At Your Service [Tommy Shelby]

Party - part 1

Vivian descended into the kitchen, greeted by the orchestrated chaos that accompanies the busy nights of parties. The clattering of cutlery and the hurried steps of cooks and waiters filled the air. Extra staff had been enlisted for the day, a necessity to alleviate some of the pressure on the maids. The anticipation for Charles' birthday had been building, fueled by the enthusiastic chatter among the staff.

Yesterday, Charles had shared his excitement about the upcoming celebration, unaware of the sheer scale of the surprise awaiting him. Vivivan, caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of the household, had unknowingly allowed her expectations to rise. However, the reality of the situation settled in as she found herself immersed in work, her focus shifting from the joyous anticipation to the demands of her duties.

Despite being on the sidelines of the festivities, Vivian couldn't help but be impressed by the grandeur of the party. If she were there as a guest, she had no doubt it would be an occasion to remember. The contrast between the celebratory atmosphere and the work she was there to perform created a bittersweet ambience, leaving her to imagine the joyous revelry taking place just beyond the kitchen's bustling confines.

The party commenced around 2 in the afternoon. At this early hour, not all the guests had arrived, but the ones crucial for the celebration of Charles were already in attendance.  The afternoon held a promise of more festivities after dinner, but this time tailored for the adults, complete with live music and libations.  Charles, ever eager, had already witnessed the grand unveiling of his birthday cake, a towering confection adorned with intricately crafted horses—an homage to his deep affection for the majestic creatures. The sheer joy in Charles's eyes was a sight Vivian had never seen before, making the entire afternoon feel exceptionally pleasant. 

The atmosphere carried a certain sophistication, with numerous women accompanied by their children. The guests were impeccably polite, and Vivian's responsibilities primarily involved circulating with the cake and attending to the needs of Charles and Ruby. The ambiance was delightful, and Vivian found herself genuinely enjoying the occasion. As the afternoon unfolded, she couldn't help but wonder what the night would bring.

During the dinner break, as the hired staff took over the responsibilities for the grand feast, Vivian had a moment to collect her thoughts and anticipate the evening festivities.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a dim glow across the sky as darkness settled in. Most of the guests were outside on the terrace overlooking the garden, her usual smoking spot. There were also guests inside on the dance floor and all over the bar.

As Vivian stepped through the kitchen doors into the bustling hall, she felt the change in the air. The atmosphere had undergone a noticeable shift from the pleasant sophistication of the afternoon to a rowdy and inebriated evening. The kids were off to bed, so now the adults could party. Navigating through the lively crowd, she had a whiskey order to deliver to a table of gypsies. 

Observing the maids who had eagerly awaited this night, Vivian understood the source of their excitement. Many of them were now engaged in flirtatious encounters with the handsome men scattered throughout the venue. Despite the appealing faces around her, Vivian remained resolute in her focus on work. She couldn't be bothered with such distractions. 

However, a downside to the amorous behavior of the maids became evident as some men assumed a perceived right to make advances on any maid in their vicinity. Unwanted touches and overly familiar gestures made Vivian uncomfortable, and she disliked the encroachment on her personal space. Tonight, her resolve to remain focused on her duties would be put to the test amid the rowdy and occasionally intrusive revelry.

Another order came in, this time directly from the Shelby family themselves— a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of wine. With brisk efficiency, Vivian made her way to the basement to fetch the requested spirits. From the kitchen, she gathered the necessary glasses and began navigating the crowded venue.

Upon reaching the lounge, where the Shelby's had claimed a comfortable sitting corner, she noticed the absence of Thomas. The group, however, erupted into cheers as they spotted her. Arthur, ever boisterous, was quick to express his gratitude with a hearty shout, "Oh, Vivian, you're a lifesaver! I need some fucking whiskey!" His disheveled appearance hinted at a night of indulgence.

John, with his characteristic wink, added to the reception, a gesture that never failed to make her blush. Polly, Ada, and Lizzie were engaged in a conversation that seemed more intriguing than the seemingly mundane discussions of the men. Amidst the lively atmosphere, the snippet of conversation she caught suggested the recurring theme of violence, but the cacophony of the bustling crowd made it difficult to discern the details.

As she handed out the drinks to the Shelby clan, the lounge buzzed with activity. People danced and weaved around the conversation, adding to the lively chaos that defined the night.

To be honest, the growing roudiness made her a bit uncomfortable and Vivian found herself wishing for a swift end to the festivities. However, her discomfort intensified when, after turning around from delivering the drinks, she was abruptly grabbed by the waist and pulled onto someone's lap. The suddenness of the action sent a chill down her spine, and a wave of unease swept over her. What- who in the hell is doing this?! 

As she turned to confront the person responsible, she was met with the sight of Finn. The hairs on her neck stood on end, and a sense of vulnerability overcame her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ada and Polly, rising with fury in their eyes. "Finn you fucking idiot! Let go of her!" John shouts to him while he gives a big jerk on the arm of Finn to let her go. When Ada storms up to Finn he immediately throws his hands in the air as if to say 'nothing happenend'. 

Vivian, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger, hastily stood up. The redness of her cheeks betrayed the impact of the unwarranted encounter. Without uttering a word or assigning blame, she swiftly made her way down the hall. She can still hear his family cuss him out for being a bloody idiot and to know better. She wanted to give him hell, but she doesn't know how that will fall with the Shelby family. Of course they can throw abuse his way, but she can probably not do such a thing without enduring the consequences.

Determined to put the humiliating incident behind her, Vivian headed towards the kitchen, intent on immersing herself in her duties to distract from the unpleasant ordeal. The sting of embarrassment lingered, and she fought back tears, shaking her head to dispel the emotions.

As she reached for the door, a gentle hand rested on her shoulder. Turning around, she was met with Ada Thorne's empathetic gaze. Ada, her eyes filled with concern, asked, "Are you okay, Love?" She tilted her head slightly, ensuring she made eye contact with Vivian.
"I'm fine."

Ada, perceptive to the true impact of the situation, didn't buy Vivian's attempt to dismiss the incident. "I'm so sorry. Finn can be a real knucklehead sometimes. He thinks with a family name like this he can do anything he wants," Ada explained with a roll of her eyes, expressing a certain exasperation with her younger relative. Vivian couldn't help but chuckle, "I guess he is young and brash," she mused, the lighthearted comment offering a bit of relief.

Ada joined in the laughter, "That is lightly put. Anyway, darling, if we order anything else, don't worry about him. We ladies'll keep him in check. Since we are the only ones with common sense after all." Vivian expressed her gratitude, and with that assurance, the conversation seemed to reach a natural conclusion.

But, Vivian decides to shoot her shot before Ada is out of sight. "Oh, Mrs. Thorne!" Ada halted and retraced a few steps back towards Vivian, a friendly smile on her face. "Call me Ada, love," she replied. Vivian nodded, showing respect, "Right, Ada. I couldn't help but overhear you talk about a cause regarding women's rights, and I would actually love to know more about it." 

Ada's eyes sparkled with approval. She was genuinely impressed—many women these days either avoided or remained indifferent to such matters. "Good to hear there are more of us with common sense! Let's meet up sometime, and I'll tell you all about it!"

"I'd love that!" The shared enthusiasm for politics had both women glowing with anticipation. Just as the conversation was gaining momentum, Francis emerged from the kitchen, spotting Vivian. "Vivian, I've been looking everywhere for you! Come on." Ada made an apologetic gesture to Francis, "Sorry, Francis. I've been stealing her from you. You two go on then." Vivian expressed her gratitude to Ada once more, and as she and Francis moved away, Ada offered a playful wink—a gesture that seemed to be a common occurrence in this family.