moonlight

as he started to walk ahead of her, her words echoed towards him, fueling a certain amount of anger he knew he had kept for all these years. she had been the one to break them apart, she had also been the one who believed rumors instead of trusting him. turning around he felt malice towards her, his eyes empty of any emotions he might hold towards her which weren't resentment. "So you claim the rumors were the reason you decided I wasn't worthy of you?" he cocked his head to the side and shook it slightly. "my words weren't good enough and therefore you ran away-" he took a deep breath trying to stabilize his mind once more. "let me take you home lady magnolis, so we do not need to bring the past up once more." he didn't look at her now, he didn't want to. They were over, gone - he knew he was too self-centered to forgive her and she was without too stubborn to give him a new chance. "it does not matter anymore."

her heart squeezed painfully as she saw the resentment within his eyes directed at her, those beautiful eyes that had once been so full of love. “your words were not enough, no.” she stated, keeping her head high in an effort to not let him see just how much this was effecting her. “your words did not stop theirs, my family were having comments made to them and they did not believe your intentions were true.” she explained bluntly, this was why she was setting her sights so high, surely if she married someone at the very top of the social hierarchy then the whispers of those around her would not matter and could be silenced. “and it seems they were right, you are one of the most notorious rakes of the ton are you not sir.” of course she knew of theodore's reputation now, but she had really no right to complain or comment on it anymore. "very well." she did not argue about him taking her home, this entire interaction had spoiled a previously enjoyable day and she wanted nothing more than to retreat to the sanctuary of her bedroom and try to forget the entire thing.

PERSEPHONE SOMEWHAT FALTERED AFTER the other exclaimed. ❝ oh. ❞ she could feel her face getting warm. ❝ i'm beginning to feel left out for not attending as a guest now. ❞ effie puzzled over if having a choice of marriage was that important. despite being part of an upperclass family, effie didn't exactly feel like the prime pick of the year. her family might as well have been the black sheep of society and with effie being the runt, it didn't help. ❝ right... the season. ❞ effie had almost forgot the purpose of the season, never particularly participating herself. ❝ i can't imagine its that difficult to find someone you like with all these families either way though. would a daily prophet title really help? ❞

"i wasn't able to attend either, don't worry you're not the only one who was left out." aysun sighed, the diamond ball was one of the most important balls of the season - nevermind the fact that it was the first in years. "well of course, but it helps in getting the person you like to notice you and get introduced if you everyone knows who you are.” and as someone from a lower family it was would have certainly given a much needed boost.

he wasn't sure what had set him off, one moment he had been browsing the wares on offer in one of the stores when he had suddenly felt an overwhelming need to escape. it was well known that the reeves family worked in protection and it would not look good for the eldest reeves child to be seen reacting this way to a simple crowded shop. he excused himself with a polite smile, fidgeting with his signet ring as he exited, the streets were still crowded, but the cool air helped, and to maintain the guise of nothing being wrong, ben grabbed a newspaper and pretended to read it as he calmed himself down. "pardon?" a voice breaking him from his thoughts, a welcome distraction. "oh you wouldn't like your teapot to give you all the gossip from the kitchen? how there are certain glasses that are just so wine-y." he joked, folding the paper under his arm and turning his full attention to the young lady. "well welcome back to london lady amrose, lord benedict reeves at your service. how are you finding your return to our fair city?"

Theodore took the bags she had been carrying not saying anything as she spoke about the reason why she hadn't attended the most anticipated happening of the seasons. He knew better than most how the lower class had to attend, otherwise, the chances of getting a good match became so slim they would wait a whole year before trying again. "I get the kindness your family holds - yet I would believe your mother wants you married and out of the way-" a certain type of hatred seemed to boil within him as he met her eyes once more, caging them in a hold with his own. "But then again you do not wish for happiness, your sole goal is to get a higher rank is it not? With the right man?" such anger in his words, all because she had deemed him unworthy when in truth he wanted no one else.

she was a little shocked when theodore took the bags from her, muttering a small thanks as her arms felt relief of the weight being removed. aysun was about to respond that of course her mother wanted her married, but the magnolis matriarch wasn’t as concerned with status as her daughter, she would be happy to see the brunette married to a simple fisherman if it meant her happiness was guaranteed and secure, she had been thrilled at the prospect of aysun and theodore until all the comments started swirling, but his next words had her bristling with anger. “need i remind you that it was your peers who were whispering and commenting behind our backs about me being nothing more than a social climber. if you think i was happy by the end you are mistaken.” feeling her face flushing red as the embarrassment of that time and the anger of the present mixed inside her. she wished so badly that she had been stronger back then, ignored the whispers, but she had been younger and more easily influenced. "i am now simply doing what i must to secure my happiness the best i can."

PERCIVAL FRELL LEFT THE DAY TO DAY shopping to the servants and rare frequented the shops. on the occasions he did, he was often accompanied by someone. the latter was generally the instigator in the excursion to the shops. however, being somewhat stuck in town for the time being, percy had managed to find his way to the shops if only to do something else with his day. he hadn't expect to run into anyone—quite literally. ❝ i'm perfectly fine. nevertheless, you're concern is very charming. ❞ he smiled. ❝ and yourself? i've been known to cause some damage with my... force. ❞ his body wasn't just for show. he'd often get himself in wild scenarios where physical strength had been his only reason for survival. ❝ i'm quite good with a healing charm if need be. ❞

aysun could feel her cheeks tingeing pink as she looked up and realised that it was the baron frell she had collided with, surprised at just how solid the man had been. "i-" clearing her throat, utilising the brief second to compose herself. "i'm perfectly alright, thank you." smiling up at him as she stepped back, smoothing down the skirts of her dress. "i'm tougher than i look sir, it will take more than just a little run in to warrant a healing charm, thank you for the offer though. "

aysun was relieved that it was andi that she had bumped into, her distant cousins wife had become a dear friend and mentor. she knew that the knowledge and guidance of the other woman would be invaluable if she hoped to make the best match possible this season. "oh thank you, but i don't think the colour would suit me quite right." she smiled while coming up with some excuse as to why she wasn't buying it, plus if she convinced herself of this reason she wouldn't feel as bad about the not-quite-just-as-nice dress she already had. "i was so desperate to be there, but mama was adamant that we were needed elsewhere. i bet it was wonderful though, did you and tilly have a good time?"

like a viper stinging him with her poison. had it not been years since he'd held her in his embrace, allowed himself to enjoy her company, and bask in her beauty? his smile faded as quickly as it had been displayed at aysun and of course, she dismissed him as soon as she could as well. "not even allowed to give you a helping hand, huh?" his eyes were filled with anger, resentment, and without a doubt a hurt he wondered if would ever subside. "seems as if you have something against me, lady Magnolis." he murmured her last name, not wanting to linger too long upon it. she'd been the one he couldn't have when in truth he wanted no one else in the same way he craved her. "you didn't come to the crowning ball, may I ask why?"

her eyes flashed back to his as he commented about her having something against him, she wanted to explain that she had been young and easily influenced, if she could go back and block the whispers and advice of those around her out she would. it was almost ironic that she had become exactly what had caused her to ruin her own happiness, accused of simply trying to improve her own status had which had now become her main goal. "of course i don't have anything against you sir, i am only picking up a few items, if you really wish to assist me you are more than welcome to accompany me." reality was that she couldn't bear to be near him without all the memories of those happy times coming back and breaking her heart all over again. "i was sorry to miss your sisters crowning as the diamond, one of the families my mother helps had fallen ill and were in need of our time and resources. i trust you all had an enjoyable time?"

PERSEPHONE PACED ALONG THE path, her arms tucked behind her back. ❝ you know, i'm still not sure i really understand the whole diamond thing. i know hettie primrose thinks it's a big deal, but does everyone else? ❞ she raised an eyebrow at the person beside her. shortly after, the other eyebrow joined. ❝ not that there's anything wrong with caring or being a diamond. i'm just not very good at the whole... high society thing. ❞

Aysun walked along beside the other, head whipping round to face the other with raised eyebrows. "of course it's a big deal!" She exclaimed, she had always had dreams of being crowned the diamond but being from a lower class family she knew the likelihood of that happening was fairly slim. "Being diamond guarantees you the choice of whoever you like for marriage. It's much easier to make a suitable and advantageous marriage if everyone is offering you their hand." Explaining what she understood of the position. "There's probably much more to it but that's the most important I think, that's what the season is all about after all. "

Aysun had been devastated to miss the crowning ball, her mother had decided that a poorer family was in much more need of their time than a ball and had roped her children in to helping, no matter how much she had begged to go. She didn't think she would have been crowned, she was ambitious but she wasn't delusional. She was pleased for Irene when she heard she had been crowned, and wondered if Theodore had been there with her, quickly shaking her head to clear thoughts of him from her mind - she had ruined any chance of that a long time ago. she was in town collecting some things and running errands when she heard an all too familiar voice - speak of the devil . "Lord Goldhorn" she addressed, eyes meeting his briefly. She kept her head high, trying to keep any telling emotions out of her voice. "I don't need any assistance thank you."