In Which She Meets Her Idol
Author's Note: Please forgive my later jibe at famous actors of our time. I promise I'm not making fun of them…But, goodness, I'll be damned if I could think of anything other than those names…
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All in all, it was a splendid party. A ballroom (at a new country house Mr. Brownlowe had built for his old age) had been decorated in brightly-coloured silks and gauze by a decorator who was, ultimately, working under Miss Rose. Even though Oliver thought the decorations were somewhat feminine for a male coming-of-age party, he was grateful, and, luckily, the bright costumes, tables piled with food, and dim lights distracted guests from the silks. Even though many young people were attending, the masque, it was largely old-fashioned with escorts and even a butle announcing the arrival of new guests at the top of the elegant staircase.
As the young man-of-honor, Oliver was obliged to greet every guest who came through his door and, after fifteen minutes he was seriously considering pulling a Dodger and disappearing. After going through a huge group of elderly ladies who were giggling and gaggling like young girls, Oliver decided to take a well-deserved break and sojourn at a refreshment table. Taking a sip of some water he had hidden behind a pile of crepes, Oliver turned to face the front door just in case a character he could not possibly ignore walked through. Just as he turned, two masked characters entered. The first strutted, obviously proud of his bright green Robin Hood costume, a bunch of fake arrows and a bow were perched across his back. The second, a man dressed in a gold and brown toad-suit, was slightly hunched over and glanced around, as if frightened of being caught. As Oliver watched the pair, he grew more and more aware of the green-clothed man's stance; it was extremely familiar. As the man waved at the other guests, Oliver recognized the flair in character and immediately gave the faceless man a name.
"Dodger." Oliver's whisper carried itself straight to the man's ear, and seconds later he and the toad were standing by Oliver.
"Well, 'ello, young man! We are here to celebrate your manhood! This's a wonderful little party."
"What are you doing here?"
Dodger pouted. "Don't you want to see us?"
"Dodger, if anyone recognizes you, you're dead." Oliver looked around frantically, and dragged the two into a convenient room behind a tapestry. Throwing them into two chairs, he whirled and raised a hand to his head.
"Why are you really here, Dodger? And who is the toad?"
Dodger sighed and pulled off his mask. "A'right, I just want you to remember tha' I was going to come here even if there wasn't a problem, Olly, m'boy. Oh, and the toad is Liam. We picked him up afer you left."
Liam grunted as Dodger continued.
"A'right, let me tell you a story…and ask you a few questions about a certain chap."
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The ride to Mr. Brownlowe's country house had been peaceful so far with barely any talking. Aster fumbled ad teased her mask, adjusting feathers and jewels awkwardly, simply looking for something to occupy her gaze. She felt Edward's eyes on her and ignored them, only glancing up occasionally to smile uncomfortably. Finally, she heard his lips part and pause. Glancing up, she watched as he shook his head, closed his lips and cleared his throat.
"Are you frightened, Miss Aster?"
Aster's eyes flashed, not with anger but surprise.
"Of course not."
Edward chuckled and placed his elegant white hand on her thin, fumbling ones.
"Then why, dear, are you playing with your mask?"
Aster sighed and let go of the mask.
"I've never been to something this big before, Edward. I'm going to walk in there, all dressed up, and everyone is going to laugh. I'm no lady and everyone will know it. I can't even act my way through it anymore, because that's dishonest."
Edward grinned and stroked her hand, as if to calm her.
"Look, you silly girl. These people play this game every day. I give you full permission to lie through your teeth tonight… And if anyone doesn't believe you, come complain to me."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I brought you here to meet Oliver and his grandfather and aunt, and no one else. If you make friends or even fool other people, all the better, but do not think I will be disappointed in you if you are not the center of this masque. Oh." Edward's eyes twinkled. "There is one thing I expect of you tonight: convince Oliver to show you his locket, the one his mother gave him. It has become quite an expensive heirloom, because of the story, you know. I think it would be a special treat for you to see it…And I want you to enjoy yourself tonight."
Aster looked up into Edward's eyes. "Thank you so much, Edward Williams."
Edward reached up and stroked Aster's powdered cheek. "You are so welcome, Aster Gypsy-girl."
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Oliver rubbed his head. "Alright, so wait. Now you want to know about Edward who you say was this other person…"
Dodger nodded. "Yeah. Like, when he first moved into that nice house, how he acts, and what he likes to do and wotnot."
Oliver shrugged. "Well, he moved in about a year ago, and he's definitely a gentleman. He speaks eloquently, he is very athletic and the ladies are quite taken with him. The rumors are that he was raised by his aunt and uncle and they left all their money to him, with the hope he would do something good with it, and he seems to have kept their wish. Last week, he helped open a house for women and children who are living on the streets." Oliver grinned. "In fact, I think you are a little too worried, Dodger. Edward has been nothing but kind to me, and he was very interested in my story. In fact, he says that is why he opened the shelter." Placing a hand on Dodger's shoulder, Oliver bent down to look in his eyes. "Maybe you're over-reacting. We do not even know if it is the same man, and if it is, he seems to have changed…It seems to me you are jealous of this man for taking away your new prize pupil. Dodger, I am grateful for the way you took care of me—that is why I have convinced Grandfather to spring you out of jail, and your other problems so many times—but the best thing that ever happened to me was moving into this new life… Maybe that is what this girl needs. I cannot convince you to leave her alone, but if you do take her back, please keep her wants and needs in mind."
Dodger shook his head. "You don't understand, Oliver…That man is bad news."
Oliver sighed and patted Dodger's shoulder. "Well, let's head back out before someone starts worrying. I will introduce you two as some of my friends from school."
"Eh," Dodger interjected. "Could you make sure not to use Jack or Dawkins? How about Daniel? Daniel… Radcliffe, or something?"
"Of course, Dodger… Mr. Radcliffe. Now let us re-enter."
Oliver pushed back the tapestry and quickly stepped into the room, acknowledging random guests who came to inquire after his earlier whereabouts, to which he replied, "Oh, Mr. Grint, Lady Watson! Have you met Mr. Daniel Radcliffe, and his friend, Mr. Liam… Neeson? I met them at school this year!"
As the three navigated the choppy waters of societal gentlemen and ladies, Aster and Edward exited their carriage and entered the room, standing on the staircase and viewing the ocean of people.
The butler cleared his throat and a few people, including Oliver and his companions, turned to view the newest arrivals.
"Lady Aster and her escort, Mr. Edward Williams."
As the three looked upon the now-almost-unrecognizable young woman, Liam muttered out of the side of his mouth.
"No respectable tavern will take tha' girl now."
"Liam!"
"Sorry. I forgot you fancied he—"
"Liam!"
"Sorry, Dodger."
Oliver watched Dodger's eyes widen as Aster gracefully descended the staircase, holding Edward's arm the entire way.
"Dodger? Are you sure that is the girl you were telling me about? She is a bit too, well, dignified to pass as…"
"That's her."
"How are you sure?"
Dodger chuckled. "She almost nicked one of your presents up there." Dodger turned to a stunned Oliver and added, reassuringly. "Oh, but she looked at that snake that calls himself Edward and put it back."
Oliver smiled. "Well, it is my duty to greet all of my guests, especially ones I have never met. Will you join me?"
"Eh, no." Dodger scratched his head. "Me an' Liam will head to the refreshments and meet up with her later…Oliver." He suddenly became serious. "We're takin' her back. By force if necessary. That man cannot have changed so easily and I can't have her accidentally tellin' him about me and the boys… I noticed there's a door to the garden behind that tapestry room. We'll go that way."
Oliver looked into Dodger's eyes for a moment and then nodded. "As long as you think it is the best thing for the girl…" Oliver gave a pained look. "But do not forget to go back by his house and pick up her clothes. I can only imagine you lugging her around in that gear…And I know you do not think far ahead enough to have considered that. "
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"Careful, Aster," Edward whispered in her ear. "You are making my arm become quite numb."
"Oh!" Aster quickly let go of her death-grip and giggled nervously. "I'm terribly sorry, Edward…but all these people. I feel like they can see right through me."
Edward smiled. "I think we have conceived a character none of them will see around. People would much rather see you as a very rich and mysterious family acquaintance than a girl who came to me from the streets. Remember, people only see what they want to see."
"That's actually what I'm afraid of."
A young man approached the two of them, his simple dress suit and mask standing out from the elegant attire of the guests. He bowed slightly and glanced at Edward. Immediately, Edward became the bustling gentleman.
"Why, Oliver! I have not seen you for a few weeks now! I have been busy entertaining my charming guest. Lady Aster, this is Mr. Oliver Brownlowe, the young man you have heard so much about. Oliver, this is Lady Aster, an old family acquaintance. She is quite taken by your story."
Aster caught the look of surprise in Oliver's eyes at the introduction before he could wipe it away.
"Oh, really?" He took Aster's hand and gently kissed it. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aster. Any friend of Edward's is a friend of mine."
"Oh, my blo—ah, I mean, thank you, Mr. Brownlowe. I am likewise pleased to meet you."
"Please, call me Oliver. It becomes confusing with two Mr. Brownlowes, and, I must admit, I find the name rather stuffy."
"Oliver."
Oliver nodded and smiled. Suddenly, the music took a turn from soft background to obvious dance. Oliver turned to Edward.
"I would usually concede this dance to you, as Lady Aster is your guest, but do you think, as a favor to me, I could have the first dance."
Edward nodded and flexed his fingers, as if to say "go." Oliver beamed and turned to Aster.
"If I may?"
"Eh, of course."
Rather reluctantly, Aster took his hand. She felt a push from behind and realized Edward was softly hinting for her to go to the floor. Once they were out among the other dancers, Aster looked up at Oliver's boyish face and grinned weakly.
"I'm afraid I'm not very good at dancing. I'd much rather talk to you about your life and story."
"But you are doing a splendid job! And conversation is what dancing is for." Oliver leaned forward, conspiratorially. "No one can be suspicious of us if we talk while we dance. There's nothing else to do out here."
More comfortable, Aster immediately began throwing questions at Oliver, who took the interrogation quite well, telling nearly his entire story in two dances.
"Oliver, do you still have your locket?"
"Well, yes, of course I do. It is very dear to me. In fact, it has become something of a priceless heirloom. We have had many offers for it, but I just cannot seem to let go of it."
"M-may I see it?"
Oliver smiled. "Well, not right now. It is actually in the city house; the one right beside Edward's, in fact. I keep it hidden behind a dusty set of philosophy books in the downstairs library. Of course, I do not believe anyone would try to take it, even if we were robbed, a poor man would not know its value…but I still feel the need to keep it safe."
Aster nodded, but Oliver could see the disappointment in her eyes.
"Perhaps, perhaps you could come by later this week? I could show it to you, and Edward, in fact. I am sure he would like to see it as well."
Aster's face brightened. "That would be splendid, Oliver!"
At that time, however, a certain green-clad young man cut in to dance with the Lady...leaving Oliver to reflect on his offer, and remember Dodger's promise.
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Papa, why do we dance differently? In the city, they dance slow and pretty.
Yeh ask the most curious questions, child. But I'll tell yeh. Gypsies dance to show 'ow they feel. We also dance together, in circles and such, often, because it reflects our joined community. To us, it's almost the only time we take off "work." In the city, the 'igh brow ladies and gennel-men dance to bide time and ask questions…and to occasionally show who they have an interest in. Their dance 'as nothin' to do with their big feelin's. There's good things to each side…
Do you know how to dance like that, Papa?
Yes, little Star, I do. In fact, I teach it to all of my students, in case they find reason to go to London or someplace else where they'd 'ave to dance like tha'.
Will you teach me?
When I get back from London, I will.
Promise?
I promise.
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AN: Oh, dear how confusing. Mr. Dawkins is acting like he only wants to make sure Aster doesn't peach…
Funny thing…Aster and Dodger were originally going to be cousins. Hmmm… No more, no more.