Of Tea...and Things

Pertaining to Dowagers

"Well that was certainly odd," remarked Lady Iris to nobody in particular, as she suddenly jerked awake to find herself in the familiar jolting of an otherwise empty carriage, she must have nodded off! At least there was no one in the carriage to notice her unseemly mistake, and a quick feel of hat and hair assured her that everything was in its proper place and condition. What a peculiar dream! She relaxed back into the cushioned seat to muse upon the oddities of her slumbering mind, perhaps a little disappointed at the realization that it had only been a dream, when suddenly she sat straight up and intently studied the interior of the vehicle, realizing that it was not her husband's familiar equipage, though similar, it was an entirely different carriage.

Suddenly her pulse raced and she smiled eagerly, for it hadn't been a dream after all, it was wonderfully, strangely, exhilaratingly real! But what was going on? Why was she suddenly back in her previous position, well not the exact same position obviously, but one close enough to it that she felt quite at home? There came no sudden answers or revelations, only the familiar rattle and clatter of the vehicle and horses came in reply, but for some reason this did not perplex her in the least, rather she seemed to know she'd know what she must, when she must, and until then, she need worry about nothing. With a mystified smile at her easy acceptance of this enigma, she allowed herself to relax again into the cushions and idly let her mind wander whither it would, over all that had been and what might yet be.

At last the coach and four drew to a stop and the lady's door swung wide, but the retainers were as bland faced and silent as they ought to be, none betrayed to his mistress that he was anything other than a perfectly ordinary servant about nothing but his unexceptionable duty. With no clues to be had from that quarter, she swept out of the carriage and into the main foyer of the palace, a venue she graced every year for the Queen's Ball, which seemed to be exactly what was happening on this very night. She cast her mind back, what seemed eons after recent experience, to life before everything fell apart, and assuming it was still the same year, who could tell after such happenings?, then it was the eve of the very day she had been cast adrift, for she had returned home after her morning visit, intent on changing for the Ball to be held that very evening.

But perhaps it was years later, or even earlier, but glancing quickly at her gloves and gown, she could only assume from the design that she was either remarkably out of fashion or it was very likely the same day, and since nothing remarkable had yet occurred upon this most uncanny of forays, she had to assume the latter. But then there was a way to at least discover her name and position, and that without asking anyone! She entered the ballroom, unescorted, which might be very bad form indeed, unless...yes, there it was, they announced a Lady Pumpernickel, a young dowager lately of a certain distant city, perfect! Now she could mix with the elite company of her former acquaintance without the encumbrance of a husband or chaperone, though the name was rather vexing, certainly quite proper and traditional sounding, but also a tad ridiculous.

She smiled in spite of herself, did not the nobility pride themselves on such things, the more ridiculous the better? With a long suffering sigh, she allowed herself to be swept away by the sporadically milling crowds like a dying fish caught in a swirling current, and like that moribund fish, if she could once again be forgiven the ghastly piscine metaphor, she drew all manner of attention to herself, all as ravenously interested as the aquatic predators and scavengers usually drawn to such a hapless creature. She smiled inwardly while outwardly maintaining an all too bland expression, for here supposedly was money, youth, and power, all a strong draw to the eligible beaus and their representatives scattered about the grand hall.

She wondered at their sudden interest in a complete stranger, musing upon the stark contrast with how they would react had they known her true, or rather former, position in their society. Or likely even more dramatic, their reaction to her new status as one of those Things the walls were meant to keep out. She knew nothing of such things, and was strangely content to learn as she was able, miracle indeed! But she understood, somehow, that, as the men from the forest had hinted, if such Things had a wish or need to enter the city or infiltrate Society, the Walls were no hindrance at all, and apparently neither was time or physical appearance; what an intriguing world she had entered, suddenly she was rather glad she had not read much or widely, as it would only mean more disinformation she would have to shed, negate, or overcome in order to even begin to comprehend the Truth.