sanguine

the pure fear in charles eyes was evident. how on earth could this happen and the irony of him turning into his friend? in this kind of situation charles felt uncomfortable, unpreared and exposed in a way he didn't know was possible. "this is maddness." he murmured and tried to cover himself up at the same time as he searched for friendly faces to find the company of while they were trapped in whatever curse had been cast.

MATILDA HAD BEEN EYEING CHARLES JUST moments before and after the toast. some might've been bemused by the change but matilda didn't like anyone wearing her face. she clicked her tongue in disgust then took a large breath. with a few blinks, tears prickled her eyes. with that, the witch took off toward the wizard with her face. she all but threw herself in her arms. ❝ madness indeed, ❞ she agreed, sniffling lightly. ❝ and who might you be, who has taken my place for the night? ❞ she brought up her hand to her lips. ❝ it's so frightening... all this chaos. ❞ she clutched his arm, tightening her grip as if in fear.

MATILDA COULD SEE THE SMILING FACE of charles whisp, and having already run into the man wearing her own face, she knew was curious who'd taken his. she followed slowly after them then when they spoke, she knew instantly. she pressed her index finger to her lip and took her wife by her, surprisingly larger, hand. ❝ come, ❞ she beckoned and the now burnette witch pulled the other into the escapes of the garden. once she was convinced they were far enough off from other she pulled the other witch in close. her hand grazed charle's cheek. ❝ it feels strange to have you wear someone else's face... i miss your own. ❞ despite her best efforts to seduce charles, there was no attraction there, no real desire. looking at him now did nothing to her but desperately wish her wife's face would return to her own.

THEODOSIA PRESSED THEIR LIPS INTO a thin line. if they were honest, they hadn't been paying much attention to their husbands whereabouts before. ❝ no, i'm afraid i don't, ❞ they admitted sheepishly, bothered by how odd their voice sounded. ❝ sorry, i don't intend to be rude, but who might i be speaking with. ❞ they were glad they could at least rule out youngest goldhorn. ❝ i don't mean to be suspicious, there are just... many would take advantage of a change of face. ❞ idly, theodosia started to wonder if they knew any sort of healing charm or enchantment that could help.

"of course they do." he scoffed at her and decided to not let her rile him up any longer with his words. He didn't want to speak to her about these personal matters regarding Irene. Irene deserved the world and to think she had spent two years locked away in the estate house uncertain of her reputation, her emotions, and more than anything herself - he could never watch that happen again. "Something tells me Effie." he said and paused, making her halt and halfway crash into his backside as he walked in front of her, abruptly turning around, standing very close. "you find me just as striking as everyone else." he mused with that lazy grin upon his lips. they might have been rivals, they might never be anything - but he loved to get reactions out of the woman in front of him.

AS EFFIE FINISHED TALKING ABOUT IRENE she let her eyes drop to her feet. was it even fair to say she was envious of irene, who'd lost a spouse? effie couldn't help wishing for a semblance of what the rest of the noble ladies seemed to have. too busy lost in her own thoughts, effie hadn't noticed theo stop. she felt herself crash into him, a result of letting her guard down. she stumbled back a half-step and found herself staring up at him, closer than they normally got. for a second, all she could hear was her heart leap. but it was only theo and he loved to play games. ❝ oh please, ❞ she shoved her hand into his jaw, pushing him away from her and turning her head away, mostly in hopes to hide the falter in her reaction. ❝ you've been reading your fan owls too much. you'll always been the most annoying wizard i know, nothing more nothing less. perhaps if you had a diamond crowning you, i'd see something past the devilish look in your eye! ❞ she shouted back, storming ahead of him.

"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.

EFFIE BLUSHED THEN FORCED HERSELF TO clarify despite how embarrassed it made her feel. ❝ actually, i did attend... i was just on duty so i, uh, blended in. ❞ stood just outside of the fancy things as she often did, just ever so in the shadows. ❝ the person you like... ❞ again her cheeks flushed. effie was beginning to worry aysun might ask if she had a fever. ❝ but... even if one were a diamond, would it change... anything? ❞ she gnawed on her lips as she broached a tender topic. ❝ after all... it was theo's sister who was named... doesn't that sort of... mean something? ❞ effie didn't really want to see aysun and theodore back together, seeing him hurt once was enough. but she also saw how happy she'd made him. maybe mending things was the right thing to do — despite how it made her feel.

DESPITE BEING SOMEONE WOULD HAD been taught to fight as long as she'd been a part of this world, effie didn't love that it sometimes felt like a necessity. she wanted to be able to be the picturesque girl arienne talked about. allowed to be soft. she supposed it was just as horrible to feel the opposite, but still effie was glad to trade her softness for strength. especially if it meant protecting other's softness. ❝ i suppose if you wish to be a good marriage partner society might sway your way, yes. i haven't heard much of engagement for any of my siblings. ❞ she thought to herself that while her family gained power through hard effort, there were many who would just born with it. the windlemores had fallen on harder times, they were born with something effie didn't experience until someone was decided she was "special". ❝ a deadly combination when it's hidden from sight, ❞ she admitted. perhaps it was backhanded to comment on, but effie had never had the chance to play the double agent, she was only ever what she presented.

"to let my shoulders rest is a virtue I do not possess Theodosia," he murmured so only she could hear as they seated in her foyer. he didn't mind the gossip or the ugly looks of distaste at his presence, he knew them all too well. yet he wished to be in the company of someone who perhaps didn't hate him so dearly. "how have you been? I hope I am not intruding, I just-" he looked down as the butler came with the tea, taking his cup and waiting for the butler to leave before continuing his words. "I wished to be in the company of someone who did not resent me so." Theodosia knew his family, she had always seen how they treated him and it hadn't gotten any better in the last decade. He hoped he would find a certain amount of understanding, even if his love for her - and the love he suspected she had felt for him no longer carried any fruit.

A WEIGHT THEY ONCE HAD HOPED TO LIFT seemed so much heavier and burdensome on his shoulders now. the tenderness in her heart for charles would never disappear. time had erased much of the love in theodosia's heart, not for charles alone but for all. to find a way to move forward they had to forget all emotions, good & bad. with every day they knew the were returning, but not to who they once were but simply returning to life again. often emotions came in pairs, compassion & guilt, fear & courage, hope... despair. things were not easy for theodosia but they were clawing their way from hell slowly. but not to love. not yet. ❝ you will always be welcomed at my door, whatever it may be. you are a dear friend. ❞ that list had never been long, but time had only made it smaller. ❝ i saw you dance with lady nightshade at the crowning ball... i hadn't realized you were acquainted. ❞

❝ prophecies will not be stopped. you can look into them & rip yourself apart trying to prevent them and only bring yourself that much closer to it happening. ❞ she looked him dead into the eyes. they were so deeply broken themselves from their own foolishness, theodosia only hoped to spare arthur a fraction of that. ❝ the one thing that is certain, is that you having that artifact is dangerous. not just to you, but your mother. if she truly intends to continue to keep the ministry strong after the lake duke, she will be in great need of your help. many would love to discover the late ministers son stealing. ❞ she pressed her lips into a line. ❝ however, if you do in fact return this mistake to the ministry, i will see what i can find out about the future. ❞

❝ prophecies will not be stopped. you can look into them & rip yourself apart trying to prevent them and only bring yourself that much closer to it happening. ❞ she looked him dead into the eyes. they were so deeply broken themselves from their own foolishness, theodosia only hoped to spare arthur a fraction of that. ❝ the one thing that is certain, is that you having that artifact is dangerous. not just to you, but your mother. if she truly intends to continue to keep the ministry strong after the lake duke, she will be in great need of your help. many would love to discover the late ministers son stealing. ❞ she pressed her lips into a line. ❝ however, if you do in fact return this mistake to the ministry, i will see what i can find out about the future. ❞

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. "

PERCY WOULD BE A LIAR IF HE SAID HE wasn't often swayed by a pretty face. and the witch in front of him could certainly be described as such. ❝ glad to hear it, ❞ he quirked a smile. ❝ while you may be perfectly fine, i should take responsibility and repay you in some way. if not a healing charm perhaps a stroll through the park or a ride of some kind — i've been known to do well on both a broom and a horse. ❞

THE CATCH ON HIS TITLE MADE PERCY falter for a moment, thinking about his sister. the title didn't belong to him. it never had, despite his late father's wishes. percy cleared his throat. ❝ please, there's no need for the formality. with the money you've won from me you might as well call me by name. ❞ he chuckled. ❝ ah the spanish colonies... that was a time. ❞ and by time percy meant near death experience. but that was on par for a frell, or at least that's what his father would've said. ❝ time distracts us all. my father was rarely attentive to anyone but his adventures and novels. i'm sure the young Winger understands. ❞ percy himself had resented his father for his absence, more so for his absence in his sister's lives, but he wasn't particularly plussed by adrian's relationship with his son. it was beyond the journey's scope as he liked to say.