"Ms. Langridge, a pleasure to finally meet you at last. Bavarthos, was rather nervous when it came to asking you to join him for this evening. I'm glad you came, I've never seen the man so lively in my few years of knowing him, as he has this past week." Gilbert Nortle of the rare elements department of Jakesha, informs me as we dance effortlessly across the dance room.

"Should you be telling me all this, Mr. Nortle? I must say, I do appreciate the insight to Bav's thoughts and behaviors concerning me, but are you not his confidante?" I giggle, knowing that they have been picking on him all night, from his smile that will not fade and wanting to keep me within sight.

"Aye, I'm confidante that he'll want to rip me from our dance here soon, so he can get you all to himself again." We both chuckle at that.

When Bav does show up, me and Mr. Nortle exchange a look and hold our laughter in, as he hands me to Bav.

"You seemed to be enjoying yourself with Mr Nortle." He smiled at me as we began to move on the dance floor together.

"Yes, well he told me moments before that he expected you to steal me all for yourself already. When you showed up moments later..." I smile brightly, feeling rather light and giddy as we continue to dance. I can smell him better right now. It's a subtle hint of moss and black cypress, intoxicating me more so than the wine. Making those tingles running through my body come back and my head goes light and wobbly.

"I think I need to sit down for a moment." I lean over Bav's shoulder and rest my head for a moment, feeling dizzy. Bav stops us and moves me through the crowd of still dancing partners and sets me down in the closest available seat.

"I'll be right back, let me go get you some water." Bav looks around and goes in search of  a glass of water.

Mrs. Porter and a few other ladies walk up to me at this time.

"Ms. Langridge, I believe you've met Mrs. Stargo and Miss Nortle, but I'd like to introduce you to Mrs. Scarlett Bradshaw and Mrs. Evangeline Sawyer."

"Good evening ladies. Pleasure to make your acquaintances." I nod politely as I can in greeting to them.

"We all love your dress! It's so subtle, but makes a statement at the same time. Who is your dressmaker?" Mrs. Evangeline Sawyer, the youngest of the bunch to be there, asks me bending over to look closer at the lace on my bodice. "Yes, stunning." She remarks again.

"I will have to inform Mr. Wellsew, how much you appreciated his work. I must admit though each one of your dresses are stunning as well. They are tasteful, fashionable, and you ladies make sure that you, are the ones wearing the clothes."  I smile at the woman who nods, standing up straight again.

"Thank you. I heard that you also own your own tea shop and are looking to expand?" She hints at me.

"Yes, I am still letting my financial advisor take things into consideration before making a decision." I respond gently.

"Oh, we understand what you're saying. Those financial advisors can be a real kill joy sometimes.." Mrs. Bradshaw adds.

"Excuse me, ladies."Bav comes through with a glass of water which I thank him for, before drinking the whole glass. "I think I need another, please. I'm feeling parched."

Before Bav can leave, Mrs. Porter stops him.

"Mr. Fairchild, don't wear your self out," Mrs. Porter waves a servant down. "Water for Ms. Langridge, bring a pitcher." She instructs the servant before turning her sights back on us.

"See, you should stay the night if she's not feeling well. It would give you the chance to play doctor all night long...."

"Mrs. Porter!" Bav is curt cutting her off before she tries to create a scandal.

I have to speak up this time though.

"Mrs. Porter, I would never stay the night in a house not my own or families, unless I was dying. Seeing as I am merely dehydrated, I would appreciate you, NOT trying to insinuate that I would share a bed with a man before marriage. I was starting to think that you thought better of me, but it's obvious I am no longer enjoying myself. Bav, darling,please take me home, so that I may put my family at ease." Standing, Bav takes my arm and raises a finger for me to wait.

Turning to Mrs. Porter, he looks at her and although I can't see his face, I know he's saying some thing the way his mouth is moving. Mrs. Porter looks alarmed and immediately apologizes to me.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Langridge. It wasn't meant in that manner. Please stay a while longer."

Bav turns to me and I take his hand. "Apologies, Mrs. Porter, I must put my family at ease. Pleasure to meet you all ladies, enjoy the rest of your evening." I curtsy and we leave, and I walk with my head held high.

I turn to Bav and realize he's in his natural form, and he looks mad. I don't think I've ever seen him look angry. He turns to me and his gaze softens.  Whispering I ask him.

"You're in your natural form. Was that to scare Mrs. Porter?"

"No, when I can't control my mood it's harder to keep the disguise in place."

"You don't have to stay angry, Bav. It's not worth my time and energy worrying about what she thinks of me. So it shouldn't be worth yours either." I place my hand upon his arm, and his other hand joins it.

Archibald Porter and Gilbert Nortle, hastily make their way to us before we are able to leave. "Mr. Fairchild, Ms. Langridge!" Mr. Porter calls out, "Please wait!"

We stop and turn to face him, causing everyone to stop and stare. "My apologies for my wife's actions tonight, to you both. Please do not leave on her account." Mr. Porter quickly says bowing low at the waste.

Mr. Nortle bows as well, "At least let us entertain you for little while longer, Mr. Fairchild. We wished to discuss some important business, and we can move this to a less crowded area, away from the scornful mouth of a jealous wife." Mr. Nortle gives Mr. Porter an angry glare. Mr. and Mrs. Stargo and Mrs. Sawyer are quick to arrive.

"Mrs. Porter will be staying with the rest of her guests, while we join you." Mrs. Stargo states.

"We do not think of you like that, Ms. Langridge. We would be happy to become better acquainted with you, if you would allow us." Mrs. Sawyer bows her head.

Bav turns to me and I know he's leaving it up to me. I don't want to cause a scene or cause any personal issues considering his business deals with these people.

"IF you would allow me to ring my Uncle, Mr. Wellsew, as to alleviate any concerns he might have if I am out too late, I do not see the harm." I say as gracefully as possible, so that all the ears listening will believe we were leaving more so due to my family's concern than Mrs. Porter.

Mr. Porter looking rather relieved, nods, "Of course my dear! Right this way!" He leads us off out of the ballroom, our small group being led by Mr. Porter. He takes us upstairs to the the third floor, from the grand, double stairway, that spirals up from the second floor.

"Goodness! Thank the Elements, I am still a young enough man to walk these stairs, Archibald! Don't you have a lift?" Mr. Nortle teases.

"Of course I have a lift! We just will not fit all of us into it." Mr. Porter huffs out, sweat forming on his brow as we make it to the third floor.

In no time at all, we were in his , 'Private study' , which could fit my home and four of my shops in it. Books, upon, books lined the shelved walls on two sides, floor to ceiling windows on the other. Large comfortable furniture sat all around with tables and a giant map table stood to one side. Mr. Porters desk was neat and tidy, and to one side was a talking tube.

"There you are my dear. I'll get us some refreshments, please sit." He led me to the talking tube, and directed the others to choose a place to sit.

I pick up the ear piece and press the ring button for the call station.

"Call station." The nasally female voice answers.

"Yes. I need Mr. Wellsew at 43902 Iron Way. Please."

"Connecting."

I hear the ring a few times before Mr Wellsew picks up. "Hello, Mr. Wellsew speaking."

"Uncle Wellsew. It's Rakara."

"Oh Rakara! Dear, how are you? How was the theater?"

"Oh it was lovely, there are some ladies who have complimented your fine skills tonight too."

"That's wonderful! So you're home now?"

"No, Uncle."

"IS everything alright? Do you need me?"

"Yes, Uncle, everything is fine. I was just letting you know, I may be a little later, Mr. Fairchild's business associates needed to discuss some things before we left. I wanted to ring you, to inform you and not make you worry."

"IS Mr. Fairchild there? I'd like to speak to him a minute."

"Yes, Uncle."

I turn to Bav, "Bav, uncle would like to have a word with you." I wave him over.

He makes his way over, confusion on his face as he takes the ear piece. "Yes, Mr. Wellsew?"

"No. No. They wanted to go over some business contracts, that involved some last minute changes before things can start proceeding tomorrow." ...."Yes, I understand. That will not be a problem, sir. Yes."...."Thank you sir, here she is."

He hands the ear piece to me, winks and joins the others.

"Uncle?"

"Take care of yourself Rakara. Your family does love you. Let me know when you do get home, doesn't matter the time dear."

"Yes, Uncle. I love you too."

I hang up the ear piece and join the others, taking a seat next to Bav, who hands me a glass of wine.

"Everything alright, dear?" Mrs. Stargo asks in a matronly manner.

"Yes. He's just concerned I might have too much wine." I say, taking a small sip.

"May I ask, why you called your uncle and not your parents dear?" Mrs. Stargo asks me curiously.

I look down at my gown, before raising my gaze to meet hers. "My parents died years ago, Mrs. Stargo. My guardian, who was like an aunt to me and best friend of my mother, was Mr. Wellsew's sister."

"Was?! She passed away too?" Mrs. Sawyer interjects.

Nodding, I explain. "My parents died when I was seven, Mrs. Vathy passed away when I was fifteen. Mr. Wellsew is the closest thing I have to a relative. Still he is family either way."

"Oh you poor dear! To lose your family so young and you have turned out to be a very respectable young woman it seems. You are a rare breed, young lady. I would know. I grew up in the level one Works district, like yourself." Mrs. Stargo says.

It hits me then. They think I am from money, and who could blame them? My manners, dress and borrowed jewels scream money. I feel it best I continue to let them think that way.

I smile at her, "Thank you for such an exemplary compliment! You speak too highly of me though. I merely do my best to just be an honest person. The Elements have been kind to me, in recent years." I look to Bav, who's deep in conversation with the men. Turning my attention back to the ladies, they both give me a warm knowing smile.

"Shall we go to the balcony? Let the men handle  their business, without us distractions?" Mrs. Sawyer suggests.

"Sounds splendid! I could use a bit of fresh air." Mrs. Stargo rises with Mrs. Sawyer, making me feel obligated to join.

Out on the balcony, the cool night breeze feels heavenly against my exposed skin.

"Ah.." We all sighed in unison, causing us to slowly break into a fit of soft giggles.

"So my dear, how long has Mr. Fairchild been courting you?" Mrs. Stargo takes a seat on a lounge, leaning back against its rest, comfortably.

"Well, Mrs. Stargo, Bav has been seeing me for a little over a month now." I shyly busy my mouth with a sip of wine.

"Bav? Oh, how sweet, you already have terms of endearment  for each other." Mrs. Sawyer says with a sad longing in her voice.

"Yes, we do Mrs. Sawyer."

"Oh, please do call me Evangeline. I prefer it now that my husband has passed away."

"I'm so sorry! May I inquire?" I hesitate to finish the question, realizing how rude that would sound.

"His lady of the night slowly poisoned him. That's what he deserves though for lying to HER, promising to give HER a place in OUR home. Honestly, makes me wish I had thought of it first." She chuckles, "Sorry, I'm not normally so vindictive, he just was...."

"A man." A nod my head to her understanding where she was going with it, considering what I had seen my mother endure.

"Yes. Who's left me quite happier, and very comfortable." She says flashing a wide toothy grin reminding me of a cat.

"So what's it like dating someone from another world?" Mrs. Stargo gives me a curious tilt of her head.

"Uh.. Well, I must say, I'm not sure. I don't have anyone else to compare it to."

"How old are you?" Evangeline asks.

"I'm five and twenty."

This has them both looking shocked.

"Your five and twenty and never been courted before?!" Evangeline's wide eyes and dropped jaw make me feel uncomfortable.

Wiggling in my seat, I respond " I've had several men attempt to court me, but I've had no care for them. I was more focused on my business."   

"Oh, well that makes sense. You're a very focused woman then." Mrs. Stargo compliments me.

"I wouldn't say that, those other men... They just were not right for me." I shrug and begin to relax.

In a hushed tone, "Did you see the look on Mrs. Porters face when Mr. Fairchild turned to her?" Evangeline suddenly asks.

"No, why?" I had an inkling I knew where this was going.

Still whispering,"Mr. Fairchild's face changed! His eyes became all black and he had teeth like a cats!"

I just nod, "Yes, that's his natural form."

They both look taken aback. "Are you not frightened? Granted he seems like a very docile man, but when he did that... he looked dangerous." Evangeline shuddered.

I let out a hollow chuckle, "I'm glad it was in my defense then. I'd hate to be Mrs. Porter right now."

That has us all sharing in a good laugh, when I hear Bav's voice, "You ladies seem to be enjoying yourselves."

"Are you done discussing business?" I inquire.

"I am. Are you ready to leave?" He asks.

Thinking for a moment, I nod. "Ladies, it was my pleasure to meet you."

"Oh no! Rakara, the pleasure was ours! You must come visit us and bring some tea to sample and buy! We could have a tea party, with more woman like us, and less like someone else..." Mrs. Stargo murmured the last part.

"That would be lovely." I inform them.

"How should we contact you, Rakara Langridge?" Evangeline takes both my hands in hers.

Bav informs her, "Have the men ring me, she will receive the information. I'll be at her uncles for business."

"Oh, very well. We will do that. Bye."

After saying good evening to the men, we take a carriage from the Porters.

Bav takes my hand in the carriage and asks me.

"Rakara would you like to do something with me?"