Lafiel Tarrant

[Lafiel]

It had been two hours since Lafiel's grandad had arrived he now occupied an arm chair next to a high arched window in one of the many state rooms in the manor as he observed his granddaughter change dress after dress in preperation for her birthday. He scratched his head his through his shock of pale blonde hair which was almost completely snow white as he puffed on a cigar.

Lafiel couldn't make up her mind none of this was quite right the designs the tailors showed her were very modern and although beautiful didn't feel quite right for the occasion. The current dress she had on was red and bared her back it was accompanied by the most bright red ribbon was fastened around her waist she stood in the ante room off of the stateroom and was most unsure of herself she hesistated at the door not happy with the dress she had on she suddenly felt shy and didn't want her grandad to see. "Come my granddaughter I can not see you from all the way over there hidden behind the door." Lafiel heard the duke call after her and she responded, "No, I don't know about this dress... It's not... It's not comfortable grandad." Her exscuses were suddenly came to an abrupt halt as she found herself being slowly propelled forward through the door by Sophia who whispered in her ear, "Oh don't be shy you look beautiful I know how we both feel negative regarding red going with blonde hair but you look wonderful." Before Lafiel could protest Sophia found herself face to face with her grandad.

Lafiel suddenly exclaimed, "See grandad it is most uncomfortable." Her grandad realised without a moments glance that written across her face was an expression that depicted a great self conciousness she was truely feeling uncomfortable rather than the dress itself bothering her which he had presumed was the case as all the dresses she was trying on were tailored especially to her measurements of the finest quality materials. It was in his opinion that he should boost her confidence, he spoke with cheer taking his cigar out of his mouth "I may not be the most knowledgable about dresses but you do look most beautiful my dear. Remember that it is not just what you wear my dear that makes you beautiful but you yourself and what is inside. Know that people will warm to you no matter what you wear for you are a truely beautiful young girl inside there is no need for you to feel subconcious what ever you wear." Lafiel grimaced as she realised her grandad had picked up on how she felt. She sighed as she said exactly what she felt, "You are far to perceptive Grandad, you know me too well. In truth I feel exposed wearing this dress it isnt the style of the dress I just do." Her grandad smiled puffing on his cigar as the smoke vanished instantly curtesy of the environmental systems his tone came out very level, "I do believe that is both the privelege of being a Grandad seeing through ones grandchildren as one would look through clear blue sky and I also believe it is a priveilege of being as old as myself. Why don't you try something on that you would like to wear rather than searching for something that you think will impress people. You never were very competative when it came to fashion as a lot of young ladies are and as nobility I do believe one may wear what one damn well pleases."

They both turned suddenly as they heard a soft titter against the silence that had set in to find Sophia with her right hand placed flat again her mouth in a vein attempt to hide her lips which had curled into a smirk but as they looked upon the small titter gave way to gentle giggle which echoed lightly around the room. "Lafiel his Grace his right as nobility you may wear what you like think of no one else but you and your wishes your nobility but more importantly it is your birthday hun its special for you. How about you go try on that blue dress you loved that one." Lafiel went to protest but before the but that was forming on her lips could leave them Sophia had put her arm around Lafiel and steered in the direction of the ante chamber giving her a playful and gentle push in that direction Lafiel went off into the other room while Sophia called after her, "Enjoy yourself hun this is meant to be joyful and fun picking out a dress on the lead upto your birthday not a tedious tour of duty on a battlefield."

Sophia turned from the entrance to which Lafiel had dissapeared through to sit in a chair opposite the Duke and looked out the window at the blue sky. The Duke put his Cigar out in the ash tray on the little table as he issued a command to a servant who stood by the doorway, "I say James do fetch me a cup of tea if you would be so kind." He turned to Sophia in a warm paternal way he spoke to her, "My dear would you care for some tea or perhaps maybe something to eat?" Sophia realising that the duke was actually observing her looked him in the eyes as she spoke, "Well my Duke." The Duke had raised his hand to interrupt her his face kind, "Call me charles or even Grandad my dear at your leisure you after all seem to have become like family a sort of sister to Lafiel of sorts." Sophia was suddenly taken aback and caught off guard by the Dukes sudden frank and strange statement after a moments pause of careful thinking she spoke again deciding that it did please her greatly to think of this grand duke as a grandfatherly figure, "Well.. Grandfather I would be most delighted to have a cup of tea it is indeed a lovely afternoon for it." It was Sophias turn to observe the Duke in his reaction to her calling him by such a personal name. It surprised her to see that the Duke seemed to look secretly satisfied about something he chose to keep to himself but her gaze was suddenly drawn to Lafiel who had came skipping with joy into the stateroom.

Lafiel skipped along the room a smile evident across her face till she stood in front of the Duke and Countess Mertel she wore a light baby blue coloured dress it had puffy shoulders and was styled in victorian elegance of old she twirled around on the spot her dress flowing with her. "Isn't that much better your smiling and happy hun and what a beautiful dress you look beautiful the dress suits perfectly." Said Sophia as she watched Lafiel spin around. Lafiel spun around once more coming to a stop facing Sophia as he replied excitement clear in her voice, "I know isn't it beautiful I love this dress its wonderful look at it is so beautiful and it really catches the elegance of the victorian times of long ago." The Duke happy to see his granddaughter smiling once more got up to help himself to another Cigar from a little metal container on the fireplace across from the window turning back to Lafiel he spoke to her, "I must say it is wonderful to see you smiling and the blue dress looks wonderful on you; now my dear would you care for some tea while you try on more dresses." Lafiel smiled," I would love some tea Grandad that would be most lovely." She suddenly had an idea, "I think I have decided on what dress I would like I will wear my favourite dress and see what ideas we can come up with come along Sophia let us see what the tailor thinks. We will be back in a moment Grandad." Lafiel grabbed Sophia's hand gently and pulled her up out of the chair as they departed the room Lafiel almost jumping up and down with excitement.

The Duke lit up his cigar addressing James once more, "I do believe that will be tea for three james." The servant bowed and left the room as well. The duke sat pondering things just as James returned through the doorway carrying a tray with a teapot and cups just as Lafiel came through almost dancing in the air Sophia following at a more orderly and leisurely pace.

"Grandad look look its wonderful Sophia has come up with a marvelous idea of a sash tied behind a rose look it compliments my favourite dress remarkabley. Thats it I think I am dressed for my birthday." Lafiel announced as she hugged her grandad over excitedly. The Duke responded smiling, "Steady on my dear I am glad you are happy this is wonderful news you are now already for your birthday your father and myself will take care of all the other preparations."

(The party for the better part will take place here http://discoverygc.com/forums/index.php?sh...5&hl=lafiel )

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