The persued, the persuing, the busy, and the tired

Genevieve Clarke. 20. Hailing from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and a Sophomore at Windsor Academy. Oxford Court.

[charlesdarwood-deactivated20140]

"I don’t know about your father, but I know my father isn’t who you think your father is." Charlie sighed. "I don’t want to argue with you, Genevieve. I really don’t. We’re always arguing. It’s frustrating." Charlie moved towards Genevieve. His face softened as his voice lowered. "No. It’s not bad. You want to love… and to be loved. It’s not bad at all. You deserve to have that chance. I just don’t know how to give you that chance." Charlie flashed Genevieve a tight-lipped smile. "A Shakespearean romance isn’t always a tragedy, Genevieve."

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve's mood took a sudden shift from angry to guilty. For the first time, instead of being mad she was stuck with Charles, she was sad he was stuck with her. "At least when we're fighting we're doing something real, we're not pretending." Gen's face took a more solemn tone and she could feel her guard slipping. She looked down at her feet and mumbled,"I know it's just... I've never really had an actual date or anything since this whole arrangement started. I've always been the girl who is engaged." She turned up to look at him for a second before instantly feeling a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

[charlesdarwood-deactivated20140]

Charlie was shocked. “My father is neither selfish nor greedy, Genevieve. He specializes in innovative skyscrapers. What he does is incredible. You… don’t understand. You don’t understand how hard they work to provide for their families.” He crossed his arms as he listened to his fiancée’s words. “No. I understand. It’s not freedom you want. It’s love. You want a Shakespearean romance. You want a fairy-tale ending. Admit it.”

[genevieve-clarke]

"I don't understand?" Genevieve spat, feeling slightly offended. "Oh I understand plenty. I understand that my own father puts his company before his family and yours does too. I don't believe for a second after they made their deal that they truly care about either one of us. All we have now is meaningless money and each other to argue with." Genevieve felt her face heat up when Charlie began to speak about her. "You know, maybe I do. Is that so bad? To want someone who actually loves me? Every other normal bird out there gets to have that chance." Genevieve took a deep breath to calm herself before mumbling. "And just so you know, I don't want a Shakespearean romance, they always die."

[genevieve-clarke]

Humming and Other Noises || Vera & Genevieve

[viedevera]

Usually on the last summer day Vera would soak in as much enjoyment from her favorite season as she could. But on the very moment she found a couple of minutes of time to spare, so she used it to roam around the luxurious castle in search of a sign — the final summer escapade before her last heedless year at Windsor begun. Vera already sat by the fountain while sneaking in a metal tin of bootleg under her dress, covered the first floor like it was her job, and currently was found barely making it up the carpeted stairs like a splifficated fool.

Now, the Rossdale could hold in her liquor better than her looks signal she does, so she was barely on rummy level with her level of intoxication. But one thing was for sure, she drank on an empty stomach simply out of mindless boredom. Taking in the second floor by storm, her ears were picking up familiar vibrations. A voice belonging to a certain Oxford she’d met on the week spent at this castle. Vera put her efforts in tiptoeing quietly through the hall, even though it was a failed attempt as she started slowly swaying while she walked up to the source of the noise, resulting in Vera pushing herself against the wall a bit harder (and louder) than intended.

Sober or not, she’d laugh at herself any day, looking at the small red mark she’d gotten from the impact of the wall to the side of her forearm. “Oh, lord.” she said under a zozzled giggle, before Genevieve came bursting through the door, stopping the singing all together. Vera nodded her head, and put her hands up in form of surrender. “Dandy, just dandy.” She laughed, standing up straighter than she was previously leaning on the wall. “My I never knew you were a fan of them, mu-si-cal’s.” the girl girl exaggerated her last word like some exotic perfume an American could barely pronounce.

[genevieve-clarke]

"Vera?" Genevieve had asked under a poorly disguised laugh. She opened the door fully to see the Rossdale examining her reddened arm, assuming she had hit it on a stumble with Gen's door. She was expecting a lot of people to be on the other side of that door, but Vera wasn't one of them.

She looked looser than normal, so Gen suspected she was on the verge of hoary-eyed. It seemed her personality while under this state was just an exaggeration of her own nature. It wasn't that Gen thought Vera acted drunk most of the time, it was just that Vera had always been very open and honest even when she was sober; it was a trait that Genevieve admired about her. 

"What's a bird like you doing out here?" Genevieve questioned, taking a step back for Vera to come inside if she so wanted to. The whole situation was odd, but at this point Gen was ready to welcome odd. She swore she almost blushed at Vera's comment on musicals. "Isn't everyone in New York a fan of musicals? This is where the follies are anyway."

[rxskolnikov]

He grabbed the key, locking the door with trembling hands. Once that was done, he could finally relax for a bit. The fellas outside were surely angry, and out for his blood, but they wouldn’t bother with a pretty lady unconsciously locked in a random room. Going outside would be pushing his luck, or even talking too loud, but the danger has more or less been evaded. Leo deeply inhaled, pushing a chair to sit on in front of the brunette.

"So I am at this speakeasy, having some brown. A fella next to me grabs a lady’s behinds. Couldn’t be older than seventeen. She says she needs to go home, that she won’t stay. The creeper tries to drag her out to the street, and I - having drank enough alcohol for a few bad decisions - follow him out. Now all I remember is smashing a bottle against his back, and then his rich boys coming out with all sorts of threats. Didn’t actually think they would follow through.” He sighed uneasily, “If they see me out there I’ll be fashioning crutches for the next few months.”

"I’m Leo Wolstencroft. Thank you for saving me from certain death."

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve was taken aback by the young man's explanation. It was nothing she was expecting, in fact she found it a bit charming. Genevieve wasn't one to judge a book by it's cover, but she wouldn't take this man to be the one to take that sort of action. "That's... rather brave, actually. I wasn't expecting that." 

Noticing she was still standing in the middle of her room, clutching an open drawer, she swiftly closed it and sat back down on the edge of her bed. "I'm Genevieve Clarke and you're quite welcome, but I can't say I did that much besides stand here. How did you end up over here anyway? You must be quite the runner."

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

Yes. This was the girl. “I never said you were dating the lad. And of course I know him. He’s one of my closest friends. A terrible idiot though. Thinks he knows how to woo a girl. I pity him and other Kent’s.”

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve was a bit shocked. "He's just... endlessly frustrating I suppose. He always has to act like I'm the foolish one and he doesn't see anything wrong with the situation and-- Sorry, I can easily go on on tangents about the situation like that.I didn't know you were friends, but I don't know that much about him really."

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

That piqued her curiosity. “Genevieve—Gen. You don’t say? Well, isn’t that just darling. And you’re in Oxford Court as well. That only makes everything better. You’re Charlie’s dame, aren’t you?”

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve's face dropped a bit at the mention of Charles. "Um, sort of. We're not dating or anything, so not really. Do you know him?"

[rxskolnikov]

"Thanks," Leo whispered in response and grabbed the wooden stick, shoving it firmly against the door. He shook the handle a coupe of times, making sure it was impossible to open. It didn’t budge. Sighing in relief, he turned around and leaned on the door, suddenly exhausted. A deep voice nearby yelled ‘check the rooms! he can’t be far!’. “Got a key, by any chance? I promise I will explain later.”

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve's head snapped in the direction of the voices. What had she just gotten into? "What the--" she began, but caught herself in time and realized it was better to keep quiet. She nodded tentatively and rummaged around her drawers for a key. She usually didn't bother locking her own door considering Windsor was pretty isolated and she trusted everyone else in the Oxford dorm. 

"I'm ready for a hell of an explanation," she whispered, tossing him the key once she found it. Genevieve wondered for the first time why it never occurred to her to keep a weapon in her room.

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

"Hmm," Chloe said, nodding her head ever so slightly as she walked further into the room, heels clacking on the linoleum. "That is private information, I apologize. All I ask is that you hurry up. I’m Chloe Keaton by the way. I feel like I have seen you around. What are you called?"

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve simply nodded tentatively and swung her bag over her shoulder. "Oh, I've definitely seen you around Oxford. I'm Genevieve Clarke."

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

"There was a note on the door. In big black letters… How long will it take you to finish?" 

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve waved one of her hands in front of her eyes. "Sorry, completely illiterate," she joked. "Just two minutes. What exactly do you need to reserve a room for, if you don't mind me asking."

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

"Honestly, it’s appalling. You would think freshman would learn by now that maroon is out. Anyhow, I have this room privately booked for the next hour or so—why are you here?”

[chloe-keaton-deactivated2014080]

[genevieve-clarke]

"Oh, um, I'm sorry. I didn't see anyone in here and assumed I could finish some of my classwork. I can go."

[charlesdarwood-deactivated20140]

"No. I don’t. What my father wants is what I want." Charlie said, "I was surprised when I was told I was ‘engaged’. I wasn’t thrilled. I realized, after my father explained, that I was wrong. It’s a deal. It’s not an engagement. We’re partners. I will give you the chance you deserve. I will give you the freedom you deserve. Isn’t that what you want? Freedom?”

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve let out a frustrated sigh. "How could you think that of him? Your father is selfish and greedy, just like mine. Maybe they should be the ones getting married, they're perfect for each other." Gen ended her statement with a sarcastic smile. "Yes, I want freedom, but you shouldn't have to allow it to me. I want to freedom to marry someone who doesn't refer to me as his business partner."

[rxskolnikov]

With three bulky men on his tracks just around the corner, Leo had no choice but to barge into the nearest room with hopes the person inside would let him in. He had gotten himself into quite a mess. Hell, if he’s caught, a week in the hospital will surely follow. Still facing the exit, the man shut the door and turned around to face the music.

"I know this looks bad, but you have to be quiet." Leo whispered, gesturing at the door, where violent thuds could be heard in the distance.

[genevieve-clarke]

It had been a rather quiet night back in the Oxford Dorms that evening. Everything stood still until a loud noise came from down the hall. Genevieve looked up from her place, which was sitting in the middle of her bed with her legs tucked under her, course work surrounding her. She was about to go an investigate the noises, when a young man burst through her door. 

Genevieve was ready to make an angry remark, but his plea seemed to stop her. Closing her mouth, she instead reached under her bed. From there she pulled out a broom and tossed it to the intruder. She gestured for him to slip the handle through where a lock usually went, so no one would burst in. Genevieve stood her ground from back at her bed as they listened to the thuds in the distance.

[charlesdarwood-deactivated20140]

Charlie mumbled, “I would rather have an alright life with an alright wife, who I could be chummy with, than have a fantastic life with a wife who resented who I was. I care about your opinions as well as your thoughts. I want a chance.”

[genevieve-clarke]

"But don't you ever want more than what they've set out for us?" Genevieve paused to sigh. "Haven't you ever thought of not going through with this and doing what you want instead? I also want a chance. A chance to make my own decisions, to be more than a business deal. I think I deserve that... I think you do too. I don't understand why you don't try."

[thetrojanson]

❝ Astonishing. I would think a woman of your calibre would be all too familiar with the concept. But as long as I am not stepping out of my boundaries. Fascinating. You must be an exceptional person. We deal in shipping, primarily. Nothing interesting. ❞

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve tried not to break out in too much of a smile at his kind words. She'd always been a sucker for chivalry. "You're too kind, Paris. It's rare to meet people such as yourself at Windsor. On the contrary, I find most business interesting. Entrepreneurship is my major."

[genevieve-clarke]

Genevieve Clarke

[thetrojanson]

❝ You are quiet welcome. I am sorry—am I making you uncomfortable or something of the like? It was never my intention. A business woman? I happen to do business myself—with my father. What do you deal in? ❞

[genevieve-clarke]

"Oh no no. I'm sorry, I'm just rather bad at taking compliments, or rather I'm not used to them. You're perfectly fine. Is that so? My family deals with technology for architecture. What about you?"

[thetrojanson]

❝ A lovely name for a lovely woman as well, I see. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss. Clarke. So where does a lady such as yourself put all that intellect in a place like Windsor? ❞

[genevieve-clarke]

"I-- um, thank you. You as well, Mr. Katsaros. Well, I'd like to think things are pretty studious over at Oxford. As well as the fact I want to carry on my family business, and I can't do that if I can't show my father I'm capable."