No apology is possible to explain my long absence. I only hope this will make do for you all…

What happened so far: An old woman is scene rushing away from a mob of furious peasants who are shouting about her iniquitous deeds. Later check on her, she is found to be imprisoned. Adele, our heroine, discovers this bizarre news while grooming the hair of Claudia, the princess. Set out to explore this mysterious situation, Adele heads to the prisons. Next thing she knows, she's whisked away to a bizarre mountainous land. The old woman, Felicity, later drops dead as Adele is forced through a bizarre ritual - custom - of the strange people that dwell there. After a not-so grand return home, Adele finds herself in possession of a mysterious pair of violet eyes.

Got it? Good!

The Story Hands

Chapter 6

This is just impossible. This cannot be real…

Adele's fingers shook as she retrieved her large hat - a gift from Claudia - and placed it upon her head. Its massive size was hard to balance, but Adele forced down her annoyance. This was no time to be choosey after all.

Thrusting the hat into the perfect position that offered her visibility but shielded her eyes, Adele set out through the doors. Her feet pattered across stone tiles, the coldness retained in them sending chills through her bones.

Again, she remained unbothered and unaffected. Physically she traveled the castle floors; mentally she could still hear the ululation of the prisoners… Could still smell the glorious mountain air. She simply could not keep up with the vicissitudes of her life.

Her body responded in the only way it could, creating a very drowsy reaction to the situation.

In this mode, Adele entered Claudia's chambers. Doing her best to soothe her employer and friend's ruffled feathers, the young maid smothered on a conciliatory smile. "Sorry about earlier…" Adele's back immediately straightened, pride refusing her to be completely apologetic.

Sullen and grumpy, Claudia looked up from her bed. Her muttered words, followed by an indignant snort, were full of bitter emotions. "You've treated me as a fool. You've failed to respect who I am and my wishes. I find myself waiting upon my servants to undress me!"

Adele shrugged, though she felt the words grating against her. With the traumas of the day, she could hardly bear with her spoiled friend. All of her attempts to mollify her friend having been forgotten, she grumbled, "Perhaps you wouldn't have to wait if you had ever learned how to do it yourself."

An awkward and grating silence filled the air, both girls glowering at each other. Both refusing to let up on their believes. This bellicose silence declared a war, one that would have surely broke loose unless another ladies maid, Aurelia, hadn't entered the bedroom.

"Your supper," she bowed luxuriously, "my lady." Her voice oozed with demure emotion, and she smiled both innocently and kindly. She had no way of comprehending the thick air around her. But it was this innocence that sent both Adele and Claudia over the verge of emotional sanity.

Adele cracked a smile and then burst into laughter. Her body was wracked with emotion; not laughing at anything in particular, but laughing to ease her tense body of emotions. Claudia's own withdrawn cackles filled the air, until both were guffawing madly. Neither worried of lady-like duties, or of servant - employer relations. They laughed to relieve frustration and stress… Their laughter strengthened their uneasy bridge of friendship; their quixotic laughter filled the air madly, neither attempting to fathom why they laughed.

It took several moments before either could breath properly. Claudia's hand clutched to her chest as she struggled to fill her lungs; Adele leaning against the wall, slowly calming her unsteady chuckles.

In the aftermath, Aurelia could only stare at the strange duo; with another sweeping bow she whispered, sounding frightened, "Does my lady wish me to leave?" She held up the breakfast, desiring the exit but not giving into her wishes.

Claudia's voice, unsteady, gasped, "No - no… I mean, you may leave… If it pleases you…" Composing herself, upon noticing the girls confusion, she smiled with trained ease and nodded her head firmly. "Now give me my food and you may be on your way."

After Adele and Claudia were alone again, eyes connected in confused amusement, Adele spoke quietly. "Alright… This time I am sorry. I've had a… weird day, and just haven't been feeling myself."

Unable to forgive her friend entirely, Claudia muttered, "You seemed as sarcastic as usual, actually." Pulling herself in a more straighter position she gave her friend an emphatic look. "I need you to respect what I say from now on. I need you to respect me."

Adele nodded, "I've never not…" Pausing her words to mentally assure herself that she need not say more on the subject, for she wanted it gone immediately, the young maid spoke again. Her voice was devoid of emotion as she whispered, "Stand up, please, unless you wish to sleep in that gown."

I don't understand what she means… But I really don't care to understand. I need to figure out what's happening to me! I'll fix whatever Claudia wants later.

The undressing was quick and uneventful afterwards. Neither side was capable of wishing a good night and so not even ritualistic good-byes were spoken upon parting.

Adele didn't mind, though. She had far more important matter to attend to. All of which revolved around being in her room and staring at her reflection in her clouded over window.

Morning brought no new light upon the situation; instead only bringing work. Again Adele and Claudia were sociable, but not divulging much into worrying of the other. Self absorbed, the conversation was uneventful and uncaring… Until departure…

Adele was about to leave the room when the princess, looking away from her looking glass, grinned. "I see you're in another hat mood again. What was that all about anyways?"

Her maid smiled, "Oh - uh - just feel like wearin' a hat… Is all…" Scratching her arm awkwardly, Adele added, "It goes along with your whole respect thing. You got it for me, so I respect your style and wear it."

Throwing her hands in the air and standing, Claudia hissed, "Why are you always trying to cause a fight? I didn't do anything but give you something!" Clenching and unclenching her fists, she closed her eyes slowly. A croaked whisper of a sound followed, "Of all the people in this castle, it's you whose respect I want but I feel as though I don't even have your care…"

"Really…?" Adele looked at the ground, face distorted in surprise. "I'd apologize, but, I think I've done to much of that. Rather," choking down her own worries of disease and freak infestation, basically narcissistic worries of herself, the young maid sighed, "what happened yesterday at the meeting? Why are you so upset? It's not like you to say something so open…"

Claudia just shook her head, digging her teeth deep into her lips. Tears started to emerge, and she rushed towards her friend. They locked in a hug while Claudia whimpered, "Father has decided I must marry him!"

"Who? The Earl?"

"Yes…" In her hysterics, Claudia nuzzled herself closer to her friend. Having felt alone and desperate since the meeting, she could hardly hold anymore self control. "That wretched man - of all people! Why? Oh why?"

Quick to analyze, Adele murmured, "Why this Earl, of all people? What can his family possibly benefit yours with?"

Claudia only sighed, prolific tears streaming down her cheeks. "I dunno'- he things thab I neeb ib…!"

"I can't understanding. Stop crying so hard, it's not going to help you…" Adele's attempt to mollify her friend's emotions worked slightly. Claudia sniffed her last, and daintily swiped away her tears.

She stepped back, but, while trying to untangle her arm from Adele, it knocked away the maid's hat. Violet eyes stared into green eyes.

With a gasp, and a quick withdraw from her friend, Claudia growled, "What have you done?"

So… For now, that's all you get. I'm sorry this took so long to get up. And it's such a scrawny little scrap of reading, isn't it? Gee, I am sorry…

So I was experimenting with this chapter… I went for the wordy way, obviously… Did you like it? Is my usual style better?

Unbetad… Again… :(