#thediamondhqstarter

[cloisc]

the woman stopped mid-inhale as she gathered her thoughts - something about lady whistledown and her own theories did not match up - but ended up just sighing as she lost her train of thought. eloise has probably stayed up too late again to form any logical explanations. a rustle from her right side caught her attention and she turned -- "hello?" her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "who goes there?"

[regclities]

open to all !

" promise not to tell you've found me ? the view is just so stunning. " and large crowds were hardly her thing. francesca had been interested in the balls she was now allowed to attend up until the point that she actually arrived. the heavy skirts were taking some getting used to, but she did quite enjoy the look. she wasn't lying entirely either, it was beautiful outside, and much more her liking than the choreographed dances and courting inside. she was no daphne, she'd stumble on all the feet if anyone even tried to fill her dance card.

[theyflourished]

"Might I add, festivities such as these require a high alcohol tolerance, for I cannot endure another 'when will you be wed?' discussion for mother's benefit alone." He huffed, sipping the scotch before downing it in one. Brows raised, signalling for another drink, he turned to look at the other. He hopes his pessimism doesn't put them off, in fact , he likes to think it is his charm.

[scftlxves]

location: the ball open to: all

"my dance card?" the princess repeated, then quickly shook her head. "oh, it's completely full. or lost.. or both." teeth captured her bottom lip as she raised her hands, nose wrinkling a little, noticing that she had actually, in fact, lost the card. "such a shame." light sarcasm laced those final few words.

[inthevance]

declining an invitation from the queen would be like sentencing oneself to a lifelong grudge, which simon isn’t going to risk, especially since his presence in london has been noted. he quickly downs his drink, attempting to look like he wants to be here. he seems to be failing with the almost permanent frown on his lips. “at least the liquor never disappoints,” he says to the person beside him, catching them off guard.

[rcgency]

"it seems as though i have missed the first dance of the season." the comment was a strange tone, a mix of disappointment and relief slipping into her usual collected appearance. the idea of attending had filled her with excitement, and yet the moment she drew closer and closer to town an uneasy knot of apprehension had formed in her stomach. she was unsure whether it was too soon, too sudden to return to the society in which her parents wished for her, and upon arrival to find the event over, the pressure to conform to their expectations eased, giving the brunette a moment of brief respite. "i suppose there were several interesting moments to hear of?"

[kindnessfelt]

❛the dance floor holds little appeal for me, I confess. I fear I am far better suited to standing here than dancing.❜ a ripple of laughter escaped her, a sound that quickly faded into the background hum of the gathering. observing the dance floor, she found comfort in the role of the silent observer. all this had never been her forte, and the current situation only amplified her desire to be elsewhere. in this gilded cage, her solace lay in the knowledge that the night, like all social gatherings, would eventually come to an end.

[regclities]

open to all !

arriving to the ball fashionably late had not been his intention, but a wardrobe malfunction certainly made good reason. the marquess could hardly show up with a large tear in his pants. he'd opted to ride the distance to the ball, rather than take a lengthy carriage ride, and it seemed his entrance did not go unnoticed as he dismounted his horse. " my mother often told me arriving late was poor form, and if you had to do it, do so with grace. " he jests. clearly arriving on horseback with windblown curls wasn't the most graceful either.

[theyflourished]

"One thing is certain, they are smitten." With an exhaled sigh, Penelope raises the drink to her lips, deterring profanities, envious comments attempting to leave her lips. She did not wish to seem ungrateful, or perhaps the 'green eyed monster' was appearing, and yet no public interest was beginning to wear against her ego.

[theyflourished]

"Can I please stand with you? I don't think I can deal with another if my mother's attempts to set me up with another suiter." A sigh of dismay leaves her lips, tucking the loose strange of hair behind her ear with an exhaled sigh. Lips pursed together, she smiles in their direction before folding her arms across her chest. "If I am not too much of a burden."

[theyflourished]

"From the look on your face, I assume a drink will calm the nerves." She did often wonder what it was like to partake in such festivities. It was not something she would be blessed with, her upbringing in lower class meant she was subdued to a life of observation. Nevertheless, she watched, observing the life of the ton with fresh eyes. She envied it, in some ways, but understood it was a blessing to have her freedom. "Penny for your thoughts?"

[regclities]

open to all !

" these dances are quite unlike those in austria. " sophia's accent is only barely recognizable, years of tutoring in english and other languages so she could seamlessly blend into any setting. her parents wanted nothing but the best for their children. " how long does it take one to learn such steps ? " knowing the language was one thing, it seemed, learning the dances another.

[regclities]

open to all !

" you appear to have a clever brain. " starting with a strong compliment made bella hopeful for the night. she was terribly bored, annoyed with all this pomp and formality that she never endured at home. perhaps her father did a disservice in allowing the girl to grow up in the stables with their servants. " where do you think they keep the best wine ? i believe this party would be even better after a glass or so. " or an entire bottle.

[theyflourished]

"Pray tell, what is it about a ball that makes you hide outside?' A smile graces her features as she moves onto the terrace, drink discarded as she enters the cool breeze. She finds such festivities overwhelming. Her father's expectations for her to we'd for money and title, she fears for whom she will marry. She hides such discomfort with sarcastic remarks, yet she knows such balls would lead to the inevitable.

[theyflourished]

"You cannot persuade me to dance, but keep trying, it's entertaining to see you fail." Arms fold across her chest, defensive in manner. Though such mannerisms deplete, less guarded as an amused expression crosses her face.

[regclities]

open to all !

" ladies spend hours learning these steps ? i'm certain us lords simply hope we're paired with a knowledgable partner. " a slight jest, but ezra was fairly certain he'd not spent nearly as long as others. perhaps he should have, but then he would not have the excuse to avoid being paired up for the night.