The noise was relentless. Not any usual low hum of the modern engines, but a sharp, rhythmic percussion; the click-clack of iron-shod hooves and the rattle of wheels engulfed in steel. Yet, none of this compared to the anxiety that resonated inside Elaine.
The possibility of suddenly migrating was perhaps a thought but to have appeared at a timeline where her own blood; Lytton household's most sapient member, was something she could have never exactly imagined.
One thing was clear, she could not reveal herself as "Lytton", she would have to be in disguise, this also applies to Claira and Vermont. Not only that, but she would have to look for the pocketwatch that brought them here, there was a high chance of it being within the Lytton Manor as it was something that, as mentioned before, resided in the Manor's pristine exchequer.
"How must I take up the courage to break in to that "place"? Let alone even set a foot there?"
Elaine thought to herself, as was abruptly cut off her thinking as she felt a slight pat of her shoulder by one of the workers in the shop.
"Good day, miss. You seem a little too preoccupied, please do give me the opportunity to help you select an outfit."
"Ahh- Maybe another time, I-'
"Another time!!!! Oh please, I'm the best assistant here and I shall accompany you today, so what are we going for? A fashionable everyday look or -"
The worker gasped in astonishment
"Or.. perhaps something suitable for a royal maiden for the upcoming masquerade?"
The worker spoke in a low voice, suggestively, which was a norm in business.
But, this very tactic seemed to reverberate as a chance to almost solve all the issues.
After a while, Elaine looked at the worker, the sides of her lips curving up a bit.
"Something for the masquerade."
"I've got just the thing for you, Madam!!"
"Oh..I must inform you..I happen to come here alone but I suppose my..uh.. subordinates would like to come here as well.."
"That is completely alright, let us explore this haven for the season's most striking fashion!!"
For a while, after arriving at this place, Elaine felt herself as ease, even if it was just for now while browsing through the store. She was convinced to bring Claire and perhaps Anne here, inevitably, she would have to. Thoughts of the "masquerade" did engulf her mind, but she tried to act her best and use this as a practice for concealing her identity as a time traveler. There were various dresses in display, bright, and almost all seemed to have a story of their own.
The assistant worker that was helping her look for a particular style was an observative one. She could tell that Elaine was someone who was preserved, and even at fancy events, someone like her would simply bask in the simple elegance of beauty.
Suddenly, Elaine's eyes went wide for a little while, before she got a hold of herself again.
At the very end of this small, warehouse, there was a mannequin that seemed to have captured her eyes.
A silk sage green dress. The sage green silk itself was a rich, high-quality fabric, often imported or produced by esteemed weavers like those in Spitalfields, London, as far as Elaine could remember from an article she had read before.
Sleeves were elbow-length adorned with gossamer engageantes that seemed to be cascading down the Mannequin's nimble fingers. Additionally, the back had a ribbon tightening system, the length of the dress was just fit for Elaine. It was adorned with light crystals that would most likely luminate a low-light auditorium in seconds.
The worker spoke up, "Oh that-! Would you like to purchase that? I highly doubt I need to say any more or less, for you've been utterly pleased with it as I can see."
"How much?"
"I'd not bargain with you lass, you've found me in my good mood today and I am definitely not one to ruin a girl's masquerade dream. How much are you willing to give?"
"£230." Elaine said her tone sharp and fixed.
"Alright then, shall we look for a masquerade mask now?"
That happened so effortlessly that it hit Elaine how this is a time where there was no reason to bargain, considering the currency.
After choosing a suitable mask for the event, she quickly purchased the items and went back to their hotel. Surprisingly, she, herself did not realize how long she had actually spent at that tailor shop.
"Where were you?"
Vermont asks, a little worried.
"I...is Annie here, or just the three of us now?"
"No..she is most likely still outside."
"Very well then. I was at this clothing store, and in short, we have migrated to the past for some reason by the pocketwatch. This means...our ancestors as in our grandparents are the current owners of each of ours respective lineages."
A long pause filled the room, the atmosphere tense, despite being intellectual, sometimes even the comprehensive of things can perplex every great mind.
"So..we need to tread carefully...huh?"
"Well, yes but you see, since the pocketwatch was the very thing that brought us here, we need to find that back. I have the book, and that object was something that should currently be in the Lytton Treasury-"
"But how?" Claire's voice sprang out.
"How will we manage to get it back without revealing ourselves? Let alone, what if that pocketwatch is not in the treasury as of now? Maybe it was purchased later on? How can you be so sure?"
Elaine was caught off-guard, but she was sure it was there, most likely as it was something her grandmother claimed to have, before marriage. Plus, by now, Lytton household had it's Mr. & Mrs.
"Nothing to fret upon, it's there, okay? Even if it's not there, it's somewhere. It will eventually led us to itself...we just have to make sure we take the right path."