661-05-13 - The Bastard Arrives
| The Bastard Arrives | |||||||
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| Summary: Moshe arrives to the Zorich estates, part of the Queen's request of fostering. He meets the family from Duchess Debbie, to her five kids. | |||||||
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The day has come when Moshe arrives to the home of Duchess Debbie Zorich and her family. The Queen has made a decision, and the Machuri family has decided to try and pull a fast one on the Zorich family by sending their bastard kid to them instead of the orphanage they were considering. Surely, this cannot come out well? Surely Gloomy Jungle's leader knows the mockery of their choice? And yet, accept him she would. There's no telling what else that the duchess might have planned for him.
Before his arrival, the Zorich children are gathered in the salon, having been told of his arrival, and future place within the family. All are there, four golden haired children, and then the oddball eldest dark haired girl. While the boys are curiously waiting, Lisabette remains quietly seated aside by herself. Every so proper is she, hands laid in her lap, and her uncle Avidor standing nearby. There might be a slight frown on the girl's lips -- this meeting is taking up her sword time, darnit!
Tucked into a chair, her slippers kicked off but never far, Sammie sat with a tiny white fluff of a kitten in her lap, entertaining it with a bit of string and occasionally, a lock of hair when she thought no one was looking. To Sammie? The tension that swept through the eldest in the room meant nothing, after all, she was getting someone else to play with, wasn't she? Someone else to share all her secrets with, from where to pick the best apples to where the hound always had her puppies in the stables and the best spot to catch fish in the stream. She didn't understand what all the frustration was about! Not at all!
Though occasionally, she'd cast a hopeful smile in her sister's direction, usually when she was giving the yarn a bit of a wiggle in the hopes that perhaps, where her own antics may fail to coax for a smile from the dark raven that lingered above them, the small tuft of snow might yet manage it. "Isn't he cute, Lisa? Do you think that the Machuri will like him? Momma said that I could keep him, did you know? I'm going to name him Snow!"
Moshe was told that he was been sent to the Zorich family because the Queen said so. Was told to consider himself lucky that it happened now and not much later. There is no crying from the boy, his family did not like him, bastard son of a now dead father.
Arriving at the castle was easy enough, he was been escorted after all. Wearing clothing given to him to be sort of presentable when he arrives. So as he enters the large area where all the family he is to be with are he walks slowly. He is not smiling, he looks rather serious, almost a frown on his young face. Though as he steps closer and closer he glances at everyone that is within the room, many faces btu he see's the family as a unit. Then the escort stops, he stops and then like he was taught he kneels to one knee. " I am Moshe, son of Machau Machuri." now he goes quiet, perhaps he did it wrong, he does look a little afraid.
When Samuela speaks up to her, Lisabette finally turns to peer at her sister, to watch the favored daughter dangle the string for the kitten. Opposites are they, in appearance and disposition. "It is a kitten. Kittens grow into cats only good for catching mice. Do you have mice in your room?" She wonders then, the words logical in her mind. Avidor pats her shoulder, then steps back as the sounds from the foyer announce the arrival of the Machuri.
The duchess watches as the boy is brought forth, her gaze upon the slender Machuri bastard. Displeased is she, easily seen by the press of her lips, though the boy's kneeling soon enough. "Welcome to the Isle of Gloomy Jungle, and to House Zorich. From now till it is decided what will be done with you, you are a part of this household. Remember that, Moshe Machuri. A room has been made ready for you. A servant will show you to it." Stepping forwards, she makes the introductions, "This is Lisabette, eldest, and heir." Yes, a little displeasure shown there, her voice matter-of-fact. Warming as she continues, "Noah, her twin brother. Samuela, Annalisa, and Deen."
"No!" Samuela is quick to defend, cradling the kitten close as if protecting it meant that she could also somehow protect the mice. Who'd want to hurt them?! They were slight and cute and just as loveable as anything else. Except..maybe Lisabette. But that was a terrible thought and guilt immediately moved the young girl's eyes away, while curiosity drew them towards the young boy, kneeling on the floor.
It was enough to draw Sammie up from her seat, stocking clad feet padding softly across the floor until she stood before him and, kitten tucked under her arm, dropped into the very best curtsy that she could manage, even if...she looked as if she'd almost toppled over there at the end of it. "Hello Moshe," her voice flowed in greeting, a soft soprano that'd only turn sweeter with age. "And welcome to our home," the little girl reached out her hand, offering to help him to his feet. A backwards turn of events to be sure. "Can I go show Mosha to his room, Mamma?"
Moshe looks towards the duchess as she speaks towards him, telling him what is to be of him and what in the future may bring, hope or simply more of the same. It is obvious she does not like him, her tone says it so but at least she is been nice enough to formally accept him into her home. Now as she starts to introduce her children, he looks at each one of them and noting in his mind how they all have the same color hair except one, the oldest, she looks rather mean.
Finaly when the introductions have occurred, he was about to say something. Perhaps another formal sentence that he was forced to remember after been accepted into their home. He stops before he begins when he see's Samuela come towards where he is and then curtsy right in front of him, with a poor cat hanging from one of her arms, poor cat. He blinks, he can't say much as this little girl says her name and offers to take him to his room. His mind goes blank and he simply stares, he can't remember anything he was supposed to say now. He does stand because he is been guided by the small girl.
The duchess watches as her daughter slips from her chair, and moves off to the bastard, a smiling shake of her head given, "Samuela, a servant will do that." Moshe might be part of the household, but it's obvious he's not part of the family. Things might have been different if Machuri had sent one of their other kids rather than the bastard. It's then that another servant steps in, and with a bow to the duchess, murmurs about a visitor waiting her in the study. "Ah, yes.." She doesn't speak at all to the kids, merely turns and leaves them all alone but for Avidor and a servant who waits to bring Moshe to the small room that's been assigned him. A room that's not in the family wing of the estate.
Lisabette doesn't say much more to her sister, turned instead to study this bastard child, trying to figure out where he exactly he will fit in. When Samuela moves to speak with him and all, there is the faintest of sighs from the dark haired girl who figures yet another will be swept into her sister's circle of friends Fidgeting a little, she murmurs to the uncle who shakes his head.
"Of course, Mamma," Samuela agreed, though the welcome in her eyes, the easy smile that was directed Moshe's way never wavered. Ever hopeful. Rocking back on her heels the kitten's squirming drew her attention, so that she let it go and watched it bound across the room towards the curtains before the windows. With one last glance back to Moshe, Sammie went bounding after it, golden curls bouncing and a giggle on her lips for the way the small beast attacked the end of the curtain. But she had so many questions! And she wanted to know what it was like where he was from and what he liked to do and if he liked flowers and and and...
"Oh Snow!" The slip of a creature exclaimed, dropping down to sit cross legged on the floor, surrounded by a puddle of her skirts while she made the curtains dance to entertain her kitten.
Moshe keeps on looking at Samuela, even getting his hand back seems to be awkward to him. Looking towards the Duchess as she pretty much told Samuela no, stay away from the bastard child. Soon he looks back at Samuela, she is still smiling but then the kitty takes her attention and she goes skipping away. Moshe could only watch, wondering how she can be so...girly? Shaking his head slowly he turns to look at the other kids and the boys are simply talking among themselves but then notices Lisabette, her brief look towards him. His eyes look back at her and there is a frown on his face then. 'She ain't going to pick on me' is the look. Then he looks to the servant that is to take him. " I am ready." he is so ready to simply be himself and get away from the looks they give him.
The brothers are talking amongst themselves, no doubt Deen asking his older brother to include him. He wants to plaaaaay! The older trying to get out of it. And now he's got Moshe as well? Once their mother leaves, Noach is heading out as well with Deen following.
Lisabette slips from her chair as Samuela goes off after her kitten, steps to take her towards Moshe. Her gaze lingers on the younger boy. "Welcome." She at least is friendly, though the lack of warmth is hard to figure with her.
"Do you like to play, Moshe?" Samuela inquired, looking back towards the pair. "Oh! Oh or are you hungry?" A good hostess always ensured that the needs of their guests were met, she remembered their mother saying. "Thirsty?" Annalisa has wandered over by that point, the young girl joining the kitten in its play.
"Perhaps between the three of us, we could talk Lisabette into playing!" The idea seems to take root with a bright smile and cradling the hope close, Sammie pushed up to her feet, padding over to rejoin the pair.
Moshe was so close, so very close to finding a bit of breathing space, a bit of freedom before he has to fake liking it here again. At least he thinks he was doing a good job at it. It is the 'Welcome' from Lisabette that makes him look to her. The look on his face is perhaps of someone who cares not much or is possibly thinking it's a joke. " Thank you." is all he says.
He was about to head out again and follow the servant when Samuela starts to speak to him, then to both of them and then about Lisabette. The hesitation on this small frail skinny body of Moshe's is in turmoil, he almost steps, almost starts up again and then he stops. He turns slowly to face Samuela, almost as if he is trying his hardest. " Yes, I play but mostly by myself. I may be later on but not now." Then the convincing of getting the mean girl to join them in play really drives him as his fists clench and with gritted teeth but trying to be nice. " I am tired, it was a long trip, may I go sleep for a bit before we...play." as he stands there, waiting to be released either one of them.
A slight nod of Lisabette's head is given to Moshe before she too, turns, about to leave as her uncle steps away and follows. Yet it's the words of Samuela that has her pausing to turn to look at her sister, "I do not have time to play. I have lessons. Play with Annalisa. Or that kitten of yours." When Moshe speaks up, asking permission, she shrugs, "If you wish, the servant will take you to your room..." With that, she turns to head out, speaking up to Avidor, "To the gardens, are do we work on other things?"
The disappointment is there in her eyes, sweeping in like the stormclouds of summer and slender shoulders drop in unvoiced disappointment. At Lisabette's sharp words, her eyes fall away and she looks back towards the kitten, towards Annalisa. That her sister's sharp words hurt was all too apparent. And Sameula ran to collect the kitten again, cradling it close as if it were a safety blanket to protect her against the world. She waited just outside the door, however, for Moshe to come through with the servant and when he did, she aimed to catch his attention.
The servant seemed alittle impatient but at least she knows where he is to be put, real close to the servant quarters. far, far away from the family quarters. Moshe has no clue, eh probably lost for at least a year in this palce before he knows his way around. So as he is following he does notice Samuela and tilts his head slightly. " She always that mean?" he says abruptly, though he sort of gets Lisabette, she wants to be alone, like himself. So he stops and sort of smiles, almost. " Perhaps, after I get shown my room, you can show me around?" he is trying to be nice.
Samuela perks when Moshe speaks to her, but when the first question out of his mouth is about her sister, her excitement wilted again. "She...she doesn't mean to be," the girl whispers, stepping closer in case anyone should hear her. "I just..she doesn't mean to be and she isn't mean, not really." She just lashed out and sometimes she punched but..that was because Lisabette was sad, right? Not because she was mean. "She just needs a friend is all," Sammie was still cradling the kitten. "That's all." As if a friend might somehow help make her sister better. "But...she doesn't want me for a friend." Her disappointment in that showed, more than apparent on her face. "Maybe..," toes scuffed against the floor. "Maybe you could try? Lisa just needs someone to love her and maybe if she understood that one person cared then, she'd understand that we do too?" There's an almost pathetic plea in her eyes, a note of desperation in her tone. "I'll teach you how best to avoid Mamma and all the best places to hide and let you have my dessert for a month if..if you'll just try?"
Moshe looks at Samuela, not a spine on her, like a girl. So like a boy and supposed to represent his family he nods, agreeing to what may be his worst nightmare ever. " If you want, I suppose but, you get me all you told me and teach me hwo to get around this place." then looks around and see's the servant, waiting just a bit off, the look of death in her eyes. He groans then and looks back to Samuela. " I will try my way, just let me think on how...she looks like she could skin your cat."
"Don't let her," it's a terrified whisper as the girl cradles the kitten closer, her face burrowing in against its warm fur; as if what he suggested was a very real possibility. How is it that kittens always manage to smell so much like sunshine? Sunshine and safety and the promise of a better tomorrow. "I'll make sure you get everything I promised, I swear just...don't let her." And now that Moshe's given her something new to worry her to death, away she runs.
Moshe looks at Samuela, like she is a little...different. He was just kidding and not really saying it was going to happen. Still he nods to her. " While I am around she won't." is the best answer he can give Samuela before she goes off running away, looking rather frightened for the kitty. " Though, I think the kitty will not survive your hugs." he whispers to himself. He shakes his head then and looks back at the servant. Yes, she is nto happy and the look is pretty much the same look he got back at home when something is going to happen to him. So he sighs and follows the servant to his new room.
