City of IF

[illusionist]

note so, first sg. basically a story i had running in my head for a while. XD




NOT WITHOUT FOLLY



When compared with her elder brother and sister, Lyra Rowle was always referred to in smaller terms than the eloquent words which were often rained upon James and Regina. Her name was often associated with “the younger of the Rowle children”, or even sometimes a unconcerned and blasé “Who?”, which bitingly indicated that most in the society she had grown up in were completely oblivious of her. She was not recognized on the street, though when she went out with Regina often bemusedly watched as the elder Miss Rowles was hailed from the other side of the street by townspeople, hardy young men with an inflated sense of their looks and position, and once, Lyra was surprised to notice, by the revered Lord Davenport’s wife, Lady Caroline. Lyra, it seemed, was completely invisible except for a matriarchal or patronizing pat on the head and a beatific smile accompanying the words “My, haven’t you grown into a beautiful young lady!”

Lyra never much minded this, except for the fact that this charade was all so very false. She valued honesty, but never so much as to chase after the pursuit of her passions and to abhor liars with ever fibre of her slight figure. She had grown up in a house of lies and therefore had been used to the masquerades everyone so elegantly portrayed as a part of their daily lives. No, the only thing missing was her own mask to join in the throng of birds kissing and flying away as quickly as their small feet would allow, to ensure that no one had noticed their catastrophic mistake.

That morning, Lyra had been out in Chelton, a small village next to Mastlands, to ascertain that the dresses Regina had ordered the week prior had been, in fact, made. Why Regina did not go herself Lyra knew not, but she suspected that Regina’s illness, that today prevented her from going anywhere further than three paces from her bed, was caused by the dresses: that Regina did not particularly fancy the walk to Chelton in the mud that been created from the previous night’s rain, and resented the time alone that the carriage proposed. Lyra hadn’t minded: she rather liked the idea of fresh air and a clean break between her and her proud, dark family.



The tailor, a small, fussy man with quick manners and a shy smile, quickly presented to her the gowns that Regina had ordered. Lyra thumbed the fine silk and satin, noting with disgust that everyone in the town still wore prints. She spoke brusquely to the tailor.

“How much does my sister owe you, sir?”

“I would expect twelve pounds, Miss Rowle.” Lyra’s stomach lurched at the sum, but she handed over the coins from her own purse and informed the tailor of her intention to messenger them over to Mastlands. She found it strangely comforting that her sister would not have the pleasure of gloating over Lyra’s walking back to Mastlands in an ungainly fashion, two boxes under her arms. The tailor bowed quickly and motioned for a clerk to package the dresses.

“Nothing for you, miss?” Lyra shook her head no, and quickly left the store before her revulsion at having affair with people whose positions in life were so decidely below hers slipped through.




Lyra was still half a mile from Mastlands when the skies opened to unleash a hellish torrent of rain on her, and when she did come to the door at Mastlands, she was a muddy, wet fright. Stubbornly she bore the tutting of the servants and fussing pity of the housekeeper with dignity, refusing to speak to them and requesting an immediate hot bath. As many in the Rowle family did not care about the others in the family – preferring themselves largely – she doubted that anyone knew of her return.

After her bath, she stood motionless and quiet as a maid fitted her simple velvet dress. Lyra sauntered down the steps and hesitated at the door leading into the parlor. She had been expected earlier, but still the Rowles were oblivious to her return. She had no mind to make it evident to them, either. Placing her face close to the slit in the door, she peered in and listened to what her father and James were discussing.

“What? Why couldn’t you have figured this out earlier, James?”

“I’m sorry, sir. It seems the line is not dead after all. It lives through Lyra.” Lyra’s intake of breath must have been heard by James, for he flicked a pair of panicked eyes at the door as their father rose.

“And may I ask what has prompted this folly?”

“Her fever last month. It lasted for three days – you know what that mean. Furthermore, the three days –” He swallowed hard, and Mr. Rowle’s face looked dangerously somber.

“Yes, I know. The full moon and the days encompassing it. Yes, James, you’re right. Do not tell Regina, she will not be happy. She would not like to know that she is not the wolf of her generation.”

[Phantomfan]

Sweet...
Wow Illy, I really like this! Your discriptions are fantastic. Great hook.
I can't wait to read more!!!!!

[DeadManWalking]

YAY WEREWOLF!!!!!!!

Assuming that is what you mean of course.

Besides that I just gotta say superb story, great hook, interesting main character...

illusionist wrote: “Nothing for you, miss?” Lyra shook her head no, and quickly left the store before her revulsion at having affair with people whose positions in life were so decidely below hers slipped through.

Perhaps, "Lyra shook her head no, and quickly left the store before her revulsion at interacting with people whose positions..."

Because what you have there doesn't make sense, and I'm not sure what you originally meant.

[Adalia]

Good chapter. One thing, though.

Illusion wrote: Why Regina did not go herself Lyra knew not, but she suspected that Regina’s illness, that today prevented her from going anywhere further than three paces from her bed, was caused by the dresses: that Regina did not particularly fancy the walk to Chelton...

There are a bit too many 'that's in this sentence. I had to read it a few times to realize what was being said.

Anyways, I liked the prologue. Keep it comin'! :D

[shy_blu_eyes]

Quote: Lyra shook her head no, and quickly left the store before her revulsion at having affair with people whose positions in life were so decidely below hers slipped through.

and

Quote: It lasted for three days – you know what that mean.

Both seem to have minor typos, I think you ment affairs and means.

Also, in regards to what was said above, it could be easily fixed by exchanging the second "that" for "which".

Quote: She suspected that Regena's illness, which

Other than that it seems good so far.[/quote]

[Tipico]

ooh i like it, i have no corrections for you, my own work is terrible

but its very good.