The Play Date
By Lonelyrider

Story Highlights:
Play group
Kids
Gossip
Scandal
Shunning
Socialization
Consequences
Newspaper article
Gentry
Self-expression

Lady LightningSword is saddened to see that a recent newspaper article defaming her family has already resulted in fallout for her children.

"Greetings Norma, Kayla. Please come inside. The boys are outside with the orphans on the jungle gym so we'll have extra quiet for awhile. Welcome to Henrietta's Dollhouse, please do come in. Henri, Marty, darlings! The girls are here!" Lonely called to her youngest daughter and son, who were inseperable. Henrietta and Martin came down the stairs aflutter with excitement, each holding their fine porcelain dolls, Henrietta in her ruffled dress and Martin in a boy's silk getup with many ruffles at his neck. The children greeted the two girls who'd come also bearing their dolls and pulled them eagerly by the hands to their big shared bedroom, where a grand doll house awaited them. Lonely bent and kissed her two children's heads as they hurried off with fond calls to her.
"Have fun my loveys. Luke, dear, could you please serve the children afternoon tea in Marty & Henri's room?" Lonely requested, folding a big silver coin into the butler's hands.
"It will be done, madam; & for you and your guests?" Luke inquired.
"Sparkling wine and a cheese board would be fine, Luke, thank you, darling." Lonely gushed earnestly, her two adult visitors nodding in approval behind her as they sat patiently.
"Indeed, ma'am. Faline! Please serve her ladyship and guests a sparkling white and cheeseboard while I attend to the children." Luke ordered his now head maid.
Lonely turned with a kind smile as the women marveled & picked at the fine tray her maid brought and sipped the wine.
"We find that Henri and Marty are mature enough to take tea in their bedroom, & even clean up if there's ever any mess. So we let them enjoy it regularly, but especially when the girls come to visit, she & Marty so do adore these get-togethers. Oh but, so few of you have come today. Is everyone & everything all right?" Lonely asked sweetly, the women eyed each other as they snacked modestly on their fine crackers and cheeses & sipped their wines.
"Oh dear...we hate to even tell you this, you're always so kind, Mrs LightningSword. It was that newspaper article." One of the two mothers who'd brought their girls to play with Lonely's children admitted, her cohort nodding nervously.
"Yes, we thought it an overreaction to be sure, but the other moms refused to come or bring their girls. I really am sorry, dear. You & your husband are always so kindly." The mother added, laying a hand on Lonely's gloved one, Lonely took out a silk fan and fanned herself, her cheeks blushing.
"Oh thank you, my darling James is away at his guard captain job presently, he extends his welcome and greetings to you both, as always. Oh dear my...my James read that article to me just the other afternoon, his girlfriend works for a different paper and she paid him a visit to reassure him and even tried to fight back with her own article, bless her for that. Oh how I do feel so awful that it's affecting my sweet babies." Lonely sniffled briefly and apologized, touching her ample bosom and dabbing at her tears with her pretty hankerchief. The women shot her sympathetic looks.
"Yes, my husband said in the line of work your James is in, this sort of thing shouldn't affect his job much if at all. We really are sorry dear, we want to let you know you have our family's support, both of us, and that we'll continue to bring our girls to play with your Henrietta and Martin. Such fine well-behaved children you have, the most polite that my Molly spends time with." The mother said, Lonely smiled at her despite her tears which she kept mopping up, touched.
"Oh, thank you!"
"Yes, I agree." The 3rd mom nodded.
"Momma, look at us! We're going to the fairy princess ball! Mommy, are you okay?" Henrietta had proudly come to show off her cream-colored sparkling gown and wand, her pegasi wings poking through her dress making her look grander as did the other two girls and Lonely's gentle son too had dressed himself up like his girlfriends in a fine gown, heels and jewelry complete with a wand; the other two moms smiled at him kindly.
"My, aren't you all such beautiful princesses. Momma will be alright my doves, I'm just sad more girls & moms didn't come to your beautiful play date, sweetheart. You deserve to have all your friends here for you. But Norma & Kayla have assured mommy that Molly & Ann will come every week to play with you & Marty." Lonely stroked her daughter's hand tenderly and got a hug from her kids, and she hugged them back and kissed their heads before they ran back to their room to continue their play and tea with words of loving comfort sent Lonely's way. The two other mothers gave Lonely a pitying face and patted her hand, hearing her thank them as they all sat together and smiled at the sounds of the children on the second floor having a fun time.

"I just hope this damned expose thing isn't affecting my wife in any sort of way, or my kids." James confessed to his mentor and friend atop his burly drafter, as the other man rode alongside James on a lighter steed. The guard captain's heavy armor clanked as he rode beside Guile in front of his four subordinates.
"You can rest assured that we don't give a rat's ass about the horrid thing here. Would you like me to?" Guile drew a slicing motion across his throat, eyebrows up, and James sighed big.
"Thank you my pal, but it wouldn't be right, angry though I'm feeling. Clovey is a reporter and said it'd blow over in time. I trust her judgement. I just...in the meantime, like I said. My dearest kids and my beautiful wife. I just hate this. Anyway sirs, I apologize for talking about such matters on the job. Please, lead the way." James refocused himself, extending his gauntleted hand as his men awaited his orders on their own mounts in the background behind their commander.
"Don't apologize, it's not an issue, James. If you change your mind about my offer or want us to deal with this, let us know." Guile said, before James's father stepped in and took charge of the day as usual, secretly noting to himself the subject of his friend & son's conversation and meaning to ask James about it later on. James's father Abaddon led the way on horseback & his fellow warlocks followed his charge, brought up in the rear by James & his men as the spellcasters went about their business and the swordsmen stayed at their heels as their guards. Taking up his command, for a time, James forgot all about his problems & focused on his beloved post.





Photography credits & thanks to: https://unsplash.com/photos/blonde-.....ss-VN2D-Fvop6I