The Red Rose Pamphlet | Issue I

[The Red Rose Pamphlet 41]

 

 

 

Issue I

15th of Sigismund’s End, 2033

Est. 2033

 

 

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TODAY many scandals and information hidden behind locked doors had finally come to light within the Alba square. Something this writer, nor anyone else, had anticipated walking into the city on that fine day. Yet, a Miss Joan has been accused of harboring fleas within her person and eating rats of all things. From pitiful wardships to slum children all the way to senseless squabbles, do these girls hold no shame? 
 

 

---

 

The day started out as normal with a group of children casually conversing within the Alba square. Though, it took an interesting turn that piqued this writer's attention. Lady Lucienne had suddenly begun participating in gossip, instigating it all by herself. The children dropped to whispers, though whispers are nothing to this writer’s ears. 

 

Lady Lucienne had begun gossiping about one of her dear Mother’s own wards. The Miss Joan in question. She detailed how the girl had fleas jumping off her, the Lady Lucrezia confirming the accusation through her own interactions with Miss Joan. The girls detailed how ungrateful she was, opting to eat rats instead of the fine soup offered to her. The boys were much kinder, proposing the idea that it was rather difficult for the peasant girl to settle into her new life of luxury. That is until the Miss Joan showed up herself!

 

When she found out Lady Lucienne had been gossiping about her, the girl was enraged, rightfully so. She referred to Lady Lucienne as an “uptight brat” when the Lady offered the girl one of her very own dresses. Once more, displaying how ungrateful she was to the offers given to her. Lady Lucienne voices how hurt she is on how careless and ungrateful Miss Joan appears, to which she tells the Lady that her heart can “shove it.” 

Everything up to this point was mere words holding no weight. Yet, something unexpected transpired that left the whole group of children shocked to their very core. For, the Miss Joan had projectile sneezed directly on Lady Lucienne’s cheek! Miss Delilah veered her head in disgust, gagging, while others shielded their mouths to prevent themselves from doing the same.

 

This writer finds such behavior absolutely repulsive, as would most. The Lady took this act of disgust with the utmost grace, wiping it from her cheek and advising the girl that if she wishes to not be seen in such a light that she ought to put in more effort to not appear in such a way. The girl retorts with it not being the Lady’s place to speak on such matters, yet this writer believes anyone within the city is open to criticism. 

 

The girl then publicly insults the Princess Constance, whom she is warding under. Truly, did this leave our writer speechless. Following this insult, did more information come to light. Miss Joan has accused the Princess of taking her in as a ward out of pity. A mere charity case to make herself feel better. This is quite the accusation, but one must consider its validity. 

 

A new leaf, is swiftly turned over as the group begun to feel sympathetic to poor Miss Joan’s circumstances. She was thrust into an unfamiliar world, expected to fit right in and hold to the standards of the high status life. This gave Lady Lucienne a new perspective of the girl, offering to help her one step at a time to allow her to adjust to her new life. Children can be kind amidst all the drama and gossip, it warms this writer's heart to see such kindness within the new generation. 

 

 

Now begs the question of who is truly in the right? From the charity case of Miss Joan, the gossiping of fleas from Lady Lucienne, and the seemingly selfish motivations of Princess Constance. This writer is in no position to cast judgement upon these ladies, that is for you, the reader, to ultimately decide. With that, what do you think of this situation? I will be listening.

 

 

Signed, 

 

Madame Mirage

 

[confusedjester 815]

Joan was busy eating a pigeon on a stick as the missive was picked up by the breeze, landing at her feet. The street-urchin wrapped a mitt around the parchment- having been learning to read!

 

Her eyes began to trace the missve...

 

"Oh, ma'h names in here alot! I must be super popular..." She really thought she was hitting it off with the locals now, if they were writing papers about her...

 

Joan continued!- then she choked on a piece of pigeon meat as she...

 

"Wh.. wh- WHAT?!?/!?/?!??@!//!?"

[Lalosia 988]

Somehow, the Alban missive found its way to the ears of Peter Marius, heir to Arkent - the gossip-filled lines echoing around the walls of his familial home as his little brother read it aloud. 

 

A bemused sort of expression spread across his features at the pictures painted in his mind's eye. "Eating rats? Hm."

[Kitomine 902]

Delilah stood next to Joan as Constance asked what was going on, handing her the missive she gave Joan a sympathetic glance. "Poor Joan.." She thought to herself.

[clearlynoko 201]

Adonis Rovare, the heir of Stirland and one of the children who took part, gives a smile at the missive! He is glad that, at the very least, his attempt at kindness regarding the poor girl was praised.

 

That begged the question... How did they find out about their whisperings?

Edited June 18, 2025 by clearlynoko

[blesseuropa 114]

"Gossip." Rung Gedeon of the Imperial-Guard. He had met Joan, was there for her arrival. Yet not there to defend her, or there to take arrest of her. The boy frowned, both of them were 'smallfolk'. Casted, left by society - placed by the nobility into work that was always too forceful on their shoulders. Their ancestors placed to shame, failures. Lacking of blood, title and land. He had sought to reach out to her, but Lady Joan... she was something special.
 

"How cruel is it that they mock her, a child, younger than even I?"

Edited June 18, 2025 by blesseuropa

[tadabug2000 4918]

The Lady Lucrezia would not see the missive till later, as it had been published while she and those she knew fought for their life amongst brigands. A scowl set upon her features, as she sat within her room with a rapidly bruising throat, and peered upon the missive. If she could scream, surely it would echo the very keep! How could one gossip about her!, so thought the hyprocrite.

[Amesti 247]

Boredom overtook Diolinda as she sat within her home, still recovering some from blood loss. She picked up the pamphlet and read over it. Her brows furrowed and she frowned. "Oh... Connie..." She murmured, quite worried about her past friend as she read the gossip.

[Apotolofo 2206]

The Lady Lucienne looks at the paper with wide eyes. Her hands curl around the paper, as a certain kind of feeling rose in her chest. Shame? No. That guilt was buried down, as instead anger rose up within. 

Finally, a reply was penned. A simple one, but in lovely cursive. 

 

"Madame Mirage, 

 

Busy yourself with things more important than a young girl's squabbles. Do not attempt to insult mine own gossiping, which I have apologized for, by doing more of it yourself.

 

Signed, 

Lucienne Constance" 

[DISCOLIQUID 2701]

31 minutes ago, Apotolofo said:

The Lady Lucienne ...

 

 

"Banu Lucienne, don't bother. Anonymity is the coward's shield." An urchin returns to the hard work of shaving fur, soaking hides, and shaping leather. 

"Boring, rich people, with too much time on their hands." 

[Monty Cobra 921]

Njáll Ásvard listened intently as the paper was read to him... and the little Norn's eyes widened as he realized the subject of the missive was none other than his first friend! "THAT'S JOHN!"

[MrMojoMordor 2413]

Somehow one of the copies ends up on a goblin's desk. Bon'Ox glances over it & nods.
"Ihn tik, da writer will write zumting truli interezting & zhit will go down."

[TaraJess 2848]

Aera von Byrde reads over the pamphlet, ignoring her own domestic drama. She is intrigued and hopes the author writes more.

[Frisket 4538]

“This is worst than the elven gazzetts….”

 

Vivien Maelstorm chuckled nervously seeing those exact girls either laughing or turning red across the street from the alban tavern.

[sanriu 734]

Adelaide eyed the missive her expression blank, she hadn't said anything simply tossing it into the fires. As she begun to write her next poem perhaps the gossip was too dull for even her. She only mumbled a few words. "How Childish.. People do not know what real gossip is these days.."