August 12th, 1893 — Garden of Mysteries Party

Amidst the grandeur of the ballroom, Addie surveyed the Lestrange ballroom opulently apportioned for the Lestrange 'sale' of one of the daughters - poor thing. She had donned a gown resembling the perilous Peruvian Vipertooth, an enchanting creature cloaked in danger, deep crimson and reds, a change from the pastels usually expected for unmarried debs.

In this society of high station and prestige, Addie moved with refined grace, and practiced ease, a creature who belonged here. Her golden curls bounded about her face, a sharp contrast to the dark colours of her gown and her milk pale skin. It was as if she were two beings wrapped in one, her façade of charm concealing a heart consumed by dark designs.

This night of supposed pleasure was, in truth, a night of labor for her, a night to cultivate the very persona that would draw her closer to the family that lay at the center of her ire. Like an astute predator, she observed her prey from a distance, plotting her every move with cunning precision. To the other guests, she seemed a social butterfly, fluttering from one group to another, leaving each captivated by her allure. But all the while, her gaze remained fixed on the target, the heirs of the family that had brought ruin upon her own.

She had been so focused on her aim she had not been paying attention, distracted by her objective, and took the hand of the gent she assumed was her next dance, but who actually...it was just someone who happened to be walking past. 'oh!' she started, realising that she was not facing the insipid gent that she had not been quick enough to think of an excuse to refuse.

Dress

  

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MJ did things

Seneca was well aware why the party had been hosted and she didn't love it. While usually the kind of person to enjoy the spotlight, she liked it less so when she had to interact with a bunch of men, with the intention of charming them enough so one of them would ask for her hand in marriage. The idea of marriage brought shivers down her spine -- she didn't want to lose the name Lestrange, become property of some man, bear his children. Children! How much she disliked being in their company and how little she wanted any of her own. It almost felt strange, she often questioned if there was something wrong with her, being a woman who didn't want her womb to be put to any use. The idea of her having children felt as strange as her brothers becoming with child!

She was prowling around, enjoying a gap in her dancing card, when someone grabbed her by the hand. Her initially instinct was to flinch and want to shake her hand away, but the other... woman's grip was firm.

A woman, grabbing her hand.

Well, she supposed, it wasn't the most unusual sight for women to be seen dancing together, but those pairings were usually reserved for the children, or the spinstered.*

"The gentlemen usually insist I write their names down in my dancing card," Seneca teased the other woman. "But I like your approach better. I've always thought that us women are far more direct in getting what we want, when we set ourselves upon a goal."

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*ngl no idea, Soph making assumptions here xD

  

Amidst the swirl of elegant gowns and polished manners, Adrestia couldn't help but crack a mischievous smile as Seneca's hand was firmly within her grasp. "Oh, my apologies, Miss Lestrange," Addie chuckled playfully, "I must confess, I couldn't resist the temptation to sweep you away onto the dance floor. It seems I've been too focused on my mission tonight and lost track of the dance partners." she laughed, clearly joking.

Her eyes sparkled with a glint of amusement, and she continued, "And who would have thought that amidst all these gentlemen vying for your hand, it would be a woman who would seize the opportunity first!" Addie's remark was a subtle nod to their shared understanding of the social expectations that weighed heavily on unmarried women in this society, which even she, with no parents to concern themselves, was still very aware of.

With a graceful flourish, she released Seneca's hand. "Adrestia Dantés," she introduced herself with a slight inclination of her head, "And as for these gentlemen, well, they do have their charm, but I daresay, a dance with you would be much more enjoyable and stimulating,"

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   Seneca Lestrange

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MJ did things

Seneca didn't even like dancing that much.

But the idea of dancing with Miss Dantés suddenly filled her with excitement. The woman's wit brought s genuine smile to Seneca's lips who, for the first time that evening and perhaps in many such evenings before that, she found herself charmed. Was this what those gentlemen were supposed to get out of her?

"I daresay the feelings are mutual, Miss Dantés," Seneca replied, trying to keep her smile contained. She wasn't supposed to be dancing with women at this ball, but she didn't care. What harm would there be to dance a round with Miss Dantés? The next dance was one where two women could easily engage in, a hybrid between a muggle and a magical one. It didn't really have much close contact, as waltz did. Besides, there were far many more debutantes two eligible gentlemen in attendance and the imbalance of genders was a perfectly reasonable excuse to dance with a woman.

Whatever, she was doing it. She offered a hand to Miss Dantés. "Shall we?"

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Addie couldn't help but notice the genuine smile that graced Seneca's lips, and it sent a thrill through her. She was used to wearing masks, both literal and figurative, and she enjoyed seeing people drop theirs. It was almost exhilarating to see Seneca's guard come down, if only for a moment, in the midst of this grand ballroom affair.

"Delighted, Miss Lestrange," Addie replied, her voice a smooth melody that matched the enchanting atmosphere of the ballroom. Accepting Seneca's hand with a gentle touch, she led the way to the dance floor with an air of refined grace. As the music began to weave its spell, Addie moved with fluid elegance. She knew how to draw people in, how to make them feel seen and valued, and she applied those skills with effortless finesse. She was looking to draw attention to get herself noticed by them, and a girlish, dance with the Lestrange lady of the evening was certainly a way to do that.

"I must say, you possess a rare charm, Miss Lestrange," she remarked, her gaze locked on Seneca's eyes, "There's an air of mystery about you that sets you apart from the rest of the ton. Certainly more so than most other debutantes, it's quite refreshing." She chose her words carefully. As they danced, Addie allowed the music to guide their movements, and she found herself lost in the enchanting rhythm and found herself taking the 'lead' -the male position. In the periphery of her mind, she continued to keep a watchful eye on her true objectives still at the forefront of her thoughts.

  

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MJ did things

While she didn't usually enjoy dancing, there was something very exciting about taking the podium with another woman. She was grateful for Miss Dantes taking the lead, never having been an expert dancer herself. Thankfully the dance they were dancing was not as intricate as the others, which permitted them to talk without Seneca forgetting her step.

Miss Dantes' words struck a chord in Seneca, who loved nothing more than being complimented on how special she was. Between her and her pleasant interaction with Mr. Flint previously, Seneca's already inflated ego was exiting the galaxy onto the outer space.

"Oh, thank you, Miss Dantes. I confess that I do not like to share myself with everyone, only those who are deserving to know me better," she gave the other woman a playful smile. She added: "You have a way with words, Miss Dantes. Some of the gents in attendance could take note from you on how to charm a lady."

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As the music played on, Addie and Seneca continued to dance, their movements a seamless harmony of elegance and grace. Her gaze locked with Seneca's as they swirled together on the dance floor. Adrestia enjoyed the unspoken understanding between them, a shared defiance against the expectations that sought to define their lives. Even more than the darkness that controlled her heart, and it brought a soft smile to Addie's lips.

There was a fire within Miss Lestrange, a determination that mirrored Addie's own quest for justice and revenge. "I have a feeling, Seneca, that we may cross paths again in the future," she continued, her words tinged with a sense of intrigue. "Or at least I very much hope so." she added, having not been especially close to the Lestranges before, Seneca could be a useful 'in'.

"I must say, Seneca, this dance has been the highlight of my evening," Addie admitted with a soft chuckle, Their steps wove a tapestry of silent communication as they danced, and Addie couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden behind Seneca's enigmatic gaze. She sensed a depth within the Lestrange debutante, a well of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. She wondered what this young lady might have achieved with Ramdas' tuteledge.

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   Seneca Lestrange

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MJ did things

It took a lot to break though Seneca's ice when it came to emotions and relationships. She wasn't close to many people and it wasn't that easy to impress her with charming words. She was picky about the people she was attracted to.

Miss Adrestia Dantes was one of them.

This newfound emotion would have Seneca question what she thought she knew about relationships, later that evening. She only knew of deep feelings between men and women. She'd never imagined that a woman could make her feel the same feelings that a man could.

For the time being, though, she was only enjoying her dance with Miss Dantes.

"I would very much like for us to keep in touch," Seneca told the other woman. "I can tell that the two of us have a lot in common and I would love for us to correspond, perhaps even have tea somewhere in London?" Nothing wrong with two debutantes being friends!

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As the dance continued, Adrestia maintained the delicate balance between charm and intrigue. While she recognized the interest that Seneca had shown, she remained cautious, her mind always focused on her ultimate objectives. Seneca was a means to an end, a piece of the puzzle she needed to manipulate to achieve her goals.

"Miss Lestrange, you flatter me with your proposal," Adrestia responded, her tone a mixture of warmth and subtle distance. "Of course I would be delighted to keep in touch. It's not often that I encounter someone who shares my appreciation for the complexities of life." catlike and purring with her thumb rubbing circles on the back of Seneca's hand. She understood the power of manipulation, the art of influencing others to achieve her own ends. Seneca's interest was a useful tool, a thread she could pull to unravel the secrets she sought.

"While I believe there's much we could learn from each other, Seneca...Mis Lestrange," she continued, her voice a carefully composed melody, with its faux 'mistake' of familiarity, "I've always believed that alliances built on shared understanding are the most enduring.' Adrestia added, her words layered with hidden intent. She wanted Seneca to feel a sense of anticipation, a promise of the intrigue that awaited them.

"As for tea, I find it a splendid idea," she said, her smile demure yet laced with an enigmatic allure. "I would be delighted to host you, I very rarely get visitors to my home."

With a final twirl, their dance came to an end, and Adrestia gracefully released Seneca's hand. Her gaze held a mix of charm and calculation, a reminder that she was not one to be easily ensnared by emotions.

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   Seneca Lestrange

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MJ did things

Miss Dantes' slip up wasn't missed to Seneca, who would have found the gesture terribly bold if she were a man. But Miss Dantes wasn't a man and they were merely two women who'd found that they could become good friends... Right? Seneca could sense a draw towards the other woman, one that she thought that only men could and should cause within her, but she wasn't worldly enough to label these emotions. She couldn't so readily name the chemistry she felt towards Miss Dantes, as she did with Mr. Flint, for example.

"I would be most pleased to pay you a call," Seneca told the other woman when their dance finished.

Not one to let her emotions consume her, Seneca felt excited for what the future could hold for her and Miss Dantes.

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