A Sky Full of Stars

Catherine Nott

[cilla-nott-blog]

Cilla felt her heartbeat slow down as soon as she saw that it was her sister. “Kitty! You need to stop giving me a heart attack like that!” She said, giving her sister a stern look. She couldn’t be angry for long at her younger sister, her facial expressions already softening. It was always good to spend time with her sister. If it hadn’t been for Catherine, she would still only be a shell like she had been all those years ago. Her younger sister helped her pick up the pieces and encouraged her to go out again and to trust. Slowly but surely it was rubbing off but sudden movements and not seeing someone’s face still scared her. 

Priscilla moved her long plait over her shoulder so it hung between her shoulder blades. Her dark, black hair contrasted greatly with her pale eyes. As dark as a night sky and as pale as moonlight. “What have you been up to, sister dearest?”

[catherine-nott-blog]

The stern look, although it made her laugh, sparked shame into the younger girl as she approached Priscilla. She, more than anyone other than their parents, knew how nervous her sister was, jumping at the smallest of sounds and generally being quite fearful of the world’s mysteries. She’d long ago modified her behaviour around her to lower her anxieties, announcing her presence if she saw her and going about her day as calmly as she could to sooth her, but sometimes her mind slipped. Luckily, as Catherine knew all too well, Cillia was unlikely to stay angry at her for long, if at all and she was already smiling, looking up at her from her seat in the garden. 

Catherine set down her bags and seated herself next to her, adjusting her skirts comfortably before replying, her dark eyes lighting up in excitement. “The market! And look, we got new material for clothes.” She reached over to the bag, pulling it onto her lap and opening it for Priscilla to see. “I thought this lavender would suit you, do you like it?”

[arabella-langley]

“Yes, I agree. Nothing wrong with her current clothes but a bit of wear, but I figured she could use a new dress for balls at the very least, maybe get her a little more attention. She’s quite a people person. Perhaps one day she’d make a lovely hostess.” If she were lucky enough to find herself well off enough to host a party of her own. “Oh no, I don’t need a new dress. I’m just fine with what I’ve already got. They suit me well enough for what I need them for.”

“Mhm, exactly,” she said as she continued to feel over the different cloths then came over to look at the one Catherine was pointing out. “How are your stables fairing? I heard your sister attended the Fitzgerald’s ball as well. It’s good to hear about her getting out. It’ll likely do some good for her to be around people.”

[catherine-nott-blog]

"She is indeed very social, I’m sure she’d make a fine hostess. And a fine hostess needs a fine dress!” She raised an eyebrow at Arabelle, reaching out for a dark red material and feeling it absent-mindedly. “Not that they don’t suit you, but everyone needs something new once in a while surely? Or,” she continued, remembering that the Langleys were not particularly well off. “You could buy something small to update one of your current dresses? Some lace, an embellishment?” She bit her lip a little; she hadn’t thought her sentence through, forgetting that some families couldn’t afford new things whenever they fancied. Hopefully Arabella wouldn’t think her insensitive, but the thought that she could sent an embarrassed pang through her. 

The subject moved on to Catherine’s family and she replied with enthusiasm. “Very well! The young colts and fillies are shaping up well and father hopes to sell a couple in the coming month. And yes, she did! I was so proud of her, and she looked so beautiful.” Of course, Priscilla had been extremely nervous both before and during the ball, but Catherine had (mainly) kept an eye on her and they’d left before it became too overwhelming. “I do hope she’ll agree to go to the next one, because it does help. I think, anyway.”

[rocketcandycouture]

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Put a symbol (or several) and a character/characters in my ask box, and I’ll give you a headcanon.  Yes.  Do it.

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[theuniversaltruthrp-blog]

Zoey Deutch as Catherine Nott (Star)

“Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops… at all.”  -Emily Dickinson

@catherine-nott

[kevinoneil-mock]

A Stroll Through The Park || Open

[kevinoneil-mock]

Matthew could see that the young woman he bumped into was on her way to someplace to either write or draw after seeing the book fall to the dirt ground. Much like Herford, it seemed like many of the people here in Herrington were nice people. A huge difference from life in London or other large cities. He was about to pick up the book when the woman beat him to it. 

“Beautiful places seem to always do that to people.” he said. “Do not worry about me. As a gentleman, I should be more concerned over your wellbeing. I am glad to hear you are not hurt though. I would not forgive myself if you were. Please, allow me to escort you to a bench so that you may sit with your book.”

[catherine-nott-blog]

“Do not worry yourself, I can survive being walked into,” she smiled, regarding the man with some interest. He was apologetic and extremely polite, although Catherine didn’t know him, even by sight. This was new for her; she’d lived in Herrington her entire life and was familiar with the majority of the town. The offer of an escort made her pause and she glanced back to her mother, who had hurried over at the sight of her daughter being bumped. Once she had approved, Catherine turned back to the young man. “Of course, that would be lovely. I am Catherine, Miss Catherine Nott.” 

[fannylangley-blog]

“I have been wonderful,” Fanny said, a smile spreading across her face. She always enjoyed seeing her dear friend, Catherine. 

She picked up a bit of the fabric and felt how easily it slipped and fluttered. “I cannot see why she wouldn’t love it. Look at the way it flies!” she demonstrated by waving a bit of it through the air. “But how many blue dresses does she already own? You want some variety in a wardrobe.” 

Her eyes wandered to the fabrics next to the one they had been assessing, and landed on the lightest of pastel blues, a dyed muslin. “My sister insists on my having a new ball gown, one made in the latest fashions, but I do not think it too necessary.”  

[catherine-nott-blog]

“Wonderful,” Catherine remarked with a smile. It was unusual to see Fanny as anything other than cheerful, but she liked to keep a tab on her friend. She did have to help look after a large family, after all, which must have been tiring. 

The material fluttered gently from Fanny’s fingers, shimmering prettily in the sunshine. “You see, that’s what I was thinking! She needs a new dress to go out in and this material...” She repeated the movement that the other girl had done, letting it flow through her fingers. “Can you imagine her dancing in this? It’s perfect! Although she does have rather a lot of blue dresses. It just suits her.” 

“Not that you don’t look lovely in your current dresses,” Catherine said with a gently teasing smile. “But a new dress never hurts, especially when you’re coming out into society. Come, let’s find a colour, at least.”

[theuniversaltruthrp-blog]

HAM4TUT ½

I love Hamilton, and I love you guys, so In celebration of how wonderful a job you guys are doing with the rp and your characters, I made Hamilton Comparisons. I found a lyric from Hamilton that I think fits your character in some way. I hope you guys enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them for you!

@laviniawebb @miss-cecilia-park @commodore-andrew-warren @cillia-nott @catherine-nott @lord-james-ellwood @margareturner

[maxine-bennett-blog]

“Just a few. I only recently came out into society,” she answered with a nod. “Yes, I have heard the rules in London are very different. “I believe I may be going for the first time for the Season, but I am not sure. The Commodore has not said if he intends to take me yet or not.” Truth be told, Cecilia didn’t know if she was capable of handling London yet, but only time would tell.

“It is different. In a good way, I think.” She began to fidget a little under the questions. All she wanted to do was fit in at this big party, and a common conversation seemed to be how things here were different from her home. She just wanted to put it behind her, if only for tonight. “Yes, everyone has spoken very warmly of the town, and I have had good experiences here. Commodore Warren, my guardian, has made quite an effort to make sure I feel at home here. I am very lucky to have him taking care of me. He has been a good friend to me,” she smiled at the other.

Cecilia nodded as Catherine identified Priscilla. “You must be wanting to go see her and see that she is not overwhelmed. Perhaps I will see you later.” She gave a small curtsey and left Catherine to look after her sister.

[catherine-nott-blog]

Cecilia’s agitation at the questioning was not lost on Catherine, who flushed pink, immediately embarrassed. “Oh, I am sorry, all these questions... You have probably faced this sort of inquisition for the last two years!” She internally chastised herself - usually she was far more perceptive of the needs of others, but the mention of a place she had very little knowledge of had set off her curiosity. “I do apologise for my rudeness. The commadore is a fine man, my father speaks very well of him.” He was seen as a rather mysterious and tragic figure around the town, what with the business of his poor wife and child, but he was nonetheless respected. 

“I will... Thank you, Miss Park! I hope to see you later, or around the town,” she replied, smiling widely and responding with her own curtsy before making her way to her sister.

[arabella-langley]

“Yes, I kept telling her it was about time she get something new for herself.” They might not be the richest family in all of Herrington, but Arabella wanted to ensure that her siblings at least had some nice things. “I’m not sure,” she murmured as she felt a heavy fabric with a darker tone. “I’m looking for something to make some new play clothes for you younger ones. It has to be quite durable, but I’d like them to look…not fancy, but nice, you know?” She’d saved up a good bit of money to afford the fabric, and she wouldn’t likely be buying anymore anytime soon, so she had to be confident in her choice.

[catherine-nott-blog]

Being well aware that the Langley family was both larger and poorer than her own, Catherine was always impressed with how well turned out they all were. Arabella’s doing, no doubt, but Fanny herself had a way of making anything look charming. “She’ll look darling! She already does in her current clothes, new clothes will bring out her finer qualities. Are you not getting anything for yourself?” 

Catherine turned her gaze to the array of fabric, running her hand shrewdly over them. “Durability is key with play clothes, I’d imagine. My mother favours this sort for our father.” She indicated a type which came in a variety of colours. “And for us, so that we may help at the stables. It lasts a while, I assure you.”

[kevinoneil-mock]

A Stroll Through The Park || Open

It had been two weeks since Matthew and his sister settled in Herrington. Their mother’s hometown was quiet but also quite lovely much like Hertford. Yet what Herrington had that his hometown didn’t was the ocean breeze. There was no doubt he was slightly frighten by water after everything that had happened a year ago, but he couldn’t stop loving the smell of the sea water as he walked out the house some days. And the sight of the ocean from his window from a distance was beyond gorgeous. No wonder many people were flocking to Herrington. 

Placing his hands behind his back, Matthew continued his stroll in Juliet Park on this lovely late Spring afternoon. It was getting quite warm out and Matthew knew that in a couple of days he would have to worry about finding a way to buy his sister some summer maternity dresses without raising any suspicion. There was so much running through his head that he barely even realized he walked right into someone. 

“Pardon me, I’m so sorry for that.” he chuckled nervously and gave a quick bow. “It would seem like I was too distracted by the beauty of this park that I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. I hope I did not hurt you in anyway.”

[catherine-nott-blog]

On her way to her usual sketching spot in the park, Catherine wasn’t really concentrating. Her mother and her mother’s friend walked closely behind her as an escort, but since they were deeply in conversation, neither of them were really concentrating either. Not on her, or the others around them. It was, in fact, the kind of day where no one was concentrating on anything at all, aside from perhaps the birds flying past, or the colour of the flowers.

In Catherine’s case, her mind was wondering what she could sketch. There were a great many things she could draw in the park and this was why, lost in thought, she bumped into a young man. “Oh!” 

Luckily she didn’t drop anything breakable, her sketchbook being the only thing that fell onto the path. She ducked down to scoop it up, brushing off the apologies with a smile. “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I was just as much to blame. I was similarly distracted,” she laughed, bobbing a curtsy and dusting debris from her book. “I am not hurt. I hope you are not either?” 

[lord-james-ellwood-blog]

Catherine & James || Pluckin’ In the Park

James needed air. Or atleast his head maid politely suggested that “the morning air” could do him well, with it being summer and all. He had it in his power to completely ignore the elderly lady, but he found himself often unable to turn away from the kind servant’s advice. She reminded him of his mouth, quiet and gently doting, often trying her best to assist her master in better integrating in with Herrington. He strolled through Juliet Park, suit coat over his shoulder as the sun beamed down on him.

The lord silently brooded down the cobbled path, thinking on what he’d do once he got home, what book he’d pick up, new facts he’d research when a flash of yellow caught his eye. He felt his heart constrict immediately in the moment, pivoting around slightly to eye a bush covered in small yellow blooms. He could feel himself going right back. To the fields of Belgium. They had the exact same flower (it was likely this one originated from the country), for yards and yards you’d see it. Perfect green fields covered in flowers. He could remember how it looked after, as they returned to England. No flowers. Just turned up soil and mud.

Without a word, he reached out and plucked the petal, bringing to his nose and smelling it slowly.  

“…dulcius ex asperis.” It is sweeter after difficulties. The words came out as a whisper, as he closed his eyes and let the sent calm him. Too engrossed to hear the steps behind him.

@catherine-nott

[catherine-nott-blog]

On warm days like this, Catherine liked to take her journal and her sketchbook to the park. She found that the outdoors were, for her, the best place for inspiration; the flowers blooming after the late rains, the sound of the trees, ruffled by the wind, they all ignited sparks in her mind. It had always been the way, ever since her sister had started to take her outside and tell her stories while the wind whispered through the grass. Being outside was being free and where Catherine could let her mind run free. 

Her books were clutched to her chest as she approached her usual place, a bench under a chestnut tree near the flower-lined paths that lead to the lake. It was ideal, having nearly all the natural elements that Catherine looked to for inspiration. The path narrowed the further along one went, something she quite liked as the flower bushes and planters came closer, bringing the sounds of the bees and the scents of the petals closer. Everything was heightened, especially on lovely days like this and Catherine was content. That is, until she saw someone blocking the path. Not that it was disastrous, but the man looked very engrossed in what he was doing and there wasn’t space for her to pass. She hesitated, then (when he gave no sign of seeing her) she gave a tiny cough. 

[cilla-nott-blog]

Cilla walked through the back of her parents’ garden. The flowers were in ful bloom and so beautiful and the sunlight filtered so beautifully through the leaves, warming her face. She loved being outside, it was her most favourite place to be. The outside air was so fresh, she remembered when she had her hair down and the way the wind felt through it. She just didn’t feel comfortable anymore like that. A snap of a twig made her turn around sharply as her eyes darted around. “Hello? Who is there? Show yourself, please.” She asked, trying not to let her fear shine through in her voice.

[catherine-nott-blog]

On their way back from town Catherine and her mother ran into some neighbours. Although she was generally very social, they had been at the shops for quite a while and after about ten minutes of chatter, she could feel her feet start to ache. Offering quickly to take their purchases back to the house (they were only a little way up the lane) she excused herself politely and soon she could see her home. It was a warm, pleasant day and Catherine had a mind to sit in the garden and finish a sketch she’d started earlier. She smiled at the thought. Yes, that would be a calming end the the day’s activities.  

As she entered the garden, turning the corner around the house, she felt a twig snap under her boot and a gasp from the garden. Before she even spoke, she knew who it was. “It’s just me! Cillia, it’s just me.” Kicking herself mentally, she hurried over as fast as her skirts would allow and reached out to gently touch her sister’s hand. “I should have called out, I’m sorry.” Usually, if Catherine saw her sister, she would make her aware of her presence so that this sort of thing wouldn’t happen. Priscilla was understandably very jumpy and Catherine hated causing her shocks. 

[arabella-langley]

“Did you now? That doesn’t surprise me. She likes to keep herself busy. Did the two of you have a nice chat?” she asked as she looked through the fabrics. They were certainly on the cheaper end of what was available in the store. They couldn’t afford anything too fine. She was looking for something more durable. “Yes, some of my sibling’s clothes have gotten rather worn. I was hoping to make them new ones. And what brings you fabric shopping?”

[catherine-nott-blog]

“Yes, she was admiring the fabrics herself, we had a good browse together,” she said fondly. Catherine had known the Langley’s quite a while, both their family and the Notts having lived in Herrington for years and she liked them. Her hand passed over the piles of cloth in front of them, rather courser than the ones she had been looking at, but still attractive enough. For most people in Herrington practicality was paramount, in any case. “Much the same reason, Priscilla and I are in need of new dresses. Can I be of any help? Perhaps we can offer each other some perspective.”

[maxine-bennett-blog]

“Yes, I could tell when I met her. It was nice of her to allow you to come tonight,” Cecilia offered. “It is also good that you do not let the inability to go to a ball keep you from being happy. Besides, I suppose if you attended all the time, you would find them to begin becoming dull.” Cecilia nodded absentmindedly when Catherine gushed about how wonderful a place Herrington was to live. Of course it was a very nice town. Cecilia was just still acclimating to it. “Yes I have been told that things are different in London. Much stricter. It is nice that you are all so close. It feels very…welcoming.”

Cecilia knew Catherine was interested in her past. She could tell from the way she asked her questions and the way the other girl looked at her, but she confessed she was very glad that the other was being polite and not bombarding her with questions as had happened before. “Yes, I come from very far away. Korea,” she allowed, though she didn’t want to get into it at the moment. A ball like this hardly seemed the place. “It is very disorienting being where you feel you do not belong,” was all she could say before she saw a flash of a familiar face in the crowd. “Miss Catherine Nott…tell me is that your sister over there?” She pointed towards a wall across the room. The face was obscured by dancers on the floor, but she thought she recognized it.

[catherine-nott-blog]

“Well, it does her good to come to these things once in a while. They’re very fun and it’s nice to see everyone, I think. To meet new people.” They were roughly halfway round the room by now and the dancers were preparing for a quadrille, still flushed from the last dance. “My happiness doesn’t depend on going to dances! I still see my friends in the town, after all, and there’s always much to do at home. Have you been to many balls?” she asked. Looking at the other girl, she appeared to be dressed very well, so to Catherine she was clearly well off (or at least sponsored by someone well off). 

“London is very different to much of England, I think. Bigger, stricter, grander. Not that this isn’t grand, but everything in London seems to be... More.” She paused, wondering if she was expressing herself clearly. London was quite difficult to describe, although she had been there a few times. A loud, bustling and sprawling place, she couldn’t quite make up her mind as to whether she loved it or was terrified of it. “I’m glad that you enjoy it here, is it very different to where you’re from?” 

“Korea,” Catherine repeated, trying to place it on the world map that was etched into one of her father’s books. Over in the East? Yes. She blinked, impressed. “But it’s so far away! You are brave... And,” she added, not missing the comment about ‘not belonging’. “I understand that it must be difficult, but I am being truthful when I speak warmly of the town. We’re a close community and I hope that it shall warm to you soon, too. Who is it that you are staying with?” Her heart panged as she considered how difficult it must be to be miles away from your home, with a different language and customs; she wouldn’t wish to do it herself and she admired the other girl for her poise in this unfamiliar situation. 

Cecilia’s interjection made Catherine pause, following the elegant line of her pointing arm. It was difficult to see over the crowd of dancers, but if she squinted, she could just make out the dark hair and pale features. “Why... I do believe it is, Miss Park. Thank you!”

[arabella-langley]

“I think your sister would look lovely in that color,” Arabella spoke up. She couldn’t help overhearing the conversation seeing as she was only a couple feet away looking at some fabric to make into a dress for her younger sisters. “It would also suit her pale complexion. I’d suggest a bit of a darker color for you though.”

[catherine-nott-blog]

Catherine glanced over to see Arabella and smiled, comparing the colour against her own skin and nodding. “I agree, she is rather paler than me. And it would bring out her eyes.” She approached the older woman, examining the fabric that she was considering. “I saw Miss Fanny not long ago, are you looking for new fabrics?”

[fannylangley-blog]

The morning after the ball, Arabella had decided that enough was enough. and that no young lady should be forced to wear a dress over ten years old to a ball ever again. And despite Fanny’s protestations that she did not need a new dress, her sister had insisted and promptly took her to look at fabric for a new dress. 

Upon entering, Arabella had dashed off to the look at the pinks, and Fanny to the blues. As she began to browse the muslin and fine silks, she overheard a very familiar voice. 

“I think she would look sublime in it,” Fanny said, peaking between the rolls of fabric. She laughed and crossed to the other side of the fabric. “Hello, Miss Nott, how wonderful to see you! How are you?” 

[catherine-nott-blog]

As she pondered over the colour, Catherine heard a familiar, cheerful voice and turned, her own expression brightening as she saw her friend. “Miss Fanny Langley! Good morning! I am very well, thank you, yourself?” 

Her hand smoothed over the material in question, as though she could find the answer just through touch. It was difficult when Cililia herself wasn’t there as a comparison, or just to offer her opinion, but she felt that she knew her sister well enough to find something to her liking. “You think so? She looks sublime in most things, I just want to make sure that she’ll love it as well as look good in it.” 

Her eyes cast back to Fanny. “Are you looking for anything in particular here? I noticed Miss Arabella, are you making new dresses?” 

[maxine-bennett-blog]

It was kind of Catherine to try to make Cecilia feel better, and she nodded in acknowledgement of that. She followed Catherine’s lead towards the walls as she tried to see if the other Nott was still in the place that Cecilia had last seen her in. “She did not seem to be enjoying herself too much,” she commented. “Do the both of you come to these often?”

“Lord Fitzgerald seems very kind though, to allow everyone to come. Herrington seems to be a very inclusive palace,” she agreed with the other. “Oh…I suppose that would depend on what you think to be long. I have been here for almost two years, but only out on society for a few months. Much of my time was spent at home learning at first.” She had come a long way since then, learning as quickly as she could. Her fast proficiency in English was from the combined efforts of her hard work and only being able to speak it for two years, though she thought it impossible for her to ever get rid of all the traces of her accent. “And you” Have you lived here all your life?”

[catherine-nott-blog]

Catherine nodded, letting out a sigh but still smiling. Although she, Catherine, enjoyed social events, she didn’t begrudge her sister for not liking them (which usually meant that she had to stay home, being without a chaperone). After all, she had a perfectly good reason to be wary and uncomfortable, and Catherine wanted to support her sister in any way she could. “Priscilla isn’t very enthusiastic about balls,” she replied, keeping her eyes peeled for her sister but also trying to communicate to the other woman that she had her full attention. “So we do not often go. My parents are very busy people, so she would need to chaperone me, you see. But it doesn’t matter, we make our own fun at home!” she added brightly. Catherine didn’t much care where she was, as long as Priscilla was happy. 

“It’s a wonderful place to live,” Catherine agreed. “There are, of course, the rules that there are anywhere else, but it’s very calm too. And those in the higher classes seem happier to throw these kind of events than, say, the higher classes in London are. We’re a closely-knit community.” Her interest was caught when Cecilia mentioned that she had only lived in England for two years. She had noticed that the other girl had an accent (one that she couldn’t place, not having left the south of England for her entire life and barely leaving Herrington at that), but thought it impolite to ask about it directly. “You are from another country, I take it? I have lived here all my life, I’d love to go abroad some day. There are so many places to go and I’ve only ever seen them in books!” She was really quite desperate to know more about this new, other place that Cecilia could tell her about, but her politeness kept her from doing so. She’d only just met the girl and she doubted that she wanted to be bombarded with questions.