hold your tongue / & let me love

persephone, eurydice & fortuna, as written by becky, for gildedhq!

[floralposies]

jameshwolfe·:

It was exceptionally uncommon for James to find such solace in taking a break. It was necessary for him to adjust his own clarity but by doing so with company seemed to be pleasing. Floraigh had been his friend since their school days, but she had been an incredibly kind and good friend lately. Having spent the evening with her so far, he could only admire that she seemed to be relax tonight as well.·

“I’m so glad to hear that. It has been a welcomed surprise for me as well,” James replied, giving a small smile in reply.·“We have although I think you being prime minister is a good excuse if any. I’m glad we are able to find time though. Tonight has been exactly what I needed.”

“My job is no excuse for it.” Floraigh said truthfully, eyes refocusing on the night sky so they didn’t stray. “It’s too easy to forgive myself by using that as an excuse, when I shouldn’t use it as such. It makes it seem like antisocialness is a trait required for the job...” She pulled her lower lip briefly between her teeth, releasing it before she continued, “I hate how lonely it’s made me.”

She breathed deeply, “tonight is perfect,” as she laid her hand between them, palm facing upwards; an invitation. Not that she’d ever admit it. Her eyes kept staring into space. “I’m lucky to get to spend it with you. Alone for once.”

Her stomach flipped, and she wondered if she was a schoolgirl again.

[floralposies]

jameshwolfe​:

It wasn’t that often that they experienced guests at the house. There were the parents that came over with their children for Sophie’s entertainment, but perhaps Sophie had more guests than James did. There were the few meetings he had there, but mostly he went into the city or traveled for such occasions. 

When James looked fondly on his friendship with Floraigh, he didn’t see the prime minister but instead a good friend from university. The two had been close since and he was appreciative for her connection with him as well as Sophie. “Well, apparently it is on the curriculum. Though it’s not like they are studying the likes of Lord Byron or Shakespeare. Though Sophie seems to have already done that on her on time, I’m sure.” 

James had not spent as much time on his book as he had liked to. There were too many distractions and he allowed himself to get distracted easily. “It has been going. A few inconveniences but I’m aiming to have it done by the end of the year for it to be edited and in the shops by Spring. Perhaps I will soon. I have thousands of ideas and only a handful make it to print.”

Not unlike her friend, Floraigh often found herself without meaningful company since Teddy had unceremoniously left. It meant that visiting James and Sophie in Dublin was extra special to her, and she genuinely felt wanted in their household.

Nothing had really changed since university. They’d got older, of course they had, but they could still call upon one another for a chat. “Either you have a genius on your hands,” Floraigh said, glancing back at Sophie, “or you’re celebrating the wrong birthday this year.”

She felt at ease in a way she hadn’t felt in a while, between the election and her personal life and the rest of the world. But nothing peaked her interest like hearing about James’s work: “Oh? That’s a tight deadline. I’m sure you’ll meet it, but if you need someone to give it a readthrough I’m always here.”

[floralposies]

tmz.com, november 7th 2020. ft. @jameshwolfe​.

[floralposies]

who? flo & @jameshwolfe where? stargazing.

Floraigh had always found something of comfort in the way the sun retreated behind the clouds as dusk fell. Maybe because it often signalled the end of the working day, and she could finally close her red box and descend into a bath of bubbles. Regardless, the return of night meant she could relax, and enjoy James’s company in a way they haven’t been privileged to in a while.

“I can honestly say tonight has been one of the nicest nights I’ve had for a while,” she said earnestly, avoiding the temptation to shift closer to him. “I feel like we’ve grown further apart since university than I might have liked.”

[floralposies]

hxxll-o·:

“It’s usually pretty difficult to offer somebody who has the world– especially when they have their own gigantic empire to compensate for what they don’t already have in inheritance.Besides, she doesn’t seem the type to indulge in my type of news. When she needs her life saved, I’ll be ready to yank her from a ledge.”  Evie’s expression shifted into that of interest, “What would you consider offering?”

“That’s part of the issue; the most desperate Initiates have been elevated now -- the Morgan twins, Yasmin’s performer -- and so they arguably have everything.”

Floraigh had been silently pondering what she would consider offering her compatriot, and she took a few seconds to think about it some more before she answered: “As you say, she has everything. I’m not beyond offering her my vote for her own purposes, if that’s what it takes, and I suppose I can bequeath political policies too. I haven’t thought about it much.”

She hummed to herself and levelled her gaze to match Evie’s, “I suppose the real question is: what would you be willing to give up?”

[floralposies]

jameshwolfe·:

location: dublin, ireland; friday sep. 18th closed: @floralposies

There was an event happening an ocean away and James was content on staying at home. He had sent a generous donation to contrast his absence. Instead of a charity event, he was spending the day working on a draft for a chapter, spending quality time with Sophie, and getting ready for Floraigh to come over. It was an evening that welcomed good company. With different schedules, it was hard to see some people but especially the Prime Minister who was an old friend. Any hour sparred was something he would be grateful for. Being a writer meant spending a lot of time alone and just being in his own thoughts, but also invited company when he could. 

It was already well into the dinner and he looked up to see Sophie smiling at Floraigh in mid conversation. “Well, you’re very right. I think the education system is a bit skewed these days. Though Oxford was hardly any stricter.” A conversation over school homework wasn’t exactly something he thought would be too enlightening. “Elbows off the table, Soph.”

If Floraigh were grateful for anything garnered from her political position, it was the ability to cross the Irish sea at will, and visit one of her oldest friends. Seeing James and Sophie meant leaving work and politics at the door (literally; her red box was sitting alongside her shoes in the hallway, and she’d been able to cast its contents from her mind), and just being human for a minute.

“Oxford is slightly different to primary school, though. Children should be spending the first years of education getting used to the world, and a routine -- they don’t need to be studying poetry.” She paused to sip from her glass of wine, “unfortunately I have no sway over Ireland’s education system.”

Floraigh watched as Sophie’s elbows retreated, and winked at her. “But moving on,” she turned to James, “how’s your latest book coming along? And at what point have we been friends long enough you model a character after me?” There was a jesting twinkle to her voice, rarely heard unless she was with close friends.

[floralposies]

theroyaledward·:

Even when there was communication between him and Rosie, it felt like there was something unsaid about boundaries before. He didn’t care about Wesley before as long as Rosie was happy being friends with him. Now, they were both in serious relationships and a lot had changed in the last few months. 

The last time they were together, it had been a tense group. It was also because of the conversation preceding the night, or the lack thereof. 

Even with it being the same place, the subtraction of two other people made it more intimate and more appropriate for the conversation they were going to have. 

“I am sorry I missed your opening night. I must say you look different as a brunette. How heavy is that thing?” Edward prepared the drinks, throwing a grin over his shoulder. “I can have someone bring that out. Don’t really have gin laying around and not for a while.” He poured himself a drink and told a staff member to get a drink for Rosie. “I am glad we were able to do this and just us this time.”

Rosie undoubtedly felt more comfortable one-on-one with Edward, and she knew it would be something they’d get to do few and far between, now. And she respected that.

“It’s okay, I went home and slept straight after the show, you didn’t miss much. There certainly wasn’t a party or anything.” She rose from her chair, moving instinctively for a more comfortable seat in the living room. The conversation was unlikely to be fun, but having it in such a stale setting as a dining room would be insult for injury. “I do look different! Some Christines have been blonde, and we did try that, but I enjoy the brunette wig; it’s a bit like entirely assuming a new identity each night.”

She dropped into the end of the sofa, “I think it weighs twice what my natural hair does. So I basically have three lots of my own hair on my head. Sometimes it makes my neck hurt if I’m a little head twirl happy during some of the dancing scenes. I’m just grateful you finally made it.” Rosie shook her head when he mentioned issues procuring gin, “I knew it was a longshot. I figured you wouldn’t have any lying around after all this time.”

“But I agree. I’m so sorry about last time.” 

[floralposies]

yasminchatterjee​:

it was rare for yasmin to spend time with the entirety of her family; most of the time it involved her being in london at the most opportune of times. tonight they had all assembled and she was looking forward to bringing thomas to meet her siblings, frustrating though they could often be. he’d met navya, her closest sister in age, when she had visited chicago, but the rest of the chatterjees were a mystery.

as she sipped as a drink while many of the family came into the house, yasmin noticed her niece off on her own. with a wry smile upon her ruby-painted lips, she approached her.

“i am mostly a pacifist,” she acknowledged. “though your father certainly brings out my inner warrior. i would prefer to fight an emir-sized duck as opposed to ten of him in any form.”

“really?” kyra asked, swishing the contents of her glass around before taking a sip, “i expected you’d jump at the chance to stamp on little emir’s head. oh well.”

she glanced over her shoulder as another of her siblings arrived, presumably more prepared for the arse kissing of the whole ordeal. it was all so fake and unnecessary, and yet here they all were.

“and mostly? then you’re not a pacifist, aunt yas. that’s not how it works.” one of kyra’s eyebrows rose upwards, “go on then: what’s the except to the rule?”

[floralposies]

hxxll-o·:

“Mary Berry like the lady from Netflix! I think it’s so convenient that her last name is Berry, it’s almost a calling to her future job and everything. Maybe if we went by last names I’d be working at a church with all of mama’s nuns. I don’t think they’re Baptists though,” he thought about it for a few seconds, “I’m pretty sure they’re Catholic.” As she spoke of rhubarb and other fruits, he made note to look over the colorful tabletops full of fruit and vegetables to identify exactly what she talking about. Thinking back on the diet he’d eventually have to indulge him made Milo feel queasy thus, taking a step away from Floraigh for a moment, he identified a pile of Fiji apples and picked out a few for their future dessert. “I think I’ll like anything if there’s chocolate in it! I heard white chocolate isn’t really chocolate though, is that true? If so I don’t really understand why they call it chocolate– that just seems like it’s a really disappointing lie,” he said as he gingerly laid the little baggy of apples into the bag she had on her shoulder, “I sort of want to bake something at Ét would like.. not that I’ll, um, drop it off or anything at the office, but it might make him miss him less. Do you think that’s a good idea maybe?”

“Exactly! “The Bake Off Lady”, as some Americans call her.” Floraigh listened to Milo politely, so as to ensure he knew she was listening and taking his words in, “Your mother knows nuns? How novel.”

She didn’t even flinch at the extra weight added to the bag as she considered the validity of white chocolate. “I’m not a chocolate expert, honestly,” Floraigh admitted, wandering towards a stall with an array of artisan chocolates and sweets and retrieving her phone from her bag to Google it for him: “According to Bon Appétit:  Technically, white chocolate is not a chocolate—and it doesn't really taste like one—because it doesn't contain chocolate solids. There you go.”

Floraigh persued the spread of confectionary, settling on a selection of macaroons and the chocolate necessary for muffins. “Now I’m not going to lie to you,” she said as she thanked the vendor and added to the ingredients in the bag, “I am awful at relationships, though I think that’s common Society knowledge at this point. But I’m here for you, and I don’t think baking something that is for Étienne in intention, whether you’ll give it to him or not, is best for your heart right now. Is that fair of me to say?”

[floralposies]

kitdonovan·:

It was an exciting weekend to have Evie in town and having Floraigh was only another layer. He had a few disagreements with the Prime Minister but he was willing to see past that for this conversation. 

He only raised his eyes when Floraigh corrected him, nodding to show he acknowledged her. “It’s been a long day. My apologies to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.” It was pointed but he also didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. 

There were many things that Floraigh seemed disinterested in and helping others seemed to be one, especially in the society. It seemed too instantaneous for Floraigh to seek out Evie. “So as dry as a business deal. How reassuring. And you’re so forgiving over what she’s said about you in the past? How do you plan on going forward with her?”

“Apology accepted.” Floraigh had enough self-control to refrain from rolling her eyes, and tarnish the almost-accepted peace between herself and Kent, “though I know there’s a U.S. President, and you can presumably understand my desire for the acknowledgment of the United Kingdom as an entity in its entirety. Northern Ireland and all.”

His sarcasm wasn’t well-hidden, if attempted at all, and any distrust of her actions always rubbed Floraigh up the wrong way. “Very funny, but business deals were never my forte. So I’m not sure the conflation is valid.”

She tucked a few stray hairs back, behind her ear, and hummed, “that’s her job; if people are able to look past mine, why shouldn’t I offer them the same courtesty? And honestly, you’re talking like I’m dating her.” Her head shook, and she lifted her glass to her lips, eyebrow raised, “Since you’re clearly the expert in how your sister should be treated, why don’t you tell me how you want me to ‘go forward’ with her, hmm?”

[floralposies]

POINT COUNT ( September 13th to 19th )

claiming 13 points for FLORAIGH CORRIEGARTH

replies: [3] x [1] = [3] character development: [1] x [5] = [5] mentorship: [1] x [5] = [5]

FLORAIGH CORRIEGARTH now has 86 points

claiming 1 points for ROSELYN EMERY

replies: [1] x [1] = [1]

ROSELYN EMERY now has 64 points

claiming 5 points for KYRA CHATTERJEE

starter: [1] x [5] = [5]

KYRA CHATTERJEE now has 20 points

[floralposies]

hxxll-o·:

“The Morgan twins also have a president as a sister, I’m sure that holds merit even if people don’t admit to it. From what I can tell, it really depends on who likes you– r.i.p to me I guess.” The corners of her lips twisted into a faint smirk; it was still a wild thought to have, still, that even a society such as this resonated a type of superiority complex high school social ladder sort of energy. “Who do you think are the hardest members to impress in your opinion?”

“But all of the Morgans are arseholes. You’re right though, it does tend to err on the side of being a popularity contest than those voted in being deserving of such status.”

Popularity, Floraigh would happily admit -- with a slight smugness in her proper English vowels and gleam in her eyes -- had never been an issue where it mattered: school, her constituency, the country. Because anyway: the higher you climb, the less dissenting opinions matter.

“Probably Yasmin Chatterjee and her merry band of Americans,” she said truthfully, “she’s rather uptight and difficult when she wants to be. I think you’d have to offer her something extremely valuable; or I will, whichever is more effective.”

[floralposies]

theroyaledward·:

location: kensiginton palace closed: @floralposies·

It had been a couple of weeks since he had last talked to Rosie or heard from her. Edward was still adamant about having a conversation with her about their friendship and how to make it work according to their present as well as their past. Going to her show had been something he wanted to do but after organizing his own schedule to not attend the opening, he thought it would be a better option. He didn’t want to add stress by having a conversation before her rehearsals and opening night, but had still tried to be supporting from afar. The show had been lovely and he had enjoyed it, thinking she only had perfected her performance since the last time he saw her perform. Having the conversation was vital at this point and was glad that Rosie and him would have the chance.

It wasn’t unusual to have takeout at the dinner table, but the room felt rather large with just them in it. They had been able to make conversation through dinner and when he got up for drinks, he felt the reason for them being together today be pulled into focus. It had been a while since he had been alone with Rosie like this, the last time being him going to her place after the Thailand incident. “I am grateful we were able to meet again. Would you like something to drink?”

Amidst all the rehearsals and final costume and wig fittings, Rosie hadn’t had the chance to be troubled by Eddie’s lack of communication. She had things to deal with, and perfect, and so she hadn’t really noticed his absence at Her Majesty’s Theatre until it was staring her right in the face.

But it was okay, they were friends, and sometimes friends missed their friend’s important milestones. No biggie.

She felt slightly out-of-place in the palace she’d half lived in at one point; like she’d never properly fit there again. Which was probably for the best, as life moves on.

“Thank you for having me. I’m really glad you could make it to Phantom.” She smiled and carefully dabbed at the edge of her mouth with a napkin, “a drink would be lovely, thank you. I don’t know if you have any rhubarb gin lying around?”

[floralposies]

A glance at Floraigh Corriegarth’s Wikipedia page.

[floralposies]

hxxll-o·:

Evie never turned her attention away from Floraigh when she spoke, choosing to absorb all the information given to her in hopes of understanding the secret to reaching the end goal just like her brother had. Her invitation to be an initiate came as a surprise and her reluctance for it showed; nevertheless, it wasn’t every day you get asked to participate in a secret Society, is it? “The GA’s intervention? Does he do that often? It’s a shame if he’s been active in the past and just now decided to rest. I would’ve loved to have his intervention, though I’ve heard nowadays that his intervention isn’t exactly a godsend.”

If Floraigh were honest, she’d explain that she was just as surprised as Evie at the turn of events; of all the initiates she could’ve envisioned, she’d never quite expected the “professional snitch” of sorts to be among them.

“It was more common in the past. I mean, that was almost a decade ago. A lot has changed since then. Though, I hope you won’t need his intervention, as I don’t see you having any issue getting in on your own merit. If the Morgan twins can do it, anyone can.” She cast her mind back to the meeting in Melbourne, “But you’re right, it almost seems safer to stay beneath his radar.”

[floralposies]

hxxll-o·:

He considered her words and carefully categorized them in his mind with a bunch of other useful things he’s learned so he doesn’t embarrass himself next time.·“Salted butter? I’ve had salty and sugary together and it’s really good! Sort of like.. if you dip pretzels in ice cream. I can’t wait to try them one day; since you’re such a good baker I really should make a little recipe book called Floraigh’s Fancies or something so I can do the same when I haven’t got you to run to if I have a baking emergency.”·Her soft touch warranted a smile from him, even if it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Milo handed her the bag without much protest, his eyes scanning the assortment before he got himself some raspberries too (for the first time since he’s lived with Ét since the man always keeps their fridge stocked up with his favorite fruit). Another thought of his fiancé pained him.“I think I have to try both now that you’ve mentioned it. What’s your favorite fruit to use in a muffin or a crumble? Do you go traditional with blueberries? Or cinnamon swirl! Though that might just turn it into a coffee cake, hmm..”·

“Well, it’s a tried and tested mix of flavours -- it’s where salted fudge and salted caramel come from, and other similar plays on sweet and bitter.” Floraigh chuckled at his recipe-book idea, and she shook her head, “you’d be much better using Mary Berry’s recipe book; I only bake casually, after all.”

Whilst Milo pondered over the selection of fruit, she took the opportunity to seize the bag hostage, and slung it over her shoulder. “Both? I think we can manage that.” She chewed her lip at the flurry of questions, “For a crumble, I absolutely prioritise rhubarb or apple; this time of year either is good. Rhubarb is a classic, but sometimes you want something sweeter, and I’ll go with apple. I don’t know if you have a preference for either of those?”

Apple crumbles are, typically, for when her head is spinning, her feet ache, and she needs something comforting to eat whilst watching Happily Hearst on Netflix during the winter months. Rhubarb crumbles are undoubtedly for showing off, or guests. ( Cheesecake is for when she’s run out of fucks to give. )

“I make raspberry and white chocolate muffins sometimes, they’re rather nice. I tend to distribute them to the staff at No. Ten.” Floraigh shrugs, “but I’m more than happy to experiment with anything you fancy -- within reason. Baking isn’t an exact science.”

[floralposies]

who? kyra + @yasminchatterjee where? pre-family dinner

she didn’t smoke, but situations like these made the thought somewhat attractive. perhaps because family dinners were so unnecessarily stressful, filled with talk of matters she didn’t care about, or her immediate family completely ignorant to her business.

kyra was thus loitering beside the bar, watching members of her immediate family wander in in dribs and drabs whilst she nursed a single malt. an easy enough way to mellow out in preparation.

“would you rather fight one emir-sized duck, or ten duck-sized emirs?” she glanced over her shoulder, acutely aware of a lurking presence. “or are you a pacifist? i can never remember.”