Ida opened the book with relish, marveling at its intricate detail. The smell of fresh parchment was her favorite thing. She carefully inked her name and the year onto the first page then grabbed her little brother by the collar as he raced by.
"Watch," she instructed at his whinging and proceeded to make a meager scribble on a blank page. She retracted her fingers just as the book snapped out jagged barbs. The boy emitted a high-pitched shriek as he pitched backward onto the rug. She did it again for good measure, this time trying to simply turn a few pages to inspect its contents. The book snapped again, and her brother screamed with it. "Shut up - all I'm trying to show you is that this book will eat your hand if you touch it the wrong way," she warned, tone deadly as she applied her full height to tower over the distraught child. "I'm saying this because you should try and keep your hand if you plan to attend Hogwarts next year. There's no way they'll still accept you if you're missing a hand. You won't ever try to open this book, will you?"
"N-no!"
"Use your words - what do you promise me?"
"I promise to never open your book! I promise I won't even touch it! I won't even look at it!" he shook his head rapidly. Satisfied that she'd done what she could to skirt liability (she didn't actually want him hurt), she shooed him off to play outside.
Turning back to the journal, she rifled through the girls' responses, frowning a bit at an inky blot she couldn't rub off Poppy's or June's entries. Ugh, she needed proper quills that wouldn't have the ink seep so much.
laisse moi tes secrets.
Beryl you've outdone yourself, this journal is a perfect match for this year. I think these journals, and the stories you'll put in it, might be the silver lining to your burdensome visit to France. I'm also dying to know all the details of your ball, of course. I'm sure it was as divine as the men were stupid. If these updates are best consumed over teaor something stronger, it should go without saying, but I am at this group's disposal.
As it is, I'll be traveling to London 26th of July! I will be in town for a dueling clinic the following day, though could perhaps find an excuse to linger for longer so we can meet? I enrolled in the clinic to keep up my practice... And, well, motivated by the prospect of a bit of prize money. I will think of you all fondly as I try to apply my feminine wiles competing with grown men.
And Poppy, your ball was perhaps the most fun I ever intend to have at such a grand event. I didn't notice the snaffu with Merlin at all, so not to worry! Your guests had a marvelous time! I did notice Atticus with Miss Mountbatton, however, and I daresay they would make a fantastic item if Atticus can get his head out of his owl's ass. He really must make haste, if he wishes to hold on to her interest for very long. I first met Suki during her fitting for that very dress she wore. She might look the picture of an angel, but trust, she has the same shrewd calculations in her head as her Colonel father who's seen war.
June, we really must discuss your taste in men when we meet. I was very antsy to meet this Mister Blackwood and was shocked by the company he choose to keep. I confess the more I learn about him, the more waste of space he seems to become. In our business, we call this "inventory with diminishing returns."
I volunteer to this group a much better use of our collective brilliance: Flint Institute! June! You have no idea how happy you've made me with this news, I've also applied and will be starting in the Fall. Father very much does not approve, which is why he has not been informed.
Until we meet soon!
Devotedly yours,
![[Image: 5jMCu3I.png]](https://i.imgur.com/5jMCu3I.png)
stefanie made this beautiful set <3
"Watch," she instructed at his whinging and proceeded to make a meager scribble on a blank page. She retracted her fingers just as the book snapped out jagged barbs. The boy emitted a high-pitched shriek as he pitched backward onto the rug. She did it again for good measure, this time trying to simply turn a few pages to inspect its contents. The book snapped again, and her brother screamed with it. "Shut up - all I'm trying to show you is that this book will eat your hand if you touch it the wrong way," she warned, tone deadly as she applied her full height to tower over the distraught child. "I'm saying this because you should try and keep your hand if you plan to attend Hogwarts next year. There's no way they'll still accept you if you're missing a hand. You won't ever try to open this book, will you?"
"N-no!"
"Use your words - what do you promise me?"
"I promise to never open your book! I promise I won't even touch it! I won't even look at it!" he shook his head rapidly. Satisfied that she'd done what she could to skirt liability (she didn't actually want him hurt), she shooed him off to play outside.
Turning back to the journal, she rifled through the girls' responses, frowning a bit at an inky blot she couldn't rub off Poppy's or June's entries. Ugh, she needed proper quills that wouldn't have the ink seep so much.
July 7th, 1892
laisse moi tes secrets.
Beryl you've outdone yourself, this journal is a perfect match for this year. I think these journals, and the stories you'll put in it, might be the silver lining to your burdensome visit to France. I'm also dying to know all the details of your ball, of course. I'm sure it was as divine as the men were stupid. If these updates are best consumed over tea
As it is, I'll be traveling to London 26th of July! I will be in town for a dueling clinic the following day, though could perhaps find an excuse to linger for longer so we can meet? I enrolled in the clinic to keep up my practice... And, well, motivated by the prospect of a bit of prize money. I will think of you all fondly as I try to apply my feminine wiles competing with grown men.
And Poppy, your ball was perhaps the most fun I ever intend to have at such a grand event. I didn't notice the snaffu with Merlin at all, so not to worry! Your guests had a marvelous time! I did notice Atticus with Miss Mountbatton, however, and I daresay they would make a fantastic item if Atticus can get his head out of his owl's ass. He really must make haste, if he wishes to hold on to her interest for very long. I first met Suki during her fitting for that very dress she wore. She might look the picture of an angel, but trust, she has the same shrewd calculations in her head as her Colonel father who's seen war.
June, we really must discuss your taste in men when we meet. I was very antsy to meet this Mister Blackwood and was shocked by the company he choose to keep. I confess the more I learn about him, the more waste of space he seems to become. In our business, we call this "inventory with diminishing returns."
I volunteer to this group a much better use of our collective brilliance: Flint Institute! June! You have no idea how happy you've made me with this news, I've also applied and will be starting in the Fall. Father very much does not approve, which is why he has not been informed.
Until we meet soon!
Devotedly yours,
Ida
stefanie made this beautiful set <3