A Change of Clothes

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I pulled her along, every once in a while smiling back at her. Hopefully she wasn't so nervous any more. Really, what was there to be nervous about? It was just Mont Nuit, for Naamah's sake. It wasn't long before we were standing in front of the hill itself.

"It's no problem, Sophine," I said, giving her hand another squeeze. "And you're not silly. I don't think I'm that much older than you. It's not that long ago that I was having my debut." I shivered with pleasure, remembering Brice's tentative touches.

When she mentioned the water I blushed again, but only for an instant. "I don't about...adventure in the strictest sense, but it might be interesting getting into my house. See, if you're not a patron, technically you're not allowed in my room." I looked at her, wanting to gauge her reaction. "But I'm sure you don't mind breaking that rule, do you?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I tapped a finger against my lips, considering. "I suppose posing as a patron is out of the question?" I glanced down at my sodden state. "No doubt you don't get many half-drowned people looking for love." I grinned to show I was game. "You know your house best, any suggestions?" I was starting to feel the pulse in my blood that always accompanied trouble, but for once I didn't want to fight the impulse. It was time to start living a little. I was in the capital city, for Elua's sake, about to get my first glance at a house of the Night Court. In my mind I was already composing my next letter to Lilliane and Maric. I'd call it "Breaking and Entering - My first time".

I shook myself out of my momentary reverie, looking over to Sandrine again, our minds at work on a plan. "What if... no, that wouldn't work." I shook my head again. "I think you will have to be the brains of the operation."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"Yes, I don't think that'll work," I said, looking at her. "Plus, if you were really a patron, you would have to sign a contract. And you wouldn't go back into my room anyway, we'd go to a pleasure room or back to your home." I had the ghost of an idea forming in my mind, but since it really was her adventure, I asked, "No, there are no bad ideas. What else did you have in mind?"

I didn't think much would happen if we were caught. But I decided to stoke the fires, murmuring loud enough so that Sophine would hear, "If the Dowayne catches wind of this, I'll be grounded for sure...got to think of something good..."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Well, do you have servants? I might be able to disguise myself that way." I really wasn't sure if the houses of the Night Court kept servants, but I had always had them so I could scarcely imagine there not being someone around to do the cooking and the washing. "Or I suppose I could just sneak in a window..."

I looked sideways at Sandrine. "I don't want to get you in trouble," but I didn't want to give up, either, "so we better make it good!"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I snapped my fingers. "That's it. I was thinking something along those lines myself. And luckily," I grinned, "it's washday."

We marched up the hill, me leading her. "Incidentally," I said, "I've tried the window thing. It always ends badly. Maybe you're not as clumsy as me, but I always end up injured."

Instead of going in the front door, I pulled Sophine toward the servants' door. I got a few strange looks as we walked through the servants' area, but most of the staff knew to avoid me and my crazy plans. Right before the hallway to the main part of the House, I grabbed a stack of clean sheets and thrust them into Sophine's hands.

"Alright," I said, turning toward her, my hands on her shoulders. "Keep your head down, and follow my lead. Ready?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was pleased that Sandrine liked my idea, as I wasn't used to taking the lead. I had to laugh when she mentioned being injured. "Oh, I know. I once twisted my ankle so badly I was abed for a week." I grimaced in remembrance. "Not to mention forced to do more needlepoint, since I couldn't leave my room."

I was so nervous as we went through the servant's entrance, imagining that all eyes were on me. In reality, I'm sure the servants had enough to do without staring at the new "washerwoman."

When Sandrine pushed the clean sheets at me, I clutched them in what I was hoping was a convincing manner. I tried to think of Alys at home, and how she carried herself. "I'm ready when you are." I said, lowering my head and trying my best to look servile.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I walked with my head held high, not daring to look back at Sophine. Hopefully she was following me. I did notice that she was leaving a sort of trail, but I was sure someone would be along to clean that up and cover our tracks soon enough.

We did get some strange looks, but I was rather used to them. Hopefully Sophine wouldn't mind too much.

"We're almost home free," I whispered back to her, "just as soon as we turn this--"

My voice was cut off as I ran into Alexandrine. Quickly I stepped back, looking her in the eyes.

"Sandrine?" she asked. Even though nothing looked out of the ordinary, Alexandrine knew me enough to be suspicious. "What are you doing?"

"I was eating crackers in bed, Dowayne," I said confidently, "and I made an awful mess." I gestured absently at Sophine. "She's going to change the sheets for me."

Alexandrine clucked her tongue. "Sandrine, you know better," she began, but then she trailed off when she looked at Sophine. The poor girl still did look pretty bedraggled.

"Who are you?" the Dowayne asked Sophine. "And why are you so wet?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but the Dowayne held up one thin finger. "I would hear it from her," Alexandrine said, and I felt my heart sink. I doubted Sophine could lie her way out of a paper sack.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was so relieved when Sandrine said we were almost there that I almost bumped into her when she stopped. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy! And the Dowayne, of all people? I really wanted to have a look at her, but I kept my eyes downcast. Thank goodness Sandrine seemed practiced at this; I was impressed at the way the lies just rolled off her tongue. I was content to let her do the talking for both of us, but the Dowayne had other ideas.

Oh no! I felt like a child caught with my hand in the cookie jar. If I wasn't all wet, I think I would have had an easier time of it, but as it was I had to think fast.

"My apologies, Dowayne. I'm new and I had a bit of an accident with the laundry. The laundress was angry, so I thought it best to get out of her sight, which is why I volunteered to help Sandrine." I hoped I sounded "servile" enough, not like the mostly spoiled noble I was. Of course who would expect to see a Comte's daughter soaked like a fish and carrying sheets on Mont Nuit? Under the sheets, I crossed my fingers and prayed that the Dowayne believed me.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I was rather surprised. Sophine kept her head down and she kept one of the cardinal rules of lying: keep it simple. I started to rock back and forth on my heels, trying to indicate to the Dowayne that she was taking far too much of my precious time.

Alexandrine furrowed her brows, as if trying to remember. "I didn't know we had a new servant," she mused, considering my new partner in crime. Then she shrugged. "But I have been busy, what with the strife some adepts put me through." This was a pointed dig at my recent antics. I smiled beatifically in response. "Sandrine, no more eating in your room," she said, and patted my cheek in a familiar way. "You shouldn't be making trouble for the staff."

I looked appropriately contrite. "Yes, Dowayne. I'm sorry."

She nodded once, seemingly satisfied, and walked off. I held my breath until she was out of earshot, and then doubled over in helpless silent laughter.

"You are one of the funniest people," I gasped, between giggles. "That was pretty good, Sophine!"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I sagged against the wall in relief as the Dowayne went on about her business. Sandrine dissolved into giggles but I was too nervous to do likewise. "That was so close!" I squeaked. I shook my head. "Funny? More like cursed." After I calmed a bit, I had to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "I thought she was onto us for certain." I looked sideways at Sandrine. "And why do I get the feeling this isn't a first for you?"

I clutched the sheets tightly, using them to muffle my giggles, which had the tendency to be quite loud and end in hiccups. "Let's get out of here before she changes her mind and comes back!"