watch me run

People believe. It's what people do. They believe, and then they do not take responsibility for their beliefs; they conjure things, and do not trust the conjuration. People populate the darkness; with ghost, with gods, with electrons, with tales. People imagine, and people believe; and it is that rock solid belief, that makes things happen. Charlie Astor Duke of Veneto

[dukeofveneto]

wrong turn; charles & katerina

A letter of commendation, there wasn’t anything more infuriating to Charles. He had to present a letter of commendation to recovering soldiers of his province, Veneto. Those who’d been harmed three years ago in a blast that almost leveled the capital city, all they received was a stupid letter and a speech from their duke, a man who’d been affected just as much as those he’d governed. In the audience would be many of those who’d been at ground zero, who had pulled together to find and save those who couldn’t save themselves. For the past three years, he’d been putting those memories and emotions behind him to focus on the rebuilding. But now it was rebuilt, and they needed to be commended for it.

Sitting in the back room of the auditorium, Charles had his notes sitting on his lap with his legs crossed. A heavy sigh echoed in the all but empty room as he tried to make the words he needed to speak feel real, feel like they meant something. Nothing could make it believable from him. His hands still shook, and he still had problems focusing. But no matter.

Then the door opened. Startled, he spun around to see who it could be. Being so lost in thought, and when he was more than used to having someone’s presence announced, Charles didn’t handle surprise entrances well. Hell, even his children were announced before coming to him. “Well then, you must be lost.” He made a move to stand and alert his guard, then thought otherwise as he saw the young girl who looked almost as startled as he was. “This isn’t the restroom, if that’s what you were looking for. That’s the entirely other direction. You must have taken a left when you were meant to take a right.”

[dukeofveneto]

midnight cigarette; charles & mia

He shouldn’t been off on his own around midnight, but Charles needed some time to himself. Though it was like a mini-vacation with friends and his daughters, the Queen’s birthday week had really just pushed off the problems that were stewing just underneath the surface of his work. But he took the moment and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. His children didn’t know, and he wanted to keep it that way. His one vice, the one thing he could do to take off the stress of trying to build back the city that’d been all but leveled only a few years before.

With a single drag, he leaned onto the balcony’s ledge that overlooked the ocean. The soft night’s air rolled through and pulled the scent of nicotine and tobacco away from him. It was chilly at night, and he could just barely see his breath as he exhaled. A small smile spread across his face as he closed his eyes, listening to the waves crash against the coast. He’d been jealous of the Winters family for having the best vacation homes, but he never minded being invited for the birthdays and celebrations.

He heard heels click on the floor and turned to see Alexandra’s younger sister, Amelia, walking toward him. That blonde hair was unmistakable, and she stood out in the dark corridor. He turned and looked at her, giving himself a moment too long to stare before turning back toward the sea. “Good evening, Your Highness. What brings you out this evening, looking as if you’ve just stepped off of a runway. Do you Winters women always have to look impeccable at all times, or is an inherited gift?”

[maxpdi]

Max Irons for Dunhill F/W 2015

[arabellavanburen]

“What would you like for me to negotiate?”

[dukeofveneto]

“Lady’s choice.”

[arabellavanburen]

“I enjoy it. I’m really adept at negotiating.”

[dukeofveneto]

“Which calls for a demonstration.”

[kate-winters-blog]

“Barbie. But in order to not give Victor a heart attack, I’m keeping my coat on until the party.”

[dukeofveneto]

“I could have gone as Ken. I missed an opportunity to be your ex-husband. What a tragedy.”

[arabellavanburen]

“My father is sending me to make a business deal with a company here.”

[dukeofveneto]

“And why are you involved in the business? You look a little young to be a penny pincher. I think that’s the phrase I’ve heard.”

[kate-winters-blog]

“Happy Halloween!”

[dukeofveneto]

“And who are you supposed to be?”

[arabellavanburen]

“But thankfully, they’re all long gone in the past and we’re in the right now.”

[dukeofveneto]

“That’s left to be decided.”

“So what brings you here to insult the upper crust of the Illyrian nobility?”

[arabellavanburen]

“You have obviously not met my exes.”

[dukeofveneto]

“And you haven’t met mine.”

[halwestmore]

“Then whatever poor excuse of a heart I may have had is yours. Nothing new there.” He wasn’t good with words, wasn’t the comforting type. That was Charlie’s role in their relationship. The role reversal made him feel as if he was floundering - drowning, rather, since he seemed to be doing such a poor job of it. “Tell me who you’d rather be then if not Charles.”

[dukeofveneto]

“I’d rather not be the idiot. I’ll take whatever that comes with. It’s funny, we read in history books and hear from our parents how our ancestors got the job done, and yet here I am crippled by women who have no say in my policies or how I govern. But that’s what I’m dragged across the pavement for, like a dog who’s too tired to get up. I don’t understand, Hal. I don’t get it. You haven’t had that yet. I hope you don’t.”

[ginnyweasleys-archive-deactivat]

[halwestmore]

Get to Know Me: [1/?] Favorite Friendships:

Cory Matthews and Shawn Hunter: “I always thought that Topanga was the one person I could never live without. But she’s gone and you’re here and I’m alive. So it must be you.”

[arabellavanburen]

“Trust me. I’ve done worse things. Besides, you’re not that bad.”

[dukeofveneto]

“Oh, my dear. I am that bad. The worst possible in fact.”

[arabellavanburen]

“Does it, now?”

[dukeofveneto]

“I don’t think your daddy would be all too pleased that you’re hitting on someone like me.”

[dukeofveneto]

Text: Charles

Kate: Even more proof that you don't know how good it is.

Charlie: I'm not eating babies. Even if all the cool kids are doing it.

[arabellavanburen]

“I look forward to doing all sorts of business with you, Your Grace.”

[dukeofveneto]

“I may not be American, and English may not be my first language. But that sounds like a pick up line, madam.”

[arabellavanburen]

“Oh? We have a relationship now? Doing business?”

[dukeofveneto]

“You haven’t done your governmental homework yet, so you get a pass on this one. Being the duke of Veneto comes with its perks. As in I get to say where the money goes. Working relationship indeed.”