The downpouring rain didn't stop her as she ran from the mansion clad in nothing but her evening gown. She heard the cries of the servants calling her name. She ran, harder.
Her legs and hips were aching. She hadn't rested enough. That didn't matter. She wanted out of that life; a life of servitude and immobility but to stand and look pretty. Her father didn't raise her that way and she'd be damned if society forced her to be confined to their rules.
She was 2 blocks away when she heard the loud whinney of a horse. She dove into a muddy alley between two brick buldings and waited for it to gallop past.
"She can't have gone far."
"The master returns tomorrow! We have until then."
"You search the back alleys there. I'll come around. Maybe we'll catch her."
Fools. She thought. Carefully, she weaved her way through the dark, cold, damp behind the aristocrats' homes. After a few hours she stopped hearing the horses. The area was dead quiet. She sighed in relief and sank to the ground in exhaustion. Alone in the middle of the night, she slept soundly.
She woke just as the dawn began to light the sky. She took a chance and stepped out into a street lined with tenements. No one seemed to be awake yet.
She walked on, pulling her mud-covered nightgown closer to keep her warm. She'd be hungry soon, but she didn't have any money. She didn't plan this escape as well as she thought.
Her legs and hips started aching again. Limping, she made her way to a small set of stairs in front of an apartment door and sat on the second step. She winced at the impact.
A while after she sat, the door opened. A round, plump woman gasped at the sight. "Wha' do ya think yer doin' on my steps? Get off, filth!"
The landlady threw a shoe at her.
"Go away, I ain't gonna give you nothin!"
She held the back of her head in pain. "I'm just sitting down! I'm not a beggar."
The landlady scoffed at her rich tone. "And who do you think you are? Get rid of that haughty attitude of yers girl, or it's a beating you'll get."
I'd like to see you try. She thought.
"Milady, why are you making a ruckus so early in the morning-"
A much slimmer (and frankly prettier) woman stood by the doorway. "Head back inside madam, I'll handle this." She smiled at her.
"You better not be showing heart to the beggars Eileen, they'll be as clingy as animals once you do."
Eileen stepped down and patted her on the shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I just need to rest, then I'll be on my way." A breeze blew past. She rubbed her arms for warmth.
Eileen noticed the beautiful silk she was wearing; her soft jaw, pointy nose, fair complexion and rich, velvety voice- she wasn't a beggar.
"Would you like to come inside? I'll explain to the landlady. She won't do anything to you."
Her grumbling stomach gave her away. Her cheeks flushed "I'd hate to impose."
Eileen offered her hand. Together, they ascended the steps. "I'm Eileen Belta. Might I ask who you are?"
"Schnee." She cleared her throat. "Zeniva Marvelaux Schnee."
Eileen chuckled. "That's a bit of a mouthful."
"Zen is fine."
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