don't hate the girl - just hate the crime!

Her mention of her own shenanigans not being so wholesome caught him more than the joke perhaps intended. Edgar looked at her for a moment - really looked. The mischief was there, of course. It was always there with her. But beneath it, something else flickered. Something harder to name. "Wholesome is terribly overrated," he said at last, gentler than before. "So long as no one loses an eye or a fortune, I tend not to judge. Though if you ever involve one of the girls in your less wholesome schemes, I reserve the right to become very stern and disappointing." He doubted he would manage stern for long. Not with Dianna solemnly examining the grass as if it had personally offended her.

When Katherine called him Edgar, not Mr O'Connor, he noticed. He wished he had not, because noticing made it feel intentional. It softened the edge of their teasing, turning it from another little contest into something almost friendly. Almost familiar. His gaze drifted back to Amelia as Katherine declared that the girl had learned from the best. The little girl stood there with her mallet in hand, far too pleased with herself, and Edgar gave her a look of solemn consideration. "Then we are all doomed." Amelia responded with a graceful little curtsy, and that undid him more than it should have. Edgar bowed back with genuine care, far more sincere than the ones he gave to half the titled guests in London.

By the time he straightened, Katherine was speaking of dull men and riches, of all the things that could never convince her to stay. There was still humor in her voice, but something steadier beneath it caught his attention. He glanced at her, thoughtful despite himself. Katherine liked beautiful things; she made no secret of that. But he understood the difference between wanting luxury and wanting to be trapped inside it. "Never let a dull man buy your patience. It's worth more than he can afford." The seriousness lingered for only a breath before his smile returned, easier and brighter. "Besides, if you must make a questionable decision, it ought to have charm." Edgar looked from her to Amelia, then toward Dianna, who still seemed deeply invested in the grass. "Yes," he said, eyes narrowing with mock concern. "That is precisely what worries me." He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice as though entrusting her with something grave. "One day, those girls will be unstoppable, and all of Mayfair will suffer for your influence." Then his grin softened. "I look forward to it enormously."

"Responsibility." Katherine mused the word outloud, somewhat amused. "Yes, I can see him doing such a thing." Dominic O'Connor was an irritating, horrible man. But she supposed he at least knew how to twist things in his favor, which was something she had to admire. The mental image of Edgar and Frederic covered in mud, a pig running around was far too funny. She somewhat wished she had grown up with Edgar, grown up with a brother like him. Kitty laughed softly at his playful threat about her getting the girls involved in less wholesome acitivities, a mischivous smile on her lips. "Do not fret, I work alone." She whispered conspiratorally.

Something in the way Edgat spoke to her, gave her that advice. It made her smile genuinely, a softness washing over her. Like he truly cared for her happiness and didn't want for her to settle just for anyone. "I certainly hope that they cause all of Mayfair destruction one day." Kitty was only half-joking. She knew how brutal this life was, and if they could be stronger than the influences of other debutantes and boring suitors, then Kitty would be very happy indeed. "I look forward to it as well."

Soon, Amelia was complaining about being tired and bored, and Dianna was beginning to crawl away over to a very interesting looking bush. Kitty swooped the littlest sister into her arms and made her wave at Edgar. "We must be going now, but I do look forward to beating you at some games at the fair." She grinned, having heard of the arrival of the fair that morning. Amelia curtsied once again in goodbye to Edgar, and the sisters plus the nanny went back to the Thorne's carriage.

~Time Skip~

Katherine showed up to the fair with her family. The youngest girls were eager to spend some time playing games and seeing the pretty animals, and her mother wanted to find Kitty a potential prospect. But her own focus was currently on finding Edgar. It had been his birthday recently, and seeing that he was one of her only friends that she felt actually mattered to her, she wanted to celebrate with him. She had unfortunately left his gift at home, but surely they would see each other again very soon and she could give it to him then.

She wandered around the fair until her eyes landed on the man and she rushed up to him, much like how a younger sister would upon seeing her favorite brother.

"We meet again, Lord Lark." She said, sneaking up next to him with a smile. "I do think you promised to win me something." He had not done such a thing, but Kitty was good at making things up to get what she wanted.

"Confident," He echoed back when she hissed it at him. He didn't believe her at all. His eyes twinkled as he tilted his head. "You look like the most confident girl," He said mockingly. He had a right to be rude- to be mean to her. He had promised her that karma would come at her- she didn't believe him then, but now? he hopes that she knows he meant it.

He hears her poor poem...well she's trying at least. "It'd be tirelessly," He teased her- it almost sounded like he was trying to be kind, but his words only made the girls around them giggle." I think your baby sisters could write a better one" He said not even letting her finish her poem. "maybe you should just sit down before you hurt that little brain of yours" He added and that one sounded mean compared to his other words- he had said this quietly not letting the rest of the room hear expect Katherine and her friends. "unless you want to keep embarrassing yourself" He added. " it's really embarrassing, huh? Everyone can see you're just a liar with your pathetic half-attempt of a poem,"  He hissed quietly to her.

Oh god, Katherine could have just died right there. She was utterly humiliated. "Tirelessly." She repeated in a mumble, but the damage was already done. The onlookers who were previously looking forward to Katherine Thorne's poem was now looking away, whispering and giving her pitiful looks. Her cheeks were burning with embarrassment as Frederic mocked her, and she took a seat and leaned across the table to him with eyes that could kill.

"Frederic O'Connor you are the most evil person the whole entire world." She whispered, venom dripping from her sneer. "How dare you talk to me like this? Humilate me?" Granted, Kitty did have a choice. She could have admited that she didn't write any poetry. But she felt the need to prove him wrong, and now look at her. She was a disaster.

"Oh, Kitty," Eleanor cooed, eyes flashing with something that made Katherine's skin crawl. "This was worse than that time with your dress-"

"Eleanor you bitch!" Kitty turned her anger over at her supposed 'friend' now. Really, none of this women were her friends. Not really. She knew that since she was a girl, and yet she still hung around them. "I-I should.. I..." Her eyes were tearing up and her chest tight, she wanted to either cry or scream or both. Instead, she slammed her hands on the table and stood up. Her eyes on Frederic again.

"I'm going to go, unless you have anything else you want to say?" She asked sarcastically. "If this was my karma, then best believe yours is going to be so much worse. I will make sure of it."

Seeing her mother standing there before her, Katherine's demeanor immediately softened and new tears prickled in her eyes. God, she ruined everything. Mama was just coming to talk to her and she snapped.

"MaMi..." She whispered, eyes blinking to try and hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Kitty stood up and wrapped her arms around her mother in a tight embrace, face mushed into the elder's shoulder as she cried for... She didn't even know what number of the day it was. It seemed the tears flowed endlessly, if she were honest.

"I am so sorry." Kitty cried out as she clung to her dress, worried she might disappear if she did not hold on tight enough. "I- I did not mean to yell at you. I'm sorry." All of her bratty behavior caused her family's bad fortune. Why her mother continued to be so kind, she had no idea. She did not deserve such a kind mama. "I love you." She said, her body shaking from her cries. "I.. I love you so much, and I love papa and baba* and- and the girls." She paused a moment, her lower lip wobbling. "A-And god, I might even care for Tobias a little but- papa left and now he's in control!" She gasped, panic rising again as she pulled back enough to look at her mother. "Tobias hates me, what if he throws me out? What if he throws you out because of me? And Ami and Di?"

she would tease, she would be the lele that her homelanders came to call her, she would earn her coin and feel no remorse. at least the woman seemed innocent in such ventures, she would be a teacher and not an object - these transactions were easier when she was not simply handled like a doll, positioned and silenced for the pleasures of others. "understood, hydrangeas would be my choice for you, then. a settled flower with which understanding is sure to follow with your friend." gestures are miniscule and can be meaningless, but even such gestures can cause reactions that liliana predicts - her smile softens at the woman's giggles. perhaps this was easy, she would be a kind client. god knows she had few of those.

"beautiful peonies for a beautiful woman, of course, my lady," and distance is created. liliana moves to pluck and present soft pink peonies, leaving a wanting connection of tension between herself and katherine. "pink represents feminine beauty and love, perfect?" a twinkle sparkles in her eyes at the woman's request - hook, line and sinker. "if you wish to pursue such alluring adventures, my lady, you need only ask. i offer services at special prices for special people, if you understand?"

Kitty had no idea what Liliana was saying, but she wanted to hear more. She wanted to hear the woman talk for hours and hours, days and days. When the other's eyes flitted to her neck Katherine smiled slowly and tilted her head back slightly, her chin sticking up confidently- as well as showing off. If she wanted to look, Kitty would be more than happy to show. "I bet everyone falls in love with you when they hear you speak such a beautiful and lovely language."

"I dare say you are brilliant. You know not one but two languages of love." Kitty knew a little bit about flowers, but botany wasn't nearly as interesting as astronomy was to her. Still, hearing Liliana's explanations made her want to listen to her forever. Yes the woman was so easy to admire physically, but Kitty was also drawn in deeper. Surely her mind is as beautiful as her face.

Katherine found herself wanting Lily to be close to her again, wanted to smell her perfume, wanted to feel if her face was as soft as it looked. "Perfect." She breathed out and nodded. Pink was also the color of Ceara's lips, and Lily's, she noticed. She had to force her eyes away from the florist's lips as she spoke and blinked back into focus. Special prices for special people. Katherine could only assume she meant that she expected to be given a gift or something similar in exchange for her time. That made sense to her, as Kitty also expected such things. And the opera singers and ballerinas at the tavern expected such things. It was just the way women who knew what they deserved did. What else would it mean? "Of course I understand. What would you like?" She asked in a hushed voice, a feeling of excitement bubbling up in her stomach. Maybe they could go back to her bedroom or private study room to kiss, share some drinks? More? The very idea was invigorating!

But Katherine's comment cut through the soft buzzing in her head, causing her to glance down at herself. She had plenty of red dresses, but none suitable--in her mind--for courtship of any kind. They were from a few seasons ago, possibly ill-fitting. "I presume we will need to make a visit to the modiste for this occasion," Riya realized, though she minded that quite little.

The sentiments about Nalan brought a laugh out of her, shrugging almost helplessly. "He is something," she replied. She loved her brother dearly, had always looked up to him when she was younger. But she would not deny he was a difficult sort when he wanted to be. Riya watched Kitty, considering the lessons that were required of her between her bouts of traveling. "I am well-versed in dancing, a few languages, and I've read and seen much art in my time. I can also sing a tune or a few, if that gets me anywhere."

Oh, Kitty recognized that look, that voice. Ms Das was smitten with someone, it was written all over her face. Katherine couldn't help but smile. Part of her was jealous that Riya seemed so happy and perhaps even in love, she had never felt a feeling like that before. "Mm, I see, i see." Kitty cooed teasingly and picked up a lovely orange necklace, one that she thought would look stunning against Riya's skin. "We must ensure that we catch this person's interest then."

"Yes! The modiste will be one of the first things we shall do. Red will certainly look stunning on you, but now I am thinking that you could truly pull off any color." Her head tilted as she looked Riya over again. She sighed dramatically, "goodness, you are making my job far too difficult. Let us try this direction- what colors do you wear the most? We want you to stand out, so if you wear something you do not normally wear, then the one you pine for will gravitate towards you more."

Riya's laugh made her smile, a soft giggle leaving her as well. "He is indeed something. As is my brother." When she listed off her accomplishments, Katherine listened carefully, somewhat surprised. "You are certainly well-accomplished. Which is a good thing, it will get you quite far. It is quite a wonder how you are not the diamond of the season." Ms Das was beautiful, intelligent, accomplished. She was interested in someone who no doubt was interested back. Why she needed Kitty, she had no idea. It seemed as if Kitty needed advice from her. "Hmm... Perhaps tell me about this person you like. What have you done to gain their attention?" She returned to Riya and sat next to her, gently draping the necklace against her neck to see how the orange gems made her skin glow.

"As Cornelius' eldest son you inhert his title and seat under rules of primogeniture. Your step-mother is protected by a jointure and should you wish it, you may request that she move with your sisters to a dower house," the laywer says but Tobias doesn't take it in, he can't focus on anything and looks around the room to see a sea of faces all around, lingering at the sides and watching him more than they did before and it was grating on him more than anything else.

There's more talk about property and customs but instead of waiting to hear more patiently, he abruptly gets up and makes quick movements out of the room, noticing someone followed. "If you're here to talk about antyhing related to Lords and seats be quick or speak of something else," he snaps but its clouded in an a croack of his voice, overwhelmed by everything around him.

Nothing was okay, and Katherine was sure that nothing would be okay ever again. Her father died, again, and now the fate of her, her mother, and her younger sisters were uncertain. The fact that the family's lawyer even suggested that Kitty and the other women of the family move into another house made her feel sick. They had all lost so much already, why would such a horrible man say such a thing?

She sat there in the room during the meeting, as did her mother, and when Tobias left she was briefly startled. For some reason she was compelled to go after him, so she did. Katherine and Tobias did not have the best record, but... She was so scared and sad. No one in her family was safe from her anxious need to be close to them, not even the brother she despised.

"I am not." She said simply, her voice quite similar to his. These days, she sounded raspy and weak from crying for hours a day. "I just..." She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Everything was so backwards and horrible. "I don't know. I wanted out of that room too. The lawyer is pissing me off." She finally decided to say.

"No? Nothing clumsy about yourself today?" He asked with a playful smile. "Well, alright then,"  he said, in a way saying he forgives her and doesn't hate her- not that Junho could really hate anyone. He isn't like that.  

He thought for a moment. " I think tea would be good," he offered. "I'd love to hear what your papa does..." Hearing other people would be good. He'd like to hear different opinions and points of view. He's an heir, but a lord has new rules and tenants.

"I am as graceful as a swan." Kitty promised with a soft chuckle. Junho Lytton was perhaps too good of a person for somewhere like Mayfair. But perhaps the town could use more kindness.

"Tea it is then." She nodded and began walking towards the tea shop with Junho. "Yes! Well, my papa of course does many things! Our family owns the Thorne Bank. But papa makes his brother handle it since he has more important things to do. Like... papers and other such things." Honestly, Kitty didn't know much about what her father did. She wasn't a lord, she wasn't the heir (as much as she wanted to be.) She had no reason to know. "He works in his study quite often. I go in there sometimes but only to ask him for something or if I am so terribly bored that nothing else will cure it." Her face scrunched up a little and she looked up at Junho apologetically. "I am sorry, perhaps I'm not making it sound very exciting. I'm sure it is!"

"Why would you not want to know a member of your family? What sort of plan do you have brewing, Miss Thorne? Worried you may find joy in family, beyond gossip?" He was poking fun, not maliciously but in a teasing manner.

"Two ladies? Never, just you." Pausing for a moment, "Would you like another ice cream then? Since you've just finished yours and I surely doubt that this is where you'd like to end our conversation."

When she began to question what was done at a workhouse, it was...amusing how far from the struggles of some Katherine was. Oh to be able to be locked away in a gilded cage. Elliot was almost jealous of her. The suffering he'd seen in the army, the poor he had seen in his campaigning.

"Perhaps a lady who comes from such wealth as yourself would accompany me on my next visit to a workhouse, to make a donation. I am working to reform them, and make conditions better for those who need them."

"I think that I rather have the right idea. You can tell so much about someone by just looking at them." She gestured to herself, "beautiful and smart and perfect," and then towards him, "annoying and a menace to society." Elliot's explanation on how Parliament worked was actually a little interesting... Just a little, though. "So you are saying that if I wanted to run a campaign and make people vote for me, I could?" Her eyes narrowed as she thought about the idea. "Nevermind, that sounds like too much work."

Katherine sighed at his question, a small frown on her lips. "Because I do not like Tobias. What better reason is there to not getting to know someone?" Perhaps she could have given him a fair chance and not just went off the words of her father. But why shouldn't she trust her papa's words? "I have plenty of joy with the rest of my family." She paused for a moment and looked at Elliot. "Why do you like Tobias? Does he not just aggrevate you?" When he asked if she wanted another ice cream, she took a moment before reluctantly nodding and batted her eyelashes sweetly at him. "Yes actually, I would. Would you be a gentleman and buy me some, then?" She not-so-subtly pushed her empty bowl over to him.

"Visit a workhouse? But Elliot!" She gasped, looking mildly horrified at the idea. "Would it not be dangerous and disgusting? Are you not scared that something bad may happen?" He was a wealthy man, why would he trust anyone outside of Mayfair was beyond her. But then he mentioned reformation, making conditions better for the workers. Kitty grimaced at his words and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know." She finally said, sounding rather hesitant and nervous compared to her usually confident self. Perhaps if she donated to a cause that would make her look better. But she didn't know anything about labour beyond the working class of Mayfair. "Do they just... Make clothes and big batches of pastries?" She asked, an almost innocent look to her face as she asked.

Looking at the bouquet, she reached out to take it. Her eyes fixed themselves on the peonies amidst the powder blue hydrangeas, and her heart skipped. How could she have known? Was this a ill-mannered attempt at hurting her further? Was she truly trying to be better after what transpired? Ceara did not need to question anything for long though, for Katherine's burst of honesty echoed throughout the small cottage.

With a sigh, she placed the bouquet on the kitchen table. "Katherine," she tried to reason, her voice softening. But goodness, even her pleas were making it difficult to not just gather her up. Ceara placed a hand on her cheek, warm and tangible compared to her words. "I know you will be good. I'm...I am not angry with you. I was disappointed but I am not angry. Alright?"

"It is not nothing." Kitty whispered urgently. Normally she didn't really pay too much attention to the feelings of others, but... Ceara was different. "But you do not need to tell me if you do not want to, I suppose." Her chest tightened at the idea of Ceara not wanting to be open with her, keeping her out of the loop. She supposed she deserved it after betraying her at the ball.

Karma echoed in her brain again. Katherine despised that word.

She probably would have continued her verbal outburst if Ceara had not touched her cheek so softly. Kitty let out a shaky breath at the contact. "Disappointed is worse than angry." She whispered as her eyes searched for any trace of negativity in her face. But there was none, only the softness that Ceara always seemed to carry with her. "But... Alright. Thank you for not being angry." She finally said, a small smile forming on her lips. As Kitty started to settle down, she became aware of how close the two women were standing to each other. Her eyes wandered over her face again and settled on her lips.

Her curiosity was getting the better of her. For a long time she wondered what it would be like to kiss Ceara. Their first meeting she was instantly attracted to her and her teasing. And now here Kitty was, standing in her home, inches from her face while the woman wore a nightgown.

"Ceara," she whispered again, moving in just a little closer, hesitantly. Looking into her eyes for any sign she did not wish for anything.

"you flatter me, draga mea." her lips wrap around her mother-tongue like a dirty secret, a coercive tone of charm to see the extent of the woman's curiosity with the florist. the young woman was beautiful, a person would need to be blind if not to see such a thing, and liliana was not blind. allowing her fingers to delicately trace the drooping petals of a pale pink asiatic lily, she slowly moves closer to the other.

"i could recommend blue hydrangeas for the most sincerest of apologies," her voice trails softly along each bloom she passes before stopping before kitty, reaching for the unassuming blooms near her fingers, "or perhaps the unnassuming forget-me-not, in hopes that such problems can be forgiven through forgetting?" picking a single flower, she lifts it and carefully tucks it behind kitty's ear, allowing her fingertips to linger for a moment.

Kitty was mesmerized by Liliana. She moved with a grace that most only hoped for, like a lioness. Her teasing smile, her gentle but sharp eyes. All of it was so intriguing and captivating. And Katherine wanted more of it.

"Draga mea..." She whispered, letting the term of endearment roll off her lips, as if tasting it. "Your language, it is beautiful. Especially coming from your lips." Her voice was soft again as she spoke, eyes sparkling with excitement, the newness of all this.

"Hydrangeas are a lovely choice." Kitty immediately nodded, eyes eagerly following her around as she touched the different flowers. Everything about her was teasing, almost sensual. She had no idea how it was possible for a woman to be as mesmerizing as Liliana was. "Forget-me-nots are beautiful too, but... I fear that wishing for her to forget has not gotten us anyway." She admitted with a soft, slightly shy chuckle. Soon, Liliana was close to her and tucking a flower behind Kitty's ear. She blinked at the woman, a small smile on her lips as the other's fingertips lingered on the shell of her ear. Her stomach fluttered and she giggled like a girl with a crush. God, Liliana was gorgeous.

"I... Think the blue hydrangeas will be perfect. Do you perhaps have any peonies? I think she would appreciate them. In China they represent beauty, and, well... She is beautiful." Her voice trailed off into a whisper. "Stunning, really." Katherine cleared her throat now as she admired Liliana's eyes up close. "And... Perhaps you have some free time? When do you close your store for the day?" She asked suddenly, a feeling in her that she wanted to see her again lingering in her brain.