in vain have i struggled.

a private multi-muse blog for disenchantedhq.

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

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“It was certainly something of theirs,” Oliver sad with a frustrated little grunt. “Perhaps the Gods had the way planned but without our parents nothing would have lined up properly. I ask you, once again, to not speak to me like I am a simpleton.”

“And please, stop calling me Mister Coggsworth!”

But then, just as soon as he had said it, she was cutting through the crowd in a desperate attempt to get away from him. Really, truly, it was all his fault. He shouldn’t have said such a thing. Perhaps he really was the idiot she claimed him to be.

It wasn’t her fault and it certainly wasn’t fair that she was not able to pursue her dreams. In truth, women not being allowed to attend university wasn’t even something he agreed with. Everyone should be able to pursue their education.

But there Oliver had gone and shoved his foot in his mouth.

“Wait! Eloise!” He chased after her, reaching out to take her wrist. “At least let me apologize before you go. I am aware we exchange quips and words often, but that was low, even for me. Entirely, well, entirely inappropriate to say the least. I should not have spoken down to you in such a manner. Is there anything I can do to show you my apology is sincere?”

◣━━━━━━━━━━━◢

Eloise had assumed that Oliver would simply let her fade into the crowd, counting her storming off as a win for himself before he merrily went on with his day.

Instead, he had pursued her. Both verbally and physically, his following of her was almost loud enough to cause a scene. Certainly it was enough to draw the attention of a couple of locals, which was in turn enough to slow Eloise to the point where she could be caught up with.

Her escape was likewise not aided by the fact that Oliver was considerably taller than her, and therefore able to close the gap between them quicker than she was able to increase the distance. But the very moment his hand came to rest on her, she stopped in her tracks.

Casual touch was something that the pair had left behind in childhood, their days of poking and prodding at each other for annoyance purposes shifting to verbal sparring once society deemed they were of an age where touch was frowned upon. Linking arms was one thing - perfectly acceptable in the eyes of society. Grasping at wrists... implied a sort of familiarity.

Which, yes, they did technically have. But when Eloise was as upset as she was at present, she did not need the reminder.

“I-” she faltered, eyes dropping to where Oliver’s hand remained on her wrist before flitting up to observe the male.

She had not been feigning offense, but she had not expected him to care about how she took in his words. His serious response had caught her off guard, and his apology... seemed genuine. But how much could she trust that they were not in a game of cat and mouse with a strategic truce? Would he not just file away her response to his words to save for a crushing blow later?

“I do not believe that you won’t find some way to bring it up again in the future, so I truly do not know. But might I draw your attention to the fact that you stressed that it was low, even for you? So, you admit that you purposefully seek out arguments on the lower side?” she questioned, pausing only to let the words he’d uttered prior to her departure process.

“And what am I meant to call you? It is your name.”

[auradonian]

meet priya !!

THE HONOURABLE MOWGLI RAMA OF THE JUNGLE IS PROUD TO PRESENT THEIR CHILD, THE HONOURABLE PRIYA RAMA, FOR THE UPCOMING SOCIAL SEASON. WE HEAR THEY’RE TENACIOUS AND SHARP, BUT CAN ALSO BE ALOOF AND MISTRUSTING.

name: P. M. Priya (Priya Rama)

age: 26 years old

parents: Mowgli

homeland: The Jungle

gender: Cis Woman

sexuality: Bisexual, Aromantic

PINTEREST HERE.

Miss Priya Rama was never meant to have a social season.

It had never been customary for the young ladies (or gentlemen) from The Jungle to learn the ways of society. Some might go so far as to say it was unnecessary when so few found their way out of The Jungle and into the ‘Ton in the first place. Dancing the quadrille, playing the pianoforte, and learning to host elaborate dinner parties were frivolous matters, part of a different world. And for Priya, any knowledge of that other world had begun to fade the minute her mother, Shanti, left.

Miss Shanti, a young woman who was a proper Member of Society, met Mowgli when they were but children. Her family had taken a voyage together when their ship lost its way. They were quickly taken in by the village on the outskirts of The Jungle, and they lived there for weeks until their rescue ship was able to reach them.

The second time Shanti’s family came to the village, two years later, it was on purpose. A short stop, only for a few days, and with a few gifts in tow - parasols, fine silks, unique foods from elsewhere, and book after book served as tokens of gratitude.

Shanti’s third visit was six years later, for just under a year.

It was a purposeful escape, with villainy still afoot across several lands. It was also purposeful in that Shanti was soon expected to find a husband. Her parents had not noticed her escape until it was too late for anything to be done.

Shanti and Mowgli were childhood loves who never married.

By the time Priya was born, eleven months after Shanti’s final arrival in the village, her parents had finally managed to track her down.

She was there. And then she wasn’t.

Priya was raised by her father, other members of the village, and the animals in the nearby Jungle. She grew up with a deep appreciation for the nature that surrounded her and never felt that her life was at all lacking. And she had been fully prepared to live out the rest of her days as a perfectly content villager.

But then a letter arrived.

Twenty-six years of life, and it was the first letter she had ever received from her grandparents.

It had been an invitation to spend the summer with them, to get to know both them and her mother (and her husband and children) on their estate. And with it came the offer, if her schooling was sufficient enough for “their standards,” to function as a governess for the youngest of her half-siblings.

She said no.

Her father insisted she say yes.

Back and forth they went until Mowgli’s urging towards adventure finally pushed Priya over the edge.

That was a month ago. Since then she has been shoved into more sparkly dresses than she can fathom, questioned about every book she has ever read and every language she has ever even somewhat attempted to learn. As a governess, it has been determined that she will suit. As a member of the family?

To the public, Priya has been presented as a distant relative of the family. Her status as Shanti’s child, as it turns out, is a secret even to the other members of her immediate family (the husband and children line in the letter had been misleading, to say the least). And truthfully, her season is more of a formality than anything else.

Priya wasn’t quite sure what she was expecting when she boarded the ship that brought her into Auradon Proper, but nothing that has transpired thus far has lived up to expectations.

She has not gotten to know her mother, has not gotten an answer for why she left and never returned, and has not felt like a member of the family for one moment. Add on top of that the fact that it feels as though she is floundering in the public eye and Priya has had just about enough of her life in Auradon. She is on the precipice of turning seven and twenty - it is far too late for her to change her ways or her thinking about her family.

But if there is one thing that Priya is not, it is a quitter. Stubborn to a fault, Priya is determined to make it to the end of the social season with her head held high before she promptly returns to The Jungle. And nothing, neither the snickers of those that are well seasoned in Society nor the suspicious eyes of the eldest of her half-siblings, the continued parental distance nor the extreme homesickness, can deter her.

[auradonian]

discnchant​:

when: may 30th, coronan lantern ball who: lark andersen and august fitzherbert @auradonian

Lark was making the rounds unlike ever before. Anyone observing the Viscount of Atlantica would have noticed him conversing amiably with every acquaintance he had. He’d spent time with the Royal Naval Academy Cadets, likewise in his finest military dress, clapping hearty hand upon their backs and congratulating their efforts in the regatta. He was seen with the Countess of Corona, wishing her well on her birthday weekend and even dancing once with the guest of honor. He had escaped at one point to a room to smoke cigars with some of the other gentlemen and drink some whiskey, though only briefly. And of course he had tried to see in on his sister, even if watching from afar.

One person he did not spend much time with was Gwendolyn, his wife. It was a choice to not spend much of the evening together, one he preceded with a desire to not pretend for one evening. Things were uncomfortable, they had been from day one but only grew stronger as time passed by. He didn’t want to be stuck in the discomfort, but he also didn’t want that for her. She deserved a night with her friends, a night where she could be happy. And since she was a married woman, and this was the first ball since, she would be accosted by many congratulating her, and even some men wanting to dance with her as a sign of respect and honor. She would be occupied. 

What he hadn’t expected was the number of people pointing out how he was nowhere near his wife. My lord, where is your wife? And how is her ladyship this evening? Will the Viscount and Viscountess of Atlantica be gracing the dance floor together? The constant questioning of how Gwendolyn was, how their marriage had been, etc. The comments on how happy they must have been. Lark felt his chest tighten. It seemed even if he avoided Gwendolyn physically, the comments on their nuptials would never escape him. Still, he grinned and charmed his way out of the awkward conversations and focused on anything but.

Attempting to avoid his mother, who seemed to be glaring at him from across the room whenever he happened to notice her, Lark carefully skirted the side of the room where refreshment was set out. Not caring how unsightly it could have appeared, Lark grabbed and downed a tangy, tart lemonade. It was not a favorite flavor, so he involuntarily grimaced before going for another one. It was bloody hot in there, and he was still somehow uncomfortable. He wanted relief. Sighing after a second drink, Lark looked up and noticed none other than August Fitzherbert nearby. The fellow viscount, who was somewhat like a younger brother to him, had been gone for time prior to Lark’s wedding, and he hadn’t seen him since. They had barely seen one another, and he suspected the young man would not put him in an uncomfortable situation as the others in attendance had. 

“Fitzherbert,” he called out with a lopsided grin as he approached the other. “Good chap, how have you been? I must say I found it quite surprising to not see you captaining a shell for the regatta. I suppose it just wasn’t our year, hm?” Lark had likewise not been in the race, instead watching from the sideline forlornly.

~ ♔ ~

🌣 ── ☼ ─ ☀ ─ ☼ ── 🌣

August had never wanted to attend a ball less.

Things had still been... off for him since the commencement of the festival. Since he had fled Auradon instead of face his troubles, truly. But nothing made his slightly askew wellbeing quite as apparent as the ball that his mother had thrown.

Hook Hand was giving the performance of his life and he’d been partnered with eligible young lady after eligible young lady (his mother had accompanied him on a turn about the room to guide his dance card selections) for a variety of dances, but all he wanted to do was make yet another dramatic exit.

His cravat was not as neat as it should have been for being of such high importance at the event. He was not standing up tall enough. He was not smiling enough. In a million little ways he felt he was failing, and they hadn’t even reached the first waltz of the night.

But luckily his mother had thought ahead to not assign him to every dance of the evening. She had given him leave to do as he wished for every third, and as he was a man of his word he intended on sticking around for his already promised dances seven and eight.

But during six? During six, he had taken comfort in the table of refreshments.

There was nothing proper about the way he devoured a miniature cake, the punch accompanying it drained so quickly that one might question if there had ever been anything in the glass. He was just about to pop yet another cake into his mouth, propriety be damned, when he looked over and saw Lark Andersen knocking back a lemonade as if it would provide the same relief as a brandy.

Not quite, he thought. But it appeared that at the same time he had spotted Lark, Lark had spotted him.

August had been hoping to avoid conversation with those who knew him best that evening, and Lark was essentially an older brother. But he had not seen Lark since his wedding. And he’d always found that he was able to find words with Lark that evaded him in the presence of others. Perhaps it was for the best that they had crossed paths.

“Lord Andersen,” he nodded, electing to take a small bite of the cake in his hands instead of facing the embarrassment of putting it down or eating it in one go. Thankfully, the brief silence that settled over the two was not uncomfortable.

“Thank you for coming. I did see your dance with my mother earlier. I am sure she appreciated it,” he added between bites, head gesturing in the direction of his purple-clad mother. Who was apparently dancing with his father. Sweet.

August was thankful that Lark had entered the conversation with a topic already in mind, and one so obviously of interest too. He had noticed Lark’s lack of participation the moment the teams had been announced, and he’d had every intention of checking in with the male about it. He’d just been presented a perfect opportunity.

“Not more surprising than you not captaining,” August pointed out. “If I had known that you were not keen to participate this year, perhaps I would have rustled up a crew and won the whole thing. Why did you not sign up?” he inquired.

“As for how I’ve been, your sister threatened violence against me on the first day of festivities for disappearing. Even though I’ve simply been abroad and somewhat accessible through letters. So, I’m doing very well in friendships at present.”

[auradonian]

oncemorewthfeeling​:

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀ 

There was still tension in the air, and Teddy wished desperately that it would end. She wanted to feel comfortable around August again. He was her dearest friend and if things continued as they currently were, she feared that would mean their friendship was coming to an end. And she could not let that happen. 

Would not.

“No, I hoped we could let ours go together.” She moved forward towards one of the unlit lanterns and began to scrawl down her dream. 

𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘶𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴.

Looking up at him with a warm smile, she merely shrugged at him in response. “Perhaps I am hopeful that saying our dreams out loud will only help ensure they come true.” If she knew what he wished for, she was confident she would do whatever to help him achieve his dreams. In everything he had done, every trip he had gone on, every choice he made, Teddy had never stood in his way. In fact, she had always been cheering him on, excited to hear what he learned, or experience. And this was no different. 

“But I know how superstitious the people of Corona are in regards to sharing their dreams. So I will not pressure you to share yours with me.” Grabbing a lit candle nearby, the girl stepped back towards August and moved to light her own lantern. She then held out the candle for him. “Shall we?”

🌣 ── ☼ ─ ☀ ─ ☼ ── 🌣

August had never been more thankful that he and his parents’ tradition of going first with the lantern lighting ceremony had been long established. As his parents had both released their lanterns just prior to Teddy’s arrival, his had likewise already been prepared.

He now held the fragile paper object in his hands, glancing down just long enough to catch Teddy’s name scrawled on the inside, with a few words on either side making it clear just what he was wishing for with his best friend - returned feelings... a life together.

But to wish for a life with someone while standing right next to them, potentially a simple exchange away from making a dream into a reality, was a little more than August could bear at the moment. Because it would never be a reality, would it?

She had never given him any indication that she felt anything more than friendship towards him, and even now she was doing her best to get them back on track to being friends. He appreciated the effort, just like he appreciated everything else about the girl, but that did not mean that his heart was not breaking bit by bit as he fought to keep words that could ruin everything from spilling forth.

August loved Teddy. He had loved her for almost as long as he had known her and without even realizing it, he had fallen more in love with each passing day. He loved her independence, her adventurous nature, her desire to travel, her warmth. They were compatible in many ways, and that was what had always made them such good friends.

He had resolved to not ruin their friendship by declaring his feelings, but he was likewise doing a poor job of maintaining it by trying to avoid them. Was was he meant to do? How far did he need to bury things for things to be as they were?

The lantern in his hands was looking a little worse for wear the longer he stood with it between his hands, his careful hiding of the spot where he’d written the words (could Teddy read a faint line backwards?) almost causing him to crush the object. 

“If you wish to share yours with me, I will not cover my ears. But you are correct - I will not be sharing mine with you unless it comes true.” And that is very unlikely, he left unsaid.

Instead he gently reached for the candle from her hands, only letting his fingers graze hers briefly before the candle was in his hands. Refusing to risk yet another burn, he quickly lit his lantern, extinguishing the candle’s flame and setting it aside.

“May both of our dreams come true,” he nodded, eyes trained on Teddy as he released his lantern to the sky. Perhaps she would assume that he was doing so to ensure that they released them at the same time, but it was hard to use that same excuse once the moment had passed and he was still looking.

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

Who: @auradonian​

When: May 26th, 1st day of the Lantern Festival

“August Fitzherbert where on Earth have you been?” Lyra shouted, pushing through the crowd towards her friend. “You just up and left, disappeared to somewhere and return, because of what reason?”

She was incredibly frustrated, upset, and hurt that he had simply disappeared without so much as a single word. Of course he had replied to her letter, however that didn’t change how furious she was at the situation. 

August was one of Lyra’s dearest friends and to have him disappear? Well it had frightened her. What if he never returned? What if he had simply decided to be gone forever without ever telling her?

Lyra threw her arms around him, taking a deep breath. “August I swear if you don’t have a rational explanation I am going to skin you alive? Or rather I’ll beg Lark to do it.”

With a huff, she pulled back, looking him over before straightening out his jacket. “Are you at least well? Talk to me. I have worried so much.”

🌣 ── ☼ ─ ☀ ─ ☼ ── 🌣

August had not realized when he’d made his hasty departure weeks ago that he would be so missed.

He knew that there would be a moderate amount of curiosity as to his whereabouts, that perhaps some would worry on his behalf about the rough seas, but he had not anticipated Lyra’s reaction.

“You wrote me a letter! I wrote you back. Did you not receive it?” August questioned as he withdrew from her embrace, his tone a mix of amusement and surprise.

In truth, he had absconded because of Teddy and Damien. It was a fact that he could not avoid telling, as Lady Chattermore had seemingly reported such a thing in her papers and his letter to Lyra had not denied it. But his mother’s birthday celebration was neither the time nor the place for him to pour his heart out to his dearest friend, so he shrugged off her question and offered her a smile.

“Last minute excursion,” he answered instead, continuing into a half-truth. “My mother’s favorite shade of paint requires a very specific shell from a land far away. It would have been a shame not to procure it for her this year. I do apologize for not being able to spend more than the essential time at your brother’s wedding, as I realize it’s been too long since we’ve been able to speak. But I am well. And I have missed you. Thank you for coming to the festival, even though you are clearly not currently pleased with my behavior.”

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

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Oliver was, for his part, impressed that she did not take the bait. Usually they would be at it for hours at a time if one of them had a well placed jab. Perhaps it was the jovial atmosphere of the festival that left them a little more friendly towards each other.

Only slightly.

“Their scheming gave us the King and Queen if you will take a moment to remember correctly. It’s thanks to them we even have anything that we do now. So perhaps their record winning accomplishments has made them believe they’re so nice they can do it twice. Perhaps they should have set up that sort of business instead of running homes for the children of Villains.”

He thought for a moment, realizing he hadn’t thought to ask Eloise her opinion on the matter. Did he even want to hear it?

While Oliver would never admit it, he did actually like to hear what she had to say. She had a brilliant mind. Not as brilliant as his but still something special.

“Will you be wishing that you can go to college? Maybe the paper lantern will actually listen to you.” It was a low blow, perhaps too low, but she had insulted his intelligence which was not something he took kindly too.

◣━━━━━━━━━━━◢

“Was it their scheming? Was it really?” Eloise questioned.

Sometimes she was contrary just for the sake of it.

“Truly, Mister Coggsworth, in this world of magic, prophecies, gods, you believe it was simply the scheming minds of our parents that paved the way?”

Eloise could very well launch into a history lesson, pointing out the fact that Auradon only existed because of the sacrifice and teamwork of others, that King Adam and Queen Belle marrying was simply one of a number of pieces of the larger puzzle, that there may have been more to it than the often told story revealed, and that simplifying such a thing actually made him incorrect. But there was no need for such a lecture when one skeptical look could convey just as much.

She offered him two, for good measure.

But then, just as she began to walk away, he uttered something so frustrating that she found herself pausing mid-step. She turned back to him with a coldness in her eyes that she reserved only for the harshest of his jabs.

He could try and change the fact that he was stupid by pursuing schooling (she didn’t truly think he was stupid, except for in moments like that of the present), but she could not. And it had nothing to do with her abilities. Her dream was entirely out of her grasp because society demanded it be so. The pain of such a thing was something that Oliver could never understand.

“I no longer wish to converse with you,” she murmured before turning away.

[auradonian]

fatedfables​:

𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖆

whom: the hon. alasdair litle of sherwood and the hon. alina vladimirovna of auradon . when: the twenty-seventh day of the fifth month in the year 1885, under the reign of his royal highness king adam, the beast of conques. where: the city of corona the occasion: the coronan lantern festival, spanning from the twenty-sixth day, to the thirtieth.

❧︵┈𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖘𝖉𝖆𝖎𝖗 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖑𝖊┈︵❧

he found his social card to be quite full as of late, the coronan lantern festival serving as an excuse to spread himself thin, visiting with as many of his friends as possible whilst enjoying the many sights and delicacies that corona had to offer. never one to forget a friend however, he had made sure to put aside time to spend with miss. vladimirovna. casual as their time together often was, he still counted her among the number he held dear. 

he had escorted her to a seat before leaving to get for them both refreshments, figuring a glass of fine mead was just about what the physician ordered for a night of talent and enjoyment. upon his returned he offered her a boyish grin, the smile easy on his handsome face as he also passed her the goblet before resuming his own seat. “it’s too bad,” he offered as he settled in beside her, taking a slow sip of his drink. “hook hand likely won’t play for the variety show if he is playing for us at the closing ball.” 

it had been a point of wonder in his own mind, how a man with hook managed to play the pianoforte at all, but he had seen the gentleman preform before, and always found it fascinating to watch as the music almost breathed life in his capable hands…or…hook. “are you enjoying corona?” he inquired, his warm gaze dropping to her face, admiring for a moment her delicate features that he had always found captivating. “making sure to stay busy and enjoy all the land has to offer?”

it was no secret that he worried about alina, it was well and good to be a spinster, to a degree, but it also meant that she lacked a husband and proper support, and her life could be difficult in the wrong circumstances. “it’s not to late to find you a young husband, not as handsome as me of course, but i’m sure there is a gentleman to your tastes around here somewhere…” he winked playfully at her. “they can’t all be as charming as i am. or you lot would be in worlds of trouble.” 

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

“What are the odds that Hook Hand has a protégé that could do just as well? Hook Hand Jr.?” Alina offered in return, making polite conversation with Alasdair while the people around her adjusted to her presence. If she prattled on about seemingly meaningless topics (even though she did have a legitimate appreciation for Hook Hand), she would quickly be ignored. And then she could have the more entertaining conversations that she so frequently tended towards.

A necessary evil, one could say, as it was still odd for men and women to be seen meeting up for a friendly drink in Polite Society. The Snuggly Duckling, the safe haven that Alina had rushed towards at the end of a long day, was not exactly considered such an establishment... but her love of the finer things in life had her dressing in a misleading fashion in a room full of strangers. She had drawn attention upon her entrance, and was only just now beginning to lose it.

Drink in hand and a sadly hookless piano player now on the keys, it only took one moment more before things had settled and she was able to properly answer Alasdair’s question.

“I am... enjoying it better now.” she nodded, letting her eyes drift over the male’s face before taking a sip of her drink. He could make of her words what he would.

“I never find it difficult to stay busy, but I have been on the move a little more than might be ideal as of late. I am looking after a new young lady who, unsurprisingly, wants nothing to do with society. I would much rather help her find a suitor - or not - than myself.”

While normally she might stop there, it had been a long day and she found that complaining was bringing her a small amount of relief. Thus, with another sip, she continued.

“And if they were not as charming or as handsome, what would be the point? If I were to find a husband, our little moments like these? Gone. The ladies of my station of my acquaintance are devoted to only one thing once they marry - their children. If they don’t inherit them from marrying a widower, they quickly acquire them and they slowly begin to drop out of my circle of friends, one by one. I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing - though I am by no means struggling - but I like my independence. Now, please tell me how you are enjoying Corona.”

[auradonian]

hcppilyevercfter​:

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Harriet knew her stature would tower over Alina’s, but under her gaze, she felt no bigger than a thimble. It was as if she had coiled into herself, preparing for the what the older woman had to say — and say much, she did, ever since it had come to Hattie’s attention that she would be one of Lady Vladimirovna’s wards for what would be the entirety of the season. She was sure her dear mother hadn’t a say in such a decision, so she deduced rather quickly that it was upon her grandmother’s insistence that Alina ensure she fully partake in the ton’s activities, whether Harriet wished to or not. 

The waves seemed to pull Harriet further in, and she made no move to fight against the tide or move ashore. She merely stayed put, as if standing quietly could allow her to fade into the clear blue sky. And for most women, that tactic seemed to work, but for Harriet, nothing was so subtle. Not her manners, nor her way of speech. She was not a woman made to fade into the distance; she was made to stand apart, to stand out, though many appeared against the mere notion. “I find myself perfectly comfortable where I am,” Harriet said, though it wasn’t nearly true. A stray gust of air caused a shiver through her that did nothing to aid her case, goosepimples raising on her arms. 

“I insist, Lady Vladimirovna, I am perfectly capable in keeping myself adrift. And as for the parade, well.. there is always next year.” The countess did nothing to warrant her flippancy, but she had to find a cross to burn on; unfortunately, it would be over the damned parade. “Now, do not let me keep you further from the festivities. If it is company you seek, may I suggest, well… anyone else?” Her smile was shallow, as shallow as she was sure were Alina’s good-hearted intentions to want to keep watch over her. Grandmother certainly had a pretty penny to her name; it mustn’t have taken much to coax the older woman. 

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

“Mmm, it’s not the festivities that I require as much as your company specifically. I do believe that you’re aware of that,” Alina called out, her stance remaining casual even though her patience was wearing thin.

Had she been warned of the strong spirit of the Liddell girl? Yes. Had she assumed that the rumors and direct information had been a bit of an exaggeration? Only slightly. But in the short amount of time the two had properly known each other, Alina had been taking notes. In no time at all they would get to a point where Alina knew all of her tricks. Where nothing would be a surprise. What would Harriet do then?

Alina was a stubborn girl herself. She knew how to handle them.

“I am prepared to join you in the water to get you out. If you think that I won’t, I implore you to think again. But there’s no sense in both of us shivering on the beach until we’ve been deemed appropriately dry,” she tried again, taking a few steps forward and pausing after the warning.

When there was no movement from the girl towards the shore, Alina stepped back and sat, moving to remove her shoes simply to prove the point.

“If you’d like my advice,” she unlaced one boot. “Which clearly you do not but I will give anyway, it is much easier to avoid someone - like me - when you seek distractions within society rather than on the outskirts of it.”

Could she charge extra for the removal of sand from her person? Both shoes now off and resting on the beach, she knew she’d be finding sand in them for weeks to come. Standing, she brushed herself off before observing the girl once again.

Would the full song and dance be necessary? Or were they just about done?

“If you’d simply disappeared into a shop, I would have let your mind wander inside of it for at least an hour. Alas, here we are.”

[auradonian]

fatedfables​:

𝖊𝖒𝖒𝖆

whom: the hon. khadija farouk of the shadow realm and her royal highness emma perrault heiress of auradon. when: the twenty-sixth day of the fifth month in the year 1885, under the reign of his royal highness king adam, the beast of conques. where: the city of corona the occasion: the coronan lantern festival, spanning from the twenty-sixth day, to the thirtieth.

❧︵┈𝖐𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖏𝖆 𝖋𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖐┈︵❧

it was insulting, truly. to smile and rub elbows with these strutting peacocks. excesses in human form, going about their lives as though they had any right to do so. of course history was always written by the victors so it was easy enough for them. laughing and smiling while benefiting from their rigged system built on the backs of those like herself who had been locked away from their true natures. no color. no splendor.

it ate away at her. locked, churning with rage in the depths of her gut as she hid her true feelings behind graceful, confident smiles and beautiful melodic laughter. everyday proving she was the actress who deserved to win it all. lulling people into a false sense of relaxation and comfort around her. she hated the royals, even those who failed to snatch a title but lived off the wealth of their families labor. 

hated them. and yet here she was, a step behind but at the elbow of the princess. king adam’s pampered little brat. set to inherit a kingdom that included agrabah. her agrabah. still her smile was splendiferous, her laughs easy, shoulders relaxed as she engaged in mindless prattle with the royals about her. “your highness,” she gave a graceful enough greeting, dipping in and out of her curtsey in one smooth measured movement. 

it wasn’t the princess that needed to be worried about in any event. it was the shrewd busy-body of a body guard that followed her around at all times. “might i accompany you to the parade? it is my first time seeing it, and your company would be most welcome.” it was as much an offer of friendship as decorum and their positions would allow. that was no matter, however. she had waited this long. what was a little more time spent enchanting a princess? 

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

Emma had been enjoying her time in Corona... for the most part. There had been a brief bout of unpleasantness once she’d finally been reunited with her chaperone earlier that day (apparently they had been apart for longer than expected), but Emma had quickly handed over the shining, shimmering, splendid pendant that she’d purchased for the woman and all had been forgiven.

Or, almost all. It had been over an hour and her chaperone had insisted on sticking by her side for the rest of the day. She had acquiesced, largely because it was only proper but also because she felt guilty about her earlier escape. However, such an arrangement had made one thing difficult.

Truly getting to know her people.

Emma liked to think of herself as very involved in the goings-on of the kingdom. She attended celebrations across each land, making it a point to be accessible to those that wished to speak with her. And in that way she’d been able to learn quite a bit about the needs of the locals.

But her chaperone had started to drag her away from others after the fourth brief conversation since they had been reunited.

“You are just here to attend a parade,” she had been reminded, almost scolded for caring about others. But not two minutes later she had been approached in the crowd by an unknown young woman, and Emma could only marvel at the loophole that had presented itself.

“The parade!” she cried out in response, loud enough to be heard by the older woman to her left over the cheers that had just erupted nearby. There was no need for a reminder of her place when she was specifically doing what was expected of her, yes?

“Of course! We would be happy to have you. The more the merrier,” Emma quickly agreed, looping the girl’s arm through her own. It was quite a familiar action, but it was an informal setting. Surely no one would take issue with it.

“However, I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Is this your first time seeing this parade specifically or any parade?”

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

For: @auradonian​

When: May 26th, 1st day of the Lantern Festival

Baxter walked through the crowd of the festival, eying everyone he passed in hopes of spying the woman he was looking for. The King and Queen of Auradon had essentially removed him from the palace and forbid him for returning. All because of this silly little courtship thing. He wasn’t proper enough, didn’t have a high enough status for Emma. People might think they’re together.

It was silly. Stupid. Absurd. He didn’t want to be tied down by anyone.

Did he?

His head hurt. Ever since the ban on seeing Emma had been put into place, his brain had been rattled. It was impossible not to think about her. In all sorts of new capacities. Did he want an opportunity to court her? Would he be alright if someone else tried to romance the princess?

Something stirred inside his stomach. It was nasty, thick and rotten. It roared with anger and threatened to rip out of his chest.

But then Baxter spotted her and things felt okay again. She was in the crowd, looking around at the wares. Part of him wanted to buy whatever it was she was gazing upon. He snuck beside her and grabbed her hand as quickly as he could, pulling her into an alleyway so they wouldn’t get caught. 

Covering her eyes in a game, he whispered, “Guess who?”

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

A young lady of Princess Emma’s station was not meant to go anywhere without a chaperone. It was a fact that had been ingrained in her mind from almost the moment that she was born - that she should always have someone around just in case to ensure her protection from both evil and ruin alike.

But when one’s chaperone was older and the sun was beaming down on them for hours on end, causing them to grow dizzy and weary of continuing to explore, exceptions could be made.

Emma had spent over an hour convincing the woman to take a break, that no harm would come to her as she did some light shopping among the nearby stalls. It had taken some persistence, but who could really say no to a princess?

With her coin purse in hand, she had just purchased a stunning pendant to offer to her chaperone for her troubles when a hand was in hers and she was shuffled off to a private setting.

Was she being robbed? Kidnapped? Should she throw her coin purse to the side and dash in the other direction?

Had she not instantly recognized the voice of her abductor, she might have done just that. However, as soon as a male’s hands came to rest in front of her face in a more playful manner, Emma knew what had happened.

A myriad of emotions flooded over her just at the sound of Baxter’s voice alone.

Things had been... complicated since they’d been essentially forbidden from continuing their friendship in the manner they previously had, to say the least. Her father had insisted, in no uncertain terms, that she stop so clearly favoring a man who she could not marry. Her protestations that their connection was simply that of a friendship went unacknowledged. Baxter’s name had gone onto the ‘no visits allowed’ list and that was seemingly the end of that.

For her parents.

For Emma, that had all simply been the start of things.

It had not been long at all since the decision had been made, but each day without her dearest friend in her life had been a little more dull than the last. Certainly much more serious. She’d been forced to entertain potential suitor after potential suitor in the parlor of the castle, on a stroll across the grounds, out in public (all with a chaperone, of course). But with each new man, Emma’s silent distress only grew more loud. None of them had the proper qualities to be her match. It was maddening, truly.

She knew her place. She knew she wasn’t meant to complain. But how was she meant to just go on as though a key part of her life - and a platonic one, at that - hadn’t been cut out simply because of the lack of a title? Why were her parents in such a rush to see her settled? And just why did such a decree bother her so very much?

“Baxter,” she murmured once they were properly out of sight from the crowd, keeping her voice low so as to not attract attention. “You do realize that I would know your voice anywhere, do you not?”

Spinning around to take in the male properly, Emma had removed his hands from her eyes as she did so. With her own hands. Which still grasped his now that they were face to face.

“It’s good to see you.”

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

—————

“Or maybe I could instead?” Finn offered with a gentle smile. If there was anyone who deserved to be run through for acting a fool it was him. Who in all of Auradon would begin a conversation like that? If his father could see him right now he would be weeping.

Which would be a fair and valid response since he himself was on the edge of getting out of his chair and running away as fast and as far as his legs could take him.

Don’t continue to be an idiot, he told himself. Maybe not the easiest task but at least it was something. Apologize.

“I’m sorry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so forward,” Finn muttered, taking a deep breath. “I just….well I have to admit to you and be honest that it has been on my mind for the greater part of the last few weeks. When you kissed me…I suppose I want to know why?”

There were a million other questions circulating in his head as well, but the only one he could really think of was why. Why had she kissed him? Was it simple fairy magic or was there something more? He thought, maybe even dared to hope, that there was a chance the kiss had been spurned by greater feelings.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

“The world might be a better place if more people were direct, actually. It’s the tables turning on me that gave me pause. Hypocritical, I am aware,” Sonya insisted, squirming a bit in her seat as she allowed her eyes to travel to the stage.

Might they start soon so she could have a reprieve from a difficult conversation?

She had barely been able to keep herself from reaching over to offer the male a reassuring pat on the hand as she spoke to him. It was ridiculous, truly. One kiss and suddenly her body (certainly not her mind) had decided that small physical signs of affection were in order? No! Sonya therefore needed an immediate distraction before she slipped up and did something that she might somewhat regret yet again.

But after thirty seconds and no movement, she knew that all hope was lost.

“I-” she started, pausing as she worked to string together something properly coherent. Her voice was barely audible when she finally spoke up again. “The faerie magic may have emboldened me, but I did not do anything that I didn’t want to do.”

Such a confession had been weighing on her since she’d realized what she’d done, but now that it was out in the open she wasn’t sure if she felt any better.

“But I realize that doesn’t account for what you may have been feeling, been thinking. And I also realize that this complicates things - the public nature of my actions. My wanting to kiss you. So, what are your thoughts? I must admit that it is a mystery to me how we are meant to proceed.”

[auradonian]

onceuponatimcx​:

WHEN:  MAY 28th, 1825; THIRD DAY OF CORONAN LANTERN FESTIVAL WHO: AXEL BJORGMAN &  JULIETTE GRIMHILDE

Tradition was nice, and he could understand the sentiment behind the lanterns well enough, but Axel could still dislike an event, right? The lanterns themselves weren’t what he disliked; it was the pressure. The pressure he felt as he stared at his barely decorated lantern. His mother would be so disappointed in him, seeing this. He just wasn’t a creative soul and projects like this, well they required at least some modicum of creativity. For a moment, even the thought of sending his lantern up into the sky felt like an embarrassment. Perhaps he should just hide it, pretend he hadn’t made one, and back out gracefully. That seemed like the reasonable approach.

He started to look around, taking in the sight of other lanterns. Just as he expected, everyone else at least seemed to be able to put theirs together in a way that didn’t make it look like a mess. Not everyone’s lantern was some great masterpiece, but at least Axel was pretty sure people wouldn’t point at it and laugh – not like they surely would with his.

As his eyes continued to scan the other works, they finally landed on a young woman. She seemed focused – too focused for him to try and break her out of her concentration surely. Though, Axel knew that was only an excuse. He wasn’t really concerned about her concentration. Rather, he just didn’t want to approach anyone only for them to tell him to make themselves scarce. However, his father had always said that one had to be willing to pun the effort if they wanted to make something of themselves – something he had been trying to do.

Gathering up all the little courage he could muster, Axel took a step forward. It was movement, but not even hardly close enough to join a conversation, still time to back out of the plan. At least, it was until he noticed the movement of her and realized he was caught. “Hi. Hello, um, you seemed – I was wondering – did you need some help with your lantern? Lighting it? If you’ve already written your wish, I mean. It looks nice, your lantern does, not like mine. Not that it’s a competition or anything. Obviously, it’s not.”

His rambling would get the best of him someday. That was one of the traits he shared with his mother, the nervous urge to just ramble on and on until someone finally managed to shut him up. Either that or they just got up and left. Without an audience, rambling wasn’t as enticing. He wished it was a trait that he could get a handle on, yet as every year went by – nothing. @auradonian​

»»————-　♡　————-««

Though Juliette had been in Auradon for several weeks at that point, the grandeur of their festivities never ceased to amaze her.

The colors of the chalk decorations on the streets, in the streamers in the air, the night sky lit up with lanterns, the true sense of community from the townspeople... she had never experienced a group of people who came together in celebration quite like the people of Tangleton (the Tangletonians?) did, and it was at once both awe-inspiring and devastating.

So much had been lost to her during her time in the Shadow Realm, but it only meant that she had to make the most of her time moving forward.

Juliette had read up on Tangleton and Corona prior to her departure for the land and had therefore learned to expect some of what had been to come - the art, the regatta, the idea of the lanterns. However, her difficulty with the execution of the latter was not exactly making it possible for her to take advantage of every moment she had.

Her wish had already been written, her lantern carefully sketched with a couple of hearts along each wall to accompany the traditional suns (merging her family crest with the traditional holiday symbol) to give it a little extra something - as if that might make her wish even more likely to come true. However, she had been struggling with keeping a match lit in the slight breeze that had rolled through. She had already wasted two, nearly burning her finger on the last, and she was hesitant to light a third.

But she hadn’t thought that she’d been so obvious with her struggles as to be a damsel in distress.

Still, a gentleman had approached her all the same.

Juliette knew that she needed to keep her wits about her. She could not let a pair of pretty eyes and a seemingly kind demeanor trick her yet again when she had so narrowly avoided (public) ruin in the past...

But that didn’t stop the butterflies from awakening in her stomach the moment she looked up at the man. He was attractive, that much was obvious, but equally as intriguing to her was the way he continued to speak even after he’d offered his help. It appeared that they shared the same affliction of saying too many words to fit the moment. Such knowledge was a comfort.

“Oh,” she started once she realized she’d been staring in silence for a bit too long. She glanced down at the lantern he had brought over to ensure that her next words were genuine.

“I think your lantern is quite charming, actually. If it were a competition, we may very well tie. But if you wouldn’t mind... I would very much appreciate it. The third try should be the charm for actually getting my wish up into the sky. I do hope that they aren’t granted in the order in which they rise.”

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

●╭╮╭╮╭╮╭╮╭╮╭╮╭╮●

Oliver had not expected the evening to go well. It was a given that him and Eloise had a rather complicated relationship. Some of it was no doubt his own fault, flaunting his studies about when he knew she so desperately wished to be doing the same. But she was just so infuriating sometimes! Who could blame him?

His father, surely, who had in part arranged this entire affair. Being in the dark to whatever Mrs. Potts and Henri were up to was a terrifying enough thought, but to actually be privy to it was worse. Of course the whole thing had been dreamed up between the two of them.

A perfect match, they said. A tale as old as time.

Well their scheming had only worked once. Oliver and Eloise were not meant to be in the same way that Emma’s parents had been. They would never be meant to be. And no matter what their parents said they were not having any of this business.

Still, he didn’t want her to be too lost and alone in Tangleton. A woman of her status simply wandering around? That wouldn’t do.

Especially if his father found out about it.

“If our parents hear of your scheming to get away from me they’ll be furious, don’t you think?” Oliver raised a brow in her direction. “I for one would not take kindly to that sort of lecture. Unless you think you’re too smart and clever to be found out?”

Oh how he loathed to be called Mr. Coggsworth. And he was sure she knew it. The woman was determined to drive him mad.

◣━━━━━━━━━━━◢

“If scheming upsets them, then perhaps it’s time for a ceasefire on their end as well,” Eloise pointed out, her tone light as she sidestepped a chalk-coated child.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few festival events that were of great interest to the young Miss Potts - the art gallery and chalk walk, to be sure, but the parade most of all for the stunning display of history and culture alone. Perhaps it was unique that Eloise was approaching the celebrations as a learning opportunity, but she had never been one to turn down a history lesson. How could one look to the future without an understanding of the past?

She did not feel that she could enjoy herself in the presence of a person so keen on proving his (false) superior intellect.

On the matter of her intelligence, however, she said nothing. After a lifetime of back and forth between herself and Oliver, she knew when she was being baited. Just a few years older than her, he had tormented her year after year with tales of his studies, the societal expectation that he should better himself academically simply because he was male grating on her more and more with each passing moment.

Eventually, Eloise knew that she would get to a point where she had exhausted all of the books at her disposal. It would be a miserable realization. If Oliver was still in her life when that day arrived, her misery would increase tenfold.

Perhaps the first step in avoiding such a thing was simply separating themselves.

“Do you fear you are not smart or clever enough? Perhaps that should be the wish you release to the sky during the lantern ceremony. I, of course, do not need to wish for such a thing.”

[thingssimwatch]

- I told you, I don't know anything about your Whistledown gossip.

- It is not her I seek today, but the exchange of ideas with like-minded men and women on subjects beyond the trivial concerns of polite society. Ideas that you yourself invited me to consider.

[auradonian]

oncemorewthfeeling​:

WHEN: MAY 28, THIRD DAY OF CORONAN LANTERN FESTIVAL WHO: TEDDY LEBOUFF AND AUGUST FITZHERBERT

The awkwardness between her and her best friend had not yielded, and Teddy hoped tonight would be the time they could come to some kind of neutral ground. Finally engage like civilized adults, explain why they are acting the way they are, and move from it. She knew where August would be, next to his mother’s side and setting off his lanterns along with the rest of his family.

While others might find it taboo to interrupt a family affair, Teddy had been friends with August for long enough that his mother had made it clear she was accepted as one of their own. In fact, she could remember two occasions previously where she had been letting her lantern go along with the rest of his family. She knew they would not look upon her as a nuisance if she joined them. Or so she hoped they would not.

She found them as numerous lanterns began to lift into the Coronan sky, and warm smile she received from his father and mother was enough to dampen any nerves she might have been feeling. “Happy birthday,” was how she greeted his mother, who gave Teddy a warm hug. His father gave her a smile and she did the same back. Once they stepped back and she laid eyes on their son, it seemed as if the Earl and Countess understood it best they give the pair some privacy. She could see the stiffness within August, the awkwardness still thick between them. “Have you let your lantern go, yet?” Teddy questioned, coming up to stand next to him, noting there were still a handful of unlit lanterns on the balcony.

“I’ll tell you what I dream of, if you tell me yours.” She gave him a mischievous smile, hoping the familiar, playful air would come back naturally.

🌣 ── ☼ ─ ☀ ─ ☼ ── 🌣

It had been weeks since the unfortunate events of the bacchanal and yet for August Fitzherbert it was almost as if no time (or distance) has passed at all.

Having stormed out of the festivities and straight into the loving arms of the sea, he had attempted to put as much distance between he and Teddy as possible in order to work through his feelings. And he had succeeded. He had come to terms with the fact that Teddy ending up in the arms of Damien Gothel would be a worst case scenario not (just) because of the Gothel aspect of it all, but because the affection he felt for Teddy was beyond that of a mere friend.

August had run out of parchment on the ship trying to describe the emotions that came to mind when he thought of the girl - the extreme fear of losing her in his life were she to take a husband, the longing to see her, the heartbreak of her ranting on and on about someone else and of her not feeling the same way about him.

The love.

He had never been in it before, but there was no other thing that it could be. Bittersweet, heartbreaking, hopeful, unrequited love.

But the realization had come to him under the bright light of the moon and twinkling stars, the ship’s gentle sway settling his worried mind. August had assumed that he would see Teddy at Lark’s wedding and all would be well. However, the moment he stepped off the ship he had once again felt unmoored. He had avoided her ever since.

There was no avoiding to be had during the lantern lighting ceremony in Tangleton. She had attended with his family for years. He should have been prepared to see her there. Instead, he was a mess. Fumbling with the match in his hands as he spotted her, the flame burned bright and quick right down to his fingers in his full minute of distraction. It was a pain he was barely even aware of thanks to the immediate bit of conversation between Teddy and his parents. And then suddenly... they were alone.

“No, I-” he paused, shaking out his now-injured hand at he looked up to the sky. Anywhere but at the girl next to him. “Mine is next. Have you released yours?”

August could tell that Teddy had truly meant what she’d said in her letter - that she intended for them to embrace and act as they always had. But at present he was unable to offer her such a thing. He was still avoiding eye contact when he responded to her more joking words.

“You and I both know that would be unwise. Do you not wish for your dream to come true?”

[auradonian]

enchantedss​:

Who: @auradonian​

When: May 27th, 2nd Day of the Lantern Festival

Finn was trying his best to not panic. He was with Sonya for the first time since their kiss. Ever since the papers had written about it (thank you Chattermore), things had been a bit complicated. His parents had been furious about the entire affair and told him to stay away from her for a few days. He had planned on it to begin with, to make sure that she took the time she needed to figure things out.

Why had she kissed him? Was it because of the fairy food or was there something else? Did she possibly want to?

Did he?

Maybe. Maybe he did. A part of him wanted to know what her lips tasted like, if they were still as soft as they had been before.

Finn tried to hide how brilliant his blush was as he thought about her. An idiot. he was an idiot who needed to stop as soon as possible. Maybe he should talk to Henry about it?

Or, you know, maybe not.

“Sonya,” Finn said after a moment, pulling out her chair as they got ready to watch the variety show. “I think, perhaps, maybe we should have a conversation about what happened. Before. At the…event…with…your lips.”

Or maybe he’d ask Henry to run him through with a sword instead.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

It had been weeks since Lady Chattermore had reported Sonya’s scandalous behavior at the bacchanal to all who cared to read of it and yet... it was as if no time had passed whatsoever.

Which was an issue.

She had been advised that time was the best fix for her little problem, that Chattermore would soon report on something far more interesting than the seemingly romantic entanglement of an already betrothed couple at the lower end of the high end of society (his status, not hers). And yet... was she imagining the new layer to the awkwardness between her and Finn? The curious glances from other members of society as they took their seats for the variety show?

Sonya had not been enthusiastic when presented with the "request” (demand) for a very public outing with her betrothed, but she had accepted it as a necessity. She had channeled her embarrassment into an intense look at what had led her to that moment. And she had prepared. Speech after speech, she had strung together a series of words that she felt properly represented how she had arrived at her magically-assisted actions. She had worked through her... feelings.

Unfortunate, but true.

Since the announcement of their match without the consent of either party involved, Sonya had been determined to dislike Finn. To actually take a liking to someone who had been selected for you without any prior communication felt almost wrong, as if the people who were doing the matchmaking knew her almost better than she knew herself (impossible).

Yet, she hadn’t done anything that she truly hadn’t wanted to that night. She did not so much regret the action as she did the setting. And... she would not mind doing it again (a revelation that had taken perhaps the longest amount of time to come to). All signs that seemed to indicate that there were, in fact, feelings now in the mix.

Sonya still did not want to be wed. But. She didn’t know where that particular sentence ended, but unlike before, there was a but.

Turning to Finn as he began to speak, Sonya had expected a small bit of polite conversation to reassure her that things were not as awkward as they might seem. Instead, any amount of grace that her body might have possessed went right out the window as she stumbled into the seat the male had pulled out for her.

“Oh,” she breathed out, doing her best to turn her clumsiness into a delicate drop into the chair. “Or I could... perish on the spot. That might be a suitable alternative.”

Suddenly, she was unable to recall the words she had wanted to say. There was not a single useful thought to be found in her brain. She was on her own.

[auradonian]

hcppilyevercfter​:

When: May 26th, 1825; first day of Coronan Lantern Festival.

The ocean breeze proved all too tempting for the young Liddell girl to resist; though the parade readily drew attention from those around them, she found herself stepping slowly away from the scene to find where it would take her. Walking along chalk-colored cobblestones, Harriet drew farther and farther from the city and onto the shores of the Coronan sea. The water glistened under the light of day as seagulls cawed overhead, leaving Harriet in awe of the sight before her. 

She had seen the ocean before, of course, but something about how perfectly outstretched it was, how it knew of no borders, of no rules, and filled every space it was in so shamelessly, well… Harriet supposed she had never thought about it before. Her hair, which was in a carefully crafted up-do, was quickly let free, the comfortable sea breeze making her blonde locks tickle just under her nose. Tucking strands behind her ears, she then made quick work of removing her shoes, letting her toes welcome the warmth of the sand beneath her feet. Carefully, she padded her way towards the water, which ebbed and flowed in a rhythm she couldn’t quite make out. 

A squeal left her lips when the stark cold touched her skin, her smile quickly growing as she made her way farther in. Childish giggles emanated from Hattie as she played in the water, kicking and splashing as she held the bottom of her dress to keep from getting wet. It was in vain as it was entirely soaked up to her knees, but she found it didn’t bother her as she continued frolicking like a girl with no other mind but herself in the world. It wasn’t until a quick twirl drew her line of sight back towards shore, where she saw someone eyeing her spectacle.

“Oh!” she said, trying to catch her breath, “I thought myself alone.”

Open to anyone. 

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

There were a great many things that could be said about Alina Vladimirovna (and over the years people certainly had), but it could not be said that her performance in her profession was in any way lacking.

One might think that given that young Harriet had made it to the beach and into the water, she had not been properly supervised. That would be a misleading thought.

In truth, Alina had trailed behind the girl the whole time. She had stepped quietly, hung back, and observed. And in that time she’d been able to learn much about her newest ward, including but not limited to:

Firstly, Harriet had visibly brightened the further they had strayed from Tangleton’s celebrations. It was likely she would attempt to avoid such events in the future.

Secondly, Harriet contained a level of childlike exuberance that felt almost unbelievable. That would certainly make Alina’s job more difficult. Alina was not sure she had ever experienced quite the same joy that Harriet had discovered in the water.

And finally, and most obviously, Harriet was curious. Perhaps to be expected, given her parentage, but Alina had observed her make the choice to wander alone seemingly without a destination in mind. She hadn’t been able to see her face when the choice to move towards the water had occurred, but it had been clear enough in her body language. Curious and determined.

But Alina had let things go on long enough and already they were going to be forced to sit out on the beach until Harriet’s clothes had dried in order to not be ill-mannered in well-mannered company.

Emerging from where she’d temporarily planted herself, Alina made her way towards the shore. If she had slightly exaggerated gestures as she did so in order to get attention (a shielding of her eyes from the sun with a hand, hands on hips as she gazed out into the water)? Well, even better. She wanted to resolve things quickly.

It did not take even a full minute for her to be spotted.

“Miss Harriet,” she called out with a polite nod, pleased that her actions had so quickly resulted in success. But now they were to enter a careful negotiation.

“I do believe that you’re meant to be at the parade. At the very least, might you join me on the beach?”