Felix found Bridgette had a natural talent for magic, beyond his wildest expectations. She may not take to structured spells as easily as he, but she had a natural talent for imbuing magic in her creations. This he had suspected for years, having worn several of such, but he had never thought she could focus her innate magic in such a way as to choose what properties the items would have.
In addition to the scarves to keep him warm, he now had an embroidered ribbon that would alert him to intruders in his rooms (for a given value of intruders- it showed the names of anyone who entered when he was elsewhere), as well as a good luck charm that cooled if he was near someone of ill intent. Ill intent could be quite nebulous, but it was best to be vague about these things. A ward to warn of murderous intent wouldn't alert one to a beating, and one to warn of thieving intent wouldn't warn of a malicious prankster.
Sadly, they could only steal away an hour or so here and there, and that with Madame Malaura's help. His studies and duties as his mother's heir kept him away more often than he'd found ideal, and Bridgette had her own duties and circle of friends that kept her occupied, no matter how often Madame took to sending her off to learn from Felix.
He had friends of his own- Nico, the musician his family had sponsored to study in the city, Kasumi, and a few others who were the offspring of local notables. But sometimes, no matter how busy he was or who he was in company with, he found himself wishing Bridgette was there too.
It was this which lead to him inviting Kasumi to tea with his great Aunt, on a day he knew for certain Bridgette would be working.
He was certain it would be a wonderful day, especially when his father stated his intention to join them. His mother made her excuses, having been a little tired lately she decided to rest in her own chambers rather than attend tea.
"Kasumi! Thank goodness you're here." He greeted, unable to help the wide smile he bore. "I can finally introduce you to my good friend Bridgette." Bridgette stood from where she was sat next to Madame Malaura. "It's an honour to meet you, Miss Kasumi." At Kasumi's frown, she spoke quickly. "I'm sorry for my forwardness, but I didn't catch your name."
"Kasumi Ken." Kasumi replied, nodding her head in barest acknowledgement. "Bridgette."
With a slight grimace as she tried to smile at Kasumi, Bridgette sat back down and returned to her needlework with almost comical intensity.
Felix frowned at Kasumi- who was, of course, immune. But she did sit down herself with no further awkwardness, so there was that.
Conversation was stilted, as Kasumi eyes Bridgette. He hadn't been aware she would think so lowly of inviting a servant to this gathering, else he would never have subjected Bridgette to this. Or himself, for that matter.
Nevertheless, both his father and great-aunt seemed to be in fine form.
"How has your mother been Bridgette?" Ira asked, eyeing the sweets stand far too cunningly for a man meant to be the master of the estate. "I heard she'd taken ill."
"A temporary ailment sir. She returned to the kitchens this morning." Bridgette said quietly.
"I hope she was fully recovered." Kasumi interjected. "It wouldn't do for someone else to fall ill if she was anxious about her wages."
Felix scowled. "That would be unnecessary Kasumi. We do not penalise our staff for trifling illnesses. In any case, we find it better to give time off for recovery rather than have them work through it."
"Your family is certainly generous Felix. You must take care not to be taken advantage of." Kasumi mused allowed, eyes fixed across the table.
"It was my brother's policy Miss Ken." Madame Malaura broke in. "And with a little care, it's worked quite well. There's only been two servants in all our years here who attempted to take advantage, although there have been a few we had to let go due to excessive ill health."
"With generous pay outs." Ira added on. "My dear wife has often found them less strenuous work where she can. We can't help the body we're born in, but it is so inconvenient when it gives out."
"True." Malaura sighed. "I never thought I'd be like this when I was a young girl. I had vagues plans on dying the moment I could no longer dance every other dance at the assemblies."
"Did you enjoy dancing so much Madame?" Bridgette's eyes sparkled as she asked the question.
"I utterly adored it, even after I lost my Barty. Mirjami and I would dance together for hours, as Arthur played for us." Malaura answered warmly, much to Kasumi's surprise.
"The piano?" She enquired.
"Sometimes, but he preferred the cello." Malaura's eyes were distant but fond. "He used to get so lost in the music he'd be surprised to look up and find us still there. I often thought that if had looked up more often, he and Mirjami would have begun courting months earlier than they did."
"I hear long courtships run in the family." Ira smirked.
"With obvious exceptions." Malaura shot back.
Both Kasumi and Bridgette had to muffle laughter. When their eyes met again, the tension in the room had lessened. For that alone, Felix decided his father could have the cream tarts he'd been pretending not to eye up since he'd sat down.
Even if they were his favourite too.
Eventually, the conversation drifted to accomplishments.
"I think I've read about this." Ira mused allowed. Malaura, wise to his father's sense of humour, burst into giggles before he could continue- but alas, continue he did. "A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages, to deserve the word."
Felix groaned. "Father, really?"
"Pride and Prejudice is a delightful novel Felix." He responded. "I see no sharing the author's wisdom with the world!"
Kasumi hid a snort behind a fan. "I would hardly count Caroline Bingley as a font of wisdom Sir!"
"A very fashionably accomplished woman of her day." Brigette said agreeably. "But not a wise one certainly."
Kasumi favoured the other girl with a smile, even as Ira faked outrage. "I must admit that while I enjoyed Austen's novels, I found her heroines difficult to relate to. The only one who had any athletic achievements was Elizabeth, and walking is hardly a difficult skill to cultivate."
"Perhaps the author didn't feel she could do more physical pursuits justice." Bridgette contemplated. "Her family were not exactly flush at the best of times, and she was said to be a frail child. She likely never participated in horse riding, let alone other sports."
Kasumi shrugged. "I still think it's a shame. All those country girls, and not a decent rider, archer or falconer among them."
"I find writers are just another type of artist." Said Madame Malaura. "With all the dramatics of an Artiste, difficulty finding inspiration or struggling with their chosen medium, and the difficulty in determining the worth of their work when they can see every flaw or difficulty they encountered in the making, while the observer sees only the final product. With that in mind, perhaps the author simply found it easier to put the enjoyment she found in writing to her character's hobbies."
"I am proficient in painting and music, but I would not deem myself an artist as you describe them." Kasumi said.
"True. Your work is lovely, but you take no joy in it." Felix spoke. "You're at your best with a sabre in hand and an opponent across from you."
Kasumi flushed- and was that a groan from his father?
Malaura spoke up before he could do more than eye his father in confusion. "As someone who enjoys both music and physical pursuits Felix, what would you say is the difference?"
Felix blinked rapidly. "I'm afraid I wouldn't even know where to start Madame."
"I suppose…" Ira pretended to be thinking aloud, but no one was fooled. "That in order to get an answer, we'll have to either teach Kasumi an art she likes, or Bridgette a sport she'll enjoy."
Kasumi's lip curled at the thought, while Bridgette froze like a cat caught stealing fish. The wide eyes only added to the picture- if she'd had cats ears, they'd be laid flat on her head.
"Interesting idea Father." He said dryly. "But I doubt either of our guests today have so much free time they'd want to waste it in such a manner."
"It could be interesting." Kasumi corrected him, with a glance at Brigette. "I could teach you to fence."
Clearly despite herself, Bridgette brightened. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to teach you anything in exchange, as I daresay you've more practice at embroidery than I have at present."
"Understandable, given our different educations. Nevertheless, I think the experiment would be worthwhile."
"We'll have to set up a time. When are you free Miss Ken?"
As that conversation drew to an end, Felix felt that perhaps he'd missed something.