31st October, 1892 — Jekyll & Hyde Halloween Masque
Somewhere along the way tonight, Endymion had lost his hat. He was no stranger to losing things, particularly, and while ordinarily he might not have blinked, merely given it up for lost – tonight it was rather a part of his highwayman costume, and it was rather a pity to be without it. He still had the mask and neckerchief so only half his face was really visible, and the cloak and the boots and the pistol at his side – a real model of the last century, though unloaded (...presumably; knowing for certain would have required actually checking, which Endymion had not) – but without the tricorne he felt it lacked a little important flair. (Of course, he hadn’t brought along a horse either, so perhaps he hadn’t committed quite enough to the bit to begin with?)
Masked balls were always something of a thrill, regardless; although while he liked the gothic airs as much as any Dempsey was obliged to, and while there was something fun in the mystery of whom everyone might be, it was a difficult setting in which to make any real progress on the wife-hunting front. (He couldn’t very well follow up on dances with anyone when he couldn’t pick out any of the debutantes he hadn’t ruled out as prospects in the room!)
Instead, he had been making jovial conversation with any number of strangers or friends, whoever they may be, using the classic stand and deliver! or your money or your life! lines on occasion for a little added entertainment. He had robbed no one of anything but an additional drink or two from the staff, at any rate, and was feeling pleasantly lightheaded by this point... and pleasingly optimistic about the prospect of finally falling in love as well, for some inexplicable reason.
Perhaps it was because he had just seen her – and at once felt that fated flutter of yearning in his chest. He didn’t know who she was, but he felt drawn to her at once, compelled across the room without a doubt in his mind that she could be utterly perfect for him.
Or maybe (– it dawned on him, as he made it over to her –) that was merely because she appeared to be holding his hat. A moment ago, he had wanted to make an exceptionally good impression in greeting her, just in case she really was the very person he had been waiting his whole life for. Instead, promptly distracted by the sight of the tricorne, Endymion smiled wide (never mind that his expression was only half visible) and only exclaimed: “I’ve been looking everywhere for that!”
Masked balls were always something of a thrill, regardless; although while he liked the gothic airs as much as any Dempsey was obliged to, and while there was something fun in the mystery of whom everyone might be, it was a difficult setting in which to make any real progress on the wife-hunting front. (He couldn’t very well follow up on dances with anyone when he couldn’t pick out any of the debutantes he hadn’t ruled out as prospects in the room!)
Instead, he had been making jovial conversation with any number of strangers or friends, whoever they may be, using the classic stand and deliver! or your money or your life! lines on occasion for a little added entertainment. He had robbed no one of anything but an additional drink or two from the staff, at any rate, and was feeling pleasantly lightheaded by this point... and pleasingly optimistic about the prospect of finally falling in love as well, for some inexplicable reason.
Perhaps it was because he had just seen her – and at once felt that fated flutter of yearning in his chest. He didn’t know who she was, but he felt drawn to her at once, compelled across the room without a doubt in his mind that she could be utterly perfect for him.
Or maybe (– it dawned on him, as he made it over to her –) that was merely because she appeared to be holding his hat. A moment ago, he had wanted to make an exceptionally good impression in greeting her, just in case she really was the very person he had been waiting his whole life for. Instead, promptly distracted by the sight of the tricorne, Endymion smiled wide (never mind that his expression was only half visible) and only exclaimed: “I’ve been looking everywhere for that!”
