i hear we might be going to war

[Monday]

Nick took the steps down to the larder swiftly, turning around the doorway so quickly he nearly ran into poor Jane. "Here you are," he said a little breathlessly, looking down at her. "Hiding form The Castle?"

"Leave her be, Frank," Bea said as she passed one bucket over and hauled the other to the work sink. "You can help me for five minutes while she calms herself."

"It isn't negligent. Everyone's had a shock this morning, they won't punish you for it." Dom reached out and brushed the loose piece of hair back when it slipped around her ear again.

[Fae]

Jane about jumped out of her skin, dropping what she was holding before she let out a sigh and leaned back with a slight chuckle and a nod. "Oh yes, she's already hit me with her ladle more than once. I can't handle anymore bruises."

"She's had awhile," Franklin remarked as he helped her with the buckets. "Maybe she's just making moon eyes at the groom."

Her eyes raised to his face when he touched her hair, that motion was an intimate one and she felt her cheeks heat, but she didn't move away. "Mr. Aimsworth will understand..." But what about the housekeeper? Oh well she'd explain.

[Pie]

Nick barely managed to catch the potato she'd dropped, having to duck forward to grab it and then replace it on its shelf behind her. "Don't worry, Janie. Soon you'll be a housemaid, and there'll be a new kitchen girl for her to torment." He gave her a smile, trying to cheer her.

"If she is, then good for her," Bea retorted, pouring out the last of the water. "They've been mooning after each other for so long now."

"He has a soft spot for you and Beatrice," Dom said as he carefully pushed her hair back and then pulled his hand away. "He'd let you get away with almost anything."

[Fae]

She let out a bit of her breath and laughed shaking her head, "I don't know if I'm ever going to be a house maid... I want to though... they have such smart clothes." And she wished that she could get away form Mrs. Castle and her abuse.

"He's a gypsy." It was blunt and to the point, like Franklin... who didn't think about if it was rude or not.

"He was friends with my father--" she replied softly, back in the day when they were young, same for Beatrice. When he pulled his hand away she felt her heart quicken again, she wanted him to touch her face. But that was-- shameful. "I shouldn't abuse that softness.."

[Pie]

"I doubt Bree and Beatrice would agree with you," Nick laughed, smiling. "But you'll get there soon. Just suffer through it a little longer."

Bea frowned. "And you're a footman, and Maxwell is a dog. What does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't think having a break is really abusing anything, Breanna," he answered. "But if you're really anxious to get back to work, you can help me feed the horses."

[Violet]

Jane smiled at him, a soft look and then she chuckled, "I'm not really suffering.. not so much it's just... don't want to be hit all the time. Even my Da never raised a ladle to me like Mrs. Castle does... mad woman she is."

"Thanks.. comparing me and Max.." Franklin reached down as if the dog heard his name and came on command ruffling his ears. "Though I shouldn't complain, the ladies do love him.."

She nodded at that, more time to spend out in the barn and doing something with her hands. That would put her at ease. Bree walked over to him and then over to the feed, "... If it means anything... I hope you don't have to go."

[Pie]

"She is that, but don't take it to heart. We've all gotten more our share of swats from her." Nick reached up and brushed a loose piece of hair off her forehead.

"That would be one of the few differences between you," Bea answered tartly as she stacked the buckets up and moved to tuck them back into their cabinet.

Dom hoisted another pail of feed and walked with her to the stables, opening the gate to let her in. "I don't think they'd take me -- though I ought to go, if I can."

[Fae]

Jane smiled when he did that, shaking her head slightly as she picked up a basket from the bottom of the larder. "But she's so very fond of you..." she replied giving him another smile, unable to help it. "Are you okay?" The shock.. war... what a shock.

"Oh got your back up now, should I call you Lady Beatrice now?" Franklin raised his brows at her, watching her with a slight grin. Yes he was rude.... but he didn't intend to change.

She stepped through and looked over her shoulder at him, Bree chewed her lip for a moment and sighed. "Dom.. when it comes to war.. they'll just be looking for bodies to fill spots that will fill up when someone dies to free it up."

[Pie]

Nick nodded, his smile slipping into something more sad. "Aye, I'm fine. Have to go, don't I?" He gave her a warm look as he leaned back against the door of the larder. "I'll miss you, though, Janie."

"You can if you like," Bea shot back. Getting annoyed at Franklin's attitude was useless -- they all knew in this house that that was just how he was. Bea had long ago decided simply to find the humor in his frankness.

"Aye, they'll take me when they're desperate enough." Dom shrugged a shoulder and went to the first stall. He crooned under his breath to the pony inside as he poured the feed in.

[Picks]

She shifted the basket onto her hip and looked up at him, her free hand moving to touch his cheek gently. They had always had a connection, whether they be just friends or something more. "I'll be here, I'm not going anywhere Nick..."

"Lady Beatrice," he bowed to her and grinned that cheeky smile of his as he scratched Max's chin affectionately. He had his moments of being just a jackass, but he didn't mean it harshly.

"I still--" she still didn't want him to have to go, to just be another body they send back in pinewood if they sent back a body at all. Her heart constricted as she followed him in, his voice-- she'd miss that the most. They hadn't spoken much but...

[Monday]

"That's a comfort to me, Janie. Truly it is." He put his hand over hers, curling his fingers around her own and smiling down at her quietly. He was worried about her being here by herself, almost as worried as he was about going to war.

Bea dropped a mock-curtsey in response, then tossed the cake of soap at him from the sink with a laugh.

Finished feeding the pony, he straightened, still patting the animal on the chin with gentle affection. He looked back over at Bree. "You still what, Breanna?"

[Fae]

With a breath she set the basket down and wrapped her arms around his neck, they'd been close since they both started at the house. Had grown closer over time, were friends, and she lo-- she couldnt' say that. Not to him, it would weigh on him but-- she could hold him and show it.

He dodged it and threw it back at her before her reached over and tugged on her apron strings, "I need to get back to work, my lady." He said it in a low tone, exaggerating what he said.

"I still don't want you to go.. you could die."