theo sharpe

when he had initially heard of the event, the basket auction, theo thought it was a ridiculous idea. auditioning off women to the highest bidder was a tragic idea, one that did not sit right with him at all. when the list of names were announced, he hoped that mai wouldn’t be one of them. although.. he knew deep down that she would. it was her duty to find a husband, no matter how messed up theo thought that to be. he cared about mai deeply, more deeply than he cared for anyone else. and the idea of her being bought by someone who would perhaps treat her like a trophy.. that made him sick to his stomach. so theo raided his savings and even took up a few extra shifts at the printers. he would try his very best to make sure that he would be the highest bidder. it was difficult, considering he were a mere commoner. but, somehow he managed to do it. so here he was, wicker basket in hand on his way to find his former best friend, the woman whom he cherished. 

alliah was walking the streets of london on her own. she had only been here 3 days, and while waiting to hear what her assignment would be, she decided to get to know the city. it would make it easier to do her mission. it was why her boss sent her out early. alliah was usually more cunning and stealth on the streets. maybe she was loosing her touch because she heard someone’s voice.  ❝trust me, i am more frightening that anything on the streets.❞

hearing the voice of a woman, theo couldn’t help but laugh lightly, brows arching at her comment. “is that so?” he then shrugged his shoulders. “you do not look very frightening to me.”

Eloise had been on the hunt for finding out where Lady Whistledown published her papers. She wanted to know exactly what would happen if she found her literary hero. She just needed to know who the woman was. Her gaze turned towards the man that had spoken and she raised an eyebrow. “I’m merely looking around to see if I can find a certain publisher.”

hearing the girl speak, theo raised a brow, chuckling lightly. “well.. the only publisher in this particular area would be my employer. i’m afraid i have just closed the shop for the night, so you may need to come back tomorrow if you wish to speak with him or myself.” he gave her a nod.

calliope had been in her own little world, completely and utterly oblivious to the going on’s around her. she had been on her way home from visiting a friend when she made the wrong turn and ended up getting herself a tad lost. with a frown she travelled further down the street and let out a small huff. “this isn’t the way,” she muttered to herself. it was the new voice that had startled her as she walked further down, “my apologies,” she muttered softly. “it seems as though i’ve made a wrong turn on my travels home,” she stated with a small chuckle.

theo watched the woman with an intent gaze, his eyes flicking around the dimly lit streets as she made an attempt at finding her way. “no apologies needed, my lady. it is i that should apologise, if i startled you.” theo murmured, offering a slight smile. “would you care for some assistance? i know these streets like the back of my hand.” the man spoke, smiling once again, hoping that his air of kindness would allow her to trust him.

She had spent the evening indulging in the hidden boutiques and delicatessen that London had to offer, and had become consumed , so much so , that she had not noted the time. Night fall set upon her, and as she stepped out of the store, she shivered at the change of temperature. She had not come equipped with an outdoor coat, and thus found a shiver ricocheted up her spine. She walked up the street, noting how they seemed to blend into one. No longer did she feel so confident on her route home. She noted a figure in the distance, and hoped they may be able to help. “I appear to be lost– the night time has changed my perception of my route home, and I hoped you may be able to guide me” She spoke with a wishful smile, before realising who stood before her. “Theo?”

through the darkness, it had proven difficult to recognise his former best friend but, as soon as he heard her voice, theo felt his chest begin to burn. a light, shaky, breath left parted lips as he moved further out into the street, his defined features now illuminated by the flickering flame of the lanterns that lined the cobbles. a soft smile crossed his face, eyes not daring to leave the face of the woman whom he’d only seen in passing over the last year of them being apart. of course he still held a flame for the woman, that much was evident by the way his heart ached as he drank in the sight of her. swallowing hard, he then nodded his head slowly, as if confirming that it was indeed him. “mai.. you should not be on this side of town.” theo spoke, taking a few hasty steps toward her. “may i escort you back to the estate?” he asked, eyes still soft and full of care.

a smile crosses plump lips, pulling her into an embrace. calloused, working hands run up and down her back lightly, comforting her. "because i know you, perhaps sometimes even better than you know yourself." ink stained fingertips move into the back of her hair, combing through the ends of her raven locks. "i will always be here for you.. you know that, right?" he mumbles, lips puckering against the top of her head. @whatmai

eyes widened hearing the words she spoke, his breath catching in his throat as he met her gaze. brows furrowed for a moment and he pursed his lips. truthfully.. there was nothing more that theo wanted to do in this moment than to give her what she wanted, to kiss her. but.. he still had his reservations. the fact that he was lower class and she was upper.. it meant that the two of them could never be together, not properly anyway. so why indulge now? surely it would be better for the both of them to just ignore the way they obviously felt about one another and move on. that was perhaps the sole reason that theo had decided to separate himself from mai. "i.." he struggled to find the words, biting his bottom lip softly. his forehead rested against hers as he took a breath, eyes falling closed. "i cannot.." he sighed, shaking his head. his heart longed for her, but he wouldn't allow himself to indulge.. he couldn't. @whatmai

a soft laugh escaped the male, brows narrowing for a moment. "that's a strange sentiment.. although.. i suppose i do not entirely disagree." - @wxntofly