Not to be Broken {Private}

[Isadora de Lunette]

Early Afternoon on the
35th of Melora in the
Season of Spring

A cycle had passed since Isadora's ill-fated run-in with William Forrester. A whole cycle that Isadora spent fretting over, half out of her mind with fear that William would bring her entire world crashing down around her. She'd done her best to ignore it, heeding Mizushin's words that everything was going to plan, that there was nothing to worry about. She was doing this for the right reasons. She was her father's daughter, a proud woman. She had nothing to worry about. Nothing except William Forrester's big, cruel mouth.

Her maidservant Anastasie had not been to be dissuaded that Isadora wasn't being bothered by something. The woman had practically raised the girl from a small infant and while Isadora had become adept at adopting public masks, if there was one woman who knew when something was wrong, it was Ana. Continually Isadora had to assure the pudgy woman that everything was all right and informed her maid merely that Dora missed her family and her home in the country, that was all. It was tempting to go rushing out of Daltina to her father's estates to make sure that everything was all right, that no one had heard a thing, but she had managed to cool that instinct by keeping herself as busy as she possibly could. She hadn't heard anything from her parents either, a fact which served Isadora well enough. More or less. A simple letter asking how things were going would have been enough to quell Isadora's lingering fears.

That brightening she had decided to take a walk along the concourse, a usual venture that soothed her nerves as she breathed in the bright suns. The days were getting warmer, muggier, as they slid towards the summer months and although the dresses tended to be stifling more often than not and she had to be certain her face didn't see too much sun, it was better than remaining in the stifling indoors on top of everything. To take a rest from the walking, Isadora sat herself down at a table outside of the Sugared Teacup, Anastasie sitting opposite her. They had a pot of La Quistan tea between the pair of them and a small plate of scones to share. It was one of those rare moments where Isadora had actually forgotten all about William and his threats and, instead, enjoyed the beauty of the brightening.

"I was thinking mayhap we could visit daddy sometime soon, Ana. It's been a while since I've seen mother and I'm sure they wouldn't mind a visit," she prompted after a lengthy draw on the silence. "The summer months always seem the best time for a trip, don't you think?"

[William Forrester]

He had been following her much more regularly after the whole discovery of her odd interests for he expected to use such knowledge for his own interests. But, yet she had come to see him and deal with the trouble she had gotten herself in. Why that had been he did not know. Was it because of the thelyri and whatever plans he had, or was there something else to it? Surely it could not be because she did not care, she would know her father and mother would likely forgive her, but that was going on the hope that no one else found out about what she had been doing. She had to be concerned about the dishonor it could bring to her family, she was a nobleman's daughter after all.

This brightening he had followed her all around town and finally to the Sugared Teacup with her maid. He really did not want to deal with that woman after she had been there when he had approached her in the Concourse many cycles ago. The woman was obviously scared of him and worried for the safety of Isadora when he was around. She should be, but William would never truly harm her or any woman. It was simply not in his nature, so he argued to himself while in the privacy of his home. Standing outside the establishment for awhile he thought about how he should go about this, he did want to join, especially since he knew he could get a free tasty treat.

Running his fingers through his hair he straightened out his garb as well to appear as dignified and handsome as possible. Did not take him too much effort to look handsome, and he was a great actor when it went to being dignified. Finally, with a smirk he removed himself from the wall and entered the establishment and approached their table, wondering who would be the first to see him. "Excuse me My Lady and Miss, may I be granted such a fine honor of joining you two for some tea?" With his hands behind his back he smiled, one who did not know him would view such a smile differently than these two women would. "I have not spoken with my sister-in-law for so very long and I feel that as a relative we should be oh so close, we are family now after all." Standing behind an empty chair, oddly enough he did not sit, but awaited for approval.

His eyes went from one to the other, but mostly focused on Lady Isadora, staring back deep into her own eyes and seemingly looking for weakness in there.

[Isadora de Lunette]

It was Anastasie who saw him first, the old woman going rigid in her chair, her beady eyes narrowing on him in great dislike as she watched him saunter forward. "My lady, I--" she started, wanting to point out the intrusion before Isadora had to deal with it entirely unprepared, but William was already at her elbow, claiming her attention with a very politely deceptive Excuse me.

Isadora glanced up sharply, the pleasant mask she had assumed slipping away to reveal her surprise at seeing him. She reassembled it quickly, her face smoothing into a polite smile as she inclined her cheek towards him. Because she was a lady, she did not rise to greet him. "William, what a pleasant surprise," she greeted him, her voice sweet and light. Not a trace of fear trembling within it at all. "Please, you must have a seat. It isn't often I get to speak to one of my favorite brothers, is it?" Her smile was almost a little cheeky.

Opposite her lady, Anastasie stammered in surprise, her round face reddening. "My lady, I really must--"

"It's all right, Ana. In fact, why don't you head off to the market? You were telling me earlier how you really needed to buy some new ribbons and a doll for your niece. My brother will be sure to see me home safely, I am certain." She looked between the pair of them, deceptively friendly William and boiling Anastasie. When the woman made to protest again, Isadora took hold of the woman's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Really, Anastasie, I insist. I'll be home in a candlemark or two, I promise."

The maid glowered darkly at William, as if she could shove all the threats in Telath in those glaring eyes of hers, then stood up and huffed off with all the grace of a bear. Not a happy woman, but she knew how to follow instructions and did so.

Isadora sipped at her tea, looking calm and collected. "I am surprised to hear you call me family, William. I recall you being rather angry the last time I dared to call you brother." She smiled at him, sweetly, delicately, and took another sip from the porcelain cup.

[William Forrester]

Anastasie was the one who had seen him first and with such warning he had certainly picked up pace, successfully arriving before any warning could have been given. As Isadora looked up at him with a very fake smile, as he knew, William looked at her with a much similar smile, but his was not really fake. Placing his hand on hers as she welcomed him he ran his fingers over her soft hand, but would not allow any retreat should she have tried. "Thank you, sister," he said, as his hand retreated and he took a seat to her right as Anastasie remained seated and seemingly, if she had one, would have lifted a dagger and stabbed him in the head.

She wanted to stay and protect Isadora, which was admirable, but he truly would not bring any harm to Isadora, at least in the violent sense. Giving them a few moments to discuss matters and for Isadora to finally get rid of her he smiled at the woman, who did not smile back. He could only wonder what she would want to do to him had she the chance to do so. She may have wanted to flee with Isadora, but should the need arise he had no doubt she wanted and would have struck him down. As Isadora sipped her tea William reached over and grabbed Anastasie's tea, which she had barely touched if at all. Oh how he would have loved to have her know he was drinking from her own teacup, which her own lips had been upon.

Taking a sip he placed it back down on its holder again and looked at Isadora as she spoke, seemingly glad, at least through lies, that he called her sister. As she took another sip with a smile of her tea he shifted his chair so he did not have to twist his head to look at her. Face to face he smiled, a real genuine smile. "I have warmed up to the idea, and gotten over the foolish hatred I directed to you due to the situation that brought us together. You do know I loved your sister, childhood love yes, but its still doesn't sting any less. I cannot say you are my favorite sister, for surely Josephine holds such a spot in my heart, but you are up there." Smiling he took another sip of his tea.

"I was hoping you would come and see me so I did not have to stumble upon you like this again." He lied about stumbling upon her, and he knew that she knew it was anything but luck he found her.

[Isadora de Lunette]

Isadora could not detect any falseness in the smile that he directed her, but then that said nothing. Certainly there had to be some venom lurking there? He had laid the foundations for some thick threats the last she'd seen him. He couldn't have forgotten them so soon. Prior to that run in, he'd been physical in his own threats. No, Isadora did not trust him regardless of the friendly smile that he put upon his face.

She set down her teacup and picked up a scone, breaking part of it so that she could place a small portion into her mouth rather than create a mess of crumbs over the front of her amethyst dress. She did not speak until she had swallowed the soft substance. "I hardly think you stumbled upon me, William," she pointed out, still in her very sweet voice, as she reached for her tea again. "I cannot imagine that your luck would reach so far."

Sipping at her tea it was another moment before she spoke up again. "I did not visit because, last we spoke, I saw nothing for me to pursue." That was all she had to say and though her heart beat fast that William had come to chisel away at her--now without the added boost of confidence Mizushin had leant her as he had the first time. Here she was on her own.

[William Forrester]

Watching her closely he let the smile fade slightly, but there was always a taste of enjoyment of the company and the situation they were in. Though he had not played on why he was really here, it did not take a genius to know his intentions were not innocent. Even that was not the total truth though, he was indeed interested in her company and learning more about her. Not everything about him was as evil as he seemed to often make his intentions seem.

When she mentioned that she seriously doubted that his coming upon them was anything but luck he smiled, though it did was not a great revelation, it was more interesting to hear it from her lips. He loved playing games over all else and games like these, word games, were his forte. Smiling widely again he even chuckled slightly at her statement and followup. Not a devious chuckle at all, but genuine, so interested in such a tact. The thing he respected most and loved the most were those moments when women took the time to play games with him. These games only interested him all the more.

Smiling again as she said she saw no need to visit, he allowed it to change to a frown simply for the point he made next. "Truly that cannot mean you did not want to see your loving sister and your very loving brother? We are wonderful hosts, and I know Josephine misses you, she hasn't seen you in a very long time." He turned it in such a way purposely, she knew what he had been implying before, but he completely ignored it. Taking a sip of his tea again, he moved the cup away from his lips only slightly so he could get another word in and hide the movement of his lips should people be watching.

"Plus, I do believe I asked you to come see me for a specific purpose. I have no real desire to make the travel, even though I would so love to visit both your mother and father, the great nobles they are. But, should you continue to avoid me, I could always use a trip away from this city. I don't want to, I want us to be good friends...sister." Taking another sip of his tea he shifted his eyes to look into hers and then away again for just a moment, to show that she may be losing his interest and push him to new tactics.

[Isadora de Lunette]

Isadora was genuinely fond of Josephine. The girl was sweet even if she was a little impulsive. She would have made more of an effort to visit with her had it not been for William. It was not Josephine's fault, however, that she had somehow managed to suffer two unfortunate brothers. "That reminds me. I meant to send over an invitation to Josephine for tea a few brightenings from now," she exclaimed, pointedly excluding William from the invitation. "You are right. I have been negligent towards my sister-in-law. I will be sure to make ammends for that shortly. You will let her know to expect an invite, won't you?" Another dimpling smile over her tea cup.

She picked up another piece of the scone, nibbled at it as he went on about his request for her to pay him a visit. She nodded her head slightly in acknowledge and did herself some small service by not showing any trace of the nerves shifting uncomfortably inside her. She brushed her crumb-ladden fingers on the corner of her napkin. "I am sure they would love to see you again, William," she responded, controlling her voice away from the irritation she suddenly felt. "I don't believe you have given them a visit in some while, have you? In fact, I was thinking of going to see them sometime this summer. Mayhap you and Josephine can accompany me. I may even be able to prevail upon my sister and your brother to join us. It could be a wonderful get together, don't you think?"

She refilled her teacup as she contemplated how best to respond to him. She was certain he hadn't been expecting a direct invitation. It was precisely why she had offered it to him. "But since I seem to have neglected our previously arranged visit, why don't you tell me now what you wished to discuss with me. I am not yet done with my tea and have some time to give a listen to whatever it is that seems to be on your mind."

[William Forrester]

There were few who were better than William at reading into a person's words in a conversation to know what they were really thinking and not saying. He knew there was a great amount of animosity for him from Isadora, and he wanted to change that, but at the same time wanted to keep her so much fun to chat with. He was not right in the head at all, and if he even recognized that, anyone around him should be careful. William was not fond of tea so it did not disappoint him to have not been invited. He could barely stand the tea he was sipping now, he was much more using it as a prop to hide behind. He also did not trust being in her home for he would be surrounded by those who would know his true ways from Isadora.

He did not frown, but instead smiled throughout her speech and nodded. "Of course, I will tell Josephine when I return home, I am sure she will be elated, maybe far too much so as we both know how she can be." William smiled, in Josephine they could share common understanding, as they would with his father and brother as well. He did not know how Isadora felt towards his mother, but seeing as how she was the female verison of him and much more sneaky and backstabbing he doubt she would like her very much. Though he did not know how much she had been around her mom to discover any poor personality she rarely let out. Unlike William, she was much more trained and could hide any ill intentions behind her smile, bosom, and beauty.

As she jumped on his possibilities of going to see her parents by suggesting she might be visiting this summer he smiled, the inclusion of the entire family in such a gathering was an interesting tact. Nodding at the end of her question he smiled and took a sip before answering, "Yes, I do suppose that would be a very nice get together." That was true, besides the inclusion of her sister and his brother. He had no desire to see either, her sister was a love he had lost, his brother the man he had lost her to, and his brother a barbarian who William feared for his safety around. Fear was much less since he had been denied the first son position, but William did not doubt his brother would still try and off him.

What she had said next had actually caught him offguard. Good play. His loss of words and shock was quite visible as he shifted, but he quickly hid his slip in emotions. Taking another sip of his tea he looked at her intensely, more than ever before. He did not like being bested and when he had someone catch him so offguard he had been known to go into a rage. Thankfully he controlled himself and being in public assisted in controlling what he really wanted to do. "I...I am not busy today, after tea here you shall join me for a walk through the gardens off the Concourse." Placing his hand upon her hand that laid on the table he leaned closer to her, though not that close that were draw eyes from others.

Looking into her eyes he spoke ever so softly, "Family matters should never be discussed where ears that desire gossip are listening, especially gossip that could be used against us, especially yourself. I would never wish to bring embarrassment to my family, especially to my dear sister." Moving back he sat back in his chair, removed his hand from hers, and sipped his tea again and kept it at his lips to slightly hide a smile.

[Isadora de Lunette]

She inclined her cheek slightly as he basically told her she would be joining him for a stroll through the gardens. She sipped at her tea as if giving it some consideration, as if she seriously might decline and tell him she really must not take her time and should be heading home within the candlemark. But she did smile and nod. "Very well, William. I would like nothing more than to take a spin about the gardens with my brother."

Sipping at her tea, she did not look down at the hand that he'd placed upon hers, although she did flinch slightly, as if it had stung a little. That she maintained her social veneer was sheer luck and she masked any slip with a quick drink from her tea cup. She had seen his off-guard surprise at her earlier push to get him to speak his mind. Surprise might not be a good thing to evoke in William and she had no wish to push that surprise over the edge into unfounded anger.

"Of course, William, your concern is duly noted. It does somewhat surprise me, however, for you seemed not at all concerned with for my family's embarrassment when we met last cycle." She was being risky being so upfront, but she was having trouble understanding his own tactics. She made sure to put emphasis upon the fact that it was her family's embarrassment and not his, although by simple association there was always the possibility that his side of the family might be affected as well. She had not thought about that at all.

She sipped her tea and found that it was gone, but finished the scone on her plate before pushing back her chair. "Shall we?" She waited for him to offer his arm before she made any move to go some anywhere.

[William Forrester]

He watched her out of the corner of his eyes as she acted as if she was actually thinking about going or not, even if they both knew there was no second option. Eventually she conceded the point, which brought a smile to his face for even though he knew she wanted not part in this, she had to go. Her choice of words though were the best part for they were so perfectly used and he could barely hold back another chuckle. It was always a good thing to truly humor him, he was always nicer to those he respected. That was why he had such an interest in her father.

"That had been a slip, I had just arrived to the city not long before so I was weary and sleep had not come easy for me. It is always hard to sleep in a new place and new bed. I know I have not apologized for that incident yet, but I will try and make it up to you." Lies through and through, but they were so hidden in something that could be understood that he hoped he had softened her up somewhat. Maybe there was a human behind all his games and intentions. There was, but barely. There were few he treated kindly and would do anything for. In a sense Isadora was one of those people, that were to be true should any exterior forces come to seek harm to her. Internally in the family that was different.

Watching her stand he smiled and then followed, coming to her he offered her his arm, all formal and such. The closer they were the more he took take in her scent. A Lady she definately was, her scent the same when he had stumbled upon her dressed as a man. With her close, her arm tucked into his he looked over and smiled, whispering, "You smell just as lovely as you did at Wimbley's Wild Menagerie." With a smile he led the way from the establishment and down the Concourse until where a path branched off allowing the more nature-driven paths that ran parallel with the Concourse. As well, they were much less travelled by the nobles, but they certainly were not the only ones who would be there.

Much more privacy and many often disappeared with lovers to enjoy each others company much more. For William and Isadora the two would be allowed to speak much more freely, though she would likely not remain at his arm for much longer. As they walked among the lush green grass William looked around at the surroundings, he respected nature. While looking away he finally broke the silence. "Not enough nobles walk along these paths, why not I do not understand. I surely enjoy this area of the city more than the crowded streets, merchants, and shopping." As they walked William did not speak for awhile and allowed Isadora to speak if she wished. Surely the longer his silence dragged out, especially when she figured why he had brought her here, would add to unease she had.

What he really wanted was for her to be the first to break the good nature he seemed to be giving off, for her to call him out on what he really wanted.

[Isadora de Lunette]

Isadora rose and took his arm, allowing for the proper amount of space between the pair of them; she wouldn't have allowed for anything closer. She inclined her cheek slightly as he complimented her on her scent, a comment that altered her brow enough to show that it had struck an odd nerve in her. It reminded her of their run-in, of how he had mishandled her in the past. It was not a comment that she appreciated, but one she let slip past for the sake of appearances; she could not be seen smacking William in public. She'd done that once before and it had been a foolish mistake on her part.

She allowed herself to be led along by William through the gardens. They were beautiful, but she rarely visited them herself for reasons she could not necessarily say, merely that she had never felt entirely comfortable within them; she preferred the gardens of her own townhouse over the public ones. She nodded politely as he spoke. Idle conversation. He was waiting for her, this much she could see, and for a moment she let the silence drift. Would she allow him this victory or would it merely give way to more victories for him in the future?

Turning her cheek, she regarded him with steady hazel eyes. "You did not bring me here to discuss the population of nobles that grace the gardens, brother. It is in poor taste that you leave it to me to guide our conversation. Are you afraid of what I might say in response? I did not think you for a coward, although I suspect your father might have." She said it lightly, sweetly, with no trace of malice in her timbre. She even smiled at him like she'd just visited him a compliment. If he wanted to play that way, very well.

[William Forrester]

There seemed to be tension on the rise as they continued their walk through the gardens off the Daltina Concourse. Despite the lack of conversation he did enjoy it in the sense he could look around the surroundings without any interuptions. Finally, he got what he had expected, her reaction and pointing out that they were here for anything but a friendly get together between relatives. However, what came from her lips he did not expect at all, and his reaction would be something she likely wish she could have avoided.

At first it all went well and he expected such things to part her lips, but then, all of a sudden, her choice of words were beyond bad. Withdrawing his arm quickly from hers he grabbed her on the soft skin just above her elbow, and gripped it hard. Looking around and noticing no one in the nearby vicinity he walked her forwards, pressing close to her body with his own leading her forward. "You have not chose your words wisely...sister. Granted there were always underlying issues in our discussion I never would have attacked you verbally in such a way as you have offended me." He never raised his voice, but there was increasingly a growing anger. Pushing her sideways he backed her up against a tree and held her there, removing his hand from her elbow and now simply standing in front of her, not even that close, but close enough.

"I hate my father, he is a barbarian as is my brother, and I care not what they think. I did not insult you once this meeting and yet you insult me worse than I ever have been before." There was much anger behind his voice and a stance close to her that gave the idea he might become violent. However, he had called his brother and father a barbarian, but to act in violence, would that make him any different? Such a point could be raised to prevent such things, yet it could have the opposite effect as well. "I feel I am due an apology for the insult, I have not visited your parents on that issue between us and have not told a soul when it would have such a negative effect on you, maybe as bad as I have experienced from my father."

William acted like the innocent one yet he was the one who held something over her and it wasn't too hard to know that he wanted something from her. He was also the one who had touched her wrongly on the Concourse and the one who had belittled her with his words. He was not innocent at all, deserved no apology, but he did have something over her and at this moment he imposed a troubling threat to her well-being.

[Isadora de Lunette]

Isadora knew that she'd been pressing her luck, knew that calling him a coward would be a risk. It was why she had said it, to push him, to goad him. Because he had been goading her into this situation, treating it like some simple, peaceful outing. It wasn't, not to her. Still, she should have expected the physical violence. She hadn't and thus she wasn't prepared at all when he adjusted his hold on her arm and moved her steadily backwards into a tree. She oof'd aloud, her face losing its serenity as she looked him in the eyes. For a moment there was fear, but it hardened into determination. On this matter Isadora was set on not losing her dignity.

"You are right, it was poor of me to speak so ill of you. I hope you will forgive me, William," she demured. Still, there was a hint of steel in her voice. She was not sorry at all, but at least she spoke the words. "I have been impatient with our conversations and wish only for you to speak frankly with me. Instead, you dodge the matter where it is yourself who instigated them to begin with."

She shifted along the tree, trying to get away from being pinned in place. Because he was not directly on top of her she saw at least some opportunity to do so. "I realize that you have been circumspect with my...situation...and for all that I am grateful that you have not breathed a word of the matter, there remains the issue that you wish to hold it over my head. Simply tell me what it is you wish to gain for your knowledge and we will see if I shall play your game or not."

[William Forrester]

Even after the 'oof' that escaped there lips Isadora did not back down and she actually seemed aggressive, as if she had a weapon she would have stuck it right through him. That's what her eyes were saying to him, but besides that she did not approach and did not raise a hand to him. Smart move. Only one had actually done that and she had been different. William would not have taken it as lightly as he had before, a blow from Isadora would have caused great violence. "I will not forgive you for something you do not truly wish forgiveness for." A smile came to his face as he finished, showing he was not angry, but that he enjoyed it all?

"Despite all you think about me I still wish to treat you as a Lady, speaking frankly is not something that is very easy." Watching her move away from the tree he was about to press her against it again but, besides for a shift in his position, he did not make any movements towards her. As she spoke frank with him, business-like, he did not like the whole situation as much had she been aggressively opposed to hearing anything from him. He liked resistance much more than diplomacy. However, there was a strength in her voice and stance that said much, something that reminded him of her sister. Those fond memories of her before she had been married off were very vivid in his mind as he looked at Isadora.

"You know I loved your sister and she loved me, right? I am sure she told you such things in confidence. Before she was married off to my brother we had spent much time together, we never consumated our love, but we did love one another. Childhood love." William did not look into her eyes but instead looked off past her, a smile coming to his face remembering old memories. However, it did not last long as he looked back at her, coming back to the reality of it all and the hatred he had for everything, everyone. "What I want....," he said, smile fading into a smirk, his eyes seemingly becoming very dark, which was actually due to the sun's rays being blocked from coming through the trees anymore to shine on his face.

"There are three things I want, for my knowledge. The first is I want to know why you were dressed as a man, why you were carrying a sword, and who that thelyri was." Taking another step away from her he allowed her more space, to feel more secure and safe.

"The second thing I want is for you to speak with your father in confidence next time you see him and speak of my wisdom and ambition for the Daltina nobles, which I will teach you about in time. I want you to get me the ear of your father." He allowed some time to take the second one to settle, so much so that he did not continue with the third. Instead he took another step away from her and looked around to ensure there was nobody near by or approaching, which there wasn't. Crossing his arms he watched her, as if he was waiting for her to respond to his wishes when he had not even asked the third one of her yet. So he waited, with his arms crossed, awaiting her to speak up and bring up he had no issued the third desire.

[Isadora de Lunette]

What she had been expecting in regards to William's demands were perhaps more drastic thoughts than the reality put before her. She stared at him quietly as he listed them. Tell him the why of it. Get her father's ear turned towards William. Neither were particularly bad things, although she could not possibly begin to understand what he needed from her father. If the situation were not one of such import she would have perhaps laughed a little at his use of the word wisdom, but she was merely being petty. She knew that.

If anything was for certain, he chaffed under his disinheritance. He no longer was in a position where he would be heard and taken seriously. It was interesting to see now how such a thing felt. Whatever he reasonings, she decided that William was far more complex then she had previously given him credit for. When he talked of her sister there was genuine affection there, a pain that Isadora herself could not understand--she'd never been in love, as a child or otherwise. There were things he wanted to accomplish--Isadora had thought him nothing more than a wanton wastrel.

She did not agree to either of terms, but remained silent on them. She would until she heard all three. "I believe that you said there are three terms for me to agree to. What is the third?" she prompted, as she knew he meant her to. She had moved herself away from the tree, putting a little more space between them and ensuring that her back was to the open grass--no tree immediately present to back her against should his anger rise again.