Found:
It was freezing when I got back to my house, yet I couldn't get that wretched dress off fast enough! I stood there in the darkness, shivering from the cold and just... cursed myself soundly for several minutes.
It had all gone so well for the most part!
Loakee had arrived as planned, looking quite dapper in an old and oft repaired shirt that still somehow gave the impression of being his best. He was suspicious at first, though I managed to deflect his misgivings with ease. We never did get around to dancing though, instead speaking of matters quite close to the bone.
I was surprised. He took it all in good stride. In his place, I'd have denied the words I spoke to him, railing against them and lying through my teeth about how wrong he was. Naturally, he didn't confirm anything as such, but nor did he refute my observations. There may be hope for him yet.
He told me he'd missed my attention. I told him to say it again, but bluntly and with a straight face. He said it again. Bluntly and with a straight face. I'm not sure I believed him. A vast amount of cynicism remains in my heart, so it would seem, making it difficult to listen when anyone says such things to me, never mind a professional performer - a man who makes his living from fooling people, for goodness sake! - and one who fancies himself so closed off to others.
Would it matter if I did? Nothing has changed.
Our talk was interrupted by a watchman barging in through my door. A timely intervention perhaps! One that I had expected anyway. He had come to "arrest" Loakee as planned. It was fun to play along, to pretend that I didn't know what was happening or why, to fool Loakee for a change!
His reaction when he was brought - blindfolded and in shackles no less! - into the bakery was priceless! Baldvin caught on sooner. Loakee just stood there dumb as a post, utterly bewildered for several minutes. Ah, but it was a sight to see!
Neyaa, my "date" for the evening, looked absolutely ravishing in a red and white dress! Alas, she did not remain for as long as I might have hoped for an argument occurred between her and another of the guests; Smethstan, an interesting fellow unknown to anyone present save for Dernwynn. Neyaa departed, upset and wishing to be alone a while, apologetic for her part in disrupting the party. I would have none of it! The woman is very passionate upon several subjects and that particular one had been close to her heart indeed! I would not have her apologise to me or anyone else for that!
The addition of Taala and Erorforth later in the evening certainly improved matters! There were games and tales, chatter and laughter. There was even a comic routine performed by a woman whose name I did not catch; short though it was, I found it quite delightful! The alcohol and food flowed freely, though I had only a little of the latter and none of the former. 'Twas amusing to watch how the others loosened up the more they imbibed. I don't really need that help! Goodness, by the end of the night, even Corrinne had managed to half-way remove the tree branch from her arse! Though she didn't join in - such a paragon of lady-like virtue and repressed disapproving sneers! - she actually managed to laugh and clap along to the more bawdy songs to be had beside the bonfire! I suppose it didn't hurt that Baldvin's cheeks were lit up like lanterns too! Haritha was in fine fettle, her oft crass and violent sense of humour is truly a wonderful thing! And Loakee even made good on his promise to wear that dress, although 'twas late by that time and he was quite drunk. It would have been better, I think, had he been sober whilst doing so but I'll take it!
Alas, come the end, I think I managed to ruin it for myself.
Unfortunately I may have gotten a little carried away. The Good Maiden Loakee was such an entertaining sight that I couldn't help but have some fun with it. I am, at heart, a physical woman with few scruples or boundaries and I often forget how that might be perceived by others. I'm afraid that my jesting with Loakee may have upset darling Owena. She went back inside hurriedly, my impression being that she was not pleased with what she had seen. Usually I would find that more of a cause to laugh but I know her thoughts upon Loakee. I do not wish to be the cause of any pain for her. I'll go see her in the morning. I'll apologise if necessary.
I departed quickly after that, hoping for all the world that the party would continue in high spirits! The boys, rascals and cads that they are, nevertheless deserved this celebration thrown in their honour and their hostess, who had put so much effort into its making, deserved to enjoy herself along with them!
I truly hope that they did.
