He smiled. "I do a great deal more than that, though I'm afraid some amount of hovering is necessary. As for Miss Carlyle, what do you suppose she is like?"

OOC: Boy, when it really doesn't matter...

14:26, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 3 using 1d100 with rolls of 3. Luck (80).

    Annabel gave a slight laugh, "Considering how hard it is to get in touch with her, I would say a very private person; maybe even a bit lonely," she said with a touch of sadness in her voice. "I mean when one surrounds oneself with walls and people who block attempts to get in touch with you, how in the world can they ever form connections, relations, or even make friendships? I mean look at her;" She turned her head to look at Erica mingling with yet another group of people. "She's not even getting to enjoy her own party; getting to dance or relax, she has to constantly keep up an appearance."

    Annabel's voice now became tinged with even more of a sadness, an understanding. "I suppose it comes with her status, and that's something I understand. I left my home, my family to get away from all that, to try and make something more of myself, which is why I'm here in New York." She looked at Bradley with a more confident demeanor. "It hasn't been easy I'll tell you, but what it also hasn't been is dull or lonely. I've made friends, met interesting people and have done interesting things; all which would never have happened it I had stayed in the trappings of my society."

    Finishing, she turned the conversation back to Erica. "So tell me Mr. Grey, am i right about her? I would be most glad to hear if I am wrong."

"What makes you think she isn't enjoying the party, doesn't she appear to be having a good time?" Erica Carlyle was all smiles, and engaged in the conversations she was having.

"Perhaps your way of enjoying a party is different from that of others. Miss Carlyle did not have the luxury of leaving her family, having lost both parents and older brother. The Carlyle fortune and holdings fell into her hands, and I suppose she might have sold them all outright for some princely some to avoid having to handle the work of it - and have been taken care of for life with that money without a care in the world. But she chose to take stewardship of the company, control of the estate, and has done a remarkable job with it. Have you thought that perhaps she isn't "keeping up appearances" but that she appears to be who she is?"

OOC:

Leo, I rolled an Idea roll for you: 6

10:04, Today: The Keeper, on behalf of Dr. Leonardo Elias, rolled 6 using 1d100 with rolls of 6. Idea.

With two impales on Luck and Idea...

"Dr. Elias! Well, it is good to see you," said a gentleman Leo recognized.

  "Well Mr. Grey," Annabel said unfazed, "you did ask me my thoughts and I gave them. Considering the points you gave, I must concede that I might have been wrong about Miss Carlyle. To have they say, 'been dealt such a hand,' and still have been able to find some measure of happiness is admirable indeed."

  She looked thoughtfully for a moment at Miss Carlyle as they once more passed in sight of her. "It's a shame that she is so hard to reach, I think she would be a most interesting woman to know and talk with; it might be interesting to hear her thoughts on a number of things."

   "Tell me Mr. Grey," Annabel asked changing the subject and turning back to look at him; "where did you learn to dance so well, you are most graceful. I'm surprised you are not here with some elegant lady. Well you are right now," she said with a small laugh, "but I mean normally, or are you? Oh, I hope she won't be jealous dancing with me if you are."

"She is nothing if not admirable," he said as Annabel discussed Erica Carlyle. "Hard to reach, that much is true, but she is a busy woman. I can't promise that you'll get to know her very closely, but you should at least have an opportunity to engage her in conversation on a particular subject later this evening. Did you two know each other at Barnard, by chance?"

When she moved on to ask about himself, he shrugged. "It always came naturally to me, I suppose. As for the rest, no, I'm not here with anyone. As busy as Miss Carlyle is, she keeps me on my toes as well. It has been hard to find time for much else," he said.

Leo smiled broadly when he saw the venerable Cornelius Taft was in attendance. This was quite the stroke of luck, really. "Doctor Taft! How wonderful to see you!" Leo offered the man his hand, and set his drink on a passing tray. "What have you been up to of late? I haven't seen you around Bellevue recently - are you doing any interesting research?" This fortuitous turn of circumstance pulled Leo right out of the fog of pain and self-pity into which his mind had descended during the funeral.

"Oh no, Doctor Elias. I'm getting a bit old for all of that. I've actually retired recently, and it is quite wonderful!" he replied

Leo's eyes widened just a touch as Dr. Taft shared his current circumstances. "Retired!? Well. On one hand your contributions will be missed. On the other hand, congratulations on getting out! What are you spending your time doing nowadays?"

"Oh, you are too kind. Me...well...I've been...reading things I've meant to read for years, spending time with my wife, and the grandchildren. Gardening, when the weather permits it. I'm thinking of moving to a warmer climate. Maybe Florida. I haven't decided quite yet."

Leo nodded vigorously at the man's response, interested in thinking of things other than murder for a spell. "I hear much of Florida is simply dreadful in the summer, though. California is so much the better, and rail service to the golden state is getting better by the year. So what sorts of books have caught your fancy now that you've got time to read for pleasure?"

"Oh, all sorts of things. Mostly fiction. A book called Call of the Wild by a fellow named Jack London. Heart of Darkness by one Joseph Conrad. A rather curious book called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz -don't know quite what to make of it yet," he said.
This message was last updated by the player at 22:13, Fri 20 Feb 2015.

  On the subject of Miss Carlyle, Annabel said. "I think Dr. Elias will mostly likely be dominating Miss Carlyle's time with his questions about her brother. I would be very surprised if she had anytime for me, which is fine, we are here for Dr. Elias after all. You are right though, we did go to Barnard together but I'm afraid I didn't talk or socialize with her much; different social circles and all that. Honestly, I would be surprised if she remembered me."

As the dance finished, she moved off to the side with him.


   "What a shame Mr. Grey," Annabel said in a sympathetic tone to his reply about himself. "From what I've seen, I think you would make a fine husband to some lucky woman one day. But as you say, if you let work occupy so much of your time, it may never happen. Your accomplishments are all well and good Bradley, but don't let them keep you from accomplishing other equally important ones too. It's good to share them with someone special."

    She blushed a bit as she turned away from him feeling a little embarrassed. "Listen to me, I'm one to talk. I purposely avoided being paired up for coming here and looking to make my own accomplishments; so I guess I'm kind of in the opposite situation. Kind of ironic isn't it. Of course," she continued, "I DO eventually want to marry some day, but when I'm ready, not when my Mother says I am. When that will be though it's hard to say, maybe my little adventure will bring someone into my life, one can hope, right?" 

Bishop stood by but as his appetite got the better of him he made sure to secure a few hors d'oeuvres. He stood by and listened to the conversation pursued by the others.



When Rosalie asked him to dance, Stanley was caught by surprise. It took him a moment to reply and that stammered out "Rosalie can I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

Extending his hand to Rosalie, the big man hoped he could remember some of the steps of the dances he had picked up during his marriage.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Sun 22 Feb 2015.

Leo nodded at the list of books that Dr. Taft listed. "An excellent set of selections. I've read The Heart of Darkness, but not the other two. I enjoyed it tremendously. Surely you're enjoying the chance for leisure, and I look forward to when I might be able to do the same. Have you done any traveling since you've retired?" Leo's attention was held entirely on his conversation partner, quite happy for the diversion.

"Not as of yet, but I'm thinking about seeing some of the world! I've spent too many of my years cooped up in the city. With this last spell of dreadful weather, I think I might have to move those plans up. Go somewhere warmer - maybe the Caribbean, or perhaps darkest Africa. When the weather is a bit warmer in Europe, I should like to visit there - I was thinking of traveling the continent - starting in London, and riding the Orient Express all the way to Turkey," he replied.

Continuing to dance with Annabel, he said "You sound like my mother," at her admonishing him for paying too much attention to his career and too little to his matrimonial prospects.

"Perhaps it will. What sort of man do you think he'll be?"

  As they started another dance, Annabel looked at him with a bit of surprise. "Oh really Mr. Grey? Having not met your mother, I don't know if that's a good or bad thing," she said with a bit of mirth. "I would say listen to your mother's wisdom, but considering I don't take my own's...well" she left it hanging at that.

  "My Mr Grey, aren't we the curious one," Annabel said amused. "Since you asked, I guess someone I can love who will respect me for who I am, faults, flaws, and all; and not try to shape me into their version of the perfect wife. It might sound vain for me to say it Mr. Grey, but I know I'm pretty; and know that some men would like to have a pretty bauble at their side to show off to their friends. But I want to be more than that to whoever I end up with; and with the way the world seems to be changing, I can only hope."

  "And you? What kind of woman does such a distinguished attorney desire, if you DO happen to one day take your mother's advice," Annabel said with a sly smile.

"How nice of you to ask, Stanley," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.  Taking his hand, she fell into step with him on the dance floor.  She was a passable dancer, light enough on her feet to not step on any toes, and at ease in his arms.  She watched him as they danced, studying his unreadable expression, and wondering what he was thinking.  After a few moments of weaving through the others in silence, she finally spoke.  "When is the last time you have attended such a fancy soiree?" 

Stanley led Rosalie to the dance floor, her small hand disappearing in his big mitt. He too was a passable dancer, a bit rusty but he had once enjoyed dancing and he found himself enjoying it again. Stanley was a large man and dwarfed Rosalie as they danced.

As dark as the last few days had been Rosalie had been a bright light. It was just a simple dance but it was much more to him.

"It has been a long time."

"The Elias family always invites me but work keeps me away. I can't remember the last time I danced." Bishop replied. The truth was he remembered his last dance. He was shipping off to France and the Regiment had a going away dance at the officer's club. Oddly it was a happy event, marines off to war. He had said good bye to his wife, his family. After that everything changed.

As they danced, despite everything, Bishop realized for the first time in a very long time he was smiling.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:30, Mon 23 Feb 2015.

She answered his smile with one of her own.  It almost felt like a betrayal to experience even a little happiness when they had only just buried her beloved cousin, but a part of her knew that Jackson would have approved.  He wasn't one to linger over sorrow and grief.  He preferred to keep moving, keep exploring, and push through the next big adventure.

"It is always nice when you come to visit," she replied sincerely.  "I would tell you that your work keeps you away entirely too much, but I am very guilty of the same poor excuse.  Mother was thrilled when I took a position in the city.  I'd say that she'd never approved of my jaunts with Jackson, but that would be a lie.  She followed my father about on his adventures for years before settling down."

"Do you remember how young we were when we first met?  I was thinking of that trip today when everyone was sharing their memories of Jackson." 

"Nothing wrong with knowing your strengths," he said at her appraisal of her own attractiveness. "If you know what people want from you, you can use that to your advantage."

"As for me, well, the problem you have with beauty isn't something I'm likely to have - though I may have a similar problem with money. I'd need to find a woman I didn't think wanted me for my money alone. Perhaps just as difficult a task as your own."

Leo listened to the plans of Doctor Taft with interest. "My, that sounds like a wonderful plan! To see that much of Europe without an agenda besides seeing the sights." Leo's previously joyful appearance changed to an inquisitive look, curiosity evident on his face. "This may seem to come out of left field, Doctor, but since we're here, well, I'm curious. What did you know of Doctor Huston?"