December 20th, 1888 — The Destiny Christmas Ball
Jack Watson

Robin was mostly at the Destiny Christmas Ball out of spite. When the invitation had come, his parents had started in on how they should absolutely not be attending. Which, meant, of course, that Robin was absolutely attending. Robin had been having a time deciding whether to attend as Robin or his female self. He had taken a while choosing between the suit and a lovely gown he had gotten earlier in the month. Which to go with? Life was hard, sometimes.

In the end Robin had decided to go as a woman. Longer hair, softer features and all the other stuff that came with it. She was almost instantly regretting her choice as she stepped into the ball. Corsets sucked, okay? But the gown was really pretty, at least. Robin eyed the 'pond' dubiously - how did anyone dance in ice skates and not look ridiculous?

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Robin currently appears as a woman and will be using she/her pronouns.

The following 1 user Likes Robin Ashdown's post:1 user Likes Robin Ashdown's post
   Avril Lukeson

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Jack had, so far, had a decent night at the Christmas ball, although he had still dared not brave the dance floor. He was lounging against the wall near the entrance to the hall, watching everyone as they came and left, when he spotted a woman who he could not place, even by face. She was stunning, in his opinion, with beautiful long hair, and slate green eyes that he caught only a glimpse of before she turned her appraising gaze upon the pond that Jack had been so studiously avoiding.

Intrigued, Jack pushed himself smoothly away from the wall and approached the woman, unsure if he should introduce himself. Deciding that he was too curious about her identity to leave it be, he finished his approach and came to a halt next to her. "I take it the dance floor is not to your liking?" he asked in a low tone, French accent peeking though. He shot the woman a gentle grin, eyes playful. Something about this stranger made him curious.

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Robin Ashdown

  

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

Robin looked over as someone unfamiliar approached her. She had been to events before but mostly as her other self. The 'main' one that people got to actually meet and know about instead of being written off as the rarely seen 'sickly' twin sister. Oh great, she was being salty about herself now. That couldn't possibly be healthy.

"Not in particular," she replied, using a fan to hide part of her face as she tried to subtly take in the others appearance. "I don't know how one can dance in skates and not go slipping and sliding all over the place like a crab on ice." Then again, the other people probably actually knew how to skate. A skill she had not been taught because her existence had been hidden away for so many years.

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The following 1 user Likes Robin Ashdown's post:1 user Likes Robin Ashdown's post
   Avril Lukeson

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Jack could not help the giggle that escaped when the woman made her snide remark, and then immediately wished for a fan of his own to cover his flushed neck. That was the one thing Jack wished he'd been able to take with him from Jaqueline's life - a build in shield. He cut off his giggle quickly, turned it into a cough. Men did not giggle, after all. They didn't blush, either, for that matter, and Jack wish he had worn his caravat tied higher on his neck.

Clearing his throat, he spoke. "I 'ave not 'ad reason to skate in many years. I do not think I would be very good at the dancing." He chuckled, this time managing something lower pitched. "It is certain I would look like the crab you 'ave described."

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

Robin was mildly surprised at the giggle though there wasn't much she could say about it. Some men she knew giggled. Dandies, mostly but they did. Hell, she did sometimes when she was feeling more male but then again, Robin supposed she wasn't the best measure for what men did. "Are you all right?" Robin asked when the man seemed to be both coughing and flushing.

He was attractive to her, Robin had decided after her perusal of his features. Feminine, boyish, she didn't know how she would really describe the mans aesthetic but it was hella appealing. "I do not think you could look like a crab if you tried," she assured genuinely.

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Jack couldn't help the way he smiled brightly when the woman paid him a compliment. He found her stunning, with piercing eyes and cutting cheekbones, and though he knew he wasn't unattractive, he still felt a thrill at her words. "Nor could you, I think. Although, I will still not ask you for a dance. Too risky, on my part. Per'aps instead a drink? I am," he paused, trying to find words that would not make him sound too eager, "intrigued by you, madamoiselle."

Jack held out his arm to her, hoping she would take it, hoping she wouldn't rebuff his advances. He was rarely this drawn towards any woman, especially one who seemed so close to him in age. She had stories to tell, Jack thought, and he wanted to hear them all.

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

Robin was quite content to not be asked for a dance. She was not going to be going on that ice any time soon, no matter how nice the person that might ask her looked. "Oh, are you now?" Robin couldn't help asking cheekily when he professed to being intrigued by her. Not that Robin could really imagine why. "I have heard that Frenchmen tend be smooth as silk." Though she was pretty sure that this was the first time she had ever met a Frenchman.

"That is the accent I'm catching, I believe?" Robin asked curiously, not seeing the harm in taking the mans arm. He hadn't given her his name and she was sort of hoping that he wouldn't ask for hers. Robin had never really needed to provide it to someone before since she so rarely let her decidedly female side out to play and had kind of forgotten what it was supposed to be, oops.

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Jack laughed, shocked, when the woman flirted so openly with him. He flushed red but smiled, enjoying the attentions. She seemed brash, and he liked it. He lead the mysterious young woman over to the drinks table.

"Ah, yes. I grew up in Paris. She was a beautiful city." He sighed a little wistfully - he had left France to live as Jack, but he did miss his old life terribly sometimes. "In your voice I 'ear only the accent of the natives, if I am not much mistaken? Why, then, 'ave I never seen you before, I wonder?" he mused, taking a glass of wine from the table.

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

The downside of raising Robin mostly as a boy was that Robin was way too used to being able to mostly speak freely. She couldn't play the timid debutante nor did she really want to. What was the point in it anyway? At least this guy didn't seem to mind it. If anything, Robin would personally think he actually liked it.

"Paris! Now that's a place I would like to go someday," Robin stated freely. She would absolutely love to travel but for the moment just the areas around the United Kingdom were adventure enough after so many years hidden away like a damn fairy tale royal in a tower. "I'm Scottish, yes. And maybe you have but just did not notice me." Of course that wasn't the truth but what could she really say? Oh, a version of the truth might work, Robin realized. "I am a little selective about the social events that I attend."

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Jack smiled brightly. "Ah, while I attend them all! When the dance floor 'as not been turned to ice, I am quite fond of dancing." He led them over to a quieter corner. "Although, I do not think I would fail to notice you," he added, trying to flirt as he usually did but failing to keep his blush from coming back with a vengeance. Ah, well, at least he had sounded suave.

"Per'aps you will visit Paris some day. I would be 'happy to show you the sights. She is full of secrets, Paris." He could still recall the twisted streets and hidden shops, and the way her governess had taken her places she was really not supposed to go, knowing that if she did not, Jack would have escaped and gone anyways.

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(parting remarks and wrap?)

  

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

"Then I suppose the chances of you seeing me again are quite great," Robin couldn't resist teasing mildly. "I am fond of dancing sometimes so maybe next time I'll even let you dance with me." Robin was probably pushing it but what did she care? She rarely came to events as herself anyway and it wasn't like she could take the man up on a dance when she was male. The guy seemed to blush a lot which was cute. Not that Robin was socially aware enough to realize she was the root cause - she was kind of assuming that he was a bit cold from the climate charms in the room at this point.

"That would be nice. You could steal me away and show me all its secrets," Robin said, a little co-conspiratorially. She doubted that would ever really happen though. Her parents were already bitchy enough when he just went to the events in their own country. They'd probably croak if she announced that she was traipsing off to Paris.

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Jack was entranced by the woman. "Nothing would bring me more joy than to show you every secret in Paris. I do 'ope to see you again, mademoiselle, for you are indeed a mystery." He turned to face her head-on and fidgeted with his caravat. "May I 'ave your name, so as to find you again? I would very much like to 'old you to that dance."

He hoped she would consent to take up correspondence with him, if only he could learn her name. He had never been so taken by a woman, and though he knew it was foolish to try to pursue a courtship, he could not help it. He could always run back to France and live his days as Jaqueline if it ever went truly terribly, he supposed.

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The following 1 user Likes Jack Watson's post:1 user Likes Jack Watson's post
   Robin Ashdown

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such

"I don't think I am any mystery but if it pleases you to think so then I won't stop you." Robin knew she was likely considered mysterious to a lot of people. It didn't mean that she shouldn't try to dissuade it when it happened. Not that she ever did it very well, of course. Oh crud, he was asking for her name. She couldn't provide 'Robin', that was what the 'male' her was presnted as.

Luckily, Robin was a pretty quick thinker. "Dove Ashdown, sir," she provided. Yeah, she liked that name. From now on, Robin could be Robin and she could be Dove. It was much more feminine.

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Jack was thrilled when the woman- when Dove gave her name. He wanted to see her again, and now he had a way to find her. "Charmed, Miss Ashdown. I am Jack Watson." Taking Miss Ashdown's hand, he brought it up to his lips and brushed a kiss to her knuckles.

"Are you per'aps a sister to Robin Ashdown? I 'ave heard 'is name in passing." Jack had never actually met Robin Ashdown, only heard of him by name. He wondered briefly if the man was in attendance tonight.

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"It's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said when Mister Watson provided his name. She had no idea what Mister Watson intended to do when he took her hand and she actually blushed when he brushed a kiss to her knuckles. Okay, smooth. Was that a French thing or was this just how little experience she had dealing with men? Or both?

Oh, awkward. He'd heard about the other 'half' of her though she supposed that was also good. Their social profile was being raised and she'd actually get invited to a lot more events. "Oh, yes. Maybe you'll meet him one day."

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Jack didn't want to leave Dove's presence, but he was aware that he was quickly running out of things to say - appropriate things, at least. He was going to start rambling soon and make a fool of himself, he knew it. Also, he needed to use the bathroom. Dammed biology. He needed to excuse himself.

"I look forward to meeting 'im, and to seeing you again." He tipped his head towards Miss Ashdown. "I am afraid I must attend to other matters. It was a pleasure, Miss Ashdown." Smiling boyishly, he made to leave.

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speaks with a French accent. though jack might sometimes refer to themselves with she/her pronouns, they are always presenting as male and your character should refer to them as such