January 30, 1890 - A Proper Society Party, London

One of the many parties he had been to since last year, these things were beginning to feel oh so uneventful. But the search for a wife was one of his top priorities and Gerald would not simply give up due to boredom. He certainly was not his brother. He was also too polite to mention his disinterest, so was putting on the marvelous act of having a decent enough time. Not too enthusiastic, as to not make himself look foolish. Seeing the beautiful young ladies dance did make the evening fairly worth it.

Noticing that one particular lady was sitting alone at the moment, he decided to ask for a dance. The woman did not look tired yet, and seemed to actually want to keep dancing as she watched the rest of the crowd go about enjoying their time. "Good evening Miss. Would you care to dance with me?" He asked as gave his best charming smile.

---

Hurling thread! Open to a hurlable young woman!

  

---

Magic by Athena

Benevolence wasn’t sure what had made her come out tonight – no actually she was – it was one of Melodys last nights of relative freedom, and spending some time with her amid the sound and revelry of a party. They had spent some time together huddled in a corner talking and gossiping, as they had in the Ravenclaw commonroom. After a time Melody had had to excuse herself and was now disappeared somewhere in the throng of people. Her soon to be husband stood alone at the side of the dancefloor, looking stiff and uncomfortable, craning through the crowd looking for someone – Melody perhaps.

Benevolace had dressed in a pretty pastel blue gown, that complimented her skin and masses of jet black hair, which was adorned with hydrangeas and forget me nots, rich poseys of bright blooms trailing down to where her neck met her shoulder. She had allowed her ladies maid free reign to adorn her tresses and the girl had aspirations of working as a florist herself and Benevolences hair was perfectly fitting for someone whose entire life was flowers and plants.

Now that Melody was gone she thought perhaps she should go home, slip away without being noticed – as befits the wall flower she truly was. She had been just about to get up and go, when a young man approached. Handsome, and a charming smile and requested a dance. For a moment she wondered if he perhaps thought she was someone else, but in spite of herself she accepted his hand and allowed herself to be led to the floor.

’I’m charmed sir,’ she said to him, as the dance began, ’But I don’t believe we’ve been introduced?’ she enquired, ’Benevolence Montague’ she offered her own name first as introduction.

  

---

Lady is a wonder

The unique style of her hair had not gone unnoticed. If anything, it had brought further attention to her. He liked that, she seemed unique and interesting. But not in a wild sort of way, which was good. Were they real flowers? Most young ladies would go with the fake sort if at all. And the colors stood out in her lovely black hair. Yes, he certainly would not mind dancing with her.

That was true, they had yet to have been introduced. He wondered briefly if his request had offended her given those circumstances, but she did seem willing to give him a chance. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Montague. I am Gerald Abbott." Montague, had he heard of that name before? Perhaps he would ask his mother if the night went well. The woman would likely have kept better track of different sorts of families. Or his sister. He wouldn't want to give his mother too much hope that there might be something before he was confident that this would lead to anything. But of course, these thoughts passed by in an instant as they began to dance.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

'Nice to meet you Mister Abbott' she smiled, as they moved to the dance floor and began to move through the steps of the dance. 'How do you know the hosts?' she asked placidly. It was a safe opening question, but until she knew the measure of this man, she would keep her feelings to herself. She was a warm, expressive person, but not all men took kindly to that, and some gentlemen preferred for their ladies to be seen and not heard. She would never be with a man like that, not in the longer term, but for the sake of a dance it was better to be circumspect.

'Are you here for friendship or obligation?' she added, giving a small smile, a hint at her puckish side.

  

---

Lady is a wonder

The dance was neither too fast nor too slow. Perfect for having a conversation without taking a ladies breath away as a result. Which was quite suitable for keeping up a conversation. Which was what Gerald preferred if he was to look for his future bride. Not that he would be quick to mention a wife hunt. It would scare away the more cautious and excite the more hyper ladies.

"My mother's best friend's cousin is the host. Then again, one is typically expected to attend at least a few parties through the year." It was expected of those more within societies eye. Which didn't bother Gerald too much. However, he did not seeing himself attending this many parties when he was finally married.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

When he explained how he knew the host Benevolence dropped her head to hide her smile.  The remoteness of the connection and the earnestness with which he discussed his obligation she found somehow funny.  Was it endearing? She tried to decide as they danced.

'I must admit Mister Abbott that I'm not much for balls' she explained a little bashfully,  a little colouring ringing her cheeks as the quiet Ravenclaw tried to be honest with the gent before her.  'I enjoy a gathering as much as the next lady but my tastes run to quiet gatherings than to lots of furore like your mothers best friends cousins shindig.-

  

---

Lady is a wonder

Those of pureblood status, at least in Gerald's social circle, were typically related in some way or another. He was likely blood related to the host in a more distant relation than he bothered to recall. This was the life of one of his standing. But he made sure to know of at least one connection if he was to attend a function. Better for making connections of course.

While the bluntness was rather interesting in and of itself, it was a hint shocking for one so quiet. "A good ball is fine by me, though I wouldn't be going to this many on a normal basis." He would elaborate, but he did not wish to appear too forward.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

The gentleman meeting her confession with his own candor was pleasant and most surprising.  Her smile broadened and she blushed a little further.  Benevolence had a tendency to blush at the slightest provocation at the best of times, the appearance of her blush was exacerbated by her general paleness and the exceptional darkness of her hair. 

’so what do you do Mister Abbott?’ she asked, his dress spoke of wealth certainly but he didn’t carry himself as an idol man did.  There was an indolent slouch to gentlemen of leisure that she could not herself abide.  This man did not carry himself that way, indeed his bearing spoke of a man with a great deal of self possession and personal control. ’By my guess I would say military, but you do not seem muggleborn so I would disinclined to guess that.’ she ventured.

Gerald Abbott

  

---

Lady is a wonder

Good decision to not tell the young lady what his goal was. The faintest hint of marriage searching might lead to a fainting spell. Though even the blush was a beautiful trait, if he were being honest. Beauty might not be the most important thing, but it certainly was a positive thing.

To not work was utterly irresponsible, in Gerald's eyes. Not that he would mention this to anyone. Other than his brother of course. He also could not respect completely if they did practically nothing all day. "Yes, I am employeed. You are also correct that I am not of the military or muggleborn. I am an auror." Personally, he would have guessed that of someone before a muggle occupation. It was an interesting thing to see someone make a different assumption first.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

She thought perhaps she sort of recognised him, perhaps more the boy he might have been a number of years ago. Like they might have met in one of those pureblood social circles once upon a time - when they were still too young to pay much attention to the opposite sex. While Benevolences family were considered middle class they were well heeled, monied enough to rival many of those families who were clung to the upper classes by their finger tips. It had annoyed her father no end that her friend, Melody Finch, was considered an upper class girl when Benevolence was not, despite being more financially secure - and pureblooded. The later aspect had mattered more to her father than he had cared to admit. Even though Diana Fawley, Melody and Benevolence had been variously as thick as thieves in school, Benevolence had not done the debutante season - mostly because her parents were dead and there was no one to make her.

'oh my' she said, avoiding the obvious joke about minding her behaviour in the presence of an auror. Her last encounter with an auror had put her in the hospital. That had only been last week. 'One of your colleagues, a Mister Prewett rather saved me from a horse a few days ago,' she remarked with a smile. 'Are all of his co-workers equally as gallant?' she asked, arching a slender eyebrow and cocking her head. Her tone was serious, but her face and eyes conveyed the lightness and teasing nature of her question.

---

Post 69 - LMAO! teehee

  

---

Lady is a wonder

There were so many faces that Gerald saw in his passing days. Remembering one from passing in childhood would be something he would deem impressive. He certainly hadn't paid much mind to the females of society when he was younger. Even when society deemed it more appropriate for a potential wife to be younger than her husband, a teen aged Gerald was far more interested in those closer to his age when those sorts of things crossed his mind.

He had no reason to explain this to anyone. Let alone to a young woman he was just getting to know. But these were things that were thought of when one tried to recognize someone from their past. He recognized the name 'Prewett' instantly. "I would say so, though that might just be my pride. We are trained quite a bit for the profession we have chosen." Co-worker was not the word Gerald would use. Boss, likely. Though he didn't fancy admitting that to a young lady if he could help it.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

Benevolence gave a light laugh, ’Well you are permitted to be quite proud of your profession sir’ she admitted, ’I cannot imagine the grit required to become dark wizard hunter’ she admitted. ’I am sure it is a world far more interesting than balls and dances?’ she asked with an interested smile, she fidgeted with the flower in her hair as she questioned him.

Benevolence, although quiet and scholastic had always found a way to lose herself in adventure books, storys of dashing deeds and epics fights between good and evil. While she had no real world exposure to what aurors did in the ordinary course of their works the very idea of dark wizard hunters conjured up images of gentlemen in full wizard robes dueling on the battlements of decrepit castles. How close this was to reality – well she had no idea, but the world of flowers and the world of dark wizards seldom over lapped.

  

---

Lady is a wonder

This surely was a compliment, and she did seem rather intrigued by the idea. "It can be very exciting. And keeping our community safe always feels quite rewarding." Certainly more rewarding than attending so many parties.

Gerald did appreciate a good read now and again. Though his interests were more for the stuff of fact than fiction. Things that got his mind out of work for a while. If he recalled correctly, one of his auror training instructors had advised such things. Helped with the mental state.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

''We thank you for your service she said with a curtsey. After all to her knowledge the aurors office had been quite successful. They were dark wizard hunters and she had yet to meet a dark wizard. 'Was it the idea of service that attracted you to the profession or had you some other motivation?' she enquired with genuine interest.

A footman came past and offered her another glass of champagne, she declined, not being much of a drinker and preferring to keep her wits about her. She had no brother, or father to see her safely home. It would be for her and her chaperone to see themselves to their carriage. Not that she anticipated anything malevolent, she just preferred to be on the more controlled side of merry when taking a carriage home late at night.

---

  

---

Lady is a wonder

To an extent, that was what their profession called for. But not all crimes could be categorized as the actions of 'dark wizards', though having to explain his profession at a party sounded awfully tedious and unnecessary. "I never wanted to simply stay around in my home or attend society functions. I wanted to make a difference and help those in need. Being an auror has certainly allowed that to happen."

Seeing that she decided to not accept another glass of champagne was refreshing in and of itself. It spoke to a sense of a clear head on her shoulders. To think before acting and decide on a responsible decision. He also declined a drink, not even very interested in champagne. If he were to be honest, he preferred a good wine. Though he would never offend a host by saying as such.

---

  

---

Magic by Athena

She nodded as he explained his rationale. 'How noble of you sir' she noted, and it rather was. There were gentlemen who needed to work, who could not maintain their lifestyle without it, and in those cases many chose careers as Aurors, or the like for the status that the position gave them in general society. She had chosen not to become a debutante after her mourning had come to an end because there had to be more to life than parties and frivolity. She had always felt that were one was able to give more, one should. She had a talent for plants - surely it was better to use it than waste it in tea parties and fretting over dresses. It might have been to her detriment. It might have made her something of an oddity given her family and station, but she wouldn't change it. This man, this gentleman of rank and breeding who had chosen to serve - just might understand.

'I understand completely' she enthused, perhaps a little breathlessly, and blushed at how enthusiastic she sounded. 'I mean,' she corrected herself, 'it is a waste to hide ones light under a bushel when sharing it would be of the common good.'

  

---

Lady is a wonder