March 21st, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

I hope the rest of your evening went smoothly last night. I apologize for not being able to linger in conversation, for a hostess' duty is never complete.

As promised, I've attached a note and gift for Lysander. Hopefully he will see great enjoyment from it.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

*attached is an exquisitely wrapped kaleidoscope and a note. The toy is well used with niks and scratches in its woodwork, and is quite clearly nearly twenty years old.

  

March 22nd, 1890

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

Thank you again for your kindness; Lysander is delighted by the kaleidoscope, and greatly enjoyed your note. You chose well - he enjoys toys like this, with intricacies and puzzle-like qualities.

May I ask - was the gift yours before this, or did it belong to another child? The trinkets that are passed down always seem to make the best-loved toys.

The rest of my evening went by smoothly; I hope the same can be said for yourself.

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

March 23rd, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

I'm delighted to hear he enjoyed it. There was quite a lengthy debate between it and a set of wooden trains, I'm glad to know I guessed correctly. It was mine as a child, yes. I spent many a hour twirling it about. It deserves a better use than a shelf decoration.

The rest of my evening went well, thank you.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

March 24th, 1890

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

Well, thank you for passing it along. We shall have to send it back when you have your own children. (Or wards, I suppose, although Lysander may as well be my own.)

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

March 25th, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

Absolutely not! A gift is just that, used or not. The kaleidoscope is his to enjoy, shelve, or pass on as he sees fit. If it's returned to me or any of my future children (or wards, though I can't envision such a scenario in which we would be granted custody of an orphaned child.) It will be promptly sent back.

Encourage him to pass it onto another child when he outgrows it and I'll be more than pleased.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

March 24th, 1890

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

You have a deal, then. He'd certainly be hesitant to relinquish it anytime soon.

Since I'm writing - I do apologize if I put you in an uncomfortable position by talking about the vampire Galina or subsequently indicating that other guests had been unpleasant about it. That certainly was not the case at your party, and I wanted to make that clear when I had the chance. I have been told that I have a tendency to be a bleeding heart in the past, and have spent much of my adult life trying to be less outspoken at parties.

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

March 27th, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

Thank you for the apology, but know it was unnecessary.

Freeing Galina was only sensical, seeing as she was innocent of the crime. While I won't profess to being knowledgeable about vampires outside of the common information, I don't relish the thought of an innocent soul locked away merely for her state of being. Galina can control her becoming a vampire no more than you or I could control being born (presumably anyway, as I've not met Galina myself).

If there were attendees of my party that overheard us and were uncomfortable I've no knowledge of it. Though, I don't advise announcing one's every politial view for all to hear. It seems a rather risky social move.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

March 28th, 1890

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

In my experience, everyone who feels vehemently against vampires as a concept feels that way until it's someone they know - luckily, few are ever put in such a spot of having to learn.

Risky social moves is, coincidentally, the summary of most of my adult life - inasmuch as talking about politics is risky.

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

March 29th, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

Ignorance forces people into disappointing opinions. I have little experience with vampires myself, though, so perhaps my thoughts are formed on a more naive basis than most. Have you had many experiences with vampires?

You wouldn't be as effective a lawyer if you abided by societal norms. There is a fine line that must be balanced, however. A strong breeze in either direction can have devastating consequences.

Will you be in attendance at the dine-in next week?

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

March 30th, 1890

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

Not until my former fiancee was turned by one; although, of course, I did not know that until much later, as her brother claimed she was dead.

Mrs. Daphnel's party for her daughter? I was invited but had not decided yet. Are you going?

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

March 31st, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

My sincere apologies, both for her misfortunes and bringing the topic up. I hadn't realized.

Yes, I'll be there. Mrs. Daphnel's poor daughter needs all the help she can get.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

April 1

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

No need for the apologies; it was a very long time ago.

I shall see you there, then. I confess I haven't heard much about the Daphnel girl, except that she is very quiet.

Are there any other parties you would particularly recommend I attend this month?

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

April 2nd, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

She is a lanky, awkward waif of a girl. You'll recognize her on sight, I reckon. I don't say this unkindly...it's all a rather unfortunate situation.

I will be attending Mrs. Rosier's Easter celebration this weekend as well as Ms. Zabini's ball on the Black Lake. Will you be at either?

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

  

April 3rd

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

I was invited to Miss Zabini's party, but hadn't decided; my mother has requested my presence at the family home for Easter, so I unfortunately will not be attending Mrs. Rosier's.

I'll see you tomorrow. As well as Miss Daphnel, I suppose.

Sincerely,
August E-A

  

April 6th, 1890

Dear Mr. Echelon-Arnost,

I hope you enjoyed your holiday yesterday. The Rosier party was busy (for lack of a better word). I spent most of the afternoon covered in bright pink pigment after an attempted walk through the garden. I believe it safe to say I'm a bit envious of your presumably quieter holiday.

I've attached another trinket and note for Lysander. I meant to send it yesterday but got distracted with the festivities.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Freya Selwyn

Attached is a charmed wooden chick, equally as weathered as the kaleidoscope. It chirps and waddles/runs about when played with

  

April 7th

Mrs. Freya Selwyn,

A pink pigment? You shall have to explain the next time I see you.

Lysander is, predictably, enchanted by the chick. He's at that age where every bit of magic is fascinating, but of course they see it more in toys than they do in wandwork. And, again, I shall have to return the favor sometime.

My holiday was relatively quiet, I suppose; my family is large, but no one ended up covered in a different color.

Sincerely,
August E-A