Dance #2.5 : Lady Belle Rose (@Kristi) ~ongoing~
As Belle continued her dismissal of advice about Josephine, he felt his frustrations grow. She held a relationship perfectly capable of repair, unlike many of his own, yet she did not rush to the solution? It aggravated him to no end. For if he could repair the relationships he had lost, he would pay any price.
To him, Belle seemed most ignorant to the opportunities life had afforded her. Nearly, ungrateful as she was given a loving family, plenty of friends, a large title, ample wealth, dozens of suitors, and a beauty that paled to none. A set of circumstances Orpheus would kill for.
However, Orpheus also understood Belle in a way. A girl, put forth with pressures and expectations by her family, and society, that she did not wish to fulfill. In that, they were the same. Orpheus understood the aching weight of familial duties and expectations better than anyone, and similarly, he attempted to defy them in every conceivable way. Yet, like Belle, he found himself at the Queen’s ball, staring at faces that all held their own ideas of what he should be. Of what a Duke should look like. Of the kind of courtship he should have. It gave him a headache.
[color= #7851a9] “Then perhaps it is in the best interests of all to hold unto hope, so they won’t have to face the thorns of the roses. Focus on the dandelions first and maybe a rose might come later,” [/color] Belle replied to his previous metaphor. Orpheus gave an exasperated sigh as it seemed the thorns were going to win this battle of conversation. At least, he would not press her further on it.
[color= #BC0057] “Perhaps, little flower.” [/color] Orpheus gave a small smile, attempting to reclaim his thoughts, and not wanting to argue with her on the topic further.
However, he would bypass hundreds of dandelions for a single rose. That much he knew, always.
[color= #7851a9] “It would be fair to answer any question you may have. Do you have any?” [/color] Belle offered an opening, one Orpheus had been most anticipating.
Since Josephine had first asked him to talk with Belle in the garden, Orpheus often wondered about Belle’s silent thoughts. However, they were always silent as Belle never spoke to him. Orpheus had been curious to discuss her mind with her. So curious, in fact, when presented with the opportunity, he did not know where to start.
Before he had the opportunity to process or think of a proper question, words began to fall from his mouth.
Alcohol is a cruel mistress.
[color= #BC0057] “Why do you hate me so? For if I have done something to garner such displeasure, I would surely apologize.” [/color] Orpheus was shocked by his own words and how straight forward they came across. However, it was a question he had always wondered most about.
What about him made her dislike him? What about his presence set her frustrations off? Why, despite his efforts, did she continue her hatred when her family seemed so warmed to him? What had he done?
For if there was one thing Orpheus could not stand…it was rejection.
mentioned :
Belle (@Kristi)