May 18th, 1888 — Welcome to the Jungle Fashion Show, Hogsmeade Ballroom

Open to a hurlable UCAB women 18-24!

When it came to the Pettigrew family, it was usually Thom who was quick to indulge in extravagance, but Albert understood that the only way to reach the top was to act like he was already there. While he'd never been tempted to over-indulge in extravagance (and the animal masks seemed as extravagant as it could get), there were times when he could enjoy the festivities of a party — and in this case, the fashion show that accompanied it.

Most of the evening had been spent with other gentleman, mostly conversing about all the drama that was going on in the world — stowaway twins, Miss Scrimgeour's disappearance, and, of course, the veela incident that he was still squeezing with the hopes that he might convince a few people more powerful than himself to enact legislation on the matter.

He too donned an animal masks — in this case, an otter. The evening progressed, and Albert found himself laughing and generally being much more pleasant than usual. On more than one occasion, he'd even flirted with debutantes — even ones who, after finding out their names, he knew wouldn't make suitable brides.

Finally, to put the nail in the coffin, Albert did the most non-Albert thing possible: he gave into the urge to grab the hand of a young woman he didn't know. Even upon realizing how improper it was, he couldn't let go, almost as if he was afraid she'd just - float away - if he were to release her.

At the slightest tug on her part (which may have been from shock, disgust, or really anything — he wasn't looking at her face), he held her hand even tighter. "Please don't," he begged, his heart beginning to race.

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   Ambrosia Shinnick

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

☙ Post Log ❧

A party. Regina was finally at a party. Perhaps things would finally take a huge turn for the better. Maybe she’ll find a man to court. She could possibly get out of this dreadful situation that she was in.

The masks were an interesting touch to the evening. Had she ever been to a party like this before? She couldn’t recall. But there were quite lovely. Glad to have found one to match her dress, it was very stunning, in her opinion. The mask had the likeness of a dog, which she didn’t mind.

Surprisingly enough, she hadn’t gotten much into even reading the Daily Prophet, therefore was unaware of the latest happenings. Mostly her time was spent trying to figure out ways to get her guardians attention off of her and onto a woman that would be an appropriate match. Lonely Hearts seemed like a smart strategy, but how would she word it without making him sound like the loon that he was?

But that was for another time. All she had heard was about previously missing twins, poor Bella, and veela drama. Instincts alone has made her not like veela, but she without it, she was quite indifferent to the creatures. At least they weren’t as deadly as vampires, though more rude.

With the hours ticking away, Regina was getting more giddy and social. A skip in her step, and a grin on her face, she was much more chatty that usual, which was saying something. But she didn’t mind. It was most likely excitement of the evening, and a hint of champagne. She’d only had an appropriate amount of little sips hear and there, not much to do anything to her state of mind.

Feeling a hand grab her own, and while she was turning to look at the person responsible, she noticed another person in a mask. A deer mask. Her eyes widened and her heart raised. She had to get them. Tugging to go, she heard the man’s statement. Looking at him, she actually whimpered. “But I have to get them.” She insisted, gesturing to the person with the deer mask.

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MJ made Magic!

There was no logic to this situation, but that was exactly it. The masks, the strangers, the atmosphere — everything screamed illogical, and that was perhaps in part why he didn't realize how awfully abnormal he was acting! He didn't even consider that it was completely unladylike for a woman to whimper, not to mention talk about having to "get" someone.

His brows furrowed in frustration (not that she could see that), and he tugged on her hand once more. The room was trying to pull her from him, and he was set on ensuring that she didn't get out of grasp.

"You have to stay here," he insisted, despite having no idea what was here besides him. If there was any desperation in his voice, he was unaware of it; his entire focus was on her.

  

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

☙ Post Log ❧

One thing was for certain, if Regina remembered any of this when her mind was not being influenced by this mask, she was certainly going to feel embarrased by her behavior this evening. She had whimpered. Other than a child or animal, who really did such a thing?

That deer was just so tempting to… what? To catch? To tackle? What was it she actually wanted to do? Well, it didn’t seem like he wanted to let her find out. But she just had to get them!

Looking at him, she tilted her head, with eyes and a pleading gaze. “Please.” She begged desperately. Could he just let her go, oh why couldn’t she go? She wanted to run, she wanted to chase, she wanted to play.

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MJ made Magic!

Even with the ~magical otter effects~ that were still unbeknownst to him, all of Albert's natural temperament couldn't be avoided indefinitely. His frustration grew as she stated her desire to get away. Why would a debutante wish to escape him, the charming Albert Pettigrew? What more did the deer-man have to offer her? He let out a huff.

"You're better off staying here. Chasing gentleman isn't very well-advised," he warned, though his pleading tone hadn't yet completely disappeared. Even if others would blame her for running off rudely, he didn't wish to face to defeat to his pride! "I bet I'm just a good a dancer as he is, he pressed, trying to keep a good hold on her.

  

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

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Regina was at a loss. Why couldn’t she play? Why couldn’t she roam freely? She had such a big urge to run. Why couldn’t he allow that? She was tempted to whimper once more, but that didn’t seem to work. Neither had begging. Why wouldn’t anyone let her be free? Well, at least he wasn’t locking her away.

Taking a moment to consider, a hint of her rational mind had begun to surface. Chasing another person would certainly be off. She didn’t need to give her guardian an actual reason to keep her back at home for a while other season. Listening to the next statement, she contemplated his words. After a moment, she grinned. “OK.” She said cheerfully, before quickly dragging the poor man further onto the dance floor and taking lead of the dance quickly.

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Well he supposed it was better than being dragged around the room.

Wide-eyed, Albert was pulled further into the dance floor, where he assumed the young lady's plan (hopefully) was to make him dance. No wild goose chases. Or, more specifically, not a wild deer chase.

She took the lead of the dance — something he found difficult to concentrate on when he realized other people were looking. As the concern set in, so did the droplets of sweat that seemed intent on dripping down the site of his face. Was it really that hot? Was he nervous?

"So." That wasn't really a conversation starter, so he quickly fumbled for something more ~eloquent. "I d-don't believe I caught your name, Miss." A boring question, which hopefully could balance out literally everything else.

  

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

☙ Post Log ❧

Even with the dancing, she still had the deer in her mind. Would she have caught the deer? Would it have been fun? As they danced. Or rather, she was dancing, he was simply following along… was this what it was like for men when they took lead? Well, as she was dancing, she started to notice all of the other ‘animals’. Her mind started to wander, and she started to lighten up on her lead.

Looking at him directly, she listened intently as he spoke. He seemed nervous. Why? Why be nervous? “I am Miss Lacey. You have not told me yours either.” She commented lightly. Not quite as interesting as expected, but perhaps he would prove to be a better conversationalist than her guardian at least.

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MJ made Magic!

Lacey. That was a surname he didn't recognize, and as Albert took great care to acquaint himself with the good families of magical Britain, that would a bad thing. Nevertheless, fleeing the scene without making sure she wasn't from a family either one of his brothers might know would also be a bad thing — unless she didn't know who he was, of course.

"My name is Albert," he said, blinking as he let go of her hand. He needed to snap out of it and make it out of here before they both caused a scene. "Would you like a drink?" he promptly asked, hoping she'd say yes.

  

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

☙ Post Log ❧

Lacey wasn't a famous name, certainly not one of the major ones of Britain. But it was one that did have importance. Her family, though now lacking in number, was important. She didn't even know if there was anyone left besides her that held her surname. Father only had one sister, her grandparents had passed on before she was born or she would have likely been sent to them instead, and she didn't know of any cousins of her father. They were a respectable family, so it couldn't have been a scandal to separate the Lacey family from one another. Was she truly the last Lacey of her blood?

Her hand was out of his. Family drifting from her thoughts, she blinked a couple of times. The mention of a drink sent her blood to a chill. Taking off her mask quickly to get a better breath of air, it felt as though she was of much clearer mind. Blinking a couple more times, she shook her head no. "I don't drink. At least, not the type of drink that are found at parties." She stated, only a hint of bluntness in her voice. She tried to hide it, but she was rattled and slightly confused. Had she really had such strange thoughts? Had she really dragged a man through a dance as she took lead? "My apol0gies, I fear these masks may have been tampered with by some sort of enchantment." She added, speaking softly and with a shyness that had not been in her voice at all when the mask had been on.

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MJ made Magic!

Albert cast her an dubious glance through his mask. Respectable ladies didn't drink—at least not things that made them drunk—which is why parties such as these usually offered a less-potent selection of beverages. He was altogether unconvinced by the excuse she offered, both for the drink and her behavior.

"I'm sure I could find you something else," he dismissed, hoping she'd take the hint and let him part ways with her. He was beginning to feel unusually agitated as well; perhaps he needed fresh air.

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— fabulous set by the fabulous Lady —

☙ Post Log ❧

At the insistence that he get her a drink, distrust entered her eyes. He was trying to get her to drink. Were all men like this? Was this her curse? To end up with a life to which she was under the household of a man who either was a silent drinker or made his drunkenness known to others? "No, thank you." She insisted, though the 'thank you' had the hint of being a forced one.

Taking a brief look around, she pretended to spot someone she deemed important. "If you will excuse me, I have someone that I must speak with." She said as politely as possible, before giving a polite nod and parting ways with him. Well, she most certainly was not going to go to another party hosted by Mrs. Devine.

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MJ made Magic!