June 1st, 1891

V,

"If the worst should happen"—I was quite certain this was always merely an over-dramatic line belonging to the most base fiction. Tragically, however, the worst has happened, this time to me:

Regardless of my marks on my O.W.L.s, I am to be plucked from academics and thrust into the satin and tea parties that mark the life of a damned Pendergast Rose.

Father insists I have known this for years (I have not) and Mother, quite predictably, thinks it is the best opportunity I shall ever be gifted (it is not). What cosmic judge must I have offended to be saddled with two parents who are so utterly unaware of me that they believe it best that I be moved from the shelf to an ornamental cabinet, meant to make a husband's home more lovely but nothing else?

How am I to stop my brain from melting out my ears?!

In despair,

Z

— Venusia Crickerly/Cassius Lestrange —

  

June 2nd, 1891

Z,

This is terrible news! What are they thinking? I am sure that you have already tried everything, but — is there not anything that can be done to convince them to do otherwise?

V

  

         

June 5th, 1891

V,

I cannot see anything there is to do. My efforts to reason with my father (rather heated, admittedly) seemed to cement in his mind that I am in need of greater social refinement. My mother, in contrast, thinks it a "glorious opportunity" and is certain that I will be grateful for it before long.

How anyone should be grateful to see their potential squandered, I do not know.

In despair,

Z

— Venusia Crickerly/Cassius Lestrange —

  

June 6th, 1891

Z,

I suppose it would not be helpful to suggest that I simply break you out of the Rose's premises.

V

  

         

June 6th, 1891

V,

There are no bad ideas, so long as they are bolstered by well-thought plans.

In despair,

Z

— Venusia Crickerly/Cassius Lestrange —

  

June 7th, 1891

Z,

I shall have to come up with a plan then, because if you never return I will simply miss you too much.

V

  

         

June 8th, 1891

V,

I treasure, of course, the sentiment, and while I shall miss you dreadfully as well, I am not so fond of you as I am the potential that my father insists upon squandering by sending me to curtsey and play the pianoforte. I wish I had a twin brother instead of my elder and my junior, that I might employ polyjuice potion to switch our places. Acquiring my younger sister's life seems both tedious and shortsighted, as she shall no doubt suffer the same fate (though I suspect will do so with a smile).

In despair,

Z

— Venusia Crickerly/Cassius Lestrange —

  

June 9th, 1891

Z,

Are you certain there will not be any reasoning with your father? It is not as if you've ever been embroiled in scandal that would relegate you to needing finishing!

V