Thread: Darkened Hearts (Orcus/SHARPii)

Lord Derby looked upon the young lad as he spoke, explaining his tale. By the end of it, his jaw was nearly to the ground, as was Lila's, Lady Derby's and a lot of the onlookers who had left their conversations to listen to the strange man that Lord Derby was addressing. The moment the name of Jack the Ripper came up, gasps, mostly from the females, excluding Lila erupted into the room. Sure, the killer supposedly only preyed upon women of lower class, lower status and lower morals but the threat was always out there that perhaps one of them could be his next victim. What was scarier was no one knew what the man looked like, how he'd turn up or even his whereabouts. And the ones who were taken by him definitely didn't live to tell the tale. Lila had heard of the terrible man but that didn't really stop her from wanting to explore the world. She figured he'd have to die out at some point and perhaps everything would be safe again. Besides, new threats would always tend to arise as it is and people could live to fear the world. The brave don't live forever but the cautious don't live at all. So what was the point of life then? Living locked up with a destiny to become some nobleman's wife and bearing his children while he probably had his own affairs and left her destitute with children? That's not the life she envisioned. Because in this world, there was no such thing as happily ever after. Only compromise. Perhaps she didn't want a happily ever after but she didn't want to live a fully compromised life or just settle because her parents made her. She was nineteen and one day, she'd break free. Lord Derby looked at this man, rather pleased definitely with the wine he brought and also his proposition. My good sir, I myself would not be able to aid you in your noble quest. If my age allowed me, believe me I'd do what I could to keep the streets safe again so the gentle and beautiful women of this realm could be free and not live in fear. However, I'm sure there would be plenty of youthful men who would gladly aid in your quest. The most I can offer is you lodging and some hefty contacts. He nodded to him, his spectacles once again perching on his nose, rather than the bridge of it. Taking the bottle from it, he rather happily examined it and was completely taken back. I thank you, my boy. He patted him on the back of his shoulder and raised the bottle for everyone to see. A vintage classic! He cheered, laughing and the others--the men, really--cheered as well, raising their cups of wine in honor of the delicacy that was brought to him. Turning back to Francis, he smiled broadly at him. Come in then, my boy. Make yourself at home. When the festivities die down for the night, remind me to have someone show you to a room. Turning, he saw his daughter nearby as well as his wife, Lady Derby and he motioned them over. Her mother walked hastily towards her husband while Lila walked in a steady pace and fashion, soon joining her mother and father. Her hands were clasped together in front of her and she just looked at the man. This is my wife, Lady Derby and my darling daughter whom this gathering is in honor of, Delilah. He said softly. Lady Derby gave Francis a wary smile while Lila just looked at him, her face giving a hint and mixture of both bewilderment and amusement. Definitely an interesting turn of events.