October 1, 1892 — Hyde Park, London

Basil had been amused by Ms. Victoire’s letter response a few days ago. He found he didn’t mind the elder Mrs. Malfoy thinking what she liked of them; Ms. Victoire was his friend and society could chose to view that in whichever way it so pleased. He relied upon her, and sure, to the curious onlooker it may have appeared to be something more but frankly… with everything that had happened this week, there were larger things on Basil’s mind. As the brunette primped in the looking glass one last time, tugging his necktie straight and checking the pocket watch Atticus had given him for his last birthday, he let out a small sigh.

Mama had been so excited to see him when he’d shown up on the Foxwood doorstep in London yesterday evening. It had hurt to put on a cheery face for her, to say that he was only in town to promenade with Victoire Malfoy the next day before he skipped back to Hogwarts on Sunday. (The look of excitement on her face has almost killed him.) Atticus, less convinced by Basil’s false sense of cheeriness, had been a harder nut to crack. Luckily, even the world shattering anomaly of his baby brother actually seeming to court someone couldn’t distract the eldest from his engagement for long and Basil had skirted any further questions. Poppy and Ms. Chang, who apparently was staying with them for a time, had barely batted a lash in his direction and Basil was hoping to sneak out this afternoon without attracting undue attention from the debutants.

Had the young professor known how full of a house it would be when he arrived, he’d have asked Ms. Malfoy to meet in Hogsmeade. The Wellingtonshire house was barren. Instead, this chaos was making his head spin, even if any other day it might have been a welcome distraction from the nonsense he’d left behind. Basil felt… guilty now. Surrounded by his family and those soon-to-be, basking in the love and comfort of one another, he felt like an outsider. A veritable stranger. After his grand revelation on the cliff top, he suddenly carried with him a bomb that could detonate at any moment and wrench him away from them. They’d turn to him in disgust and cease to ever speak to him again. It was frankly terrifying and Basil tightened the necktie a pinch in his anxiety.

Now was the moment, more than ever, to play a part of dutiful son. Dutiful, marriable, happily looking to settle Basil Foxwood. The truth could not be further from this charade, and the very thought made him sick. Still, he had no choice. Gus had made that perfectly evident. With one last glance at his newly cut hair, Basil sucked in a breath and aparated to Hyde Park with a pop!

He looked the picture of a well-bred, upperclass gentleman as he approached the opening gate to the park. Promenades were not exactly Basil’s thing so he hadn’t thought to ask where to meet. Carrying a small blue flame in a jar and an elegantly wrapped little box of pumpkin pasties, chocolates, and homemade cookies, he decided to meander around in hopes of spotting the lady in question. What else was a gentleman to do?

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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Her mother's reaction when Torie told her that she was going on a promenade with Professor Foxwood was almost wicked. Torie wasn't sure if she was excited by the prospect of catching a Foxwood, even after Mr. Foxwood had recently announced his engagement, or if her mother was worried about her youngest daughter doing better socially than her older sisters, but Torie hadn't waited to find out. She had aske her trusted lady's maid to accompany her today, which was a better choice, so her mother's prying ears could not catch wind of the friendship Torie had with Professor Foxwood.

It was indeed chilly, like she thought, but she hoped the afternoon sunshine would keep them from getting too cold. It wasn't anything a heavy cloak or a well-timed warming charm couldn't handle. Oh! Or a little bluebell flame in a jar, which Torie realized Basil had indeed brought with him, as he had said. And pumpkin pasties!  A wide smile graced her features as she found him after mere moments of being in the park.

"Well, well, well, a gentleman of his word, what a rare thing in this world!" Geary stepped forward to take the box of treats from Professor Foxwood without having to be asked and then faded back into her supervisory role a respectable distance away; which was what made her such an excellent lady's maid.

Once they were walking, Victoire coiled her arm through Basil's, mostly to give them a reason to use quieter voices. "What's got your feathers ruffled then Professor?" She asked with what she hoped was an encouraging smile, though honestly had no idea what had prompted a letter like the one she had gotten. Hopefully there wasn't anything wrong!

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Red again! June 1894

At the sight of the lady in question, Basil felt something of the tension in his gut release. It was strange how calming an effect Victoire had on him. Maybe it was because being seen with her was an asset, rather than a detriment, while still allowing him to be almost entirely himself? It was funny to think that almost one year ago on New Years Eve the very opposite had been true. They’d come a long way in their friendship since then and frankly, despite the little plot to settle her with Atticus failing, Basil wasn’t sure what he’d do these days without her.

Grinning at the lady’s opening remark, he handed the box of treats over to her chaperone willingly. “At least this promise I could keep,” he quipped back, gently. They hadn’t really spoken much about Atticus since the engagement announcement. Basil was disappointed he supposed, but Ms. Mountbatton had also done her part to win him over so he could not be too sore a loser. As the lady put her arm through his and they began to amble, Basil tucked the small jar of blue flames into the crook of his arm so she might benefit from the heat of it. Then he placed his free hand gently atop hers and sighed.

“Frankly, everything,” Basil breathed out, feeling that tension in his gut coil in on itself again. He hadn’t exactly thought through what he was going to tell Ms. Malfoy upon chatting; he’d only really known that to see her was a comfort, one he’d desperately needed to look forward to on that wretched evening a few days ago. Now, faced with the reality of actually seeing her, he wondered how much of his lamentations he was actually inclined to share.

“Already it’s been a difficult term and it’s only October first,” he said then, biding his time. “The new responsibilities of Head of House are taxing, but fulfilling. It is fun to see the little Ravenclaw first years bustling about.” A smile managed to steal onto the other’s face as he spoke. “It reminds me of what it was like my first week, staring out over the grounds from Ravenclaw Tower. I was homesick but excited all in one.”

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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Torie chuckled lightly; it wasn't exactly a sore spot, but she was disappointed things hadn't panned out with the elder Foxwood. Everything happened for a reason however, and so Torie would be fine continuing her husband hunt.

Though she couldn't exactly sympathize with his added stressors, she would listen and nod along, hoping just listening would help? They had formed a strange sort of attachment, friends certainly, but perhaps closer? Torie enjoyed spending time with Basil, but she oddly thought they would not be a romantic match, despite the fact they let everyone think there might be something going on there.

"I'm sure it will all settle, you just need to figure out the balance." She assured him after a moment. He seemed to enjoy his position as a professor, so certainly the jump to head of house was another thing entirely, but it would take a little time for him to figure out how best to fulfill both duties. Gently she squeezed his arm, as they took a turn down another path near the edge of the park. "All I remember is being excited, after watching three siblings go off, I simply could not wait for my turn." All of the stories! It had been downright painful to wait for her chance! Of course she had settled in almost immediately, but such was her nature to adapt to just about any social situation.

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Red again! June 1894

Basil felt something in his chest tighten again as Ms. Victoire gave his arm a small, reassuring squeeze. He was stalling and she didn’t even know how badly yet. The brunette nodded anyhow, half hearing her chirp of agreement. (If he’d been in a mind to respond, he might have sympathized, having had an older brother go off first as well.) Instead, Basil only hummed hollowly. “Yes,” he agreed. “I’m sure in time the duties themselves will feel easier.” The imposter syndrome, the doubt, and the bomb he now carried around on his shoulders less so, but she needn’t know all that.

Sucking in a shaky breath, Basil suddenly felt ill. Whatever color his face had managed to regain upon seeing the lovely Ms. Malfoy was draining now and he hoped it might only seem as if from cold. He wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to have someone to pour his heart out to that would pat him on the back and tell him everything would be alright. It shouldn’t have been her; everything in the well-bred, upperclass half of Basil’s brain knew better than to dump something so personal (and terrible) on a young debutant who had her own matters to deal with, primarily finding a husband! (Something he could not for the life of him assist her with, or advise upon, much less understand.) Yet... something about how close they’d become over the past months had wedged itself in the brunette’s heart.

Basil didn’t make, or retain friends very easily, especially those he was comfortable around. There were many who knew of him, there were a handful who knew him, and there were even less who knew him. In fact, other than maybe Gus, Basil could only count Atticus and Agrimony in that category; the latter was still an unfulfilled question mark, and the former… well. He shuddered at the thought. He didn’t want Ms. Victoire to know him to that degree. He was as scared of her contempt and judgement as he was his family’s. That said, the youngest Malfoy sister had somehow managed to worm her way into his heart. She was a trusted ally where few others dared tread, and as such - wasn’t she entitled to his honesty? To his confidences? The selfish part of Basil said yes. The less so, chirped that she didn’t know what she was getting herself into.

As the silent raging of his thoughts continued, Basil realized he was being rude. He had to say something more than just banal agreement to his own stalling. Sucking in a breath, he spared the pretty red-head beside him a glance. (It was a good look on her, he was constantly reminded.) “I never did apologize for the incredibly abrupt owl this week,” he said quietly, trying to hedge towards the undesirable. “It was a bit tactless of me, but I do so appreciate your gentility in the matter.”

He sucked in another breath, deliberating another moment, and then decided he may as well jump. If Ms. Malfoy ran screaming, then at least he’d know better next time.

“The truth is… I’ve had a disagreement of sorts,” if one could even call it that “…and it’s set me on a bit of a spiral as of late.” He stared at the ground intently as they strolled. There was so much Basil was trying to piece together in his mind. He wanted to give her an unbiased account, as best he could, such that she might draw her own conclusions and give him a smack if he needed one. He probably did, somehow. “I-I have this friend, you see. And, well, we were rather close in school.” Basil could feel his face heating at the admission. “They went away after graduation, we had something of a falling out, and then… abruptly, they returned to England out of the blue some months ago. It’s not to my credit, but we rehashed the original argument after a few tense months, both of us a bit pigheaded, but… things seemed fine after that? Or at least as fine as they could be. We were friendly. Almost peaceful.” Here the professor sighed a little and absently ran a hand through his hair, mussing it, as he looked up towards the trees of Hyde Park. This was where it got tricky.

“Then this week, amidst some other turmoil, I realized I may… have certain, unresolved... er— emotions where this person is concerned.” Basil felt his cheeks burning. He purposely did not look at Ms. Victoire’s face. “It’s so complicated. My family would disown me if they knew—” Atticus especially “and yet, I’ve been unable to move past it. Have been for over a decade.” Here Basil decided to just throw caution to the wind. “Granted, this person doesn’t seem to realize how difficult such a realization is for me. I’m not… I’m not the most sensitive to these types of things, as you may well have realized by now. I’ve spent years misunderstanding our interactions and our confidences until just this week and finally… I think I just, broke a tiny bit? Or something inside of me anyway.” Basil huffed another small breath. “I don’t know if this person will ever see how grand a thing it is for me to recognize, and perhaps I’ve been awful even though I never promised them anything. I just… I know that I could never be… who they want me to be? Or give them what they likely deserve.” Basil’s voice took on a slightly harder edge then: “My family would be thrown into the scandal of the millennia anyhow, and I won’t do that to them.” If his face twisted into something painful then, Basil wasn’t aware of it.

“I just… I have to see them often, and now… now it finally feels like things have resolved most unsuccessfully. We didn’t exactly solve much of anything in this latest discussion except that now I feel as if—” he paused, cutting himself short of what he’d been about to say. I feel as if there’s a bomb waiting to go off inside of me, ready to ruin my family at any moment. “I just feel as if things have finally ended and I suppose I’m just unhappy with it all.” He sighed, long and tellingly. He couldn’t share much more about his internal conflict with her without specifics. This ‘bomb’ concept, his having the capacity to feel as such towards another gentleman— Basil almost shriveled at the very thought. He could never share that with anyone. It was his burden to bear alone. Besides, he’d dumped much already on the poor debutant and now, feeling a bit silly, he blushed again.

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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   Gus Lissington

Torie was keenly aware that Basil was struggling and so she waited patiently for him to sort himself. Of course the very detailed explanation she got thereafter was... a lot. She did her best to listen actively, taking notes of his expression and his tone, in addition to his words. She was almost overwhelmed by it, and so stayed quiet the entire time, but by the end, thought she had a good idea of what it was that was bothering him. At least on the surface.

Waiting a moment to see if he was truly done, Torie took another moment to gather her thoughts and decided how best to share them. "That is... quite the history." Torie admitted, unsure of what else to say just yet. "It sounds like you and this person have been through a lot together." Torie assumed this was a lady friend, that was either out of his station or otherwise inappropriate for him to be with, so she of course had thoughts there, but they were not the ones to share.

"It also sounds like you care deeply for them." Torie wasn't going to push for any more information than that. "I am obviously not the most wizened romantic," She was young after all and could never claim to have been in love or even anything remotely close, but she hoped just being a woman with that perspective would help. Basil wouldn't have so desperately owled her if he wasn't in need of some kind of counsel, though why he thought she was his best option she couldn't begin to guess. It was endearing however, and she was fond of their friendship, so she would do her best to help in any way she could.

"I think what you need to decide is if you want it to be over," Torie was not in a position to stray too far from what was expected of her, but maybe Basil could be afforded more leniency. "Then fight for it if that is what you want." Torie knew if she had the opportunity to fall in love with someone and things were chaotic, if she felt strongly enough, she would put in the effort she needed to in order to make it happen.

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   Gus Lissington

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Red again! June 1894

A lot of hot air and smoke had just come out of Basil’s mouth and the professor couldn’t say he didn’t regret it as he waited, anxiously for Ms. Victoire’s response. Why he thought this whole thing at all appropriate was beyond the brunette’s current understanding. She was a debutant, and at least eight or nine years his junior (he didn’t remember now in this state). Was it even fair of him to dump such a burden into her lap when he couldn’t even manage it himself? Evidently not, as her first words made his face turn sickly pale. Basil sucked in a breath and waited for the rest.

Her assertion did not surprise him. It was, in fact, the very same conclusion Basil had come to himself in the past week and that was sitting so poisonously in his gut. He didn’t confirm it, either way. Even in such a vague context it still felt too... exposed. Her suggestion however only made him sigh.

If Ms. Victoire only knew what she was suggesting… she would not encourage him so easily. Again Basil felt bile roiling inside, a sense of disgust with himself building in the reservoirs. It was unhealthy he knew, especially considering all the other concerns Basil currently had just barely contained under lock and key. But it was real. He felt wobbly at the insinuation that he could fight for what he wanted and just… make it happen. How would that even work, anyhow? It wasn’t fair to Gus to hide behind closed doors, to be lied about and held hostage and yet… it was also, frankly, illegal to want or expect anything else. Basil was going to wretch if he thought about this any longer. He should never have brought it up in the first place.

“I wish it were that simple,” he replied, evasively. There was also the matter of— “My family… is the most important thing in my life. I could never hide something like this from them and it’s not fair to anyone. I don’t think it matters how badly I wish I could continue to share an orbit with them, for better or worse… it just, isn’t healthy.” Evidently, if this conversation is any indication, a nasty voice in Basil’s mind supplied. You should be courting Ms. Victoire, not leading the world on to her detriment and losing your mind about some middle class man who left you behind once before. Grey eyes screwed shut to silence the voice.

When they reopened, Basil turned to look Ms. Victoire directly in her pretty blue hues. “I’m… sorry,” he tried, albeit selfishly changing the subject a touch. “For dragging you into all of this. It’s just… I don’t have anyone else I feel I can turn to. It’s likely incredibly… inappropriate and uncouth but I…” he sucked in a small breath. “I do value your friendship, Ms. Malfoy, more than you know.”

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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Torie could not exactly empathize with family being that important. She loved them, of course they did, but as she aged, she realized just how dysfunctional they really were. There was no cohesion, just a set of high standards they were supposed to achieve and that was that. Stick to the expectations and everything would be fine. It was not the happy household Torie wished for herself, nor for Basil, so at least in that respect, she could understand.

Unfortunately Torie really didn't have much advice for him aside from what she'd already said. It seemed, from the way Basil described it, to be a hopeless situation. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with no escape. "I'm sorry it's so difficult and that there is nothing I can truly do for you." She wished she could do something more than listen, but she honestly didn't know what to tell him. She was much younger, much more naïve in the ways of the world to know what would be appropriate to suggest.

"Nonsense, don't be sorry. We are friends after all." It was unconventional, for an eligible gentleman and a debutant to be simply friends, but they were much more suited to this than anything else. Clearly Basil's heart was entangled elsewhere already and they had, though it had never actually been spoken, mutually agreed that this was as far as things would go between them. Feigning an interest was mutually beneficial to them at the moment, but should either one of them actually find someone to be interested in, she supposed they could remain being friends regardless. They moved in the same social circles at the very least. Torie passed him a soft smile, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.

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Red again! June 1894

Friends she said. Basil felt a swimming guilt in his stomach solidify at the word. Friends was such a difficult term for him these days. What did it mean to actually be friends with someone, really? Was it simply sharing emotions, confidences, dreams and nightmares? Or was it more than that? Was it soft squeezes, brushes of the hand, and shared kisses that neither wanted to admit? What was he doing here after all? What was Ms. Malfoy to him, and he to her? Basil sighed.

“Well, as your friend, I am sorry for being such terrible company. Your presence is a welcome distraction, and for it I am eternally grateful.” He brunette replied. They continued to stroll in silence for a moment then, Basil lost in his own thoughts as the chilly air settled into his layers and the blue flame flickered in his arm. With Ms. Victoire pressed into his side, even if there wasn’t anything she could do (because really what was anyone to do except tell him it was hopeless), he felt… safe. Comfortable maybe.

“Promise you shan’t ever leave me,” Basil quipped then faux dramatically, trying to make light of a somewhat serious discussion. “There is hope yet that you marry into the family. I have many an eligible relation.” Because I need you, went somewhat unsaid. He turned grey hues to her sweet face then and sighed again. He really did wish it could be so simple.

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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"Don't be silly," Torie admonished him gently, a small smile gracing her lips. "We cannot be all sunshine and daisies all of the time, that is unrealistic." She lived in a house full of storm clouds after all. Her whole life was spent dodging raindrops. "At least I can do that. Mother was quite pleased we were going to promenade today. It shall break her heart when you finally leave me." Or she left him, but he knew that was likely as he apparently had many eligible relations for her to get to know.

"But we shall be friends forever, that is certain." Torie was sure that among his eligible relations one of them had to be a match for her. Then they would be family and he would get sick of her he would see her so much. "Just be careful what you wish for. You will grow tired of me, I'm sure." At least that's what she heard from her own family more often than not. Torie had to find ways to occupy herself, by herself, otherwise she would earn her sister's ire. It was actually sort of sad. It was also why her needlepoint and her piano forte were so good, what else was she going to do with her time at home?

Echoing his sigh, Torie looked out over the greenery of the park for a moment before looking back at him. "I do long for a family like yours. It is evident you all like one another and care for each other very much." Which was not how the Malfoy family operated in the slightest.

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Red again! June 1894

Basil felt a small pang at Ms. Victoire’s concession. In truth, he didn’t know all that much about her family. He knew only that the Malfoys were an old, prominent name in the pureblood sense. He knew that as such, they tended to be rather conservative in their views of blood purity and the like, but… he’d never felt any such biases from Ms. Victoire herself. In fact, she was as amicable as Basil could imagine any young lady. The fact that she was friends with his baby cousin Poppy spoke volumes to that regard.

Tucking her closer to himself, Basil resisted the urge to kiss the top of her head and instead leaned a little into her in a way he hoped was reassuring. “I shall never leave you behind, Victoire,” he replied, firmly. (And perhaps a touch brazenly. He'd never before used her given name so familiarly, but Basil was starting to realize he thought of her as so much more than some passing acquaintance.) Softening, Basil offered her a lopsided little grin. “Not until you marry successfully in the event of the season, and even then, your future betrothed had better be amenable to sharing."

A teasing little look passed in her direction, even as she continued on to claim he would grow tired of her. Impossible. Even if she moved in as a proper relation and decided to command him about, Basil was sure he could never grow tired of Ms. Victoire's loveliness. He knew, deep down in the sunken basin of his heart that the easiest path forward for them both would be a proposal. She would be flattered, he would express his deepest admiration of her, and then regardless of her acceptance, the duty might be done. But... there was something just too fragile about their friendship that made Basil recognize it would only lead to disaster. He could never give her the life she really, truly deserved. He would only bring her down in his endless misery, especially now with... well, with everything he'd recently discovered. Basil's stomach clenched painfully.

“We do,” he replied quietly. For better or worse. Something in the lady's expression had changed though, when she'd spoken, and Basil zero'd in on it like a hawk. Perhaps there was more to the sentiment than what she was sharing. “I hope that you may one day become a part of it,” he added, grey hues searching for blue. “In the meantime, consider what’s mine, yours.”

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song

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Torie smiled fondly at his admission. She truly enjoyed their friendship, as unconventional as it was, and she did hope that someday she was able to join the family properly. Even though their charade wouldn't turn into a proper marriage, it would be nice to be welcomed into the extended Foxwood family in some manner. Every one of them that she had met, even Mr. Foxwood the elder, had been kind to her and shown her that there are happy families out there.

"Best get on introducing me to these relatives of yours then." Torie teased, trying to lighten the mood. She was not used to such serious conversations, though she was glad Basil had confided in her. Having close friends like this was what kept Torie from going mad sometimes. She felt for him and the difficult path he faced, however,  but she truly did not know what else she could do for him aside from to listen further if he needed.

Until she found herself married or otherwise engaged, she supposed their little charade was a nice cozy spot to keep herself wrapped up in. It couldn't last too long, but Torie felt like this was her year. Maybe Basil would be able to salvage things with his friend, too. Everybody could have some sort of happy ending. "Does Poppy have any eligible brothers?" She continued, giggling, holding onto those thoughts for another time.

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   Poppy Dashwood

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Red again! June 1894

Basil chuckled despite himself at Ms. Victoire’s little quip. She was right; it was his responsibility to make some introductions as the knowing party. Perhaps he could goad Mama into throwing a little family affair one of these weekends. He hated the idea of letting her continue on, believing he wanted to introduce Ms. Malfoy to the family for his own purposes though. No, the introductions would have to be made more… subtly. Perhaps Reginald might be convinced to come for tea…

At the pretty little redhead’s giggle, Basil found grey eyes darting in her direction. He scoffed, despite himself. “No,” the brunette replied with perhaps more aplomb than was necessary. He softened then, trying to to delve too deeply into his personal take on the elder Dashwood siblings. “There is a reason she hangs off Atticus’ coattails,” he replied, against his better judgement. Then, clearing his throat and changing the subject abruptly, he continued on. “But Anthony is due back from France soon, and Reginald is always a clever study. There’s even Edmund, on my father’s side, if you prefer the Foxwood name,” his expression turned teasing as he gave her arm a small squeeze.

Imagining it now, Victoire Foxwood had a nice ring to it. He hadn’t spoken to his cousin Edmund in some time, but Basil could see the other easily falling in love with Ms. Malfoy, if given the chance. (Who wouldn’t?) They were the most alike out of all his cousins, too. Edmund was an academic, at his core. He was sweet, jovial— a little shy perhaps, but it wasn’t anything Ms. Victoire couldn’t make up for. He was also a first born son. That had been one of her requirements at some stage, hand’t it? Basil couldn’t remember now. He didn’t tend to keep track of these things…

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song MRS. VICTOIRE FOXWOOD (lets just let that sink in)

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Torie nearly laughed at Basil's response, but decided not to press for more information. She was well aware of how complicated families could be. It was probably better she had asked Basil and not Poppy, she would hate to upset her friend over a question like that.

"Well, I do look forward to meeting them." In the meantime she would do her debutante homework and ask around discreetly about them. She trusted Basil's appraisal the most after all, but it wouldn't hurt to get her fellow ladies' opinions either. "As long as their families are as close knit as the rest of you." Pending personalities of course. Torie was not so blasé about her desires for a good match, but she was not all that picky either. As a third daughter she did not have the same requirements placed upon her as Angel did. Her eldest sister was supposed to marry the first son of good blood and breeding. Torie's match could be a little more relaxed, which worked fine for her. Her views were not always aligned with that of her family anyway.

"As long as we can continue to be friends of course." She hoped her future husband would begrudge her that. Torie passed him a cheeky smile over her shoulder.

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Red again! June 1894

Basil was glad that Ms. Victoire did not press about his lapse in reference to Poppy and her siblings. It was not his place to be spreading commentary of any kind about his cousins, even if it was to one of the only people he trusted most in this world. He knew by now that Poppy had befriended the young lady, and causing any kind of sentiment between them that they two did not bring about themselves would have made him feel guilty.

Nodding then as Ms. Victoire agreed to meet the rest of the eligible gentlemen in his family Basil was ready to line up for her, the brunette finally smiled a genuine little grin. He was glad as to her being amenable, despite everything that had occurred with Atticus. Knowing now what he did of his brother and his tastes, Basil was pleased to find that he’d settled with a woman that suited him even if it was not the ever lovely Ms. Malfoy. No, Ms. Victoire would be better suited to another, they just had to find out whom.

“We shall always be friends,” Basil chirped back easily, his mood from earlier beginning to lighten at last. He supposed that yes… while things were still abysmal in the wreckage of his heart and mind with Lissington, he was glad to have Ms. Victoire in his life. He would be forever grateful to her for distracting him when he most needed it, for being there when he asked. He would have to make it up to her somehow one of these days. Perhaps a trip to the opera for Christmas.

As the two continued to meander about on their promenade, Basil turned their conversation to other interesting topics. He prattled on for a touch about his research, to which Ms. Victoire was always so polite, and he in turn listened to her commentary upon the social season as it was drawing to a close. In the end, he wound up turning what had started as a frantic, terrible afternoon into… a rather pleasant one, all things considered.

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Victoire Malfoy & this muse song MRS. VICTOIRE FOXWOOD  (lets just let that sink in)

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   Daffodil Grimstone