Making the Most of It - Printable Version
+- Charming (https://charmingrp.com)
+-- Forum: OOC - The End (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: The Archives (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=52)
+---- Forum: 1892 (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=128)
+---- Thread: Making the Most of It (/showthread.php?tid=10552)
+- Charming (https://charmingrp.com)
+-- Forum: OOC - The End (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: The Archives (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=52)
+---- Forum: 1892 (https://charmingrp.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=128)
+---- Thread: Making the Most of It (/showthread.php?tid=10552)
Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
January 9, 1892 - Venice, Italy
Verity Swann
Having wanted to start their farce of a marriage off on the right foot Everett had planned a two week trip to Italy, starting in Venice and ending in Rome, with Florence and Verona in between. However, after having used a portkey to arrive in the magical inn, Everett was beginning to wonder at his plan. Staring out at the city of canals rain poured down from the sky as if they had never left the British isle after all.
Everett paced his room, wondering how Verity fared in her own room. It had been a blur of a day between the wedding activities and arriving in the south, surely she was tired. It had been why he had excused himself to his own room after seeing her settled, promising to come and gather her for supper at the appointed hour. But now that she wasn't by his side he couldn't help but wonder how she was feeling, what she was doing.
He had hoped to make this a good beginning for them, but watching the rain seemed only an omen of what was to come. With a sigh he checked his pocket watch, noted it was supper time, straightened his jacket and left his room.
Three steps down the hall and Everett was staring at his wife's door. He had a wife now. And he was fairly certain she wouldn't be happy to see him. After all she hadn't looked particularly happy at all today. Well, they'd have to make do. He'd done the best he could by her after all.
"Verity?" He knocked on the door, holding his breathe as he wanted for an answer.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Verity had nearly run from the altar, that was the simple fact she couldn't stop dwelling upon. Somewhere deep within herself she had hoped that either Ford or Noble would've put a stop to the affair. After all, she had hinted to Ford that she had doubts, hadn't she? Was the look they shared prior to the ceremony not a silent plea? How could either of them have allowed her to go through marrying a half blooded criminal? (Not that either of them knew that particular fact about her now-husband, of course. That was a secret she would now have to carry to her grave.) Everett Swann, while tremendously kind for marrying her despite the circumstances, met none of the standards she had set out for herself.
She should have run from the wedding.
Distantly, she wondered if it was too late to have the entire thing annulled. They hadn't consummated the wedding yet, which from her understanding was the most important piece. However, should an examination of her person be required then every secret she held would be instantly revealed. She was no maiden anymore; she had been sullied and ruined by that sick, twisted man. There could be no annulment, this was her life now.
After changing into more suitable evening attire, Verity had paced the length of her room thrice before Everett knocked on her door. Would he be joining her here after they dined? Would the only avenue to freedom be so swiftly removed? She couldn't refuse him if he did ask, not after everything he'd done to save her from ruin. Moving to the door, Verity undid the locks and opened it with the practiced, polite smile glued to her face. This was her life, she would have to find a way to be happy. "Hello again," she greeted. "Should we head down or would you like to come in a minute?"
She should have run from the wedding.
Distantly, she wondered if it was too late to have the entire thing annulled. They hadn't consummated the wedding yet, which from her understanding was the most important piece. However, should an examination of her person be required then every secret she held would be instantly revealed. She was no maiden anymore; she had been sullied and ruined by that sick, twisted man. There could be no annulment, this was her life now.
After changing into more suitable evening attire, Verity had paced the length of her room thrice before Everett knocked on her door. Would he be joining her here after they dined? Would the only avenue to freedom be so swiftly removed? She couldn't refuse him if he did ask, not after everything he'd done to save her from ruin. Moving to the door, Verity undid the locks and opened it with the practiced, polite smile glued to her face. This was her life, she would have to find a way to be happy. "Hello again," she greeted. "Should we head down or would you like to come in a minute?"
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
At least she had locked it, Everett found himself reassured by that. His need to protect her (oddly magnified given the lack of actual affection between them) was quelled. But then again, she might have locked it to keep him from intruding too. Something he certainly wasn't going to focus on.
"Hello." Everett nodded, taking in the smile. Part of him believed the look on her face, but given the situation, and the look of restrained fear at the wedding, he doubted it was genuine.
Come in for a moment? And do what? Chat about the same idle nothing that would occupy their supper table. "I thought we might head down." He admitted, adding, "That is, if you are ready?" She was dressed already, but perhaps she needed more time to settle her nerves or something equally feminine that Everett would never really understand.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Although no glimpse of it was visible through her strict resolve, there could be no denying the relief she felt at his words. She had until after supper, at least. It was an act of kindness she desperately needed to continue on through the evening.
"I'm ready," she confirmed with a single nod. Her appetite had vanished days ago, likely right along with her spine and determination to succeed in Society. Everett, however, needed only to see her take a few bites. Nerves were the usual feeling to have following a wedding, were they not? Surely, he would understand if she was apprehensive of what was to come.
Stepping from her room, Verity wandlessly locked the door (a charm she mastered within hours of returning home from her assault). "Have you traveled to Italy before?" She then asked as she waited for him to lead the way.
"I'm ready," she confirmed with a single nod. Her appetite had vanished days ago, likely right along with her spine and determination to succeed in Society. Everett, however, needed only to see her take a few bites. Nerves were the usual feeling to have following a wedding, were they not? Surely, he would understand if she was apprehensive of what was to come.
Stepping from her room, Verity wandlessly locked the door (a charm she mastered within hours of returning home from her assault). "Have you traveled to Italy before?" She then asked as she waited for him to lead the way.
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
Oh good, that was one less awkward situation - hovering on a doorway waiting for his wife to get ready. He stepped aside giving her ample room to pass him into the hallway. As they turned to go down the hallway, Everett could have sworn he heard the lock of her door again. A corner of his mouth quirked upward. Impressive.
"No, I've never had the time." Everett admitted, holding his arm out to Verity to escort her, after all it seemed the type of thing a husband should do. "But several friends of mine recommended it." And not just business connections. He did have a few friends from school who had traveled before returning to Britian.
"Have you had the chance to travel?" Given the fact that she was fairly young and her family had given her no dowry, he didn't think this particularly likely, but it did seem rude to assume such a thing.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
"I've heard it's lovely as well," she commented after taking his extended arm. While Verity would have preferred to remain distanced, she understood the importance of appearing as if they were happily married. She might have wished to have it annulled or to have run from him altogether, but considering neither option was feasible they now had to make it work. Somehow or another she would forge success from this nightmare.
They fell into step together with almost practiced ease. "Unfortunately not." Verity answered honestly. "My father passed not long after I debuted. We only came out of mourning a year ago and it was my sister's first season." Hers as well, not that that had mattered to anyone in her family. Not when Grace was permitted to have her own coming out ball and she had been forced to carve her own presence in society.
They fell into step together with almost practiced ease. "Unfortunately not." Verity answered honestly. "My father passed not long after I debuted. We only came out of mourning a year ago and it was my sister's first season." Hers as well, not that that had mattered to anyone in her family. Not when Grace was permitted to have her own coming out ball and she had been forced to carve her own presence in society.
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
"I guess we will find out if they are right together, then." Everett tried to make his voice sound cheery. Honestly he should be thrilled, it was his first time on the Continent, or really anywhere, and Verity was a pleasant person. She may not have been his first marriage pick, but there was nothing wrong with her except for the situation they found themselves in.
"I am sorry to hear that." It confirmed what he had been told by her family. He wasn''t quite sure what to say so he led them quietly down the stairs.
"This way." Reaching the lobby he nodded at maitre de who led them to their table in the dining room. Everett moved behind Verity's chair and waited for her to sit, trying to think of something to say. Perhaps a quip about the food? No he better wait until the staff had left.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
"I hope the weather clears so that we might." Verity hadn't been so absorbed in her thoughts that she failed to notice the rain outside her room's window. The rain brought about another concern: would he push to spend any days with miserable weather in her room? After all, it was an adequate excuse, as umbrellas and repelling charms only did so much. Merlin, why couldn't there be sunshine just this once?
She followed him to their table and gave him another brief smile as she eased into her chair. "This is a lovely hotel," Verity then commented after he was seated himself. "Thank you for bringing me here."
She followed him to their table and gave him another brief smile as she eased into her chair. "This is a lovely hotel," Verity then commented after he was seated himself. "Thank you for bringing me here."
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
Once Verity was settled he walked to the opposite side and took his place, ordering a bottle of wine with the entirety of his Italian capabilities, "Vino?" He had tried to learn a few more words before they left, but between the wedding and work hadn't had the opportunity. But it hardly mattered, he'd hired a guide, wasn't that what they were for? Problem was he wasn't employed until tomorrow. So for tonight they'd make do.
"You're welcome." Everett said sincerely. "I know this isn't exactly what you had planned..." He spread his hands helplessly in front of him. "But I wanted to try to give you some happy memories." And that was the sort of sentimentality that would get him in trouble, he was sure. Thankfully before he could make more of a fool of himself the waiter arrived with a bottle of wine and made a whole production out of handing them glasses and pouring them - honestly if Everett had known the words he probably would have profusely thanked the man for his intervention. Some husband he was.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Oddly enough, Verity had studied Italian long before ever meeting Everett Swann. She had had a chance encounter early in the Season with Mr. Savino Zabini and begun daydreaming of him shortly after. They hadn't interacted much outside of their conversation about tea leaves, but she had hoped to catch his eye at some point. Then, once his interest was noted she could have impressed him with her knowledge of his native language. It was a fool proof plan until it wasn't.
She was about to reply when the waiter returned to their table with his extravagant method of pouring. Then, after waiting a moment for Everett to offer more than a simple thanks, Verity smiled at the man and expressed their gratitude for the wine in well versed Italian. Once the waiter had stepped from the table once more, she reached for her glass and took a small sip. "I'm sorry if that was inappropriate," she said earnestly. "I didn't think -"
Rather than continue to babble in an unexpected break in her polite facade, Verity stopped herself from speaking with another sip of her wine.
She was about to reply when the waiter returned to their table with his extravagant method of pouring. Then, after waiting a moment for Everett to offer more than a simple thanks, Verity smiled at the man and expressed their gratitude for the wine in well versed Italian. Once the waiter had stepped from the table once more, she reached for her glass and took a small sip. "I'm sorry if that was inappropriate," she said earnestly. "I didn't think -"
Rather than continue to babble in an unexpected break in her polite facade, Verity stopped herself from speaking with another sip of her wine.
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
Across from him Verity began speaking in what he presumed was Italian and Everett found his eyes widening. Did she know Italian? Perhaps she had always wished to visit Italy? Whatever the reason it was certainly impressive.
After the waiter left he found himself pondering just how to address this new development when Verity jumped in. "No, no. It's fine." Everett was quick to assure her. "I just didn't realize you spoke Italian." He shook his head slightly and then took a sip of his own wine trying to compose himself. "Did you learn as a child?" As far as he could tell she seemed fluent in the language. Better than his handful of words. Vino, Ciao, Graci. It would be helpful to know the langauge when he had his meeting in Rome.... but no, that was entirely out of the question. He had married Verity to keep her safe, he wouldn't do anything to jeapordize that.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Before she overindulged and drank the entire glass, Verity returned her wine to the table and folded her hands neatly in her lap. "Oh, no. Our governess focused on French and Latin. I began to learn Italian in passing last year." She easily explained. Languages had always come naturally to her — moreso than most forms of magic. She still struggled with the most basic of potions.
"Do you speak any other languages?" Verity then asked in an attempt to move the conversation away from herself and the too close mention of what caused them to marry.
"Do you speak any other languages?" Verity then asked in an attempt to move the conversation away from herself and the too close mention of what caused them to marry.
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
"That's quite impressive." Everett had never shied away from an honest option. Well alright, he was a lawyer, so yes, he did. But generally around family - and Verity was one of them now, no matter how that had happened.
"Oh, well I know Latin from work. But my governess always said I was deplorable with my French. I think she just gave up at some point." He paused to take a sip of wine and then added, " I'd like to think I could make my way through a dinner in France, but the truth of the matter is I'd just as likely insult the waiter and find myself poisoned then eating a pleasant meal." Everett shrugged, giving her a sheepishly charming smile before taking a sip of his wine.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Conversing with Everett was surprisingly easy. Verity had feared her nerves of what was to come later that night would overshadow any willingness to get to know him, but those fears were being quickly disproved by how naturally their conversation flowed. He had an energy about him that put her at ease, which was ludicrous considering it was his involvement in her life that put them in this predicament. Still, she couldn't help the small, vain smile that crossed her face at the compliment. Verity had always been easily swayed by people recognizing her achievements.
"If you have an understanding of Latin, then French and Italian shouldn't be too difficult to follow. Most of the rules of the language are the same. I can help you if you ever have need." The offer came naturally but was one she hadn't expected to make so soon. Verity reached for her glass and took another small sip of her wine. "If only to keep myself from becoming a widow so young," she soon added with a quick laugh.
"If you have an understanding of Latin, then French and Italian shouldn't be too difficult to follow. Most of the rules of the language are the same. I can help you if you ever have need." The offer came naturally but was one she hadn't expected to make so soon. Verity reached for her glass and took another small sip of her wine. "If only to keep myself from becoming a widow so young," she soon added with a quick laugh.
RE: Making the Most of It - Everett Swann - February 25, 2022
"You would think." He chuckled into his sip of wine. And yet all languages eluded him fairly effectively, Latin or no. And besides he had forced himself to learn enough Latin to achieve success in his career, he didn't think that applied to ordering a meal or conversing in it.
Everett was setting his wine glass back on the table when Verity again surprised him by offering to help and then, even more astonishingly, by joking. He was fairly certain he hadn't heard a single joke from her since the fated night they had met. Everett chuckled, "Well in that case I suppose I must take you up on your offer. Although I think you will find my language skills irredeemable." He should be sheepish at such a statement but instead humor was written on his face.
RE: Making the Most of It - Verity Swann - February 25, 2022
Another sip of her wine — the glass was already nearly half gone — and Verity returned it to the table once more, this time determined not to take another drink until their food had arrived. She was never the sort to indulge much at Society events, leaving her susceptible to becoming tipsy at too quickly a rate. (In fact, ever since September Verity hadn't had more than half a glass of wine so that she would never be caught unaware again.)
"We shall persevere until you have a rudimentary understanding at the very least," she replied. Verity thought to suggest they host joint dinner parties so that she might assist him in real time, but that seemed too questionable given his proclivities.
"We shall persevere until you have a rudimentary understanding at the very least," she replied. Verity thought to suggest they host joint dinner parties so that she might assist him in real time, but that seemed too questionable given his proclivities.