" I’m not lost.. nor have I ever been in this house. I’m Renee, the head charge of the servants under the young Miss’s employment. Now, I suggest that you cover up that painting there, young man.. the Miss doesn’t take too kindly to people snooping in things they shouldn’t be.” Axel had his head bowed guiltily, before looking up and seeing the look in her eyes that made him relax, just a bit, though not completely out of the woods just yet. "Im sorry! I didn't mean to snoop but I just-"Just as Axel was beginning to ramble, music began to slip down the hallways, echoing off the walls and covered paintings. The music room, could it be..? ”Ah.. the young Miss is playing again... It’s been while, ever since her..... well never mind."
He took a moment, listening to the music that filled the hallway. The piano had been his favorite, Axel wasn't great at it but it's pleasing to his ears, especially when someone else is playing it. He closed his eyes, letting the music fill his body and slow his heart, it had a soothing effect on him. A gift his father had given his mother had been a keyboard, a high tech one that even had keys light up to help teach you how to play. His mother had played it for him every night since he was young, and he hadn't realized now how much he missed that sound, and his mother. His stomach turned. "Put that cloth back on the painting then come with me, Mr. Sparks." He opened his eyes, the moment broken as his brows furrowed at the command.
Recluntantly, he sat his tray down once before to grab the cloth, but then paused and turned to Renee. "Why are all the paintings covered? Every single of one of them.. If their anything like this one,"He paused, taking a glance back up to the mother-daughter portrait. "What gives?? If I could ever paint something like this for me and my mother, I'd have it front and center." He droned on, squinting his eyes as he tried to figure out how to rehang the cloth without knocking the painting off the wall.
As carefully as he could, he climbed onto the tables positioned in the hallway, letting the cloth spread out once more as he hooked a bit of cloth around a corner. He frowned and paused again, he didn't really want to cover it. It was too great of a painting, such a personal one as well, but he found that he'd never understand the upperclass and the things they do. His frown deepened as he continued to recover the painting the best he could, "I just don't understand. Why have all these paintings done only to cover them? Is that what the upperclass do? Do things just because..?" He questioned, going to hop back down after hanging the cloth only to throw himself off balance as the table wobbled when he shift. "Ahh!" Flaing, his hands grabbed at air before hitting the ground hard, sending the contents on the table flying along with the already ruined breakfast and tea, once again on the floor and scattered about. Axel groaned, a foot still in the air before it fell limp to the ground, his body physically giving up. He closed his eyes and just laid there, miserable and irritated.
"Why would my father ever recommend this.." He muttered irritatbly to himself, his fist balled as he buried his palms into his eyes, taking a moment before roughly sitting up. Without another word he began to clean up another thing he managed to mess up, violently positioning the table back to it's upright position before grabbing up the ruined breakfast, another stain of tea on the floor. "Sorry.. Im just a screw up. Luckily, you won't have me for long. Im sure Mistress Victorique is signing me off as we speak."
______________________________
Even after snapping himself out of his stupor to avoid walking into traffic, Apollo still found himself in a daze, his memories still holding him as his brows furrowed. Once more, he was off, this time rooted to his spot before a voice pulled him out again, "Master Apollo. Master Apollo!" It took him a moment, but Apollo turned to look down at his maid, he eyes held with concern as he stared back at her with dull eyes, still not all the way there. "You forgot to get the Forsberg's a gift." She stated calmly while his brows furrowed in confusion, his mind still foggy before suddenly snapping back into the present. The present! The Ball! "Oh yes, of course.." He murmured, his blue eyes clearing and once again vibrant as he seemed to come back to life. He stood taller, his hands freed from being buried deep into his pockets and now hung at his sides, his posture relaxed like usual. He looked like himself, but he was having a war inside of him. He turned around ready to go back the way he came as he began to open his mouth, "Look, Mio, I-"
"Apollo," A familiar voice called out to him, cutting him off, "Are you ready for the ball tonight?" Apollo halted in mid step, his brows furrowed a bit before turning around. Once facing Shilo, any sign of trouble or confusion had been wiped before fully turning around. A full smile graced his face, his charming aura back as he greeted his fellow peer. "Shilo! Of course I am, Im always ready for a good party. I was just on my way to pick up a party gift for our host, what brings you here? Gift shopping as well?" Apollo spoke, his voice flowed from his, confident and strong as he stood, subtly positioning himself in front of Mio. His body acted on his own, though he didn't dwell on it as he took a moment to even nod his head towards Shilos maid, Remm, a smile still present on his face.
"Im sure you're as excited as I am?" Apollo questioned, keeping polite conversation. Though Apollo was looked up after by many, so was the male before him, and even Apollo admired him and the way he held himself. They never really hung out, but during the balls or even moments like this, Shilo was great company to keep. "Would you and Remm like to accompany us while we shop? Im also trying to kill time before my mother gets her chance to sink her claws into me."He added with an eye roll, recalling back to the very conversation. His mother, being as cunning as ever, always tried to get him to agree to let her dress him up herself like she used to. Since she wouldn't be present for this upcoming ball, the begging had come on thick, and with a couple bats of her eyes, Apollo had given in to his mothers pleas. He shuttered at the smile she had given him when he said yes, he knew he had probably made a mistake. A big one.
