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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 6, 2014 20:06:30 GMT
After a week of searching and recruiting, the 2nd South Carolina was finally fully formed. To celebrate, Aedan's cousins decided to throw a grand ball in their Charles Towne manor. The Rutledges spared no expense, which to Aedan honestly confused him a bit but he'd long since given up questioning them, as the manor was filled with banners of red, white, and blue. A massive 2nd South Carolina banner, a blue flag with the white crescent, hung in the center of the grand ballroom. A string quartet, dressed in the finest of clothes, sat n the corner and played as people danced in the large ballroom. Blue uniforms of the new officers of the 2nd and 1st South Carolina Infantry, along with a few others, mixed with civilians. There was laughter, excitement, an electricity in the air that seemed to infect everybody. Aedan was most certainly among those who couldn't help but be swept up in the moment. Speaking to Colonel Moultrie about the possibility of getting time for proper bayonet training before the men saw combat, he stopped when he noticed the woman he had been waiting for all night finally appear at the doorway. "I beg your pardon sir, but I believe my date has arrived." The colonel simply smiled and patted Aedan on the shoulder as the young captain, dressed in his smartly embellished uniform and brightly shined, knee high black boots.
"You look as beautiful as ever E." Aedan began, giving her a small kiss on the cheek and offering his arm to her.
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 6, 2014 20:32:50 GMT
A ball was just what Charles towne needed, it was a way for the wealthy to show off their home, and also to give their boys some good moral before heading off to fight the red coats. Elizabeth had visited the Rutledges on occasion, and so this revisit for the ball made her even more excited. For the occasion, Elizabeth had gone into town and had chosen a light blue dress with lace trim, and she wore her up with a few strands curled and hanging down. Her father couldn't be more proud of the young woman that she had turned in to. If only her mother were here to see her. She arrived in front of the house, and she stepped out, looking up at the house she smiled, and made her way up the steps and walked inside. She heard the music once she walked through the main foyer, and the room lit up like a Christmas tree. A smile reached across her lips, and she turned around to admire the decorations on the wall. Mrs. Rutledge had shown her true patriotism this time. All the red, white, and blue she could find, and plus some of the Infantry flags hung on the wall to support the men. She looked over at the string quartet, and already her heart was reeling for a dance. She greeted some of the guests, and hoped to find the hostess to compliment the room. Elizabeth made her way around the room, when she caught sight of the dashing young gentleman who would be her escort. She blushed slightly, and smiled, " Well, you yourself look dashing and well decorated Aedan,", she said softly and leaned into his kiss. She sighed, and happily took his arm when it was offered. She looked up at him in admiration and looked around the room once more. |
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 7, 2014 0:07:19 GMT
A small smile graced Aedan's lips as they walked into the ball. Elizabeth looked radiant as usual and for a brief moment Aedan forgot how to breathe. She had that strange effect on him sometimes, where he couldn't believe he was fortunate enough to have her on his arm. It made him feel as though he were the luckiest man on earth. At least now he was, because for now she was by his side. In a few hours time, the regiment would be marching north to help the revolution up there.... And he'd be hundreds of miles away from her. The cold of the Northeast wasn't something he was particularly looking forward to, but knowing he'd be far from her would somehow make it feel colder.
Looking down at his own uniform, he smiled again. "Well, you know my mother. She wouldn't let me go anywhere without being well dressed." Chuckling softly, he placed his free hand on the hand that rested in the crux of his elbow. "I'm glad you came. The thought of not being able to see you before I marched off was a thought that saddened me to no end."
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 7, 2014 0:25:26 GMT
Elizabeth looked at him and gave him a soft smile as he talked about his mother, and his uniform. She had met his family on more than one occasion briefly, and his mother was the one she remembered most of all. She was particularly attentive to Miss Harlow on her most recent visit. What gave? Surely she was not hinting for her son to drop down and propose before she was sent away! Elizabeth reached up with her free hand and ran her hand over the fabric and lightly sighed. She admired the uniform and thought of her brothers who have already left and gone to Massachusetts to fight in the infantry. " Well your mother is a very wise woman. She raised her son right," replied Elizabeth as they walked around. She pressed her hand into the crook of his arm and felt him place his hand on hers. She looked at all the young men in their uniforms and it partly saddened her. Even though she was a patriot and supported the cause, half of these men may not return, and possibly even Aedan may not return. A knot twisted in her stomach and for a moment she could not breathe. She snapped out of her trance when she heard him speak again, and she stopped to look up at him. " It was my pleasure Aedan. I wouldn't miss this for anything, and thank you for the invitation. If you should ever need any comfort, I've written you this," she said softly and slipped a small folded letter into his hand and looked into his eyes. Standing there, and staring at him she felt they were the only ones in the room. It was soon short lived when the host called for the next dance of the Virginia Reel. |
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 7, 2014 4:42:14 GMT
"Thank you kindly." Aedan replied, carefully grabbing the folded piece of paper and looking at it for a second. He noticed the vague scent of perfume on the paper and smiled, placing the small letter into his coat pocket and looking over at her. "In the long, lonely nights on campaign, I will read this and for, a brief moment, imagine you are beside me again." The simple fact that he'd be gone for so long was the only downside he saw to everything that was happening. One look at Elizabeth and he immediately understood why his own father passed up a commission in the Spanish Navy to stay with his mother. For some the desire to be with the beautiful woman they love is too much. But Aedan had already signed the dotted line. There was a great cause that needed good soldiers, and men to lead those soldiers. Besides, the cause was what had started their relationship to begin with.
"With luck, however, we'll give the Lobster-backs a good few battles, the king will realize our resolve, and I'll be able to return home to you again, E." Bowing to her as they took the dance floor, Aedan smiled as the music signalling the start of the reel began to play.
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 8, 2014 1:58:00 GMT
Elizabeth smiled and lightly blushed when he said he would imagine her beside him. "I'm confident that you will do fine while you are away, and don't you mean red coats? That's what my father called them. Though the winter's up north can be harsh, but please let's not talk about you leaving. Tonight, we are here to boost moral for our men, and to dance," she said and smiled as the reel was announced. She smiled as they approached the dancefloor, and she stood across from him with the other ladies. She bit her lip slightly and looked at him, and was still finding hard that he will be leaving soon. Her heart thudded in her chest, and was relieved when the music started. She took his hands and they moved about the dancefloor.
After the dance, Elizabeth put her hand to her chest to catch her breath, and her cheeks were light pink from the warmth of the room and dancing. She bowed to Aedan, and slowly made her way off the floor to make room for the new set of dancers. She found a server with champagne, thanking the server, and taking a light sip. She looked back at Aedan as he was stopped by some men in uniforms, and she took this chance to be alone. She walked out onto the balcony overlooking the garden, leaning against the railing, and she softly sighed. |
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 8, 2014 2:29:44 GMT
Ah the Virginia Reel was always a fun dance. The quick movements made it almost, at times, seem like a slightly organized chaos than anything else but that made it all the more fun. Aedan only wished the dance gave one more time with his actual dance partner than anything else. Perhaps later he'd get a one on one waltz with her. As the dance ended, he bowed back to her and was just about to escort her to a seat somewhere when he was suddenly swarmed by his three junior lieutenants. Internally, he was heavily frustrated that they were talking about the men at a time like this, but he knew it was their duty. And his as well. Mainly, they were talking about how they were going to survive without the supply lines given the forced nature of the upcoming march. "Stop your worrying, we'll have to live off the land for a little bit... Just be patient, General Howard's not a foolish man." Patting one of them on the shoulder, he spied Elizabeth out in the balcony and walked out towards her.
"Hey E... You alright?" He asked, leaning on the railing besides her. "I know this isn't going to be easy... Being apart. But don't worry, the war will be over quickly." He smiled softly, grabbing a soft hold of her hand and interlocking his gloved fingers with hers.
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 8, 2014 2:54:28 GMT
Even though it was summer, there still seemed to be a slight chill in the air, and here it was the month of June. Maybe it was just these feelings that came to her, and she just felt a sudden chill of being alone. Was it fear? Elizabeth had prided herself on being a strong and fearless person on the outside. To give people a good show that she was independent and selfless, but even something's going to give eventually.
Elizabeth felt a light chill go up her spine as she looked out, and she could hear the music and cheer behind her. She grasped the rail, and fought back the threat of tears. Damn it all! She took a deep breath, and found herself smiling. She heard Aedan's voice, and she turned around slowly and a smile came to her face, she was happy to see him, and she felt silly to cry in front of him. She nodded to his question and replied that she was fine, and just needed to catch her breath. " Some things aren't meant to be easy Aedan. If they were...we wouldn't be in this war, and having our young men sent off to an unforeseeable future. They say this war will be over before we know it, but how can they be so sure," she said softly and took a deep breath. She felt his hand take hers and their fingers interlocked. She looked to him slowly and tried to find the comfort in his eyes. |
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Post by Aedan Cepero on Jul 8, 2014 3:26:56 GMT
In truth, Aedan couldn't be sure. No one here could. General Howard himself expressed some grave doubts over the capabilities of the colonies to hold onto their new found liberty. Proper training would be key, but with what time would that be accomplished with the British Army already at the gates? Sighing, he began. "To be honest E... It's a bit of a lie we tell ourselves and our men. But it's a white lie to raise morale. It's a lie that if we don't have, it makes doing what we have to that much more difficult... Especially when it comes to recruiting." Looking into her eyes, his eyes carefully studied the soft features of her face before deciding to entirely break proper protocol and leaning in for a kiss. After a few moments of lips interlocked with hers, he pulled back and smiled softly. "I'll be back one day. Though... I don't know how long that will be. If you can't wait for me, I understand completely...." Aedan bit the inside of his lip and looked down on the ground, part of him not wanting to know the answer. But then again, life was what it was.
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Post by Elizabeth Harlow on Jul 15, 2014 1:52:54 GMT
Elizabeth's heart pounded in her chest, and she found it hard to look at Aedan as he spoke. How could he say all these things, and this night was suppose to be for building morale for the men before being sent off to fight the red coats. Elizabeth was finding it hard to hold her words in. If Aedan really knew her, he would know that she was a woman who spoke her mind too often, " Well, have you thought at times that when you say one story too much, the men will start to stop believing. It would be like...like telling a child how their favorite horse really died. I don't understand what tactics you use to get men to join the army, but..." suddenly she was cut off by his kiss. That momentous kiss, where his lips locked into hers and he held her there. She gently placed her hand on his cheek, and they held this moment briefly, and then he pulled away and he smiled. She looked at him and a blush came to her cheeks as she looked around to check for peeping toms. " Whether it is in this life, or the next. We will be together again, Aedan." She softly replied and took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. |
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