Flora Lowry 🌼

[thevalerianflora]

thevaleriancordelia​:

Flora’s Flowers | Cordelia & Flora

Flora was truly in her element and Cordelia couldn’t help but give her friend an amused smile. She was a fountain of ideas, each as brilliant as the last. Cordelia knew Flora could see the entire ceremony playing out in her head - with every possible detail from the music that was to be played, to the food that should be served. Cordelia only wished she had half of her friend’s passion for her own wedding. As it was, she was content to let Flora handle it all - whatever she picked would be just as well for Cordelia. 

Besides, she thought, there was no one in Valeria who was more excited for this particular union than Flora herself. She and Edward both would agree on anything Flora suggested, if it seemed to make Flora happy. 

“I can only surmise that they do not have such a great understanding of the meaning of flowers as you do. Or else, they it is their way of subtly objecting to the match. Perhaps the florist is in love with your brother?” Cordelia doubted that very much. While she had seem Edward be charming, it was always overshadowed by the scowl that always seemed to each his features after being agreeable for too long. 

Cordelia certainly did not have an opinion on which flowers would be best, but it would not do to appear so careless, so instead she decided to pretend that her choice had been deliberate in picking the roses, “Yes, roses and diamonds. Rather elegant don’t you think? As for my gown, I haven’t quite settled on the design, but yes, I think something in white would be lovely. I know I shall wear my favorite tiara - the one that belonged to my great aunt. It’s rather simple, in comparison to the others, but I quite like it.” 

Cordelia nodded in agreement, “And it would be a great success - I know it! The ladies at court already are so envious of your style, I know they would certainly pay to have it. As you so expertly pointed out, they are in desperate want of it. I, for one, shall never quite recover from when the Craven’s cousin married and she listened too much to the advice given to her by Edith. I feel the entire affair was inspired by crows.” 

Flora grinned broadly as Cordelia agreed with all her thoughts. How lovely the wedding would be indeed! 

“Oh what a perfect tiara for a wedding! It shall suit a veil so well.  The simplicity is ideal, I think You shall not want something ostentatious detracting from your radiance!” Flora informed her with a grin.

Flora let out an uncharacteristic groan at the mention of the Craven wedding. “Heavens, Cordelia, I had completely forgotten about that fiasco! Why anyone listens to a thing Edith says, I shall never know. I am half expecting her to appear at a ball with a crown upon her head. She is so... so... odd. Why does she seem to enthralled by the creatures?”  Flora mused, fussing with samples of table linens, laying them out for Cordelia to see. 

“The ivory lace, yes?” she asked, holding it up for Cordelia’s approval. “At least Henry and John are not taken to such peculiar behaviors... I pity your poor cousin to be all but officially engaged to the woman.”

[thevalerianflora]

thevalerianhenry​:

Friendly Chats | Henry & Flora

Everyone had been invited to the Royal Residence in the country for the day. Most of the men had gone out early to hunt, but Henry (who never cared much for the activity) had spent the night before drinking and wasn’t interested in arriving much before noon. When he did arrive, he found that the company was still mostly ladies, as they were waiting for the men to return. 

He had been trying to coax Charles away from his reading, but it was soon clear that he only had interest in his books and nothing Henry could say would change his mind. 

Henry was on a solitary walk in the upper yard, when he saw Flora Lowry approach, “Miss Lowry!” He smiled and bowed his head, “You look lovely as ever. I’m so happy to see that you are one of our party. I’ve been trying to find a willing croquet partner, but no one seems to want to take me up on the offer. Would you care to join me for a game?” Henry asked. “That is - at least until your brother discovers us and gives me one of his withering stares and I decide that I’m finished for the day and leave you alone.” He teased. 

Henry and Edward had never been fond of each other. He did believe that Edward, for all of his faults, did genuinely care for his sister, but beyond that, Henry did not trust him. He certainly could not trust that he seemed to have a good relationship with both of Henry’s siblings (any friend of Edith’s was like to have something wrong with them and when someone like Edward took a liking to John, Henry was always suspicious of their true motives). 

And while something about Edward put Henry made even Henry feel cautious around him, he was never afraid to stand up to him, either, which had done nothing to help the relationship. And neither did, Henry knew, his continuous (although harmless) flirting with his most beloved sister. 

There was only so much prattling with the ladies Flora could deal with. Talk of gowns and parties and trivial things was good for a time, but after a few days in the country she was already bored with it all. 

Standing from the party sitting beneath the canopy on the lawn, Flora took her parasol and made towards the gardens.

“Flora, shall I come with you?” Clara called, though it was clear she wished to do nothing of the sort.

“No, no,” Flora waved a hand dismissively as she saw a figure making his way across the grounds who she knew would be much more enjoyable company at this moment. 

“Thank the heavens for your arrival, Henry!” Flora proclaimed. She was often one to forego the formalities of society, especially in the country. It seemed to odd to call one another Lord, Lady, Sir, Miss when they had known each other for most of the lives!

“You mustn’t worry about my dear brother and his withering stares-- often, I believe, he is simply practicing and has no true intention behind them. But yes, I shall be quite glad to join you in croquet. You must promise,” she informed him, taking his arm as they crossed to the grounds, “that we shall not speak of gowns, ribbons, or what gentlemen we would be best suited to wed. I’ve had quite enough of that over the past few hours.”

“Now you must be truthful in your answer of my next question-- did you simply chose not to attend the hunt with the other gentlemen or did your over indulgence cause you to miss the departure?” she grinned at him. 

“Only teasing my dear Mr. Craven... only teasing!”

[jewellery-box]

[thevalerianflora]

thevalerianhenry​:

ooc | Henry & Flora

KATE! I’m literally crying b/c in Henry’s comments with Charles, Charles suggests they go “incognito” and it is just as of a terrible disguise as what I imagine Flora’s to be and I just imagine Henry being like “damn i cannot take either of you anywhere - this is embarrassing” ;DDDD

alkdjflafjlafjfj oh NO 1000%%%!!! I think Henry is out here being Charles’s biggest supporter!! While Henry identifies as neutral in all of this, his 1 true enemy is both his own father and Charles’s and since he can anger them both by supporting Charles ++ Charles is a friend, Henry is all about it and basically like “have you heard about our lord and savior, charles calvert? please give him all of your money.”

Okay my new favorite Valerian trio of unlikely friends is Henry, Flora, and Charles. It makes zero sense but also don’t you sort of want to see what a night out with that group would end up being like?! (I’m now envisioning some teenage antics-adventure style movie and Edward is the distraught/angry parent at home trying to figure out where the heck they are! XD)

honestly even though flora’s heart is (sort of) in the right place with wanting to offer her patronage to something... she’s not necessarily about TOO concerned with researching or looking at her available options. So I am sure if Henry is like “here, help Charles!” she’d be like “oh, great, I know him-- sounds like the perfect idea”

[jewellery-box]

[thevalerianflora]

The Great Minds of Valeria || Flora + Charles

“He’s done it again,” one of the ladies standing near Flora twittered quietly to her companion. The other woman giggled from behind her fan.  Flora’s brow furrowed slightly

“I consider myself lucky to have never found myself on the receiving end of one of his lectures,” the woman continued. “What a dull way to spend a perfectly fine party.”

Flora’s brow furrowed further.

“With all the troubles our queen if currently facing, it seems like it might be better to leave the eccentric cousin tinkering away at his little projects instead of boring her guests at every gathering!”

“Because you believe we all are so pleased to hear your husband prattle on and on and on about what horse he has recently acquired, Lady Morton?” Flora proclaimed suddenly. Both women jumped at the sudden noise, turning to face the petite woman. What Flora lacked in height she made up for in confidence.

“Are you feeling unwell, Flora?” the most chatty of the pair asked, smirking. “You look quite flustered.” 

“I do believe I might know how to cure whatever ails me,” Flora informed her, taking a few small steps away from the pair. “Oh yes... I’m feeling much better already,” she announced, continuing away from the pair and crossing the room to join the gentleman both women had been mocking.

“Charles,” Flora greeted him with a smile as she approached. Formalities were. often forgotten within the close circle of family and friends within the royal family. “How lovely that you’ve left your laboratory to grace us with your prescese this evening! Now,” Flora said with the utmost seriousness. “You must ask me to dance and tell me all about your work. I insist.”

[thevalerianflora]

thevalerianhenry​:

ooc | Henry & Flora

HAHA ngl Henry has def tried to persuade her to come out with him (incognito ofc!!!) on more than one occasion! He likes to think of himself as a bad influence! (also his friendship with flora is also probably reason #232038402384 that edward hates him! ;DDD) 

Anyway, I imagine that they’ve probably been friends for a long time, actually, by this time? Henry and Cordelia have been friends since they were young and so have Cordelia and Henry and I feel like the three of them probably spent a lot of time together, growing up! 

Ahah can you imagine Flora attempting to go out “incognito?” She’d show up with a hat she borrowed from a maid or something and be all “no one will ever know!”

I do think they’ve probably been friends for awhile. AND ACTUALLY while Kate and I were discussing Flora and Charles, I threw out the idea that Flora might become interested in funding some of Charles’ work (she’s decided its time to begin her life as a wealthy lady patron, haha!) and perhaps it was Henry who gave her the idea? 

[thevalerianflora]

thevaleriancordelia​:

Flora’s Flowers | Cordelia & Flora

“Goodness, you have been busy!” 

Her sitting room had been adorned with dozens of flower arrangements, each lovelier and more elegant than the last. Cordelia supposed she should have expected this, when she’d agreed to let Flora select some potentials. 

“How am I to choose?” She asked, considering each one in turn, trying to supress the sudden overwhelming feeling that began to settle in. Cordelia had agreed to the marriage, wholeheartedly (it was the right thing to do for Valeria; it was the right thing to do for Margot) and yet it hadn’t seemed real, somehow, until now when the preparations were being made right before her eyes. 

There would be time, later, to digest these feelings. For now, she would put on a smile for her friend. Before her father’s death, no one wondered what Cordelia Stafford was thinking or feeling, but since then she’d quickly learned that her emotions must be repressed if she was going to provide the proper support for her sister. 

“I think you must have always been destined to plan my wedding,” Cordelia smiled, fingers tracing the petals of a rose as she inspected the arrangement closest to her, “You’ve more ideas for the flowers than I think I could have had for the entire ceremony!” She laughed, “And we both know that you were certainly destined to plan your brother’s, but who could have guessed that they would have been one and the same?” 

Certainly not Cordelia, herself, who had always considered Edward to be insufferable (and even more so knowing how he was with Flora - he was capable of being a much better man and yet he had somehow gotten it into his head that no one else deserved even a small fraction of the consideration he gave his sister).

Flora would admit she might have gone a bit overboard with the number of potential flower arrangements she had asked the royal florists to arrange, however she did not believe task was one to take lightly. Not only was this a royal wedding, but it was also the wedding of her dear brother. Flora knew flower arrangements mattered little to her brother, but she was determined he and her dearest friend would have the loveliest wedding Valeria had ever seen.  “The possibilities are nearly endless with all the flowers in the royal greenhouses,” Flora mused, following behind Cordelia as she examined the arrangements. “But I’ve already eliminated the flowers I do not believe meet the standard of a royal wedding and those I know will irritate my brother’s allergies. Nothing is more unbecoming than a groom who will not cease sneezing!”

“I’ve also made sure each arrangement’s floral message is wedding appropriate. Do you believe that I found yellow carnations in one of the arrangements?” Flora exclaimed, clearly still appalled. “Rejection? Disdain? What on earth were they trying to say with those flowers?!” Flora noted Cordelia stopping at the arrangement containing the roses-- of course her friend would make the correct decision! How could a wedding not include roses?

“Of course you would pick the roses!” Flora proclaimed, despite the fact Cordelia had done nothing but pause in front of the arrangement. “I knew you would-- there is obviously no other choice. And I know it might seem too simple and overdone, but why not just go with the classic red? The master gardener has grown such gorgeous blooms, it seems a shame not to utilize them,” Flora chattered, moving away vases until the ones containing red roses were alone on the center table. 

“I know the seamstress has yet to begin your wedding gown, but I assume you plan on white,” Flora said more as a statement than a question. White was correct. White was the only choice. “Oh! We must have the royal jeweller to to set out everything in the collection for you to chose from! Diamonds, of course,” Flora chattered on, hardly stopping for a breath. “Anything else will clash with the lovely ring my brother proposed with!”

A ring which, of course, Flora has selected. 

“If I were to be a woman who must find a profession, perhaps I might consider planning weddings as a career. Most people are terrible at it-- you know some of those completely horrendous weddings we have attended!”

[thevalerianflora]

ooc: Charles & Flora

Just making a general post while I’m thinking about it to say we need to figure out SOMETHING between these two. 😝

[thevaleriancharles]

dlskfjaklsdfkdsf omg yassss we def do!!!!!  ok, so i think it’s safe to say they’d def know e/o!!  both charles and she are close w cordelia and, as a cousin and future sister-in-law to her, respectively, are probs anticipating family ties, plus she’s bffs w howard, so they’ve def got lotsa connections!! tbh, tho, charles doesn’t think much of howard atp (i mean, i feel like he used to lowkey hero worship him but…now he feels a certain amount of disgust for his behaviors so!!! fun!!! alskdfjskdf) but he loves cordelia lots and isn’t sure about her bro, edward, so he’s got mixed feelings about some of their connections, certainly, but yeah!!  they’re def there heehee

these two are also quite different, obv, but i can see where that might just as easily be a plus as a detraction, yknow?  like, they’d either clash or complement one another – maybe it might depend on the subject which they do hahaha idek – what might flora make of him, do you think?

[thevalerianflora]

Ahhh okay so I for SURE agree that these two know each other and probably have for quite awhile? But i totally agree with the idea that they’re quite different but compliment each other in a way? I feel like, value wise, they’re both very invested in the people they care about in their own ways— both sort of not necessarily in the most socially conventional way, haha— but I feel like flora would probably notice that about him? And if they’ve known one another for quite some time, I’m sure his eccentricities probably don’t phase her much at this point. I might go so far to say as she has been a defender of his from time to time??

But, okay, I’m planning to do a kind of in-depth “about the character” for Flora because I’ve concluded she’s actually quite intelligent despite the sort of ~vibe~ she normally gives off— like she’s spoiled and definitely silly and flirtatious Buttttttt I think she spends a good deal of her personal time reading and is just naturally good with numbers (imagine her glancing over Edward’s shoulder while he’s looking at the estate finances and being like “that’s added incorrectly” before wandering off ) that being said, while she is in NO WAY close to being intellectually comparable to Charles, I could see her being somewhat surprising and actually engaging him in conversations about whatever thing his is rambling on about that evening? Like she isn’t fully knowledgable about everything but could speak with minimal understanding regarding some of his scientific topics. Plus I think since flora has been raised as a loyalist she would definitely be interested in Charles’s work. I also think she, despite constantly being “in love” with a new guy each week, also knows she could quite easily live a comfortable life as an unmarried woman who can find find causes to be a patron of and therefore might (especially if Henry puts a bug in her ear) consider funding his work— Though Charles might regret taking any money from her because I’m sure she would then feel like she could show up and what updates whenever she pleases, ahah! Also adding to the the RAGE Edward would have to contain that his sister was aiding in the persecution of witches… I may be fully invested in this idea now Ahahah. Thoughts???

[allthingseurope]

Montacute House, England (by swisstony10)

[ceremonial]

Jenna-Louise Coleman as Queen Victoria Victoria (2016-)

[thevalerianwars]

FLORA LOWRY - TAKEN BY KATE Age: 29 Portrayal: Jenna Louise Coleman Alliance/Occupation: Loyalist/Lady-in-Waiting Relationships: Edward Lowry (brother), Cordelia Stafford (best friend/mistress), Howard Calvert, William Seymour (best friends), Ernest Lambton (current infatuation)

so spoiled!!!!

has never wanted for anything in her entire life!!!!!!

her parents died when she was v little and basically anything she ever wanted, her brother secured for her (sometimes before she even knew that she wanted it)

loves to laugh and flirt and tease and never thinks about the consequences, ever!!!!!!!

all of her problems just sort of magically disappear!!!!

does care about her friends and family deeply, but she tends to be caught up with her own emotions and feelings first and doesn’t always notice how other people are feeling unless pointed out to her

most of the time, she lives in the moment, but when she has a certain plan or project she wants to tackle, she plans it out to the last detail!!!!!

can be super exacting and controlling when she sets her mind to something

definitely the bossy friend

super witty and charming

definitely has a mischievous side!!!!

falls in love with a different dude like once a week and entertains lots of fantasies about what their lives together will be like

currently, it is the visiting prince!!

[phabblebabbles]

Flora: partner

Oh dear Flora and her plethora of infatuations over the years have honestly not lead her any closer to really realizing what sort of traits she would ideally want in a future husband! If you asked her, her response would be something along the lines of “rich, handsome, and endlessly devoted to me!” BUT if she actually gave it a good long thought (and she hasn’t, really… hard thinking doesn’t come often with her!)

Flora honestly cannot even imagine herself being married. Years of being Edward’s sister has created this sort of false sense of independence— he has always provided for her and never (Kate, correct me if I’m wrong!) really pushed her into any sort of marriage commitment like so many of the loving parents of Valeria seem to do (Hi Clarence, looking at you buddy!). Due to this, plus her position in the court and Flora’s tendency to live in the moment, she has never contemplated the idea of a husband.

The ideal man for Flora would have to keep her challenged intellectually in a way. She seems like she would be content living a life of leisure and being spoiled with gifts, but in all honesty that would bore her quite quickly. Her tendency to transfer her “romantic” affections from gentleman to gentleman so often is due to becoming bored with them, as they either flirt harmlessly (‘cause you know Edward is lurking in every shadow) or pay her little attention. A man who is more apt to challenge her, but in a respectful sense, would be more appealing as a lifelong partner. (But lets not fool ourselves… he better be willing and ready to spoil her with gifts sometimes as well. Edward has created a monster!)

[thevalerianflora]

ooc: Charles & Flora

Just making a general post while I’m thinking about it to say we need to figure out SOMETHING between these two. 😝

[thevaleriancordelia]

ooc | Cordelia & Flora

[thevalerianflora]

thevaleriancordelia‌:

haha omg!!! I feel like Cordelia hasn’t ever really let on how much she dislikes the idea of marrying Edward to Flora??? Since he is her brother??? I think she pretty much trusts Flora w/ everything since they’ve known each other for so long!!! And like … there are definitely things that she’s kept from her sisters (mostly things she wouldn’t want to burden them w/ tbh not b/c she doesn’t trust them) but I think she’s always been v open with Flora on basically eVERYTHING but this one … pretty major point haha. Not that she’s going around telling Flora how excited she is to marry Edward/how she loves him or anything … but she’s just not mentioning anything about how that’s not true (although if Flora asked her point blank, she’d be honest but for now she’s skirting the issues haha) 

I also think that Flora is probably the 1 person who knows about Cordelia/James??? I feel like Flora often would cover for Cordelia or help sneak her around when she went to meet him haha. But I don’t think Flora ever knew it was that serious? Tbh I think that Cordelia has had a couple other ~harmless~ flirtations with other guys she’d have to sneak around with and Cordelia didn’t even really admit to even herself how much she liked him, so I don’t think Flora knew either ++ all of that stopped around the time she got engaged to Edward, so yeah that all still tracks w/ Flora being super happy about Cordelia/Edward being a thing!! 

i don’t think flora really gets how much people dislike edward? she’s just clueless to it because she cares about him SO MUCH and he’s basically a different human around her so she wouldn’t even suspect cordelia might be less than thrilled with the prospect!

YES! she would totally be all about covering for cordelia during her ~secret~ meetings! she probably found the whole thing super scandalous and was saying stupid thing like “its just like a novel!” and being kinda extra about the whole thing? because really she doesn’t think of the repercussions if cordelia did get caught so its kinda just luck she didn’t manage to ruin things for her friend! -facepalm-

[juliacaesaris-deactivated202109]

[thevalerianhenry]

ooc | Henry & Flora

I feel like Henry & Flora could potentially be friends???? (Especially since they are both close with Cordelia??) I just see them as the sort to enjoy lots of harmless flirting w/ each other haha 

[thevalerianflora]

YES! 100% i think these two would get along quite well! if it weren’t so scandalous, flora would probably be out late into the evening doing all sorts of wild things right along side him but, alas, she’s a lady XD

and there is a multitude of harmless flirting, for sure! that’s actually flora’s favorite hobby?