Step, twirl, pirouette, spin, back to base, and curtsy.
My feet were sore from the movements. My shoes were tied far too tight, and I had been doing the same routine for hours. My governess stepped down from the stereo booth with pointed feet. "What are you doing, Aadeline? Get up! The Duke of Rowan's ball is soon to come and you must prove your worth, Dear." She remarked in her shrill British tongue.
I bit back another retort, knowing full well that would happen if I didn't. I took a deep breath and stood at stiff attention. The reflection of my deadened face gazed wordlessly at me from the mirrored wall. It followed my every mechanical movement across the ballroom. The sharp clap of Miss Underwood echoing over and over to a dismal beat.
After practice I laid sprawled across my bed, face down. My body was sore, but I knew today would be my last day of freedom before the ball next week. My arms were too weak to push myself up from the bed, so I just rolled until the edge of the bed supported only my upper half. I sat up and pulled my boots onto my feet, laced them, and made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. There were freshly peeled carrots in the fourth bin and I grabbed some of the sugar cubes from the jar of the third coffee machine. I quickly went out the sliding door on the kitchen porch and slipped out to the stables.
I was greeted by the many familar stable-hands and the daughter of one quickly sat up from a grooming stool in the corner. She smiled and ran over, "Miss Anna! Anna!" I smiled as she wrapped her little arms around my waist. "Why hello Archer," I said, "Are you ready to help me saddle Cameron today?" She nodded and walked toward his stall.
"Miss Anna, did you 'ear about the new head chef? 'E's supposta be very youn' lookin'." I shook my head and she continued to tell me about the new chef from the Nort-Euro Domain.
When we got to his stall Cameron as already leaning forward, watching us very carefully. He stomped once and I handed him one of the carrots. It disappeared quickly from my hand. He licked his lips and stomped twice more; signaling me to give him the sugar cubes. Those two were also soon gone, and he had turned his back to us. I knew Cameron and I would never connect like the other riding pairs in the stable, but we still had a comfortable respect for each other. I patted Archer on the head and sent her on her way, then quickly saddled Cameron and left the stables.
His hooves thundered across the ground as the world whipped past us in a brilliant blur. We quickly rode past the marker for hallowed ground and into the forest that emitted darkness even on a sunny afternoon like today. Cameron galloped faster and soon jumped over the wood-post border for my family's land. I could see my breath smoke out from my lips as the temperature dropped.
A twig snapped; then a flash of brindle off to the left. Cameron's ears folded forward and his spiked metal shoes smashed into something large seconds later. He gave a whiney of delight as the creature's form shrank into a more human-esqe form. Cameron turned and galloped back to the tree line.
When we returned I quickly unsaddled him and brushed his coat free of briers. He trotted in place merrily, leaving deep impressions in the dirt and hay. I smiled; the war horse knew he was going to be fed well tonight.
As I walked into the great room on the first floor, I noticed the TV was on. Strange as the cartoon figures seemed, they did shed some light on who was in the room. Obviously neither of my parents would be home for a while, but none of my many younger relatives were visiting. I walked in and saw a tall figure strewn across the sofa. He gave a loud snort that made me jump, but rolled over in peaceful sleep. I gazed at his dark shaggy hair and freckles that dotted his cheeks. He had facial hair, but it was in a goatee, a style that is usually worn by a common solider or worker.
I reached down and poked his cheek. His face twitched, but he didn't wake. I poked him again, but he just frowned and swatted at my hand. I poked his cheek a third time, but with no such luck as to raise him from his sleep. Finally, feed up with waiting I quickly smacked his cheek and ducked behind the sofa.
I felt him stand up behind me. He grumbled something, stretched, and walked out of the room towards the kitchen.
I arose, brushed my pants off and left in the opposite direction of the kitchen.
My mother returned home that night, around ten.