𝘉𝘐𝘎𝘎𝘌𝘙 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘕 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘚

I ask in all honesty , 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒃𝒆 ?

[collingwould]

                (   minors   and   personals :   do   not   interact.   )

an   independent   and   mutually   exclusive   𝐒𝐎𝐀𝐏 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐎𝐂 :   𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏   𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅.   messed   up   by  VESTIR    ⸺   she  /  her.   est.   march   ‘22.   please   read   rules   before   interacting  !   affiliated   with   @elisebakers​​

                                           rules  &   ​​ docs

𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐   𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅   𝒐𝒏 :   @faergreen​​​​​ ,   @selfprove​​​​​ ,   @1nvesticode​​​ ​

pinterest  &   sideblog        &   discord   available   on   request

​lore tag   &   setting docs (under perpetual co.)

[1nvesticode]

crown   is   now   VESTIR

[sharpeshelen]

[collingwould]

worthfuls  ​  › ·  miss alice ​ ​

she   smiles   back   at   his   particularly   smug   display   ——   perhaps   if   she   weren’t   so   endeared   to   him,   she   might   find   it   annoying.   but   alice   has   found   herself   caring   for   the   librarian,   so   something   that   would   normally   annoy   her   instead   amused   her.    “   well,   i   should   be   thankful   for   that   raw   talent   then,   shouldn’t   i,   sir?   ”    she   takes   the   book   that   he   hands   her,   flipping   through   the   book.   he’s   handed   her   a   collection   of   short   stories,   ones   that   appear   to   be   written   for   children.   she   shuts   the   book   and   holds   it   close   to   her   chest,   attempting   to   mask   the   smile   on   her   face.    “   children’s   stories?   you   do   know   that   just   because   i   am   the   size   of   a   child   does   not   mean   i   actually   am   one?   ”

“   very   thankful,   ”   he   chuckles.   he   raises   a   hand   to   make   her   pause   and   smiles   his   brightest   smile.   “   evan,   please.   collingwood,   if   you   absolutely   have   to.   ”   he’d   much   prefer   if   she   called   him   by   his   given   name   and   not   just   because   he   likes   her :   collingwood   feels   too   much   like   his   father   .   .   .   he   watches   her   go   through   the   book   with   unease   in   his   chest.   he   can   only   hope   that   she   will   like   his   suggestion.   he’s   never   felt   comfortable   just   showing   her   a   book   like   that   before.   he’s   given   her   recommendations,   of   course,   whenever   she   asked   for   them,   but   not   out   of   the   blue.

teeth   dig   into   his   bottom   lip   in   expectation   until   she   finally   speaks.   he   laughs   lightly   at   her   protest.   “   of   course,   my   lady.   i   mean   no   offense.   ”   a   bright   smile   in   her   direction   before   he   moves   to   lean   against   the   table.   “   you   forget   i   read   them   too.   ”

[collingwould]

when   nadia   asked   him   if   he   wanted   to   go   see   @worthfuls​,   the   harpist   she   signed   on,   he   couldn’t   say   no.   his   appreciation   of   talent   and   music   aside,   nadia   helped   him   through   his   first   steps   at   the   company,   being   her   date   for   this   event   is   the   least   he   could   do   ⸺   and   now,   he’s   following   her   through   the   thick   crowd   towards   the   backstage   area.   “ you   have   to   introduce   me.   i’ll   make   it   up   to   you. ”   were   his   exact   words   when   the   lights   came   back   on   after   the   concert.   alice   bingley   was   talented   beyond   words   and   just   as   beautiful,   he’s   not   about   to   let   a   chance   to   meet   her   slip   through   his   fingers.

as   nadia   knocks   on   the   harpist’s   door,   his   heart   starts   to   hammer   in   his   chest.   he   wonders   if   it’s   the   memory   of   elise   that   makes   him   so   nervous,   like   he’s   cheating,   betraying   her   and   himself   .   .   .   the   way   things   ended   still   replays   in   his   mind   and   his   father’s   death   didn’t   help   the   gaping   hole   in   his   chest.

his   wandering   mind   is   brought   back   to   reality   as   the   door   opens   to   a   shining   star   smiling   up   at   him   and   nadia.   fuck   .   .   .   they   talk   for   a   short   moment,   the   usual   polite   chatter   before   nadia   reaches   for   him.   “ this   is   evan,   he   works   with   me. ”   he   offers   a   bright   smile   and   his   hand   to   shake.   “   you’re   brilliant,   i   just   had   to   meet   you.   ”

[collingwould]

worthfuls  ​  › ·  miss alice ​ ​

her   gaze   is   drawn   upward   with   the   gentle   lift   of   his   finger,   and   she’s   forced   to   confront   a   cocktail   of   emotion   she   never   thought   she’d   confront.   you’re   not   useless.   you’re   not   useless.   she’s   wrong.   and,   the   longer   she   looks   into   his   eyes,   loses   herself   in   his   eyes   ——   those   beautiful   green   eyes,   ones   she’d   lost   herself   in   countless   times   before   but   never   like   this,   never   with   the   intensity   of   feelings   stirring   around   inside   of   her.   she’s   incredibly   aware   of   his   thumb   brushing   over   her   cheek,   of   the   way   he   looks   at   her   like   she’s   some   sort   of   fallen   goddess,   someone   to   be   revered   and   loved   with   the   utmost   holiness.   i   don’t   deserve   this,   evan,   she   thinks.   but   i   want   it.   i   want   it   so   badly.

her   hands   rest   against   his   waist,   her   fingers   start   to   play   with   the   fine   fabric   of   his   shirt   ——   sometimes,   it’s   hard   to   remember   that   he   belongs   to   a   noble   house   as   well.   he’s   much   more   learned   and   interesting   than   the   rest   of   them.   his   father   is   dreadful,   she   often   wonders   if   he   was   the   one   that   the   queen   couldn’t   love,   that   caused   her   heart   to   harden   forever.   and   his   comparison   of   her   to   that   wailing   youth   cana   who   became   the   harp’s   inventor   proved   her   point.   she   still   remembers   when   he   gave   her   the   book   ——   she   read   it   faster   than   anything   he’d   ever   given   her   before.   evan   .   .   .   what   have   you   done   to   me?   she   thinks,   taking   a   few   breaths   to   encourage   her   before   standing   on   her   tiptoes   and   pulling   him   in   to   kiss   him.   she’s   thought   about   this   moment   for   so   long,   though   she   never   expected   it   to   be   now,   following   a   moment   like   this.   now,   she   could   only   hope   this   gesture   of   intimacy   was   wanted   in   return.

the   subtle,   nearly   imperceptible   touch   on   his   waist   leaves   him   speechless   and   his   mind   wild.   without   his   input,   hands   pull   her   face   closer   to   his.   she’s   beautiful   even   from   this   close,   even   with   eyes   and   cheeks   reddened   by   her   emotional   state   and   despair   on   her   face.   he   wonders   if   this   is   allowed,   these   wretched   thoughts   as   he   stares   into   her   ocean   eyes   ⸺   surely,   it’s   improper   to   think   of   kissing   her,   devilish   to   even   think   of   bedding   her,   but,   with   their   eyes   locked   and   her   breathing   on   his   lips,   it’s   inevitable.   he’s   only   a   man.

a   man   pulled   into   her   space   ⸺   his   mind   goes   blank   for   a   moment,   utter   shock   from   this   moment   he   had   been   fantasizing   about   becoming   true   so   suddenly.   quickly,   he   recovers,   an   arm   wrapping   around   her   small   frame   and   pulling   her   as   close   as   he   can.   if   they’re   taking   the   risk   of   this,   might   as   well   make   it   worth   it,   make   it   deplorable   in   the   eyes   of   the   pious   masses,   but   his   hand   still   on   her   face   caresses   her   skin   with   the   same   reverence   his   eyes   carried.   it   lasts   for   a   second   and   forever   before   he   drags   them   apart.   chest   breathing   heavy,   his   eyes   roaming   her   face   for   a   sign   of   regret.   “   my   lady   alice,   i   have   to   ask   if   this   is   not   just   a   desperate   search   for   approval      ⸺   i’ll   glady   give   it   to   you   but   i   don’t   want   to   get   the   wrong   idea.   ”

[jerseyshoregifs]

[collingwould]

she’s here, she’s got new tags, she’s gonna write (i’m she)

[xofeno]

JAY HALSTEAD + pockets

[collingwould]

hi husband <3

wife <3

[psyche-edits]

I thought perhaps you might… share your thoughts on them.

[xofeno]

Jay Halstead + so done.

[aviscount]

“   and   how   is   lady   elise?   well,   i   hope.   ”    anthony   warmly   shakes   @collingwould​’s    hand.    “   kate   and   i   keep   meaning   to   visit.   do   you   have   time   open   in   your   busy   schedule?   ”

[collingwould]

❛   she’s   well ,   my   friend .   ❜   𝘩𝘪𝘴   𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦   betrays   the   joy   he   has   of   speaking   about   his   wife.   ❛   she’s   off   visiting   some   relatives   at   the   moment ,   unfortunately ,   but   i’m   sure   she’ll   be   delighted   to   have   you   both   over   when   she   comes   back .   ❜   he   purposefully   dodges   the   question   of   his   schedule.   most   of   it   is   𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦   𝘢𝘯𝘥   𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘴 ,   he’s   usually   just   busy   writing   in   his   study.

[collingwould]

elisebakers​   ​  › ·  nightingale

elise   rests   her   head   against   his   chest,   letting   her   eyes   flutter   shut   as   she   lets   the   feeling   of   him   overcome   her   ——   she   focuses   on   how   gently   he   holds   her,   how   his   chest   rises   and   falls,   how   he   smells,   how   he’s   wearing   her   favorite   shirt.   don’t   cry,   elise.   she   wonders   if   kieran   ever   cared   for   either   of   them   ——   she   heard   the   conversation   between   them,   heard   how   it   seemed   that   all   kieran   cared   about   was   that   she   was   still   pure   or   innocent   or   whatever   ——   she   could   still   hardly   believe   she   heard   those   words   come   from   his   mouth!

and   still,   he   cares   if   she’s   okay.   it’s   not   like   elise’s   reputation   is   in   question   ——   no,   she   would   always   be   seen   as   some   stranger,   a   disturber   of   the   peace,   no   matter   what   she   did.   but   evan   ——   elise   didn’t   have   to   be   there   long   to   know   that   what   her   cousin   thought   about   him   wasn’t   true.   but   if   kieran   thought   it,   and   her   aunt   and   uncle   thought   some   version   of   it,   it   wouldn’t   be   long   before   it   spread   to   a   few   other   people   and   from   there   .   .   .    “   i   don’t   know   why   he   cares   so   much.   ”    she   murmurs   against   his   chest,   then   looks   back   up   at   him.   that   face   of   his   brings   her   so   much   comfort.   if   she   ever   lost   that,   lost   that   feeling   of   complete   support,   she   didn’t   know   what   she’d   do.    “   i   mean   it.   i’ll   talk   to   him.   this   isn’t   okay.   ”

his   hands   roam   her   back   softly.   having   her   right   there ,   close   to   him ,   it   makes   kieran   feel   so   far   away.   to   hell   with   what   he   thinks  !   he   took   care   to   tread   carefully   and   not   rush   elise   into   anything   she   didn’t   want   and   she   never   had   a   complaint.   looking   down   at   her   face   to   meet   her   eyes ,   he   smiles.   it   comes   so   easily   around   her   ⸺   𝘩𝘦   𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴   𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴   𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧   𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨   𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦   𝘢   𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯   𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭.   her   resolute   words   make   him   chuckle   slightly.   he   knows   she   means   it   but   there’s   something   cute   about   how   she   wants   to   take   a   stand   for   him   ⸺   the   man   that   always   ends   up   in   fights   to   protect   his   own ,   and   his   family’s ,   reputation.

❛   calm   down ,   nightingale ,   before   you   turn   into   a   lion ,   ❜   he’s   teasing   but   only   a   little   ⸺   the   love   and   adoration   in   his   eyes   is   real.   he   keeps   a   hand   on   her   back   to   hold   her   steady   against   him   while   his   other   hand   brushes   her   cheek   softly.   truth   is ,   no   matter   how   much   it   hurts   to   hear   what   kieran   seems   to   think   of   him ,   to   find   out   after   so   many   years   that   someone   he’s   so   close   to   could   get   him   𝙨𝙤   𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜   .   .   .   it   all   fades   away   when   she   looks   at   him   and   he   can   see   she   doesn’t   believe   a   word.   ❛   i   don’t   care ,   elise.   i   don’t   care   what   he   says ,   and   i   don’t   care   if   everyone   else   believes   it   either.   ❜   maybe   when   she’s   gone ,   when   he’s   alone   in   his   flat   and   her   eyes   aren’t   there   to   tell   him   that   she   cares ,   the   words   will   hurt   again.   maybe   then ,   he’ll   realise   he   lied   ⸺   but   right   now ,   he’s   a   truthful   as   one   can   be.

[collingwould]

@worthfuls​​   :    i’m still learning.

𝘩𝘪𝘴   𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥   𝘣𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘴.   what   kind   of   mother   must   one   be   for   their   child   to   require   learning   how   to   swallow   back   tears   in   front   of   you  ?   a   terrible ,   terrible   one ,   of   course   ⸺   and   joan   was   queen   of   that   throne.   his   nails   dig   into   his   palms   before   he   forces   himself   to   take   a   deep   breath.   he   cannot   get   angry   at   joan ,   and   blowing   up   at   alice   instead   will   do   nothing   but   bring   more   misery   to   a   life   that   doesn’t   deserve   any   at   all.

with   one   swift   stride ,   he’s   closed   the   distance   between   them.   he   cups   her   face   gently ,   wiping   away   the   𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴   𝘰𝘧   𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴   on   her   cheeks   before   wrapping   his   arms   around   her   and   pressing   a   kiss   to   her   head.   ❛   you   shouldn’t   have   to   learn   that .   ❜   easily ,   hands   find   their   way   to   her   backside   and   lift   her   onto   the   table   behind   her.   leaning   his   hands   at   either   side   of   her ,   he   watches   her   with   a   newfound   resolution   and   a   𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴   𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘵   in   his   eyes.   ❛   it’s   just   not   right .   you   are   perfect   as   you   are   and ,   if   she   won’t   learn   that ,   i’ll   make   sure   you   remember .   ❜

[collingwould]

elisebakers   ​  › ·  nightingale ​

she’s   just   finished   ordering   when   he   calls   for   her   ——   an   omelette   for   him,   a   burger   and   fries   for   her   ——   and   she’s   not   ready   for   the   sight   of   him   sitting   on   his   bed,   lights   from   his   room   illuminating   his   roughed   up   face   better   than   the   dim,   overhead   lights   of   the   street   lamps   outside   of   the   hospital.   dark   purple   bruises   dot   his   face,   the   proof   that   he   had,   in   fact,   gotten   into   a   fist   fight   with   joseph.   she   sees   the   cut   that   needed   stitches,   right   on   his   cheekbone,   followed   by   a   few   more   tiny   cuts   on   his   temples,   cheeks,   and   one   massive   one   on   his   lip.   evan   .   .   .   she   thinks,   reaching   out   and   resting   her   hand   against   his   cheek,   thumb   brushing   gently   against   a   patch   of   unharmed   skin,   gaze   softening   as   she   takes   it   all   in.

her   hand   drops   and   she   moves   her   hands   to   help   with   his   jumper   ——   she   weaves   his   arms   through   the   sleeves   and   pulls   it   over   his   head,   letting   it   drop   to   the   floor   and   then   resting   her   hands   atop   his   shoulders.    “   did   he   get   your   shoulder   too?   ”    she   says   quietly,   gaze   shifting   from   his   face   to   the   problem   arm,   then   back   to   his   face.   no,   she   could   have   sworn   he   said   he   only   got   hit   in   the   face   this   time.    “   let   me   grab   you   a   clean   shirt.   ”    elise   turns   away,   crossing   his   room   to   his   closet.

he   would   have   to   be   blind   not   to   notice   how   her   face   changes   when   she   gets   through   the   door   and   sees   him.   he’s   not   sure   if   it’s   shock   or   pity   or   something   else   but ,   either   way ,   the   intensity   of   her   gaze   on   him   makes   him   look   away.   he’s   never   been   one   to   feel   ashamed   of   his   fights   ⸺   in   fact ,   he   usually   wore   his   bruises   with   𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚.   if   someone   wants   to   speak   out   of   turn ,   wants   to   insult   him   or   his   family   or   make   a   move   on   his   girl ,   he   will   do   what   needs   to   be   done ,   even   more   so   if   the   other   guy   hits   first.   𝘢𝘯𝘥   𝘺𝘦𝘵   .   .   .  

with   each   stroke   of   her   eyes   against   his   battered   skin ,   his   guilt   grows.   he   hates   that   she   saw   him   in   that   light ,   saw   that   𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚,   watched   his   unstoppable   fall   into   the   thrill   of   fight   ⸺   that   she   now   has   to   see   him   so   vulnerable ,   𝘪𝘵   𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘴   𝘩𝘪𝘮   but   her   question   wrecks   him   even   more.   she   turns   from   him   and   he   can   only   chuckle   with   no   humour.   it’s   almost   a   scoff ,   really.   ❛   no   .   .   .   that   wasn’t   him .   ❜   he   takes   a   deep   breath   that   he   follows   with   a   sigh   to   collect   himself.   how   does   one   bring   this   up   gently   ?   ❛   that   was   ⸺   ❜   he   pauses ,   counting   the   years   it   had   been   since.   god,   it   feels   like   so   long   ago.   ❛   four   years   ago ,   i   think .   ❜   he   wants   to   stop   there   (   she   doesn’t   need   to   know   the   𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘺   𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴   )   but   he   knows   she’s   going   to   ask   questions   if   he   does.   so   he   sighs   again ,   squaring   his   shoulders   to   give   himself   a   little   courage.   ❛   ethan   and   i   got   in   a   scuffle   with   cory ,   anthony   and   ian .   they ,   uh   ⸺   i   don’t   know   which   one ,   but   one   of   them   stepped   on   my   shoulder .   it’s   been   giving   me   problems   since   then .   ❜

[collingwould]

worthfuls   ​ › ·  miss alice ​​

she   noticed   ——   the   person   they   got   to   replace   him   was   sloppy,   didn’t   know   what   she   wanted,   took   far   too   long   to   find   what   she   needed.   evan   was   organized,   knew   what   she   wanted   and   found   it   rather   quickly.   part   of   her   wondered   if   he   kept   a   stash   of   books   on   the   side,   just   for   her.    “   i   did,   actually.   ”    she   gives   him   a   small   smile,   taking   the   book   from   his   grasp   and   briefly   flipping   through   it.   he   was   a   neat   writer,   often   she   wondered   just   how   he   was   able   to   do   so   in   such   a   clear   and   concise   way.    “   impressive.   how   do   you   do   this   so   well,   evan?   i’ve   never   seen   anyone   make   a   copy   of   a   book   like   you   do.   ”

.

despite   his   better   judgement ,   the   smile   she   gives   and   the   assurance   that   she   noticed   his   absence   makes   his   heart   do   somersaults   in   his   chest.   a   smile   comes   to   mirror   her   own   and   he   lets   her   take   the   book   from   his   hands.   leaning   against   the   bookshelves ,   he   finds   himself   growing   nervous   as   she   flips   through   the   pages.   what   if   she   doesn’t   like   his   work   ?   what   if   she   finds   it   unreadable   or   unsatisfactory   ?   ⸺   𝘩𝘦   𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵   𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦   𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩   𝘵𝘩𝘦   𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦.   thankfully ,   she   offers   a   compliment.   with   a   nonchalant   shrug ,   his   expression   grows   smug   and   his   grin   cocky.   ❛   𝙧𝙖𝙬   𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 ,   my   lady .   ❜   a   lie ,   of   course.   passion   and   training   is   the   real   answer   but   evan’s   confident   joking   never   gets   very   far   from   him.   ❛   but   if   this   book   doesn’t   satisfy   you   ⸺   ❜   he   strolls   over   to   the   next   shelf   and   pulls   out   a   collection   of   short   stories ,   returning   to   miss   alice   with   a   smile.   ❛   i’m   sure   you’ll   enjoy   this   one ,   the   third   story   in   particular .   ❜