{Le Château du Seul.}

Joshua

He stumbled through the ballroom crowd, moving more purposefully towards the tables and seating. He couldn't help look over occasionally to stufy for Isabelle through the crowd but as soon as he did, he would quickly look away, scolding himself. He would not go running back to her like usual. He would stand his ground and not let her get the better of him. She had left him this time. He would not go running back, begging for her forgiveness.

He ended up seeing the long blonde hair and the dark sombre gowns of Mercy, just a little while off, sitting there by a table, alone. He orders were to have fun at the party, but truth be told, she looked more over miserable than happy.

"Mercy," Joshua said taking a seat beside her. She perked up surprised as Joshua broke her train of thought. She had been staring into space. Following her previous gaze, Joshua felt a smirk appear on his face. There standing was a man, much around his own age, dark chestunut hair talking pleasantly to another girl. "Do my eyes betray me or do you have a sudden interest with the Duke of Northampton?"

Joshua felt William still holding onto his arm tightly, and felt reasured.

----------------------

~Incognito

Thanks for pulling me back in!

Mercy

A breeze swept through the meadow, the grass tumbling like green waves of the sea. Her eyes had been closed as she inhaled deeply; the scents of wild flowers and ragweed mingling together. Her every sense had relaxed as she just stood there in the knee-high grasses. Finally her eyes snapped open, out of her reverie, just as she was about to reach for the rough bark of the oak tree.

"Mercy," She knew the voice; It belonged to Joshua. As Mercy looked up, she noted not just Joshua, but a young man behind him. He had ghost-like skin ... white-blonde hair ... and Mercy could tell from where she was seated, even, that she would be taller than him. "Do my eyes betray me, or do you have a sudden intrest with the Duke of Northampton?"

A playful smile played on the corners of Joshua's lips as he slid into a seat at the table. The young man still clutched onto Joshua's arms as if he were afraid to let go. He looked like he felt Joshua was about to vanish if he did so ... or was he just nervous ...?

Mercy tried a friendly smile, but could only begin to imagine how possessed it look. She gave up, her face falling, and looked down at her hands. Her nails had been chewed, the skin around the edges frayed and red. She plucked at her thumb-nail. "N-no," She stammered, though she felt her porcelain cheeks turn scarlet, a wave of heat washing through her whole body. "I-I don't. I truly don't!" She emphasized to Joshua the fact that she did not have any interest whatsoever in the 'Duke of Northampton'.

She looked up, carefully, at the young man once more, before turning to Joshua. "Did you need something?" She hoped that her doe-like eyes would explain to Joshua how much she really didn't want to be in the heart of the party. She preferred to hide in the shadows and observe. It was a bad out-look for Mercy; she was starting to look like a hermit-in-training. I'd best get a few dozen cats then..., Mercy thought to herself with a sigh. She remembered an old neighbour of hers who - like Mercy liked to do now - enjoyed observing from behind the panes of her picture window. She had ten cats or more. And each one had the name of a deceased husband, or a young man who she had her eyes on.

Mercy looked up again, her brow furrowed in confusion. She saw Hiram and Hester sweep by in a graceful dance, Hester's skirts twirling around her as they made a circle. Mercy wished so much that she could be doing the same. "Where's Isabelle?" She asked finally after gaining her voice.

Isabelle

Isabelle released her grip on Tash's arm. "Why not?" she asked casually. "Well - I'm a bit thirsty. Would you - ?"

"I'll get us drinks, then," said Tash immediately. Isabelle smiled.

"Thank you," she said. Isabelle watched as Tash began threading her way through the crowd. Isabelle moved up the stairs a few steps and scanned the top of the crowd. She had to know what Joshua was doing.

Isabelle furrowed her eyebrows. She spotted Joshua sitting casually at a table with Mercy.

"Mercy?" mouthed Isabelle incredulously. She composed herself, then stepped into the crowd. She wound her way through dancing couples, as another tune had started up. Isabelle spotted them from about ten feet away. Joshua had a lazy smirk growing on his face. Isabelle narrowed her eyes. What was he laughing about?

"Isabelle?" called a voice from behind her. Isabelle straightened. Tash.

Tash came bustling up with two champagne glasses in his hand. Isabelle flashed him a dazzling smile.

"Oh, there you are, Tash!" she cried. Out of the corner of her eyes, Isabelle saw Joshua turn to glance at her. Isabelle's grin widened smugly.

Isabelle gripped Tash's arm, and pretended to look around for a table to sit. "Oh, look, Tash!" she cried. "There's a table we can sit at!"

Isabelle steered Tash to Joshua and Mercy's table, blatantly ignoring the fact that there were about five other, completely empty tables in the ballroom.

William

He stared at Joshua for a few seconds before turning his eyes back down towards his hands, cheeks turning a stunning crimson red. "I-I'm terribly befuddled. I-If you'll excuse me.."

"William, sit," Joshua chuckled lightheartedly. "This is who I wished of you to meet. Mercy, meet William, William, Mercy."

"Oh.." He looked at the girl a little surprised before turning his head out of embarrassment. She was fairly beautiful, and father said it was wrong to stare at a girl for more then a few seconds or it would scare them away. Of course, to William at the time, he was more afraid of her then anything else.

"Um... h-hi," she smiled meekly.

William, surprised by the gentle hello was about to respond when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Ah, well isnt this an interesting table," Isabelle spoke easily, standing a little ways behind Joshua. Behind her stood a little bit moody Tash, as he made to sit at the table beside theirs. William turned his head, hoping as not to offend her anymore then he felt he had. There had to be a reason why she was shunning him so deeply so maybe if he just stayed out of the conversation...

"Interesting indeed," Joshua turned his head lightly to meet her gaze. "I do believe an apology is necessary. I am sorry if I have offended you."

"For what?" she chuckled too sweetly, almost sickeningly so. William didnt know why but he was sure it was not a lighthearted sound in which he expected. It had a sharp tone to it, making her seem like she was acting, or maybe covering up. "I'm sure you're just... excited to have seen your friend again."

"That is exactly it," Joshua nodded, but there was uncertainty behind his eyes.

Lily

I drifted into the grand ballroom, smiling at those I passed.
I was late. Oh dear. Oh, well. Here I am now.

Everyone looks so beautiful. I feel beautiful tonight.

I hope to meet new people here. I do.

For now, I take a seat at a long table, and think to myself. Maybe I'll dance later.

Isabelle

Isabelle sat down at the table, the brilliant smile never fading.

"Interesting indeed," said Joshua softly, turning to face Isabelle. Isabelle stared back coolly at him. "I do believe an apology is necessary. I am sorry if I have offended you."

Isabelle gave a shrill laugh. "For what?" she giggled, flicking a strand of her away from her face. She glanced briefly at William. "I'm sure you're just... excited to have seen your friend again." She delicately stressed the word 'excited,' making have a slight challenge buried within its syllables.

"That is exactly it," replied Joshua. He gave her a taught smile. Isabelle laughed again before turning her eyes on Mercy.

"And how are you enjoying the evening, Mercy?" she exclaimed. "Not getting into any trouble, I hope?"

Mercy blushed furiously. Isabelle flickered her glance between Mercy and Joshua suggestively. Mercy began to protest, her blush deepening.

"N - No, Isabelle, I haven't - "

"But I'm sure you will!" interrupted Isabelle, winking conspiritorially. Mercy's eyes widened, and she looked around, horrified. Isabelle laughed another light, tinkling, painfully false laugh.

"Isabelle, please - " began Mercy, but Isabelle interrupted her again.

"Of course," began Isabelle quietly. "A woman as attractive as yourself must be careful, Mercy," Isabelle glanced up at Joshua before continuing. "Some men might take your looks as a - an invitation, of sorts..."

Mercy paled, and glanced at Joshua. Isabelle realized she had been leaning over the table. A smirk grew on her face, and Isabelle leaned back lazily.

William

"B-but what do you mean as an in-invitation I-Isabelle?" William stuttered, embarrassed. "I u-understand that s-seeing a b-beautiful lady is a good th-thing but... but I dont understand it as an invitation..."

Joshua tapped him on the head softly.

"William, she is not referring to such things," he smirked. "Isabelle, are you suggesting that I myself am a pervert?"

Isabelle only smiled wider, her black eyes staring malciously towards him. "And what gave you that sort of idea, Joshua?"

"I get it!" William jumped up surprised. "Isabelle is jealous!"

Wham! William found himself cowering over from the sudden blows he recieved from both Isabelle and Joshua to his back.

"Silly William," Joshua chuckled politely. "He was never the social type so his manners are, shall we say, a little faux pas."

"Yes that is very true," she narrowed her eyes at him before turning her eyes back towards Joshua lightheartedly.

Joshua

"But it seems that I do indeed have two very beautfiul ladies at my table, and I do feel so honoured to ask one of you to dance." Joshua said smiling directly at Isabelle, not even glancing at Mercy. Isabelle looked at him inquistively.

"You wish for me to dance with you?" She asked sounding lightly surprised. A grin slipped onto her face.

"No, I was actually going to ask Mercy." Joshua smilled at Isabelle's face which dropped as suspected. "Mercy shall we?"

"B-B-But..." She looked at him scared. It seemed Mercy had taken Isabelle's words had effected her earnestly. Joshua felt a pit of regret start to form. What if Mercy said no? How horrible that would look infront of Isabelle and her... Tash. He looked at her trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"I saw how you wished to dance, and I promise you that I will no such things as in being vulger. That is not my... style." Joshua assured.

"And what is your style?" Isabelle never even bothered to try to hold back the slight contempt in her words.

"Oh, you should know. It worked perfectly on you."

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~Incognito

William

William watched the exchange of words between the two with a sort of fright, his eyes wide like orbs. Joshua was playing a fairly interesting opposition against Isabelle as she herself was searching for a way to get back at him, of that he was sure. Now that he saw it from a perspective, everything sort of made sense in this twisted adults game.

He couldnt understand such matters as this though, in fact, it was completely beyond him why they would toy with eachothers minds so much.

"Mercy?" Joshua asked pleasantly.

"I-I guess..." her cheeks filled with scarlet again before she stood up slowly. Isabelle eyed her furiously.

"Dont wait up," Joshua chuckled before taking Mercy's hand and pulling her onto the dancefloor.

"Oh dont worry, it seems I have myself a partner as well," her eyes lit up surprising as she reached her hand across the table in William's direction. "Care to dance?"

William's eyes widened in fear and utter shock. The girl that was showing such foul emotions towards him was now trying to be somewhat decent? Then it hit him.

He turned his eyes towards Joshua who was staring holes in Isabelles back.

"Too bad," Joshua chuckled but there was such a harsh tone to it, I was sure that it was more mocking then pleasant. "William was always too clumsy. I'm sure he still has yet to learn of the fine arts as dancing and such things."

"I'm sure I cant teach him," Isabelle was scheming, of that he was sure. Scheming small ways in which she could get back at him and this was for surely one of them. Truly a silly game indeed.

"I-I think y-you should d-dance with T-Tash instead," William murmured meekly.

Isabelle glared at William. "Coward.." she muttered, only loud enough for William to hear.

"Isabelle," snapped Joshua. Isabelle winced. Obviously someone else had heard. Isabelle shot a furious glance in Joshua's direction.

"Oh, well, don't let me keep you Monsieur," she hissed, her hands clenched in her lap. "By all means, go play your little mind games. I care not."

Joshua eyed her. "'Monsieur', now, is it?"

Isabelle eyed him coolly. "It was never anything else."

"Of course not, ah, Miss..."

Isabelle stood up suddenly, her chair teetering precariously. Isabelle grabbed it before it had a chance to tip over. Taking a deep breath, Isabelle threw a contemptuous gaze in Joshua and Mercy's direction.

Isabelle turned on her heel and walked away to the other side of the ballroom. She hid behind a column, and took off her mask wearily. Isabelle rubbed her face, her mind spinning. Isabelle knew not why she was so deeply affected by Joshua's little game. Isabelle knew not why she couldn't seem to leave the man to his own desicions, to his own devices. Isabelle knew nothing, only that she was tired and grumpy, and that she could not wait for the night to end.

Isabelle covered her eyes and let out a long, low sigh. Suddenly, Isabelle froze. Someone had called her name.

"Isabelle..." the voice called again. Isabelle looked up. What now?

Joshua

And she left, storming away along the table, and he felt the sudden longing to go to her. She slipped through the crowd and out of his vision as quick as she had come. He slipped back into his chair, feeling horrible and disgusted with himself. It seemed apparent that he had taken it too far.

"Joshua?" William spoke warily, obviously noticing the heavy persona radiating off of him. William reached over towards Joshua but Joshua snapped to his feet and stepped back.

"Mercy, I do not feel like dancing at the moment. I am sorry about that. Why don't you dance with William? It would be good for the both of you." And with that Joshua stormed away, leaving the two sitting there. Tash had left the table probably a little while ago. What did it matter? He slipped back outside through the heavy oak doors and stepped down the steps where he seated himself, perfectly content on being alone. This was how it should be.

The night was startingly beautiful, the moonlight drawing his attention to the subtle river than spun off in the distant like silver thread, and then melting away into the giant lake that's natural depression drew the land around it toward it. The sand seemed almost pure white in the twilight. He wished he could wander over there, take off his shoes and pace around the lake like he once so tentatively did before.

"Joshua, why aren't you in the ballroom with the guests?" The masculine voice came from behind him. Joshua did not have to bother to turn his head. That voice was a soft as velvet like the red lucious carpets from which the owner lived. Hiram sat down beside him, his eyes were hidden by the mask, yet his jaw was brought into a hardline.

"I just need a little break." Joshua said bluntly, not even bothering to make any excuse. Hiram had a way in knowing if it was true lies.

"I have been observing you Joshua. I have watched you this night." That same distinhuished voice.

"Oh really? Found anything interesting?"

"Only that is quite obvious that you are dwelling on Isabelle. Your feelings are like that moon flower there." Hiram gestured swiftly to the tender white flowers that were opening its petals and lavishing the moonlight in the surrounding garden. "They just need the right time to bloom."

"Do you know how horrible that metaphor is? Hiram, I believe you are losing your touch with the words."

The most beautiful laugh echoed around them. In it you could hear the joy and happiness that this man felt, yet the cold and hurtful feelings hidden and shrowded. This man had a past that nobody knew about, and it seemed that nobody would take the time to listen.

"I believe I have Joshua." Hiram placed his hand tenderly on Joshua's shoulder. "But you should not wait much longer. Soon she won't be there anymore and the time will wilt away as the day breaks."

The touch disappeared from Joshua's shoulder and he heard the retreating steps of Hiram and the gentle click of the door as Hiram shut the door behind him.

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~Incognito

Mercy

Mercy didn't feel dejected when Joshua said he didn't want to dance. She had known from the start that the chemistry between Isabelle and Joshua wasn't just a friendly chemistry ... she had known it was something more.

But standing there, between the dancers who gracefully twirled around her, shooting venemous glances at the foolish girl who stood motionlessly there, Mercy felt exposed. It was as if she were standing in nothing but her corsette in front of all these people.

She quickly scurried back towards the staircase, hoping to escape the eyes of on-lookers. "No you don't!" Hester pushed Mercy down the stairs again, Hester's touch gentle, yet somehow powerful.

Mercy's shoulders slumped over as she dragged her feet towards the tables again. But sure enough, there, sitting all by himself, was William. She hesitated. Should she sit with him again? She took a step forward, then rocked back on her heels. She stepped back. Two steps forward. A step back. Finally, when William appeared to look in her direction - she wasn't exactly sure if he was looking past her - she dug her heels in, and pulled up her skirts the fraction of an inch as she swept towards him, her shoulders slumped, her chin down. She didn't carry herself proudly ... Unlike Isabelle, She thought with envy.

"H-Hi ...," Mercy trailed off, giving a quick nod.

"H-hello," William answered, mimicking - but not mocking - her gesture.

"Um ... hi," Mercy mumbled again.

"Hi...," William muttered.

This conversation wasn't going anywhere.

Um - Sorry to interrupt the story - but I left an opening for someone in my last post - Anyone want to fill that opening?

[Tash M. Grevette]

"Foolish," I mimicked again, laughing a soft, but almost hysterical laugh, "Tash, you're just being foolish! Why are you here! Why are you talking in third person! Who knows?"

I fell to the cold, concrete floors and leaned against a marble column, head tilted back. I gripped the mask in my hand and then threw it off. As it flew to the door, landing down with a light tap, I smiled again. It was painful to have the stare of the mask on my side, as if it were judging me.

I pursed my lips and whispered, "What are you staring at?"

It didn't respond.

I reached and loosened the necktie, looking out across the driveway to the moon above. The stars twinkled behind it like sparkles on ladies dresses within the ballroom. Foolish, the word roared at me, Foolish! There was so much I could stand to turn my cheek to, so much I could laugh at.

"Isabelle," I growled out, almost ready to storm back in there and crash the party---but I couldn't, of course. "He's just an escort," I mocked in a high pitched voice.

My eyes wandered around until they fell onto the one called Mercy. She was talking with William, nervously glancing at each other. I sighed and turned my head away when her eyes crossed to me. She wouldn't come out, I shouldn't try to keep her away from whomever she was with.

I hissed out the name again, "Isabelle," then laughed.

Foolish.

William

William's bashfullness took over, and the fact that he still felt terribly for Isabelle was not making this conversation run smoothly, so he decided to do the next best thing. Try and get out of it.

"I-I hate to l-leave a lady as yourself a-alone b-but I do b-believe I must m-make my exit to the r-restrooms. I-f you w-would excuse m-me," he blushed before pushing away from the table clumsily.

"Oh, i-if you insist you must," she looked down at her hands a little downcast. He suddenly felt guilty and was about to sit back down but knew that it would be foolish to do as such and quickly scurried away in search of a quiet corner where he could breathe for a few minutes before he'd make his return.

His eyes scanned over the floor as he went till he found himself at the other side of the room, his hands tucked behind his back easily, when his eyes caught the site of Isabelle removing her mask. He was shocked at the ease she had in doing so and with the sudden urge to apologise to her, strode forward.

"Isabelle..." He could feel his voice break lose from what he thought was a very strong voice. He realised with a fright that he just wasnt ready for this yet.

"What?" she looked up at him, annoyed at first then surprised the next. "William?"

"I-I just..." he blanked, fingers pulling at his suspenders nervously. "I'm sorry if I may have come across as cruel or unwanting. I assure you that was not what I had planned and I only wished to be friendly."

She turned her head away from him again as if his words were of little relevance to her. He slumped at the sight.

"And I wished to tell you that I feel for your situation," he murmured slowly, pronouncing each syllable. "I know Joshua has a tough exterior, but he is a very lonely man and games are all he knows. You must be patient with him, as I remember correctly."

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked finally, her face dropping the familliar facade that had made itself known on her features. Now she just looked like a frustrated, pitiful girl, but a beautiful girl nonetheless and he felt for her situation more then ever.

"Because I wish to be your friend," He stated a little blatantly. "I-I was afraid that you were mad at me for my untimely arrival and taking up Joshua's time. I did not wish it to seem as such... but I do hope that you will forgive me for what I have done."

She chuckled, this time with a lighthearted feel that hadnt been there before. "You're a nice kid you know that?"

"I'm not a kid," he said stubbornly but the blush was still rising in his cheeks.

"You're silly," she chuckled again. "And there is no need for forgiveness."