April 4th, 1890 —  Daphnel House; A Holiday Dine-In

After having explained the rules of the game to his wife, Roberto had smiled as she went off to her first card game partners table before finding his own starting point. He settled at his table where he would be playing against Mrs Evalina Rosier. She was about a decade or so older than he was and from a prominent pureblood family so he knew her name being pureblood himself.

"Have you played this particular game before?" He asked out of curiosity. It wasn't a usual game, indeed it seemed designed to force the ever silent Miss Daphnel into having no choice but to mingle, the poor girl.

Evalina Rosier

  

There was nothing to it. This party was an enormous disaster, and she was inwardly fuming at her husband for suggesting she attend such a ridiculous occasion. The pathetic Miss Daphnel herself was a poorly creature to be seen, it was even an exercise in restraint for Eva to not kick the girl herself while she was down.

Thankfully, she need not worry about making too much painful conversation, for she quickly rotated in partners for this game. Some were perfectly lovely company, though others, Eva thought she could have done a century without speaking one syllable to. Presently, she smiled politely at Mr. Devine. "I believe I have played a version of it," she said, her blue eyes looking down at her hand. "Though not this precise game. And yourself?"

  

---

i refuse to break myself into bite sized pieces
i will stay whole, and you will
choke
※

"Not this particular version. I personally think it was adapted by the Daphnels to suit their needs," he opined as he glanced over to the silent debutante who seemed as intent to not utter a word as her parents were to have her utter one. He played his first hand and waited for her to do the same.

  

To suit their needs indeed, Evalina figured as she followed Mr. Devine's gaze over to the hostess. The dark-haired witch resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the simpering sight. "Ah well, then perhaps we are evenly matched, this round!" She said in a cheery tone, despite her brewing fury at her husband. She put down a card, comparing hers to his.

  

---

i refuse to break myself into bite sized pieces
i will stay whole, and you will
choke
※

Roberto kept up the usual, idle chit chat that two people that were social but did not quite know one another might have at a social event. Roberto loved to socialize so this card game was perfect for him. Soon, though, it was time for them to switch partners. "It has been very lovely to play against you," Roberto said genuinely. He was happily married but did still enjoy conversing with beautiful women which he saw no harm in doing.

/one more evalina post needed and then switch <3

  

"And you as well, Mr. Devine," She said, her lips curling into a pleasant smile. Perhaps not her type, but he was a piece to look at, wasn't he? She played her final card, then threw her hands up as if in defeat. "And it seems you have bested me this round, haven't you, sir?" She gave a good-natured sigh before her seat jerked once more and she was whisked off by her chair. Really, what a stupid game these poor people had employed at this fail of a party.

  

---

i refuse to break myself into bite sized pieces
i will stay whole, and you will
choke
※

Her chair settled in front of a table occupied by another man she knew thanks to Quidditch! ‘‘Mr. Devine! How do you do?’’ Cee greeted as she picked up the cards that Mrs. Rosier had left behind. Her heart was beating somewhat frantically as she tried to quickly figure out what had happened in the round before her. This was the thrill of the game. She quickly settled for a card in response to Mr. Devine's.

‘‘Quite a lot of Quidditch folks tonight, I've noticed,’’ she chatted him up as she waited for his move. As far as Cee knew, the Daphnels weren't involved in the industry, at least not as directly as the Gallivans or the Devines.

  

"Very well, thank you, Miss Gallivan. And how are you and your family?" He asked amiably. Miss Gallivan was almost as familiar a fac as her sponsor brother at Quidditch games and events where she was permitted entry so he was mildly glad to be sitting across from her. They actually had things to talk about.

He played his next cards and chuckled as she noted on the Quidditch folks present. "Yes, I found it quite surprising. The Daphnaels aren't in the industry as far as I am aware. Perhaps they are simply fans?" Though he couldn't see the poor debutante as being fond of something so exciting as Quidditch.

---

  

Cee replied with the usual pleasantries at the question about her family and played a card. Mr. Devine played his card and it was her turn once again.

‘‘Perhaps,’’ Cecily remarked as she played her next card. ‘‘The parents, though. I don't think Miss Daphnel is the sort to like Quidditch. Too... exciting.’’ She gave Mr. Devine a knowing smile. Miss Daphnel seemed like she would be more comfortable in the company of quiet scholars, or grannies who liked knitting.

  

"Perhaps not. Certainly not as much as you, Miss Gallivan," Roberto said with a chuckle. "Are you looking forward to the Quidditch World Cup?" Every sponsor was vying for people from their teams to be on the National Team and he was sure the Cannons were no different.

---

  

‘‘Of course!’’ Cee replied. As if there was any question about that. She couldn't wait to see what the other countries had to offer in terms of Quidditch talent. She had long been telling Theo that they needed to update the Cannons' roster.

She would have liked to remain in Mr. Devine's company a little longer, seeing that they had so much in common, but her time was up! Cee played one last hand and hoped that she wouldn't leave the next player in a difficult position. She got distracted by the Quidditch talk and made some rash decision and as such wasn't leaving behind a very good hand...

/Cee out

  

Roberto played a few more hands with some of the other players before sighing in satisfaction as the night came to a close. It had been a rather interesting party, in his estimation. He hoped that it would be done again soon.

---