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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 9, 2017 13:44:25 GMT -5
ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ - here it is! I'm leaving this first post blank just in case we ever need to keep something here, the starter will be in my next post, hopefully soon.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 9, 2017 14:10:23 GMT -5
Perceus Treadwell was no lord. One day, soon if his father's health continued to decline, that would change because his father, Lord Treadwell, most certainly was. Being an heir to the title of Lord came with many perks, not the least of which was the manor. Percy had never thought to leave it, not when he was still relatively young and certainly not after his father first got sick. It wasn't the newly built manors that the newly rich had built, it was the home of a family who'd been in the aristocracy for generations.
With the manor came staff. Perseus rarely noticed them, they were all trained to keep out of sight and he was used to the way they'd skirt around him whenever he did see them. But some days, they were inescapable. On days when they knew something new was coming, someone new, they'd talk in hushed voices even in the hallways, collectively buzzing with anticipation. This was how Percy knew that his father had hired someone else, and it was the reason he was currently hovering on the landing, looking out of the window in his own curiosity. He planned to figure this out before anyone had to fill him in.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 9, 2017 14:20:59 GMT -5
Ava Glenstone was average height and slim, almost faerie-like, in fact, with her delicate fave and large blue eyes. Her skin was very pale due to her spending a lot of time serving indoors, and he hair was a pale blonde. She was wearing the plain, dark clothing that constituted her new uniform, and on her arm was a bag containing the few possessions that she took with her when she moved to a new household.
She was walking up the steps to a large manor house, and she could practically feel the energy coming from inside. She knew what it was like when a new servant came to these places. They got very excited about it.
She had been instructed of a servant's entrance, but knew that upon her first time entering the household, she should come in through the front door. So she stopped, ringing the doorbell and haring hushed noises from inside. Clearly the servants inside had been waiting for this all day. Sometimes a butler came to the door, and she could hear footsteps now, and she assumed that was who was coming to let her in now.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 9, 2017 15:01:57 GMT -5
The doorbell rang and Perseus turned, walking over the the riling of the landing and leaning forward against it to better see just who his father had invited into their home this time. His butler, Oscar, glanced up at him, silently asking if he was supposed to open the door or leave that for Percy as he often did on days like this, but after a simple gesture he nodded and pulled the door open.
"Miss Glenstone, I presume." Oscar's voice sounded below, friendly and welcoming as always. "Welcome. Please, come in. Both the staff and the residents of this manor are looking forward to meeting you."
Percy craned his neck to see if he could spot her yet, but the door blocked his view. He frowned slightly, but didn't think to move. From across the landing, his younger brother approached at a run, wanting to see for himself what all the excitement today had been about. The ten-year-old placed himself beside Percy, who might as well be blind to him in that moment, and rose on his toes to see over the raling.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 9, 2017 15:44:12 GMT -5
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir" Ava replied with a polite smile, greeting a senior servant as expected as she entered the house at his instruction.
She glanced up to see two males, one about her own age and the other around the age of nine and ten. She could immediately tell that they weren't servants, and so quickly dipped into a curtsey at the sight of two of the residents of the manor.
"You must be the Masters Treadwell. It's a pleasure to meet you both" Ava greeted as politely as possible. She had plenty of experience with moving between houses and greeting new masters and mistresses. It was her opportunity to make the best first impression she possibly could. She always felt nervous that she would mess it up.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 11, 2017 18:01:59 GMT -5
Perseus inclined his head in a shallow nod, offering a friendly smile. "To you, too." Nathan gave a much brighter response, though it held the same gist. The younger boy made his way to and down the stairs to get a closer look at her, appraising her with curious eyes. Percy followed not far behind, having to admit to himself his own curiosity.
"What am I to call you?" he asked once he'd reached the bottom of the stairs. Oscar had taken no more than two steps back but had left the situation with impeccable grace, no doubt he'd step in with the same practised ease. It didn't matter that Percy had seen him do the same thing every day of his life, it never failed to impress him. Even now, distracted as he was, he was highly aware of how smoothly he'd just left.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 12, 2017 2:40:29 GMT -5
Ava had watched the younger boy come downstairs and approach her, and the curiosity in his eyes meant that Ava couldn't help but offer him a small smile.
When the older of the brothers spoke, Ava looked up from the younger and responded with "My name is Ava, sir. Ava Glenstone."
Ava, too, had noticed the way the butler had stepped back, and she was incredibly impressed. He must be very well trained. And, of course, he must have been in his line of work for some time. Ava had been a maid for as long as she had been old enough to be hired as one, but before that she had worked in a factory, and she still held the scars from climbing under the machines.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 12, 2017 11:20:59 GMT -5
"Ava Glenstone," Percy repeated, nodding to himself. He could remember that with minimal prompting, he was sure. "Oscar, would you have my father alerted of Ava's arrival? He'll want to know." There was a certain amount of informality in the way he'd chosen to refer to the older man by his first name but it was clearly done out of affection and not disrespect. And Oscar didn't so much as blink, as though he'd been expecting it.
"Of course, sir," the butler replied, giving a shallow bow before leaving the room altogether. That left Percy to welcome Ava to the manor, to the best of his ability anyway. He knew how to welcome guests, when his father had first become ill he'd been the one to step in once Oscar had done his part, but servant were different, surely. Maybe he should have asked Nathan to go instead.
"Welcome, then," he said, giving a small smile. "As you might have gathered, I'm not used to welcoming anybody but guests, but I suppose I'll have to give it a go. Would you enlighten me as to what you're usually shown when you first arrive?"
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 12, 2017 11:59:59 GMT -5
"Oh, of course" Ava smiled "You won't have done this before. Well, sir, I would generally first be shown the servant's quarters so I can familiarise myself with it and then someone, usually the head of staff, would show me around the rest of the house. Then I guess it would be getting on with my duties, as soon as possible"
She hadn't thought for a second that the person who would be showing her around might never have done so before, but she and Percy had apparently found themselves in that rather unique and strange position.
It seemed quite relaxed around this place, looking at the way Percy had spoken to his butler, though she highly suspected that she would have to earn that sort of informality. Oscar was clearly someone who had been with the family for a while and had earned about as much respect as a servant could from their employers.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 12, 2017 14:04:12 GMT -5
That made sense, Percy thought. A logical progression of things. "Perhaps we could start with the house this time," he said, mostly thinking aloud. "I rarely go to the servants' quarters, but I could easily should you around the house myself," he explained, glancing at her momentarily. "Then we could have the housekeeper join us to show you around downstairs. I'm sure she'd be of more help than I there." He nodded, as if agreeing with himself, then gestured down the hall. "Right this way."
It made sense to him to show her through the first floor before anything else and then work his way up to the more private parts of the house. This was how he'd show guests around - those that weren't staying overnight and thus didn't need to know where the bedrooms were, anyway - so it came most naturally to him. He figured he might as well make the most of what he knew to minimise the effect of what he didn't.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 12, 2017 14:27:00 GMT -5
"I wouldn't take any issue with that, sir, especially if you find it easier," Ava replied with a small smile "I wouldn't want to be any trouble for you, certainly"
It might actually help her to acclimatise herself to this new place, and it gave her an opportunity to make a good first impression on Percy. Not only that, but she'd get her own impressions of what Percy is like. That would be helpful for her, and it might show her how the household was run. So, overall, this might be the best way to do this.
She was just happy that she hadn't already messed things up, usually she slipped up. Well, normally she didn't slip up, but she always missed an opportunity to make a good first impression, or there might have been something better she could've said. So far, that wasn't happening.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 12, 2017 16:45:24 GMT -5
Before he started to walk, Percy turned to his brother who was still watching the two of them curiously. "Nathan, do you want to join us?" The young boy shook his head, the idea of walking around a house he already knew as well as the back of his hand seeming to bore him. "Then you should get back to your studies, don't you think?" he asked, smiling down at his brother.
"You're as bad as Father," Nathan moaned, and Perseus laughed, patting him on the shoulder.
"There, there, at least I don't ask you to go over it again at dinner. And you know I'm right."
As much as he wished this wasn't true, even Nathan could admit that it was. So he nodded, defeated. "Fine. But you'll be the one to go over your day when we eat." He shot Percy a pointed look but didn't complain any further, turning on his heel and walking away, dragging his feet as to waste as much time as he could.
"So, as I was saying," Percy said, turning back to Ava, "this way." He led her down the hall and towards the lounge, the first place for any guest - and seemingly, newly arrived servant - to land.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 13, 2017 1:56:44 GMT -5
"Master Nathan seems nice, sir" Ava smiled. And he did - he seemed a little mischevious, of course, but nice. And nice seemed the better word to put forward than mischevious, Ava guessed.
She was still surprised that Percy was taking her around this place. He probably had a hundred other things he could be doing than showing the new maid around. But she decided not to look too much into it. She had needed to be shown around the house, and Percy had been readily available and knew the house probably better than anyone.
She knew this was all helpful for her. Now she had gotten impressions of Percy, Nathan and even their father. This was all useful to her, and it gave her hints on how she was supposed to around the around each person. With some she could be more informal, with others she would have to be extremely formal and proper and probably couldn't afford to make a mistake. Very important information for her to know if she wanted to keep her job here as long as some of the other servants seemed to have done.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 13, 2017 12:54:24 GMT -5
Perseus nodded. "When he wants to be, at least," he agreed with a fond smile. "He can be a little devil when that's more exciting." Despite his very formal upbringing, Nathan was still a child. His father told him often that you couldn't force maturity upon someone - usually with more than a little exasperation in his tone, Percy had noticed - and that it was something you had to choose. Percy wasn't so sure, but he figured that in Nathan's case, it didn't matter. The boy deserved a few more years of childhood.
He wasn't sure what to say about the lounge or any other room for that matter. Usually, he'd brag a little, make sure that his father's guests understood that they all knew they were wealthy and powerful. With a maid, that seemed useless. And he had no idea about the specifics of scheduling, that was Oscar and Mrs Whittaker, the housekeeper's, job. So he cleared his throat and said, a little lamely, "this is the lounge. We're only ever here if we have guests, so you probably won't spend much time here either. The housekeeper will probably know more about exact times, I'll ask her to go through it and all other scheduling thoroughly with you when we meet up with her."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 16, 2017 14:49:06 GMT -5
"Well, I suppose that is how a little of children his age act. They can be very pleasant when it suits them, and rather more difficult when it doesn't" Ava had agreed as she walked a little behind him (it was a common mark of respect to lag just a step or two behind a master or mistress) and entered the lounge.
"I see, okay, so when you have guests only. Though I imagine it will still need quite a bit of upkeep" Ava replied "Yes, I'll make sure I go through more of this with the housekeeper. Not that you aren't helpful, of course,"
He was being helpful for Ava, very helpful, but of course the housekeeper would be the most helpful person to speak to in more detail.
(Sorry it's short)
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 20, 2017 13:02:03 GMT -5
( no worries ^^)
Perseus knew that she couldn't say that he wasn't being helpful, not if she wanted to be sure she'd keep her job, so he could only hope she was being truthful when she assured him he was of some use. He gave a small smile, nodding. "I'm glad this isn't a waste of my time, then." Not that he'd have minded much. He may be busy, but even busy men enjoyed breaks, perhaps even more so than those that didn't have as much to do.
"Where were you positioned before you came here?" he asked as he pushed his way through the next set of doors. "I'm not involved in the hiring of staff, my father prefers to do that himself, so I'm curious." He didn't get much information on the staff, at least not without asking. His father could still do administrative tasks despite his health - something Percy definitely appreciated as that lessened his own load - but that meant he was often left in the dark when it came to things that happened in his own home, something he wished to change.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 20, 2017 15:13:28 GMT -5
"Oh, I had a position at an estate not far from London before I came here, sir. It was pleasant enough, though I ended up having to spend more time looking after the children there than actually doing my job, but they had to start reducing non-essential staff. They decided to have me move on, though they were kind enough to give me a very good letter of recommendation to make it easier. That was nice of them" Ava replied
She had enjoyed her last placement well enough, though she was overworked. She was well appreciated and the staff and occupants had been lovely, in general. It seemed to her that she might be getting another lucky placement, if this place lived up to first impressions.
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 22, 2017 16:27:26 GMT -5
( I was working on a reply earlier today but in light of what happened in London today, I haven't been able to finish it. I can't promise anything any time soon, either. I think because this is set in England it's harder on me to reply here than anywhere else as I've been able to write other things set in other places. I haven't been personally affected, I wouldn't say, but I grew up near London and have close friends in Westminster (who, luckily, are all fine. shaken, but fine) so it's hit me really hard. the physical separation hasn't really done much to ease it, either. I can't say how long it will take me to be able to place myself in this setting again, it might just be a few hours or it could be several days or possibly even longer depending heavily on the information that comes out but also on my own emotional stability, so I figured I should give you a heads up anyway. I still definitely want to continue this, it might just be a while before I'm able to. )
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 22, 2017 16:33:08 GMT -5
( I was working on a reply earlier today but in light of what happened in London today, I haven't been able to finish it. I can't promise anything any time soon, either. I think because this is set in England it's harder on me to reply here than anywhere else as I've been able to write other things set in other places. I haven't been personally affected, I wouldn't say, but I grew up near London and have close friends in Westminster (who, luckily, are all fine. shaken, but fine) so it's hit me really hard. the physical separation hasn't really done much to ease it, either. I can't say how long it will take me to be able to place myself in this setting again, it might just be a few hours or it could be several days or possibly even longer depending heavily on the information that comes out but also on my own emotional stability, so I figured I should give you a heads up anyway. I still definitely want to continue this, it might just be a while before I'm able to. ) (Oh my gosh, ree, don't worry at all! I completely understand, it was a really horrible thing that happened there. I really am glad that your friends are all okay, I hope it all works out fine for them. Take all the time you need, of course, and if you ever need someone to talk to you can always message me or something, I'll be there. Don't rush yourself to reply until you feel completely comfortable - I don't want you upsetting yourself over a reply x Just take your time)
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 22, 2017 16:56:15 GMT -5
( thank you so much <3 it means a lot. I'll make sure to message you if I ever feel the need to speak to somebody, thank you for offering. and I hope you're doing all right, too, I know that all of Britain must be feeling it on some level. of course you can talk to me, too, if that's something you ever need - whether it be related to this or something else. thank you again <3 )
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 25, 2017 13:04:44 GMT -5
( I've mostly recovered from the shock of what happened on Wednesday, so I'm hoping to manage a reply today, and if not then tomorrow. thanks again for your patience ^^ )
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 25, 2017 13:07:49 GMT -5
No problem ree, as long as you feel ready x)
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 25, 2017 16:25:56 GMT -5
( thank you ^^ I'm doing a lot better now than I was. )
Perseus nodded, noting what she'd said. "I'm glad it was good for you," he said, and he meant it. "I hope you find your work here just as pleasant. If you ever have a problem, don't hesitate to bring it up with either Oscar or Mary, the housekeeper. They'll take it to me and I'll see what I can do." He meant that. He'd been raised largely by staff, and he'd always found himself caring about how they felt about the work they did at his home, even as a child. It extended to those who hadn't raised him and apparently to newly arrived maids, too. For some, like his butler and housekeeper, respect turned into deep affection. It was only natural he thought, though his father disagreed.
He understood why his father felt so strongly. When he inherited his title and fortune, he wouldn't have time to make sure his staff were comfortable at all times. He'd be busy working on other, more important things. But until then, he might as well offer. He had enough free time to make sure the people who were at his beck and call weren't uncomfortable.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Mar 25, 2017 16:37:01 GMT -5
"Alright, thank you sir, I'll keep that in mind" Ava replied. She was very grateful to have someone so thoughtful in the house, someone who cared about what she thought and listened to her. That was a rarity in many households, where staff were expected to be invisible, neither seen nor heard. Just quietly doing their job in the background.
There had been many jobs where she hadn't been so lucky. Instinctively she touched her hands together, feeling the hard skin on her fingers where she'd been forced to work until her hands blistered and bled because she wasn't allowed breaks and worked from dawn to dusk, often barely sleeping at all.
(I'm thinking we could time skip, but not sure where to)
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Mar 25, 2017 16:59:27 GMT -5
( yeah, I agree, but I'm not sure where we should skip to. I guess it would make sense for them to meet up with the housekeeper and then go from there, but as for where we go I've no idea. )
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Apr 1, 2017 9:17:35 GMT -5
(I mean, we could always skip a point where she's began work. I'm having a think at the moment for ideas)
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 1, 2017 9:21:13 GMT -5
( yeah, that's true. I'll have a little think of my own as well, see what I can come up with. )
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