Lumina

18 ~ Becoming a Lady

Elizabeth

Where yesterday morning had been quiet and taken at a relaxed pace, today Elizabeth's morning began with a scream. She had been dreaming heavily of a world of beauty and endless libraries positively spilling books when the oddest sensation snapped her to reality, eyes clogged bleary with sleep.

And inches from her- a face.

Elizabeth rolled back once she gained the wits to stop screaming. Her training was slow to kick in, but enough that she had the sense to grope for the nearest weapon as she moved away. Poised to attack, Elizabeth stared down the intruder, in garments of dark green silk lined with silver, only to groan and drop her shoulders. Only high wealth could afford something so lavish.

And only one noblewoman knew where they would be.

"Nearly gave you a heart attack, I see," Lady Lovitt managed through her fit of laughter. "Forgive me, dear."

"And me nearly deaf," Lona grumbled and yawned, showcasing her set of very sharp teeth.

The laughter died instantly.

Lady Lovitt took in the pointed ears and teeth with much stride, only staring at them in sheer horror, completely frozen. She slowly brought a trembling finger up and squeaked, "Your eyes," in regards to the silver flecks floating around Lona's irises. Elizabeth tensed, her knuckles turning white. Lady Michelin Lovitt had helped the Ignis Dragons on numerous occasions but, Elizabeth realized too late, clearly hadn't been made aware of this particular information.

Lady Lovitt's hands dropped to her hips, "You didn't sleep a wink, did you?"

"Ask little miss allergies over there."

Oh. Elizabeth's face flushed and she cast her gaze to the dirt and leaves in embarrassment. Well, the noblewoman certainly had a sense of humor.

Relief of attention was swift as the two women turned to discussing the upcoming mission. Elizabeth, whose orders were only to observe and learn Lona's process, kept her mind partial to the conversation as she began cleaning their makeshift camp. The blanket she dusted and clipped back around her shoulders before she moved to break down the fire, stopping at the incredulous tone Lona's voice had taken.

"-absolutely out of the question," she was saying by the time Elizabeth rejoined the two. "For one," Lona gestured to Elizabeth, "This is her first intelligence gathering. Second, I am a spymaster, understand. Spy, meaning don't-be-seen, meaning I'm not just waltzing in there for all to learn and mark my face like a bloody neophyte begging to become a sacrifice."

Lady Lovitt opened her mouth and paused. "That," she said, "was an odd analogy. And more fit from a coward's perspective."

Lona snarled. Lady Lovitt rolled her eyes. Elizabeth was grateful she had been raised with a brother.

"Obviously," the noblewoman twirled her fingers, "You wouldn't be going in as yourselves. I'll just alter a few details with your hair, put you in proper attire-" she cringed at the girls' dirty riding outfits, "-give you a good bath, and not even your own brother would recognize you."

Elizabeth looked down at herself. Sure, there were dirt patches, but that was from her oh-so-kind awakening this morning. She lifted her arms and brought her head down. She didn't smell that-

Elizabeth gagged and snapped her arms down.

A triumphant grin spread across her lips, Lady Lovitt opened her arms, "What do you say, Spymaster?"

"What of the horses?"

Lady Lovitt clucked her tongue, "I'm sure you can figure something out," and Lona rolled her eyes, moving first to her own horse and then to Elizabeth's, briefly touching foreheads with each one. In unison, the horses seemed to nod their heads and began trailing out in the direction of the road while Elizabeth silently marveled at the act.