Thread: The Only Rules That Matter:  Afterlife (TheCorsair, Madam Mim)

John smiled and offered a little wave as everyone turned to look at him. He'd always thrived on being the center of attention, a fact that had served him well when he'd turned to piracy, so the attention of a dozen or so couples didn't bother him. Although old habits seemed to die hard, as he caught himself sizing up who was likely to be the wealthiest by the cost of their clothes and the jewelry on display. It is an honor to serve as your new schoolmaster, good gentles, he declared with a bow, doffing his cap as he did. Then he handed it off to the butler as Van Tassel waved at the band and encouraged everyone to return to the festivities. The band struck up again and Van Tassel laid his heavy arm around John's shoulder. Now then my boy, you will eat and drink and be merry, and I shall introduce you to everyone who's anyone. I'll be looking forward to it, John assured him, before making a show of hesitating. Before you do, though, he murmured, directing his question to his host's ear alone, I have a... delicate question. About... well, about current events . I find myself somewhat apolitical, myself, but..? Van Tassel nodded, and clapped his shoulder. I understand, yes. We're mostly of Dutch ancestry, here, so it's all one and the same to us if the King or the Congress win. Just so long as business returns to normal, you understand? Perfectly, John agreed. Now, Van Tassel continued, Magistrate Hardwick tells me you brought a serving girl with you, but no matter. No matter? The words sounded puzzled, mostly because he was puzzled. Van Tassel chuckled, and led him around the room. You'll forget all about the help when you see the flowers which bloom in every season here upstate. Ah, and none so lovely as this! He steered John toward a pretty blonde of sixteen or seventeen. My daughter, Katrina. How do you do Mister Crane? Katrina smiled charmingly and curtsied. John tried not to stare, as the implications of what Baltus Van Tassel had said finally sank in. They thought him single, and eligible! And the Van Tassel was quite pointedly presenting his daughter. And the daughter in question was... well, John had prided himself on having been faithful to his Jenny for the 82 years they'd been married now. Not that he hadn't been tempted , mind. And Katrina Van Tassel was temptation made flesh. Very attractive, very smooth, pleasantly curved flesh - much of it tantalizingly on display thanks to her decolletage. Ah... very well, thank you Miss Van Tassel, he replied with a bow, and he was certain it wasn't accident that made her shift so he got a better look as he did. Her smile was inviting as she looked at him with large, sapphire eyes. Oh, please, you must call me Katrina, Mister Crane. And may I call you Ichabod? Yes, of course, he found himself saying on autopilot. The dazzling smile became warmer as he said it, and she caught his hand. Father, please excuse us. Another waltz is beginning. And before John could stop it, he found himself on the floor with the lovely Katrina in his arms. Troubles? Mister von Kalt sounded genuinely confused. I'm not sure what you mean. There were the British, his wife suggested. Well, there were the soldiers, yes, he conceded. But that was... oh, six years ago, now. Near the start of the rebellion. Nothing since then. There's the Horseman, interjected his son. Mister von Kalt sighed. Adam, that's nonsense. Adam shook his head fiercely. Jacob and Vincent saw him, three months ago, he insisted. Those no good friends of yours? his father scoffed. Saw the bottom of a pint or three, I shouldn't wonder. And there's old Van Holt, Adam insisted. Said he'd go out to the hollow, and show everyone it was just a story. Look what happened to him. Heart failure, the elder van Kalt stated, flatly. With a look of fear on his face, pa? Adam countered. That wasn't... Well, Mrs. von Kalt said, raising her voice pointedly, I'll fetch out the dessert. Karl, she gave her husband a pointed look, would you help me carry it? I'll help, ma, Adam said, starting to rise. Oh, no, that's not necessary, Mrs. von Kalt assured him as she took her husband's hand. Why don't you keep Jennifer company for a few minutes? It won't take your father and I long, and she's our guest after all.