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
June 3rd, 1888 - Padmore Park Boats
@'Odira Potter'
All of the lights land on you / The rest of the world fades from view
And all of the love I see / Please please say you feel it too
And all of the noise I hear inside / Restless and loud, unspoken and wild
And all that you need to say / To make it all go away
It's that you feel the same way too
The Words - Christina Perry
It had taken a regrettable amount of time for Baxter to be able to plan and organize the boat picnic that Odira had suggested months ago, but at least they had made plans between then and now. This had been her very first suggestion though and clearly something she wanted to do, so Bax had taken great care in making sure everything was prepared for the outing.
Mrs. Parker had prepared a spread unlike any other. Bax worried it was a little too fancy for the occasion, but he was also not about to argue with his housekeeper who was the only one who really knew how Bax felt about Odira. She assured him that this would impress but with an air of casualty that suggested he didn't think about to too much. He didn't think that was actually a thing he should worry about, but he was going to take her word for it. Regardless, it was packed with a generous amount of finger foods, cheese, fruit, little sandwiches, lemonade, the works, Baxter had actually had to put a charm on it to make it lighter it was so heavy.
He stood at the end of the dock looking out at the lake itself in the Sunday afternoon sun as he waited for Odira to arrive, trying not to look as anxious as he felt. Was there really anything to be worried about? Bax kept trying to talk himself out of the nerves; clearly there was something between them, they both knew it now, he shouldn't try too hard to impress right? Wrong. Baxter had failed so miserably with Miriam (for other reasons, he reasoned),but he wanted to make sure he did this right. By the time he'd gone around in a worry circle again, he turned to find her coming his way down the dock and tried to suppress that little flutter he got at first sight of her. "Hello," He greeted with an easy smile. "Looks like perfect weather for the afternoon." Thank Merlin for that.
Odira had taken a handful of outings with Mr. Keene—not to mention seen him at functions—since the calendar had turned to 1888, but they had all, to some extent, been entirely in the public eye. This was hardly something for which either party could be faulted—it was, after all, the proper way of things—but she yearned to spend more time with the gentleman who, since her bout of amnesia, had become essentially family to her. The intimacy of a picnic on the lake was not lost on her, and rather girlishly, Odira found herself fretting about her hair—a concern generally quite foreign to her.
She had arrived to meet him at the docks in a lavender dress, hair neatly pinned back with a small, smart hat to keep the sun from her eyes. It was hardly a long journey: her modest cottage all but overlooked the park, and given the protective charms upon her hem, Odira had thought it perfectly reasonable to take a bit of a short cut.
“You’ve chosen a fine day indeed, Mr. Keene,” she replied fondly, stopping just shy of him. The breeze rustled her skirts lightly, but it could not rightly be called a windy day. “I fear as though the arrangement has been altogether unfair, though—you’ve been in charge of all the arrangements, and all I’ve done is show up!”
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
Just the sight of her up close had him envisioning the rest of the outing, far more intimate than they'd been allowed thus far and he was quite pleased with himself indeed-barring any emergencies. "Luck of the draw, cannot take credit for that. He smiled easily, adjusting the basket in his hand.
"I fear I cannot take credit for this either, Mrs. Parker deserves the applause for this and she wouldn't have it any other way." Bax rather thought she'd gone a little overboard, but he was not arguing in the slightest. "And it is the least I can do, you have far better things to worry about than packing a picnic, like small children and a home to keep, and the library of course." And he meant that in the best way possible. She had three children, a home and an occupation on her plate, he admired her stamina to manage it all. On his days off he was quite relaxed for the most part, no children to mind or things to organize, though he did have work to do on occasion. Or rather he chose to do work from home to keep himself from going insane with boredom.
"You look lovely by the way, that shade of purple is a most becoming color on you." He added, though realized he should have started with it. Well again, better late than never. Bax was still adjusting to saying what was on his mind rather than keeping it to himself. "Shall we?" He motioned to the nearest boat with another smile.
At the compliment, Odira felt a rather aggressive fluttering in her stomach, though perhaps that was normal—in a bid to impress, she'd bothered to lace her corset tighter than "exists" for a change, and was, understandably, still adjusting to the change. Not that she had any reason to want to impress Mr. Keene. None at all.
Part of her wished to return the favour, but how did one compliment a man on their appearance without making them seem vain? And to be truthful, Mr. Keene looked very much as he always did, though a bit less tired. Complementing that appearance, then, would be too telling.
"You're kind," was her response instead, and Odira smiled as she moved closely past him and towards the rowboat, which bobbed ever so slightly on the generally still surface of the lake. With no railing near enough to be of use. Odira gripped her companion's forearm lightly, then more tightly to avoid stumbling, as she lowered herself into the boat. After taking a moment to ensure her balance, she held out her arms for the basket.
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
Pleased that his compliment was well-received, he helped Odira into the boat and passed along the basket gently when she reached for it. Baxter then lowered himself precariously into the boat after her, sitting opposite her and reached for the oars, but the boat took off on its own; right they were enchanted of course.
"It's been so long since I've been here, I'd forgotten they do that." He chuckled sheepishly. He should have looked more into it when Odira had suggested it, but thought it rather straightforward. At least it saved him from having to row. Having to row would have been an unholy distraction and likely embarrassing as he likely wouldn't be able to it for very long. Bax may have been on his feet all day, but that didn't mean he was particularly fit.
"I'm afraid Mrs. Parker has gone overboard with that basket." He reached to set it between them on the floor of the boat. "I think there's a full 3 course meal in here." He had no idea what to start with- or when and supposed he would leave that to Odira. "I had to enchant it to be lighter." He admitted with a small grin. A lot of effort had gone into this outing and he was not about to screw it up.
Her eyes widened in surprise as the boat took over without their assistance—while Mr. Keene had forgotten that they did that, Odira had not known (or Learned Again) to begin with, and so was taken aback for a moment.
“Your Mrs. Parker seems invaluable,” Odira offered in answer, echoing his grin with a smile of her own. Then again, this should hardly come as a surprise—Mr. Keene was likely to forget to eat if he did not have someone about to feed him, and was too busy running a hospital to worry about running his home as well. That was why so many men took wives by the time they reached thirty: good help was hard to find, and keeping up appearances was almost impossible otherwise. Though Odira was decidedly very glad that Mr. Keene had neglected that particular milestone thus far.
“We shall do our best with it, and return what is left with my compliments. I am sure it shall be lovely!”
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
"Agreed." Bax pulled loose the tie on the basket and lifted the flaps to reveal an impeccably packed picnic basket. He wasn't even sure how they were supposed to get it all out without making a mess! There was a small pitcher of lemonade and two cups, cutlery, plates, the whole shebang. "I honestly don't know where to start." He chuckled, trying to puzzle out just where to begin.
He decided the lemonade was a good place and pulled it carefully from the basket along with the two cups, to pour out small measures so he didn't spill anything. He passed one over to Odira before diving back into the basket. There were little h'ordevres that he had no idea what they were, some kind of sandwiches beneath that with something to accompany them. Man he was out of his depth here. He definitely should have paid more attention when Mrs. Parker had explained what was in there...
"I admit, she told me, but I was not paying close attention." He shook his head and looked at Odira with raised eyebrows. "See anything you'd like to try?" That would be easier and she would likely have a better idea of what some of these things were. Or so he hoped otherwise they were going to just have to tuck in and hope for the best. Thankfully anything Mrs. Parker made was delicious.
I may never actually change this set by MJ
August 10, 2018 – 12:53 AM
Last modified: August 27, 2018 – 7:42 PM by Odira Keene.
“Goodness, I think I shall die before I find the time to eat so many sandwiches!” the witch exclaimed.
It was not merely sandwiches: Mrs. Parker had also furnished them with scones, cream, jams, grapes, meat pies, and a roast chicken, to say nothing of the pastries for dessert. Odira had thought Mr. Keene to be exaggerating when he said the woman had gone overboard; plainly, she had been mistaken in that! Dutifully, she removed the large bottle of lemonade and two glasses from their wicker prison, setting them gingerly on a wooden crate that had been upended into a table.
“I think we ought to start with this, lest we dehydrate before we settle on anything more!” the witch laughed, eyes crinkling at the corners in a smile. “I feel as though we ought to at least sample some of everything, lest we give offence, but it does not seem as though there are enough hours in the day to accomplish such a feat.”
Not that she would mind, of course, for Odira did so enjoy his company. Mr. Keene, though, was particularly busy man—she was privately rather impressed he had managed to make as much time for her as he had!
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
Bax smiled a little sheepishly. Mrs. Parker had clearly overthought this and it was making him a little self conscious. "I did neglect to tell her that the children weren't joining us," For a reason lest she start getting any more ideas about them. "Perhaps that's why." It was as good of a reason as any. He'd send the deserts home with her for them, if they even got there.
Taking the lemonade from Odira, Baxter popped the little cork in the lid carefully and poured two glasses (Mrs. Parker had thought of everything) atop the crate serving as their table. The boat slid along the water's surface so smoothly he kept forgetting where they were. "I fear if I take any home, she'll give me a scolding," She was old enough to be his mother, but he rather felt, approaching forty as he was, he shouldn't let her do that him, but he had no choice; she could be downright terrifying when she wanted to be.
"I am partial to the meat pies myself, but where would you like to start?" They could easily eat two separate things and still hardly put a dent in the contents, but he would ultimately leave the choice up to her. "How are the children?" Merlin he was terrible at this kind of thing. This kind of superficial conversation was something he should be good at, and he supposed he was, at work, where it was most common, but Baxter rather thought he should be long past this where Odira was concerned. They'd been through the ringer in certain situations, yet he wasn't ever quite sure what to talk about.
“They are well,” she replied warmly as she reached for a scone. “I had thought at first to bring them, but I rather wanted your company to myself,” Odira confessed.
The children did enjoy Mr. Keene’s company, and Odira did enjoy the children, but the pair so seldom got time alone that she had not been about to prevent it today.
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
Bax smiled a little more softly while listening about the children. If he were being honest, he would have enjoyed their company, but was in agreement about spending the time just the two of them. It happened so rarely he would jump at the chance when he got it. "Agreed," He turned blue eyes back on Odira after selecting a sandwich from the basket. "We can make it up to them another time. I highly doubt we want Jameson in a boat anyway." He chucked goodnaturedly. The young chap was just energetic and a boat could hardly contain all of that!
"I hope I haven't disappointed thus far, I know I'm not quite as adventurous as the little ones." Frankly, he was getting old, though still fairly spry, it wasn't as if he was going to stay that way forever. It was moments like this that made him remember he should probably start getting his ass moving on many fronts, one of them being a little more serious about his intentions for Odira. problem was, he wasn't exactly sure how to go about that. As a widow, did he still need to approach her parents about it? Did they skip courting altogether? Her mourning period was over, that much he knew, so that was no longer an obstacle. Mostly it was his own head he needed to sort out. After last time, he wanted to make sure he wasn't screwing up again.
Odira laughed—Jameson fancied himself quite the sea captain, perhaps due to the fact that his father had been envisioned as such by the man who had done his painting for the Ministry of Magic. Enthusiasm, though, was likely to render the lad overzealous, and he was more likely to capsize even an enchanted rowboat than guide it safely back to shore. Odira appreciated that Mr. Keene knew her nephew so well (particularly when she was a stranger to his own).
“You could never disappoint,” she reassured him warmly. “As someone who has had more than her fair share of adventure in far fewer years than you can boast, I can assure you that a picnic afloat is much more my cup of tea than magic carpet jousts or whatever the children might dream up!”
Frankly, Odira would have gladly attended such a ridiculous sporting event were Mr. Keene her companion, but they got along as well as they did because he would never ask her.
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
November 21, 2018 – 11:00 PM
Last modified: December 19, 2018 – 1:55 AM by Baxter Keene.
Well, she had him there. Odira was not short on excitement in her life, most of it quite unfortunately. Baxter could certainly empathize with wanting more low-key outings. Still, he smiled slowly. "Magical carpet jousts? I'll have to take Jameson for an adventure sometime, see if I can keep up." He chuckled, nibbling on his food as he pondered over that. He did enjoy the children nearly as much as he enjoyed Odira's company so it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.
"As long as we get to keep up with these, too." Baxter was slow to make personal decisions, he knew that, his own history of mistakes had led him to be cautious on this front, but he knew he'd made the right decision in the long run. Now he just needed to get moving here.
“I believe that is down to you, Mr. Keene,” Odira could not help but point out with a laugh. “After all, your schedule seems more often to be the more demanding!”
And Odira wouldn’t be. Whatever her feelings for the healer might have been, the witch had resolved long ago not to be a burden to the man who had become so important to her. He had demands enough at work that he did not need them from her, too—save for the occasional nudge out of the office, for he would die in there without it.
No, she would never presume to tax Mr. Keene, but Odira Potter knew that, like it or not, she would always be at the ready.
If I could marry Bee I would but I can't so I ship our characters instead.
It was down to him. Bax knew that, had just thought it himself and he needed to get a move on, he really did, but knowing himself as well as he liked to think he did, he would stall somehow. Fortunately, Odira seemed to have patience in spades, enough to put up with him fairly regularly anyway. It was utterly incredible that he could run an entire hospital efficiently, but he lacked the capability to get his own personal life together.
As Odira hit the nail on the head with her addition, Bax could only smile a little sheepishly. "I fear I need someone to handle my schedule for me, so that I do remember to take a step back very now and then." His own personal secretary might be up to the challenge... he should ask her about that. A professional at keeping him in line was certainly in order. "I will work on it." It would be good for him, once running the hospital was more like second nature and not like he was running around like a chicken with his head cut off.
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