[ tie ] sender helps receiver with their tie, either by putting it on or adjusting it. from darcy
a rush of embarrassment stilled his face, ghostly white beneath the ballroom lights : that darcy had moved before him was indicative of jem's far away look, dissolved in a pot of his own thinking that he had not noticed his own hands freeze half way to his tie. where had he gone in those few seconds? he wasn't sure he knew either. these days, the memories of his dying parents, of yanluo, of visions of london in hellfire, all blurred into one incoherent fog. he wondered belatedly if perhaps the drugs were wearing off now in the eve, a bit of cold sweat at his brow only one of the first symptoms. he exhaled heavily and looked up, flustered. ❛❛ good man — my thanks. i haven't a clue where my focus has gone tonight. ❜❜
the ballroom itself was an intimidating scenario, like a gladiatorial ring where unimpressed mothers sneered down at potential suitors for their sons and daughters, or fathers chattered irritably only about politics. it was all rather stuffy, not least with all the dubious looks he knew he would receive given his appearance, his unearthly eyes, his foreign face. if anything, with charlotte occupied and will amiss, darcy was perhaps his last respite left tonight.
❛❛ does it feel as if we're walking into a pit of vipers? well, suitors for you, i imagine. ❜❜