Welcome to Charming, where swirling petticoats, the language of flowers, and old-fashioned duels are only the beginning of what is lying underneath…
After a magical attempt on her life in 1877, Queen Victoria launched a crusade against magic that, while tidied up by the Ministry of Magic, saw the Wizarding community exiled to Hogsmeade, previously little more than a crossroad near the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the years that have passed since, Hogsmeade has suffered plagues, fires, and Victorian hypocrisy but is still standing firm.
Thethe year is now 1895. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
Complete a thread started and set every month for twelve consecutive months. Each thread must have at least ten posts, and at least three must be your own.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Jewelry of jet was the haute jewelry of the Victorian era. — Fallin
Richard had a lot on his mind lately with things that both involved work and his personal life. His sisters were increasingly on his case about perhaps beginning to put out feelers for a more suitable bride than 'that Scrimgeour girl'. They didn't seem to have anything against her personally but scandal seemed to follow her everywhere. They just didn't know her like he felt that he did.
As distracted as he was, he wasn't too distracted to notice that a blonde girl just ahead seemed to be in some need of assistance. "Is this man bothering you?" He asked, his eyes on the unscrupulous lad that had been accosting the poor girl. That seemed to be all it took for the man to run off, leaving him in the company of a young lady that seemed vaguely familiar.
It had been over a month since Regina had spoken to Bella. Part of her wondered if it was for the best, for both of them. They each were living very different lives now, and seemed to only make each other miserable. After all of the drama that they had both been through, wasn't it time to put the past behind them? Perhaps Regina was too much of a reminder of what Bella's life had been before now. That didn't mean that Regina didn't want to contact Bella. Of course she did, at least to make sure things were going alright. If nothing else, perhaps she would send a letter soon.
London was a nice way to escape her nagging concerns. All of the different shops that were at least a bit different from Hogsmeade and Irvingly, it was a refreshing change. Out of the fog, much to her delight. That is, until a rather rude and unsettling man began to pester her. What first had begun as nothing more than a polite greeting, had soon turned into nagging on his part and discomfort on her own part. Thankfully there was a kind man to come to her rescue before a scene was made. Giving the man a grateful look as the other man fled, she nodded once to confirm his suspicions.
"He was, thank you for the assistance. I was growing very worried due to his behavior." She responded when the other man was out of earshot. Hopefully she would have no further trouble again from the matter. Not recognizing him off of the top of her head, she wasn't sure where she remembered him from. From the way he dressed, she was guessing that perhaps they had crossed paths at a party of some sort.
"Where is your chaperone?" Richard asked though there were a couple of worried looking older women nearby that could easily have been hers. His experience with his own sisters chaperones had mostly consisted of them not speaking up a lot, especially if there was seemingly nothing much that they could do. Perhaps that was the case here, he didn't know. All that mattered was that the blonde was now safe.
That was an excellent question, especially given the fact that she had been offered no assistance in the matter until he had come along. Looking over briefly to where she had last seen the woman before the other man had started to make a fuss, she spotted the older woman. A sheepish look on her face, Regina could tell that the woman was at least embarrassed by the lack of assistance. The woman wasn't a terrible person, and Regina tried her hardest to see it from her side of things.
As the woman approached Regina, the young blonde returned her gaze to the man who helped her out of that dreadful situation. "Right here. And thank you again for the assistance." She said. Could she ever thank him enough? Oh, hopefully she wouldn't make a fool out of herself. He seemed rather nice. "I am Miss Lacey." She added.
"Oh, Miss Lacey," Richard said, the faintest hint of recognition spreading across his features. "I've seen you at some social events a couple of times before." He didn't think he had ever interacted with her before or if he had, he did not remember. He was guessing he never had, though since she was introducing herself and all that. Or he was just that unmemorable
"I'm Mister Richard Gladstone. Would you like me to escort you to your destination?" It seemed the right thing to do following the harassment that she had been experiencing.
graphics by Lady!
September 30, 2018 – 4:06 AM
Last modified: September 30, 2018 – 4:06 AM by Regina Lacey.
Finally, at least someone has noticed the fact that she has been in the social scene. It seemed that life continues to try and make her life complicated. It helped that he was rather handsome as well. "I am glad to have made an impression. I would like to think that it would be a good one." She responded. With any hope, he didn’t pay too much mind to gossip and Witch Weekly.
Continuing to show kindness by offering to escort her to her destination, she was glad to have met a man with manners. It was quite a refreshing change from what had just happened. "Yes please."
More neutral, he thought but he knew that a woman probably didn't want to hear that. "No, not a bad impression at all," he offered diplomatically. He offered his arm to the young woman so that he could escort her and offered her a smile. "I hope that your experience won't turn you off London entirely."
Smiling at that, she was glad that negative thoughts were not at the top of a handsome man's mind when remembering her. He did seem like the truthful type. Eager to trust a man who just saved her from a rotten situation, she saw his words in a positive light. "No. I will not let that man ruin London for me." Aside from that, she also ended up meeting a rather nice man in the same place. While a neutral experience altogether, she decided to try to stay on the more positive side.
[div style="text-align: justify;"]"That is very good to hear. I am from Ireland myself but do enjoy a nice jaunt around London every now and then." Plus, you know, he worked at St. Mungos which was located in the city. They had been walking a bit when he realized that he had no idea where she was going. "And where is it we are off to?"
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Nodding slightly as she thought for a moment before answering, she wondered if she had been to Ireland before. "Is it nice in Ireland? I have not had many opportunities to travel until recently." It seemed best not to mention as to why she had not gotten to travel. The whole situation was strange and unfortunate. His next words made her stop in realization. She had been so caught up in the conversation that she had forgotten that they had been headed somewhere. How embarrassing. "I was going to meet a friend for tea. She lives ___*. I had some shopping to do first."
"Well, I'm quite biased but I do think it's nice," Richard said in mild amusement when she asked if Ireland was nice. "Not even within the UK?" Richard rather thought that everyone should get to travel but he knew it was harder for single women to partake. "I have no pressing matters to attend to so I can accompany you to the shops," he offered with a smile.
Her smile grew a bit as she listened. "I used to travel more, but then life got complicated. Perhaps I can visit Ireland soon. Any places that you would recommend?" It had escaped her noticed that she had blushed ever so lightly at his amused tone. The idea of him accompanying her on her shopping trip had caused the blush to worsen. Was it strange that she would be quite happy to have him join? "That would be nice."
"Dublin is the cliche answer but it is one of the best places to go if you don't know Ireland well," Richard offered up. He knew the city had a bunch of things for a newcomer to explore. He smiled as she accepted his company. It wasn't in him to let a woman go off on her own (despite the chaperone) after having witnessed her being harrassed as she had been.
Dublin is one of the few places from Ireland that she actually remembered hearing about. "Well, I don't think it is too cliché." Regina responded thoughtfully. It wasn't as though she had been their at all recently. His smile was nice. At least her company seemed to be welcome.
Richard chuckled when Miss Lacey said she didn't think it was cliche for him to have suggested Dublin. "Like I said, I think it's a good starting point. Now, which shop were you mean to head to first?" It was probably considered a little odd for him to accompany a woman he had just met but oh well, he had already committed to it.
Well it seemed that Regina was at least somewhat charming. He actually chuckled, and not in a nasty way from what she could tell. That was nice. "I was about to head to Fudge & Son Desserterie. I was hoping to surprise my friend with a few sweets."
