[X] A Pleasant Afternoon {Austine}

Vittoria was pleased for the pleasant company; though not at all surprised that she’d managed to spot someone to talk to. These gardens were often a place of entertainment for the young ladies of court; just because there were so few other non-domestic activities that women were encouraged to take part in. Granted, today the gardens seemed rather quiet – a shame, she decided, considering just how lovely everything was. Her mind wasn’t solely on how lovely things were, however, even if that was primary. “Yes,” she agreed, “they are beautiful. I’ve not been out here long; only recently escaped from my lessons.” How she hated her lessons. What a useless waste of time they were. Why would she need to know how to stitch? Surely she would marry well, and hire someone else to do her stitching. Why would she need to know any numbers at all – she would also hire someone else to look after those. It seemed she was being educated just for the sake of being educated. Certainly nowhere as educated as any male would be – thank goodness! – but still, far too much for her liking.

“And how fare you, Lady Austine?” Vittoria asked lightly, walking alongside the young woman. “I trust you have been well since we had last had the opportunity to speak?” It had been a while. How long had it been? Vittoria couldn’t remember. Perhaps not as long as her memory claimed, but then, she rarely paid attention to such things. The girls weren’t close, but they were more than acquaintances. Granted, she was “more than an acquaintance” with most of the court. There were few strangers among the nobility; something that was both a blessing, and a curse. More so a curse, she’d decided with some bitterness as she thought towards her sister’s incredible popularity – namely with the young men. She certainly had her flaws; flaws that some people seemed unable – or just plain unwilling – to forgive. She’d like to go to a foreign court for the “fresh start” that it might give her.

Pressing her fingers to her lips to stifle a yawn, she wondered why she was so fatigued. She slept well at the castle, with little she needed to attend to and a lovely, comfortable bed to sleep in. Perhaps she was coming down with something. She hoped not; how she did hate to be ill! It seemed everyone avoided her when she was, afraid of catching whatever it was that she had. Which was foolishness, really, because she’d not yet known of any great illness to spread through Archenland. But those skittish maids, silly as they were, always seemed convinced that the utmost of distance was best and so they kept as far away as they could. Yes, being ill was a lonely time indeed; unexplained fatigue might be a warning sign. What a shame. At least she could get out of her lessons that way!

“How does your husband fare?’ She asked then, remembering her manners as she drew herself from her thoughts. “How does married life please you?” She would certainly like the certainty of being through with courting and be securely married; though the thought of actually being a wife was not a particularly pleasant one to Vittoria. She liked her stolen moments of freedom far too much. But to each their own, she supposed.

((Apologies both for how long it took to get this out, and how short it is. Perhaps we ought to figure where, if anywhere, we want this thread to go. lol.))