((I have some ideas :) And could bring in another character as well. Maybe you should ping the others Es, and see if they will return?))

( I'll post sometime tomorrow!! Sorry! My laptops harddrive was faulty, so we had to wait to get the new part. Everything of mine is gone. 8.8 Fack. So yeah, slowly recovering. *just got the new part tonight.* )

((*laugh* A new character is always fun. I'll message people and try to get the thread moving again later. I'm not feeling very well right now. :XD))

(yea i know how you feel Es cause i ish sick too but yes so lost lol)

((:ninja: Alright, so we can add new characters . . . or get started with the cleaning/entertaining that Cypher intended in the first place. :lol:

She's going to be upset with Zane, but there's nothing she can do about that right now. :sweat:))

(yea lets do that lol and don't worry about Zane he will come back that night lol)

((:XD Alright! Here come the summons. . .. .

Ascadellia:
Kya Katsumi:
Raccoons Should Fly:
Daeman35:

If you're still interested in hanging around, I'm trying to revive the thread again! :lol:))

Cypher, though emotionally upset, returned to her usual frosty self by the end of the hour. By noon she had everyone gathered together in the main hall. With her hands clasped behind her, the tall woman inclined her head and frowned a bit. "Each of you have been brought here for a specific reason," she said, "and now is the time to begin. Master Howl has long lost interest in upholding the Pendragon estate, and I am not going to watch it fall to pieces around us."
Nodding to the girls, Cali's gray eyes narrowed. "It will need to be cleaned thoroughly, starting in this very room. It is a heavy task, but I assure you your pay will be worth the trouble."

Looking to the entertainer, Cypher raised a brow. "Neither of your jobs will be . . . easy. Master Howl doesn't enjoy the company of others, though I am determined to get him used to it again. A master of any estate should not be left to his own devices for too long." She shook her head at the thought. "And neither should he seclude himself from society. He will need someone to speak with and reacquaint him with the ways of the world. That, and a pretty girl always has a way of reaching into a man's heart to make him think of his actions."
Despite the personal twinge she felt at the comment, the guardian ignored it's jab. Keep focused. "There are cleaning supplies just here," she motioned to where Markhel had placed a few buckets and a box of cleaning materials, "and Master Howl will be eating his lunch within the hour. I suggest each of you prepare for whatever task you have been brought here for."

((I would post an ad in the requests to advertise for new characters, too! :yes))

Anette nodded at Cali's words before sending a sideways glance to the girls they considered entertainment. They were all really pretty and she immediately began to feel self conscious, not something she usually felt. She supposed it was her own fault for applying as the maid, but then again, she was good at cleaning, and she'd heard that Howl ate someone's heart. She certainly didn't want to be on his arm when he decided to do that again.

She found herself shaking her head slightly. Unsure if it was in agreement with herself about not wanting to have her heart eaten, or at the fact that she had even thought that might be true. When Cali finished speaking, Anette replied, "Yes Miss Cypher," and moved to gather the cleaning supplies. She'd already managed to clear and clean the dining table and felt very accomplished having only been here for such a short time. But, she also knew the estate was large and that less used areas were going to be the tough part.

As she exited the room, she wondered where to start first. Deciding upon the library, as that would be where she would probably be spending her own free time, she pushed through french style doors and stepped inside. Her mouth dropped. Had a tornado been through there!? She was wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans and a long sleeved over the shoulder sweater. Her auburn colored hair was pulled into a messy bun and she wore her black flats. Hazel eyes blinked hard a few times. Nope, the mess was still there.

Anette took a deep breath and put one hand on her hip. Her expression turned to one of determination and she she made herself a mental check list. Step one, pick up all the books and replace them, in order, to their rightful places. Step two, dust all books, shelves and nick nacks. Step three, determine a better step three if there was still time in the day. She closed the french doors behind her and rolled up her sleeves. Game on!

((I sure hope there's a library! Lol if not Es just yell at me and I'll edit!!!))

(I'm just mini-posting to let you know I'm interested in rejoining, I'll be rereading the charrie info and all if you still want me. : ) (Also, I need some time to stall for finishing this paper, haha.))

((LOL, feel free to stall, Coon!! :yes:

@Kya: Oh, there's definitely a library! Haha, if you can imagine it, it's here!! :XD Great post!))

Markhel sat on the ladder that led to the upper rows of books. Watching Anette work, the teen tilted his head. Who knew if she'd noticed his presence yet. "You get this look on your face when you're concentrating," he said softly, trying not to scare her, "that reminds me of Cypher."
With a crooked smile, he set down the book he'd been reading. "I'm guessing you were sent to get started on your work, huh?" The auburn-haired youth kept his place up on the ladder, watching the woman as she started her task.

((Alright, I'll advertise for this thread. :lol:))

(SO THIS IS WHERE THE THREAD WENT!!!!! I LOOOKED EVERYWHERE FOR IT!!!
And then my computer just didnt want to go into mene.... gosh it was just a mess of things all around.
Thanks for the summon ^.^)

It had been apparent to the wide eyed girl that she had said something that had brought up a memory for the man. It looked to be a good yet probably painful memory as he looked at the half destroyed picture on the wall.

Nikia goes breathless as she looks over the gardens. The wild untamed look seemed so natural and beautiful. If only she had seen it before. It was mesmerizing and she was sure she could make it all look sort of the same way though a bit more tamed than anything. The gardens stretched for so long it was almost like it would take a life time to tame, but being native made her a bit more aware of nature and how to take care of it while still letting it be as free as it wants. This project was going to be so fun, she just couldnt wait until she got started. Unfortunately that had to wait. The girls who were in the mansion were being summoned by the woman who was to hire them.

Following the others into the main area, the girls were told to do the chores for which was set forth on them. To tell the truth, she didn't feel that it was a chore at all working here. Quickly she set off to the gardens to start working on taming them the so that no one would get tangled in them when wanting to walk through to see its beauty.

((:D Dae is back! :lol: Yeah, Mene went down for a few days . . . but it's back! Glad to have you with us, still. :3
Also: the picture you were using for Nikia isn't showing up. :sweat: If you want to find it again/use a new one, let me know! It's find without it (I remember what she looks like). :lol:))

Howl heard Cypher calling for the women. When he let Nikia head back toward the house, the blond turned his gaze to the gardens once more. Cali had really enjoyed the area at one point . . . but she stopped walking the pathways soon after tragedy struck the Pendragon household.
His blue eyes lingered on the thorns that seemed to suffocate one of the plants, and slowly moved closer. It seemed like that one plant signified the entire household: suffocating. Alive, but suffering because of it. Subconsciously reaching up to touch the place over his heart, the young master sighed. He wasn't sure what to think of his estate anymore. It was a bittersweet thought to see it coming back to life.
Reaching out, Howl pulled one of the thorny branches away from the greenery of the suffocating plant. With each branch that he tore away, he brought a face to mind. Nikia. Anette. Scrythe. Markhel. Lys. Chae. Each one of them had come to help the Pendragon estate.

By the time Howl finished, his hands were scratched and bleeding. Still, he didn't seem to notice. The thorns had been torn away, and the green plant looked a bit weak. For once, Howl cared. He moved back toward the house and into the kitchen, concentrating only on his task. He didn't seem to see anything but the bowl of water he brought out with him. After clearing the stones away from the little seedling's roots, and watering it lightly, Howl stared at it. You symbolize this family. You symbolize me.
"I wish it were that simple," he whispered, carefully dipping his hands into what was left of the water. After cleaning his hands of dirt, the blood from his cuts seeped into the liquid. It spread over his pale skin like a web of red. He stared at his hands, red with blood, for a few moments before starting lightly.

Howl stood and looked toward the noise, finding Nikia starting on part of the garden. "A hopeless task, it seems," he said, his customary light smile on his lips.

((Arg, I managed to lose the thread in the midst of the site being down. I'm here now!))

Hyoyeon brushed out the lines in her skirt, listening carefully and nodding her understanding once Cypher had finished. Starting in this very room... She supposed that meant to start here, though it also seemed optional. Hyoyeon's gaze fell immediately to the half-shattered railing she'd noticed before, her focus quickly narrowing. Her mind still raced with questions as she took in the rest of Cypher's words. After all, her role had never been particularly clarified: the phrase 'part of the household' ran through her mind. Though it had been clear that her talent concerning repair and gardening, as well as her ability to clean, had earned some approval. Despite this, was she a maid? It had almost sounded as if every girl, no matter her assigned role, was part of this romance, or rather, this social conditioning. Hyoyeon examined her small, working-class hands and dismissed the theory- a man like Howl would not be offered anyone plain.

Hyoyeon took off with a purpose, her movements unhesitating and graceful. She'd need more material to fix the railing, of either the same wood or of some lighter, equally textured wood that she could stain. There had been a spare pile hidden somewhere near the pantry, she recalled. Other tools were available in the provided cleaning supplies. It took her a bit to find the right type of wood, and then to select the better pieces. However, it was much more of a task to maneuver them back to the old railing. While they weren't all that heavy, the planks were long and unwieldy. With care and luck, Hyoyeon managed to transport all she needed with only one incident- some papers knocked about by the far end of a beam, which were quickly stacked back. The entire splintered affair had to be taken down, as she quickly saw that it was eaten through.

Hyoyeon then removed excess from the support posts, re-measured and laid out railing beams, clamped the bottom railing to the posts, attached necessary wood spacers, drilled beams into posts using a hand tool, inserted balusters, aligned the upper rail and attached it to the support posts. She lovingly crafted the top rail with carvings similar to those she'd found so enchanting in her room, finally drilling it into place as well. Unaware of the quiet music she was now humming, Hyoyeon was completely entranced by her work. She'd finished in record time, soon setting about re-staining and polishing the whole railing and staircase. The stuff smelt strongly, and darkened her fingertips, but Hyoyeon enjoyed both sensations. Worries of elegance had fled her mind, filling her actions instead.

Cypher watched some of the girls head off to work. Those who came here to help with the house were eager to see it fixed up: that was good. The pale-haired woman sighed, looking at those who had been called for "entertainment." "Take a bath, get cleaned up. You will find fresh clothes and whatever else you need in the wardrobes in your individual rooms." Every visitor would, but Cali thought she should mention it to the entertainers first.
"I will find Master Howl . . . and hopefully we can get him to take part in conversation at the very least."

Now . . . finding Howl was the next step. Glancing about, Cypher sighed. She saw Hyoyeon working swiftly - and raised an eyebrow. She admired the way she attacked her work like a task to conquered. It was admirable. Cypher left . . . only to return roughly a couple hours later (without finding Howl). Instead of looking flustered, the woman's cold eyes darted over the repaired banister with ease. "You work quickly," she said, eying the end result of the work. "Very admirable."

Cypher's praise found slow passage to Hyoyeon's ears, the latter too engrossed in her work to realize immediately the attention being paid to her. Once it had processed she sat up properly from the steps she'd positioned herself on, giving one finishing swipe with an oily rag before settling her full attention on Cypher as well as a slight blush. She'd realized her humming once her focus had been broken, and Hyoyeon had never been very good at taking a compliment to boot. "Thank you. I've yet to polish the last sixteen steps though." The oily rag seemed to wind itself around Hyoyeon's fingers, having little success removing stain and grease since covered with the stuff itself. Remembering not to fiddle, Hyoyeon stilled, her sincere smile brightening in the absence of distraction. The work had eased her speculations, bringing her back to her comfort zone.

"Will we be called at a different time to go change, or do we simply stop and go as we are?" Hyoyeon had no need for glamour, but suspected that she'd need to at least wash her hands. Imagine this grime touching pristine table-clothes... Hyoyeon had always been willing to get dirty with her jobs, but she was a cleanly person. That being said, she wondered if they all would even be eating in the same area- it was a good deal of people, after all. And even though she may be part of the household now, she knew it was common for the help to eat separately.

Anette had just finished organizing a row of books when she heard the voice of a man. She gasped and spun around as her eyes found the source of the words. "Oh Markhel," she said, resting a hand on her chest, "it's you." She gave him a silly smile, "I didn't know you were in here."

She stacked a few more books that needed organized in the section near Markhel and made her way towards him. She set the stack carefully on the floor. "Yep we've all been given our orders. Although, I technically already started last night, when I cleaned the dining room before dinner."

Anette seemed to be in deep thought for a moment. She thought back over the other girls. She had come here applying for the maid's position through her maid service. One other girl was to fix the railing on the stairs, and the others were here as entertainment for Howl.

She couldn't help but wonder who Howl was and if he was really so scary. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd chosen the wrong job. Nah, she was awesome at cleaning and keeping things that way. Honestly, she was a little dorky to hold exciting conversation and even play board games, or whatever else entertainment was supposed to be.

A light blush came over her cheeks as she thought of what else the entertainment might be here for. She picked up a book and wiped the dust away from it before putting it in it's rightful place on the bookshelf. She looked up at Markhel thoughtfully.

"What is Howl like?" she asked curiously. "Did he really eat someone's heart? I mean, if he doesn't like people, why has he requested entertainment? I guess Miss Cypher ordered for that..." She pushed a strand of auburn hair that had fallen from her messy bun from her forehead. Anette was clearly thinking out loud now as the categorized the shelf.

As Anette continued organizing, Markhel watched her easily. "Most people tend to forget I'm underfoot," the teen said with a playful smile and a shrug. "It's been happening ever since I was a child." He winked one of his golden eyes at her slyly. "I'm pretty sneaky."
His eyes widened when the woman asked about Howl. "Master Howl?" He seemed to hesitate. "Well, he definitely wasn't pleased with Cypher bringing people here. He was happier without the noise and . . . activity." Markhel fingered the book he was holding for a few moments, debating on what to say and what to withhold. Finally, he looked down at Anette with a serious expression.

"Master Howl isn't someone you want to anger. He has no scruples with immorality, and even less about pain." Markhel shuddered, glancing toward the door. "He's eaten his share of hearts, miss." Markhel look so uncomfortable, he was practically squirming.

"So. Uhm. You live in the city?" He sounded more than ready to change the subject.
-

Cali smiled a bit. "There are plenty steps to keep you busy," she said, eying the threateningly large staircase that led up to the second floor. "It looks pleasant already. Thank you." The woman stepped closer to breathe in the smell of the oil, her silver eyes closing for a moment. The scent carried memories with it - it was the same kind that had been used before the Pendragon household had fallen into a state of disrepair.
"Hyoyeon, correct?" The guardian turned her gaze back to the girl, looking slightly curious. "I apologize for not recalling your name directly. It can be difficult to keep so many names in mind."

((I'll post with Howl after Dae replies. :yes:))

Cypher had either missed or ignored Hyoyeon's question, so she decided not to pursue the answer. Perhaps she'd simply address it later- it somehow looked as if Cypher's thoughts were in a different place, or maybe a different time. Hyoyeon didn't mind much, and it was a bit of a useless one- hopefully Hyoyeon would manage to notice if she were called off or supposed to be somewhere. "Ah, yes..." Hyoyeon responded. Even if the task was daunting, she'd managed so far. "My pleasure," Hyoyeon said, carefully stepping down on stairs slicked by still-drying stain in order to stand nearer to her conversant as well as to survey the walls touching or close to the structure. They would be her next project, as they badly needed cleaning, sanding, re-plastering and a good old-fashioned coat of paint, if not some varnish too. "Yes, that's correct." Shocking, too, that Cypher had pronounced it correctly without completely remembering. "That's perfectly all right. I'm sure to be much more of a bother with it, once I know more people here." Would she meet everyone at lunch?

Cypher nodded slowly. Finally she regarded Hyoyeon as she stood beside her. "Whenever meals are ready to be served, everyone will be given enough warning to freshen up," the tall woman said at last. "And . . . you will meet the others whenever possible. Mealtime is most likely the time you will officially meet everyone."

The pale woman glanced toward Howl's wing . . . and then Zane's. Her pale eyes darkened with sorrow, and she subconsciously let out a sigh. "If you see my nephew, Markhel, tell him to come visit me." The sad thing was that Cali had once been quite the social individual: she'd loved parties and meeting new people, and words came readily to her lips. Now, after many years within the Pendragon household, she hadn't spoken to many people. It was harder to converse when she had nothing to talk about.
Still, Cypher didn't leave. Instead, the tall-standing woman merely surveyed the work done already. It was looking excellent. Perhaps seeing the estate turned back to its original glory would help Howl come out of his strange ways. Anything it took to keep her "family" from falling, Cypher would do.

"Tell me a bit about yourself, Hyoyeon." Cypher sounded distant, and wished to be brought back from the past. The only way to do that was to dwell on something new - and that meant the girl standing beside her. "I would like to get to know each of the people working as part of the household."

((That cat looks so fuzzy and adorable. I keep getting distracted by it.))

Hyoyeon nodded her understanding, subtly following Cypher's gaze. Her eyes and sighs spoke volumes towards the passage-ways - which ones were which? Hyoyeon would have to use some directional instinct to get back to her room at this rate- though Hyoyeon could not exactly name the emotion running through each. Cypher's grey eyes seemed guarded by the weight of some experience, armored to Hyoyeon's lighter ones. "I will do so... it might do him well to get a break from all this excitement," Hyoyeon said, slightly teasingly as she remembered the way he'd been halting as he first came in with the tea. He'd probably even worse with the earlier girls, and imagine how hesitant he might start off with the actual beautiful courtesans!

Hyoyeon's expression moved quickly from quiet merriment to thoughtful again at Cypher's last question. "I've had it good... especially considering this world. My parents were each as good a person I've ever met, intelligent too. My mother a specialized doctor, and my father a well-established scientist. We'd been well off, we even lived with the upper-class when I was a child. Mother was killed during an oversees mission, four years ago, but I had my father. We spent two years traveling in her memory, and to escape it in some ways." Her eyes had dimmed, her mind racing with an ocean current far away. Her heart still beat a little faster at her thoughts, though her emotions had since settled into acceptance and cherished memory.

Even so, the remnants of bitterness past prodded her, causing her to change her vein of thought. "Then, about two years ago, I came on home and found myself a job on the docks. I couldn't stray from the sea for that long." Hyoyeon was surprised her voice didn't crack- she hadn't spoken so much at one time in a great while. "...But, I suppose I'm the type to live for the present, even if I... well, I've had my problems with bitterness." Perhaps it was more than she needed to say, but Hyoyeon believed in answering questions fully, and not trying to evade or obscure truths about herself. Speaking of things hidden, she wondered as she began loading a cleaner rag with the same oil if it would be appropriate to ask about Cypher's own past. Hyoyeon had felt some past pain from Cypher's mannerisms and sighs, and so decided she would simply leave her attention on Cypher. If she wished to reciprocate, she would, but it was nothing Hyoyeon needed or really had any business to know, despite any curiosity.

Anette's hazel eyes looked almost green in the library, and they blinked owlishly up at Markhel for a moment before smiling a sweet and reassuring smile. "I'm sorry, Markhel, I didn't mean to put you on the spot." She stood and brushed some dust off of her hands and knees.

So Howl was as mean and nasty as the rumors said. Anette mentally shrugged. She doubted she would ever cross the man's path while being the maid here. Also, she felt better about not applying as entertainment. She liked her heart where it was.

She looked to him once again with another charming smile. "If you're really asking because you're interested, no, I don't live in the city. My grandmother lives on the outskirts," Anette paused for a moment before adding, "I moved to this state because she's very sick."

Anette's smile had faded and she stared almost blankly ahead before snapping out of it with another smile. She too was ready to change the subject. "I love books," she said. "I could spend all of my free time in this room." She shrugged, "I guess that's why I chose to tackle this room first." She paused again in deep thought, "What's in the other two wings?"

She was thinking out loud again. "I mean, they must be awfully dirty too, don't they need cleaning? I mean, if there are valuables there, I would never think about stealing them..." She was being sincere. Anette would never steal. But she couldn't see how anyone would prefer the mess that this estate was in, and why she was to leave a large portion of it in such disarray. It seemed that without intending too, Anette had brought up the touching subject once again.

Hyoyeon's comment about Howl made her laugh quietly. It was the first show of emotion she'd offered, and it was as brief as it was quiet. Still . . . it was there. It was true: Howl needed to socialize something bad.
When the girl moved on to talk about her life, Cypher nodded. "Bitterness clings to you," she said, though it sounded almost like she was talking to herself. "It's hard to chase off." She took a slow breath, and then noticed that the silence had returned. The look on Hyoyeon's face, however fleeting, was one of curiosity. The woman's attention remained fixed on Cali as the tall female kept silent.

Just when the quiet became thicker than butter, Cypher finally let a breath pass over her pale lips. "You're curious. Everyone is always curious about this household." Her silver eyes hardened, and her expression withdrew to its usual cold mask. "This house was once full of strong occupants. They were wise and generous leaders. There were once many occupants here that lived as part of the household happily. Everything changed quickly, leaving us all like . . . this." The last word dripped with enough bitterness to kill a small animal.
Cali shook her head lightly. "I'm sorry. The story isn't mine to tell." Cypher was practically lying to herself: it was as much her story as it was Howl's. She shook a strand of dusty hair from her face before turning toward the next room. "Please, return to your work. I will find you when dinner is ready. Feel free to visit the kitchens should you be hungry before then."
-

Markhel seemed to calm as suddenly as he'd sparked up when the subject changed. His golden eyes were full of curiosity as she spoke of her life. "I'm sorry she's sick," he said honestly. "Has she seen many doctors? What does she have? How old is she?" The questions (in typical Markhel fashion) were rapidly fired.
His features were bright with a crooked smile every time Anette looked his way, and he slowly stepped down off of the ladder. "If you're looking for good books," he said slowly, "I would suggest this particular area." He vaguely motioned to an entire wall. "There are some adventures worth hearing." He would know. He'd spent most of his life in the house . . . and the occupants weren't exactly the most talkative sort.

"What's in the other two wings?"
Markhel tilted his head a bit. "It isn't that there are things to steal," he said slowly, his smile fading, "but memories left best untouched. Master Howl doesn't allow anyone into his wing. And Master Zane gets . . . upset when people go into his. Aunt Cypher just likes to keep everyone away from them. Less trouble is stirred up that way."
The auburn-haired youth shook his head. "I've never been in Master Zane's wing, and Master Howl only allows me into certain parts of his." Cypher could roam as she pleased . . . at her own risk of upsetting the men.

"It's too bad they can't be cleaned up, though." Markhel blew dust from one of the books he pulled out. "The rooms are some of the biggest ones I've ever seen. And there are old tomes that I can't even read. Master Howl studies them, you know. He keeps everything in a certain order, like it has always been that way. Someday, you should see the way he keeps his room. I think you'd laugh." He then sent a glance to Anette. Oops. Here he was stirring up the curiosity. "Master Howl wouldn't want you there, though. Y-you should forget I said anything."

Anette's eyes showed her immense curiosity. She tried to push it aside, not wanting to get herself into trouble, especially since she'd only been here one night. But what kinds of memories could be in those wings that no one would want cleaned up, or even stored away to ensure that they would last?

Even more importantly, what was so funny about Howl's room? She closed her eyes and hung her head for a moment. The curiosity would certainly kill her. She looked up to Markhel with a sly smile, "Forgotten," she said.

But it wasn't forgotten. In fact, it would be all she thought about, aside from her grandmother. Her grandmother! She hadn't called to check in on her yet this morning! She stood in almost a fluster. "I'm sorry Markhel, excuse me. I need to call my grandmother!"

Before Anette stepped through the doors she turned back to Markhel to answer one of his previous questions. Her voice was quiet, and sad, "It's cancer," she said simply, and left it at that. Her grandmother had had cancer before, but she fought and won.

Most people don't know that defeated cancer comes back with a vengeance. They had given her two years to live, and that was over a year ago. Anette sighed as she sat in the large comfy chair beside the phone, picking up the receiver and dialing the number.

A short moment later she smiled brightly, "Hi Nana! Good morning! How are you? What? I can't hear you over that dog..." She was frowning now, "Nana, that poor hospice lady is the one taking care of him."

Anette's smile faded. "I know you can get lonely there. I'm sorry Nana, I wish I could be there with you. Oh, she's there now? Okay, I'll call you later. I love you, too, Nana. Bye." Anette sat there for a few moments staring at the receiver.

Her grandmother had sounded so weak. She sighed and put the phone down, planning to visit the woman when she got some free time today. Her hazel eyes seemed to change colors with her mood and at the moment they seemed almost gray.

They looked towards the "forbidden" wings with immense curiosity. Slowly Anette stood and made her way up the stairs, glancing over her shoulder once or twice to be sure no one of authority was nearby.

Moments later she stood before one of the wings. She couldn't be sure which wing was who's as she stared down the long corridor. There was a rag sticking out of her pocket. Maybe she could pretend to have been cleaning so intently that she didn't realize she'd gone into the wrong wing?

With slow and almost unsure steps, Anette began walking down the hall. No looking back now, she told herself. If anyone was back there it would make her look guilty. She pulled the rag from her pocket as she approached a door that seemed, different, from all the others.

She began dusting at a crooked picture while listening for sounds that someone might be inside the room. When she heard nothing, she began dusting the door handle as she pulled the door open and swiftly stepped inside.

Her eyes widened as they moved from one object to another. What was this place, and what were all of these things? She moved a few steps farther into the room trying to take in all of the interesting things.

Instantly she felt guilty. I should leave now, she thought. But the sights kept her feet from moving. She stood in front a large picture now. Who was that? She reached up with her rag to wipe away the dust.

((Okay Es, I don't know where you want Anette, so I left that open. Also, I don't know what she should be seeing, so I was pretty vague... :sweat: ))

((Hey guys, I'm sorry for my absence, but there's been a death. I didn't actually know them, but my parents are very upset and I've been involved in the wake and all for that for support. That combined with me seeing my own play tomorrow is making it very hard for me to get on to post. Hope to see you soon.))

((Awww, Coon! :hug: I hope things go smoothly for you and your family, deary. No rush for the post: it's completely understood. Thank you for the forewaring, though!

Also: @Kya: I'll reply soon! :XD))