Gerard Connolly
Location: Wyndham Manor, Stables
Gerard awoke with a sharp gasp, as if he had just surfaced the sea and had saved himself from drowning. What a way to be awakened. He only remembered a frightening blackness trapping him, feeling no physical perception of any form, anything to keep in touch of reality or the living, other than an odd feeling of comfort and serenity. The scream had cut him off that stupor, and once again he was back in the real world, the weight started stacking on his shoulders. The last time he felt like this he drowned himself senseless with a bottle of rum.
He lifted himself slowly, half upright in his bed as he tried to catch his breathing, the fabrics of his clothing soaked in sweat. Wendy was at his side, as always there to help him recollect after a night of awful dreams. Only this time, there was no dream. As he gathered himself, he shortly realized the sun has fully risen. It's not common for him to wake up this late, usually beginning his day at dawn. Yet the events the night before had kept him from any proper rest, the tossing and turning, the worry. He stepped out of the stables, looked out to where Artemus is and was half expecting to see Millicent, a book in hand and greeting him with a somber smile. But she wasn't there.
He was feeling lethargic yet the day had to go on in the manor as per usual. As he prepared himself to work, Gerard caught the sight of Abigail walking around the gardens. Walking towards her he tried his best to give her a sincere smile.
" Abigail, good morning. " Although there was nothing particularly good about this morning, with what had happened the night before. Gerard thought he could walk with Abby for a few minutes, it would do him good before completely starting the day with a clear head.
Frances Warwick
Location: The Glimmeric;
Most days it was a privilege for Frances to even have complete night of sleep. From dusk to early dawn the watchful madame would monitor over her establishment like a hawk, she was never one to lock herself up in her boudoir and let everything flow as is. No, she was careful and meticulous with all the happenings inside her brothel. Her gaze would never miss a table, a nook or corner. But that evening she was more so invested in the gossips of Almacks. That fateful tragedy was the talk of the whole evening. If the soulless are truly running rampant in the streets from what she had heard, it wouldn't be a surprise if it were to happen again. Even within the confines of Jericho's wall no one is truly safe.
That evening, Frances had barely any sleep. A few hours into deep darkness and she was suddenly awakened by a ringing scream. Her heart didn't ease so suddenly after bolting herself upright, in heavy focused breaths. She felt her soul left her body for a moment there. And of course her first impulse was to head towards her desk and grab a goblet and a bottle of
Reserva she had been drinking during the nights when sleep never visits. She sat on her chair, slumped and tired despite the few hours of rest.
At this hour she would have been out and about, doing the necessary duties like a responsible madame yet the comfort of her red leather chair had kept her glued there for the next few minutes. For some strange reason there was a gnawing feeling inside her, which she herself could not exactly explain why. It was very odd and random. Normally she would just dismiss such baseless, pointless conclusions yet the feeling still made her uneasy. While in the midst of her deep trancing, she was cut off by a sudden barging on her door. It took her a few moments to realize it was Ruby, who was just about to check on her, eyes suddenly darting on the slumped woman, and on the goblet her fingers now absently fiddling with.
"Aint a bit too early for that Frankie?" Ruby shot her a curious look. Frances hated the silly nickname, but this was Ruby. If it were any other person they'd find themselves bound at knifepoint. Her frisky mood turned into an inch of worry, upon seeing the madame in her haggard state. "Ya alright?"
"Yes." she replied calmly, yet Ruby shot her a look at her obvious lie. Frances knew there was no point in keeping things from her, as the woman has a natural talent for detecting her every fib.
"I awoke earlier than usual." Frances finally sighed in defeat.
"From a strange...dream? Although it wasn't. I could not honestly tell. Though it's really nothing to worry about." she finally stood up from her seat, cueing to prepare herself for the day. Ruby was now leaning herself on the wall, arms crossing to her chest. "Hmm, sounds like it is. S'that why you weren't up and about when I was and instead suckling early at this hour?" her tone remained concerned, "That only means it's something you'd like talk about yeah?"
Ruby insisted, but Frances thought it was merely nothing although it was unexplainably bothering her. She paused for a moment to consider this, after all Ruby is the only person whom she tells everything to, and the woman never fails to give the soundest advice in any given situation. Whilst she finished putting on the last piece of her dress behind her dressing screen, she told her of the strange experience. It was, however, abruptly cut short when a startling scream alerted them both. It sounded not very far from the brothel.
"What in the hells was that? " Ruby turned her head to the door. Worried it could have came from one of her girls, Frances immediately left the room, her companion followed, and paced towards the brothel's double doors. Whatever it was, it did not sound good.
