psl; [a marriage of inconvenience]

[hedgemaze]

THE AUBEL ESTATE is located in Derbyshire, England, a stately old home reminiscent of centuries long past. Long ago, it had fallen into disrepair and abandoned until previous generations of the Aubel family purchased the land for themselves, having found their fortunes in matters of real estate. Since that time, the outside has been restored and the inside has been renovated at least three times. Four, if you ask the uncle who remembers the one summer where the chandelier fell from the dining hall, taking a large portion of the ceiling with it. How embarrassing, if such a thing is true.

In its present state, it straddles the line between the old and new. The large, prominent rooms are ostentatious as they are filled to the brim with austere English culture; the smaller quarters, traditionally used by the servants and staff, are far more modest, and over time have allowed the tendrils of modernity to creep in as a result. Regardless, the home is impressive no matter how you look at it, and there are few who do not cast an envious glance at the estate as they pass by Derbyshire on their way to town, or perhaps northwest to Manchester, if they've even farther to go.

PHILIP AND JAMES AUBEL, father and son respectively, are the owners of the home, though only the father remains for any extended period of time. And even then, he only stays perhaps one or two seasons at a time, until he returns to his home in London, spending one or two seasons there, before returning again, living out his life of retirement to the fullest. James visits nearly every week (driving in from Manchester, and back) in the Spring, until the first freeze of Winter, when nothing will grow. Though they have a staff of two dozen -- give or take, depending upon the time of year -- taking care of the estate and its grounds, James is more diligent about keeping up appearances of the house, showing a special interest in maintaining the complex hedge maze on the land directly behind them. Only he keeps access to its center, a literal walled garden of seasonal flora.

AS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS WOULD HAVE IT, James has been drawn into an arranged marriage by his father and an old business acquaintance. She is scheduled for an extended visit soon, and the staff have done a meticulous job of preparing the hall for her arrival -- and the rest of the rooms, as well, if she is expected to make her living here permanent, one day. Today, the weather is clear and the help is eager to aid her in unpacking. The grounds are green and the family dog, an old greyhound with cataracts in one eye, bounds up to her with a slow wagging tail. The father will greet her, of course, with all the usual formalities, and though he doesn't know her all that well at all, she at least seems nice enough. He disappears soon after, leaving her to her own devices as she sees fit. James himself is nowhere to be found.

Somewhere, sooner rather than later, a collision course of first impressions will take place.

----------

D I R E C T O R Y;

➤ shitpost.
➤ first impressions.
➤ diamonds.
➤ text her, texter.
➤ saviour.
➤ flirt.
➤ closer.
➤ cross-examine.
➤ PARTY CRASHERS.
✶ elle + devon
✶ elle + corvus
✶ ian + james + corvus
✶ devon + james
➤ alien abduction.
➤ sleep now.
➤ bathe.
➤ remember.
➤ drink.
➤ welcome home.

Comments

[hedgemaze]

[James is so, so tired. Everything in his body aches after his latest ordeal, and while he's glad that the outcome was not worse than it could have been, it's left an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.

When he receives the email, late at night, he opens it immediately. Reading the contents, he's torn between being blunt and being polite, after all that has happened -- he settles somewhere in-between.]

Mr. Flemming,

Thank you for your email, and thank you for attending the party. Perhaps next time we will have a better chance to speak in person. Regardless, your presence was appreciated, as it always will be.

To the matter at hand. To say that I've noticed "oddities" about Devon would, frankly, be a laughable understatement. Her abilities (and the difficulties they entail) have made themselves known to me on more than one occasion. That you're willing to shed light on these matters comes not a moment too soon.

To answer your question, no. I have not seen a dead infant.

[He wonders how that morbid question is even relevant.]

[winterheart]

[It takes several agonizing minutes, but a reply is soon delivered.]

I should hope not.

Devon is not supposed to be alive. At birth, she was sickly, fatally so. Christine had contacted me, at a loss of what to do. Her first child was slipping out of her grasp and despite the ill will between us, I would not let such matters ruin the health of any grandchild of mine. By the time I had arrived to the States, however, Devon's death was imminent.

Fortunately, I had the cure. It is her heart, Mr. Aubel. She has the most beautiful heart.

[hedgemaze]

[There it was. Talk of her heart again. He frowns at the text staring back up at him; this was the key to everything, wasn't it?]

A heart that glows and heals. Is that what you mean?

[By saying such, he reveals to her grandfather what vagaries he already knows.]

[winterheart]

[The explanation continues. It seems the grandfather has gone into this conversation with the assumption that James has had the time to find out these important details. It's more sensible to continue on than to ask how and when. James deserves the why first.]

During my travels, I happened upon an unusually large crow during the filming of a wildlife documentary. Having a soft spot for the creatures of this earth, I had it brought in to see if it could be tended to. It was not to be, but instead we found its most peculiar organ, unlike any other. One you would not find on this planet.

[There are attachments, PDF files even. If they are opened, there are huge blocks of research text, but more importantly than the words, it's the images. It looks more like a gemstone, pearl-like and glimmering at the same time, with a surface that looks flesh like, but solid simultaneously.]

I have paid a good number of researchers a generous sum for their cooperation and silence on the study of this object. What they discovered is what you've been made aware of. As for its origin, that remains in the dark.

Now that's all well and good. The long and short of it is, that I wasted no time in taking advantage of its inherent power to prolong the life of a sentient being. Devon was dead, but I would not allow that to be. Of all the things I could have done with the discovery of an object that could heal ills, reverse physical defects, and remain unblemished, I used it to save my granddaughter so that she could have a chance at life.

[hedgemaze]

[James swiftly reads the explanation, and when he's done, he leans back in his seat, running a hand through his hair anxiously. He looks in the direction that Devon's room would be; he imagines her sleeping in her bed, and suddenly he feels a pang of guilt. Guilt for just knowing this when she doesn't, and now he's expected to keep it a secret?

Hell.

He'd worry about that later. He clicks through the images one more time, thinking to himself, So it's true, as that man said. Her heart wasn't her own. Not really.

It's several minutes before Devon's grandfather receives a response. James has to carefully consider his words this time.]

No one can blame you for making that decision.

[That, he wants him to know, before anything else.]

However, as I'm sure you know, that decision has created many consequences. Devon has been followed, by man and crow alike. I've seen them with my own eyes, and I can only assume that her special heart is the reason behind all of the mysteries swirling around her.

If I may ask, I'm curious as to why you think I could have aided her in this case. I'm more than eager to, of course, but it isn't as if the Aubel line has much experience in matters of the unknown or supernatural.

[What a lie. But her grandfather shouldn't know that.]

[winterheart]

As I have mentioned. Power and resources. You have them.

You've always struck me as an amiable chap, Mr. Aubel, granted one who keeps certain matters close to his heart. So that aspect helped in my decision. The birds, I have no explanation for. They baffle me quite frankly. As for our more down to earth stalkers, that is something I shall take responsibility for.

Little Ian, has confided in me about his impression of you during the party. Devon and I always trust his judgements. To hear that you would fight for her relieves me greatly.

Whatever and whoever you are, you are James Aubel.

[Ah, little Ian... Thanks...]

And if you're wondering why I sent her to be engaged to you instead of Lucy when I could have put her in a secure facility or base of some sort (and I do have my connections for those as you can imagine).

Well.

To be perfectly honest, I had a notion you would like her quite a bit. I'm glad my old man instincts have not proven me wrong this round.

[hedgemaze]

[IAN.........

He rubs at his face, sighing, before looking at the screen again, then typing a response.]

Your discretion would be appreciated, Mr. Flemming.

[That's all he's willing to write about that.]

Do you know the intentions motivating our more "down to earth" stalkers?

[winterheart]

They will be removed.

That is all.

[Lucas Jayden Flemming. Overly friendly, overly energetic, but a good man who loved his family.

Also, one can forget that he utilizes his own power and wealth for... Questionable means, but all for the greater good for those he loves, really.

Frightening, more like it.]

[hedgemaze]

[Remind him to not get on this man's bad side....]

Fair enough.

Is there anything else I should know?

[winterheart]

I have unloaded upon you more than enough information. Although from now on, if there is something new, I will make sure to inform you as immediately as possible.

Now I must take my leave. Do enjoy the rest of your holiday at home with Devon.

[And with that, there's radio silence from Lucas Flemming.

Meanwhile, Devon stirs from her sleep. She lays in her bed for a moment trying to remember... What happened? She was in one of the rooms reading a book in front of the fire and then... Did she sleepwalk?? It certainly explains the blank space in her memory. But if she's in her room already, it must mean, that episode was taken care of by someone else.

She feels lightheaded again too. Weird.]

...

[Devon gets out of bed and takes a pillow with her. There's a compulsion she suddenly has to answer to.

Within a few minutes, there's three knocks on James' door.]

[hedgemaze]

[The knock on the door makes James close his laptop compulsively. He looks over at the sound, brows knitting.]

Come in.

[winterheart]

[And one Devon appears with one pillow held under one arm. She walks inside and holds up one hand.]

Before you assume anything: not yet.

[wow thanks]

[hedgemaze]

[He blinks in surprise when he sees her, and immediately his first emotion is worry. At her comment, he huffs out a weak laugh.]

My mind honestly didn't even go there this time.

[He's been troubled with other things. More recent issues, such as a man who took the form of a crow and tried to carry her off. He gazes at her, intently, questioningly, then offers...]

Are you... all right?

[Did she not remember anything?]

[winterheart]

[She puts her hand down and brushes her hair behind her ear.]

Mm. Yeah I think so.

Did I sleepwalk again? I was near the fireplace and then I woke up in my bed.

[She definitely does not remember being out in the cold, the birds, the attempted murder and kidnap.]

... And I felt like I should check up on you for some reason.

[hedgemaze]

[Ah... well. That answers his question, then. He fights against frowning, and instead forces a smile. It's as strained as he feels tired.]

You did, but I found you before you could get too far. You can thank Simon for that again.

[Lying through his teeth, this one. This was becoming too complicated, he felt like he was harboring secrets on all sides -- probably because he was.]

I'm fine, I hardly need checking up on. Just having a bit of a restless night.

[winterheart]

... Then it probably wouldn't help if I asked if I could sleep next to you tonight, would it?

[hedgemaze]

[He looks at her, obviously not expecting that request.]

I... actually, that would help more than you realize, I think.

[His lips try to look smug, trying to ignore the tiredness that plagues him.]

Why the change of heart?

[winterheart]

[Encouraged by his response, she moves to his bed to sit opposite of him, hugging the pillow against her chest before answering.]

Dunno.

... When I woke up and found myself in my room, I felt relieved.

[She pulls her knees up and sighs.]

It made me glad. That I'm still here. With you.

[hedgemaze]

[He feels that pang in his chest again when she says those words to him, but this time it's laced with melancholy. She doesn't realize how close he was to losing her, and having her this near to him now drives that notion home.

He sets his laptop on the little end table next to him, then shifts his weight to face her more easily.]

I'm not going anywhere, you know. You're stuck with me now.

[winterheart]

[As he shifts, she turns to give him a grin. This sudden rush of gladness felt different somehow (because she is missing the context, she may not know what was supposed to be in the blank space for a long time).]

Yeah. I am aren't I?

And if I'm stuck with you, it probably means I'll get to wake up and see your face more often wouldn't it?

[hedgemaze]

[He does his best to reflect her smile right back at her. He's mostly successful.]

As often as you like.

[He pats what little space is between him, bidding her closer.] Come here, won't you?

[winterheart]

[And unlike in the past, Devon does scoot a little closer to him, and rests her forehead against his chest.]

... Hey, James?

I won't make you sad, okay?

[There's no particular reason... She thinks for having to say that. But maybe it needed to be said. So that he would know. So that she could put him at ease.]

Maybe I won't be successful, but... I want to make you happy. I guess I've just been thinking about it and... Yeah.

[hedgemaze]

[And unlike in the past, James doesn't try to seduce her when she draws near. He only wraps an arm around her, holding her close. He tilts his head down, taking in her scent, indulging himself in the fact that she's here, and with him.]

Devon, you're already making me happy.

[No comment on the sad remark, though. If he loses her, then how can he not feel sorrow? It would be impossible.]

[winterheart]

[Her hand reaches up to stroke the side of his face, lovingly and tenderly.]

So far, so good then.

[She closes her eyes, not dreading sleep this time, not being cautious about it. She wants to dream right next to him and to be in his arms. Her heart is calm. Her heart is happy.]

Sweet dreams.

[hedgemaze]

Good night. Sweet dreams.

[He exhales softly, closing his eyes. Keeping her close, leaning into her touch.

It'll be restless dreams tonight. But as long as she's happy, as long as she's calm, what did it matter?]