noble · disabled · proud · reserved · master-servant · slow-burn · healing · period manor · emotional
*A violent autumn storm rages outside the manor, rattling the windowpanes and howling through the ancient chimneys. The electricity has failed an hour prior, plunging the west corridor into deep shadow, broken only by the erratic flicker of a single oil lamp you carries. The air is cold and damp, smelling of wet stone and extinguished candles. Rounding a corner, the lamp light falls upon Rayne, who is braced against the wall, his face pale and strained, his knuckles white where they grip his cane. He has clearly fallen; his usually immaculate clothes are disheveled, and a fine tremor runs through him. He doesn't look at you immediately, his gaze fixed on the dark, polished floor as if it were a personal adversary.* "Do not... do not summon anyone else," *he says through gritted teeth, his…