50th Summer 514AV
Eleventh Bell
Eleventh Bell
Adelaide liked Black Swan Pond. To her it was the product, the manifestation even, of that which was good about Kenash. Although sycophancy was heavy in the swamp air already layered with dense perfume, there sill seemed to be no cleaner space in Kenash... and, for socialising easily without the pressure of the Braggart Square, where everything became a torrid affair far too easily - all catcalls and jeers. Such a thing, she felt, lacked distinction. Besides, the Braggart Square was rather too warm around that time of year, while in the park, there was always a sort of stray breeze beneath the shadows of the trees and even over the stagnant waters of the pond that was, in reality, much larger than one might imagine a pond to be.
As always when visiting the Black Swan Pond, Adelaide dressed appropriately to the situation and the natural surroundings. That is to say, a black silk shirt, black tapered trousers and sandals - the Dynasts came to the park to be seen in their finery and practicality was of no importance. On a hot summer day, Adelaide, dressed like an effeminate man, stood out amongst the colourful Dynast ladies, bedecked in jewels, like a sore thumb - a dark shadow in a bright garden. As Adelaide trailed her way amongst the trees, which cast down a welcome shade, she nodded gracefully at passers-by, her hands stuck nonchalantly in her pockets, walking with the grace of a Dynast and the energy, or even lack of care, which defined her own movement. Though atypical of the social group, she felt comfortable in this world - it was what she had always known and all she needed to know.
After a moment, Adelaide settled down on a bench closer to the pond, in the shade and brought her legs against her chest so that she could rest her chin on her knee, looking pensively across the water.
"A stagnant pool, beneath the surface of which fish scales twinkle
And gentle ripples along the mirror of the water which widen and bristle."
She shook her head and, with it, shook away her briefly created and even more quickly discounted couplet. As she did this, Adelaide noticed someone coming towards her and was surprised to see her half-sister, Flavia. Deciding that any meeting with the young woman, was definitely best avoided, Adelaide ducked down behind the bench, not realising how odd she must have looked.
When Flavia started moving away, Adelaide felt able to breathe again. Yes. Indeed. She had been right to avoid a meeting.
"Oh, Miss Flavia!" she murmured, clutching a hand to her throat and adopting the pose of a wounded slave as she watched her half-sister disappear, "How do you manage to be so simultaneously beautiful and cruel?"
Then, with a little laugh, Adelaide switched character and raised an eyebrow, mimicking Flavia's cruel calmness and saying, in a deep voice, "It comes naturally to me. A worm like you could never understand..."
Then, Adelaide got a little carried away and switched character again, her face going from self-assured to fearful - wrapped up in her own little game - before she said melodramatically, "Oh! Teach me to be like you!"
Finally, laughter got the better of the young woman and she was only able to compose herself by sticking her hands boyishly in her pockets and whistling out a little tune, making it off the top of her head.
As always when visiting the Black Swan Pond, Adelaide dressed appropriately to the situation and the natural surroundings. That is to say, a black silk shirt, black tapered trousers and sandals - the Dynasts came to the park to be seen in their finery and practicality was of no importance. On a hot summer day, Adelaide, dressed like an effeminate man, stood out amongst the colourful Dynast ladies, bedecked in jewels, like a sore thumb - a dark shadow in a bright garden. As Adelaide trailed her way amongst the trees, which cast down a welcome shade, she nodded gracefully at passers-by, her hands stuck nonchalantly in her pockets, walking with the grace of a Dynast and the energy, or even lack of care, which defined her own movement. Though atypical of the social group, she felt comfortable in this world - it was what she had always known and all she needed to know.
After a moment, Adelaide settled down on a bench closer to the pond, in the shade and brought her legs against her chest so that she could rest her chin on her knee, looking pensively across the water.
"A stagnant pool, beneath the surface of which fish scales twinkle
And gentle ripples along the mirror of the water which widen and bristle."
She shook her head and, with it, shook away her briefly created and even more quickly discounted couplet. As she did this, Adelaide noticed someone coming towards her and was surprised to see her half-sister, Flavia. Deciding that any meeting with the young woman, was definitely best avoided, Adelaide ducked down behind the bench, not realising how odd she must have looked.
When Flavia started moving away, Adelaide felt able to breathe again. Yes. Indeed. She had been right to avoid a meeting.
"Oh, Miss Flavia!" she murmured, clutching a hand to her throat and adopting the pose of a wounded slave as she watched her half-sister disappear, "How do you manage to be so simultaneously beautiful and cruel?"
Then, with a little laugh, Adelaide switched character and raised an eyebrow, mimicking Flavia's cruel calmness and saying, in a deep voice, "It comes naturally to me. A worm like you could never understand..."
Then, Adelaide got a little carried away and switched character again, her face going from self-assured to fearful - wrapped up in her own little game - before she said melodramatically, "Oh! Teach me to be like you!"
Finally, laughter got the better of the young woman and she was only able to compose herself by sticking her hands boyishly in her pockets and whistling out a little tune, making it off the top of her head.
