seemed to be a
The three of us were met by a gray, gaunt-looking man whose face was heavily powdered and stood with a slight crick in his left shoulder. Yet what drew one's eye to him was not the man himself, but the strange, fluffy, colorful regalia in which he was enshrouded. It reminded me in more than one way of certain long-legged river-birds common to the Cerulean Corridor, though lacking the extravagant plume that idled up from their foreheads.
He bowed low, the feathery gown--for it certainly must have been like a dress--fluttering with even the slightest movement. Lady Eizenstrauss curtsied deeply in response and I did my best to do the same, though not without some effort lest my coat come open. The act made me feel quite foolish.
"Mister Brockmeier," came the cooing voice of Lady Eizenstrauss as she regained herself.
"Ah my fair sweet child," the man responded with great flourishes in his voice, "To have thine radiance grace these walls again is surely a gift of the gods."
She curtsied again and smiled, "I thank you, Mister Brockmeier."
"And who is this lovely thing you have brought with you?"
I became aware of the fact that the man's gaze had shifted to me and all at once I felt the impulse to shrink into a tiny spec of dust.
"This is my good friend, Lady Traveleya of the Cleyne family."
"Ahh," he said, accentuating the embellished sigh, "I confess I know not of your family, Lady Cleyne, but as you keep company with my darling Lady Eizenstrauss, I bid thee welcome to the Barbed Crown. How may I serve two of our cities most elegant ladies?"
I felt as though a stone was lodged in my throat. I was growing more and more uncomfortable with my name being used in such eccentric context, and I thought surely I must die of embarrassment at this rate.
Still, the prospect of learning the reason for outing seemed to excite me, and I turned back to the still smiling figure of Lady Eizenstrauss, who herself gave me a deliberate sidelong glance.
"A dress for Miss Cleyne, if you would be so kind Mister Brockmeier. She will be accompanying me to the ball this evening and will be needing proper attire."
I nearly fell over. This was the grand emergency?!
"Ah--I...Lady Eizenstrauss, you need not trouble yourself with any of that. I had intended on turning down the invitation."
"Because you did not have a dress, yes?" she replied to me, cupping her elbow in her hand and pinching her chin, "What are you, Traveleya? A twelve? Perhaps an eleven?"
"Ah, oh, a twelve, yes," I said stammering, "But really my Lady, you don't need--"
"No, no that won't do at all," she said in a matter-of-fact sort of tone, "An eleven it is, Mister Brockmeier. Green, I think. It suits her."
Before I could protest further, the curt man hobbled off, disappearing into a back room.
"With me, Miss Cleyne," said Lady Eizenstrauss forcibly and at once began leading me to a corner of the boutique where there was a small, black chair surrounded by several mirrors. The chair, I soon found out, swiveled easily and I gasped at the utter chaos that had befallen my hair and quickly-applied make-up since leaving the house.
I heard a quiet chuckle from behind me and looked up to see that Einen had appeared standing over my shoulder, watching me as I examined myself. He seemed to be smiling, clearly amused at my suffering.
Movement caught my eye and before I could react, the brim of a hat fell over my head and eyes. It was quite heavy for a headpiece and I pushed it up to see that it was an exceptionally wide hat that seemed to be accentuated with all manner of fake flowers, leaves, and meshy veils.
I hated it.
"I love it," Lady Eizenstrauss exclaimed, carefully positioning the hat so that its rim touched the top of my eyebrows. I still hated it.
"Lady Eizenstrauss..." I said with an exasperated sigh, "I beg of you, please. What is all this for? Why is it so imperative that I attend this ball with you?"
She was quiet for a moment, and I was certain she would likely dodge the conversation by switching the topic, but she simply adjusted the hat a little more and went on.
"Let's just say that I will need an accomplice for the evening. Someone reliable and clever, and will know what to do when the time comes. Someone like you, Miss Cleyne."
"Someone with my abilities, you mean?" I asked. Once again my eyes were drawn down to the chain that led from the silver bracer on her arm to the ankle of her servant. The sight of it had ceased to bother me, but the lack of a jingling sound still grated upon my mind.
"Precisely," she said with another clever smile as her eyes narrowed. "I need those beautiful amber eyes of yours. And your...other qualities, of course."
"My other qualities?" I asked, genuinely confused. What on earth could she be referring to? She didn't answer, though, and instead, I felt her hands fall on my shoulders and her face coming to within inches of mine. Her sharp nails dug slightly into the skin around my neck. I stared at her strange silver-colored eyes in the mirror, feeling somehow unnerved by how they focused on my own.
"Ah, Mister Brockmeier," said Einen suddenly, rescuing me from the strange daze that had overcome me.
The crooked man had indeed returned bearing a great mass of forest-green fabric. It was immense, so much so that he couldn't even look over the top of it, and I paled at the idea of walking around in so many layers.
We made for the dressing area and Einen stayed on the other side of the blind as Mister Brockmeier went to work. Lady Eizenstrauss merely observed, pacing along the mirrors which lined the insides of the blinds. The shrewdness of her judgemental gaze was almost palpable as she watched every stroke of the scissors and every piercing of the needle.
Roughly an hour passed, though not in silence. Mister Brockmeier made something akin to small talk in his own unnecessarily flourished way, though the conversations would come to an abrupt end when Lady Eizenstrauss would utter a resounding 'hmph', signaling her displeasure at something that the man was doing.
When all was said and done, I could do little but gawk at the strange, misshapen form that stood before me in the mirror. The dress was...interesting, to put it nicely. It seemed to favor the left side more than the right, and the back was nearly entirely open. Strangle frilly ruffles lined the underside of the arm--a feature which struck me as disparagingly birdlike and overall was quite humiliating.
"Hm," Lady Eizenstrauss said in a tone that was frightfully approving. "You look smashing, Miss Cleyne. Absolutely splendid."
My heart sank. Plummeted, rather, and the surmounting dread of what would no doubt prove to be an anxiety-ridden night shot through me in a wave of sudden nausea.