April 12, 2025 — Random Wellingtonshire Home, MC/UC event

Tycho tended to accept invitations to events at a whim. This one seemed to be some sort of garden party which was not his usual scene. There were also quite a few Ministry folk in attendance. There was a maze in the garden and Tycho felt like this seemed to be the trend lately. Still, he enjoyed a good turn about a maze so he had idly wandered into it, a drink in hand.

There were light orbs much like the ones in Padmore Park scattered around and reminding Tycho strongly of a will-o'-the-wisp. He turned a corner and found himself face to face with a visage he had seen a lot, very intimately, all without having ever spoken to the man. Fortitude Greengrass looked like an ethereal being by the light of the wispy light orbs.

Uncharacteristically, Tycho found himself tongue tied. "Good evening. Lovely lighting idea, isn't it?" He liked the spooky vibes of the wispy lights.

---

Fortitude Greengrass

  

---

The Greengrasses were not exactly doing society at the moment; Verity was married, Grace was working, and Clementine was a lost cause, so there was little cause to go parading around looking for bachelors — and much better uses for the money previously allocated for Clementine's season attire. This invitation had come from a colleague, though, and Ford determined that he could reasonably accept and leave the rest of the family at home without raising eyebrows.

He had gone off to explore the maze at the host's insistence, and as he walked was contemplating whether he would be obliged to produce some sort of opinion on it once he emerged. What could anyone possibly have to say about a hedge maze? Should he compliment the evenness of the shrubbery? Honestly, this seemed like a waste of space to Ford — but maybe that was half the purpose. It was opulent to have the luxury of wasting space, and perhaps they wanted everyone to see how well off they were, in one of the dullest fashions imaginable.

The maze walls were tall enough that although he could hear the noise of another person approaching, he couldn't tell who until they were abruptly face to face. Ford flushed immediately, though Ty apparently was intent on playing everything casual. Ford wondered at that, since they were alone in this section of the maze, but maybe he was concerned about being overheard through one of the walls? Still, he could probably have gotten by saying nothing at all.

"Yeah," Ford agreed, after working past the sudden lump in his throat. He had frozen where he was, unsure what to do next. A part of him wanted to hurry past to avoid having some kind of interaction that could make its way, somehow, back to Jemima — another part was barely holding back from blurting an apology.

---

  

---

Set by Lady!

The other man was not being very talkative which contrasted a bit with the version of him that plagued his dreams. He had to wonder why it was this mans visage in particular that he had these intense dreams about. Still, Tycho was not going to be deterred when they were so up close and personal. Who knew when another chance might occur? "My name is Tycho Dodonus, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he extended his hand for a handshake, his eyes lighting up a bit in tempered excitement at the thought of finally even brushing fingers briefly against the others.

---

  

---

Ty's expression was warm, and Ford didn't understand it. If Ty was just playing nice in case they were overheard through the hedge, that wasn't reason to force a smile. And his expression didn't look forced, either, which made no sense given the way that they had left things in December. Ford remembered very viscerally the look on Ty's face before he'd swept out of the room that night; remembered the sinking feeling in his stomach and the realization that settled on his shoulders like a weighted cloak: he'll hate me forever. And now here he was, pretending none of it had happened...

Ty introduced himself. Ford stiffened, staring at the proffered hand as though he didn't know what it was. What was Tycho playing at? This could not possibly be done for the benefit of anyone who might overhear, because everyone knew they were friends. Or had been friends — were maybe fighting, were maybe not speaking — didn't need to be re-introduced, anyway. That could only mean that this remark had been calculated for him, but Ford didn't understand to what end. Tycho would have been well within his rights to say something hurtful, but if he'd intended to drive a barb in Ford's heart he could have aimed it better; he knew Ford well enough that he should have been an expert shot. This was baffling, and left Ford with the very unpleasant sensation that he was missing some crucial piece of information — the same confused-but-wary feeling one had when bullies were sniggering and you hadn't yet figured out why.

He took a step backwards as his eyes darted from Tycho's hand to his face. His expression was giving nothing away. Ford felt like he was going crazy. "That's not funny," he said, quiet so that his voice wouldn't carry through the hedge.

---

  

---

Set by Lady!