The maids were probably in a frantic panic of her disappearance if they decided to take it upon themselves to check in on her. With Ira-Gula absent due to the draft, he would have already found her by now and escorted her back home with light chastising that it was too late and far too dangerous for her to be out at this hour. Though rumors discussed that many of the soldiers could return home for the time being, he had yet to do so. Avarice didn’t question it, as he had initially retired from such feats, he did not hesitate to respond to the draft. He was notorious for signing up for any extra curricular activities too. Avarice merely sighed at the thought. While she didn’t outwardly express it, the young albino maiden was worried for her guardian. Envy must have sensed the hidden concern as she moved from the well-dressed maiden and would nudge her snout against the bend of Avarice’s neck and shoulder. Attention was then drawn as cherry blossom eyes blinked, settling on the small white ball of fur trapped within the clutches of Arabella’s arms. Why, yes. I suppose h-he’s mine now. She must have only just recently gotten him then, a gift perhaps? A pale hand gently found Envy’s soft nose. I haven’t thought of a name for him yet-t. “I would offer him something to eat, but Osmanthus ate the last of the snacks I had for him while we’ve been out.” She mentioned with such nonchalance as she motioned towards the pudgy feline that otherwise seemed quite proud whilst returning the stare-off back at the younger canine.

Jahi

It would soon be late evening, the time when her carriage driver was meant to their meeting place. She would need to return there, or the man would undoubtedly waste no time in returning to the manner to report her disappearance. Her father would once again become engulfed in rage and he would seek her out with a vengeance. Even if it was simply a misunderstanding, and yet there was the temptation to flee. To offer company to this young woman and see where it was that she lived. She hadn't quite given it a name and curiosity ate at her to know more. Between here and the wilds. It was a promising place, but she was also getting ahead of herself in such a quarry as well. She knew very little of the maiden and she did not yet have enough supplies and clothing stashed away - let alone in her current possession. It wouldn't hurt to expand her knowledge, however. "You said between here and the wilds is where you live," she began, her words slow, pondering, "I'm not very familiar w-with the land, could you explain? I'm.... looking to move soon." The words were a half truth. While she was certainly looking to expand her options beyond Oderstin itself, she should probably not mention the fact that it was more like escaping rather than simply changing residency.

“I would offer him something to eat, but Osmanthus ate the last of the snacks I had for him while we’ve been out.” She would nod, her gaze lancing towards the rolling purr of the feline who shifted with contentment upon the saddle. "Hm, his tummy feels full enough." She would assure softly, giving the pup a rub over his little belly. Though she loathed to consider what it was he had found among the dingy streets to satisfy himself on.

She gave him a smile, nodding slightly. "H-he'll get a nice juicy steak when I get him home." A promise to the whelp that squirmed gently in her hold, a soft whine following the motion as he tried to grow closer to the feline who readily glowered back at him from atop his throne. She would smooth the top of his head placatingly, a low hum leaving her in seeking comfort.

You said between here and the wilds is where you live, Avarice simply nodded with confirmation. It was close enough to the city to appease her father but far enough away and even closer to vegetation with plenty of land for her mother. Then of course, the raven Friesian mare had plenty of space to roam around in the pastures. I’m not very familiar w-with the land, could you explain? I’m…. looking to move soon. Cherry blossom pink colored eyes blinked though her expression remained unchanged and just as indifferent as it seemed to remain. The maiden shifted her weight, stepping back at an angle to turn and point. “Ah, the Trahern estate. It is along the border if I remember correctly.” She hummed coolly. “You could visit sometime, I suppose. It is big enough.” Came a lack luster shrug. “I do not get company often unless it is a physician due to my mothers’ absence.” Which wasn’t entirely wrong as she had invited Osmanthus’ owner once prior. Even still it could settle the worries of the housemaids and Ira-Gula whenever he were to return from the draft. It wasn’t like the young maiden had many friends to begin with. “She is a physician also but is absent currently.” She seemed unbothered by her own mentioning as she settled her attention on the small white fluffy canine. Expression softening when met with his little eyes. Hm, his tummy feels full enough. Came Arabella’s assurance. H-he’ll get a nice juicy steak when I get home. The mention of food drew Envy’s attention as she bopped her snout against Avarice again with a little more demand. “I suppose it is nearing your dinner time too, Envy.” Came a gentle retort. Attention returned back to the newly acquainted maiden. “Do you’ve a location to go to? We could walk there together if you’d like.”

Jahi

Brows furrowed lightly as she followed the direction the maiden pointed. Her finger presumably guiding the way to where she lived, and yet, of course, not much could be seen over the jagged rise of the rocky outcroppings and the vast differences of the wilds. A very unruly terrain she had to trespass to get to the city, or so the natural landscapes would have one believe. She knew, rationally, that there must be a road to traverse between those jutting precipices, yet her imagination didn't allow such sentiments currently. “Ah, the Trahern estate. It is along the border if I remember correctly.” She informed, a low hum leaving her in her thought. “You could visit sometime, I suppose. It is big enough.” An option stunted within her mind at the shrug of disinterest that accompanied the inclination. "Oh I couldn't imp-pose."

A slight smile accompanied the gentle decline to ensure the woman knew she meant not to burden her with her presence. “I do not get company often unless it is a physician due to my mothers’ absence.” Was she simply lonely then? Arabella could sympathize with that. The large decadent manner in which she lived felt impossibly empty and frigid in her days there barring the first several. She had seemed like a pet, a fresh hound brought home from the shop only to lose favor as the new wore from her. In some ways, she hadn't minded it. When it came to her father, she preferred it. The man was cold, distant, and she sensed within him more than enough aptitude to be cruel. “She is a physician also but is absent currently.” "Maybe.. you could come visit my home, too." The offer came slowly, an edge tentative. Her mother had said she needed to meet more people, to practice bettering her speech and the like. Many of the ladies they welcomed to the garden were just as manipulative as the Lady Beleveron herself, and Ara could find no reason to befriend them. Though her mother often sent them invitations to 'keep appearances' and save her daughter face among the pledges of nobility. She had no desire or ambition to play their political games, though she held no doubts of their intentions to use her for such means.

“I suppose it is nearing your dinner time too, Envy.” She proffered as the horse bumped her head against her once more, this time with slightly more vigor. Arabella smiled as well, slender fingers brushing a few locks loosed from her braid to tuck them behind her ear as she once more allowed her eyes to wonder over the powerful frame of the gorgeous beauty. "D-don't let us hold you up." She shifted the pup within her hold again, tucking him into one arm. “Do you’ve a location to go to? We could walk there together if you’d like.” She thought of accepting the offer for a moment, but hesitance warred within her. She didn't want the woman to shy away from her because of the malady that plagued her and her recent visits to the doctor. "My carriage will be along soon." She declined lightly, a slight shake of her head given. "Should you have t-time, you should find us at the Beleveron Estate. In O-Odersten." The invitation stained her sheepish cheeks with a soft pink.

It was oddly entertaining to watch as the house keeping staff to become flighty when it came to the company of a guest. Especially the ones that came last minute. Even in the company of Osmanthus’ owner, it remained the topic amongst the maid either out of concern or morbid curiosity until came a passive aggressive dismissal of the pale maiden upon receiving a rather firm letter from Ira-Gula to not be so lackadaisical when it came to inviting strangers into the estate. At least it was him and not her mother as the thought alone sent an unpleasant chill down her spine. Oh, I couldn’t imp-pose. “I insist.” Avarice hummed coolly, though her expression remained ever unchanging. “I’d be happy to show you my mothers’ garden too. We’ve also a library of books if that is to your liking.” came the idea. One of which she failed to offer Theodred in his passing stay. Rosy gaze shifted towards the feline where he remained lazily content upon Envy’s saddle. The thought never occurred to her but given the circumstances then, it may have not been appropriate. Maybe.. you could come visit my home, too. Freckled features returned to Arabella with the slightest hint of mild perplexity. It was the first time she’d ever been invited to anyone’s abode. She never questioned as to why knowing she’d only ever been labeled as an abomination by her fathers lips. There was the occasional passer-by that could agree when strangers would intentionally go out of their way to walk on the opposite side of the street. “I apologize – “ her cheeks sheepishly reddening realizing she may have paused a little too long.  “I’ve never been offered an invitation such as this before,” came a shy admittance. “I do not know how to proceed with it.”  Envy interrupted with the nudge of her snout as if a reminder of her nearing mealtime. My carriage will be along soon. Avarice nodded with acceptance of the declined offer. Reigns of Envy’s bridle switched between hands as she gently patted the feline on his rear to indicate she would be mounting her equine soon. Should you have t-time, you should find us at the Beleveron Estate. In Odersten. “Alright.” Came Avvie’s reply. “I hope to know the name of your new friend too, the next time we meet then?” she inquired upon the canine tucked within Arabella’s arms.

Jahi

"I insist.” Came the reply and Arabella would smile, the expression only growing in resplendence as she beamed slightly. Perhaps the young lady was truly as awkward as she when it came to socializing after all. Even still, she looked so elegant and refined that it seemed a world of class lay between them, and yet she supposed she had merely misread the situation betwixt them. “I’d be happy to show you my mothers’ garden too. We’ve also a library of books if that is to your liking.” While she enjoyed the idea of books, she was sheepish and not entirely eager to admit that she had such a small vocabulary when it came to reading them. Pictures and small words were friendly for her. She found the artistry extremely appealing, the fantastic colors and the things depicted upon a foreign page held her attention quite well. She would have to request that Miss Babington double her reading lessons!

"I would love that. V-very much." She accepted gratefully, bowing her head in thanks. Her cheeks burned softly, though her expression didn't dull in the least. She also found gardens endearing. Many of her favorite hours thus far had been in the end of summer and the expanse of fall when she could waste her hours away within the concealing foliage. The smell of flowers wafted and chimed upon the breeze, runaway petals coloring the air with their presence on a whimsical dance. The tables set there were mostly used for tea, but during the warm sunny days, she had often times enjoyed her daily tutoring out there. Lunch had often been served out there as well and it was the only leisurely time she had experience with her mother aside from the mornings when the woman would insist upon styling the impossibly long strands of her hair. The flowers that adorned her braids and numerous other styles had also been born and raised there.

“I apologize – " this time, Avarice's cheeks would be stained a sharp blush as well, a long pause given in between the beats of their conversation. “I’ve never been offered an invitation such as this before,” a slight chime of laughter parted her lips, accompanied by the soft shake of her head. "Nor had I!" Despite her prior dejected feeling, things were beginning to fall into order. An easy semblance of understanding. “I do not know how to proceed with it.” She hummed lightly, a gentle teasing note accompanying the words as the left her. "Tell me yes!"

Envy, however, was brash to remind the dame of her dinner time. Her hands moved, a slight tap given to the cat as the reigns switched between fingers. Arabella would shift the pup within her grasp once more, a hand offered to help the lady onto her saddle should she wish it. A sentiment of disregard given for status as she beheld no one else to help reach the tall stirrups. The word 'nobility' mattered little to her to begin with, a difference she didn't find when she looked at others. Only a matter of expectation. “Alright.” Came her parting words, “I hope to know the name of your new friend too, the next time we meet then?” She would nod, her smile refusing to be diminished, excitement lacing her tongue. "I will come visit you soon!" She promised, hoping she would have enough time to be better versed in literature by then. "It was a p-pleasure to meet you, Avarice."