Edward had not yet even had time to finish un packing his things, in his chamber, before his manservant was dressing him, and pushing him into the Hall. Larry advised that the Ball would be a good way to meet some of the people in Pemberton. He knew that the only person here he would know would be his cousin Victoria, but even she would not look the same as she did 8 years ago. So, dressed in his finest green shirt, black pants, and his boots, Edward joined the party.


He knew it was a celebration of the Dutchess' engagement, but that was not any thing exciting to him. He could care less either way. He found his way to a tray with a glass of wine, and sipped at it while he watches Lords and Ladies walk, or waltz, by. None of them he knew, but there was a chance that tonight might change that, a little. He hoped that he would not stay invisible, unless it helped him stay out of trouble.

The ball. What a fearful thing all together. It was Lucielle and only Lucielle that had gotten the silent girl to join the dance. For it was unseemly to be the only courtier in the whole land of Adesia not to attend the ball, and you wouldn't and couldn't upset the duchess even if she wasn't your duchess. Sisika was afraid, there was so many people here it certainly was a large ball. Men and women danced in delight in each other's arms as they smiled, their eyes locked. Some of course meeting for the first time, while others were old friends or perhaps lovers, it was easy to tell though, all you had to do was look into their eyes and you could see if the connection there was deep enough.


Sisika's hazel eyes followed everyone, and also looked at the beautiful decor around the room. The music though was heavenly an for a brief moment she wished she was like those women. Confident and serene moving about the dance floor in graceful movements. She too wished she could play with the band, her flute lay unused on her dresser in her room, and how desperatly she wished she had brought it with her so she could play too, how amazing it would be to join in with music already so beautiful. Her hazel eyes continued to scan the room. And it seemed a man, from across the room too, was alone and scanning. Sisika blushed immediatly when their eyes locked, and she looked down. She wore green as well, though she was not from Pemberton, she just to be honest, enjoyed the color a great deal and there was nothing wrong with wearing colors. Her floor length gown swished along the tiles, and the tight arms, and high neck were different than most would wear an yet they were soft and innocent lines on the young girl that was quite shy.


Sisika's eyes rose again from the ground, her hair was pulled up and back, the brown and blonde highlights alike, bleached by the sun, looked radiant held back in two pins. She blushed again, as their eyes met twice! Was he watching her?! She shuffled a bit insecure with herself and bit her lower lip. Would he come over? Perhaps.. ask her for a dance?

When Edward's eyes swept across a girl, no more than 16. Her hair had highlights that reminded him of his little sister. Her green dress matched his shirt, though he knew his should have been red. Being from Pemberton, at a Pemberton event, he should have wore his colors, but he was not much of a red person. When he caught her glance, he too, looked away.


He managed to look back at her, only to find her face blush as he did. He, also, felt his face grow hot. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his courage. He had nothing to fear, he knew. There was no harm in a simple dance. Was there? Well, there was only one way to find out.


He walked up to her, forcing his self to a steady breath, so she would not know he was nervous. Once he was in front of her, he took a great bow. He slowly raised his eyes, to meet hers. They were hazel, mush like his, he noted. "I am Lord Edward Carstairs, mi'Lady." He took a deep breath, then continued. "Would you care for a dance?"

Sisika looked away quickly. She had seen him begin to make his way over to her, and what was she to do!? She couldn't leave, that would be rude, and yet she had no one else to cling to and pretend to talk with. It wasn't that she didn't think he was handsome, no he was quite so, but the problem lay within herself and her lack of speech. She looked over to see where he was only to find him in front of her already, she blushed deeply as she curtsied to him trying to remember all the protocol. But he was not the only person that was not wearing the color of their duchy for she was in green and she was from Harleston, so it would do her no good, everyone would think she was from Benthey, and yet she adored green, and black jsut seemed like such a terribly dark color. She rose from her curtsy as he introduced himself and she blushed softly as she nodded and took his hand motioning that he could indeed lead herto a dance.


She couldn't help that her hand shook in his, she was quite frightened, to put herself in a man's arms, and yet perhaps he was not so bad. Perhaps he was kind. She would follow him out onto the floor and take her position in his arms, allowing him to lead her around the floor the pink blush on her cheeks never leaving she was so shy, she didn't know what to do, she was very out of her element right now as they danced side by side.


"L..lady.. Si..sisika.." she whispered softly to him as she turned her eyes to look off to the side, she had a speech problem that was more due to thelack of speeking she actually did rather than a permanent problem. She blushed deeper and continued dancing with him. "Thank.. y.you. fo.. for the.. d.dance." she whispered softly hervoice was the kind that you had to really listen to, to hear, and the kind that if you didn't listen hard enough you would miss what was said without her words, and miss most of who Lady Sisika was all together.

He smiled as she placed her hand in his. He could see how she shook, and her hand spoke of fear. Why was she afraid? He did not think it was his fault, for heh ad been nothing but kind to her, in the very brief meeting, thus far. Maybe she is only nervous, as I am. He tried to give it a reason, so that he would not feel the need to ask her about. Not every girl wanted strange men to ask about their problems.


He led her to a free spot on the floor, and then turned to her. He placed his free hand on her waist, and the other held her hand. He was not too talented, though he knew enough to lead her through basic steps. "Sisika? That is a very unique, and even more beautiful name." He had more compliments in his mind as he looked at her, but he could tell that she was nervous, and did not want to make her feel more uncomfortable. She was studdering, and he never once thought it any thing but nerves. He understood, for he was not the confident young man he made every one think he was, at least around women.


"The pleasure is mine, My Lady." He gave her a kind smile. He was watching her carefully, hoping his eyes did not make her feel uncomfortable. He found her to have a simple look to her. None of her features caught one's attention more than the next. She looked as if all of her was made to go together. The simplicity of it all made him think of the women in the village near his home, where his family was often selling their produce. They were all lovely, especially in the sense they did not try and make themselves look like more than they were.


His kind smile remained, as he led her though the steps of the waltz. He was not going to try any thing fancy, not knowing if she could handle, any more than himself. He found himself not able to take his hazel eyes off of her. She had his full attention, even the music was only a dull lull in the background of his mind. At the moment, it was only him an her. Whether this was the last time he saw her, or if there would be many moments like this in the future, he was going to enjoy every minute of it.

His eyes. Beautiful and hazel. Warm and gentle. Sisika could tell a lot from a person's eyes, for people didn't know but eyes gave away everything. The eyes were the windows to the soul, or someone said, and it was the Lady in his arms that had found this to be very true. As they danced she would blush. Her name, it was the only thing that she could still hold onto that was given to her by her original family. Someone had told her once it was her grandmother's name, the grandmother she had never met and yet in her mind she clung to the idea of a grandmother, a head of silver, eyes of blue, and a kind smile with open arms and a story to tell every visit. Sisika was a dreamer she liked to imagine things, think about what might have been different if the storm had not come to take her family, if she had stayed with them, and grown up with her two brothers, she couldn't remember them,nor her mother or father, though she liked to think she could. And yet, here in the glow of his eyes, her own quite locked with his, she could forget everything, and merely think about how much she wished to know this man, the one that danced with her here, in the ballroom.


"Are you.. fro. .. from ... Benthey?" she asked trying to control her stutter she didn't want him to think her dumb, she wanted him, and only him, to know her.


The Sisika that loved the sunlight, the loved the moon, that adored the stars, the one that ran through the fields without shoes, and the one that danced under the stars. The one that loved splashing in the water, and letting her hair down when out by herself. The one that adored books, and loved to learn, the one that painted and played her flute.


Her fingers, of their own accord, stroked the fabric on his shoulder, letting the soft green fabric run beneath her fingertips, the blush on her face deepend at this action and yet at the same time she couldn't make herself stop, that was unless he didn't like it.


"Green. It.. it is my.. favorite color." she confessed softly. "Nature.. I .. it.. means.. a lot to me.. and.. the color.. it's everywhere.. it's.. always so warm." she smiled softly her eyes never leaving his, and much like him all the noise around them had faded she was with him, and only him, she knew nothing else.

The pink of her blush was accented by the green of her dress. It made her face look like a lovely flower. Her attention was all hers, and in listening he was able to ignore her studder. "Benthey? My dear Lady, no. I am from Pemberton." Then he remembered that he was wearing a green shirt, instead of the red he should have been wearing. A flush came to his face this time.


Her hand stroking his shoulder, then her words, brought his eyes back to her. "Green is my favorite color as well. It is the color of true beauty. But I never knew how beautiful it could be, until I saw you. That shade of green looks like it was made for you." He spoke with a soft smile. He was speaking on raw emotion. He had not even thought before he had spoke. Het could feel his hands go clamy, as he realized he had just gave his first, full, pure, heart-felt compliment. He hoped it did not sound as awkward as he thought it did.

Sisika couldn't help it, how her soft brown eyes widened softly, as he complimented her, saying that the color green she wore had never looked more beautiful than on her. As if the color was made for her. She blushed a bright red and yet the smile that stretched beautifully across her face was heavenly. It showed how much she adored the compliment. She was quite undeserving of such words and yet she would always hold them dear, she loved them, and would take them to heart. She looked up at him and smiled.


"You are, far too kind Lord .. Edward." she whispered softly. "For I promise, the color looks much more at home upon yourself." she said gently.


"It .. brings out.. your eyes." she said softly. And it did, for some reason the brown of his eyes and the green of his shirt were beautiful together, and they played off his skin tone quite beautifully.


Though she was upset, Pemberton, it meant she would not be able to visit him so easily, should something happen and they become close. Though her family was taking her to Pemberton soon, perhaps then she might be able to see him, though for now it was not yet the time to mention this, she did hope he would dance with her all night, she feared having to let go and going back to being alone. His eyes..


"They're.. like.. starlight." she whispered, blushing deeply having not meant to say it outloud she bit her lower lip. "I'm sorry.. I was.. merely thinking of your eyes.. they.. they are beautiful."

As Sisika's eyes widened, Edward could not help but smile to himself. Her eyes were already lovely, but the compliment made them even more so. He now knew the trick to making her eyes, and entire face, light up. He chuckled softly when his compliment was turned around on himself. She mentioned his eyes, and he could not help but let a little bit of color flood his own cheeks. "Your eyes are much prettier than mine...Thank you..." He trailed off not knowing how to respond more to that.


"My dearest Lady Sisika, I do not think you told me where you are from? Surely being able to wear green so well, you yourself are of Benthey?" He turned the subject again, as the next dance started. He hoped she would not mind, but he was not yet ready to let go. So, he smoothly transitioned their steps from once song to the next.

Another blush, only deeper, the color of a rose, perhaps a namesake? Hard to tell though she couldn't help it. He was wonderful, and she was finding that she was relaxing more and more in his arms as they danced. The song ended and she was afraid he would let go, but he didn't, he kept her there, and close as she smiled and blushed a bit, loving that he didn't want to let go. She wished desperately and suddenly to move to Pemberton, perhaps she could find him, and they could be together, though such dreams of romance were likely never to come to fruition, she still could dream. He complimented her eyes and then turned her earlier question on her and she smiled softly as she wished it were proper to move closer, to lay her head on his shoulder and feel his arms around her.


"Oh, I"m afraid not, my dearest Lord." she said softly, that same melodic voice soft and gentle as she looked up at him shyly. "I am from Harleston, but I fear that black is not my color." she whispered softly.


"Though I am sure, you would be very home in it, it would make you look quite striking, though, I am still partial to the green color you wear today." she said honestly as she looked up at him


"I must admit something.. " she whispered. ".. I fear I wish to consume your night." she confessed. "I wish to be your partner tonight, and dance with no one else, I have.. never been so.. so relaxed before." she confessed as she blushed and gently let her eyes fall embarrassed to have said something so bold and yet she hoped she would feel him touch her, and that he would tell her that he wished the same. Her fingers, they still stroked the gentle fabric of his shoulder, she was.. lost in him, a feeling she had never felt before.

Harleston?" Edward's voice was calmer than the thoughts running through his mind. Harleston was the furthest away from Pemberton. But, when he was in Ashton, he was much closer. "My kid sister lives in Aston, not far from the border of Harleston." He thought out loud.


"Any color would look amazing on you. Though, green is my favorite too." He winked at her. He noticed that she was talking more easily now, and it pleased him. He never wanted her to feel uncomfortable around him, again. There was some thing about her that struck him warmly, deep inside. He had never felt that way, but right now he could not have felt better.


He listened intently to Sisika's words. He smiled brightly at her words, but frowned when she lowered her eyes. He took his hand from her waist, and lifted her chin. "Lady Sisika, never feel ashamed about such thoughts." His kind smile returned. "Your wish is my comand, I am yours for the remainder of the evening." He rummbed his thumb across her cheek, then returned his hand to her waist. He was truly content, now that his evening was set.

She blushed. Was he trying to plan to come see her? If so it would be lovely to finally have a visitor. She blushed though because he was a Lord, and perhaps there was more than a simple visit. He spoke that his sister lived in Ashton which bordered her own Duchy and she smiled brightly, perhaps they could meet! Wouldn't it be lovely!


"My parents, they attend Pemberton in a weeks' time, to visit a relative of mine." she said softly. "Perhaps.. I could.. see you then, as I would be traveling with them. I would .. like it if you could show me around your Duchy, I would, like to see the wildlife and the nature mostly, to see if it's different than my own, for I find that the sunset is different every day and I am sure that nothing is completely alike." she said softly.


"Do you.. no.. would you perhaps wish to.. see me again?" she asked softly. Blushing as he promised that any color would look beautiful on her but green was his favorite. She smiled. Though her eyes softened and she stopped dancing for a moment when his hand lifted to touch her chin. Her eyes closed, almost waiting for him to strike her, but when he spoke her eyes opened, so soft, so gentle, you could read her soul in the depths of those beautiful brown eyes. As his thumb stroked her cheek her eyes closed, not in fear, but to revel in the touch.


Her own hand raised now, as she closed her hand lightly, so she could run the backs of her fingers down his cheek, to say goodbye would break her small heart, she had never even met a man she could trust and yet here she was dancing in the arms of a man and even touching his cheek. She blushed but her touch held true stroking the gentle contour of his cheek before falling back to his shoulder.


"Sissy.. please.. call me Sissy." she whispered. "I .. would.. like it if you could." No Lady, no Sisika, just Sissy, it was plain and simple and yet it fit her. A beautiful smile crossed her face as she looked into his eyes.


"Maybe.. we could.. walk in the gardens.. I mean.. after a few dances.. I .. I think it would be nice." she said softly as she smiled into his eyes, she was getting more confident in his arms, the smile coming more easily than it had before.

"A visit to Pemberton? That is fantastic!" Though he had been planning to go visit his sister in a week, he knew that she would not mind terribly if he postponed the visit for a few days. "I would love to show you around. Perhaps even take you to my farm..." Oops! Did he just say what he thought he said? Now she would know that he owned a farm. Would she think that he was not a Lord? That he was a mere commoner here to trick her? He hoped not, as that is not what he was at all. In fact, he was a Lord, who just happened to grow up on a farm, is all.


"Wish to see you again? If it was possible, I wish we would never have to part." He said, giving her a bright smile. He read deep into her eyes, and knew she was having many of the same feelings he was. This made his heart skip a beat. He held his breath when her warm hand brushed along his cheek. Her touch, how he wished it would never leave.


The nickname she gave him to use was lovely, though he did not think that it was as elegant a name as she deserved. Though, if it was what she wanted, then it would be so. "Sissy, I would be delighted to accompany you to the gardens, after this dance." He responded to both of her last comments together. He smiled, sweeping her through another turn in the dance.

Sissy could't help herself. She laughed. He was so excited she would be visiting his excitement was contagious and she found herself wishing to be alone with him more and more so that she could tell him of her life, so she could hold his hand, and lean against him, so they could walk together and know each other, suddenly she couldn't wait for the song to end so they could retire to the garden and be together there under the stars that she loved so very much.


"A farm?" she asked softly her eyes widening. But not in disapproval but in excitement. "I used to.. live on a farm.. my family.. they owned one, they were nobles too, but .. but they had a farm.. my father and my brothers they .. they worked it with the servants and.. and I miss it." she said with a soft blush, and she did.


"You have.. many animals? I love them.. very much, I had a horse and a kitten once but, they passed." she said not mentioning how, she really didn't like talking about it, though she knew if he asked she would tell him, in the garden.


He mentioned that he never wished to leave her side making her blush. Impulse took over, but she knew it was wrong and bit her lip hard, she couldn't say it.. she couldn't he would think less of her and it would never work anyway. What she wanted to say was.. 'take me with you' but then.. why would he? He had only met her today, and yet.. here at the ball, she could.. she could be with him, and she wanted more, so much more, she wished to go with him, and never leave his side if he would have her.


"I wish I didn't have to leave yours neither, My Edward." she whispered softly. "If I could have it my way, I wish it that you would take me with you, show me of your duchy, and never leave my side." she blushed deeply as she looked down. He had told her not to, but saying she wished to stay in his arms all night, was nothing compared to saying she wished he would take her away.


"I've nothing here which keeps me."