closing down the house


Jymaiyri looked at herself in the mirror, and tried to recognize the woman in her reflecction. She hadn't seen herself so done-up in years, and the effect was a little off-putting. She had certainly never seen herself in an environment like this- the bedroom of an elegant, Northern manner house, preparing for a ball. She would've never imagined she'd end up here. And yet, here she was.

The lady's maid, who was tying her into an empire-waisted milk-green gown paused, and looked over Jymaiyri's shoulder to meet her gaze in the mirror. "Are you alright, my Lady?" The housekeeper probably hadn't known the correct form of address for a woman of Jymaiyri's standing- Jymaiyri herself didn't know what the title for the daughter of a Lunarian noble and wife to an illegitimate son of a Northern duke was- but the housemaids had clearly been instructed to treat her with respect. All the house servants in Yeonaixho's father's country home wore simple gray-blue frocks, frilly aprons, and ruffled bonnets. Jymaiyri, who had grown up with servants who dressed in simpler versions of stylish fashions, found this practice a little disconcerting.

Not, though, as disconcerting as the reality she was being prepared for a formal ball. "I'm fine." Jymaiyri shook her head, and the jewlery hanging from her hears clinked. She smoothed down the front of her dress, and looked at herself in the mirror once again. Her brow furrowed.

"You look beautiful, my Lady." The lady's maid commented again. She had a thick mountain accent- very unlike Yeonaixho's own, but one she shared with some of the other house servants. She gave a slight, reassuring smile- the same smile Jymaiyri had worn before she left her sisters, telling them they'd be okay without her.

Jymaiyri tried to force that same smile onto her own features. She did look beautiful. She looked like a regal court lady who strolled along the gardens and played piano-forte and knew how to embroider. And part of her was very happy with how she looked. But she didn't look like herself.

She and Yeonaixho had arrived at his father's country estate a day ago, in hopes that the old Duke might take pity on his bastard, revolutionary son and give their movement enough funds to continue their operations. But when they arrived, they found the Duke to be bedridden and close to death, his heir a power-hungry, resentful youth, and the dowager Duchess in complete control of everything til power official changed hands.

And the dowager Duchess, Yeonaixho's stepmother, the very woman who had ordered his mother and him out of the household when he was only an infant, was welcoming her stepson back with open arms, and throwing a ball for him.

Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho had come north for money, and they had ended up dragged into some kind of scheme. A scheme that involved going to a fancy ball and playing pretend for a crowd of pretentious Northern nobels.

Jymaiyri knew they should've stayed in the South and tried Hanishadria's stupid plan.

Just as the lady's maid had finished placing an ornate, flower-shaped comb in Jymaiyri's hair, a knock sounded at the door. Yeonaixho's voice soon followed. "It's me."

"Come in." Jymaiyri answered automatically. She had gotten so used to living in a world without boundaries between her and Yeonaixho. To suddenly be placed in one where they did exist was jarring.

Evidently not wanting to make the Duke's son (who was also the Lifebringer, though Jymaiyri didn't know if that news was out) burden himself with the labor of opening a door, the maid stepped away from Jymaiyri to open it for him. Yeonaixho ducked into the room, turned to where he estimated Jymaiyri to be, and gave a forced, awkward smile. "Hello."

He, too, had been dressed up. He wore a sky-blue coat over a formal waitcoat and trousers. His pretty, wheat-blonde hair- which Jymairyi was so used to seeing wild and free- had been tamed into a neat, long braid and combed away from his face. Even his cane looked like it had been spiffed up for the occassion.

Jymaiyri neared him, and put a hand in his. "You look nice." She said.

"My sisterr dressed me." Yeonaixho admitted. "It's not what I would've picked out, but I think it'll impress my stepmother. Speaking of-"

"I'm ready to go." Jymaiyri hummed in acknowledgement, and took one final deep breath, before interlacing her arm with Yeonaixho's. There would be no going back now.


"Sir Yeonaixho Sehwolh, son of Fenrin Talvynyauro, Duke of Saffyvidiche, and his Lady Wife, Jymaiyi Ke Naido of House Naido!" The footman announced as Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri entered the ballroom, arm-in-arm.

In accordance with fashionable custom, as the guests of honor, Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri arrived late. Jymaiyri kept close watch on the crowd as they slowly descended the steps, keeping her arm around Yeonaixho's and pretending not to be nervous. She knew everyone was watching them- judging their every move. Waiting for them to slip up. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

"There's a lot of people here." Jymaiyri inclined her head to speak to Yeonaixho, helping him down the stairs. "A big landing here, then more stairs."

"Is my brother here?" Yeonaixho said in just a low tone, shifting his cane in his hand as they reached the landing. He looked just as nervous as Jymaiyri. Hopefully, it was something only she could tell.

"Yes." Jymaiyri's gaze traveled over Yeonaixho's scowling, dark-haired brother, then his younger sister. "Your sister, too. I don't know where…" Jymaiyri scanned the crowd of faces all paler than hers for that belonging to Yeonaixho's stepmother. Finally, she found it- at the base of the stairs, waiting for them. "Odela is at the bottom of the staircase, waiting for us."

Yeonaixho kept his posture straight, forcing nonchalance. "Oh, fun."

"I'm so glad you two could make it!" Odela Tevannyouri, Yeonaixho's stepmother and the dowager Duchess, swept Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri into the crowd as soon as they reached the base of the stairs. Most of the group around them were older women- mothers, married women- most of the younger folk were already on the dance floor. Jymaiyri held fast to Yeonaixho's arm, not wanting to let him go for a second.

"Well, it is in our honor, isn't it?" Yeonaixho laughed, though it was clearly forced.

"Yes, of course," A woman in a crimon gown with high cheekbones and pale, judging eyes commented, fluttering a hand-fan. "But one would not blame you two for not showing. You've spent the last few days travelling, and of course, with your upbringings… one would be remiss to expect you to be completely comfortable at an event like this."

Jymaiyri could feel her face flushing with embarassment. She only hoped the candle-lighting was poor enough that other's wouldn't notice. She squeezed Yeonaixo's forearm. "Yeonai…" She said quietly, privately willing him to save her from this- to sweep her away somewhere they could be free. Where they didn't have to pretend.

Yeonaixho must've gotten her message. He gave her hand a reassuring pat, and broke into a charismatic smile. "I assure you, both my wife and I have plenty of experience in this department. Now, if you would excuse us- the next dance is starting, and I promised the lovely Lady Naido I'd share a waltz with her."

A chorus of tittering 'of courses' followed, and Jymaiyri was finally able to pull away from the gossiping Mamas- if only to head towards the dance floor. She righted her dress, adjusted her hair, and turned towards Yeonaixho- taking his hands in hers as the dance began.

"I'm sorry." He said as they waltzed together. Though he was in the leading position, Jymaiyri was in total control- guiding them so they remained in the right spot, keeping an eye on the other couples on the dance floor. She barely recognized Yeonaixho's words as being directed to her, til he said more. "A dance was the only way I could think of to get out of that conversation."

"It's fine." Jymaiyri replied, ducking under Yeonaixho's arm for a twirl. This was not a waltz, but a quadrille- soon enough, they would have to join another couple to complete the next part of the dance. Would anyone willingly pair with them, the clear odd-ones-out among the party?

"I didn't know you knew how to dance like this." Yeonaixho said as they neared each other once again.

"We were taught northern styles." Jymaiyri commented idly. "Father thought it would make us more attractive, modern wives. I didn't know you knew how to dance either."

"I learned at the Academy." He replied easily. "I thought it would make me more like the other students."

Jymaiyri laughed. She was almost comfortable- a strange realization, given te place she was in- but that comfort was short-lived. The next movement of the quadrille began, and they partnred with another couple- Yeonaixho's brother, Feraine, and a debutante that looked no older than 20, with pale green eyes and dark red hair. Jymaiyri immediately stiffened, and helped Yeonaixho through the sudden change in movement- more for her sake than his. She kept her gaze low- feigning modesty, but really just not wanting to look at the man who shared so many of her husband's features, but who she hated so much. The four of them circled with joined hands, then in a pinwheel formation, before breaking off again- with swapped partners. While Yeonaixho was paired with the baby-faced, red-haired debutante, Jymaiyri was face-to-face with Feraine.

She lifted her gaze, but kept it distant. Though Jymaiyri did have experience with this kind of dance, Feraine danced with a speed and aggression Yeonaixho did not, and she was loosing her rythm.

As she stumbled, Feraine gripped her hand tightly. He leaned in low as they neared each other. "I do not know what you are here for-"

"We seek funding." Jymaiyri butt in, having no patience for the game Feraine was clearly trying to play with her. "We told you this."

Feraine's scowl deepened. "- but you do not belong here. None of this is yours. Go back to where you came from, before you regret it."

Before he could threaten Jymaiyri any more, the dance shifted again, and she was once again paired with Yeonaixho. She sighed in relief, but couldn't let her gaze leave Ferraine. Despite the festive atmosphere of the party around her, Jymaiyri couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.


After the quadrille ended, Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri escaped to a secluded balcony away from the crowd. They could still hear the music, and could easily re-enter the ballroom if they were needed, but for now they only had to enjoy each other's company.

Jymaiyri sipped her lemonade, looking out onto the manicured gardens before them. All the stress of the night was still coursing through her. Even in solitude, she didn't feel safe here

"I can't believe he would say that." Yeonaixho said. He had expressed similar sentiments as they drank their lemonade on the terrace, trying to make sense of what had happened.

"I can't believe any of this." Jymaiyri sighed. "I'm so out of my depth. This place is… insane. And everyone is expecting something of me- I don't even know what. We should've never come here."

Yeonaixho took another sip of his lemonade, and closed his eyes. "You're probably right. It was a long shot in the first place, and who knows when we'll be able to get out- especially now that my stepmother's involved."

Jymaiyri had been expecting opposition- why, she didn't even know- but Yeonaixho's gentle response grounded her. She took in a deep breath. "I'm so sorry- I didn't even consider how weird this must be for you. I'm really okay- if you want to go out and dance some more. Or- if you need to. For your stepmother, or anything."

"Mari-" he cut her off, laughing. "We don't have to do anything. Especially not for my stepmother. They're the ones who want something from us- and while, yes, we want something from them- that all will come later. Tonight, we don't have to do anything for anyone, except for us."

Jymaiyri couldn't help but smile. She turned towards Yeonaixho, and took his hands in hers again. A waltz was beginning back in the ballroom. They could still hear the swaying, beautiful music. "For us." She said. "We only have to care about us."

Yeonaicho rocked side to side, pulling Jymaiyri close. "Lady Naido," He smiled, dipping into a bow. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course." Jymairyi smiled, and pulled Yeonaixho back up. She put her hand on his shoulder, felt his on her back- and let him sweep her into a waltz. As they danced, Jymaiyri thought of nothing but him, and felt nothing but joy to be with him.