#cordiallyhqs.start

[marjoriecminerva]

Open starter - no cap!

Location: Mayfair Ice-cream Parlor & Cafe in the afternoon

Marjorie had decided to step out for a change and instead of going to pick up some books, she decided to get some ice cream. Besides, it was a rather hot day.

She had just finished her vanilla ice cream and decided to purchase some elderflower jam to bring home. Marjorie really loved elderflower jam after all. After she bought it she turned around a bit too fast and bumped into someone on accident.

"Oh! I'm terribly sorry, I didn't see you. My sincere apologies. Are you alright?" She asked, concerned more about the person she had just collided with than the jam she had just purchased that was now in an unfortunate heap on the floor.

[lavrences]

open starter ! location: near the property during the hunt, or inside during the ball.

"if you are wanting one of these, or to try them," laurence began flatly, intently catching the eye of the nearest figure and holding up a plate of perhaps the most delicious... unidentifiable sweet thing he'd ever had in his life. the jostling of the carriage ride had made him feel he had been injured all over again and apparently the coping mechanism of the moment was comfort eating. a natural outcome, he supposed, given his incorrigible sweet tooth, but not one that suited his philosophy of selflessness. it was at least also starting to soften the edges of what was a still-developing foul mood. "i fear this may be your first -- and only -- chance to do so."

[georgcs]

open starter ! location: somewhere within the sinclair estate, presumably quite late & post-whistledown.

has he been brought to london to turn a new leaf, or to be bound under the watchful eye of lord thorpe? what draws the line between him and a mad man?

the throbbing and blood blossoming like flowers across his hand was not going to do much in the way of persuading anyone there was a line between him and a mad man. perhaps lady whistledown was more astute than he'd given her credit for. it mattered not. the thing had been done, and now it had been exposed. what was he to do with it now? he glanced for a moment between the red on his hand and the deeper red in one of... three bottles he'd consumed since the pamphlet's drop. bottle placed aside, he crouched down from the window seat he was occupying and urged bran, his scotch collie, towards him. he was not sure he would survive the dog's rejection and breathed a great sigh of relief when he dutifully came. the door he'd left ajar -- whether in the hope of gaining some company or to keep them out -- creaked open further and his head snapped up, red ringed eyes squinting in the darkness. "you can come in, if you'd like," a bitter laugh, then ; "i promise i won't try and shoot you." oh, for fuck's sake! he reached for the bottle again. "-- jesus, fuck. ... i'm sorry, i do not know why i said that."

[serpentinheels]

Location: The Baron's Cup

Open Starter

The thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd would startle a lesser woman, but Sienna was not her. Glares and stares followed her as she walked with purpose, draped in the finest of silks, burning crimson in color. A sly smirk was held beneath red lips as she ignored any whispers that may have been about her. If the people of the Ton weren't mumbling about her, they would be bored senseless. Sitting among the crowd, she placed her fan delicately upon her lap as she stared out at the track. She had placed her bets already with her own coin, ones she earned with her own merit. Yet, it seemed that a woman who was on her own at the track meant she had no sense of her own as a stranger in a top hat believed himself to be superior in his own thoughts. Rolling her eyes at his own over confidence, "If I required a lecture on the form of a jockey and his horse, I would consult a groom, not a man whose only familiarity with riding is with those who sit upon his lap, ordering him around," she bit back at his arrogance.

[bruiscdviolets]

open: everyone

location: the modiste, morning of the debut ceremony

Cassandra could faintly hear the laughter and giggles of the women around her, gushing over the beautiful dresses they would be wearing today. Mothers and daughters gathered around each other, celebrating the changes in the future that was certain to come after today. Her own thoughts were not as cheerful as theirs were. She only stared at the reflection of herself in the mirror full of worry but no one could guess with the fake smile she gave to anyone who spoke to her, not in the exquisite dress that adorned her body, the one with the scallops and shells that the beading and lace formed across her bodice. It was a small request, an acknowledgement to the home she grew up in. Her thoughts returned to the small piece of that home that returned to her: William. Yet, she was forced to push the thought of him away.

All of it was so perfect. And she was not.

"I apologize, I got lost in the elegance of the dress," she turned to the voice that wanted her attention, "what did you say?"

[georgcs]

open starter ! location: mayfair ice cream parlour & cafe

"how can one possibly be expected to make such an important decision?" george asked no one in particular, opening and closing each eye in turn and squinting up at the board of flavours above the counter. "i fear i will be stuck here all day if i cannot make a decision soon... or perhaps i will have to buy some of each." an incredibly enticing option given how hungry he was -- and the owner had been very kind to supply him with a makeshift cold compress ( a cloth soaked in cold water ) that was greatly relieving the throbbing pain in his cheek -- it would be an interesting way to show them his gratitude. if only he had the funds for it. "do you have any recommendations to offer?"

[marjoriecminerva]

Open Starter!

Location: The Sinclair Ball after the newest Lady Whistledown Issue in the evening

She had returned to the ballroom as soon as she heard a sudden commotion. Gently lifting her skirts and rushing back inside to see what she could only describe as absolute chaos as she quickly grabbed the newest pamphlet of Lady Whistledown and began reading.

She swallowed thickly and winced at certain mentions within the gossip rag, for they were far crueler than she was used to reading. The mysterious Lady Whistledown had certainly comeback with a vengeance.

Upon reading about herself in the rag, she suddenly felt a rush of embarrassment, fear and curiosity. Did Tobias see her as his prey? Did he simply wish to waste her time because of what had secretly occurred between them? And what of his cousin? Did they both know she was seeing the two of them? Which of them truly wanted her? Or did neither feel anything for her at all? Either way... she hadn't known that Mister Hunter Thorpe was a Robin Hood of the Ton. She liked him as much as she liked Tobias... but being accused of stealing? Yes, he seemed eccentric but according to Lady Whistledown he was eccentric enough to be a thief who gave to the less fortunate. To Marjorie, it was admirable but... should anything progress more between them, she thought if it would be wise or not to attach herself and her name to a Robin Hood type of man.

She also worried about her sisters, especially Georgiana being in the rag since it seemed that she too seemed to have two suitors... albeit not at all like her second eldest sister's problem of having two possible suitors from the exact same family.

She stood there deep in thought before turning to walk away, almost colliding with someone else. Thankfully, she was able to not run into the person, but it was still a near collision.

"My apologies, are you alright?" She asked, fidgeting with her fingers nervously due to the stress of the current situation.

[promisedhexvens]

who: beatrice & anyone where: buckingham palace - the ballroom

as beatrice circled the ballroom, there was a content smile on her face. it felt good to be somewhere as full of life, joy and hope as this. especially after the last summer. it was good to remember that the little grey cloud which had followed her since then, didn't have to be there for forever. she wanted to enjoy the season - especially since her younger sister was a debutante this year. she hoped that her sister could find what she couldn't. she wanted better for the other girl.

"oh i love this time of year." beatrice smiled as she stood beside the other. "it's my favourite. there's a sort of - a sort of buzz, in the air. don't you feel it?" she asked as she glanced at the person beside her before she turned to look back at the gathering crowd. her first year as a debutante had been some of the best times of beatrices life.