January 12, 1895 — Evangeline's Birthday Dinner
Jack Collins Daffodil Grimstone

Evangeline was in her element. She wasn't much for hosting, but no one had ever accused her of being a person that shied away from drama. Her earlier life had been unintentionally embroiled in it, and at some point Eva thought a person just had to embrace it. Although, admittedly, facilitating other people's drama was more fun. And anyway, she wasn't trying to intentionally create harmful drama. Just the interesting kind. Others' mileage may vary.

Guests were arriving, and Eva was circulating around the drawing room to chat to those who had already arrived. She was wearing her favorite dress, and feeling exceedingly pleased with herself. She felt a bit as though she was floating between her guests, a feeling that perhaps amplified her smile as she approached one she had invited because she enjoyed his company, rather than as a vehicle for her amusement. "Mr. Collins!" she greeted. "How lovely of you to come."

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Set by Bee <3

The more time Jack spent in Mrs. Rowle's company, the more he enjoyed himself. They seemed to move in similar fashions, at a similar pace, which was all Jack could ask for.

"It's a pleasure," he smiled warmly at her, holding a small wrapped present awkwardly. His mother would have strung him up by his thumbs if he'd shown up empty-handed, but he'd been stuck on what to purchase. He'd settled on a leather broom-shaped bookmark and one of his own favorite mystery novels. Books had come up once or twice, so he hoped she liked them.

He held it out for her, expertly wrapped by his housekeeper to save him the embarrassment of explaining why he couldn't manage himself for some reason. (He had tried, but it hadn't gone well.) "Wouldn't have missed it." He didn't socialize much these days outside of work, though he had gotten back into some of his previous hobbies. It was good to get out of the house and be active again every once in a while, after all. "And happy birthday."

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"Thank you." Evangeline accepted the gift with a bright smile. To be fair, she was all smiles tonight--she felt jubliant, and she wasn't going to unpack that for fear that it would dampen her good mood to consider the source. "I don't entertain often, so hopefully you're in for a rare treat." She laughed. "You mustn't hold it against me if I prove to not be an expert hostess, though. I may be rusty."

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Set by Bee <3

"I feel like I should be flattered I garnered an invitation, then." It hadn't stopped them from running into one another occasionally or from him finding time to call every now and then, but work had kept him busy, as always. "In all honesty, I'm not sure of the last time I was invited to something of this nature." Jack wasn't exactly high society. He attended the ministry or hospital events if he had the time, but he didn't go out of his way either, which was something that vexed his sister to no end.

"So I won't know if something goes mildly amiss." He was not so oblivious as to miss anything obvious, but he doubted he would notice if a course didn't come out on time or if something small was missing from the evening. "Any other big birthday plans?"

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"Oh, nothing in particular," Evangeline said. "I thought this would be enough." Her smile might have turned a bit indulgent, though she didn't think Mr. Collins would suspect why. That was... probably just as well. "I'll have to introduce you around to people I think you'll find interesting," she continued. Eva hadn't only invited people she thought would be entertaining, after all. Well, entertaining in that way.

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Set by Bee <3

Jack nodded along. The older he got, the less he thought his own birthday mattered. Still, Mrs. Rowle was a bit younger, she still had lots to celebrate. "I would be happy to purchase tickets to a show or a quidditch match, if there was something you'd like to see," he offered. It was a roundabout way of adding on to her birthday celebration, admittedly so he could have her company to himself, but also because he wasn't quite sure where they stood and he was casually trying to find out. This friendship felt like it had the potential to be something more, but he'd been cautious and he supposed he was willing to see what she thought.

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"I think I would like that very much," Eva said. It was funny, she thought. She wasn't a stranger to this sort of thing, but it had been a very long time, and she was older now--it felt different now, and she didn't really know what that meant yet. But she liked this feeling regardless, and she enjoyed Mr. Collins' company, and that was enough for her for now.

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Set by Bee <3

Jack smiled to himself. "Do you have a preference, or shall I surprise you?" The latter would require some research; Jack couldn't remember the last time he'd taken in a show. After Emerson had been born there never seemed to be time for it and then after losing Lena, he hadn't had the thought to even attempt outings like that. Now with his own time to fill, he thought it might be nice, just like picking up hobbies, to get back into that sort of socializing. Having company like Mrs. Rowle would make it easier as well. "I admit, I haven't been to the theater in quite some time, either." Who knew his forties would be when he actually reclaimed a social life?

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"I do like a surprise," Eva said with a grin. "Though, I think I heard that a new show is coming to the de Montfault in the next month or two." Evangeline didn't keep up very closely with theater news, though she always enjoyed a trip when she went. Perhaps it was not that unsurprising that she was a fan of drama in all its iterations.

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Set by Bee <3

"I shall endeavor to keep my eye out then." Surely he could find out what it was and purchase tickets if it was something interesting to see. Jack didn't care much himself, but supposed that wasn't the point of the gift itself anyway. He could sit through anything if it meant she was enjoying herself. He would keep an eye on the lineup of upcoming quidditch matches too, to see if there were any good matchups worth seeing.

"It'll be nice to have something to look forward to." Did that sound a little depressing? Maybe, but the sentiment remained.

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"Yes," Eva agreed. Her face was starting to hurt, she realized. She hadn't stopped smiling since the evening had begun, and certainly not since she'd started speaking with Mr. Collins. It was the most pleasant kind of pain, if such a thing was even possible.

"I ought to go greet more of my guests," Eva said, a little regretful. She did enjoy Mr. Collins' company in particular, and at least she had the promise of them being able to monopolize each other's time soon enough. "Make yourself comfortable, of course. Enjoy the evening." She was certainly going to.

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Set by Bee <3