July 31st, 1894 — Black & White Ball

The Malfoys had to be getting desperate if they were inviting August to an event like this. August would have expected some of their girls to be married by the time he returned. Since they weren't, the desperation made sense. He was wearing black with gold thread at the seams of his jacket. While August was not entirely sure how he felt about themes, he did feel rather sharp.

So here he was, again, at the edge of a dance floor. He sighed. He needed to find someone to talk to, and —

"Miss Stuart-Lane!" August said cheerfully; he recognized her, because her description preceded her. He was happy to connect with her — this would be more productive than a conversation at the edge of a ball usually was. "I've been meaning to connect with you on British progressivism — August Echelon-Arnost."

(Hopefully his reputation preceded him, too.)

Cecelia Stuart-Lane

  

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set by Bree

fit inspo but make it Victorian obvi

Honestly, CiCi wasn't sure exactly why she'd been invited to the Malfoy family's ball in the first place. She never understood why other eligible young ladies were expected to attend parties where certain eligible young ladies were meant to be the focus. It was why she largely avoided the Hogwarts Coming Out Ball, in the years following her own debut — it wasn't as if she had family who were also graduating, nor did she have friends still at the school.

So she stuck to the edge of the dance floor herself, except when it was polite to accept a dance invitation. One hand fidgeted with the beading on her dress in idleness until she heard her name.

"Yes?" She looked away from the dance floor at long last, setting her polite, society smile in place, before the gentleman explained and introduced himself. So this was the famous August Echelon-Arnost she'd heard of so often. Her smile almost immediately becomes softer, more genuine. "Well, it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Mr. Echelon-Arnost." She offered him the courtesy of a partial curtsy. Beyond that, she wasn't sure yet how to proceed with their conversation; it wasn't often that someone approached her for this sort of subject at a ball. Plus, she was on the lookout for Mr. Humphrey-Mavis...

If Cecelia was entirely honest, part of her wondered if the Malfoys had invited her to be part of the decor...

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August Echelon-Arnost / Cassius Lestrange
I realized as soon as I'd finished this that this falls in the window of the dance card roulette infatuation. xD

  

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beauty by MJ

She knew who he was, or she had done a good job of faking it — August smiled again, more genuinely. "I'll admit it's a bit of a strange setting," he admitted, tone going for 'self-deprecating.' He did not know the Malfoy family particularly well — although he had met Miss Victoire a month beforehand. Still, he suspected that they were rather conservative — they had the name for it.

"Do you usually attend events like this?" he added. Balls, conservative balls, themed balls — he was intentionally vague in the question, intrigued by her answer in advance.

  

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set by Bree

Oh, she knew who he was. CiCi had seen him at a distance at other events — the kind of event the Malfoys would turn their noses up at. Political events. She'd just never angled for an introduction, though she certainly could see the advantages of knowing him, beyond just social acquaintanceship. But it wouldn't be polite to bring that up here, so CiCi put it out of her mind and focused on his question.

"I try to be a bit selective about the balls I attend," she admitted. "This is my first hosted by the Malfoys. I must admit, the theming is...comparatively impressive. Even if it feels strange, I must admire the dedication."

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beauty by MJ

"They've certainly committed to the theme," August said, wondering if that was what she had meant. "I personally am not always invited to events hosted by families like this — although I appreciate the invitation, of course." He added the aside because it felt important, in case anyone was listening to them.

After a few Seasons abroad, August knew that he had to accept as many invitations as he received, or people would forget that he existed and he would be left of the list. It was a lot of work, and he was not even a debutante.

  

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set by Bree

"Committed is the word for it," she laughed. "And don't feel alone...I was most surprised to receive my invitation to this ball, as well. The Malfoys do have a certain...reputation." Being from a muggle family did not endear Cecelia to most wizarding families, especially those who saw themselves as these great dynasties.

"Have you stepped outside yet? I hear it is quite the strange experience."

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beauty by MJ

It could not be easy for Miss Stuart-Lane, to be a muggleborn feminist debutante who seemed to desire a husband in wizarding society. It would be impolite for August to bring up here, but he was curious about it.

"I haven't," August admitted, with a small smile. "Shall we try it?" He could not ask women to dance, but he could ask them to walk around a party with him — as long as they didn't mind waiting.

  

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set by Bree

It certainly wasn't easy for Cecelia. There was definitely a reason she'd been on the market for three seasons now, and she was quite sure it wasn't her personality (which, admittedly, could be a lot as well). But, alas, the only way for her to obtain power in the current status of their world was to marry, and even that didn't offer much.

"I'd love to know how they managed the enchantments required for the effect they've apparently succeeded with outside," she confessed with a smile of her own. She didn't mind a break from the ballroom — it wasn't as if the majority of the gentlemen at this event were tripping over themselves to dance with her. She'd resume her (admittedly passive) search for Mr. Humphry-Mavis later.

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August Echelon-Arnost

The following 1 user Likes Cecelia Stuart-Lane's post:1 user Likes Cecelia Stuart-Lane's post
   August Echelon-Arnost

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beauty by MJ

"Let's head out, then," August said — he offered Miss Stuart-Lane his arm. It was both out of politeness, and so that he could dictate the speed of their walk, with his cane.

  

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set by Bree