Day at the Races -open-

[Aida Benn]

Aida was glad for the break the Lady Liselle had given her today. It was almost considered a holiday so it was expected that the servants had the day off, except the ones who had to do some work for Lord Mannering and the Sheriff. This was the time for Aida to go into her mother's possessions. She didn't want to look like a peasant as she wasn't really. She just wasn't a lady either. Aida had found a cream colored dress of fine material. She had a friend who was a seamstress do some alterations to update it with a low square neck and straight sleeves. There was extra material to make a simple mask and she attached a few swan feathers to it. All in all, Aida looked lovely in the light cream costume with a small jewel around her neck, though she was wearing leather boots as her mother's feet had been smaller.

Aida walked around the area, looking at the other people in their finery. She remembered when she was younger, before her mother had died. She had been taken to a fair much like this and had enjoyed herself thoroughly. Her younger siblings had run around and they had played tag. Aida had come away with her dress splattered in mud. Her mother hadn't even yelled at her. Aida hadn't spared her siblings a few years later once their mother was dead. Aida had always felt she had to be strict as she not only had to replace her mother, but also her father. She had to separate herself as a sister and become a parent. It had been hard on Aida, but it had prepared her for the current job she had. If only she could have lived in paradise, but her siblings were safe with her aunt and uncle up north.

A few people walked by and Aida wondered if she would recognize anyone. No one would be able to recognize her as no one who knew her would expect her to be dressed the way she was. It was almost thrilling to be masked and disguised completely. She had seen the Lady Liselle as she had helped the lady dress earlier. Even Liselle would not have recognized her. She wondered if she could talk to her as an equal today. Fat chance, but a girl could wish. But the one thing Aida did wish was to meet someone knew, anyone who could entertain her for the day and make her forget her situation.