sadierussell

[sadierussell]

"New Yorker born and bred," she said with a small laugh. "For all its faults - and believe me, it has many - I wouldn't want to call anywhere else my home."

A beat passed before she realized how that may have sounded. "I suppose, though, I'll have to amend that saying." She sighed softly, perhaps a little wistfully. "I don't suppose you know how to cure homesickness?" It was mostly a joke...mostly.

She forced a smile she didn't altogether feel. "I fear I'll be overwhelmed by all the invitations... Don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to the demands of a society lady, but sometimes I wish I had the freedom to just be...me. I'm sure you can relate."

She laughed heartily, finding she was letting her guard down faster than she'd expected. "Have you been to New York?" she inquired. She doubted very much that he had or she would bet that her mother would have had him at their table before the visit was through.

"It is quite grand, I highly recommend it if you haven't had the chance. Foreign royals make quite the hot commodity when they're in town, I'm sure you'd be invited to just about everyone's table."

She punctuated the statement with a playful grin, in reference to their ongoing theme.

[sadierussell]

"I don't know about enviable..." she lamented. She heaved a sigh that seemed to reach every part of her body. "It wasn't exactly my idea to seek out a so-called 'fresh start'."

She added an eye roll, unable to resist at least a little histrionics over the entire debacle. But then, lest he think her childish or prone to melodrama, she forced a smile. "I suppose my mother knows what she's doing - she usually does."

She shrugged and decided to change the subject. "Which of Shakespeare's works compel you most? I'm sure it won't surprise you that I'll choose 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?"

A flood of relief washed over her. She too had felt rather like a fish out of water in the face of so many people to meet who all seemed to have known each other for so very long. "It's been so overwhelming!" she confessed, "I was only just getting used to New York society and now everything is turned all topsy-turvy once again... At least there's familiar company in the March sisters." She clutched her literary selection tighter to her chest. "How long ago did you arrive in London?" she inquired. "I'm still finding my bearings, so I haven't yet had the chance to make friends." She paused, then added in a stage-whisper, "Or enemies...as I fear may be my way. Ever my mother's daughter, you know?"

She couldn't help but roll her eyes. She loved her mother very much, but because they were so very similar they tended to butt heads. "Although, you probably don't know," she said. "We're new to New York, so I very much doubt our reputation has proceeded us."

[sadierussell]

OPEN STARTER: Sadie Russell | Kensington Gardens

Sadie was sulking. Or, perhaps, moping was a better word for it.

Her mother had just left London. It hadn't been a very long visit and she'd spent most of it with her sister, but Sadie knew her mother better than either of them would like to admit and the short time they'd spent together had been more than enough for her to garner that things at home were less than stellar... Not that Bertha had said as much.

Sadie wasn't entirely sure what to do with that information and was finding it had rather rocked the foundation on which she was attempting to build her own life - regardless of whether it was the life she'd wanted for herself.

She'd found herself pacing endlessly, driven nearly to madness by what felt like the four walls of her apartment closing in on her, so she'd grabbed Emerald and put as much space as possible between herself and her apartment.

Once at the gardens, though, she found that she'd brought the weight of her problems along with her. She settled on a blanket beneath a tree and attempted to focus on her correspondence, but quickly got lost in dwelling.

And, as such, she didn't even notice when Emerald slipped her collar and darted off...

[sadierussell]

Sadie spent much of her childhood wishing to be whisked away by the Fae. Her Irish nanny bewitched her with Faerie stories each and every night and, to a four year old, nothing sounded more romantic and enchanting than being whisked off like a changeling. She used to spend hours looking for Faerie rings in which to step, in the hopes of attracting Fae attention.

She never got her wish, of course, but she grew up to embody many of the traits the Fae are known for... Mutable, enigmatic, and unpredictable. Playful, mischievous, and sometimes downright vengeful. Best approached with respect and, perhaps, caution. Strong and independent. Slow to reveal of herself.

Ironic, then, that her father is known for making his fortune in steel and iron...

[sadierussell]

Sadie exchanged a few coins for a chocolatine, desperately hungry after having skipped breakfast in her haste to get out the door. She turned back to the woman and offered a faint smile, still rather overwhelmed by the many, many new names and faces to memorize - a notorious inability of hers.

"Sadie Russell," she introduced herself. "I've only just arrived from New York." She then ripped the chocolatine in two, extending half towards Catherine.

"And to answer your curiosity, I'm a dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet. Well, maybe not for very much longer, if my mother has her way..." She trailed off with a shrug to show that that was neither here nor there.

After (yet another) letter from her mother, chiding her that she needed to actually socialize or risk making a laughingstock of the family by being a dismal failure as a debutante, Sadie had decided to make her way to Hyde Park to join the festivities.

She didn't have the upper body strength to be of any sort of archer - and she doubted her mother would consider it ladylike anyway - but that didn't mean she couldn't find /something/ to entertain her…

Namely, sweets.

"Pay it no mind," she replied to the young woman who'd just apologized for being in her path. "I think my artistic director would likely thank you," she added with a playful smile, "He has, on many occasions, berated my eternal sweet-tooth." She laughed a little, awkwardly at that, given that it was (mostly) a jest, but perhaps had come off as a complaint.

[sadierussell]

She laughed heartily, finding she was letting her guard down faster than she'd expected. "Have you been to New York?" she inquired. She doubted very much that he had or she would bet that her mother would have had him at their table before the visit was through.

"It is quite grand, I highly recommend it if you haven't had the chance. Foreign royals make quite the hot commodity when they're in town, I'm sure you'd be invited to just about everyone's table."

She punctuated the statement with a playful grin, in reference to their ongoing theme.

"Not quite alone," she replied, "I've come from New York with my sister and her new husband, at my mother's request." She shrugged, then, rather than get into the intricacies of that particular tale.

"It's been quite an adjustment," she continued, "The British ways are so different from the American. I'm not certain I'll ever get the hang of how tables are laid over here." She couldn't help but laugh.

As soon as her giggle died, though, it occurred to her that he might take that as a criticism, though it certainly wasn't intended as such. "Oh, dear... I hope that didn't come off wrong!" she exclaimed, feeling her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

[sadierussell]

Sadie nodded solemnly. "I haven't yet had the chance to read any such gossip," she admitted. "But, to be fair, my family has been a source of unending gossip in New York, so I don't put much stock in what people whisper behind their fans."

She added a playful little grin in the hopes that it might reassure him that she knew his pain only too well. Then, she glanced about, in search of her sister and her prying eyes.

"I'm not going to get in trouble for fraternizing, am I?" she asked, not that she cared all that much. In fact, she wouldn't entirely mind a little scandal to throw a wrench in her mother's plans to marry her off promptly. She was still clinging to hope that she might be allowed to return to dance before the season was up...

Sadie glanced in the direction of the archers; while she respected the athletic ability on display, the whole thing was certainly not her cup of tea. Glancing back at Tobias, she gestured at her arm and, with a little laugh, said, "Do these look like muscles capable of drawing a bow?" She paused a moment, waiting to see if he'd take it as the joke it was. "In all seriousness," she said, "I fear I'd be laughable at best, a hazard at worst. Have you tried your luck? Or are you merely here to enjoy the afternoon?"

It truly was a lovely day, if it weren't for the heat. And, though she had been utterly reluctant to join the festivities in the first place, she wasn't exactly upset that she was there. Maybe, with time, she might even find she was enjoying herself...

[sadierussell]

"Not quite alone," she replied, "I've come from New York with my sister and her new husband, at my mother's request." She shrugged, then, rather than get into the intricacies of that particular tale.

"It's been quite an adjustment," she continued, "The British ways are so different from the American. I'm not certain I'll ever get the hang of how tables are laid over here." She couldn't help but laugh.

As soon as her giggle died, though, it occurred to her that he might take that as a criticism, though it certainly wasn't intended as such. "Oh, dear... I hope that didn't come off wrong!" she exclaimed, feeling her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

Sadie knew, of course, who this was - she'd have been a fool not to, given how her mother had drilled into her the important names and faces to be on the look-out for. If there was one thing Bertha Russell was known for, it was her grand plans and, while her sister's marriage was one thing, making the acquaintance of a Prince was another thing altogether.

She smiled demurely. "You make it sound as if you're employed here," she teased. A beat of silence, during which it occurred to her that she might have spoken out of turn. She quickly back-pedaled, "I hope that didn't come off wrong, I'm sure you're extremely well-read."

She felt her cheeks pinking with embarrassment. "Please forgive me - my impetuousness can be my undoing." She cleared her throat. "I'm Sadie Russell."

[sadierussell]

Sadie glanced in the direction of the archers; while she respected the athletic ability on display, the whole thing was certainly not her cup of tea. Glancing back at Tobias, she gestured at her arm and, with a little laugh, said, "Do these look like muscles capable of drawing a bow?" She paused a moment, waiting to see if he'd take it as the joke it was. "In all seriousness," she said, "I fear I'd be laughable at best, a hazard at worst. Have you tried your luck? Or are you merely here to enjoy the afternoon?"

It truly was a lovely day, if it weren't for the heat. And, though she had been utterly reluctant to join the festivities in the first place, she wasn't exactly upset that she was there. Maybe, with time, she might even find she was enjoying herself...

Sadie's fan fluttered before her face in an effort to cool herself. "You aren't joking," she agreed. "I was told to expect a mild summer and perhaps even rain, but I'm beginning to suspect that was lie..." She smiled softly, hoping the remark would come across as the jest it was and she hadn't (yet again) inadvertently put her foot in her mouth once again. She accepted the lemonade politely and sipped it. "I don't know how all these young men keep themselves cool in their finery," she continued, "It must get quite muggy in such jackets. It's hard enough in New York..." Realizing then that she had yet to introduce herself, she extended a hand towards him in greeting and said, "I'm Sadie Russell, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." (You could take the girl out of New York's high society, but you couldn't take the high society out of the girl, apparently.)

[sadierussell]

A flood of relief washed over her. She too had felt rather like a fish out of water in the face of so many people to meet who all seemed to have known each other for so very long. "It's been so overwhelming!" she confessed, "I was only just getting used to New York society and now everything is turned all topsy-turvy once again... At least there's familiar company in the March sisters." She clutched her literary selection tighter to her chest. "How long ago did you arrive in London?" she inquired. "I'm still finding my bearings, so I haven't yet had the chance to make friends." She paused, then added in a stage-whisper, "Or enemies...as I fear may be my way. Ever my mother's daughter, you know?"

She couldn't help but roll her eyes. She loved her mother very much, but because they were so very similar they tended to butt heads. "Although, you probably don't know," she said. "We're new to New York, so I very much doubt our reputation has proceeded us."

Sadie smiled politely, her gaze flicking from his, to the book in his hands, and back. "I don't believe we have," she said, "But that's likely because I haven't met anyone yet." She offered a hand in greeting. "Sadie Russell."

She was intensely curious about the book he'd selected. She'd read extensively of Greek mythology and said story was one of her favourites, though she hadn't read this particular iteration.

Unable to restrain herself from asking, she inquired, "I'm not familiar with your selection - is it new to you or an old favourite?"

[sadierussell]

Sadie swung around at the voice, having been lost in the majestic beauty of the horses. She smiled brightly at the concern in the other woman's voice. "Truth be told, I fear I might be melting," she joked, adding a playful wink to show it was merely a jest. "I could certainly use some lemonade, so long as you promise to join me. I've missed the American accent..."

Beside her, Emerald seemed inquisitive about the massive canine. The dog glanced up at Sadie as if to say, What is that thing?, for the only other dog she'd encountered of late was Pumpkin, from the Van Rhijn estate back in New York.

Sadie too had never seen quite a large dog. "Forgive me for asking, but I've never encountered such a breed..." she said with a nod at the dog. "What is it called?"

OPEN STARTER: Sadie Russell | Lord Austen's Archery Event | Location: St. James Park

Sadie had selected a new gown in her favourite shade of violet, embroidered with bluebells and snowdrops for the Archery event; one of the best things about being out from under her mother's immediate observation was that she could choose her own wardrobe. She was beginning to regret her choice, though, as the sun was beating down on the dark fabric and making her sweat uncomfortably. She hoped no one would notice. She was accompanied by her sister (and her pomeranian, Emerald), but had managed to lose Gladys amongst the crowd, which both of them preferred anyway, no love lost between the two, even now. She wasn't known for her upper-body strength and had little interest in injuring herself unnecessarily, so she wisely avoided the archery itself, but there were plenty of other trivialities to entertain herself with...or, failing that, she'd brought along her needlepoint and sitting on the lawn under her parasol and embroidering sounded pleasant enough. First, though, she intended to get a closer look at the horses. Wild Bill's shows fascinated her endlessly when they'd toured through New York, but she'd never had the chance to see a horse up close and personal...

[sadierussell]

Sadie's fan fluttered before her face in an effort to cool herself. "You aren't joking," she agreed. "I was told to expect a mild summer and perhaps even rain, but I'm beginning to suspect that was lie..." She smiled softly, hoping the remark would come across as the jest it was and she hadn't (yet again) inadvertently put her foot in her mouth once again. She accepted the lemonade politely and sipped it. "I don't know how all these young men keep themselves cool in their finery," she continued, "It must get quite muggy in such jackets. It's hard enough in New York..." Realizing then that she had yet to introduce herself, she extended a hand towards him in greeting and said, "I'm Sadie Russell, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." (You could take the girl out of New York's high society, but you couldn't take the high society out of the girl, apparently.)

OPEN STARTER: Sadie Russell | Lord Austen's Archery Event | Location: St. James Park

Sadie had selected a new gown in her favourite shade of violet, embroidered with bluebells and snowdrops for the Archery event; one of the best things about being out from under her mother's immediate observation was that she could choose her own wardrobe. She was beginning to regret her choice, though, as the sun was beating down on the dark fabric and making her sweat uncomfortably. She hoped no one would notice. She was accompanied by her sister (and her pomeranian, Emerald), but had managed to lose Gladys amongst the crowd, which both of them preferred anyway, no love lost between the two, even now. She wasn't known for her upper-body strength and had little interest in injuring herself unnecessarily, so she wisely avoided the archery itself, but there were plenty of other trivialities to entertain herself with...or, failing that, she'd brought along her needlepoint and sitting on the lawn under her parasol and embroidering sounded pleasant enough. First, though, she intended to get a closer look at the horses. Wild Bill's shows fascinated her endlessly when they'd toured through New York, but she'd never had the chance to see a horse up close and personal...

[sadierussell]

OPEN STARTER: Sadie Russell | Lord Austen's Archery Event | Location: St. James Park

Sadie had selected a new gown in her favourite shade of violet, embroidered with bluebells and snowdrops for the Archery event; one of the best things about being out from under her mother's immediate observation was that she could choose her own wardrobe. She was beginning to regret her choice, though, as the sun was beating down on the dark fabric and making her sweat uncomfortably. She hoped no one would notice. She was accompanied by her sister (and her pomeranian, Emerald), but had managed to lose Gladys amongst the crowd, which both of them preferred anyway, no love lost between the two, even now. She wasn't known for her upper-body strength and had little interest in injuring herself unnecessarily, so she wisely avoided the archery itself, but there were plenty of other trivialities to entertain herself with...or, failing that, she'd brought along her needlepoint and sitting on the lawn under her parasol and embroidering sounded pleasant enough. First, though, she intended to get a closer look at the horses. Wild Bill's shows fascinated her endlessly when they'd toured through New York, but she'd never had the chance to see a horse up close and personal...

[sadierussell]

Sadie knew, of course, who this was - she'd have been a fool not to, given how her mother had drilled into her the important names and faces to be on the look-out for. If there was one thing Bertha Russell was known for, it was her grand plans and, while her sister's marriage was one thing, making the acquaintance of a Prince was another thing altogether.

She smiled demurely. "You make it sound as if you're employed here," she teased. A beat of silence, during which it occurred to her that she might have spoken out of turn. She quickly back-pedaled, "I hope that didn't come off wrong, I'm sure you're extremely well-read."

She felt her cheeks pinking with embarrassment. "Please forgive me - my impetuousness can be my undoing." She cleared her throat. "I'm Sadie Russell."

Open Starter: Sadie Russell | Harrington Books

Sadie wasn't particularly pleased to be in London. None of this had been part of her plan and, truth be told, she was still a little bitter towards her mother for having quashed her plans - namely, to dance the lead in the world premiere of The Nutcracker. It wasn't as if she didn't understand how the world worked, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

She'd spent the first weeks in London cloistered in her apartment, but if her sister was to be believed, people were starting to whisper about her and not in a positive way. She knew she needed to make a public appearance.

The bookstore seemed a palatable enough first foray into this strange new world. Her copy of Little Women had gone missing over the course of her journey Eastward, so she needed to acquire a new one.

Besides, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to make a new friend, she supposed.

[sadierussell]

Sadie smiled politely, her gaze flicking from his, to the book in his hands, and back. "I don't believe we have," she said, "But that's likely because I haven't met anyone yet." She offered a hand in greeting. "Sadie Russell."

She was intensely curious about the book he'd selected. She'd read extensively of Greek mythology and said story was one of her favourites, though she hadn't read this particular iteration.

Unable to restrain herself from asking, she inquired, "I'm not familiar with your selection - is it new to you or an old favourite?"

Open Starter: Sadie Russell | Harrington Books

Sadie wasn't particularly pleased to be in London. None of this had been part of her plan and, truth be told, she was still a little bitter towards her mother for having quashed her plans - namely, to dance the lead in the world premiere of The Nutcracker. It wasn't as if she didn't understand how the world worked, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

She'd spent the first weeks in London cloistered in her apartment, but if her sister was to be believed, people were starting to whisper about her and not in a positive way. She knew she needed to make a public appearance.

The bookstore seemed a palatable enough first foray into this strange new world. Her copy of Little Women had gone missing over the course of her journey Eastward, so she needed to acquire a new one.

Besides, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to make a new friend, she supposed.

[sadierussell]

After (yet another) letter from her mother, chiding her that she needed to actually socialize or risk making a laughingstock of the family by being a dismal failure as a debutante, Sadie had decided to make her way to Hyde Park to join the festivities.

She didn't have the upper body strength to be of any sort of archer - and she doubted her mother would consider it ladylike anyway - but that didn't mean she couldn't find /something/ to entertain her…

Namely, sweets.

"Pay it no mind," she replied to the young woman who'd just apologized for being in her path. "I think my artistic director would likely thank you," she added with a playful smile, "He has, on many occasions, berated my eternal sweet-tooth." She laughed a little, awkwardly at that, given that it was (mostly) a jest, but perhaps had come off as a complaint.

open | Lord Austen's Archery Event | location: Hyde Park

Catherine had awful aim, and therefore she would not be taking part in the archery event, but that didn't mean she wouldn't allow herself to enjoy the fresh air and all of the other activities that were occurring. She would never give up the opportunity to procure sweets and treats, and she'd been planning on visiting the modiste at some point to look into new gowns, and this had given her the perfect opportunity to do so. Not only were there so many booths to look at, but she also had the opportunity to find beautiful patches of flowers and other greenery. She smiled to herself as she walked, seeing the flurry of activity around her, so much to do, she wasn't sure where to begin. Her lady's maid was following at a respectable distance as Catherine became distracted at a particular booth that was selling what looked like pastries. She stopped, to see if any of them looked particularly tempting, "I'm so sorry, am I in your way?" she belatedly realized she might have been blocking others from seeing the pastries themselves.

[sadierussell]

Open Starter: Sadie Russell | Harrington Books

Sadie wasn't particularly pleased to be in London. None of this had been part of her plan and, truth be told, she was still a little bitter towards her mother for having quashed her plans - namely, to dance the lead in the world premiere of The Nutcracker. It wasn't as if she didn't understand how the world worked, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

She'd spent the first weeks in London cloistered in her apartment, but if her sister was to be believed, people were starting to whisper about her and not in a positive way. She knew she needed to make a public appearance.

The bookstore seemed a palatable enough first foray into this strange new world. Her copy of Little Women had gone missing over the course of her journey Eastward, so she needed to acquire a new one.

Besides, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to make a new friend, she supposed.