Welcome to Charming, where swirling petticoats, the language of flowers, and old-fashioned duels are only the beginning of what is lying underneath…
After a magical attempt on her life in 1877, Queen Victoria launched a crusade against magic that, while tidied up by the Ministry of Magic, saw the Wizarding community exiled to Hogsmeade, previously little more than a crossroad near the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the years that have passed since, Hogsmeade has suffered plagues, fires, and Victorian hypocrisy but is still standing firm.
Thethe year is now 1895. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
Complete a thread started and set every month for twelve consecutive months. Each thread must have at least ten posts, and at least three must be your own.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Jewelry of jet was the haute jewelry of the Victorian era. — Fallin
February 12th, 1891 — De Montefault Theatre; Sonata #7
Leonid had been able to handle a couple of hours of watching the performances but then the contortionists had appeared. The various ways they could bend their bodies just looked like it would hurt. And yet they seemed to really enjoy it? Either way, it made him a little queasy. A hit wizard should probably have more of a stomach for things like this.
He felt better after taking a sip of champagne. People were milling about and conversing and Leonid figured he would do the same. At least, long enough to delay going back in there and watching people literally bend over backwards to entertain them. "Quite the lengthy performance, isn't it?"
This show was not at the top of what she would personally call fine entertainment. But the contortionists seemed to draw the line for this debutante. Instead, she elected to focus more on casual conversation with fellow attendees.
A glass of champagne in her own hand, she was casually approached by a handsome young man who felt a similar need for polite conversation. And from his own tone, he wasn't enjoying the latest... display, either. "Quite. A cannot say that I've been to anything similar in all of my life." Though that wasn't necessarily a compliment to the evening, she wasn't trying to be rude regarding her opinion.
While he was not the best hit wizard in existence - he was probably not going to be made squad chief anytime soon - Leonid did have a sense of perception. Most of the time. He could at least tell that the young woman was put off by the performance. Whether it was the music or the acrobats, dancers or contortionists, Leonid did not know. "I found myself wondering how it is possible to bend like that... a spell, perhaps? Or do people really just sometimes get born being able to?" Probably not the thing to talk to a pretty young woman with. But a) she was really pretty so he was rambling a bit and b) he really was curious to know her thoughts on it.
Lacking a career of her own - no, she wasn't sure she would qualify being a debutante as a career - she had no critique if she was truly fit for anything outside of socializing and fashion advice. Given this, she had no way of commenting on what did or did not make a good hit wizard. Thank goodness he wasn't asking.
But she did have an opinion regarding the show, and she scrunched her nose slightly at the mention of the contortionist. Not enough to be dismissive, and close enough to playful to be polite. "From what I hear, there are muggles who preform in such a way. Though I'm sure magic helps."
She would prefer to not discuss this at all, though he seemed sweet in a nice way.
Leonid could not help but chuckle as the young ladys nose scrunched up ever so slightly when he mentioned the contortionists. She seemed to be just as put off by the contortionists as he was. It made him feel a sense of camraderie despite the fact that they had never met before.
"I get the sense you would rather talk about anything else but them," Leonid could not help but gently tease. "The music itself was nice enough - are you a fan of music?" Leonid was personally okay with music but four hours of it was a bit much.
He was not offended by the scrunch of her nose. That was a relief in and of itself. She wasn't one to cause unnecessary discomfort towards others. She tried to be a friendly individual, without seeming too desperate.
A grateful smile graced her lips upon his own grace of finding a new topic. She felt no need to comment further on the contortionists. "I believe the melody matched the act quite well, though seemed repetitive after a time. On music as a whole, I will say that I do enjoy various styles. I especially love the piano."
Leonid listened to her assessment of the current performance. They seemed to be on the same page about it which was nice. He would prefer not to come off as uncultured swine or something. "Do you play piano?" Most of the debutante sorts seemed to learn some sort of instrument. At least, as far as he knew from his twin and her friends. "I'm afraid I don't personally have a talent for playing an instrument myself." He was definitely more of a spectator of music than active player of it.
An opinion on entertainment seemed like just that, an opinion. This was certainly not an event for everyone, and she couldn't imagine judging someone for liking or disliking different forms of entertainment. But plenty of people would disagree, she supposed.
Many young ladies were taught how to play an instrument. Not that this spoke to interest or talent. Juliette happened to like playing the piano. "I do play. Only as a hobby." She couldn't imagine herself doing that professionally.
"That's quite impressive. What other hobbies do you have, if you do not mind me asking?" Leonid asked curiously. Leonid was naturally the outgoing sort which combined with innate curiosity tended to mean that he tried very much to get to know people he was speaking with. Besides she was beautiful and nice so why not get to know her?
Impressive was not something she typically saw herself as. Her mother was impressive. To a certain extent, so were her sisters. But had anyone really called her impressive in such a way? She blushed softly. "Thank you. I also enjoy reading. I do try to keep an open mind when it comes to genre, but nothing to... adventurous. What about you?"
"[b]I also enjoy reading. But I do tend towards adventure novels. My elder brother writes them. I am fascinated by the words of those that have gone places that I have not. One of my cousins also writes things detailing his experiences abroad." And besides Julian and Arvens works, there was that particular one released by Zeldas beau. He also really enjoyed that one but kept it secret from the rest. "Some people write stories in a way that makes you feel like you were there. Not just in adventure novels but any sort of genre, I think."
Adventure wasn't the type of genre she leaned towards, but she would have to take note to pick up one by the pen name of... "Oh goodness me, I don't mean to interrupt, but I do not believe we have been properly introduced." Oh, and he was making such a good point about novels, she had even been nodding along with attentive interest. But if she was to make a note of anything, it should start with his name.
For a very brief moment, he honestly had no idea what she meant. They had been chattering so happily, it had also slipped his mind that it was proper to, you know, at least know one anothers names. "My name is Leonid Fisk and you are?" People tended to recognize his surname as being the maiden name of the Minister wife and he was never sure how a person he was newly meeting was going to react.
Oh. A Fisk. She knew the connections. But she also knew the burdens of being tied by blood to someone of noteworthy reputation. Her mother came instantly to mind. She couldn't imagine comparing him to his connections, even if they were positive ones. At least he didn't hold a name like Scrimgeour. "I am Juliette Fernsby. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fisk. And I completely agree on your stance regarding stories. I believe that many stories have shown me countries and times that I have never been. It is a wonderful experience."
Fernsby. It rang a bell, he was pretty sure her family had something to do with a clothing shop. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well." He smiled as she agreed with him though he supposed he should go back to why he was here at this event in the first place. "I suppose we should go back in and watch the rest of this performance."
