1.13 Appreciation Society: The Invitation

A day after the Appreciation Society's monthly meeting, Tilly Butterfield received an invitation. It happened when she was working on her day job, tailoring. Tilly's mother and father had passed away when she was just a teenager, but they had left her a nice house and the very useful skill of being able to sew women's clothes. Tilly was in her workroom when the maid arrived. At first she thought it was just another client, or maybe a young Kyros fan who had come for some dedicated cosplay gear, but the girl simply handed Tilly an ornate invitation and left after telling her to be on time.

Tilly was utterly bewildered by the encounter, but a bigger shock was waiting for her within the invitation itself. It was handwritten in a beautiful, flowing script. It simply said:

To
Tilly Butterfield
President of the Kyros Magnus Appreciation Society
Meridian

We have an important matter to discuss. If you are available, I would like to talk about this in person rather than over letters. I am free tomorrow between ten and twelve in the morning, and again between three and four in the afternoon. Please let Mimi, the girl who brought this letter, know if you are available at these times. I prefer to meet at the Magnus Estate, but if you are uncomfortable with the location, we can meet at a venue of your choice. Let Mimi know of your preferred meeting spot as well. If Mimi has already left, do not worry. She will be back. She can be a bit forgetful at times.

I am eagerly looking forward to meeting you.

Liriel Magnus
Magnus Estate
Meridian

Tilly felt her head spin. She had to grab hold of a nearby chair for support lest she collapse. She had finally done it. She had offended the one person in the world she should never have offended. Why did she have to do that cursed poll? Why did she invite those panelists? And what evil god whispered in her ear to write that play? Would Lady Magnus forgive her if she begged on her knees? And what would he do to Tilly? Would he be disappointed? No, no, he would be furious. Tilly had insulted his wife; he would be apoplectic. How did it come to this? Tilly had only wanted to share with others the joy he had brought to her life during those dark times. But now, she had committed a massive blunder and angered the very people she looked up to.

While Tilly was agonizing over the bad decisions that had led her to this moment, Mimi returned just as the letter had foretold. "Sorry. I forgot I was supposed to take your answer back. So, what's it gonna be?" she asked.

"Huh... What? Oh... yes... yes... I will be there as Her Ladyship commanded," Tilly managed to say.

"I need a specific time, please."

"Ohh... yes... of course... the earliest possible time. I will be there at ten, at the estate."

"Alright, thanks. I'll let her know."

Mimi was about to turn around and leave but stopped and watched Tilly for a second. "Hey, you okay? You look a little pale."

"Fine... fine, I am perfectly fine," Tilly answered.

"You sure?"

"Yes... of course... yes. Why wouldn't I be?" Tilly gave the maid a nervous smile and started sobbing.