July 13th, 1894 - Midsummer Night's Ball

A masquerade! A Shakespeare masquerade. They didn't often do fancy dress events like this and so Sutton was thrilled. If only she had read more of the thespian's plays, she might be more prepared. Unfortunately she might be seen as rather drab, choosing to emulate Juliet for the evening, but she didn't want to do any of the other characters poorly. Her dress was a soft blue, more in the style of time period of the story, though a bit more whimsical. She had at least seen this play, tragic as it was, but the sweet heroine of the story resonated with her, at least a little bit. She would have to rectify her lack of knowledge and acquire some of the novels to read in the coming days.

Sutton was also enamored with the idea of some anonymity for the evening. Her time in British society had been a mix of lovely and awkward. She and the girls drew a lot of attention and it wasn't always the good kind. After the debacle with the dance cards back in June, Sutton had urged Maebee to leave that sort of thing alone, but she wasn't sure just how much she'd been heard.

She was coming off a rather energetic reel and thought she could use a little break. Sutton collected a champagne and a couple chocolate macarons. Her friends were all engaged elsewhere and she did not want to insert herself into their conversations, so she circled back to a table at the edge of the room. It seemed she wasn't the only one with the idea of taking a respite, so she moved to take a seat, only to find a gentleman on the opposite side. Hesitating, she passed him a small smile, "Do you mind if I sit here?" She could probably go find one of the taller tables to stand at, if needed.

---

August Echelon-Arnost

  

---

August's son was named after Lysander from A Midsummer Night's Dream; a Shakespeare play with a happy ending. Not wanting to be too on the nose, but playing something like an inside joke with himself, August was dressed as the fairy king Oberon, with wings and a thorny crown. August was feeling rather awkward that Mr. Dempsey was also Oberon, but given that he hid away at most balls due to his leg, he was hoping it would not be the worst thing in the world.

He had taken a seat to the side and was people-watching when the woman, debutante presumably, joined him. "Not at all," August said, "Particularly if you do not mind conversing while we sit together."

  

---

set by Bree

"A small price to be paid, certainly." Sutton agreed with a warm smile. Toying with her pale blue mask, Sutton took the seat and set down her snack. She was mildly self-conscious about eating now that she had intruded on the gentleman's space, but she hoped she could make it work. "I like your wings, they're very creative." She hadn't a clue as to which Shakespeare character he might be, but that he had thought to choose something so bold was already interesting to her.

Sutton had foregone her typical tiara this evening, in favor of styling her hair more like the character, but she appreciated the crown of thorns the gentleman sported. "I'm afraid I do not know much about Shakespeare, but I should like to read a few more of his pieces after tonight." Sutton was an avid reader, when she had the free time to do so. They were not very long, she'd been told, so hopefully she could sail through a few of them before this became a hot topic of conversation among her peers.

---

  

---

August smiled to accept the compliment; he felt too sheepish to acknowledge it, and hoped that a smile would count. Her accent was American, which was good as it likely meant that he was not forgetting her name.

"Oh, I very much enjoy Shakespeare," August replied, brightening further — he had straightened a little in his chair. "Is there anywhere you would like to start? Tragedy, or comedy?"

  

---

set by Bree

Sutton broke off another piece of one of her macarons and popped it lightly into her mouth while the gentleman started in on the Shakespeare. She enjoyed the way he brightened up about the subject and therefore her interest was renewed. "I suppose either, but I do enjoy some amusement in my reading. A nice little escape." There was far too much tragedy in the world at large and though Sutton was not personally affected most of the time, she was not oblivious to the state of things.

"Do you have any recommendations?" It would be a nice place to start if he did. There were quite a few and she didn't have any clue as to where to begin.

---

  

---

She asked for his recommendations. August was charmed. "A Midsummer Night's Dream," he said, gesturing around them to the rest of the party. "Which led to the name of our party here." This one was probably his favorite comedy, as evidenced by Lysander's name — he could not resist recommending it first.

"I also enjoy Much Ado About Nothing and All's Well That Ends Well," he added. "But really, it's hard to go wrong — there's a reason his work has lasted so long."

  

---

set by Bree

Sutton rather thought she should write these down. She supposed she shouldn't be surprised that the party was named after one of the plays, but now she would know which one. Perhaps once she read it, the theme would make more sense to her. "Would you think me terribly vapid if I wrote those down on the back of my dance card?" Sutton did not want to forget them and while she tended to be pretty reliable, she didn't want to take the chance. "I would hate to forget them when I got to the library." If there were as many as he said, she would hate for them to get confused, even if he said they were all good.

---

  

---

"Not at all," August replied with a smile. He was actually a little flattered; this meant that she was taking his recommendations at least slightly seriously. "Have you been to Crowdy Memorial Library yet?" he asked; it was obvious from her accent that she was American. "It's very beautiful."

  

---

set by Bree

Beaming, Sutton took the little pencil attached to her dance card and wrote down the titles on the back of her card in earnest before she forgot them. It wouldn't do to have him repeat himself so soon! Pleased with the recommendations, she turned her attention back to the gentleman with a more demure smile. "I have not, that is the one in London, yes?" She thought she had heard it mentioned, but wasn't sure. "I'm afraid we haven't been here for very long, I'm still getting used to where everything is." The fact that Hogsmeade was all-magical and London had its own little magical sections was thrilling. New York also had alleys and entire streets of magical establishments, but she rather thought it was a copy of cities like London, much as she enjoyed her home city.

---

  

---

August nodded at her question. "London," he affirmed. "Where are you staying while you're here? Do you have any favorite places so far?" He knew that most of the debutantes were taught to ask the gentlemen questions, and keep themselves to themselves — but August had always been most comfortable asking lots of questions, and engaging in lengthy conversations. Perhaps his letter-writing habit had ruined him.

  

---

set by Bree

"We are staying with friends in Hogsmeade." It was a lovely little town and Sutton had enjoyed her time there immensely. "Not yet, it is very hard to choose a favorite." She mentioned as her sister caught her eye, a wild sort of look in her expression; that was never good.

"I apologize profusely, but I must excuse myself, my sister needs my attention." Sutton smiled apologetically, mildly miffed about the whole thing. She had been enthralled with their conversation thus far and she would indeed investigate the library in London at his suggestion. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. Perhaps I will see you at the library." Who knew.

---

  

---