Charles Forge sat in the front parlor, a pipe held between his teeth, and his feet propped up on the rest. He had spent a large part of the morning with his grandson, Walter, going over something or other about the business. With his age, and health problems as the family put it, much of the business affairs had been handed down to Walter who acted as adviser, and in most cases, the acting chair of the business. The family owned several large forges and blacksmith's shops throughout the city, and even a few outside of it, as well as the mines where much of the gems and ores were found. This gave the family great wealth, as well as status and branching relationships or partnerships with other high class families. It wasn't a surprise when one of the butlers came with two invitations, one addressed to Charles, the other Walter.<br/><br/>"What's this for?" Charles asked, holding the envelope and squinting down at it with his spectacles.<br/><br/>"It's an invitation from Lord Allerton." Walter had followed the butler in, grabbing the envelope from the silver tray and opening it while his grandfather continued to peer at the writing on the front of it.<br/>"He's hosting a Masquerade ball." He finished, setting the invite down on the tray held by the butler.<br/><br/>"What a splendid idea! I think it will be a grand time." Having finally opened the envelope, Charles scanned the writing.<br/><br/>"We can't possibly. Everyone knows we are at odds with the Allertons, what kind of appearance would it make if we suddenly showed up at one of their events as though nothing were wrong?" Walter challenged.<br/><br/>"Oh fuff." Charles waved his grandson off. "We have a reputation to uphold boy! You of all people should know that. We're going and that's final." Charles returned his invitation to the tray as well and the butler left to fill out the replies and send them back.<br/><br/>"We Forges are a powerful family Walter. We won't let those Allerton's show us up by not attending. In fact, they're probably hoping we decline! What a surprise there will be." Charles chuckled. Walter simply shook his head, he would never understand how his grandfather's mind worked.