bad moon rising

Hope you got your things together Hope you are quite prepared to die Looks like we're in for nasty weather One eye is taken for an eye Andrew Henry Beaufort HRH Prince of England

[beaufort-a]

"I may look like a part of the staff, but I assure you I am not." Andrew said with a sigh, popping up from behind the bar he was currently rifling through. "They said they were out of gin but who can be out of gin at a time like this?"

@llvkas

[ignvc]

" and how are YOU liking things so far ? i apologize for my uncle in advance. you will know what i mean and who i mean when you meet him. unless you have already ? that wouldn't be good at all. "

[beaufort-a]

"If anyone knows what it's like to apologize for family members in advance... it's me." Andrew mused, a grin tugging at his lips. "I think I can handle a meeting. But for now, let's just enjoy... the party? The gathering? Whatever."

[yigahye]

" i'm still a bit WEARY of the mud wraps – i had a class mate at rosey who swore by them but she wasn't exactly a testament to their effectiveness. " she tsked into the spa booklet. " it may just be a massage and sauna for me – and YOU ? " [ @hshqstarters ]

[beaufort-a]

"I've always been partial to a nice seaweed wrap every now and again." Andrew peered at the booklet in the other's hands. "You can't go wrong with a massage nor the sauna. I typically hit the sauna when I'm done with a workout. I think I might do something that deals with lymphatic drainage."

[elysefz]

"don't," she pulled away, jerkily at first and then more gracefully, backing up until her back hit the counter. "don't. we're not going to do this where you don't want to fuck me, but i can tell you about my feelings. i don't want to talk about my feelings, andrew. i want-" she didn't want to talk about her feelings. she wanted to scream and shout and cry and be gentled and for the person to still be standing there at the end of it because the chaos hadn't scared them off. even max didn't stick around for the chaos. "i don't want you," she whispered to herself, awed by her own realization.

[beaufort-a]

"it's not that i don't want to. it's that this isn't how either of us should do it." he took a step back as he watched her process her own feelings, or lack thereof. "you might've, once. but you haven't, not in a while."

[elysefz]

he pushed her away so gently, rebuffed her so kindly, and it felt like a blow to the center of mass. what did he mean he wasn't what she wanted? and what did he mean he didn't want her? she stared at him, disbelief on her face before she tried to rally and play it off, coy, "i just thought we'd have a nice evening. not a plaything, just two adults who enjoy one another's company." she might actually scream.

[beaufort-a]

"elyse, you don't have to keep your guard up around me. let me in. let me know what's going on." he ran a hand reassuringly down her arm. "talk to me."

[hrhmancns]

"And that is an excellent point," Manon shrugged, and pressed on anyway as he expected her to. Journalism, interesting, surprising. "I mean you could still write puff pieces for the Daily Mail praising each and every one of Antonia's hat choices," she smirked - a bit cruelly. "Or write some huge tell-all, if you really want to get into writing, people would eat that shit up," a light laugh, "Someone might put a hit out on you for exposing things but it'd be great for the plot." Manon was certainly not trying to distract for her own lack of answer by rambling on about his, definitely not what was going on.

[beaufort-a]

"Is that all I am to be? Antonia's hats' biggest fan?" He let out a dramatic sigh. "I don't think I'm in tell-all territory just yet. Can't write anything that might give grandfather or mother a headache. Besides, I'm like the most normal of the group... minus my love life that is." Andrew laughed. "And what plot are we talking about? What would my biopic title be?"

[elysefz]

"i'm being selfish, just like they think am." she was being a fool. reckless. but he hadn't moved away yet. "andrew, i don't want to think tonight." she didn't give him time to respond, leaning up to press their mouths together in a kiss that felt like it was years in the making.

[beaufort-a]

"You don't have to think, but you also can't use me like a plaything." He whispered as he gently pushed away. "I'm not who you want. This isn't what you want." Andrew tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What's really wrong?"

[hrhmancns]

"Can I ask you, like, an annoyingly maudlin question?" The campy 80s horror movie was reaching its climax, the actress's screams background noise in their meandering conversation. Her legs were draped casually across Andrew's lap, his hand resting on her thigh such that she'd been absently toying with a loose thread in his sleeve for the last half hour. "What do you think you would be doing with your life if you were just like, a normal person?" @beaufort-a

[beaufort-a]

"I'm not sure why you asked because even if I had said no, you'd probably ask the question anyway." He'd long since stopped paying attention to the movie. Besides, he'd already seen it a dozen or so times. It's why he'd suggested it. At her question, he pursed his lips. "You know, I'm not sure. I mean... I was sort of a normal person until I turned 17 and my father recognized me for who I was. I tried my hand at normal people things after university but journalism became pretty difficult when I couldn't even go to or from work without worrying someone. And what about you?"

[elysefz]

this felt nice. uncomplicated. andrew always felt uncomplicated until she thought about it. because he was nice and she was not. "everything thinks i'm a fool or starting a war or both. except for arnauld, who's using me, and max, who's an ass and overjoyed." a shaky breath, still pressed into andrew's space. "and i don't think i can blame any of them."

[beaufort-a]

“what are you doing, elyse?” he mused, gently rubbing her back. “now’s not the time for blame. blame doesn’t get any of us anywhere. besides, you need a clear head if you’re to prove them all wrong.” 

[elysefz]

friends. yes, they were that against all odds and so many drunken nights. she smiled, pressing against him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "still, i appreciate it. i feel so... off-kilter. i think that's the english word." she pulled back but only far enough to run her hands down his biceps.

[beaufort-a]

“You’d be correct.” Andrew gently rubbed the small of her back as he tried to think what could be wrong. Sure he’d heard rumors here and there, but he tried not to give them any credence. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

[elysefz]

"thanks for coming over. i've been so... a lot has happened this week and i just really didn't want to see max or anyone else. but alone didn't seem like a good idea either." @beaufort-a

[beaufort-a]

“Of course I’d come.” He replied with a smile, gently reaching out to give her a hug. “I’ll always come when called. Isn’t that what friends are for? No need to be alone right now.”

[beaufort-a]

“If anything, you can teach me a thing or two. You might be what the teaching field needs.” He mused, a grin tugging at his features. It was hard not to smile in her presence. “No, this spin-doctor makes exceptions for those he likes.”

“That’s the best kind of debauchery. The kind you have to be a part of to know that’s even happening.” Andrew shot her a wink. “Now if anyone is going to exaggerate, I wouldn’t think Barbie would be high on my list of doing it. She tells it like it is for the most part.”

[beaufort-a]

“If anything, you can teach me a thing or two. You might be what the teaching field needs.” He mused, a grin tugging at his features. It was hard not to smile in her presence. “No, this spin-doctor makes exceptions for those he likes.”

“That’s the best kind of debauchery. The kind you have to be a part of to know that’s even happening.” Andrew shot her a wink. “Now if anyone is going to exaggerate, I wouldn’t think Barbie would be high on my list of doing it. She tells it like it is for the most part.”

[beaufort-a]

fannicroy​:

“You wouldn’t want to switch seats? My table’s full of great conversationalists but I think it’d be fun to talk to new people while there’s still some time to go tonight.” ( @hshqstarters​ )

“Is that the real reason you want to switch?” He mused, looking from his own seat over to the table he assumed was hers. “I’m not sure you’re really selling the switch here.”

[beaufort-a]

migueldobrasil​:

he shook his head. “ art got those from your side of the family, ” he joked. “ ticiano could use another friendly face. and you: time away from the hole you’ve been hiding in. ” a solemn look settled onto his features. “ they didn’t mess you up too bad? ”

“ha. ha. ha.” he nudged the other in the ribs. “i have not been hiding... i just have been spending more time by myself.” he shrugged. “nah, just a few scrapes here and there. a nasty bruise that’s still healing. did i ever tell you about the summer my grandfather hired people to kidnap me so i could be prepared for something in the future?”

[beaufort-a]

lcmbcrdy​:

“It’s an opinion, that’s a very different thing from the truth and I think you know it, your highness.” She worked in news, she knew better than most the fine line difference between the two even if she wielded them like they were one and the same. “That’s good, that you’re being mindful. I think it’s a much easier adjustment for me - nice enough location, nice enough accommodations. It’s a bit more structure than I’m used to, but I’m glad I can be here. Everyone’s rightfully morose, but it won’t get better without a little play and distraction.”

“Do I? Perhaps I need a lesson in opinions versus truth. Think you might know a good teacher.” Andrew smiled. “Perhaps I’m letting my tabloid days get the best of me. You know, spin doctoring and whatnot.” He hummed as they walked along, relishing in the tranquility of the moment. It was odd how a simple walk in the sunshine could affect your mood. “You get used to the structure after a while and some could probably benefit from more structure. I’m sure once someone throws a party with an open bar, we’ll all get back to our debauchery.”

[beaufort-a]

migueldobrasil​:​

“ you had me excited for a second there, ” he kidded. “ you know ticiano? your brother’s cousin? he decided to join the programme. how about welcome drinks at yours, instead? ”

“You need to woo me before I offer up anything scandalous to you, Miguel.” He gently nudged the other in the ribs. “I feel like I’ve heard the name but cannot think of a face. Hopefully he has none of the bad qualities we know and... love about art.” At the suggestion, he shrugged. “I think that could be arranged.”

[beaufort-a]

lcmbcrdy​:

“Your highness!” Her scandalized tone is all an act. “I’m being so charitable in my interpretations of your comments, and you choose to berate my choice of drink - that’s not very nice.” Nonetheless she loops her wrist over his arm. “So - how are you feeling? Long dips in the pool helping the whole ordeal feel further away?”

He waggled his brows before laughing. “I wouldn’t say berate... is it really berating when I’m speaking the truth?” Andrew teased, easing into a grin as she looped her arm into his. “Let’s see... I’m probably feeling about as good as one can. Long dips in the pool and... aperol spritzes help. Even if the latter is bad for my health.” He shot her a cheeky grin. “Kidding, kidding. How are you adjusting to the programme?”