Anthony hadn’t been to a low stakes event in a long time. Since coming off his second wild season in Paris and deciding to refocus his efforts on bringing the business back home, Mama had taken the chance to - quite literally - hurl him at any passing British debutant she could find. Something about hoping he’ll settle down already and move back; their father wasn’t getting any younger and he had the estate to tend to— either way. It was proving as fruitless here as it had in France and Anthony was beginning to doubt he was charming after all. Maybe he was destined to be a lonely old bachelor. Whatever the case, he’d accepted the proposal to chaperone Tillie this evening for the Moonlit Ceremony Ball. She’d liked the fact that it was in a cemetery and he’d liked the idea of taking a night off from his own efforts. Mathilda was a fairly easy charge too with her books and penchant to hide with her friends. All in all, Anthony was in for an evening of peace.
He meandered about inspecting the various elements this event had to offer, sometimes with amusement and others with eagerness. All Hallows Eve had always been his cousin Poppy’s favorite holiday what with her penchant for mischief. Sometimes Anthony missed the diminutive brunette; their little rivalry had certainly dulled now after Laurel’s passing, but she seemed to be doing well enough for herself in France. And at least having Aunt Viola there to keep and eye on him had appeased his mother this last year, too.
Without realizing where he was going or what he was doing, Anthony’s feet strayed to The Path. He’d heard some of the other guests chattering about it in curiosity and he supposed his own must have gotten the better of him. It was dimly lit by a few flickering candles and Anthony grinned as he waltzed right in. He’d never been scared of the dark or the creepy crawly.
A few feet behind him there was a rustling sound. Anthony turned, already swallowed by the darkness of the forest, to see none other than Mr. Fortescue— no, Ritchie — creeping up behind him looking… stalled, if nothing else. An amused grin split his face but Anthony kept his laughter in check as a terrible idea popped into his head. He ducked to the right behind the largest tree he could find and waited for Fortescue to wander further in. Then, coming around behind him soundlessly, Anthony reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Boo.”
He meandered about inspecting the various elements this event had to offer, sometimes with amusement and others with eagerness. All Hallows Eve had always been his cousin Poppy’s favorite holiday what with her penchant for mischief. Sometimes Anthony missed the diminutive brunette; their little rivalry had certainly dulled now after Laurel’s passing, but she seemed to be doing well enough for herself in France. And at least having Aunt Viola there to keep and eye on him had appeased his mother this last year, too.
Without realizing where he was going or what he was doing, Anthony’s feet strayed to The Path. He’d heard some of the other guests chattering about it in curiosity and he supposed his own must have gotten the better of him. It was dimly lit by a few flickering candles and Anthony grinned as he waltzed right in. He’d never been scared of the dark or the creepy crawly.
A few feet behind him there was a rustling sound. Anthony turned, already swallowed by the darkness of the forest, to see none other than Mr. Fortescue— no, Ritchie — creeping up behind him looking… stalled, if nothing else. An amused grin split his face but Anthony kept his laughter in check as a terrible idea popped into his head. He ducked to the right behind the largest tree he could find and waited for Fortescue to wander further in. Then, coming around behind him soundlessly, Anthony reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Boo.”
© ladybug for the gorgeous sig and matching (green) av & darling MJ for the rotating yellow avs!