Magpie
26
Unmarried
Noblewoman
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Marinette Roquefort on Jun 21, 2020 0:06:28 GMT -5
Marinette hurried into her room and set the box on the bed before half-jogging back to her sister and hurrying down the stairs as fast as she could manage without falling on her face. "I'm coming, Lini, breathe!" She answered her over-zealous sister. She was awfully anxious about this, and Marinette was in her own way, but it wasn't having guests that bothered her. If anything, she was a little excited to have three people she considered friends in one place. And even more than that--father wasn't here to ruin this! They would have a good time, she was sure of it.
What made her nervous, though, was that at least one deGrey now knew the truth about their family. Would William have alerted his brothers to what Helene and Mari had been through? She'd evaded a full answer when talking to Helene earlier--they'd been so busy getting ready, and with Olivia's gift, that she'd hardly had time to explain what happened with Margery Decant, let alone all the rest. And honestly...she was afraid of how her sister might react. There was no time to worry now, though--the deGreys' carriage was already pulling up. She would just have to deal with whatever happened.
"We're ready! It's going to be fun." Mari promised, feeling as if the two of them had traded places for the night.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 21, 2020 0:09:17 GMT -5
It would seem that all four deGreys had been hunted down by a hound. Well, except for William- he was still a little confused about that whole mess, except that Margery was no longer in the picture. When Wesley had asked further about it, his brother wasn't ready to dive into the details. Even he noticed how much it hurt just to be reminded about it, so he he didn't press Will. The rest of them would find out soon enough, he supposed.
"Oi!" he exclaimed as he was pulled into a headlock. "Not the hair, man! Not the hair!" Not that it ever stayed in place anyway, no matter how short it was. It seemed to have a mind of its own, and now it would certainly look ridiculous! Thanks, Luci. Then, he was being shoved and he was shoving right back. If Lucian wanted to fight, he was going to get bitch slapped like there was no tomorrow!
When his younger brother started to stammer, that sly smirk fell onto his lips. Dramatically, Wesley slid down the carriage seat so that he was leaning up against Lucian, batting his eyes. "Oh, it did, did it? How fine? What's her name? Is it the blonde from the other night?" He got all of that in one breath before the questions were turned back around to him. Well, he should've known that was coming.
The thing was, Wesley wasn't as bashful as Lucian or even William.
"Yes," he began to answer the slew of questions. "She asked for all of you, for whatever reason." Come to think of it, he still didn't know why, either. "She didn't capture, she pounced me for your information-" That actually wasn't a lie to make him sound like a stud. Helene had, legit, pounced and nearly killed both of them. What was the next question? Oh, right...that confusing one. It only brought him pause for a second as he clenched his jaw. "You know I can't be." He was rarely home. How could he subject someone to that? Still, there was a brief moment of further honesty when he answered that last ridiculous question. "But maybe."
Wesley gave him a light shove for good measure before Triston was acting like Father and he perked up. "Why, are we there already?" Leaning clear across Lucian, he threw back the small curtain of the carriage window to peer out. Shit, they were. When their ride slowed to a stop, Wesley was quickly moving towards the door closest to him, allowing the others to use the one facing the house as he ran a hand through his hair not once, but twice.
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Lunari
34
Widower
Tresterian Ambassador
Tier 2 Character
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Post by William deGrey on Jun 21, 2020 0:19:37 GMT -5
William purposely hadn't told Wesley anything, because it wasn't his situation to tell. If Marinette or Helene (considering she and Wes were getting a little close) decided to, that was their decision. It would make him feel like he'd have broken Mari's trust. Not to mention, as much as he would mean well, he knew Wesley would get the wrong urge and make everything worse. His sailor brother had this bad habit of throwing punches before knowing all the details.
Yet, Triston seemed to be rather quiet about the whole chase. And he appeared to be in a bit of a good mood. Not that he rarely wasn't, but he was curious. Dark eyes flickered over to his brother as Olivia finished tying the ribbon around his wrist, and William chuckled. "You didn't ask," Olivia told Lucian, so promptly. "And I have to save the rest for the tree!"
As his daughter wasn't looking, Will lifted a hand up and crossed his fingers, silently praying she left all these ribbons with the sisters. Helene, after all, had convinced the girl that she absolutely needed all of them.
While the younger deGreys teased and shoved each other, William was idly glancing out the window to notice they were arriving. "You're going to be on your best behavior, right Livi?" he asked his daughter, already knowing she would be. She eagerly nodded, already bouncing in her seat. Soon, the carriage came to a stop in front of the house and William stepped out first before helping Olivia.
"Daddy, I wanna fly! Pleeeeeeease?" she begged. She knew they'd get to the door faster that way. "Fly, huh?" William took her hand. "So long as Uncle Triston helps." Olivia was already reaching for Triston's hand, jumping up and down. If and when his brother complied, they'd jog lightly with Olivia between them before, every few seconds, lift her off her feet where she squealed in delight and kicked her little legs.
As they moved up to the steps, Olivia would rush forward to knock excitedly upon the door.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 21, 2020 0:50:42 GMT -5
Helene sighed and nodded at her sister before she grinned. They'd been in quite the flurry since being home, and Helene was thankful for it. It meant she was too busy to think about the encounter with Father. "What's taking so long?" She blurted. Knowing she was being impatient, but...Tree decorating! They had much to do! She was about ready to yank the door open and tap her foot impatiently at them but knew it would be rude, as they'd only just made friends with the deGrey's. But she also wanted a peek. Turning, she cracked the door to look through the crack, and then made a very audible gasp. "Mari look!" She whispered a the sight of Olivia between William and Triston. It warmed her heart. Seeing that they were nearly to the step, she quickly closed the door, and then stood up.
The moment she heard the knocks, she took several breaths, counted to three, and then opened the door. A bright smile on her face. "Oliviaaaaa! Mari! Our guest of honor has arrived!" She exclaimed. She beamed down at the little girl, clearly thrilled to see her, and if Olivia wished it, Helene would crouch down and hold her arms out to her for a quick hug. "We're so excited for you to join us little Dove. We have ribbons with your name on it." She winked at her, before she'd pass her onto Mari. Helene would then stand, running a hand over the front of her dress to smooth out any wrinkles before she gave her attention to the other guest. "My Lords! Pleasure to see you again. " She stood off to the side so William and Triston could enter, giving them both large smiles. She leaned a bit, trying to find that particular deGrey, but couldn't see him right away. Had he not come? For a brief moment there was disappointment in her eyes, but before her gaze landed on the deGrey she hadn't met yet. "Aaah! My unknowing accomplice!" She smiled widely at Lucian, as she came out onto the step to greet him. "Helene Hewitt." She said introducing herself, giving him a small curtsy. "You helped me catch your brother in the chase." She winked at him clarifying for him. She grinned widely, and then motioned for him to follow the others. "Welcome! Make yourself at home, please! Mari has everything planned." She said, falling into her role as co-hostess. She couldn't help but let her eyes then wander where the last deGrey was.
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Soleil
28
Single
Captain of Tresterian Army: Infantry
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lucian deGrey on Jun 25, 2020 17:53:26 GMT -5
Lucian laughed and rolled his eyes as his brother yelled at him about his hair. He didn't listen though, as he ruffled Wesley's hair with his knuckles before letting him go. And as he expected, he was teasing him about the blonde from the other night Lucian laughed again and shoved his brother into the wall of the carriage. "Yes. Her name is Anemone. And I got three kisses." He smirked proudly, though his expression was one that held respect more than bragging or cockiness.
As Wesley answered his slew of questions about the hound that had seemingly pounced him, he grinned and shook his head at his brother. Of course, he'd be pounced on. But as he got more serious and clenched his jaw, denying himself the ability to be smitten with a woman, Lucian's expression grew serious, too. He wouldn't lecture his older brother on how he needed to settle down. That was mother's job. But he didn't feel that he should deny himself happiness if that's what it could end up being. Maybe he just needed to find someone who would travel along with him.
He didn't say anything, and he was kind of saved by Triston acting like Father and telling them to behave. Suddenly, Wesley was practically climbing across him to look out the window. He shoved him back playfully. "Oi! Get off me!"
Lucian stepped out of the carriage once they stopped and he walked slowly behind his eldest brothers and Olivia, watching them with a wide grin on his face. He was quiet until he was greeted by Helene. Her unknowing accomplice? He gave her a confused glance but smiled politely. Then it all made sense when she introduced herself and explained that he had helped stall Wesley, making it easier for her to catch. He smirked and nodded, "You mean, pounced him?" He teased, using Wesley's description, maybe to embarrass him or something? Or to make it obvious that Wesley had been telling stories of what had happened for him in the chase. "Thank you for inviting us over." He offered her another smile before he stepped in past her and into their home.
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Soleil
32
Single
Council Member of Tresterian court
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Triston deGrey on Jun 25, 2020 20:05:46 GMT -5
Triston grinned widely as he noticed Will and his silent prayer that all the rest of the ribbons went on the tree. He silently chuckled to himself before turning his gaze to his younger brothers and their bickering and comments about the chase and the women who caught... Or pounced them.
As the carriage came to a stop, Triston wondered if William was speaking to Olivia about being on her best behavior, or if that was meant for Wesley and Lucian. He laughed at the thought and made his way out of the carriage, just in time to be volunteered to help Olivia fly. Triston grinned and took his niece's hand, holding it tightly and he jobbed along with his older brother and Olivia, lifting her up and laughing out as he watched her kick her little legs.
When they got to the door, Triston let go of Olivia's hand as she rushed to the door and knocked. He straightened out his coat. As he was greeted by Helene, he offered a charming smile and bowed his head. "Thank you for inviting us!"
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Magpie
26
Unmarried
Noblewoman
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Marinette Roquefort on Jun 25, 2020 20:25:19 GMT -5
Marinette did as her sister insisted and came to peek out the door with her--and oh, was she glad she did. The sight of the brothers swinging Olivia between them nearly brought tears to her eyes, it was so sweet. Yes, she'd been right about William--he was definitely a good father. She was even more convinced now, and even more surprised that he didn't seem to think so himself. (And Triston was an excellent uncle as well, it made sense that he was the favorite.)
She stepped back with Helene when they closed the door, and schooled her face to a neutral expression, although she may have been trying a bit too hard to look natural before the door opened and she was allowed to smile again. She was practically glowing until Helene mentioned that "Mari has everything planned" and she began to glow in an entirely different manner. Heat rose to her face in an instant, and she raised her hands and shook her head. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. I just wanted to make sure we all had a nice time..." She didn't think anyone was really listening, as they'd all been distracted by Helene right away. She hurried to open the door the rest of the way and pull herself out of the entrance to that their gaggle of guests could come in.
"Come in out of the cold, please! Dinner is ready in the dining room, and then we can worry about our dear tree."
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Lunari
34
Widower
Tresterian Ambassador
Tier 2 Character
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Post by William deGrey on Jun 25, 2020 20:53:49 GMT -5
Olivia's gleeful giggles filled the night air as he and Triston lifted her up into the air every few feet. She was getting so big, and William certainly couldn't continue doing that by himself! It got tiring after the second lift. Or perhaps he was finally starting to get old? Whatever the case, he was softly winded by the time they reached the stairs because he had been laughing along with her.
He watched his daughter's eyes light up at the sight of the two women, and his own attention drifted up to them as well; bowing in a respectful hello. Olivia was immediately rushing over to Helene to return the embrace. "I brought all of my ribbons, too! Daddy said that you would need them far more than the castle!" Her small hand lifted up the purse she had shoved every single ribbon she could find into. Meanwhile, Will was grinning, rather pleased with himself that she had bought his words and didn't hesitate on hoping to decorate the Hewitt House with them all. With all the ribbons, that is.
"A pleasure, Lady Helene. Thank you again for the invite." He followed Olivia inside who was turning instantly to find Marinette. The little girl seemed to have forgotten her manners as she rushed forward to hug the woman's legs. She figured she should hug her, too! After all, Mari had also been there that day she had been lost, even if briefly. "I'm excited to decorate the tree!" Olivia told her while Will was trying to wrangle her out of her coat. He was shaking his head and trying not to laugh, because his daughter was often all over the place and hard to keep still when she was excited. "It's all she's been talking about all day," he added to Mari, smirking.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 25, 2020 21:16:38 GMT -5
Anemone, Lucian said. And three kisses? It was a good thing they were already at the house, because Wesley would have grilled him for so much more information. He had looked at his younger brother with wide blue eyes, though, as if he couldn't believe Luci had uttered those words.
Oh, so many questions and no time! The soldier was safe. For now.
As everyone piled out of the carriage and he remained on the other side, Wesley didn't know why he didn't just join his family to head to the house. He could hear them exchanging greetings as he was stupidly messing with his hair and adjusting the cuffs of his coat, and fortunately (or unfortunately), he didn't hear what Lucian said in response to Helene. In fact, it was making him realize how much he was lagging behind, which only made him stupidly panic more.
What the hell are you doing?
Finally stepping around to the other side, running his hand through his hair yet again (since his brother saw fit to make it all the more worse), Wesley's attention drifted up those steps as the last of his brothers disappeared through the doorway and it was only Helene out on the stoop. He barely realized how his pace had slowed to an almost stop; a soft look of surprise on his face as he watched her. The telltale smirk finally curled his lips like always, studying her in the dim light and the simple loveliness she made in that white dress. Sure, he had found something intriguing about her being coated in mud earlier, but this was suddenly something...different.
Finally blinking, he began to ascend the steps. "A promise is a promise," he told her. He and brothers were here for dinner.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Jun 25, 2020 22:19:43 GMT -5
Helene looked at Lucian curiously when she saw him smirk. His tease had her eyes go wide for moment, before she masked the look of horror that wanted to spread across her face. She’d done what? WHAT?! It may have been Wesley that Lucian intended to embarrass, but oh contraire monime. It was Helene. What had Wesley told his brothers? Some outlandish thing to explain all the mud? She was a lady! She smiled at Lucian, giving a nervous little laugh, as he entered the house. She then turned to find the deGrey she’d apparently pounced on slowly approaching with that stupid smirk of his.
She smiled at him as he approached, placing her hands behind her as she began to walk down the steps so they were out of view from everyone else as she met him at the bottom of the stairs. Aside from the few duck tails that were sticking up in a weird angle with his hair, she had to admit he cleaned up good. A part of her missed some of the grime though. It made him look more like a sailor and less than a lord. Though, Lord Wesley was still nice. Or so she thought, until he went around telling people she pounced on him!
“It is, thank you for coming.” She said maybe a bit too sweetly as she tilted her head to the side slightly, and there was that spark in her eyes that usually meant trouble. She raised up on her tiptoes to look behind her, leaning to the side a bit to check that no one was looking, even though she had to hurry before Mari wondered what was taking them so long. She whirled around then, her lips pursed as she swatted him on his shoulder. “Pounced?! Wesley deGrey I am a lady, I do not pounce!” She whisper yelled at him. She glared up at him, her lips pursed into a very thin life as she struggled with keeping the angry face on, when really she wanted to laugh at the obscurity of it. Why was she not surprised?
“Are you telling people I pounced on you?!” She whispered more at him, placing her hands on her hips. “I-I fell and you broke my fall. I tackled you. I did not throw myself at you. I had to prove a point.” She started listing off all the other things he could have said, and eventually she sighed loudly at him, before pointing a finger up in his face. She opened her mouth to say something more, but couldn’t find the words as she looked in those blue eyes of his. “I -er- No.” She said firmly, before she hid her face in her hands and laughed. “You’re impossible.” She groaned, removing her hands as she looked at him. Her eyes trailed up to his hair then, and she sighed again. “This is going to drive me nuts, hold still.” If he allowed her, she reached up and over to flatten the hair he’d apparently missed in his initial brushing. Her fingers right lightly through his hair, and she noted the softness of it. “Alright there. Come on now everyone’s waiting.” She said finally content. She gave him one more glare though it really wasn’t a glare, before she turned and began to walk back up the steps to where everyone else was.
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Magpie
26
Unmarried
Noblewoman
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Marinette Roquefort on Jun 25, 2020 22:37:13 GMT -5
Marinette was surprised by the sudden impact of a little girl on her legs, but her surprise soon turned to absolute bliss as she crouched to hug the little girl properly. If there weren't so many people around, she might have cried. Goodness, she was awfully weepy for such a happy occasion. She felt like she was borrowing someone else's life, with a happy family, a warm home, plenty of food to eat, and a happy holiday to share. Would that it could last forever.
"It's lovely to see you again, ma petite lapin," she murmured, giving her a quick squeeze before she rose and helped with getting the girl and coat separated. Once they were apart, she took Olivia's hand to lead her and the others towards the dining room. She chuckled softly when Will told her the tree was all Olivia had been talking about all afternoon. "I'm excited too! And you know what, once the tree is done, I've got a surprise for you, too. But, I can't share it with you unless you eat your dinner first, alright?" Once Olivia was cooperatively moving towards the dining room, she smiled at the others and gestured for them to follow.
[[I'm assuming we'll skip dinner, but you can post something vague about it if you'd like! There's roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and greenbeans. Assume alcohol for the adults if they want it, and apple juice for Olivia]]
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Jun 26, 2020 23:53:15 GMT -5
It would seem that he'd not get far up those steps because she was meeting him more than halfway...and that made him wary. He didn't know why but he could feel it. The hackles at the back of his neck were standing on end. Wesley paused on the step below her, watching as she checked the doorway. Now, his thoughts began to stray to something completely different than what was really about to happen, so her sudden whisper yelling made him jump a little, and he tried to lean away from the swat to his arm.
Lucian. You sneaky, son-of-a-bitch. Touche.
"Then why did you pounce?!" he yelled back in a whisper, using the same accusing tone. "You, quite literally, leapt into the air like a cat." He finished his words by making a clawing gesture with his hands. Then, he laughed at her "explanation" of what "really happened". "I know you were desperate, my lady, but...lies do not become you." Don't smile. Don't give that cheeky smi- It was more of a smirk, but it was certainly cheeky. It was also clear that he wanted to make some sort of comment to match, the mischief glinting in his eyes, but he was far too amused at her rambling to do so. Good thing, too, because it probably would have gotten him hit again.
'You're impossible.' "Aye, maybe," he confessed quietly, growing even more quiet when she found it necessary to fix his hair. Wesley didn't stop her; instead, he was watching her in that brief moment of silence with a soft grin of amusement on his face. There was only a second where his expression sobered a bit, when he was questioning things he shouldn't be, only for that look to disappear when she was glaring at him again. The sailor said nothing as he followed her up the steps and into the warmth of the house.
Dinner was delicious...as well as entertaining. It would seem that Marinette had been on a mission and managed to piss off the one person you probably never wanted to anger. Margery Decant. When the truth of what happened at the chase came out, Wesley could not contain his laughter, deeming Mari "his hero". Because, well, that had taken guts. Of course, he only allowed himself to really cheer over the matter when it appeared that William was okay with it- well, mostly okay with it. It had to sting, he gathered, but his brother seemed to be handling it fairly well. On the outside, at least.
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Soleil
28
Single
Captain of Tresterian Army: Infantry
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Lucian deGrey on Jun 27, 2020 15:43:26 GMT -5
Lucian didn't know these ladies and he wasn't entirely sure why he had been invited. These sorts of gatherings were always awkward to him and he never knew what to say--hence the moment of embarrassment he had triggered as he did not hold back from saying what Wesley admitted moments ago, not fully thinking that it might embarrass the lady more than it would his brother.
He gave Marinette a warm smile when he entered and he found a seat at the table when motioned to. Lucian did what he did best-- he sat quietly as they ate and listened to everyone else talk, laughing when it was appropriate to do so, as they told their stories of the chase and of what happened with Margery and Mari. It was both hilarious and humiliating, he was sure, and he gave his oldest brother a sympathetic glance. At least he was starting to see the truth about Margery now? Hopefully.
The dinner was delicious, and he may have said that a few times to both Marinette and Helene, hoping to show them that he was appreciative of their welcoming him to their home. He didn't say much about his experience in the chase, mostly because it seemed they were all focused on what had happened with Wesley and Helene and William, Margery, and Marinette. No one has asked him, so he stayed quiet about it and enjoyed the other's stories.
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Soleil
32
Single
Council Member of Tresterian court
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Triston deGrey on Jun 27, 2020 18:20:45 GMT -5
Triston offered a warm greeting and smile to Helene as he stepped through the door. When he spotted Marinette, he gave her a nod and smile in greeting "Thank you for the invite." He would have embraced her, as he did with most of his female friends, but wasn't sure if she would have wanted to be touched, especially with how she had reacted to William's yelling at Margery. He had an idea that Marinette had been either verbally or maybe even physically abused, but she hadn't told him the extent of her fear--he only suspected.
Olivia had insisted that he sit next to her, so being the good uncle that he was, he obeyed and sat next to her and Lucian. He listened and laughed along with everyone as they spoke of their experiences at the chase--All except for him and Lucian, seemingly. Triston had not hinted or spoke of himself being caught, and he did not feel it was very proper to speak of what happened between him and the queen. If he had been asked, he would have said he wasn't sure he really had actually been captured, but more so came across someone and ended up having to help her because she tripped over a root, so it ended the game for him.
Marinette was commanded to sit on the other side of Olivia, so as the story of what had happened between her and Margery came up, he leaned back and spoke behind Olivia at Marinette. "You are a saint..." He commented, laughing softly, but his gaze them turned to William in an apologetic expression. He had no idea that Margery was after him and that bothered him more than he could say. It was not fair to William and he was grateful that Marinette had prevented that from happening. For various reasons.
Once dinner was over, he thanked Helene and Marinette for the lovely dinner and that it had been delicious. It had been quite a while since he had enjoyed a dinner like this, whether it was the food or the company, or perhaps, most likely, both.
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Lunari
34
Widower
Tresterian Ambassador
Tier 2 Character
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Post by William deGrey on Jun 30, 2020 20:01:25 GMT -5
Olivia was beyond excited for all of this, and William thought she was going to explode from it all. Marinette managed to get the girl out of her coat, and William simply watched the two and followed behind as they were led into the dining room. His daughter was talking the woman's ear off about ribbons, explaining all the ways they could be used (which she happened to learn from Helene), and where she had currently tied some of them. Including around the wrists of each of her uncles. Soon, Marinette and Helene would have some.
Dinner had been enjoyable. For the most part. Olivia had mentioned seeing Margery covered in mud and that had questions arising about what had happened, because she had not arrived back with him. It was a little awkward to explain, and he only did so when Marinette made it clear that it was alright. It stunned everyone at the table, apparently, causing a lot of laughter...in which he joined in, of course, yet there was a small part of him that wasn't amused. It still stung. It was still something he had to deal with later and wasn't looking forward to it. William wasn't about to ruin the evening with his own conflict, so he simply let it go and hid it behind smiles and the rim of his glass.
He was happy when the conversation changed and he learned Triston had helped some unsuspecting woman. Perhaps Lucian had been the only one to truly win the chase. He got three kisses, after all, if he recalled the conversation from the carriage. Once dinner was over with, Olivia was already antsy and kept asking about the tree and if they were giving presents yet.
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