Historians

10.

02.02.4010

This is going to be more difficult than I anticipated. Thinking back on the women's rights movement I must say that overall I am not surprised by the ripples I have cast in the pond. Reflecting on the events of the evening, I cannot even say that the politicians' fears were misfounded. Several of the women this evening seemed to share a wide variety of opinions of the situation at hand...

"You look wonderful" Anastasia directed a small smile towards Sheamus. "Don't forget the main purpose." Sheamus hummed looking outside the carriage window. "Our focus is to gather information and investigate..." Sheamus sighed cutting her off "If I didn't know better I would say that you and Jeremiah enjoyed lecturing me." After his comment, the carriage ride fell into silence. Anastasia wouldn't admit it, but she was quite nervous for the four weeks that had only just begun. She had sent out letters to the wives of all the politicians informing them that the Gran Seim's son would be escorting the next Historian to each district. It wouldn't have been surprising for her to be reaching out for her brother, but how many knew what he had done? How many knew that she was the one who was going to replace her father. Then there was the fact that rumors were seldom believed, but flames fueled the gossip. If rumors had spread what would the gossip have turned the rumors into?

As their carriage pulled up to their destination Anastasia sighed. The millions of questions she had were about to be answered. Following Sheamus' lead, she stepped from the carriage taking him proffered hand in assistance. "Relax Princess, sure society is full of vultures, but you'll be fine. If you can survive the pompous men in the capital you can handle these ladies." With a prompt nod from Anastasia, the two of them proceeded forward with linked arms. If Sheamus was to play the part of escort that's what he would do. It was just a dinner party, all that it would involve was dinner and conversation. She had never had issues before with managing conversations.

Following their names being announced to the room, the voices grew hushed. The difference in reaction was not something she figured she would grow accustomed to anytime soon. Once there was some measure of excitement or positive acknowledgment of her presence, but the silence and stares were unnerving. She felt Sheamus pat her arm before moving forward. Anastasia was wise enough to know that the crowd's reaction wasn't just with regards to Sheamus' presence. It was the daughter of a traitor, sure it wasn't her father, but her mother was just as guilty as her own brother. Then there was the fact that she was trying to take on a job that had only previously been held by a man. Anastasia felt something brush her shoulder moments before she caught onto Sheamus' hushed words. "If you want to leave, I can think of several better ways to spend our evening together." Anastasia glared at Sheamus where he stood at her side coaxing a chuckle from him.

Once they joined the crowd the conversation slowly began again. Slowly Anastasia and Sheamus drifted apart as the talked with the other guests. Most of the conversations with Anastasia centered around what had been occurring in the capital, and as to if the parties there were as truly glamorous as the society papers made them sound. Then there was the occasional comment about her brother. The most common being it is a shame that someone so good looking turned out rotten, and that was a sentiment that Anastasia couldn't argue. Then there were the times where she got bombarded with questions about Sheamus, their relationship, and if it was true that she had met the Magistrate. With the conversations occurring it was pleasant to know that even though some women didn't speak to her that most were just curious as to what was going on in her daily life. This was a simple life that she had missed, attending society parties and interacting with her peers, making light conversation, and enjoying the little things.

Before she knew it the dinner bell rang interrupting her conversations. It did not take long for Sheamus to make his way back to her side to escort her to where they would be sat at the table. With all things considered she did not mind being sat next to Sheamus. Unlike the last party she had attended she did not have a close connection with the host of the party. So not knowing who else they were sat by she knew that she could talk with Sheamus. Once they were seated Anastasia was slightly dismayed to know that she was seated between Sheamus and another man, with the woman seated across from her being one of the women who had ignored her when they were talking earlier.