OH DANNY BOY.

REGINA 'RED' ELIZABETH DUNRAVEN. but come ye back when summer's in the meadow, or when the valley's hushed and white with snow, i'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.

[reginasdunraven]

ofkirby‌:

As far as Theo was concerned, there would be plenty of fire and brimstone where he was going after death, so he might as well continue his vices in the afterlife. At least that way he might enjoy the smoke in his lungs a bit more. “We should only be so lucky as to quit in death,” he mused. If there was life beyond, he was certain that his vices would follow him there. He’d (and they’d) always been stubborn as a mule. Theo held the lighter out and stuffed it back into his pocket once she’d lit the cigarette evenly. “Your daughter?” He tilted his head slightly. Huh, he hadn’t expected that. “Very well. Your secret is safe with me, friend.” A pause. “Only, we can’t be particularly good friends if I don’t know your name.”

                          “indeed,  little margaret ––– the ankle - biter herself,”  regina mused,  a smile slipping upon her lips at the thought of her little,  loud - mouthed cherub.  how motherhood had turned her into a sentimental fop,  unable to resist the urge of inserting her daughter into each and every discussion she partook in!  the cigarette resting limply between her fore and middle finger,  she inhaled a brief puff before,  with an incline of her head,  remarking,  “i know precisely what you’re thinking.  i am far too youthful looking for children.”  regina’s lips outstretched into a mirthful display.  the lines around her eyes and mouth begged to differ,  but it was a harmless jest nonetheless.  “you make a fine point.  regina dunraven,  though most call me ‘red’,  at your service.  and yourself,  sir?” 

[reginasdunraven]

maximsherwood‌:

  “I find myself charmed by your handsome speech, though we both know it to be a frivolous accessory to our conversation; for how could one deny two handsome faces what they desire?” Max knew his flattery to be far more lavish then anything she had uttered, but his heart was bound to excessive speech when he was compelled to make a grand impression. She’d be invariably indoctrinated against his kind words; his tongue was clipped on any notion of her beauty, as a woman of her sort would find nothing attractive in such words. “You will find Hamelton to be endeared to much that has lost fashion in other parts of our country - it remains as much a mark of our charm, as it is a failure to adopt the customs of larger towns. Though I see the subject tires you, may I expect to see you two attending the spectacle?” 

                            “quite easily,  i’m afraid.  railway men have little notion of chivalry and find no qualms in simply pushing a woman and child aside,”  regina countered,  shoulders lifting into a sympathetic shrug,  dark eyes trained upon the other’s rigid features.  maxim’s words were not lost upon her head though she was in no position to indulge them,  and certainly to match his display of coquetry would stain her reputation in hamelton sooner than she would like.  “that is a far more reasonable idea than anything i have conjured thus far in attempting to make sense of it  ––  a small town mentality may be as charming as it is unorthodox, no?  i may be persuaded by...  an offering of libations,  perhaps,  though that might contradict the entire affair.  and yourself sir? will i see yourself and your wife among the pews?”  

[reginasdunraven]

auroralewis‌:

“That is very hard to answer, what may appeal to some would not appeal to others. There are some charming shops, or the beach is lovely… though perhaps a little chill some this time of year” and yet, she still found herself going there most mornings anyway, to think. “I myself would say the bakery, but that would be bias” and possibly not the done thing, she just wasn’t sure she knew what the done thing was anymore. “Aurora. No, mine never would allow it of me either. Yet my children all adored it growing up”. 

                           “i do not fear the cold,  ‘tis the sweltering heat i cannot abide and lucky for us summer is many months away,”  regina countered with a little shrug of her shoulders,  her hands used liberally as she spoke.  “do you own the bakery,  miss,  or at least work there?  i must admit the thought of a danish is particularly enticing now that you’ve mentioned it,  perhaps i will have to visit sometime this week when margaret is with the nannies.  if you do not mind my asking,  how many children do you have?” 

[reginasdunraven]

harrywcst‌:

“My sweet Red.” he greeted her with a knowing smile before he took her hand in his. Raising it to his lips, Harry pressed a sweet yet short kiss upon the back of her hand, his eyes travelling to hold her gaze. “You’d have to buy me a drink first.”

                           “i’ll buy this whole bloody pub a drink,  don’t tease me.”   though she sharply yanks her hand from harry’s grasp,  the wry grin that lingers upon red - stained lips is damn near permanent in his company.   how unfortunate that so few willingly relinquished their shackles from this war,  and instead resolved themselves to being glum forever.  “i did not think it true at first,  and yet now i am inclined to second guess myself,  which,  you well know,  i loathe to do.”

[reginasdunraven]

auroralewis‌:

It was just another day, she knew that. They’d keep coming and going and somehow she had to keep living them. Not easy when she felt like it was impossible to breath, but somehow she was going to manage. She may have lost a lot, but she hadn’t had to fight, and she knew those men had been through worse. She turned in surprise, before smiling kindly, “goodness, that is unfortunate. The bakery is just around the corner if you would like some tea and food? A welcome gift?” not very unusual for her, she had a habit of giving things away for free. But a lot of people needed tasty food right now, and they were doing well. “I hope we would never out grow them. I believe it is tradition, and something for the children to do with so much change now happening”. 

                           lips curve into a sly smirk in response to the woman’s remark,  albeit maggie’s babbling prevented her from replying immediately.  “i must admit,  nothing soothes the soul quite like the idea of returning home after a long trip,  so perhaps on the morrow we shall venture into town.  is there someplace specific you’d suggest visiting?”  she queried good - humored,  her knowledge of hamelton indeed limited prior to moving there.  “i see.  well,  in that event,  the more the merrier  –  i simply recall my own parents being none too enthusiastic to see me in a community threatre play when i was a girl.  but times have changed,  have they not, miss?”

[reginasdunraven]

fatherbencarvell‌:

Ben turned and smiled at the woman and her child. “ Outgrown the Nativity?” He asked and looked down at Regina’s daughter and smiled then looked back at Regina. “ Its the birth of Jesus and a happy memory of Christmas.” He said with a smile. “  Would you both like some tea and cake after such a long journey?”

                           “i did not intend to insult,  sir,  but if i wanted to watch a flock of parishioners run about without their heads i’d simply visit the church before a sermon on leviticus.”  the snide passed her lips without any knowledge of the gentleman’s profession,  only that he did not seem to hold her judgements.  “i would not,  but little margaret shan’t refuse a treat if offered.  she’s rather spoilt if you ask me,  although dastardly cute.” 

[reginasdunraven]

samsonhunter‌:

“I’m sorry to hear about that,” The florist murmured, his arms full of empty pots and planters. The stack was nearly up to his chin, though he managed to look at the woman just above it. His blue eyes widened slightly, taking in the sight of the young girl. Samson grinned at once. 

“I’m not an authority on it,” He managed, readjusting the weight in his hands. “But I suspect that we all could use a bit of cheer.” 

                            “no matter,  ‘tis over now,”  regina assured,  motherly intuition washing over her as she drew her margaret back into her arms and shielded her head from the wintry climes.  though margaret managed to peak her eyes out from the cocoon,  darting back to samson rather inquisitively.  “indeed,  it seems the morale everywhere is being lifted by theatrics here and there.  on one hand,  we must ask ourselves  –  are local plays an apt remedy?  i find them rather dreary if i am to speak candidly!”

[reginasdunraven]

ofkirby‌:

Theo allowed himself to focus on his breath. The sharp intake of smoke and nicotine settled him, allowed him to relax, and the feeling of it rising from his lungs made him feel powerful. He could do this. He had survived the trenches. He had survived the Battle of Amiens. He would survive his homecoming. Slowly, he felt more settled, and it was only then that he heard a voice. Blue eyes blinked open, studying the woman in front of him, and he smiled. At once, he was himself, or rather a mask of himself, and he reached into his pocket for the pack of cigarettes and handed them over. Next, he drew his lighter and readied his fingers again, this time he was not so clumsy. “If you find a way to quit them, do let me know.” He replied, a half smile pulling at the right corner of his lips. “I have tried three times myself and I’ve nothing to show for it.” 

                          a brief smile adrorned her features,  a word of thanks slipping past her lips in response to the strangers’ uncommon kindness.  it was the least she was due after such a day, no?  “only on my death bed will i know such a secret and even then,  there is no way to prove it true,”  regina remarked,  voice amused as she lifted the cigarette and held it loosely between her lips,  leaning over to graze the tip against the flame kindled between his palms.  she inhaled deeply,  cheeks hollowing,  relief washing through her system.  “thank you.  although i must warn you,  my daughter shall be furious with me if she finds out –– may i trust you’ll keep this between us friends?”

[reginasdunraven]

henryfrancis1918‌:

Hank looked down towards the tug on his sleeve trying not to look uncomfortable. He’d never understand why children felt so comfortable approaching him. “I don’t have anything, I”m afraid,” he muttered, used to kids trying to get the cardboard tops out of him. But he was saved by the child’s mother. 

“That’s a bold statement standing here with a child, don’t you think? Surely she’s not outgrown all the festivities. Though I’d bet if you came back from the war, you’d want to celebrate anything you could.” 

                          “with all due respect,  sir,  i seldom see children so young participate in nativity plays,  if not to play the babe Messiah himself.”  nay,  such productions were reserved for those who could not ‘make it’ elsewhere and deigned themselves to be featured in local theatrics.  at least,  through prejudiced lenses,  that was how regina herself saw it.  tugging margaret back into her arms,  she conceded somewhat.  “indeed.  in all truth,  i did not intend to disparage the event.  i was merely intrigued by the abundance of talk regarding it.  will you be taking part,  and if so,  you must at least tell me your name so i can applaud from the pews.”

[reginasdunraven]

ofkirby‌:

It had taken mere moments for Theo to fall to pieces. A memory. A tin box in a little shop window. Johnny tumbling backward into the trench. His breath caught in his throat. A smoke, he needed a god damn smoke. Quivering fingers drew a cigarette to his lips and slipped his lighter from his pocket. With a quick (albeit clumsy) flick of his thumb he held the lighter steady and breathed in the smoke. “Ah,” he huffed. Fuck. Theo pressed his eyes closed and breathed in, letting the heat and the nicotine soothe his nerves. He would be alright. This, too, would pass.

@reginasdunraven

                          it was unfathomable how sharply the world retreated in the opposite direction of ‘justness’ ever since the men returned from war.  what was once women’s work had returned to the male species,  and it was quite rightly impossible for a woman – regardless of her standing,  or even education – to find a decent post other than ‘secretary.’  regina’s fingertips itched for a cigarette,  her lungs braying for the familiar release of nicotine,  caving in on themselves in the wake of a day chockfull of rejection.  she had no qualms begging for it,  and beg she did,  leaning over and entreating the man beside her.  “i loathe to be a bother,  mind of i bum a smoke?  it turns out,  to my utter surprise,  quitting was a terrible notion and i shall never allow myself to make such a foolish decision again.” 

[reginasdunraven]

OPEN STARTER !!

                           if there was something to be said on behalf of hamelton,  small though it be,  was that it was alive with possibility.  london might be snuffed out by postwar conflict,  but hamelton surely was not,  and regina had to give credit where credit was due.  “pardon us,”  the woman interjected,  her daughter just as enthralled by all the sights and sounds of the town,  reaching out to tug on the other’s sleeve.  “we’ve just faired an ineffably long train ride and she seems to be antsier than normal.  like mother like daughter,  i’m afraid,  and i was wondering if you might satiate my curiosity so to speak –– what is all the ado about the nativity play? haven’t we outgrown such things?”

[reginasdunraven]

rxsaliedormer‌:

          “I suppose I could make this town liveable.” Rosalie exhaled shakily, her arms already crossed firmly over her chest as she turned to truly consider her new surroundings. She had never understood her husband’s fascination with such a small town surrounded by farms and mines, but this was her home now. “Tell me, does Hamelton have a seamstress of sorts? My outfits are hardly appropriate for all of this… Sludge.”

                       there was no drawing similarities between london and hamelton;  the former an electric,  sleepless sty and the latter an oceanside haven of sorts.  still,  regina had promised herself,  for the good of her daughter,  that she would make it their ‘home’ and in doing so vowed to restrain from making any flippant remarks on behalf of the village.  “you’d be hard pressed to find a lady in this town who would refuse to sow something for you.  mrs.  holmes,  the haberdasher’s wife on third street,  is particularly accomplished.”   margaret nodded toward the younger woman,  “at least we may take heart in that if our skirts are muddied,  everyone else’s must be too,  so we do not look the fool.” 

[reginasdunraven]

harrywcst‌:

“Now ‘ang on a minute an’ say that again but slower this time, yeah?” Harry didn’t look up yet from the apple he had been peeling, in fact his attention still remained solely on it. He continued, allowing the peel to fall to the floor before taking an audible bite. “You heard what about me?”

                      “mr.  west,  are you inebriated or simply daft?”  regina echoed,  red - stained lips curling into a grin that removed any trace of spite from her words and replaced it with sly humour.  “i’m afraid i could not repeat such claims.  by my standards,  even,  they were far too foul ––  i must know,  however,  is there any truth to them?” 

[skatingsplits]

No one would guess on meeting her that she was not the kindest, most generous, most gifted person in the world. She knew exactly what to say to different people, how to match her mood to theirs. But Rebecca was vicious, damnable, rotten through and through. She was incapable of love, of tenderness, of decency- Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca (1938)