(jacob anderson, thirty-six, cis man, he/him) you do not know me but rest assured i know you, LORD LAURENCE ROSEWOOD. you are the YOUNGER BROTHER TO VISCOUNT ROSEWOOD. you maybe be known for your GENIALITY but it is only a mask for the true nature of your RESERVED ways. however, i am not here to spread slander on the queen’s jewels, though i suspect you are her BLUE CALCITE. the ton says your name reminds them of PAGES ILLUMINATED BY FLICKERING CANDLES, THE CRACKLE OF A FIRE & CONSTELLATIONS DRAWN IN NOTEBOOKS how scandalous! you have been warned, dear reader, that i will prove if this is true and share every last detail. (penny, 25, gmt, she/her, no triggers)
full name: laurence alexander rosewood.
nickname(s): laurie.
birthday: 19th september, 1776.
gender / pronouns: cis man , he / him.
orientation: homosexual / homoromantic.
personality: philanthropic, sensitive, nurturing & distant.
languages spoken: english, french. good latin. passable spanish, italian & ancient greek.
relationship status: unbetrothed.
build: slim.
second born son to the rosewoods and eternally grateful for it. especially since his brother stepped up and must operate under the watchful eyes of their mother and aunt. laurence never demonstrated an iota of interest in inheriting the family title.
he was, however, very happy to partake in the opportunities and advantages afforded the son of a viscount. his education was extensive and a source of great joy for laurie -- he was always bookish and certainly academic. attended eton and then on to cambridge to complete his degree.
his first great love was music and he showed great talent in that pursuit from a very young age. violin and pianoforte are his favourites ( the violin is his most accomplished ) but he has turned his hand to any instrument crossing his lap.
laurence had only been a child when war broke out and had no romantic notions of joining when he became of age and the war was still raging on. his was a gentle soul, wholly unsuited to the battlefield. come 1810, the second eldest rosewood found himself wandering aimlessly through life, and with the new queen's resolve, laurence volunteered, perhaps hoping it would spare a sibling or two.
his notions of war were proven right. he was incredibly ill-suited, but demonstrated a knack for strategy and was just glad to find he wasn't entirely useless to the efforts of his unit. laurence's turn in the army was cut short just two months before the war ended.
he was lucky to survive -- or such was the notion he came to despise. his memories of the event are at best fuzzy ( thanks in part to a great effort of repression ) but he finds the present just as difficult to deal with. there is no repressing or denying the extent of injury -- a leg that he often feels might as well have been amputated for all the good it does, constant and relentless pain going only from bad to worse and an equally temperamental back injury to top it off. luckily, canes are in fashion, though laurence remains at best unhappy to rely on one as he must. around the house he point blank refuses, out of pure stubbornness and a perhaps naive notion that if he just refuses enough, the thing will sort itself out.
his once generally relied upon cheery disposition has chipped, replaced with a sourer version; though he does his best to always put on a brave face for his family and society. as the second eldest, it is his job to worry about them and not the other way around.
laurie was never a particular fan of the social season -- always happy to accompany whichever sibling wanted it -- being somewhat introverted and much preferring the company of his cat and a good book. with an altered body and disposition his dislike has been.... exacerbated and he is a more begrudging participant. dancing had always been his favourite pastime during the season, and now that too is ruined -- nothing but a painful reminder of what had once been.
wanted connections.
childhood / family friends. school friends. best friend(s). acquaintances. past hook up. past relationship -- good / bad ending terms. crush ( either way, or mutual. ). an extrovert to adopt him & get him out more hbh. folks he served with. literally everything pls.
as millicent waited, she was nervous that she had done the wrong thing. should she have arranged something? should she have left it alone until fate caused them to bump into each other? neither of those felt quite right. she was just so eager to see him. "it is wonderful to see you as well." she nodded and gently squeezed his hand in hers. "oh please. i missed you every single day, laurie." millicent smiled. getting his letters were some of the things that she had most looked forward to whilst she was away but nothing compared to having him here, in front of her now. "i've been...good. mostly, good." she nodded. she didn't know if she wanted to go into all of that right now. she mostly just wanted to bask in her friend being with her, in person. "how about you? have i missed anything interesting whilst i was away?"
whatever ( or however ) millicent had announced her return to london, laurence would have been overjoyed. he swung their joined hands for a moment, borderline giddy with excitement -- and considering as such, that it was probably for the best she'd not told him in advance. "well, i missed you more," laurie countered childishly, an equally boyish grin tugging at his lips. he could not put into words how much he had missed her. the letters had been plentiful and frequent, of course, but it wasn't the same as having his best friend in front of him. head tilted slightly to one side at her response, eyes narrowing for a moment before he decided to let it be. for the moment, anyway. he hoped millicent knew she could come to him if she wanted. "ah. well," the grin widened ad he fought it back, teeth worrying his lower lip. "i suppose a great deal has happened... not all of it interesting... but i am better than i have been in a while." a resolute nod. "shall we sit before we end up standing here all day catching up?"
"i did what i could— i am merely just a girl, laurie! how could i be expected to look everywhere?! the effort that would take! my poor feet! carrying around this large dress and this big beautiful head of hair!" she is being dramatic. clearly so because her dress is not as full as it should have been, having escaped from her lady's maid that morning to not be put into the whole works of it. something which everyone in her household knew of her to do and get away with. "i feel as though i could enjoy anything right now," but the idea of a picnic has amelia perking up, body jolting up from the bed as she smiles widely at her older brother, "that sounds perfect! shall i go speak to the chef while you pick the best spot? is there anything you would like to eat brother? or anything i can bring for you?" she's up and off his bed by this point, buzzing with excitement to spend time with him.
"i hope that is not to be interpreted as you trying your best," he chastises lightly, sending her a disapproving look directly undercut by the smile still tugging at his lips. "because i know that what is under that big beautiful head of hair is capable of much more." she is joking, naturally -- and laurie's perfectly aware of that, having also inherited the rosewood penchant for the dramatic in his own right -- but he's not quite soft enough to let her get away with the comment completely scot-free. her wide smile is mirrored, soft laughter bubbling at her enthusiasm. "sounds like a plan," he nods resolutely, rising from his chair to set the book in its place on the adjacent desk. it would be a lie to say he doesn't think about bringing it with him for a moment, but he's decided to give amelia his undivided attention, and so it shall be. "oh, get whatever you want -- but make sure there's cake. enough to fill your dress. and if there are still strawberries left over, some of them too. i will meet you outside."
it's terribly and tragically poetic, the way that moonlight hits the room just right, illuminating a telltale glossy shimmer in laurence's eye. it is absurd in how woefully dramatic every encounter of theirs seems to be, every glance and word uttered so poignant and important and carrying immense weight of some kind. he almost has to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, the way that, to an outsider, it would seem frightfully over the top - but it is natural in a way that edmund could not have staged better himself. the stuff of romance novels, scorned lovers reuniting by chance under the cloak of night. where he has wished to rise above his station and achieve the extraordinary he now yearns for anything but, a simple life where he might have never crossed paths with lord rosewood.
by the grace of god he manages to stop his fidgeting, manages to save an ounce of face, but his facade is close to crumbling, and he feels his body betray him with a treacherous twitch of his lid, a tremble in his lower lip. a part of him scolds him to remain calm, that he should rise above, should not allow his emotions to get the better of him. it was a fine and confusing line to toe, where by day he might play the eccentric theatre owner offering advice and direction to his company and at night he would slip into the role of a picture perfect gentleman, nodding along to idle talk of politics, adjusting his posture and everything about himself down to a hollow laugh.
laurence voice cuts through the silence and sounds as unsteady as edmund feels, and he quickly turns around, blinded by the moon as he wipes a tear from his cheek. a moment passes, a shaky exhale, and he turns on his heel again. "it is a free country. or so i have been told...", edmund murmurs into the quiet dark of the room, entirely unsure what to feel. his heart leaps in his chest. laurence wants to stay. suddenly edmund isn't too sure anymore if he wants to stay, too, or if he might rather run and find another unoccupied room or, better yet, disappear into the gardens never to be seen again.
he considers asking him how he enjoyed the evening, and the hunt, but every question that comes to mind seems so shallow and inappropiate, given the memories that now flood his brain again. before he knows it he's stepped round the desk again, gaze directed at his fingers tracing the edge, and he finds himself awfully close to laurie. edmund doesn't dare look up. "i ... i'd like you to know that i - i don't ... resent you." it feels like a lie, but he knows it is not. how could he ever bear any ill will towards his laurie? "these, uh. well - these things happen. i am not so naive that i thought that, uh, that we would ... " that this would last forever. the words refuse to cross his lips. he swallows, gulps heavily and takes a moment before he continues. "and i. i wish you - i wish you all the ... best." a pained expression crosses his face as he admits it, admits this most obvious lie. oh, how he'd love to direct this tragedy instead of playing an active part in it.
it is a comment he would have laughed at ; a fond roll of the eyes and an even more undeniably fond and frankly ridiculous smile the only worthwhile reaction only a few short years ago. now, it makes his heart stutter. was he to understand it meant edmund had changed his mind in the last few minutes and no longer wished to grant laurence leave to stay? it wouldn't be unsurprising or unfair. but the other doesn't bolt, or elaborate, so he remains in his spot. the chasm between them seems to be multiplying rapidly in depth and width and he finds himself wanting desperately to plug a hole of his own creation. perhaps he will stay in this spot all night ; if that's what it takes, he certainly would gladly.
the silence stretches out before them, empty and alien. he considers just how much time they've spent in silence before -- wrapped in bed sheets, fighting sleep or just waking from it bathed in sunlight. the bibliophile within him almost appreciates the juxtaposition proposed as they stand in cooler moonlight. edmund's movement breaks his tense reverie and laurence blinks hard thrice, gaze meandering slowly from the ground to the sudden closeness of edmund's handsome features. he blinks again, this time willing a flood of tears back to their ducts or to at least prevent spillage. it is a fool's errand and he knows it. "i appreciate that more than you can ever know," it is a reassurance, but it hurts more than reassures. the dams have broken as he expected, and laurence fights only to keep his breathing even so that he may respond. bleary eyed and frustratedly wiping tears, he reaches as if to take edmund's hand, but freezes millimeters away, braced for rejection.
"i would never," he chokes on a sob, then clears his throat to return some strength to his voice. "i never meant for any of this to happen. i have not been myself for --," a bark of harsh, wet, humourless laughter. "some time, now... i almost cannot believe i have done this to you, and i am deserving of none of your time, or grace. so, if you refuse to give me even a moment, you would be wholly justified and -- and i would understand. i would not hold it against you as you should be holding this against me. i will not ask your forgiveness and you should not give it."
cane clatters unceremoniously to the floor as he releases it, scrubbing both hands down his face. "i missed you so dearly," whispered as if saying it any louder might shatter the windows around them. if edmund had been any less kind, laurence might have been better equipped to handle the unfolding conversation, but edmund was being as perfect as ever. "it was not naive... i thought it too. i could not comprehend anything else. i am so, so sorry."
"ah, so you're getting grumpy in your old age, is that it?" elijah teased. he was never one that was able to be all that serious. and he was desperate to pull laurence out of whatever funk it was that he was in now. "oh to have a life where this sort of thing is the only thing that you have to worry about." elijah lamented. he knew that it wasn't as simple as he made it sounds, though. he could only imagine the pressure they might feel when it came to things like this. elijahs smile widened, as he saw the smile on laurences face. well, he was certainly glad to have given him that, at the very least. "you know what?" elijah spoke, deciding to be honest with his friend. "when we're at home, at the theatre, i don't usually get nervous. but here? it feels different."
he nodded. "so it would seem -- older and grumpier by the day," still, the smile remained and amusement returned the sparkle to dull eyes. "i think you could have that life if you wanted it," he may not have been a member of the ton, but laurence would bet good money on elijah's prospects within it -- a pretty and talented thing like him? it was a safe bet indeed. though quietly he hoped it wasn't elijah's wish, and that his friend would remain on the stage where he belonged. brows quirked slightly, then settled into a slight frown. "the job is the same but the setting is not, it is only natural. although i am certain you will do as wonderful a job as ever. i can imagine you will leave here with countless new admirers and perhaps some wealthy benefactors, too."
the decision to come back to london had been a fairly impulsive decision by millicent - she missed her home, she wanted to go back. it was as simple as that. and because of that, she hadn't had chance to send letters to the people that she loved. she had thought - perhaps foolishly - that she would return to london and everything be how it was before. she had never been an optimist before but with this? she had hoped. oh, how she had been so so wrong.
after the disastrous reunion with benedict, millicent had kept herself hidden for a few days. she was scared that more people would see her and turn their back on her as well. it was why she had avoided going to see laurence.
laurence rosewood was her oldest friend. he had been there for her entire adult life. and he was almost as dear to her as her husband. she knew that she couldn't avoid seeing him for forever. and whilst most of her believed that he would be happy that she was home, there was a small part of her that worried he'd tell her to leave too.
as she waited in the rosewood drawing room, millicent was trying to keep her nerves at bay. though to look at her, she seemed the picture of calm. she had grown used to putting a good face on things. when she finally heard the footfalls calling to the room, millicent stood a little straight and took a couple of steps forward to greet him, "hello, old friend."
millicent's withdrawal from his life had been a deeply felt loss. she was among his closest friends -- perhaps even the closest, but he had never even thought to blame her for it. it was simply the nature of society ; expected, almost, that a woman might disappear into a marriage. it made her first return to his life all the more sweeter and he became determined to keep her in it once and for all.
her return to london unannounced was a surprise, but one laurence was nothing but excited for. he might have liked some notice, but millicent could have turned up at the rosewood's doorstep unannounced at any wild hour and he would have welcomed her with open arms. the notice from a footman that she was waiting in the drawing room was greeted with equal excitement. he beamed, uneven steps making surprisingly light work of the space between them. "hello, you. it is so very lovely to see you." unable to contain his joy, laurie reached for and grasped her hands in his own. "i cannot think you missed me half as much as i missed you. how have you been?"
They were not a soft whisper — Kit's feelings for Laurie — no, they were a part of a harmonious, opulent symphony that changed the way Kit walked, smiled, breathed. He was no longer a ghost of a man haunting the home he'd once loved, staring wistfully out of his window, suffering in silence. He was full of life. He was giddy, finding himself laughing and smiling constantly. Kit's father had given him a particularly concerned look when he'd mindlessly spilt hot tea on himself and only chuckled. His mind had definitely been focused on Kit's smile — the crinkle around his eyes when he laughed — and not on the scalding hot liquid on his thighs. He was eternally spellbound by Laurence Rosewood.
Kit had met Laurie scores of times in his dreams. He found himself retiring early just so he fall asleep and escape into Laurie's arms. The dreams were euphoric, almost crystal clear — until he woke up and rolled over to find an empty bed. He felt intertwined with Laurie in the same way that the moon and the stars were intertwined — brought together by the heavens. However, the night before he called on Laurie, Kit couldn't fall asleep because he could almost taste Laurie — he was divine.
His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when his eyes landed on Laurie. The stars aligned every time they locked eyes, and Kit wondered if the rest of the world felt it, too. Did they feel the tsunami of desire that washed over Kit whenever he saw Laurie smile? Or the earthquake that was his pounding heart when he was simply in Laurie's presence? "Thank goodness," he mused, "I was worried I wouldn't make it here in time before the countless other suitors line up, they're no doubt on their way to capture your heart." He bit on his lower lip in an attempt to hide a wide smile, eyes raking over Laurie slowly, "When that's my goal." Kit had, truthfully, never called on anyone and he felt out of sorts, but when Laurie pressed a kiss to his cheek, his eyes fluttered shut in complete bliss and all his worries vanished. "I wanted to bring you gifts," a lovestruck grin on his lips, "I wanted you to know how worthy and special you are." Kit eagerly followed behind Laurie, letting his hand find Laurie's briefly — brushing his skin against the other's, desperate for his touch. "Terrorizing, hmm?" he quirked a brow, "I must remember to thank her later for giving us a little more privacy." As they walked down the hallway, Kit kept in stride next to the other, once again inhaling his scent of musk and Clary sage — that Kit could've sworn he'd smelt in his dreams of Laurie. Reaching his arm over, Kit placed his hand on the small of Laurie's back as they walked, leaning over to whisper in his ear, "I've chased you in my dreams these last few nights, but nothing compares to the real thing."
he had needed to pinch himself several times over the past few days -- to make certain it was indeed reality he was living in, and that he had not been transported to somewhere in the depths of his imagination. somewhere kit had resided for longer than laurence would perhaps liked to admit. but he'd had crushes on members of the ton before ; they had all been well out of reach. none had been so perfect as kit, and he was only inches away. the heartache had been worth it, in the end.
"oh, i do not think you need to worry." in fact, laurie was entirely sure of it. for once, his assurance came not only from insecurity, but primarily from the strength of his feelings for kit. they spun his head and had his stomach doing flips like a circus performer he'd seen once. he had never felt more emotionally off balance yet he had never been happier. pleased with the reception his kiss received, he smiled softly and let himself get utterly lost in kit's eyes -- just for a moment. "you were very successful in your endeavour, mister locke." perhaps this was what it was to be truly known. he'd thought he would be uncomfortable with it, but it was turning out not to be the case at all. in fact, he wanted desperately to be known, and in turn to know every inch of kit ; body, mind and soul. the brief touch exchanged sparked then died, and laurie found himself seeking kit's hand once more to offer a squeeze as they walked.
a shiver ran down his spine, kit's warm breath on his neck eliciting a shudder. he stopped just at the door to the drawing room, fingers closing around the other's wrist to remove his hand from his back and staying there once he had done so. head tilted slightly to one side, chin angled upwards. "there should be no more need for chasing -- in dreamland or real." piece said, he led the way into the room and set about placing the gifted flowers in a vase, parcel of treats upon the table. taking a seat on one sofa, long fingers tapped a rhythm on the empty space next to him, inviting kit to sit. laurence would get as close to him as he could for as long as he could -- while the opportunity remained. "do your family know you are here?"
amelia adored her siblings. of course she poked fun at them like any normal younger sibling would do, but that never meant she loved them any less. honestly, it was her way of showing them that she cared considering she was never one to say it out loud. as a child, she would particularly latch onto her older brothers, loving to follow them around as much as she could instead of having to deal with her lady's maid pushing piles of fabric onto her, so finding solace in their rooms was nothing new. "well!" she starts, mouth opening and then closing because she had nothing to retort, "fine, you have gotten me there, but i did check the library and your study so also two likely places you could have been!" her head turns to the side to face him better, "i was feeling a little lonely." something she would only admit to in front of her family members, people she knew would never hurt her. "can you read to me? or tell me about the book? or anything really?" just like that, she was a little girl again, sitting in her brother's lap as he read to her.
they tease each other, as most siblings do, but laurie always makes a point never to deny one is his favourite if they mention it. for one, it would be a lie ; he loves them equally and each are his favourite one way or another. it would be an even more egregious lie, for if he had to name only one -- it would certainly be her. head tilts to one side, brows arched lightly in an expectant look as he awaits the retaliation that is sure to come. when it does not, he cannot help but chuckle. "ah," a single nod given. "well, i suppose i ought to commend you on your most thorough search -- even if it was not fruitful until the last." her admittance tugs at heartstrings and he places the book aside to offer amelia his full attention. "i have nothing in here to read to you that you would enjoy," and it is important to laurie that she enjoys it. "why don't we have a picnic made up? we can sit outside -- talk about whatever you'd like... you could draw, and i could shower you in praise?"
"brother!" amelia calls, rather loudly, as she bursts through every single door of their home. she does not bother with common decency, something she is scolded for on a daily basis, but has yet to care about so far. "can i say marco and you say polo?" she shouts again, wishing to bother him for the day. when she finally does find him, it is in his chambers and she has no regard for barging in and making herself at home in his bed. flopping down on the plush surface, she turns to face her brother, "have you been hiding all day? or were you specifically hiding from me? if so, i am deeply hurt and offended by that since i am most certainly your favorite sibling."
closed: with laurence rosewood (@lavrences).
location: the rosewood manor.
despite hearing the calls ( it is hard not to, her voice carries very well indeed through the mansion ), laurie elects to ignore them. either she will get bored and pursue someone else to bother or she will find him soon enough. both outcomes are fine by him, though he would prefer the latter. he glances up from his book only as she enters and takes up position on his bed ; thus causing the prompt disappearance of the tuxedo cat who had been occupying the tousled sheets. he smiles fondly, then challenges. "hiding from you in the very place i am most likely to be found? my dear sister, i would hope you had more faith in me than that." sliding his bookmark into place, laurence closes his book and crosses bad leg over good. "to what do i owe the pleasure of my favourite sibling's company?"
closed starter for : @lavrences
location : the rosewood manor
Laurie had wonderstruck Kit. Completely left him in awe — unknowingly dragging him headfirst into the warmth of sunlight, of utter yearning and hope. And for the first time in a while, Kit wasn't afraid. He wasn't cowering at the idea of being known. Sure, he feared that Laurie would realize he was worthless and that he deserved much better than Kit. But, he wasn't terrified of being strung along, desperate for a sliver of attention.
The morning they'd returned from the Sinclair's Nottingham estate, Kit was calling on Laurie. He'd spent the night before with the Locke's cook whilst gushing to her about Laurie, helping her make the sweetest treats to bring to Laurie, he had a bouquet of forget-me-nots ( a secret ode to how he desired for Laurie to not forget him ), and tucked in his pocket was a note for Laurie to read once Kit had left.
Once the footmen had led Kit to the Rosewood's drawing room, he shifted nervously on his feet as he anxiously awaited seeing Laurie's gorgeous, heart-stopping face. He was completely gone for Laurie. And when he spotted him, he grinned widely — a blush blossoming on his cheeks. "I hope it's alright that I called on you," he smiled, stepping towards him and presenting him with the flowers and parceled up treats.
laurence was quite sure the entire household would think he had gone mad. he had spent much of the journey silent as usual, but instead of keeping himself occupied with a book he'd simply sat, content, and smiling to himself. thinking only of kit and all that had passed between them over the countryside excursion. several times, he'd accidentally giggled aloud and had to pretend to have a coughing fit to cover it up. perhaps he was going mad -- he would certainly say he was mad for kit.
it was the most restful sleep he'd had in what felt like a decade. an undying warmth had made a home of his chest and given way for an undisturbed night's sleep, brought on by the countless thoughts of kit that filled his head. if he thought hard enough, he could conjure the feeling that the other man was lying next to him. he dreamt only of kit and woke up late, still smiling.
the announcement that kit was calling upon him had laurence wondering if he had woken up at all. he was halfway through buttoning his waist coat to make himself more presentable when kit was led in. he abandoned the pursuit in favour of greeting the other. his cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling, but he powered through and beamed. "oh, it is more than alright." his expression grew shy momentarily, gaze cast to the ground before he caught sight of the flowers ( his favourites, which simply had to be fate ) and the parcel. "you did not have to--," a soft chuckle. "bringing just yourself would have been plenty, you know." graciously accepting the presents, he admired the flowers and wondered what he could possibly have done to deserve such treatment. in way of thanks, he stretched slightly to place a chaste kiss on kit's cheek. "i had them make tea in the other drawing room for us. my sister is in this one terrorising men of the ton." he gestured for kit to follow him down the vast hallway.
i. blackbird - the beatles. ii. straitjacket - raleigh ritchie. iii. st. petersburg - supergrass. iv. all i need to hear - the 1975. v. bad dreams - teddy swims.
vi. vienna - billy joel. vii. dive - olivia dean.
viii. will you still love me tomorrow? - amy winehouse. ix. pompeii - bastille.
x. everybody's changing - keane. xi. good old-fashioned lover boy - queen.
xii. about you - the 1975. xiii. oblivion - bastille.
xiv. hold back the river - james bay. xv. half the world away - oasis.
xvi. songbird - fleetwood mac. xvii. fallingforyou - the 1975.
xviii. yellow - coldplay. xix. i know it's over - the smiths. xx. lullaby - the cure.
elijah chuckled at laurances retort. "perhaps i would say that it is unforgivable." he joked. his friendship with laurence was one that was very special to elijah and he only hoped that the other was okay. as much as he had wanted too, he hadn't really questioned anything that had happened to him. he just hoped that his friend was okay - and that if he felt like he needed to talk about what had happened, that he knew he could talk to him. although elijah wasn't the best at being too serious. "these things do seem tiresome." he nodded. "i don't know how society manages it. i'm simply tired observing." he joked, trying to lighten the situation some. "i do. soon enough, anyway. but i always have time for a friend."
"i used to enjoy them more," enough to outdo the tiredness that was still associated with hours and hours of... well, sometimes a whole lot of nothing. that was no longer the case. a soft, not quite joyless chuckle escaped. "well, society has very little else to do, you see. it is easier to channel one's energy into one thing than several." his respect for those in attendance that were also working was growing exponentially. laurence nodded, a better attempt at a smile -- warm and genuine -- shot in elijah's direction. he was right -- he did always have time for laurence. "and i am grateful for it," he admitted. "are you nervous for this performance?"
Cora tried not to put any stock in the Whistledown Papers. Since a young age she'd always preferred to make her own mind up about people rather than be swayed. A stubborn trait it had certainly gotten her into bother before. However, it had also led her to the most fruitful of friendships.
Despite this though she couldn't help the worm of worry that was burrowing in her chest since she'd read her nephew's small section. Eventually she decided that ignoring it would not make the worry pass and so she went to find him, knocking gently on the door before she entered.
"Have you read the papers? I hate to ask, I hate to put any faith into what she writes. But I must ask are you alright. If you were ill, if something was happening. You would tell us yes?"
laurence had not even read a whistledown paper before his name had appeared in its print. he cared little for gossip of any kind and even less so for the damaging comments so often contained within the rag. it was unpleasant to have gone from blissful ignorance, to scanning the thing in desperate search of one's family name in fear of it having been raked through the mud. he was a little relieved to see they had been left largely unscathed this time -- but made a mental note to check on sophie even so.
he had been trying to read a different sort of pamphlet when the knock at the door came, much to his surprise. he sat up a little straighter as cora revealed herself, features painted with confusion. it was entirely unfair -- borderline cruel -- but he almost laughed at her final question. was he alright? goodness, had he been since the end of the war? the simplest answer was no. but he would not burden his family with talk of it. "i have read them... this is about the family doctor mention, i assume?" a kindly, appreciative smile blossomed.
"i am fine, aunt cora. there is nothing to concerned about. would you like to sit with me a while?"
