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*Delphinia Allaird* · 04-01-2011, 05:26 PM

tagged: Benjamin wordcount: 511 words outfit: click notes: ----

Delphinia knew roughly where she wanted to go and she knew what time she needed to be there by, but that was where her knowledge ended. There was no map of Wellingtonshire to be had for poor Miss Roselli, though Delphinia had her wand and charms like the four-point spell would definitely prove useful, but it would still take much luck and fortune for her to find her destination and in good time. Clad in her less worn and stained dress of the two she currently owned, Delphinia wandered the streets of Wellingtonshire with a grim look of determination on her face. She would find his place of residence if it was the last thing she did... But the Upper Class area of Hogsmede was just so unfamiliar and spacious compared to the Slums. There were grand houses at every turn and they were all beginning to look the same to her.

All he had said in reference to where his home could be found, was that it was the first in East Wellingtonshire. Was there supposed to be a sign declaring one point of town 'East Wellingtonshire' or had he simply meant some easterly part of the area? It was rather confusing but she refused to give up. Should she ask? Perhaps someone would know where to direct her but... no. Elphy knew she was receiving looks from passers by. They filled her with such fury! Those Upper Class, snooty, rich snobs with their frills and lace! Oh and those sneers of disgust at her own miserable excuse for a dress! They were almost provoking enough to unintentionally back up the 'fiery red head' stereotype. "I'll be just as good as 'em soon. I know it. I'll be Missus So-and-So and I'll 'ave all these pretty little dresses wiv ribbons, bows and lace and pearls..." she muttered spitefully under her breath. They only made her more determined to boost herself from the bottom of society's ladder to the top. And then she would most likely befriend them all and forget she ever had to scrub a floor to put food on the table. Well, she would try to forget and definitely not speak of her disadvantaged past.

It turned out there was a sign after all. Relieved to have finally found the correct house, she moved as quickly as she could - without running of course - toward the front door. On her way she took in how grand and handsome the structure was which was something she always did whenever she got the privilege to visit such places. She would take in every detail and use it to pretend occasionally that she was mistress of such a handsome abode and the house elves all answered to her. It was perhaps childish but it did entertain her and renew broken hope and determination. She would succeed. She would. Elphy announced her arrival at the door with a loud knock which made her jump a little before she straightened up once again to wait as patiently as was possible for her.

nerdc0re @ caution

04-02-2011, 08:19 PM

Benjamin had no house-elves, which often raised the curiosity of his guests when he ventured so far as to host a social event, and since the dismissal of his maid it was he who was charged with the menial labor of answering his own door--as strange as it was.

He did not seem at all surprised to see Delphinia there, but he did feign a bit of enthusiasm for the poor girl. She was not early, and she was not late. The girl was perfectly punctual, and it was a quality he would be most appreciative in the future, no doubt.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Roselli." He stepped aside to allow her entry into the grand entryway of his home. Even with the brilliant decor--mahogany wood, with everything else adhering to the gold and crimson color scheme he was so fond off--the place looked rather...sterile. It was something you might see in a pamphlet, a glossy magazine. It was beautiful, but untouched, unlived in. The perfection of place was almost eerie.

But Benjamin did not seem perturbed. A perfect gentleman, he closed the door behind her and offered to take her cloak, pointing the way to his living parlor. "Have a seat, miss, please." The parlor sported two large french windows, a plush red loveseat, and two white-clothed wingback chairs, once of which Ben took up.

He folded his hands on his lap, his elbows resting on either arm of the chair and his expression perfectly serene. "I would offer you some tea, but--as you know--I have recently dismissed my maid, and I'm afraid I'm terribly ignorant in the ways of its preparation." This lead up to his next question, which he broached rather casually, "Do you know how to make tea, Miss Roselli?"

The man was quite fond of his tea.

*Delphinia Allaird* · 04-03-2011, 01:26 AM

tagged: Benjamin wordcount: 455 words outfit: click notes: ----

Elphy had not really been expecting him to be the one to open the door - she might have to do so but she was pretty sure most people of the Upper Class had others to do such a task. This mild surprise quickly died and was replaced by relief - she had gotten the correct house after all and gone was the brief and fleeting moment of doubt.
"As it is to see you, Sir," she replied, forcing the most pleasant smile she could muster without meaning it. It wasn't that she felt any hard feelings toward him - on the contrary - but she didn't naturally give genuine smiles all that often and she felt it was a necessary moment to produce one even if it was somewhat artificial.

Delphinia took the cue to pass over the threshold, gazing enviously at his foyer and taking in the details of the finery she was surrounded by. She could definitely work here, it was just a shame it would be working instead of enjoying the luxurious residence but work was work. Speaking of work, she wondered if she would actually have anything to do as, by the look of things, it was in pretty decent order. Clean, tidy, orderly... Almost too much so but that was probably because Elphy was accustomed to the mess and dirt of the Slums, hell a pig pen would look more clean and orderly than the Slums.

"Your 'ouse is rather splendid, ain't it?" she commented quite animatedly. "My last employer 'ad a rather nice 'ouse but not quite as nice as yours. That is, from what I seen of it so far o' course." Observing that he was offering to relieve her of her cloak, she quickly removed the threadbare piece of material, feeling slightly embarrassed at its poor condition. She obediently followed his instructions to seat herself in the parlor, loathing herself as she sat down on the white chair, fearing that she might transfer some of the dirt from the Slums that was inevitably ingrained into her dress, onto the pale fabric. "Tea, Sir?" she repeated, having been a little distracted by her worry of dirtying his seat and embarrassing herself for doing so. "Yes, I can make tea. 'Aven't made it in a little while, mind you, but makin' tea is one of those things you never forget, ain't it? I mean, o' course you said you didn't know 'ow so you wouldn't know from experience... and I've said too much, 'aven't I?" Delphinia at that moment was desperate for the ground to swallow her up; she needed the employment and no one liked a mouthy maid who could talk the rear end off a Hippogriff.

nerdc0re @ caution

04-03-2011, 02:48 AM

She looked rather uncomfortable, Benjamin observed with a quirked brow, but such a reaction almost pleased him. It was better that she be a bit uncertain of herself, lest she get too comfortable in her own skin around his home. He was a man who savored his privacy, understandably so, and for any of his servants to become too reckless was risky. Of course, he was not particularly pleased that she felt so uncomfortable--he did not want to torture the poor thing, after all--but it was a safety precaution. Sacrifices had to be made for the well-being of his lifestyle.

"Thank you." When she complimented his decor--however half-heartedly--he offered up a lopsided smile and a shrug. "I quite like it, myself. The colors go together beautifully. I find it rather soothing." But gentleman didn't try to entertain women with menial talk of colors and decor. Besides, they were talking of tea now--one of his favorite subjects--and he was absolutely fascinated by the girl's inability to filter her words. Not in a malicious manner, of course. Benjamin rarely mingled with people who did not carefully construct their sentences, crafting each and every word around an ulterior motive. Her earnestness and her honesty instilled in him a sense of trust. She seemed as though she would be quite dutiful, and--had he been a less cautious man--he would have already announced that she was an ideal candidate the job.

But he had more questions. "Yes, I do suppose that tea preparation is a skill one does not soon forget. I am rather nocturnal, even on most weekdays, so my meals are short, and mainly consist of tea. But when I am home...hm. Do you cook, Miss Roselli?" This was feeling more and more like a conventional interview, and he feared that she might begin to react negatively to the pressure. To soothe her feelings and prevent this, Benjamin offered up a sheepish smile and shrugged. "I am easy to please. Quite fond of stews. I don't believe that you'll have much trouble with me. If you'll have me, of course." His smile widened, and he sat back in his chair, waiting for her to accept or decline his subtle offer for a job.

*Delphinia Allaird* · 04-03-2011, 04:37 AM

tagged: Benjamin wordcount: 405 words outfit: click notes: ----

Delphinia found him rather fascinating if she was strictly honest with herself. She considered him again for the first time since their meeting in The Three Broomsticks; could she perhaps stand a chance at alluring such a man? He was wealthy - that much was certain now she saw where he lived - but did she stand a chance at attracting him? Could she somehow summon artful wiles and seduce him? Of course that more often than not would only win a servant a loss of virtue but if one was exceedingly unfortunate, a bastard child but Elphy wanted marriage, she wanted money, she wanted luxury. She didn't understand or know love so that was not something she really felt was necessary - it would only make her ambition harder to achieve as there was no place to be picky for one of her standing in society.

Elphy had a horrible tendency to run her mouth when out of her comfort zone. Then again she also could be found doing so when in her comfort zone. She would just let a rip on the poor unfortunate person before her; unable to restrain or structure anything that tumbled from her lips. She was a little surprised by the lack of house elves or servants she had seen so far. Weren't they something that all Upper Class folk had? She had assumed so but perhaps she had stumbled upon an exception. If she was left to care for the whole house she feared she would be unable to keep it as immaculate as it currently was...

"Yes, Sir, cook I can. Nothin' fancy, mind you, but it's edible." Delphinia had been taught how to cook by her mother. Being the eldest, she had been given the responsibility of preparing the meals while her mother was hemming and hauling after her siblings, well, half-siblings. Elphy was finding him to be more and more intriguing as she discovered more about him. He was mysterious for sure - what required him to keep such abnormal hours? All sorts of questions and answers were bubbling to the surface of her mind: plausible and implausible. "O' course I'll 'ave you, Sir." The second the sentence had been unleashed upon the world, she felt a blush creep stealthily to her cheeks. It had rather sounded like she had intended something wholly different in her words and it made her wish she could just disappear.

nerdc0re @ caution

04-04-2011, 07:49 PM

"Edible is all I need." Benjamin's lips quirked at her words, and he had quite a bit of difficulty trying to stifle his laughter--so, he did not even bother to try.

It was the sort of laughter that ought to be treasured, as such a hearty, honest sound rarely came out of a man like Benjamin. His face contorted with the jovial sensation, and when he was through being rocked by the throes of laughter he was still smiling. The peculiar man offered out his hand for her to shake, having made his decision the instant the poor girl spoke those horribly inappropriate words.

"You're a delight, Miss Roselli. I should hope that in our time together a bit of your good humor may rub off on me--god knows I need it." He checked the grandfather clock, sitting grandly its own magnificence against the far well, and he raised his eyebrow. "It appears as though we're done here, but I wouldn't want to have called you all the way to Wellington just to send you home so soon. Perhaps you'd be interested in some lunch?"

Picking a shred of lint off of his suit-clad thigh, he added nonchalantly, "I do have a cook, but the bastard doesn't work on weekends--which is where you come in."

*Delphinia Allaird* · 04-06-2011, 03:53 AM

tagged: Benjamin wordcount: 315 words outfit: click notes: ----

"I s'pose we're both in luck then," she commented lightly, somewhat relieved that she really was not expected to cook up a magnificent banquet as she surely wouldn't manage it. Magic could only help so much. The sound of his laughter startled Delphinia; it was such an alien sound to her since the Slums were not exactly a place of merriment and hilarity. Far from it. The most laughter she heard was in places like the Hog's Head when she happened a visit but that wasn't the same as the laughter blended in smoothly with the various voices and conversations that went on at the same time.

Elphy glanced cautiously at his hand after he finished laughing, a little perturbed by his laughter but mostly by her own self-incriminating words. Not wanting to seem ungrateful or in anyway phased or judemental, she slipped her small hand into his own and shook it. "Why thank you, Sir. If that's what you need, I 'ope I can 'elp." Elphy followed his line of vision to the large clock and found herself admiring it rather than checking the time, taking in the qualities of the splendid object. Her eyes snapped back to Benjamin as he began speaking again, about to wonder what he intended to suggest when her question was answered. Elphy was never one to turn down food. "If it ain't too much trouble..." she started, trailing off towards the end.

She was mildly surprised at his calling the chef a bastard, provoking the slightest of amused giggles from her. "Well I prob'ly won't cook anythin' as tasty as a chef so you have my apologies if it ain't too good." She gave him a half smile that was a little sheepish and it suddenly dawned on her that were she to cook, she would have to learn where all the instruments and equipment was kept.

nerdc0re @ caution

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