regalmagic

[regalmagic]

with  theodosia  caxton     /     @scnguineus where:   the main ballroom.

        ❝  marchioness  caxton.  it's  nice  to  cross paths with another returnee to the ton.  ❞        he was honestly surprised the family had possessed the guts to return after running away like cowards. so much for defending their so-called righteous cause. he wondered how long they'd last this time, doubtful it'd take much to send them running again. but such sentiments were contained to his mind. he might be as terrible as his father and eldest cousin, but benjamin concealed it well. on the surface, he smiled warmly.        ❝  how do you find things? i must admit some aspects are quite different than i remember. not to mention that wales is much quieter.  ❞

[regalmagic]

with  charles  whisp     /     @disapparcte where:   the outskirts of the main ballroom.

        benjamin  had  stepped  away  from  the crowd and retreated to the shadows with a glass of wine. he partaked in teh dancing and socializing because he was expected to, but the lord preferred watching, or perhaps lurking would be a better word, from the sidelines. he was having quite the pleasant time, snickering to himself behind his glass as he observed a quiet argument begin between two men. it was made all the mroe amusing by how they tried pretending that they weren't arguing. pitiful. however, ben's good mood soured the moment he realized his cousin had joined him. he didn't even spare charles a glance.         ❝  cousin, be so kind as to hide away elsewhere. your presence spoils the mood.  ❞

[regalmagic]

with  prudence  delacour     /     @desorcelleries where:   the main ballroom.

        there  was  some  fun  to  be found at balls such as this, but most of all when the ton gathered, trouble eventually crept in. benjamin happy to both help it along and watch as it unfolded, whichever proved more advantageous for his father made it clear that he mustn't risk house baldock's reputation. green eyes surveyed the crowd before locking onto her. lips curled into a grin that possessed a devious hint before charm overshadowed it.        ❝  lady prudence,  ❞        he greeted and bowed. while he was glad to catch her alone, he didn't hide his approach and stood with his head high.        ❝  i must say it's unacceptable that you aren't gracing the dance floor. may i have the honor?  ❞

[regalmagic]

with  elliot  ashewood     /     @disapparcte where:   the dance floor in the main ballroom.

        ever  since  she'd  arrived  at  the ball, victoria had spent as much time dancing as possible. it was hardly difficult when each time one partner left another took his place. once it would've delighted her, and it still did to a certain extent, but not enough that doe eyes didn't wander, looking for him. her failure to find him was hardly a surprise, and yet hope, a selfish hope, sprung eternal. vic still smiled for her dance partners, refusing to let them know that anything was amiss beyond the obvious grief and even that she was determined to hide. the current song ended. she curtsied as her current partner stepped away before turning to greet her next one only to freeze.        ❝  lord elliot.  ❞        her mouth suddenly felt dry. she steeled herself for his inevitable rejection ( for which she couldn't blame him given her constant rejection of him ) even as the music began.

[regalmagic]

with  prudence  delacour     /     @desorcelleries where:   main ballroom.

        ❝  prue !!  ❞        decorum  was  set  aside  for joy without hesitation as victoria excused herself from her current conversation and hurried over to her cousin. she linked their arms immediately. tonight, she would not be an image of grief but rather the sun, shining not in ignore to but in spite of the great darkness that infected her life.        ❝  you look beautiful. how many hearts have you broken so far this evening?  ❞        victoria had graced the dance floor with a few lords but had noticed her cousin's absence for every song. it was hardly a surprise. she might not understand her cousin's disinterest in marriage, but she also wasn't one to judge.

[regalmagic]

        it  felt  liked  they  were  trapped  within the same conversation and each time she only seemed to inflict more hurt upon him. victoria pulled at her fingers. for two years, she'd told herself that he didn't care about her, that he hated her, but now his actions along with his words were saying otherwise. she was surrounded by an illusion that she could collapse and he would catch her. she shook her head.        ❝  everyone knows you despised him, and now your brother is freed. sorrow is the last emotion i believe you're feeling.  ❞        there was a horrid spark of jealously in her heart. his brother had broken the law and now had been pardoned. her father had only wanted to do the best for all wizards, and he was dead.        ❝  i don't need to be taken care of. i'll be fine.  ❞        a sentiment she'd repeated many times over in the past days, hoping that the more she said it the more true it would become.

his heart shattered at her words. did she think he was pretending? sneaking himself into her chambers because he wished to gloat? his eyelids fluttered, the hurt evident upon his features as it was upon hers. he’d known her for so many years that he knew her body language almost as much as his own. “I do not know.” he murmured, his eyes dropping feeling guilty for not being able to do anything, for having her not believe his worry to be genuine and true. “I’m not pretending victoria.” he murmured and once more looked up at her, wondering if she could see that he was there because he cared because there was nowhere else he would rather be - but close to her even when she denied him her love. “please, let me take care of you,” he whispered, his voice broken as if he was speaking to someone towering above him, someone with all the power in the world to bend him to their will.

[regalmagic]

        the  whisps  weren't  a  family  her  parents had encouraged her to socialize with. quite the opposite, in fact. victoria had done, out of habit rather than malice, as she was told, sparing the family only the courtesies that were expected and little more.        ❝  i see.  ❞       she didn't. the lockharts were a close family and had been for as long as tori could remember. the recent tragedy had only brought them closer. she averted her gaze at the mention of heartache. sorrow was a hand wrapped tightly around her throat; one that was impossible to ignore even when it wasn't being mentioned in conversation.        ❝  lavender,  ❞       she said, looking back over at him.         ❝  it's meant to help soothe one's nerves  ❞

if there was an expression for sorrow it was evidently on the lockhart daughter. Charles could barely help himself from reaching out his hand and trying to comfort them, yet he knew his words were of little use to the poor woman. "No that is perfectly fine -" he didn't quite know where to lead the conversation but something told him to not speak of the tragedies which had beveled upon the woman. "I'm simply waiting for my family and whenever I can escape I do," he said with an apologetic look in his eyes. he didn't like his family, he cared for them but he didn't like them. Something told him that he had a very different view of a family than she did. "may I ask what kind of tea you are drinking? I've heard some are good for-" he knew he wasn't avoiding the subject, then again when had he ever been subtle. "heartache." he murmured.

[regalmagic]

        once  he  had  looked  upon  the  lockharts as a noble, honorable family, one deserving of status in society, but that was before the late duke had imprisoned him without once investigating if the accusations were true. it was difficult to hide the disdain he had for the family or the lack of sympathy he had for them.        ❝  very true.  ❞        william handed the letters back to the other man, not wanting trouble and hoping he'd simply continue on his way once he had the letters back. but no, the lockharts must pretend to care. they should have cared two years ago before he'd been left to rot.        ❝  some things are similar, but change is to be expected after two years. thankfully, not all are bad changes.  ❞        like the permanent absence of your father.

regalmagic​:

        the streets were more crowded than he recalled. however, william was unsure if it was a genuine change or simply due to the fact that the past two years had been spent in utter solitude that even the normal crowds felt larger than he remembered. it certainly didn’t help that he could feel eyes on him, tracking his every move, waiting for some sign that this his pardon had been undeserved so they could lock him away once more. he noticeably started when some of the letters blew in front of him but reached out to gather them regardless. concern colored his expression as he looked around for the letters’ owner, only to fade when he saw who it was. his shoulders tensed, and william stood up straighter.         ❝  you should be more careful, lord lockhart, when carrying such important documents.  ❞

Arthur inwardly hissed as he stood up and caught sight of who was holding his precious letters. Arthur had not been privy to the secrets that had seen William Ashwood put into Azkaban, but he was a firm believer in the Ministry and law and order. He could not fathom what part of his father’s death had led to Lord Ashwood’s release, but he could hardly believe that the timing was coincidental. “Your point is well taken Lord Ashwood, you never know who could get their hands on your information and information is so very valuable these days,” he held his hand out for the letters, tensing in case William did not decide to hand them back. “How are you finding your return to society? Is it as you remember it?” I find it sorely lacking without my father.

[regalmagic]

        his  brow  furrowed.  a  mixture  of  worry and guilt pooled in the pit of his stomach. returning home had shown him that he was not the only one changed by his imprisonment. it was hardly a surprise and one he'd picked up on when his siblings had visited him at azkaban, but now he saw it far more often. a reminder of his failings.        ❝  what's wrong?  ❞        he asked without hesitation. for so long he's been unable to help his family or protect them as a ruling lord should. no more. he glanced around the room quickly. the differences had stood out when he'd first entered upon his return, but that was to be expected.        ❝  you don't have to apologize. i know you did the best you could.  ❞        william sighed, the question one he'd prefer avoiding.        ❝  i'm happy to be home but . . . i was there for so long, elliot. i'm not sure if all of me survived.  ❞

sleep had been his worst enemy ever since he visited victoria. he hadn't felt like he deserved sleep, food, or anything after seeing her and knowing how happy he felt with william returning. he'd been tossing and turning in his sleep, in the end giving up and looking up at the night sky on the rooftop of their home. when he saw the flicker of candlelight in his brother's studies, however, a small smile was upon his lips. he'd missed that, knowing that he was there. how many nights had he hoped for that candle to be lit while he was in Azkaban? pretending that it was all okay. he hurried down from his little sanctuary spot and headed into the office, finding will by the window. "I never went to sleep," he said with a hint of apologies in his tone. stepping inside the office it felt different. he'd tried to do his brother's duties, but failed so horribly. "sorry for the mess, I tried to be as good as you-" he scrunched his nose and sighed as his eyes met will be. "but I, unfortunately, lack every calm, tact or love for your position." he chuckled. "How are you feeling?"

[regalmagic]

        dark  eyes  narrowed  a  fraction  even  as the image expected of a ruling lord washed over william's face. there was a newfound guardedness to his gaze as he observed the lady.        ❝  as well as one would expect.  ❞       he was still mulling over her previous words as he spoke. it was no surprise that the nightshades had remained close to the lockharts, which meant she could be here on their behalf, but there was a second option as well. will tilted his head.        ❝  if i may ask, lady nightshade, how do you seek to help?  ❞

MATILDA DELICATELY GRABBED AT THE SIDES of her skirt and lifted them as she descended into a deft bow. ❝ lord ashwood. unfortunately, i'm here to see the elder lord ashwood. ❞ she smiled, but it was soft, almost pitying. ❝ i'm sure coming home feels like returning to a different world and i only seek to be of assistance to yourself. ❞ she twirled a thin finger through one of her tight curls. ❝ my wife has been helping the lockharts, i only seek to do my part in helping in the aftermath of everything recently. ❞ she let her eyes fall to the ground then slowly returned them. ❝ how have you been feeling? ❞

[regalmagic]

        the  halls�� she  knew  like  the  back of her hand felt unfamilar in the aftermath of her father's murder. she would enter a room and expect to find him there, but only found his ghost. it made the normally sociable lady want nothing more than to hide away. when she spotted lady nightshade, however, she made herself smile, which was slightly easier for a family friend.        ❝  thank you, lady andromeda.  ❞       victoria was grateful for the nightshades. the two families had always been close, and she also considered the ruling lady's wife a dear friend. one steadfast ally no matter how shaky that ground beneath vic's feet felt.        ❝  for both your condolences and the cookies. do you have time to stay for tea?  ❞

@regalmagic​

Closed starter for Victoria Lockhart

Where: Lockhart Estate

The Lockharts and Nightshades had been friendly since before Andromeda could remember and though Andi was older than any of the Lockhart children by a few years, she had known them and had been to the estate multiple times through the years growing up. When she visited now, after the Duke’s death, she could feel the change in the air. She walked in carefully, trying to keep from disturbing the hush which had fallen over everything. She had come to speak to the duchess, but after a quick meeting, she caught sight of Victoria in the hall and stopped to speak to the beautiful young lady. “Lady Victoria, I have come to pay my condolences. I would have come sooner but I wished to give you some time, not that there is ever enough time.” She took a small pouch out of her purse. “I came with cookies.”

[regalmagic]

        a  quiet  wariness  lurked  in  her  eyes as she looked at him. once upon a time she would have believed his words without question and likely pulled him into a hug by now, all sense of decorum forgotten in exchange for the safety his comfort would provide. now she remained frozen.        ❝  you don't have to pretend.  ❞       she shook her head. countless condelesences had been accepted with a smile and words of thanks, no matter if she questioned their sincerity for clearly the lockharts had enemies she'd previously been blind to, but the thought of elliot lying was the worst. after his clear disdain for not only her father but her entire family, victoria couldn't believe that he was genuinely sorry. why would he be? his brother was free and the man who had imprisoned him was dead.        ❝  no. unless you know who did this.  ❞

“I know, I-” he was quick with his words, taking a few steps closer to where she was seated. he was a reckless man, always had been and always would be - but he couldn’t keep himself away, not when he knew her heart was bleeding not only from his words but the loss of the man who kept them apart. his eyes lingered on her, searching for answers. he noticed how she’d powdered her cheeks, trying to hide the sorrow she without a doubt was feeling. a part of him was annoyed at that, for her always trying to be perfect when perhaps she should be feeling - should be letting the world see that the porcelain doll of lockhart wasn’t as polished as they believed. “I’m sorry for your loss.” he murmured, inching closer before falling to one knee, taking her hand, and looking up into her eyes. he would submit to her no matter their standing, she was after all the one he would never forget. “is there anything I can do for you?”

[regalmagic]

        somehow,  brightness  returned  to  her  smile.        ❝  home has been very dark,  ❞        she admitted, the shadow briefly returning to her face before she pushed it away. her home had hardly felt like the home she'd grown up in; all traces of joy seemingly replaced by shadows and, most of all, her father's ghost. her gaze briefly wandered to the flowers, glad that their beauty remained, before victoria looked back at tilly. she rested her hand atop the other's.         ❝  i know my father wouldn't want that either. so i promise that i'll do my best to keep my spirits high this afternoon.  ❞

AT THE RESPONSE FINALLY FROM THE other witch, matilda took it upon herself to loop arms with the other. she couldn't fathom caring about one who had passed, but nevertheless she would do her best to cheer up victoria. ❝ of course, ❞ she replied in earnest, lightly squeezing the arm she'd taken. ❝ the world is as one sees and i fear if you keep staying home, you shall only see the ghosts inside. ❞ she gave her a pitying smile. ❝ and you deserve to see the flowers & birds & sun. you are to bright to hide in shadows, my dear friend. ❞

[regalmagic]

        lips  twitched  upwards  slightly  when  he  thought he heard a trace of annoyance. he'd been intending to simply to pass by the other, but now that she'd addressed him, ben paused and turned his full attention toward her. he recognized her quickly. the new arrivals, his family included, had caused quite the stir of whispers, overshadowed only by the lockhart's loss.        ❝  my apologies for disturbing you. i simply thought it unfortunate that such a beautiful lady was left without any company.  ❞        his natural charm brightened his features, green eyes deceptively bright.

open starter the blonde sits on the ornate couch slowly, her hands soft as she holds onto the teacup. she takes a sip of the hot liquid before setting it down on the small table next to her. sophiana had spent her night out and, after sleeping the morning away, she found herself trying to enjoy what was left of the afternoon. as she readies to open her book, the presence of another distracts her. she furrows her brows as she looks up, confusion in her face "may i help you?" she gives the other a smile out of cordiality as she hides her annoyance. 

[regalmagic]

        hardly.  the  charm  most  found  in  the sun simply shining as it was designed to do was lost on ben. this day was no different than the one before expect that it was brighter, and truthfully he'd prefer a few clouds to offset the warmth. however, he looked up at the sky, feigning admiration, before nodding.        ❝  indeed,  ❞        he said with a smile.        ❝  it's good to have a reminder that the world isn't as grey as it sometimes feel.  ❞       though ben cared not for the recent tragedy that had befallen the town.

A DEEP AUDIBLE SIGH RELEASED THE TENSION of her petite hollowed frame. rays of molten golden hues danced across her skin. the heath of the sun spread a warmth through her body that soften the rigid feature of her face. rose stained lips softened into a peaceful smile. she relished in the quiet tranquil afternoon of golden hour. " isn't this a moment we have all longed for these days ? "

[regalmagic]

        so  lost  in  her  own  emotions,  ot was all too easy to forget that she wasn't the only one mourning, but now that she was standing in front of her older brother, victoria saw a similar expression that stared back in her each time she looked at her reflection. there was a small amount of guilt, especially when she saw the piles of papers on the desk. while she'd locked herself away in her room since their father's death, arthur had been left grappling with the investigation and all the other responsibilities that their father had previously handled. she nodded.        ❝  i know we will. we are lockharts.  ❞        and they could not fall, especially not when there was someone who wanted them to fail.        ❝  i simply don't understand how anyone could do this.  ❞          to their father or anyone for that matter. how anyone could wish death let alone inflict it upon another was unfathomable to her.

regalmagic·:

with arthur lockhart / @gildedbymagicxx where: the lockhart mansion.

        a gentle knock announced her presence before she entered the room. she’d originally sought out her brother with the intent to offer whatever help she could, but her emotions were spiraling. fingers that were previously clasped together now fidgeted with each other, and the last traces of composure vanished when she saw her older brother.        ❝  i don’t know what to do, arthur.  ❞ her lower lip quivered. she had to blink rapidly to keep the tears from falling.        ❝  i want so desperately to wake from this nightmare.  ❞

Arthur had spent the first few moments after is father’s death holding his sister as sobs had wracked her body; he had always been protective of her, but now it had turned to a fervor. He looked at her and all he saw was the way her face had contorted in pain as she fell to the floor. At her knock, he quickly I’d the more unsavory of the papers which littered his room, now more an office. He quickly put the pages into piles and then answered the door. “Vic,” he murmured, crossing to her quickly to touch the tear which threatened to break from the corner of her eye, “I know…I wish it were all just some cruel joke, a publicity stunt or something, but we…I will make sure we get through this. The Lockharts will not be taken by surprise again.” He meant it to be a comforting remark, hoping that his sister did not catch the edge that came to his voice, nor the desperation.

[regalmagic]

        condolences  had  been  all  anyone'd  had  to offer. victoria had accepted them all with polished smiles and polite words, but none of them had eased her sorrows. if anything, the more she heard them she more false they all sounded, much to her surprise. she didn't want an endless parade of condolences; she wanted answers, wanted justice. someone had murdered her father, and it might be one of the people expressing how tragic his death was. however, her thoughts remained within her mind as they often did. lord charles was shown only a mask of courtesy.        ❝  please, have a seat. i can ask for some more tea to be delievered if you'd like a cup.  ❞        even drowning in grief, she remembered her manners.        ❝  thank you, lord whisp. my family and i do appreciate your words.  ❞

For some reason, Kaido had decided to bring both his sons to give their condolences, to show the Lockhart family that house Whisp stood beside them. Charles knew it was a lie, it was an attempt to assumingly be innocent when in truth Charles believed nothing of it. He wished to escape the charlatans which were his family as soon as possible, so as quickly as he’d given his condolences to the grieving duchess, he’d found and escaped. Unfortunately, as he’d gently opened the door, the daughter of the duke was seated in a chair with a book. She didn’t wish for company, Charles believed as much and yet he entered with a light knock. “forgive me lady Lockhart, I’m seeking refugee from the lies and flattery which I believe you have seen a lot of these two weeks, may I?” he motioned to a chair opposite her own. “I do apologies for your loss, no matter how little my words might mean,” he murmured, his eyes filled with concern with the woman before him, who usually smiled as if she were the sun's daughter.