February 14th, 1890 — Sweethearts & Sunsets Ball, Wellingtonshire

Another evening, another party to attend. While part of Bellona worried that Father and his new wife might conceive her brother's replacement any time she left the house, for the most part, the debutante was eager to be out of her new stepmother's presence as much as possible. Of course, being around Calliope had its advantages (such as opportunity to make the woman uncomfortable), but not all the time.

"...though I suppose, if pressed, I would say I support the Harpies," the witch concluded, "though I fear that's dreadfully predictable, as answers go!"

She had never much taken to quidditch, nor did she pretend to, but had enough knowledge of the league to at least converse relatively intelligently about it when faced with a handsome, eligible sponsor. (It was quite miraculous, the things one could converse about when given the right incentive!)

"Besides, that must be rather sacrilegious to you, given your sponsorship of Montrose."

— William Abbott —

The following 1 user Likes Bellona Zabini's post:1 user Likes Bellona Zabini's post
   William Abbott

---

— graphics by MJ ♥ —

William had one purpose and one purpose only at tonight's ball: avoid Diana. Having noticed her immediately upon arrival, he has thus far found every excuse to remain farfrom her. It was an impossible task - one he was slowly reconsidering with every glass of champagne. Though, for now, he was still resolved to keep his distance.

The easy conversation with Ms. Zabini was a welcome distraction. "Ah, the Harpies." He shook his head with a laugh. "I, too, might have supported them were it not for obvious reasons." He wasn't a woman, and as such could never play on that team. Not to say he didn't admire those who did play on Holyhead, as those women were fierce and undeniably attractive. Will always looked forward to playing them, if only for the victor's party afterwards.

The following 1 user Likes William Abbott's post:1 user Likes William Abbott's post
   Bellona Zabini

She adopted an expression of mock surprise.

"Surely, Mr. Abbott," Bellona noted, "you don't imply that one's sex could exclude them from supporting this team or that?"

It took, the debutante knew, rather a bold man to support a team of women on the quidditch pitch, just as it took rather bold women to fill such a team's roster.

— William Abbott —

  

---

— graphics by MJ ♥ —

"Of course not." He replied easily. "I merely meant my support of Montrose is what prevents me from supporting the Harpies." The last thing Will wanted to be labeled was sexist. "They're a formidable team. Any matches I played against them was always intense."

  

"You played yourself, Mr. Abbott?" That she had not known. It made sense, though—he did have the look of an athlete to him, though many gentlemen of leisure could boast the same. Still, he clearly had not been so infamous as those like Fitzroy Prewett!

(A good thing, really, though Bellona would not have been caught so off-guard.)

— William Abbott —

  

---

— graphics by MJ ♥ —

Were he a more prideful man, her shock might have offended him. His career wasn't as bright as many of his peers (Arthur Pettigrew, for example) but he was proud of the games he and his team played. Will chuckled and took a sip of his drink. "Ah, yes. Right after graduation until my father passed." Generally, Will didn't speak of his father, as the grief of losing him hadn't quite dissipated yet. Still, he could hardly mention his quidditch career without an explanation as to why he stopped. "For Montrose. I played Chaser."

  

---

Amazing Set by Lady <3

"I always thought chasers rather deserved more credit than they're given," Bellona mused. Though she didn't know much about the sport, she did know that chasers did an abundance of work only to have keepers and seekers take more than their fair share of the glory. "Is it difficult, to have one's successes depend so entirely on their ability to work with others?"

It had been a long time since Bellona had been willing to place that degree of trust in another human being.

— William Abbott —

  

---

— graphics by MJ ♥ —

It always surprised him when debutantes knew enough about quidditch to hold a conversation on the topic. Most proper girls wer encouraged to avoid the sport, some even frowned upon its players. "It's all part of the game. Every player has a crucial role." He answered tactfully. The glory of seekers and keepers was rightfully earned in his opinion, as they had no partners to rely on like chasers and beaters did.

Knowing Ms. Zabini likely wouldn't wish to carry on with the subject Will subtly glanced down to her dance card and saw the next set was empty. "Would you care to dance?"

The following 1 user Likes William Abbott's post:1 user Likes William Abbott's post
   Bellona Zabini

---

Amazing Set by Lady <3

She had thought he would never ask. Well, feared at any rate. Handsome men from the right sorts of families were not averse to the act, but those with the dignity of bearing Mr. Abbott possessed tended to shy away from partners who were not marriage material.

"I should be quite delighted," came her answer, a genuine smile on her lips as the music from the previous dance drew to its end.

— William Abbott —

  

---

— graphics by MJ ♥ —