A Winged Masquerade [one x one]

[Rivkah]

He bit his lip, listening to her. "I have always thought the servants would want to be left alone. I guess it couldn't hurt. There are a couple girls of mine who need some appreciation, they work hard." Thoughtful, he met her gaze. He owned the mansion, sure, but most of the servants - not counting the kitchen staff and such like that - were privately owned. He only had one or two, but he didn't boss them around much, and they got reprimanded by a couple of the Winged girls instead. This made him even more determined to find her/them and make sure they were given some praise. Rose, he was sure was her name now. He could never remember, because he didn't call upon her to do every little thing for him. There was another, maybe, but he was sure he only had two at the maximum, he didn't need a flock of them to help him with his chores.

A shiver ran down his spine as she stroked the underside of his wings. Going red, he mumbled, "Thanks. But they're hard to take care of." He met her gaze with a soft smile. "Yours aren't useless. I rather like them." As she pulled her hand back, he quickly caught it by he wrist. "Hey, relax. I don't mind, alright?" He smiled warmly at her, before turning red and dropping her hand. Embarrassed by his forward actions, he hesitantly looked away. "I thank you for your kindness. You've been very gracious to me, though I know I don't deserve it, nor the pictures you paint of me with your words." Watching her blush, he leaned in and placed a kiss upon her forehead. "I appreciate it."

He then gazed up at the large clock that looked ancient and wise, though it was only as large as the mansion wall it was set into, close to the top. "It's getting late," he said quietly as he took the empty plates and glasses. "I will put these back in the ballroom. I trust you need to be getting home so not to worry your mother? I'd hate for you to be fatigued," he said, voice soft and understanding. "Same place, same time next week?" he offered with a little smile and a weak grin. He got to his feet slowly, teasingly ruffling her hair. "It was a pleasure spending time with you tonight, McKenzie. I hope we have just as much fun next week." He winked at her, lingering for a moment.

[rose;]

"With all the jobs they have, boring and underfoot?" Rose inquired, tipping her head just slightly to the side. "Scrubbing the floors, waxing the silverware, doing everyone's dishes?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "I mean... it seems to tedious, and I see them get snapped at all the time for being in the way, by the same people that told them to be doing what they were doing in the first place. Where's the sense in that? I never hear anyone say even a simple thank you either," she said, and realizing she was rambling, and getting a bit too worked up about things that shouldn't have concerned her. She shook her head, biting her lip and hoping she didn't come off as too adamant about it.

She felt his wing quiver, and it made her blush, to think her hand was the one that had caused it. She assumed that if it had been anyone his response would have been the same, but she liked to think that it had been her. Her own face grew red as her wrist was caught, and she nodded, and she would have liked to do it again, really. The underside of them were just so very soft and pleasing to the touch. "They are useless though," she argued, "I can't do a thing with them, and they're too easily hurt... People bump into them and they crinkle, and it hurts..." Her breath caught as he leaned in to kiss her forehead, her eyes falling closed a few moments. "You do deserve it," she said softy, shyly. "I've meant every word of it, of course," she said, and this time, no blush came with it. She was honest, and felt no shame for that.

Rose gave a sigh when he said that it must be time to go. She stood slowly, but she did not want to go. She wanted to stay all night, to dance here in the moonlight, perhaps steal a kiss... No. She couldn't do that, she could never do that. She could grow close to him, but as hard as it was, she had to keep him at an arms distance- she couldn't become more than friends with him... Perhaps she shouldn't even come anymore, it would only end up with one of them hurt... "Yes, of course," she said eagerly, with a smile. "Once a week is not enough..." she said, giving a more sad smile. "But alas, it is all we have.." She reached up after his hand ruffled her hair, and she didn't protest about him 'ruining it'. "As do I," she said with a nod, and then looked down a moment.

"I suppose it is time for me to go," she said, subdued and forlorn sounding. She stepped forward quickly, tipping herself up on her tip toes to reach up and brush her lips against his nose. She paused, as if pondering things, and indeed she was. She wanted to kiss him, but she did not think that it would be wise, no, she knew it would not. "Good bye, Kane," she said softly, her eyes opening as she brushed her lips against his cheek then, and turned away. She walked away with a slower speed than the previous nights, and lingered before she turned the corner, giving him a smile even though Ignis was growling in her ear. And then she was gone, back into the large building and down the hallways.

[okay, I suppose you should/could skip to whenever xP]

[Rivkah]

Kane just stood there for a moment, numb with so many feelings rushing through his head, watching her go. He placed a hand across his face, fingertips brushing every spot where her lips had been. He then felt his face grow hot and glancing at the windows, he saw in his reflection his cheeks were a dull scarlet hue. Shaking his head, he told himself to stop being so silly, letting his heart go aflutter and allowing her to make him so flustered. He could not help it, she was a very sweet girl and he had an enormous soft spot for her, though he shouldn't.

With a fond smile, he recounted everything she had spoken of before leaving, and then started to make his way back to his room, feeling no need to stand around any longer. He especially pondered what she had said about the tedious work, and found it odd that she spoke about it so passionately, so strongly, as if she knew from personal experience what that was like. Yet, he automatically dismissed it. No Winged were old enough at this party to have to work for themselves. It was kind of sad, that everyone was so lazy nowadays.

Then there was what she said about her wings being useless. Yes, she was right, he supposed, but they were marvelous to look upon all the same, and she shouldn't feel so badly about them. Realizing his pulse was flying wildly in his chest, he went red again and entered his bedroom. Changing out of his tuxedo and into some plain clothes for sleeping, he crawled into the covers. He reminded himself of what she had told him, that his servants should be shown some appreciation. He told himself that tomorrow, he would look for that one girl of his, the one he rarely saw because the Winged girls were always bossing her about. Rose, as he had reminded himself of her name. On that thought, he fell asleep soundly.

The next morning, he woke as early as most of the servants and went down to the kitchens. He put together a basket of bread, jam, butter, and fruit. He then grabbed a pear for himself, biting out of it quietly as he made his way down to the servants' quarters. Some that had already woken gave him odd looks, as he was usually seen alone out in the gardens or in the library, but never here. He hesitated at the room where he knew Rose and possibly another girl or two slept, and knocked on the little room's door. He held his breath, nervous about whether or not he was waking her. He would hate to be rude, after all. How ashamed he would become.

{{ Muaha, and now he starts getting acquainted with Rose >:D }}

[rose;]

Rose fell asleep quite quickly that night, a soft smile laid out upon her features after she had securely put the dress away where it wouldn't be glanced in the morning, until she could get it brought back. She had good dreams that might, although she wasn't exactly sure what they were about; only that she woke with a smile and a warm feeling throughout her. The night before had been a very pleasant night, full of small pleasures that most wouldn't glance second upon. Another whole week was going to be torture to wait, but shed find a way to manage somehow. Just the cry prospect of dancing once more, or touching Kane's beautiful wings set her heart aflutter, wondering if he might possibly feel the same way... No, she couldn't think that way. It wouldn't work.

When she woke, Rose was so warm and comfortable that she couldn't drag herself from the bed, at least not right away. It was quite unusual for her not to be able to get right up, so used to springing from bed the moment she had to be up, but today it was just so warm that she allowed herself the luxury of staying there for a few minutes, just basking in the warmth. Finally, she got up though, shivering as her feet hit the cold floor. They didn't make it very warm down in the servant hallways, and it made waking up and getting out of bed even more difficult.

The girl was halfway through getting ready for the day, which only took a few minutes, when the knock on the door came. "One moment," she called, wrapped up in getting her bed made. She was already dressed in her simple servants clothes, her hair was not put up yet and it cascaded down her back, though it was customary that it was put up in a braid or bun. She was getting her bed made now; the bed in the other corner had been untouched for quite some time- her roommate had found some boy to share a room with, secretly of course. Rose thought it would just be another servant outside the door, asking for someone, so when she opened the door and came face to face with Kane, her look of surprise was almost amusing. "I'm terribly sorry sir, I did not know you were going to stop by. I am not dressed properly," she said quickly, bowing to him immediately, her mind racing as she tried to figure out why he was here. She did not want to get in trouble, and she was now cursing not getting up right away.

[Rivkah]

The young man stood outside of the door, waiting patiently for it to open, if anyone actually bothered to answer it. Hopefully he wasn't interrupting her slumber. So when she answered the door with a rather amusing smile on his lips, he tried to hide his quirking lips. "No, no, I apologize. It is early. I can wait for you to get dressed." He cleared his throat, awkward, before adding, "I brought you breakfast. I figure it's to make up for all the times I have ignored you. A... friend reminded me that my servants are just the same as I." Embarrassed, he looked down at his feet. "If you feel you aren't decent, I will wait outside the door for you to change. Is that alright?" Then he looked up, meet her gaze. As his eyes focused on hers, he stopped short for a moment. There was something strikingly familiar about those eyes of hers, and he had a nagging suspicion that he had seen them somewhere before.

Shaking these thoughts from his head, he avoided her gaze, never imagining that it could be this complicated. As well as awkward, considering he had never really spoken to his servants besides bidding them good day. Glancing at the basket of biscuits, rolls, qnd fruit, he bit his lip. Had this been a bad idea? Perhaps too forward? He had never been good at conversing with females, so his social skills were pretty low and shameful. He took a small, tentative step back and smiled at her, before stammering, "Or I could just leave this with you and be on my way, if that's what you would like. I didn't wake you, did I? I hope I am not being too terrible a nuisance." Biting his lip to stop himself, he realized he was talking nonstop before being silent so he could get a word in edgewise.

Kane was starting to regret this. Really, he wished he wasn't such a coward about everything. He was surprised that McKenzie didn't pity him. Even this servant girl Rose was braver than he was, or so it seemed, and he eas sure she had the right to look down upon him. Suddenly, he felt small and insignificant - a joke that wasn't even humorous. He thought about running, but he didn't want to be known as someone scared of how his own servant thought about him. He had to do this, there wasn't the option to back out. After all, he had already made it this far. What could it possibly hurt?

[rose;]

Rose stopped dead the moment she had fully registered who was in front of the door, and what he held in his hands. It was jut a basket, yes, but she could see food placed inside of it. Why was he here, she wondered, because she could not think that he would have taken her advice to heart about the servants. It wasn't that she wasn't decent either, but it was considered rather improper for them to wear their hair down, and she hadn't even had time to brush her;s this morning. She always wore it in a braid made into a bun, and it felt odd to have it down a lot of the time.

"I- uhm- no," she mumbled, giving a quick shake of her head. "I just need to put my hair up," she explained, very worried and agitated sounding. She was quite afraid that she was going to get in trouble, despite knowing him from the nights spent dancing with him. Being a winged was different though- she was different, and therefor he would treat her differently. This would be a much bigger test, to see if he was kind to her even as a servant... "But I have many things to do today..." she mumbled, but she trailed off, shifting awkwardly. She couldn't refuse the man that technically owned her, even though she didn't often see him. But it was silverware day- meaning she had the whole kitchen full of silverware to polish.

Rose reached over quickly onto a table, stepping a half step to the side. She picked up the brush and quickly brushed it through her hair, twisting it upwards and into a sort of bun and tying it there with a tie she had around her wrist already. She always just kept them there, for safe keeping. "I am sorry if I have done something to upset you, and caused you to make a journey all the way down to the servant's quarters," she said quickly, giving another slight bow of apology. She had heard what he had said before, but didn't quite believe it.

[Rivkah]

Kane glanced up at her stammering, pausing a moment. She did seem caught off guard, maybe this wasn't a good time. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sure you have chores, but perhaps you could wait just ten minutes? I will tell the kitchens so they don't reprimand you." He smiled weakly, unsure if he was scaring the poor girl. Out of instinct, he hid his wings as best he could, especially since he was around a human girl. He had never been good socially with dealing with these sorts of things, and it was taking its toll on him now. He felt excessively nervous.

Clearing his throat, waiting outside the door as she put her hair up. He knew it was a rule for servants to keep their hair up, but he really didn't think that she needed to do it for him. However, if it made her comfortable, he would let her. When she was finished, he tilted his head, his eyes skimming her features. There was something about her - especially her eyes - that were intensely familiar and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why. When she apologized, however, his eyebrows raised and he shook his head. However, for some reason it was the bowing that upset him most. Waving one hand dismissively, he stopped her and said, "Hey, wait, hold on. You don't have to be sorry. Just call me Kane, alright? I only came to see if you wanted some breakfast, you're not in trouble or anything, I promise." He smiled softly at her.

He then glanced around her quarters awkwardly, and slipped in, setting the basket down on the table. "I hope you don't mind me entering," he apologized quietly, before turning to her and offering a small, friendly smile. "I know I'm not much of one to approach my servants - I figured it was about time to stop locking myself in the library and socialize with somebody. Even if that just means bringing you breakfast." Smiling sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. McKenzie was right. Servants were so overlooked, and their jobs were tedious.

[rose;]

Rose didn't know what to think- was he here to get her in trouble, or was he truly just here to bring her breakfast? Had her words really had that much of an impact on him? She hadn't expected them too, and she was going to have to he careful not to mention this while she was with him as a winged, but seeing him now, and seeing him then were going to he hard to keep separate, hard to keep things from slipping. She had to act appropriately, which wasn't hard- she did not trust him, even though she knew him as a winged, and he displayed none of the mean traits the others did; quite the opposite. But she still did no trust that he wouldn't turn on a servant, after all, they were considered as much less.

As he stepped in, Rose swallowed hard and nodded quickly, stepping to the side and out of his way. "Yes si-si... Kane," she managed to say, so used to just saying sir that it was hard to do otherwise. "It isn't the kitchen staff you'll have to talk to," she mumbled, glancing down at her feet quickly. And there she went, breaking more rules. Servants weren't supposed to mumble; they were to speak clearly and audibly. Rose didn't speak much though, preferring to take her yellings silently, without complaint or objection, and so she wasn't used to speaking to the winged, and wasn't used to the rules. She ha a feeling Kane would let it slip, however.

Rose stood there, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. She didn't feel comfortable sitting down, or going to eat. She really wondered if he would have done this if she hadn't mentioned it the night before, and now that it was actually happening, she didn't quite like it. She didn't know what to do, what to say. And so she just stood there, biting her lip and looking awkward, almost frightened like. "I... I thank you, then, for coming here," she managed to say though, dipping her head slightly.

[Rivkah]

The awkwardness was overwhelming. He had come to socialize with her and even pay her some attention for once - and now all they could muster up were stony silences. It was gnawing away at him and he found it infuriating, but he wasn't going to openly admit or show that to her, for fear of upsetting her. Biting down deeply on his lower lip until he could taste blood, he looked away, before saying softly, "Rose, is it? Surely you wouldn't mind just taking a moment to eat. Working on an empty stomach is never good, and it's never good to be unhealthy, either. I can promise I am not leading you to get into any trouble." He cast her a reassuring glance.

Quietly, he murmured, "I assure you that you aren't in trouble, and if anyone objects to you being with me right at this moment for a simple breakfast, then they will have me to answer to." With a small smile, he gestured lightly to the basket of food. The poor girl seemed so worried, she was even mumbling. That was an unspoken rule that you should speak so your master could hear you, but he hardly cared and certainly was not going to reprimand her for it. Instead, his eyes merely swept over her and he sighed, frowning gently.

His frown deepened considerably as she dipped her head again. "Stop," he said, softly but abruptly. "You're welcome, but really, it's not necessary. I like a person who makes eye contact with me when they speak. Don't let my position as your employer - though that sounds rather high-and-mighty, as I don't pay you, and maybe I should - get in the way of having a conversation with me. Please, it's fine, no need to be so awkward. It's my pleasure to actually meet you." Tenderly, Kane smiled, before grabbing a pear from the basket and holding it out to her.

[rose;]

Rose bit her lip as he did, worrying that she was angering him, even if it was slightly. He seemed to be growing frustrated with the fact that she could not muster the ambition to speak up and be able to hold a conversation. But what had he expected? She was a servant- his servant, in fact, and it didn't usually bode well when your master came to pay you a visit. She nodded when he asked her name though, finding herself almost annoyed at the fact he didn't even remember her name. He owned her, how could he just forget something like that? Or, perhaps he simply had so many he could not tell them apart. She didn't know how many of the servants were under his jurisdiction, other than herself.

His abrupt, almost harsh sounding words made the young girl flinch, although she tried not to do it outright and noticeably, but she wasn't sure if she had succeeded. She shifted uncomfortably, unable to look him in the eye, even though he had asked her to do so. He was rather intimidating at the moment, even though she knew he could turn quite awkward. When he held out the pear, Rose was hesitant in taking it, but she did reach out and take it with a hesitant, fleeting smile directed his way. She hardly ever got a good piece of fruit- to begin with, not much of the food set out for the servants was made up of the ripe, good fruit; most of it was a few days old at least. The people who got down to the kitchen first were the ones who got the good fruit, which definitely wasn't her.

The young girl definitely wasn't hesitant in taking a bite though, eager to taste the ripe fruit. She bit into it, laughing almost silently as she felt the juice run down her chin. She had to wipe it away with the back of her hand, but she savored the taste of it fully. "Thank you," she said honestly as she looked up, although she wasn't able to look up at him for long.