Take a Bow (Elayne)

[Jay]

Lance R. Rossi pulled his jacket a tad tighter around his form as he walked towards the all too familiar mansion just outside of Evergreen. He'd been there a hand full of times, yet it only seemed to add up to something of a debate each time. Breathing inwards, he pushed up his glasses and continued waking. A part of him was already wanting to leave, to turn away, to forget that he had even made the steps towards the manor, yet another part of him was questioning, wanting to know more of this situation, and willing to do anything to get it... even... talking to his sister-in-law. This... is not going to be fun went through Lance's mind. Like it ever was... alright, so in the past, he had to admit that it had been a tad fun being able to socially challenge someone who held her own against him and managed to keep her calm all the while.

He continued to walk and finally found himself standing at the gate of the mansion. Pushing it open without much of a second thought, he slipped his hands back into his pockets and continued walking until he finally came to the large wooden doors. Forming his hand into a fist, he knocked on the door slowly before waiting to see who answered. He assumed that it would be a maid or maybe a butler, but on the off chance that he did, in fact, run across Maddie so early on, he kept his eyes looking sharp and fine half smile on his face.

[Maid Melody]

A maid answered the door and looked up at the man, "May I help you sire...?" came the quiet voice, sounding almost frightened of the tall man. The maid was fairly new or she would've known to permit Lance entrance immediately, as it was no word had been given prior to the man's arrival. Really the maid knew very little about the matters in the castle, but then again, she didn't need to know and wasn't given to gossip like most of the other help.

Inside Madelyn Laurent was sitting in the living area knitting a shawl out of a soft medium blue color. The fabric itself felt almost as if it was made out of clouds it was so soft, but then Maddie bought only the best. Ever since Elayne had left, Maddie had needed something to help ease the nervous and anxious energy she had been feeling ever since then and had taken to knitting more. There were stacks of afghans laying around the house as a result, but they were in storage for the time being, no sense in leaving them out when it was already so warm. Her precious Pokemon were laying beside her, ever aware of their mistress's nervous behavior, Cleopatra, her Liepard, especially was keeping a watchful eye on Maddie while the other younger Pokemon slept near her. At the sound of the knock, Cleo had looked up and eyed the door warily while Maddie had looked up with hope in her eyes. At long last, perhaps there had been some word, maybe even Elayne would be here! Pausing her knitting for the time being, Maddie watched the door, her heart in her throat as she waited to see who it was.

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Upon seeing the woman open the door, Lance allowed his face to soften if ever so slightly. "I'm here to talk to the lady of the house. Go and get her and tell her that Lance Rossi is here," he stated aloud waiting then for the girl to do as she was told. Instead of moving into the house, he remained stationary where he was and waited to see how it would be taken. He doubted Madelyn would be very glad to see him, yet he was almost certain that she would speak with him. Be breathed inwards and found his muscles tensing ever so slightly before relaxing again. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

The maid nodded and opened the door to permit the man to enter only to see that Lance had decided to remain where he was. The maid stopped, unsure of what to do for a moment before closing the door and hurrying off to seek out the countess. She didn't have long to look before she found Lady Madelyn sitting in her usual spot working on her shawl that had been her latest project. "M'lady, Lance Rossi is at the door,"the maid stated quietly, curtsying as she spoke,"Should I permit him entry?"

At the mention of the name Madelyn noticeably stiffened and then relaxed against her chair, resuming her knitting as if she hadn't a care in the world. Of all the people to have shown up at her doorstep he was the least welcome of them but of course she couldn't very well turn him out, he was the duke of the land ... or rather the father of the duke. Sighing quietly she looked up at the maid briefly and gave a curt nod,"Very well, escort him inside," she replied in a matter-of-fact tone before once again resuming her knitting.

The maid curtsied once again with a quiet yes m'am and left the room without a word. Opening the door once again, the maid gestured for Lance to enter,"If you'll come this way, I'll escort you to the mistress,"she said quietly before leading the way to room Madelyn was currently in.

The sitting room consisted of a few comfortable chairs, a long couch, and a love seat, all in a rich mahogany shade. In the center of the room was a small, rectangular table made of cedar stained to match the furniture surrounding it. On the table there was a vase of flowers that appeared to be fresh set on a lace doily that appeared to be handmade. There was a fireplace in the center of the room and a few lamps and bookshelves were placed about the room as well as a baby grand piano. There was a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling in center of the room which seemed to account for most of the light in the area as the many curtains were drawn in an attempt to keep the sun from heating up the room further.

When the maid entered the room, Madelyn looked up and dismissed the maid with a nod and gestured to one of the chairs,"By all means have a seat,"she said in a polite tone, pausing in her knitting for a moment to look up at Lance,"So what brings you to my home? I must say I was rather surprised to hear that Lance Rossi was here to see me. I had thought that you had died in that fire a few years ago ... it seems I was mistaken."

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Lance followed the maid whens he had returned and finally came into the room. He said nothing the entire way, yet once the maid had been dismissed and Madelyn had gestued for hm to sit, the man sat down on one of the chairs rather calmly. "Either that or I am a ghost, dear Maddie," he teased a bit but kept his face rather straight and controlled. Even in the years that had come to pass, she was still Maddie, the little kid he had met a long time ago... well, to Lance anyways. "But I believe you are indeed mistaken.. I've come back to Era to find it in a state of chaos and complaint....and there is information I am searching for. I believe you have it, Madelyn. Would you mind sharing it with your brother-in-law? For Ada's sake even." It stung him harder than he had thought it would to say his wife's name. However, he forced his face to keep calm and serene simply waiting for the answer to come about. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

Madelyn tensed slightly at the use of her nickname before a wry smile came across her face as she put her project in the basket next to her,"But then you couldn't very well couldn't knock on the door dear Lance," she retorted, still remaining a calm appearance despite the general inward twitch at her nickname as she relaxed against the chair.

Listening to Lance speak, Madelyn didn't seem surprised to hear that he wanted to know what had happened since he'd been gone. A lot had occurred during his absence that was certain, but even at that, Madelyn was reluctant to disclose any information to the man. Wincing inwardly when he mentioned Ada's name, Madelyn kept a calm facade up despite it all,"Of course, it certainly seems reasonable that you would come to me first ... but what sort of knowledge are you seeking? Surely you must know that a lot has happened since your ... disappearance ... I would hardly know where to begin,"she replied calmly with a slight edge of what could be mistaken as sarcasm to her voice.

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Lance inwardly sighed at the retort and then the question following that, yet after that, he simply shifted a bit in the chair and was silent for a good minute or two before finally speaking again. "When I left, I believed that my entire family had been killed," he stated in a rather dry tone despite the edge he had heard from Madelyn a moment earlier. This wasn't the time for getting into some sort of argument with his younger sister. "But since I have returned, I've heard that one of my sons and one of my daughters has since taken over the castle. Is this true?" he asked keeping his voice calm and steady. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

Madelyn nodded, "That is correct, Felis has taken over the title of the duke since your disappearance and Rosa has remained at the castle with him,"she replied in a polite tone, "Though I have been rather busy here, I've heard that Felis is holding a Spring Festival. If you head to Forest Castle you'll see quite a few people around it playing the games, winning prizes, joining competitions ... it sounds quite enjoyable really. Of course there are those of us that don't have time to waste playing games."

At this revelation, Madelyn waited patiently to see what Lance's reaction would be, her demeanor remaining calm all the while.

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Lance's face was calm, and he simply nodded his head at the conformation that what he had learned was indeed true. As the words of a spring festival had come about, he had stood and started to walk towards a window in the room staring out of it then with a vague expression on his features. "Indeed," he answered back to the first part about the games. There was too much at stake for one to stop and try and enjoy themselves. However, it was an interesting move on Felis's part when Lance actually stopped to think about it. It allowed for the people of the region to relax and settle down after the stress that had been plaguing the country over the past few years, and it would settle those that were still in distress. However, it would not settle the rebels overall or anyone who still opposed rebels. A tactical move up front but somewhat lacking down here it eally mattered. No matter.... "Do you know if any of my other children are alive? Or....." he stopped himself before asking about his wife. It was too much to ask to know if she was alive, and he knew that. There had been too many conformational reports that she had died in the fire for him to raise his hopes. However, he had said it and was now leaving it up into the air. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]Madelyn breathed out quietly when Lance asked about his other children and looked away from him ... normally she reveled being the bearer of bad news, especially when it concerned Lance but in this case ... . Taking a deep breath she simply shook her head,"I'm sorry ..."Madelyn replied in a quiet voice, "If they are ... I haven't heard but ... Ada ... ,"she continued, her voice trailing off as Madelyn said her sister's name. Silence filled the air as Madelyn searched for the words to tell Lance that Ada wasn't coming back ... even after a few years Madelyn still missed her sister. True they did have their differences but Madelyn could tell that Lance had loved her sister dearly ... Madelyn might have been bitter about her situation, but she knew the news would cut Lance deeply and though some part of her would enjoy seeing him like that, a large part of her wished she didn't have to tell him. "Ada isn't coming back ... no one was able to reach her in time when the fire consumed the castle ... I don't know of any survivors besides Felis and Rosa, but there might have been more ... I'm sorry ... Lance ... ." Madelyn said in a quiet voice before falling silent once again.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Though he had prepared himself for this information, though he had known that it was very true and had heard it from multiple other sources both outside Era and inside of it, though he had known deep down that his hopes were too high, the feeling that slashed Lance R. Rossi was something he wasn't ready for at all. Though he was good at keeping his calm and freezing his face into something more of a blank stare out the window rather than what was going on inside his won mind, he found himself squirming inside. After a moment, he took in a breathe realizing only then that he had held it. "I see," he answered back managing his voice well enough by reverting it to something of his teaching voice. "She... was a strong woman," he murmured more to himself than to Madelyn. After a second of simply staring out the window, Lance turned around and found himself leaning on the windowpane ever so slightly. "We've both lost something then, it seems," he stated not only stating both their loses but going on to the next bit of information he had taken up. He knew that a certain someone had run away years previously, yet he had heard rumors recently..... [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]Madelyn watched Lance as he continued to look out the window, no doubt hurt by the news judging by the slight change in his voice. When he turned around and stated that they had both lost something, Madelyn looked away from Lance ... she didn't enjoy remembering that her sister was gone forever so why bring it up again when it was clear Lance was in at least some level of pain from the news. "Yes ... sometimes I wish I could see her again, but I know that won't happen ..."Madelyn replied in a quiet, calm voice.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Lance's eyebrow raised a little but then returned downwards as he finally started walking back to his seat again. "There is a rumor going around," he stated leaning back in the chair. "That your daughter is wandering the country," he stated breathing outwards. "Or should I say daughters..." Yes, he'd heard a rumor and was now going to that. He'd... say farewell to Ada in a manner of his own later. He wouldn't continue to hurt his heart... not in front of Madelyn. Though she was family and had lost her too.... [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]Madelyn retained her calm outward appearance, though she stiffened slightly at the accusation. True, it was just a rumor, but every rumor had a starting point. So far she had managed to field the rumors concerning the second daughter, but as for Elayne roaming the country, Madelyn didn't have the slightest idea where she was so that could very well be true. Sighing, Madelyn looked at Lance with with a calm but piercing gaze, " Though it's true that Elayne has been missing for over 5 years, I don't know what she's doing or where she is ... I just wish she'd come home. As for a second daughter you and I know very well that I have only one..." Madelyn replied in a calm but cool voice.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]He was quiet and seemed to be staring a tad too sharply at Madelyn though in truth he was simply thinking over what he wanted to say next. "Still refusing to accept," was all he answered back with falling silent again. "I plan on having my own investigation into several of your matters, just so you are aware of this out of courtesy, of course," he stated calmly folding his hands in front of himself. "I pan to restore order to this area and hopefully all of Era," he hummed a bit as he spoke this. "But I wonder on your take on the kingdom itself." [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]Madelyn managed to maintain her calm demeanor, though she had stiffened slightly when Lance had informed her that he would be looking into her affairs. It took all that she had in her to stuff down the anger simmering underneath the surface ... if he continued along this line of questioning, Madelyn didn't know how much longer she would be able to contain herself. After a moment of silence, Madelyn sighed and looked away from Lance and picked up her knitting once again, more as a method of easing her anxious thoughts than anything else."I see ... ," Madelyn began in a formal tone, " Very well ... if you insist on this foolish investigation of yours I suppose there's nothing I can do to stop you, a former duke. Though I do wonder how you are going to do such a thing when your own family knows nothing of your survival ... I take it that you haven't set foot in your old home or you wouldn't be asking me if there were any survivors." Here Madelyn paused, letting the words sink in as she continued knitting as if she hadn't a care in the world. Of course she had meant for the words to bite ... if Lance had chosen to come to her first rather than his own family, he was either a coward or ashamed. Either way, Madelyn had little patience for the man who would dare to investigate her affairs, in fact she was just barely keeping her anger reeled in at the very thought. "As for my opinion of the kingdom, it hardly matters now ... the king has fallen and his decendants have been driven into hiding without a prayer of them coming back with the rebels hunting them down. Yes there needs to be order restored, but after all the chaos perhaps ... perhaps Elayne was right ... and kindness really is the answer. Goodness knows how much good the festival has done already, easing tensions all around ... or so it seems," Madelyn replied in a more thoughtful tone, though her voice remained rather formal before uttering a rather sharp half laugh, " Listen to me ... rambling on about what that daughter of mine ... truly though, the peasants adored her for some unfathomable reason. Though she was a stubborn, foolhardy child who didn't care for attending to what should be her duties, some days she would get so lost in books or camp for days in the woods it was a wonder the servants could ever find her. And then this nonsense of her being a breeder of all things ... but that is neither here nor there, and I'm sure you didn't come here to talk about my personal matters." she finished before looking back up at Lance with what could be considered a piercing look before returning her attention to her knitting.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]Lance had fallen silent again as he listened to Madelyn speak. He wasn't one to interrupt others, and even as she all but mocked him, he kept a calm look on his face and simply waited to see what else would be said. However, when she had finally stopped, the former Duke had found the words he had wanted to say and had resolved to keep them in order as responses that Madelyn had stated so as not to give any sort of confusion. All the while, his tone remained that of a calm business air and nothing more than that. "Indeed, though even a former Duke has power," he stated back rather calmly. "Though of a different nature than what you see it as. As for my family, I am waiting until the moment is right to finally speak to them. I have also heard that my first son, the one that bears my name, has returned as well, and I find myself in a different situation because of it." He gave a calm smile at his own words and watched as Madelyn continued to knit. "Your daughter is rather wise for her age," Lance stated as he continued on to the second point that had been brought up. "She knows and realizes things you have not." Though at some point in time, he might have smiled at this rhetorical smack to Madelyn, today was not one of those days, and instead, he simply retained his expression and voice. "Though I could say the same for most parents and children. I have found them to be remarkable creatures capable of learning and understanding beyond their years if given the opportunity to whereas adults have already closed off their mind to things." He mentally sighed at his own words but didn't expose this outright. Everyone had their faults, and he was aware of this. "You've taken up knitting over the years," he stated aloud more as an after thought of watching Madelyn. It was a simple observation and rather correct, it seemed. "Do you weave your regrets into such things?" he asked before falling silent a moment. "Never mind," he finally stated standing up again and making his way over towards the window once more. It was rare of him to take back his own words, yet truly, though he disliked her on some levels, Lance was not out to hurt Madelyn. She was family when it came down to it. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]Madelyn listened as Lance answered back, giving his reason for not having been to his own home as of yet. Lance's reasoning was valid but right then Madelyn thought of it as cowardice rather than the caution it was. As Lance continued Madelyn found herself focusing more and more on her knitting even as the man claimed that Elayne was wise for her age. Finally looking up at Lance, Madelyn looked rather calmly at the man in front of her and breathed out slowly."That stubborn girl may be 'wise' for her age, but if she won't listen to reason it wouldn't matter now would it? Would you believe that she purposely avoided lessons to learn how how to be a countess should the time come? Not to mention she avoided any possible suitor ... she would 'mysteriously vanish' for days at a time in the forest no doubt. If Elayne is indeed wise for her age, then I certainly do not see in what area ... there was hardly a day that she wasn't arguing about something that she didn't want to do." Madelyn said in a formal voice before returning to her knitting just as Lance commented on her knitting and felt herself tense considerably, anger rising before Lance told her to never mind about what he had just said. For a moment Madelyn remained silent as she continued knitting, only the tiny clicks of knitting needles remained."I find that it calms me these days ... especially with not knowing where Elayne has been all these years, or how she's doing. Knitting, I suppose has been more of a comfort ... it was something that my own mother used to do with me, I suppose that's why I took it up again." Madelyn replied after a few moments had passed, her voice a little quieter now, though no less formal than it had been.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/lanceRRossiposttable.png);][atrb=width, 397][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 red none,b,Table][scrolly:h(235),w(200),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:50px;margin-left:10px;)]He simply listened as Madelyn spoke and found himself understanding far more than he would allow himself to let on. It was how he had been with his firts born, and he knew it. He'd pushed the young man and demanded much from him in order to make sure that he would be good for the future, yet then said son only retaliated and made a fool of them both. It was odd indeed that he could only see this parallel now that things had turned for the worst and left him with only a fraction of his family. A part of Lance wondered if maybe the same happened to her -no the Lord forbid robbing her of her child or rather children- something that something would make her understand what he understood now. However, in truth, he couldn't think of anything to say that would explain, so therefore, he fell into silence and simply found himself staring at a picture on the wall across from him. As Madelyn explained about the knitting, Lance simply mentally nodded. Ah... "You have been keeping up with your duties as countess though, have you not?" he finally questioned. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/madelynstable1.png][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(225),w(218),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:110px;margin-left:10px;margin-top:38px;)]At the question, Madelyn let out a sigh and nodded,"Of course, though things have been getting more difficult as of late. Bernard tends to work late and has to leave early to ensure that we do get our work done, but that festival has helped make things easier ... ,"she said in a polite voice, though a tad bit more formal than before, "Though I do admit, I have been more distracted and stressed as of late because well ... Elayne has been gone for so long and I have no idea where she might be or if she's doing all right ... ." Madelyn continued, her voice trailing off as she once again returned her attention to her knitting, not wanting to look at Lance for the time being after what she had just admitted.[/scrolly]