Thread: Such A Nonsensical Thing, Little Girls (PocketFullOfPosies)

This is a roleplay based in an original Victorian-era setting. All he could do was sigh. Sigh, and tap his fingers. He had summoned her to his office, his niece, Lydia, and had her sit on his couch. Preferably she would be sitting on her hands, quiet as a mouse and attentive as he spoke. Preferably. That wasn't to be the case, here. Lydia. Little Lydia Darling, a girl whom used to bounce in her uncle's lap amidst a flurry of giggles when she was six years old, that a full nine years ago now. Little Lydia Darling... He hadn't seen her in so long. He hadn't seen any of that side of the family for quite some time outside of often letters. It wasn't due to ill feelings, there had never been a spat of any sort, but due to his profession, a relatively recent field known as psychology, Doctor Simon Burke was either traveling to tend to some of his more noteworthy patients or traveling to meet and understand others in his field and their personal methods, not to mention the occasional travel for a vacation so he wouldn't go loony himself. Little Lydia. She had just... shown up, several days ago. Just like that. Now at the age of forty-two Simon had gained enough renown not only among his peers but among the people, for word of his abilities had in time spread, that he was something of a well known person. And at the behest of his colleagues he decided to settle down rather than keep traveling about, having purchased a lovely estate not two months ago at which he would enjoy the privacy of the country while he wrote books for fledgling professionals in his field to learn from. And no sooner had he begun to settle and notify family of such than his young niece appeared at his home with a note all but begging for her to be cared for. According to her parents she wasn't quite right in the head, and they knew no other they could trust with their child. Though more telling of the young woman's condition than the included letter was the fact that, when he happened upon her, when a servant fetched him to the front explaining the peculiar surprise, she had chosen to abandon her carriage. Rather, Lydia had taken up residence in one of his fountains, soaking wet and determined to name every last frog. She was positively daffy, it seemed, this young lady. The last few days had seen her largely left to her own devices, with the estate's various servants told only to report in on her actions, not to hinder them. The best thing Simon could do at such a stage was to learn about his patient, specifically about what he needed to restrict so he could start helping her. I love you, Lydia, he began, sitting behind the rich mahogany desk in his first story office, looking to her on the couch. Your parents love you too, very much. They're worried about you. They're worried you might not get well soon enough for a suitor to wish your hand, or even yet, worried you might not get well at all. That's why you have been sent here, to me. Did they tell you that? I know your mother. She's my sister, and we were close when growing up. I'm certain she cares about you greatly. I am certain she wants only the best. It's important that you recognize that you're sick, that you need help, sweetheart, and that I'm here to help you. He breathed in slowly, then breathed out. He couldn't help but feel unprepared for this, knowing nothing of his niece's arrival until she had already arrived. We're going to talk about some rules, you and I. I have heard some... very improper things, that you have been doing around and outside of the house since your arrival. The issues which went undetailed in your mother's letter you have done well enough with elaborating upon with your actions. These are going to stop, first and foremost. It seems I have been entrusted with the task of not only helping you get better, but of turning you into a lady, as much as a gentleman can manage that is. Sitting up straight, he let another long, full draw of breath come and go, his blue eyes never once leaving the fifteen year old. I would like if we could work together in this, Lydia. Do not think of it as... you against me. He smiled then, the doctor. A warm smile. Though... a different kind of smile. Confidence, exuberating. Think of it as you and I working together against this temporary problem, so we can get you back on track to being the lovely young lady who couldn't wait to see her uncle whenever he'd visit and bring her sweets. Simon leaned forward against his desk, smiling still, arms folded atop the wood, How does that all sound to you?