On a Night Like This - Printable Version
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On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - April 30, 2022
Her mother certainly had grandiose ideas sometimes and Daff wound up being the one to figure out how to make them work. She had, however, managed to pull it off somehow. Their entire backyard and garden, edging out into the park itself had been decorated from top to bottom in every flower imaginable. If someone had decided to this and their family weren't florists, Daff wasn't even sure she could have calculated the cost. However, considering they had everything on hand, or had grown it over the last few weeks, the Potts family could pull it off for the simple price of their blood, sweat and in her case, a few tears.
Everything had come out splendidly though, little pockets of what were essentially different ecosystems of flower types were scattered throughout the yard, along with treats and sweets courtesy of Mr. Honeyduke. Her mother had done well there. Mr. Honeyduke's treats were all flower themed and everything. Her favorite was the wall of wisteria near the house, but her pumpkin plants were also on full display in their gigantic beauty as well.
It was spectacular really. Daff felt a little bit like a flower herself, in a new dress her mother had insisted on. It was a pretty dusty sort of rose color, it was draped beautifully and somewhere between an afternoon and dinner dress. Frankly this was the only sort of occasion she could think to wear it to, but today, with it's day and evening portions, it suited. She'd swept her hair back into some sort of knot at the base of her neck, and wove in some tiny pink forget-me-knots.
The flower show had gone over well, there had been a good turn out, but as the day wore on and the crowd thinned, she was looking for Mr. Grimstone. Her invitation had strongly suggested he show up later in the day, mostly so she could monopolize his time between the events and have the time herself to show off what they had done. She also had a special little surprise for him. The sun was sinking over the trees and casting a warm glow over the flowers. Soon enough the fairy lights would sparkle to life and the tent would make its transformation into the dance floor. It was going to be a lot of fun.
Daff had stopped for a glass of lemonade, still tickled by the pansies floating in the glass when she finally spotted him. It was hard not to after all as he tended to tower over almost everyone else. Her face lit up and she practically scurried to meet him near the entrance. "You made it!" She grinned, stopping just shy of running smack into him.
Everything had come out splendidly though, little pockets of what were essentially different ecosystems of flower types were scattered throughout the yard, along with treats and sweets courtesy of Mr. Honeyduke. Her mother had done well there. Mr. Honeyduke's treats were all flower themed and everything. Her favorite was the wall of wisteria near the house, but her pumpkin plants were also on full display in their gigantic beauty as well.
It was spectacular really. Daff felt a little bit like a flower herself, in a new dress her mother had insisted on. It was a pretty dusty sort of rose color, it was draped beautifully and somewhere between an afternoon and dinner dress. Frankly this was the only sort of occasion she could think to wear it to, but today, with it's day and evening portions, it suited. She'd swept her hair back into some sort of knot at the base of her neck, and wove in some tiny pink forget-me-knots.
The flower show had gone over well, there had been a good turn out, but as the day wore on and the crowd thinned, she was looking for Mr. Grimstone. Her invitation had strongly suggested he show up later in the day, mostly so she could monopolize his time between the events and have the time herself to show off what they had done. She also had a special little surprise for him. The sun was sinking over the trees and casting a warm glow over the flowers. Soon enough the fairy lights would sparkle to life and the tent would make its transformation into the dance floor. It was going to be a lot of fun.
Daff had stopped for a glass of lemonade, still tickled by the pansies floating in the glass when she finally spotted him. It was hard not to after all as he tended to tower over almost everyone else. Her face lit up and she practically scurried to meet him near the entrance. "You made it!" She grinned, stopping just shy of running smack into him.
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - May 8, 2022
“Of course,” Elias said, somehow winded in his chest as if she really had collided with him and not stopped short, and feeling nearly as dazed as that first time he’d dropped in at her garden; but he returned her smile with ease. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
(He had looked over the invitation she had written him enough times today that he really wouldn’t have missed it – he felt as though his mind had been half on the flower show all day, drifting there at intervals and never quite shaking himself free of it. Still, Elias had waited until it was late in the day as planned, reminding himself again that it would be busy there and everyone in the Potts family too preoccupied with hosting and their plants to spend much time with anyone. So he probably wouldn’t even get to speak to Daffodil there, or at least not for long – but he could still go to appreciate the place, learn a little more about flowers, and write to her afterwards to enthuse about it, and that would be almost the same.)
No, no, he’d been wrong: being met face to face with the full force of her smile like that had already made all the difference to his evening, and he had only been here for minutes. He cast his gaze around the gardens in unhurried admiration. Even from here, there was a lot to see. “The place looks beautiful,” Elias said, and – as though it were an afterthought – added casually: “So do you.”
(He had looked over the invitation she had written him enough times today that he really wouldn’t have missed it – he felt as though his mind had been half on the flower show all day, drifting there at intervals and never quite shaking himself free of it. Still, Elias had waited until it was late in the day as planned, reminding himself again that it would be busy there and everyone in the Potts family too preoccupied with hosting and their plants to spend much time with anyone. So he probably wouldn’t even get to speak to Daffodil there, or at least not for long – but he could still go to appreciate the place, learn a little more about flowers, and write to her afterwards to enthuse about it, and that would be almost the same.)
No, no, he’d been wrong: being met face to face with the full force of her smile like that had already made all the difference to his evening, and he had only been here for minutes. He cast his gaze around the gardens in unhurried admiration. Even from here, there was a lot to see. “The place looks beautiful,” Elias said, and – as though it were an afterthought – added casually: “So do you.”
RE: On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - May 9, 2022
If she hadn't been flustered before (which really was hard to do) she was now after a comment like that! The grounds did look beautiful, but Daffy, as always, rather thought the pink was too pink and therefore she looked pink and her hair was already coming out of its twist, tendrils escaping everywhere after running around for most of the day. She would have assumed he was teasing her, but there was something about the way he looked at her that said she ought to take the compliment at face value.
And so the color rose to her cheeks and she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear in a shallow attempt to tame the unruly mess. Daff floundered for only a moment, biting her lip to prevent the smile from splitting her face in two. "Thank you," She managed, reaching out to slip her arm around his and gently tugged him toward the pumpkin plants. They were tucked back near the corner. "I have something I would like to show you."
The flower show was her mothers idea in almost its entirety; Daff had spent most of the design time taming her mothers outlandish ideas, rounding them out a bit and making everything cohesive. She had however, taken one space for herself. Daffy had magically fixed up her pumpkins so that they were fully grown, a little larger than normal, far out of season, but that was the beauty of magic. Hanging from the willow tree nearby were picture frames she had woven flowers and vines around, the flowers reminiscent of the ones Elias had created out of the hazelwood and carnations of course, which were perched upon the pumpkins. Framed by the largest of the frames, his creation sat in the center of several smaller ones she had recreated in its likeness.
"Since it was partially an art show, I thought I should feature my favorite local artist." Daff chuckled as she brought her free hand up to squeeze his arm.
And so the color rose to her cheeks and she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear in a shallow attempt to tame the unruly mess. Daff floundered for only a moment, biting her lip to prevent the smile from splitting her face in two. "Thank you," She managed, reaching out to slip her arm around his and gently tugged him toward the pumpkin plants. They were tucked back near the corner. "I have something I would like to show you."
The flower show was her mothers idea in almost its entirety; Daff had spent most of the design time taming her mothers outlandish ideas, rounding them out a bit and making everything cohesive. She had however, taken one space for herself. Daffy had magically fixed up her pumpkins so that they were fully grown, a little larger than normal, far out of season, but that was the beauty of magic. Hanging from the willow tree nearby were picture frames she had woven flowers and vines around, the flowers reminiscent of the ones Elias had created out of the hazelwood and carnations of course, which were perched upon the pumpkins. Framed by the largest of the frames, his creation sat in the center of several smaller ones she had recreated in its likeness.
"Since it was partially an art show, I thought I should feature my favorite local artist." Daff chuckled as she brought her free hand up to squeeze his arm.
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - May 24, 2022
Maybe it was just the evening light, with the pink and orange seeping in through the clouds, or the pink of her dress and the tiny flowers dotted in her hair, but Elias thought she might have blushed a little at the compliment.
If that had given him the upper hand here, it was quickly lost again: she had taken him by the arm, some mysterious purpose in it, and Elias surrendered to it far too gladly. Strange, that he should trust her so much; alarming, that her enthusiasm, that dreamy optimistic air, was so infectious to him. He didn’t have much time to wonder what she was taking him to – really, it could be anything; all his flower knowledge had come from her, besides – before they had come to a halt, and his eyes widened.
“Oh,” he murmured, entirely lost for words. The pumpkins were one thing – the pumpkins would have been enough – but the frames hanging from the tree and the arrangements and all of it was... Elias shook his head, a smile spreading across his face in incredulity and dumbstruck delight.
“Daffodil Potts, you didn’t,” he intoned, once she’d squeezed his arm and he had finally torn his gaze away. He peered down at her instead; his exclamation had meant to be chastising, but that rather lost its effect when Elias’ free hand was up against his face, trying to hide the threatening smile or his warming cheeks. She had said all manner of lovely things in her letters, but this display made it far more plain that she really must have meant it.
He reached out and touched the corner of one of the frames – ever so gently, as if to test the reality of it. “I don’t even know what to say.” I’m really not an artist; you shouldn’t have; but he hardly had the heart to protest to a display like this, heart and soul carefully woven into all this the painstaking work. (So if either of them had won the upper hand tonight, it was clearly already her.)
If that had given him the upper hand here, it was quickly lost again: she had taken him by the arm, some mysterious purpose in it, and Elias surrendered to it far too gladly. Strange, that he should trust her so much; alarming, that her enthusiasm, that dreamy optimistic air, was so infectious to him. He didn’t have much time to wonder what she was taking him to – really, it could be anything; all his flower knowledge had come from her, besides – before they had come to a halt, and his eyes widened.
“Oh,” he murmured, entirely lost for words. The pumpkins were one thing – the pumpkins would have been enough – but the frames hanging from the tree and the arrangements and all of it was... Elias shook his head, a smile spreading across his face in incredulity and dumbstruck delight.
“Daffodil Potts, you didn’t,” he intoned, once she’d squeezed his arm and he had finally torn his gaze away. He peered down at her instead; his exclamation had meant to be chastising, but that rather lost its effect when Elias’ free hand was up against his face, trying to hide the threatening smile or his warming cheeks. She had said all manner of lovely things in her letters, but this display made it far more plain that she really must have meant it.
He reached out and touched the corner of one of the frames – ever so gently, as if to test the reality of it. “I don’t even know what to say.” I’m really not an artist; you shouldn’t have; but he hardly had the heart to protest to a display like this, heart and soul carefully woven into all this the painstaking work. (So if either of them had won the upper hand tonight, it was clearly already her.)
RE: On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - June 5, 2022
Daffy wasn't paying attention to anything but his reaction and she wasn't disappointed by it at all. Like when presented with a bouquet of flowers, she loved seeing how people felt about situations like this. She had gone out of her way (maybe a little overboard), but that was the point wasn't it? Though it had been a year since things with Noble had gone downhill, she had thought that would probably be the end of her ability to connect on that level again, but here she was. The butterflies were still there, the want to make these kind of gestures, the ability to be able to do so on such an obvious level. Everything was just so much easier, actually enjoyable.
Her smile threatened to split her face in two and so she bit her lip to keep it in check. His expression said it all, not to mention she enjoyed the sound of her name in his voice. Daff nearly asked if he liked it, but she assumed that's what his reaction meant. "I thought it was a little different, quirky, with little details." She nearly added like us, but instead shrugged slightly, glancing at the hanging frames swaying gently in the breeze and the arrangements catching the early evening light.
"It's been a big hit today." There had been several compliments tossed her way today about a wide variety of things, but her frames had been mentioned quite a few times. "It's my favorite corner of the garden." Daff admitted easily, sighing softly, easing into the contentment of the moment. To say she had been nervous about his reaction would be a bit of a stretch, but she had wondered how it would go. "I'm glad you came."
Her smile threatened to split her face in two and so she bit her lip to keep it in check. His expression said it all, not to mention she enjoyed the sound of her name in his voice. Daff nearly asked if he liked it, but she assumed that's what his reaction meant. "I thought it was a little different, quirky, with little details." She nearly added like us, but instead shrugged slightly, glancing at the hanging frames swaying gently in the breeze and the arrangements catching the early evening light.
"It's been a big hit today." There had been several compliments tossed her way today about a wide variety of things, but her frames had been mentioned quite a few times. "It's my favorite corner of the garden." Daff admitted easily, sighing softly, easing into the contentment of the moment. To say she had been nervous about his reaction would be a bit of a stretch, but she had wondered how it would go. "I'm glad you came."
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - June 18, 2022
“It is,” Elias agreed, once he had finally let his hand drop from brushing sheepishly along his jaw, though there was a little leftover awe still in his voice. “We work well together, don’t we?” He said it without thinking, half teasing, meaning in the art – but maybe it was more than that, too. Perhaps this was exactly what he had been looking for all along, for something to feel natural and easy and true.
“We’ll have to try dancing next,” Elias added, eyes flickering to her between gazing at different details of the display in front of them, to test the waters if nothing else. “I would look around the rest of the garden first, see, but I don’t know how much I’ll be able to take in after all this.” He feigned a shake of his head, but he meant it honestly. He still couldn’t take his eyes off it for very long without being drawn back in, so the rest would be utterly wasted now – she had spoiled him for everything else.
And it didn’t matter in the least, because he had no desire to leave this corner or this moment or her company anyway.
“We’ll have to try dancing next,” Elias added, eyes flickering to her between gazing at different details of the display in front of them, to test the waters if nothing else. “I would look around the rest of the garden first, see, but I don’t know how much I’ll be able to take in after all this.” He feigned a shake of his head, but he meant it honestly. He still couldn’t take his eyes off it for very long without being drawn back in, so the rest would be utterly wasted now – she had spoiled him for everything else.
And it didn’t matter in the least, because he had no desire to leave this corner or this moment or her company anyway.
RE: On a Night Like This - Irene Crawley - July 3, 2022
Merlin, she might as well be the rabbit from that muggle story Papa used to read to her at night - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. True to the irony that seemed to grace her life (arguably a little too much, if she was honest), Irene had been in the middle of painting the details on a particularly fluffy white rabbit in one of her pieces when she remembered where she was actually supposed to be. Shooting up from her hunched over position, brushes and paint and water flew everywhere as she threw off her apron and scurried out the studio door. A tap of her wand saw her hair fly up into a decent chignon as she apparated to her flat and thrust open the door.
She was already in her painting attire, which wouldn't do the slightest, especially at the flower show, so she quickly shimmied into her best linen day dress, her best straw hat and flew out the door (not literally, she was still getting the hang of flying). Even as she hurried down the path she neglected to realize there was paint streaked across her cheek.
As expected, the place looked positively splendid. Having smelled the place before she had turned the corner, she would expect nothing less from the Potts family. After hovering over by the flower arrangement session, Irene figured it would be time to find her friend and give her compliments. It took a while, which wasn't something Irene would complain about. She enjoyed getting lost amongst the brilliant colors of the floral arrangements. In fact it was a while before she realized she had been gazing at a particular arrangement for far too long - one of hydrangeas, baby's breath and curling sprigs of something that smelled quite heavenly. Determined to commit this vision to memory for a future painting, Irene closed her eyes temporarily, a smile tugging at her lips.
Opening her eyes, she searched the crowd and spotted a familiar figure - it was hard to not recognize his tall figure, though she had taken a moment to realize it was him given his cleaned up appearance. His back was to her, and she quickly pivoted to hurry over to him, a bright smile on her face. "Elias!" She called, but her first greeting clearly hadn't gotten his attention. He didn't so much as turn his head in her direction. As she moved closer, her assumption that he was likely engrossed in the display in front of him was quickly shot down as she saw what - or rather who - it was on instead.
Irene stopped in her tracks, realizing it was Miss Daffodil Potts, smiling up at him in such an angelic, pure way that Irene could only think of a Fragonard painting - her chin lifted up to face him in such a way that it seemed it was lit from within. There were possibilities in her expression; and his. And yet, even though she kept moving towards them - she couldn't stop, her feet wouldn't let her - Irene's posture drew back. Her shoulders straightened, and she felt her spine go rigid as she prayed neither of them would notice her before she found the strength to disobey her body and perhaps dive in to the nearest obliging display.
She was already in her painting attire, which wouldn't do the slightest, especially at the flower show, so she quickly shimmied into her best linen day dress, her best straw hat and flew out the door (not literally, she was still getting the hang of flying). Even as she hurried down the path she neglected to realize there was paint streaked across her cheek.
As expected, the place looked positively splendid. Having smelled the place before she had turned the corner, she would expect nothing less from the Potts family. After hovering over by the flower arrangement session, Irene figured it would be time to find her friend and give her compliments. It took a while, which wasn't something Irene would complain about. She enjoyed getting lost amongst the brilliant colors of the floral arrangements. In fact it was a while before she realized she had been gazing at a particular arrangement for far too long - one of hydrangeas, baby's breath and curling sprigs of something that smelled quite heavenly. Determined to commit this vision to memory for a future painting, Irene closed her eyes temporarily, a smile tugging at her lips.
Opening her eyes, she searched the crowd and spotted a familiar figure - it was hard to not recognize his tall figure, though she had taken a moment to realize it was him given his cleaned up appearance. His back was to her, and she quickly pivoted to hurry over to him, a bright smile on her face. "Elias!" She called, but her first greeting clearly hadn't gotten his attention. He didn't so much as turn his head in her direction. As she moved closer, her assumption that he was likely engrossed in the display in front of him was quickly shot down as she saw what - or rather who - it was on instead.
Irene stopped in her tracks, realizing it was Miss Daffodil Potts, smiling up at him in such an angelic, pure way that Irene could only think of a Fragonard painting - her chin lifted up to face him in such a way that it seemed it was lit from within. There were possibilities in her expression; and his. And yet, even though she kept moving towards them - she couldn't stop, her feet wouldn't let her - Irene's posture drew back. Her shoulders straightened, and she felt her spine go rigid as she prayed neither of them would notice her before she found the strength to disobey her body and perhaps dive in to the nearest obliging display.
RE: On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - July 4, 2022
The blush returned to her cheeks as he said they worked well together. She had rather thought so, but she was trying desperately not to get to ahead of herself here. Daffy had managed to more fully, completely detangle herself from Noble and what had been, but she wasn't so foolish to think she should rush into anything else either. Getting to know Elias had been seamless, fluid, natural, and she didn't want to ruin that by getting brash.
"Do you think you can keep up?" She managed, an airy tease in response to the dancing quip. This was no ball; no easy waltzes or practiced cake walks. It would be quick sets, akin to a quadrille, and it would be messy and fun, exactly as it was meant to be.
Daff was dying to show him the rest of the show; her weeping wall of wisteria; the hidden fountain behind the topiaries, the archway she had decorated in tropical blooms. There was so much else she wanted to show him, each a different piece of herself she wanted to share and so she gently tugged on his arm. "We can always come back," Daff chuckled. "But I would like to show you some of the other things I've done, please?" She added, looking up at him once more, through her lashes, like a child trying to convince a parent for a treat.
She turned, hoping he would go along with it, finally noticing the approaching form of Irene looking a little... stiff? Entirely unlike Daff had seen her before. Daff realized a bit belatedly the rather close position she found herself in at the moment, but had no idea how to gracefully disentangle herself from Elias without making anything weird or obvious... An enthusiastic greeting would have to do. "Irene! I'm so glad you made it!" She moved forward for a hug, unhooking her arm and immediately noticing the absence, but unable to do anything about it. "I was worried when I hadn't seen you yet!"
"Do you think you can keep up?" She managed, an airy tease in response to the dancing quip. This was no ball; no easy waltzes or practiced cake walks. It would be quick sets, akin to a quadrille, and it would be messy and fun, exactly as it was meant to be.
Daff was dying to show him the rest of the show; her weeping wall of wisteria; the hidden fountain behind the topiaries, the archway she had decorated in tropical blooms. There was so much else she wanted to show him, each a different piece of herself she wanted to share and so she gently tugged on his arm. "We can always come back," Daff chuckled. "But I would like to show you some of the other things I've done, please?" She added, looking up at him once more, through her lashes, like a child trying to convince a parent for a treat.
She turned, hoping he would go along with it, finally noticing the approaching form of Irene looking a little... stiff? Entirely unlike Daff had seen her before. Daff realized a bit belatedly the rather close position she found herself in at the moment, but had no idea how to gracefully disentangle herself from Elias without making anything weird or obvious... An enthusiastic greeting would have to do. "Irene! I'm so glad you made it!" She moved forward for a hug, unhooking her arm and immediately noticing the absence, but unable to do anything about it. "I was worried when I hadn't seen you yet!"
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - July 8, 2022
Whose legs were longer? Elias might not be the best dancer at a proper ball, but he rather thought he should be the one asking her that; as it was, he merely laughed. Nor could he protest when she took him by the arm and looked at him like that, imploringly.
So he was busy trying his best to hold back an affectionate smile, and the call of his name might have passed him by entirely if Miss Potts hadn’t found the source of it. Belatedly tearing his eyes away from Daffodil, his gaze fell on Irene (Irene!). On any other day, he would have been delighted to see her – he ought to have asked her to come; this was exactly the sort of thing she would like – but, at this particular interval, there was a selfish speck of disappointment that she had appeared right at this moment, and cut it short.
He covered up the dampened feeling with a smile, which edged into a bemused look at Daffodil’s bright greeting. “Irene,” Elias echoed. “I didn’t know you two knew each other,” he commented, half-sheepish and half-fond; once the surprise of it had faded (and he had stopped himself thinking about Miss Potts’ hand on his arm), Elias had to grin a little at the familiar smudge of paint on Irene’s cheek, raising his eyebrows a little at her to silently, teasingly, point it out to her. “Is your work on display here too?” (Too, he said, internally snorting at himself – as if he could compare to Daffodil’s flowers or Irene’s paintings.)
So he was busy trying his best to hold back an affectionate smile, and the call of his name might have passed him by entirely if Miss Potts hadn’t found the source of it. Belatedly tearing his eyes away from Daffodil, his gaze fell on Irene (Irene!). On any other day, he would have been delighted to see her – he ought to have asked her to come; this was exactly the sort of thing she would like – but, at this particular interval, there was a selfish speck of disappointment that she had appeared right at this moment, and cut it short.
He covered up the dampened feeling with a smile, which edged into a bemused look at Daffodil’s bright greeting. “Irene,” Elias echoed. “I didn’t know you two knew each other,” he commented, half-sheepish and half-fond; once the surprise of it had faded (and he had stopped himself thinking about Miss Potts’ hand on his arm), Elias had to grin a little at the familiar smudge of paint on Irene’s cheek, raising his eyebrows a little at her to silently, teasingly, point it out to her. “Is your work on display here too?” (Too, he said, internally snorting at himself – as if he could compare to Daffodil’s flowers or Irene’s paintings.)
RE: On a Night Like This - Irene Crawley - July 30, 2022
Worried I hadn't seen you yet! Frankly at this point Irene would have been content with not being seen at all. There was such a strange feeling swirling in the pit of her stomach, it made her slightly nauseous. But not sick enough to get her out of this meeting, apparently. She embraced Daffodil easily, but her eyes lingered on the spot where she'd just withdrawn herself from Elias' side. Speaking of...
"Hi Elias." Irene looked at her longtime friend over the shoulder of their apparent-mutual friend. But he had an easy grin on his face, one that — what was he doing? She frowned in confusion as she took in his expression of amusement and a hint of — oh. Immediately with one of her free hands (she was still hugging Daffodil) Irene swiped at the wrong cheek, feeling the color rising up the back of her spine along with the fresh gust of summer wind. "I'm so sorry I'm late, Daffodil, I seem to have lost track of time!" She forced her voice to be freer, and physically shook herself as she drew away from the hug, begging her body to loosen up. She hoped to play the odd movement off as the breeze simply giving her a chill, despite the fact that it was a rather balmy temperature outside and the gust of wind was quite warm.
On display too?
Irene looked around for any sign of a display of broomsticks but could so far see none in her vicinity. "Too? Ah, I lent a few paintings for minor decoration, but nothing as spectacular as these works of art, surely!" She reached out a hand to gesture to the mass of flowers that had taken over the area. "It looks wonderful, Daff, simply wonderful." Was that too much enthusiasm? Irene took another deep breath as if that would be forcing her heart to cease its rapidly climbing pace. "You really have outdone yourself!" No, that was too much, she had to reign it in.
"Hi Elias." Irene looked at her longtime friend over the shoulder of their apparent-mutual friend. But he had an easy grin on his face, one that — what was he doing? She frowned in confusion as she took in his expression of amusement and a hint of — oh. Immediately with one of her free hands (she was still hugging Daffodil) Irene swiped at the wrong cheek, feeling the color rising up the back of her spine along with the fresh gust of summer wind. "I'm so sorry I'm late, Daffodil, I seem to have lost track of time!" She forced her voice to be freer, and physically shook herself as she drew away from the hug, begging her body to loosen up. She hoped to play the odd movement off as the breeze simply giving her a chill, despite the fact that it was a rather balmy temperature outside and the gust of wind was quite warm.
On display too?
Irene looked around for any sign of a display of broomsticks but could so far see none in her vicinity. "Too? Ah, I lent a few paintings for minor decoration, but nothing as spectacular as these works of art, surely!" She reached out a hand to gesture to the mass of flowers that had taken over the area. "It looks wonderful, Daff, simply wonderful." Was that too much enthusiasm? Irene took another deep breath as if that would be forcing her heart to cease its rapidly climbing pace. "You really have outdone yourself!" No, that was too much, she had to reign it in.
RE: On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - August 11, 2022
Though she wasn't always observant, perhaps she had become far too fond of Elias' face to miss the exchange between him and Irene, the informality of it and all. First names, the smudge on the cheek, and it made her feel some kind of way, but she wasn't exactly sure what it was. Daff decided to push it off and hope she was just imagining things.
"I would have showed you, but you were too preoccupied with the display." Daff teased lightly, trying to keep the same tone she had just a moment ago when they were joking around about dancing. In fairness it had been the first thing she'd dragged him to see and had been about to lure him around the rest, but they'd been interrupted. "And thank you, it's quite toned down from what my mother originally wanted." The imagination on Laurel was almost too wild, she needed to be tamed, which was exactly where Daff came in. "Your paintings are tucked safely among the roses." Daff smiled at Irene, running her hands down the skirt of her dress, a gesture of uncertainty and something Daffy tended to do absentmindedly because she was wearing an apron more often than not.
Unsure of what to do next, Daffy wasn't sure if she should excuse herself and let the friends catch up or..? "Do you want to take a look around? I uh, might need to go set up for the next portion of the evening shortly." There, that left it open, sort of?
"I would have showed you, but you were too preoccupied with the display." Daff teased lightly, trying to keep the same tone she had just a moment ago when they were joking around about dancing. In fairness it had been the first thing she'd dragged him to see and had been about to lure him around the rest, but they'd been interrupted. "And thank you, it's quite toned down from what my mother originally wanted." The imagination on Laurel was almost too wild, she needed to be tamed, which was exactly where Daff came in. "Your paintings are tucked safely among the roses." Daff smiled at Irene, running her hands down the skirt of her dress, a gesture of uncertainty and something Daffy tended to do absentmindedly because she was wearing an apron more often than not.
Unsure of what to do next, Daffy wasn't sure if she should excuse herself and let the friends catch up or..? "Do you want to take a look around? I uh, might need to go set up for the next portion of the evening shortly." There, that left it open, sort of?
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - August 20, 2022
Everyone’s tone was bright and airy, but there was a tightness to it all, some string of tension in this – and perhaps he had invented it himself, torn between two conversations, decisions of what to do, but when Daffodil mentioned them taking a look around while she went to set up, he startled out of it at once. “No, you can’t,” he protested more hastily than he had meant to, looking at Daffodil imploringly, and almost ready to pull her back by the hand if she tried to go. She had just been begging to show him all the other corners of the flower show that she’d been working so hard on, and now she’d all but gone and retracted the offer!
Because Irene had joined them, he supposed – or at least, that felt to Elias like the root cause of it. If he hadn’t been so fond of Irene, he would have felt more begrudging about it – her timing truly was terrible. (But she hadn’t known, of course, so he couldn’t hold it against her... and there was no polite way to say I was hoping it would be just Daffodil, so he forced his expression into a casual smile.) “Miss Potts only just promised me she’d give me a proper tour,” Elias explained to Irene, as nonchalantly as he could manage – he had called her Daffodil earlier, and so had Irene, so he might have gotten away with it again; but now that there was an audience to it, it felt somehow cheap to use it. So did saying this, somehow: “I’ve only gotten to see how she’s made me into an artist.” He confessed it almost reluctantly, behind the smile and the quiet nod over to the display with the pumpkins and his little carved flowers. Irene had sounded curious about his contribution earlier, and it would have been callous not to mention it to her, since she was his friend and a real artist and it was a public display, but –
It still felt like he was giving up something valuable to share it; some weighty secret that ought to have lived in his chest, to have been his alone.
Because Irene had joined them, he supposed – or at least, that felt to Elias like the root cause of it. If he hadn’t been so fond of Irene, he would have felt more begrudging about it – her timing truly was terrible. (But she hadn’t known, of course, so he couldn’t hold it against her... and there was no polite way to say I was hoping it would be just Daffodil, so he forced his expression into a casual smile.) “Miss Potts only just promised me she’d give me a proper tour,” Elias explained to Irene, as nonchalantly as he could manage – he had called her Daffodil earlier, and so had Irene, so he might have gotten away with it again; but now that there was an audience to it, it felt somehow cheap to use it. So did saying this, somehow: “I’ve only gotten to see how she’s made me into an artist.” He confessed it almost reluctantly, behind the smile and the quiet nod over to the display with the pumpkins and his little carved flowers. Irene had sounded curious about his contribution earlier, and it would have been callous not to mention it to her, since she was his friend and a real artist and it was a public display, but –
It still felt like he was giving up something valuable to share it; some weighty secret that ought to have lived in his chest, to have been his alone.
RE: On a Night Like This - Irene Crawley - August 22, 2022
Irene returned the smile to Daffodil easily; she knew her paintings were safe in her capable hands, but her eyes went to Elias as she caught the teasing manner of their exchange. There was a tone of affection in those glances, and yet it was as if the ground were slowly being pulled out from underneath her. But perhaps she was making things up...so she was determined to move past the moment, but she couldn’t help but feel as if she was unwelcome; as if she’d just snipped the legs of a fragile vine climbing towards the sun.
No, you can’t.
Elias’ protest cut through her response that she’d been preparing, and she stared at him in slight shock at the abruptness. But he wasn’t looking at her to tell her she wasn’t welcome, as she had thought. He...wasn’t looking to her at all. No, his blue gaze had slipped past her and was resting on the younger woman, and suddenly his words took on a whole new meaning.
But no, she had to be making things up. Yes, that must have been it. Irene was never prone to dramatics and yet her heart had lurched as if it had been shoved from its resting place. …Give me a proper tour… Me....and not us. There was a most peculiar sensation that started to creep down her spine. The ground seemed to have stopped sliding backwards and started to sink. She knew Elias. If she had been welcome, if there was nothing going on between him and Daffodil, he would have said as much...would have invited her along immediately, wouldn't he have? As she thought this, Irene caught his gesture towards where he and Daffodil had been standing.
No, don’t look.
Her stomach dropped as she took in the display. It was beautiful and creative — two things as an artist, Irene knew she had an eye for — and yet as she gazed at the wooden flowers in wooden frames with the carnations spilling out from them (something she knew she would never have thought to create) the witch fought to drum up any sort of feeling except dread. It was a horrible, irregular thrumming in her chest, as if her heart had suddenly sputtered to life and begun to spin in circles where it stood. The feeling continued to bleed into her stomach and — she was going to be sick…
"Elias, you've always been an artist." Despite the emptiness in her gut, Irene's reply came easily, a light smile on her lips as she returned her gaze to him. No one in their right mind would say otherwise. So was Daffodil, really. There was no other word for how she'd put this together and yet Irene couldn't bring herself to bestow such a title upon the talented florist. It made Irene feel even more wretched to think she was capable of such jealousy and pettiness. But then she remembered where she was. Remembered that this was a social event and this was no time for any sort of emotion other than the usual cheerfulness she would harbor if this were another friend's social event. And Daffodil had clearly put her heart and soul into the display — into this event...but —
It was time to leave.
No, you can’t.
Elias’ protest cut through her response that she’d been preparing, and she stared at him in slight shock at the abruptness. But he wasn’t looking at her to tell her she wasn’t welcome, as she had thought. He...wasn’t looking to her at all. No, his blue gaze had slipped past her and was resting on the younger woman, and suddenly his words took on a whole new meaning.
But no, she had to be making things up. Yes, that must have been it. Irene was never prone to dramatics and yet her heart had lurched as if it had been shoved from its resting place. …Give me a proper tour… Me....and not us. There was a most peculiar sensation that started to creep down her spine. The ground seemed to have stopped sliding backwards and started to sink. She knew Elias. If she had been welcome, if there was nothing going on between him and Daffodil, he would have said as much...would have invited her along immediately, wouldn't he have? As she thought this, Irene caught his gesture towards where he and Daffodil had been standing.
No, don’t look.
Her stomach dropped as she took in the display. It was beautiful and creative — two things as an artist, Irene knew she had an eye for — and yet as she gazed at the wooden flowers in wooden frames with the carnations spilling out from them (something she knew she would never have thought to create) the witch fought to drum up any sort of feeling except dread. It was a horrible, irregular thrumming in her chest, as if her heart had suddenly sputtered to life and begun to spin in circles where it stood. The feeling continued to bleed into her stomach and — she was going to be sick…
"Elias, you've always been an artist." Despite the emptiness in her gut, Irene's reply came easily, a light smile on her lips as she returned her gaze to him. No one in their right mind would say otherwise. So was Daffodil, really. There was no other word for how she'd put this together and yet Irene couldn't bring herself to bestow such a title upon the talented florist. It made Irene feel even more wretched to think she was capable of such jealousy and pettiness. But then she remembered where she was. Remembered that this was a social event and this was no time for any sort of emotion other than the usual cheerfulness she would harbor if this were another friend's social event. And Daffodil had clearly put her heart and soul into the display — into this event...but —
It was time to leave.
RE: On a Night Like This - Daffodil Grimstone - August 22, 2022
Daffy could feel some sort of tension in the air, nothing obvious, but the easy cadence to the conversion had been buried beneath a layer of awkwardness.
Elias' vehement protest startled her, as much as it had Irene, but Daffy's following response was a small, warm smile. That had been... Unexpected and that look on his face almost dissuaded her from trying to leave again, but Daffy still felt like she was the one out of place here. At her own event. What was happening?
Then a voice rang of over the foliage, a very clear Daffodil! Daff had never been so relieved to hear her mother's voice, but she also didn't want Laurel to find her here. Looking up at Irene and then at Elias, she passed them both a sheepish grin. "I warned you," Daffy would have pushed to give a real tour to Elias, but now she thought it best to bow out gracefully, with her built-in excuse.
"Go ahead, wander around. Mr. Honeyduke has prepared some delectable treats." Daffy put on her brightest smile. "I'll catch up with you later." Daffy looked between them again, gaze lingering on Elias for just a fraction of a moment longer. "I'm glad you made it, Irene. Enjoy." As guilty as Daffy felt for abandoning them, she couldn't ignore the relief either. "I'll be around." She assured them both with one last smile, cringing as another summons reached her ears.
Elias' vehement protest startled her, as much as it had Irene, but Daffy's following response was a small, warm smile. That had been... Unexpected and that look on his face almost dissuaded her from trying to leave again, but Daffy still felt like she was the one out of place here. At her own event. What was happening?
Then a voice rang of over the foliage, a very clear Daffodil! Daff had never been so relieved to hear her mother's voice, but she also didn't want Laurel to find her here. Looking up at Irene and then at Elias, she passed them both a sheepish grin. "I warned you," Daffy would have pushed to give a real tour to Elias, but now she thought it best to bow out gracefully, with her built-in excuse.
"Go ahead, wander around. Mr. Honeyduke has prepared some delectable treats." Daffy put on her brightest smile. "I'll catch up with you later." Daffy looked between them again, gaze lingering on Elias for just a fraction of a moment longer. "I'm glad you made it, Irene. Enjoy." As guilty as Daffy felt for abandoning them, she couldn't ignore the relief either. "I'll be around." She assured them both with one last smile, cringing as another summons reached her ears.
RE: On a Night Like This - Elias Grimstone - September 3, 2022
Elias, you've always been an artist. He ought to say something to that – he meant to cast Irene a heartfelt smile for the sentiment, however untrue it was – but someone was calling for Daffodil, and he felt too torn to answer.
And then it was seemingly too late to say anything – Daffodil was going to leave.
“You’d better,” Elias entreated her, tone light but giving her a slightly longing look in return when her gaze paused on him. If it had just been him here, he wouldn’t have entertained the thought of her going just yet at all – but with Irene standing here, he had to swallow most of it. Still, he wasn’t going to let her go like this – not when he had only come to see her – so he added firmly, “We’ll head for the roses, then, and you’ll meet us there, as soon as you can?”
He owed it to Irene to see her paintings too, he supposed; he cast her a hopeful smile to say as much. If she and Miss Potts were friends, she would hardly mind her joining them again?
And then it was seemingly too late to say anything – Daffodil was going to leave.
“You’d better,” Elias entreated her, tone light but giving her a slightly longing look in return when her gaze paused on him. If it had just been him here, he wouldn’t have entertained the thought of her going just yet at all – but with Irene standing here, he had to swallow most of it. Still, he wasn’t going to let her go like this – not when he had only come to see her – so he added firmly, “We’ll head for the roses, then, and you’ll meet us there, as soon as you can?”
He owed it to Irene to see her paintings too, he supposed; he cast her a hopeful smile to say as much. If she and Miss Potts were friends, she would hardly mind her joining them again?
RE: On a Night Like This - Irene Crawley - September 5, 2022
Irene's name was not Daffodil; had never been Daffodil, and yet Irene found her head whipping to locate the source of the call, as if by some miracle it would follow by a call to her as well. Never mind that there was no family to speak of for any such occurrence to transpire. She was just that desperate. Looking to the younger woman, she watched her be called off, but not before exchanging more familiar words with Elias. It was just another exchange that made her feel as if she were intruding on something she really shouldn't have interrupted in the first place.
In a maddeningly desperate turn of thought, Irene found herself eyeing Elias' height from the top of his sandy hair to the worn heels of his shoes (were those new?) as if appraising him to be an appropriate object for one to sidle behind and put oneself out of the way. He was taller than her, and she was slight of figure, however her skirts would surely stick out from behind him in a peculiar way. She was quickly brought out of this when she returned her gaze to the top of her friend and found him staring back at her — kindly of course — and she had the distinct feeling that she was supposed to supply an answer of sorts to a question that had flown over her head like a nearly-missed bludger.
"Yes!" She blurted out, her voice pitched higher again as she felt an embarrassing heat blaze its way up her neck. "The weather is perfect for a day like today, is it not?" After this, she glanced back at Elias, then to Daffodil as if searching in their reactions for any sign she had responded correctly.
In a maddeningly desperate turn of thought, Irene found herself eyeing Elias' height from the top of his sandy hair to the worn heels of his shoes (were those new?) as if appraising him to be an appropriate object for one to sidle behind and put oneself out of the way. He was taller than her, and she was slight of figure, however her skirts would surely stick out from behind him in a peculiar way. She was quickly brought out of this when she returned her gaze to the top of her friend and found him staring back at her — kindly of course — and she had the distinct feeling that she was supposed to supply an answer of sorts to a question that had flown over her head like a nearly-missed bludger.
"Yes!" She blurted out, her voice pitched higher again as she felt an embarrassing heat blaze its way up her neck. "The weather is perfect for a day like today, is it not?" After this, she glanced back at Elias, then to Daffodil as if searching in their reactions for any sign she had responded correctly.