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Nocturnal

The dark cold night

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a part of Nocturnal, by Lyysa.

None

Lyysa holds sovereignty over The dark cold night, giving them the ability to make limited changes.

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Setting

Default Location for Nocturnal
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Minimap

The dark cold night is a part of Nocturnal.

2 Characters Here

Charlie Ashford [12] The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.
Albert de Clare [11] "Can anyone save my soul now?"

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Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
It made Charlie relax slightly to be closer to the countryside that he knew so well. The hustle and bustle of city life hadn't suited him and his younger sister and it was by some miracle that they had both found a positon, moderately paid as it was, where they could stay together. He missed her, this month that it had taken for him to settle the affairs of his late father had been too long in his opinion and to have no method of contacting her made him worry.

She would have written to him if she could. In fact from what he heard the duke's staff were treated well. Encouraged to write to their families, it was by the recommendation of his last Mistress that he had found the position and from her words, his sister would be well looked after. But alas writing to him was not worth her time.

It was a large grounds. As he approached the sizable house he reminded himself that for the last 20 minutes or so he had been looking upon the de Clare's property. The vibrant green trees that provided shade to a number of well looked after horses. They were allowed paddock time it seemed. He was happy at that, it made his job easier. A horse allowed to stretch it's legs was less temperamental.

He had to clear the thoughts that were bustled in his mind as he approached the front door. Knocking with his bare fist instead of the silver knocker he waited as a grumpy-looking older man answered the door. "My name is Charles sir, I am to be the new stable man." It was before he'd even finished his words before the man just sighed and allowed him to enter, He noticed a few handmaids were setting a table off into another room. He wondered where Mary was, though he'd be able to see her soon, for now, he had work. He was about to ask a question before he was told to stay. The grumpy looking man he assumed to be the head butler was heading up a large set of stairs to where Charlie didn't know. So he was left in the entryway, awkwardly watching as people came and went. A few whispering. Well it was a start he supposed.

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

Albert yawned in front of his desk, drumming his fingers, reading a few lines more, looking towards the window. Yawning once more. He rubbed his eyes and looked down at the documents once more before drifting away again. He stayed like that for a while before noticing that he had lost focus, he let out a heavy sigh and gathered the documents and put them to the side. No, he would have to do that later. Right now, he needed to take a break. The numbers just seemed to scramble together and he wasn't able to read them.

He leaned backward and glanced towards the window once more, behind heavy drapes you could sense the sunlight. The weather seemed to be fine, perhaps he should take a walk around the park before continuing. He stopped that thought and looked down at his left hand that was bandaged. No, that wasn't possible. He sighed once more and covered his face with his hands. What is going on?

A light knock could be heard from outside of the work office. He looked up as one of the footmen entered the room, perhaps he looked annoyed since the man seemed to unusually nervous. With a weak voice, the man announced that the new stable man had showed up. Albert nodded slightly. Not really sure why the man came to tell him that. It didn't seem that pressing or relevant at the moment. That thought got stuck however as the servant revealed the main reason he had come all the way here to tell Albert about this. He felt how a knot formed inside his stomach and nodded quietly before waving at him to getaway.

The moment the footman left Albert flew up from his chair and started to pace around the room. Why didn't he know about this? Surely, he had known this. But ended up forgetting. He started biting his thumb as he paced around. A familiar metallic taste sipped out and he stopped immediately. Once again he paced around the room before making his way towards the door. Perhaps there was a mistake, they surely wasn't siblings.

Albert tiptoed down the hall, not completely, but he made sure to make as little noise as possible. He passed a couple of maids that hushed each other and hurried away. Finally he was there, he had reached his end destination. Just two steps more and he would be able to look down the staircase to see if he could look after this new person. The knot inside his stomach had grown immensely. But he forced himself to take those last few steps and grabbed the ceiling as he looked down at the main entrance.

He felt how the air left his lungs, somehow the world seemed to open a hole right beneath him because it felt like he was falling. It was true. They looked alike. Even though he wanted to forget he couldn't, the moment he saw the man the face of the young girl flashed before his eyes and he gasped. This truly must be a horrible nightmare.

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
Charlie wasn't sure what he was waiting for. The grumpy man had left him alone by the front door with no explanation. They had been expecting him right? He had sent word with his sister about his delay and whilst with some employers that could be grounds for termination Mrs Lester, his last mistress, had insisted upon the fairness of the De Clare's.

The elder de Clare he had been told had taken ill leaving his only son in charge of the grounds and family estate. They had wanted an expert, he had been informed. In all but official sense he was an expert, is this why he was told to wait? Where they not happy with his lack of qualifications? A small rise of fear set in motion as he glanced at the many eyes staring at him, judging him. Like they knew something he didn't. Would he have to find another job, would they keep Mary?

He didn't have time to overthink the issue as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His arms grew goosebumps as a chill flooded over him not matching the warm air outside. He felt like he was being watched, he was for course, he didn't miss how servants seemed to find a reason to be in the main foyer but he felt like an animal being cornered. His heart thumped faster in his chest as he found his eyes drawing to the staircase. That's when he saw, him.

He was pale, too pale in Charlie's opinion with blonde hair longer than Charlie's had ever been. Longer than Mary's even. He was being watched with an unreadable expression that made his insides churn. Why was he frightened of this man? Why did it feel like his heart was trying to beat out of his chest? With an effort, he didn't know he had and bravery that belonged to another man Charlie met those alien eyes. Staring back at who he assumed was his new master. "Is there a problem here sir? I sent word with my younger sister I was delayed. I apologise for the inconvenience."

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

Albert wasn't sure for how long he stared at the man in the foyer, at one point time seemed to be standing still. Albert even forgot to breathe, the only thing he did was remembering that horrible night as his grip of the railing got stronger and stronger. He clenched his fists so hard it looked like the knuckles were about to pop out from underneath his paper-thin skin. It was quite a spectacle in the eyes of the servants. Even though Albert really did his best to hides his emotions, this was probably one of the only times he had been this emotional in public.

"Is there a problem here sir? I sent word with my younger sister I was delayed. I apologise for the inconvenience."

You could hear gasps around the room as some of the servants reacted in shock as Charlie addressed the Duke as sir, hushed voices whispered to each other, and seemed to stare even more at the new arrival. One of the footmen approached the man and cleared his throat as he was about to lean in to whisper something with a concerned look.

"Stop," Albert had reentered reality and gave everyone in the room a stern look, most of all the footman that was trying to explain why the others servants reacted like they did. But Albert was unhappy with the man, since he seemed to think that Albert wasn't able to talk for himself.

As the hushed voices stopped talking Albert looked down at Charlie once more, trying to focus on the man and not the face of his sister. "I don't know you and I don't know what circumstances you come from. It was not me who chose to hire you, it was Mr. Cooper who did that." Albert gave the old head butler and cold stare before turning his attention towards Charlie once more. "But from now on, when addressing someone of my statue, use the term 'your grace'. I believe someone else in the staff can teach you how to address lesser nobilities at another time."

Albert almost sighed, but kept his lips tightly pressed together. It was at this point that he realized what a spectacle this all was. Perhaps he had focused on Charlie so much that he hadn't noticed all other servants that had gathered in the lobby. Some tried to pretend that they had something to do but most only stood there and gawked.

It tugged at the wrong strings. Suddenly Albert snapped and glared at all others, "Has everyone forgotten that they have jobs to do? Please, return to your duties or I will fire all of you." He cleared his throat and the harsh look turned a bit softer as his eyes looked towards Charlie and the head butler. "Mr. Cooper and... Oh, I'm sorry, I don't think I got your name..." With an embarrassed smile, Albert nodded towards Charlie, if it wasn't for his extensive practice in trying to hide his emotions Albert surely would be tomato red by now and groaning on the floor because of this whole mess. How could he go on and scold someone that hasn't been able to introduce themselves? So stupid of him. "Please, follow me to my study. We have some things to discuss... and other ears don't need to hear why."

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
It's not like Charlie knew what sort of place he'd stepped into. It was safe to say he'd worked with nobility before, but he'd never been concerned about titles and other such things. He respected everyone, that's what his mother made sure he was taught. When you had nothing, and through his life, Charles had had plenty of that, manners were all you had late.

Something inside him felt red hot anger as everyone looked upon him like he'd murdered a babe in its cot. "when addressing someone of my statue, use the term 'your grace'." It was that statement that made him pause. Really that's all it was? He managed to keep his face straight as a torrent of emotions filled his body. The face of his mother as she taught him to respect everyone the same. They were all children of God were they not? The horrid winter months where he gave his last scrap of meal to the small boy who had no family, how horrible starving had felt, he was sad to say he'd felt it more than once. This 'grace' had never known what it was like to have an empty stomach, had done nothing to Charlie to deserve respect. He'd given it anyway by calling him sir. Why was one word so important to these people?

He realised then, he was not in a kind house. He was standing in a lion's den, had sent his sister to a place where everyone seemed to judge him at first glance. "I don't think I got your name." Oh, now he asked? Was this how this game was played. It took everything inside him to hold back the look of intense distaste for the 'grace' in front of him. For there was nothing graceful about this man. But he'd had practice at hiding his true feelings. His fear and anger especially. His hand rested on the cross that was hanging from his neck under his shirt and managed a low bow befitting for a 'noble' this man claimed to be.

"Charles James Ashford, 'your grace'" He was thankful that looking at the floor hid at least a little of his anger. He stood up straight head held high as those who had started to depart watched him as he followed the bastard king up the stairs. Just do the work, make sure Mary is okay and we'll find a new job. He sent a prayer up to the lord that maybe just maybe, they'd both make it out of here unharmed. How wrong he already was. He stepped into the private room not knowing of how much he'd actually lost already.

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

Charles Ashford. Albert paid extra attention to the last name, trying to make himself remember what the younger girl was called. Since they were siblings it had to be something Ashford. It really bothered him, how was he supposed to discuss the fact that the sister was missing when he couldn't even remember her name? Not that it really mattered, but Albert felt awful about it. What a way to meet someone new.

As they walked down the hallway all the paintings eyes seemed to follow him with judgment. Every step got heavier. To always be followed by your ancestor's eye was a bit awkward usually, but now it was even worse. He could see the door at the end of the hall, finally, even if it at most took them a minute to get there it felt like hours. He felt drained. Albert stopped right in front of the door and looked over at the head butler. The elderly man walked up to the door and opened it, letting Albert and Charlie to step through before he closed the door after them.

The room was just as dark as when Albert left, he looked longingly towards the big glass window that was all covered. He missed being able to look outside and the warmth of the sun on his face. But that was just useless daydreams now. He walked up to the big oaktree desk and sat down behind it before looking at Charlie once again. He placed his hands in front of him, clutched together before he let out a heavy breath. "I'm afraid we have some bad news."

Albert swallowed nervously and glanced towards the head butler who nodded quietly. Albert knew that he had to lie, he had known that from the start, but somehow he had thought that it didn't have to be this soon after the incident. It made him feel nauseous, to hide the truth from someone who absolutely deserved the truth right now. But it was impossible.

"Your sister is missing," Albert paused to let the information sink in before he continued, "She stole some family heirlooms and ran away. This happened two days ago. We haven't been able to find her since. Neither has the police force. I'm sorry I have to give you such awful news on your first day here... We will do our best to aid you in the search for her."

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
Charlie's eyes struggled to adapt to the darkroom that he now found himself in. Confusion filled his face as he looked from the 'graceful bastard' to the heavily curtained windows and back to the man who seemed that he'd swallowed a lemon. What was this about? "I'm afraid we have some bad news." That didn't help him to feel much better.

Different scenarios pulsed through him. Was he being fired? Were they going to fire them both? How would he feed his sister if they'd lost such upscale positions? The more and more outrageous scenarios pulsed through him and he didn't even consider the truth. "Your sister is missing," Those words made his heart stop. No, it couldn't be. His legs felt shaky and his fists clenched so tightly that he'd properly have marks in his palms for a very long time. Pictures filled his mind, images of his sweet, sweet little sister, then some more of her bloody beaten, dead. He had no room for anger and was only filled with absolute sadness.

His mind barely caught up to him as the words continued. Stolen? Heirlooms? What lies was this? He knew his sister, he remembered when she had cried as she milked a cow for the first time, saying it was stealing from the poor animal. She'd been adamant that she'd never had another egg. Father had fixed that quickly. Charlie didn't believe this small innocent girl could do anything like that.

He finally found his voice, it was shakey, didn't feel like his own and revealed how much he was close to just breaking down. She was all he had left. "She's 12 years old, and you're telling me my little sister, that Mary Ashford is missing? And you accuse her of stealing from you? MY SISTER " His voice trailed off as he stopped the anger he was feeling. Turning his head to the side away from this horrible man so he wouldn't see the tears that fell from his eyes. His fists drew blood in his palms, grief took hold of him, the knowledge that she must be dead, he didn't think she'd be capable to survive two days alone. A small quiet voice rang out. "I have just buried our father. Don't tell me I have to bury her too."

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

Alberts eyes darted between the head butler and Charlie, was the man shaking? It seemed that way. Albert wasn't sure, he eyed the man up and down. Yes, he was shaking. Then, he noticed the hands. Clenched tight. Was the man angry? Or sad? Albert wasn't sure but squinted a little as he looked up once more, hesitant to how this all would proceed.

"She's 12 years old, and you're telling me my little sister, that Mary Ashford is missing? And you accuse her of stealing from you? MY SISTER" Startled Albert flinched even so slightly before furrowing his eyebrows. How insolent! Who did this man think he is to talk to a noble like that? Albert had already showed him kindness and forgiveness for the incident earlier, if this was another household the man would already be fired or even whipped for his lack of respect. But Albert had just told the man about his error. But now the man raised his voice as well?! And he accused Albert of lying? Sure, he was lying... But it wasn't the issue.

To be honest, Albert felt rage flow over him. It was not something he usually felt. He wasn't a man known for his temper. He's usually calm and collected - but not now. Now, he felt insulted and enraged. He clenched his fist as well as those light gray eyes seemed to grow darker. It was faint, but someone observant would notice the change. He could feel a growl building up as he pressed his lips together to hide the sharp teethes underneath. He wanted to show them off. He wanted to growl and slap the man over the face fo his lack of respect. Every muscle in his body ached as he tried to restrain himself from bouncing at the man.

A sharp cough pierced the silence that had fallen over the room. Finally, Albert looked away from Charlie towards the head butler who gave him a faint smile while shaking his head, "We understand that you are in pain right now Mr. Ashford but that's no way to talk to your employer if you want to keep your job."

Finally, Albert relaxed, the soft raspy voice of the head butler calmed him. He leaned back in his chair and sighed before shaking his hand towards the old man, "No, Mr. Cooper, it's okay. Like you said, Mr. Ashford is in pain. People react in bizarre ways when in pain. If he wants to point the finger at me that's fine - for now." Because that's just what Albert deserved. He looked down at his hands before continuing, "But I'm not lying Mr. Ashford. Your sister went missing at the same time as a couple of my late mother's jewelry did. So it's only natural that she's the primary suspect right now. Or do you have another suggestion as to why she ran away?"

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
Charlie wasn't thinking, wasn't focusing on anything but the face of his sweet sweet innocent sister. He didn't notice the eyes of the man in front of him. His own vision blurring from unshed tears from a mixture of anger and grief. No, he couldn't lose hope on her so soon. His hands drifted to his cross in a silent prayer that maybe, just maybe, she was okay.

We understand that you are in pain right now Mr. Ashford but that's no way to talk to your employer if you want to keep your job. Keep his job? That wasn't the point right now, h-he couldn't think straight. Everything was too much for him, he needed to think straight. He needed to clear his head.

"Or do you have another suggestion as to why she ran away?" Mary, run? He couldn't find his voice and just shook his head his eyes falling to the floor his hand clenching tightly over his chest where his cross was underneath. He eventually cleared his throat and managed to pull himself together. She'd be fine, they'd find her, they'd find out who did this because Charlie was sure that it wasn't her.

"N-no." He cringed at the hoarseness of hid voice and cleared his throat in a vain attempt to fix something that nothing would fix. "That's... not like her.... your grace.." The honorific so foreign to his mouth. "She's only 12, she's all I have left... I... *ahem* I mean Mary is not the sort to steal. I don't know why your things are missing but I swear she's innocent. I, I'm sorry I just- have a hard time believing this. There must be someone else involved. I beg of you please, find her and see that she's innocent."

He lost all sense of words after that and wanted nothing but to be out of this room. Give him horses to look after any day, anything was better than this, was better than discussing how his own sister's apparent crime. He glanced towards the door before finally looking up and staring into his new master's eyes. "Please, can I just go do my job now? I don't have anything helpful to add to this." He must look pathetic to this heartless man but he just needed to get away, before he said something he regretted. Surely even this 'person' in front of him could understand that.

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

This was unusual, unnatural, strange, and a bit uncomfortable. Albert wasn't sure where to look. Should he keep trying to get eye contact with the man that was clearly upset at the moment or look away? Would that be rude of him? To be honest, Albert had no idea. This was the first time someone had ever showed so much emotion in front of him. Both anger and sadness. Neither was something Albert had a good understanding of - sure, his father had been angry with him at times but that was his father. That's natural. It's not natural to have your servants get angry with you, right? At least not show it...

Albert glanced towards Mr. Cooper in an attempt to get help but the old man was too occupied with the younger servant at the moment to even notice. Even if Mr. Cooper rarely showed it, he was an empathetic person, Albert knew that. He could see that Mr. Cooper was in pain as well. Even though he did a better job at hiding it than Mr. Ashford. But, Mr. Cooper was the closes thing to a family Albert had, perhaps he was the only one in the world that Albert felt he could truly understand at times.

"N-no."

Albert turned his attention towards Charlie once more, but still got uncomfortable with the sadness that faced him. He was both upset and in awe of the way the man expressed emotions. It was like he learned there was a whole other world out there where you don't have to be stone-faced at all times. It was so strange. But at the same time, he still felt even worse as the man continued to talk about his sister and how good she was. Had been. Albert felt terrible as the man begged him to find his sister to prove that she was innocent - which Albert already knew. And he truly wanted to tell the man that. He wanted to take it all back. But he couldn't. So he swallowed his confession down, burrowing it deep down, fighting the feeling of guilt that drowned him. He couldn't tell the servant the truth.

"Please, can I just go do my job now? I don't have anything helpful to add to this." Albert nodded quietly and waved his hand towards Mr. Cooper to open the door for the man. As he left the room Albert covered his face with his hands and let out a sigh of death. It was so deep and heavy that you truly could think that it was his last breath - but it wasn't. He felt a light pat on his shoulder and looked up towards Mr. Cooper that tried to give him a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. The old man just looked sad. "It's for the best."

Albert nodded quietly at first before mumbling, "But, is it really?"

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Character Portrait: Albert de Clare Character Portrait: Charlie Ashford
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XX Charlie Ashford
Color=#ff6600
Charlie stepped through the larger set of doors without really thinking about it. They shut behind him softly as if even the doors knew how close he was to breaking. But even that sounded to himself as a deafening slam, his ears still ringing from the memory. He walked down the stairs trying to ignore the eyes that followed him. People who were supposedly going to be his colleges staring at him like he'd stab them in the back. They must know, he summarised, someone was listening at the door that was for sure.

He couldn't focus on all of this now, he let his feet lead him out the door into the grounds and towards a larger stable that housed the many horses of the grounds. These horses were not like the ones he grew up with. He'd grown up with strong, farm horses, with strong backs and powerful legs to pull heavy loads. They like him would look out of place amongst these fine breeds. That didn't mean he didn't know what he was doing, on stable was pretty much another even if it looked more expensive.

Finding the head of the stable wasn't too difficult. An older man who looked like he was drinking himself to an early grave and breath smelt like it too. The man was short on the plumper side and judging from how he was trying to put a foal's bridle on an adult mare very under-qualified for the job.

The horse herself looked unwell, Charlie was sure of that. She was leaning to one side, her fur wet with sweat and the food in her trowel untouched. A poor old thing she was. "Do you need help sir?" He had managed to sound mostly normal as he watched the man turn his head and glare. "Ah your the new boy. Aren't you? Make yourself useful and get this mare bridled up and outside with the others." There were so many things wrong with that sentence that Charlie didn't know where to begin. Bridling a horse for the paddock was pointless as they couldn't graze on the grass with the bit, even without that this mare did not look well. He opened his mouth to respond before the man just grunted. "Get on with it boy! With a sigh Charlie moved over grabbed an adult bridle and slowly started to lead this poor girl outside, without medicine and with a bridle on. He just hoped she'd be well enough for him to take her back in later when he could actually help her.

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#, as written by Lyysa
Albert de Clare
Color: #69705B

Mary Ashford

Mary Ashford

For the hundredth time, Albert flung his arm forward and pushed away the papers in front of him, watching as they slowly fell onto the ground. He rubbed his eyes while sighing in frustration. He had so much to do but couldn't do any of it. After a while, he stood up and picked up the papers once more before sitting down again. He tried to not look at the name once more, but he couldn't help himself.

Mary Ashford

Enraged he clenched his fist and watched as the paper got scrunched together. Not that he was angry at the girl, nor was he angry with her brother. He was only mad at himself. For the lies and the foolery. He was angry at how he was acting, what he was feeling. He was angry with every little tiny bit of himself. After a deep breath he put down the papers once more and the second name could be seen. Charles Ashford.

Albert looked blankly at the name before trying to tidy up the documents. He knew that there was no need to stare at these documents but he did it anyway. Obsessing like this wasn't going to get the girl back or make the brother feel better. It didn't make Albert feel better either. But perhaps that was the point, perhaps he only wanted to torment himself to punish himself for what he had done. What would he say in case their previous employer would ask how they were doing? Or if Charles contacted the lady to tell her about Mary? More lies. Albert was sick and tired of lies.

Once more frustration burst out to the surface and Albert pushed back his chair with such force that it fell backward, but he didn't pay it any mind. He just stood up and walked over to his door and slammed it open, startling one of the maids that were just passing by. Albert stared at her for a moment, dark eyes and all, before straightening his shirt and mumbling a sorry as he hurried away.

Two steps at a time, he rushed down the stairs, trying to flee the judging eyes. Perhaps he was imagining it, but he could really feel the judgment follow him down. His breath got strained and he could feel how his chest was crushed by the pressure. Three steps at a time. Run. They know what you are. A murderer.

He slammed open the front door and ran out through it. He continued to run for as long as he could. He didn't stop to look at the enormous moon that decorated the night sky or the twinkling stars that surrounded him. He ran until it felt like his lungs were about to explode. He fell down onto his knees as he wheezed out short breathes in an attempt to stay alive. Slowly, things returned to normal. He could breathe once more and turned his face up towards the night sky, the only sky he would be able to see for the rest of his life. He felt empty. He felt... dead.

Something caught the corner of his eye. He turned his head towards the light at frowned at first, surprised to see that someone apparently still was working at the stable. He couldn't remember the last time the old geezer had done that. Intrigued, Albert stood up and tried to brush off the dirt from his knees before he made his way over there. As the door creaked open he looked around for whoever was still there. He took a few steps inside and cleared his throat in an attempt to get attention. He got surprised however and almost ended up coughing instead when he saw who it was that was still working. Once more, Albert tried to clean up himself and looked away as he brushed away the hair from his face. Finally satisfied he looked over at Charlie once more and approached, "Why are you still here? Hasn't anyone shown you were your chamber is?"