HURRICANE / HEART

elle fanning, female, she/her, 24 / i think caroline darling just walked by, the rosebud. they were born into the darling money who is of new money. when asked they’re likely to say they’re charming, but the newspapers say they’re more along the lines of impulsive. and i do believe i read something about them in the newspaper last week … something along the lines of bank owner's eldest daughter rejoins new york society after a suspiciously long hiatus. hot breath fogging up the winter glass. shrill sounds that could be both screams or laughter. hands holding onto each other, fingers tangled up with each other. unruly blonde curls tucked into a french pompadour.

among the opulence of the VANDERBILT BALL, at the BEGINNING of the night. ╱ open.​

“i for one adore flowers,” she orates from atop the white cloud of her dress, accepting a coupe of champagne from an extended platter. “but i do believe that the vanderbilts have brought in so many strains of various flora tonight that they may force some of us to retire early out of a sudden oncoming of hay fever.” serafine takes a modest sip, eyes turning from appraisal of the room to assessment of the individual across from her.

“have you an opinion on the decor?”

.

And there it was. Caroline was almost starting to question where the sudden sweetness came from, but Serafine soon assured her that it was anything but. The last comment brought a mischievous glint into Carrie’s eyes while she kept her smile to the usual soft one. “Whatever could you mean? I happen to enjoy feeling like I’m a jungle wonderland.” There was half a truth to what she was saying, but Caroline liked sounding as unpredictable and, as her aunt or mother would say, unique, as possible. Whether she was mocking, or simply being genuinely naive, was a mystery to even herself. “However, I do wonder what Mrs. Vanderbilt’s garden must look like...” 

“oh, do wait -” the sweet voice lilts forward the way a hand reaches forth to grasp a shoulder, delicate and cupped at the palm, waiting to hold you within. simonetta strides quickly from the cobblestone walkway to the curb, a sudden joyfulness turning her movement buoyant. 

“i knew a horse that looked just like this. grey speckles, down to the white over this eye. it’s remarkable.” one lambskin glove traces gently over the steed’s calm face, “how darling… just the same. perfetta.”

simonetta leans to the side, for the first time looking beyond the elegant neck of the horse to the rider who sits in the carriage behind it. 

“does the prussian emperor know you’re in possession of his favourite cousin’s beloved mount? it’s a great prize to have stolen.”

.

There was quite a numb, unreadable expression on Caroline’s face as she sat back int he carriage, fingers picking at the tip of her glove, trying to swallow the urge to act out. She had been under a tight schedule ever since she’d come back from France. Not a minute spent alone by herself. Nor a plan made out of her own will. Going back home int he middle of the day seemed to be the worst thing that could ever happen to her so, clearly, as the carriage was stopped, and she heard a somewhat familiar voice, Caroline peeked out from behind the carriage door. She remained silent for a while, listening to the other woman speak, then with her eyes lighting up, along with a smile appearing on her face, she opened her mouth as well. “And stolen I indeed have, Mrs. Lamb! And I must insist that you please keep quiet about it, especially around His Majesty’s cousin, should you be in their presence in the foreseeable future.” She ignored her companion’s advice about stopping with the jokes, and soon enough she was getting out of the carriage. “Would you like to discuss the circumstances of this… prussian horse hostage situation while we promenade?”

@theluxearchive / sophia + open ! 

location: central park 

sophia   was   a   lover   of   central   park   ,   the   sights   ,   the   sounds   ,   the   smells   and   the   people   .   it   somehow   transported   sophia   back   to   her   muddy   days   in   france   ,   how   she   longed   to   go   back   if   for   anything   to   see   how   the   french   branch   of   their   brand   was   doing   ,   and   perhaps   see   her   father   who   was   now   traveling   the   world   to   set   up   new   shops   across   europe   .   “   i   do   hope   the   rain   holds   off   ,   ”   she   looked   up   to   the   sky   ,   and   within   a   second   the   skies   opened   .   “   or   not   !   ”   joy   was   on   her   face   as   she   took   off   her   shoes   to   be   able   to   run   .   “   do   you   know   of   a   dry   place   ?   ”   it   was   above   the   whisper   of   a   lady   but   with   the   sound   of   roaring   rain   she   needed   to   yell   .