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[img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjQ0LmE3Y2I5YS5SWFpoYm1kbGJHbHVaU0JHWVhKMGFHbHVadywsLjAA/autumn-moon.regular.png[/img]
[img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/55731c855498c2ac4305b5dab6b30bc8/tumblr_otj08lMVnF1rfypuoo2_540.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Kingdom of Abhainn; just outside the ballroom
[b]Interacting with:[/b] Unknowingly, King Maddox {[@Scarlet Loup]}[hr][/center]Arriving late to the Kingdom of Abhainn was not something that Evangeline was eager to do. She wasn't particularly keen on going in the first place - but now she had to miss out on the introductions, on the greetings? It was mortifying. Still, she would do what had to be done. It was only when they were a day into their journey to the other kingdom that she received word of the missing luggage. [i]Her luggage.[/i] Of course, being the kind soul that she was, her Lady Julianna had offered Evangeline the option of buying her new garments in Abhainn, but she had politely declined. It would take hours to be fitted and for fabrics to be chosen, and the pricing would be ridiculous knowing Julianna's taste. So she had swapped places with one of the servants that were riding with them, allowing them to spend the rest of the journey in her carriage while she took their horse, and made her way back to Sliabh. 

Hence was the reason why she was six hours late in her arrival in Abhainn. She was just explaining her situation to one of the guards stationed outside the castle as a dance of fire lit up the darkening sky, their loud bangs causing her to jump ever so slightly. Her reaction to the display caused the guard to smirk, eyeing her up in down and clearly judging her travelling clothes as that of peasantry. 

[b][color=palegreen]"Look, sir, the celebrations have already started. I am Evangeline of Sliabh, Lady in Waiting to the future Queen Julianna Hardin. You have to let me in. [i]Please[/i]."[/color][/b] 

Her begging was to no avail, however, as he shook his head and laughed in her face. 

[b]"I'm sure you are. Now run along, young miss, before someone takes a liking to that pretty red head of yours."
[/b]
Tears of frustration threatened to spill as she sighed in exasperation, turning away from him before he could mock her any further. She had to find a way into the castle - she couldn't let Julianna down. And so she started her wander around the perimeter of the castle, hoping for any way in. Of course, she found none - bar a small dip in one of the lower walls leading into the castle. After some careful deliberation and a lot of muttering and cursing, Eve willed herself to turn around and circle back to that one dip in the wall. She could climb over it - not with ease, but without having to worry about breaking a bone, at least. 

Before she could have any second thoughts, she hitched up the dark blue dress she was wearing and started climbing up the wall. It was easy at first for the stones were more worn in some places and easier to grip, yet when she neared the top she found that she was ripping her dress reaching for the nearest handhold, and her hands were slipping much faster. She managed to make it over, though, and finally landed with a stumble at the other side. 

By now, Eve's hands were dirty, her dress was torn in several places and her face was streaked with mud, but she had done it. She was in the castle grounds. Now was the time to find her chambers, get ready for the ball and arrive not-so-fashionably late. Without another second of hesitation, Eve smoothed down what was left of her dress, attempted to flatten her hair slightly and made her way towards the castle, practising excuses for her state as she went. 

[color=palegreen][b]"I was taking a walk in the garden and this wolf just attacked me![/b]"[/color] No. That wouldn't work. She doubted they even had wolves around here. 

[color=palegreen][b]"I got lost and fell. Wait no, I fell then got lost - yes, that makes more sense." [/b][/color]

Evangeline forced herself to shut up as she slipped in through one of the open doors that led to a hallway just outside what seemed to be the ballroom. Ah, yes. Discreet as always. 
She kept her eyes fixed on the floor as she hurried against the tide of nobility making their way to the ballroom, trying her best to ignore the open stares she received. So much for much a good first impression. 

She would've made it out of sight if she was looking where she was going. Instead, being the clumsy soul she was, she happened to run right into someone heading in the opposite direction with a small [i]ooft[/i]. In her flustered state, she could gather little from who she bumped into bar the fact that they were considerably taller than her, dressed well, and was definitely male. 

[color=palegreen][b]"Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm in a terrible rush, so please excuse my state. You see, I was in the garden and there was this wolf - no, wait, I fell and got - in fact, I got lost and fell outside. In the garden. Outside."[/b][/color]

Evangeline clamped her lips shut before she could say anything else stupid, and instead ducked her head into a polite incline. Oh well, she had already embarrassed herself enough in front of this stranger, she may as well ask for directions. 

[color=palegreen][b]"Forgive me, sir, but you don't happen to know where my chambers are, do you? I'm a little lost." [/b][/color]