November 27, 1892 - Wintertide Hunt, brunch, Surrey
Victoire Malfoy

Her feet hurt, her legs hurt, her back hurt and she was tired. The one thing Juniper knew was she was elated that the Season was officially over. No matter what happened now, and she’d learned there was always something around the corner, she could say she’d (mostly) made it out of her first season unscathed. She’d only hexed two people, at the same event nonetheless so June chalked that up to having a bad night rather than her personality, and she’d managed to fill her dance card just enough that people must think her to be pleasant. (Either that or they mixed her up with Ophelia, which was irksome so she decided not to even entertain that train in the slightest.)

Thankfully the weekend was finally coming to an end too, and she just had to last through brunch before she could go home; the brunch didn’t have any dancing, which meant she didn’t have to dodge shady looking men and she certainly didn’t have to politely turn down someone putting her name on her dance card while feigning it was full. It did, however, mean that it was much easier to get trapped in conversation with people who made her want to roll her eyes. June flexed her fingers around a small glass of expensive wine, as if either the movement or the drink would revive the energy that the conversation had drained from her.

He finally finished speaking and Juniper smiled warmly, with a wide, only slightly tired smile. “Excuse me, sir.” And without another word she turned, her dress shifting around her lithe frame. Eyes flitting around for Mr. Blackwood or Mr. Longbottom, as either would at least provide substantial conversation in her moment, June couldn't help but frown as she found neither. (Of course they were not invited to stay because neither were good enough friends with the Dashwoods, although she preferred both to be here to serve as her personal entertainment. One of them would be sure to wipe the scowl from her face, and her money was on Longbottom.)

She made a beeline for the wall instead, where June nearly slumped against it. “Surprised I made it here and didn’t die from the dullness.” She grumbled, eyeing the grey-haired gentleman who seemed to be stalking the room for his victimconversationalist. She squeaked as he made eye contact with her before bringing the wine to her lips and downing it in one go. Then she turned sharply to move toward the closest person to her as his eyes shifted to this girl next.

"He's going to ask you if you've ever gone cloud watching." She said, tilting her head toward the vulture. "But maybe if he sees you talking to me, he'll go away." If Juniper was going to die of boredom, she wasn’t going to go down alone.

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Torie was almost sad that this weekend was over. Her blossoming friendships within the Foxwood-Dashwood extended family had certainly afforded her some delightful experiences, including exciting weekends like this. She did love to ride and had enjoyed doing so over the weekend with her friends. Poppy was such a dear to keep including her in these events, even if she had made somewhat of a fool of herself at the masque with Mr. Aldterton. Fortunately, she had been able to make up for it this weekend in spades. She rather enjoyed his company, if she were being honest, he was such a gentleman!

Brunch this morning was not quite as exciting as it had been yesterday when the weekend had endless possibilities, today Torie felt a little more resigned that the fun was over, but she wasn't going to let it get her down. She had a cup of tea in hand as she was making her rounds to say good-bye in case she didn't see anyone before they left, but was hoping her family would stay as late as possible.

She was currently in search of Basil, to monopolize his company, skirting around the room to find him, but instead she found herself face-to-face with a pretty blonde, one she was pretty certain was close friend with Poppy. "Oh we cannot have that." Torie chuckled, motioning for Miss Edevane to meander with her. "What a drab conversation starter, clouds, we must still be children to such a... distinguished gentleman." Even with greying hair, the gentleman in question was still quite handsome, but Torie could tell her new company was not in the mood and frankly neither was she.

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Red again! June 1894

If there was one thing Juniper discovered about herself her first season, it was how much she wanted to throw herself off the highest balcony at the venue before she talked about the weather; it was a boring conversation starter and there was only so many times she could agree that yes, it was lovely outside, and why yes, has been quite balmy the past few days. Talking about clouds would probably lead the weather, and unfortunately neither of the gentlemen she’d begun to befriend were here to save her. (Not that Juniper Edevane needed saving from anything.)

It seemed, however, that Miss Victoire Malfoy was on the same wavelength as her. A smile tugged at the edge of her lips, her eyes turning toward the gentleman in question before she stepped forward toward the woman. Then she ensured her back was turned toward him to give the idea that he was not invited into the conversation – the season was over, officially, and she didn't have to suffer through any conversation she didn't want to, even if her stepmother would have her head for being so rude.

‘Well, you know some men are senile and only have one line.” She smiled softly and shrugged her shoulders. “And most tend to speak of the weather. Why, if someone came up to speak to me about their wildest fantasies, I may be more interested in speaking to them.” Although June wasn’t sure if she’d want to speak about her fantasies to anyone she didn’t know; Miss Victoire would hopefully get to the point.

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Peeking over June's shoulder, Torie could see that the gentleman had halted his approach, unsure of dealing with two of them. She had learned in her first couple of seasons that men were hesitant to come up to a group of debutantes, unless they were brave or foolish, which often went hand in hand. It was when a lady was standing alone or in the company of a male chaperon that other men felt it safe to approach. The smart option really, but Torie had always found the dance amusing.

"You would think they could have something of substance to start a conversation with." Most of the eligible bachelors were a far few years older than they were after all. Those extra years of experience should have allowed for some sort of skill in the art of conversation, but then again she supposed that if all their time was spent in gentleman's clubs and among other men, learning how to speak properly to a lady must have been an afterthought. "I do wonder if they think us simple or if it is they who cannot come up with something clever." There were many a debutante with air in their heads, but not all of them were so vapid!

"I would simply love for a gentleman to ask me about a book I have read recently, or a even if I have hobbies. Anything about me." And not just her breeding or if she played the piano like every other young lady, blah blah blah. "Certainly they cannot think us all empty-headed." Torie rolled her eyes playfully taking a sip of her tea.

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Red again! June 1894

June’s eyes followed Torie’s gaze to the man who looked dumbfounded that debutantes could be friends with each other instead of being lined up against the wall for easy pickings. She laughed quietly as she turned her attention back toward the other woman. “Well, I think that if we’re forced to sit through etiquette class, bachelors should be forced to sit through conversational classes. They can try to woo an enchanted dummy, and if she falls asleep because they’re so boring they fail.” Wouldn’t that be something, forcing an interested man to be engaging. Things would change for the better.

“I would say it’s them. I’ve met a couple who can hold an interesting conversation, and it is them I will seek out when I need an engaging conversation to prevent my brain from becoming mush.” She said as gingerly knocked a fist against her head. Namely Mr. Blackwood who would ask how she was, and how her day had been, although Mr. Longbottom had proved to be quite interesting too, helping her make another man jealous without ever really asking why. Juniper couldn’t help but wonder if either of them were actually looking for a future wife or they were just coasting through the season. “Do people often compare you to your sisters? Ophelia… lacks the ability to speak of anything exciting, and sometimes I feel like that reflects back on me.” Probably because she was a vapid moron who was lucky enough to be able to string together words to make a simple sentence, but it would be quite rude of June to say those words about a relative.

“So, tell me about your favorite hobby then, Miss Victoire Malfoy.” She teased as she turned the woman and grinned. Then she shrugged; they had to get their interesting conversations somewhere, didn’t they?

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Nodding along at Miss Edevane's appraisal of a conversation class for gentleman, Torie couldn't help but to smirk over the rim of her teacup. "I should think we could pen a letter to Hogwarts for that. Perhaps there could be a school for young gentleman, just like finishing school." Torie mused as she watched the gentleman who had sparked this entire discussion, turn and appear as if he had found someone else to converse with. He still looked over his shoulder at them however. Torie had to wonder if he was just waiting for them to break up their own conversation to pounce once more. However, he would likely be waiting a bit as it appeared neither she nor Miss Edevane were willing to sacrifice their own peace for a least a few moments longer.

"They are few and far between," Torie agreed with a bit of a frown. Basil of course, but they were friends and could get away with it. Torie had made a complete fool of herself in front of Mr. Alderton this weekend, despite his continuous chivalry. Mr. Gladstone was often a nice respite from the dull as well, but three gentlemen out of the lot was hardly enough.

The question about her sisters had Torie pursing her lips. Despite their obvious differences, she was never the one to speak poorly of her sisters, even if Estelle had been the one to give her this red hair. "We are... very different. It is hard not to sit in their shadows." Angel and Estelle were, well, not the best at socializing and tended to be somewhat critical, but as the youngest, she was sort of stuck in her slot. Torie couldn't quite bring herself to say as much to Juniper.

Thankfully the question about hobbies was much easier. "I do enjoy riding, I was able to take quite the jaunt yesterday." And continue her trend of making herself look ridiculous in front of Mr. Alderton. "These weekends like this with a variety of events are always so entertaining." It was much more fun that just the balls. She felt like it provided so many more opportunities to get to know people. "And yourself, anything you enjoy doing in your free time?"

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   Basil Foxwood

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Red again! June 1894

“My little brother is a first year, and he’s written home about the etiquette professor a few times already. It just may be Hogwarts yet.” June smiled fondly at the very thought of Reford’s words written across the page, decreeing how angry he was that the woman said he was a peacock and not a swan – whatever the hell that meant – although she could assume it had to do something with money or class. How irate he would be if Juniper were to help head something that would put more work on him; she might do it just to make him more desirable when he was ready to take a wife. Red would thank her later.

She smiled as her eyes were drawn across the room briefly, finding none of the men she would run to for cover. Mr. Blackwood had been missing since she spoke to him at Halloween, and she was only slightly alarmed at her disappointment whenever she didn’t see him around. It wasn’t like she was looking to be his wife – the man wasn’t even actively looking – which made it all the more easier to saddle him next to him without either of them thinking one wanted more than the other. (Even if Ophelia had told, and scared Olixander away at the beginning of the season by saying June wanted to marry him. They’d cleared that mistake up.)

Then she hummed in response to the comment about sisters, not wanting to goad Victoire into speaking of something she didn't want to; she could speak ill of her sister until she was blue in the face no matter what the repercussions were. 

June gingerly smiled as she nodded. “I like riding too, as well as enjoy weekends that have a variety of things to do, rather than just dancing.” Her feet hurt after a while and she often dreamed about spinning in circles while in the arms of Olixanderfaceless strangers. She could tell Victoire about Flint Institute, but that involved delving into the topic of magic, and she was tightlipped about the kind of magic she’d be practicing of late. Cassian Valenduris was appearing in her life more and more, and the blonde wanted to perfect her spells before she decided to use any on him for some petty revenge.

“I’ve been practicing the flute, actually. Something different from the piano” And was she trying to enchant snakes and learn parseltongue at the same time? Yes.  Was it going well? Not really. “Although Poppy told me I should probably practice my lawn game skills in secret this winter because I’m afraid I’m pretty terrible at them.” She’d hit someone in the back of the head with a croquet ball and almost hit someone with an arrow, both accidental, of course.

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   Basil Foxwood

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Etiquette class had always seemed like a waste of her time, but she had suffered just like the rest during her tenure at Hogwarts. Then of course finishing school had seemed equally as pointless, but she had never expressed as much. It wasn't that Torie thought she had learned it all before that, clearly she could always be learning something, but to delay her debut for another year had been what pained her. Still, with two unwed, older sisters, what more could she expect? It hadn't been a particularly illuminating year of her life, however.

Thankful that Juniper didn't seem to push the question about her sisters. They were not her favorite topic of discussion. Riding and other habits were much more preferable. "I do enjoy the piano, not sure I could pick up another instrument, though I have always thought I would like the harp." The sound was just so beautiful. Perhaps once she was married she would have the time to try something new, if her husband allowed for such things. "I couldn't agree more," Just dancing was always such a chore sometimes. She enjoyed balls, of course she did, but honestly they were tedious when they happened as often as they did during the season. Even though they had a purpose, one she was not exactly currently succeeding at, she was, at the very least, having a better go of it than her sisters. That would always be her little bit of vindictive pride sneaking through.

"I've heard about that," Torie nearly grinned, managing to keep her smile at bay. Basil of course had told her, but not before she'd heard about it from Anthony. "I do hope I get to see the pall mall game first hand next summer, I hear it's an event in and of itself." Perhaps she would manage a personal invitation, or better yet, be part of the family by then. If she could get herself together in Mr. Alderton's company! Perhaps that opportunity had passed her by this time, but certainly there had to be other Dashwood relatives Torie could set her sights on.

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   Basil Foxwood

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Red again! June 1894

“The harp would be lovely. I’ve never tried playing that.” June did like the sound of the harp; it was a gentle, soothing sound that she could listen to all day. “I played the flute for the showcase a few months ago and wasn’t booed, so I suppose I’m not too terrible at it.” It set her apart from some of the other debutantes in a way that didn’t draw negative attention to herself, although she’d heeded her father’s warnings to be on her best behavior lest he did something drastic to ensure she was.

She nodded then, enjoying the sentiment of there being a bit too much dancing; the season seemed to be filled to the brim with balls and if one didn’t attend most, if not all of them, it reflected poorly on them. “I’ve always thought it would be fun to send out invitations with a location to an event based on the invitee’s feelings when they open it, like lawn games, or a giant library, or a place just with parlor games -" June loved playing parlor games. "And at a certain time everyone is transported to the ball itself via a portkey...  but that spell sounds too complicated, and the event itself would probably be considered unsophisticated.” Plus June hated the idea of having people on her property, and finding a location to host such a thing would be difficult; she didn’t even want to ever host something outside of the bare minimum that kept her in the good graces of society. (And that was only if her husband cared about that.)

June ducked her head to hide her embarrassed grin. It had been funny in hindsight, but she had been mortified at the moment. “Well, I’d pick one and master one. The Foxwoods and the Dashwoods all have a competitive streak.” Juniper smiled fondly; Poppy might deny having one, and while she wasn’t the worst of the bunch, she was definitely competitive when it came to one upping her family – lovingly of course. “If you’re good at archery, you’re a shoo-in. I’m going to practice lawn tennis, because I don’t think I can accidentally hurt someone with a ball that soft.” She smiled as she shrugged her shoulders; if anyone could cause bodily harm with one, it was Juniper Edevane.

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Perhaps this winter would be a good time to pick up a new hobby. She would have to ask her mother to arrange for lessons. The winter always yielded a little more free time in which to find something to occupy herself. That would be a good way to do so, she supposed. "Well, that's a start. I admire your courage, I couldn't imagine." Torie agreed with a smile. With practice anything was attainable. She couldn't envision herself playing in a showcase. Even playing the piano for a small group gathering was enough for her. She didn't think her skills were all that impressive, passable, but she was not the talent some other girls were. However she had learned to read music, which would help if she did indeed pick up the harp.

"Now that's an idea. I do hear that there are some certain events for married ladies that are much more fun that some of what we get sucked into." She remembered her mother going to ladies events here and there. "I genuinely look forward to hosting once I am married. I will certainly try and keep things interesting." Pending her future husband's views on such things. Events like this would be on her list. Torie had every intention of having events that people talked about for months.

Archery was something she would also like to try, but perhaps she should brush up on her pall mall too just in case. "I will have to practice this winter, though I am not sure where. Perhaps I will have to transfigure a hallway into a lawn." She would have to get the run down from Basil, if she was going to do well. Torie was competitive, but it sounded like the Foxwoods and Dashwoods took it to another level. Just another reason she thought she would fit right in.

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Red again! June 1894

June couldn’t help but grin as she inclined her at Victoire; she wasn’t too talented at the flute but she did keep at it in hopes of one day being a parseltongue. Now that would be a talent she would want to show off, although she’d be more proud of herself for accomplishing it than caring if a man found it partially exciting. That was why she did a lot of things – for herself, because she simply wanted to accomplish them.

“I look forward to those then. I do love a good tea party every now and then.” Grace might have talked about some of the places she went, but everything she said went in one ear and out the other. It was times like this that June missed her mom, who would have eased her fears for the future instead of amplifying them. “I will look forward to attending. I don’t think I’m too keen on hosting much of anything, unless it’s something that my husband is absolutely adamant about.” It all boiled down to having strangers inside her home, snooping around and making comments about everything in view.

Juniper laughed quietly then as she nodded her head. “You are more than over to our London Estate. Poppy and I have been planning to practice all the lawn games in the coming weeks, and I would be happy to have you join us.” She smiled, something genuine as her eyes softened. “Although I can’t promise you’ll walk away free from injuries, seeing as you’re familiar with my record now.” And it was never on purpose… it was why she tended to stick to parlor games and not lawn games.

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"Yes, those pesky husbands with their opinions." Torie rather thought she would host even if her husband hated it, but not nearly as often as she would have probably liked. It was all about give and take, making concessions and finding a middle ground. That was what being married should be like anyway, who knew what it would actually be like. Torie was looking forward to finding out as much as it made her nervous sometimes. Even if that was what she'd been raised for, there was no telling how it would actually go until it happened.

Miss Edevane's invitation to practice pall mall with her and Poppy came as a delightful surprise. Torie hadn't expected to make another new friend this weekend, but clearly she was doing well in that respect at least. "I would be delighted to take the chance." What a fun invitation! Even if she had to dodge wayward pall mall balls. At the very least, if she did get an invitation to play next year, she would be prepared.

"I sincerely look forward to it." It was genuinely something she would enjoy. Torie finished off her drink and set it aside, taking a look around the room at large to see if she could spot someone in her family, she knew they would have to be going soon. "Do you think we're safe now?" Torie didn't immediately see any lurking gentlemen, but they sometimes came out of nowhere!

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Red again! June 1894

“Perfect! I will owl you the details once we’ve decided on a time. If it doesn’t work for you, we can always reschedule for a time that does.” June grinned at her. She and Poppy hadn’t spent a lot of time together during the season, so having to reschedule to another day wasn’t going to hurt anything; they’d probably wind up getting tea that day and catching up. She liked Miss Victoire more than she thought she would – sometimes June could come off as a mean girl but all she was trying to do was survive in a cutthroat world. She wasn’t about to be betrayed or made a fool of simply because she’d made a mistake in who she trusted.

June took a look around at the other girl’s words, and breathed out a sigh of relief to find that their gentleman friend had slipped out the door, probably to harass someone else. “I think so.” Her eyes flickered across the room one last time before she turned her attention toward Miss Victoire. “Thank you for your help. I look forward to seeing you soon.” She’d have to find Poppy to see when they were meeting to know the correct dates to extend the invitation. With a smile June moved away from her, setting her sights on finding her friend before her family departed for London.

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