February 28, 1888 - Dorset, England

Taking some time to herself (and a chaperone), Regina had decided to travel to Bella's home for a bit of distance from her guardian, and time with her friend of course. That was all she was mentally addressing him as, her guardian. She couldn't bare the thought of thinking of him as an uncle, or a fiancé for that matter. It felt strange and unwelcome. But what else was she to do? News was not even known between friends, or even the house staff yet. Perhaps she could call the whole thing off? It was ridiculous, the whole situation. But, would that only make things worse for her? She had no other person that she knew of that could be her guardian, and finding a man quickly after such a change would not be easy. For goodness sake, she couldn't find one in a whole season.

She was sure that Mrs. Flint would not mind her visit. After all, Regina was seen as a respectable girl. Perhaps Mrs. Flint sees her as a good influence? Would that change if the so-called engagement got out? Most likely, it was a mess, to say the least. One question that was spinning on her mind was, would she tell Bella? It would be a smart move, a wise move, to tell someone that she could trust that was out of the situation for the most part. One that wouldn't dismiss her, or treat her too badly for all of this.

Knocking on the door, she was greeted by a household staff member. "Hello. I am Miss Lacey, and I would like to speak with Miss Scrimgeour, please." She said politely.

Escorted into the parlor, her eyes first landed on Bella when she entered into the room. Smiling lightly, she walked over. "Hello Bella." She said.

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Bella Scrimgeour

  

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MJ made Magic!

If Bella's friends could be considered "questionable influences", then Regina had to be considered the least troublesome of the bunch. Though an orphan and in the custody of a man that Bella—not necessarily society—thought was a bit shady. Who took in their non-blood-related niece and then controlled her like a puppet, seemingly without any sympathy?

Nevertheless, Bella was eager to greet her friend upon arrival. Bella hopped out of her chair at the first sight of her friend and wrapped her arms around her in a friendly, affectionate manner.

"You haven't come to see me in forever. I was about to think you'd long forgotten me!" she accused mockingly. "I was about to send Cora and the other hitch witch trainees to come get you. Next time make sure to send letters."

  

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Regina wish she had more control over who was to watch over her. If anything, she would have loved for an older brother who had been 18 when their father had passed. She would certainly not be in the situation that she was currently in. Their parents would have raised them better than that, of course. However, she did wonder what else would have been different in her life. Of course, she would hope to still be friends with Bella.

Smiling even more at the very moment she saw the look on Bella's face, she returned the hug. Friendship like this was not something that she would trade. Hearing the footsteps of the house hold staff member as they walked off, she was relieved to be alone with her friend. She needed to be honest with Bella, without greedy ears, just waiting for gossip.

"My guardian's sister is even more crazed then him. My little vacation had made her much more jumpy." She said with a sigh. The mention of letters not being sent made her eyes widen slightly, before she groaned slightly. "That nosy woman, she's utterly insane." She muttered, shaking her head. But, it would be just like her to do something like that. "I had been sending letters, to receive no response." She said before pausing. "Perhaps you really should have sent Cora to fetch me." She said, though her tone was more serious than that of her friend.

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Bella's immediate response was confusion, but then Regina seemed to realize that her letters—which obviously included whatever she was going on about—had not arrived. With a sympathetic smile, Bella proceeded to Regina to one of the couches and, taking a seat, patted on the spot next to her.

"It wouldn't be kidnapping if you came willingly," she joked, though her tone was ultimately somber. She knew what it felt like to feel trapped in an oppressive situation, but had been far more successful at escaping it than Regina had been. "You don't seem happy. Please tell me what's been going on," she requested, patting her friend's hands.

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

Regina absently followed her friend toward the couch as she talked. Sitting down next to her friend, she completely wished that her aunt had married into a normal family, with normal habits and the like. Instead, she had to deal with her uncle and his crazed sister.

"You're right, it wouldn't." She mumbled thoughtfully. The idea did appeal to her, as it would certainly get her away from this whole mess. It took her a moment to escape her thoughts. Looking up at Bella, she forced her smile, that she had lost, to return. "A lot has been going on, it has been one crazy event after another." She admitted. Looking around briefly, she didn't see anyone prying into their conversation. Turning back to Bella, her tone lowered a bit. "You don't happen to have any wandering gossips around, do you? I don't need rumors of my crazy life to spread." She added.

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Bella supposed being at Aunt Laverna's had its downsides. She might have been free from her parents, but it also meant being away from her friends—and that also meant clueless about their drama unless they managed to slip her a letter. "Wandering gossips?" she echoed, glancing around the large, empty room. "The servants have never been anything other than discreet, I imagine. Why? Has something bad happened?" Something that would be need to be hidden from even her servants? Regina had never seemed like the type to get embroiled in scandal, but all of her friends seemed to have changed since graduation.

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

Drama was the last thing she needed. Part of her was considering asking Mrs. Flint if she could stay with them until she found a suitable husband. At least then, her uncle could no longer ruin her reputation. They were not even really related. Surely the public eye would understand the fact that Regina simply had to leave such terrible social conditions.

Oh, of course she sounded like a scandal had occurred. But... hadn't one? This was quite scandalous, truly. At least if she went through with it, if anyone of the public knew of it. It took a minute for her to consider her friends words. She looked around once more, before nodding slightly. "He had the nerve to propose to me. And sadly, with a muddled mind at the time, I had agreed to it." She whispered, scrunching her nose at the thought. "You're the only one that knows. Not even our house hold staff knows. I'm sure his crazed sister knows, but she knows how to keep her mouth shut." She muttered.

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Oh. My. Merlin.

Regina was engaged? To that - that man?

Bella was not having it.

"You are not marrying him. I absolutely forbid it! What were you thinking? What were you drinking?" she shrieked incredulously, practically leaping from her seat. "An absolute creep, he is! Proposing to his niece? Even by marriage, that's practically family! Is that even legal?" she ranted, all the while being far too loud.

"Him and his oh-so-perfect pure blood - and - and his clammy, cold hands! Trying to get them on your fortune, I'm sure! Have you even looked at him, Regina? He looks like he belongs in a murder mystery!" she shrilled hysterically, pacing in circles while trying to figure out just what to do.

  

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Regina’s eyes widened. Damn it Bella, this is not something that Regina wanted to have shouted on rooftops, even metaphorically. Of course, Regina knew that she had to do something quick. “Bella, calm down, that’s not what I’ve said. You’ve miss heard me. I said he was considering purposing to a lady he had just met.” She exclaimed loudly, grabbing Bella and quickly pulling her back down into her seat.

Leading forward, she actually glared at the young woman before her. “Shut. Up.” She hissed. Now was not the time to be shouting anything. She wasn’t going to let her reputation get ruined over this. “Of course I don’t plan to go through with him. But was I supposed to do? Let him hex me in a drunken rage?” She whispered quickly, a flash of fear in her eyes.

But the problem was, what was she to do? He was possibly going to be worse, either way. At this point, she might not be able to go back at all. However, perhaps she could send him a letter, have him see some sense. Though things will never be the same, perhaps she could convince him to let her leave his care.

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Bella cast a doubtful gaze at Regina with her loud refuting; obviously she didn't understand the urgency of the situation! Nevertheless, she quietly took a seat beside her friend for a moment and allowed her friend to chastise her.

Well, only for a moment.

"Let him hex you in a drunken rage!" she responded, likely still not meeting Regina's standards of discreetness. "Then you can paint him to be the villain, get him arrested, and be safe from him. You have no business even returning home tonight—especially if you're officially engaged," she added, lowering her voice at the end.

Ever since Regina had been sent off to live with her uncle, Bella had felt uneasy sending her home when the sun went down. "You don't know what he might do to you if he thinks you belong to him now. He could hurt you. I don't want you to get hurt—especially not like that," she added softly.

Unlike Regina—and many young ladies raised in the upper class—Bella had lived in the slums. She'd been warned on what type of men were best avoided, and Mr. Tabiner sent of a lot of alarms in her mind.

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

At first, Regina was slightly relieved that her friend seemed to have slightly calmed down when she had willingly sat down. Well, this was an improvement from Bella’s past actions. Glad to be able to speak at least a moment, the relief quickly disappeared.

Eyes widening, she watched her friend in shock. At least this could be seen as a fault by Bella, and not her. Anyone now would simply look at Bella with a bit of annoyance or something. But in a moment, she started thinking of how this idea might help, even now. A simple, half hearted and quiet mumble of, “It’s technically not official,” left her lips. It was only a tone that her own friend would be able to hear.

Her friend’s next words did hit her a bit. That could be true. It really could get worse. Also, even if she rejected him now, he could get worse even then. Trying to keep her breathing even, she let her idea take more form. “Bella.” She mumbled a bit to softly while Bella was finishing speaking.

Blinking a bit, she knew she might need to speak up. “Bella. Annabelle, I need you to hex me.” She mumbled bluntly. Thinking a moment, she added, “And put some sort of bruising spell on me for good measure.” Perhaps this was crazy, but it may just save her life.

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Bella's expression, which had been nothing except a deep frown and furrowed brow, changed in an instant. Her brows shot up, and her her mouth opened to let out a loud (and definitely improper) laugh. "Me? Hex you? Merlin, Regina, you must be so distraught that you'd suggest something so ridiculous!" She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm being trained as a healer, not a welcome witch. I could barely bring myself to attack someone attacking me, let alone someone I deeply care for. Go ask Cora — she's trained for that."

  

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Regina huffed, thoroughly frustrated with her friend. “Damn it Bella, if this isn’t done, something worse could happen. Take it seriously.” She demanded grimly. Taking another moment, she thought deeply. “I don’t know Cora as well as you do. But… could you get her here quickly?” She suggested. The sooner this could happen, the better for her safety.

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"I didn't mean it when I said to go get hurt — not really," she insisted, grasping her friend's hands. "I will by no means be dragging Cora here to get her to hurt you! And anyways, I will have no injured parties in my Aunt Laverna's home," she continued, her blue eyes staring sternly into Regina's.

  

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This made Regina glare once more. Was her friend really regretting the only idea that she had? And idea that said friend had given her. “Then what do you actually have in mind.” She stated bluntly. To be honest, she truly was concidering hexing herself and possibly purposefully falling down the stairs for good measure.

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Taking a deep breath, Bella popped up from her seat yet again and placed her hands on her hips. "What I am going to do is make sure you do nothing to harm yourself. I know how your brain works; once you've got your mind set on something, you're not changing it," she accused. "We'll have to find someone to take you, but it can't be me. Aunt Laverna would have a fit; this is not a home for displaced debutantes."

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —