Midling plans

The little tea shop had a rediculous amount of pomp, however, it seemed the ideal place for Sparrow to learn to be a gentleman.
She had singled out a teacher, who agreed to keep her secret for a price. Sparrow had been only too willing to steal from others to pay such a fee. And now she was sitting in a overstuffed leather chair, with fifteen cups of tea in front of her, and a lump in the pit of her stomach.
She hated tea.
But that seemed to be all the nobles drank! What disgusting creature would drink tea all day? And she couldn't even add whiskey, or even a nice rum to it!
Torture, surely!

"Again, Sparrow. You sip from the glass, then use your little finger to cushion the glass as you set it down. Gentlemen do well to avoid damaging the host's china at all costs."

Sparrow had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, but did as her instructor told her. There was a soft 'chink' as her glass touched the table, and the instructor winced, as though that small 'chink' was a loud thunderclap.

"NO! You cushion the glass. What part of this simple concept do you not grasp?! You take your little finger,-" He grabbed Sparrow's little finger and wrapped it around the bottom of the glass "-And wrap it around the bottom. Then, after you sip, you set it down GENTLY!" He demonstrated yet again how she was supposed to do it.
Sparrow lowered the glass with exaggerated care, however, it made no sound as she placed the glass on the table.

"You see?" he exclaimed. "It is possible!"

Dispite herself, Sparrow felt a jolt of pleasure flow through her body. She could do this, even if it meant drinking tea all day. Perhaps she'd find a flavor that suited her.

Many days passed, and finally she was learning how to bow, and greet people. She had also christened herself 'Sir Sparrow of Hannover' Hannover being the fief her instructor hailed from.
Today, she was learning to greet the Dutchess herself, with a simple serving maid being the stand in.

"Now, as you approach the Dutchess, keep in mind you must use the most polite language possible. You must also bow, and kiss her ring of station." Her Instructor 'Thomas' demonstrated the bow, and kissing the ring.
Sparrow mimiced the motion, and in her mind, the motion was smooth. Thomas, however, exclaimed that her jerky movements would disgrace even the most ill mannered gentleman. With an inward sigh, 'sir' Sparrow practiced the movements for several hours, before finally being able to do it to Thomas's expectations.

"That will do, now, however, it is time to practice speaking to the Dutchess."

With a groan, Sparrow slumped her shoulders, but she listened.
Her temptation to drink from the whiskey flask on the table was overwhelming, however, she made a vow to abstain from alchohol until she completed this task, and she would be dammned if she gave up now!
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Finally, the day before her first court appearence came. Sparrow spent the morning before her final 'date' with Thomas brushing her hair, and tying it back with a stylish blue ribbon. She also pressed her linnen shirt and trousers, brushed off her green velvet sleevless tunic, and polished her boots.

She called in one of the maids (whom she had paid to keep silent about this particular job) to help her lace up the special corset she wore, then dressed as a gentleman. She gave her green and gold overcoat to the maid to launder and press before the next day, and, as the maid left the room, Sparrow dared to glance into the full body mirror in her room.

A noble gentleman looked back at her. The nobleman's delicately lined face was made more manly with a bit of stubble around the chin (a specialty from the barber, involving hair clippings, and copious amounts of glue and patience). His green eyes were perfectly set off by the tunic he wore, his white linnen shirt and brown trousers were stylish, without being snobbish. And his long hair was tied back with a ribbon, which added a bit of flair to the overall look.
Sparrow grinned, pleased by the look. She just hoped she looked dashing, rather than silly. She placed a feathered cap on her head, and left the room, her boots clicking on the floor.