#bruiscdviolets

[xofbenevolencex]

"You're welcome." she replied, smiling back at the other. "Is there any particular reason as to why you decided to go with this design?" she asked the other, genuinely curious, she was going to have to go with something similar herself for next time.

She looked at the other women dancing, some with their respective husbands, and others with potential suitors. "I think there is more than meets the eye." She admitted, mostly speaking from experience. From what she's seen around the castle, most people tended to hide their true feelings from others, afraid of what others might think. "You don't miss a thing, do you?" Eleanor teased with a chuckle. "I am a debutante this year actually, it is one of my first years debuting. from what it looks like, I've got a lot of competition. What about you?"

"Thank you," she offered her a small smile, "the modiste has done a wonderful job of catering to my outlandish requests and desires," it was a small tease on her part. She asked in earnest, realizing that if her mama and father were not here with her, they could in spirit. The shells that intertwined with lace had been those she had picked with her mama.

She looked at the stranger with a sad smile, her eyes drifted to the gaggles of women gushing over fabrics and jewel, "they all seem so happy, don't they?" Was she supposed to feel the same amount of joy they did as she spun around the mirror, dreaming of what handsome stranger would sweep her off her feet. She cleared her throat, "are you a debutante? Or have you already made your debut?" Cassandra needed to be careful what words she chose in the presence of strangers in fear of Lady Whistledown and her scathing remarks.

[oferwood]

starter for; '@bruiscdviolets location: sinclair house

The conversation, or rather, warnings had sent William in a tailspin. He knew that working in London would be a miserable affair, but nothing prepared him for the possibility that Cassandra was here, or that was the ward of the man that employed him. Once again, they were so close but divided even more than their status within the world and he had to watch from the sidelines as she was paraded with every other marriageable-aged woman for the men of the ton to pick apart. No, the more William thought of her inevitable misery, the more his heart tightened within his chest. If the Queen would favour Cassandra above the rest, and why wouldn’t she, there was no doubt that she would be married off before the seasons end and Thayer would have achieved both of ruin. 

As he paced across the stables, trying to clear his mind, William paused when he noticed the sky. The sky was the colour of a wild harebell, the stillness of the day remaining as London’s elite were still sleeping soundly in their bed. Given the chaos that would soon come upon them, William could not wait. Finishing getting dressed, he fussed a little longer on his appearance before picking up a handkerchief from one of the evening’s guests and took a breath. The Sinclair’s footman was young and sleepy, so when William said Miss Lockridge had dropped a bracelet and offered a bribe that he couldn’t really afford, William was shown to her bedroom door. William's breathing quickened as his hand rested on her door. A moment of reprieve before Cassandra was back in his life.

William curled his hand into a fist, feeling the sweat on his palms as the seconds dragged by before he knocked on her door. While he waited for her to answer, William used the empty balled up handkerchief to try and recover himself, but it was to no avail. When the doorknob turned, William held his breath. “I had to see you,” he said breathlessly when he laid eyes upon his love. “fy nghariad, fy nghalon.” William said in his first language as he reached for Cassandra’s hand. His voice was barely a whisper, given the hour the household could wake up any moment, but William just had to see her.

[feykaplan]

fey 📲 marinaaa 💗

fey: are you at hooooome or

fey: you in the mood for a drink before bed??

[julesdavis]

OPEN / CLOSED - @bruiscdviolets

LOCATION - somewhere around town

"an arm!" julia exclaimed, a day ago she thought these conversations were coming to an end, she thought they reached the light at the end of the tunnel, but apparently it was the train's headlights coming straight toward them. "a whole fucking arm! god, a person can't catch a break in this stupid town. what? somebody thought it got too boring? decided it was their turn to have a little fun?"

[efesahins]

CLOSED TO @bruiscdviolets

LOCATION - efe's house

With a towel wrapped around his hips Efe went back to the bedroom, giving Marina a smile as he sat on the bed and leaned against the headboard. "All I'm saying is serial killers that didn't get caught for weeks were bound to attract more. The police basically announced it was free season."

[rulingladymun]

starter for @bruiscdviolets location: the balcony, buckingham palace

Seonghwa had been observing the young lady for some time. There was something about her—something that piqued her curiosity.

For a mere debutante, she carried herself with an air that seemed… off. Not in any obvious way, but just enough to unsettle the edges of Seonghwa’s intuition. Perhaps it was nothing more than a flight of fancy. Perhaps it was a gut feeling. Either way, once she discovered the lady had slipped onto the balcony alone, Seonghwa made up her mind—she had to corner her.

Stepping into the moonlit terrace, she leaned casually against the railing, allowing a slow, knowing smile to curve her lips—one she hoped was both charming and disarming.

"Good evening to you," she murmured, her tone light, almost playful. Then, with deliberate ease, she tilted her head and let her smile deepen.

"Would it be terribly presumptuous of me to say that I know your secret, Miss Lockridge?"

[analudsilva]

CLOSED - @bruiscdviolets​

She stood from the couch with her phone in hand as she paced and read the news to Marina. “They’re saying it’s probably a second murderer,” she stopped and looked at her, she tried to keep her cool before, pretend like it wasn’t getting to her, but it was becoming impossible to do it. “Someone cursed this place. There’s no way this is happening.”

[rosewcterdrunk]

open to: @bruiscdviolets for miss cassandra lockridge location: drawing room, sinclair manor, london, england.

"Why is he even calling upon you this late?" Thayer said, breaking against any subtle excitement that may have infiltrated the drawing room. His role, especially since his imposed return to London, had been to keep an eye on Cassandra. It did not matter if the family who had taken in her in as a ward, even with a rather convincing sum he was still aching over— she had become his responsibility even if she did not believe it his place. His time with her was spent quaint and quiet, reading silently and aloud. Reminiscence was found in books of the sea and lost loves to which only she could understand. But Thayer was now upright, leaning over pastel upholstery like a jagged shadow. "You have not yet been presented, how is it that this young man believes it proper to call upon a woman who has not made her debut? Cassie—" That's certainly given her reason to not listen to him now. "—Cassandra. Do not tell me you have been abusing the morning rides I fought for you to be granted to be gallivanting with men of ill repute."

[secretgcrdens]

closed starter for @bruiscdviolets location : the diamond ball ; the courtyard

Callum had naively assumed that all of his nerves regarding the Season would have disappeared after the first event and that the rest of the Season would be a breeze — but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Preparing for the Diamond Ball was perhaps more nerve-wracking than the debut ceremony. He’d come to see that the society in the ton was like a game that he didn’t know the rules to — he felt lost. And how could he help Cassandra if he was lost?

One thing he knew to be true was that the Diamond Ball would involve dancing. Another thing he knew to be true was that he had two left feet when it came to dancing. On top of it all, the dance cards that hung around Cassandra’s wrist were a reminder that eligible suitors would be approaching her and the mere thought of Cassandra dancing with another man made him feel ill. He wasn’t sure why he felt so sick about it — as her sponsor, he should be encouraging the pursuits of her suitors and he should be happy to see her dancing with gentlemen. But again, all he wanted was to make an escape with her and he was certain that Dusty and Winnifred would approve of that. 

From the moment they’d met in the Sinclair’s foyer to leave for the ball, Callum’s breath had been taken away. Cassandra looked stunning and he was fumbling over his words more than usual. As they walked into the Queen’s courtyard, his jaw dropped and he took everything in — no detail was left untouched and he could tell how much effort the Queen and her servants had put into the ball. He held his arm out for Cassandra to take as they made their way through the maze of guests. “I say we sneak a tray of honey cakes to a boat and spend the evening snacking,” he whispered to her, a playful smile on his lips, “That way, Lady Whistledown can’t write about my awful dancing in her next issue.” He placed a hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the crowd, careful not to bump into anyone. “Though, I’m certain there will be many suitors looking for you tonight on the ballroom floor,” he added, a hint of disappointment laced in his voice. When the two had finally made it to an opening in the crowd, Callum took a moment to look down at Cassandra. A stray curl had fallen into her face and he smiled to himself, brushing it aside, “You look beautiful.” 

[kpmatthewskidd]

closed \ @bruiscdviolets \ anywhere ig!

"Marina? Is that you?" K.P. grinned, rising from their chair to meet the other woman. "God, it's good to see you! It's been a while—how've you been?" Then they cocked their head. "Actually, when did you get back in town? Without telling me?" they asked, somewhat playfully.

[theoastor]

closed for @bruiscdviolets

location: the daily dose

Seeing as it was Sarah's day off, Theo felt a little unsure of what he should get, always showing up at some time he knew she'd be around to give him a recommendation. He glanced around, the front of the line appearing closer and closer, and without giving it too much thought, he turned to the pretty woman behind him, offering her a charming smile. "Hi, I have a weird question. Well... it's not that weird, but what's your coffee order?" he asked. "I've been trying to branch out and try new things."

[efesahins]

Forgetting there was a raging serial killer or killers walking among them wasn’t easy, and sometimes all the alcohol and parties in the world weren’t enough to erase that piece of information, but at the same time he’s been locking himself away in Deadlights or at home far too long to do it tonight too. He thanked the bartender when he placed the drink in front of him and took a long sip. “So much fun,” he replied, but in reality he was actually enjoying himself, as much as one can when their mind constantly goes back and forth to all the recent victims, “we might be the dumbest town still doing a festival, but hey we’ll go out in style.”

Marina gripped the drink in her hand nodding, "yeah, all to deflect from a couple of murders." Everything happening was starting to get to her: the murders, the overwhelming fear that her life was next and of course in the back of her mind, her ex. Sighing, "I mean, yes, I am having fun," she smiled back at Efe, "and yourself?"

[marianaxrojasx]

location:  the daily dose open to: @bruiscdviolets​

a yawn escaping her lips, mariana sat there at the table she was at. with a cup of coffee and a bagel in front of her, it was more than enough for her. "i don't mind babysitting. but boy did my niece wear me out yesterday." that was an understatement. her niece had been a ball of energy for most of the day yesterday. which left mariana on her feet all day practically. " kids these days. i swear.  my niece has way more energy than i did as a kid"

[naturiisms]

@bruiscdviolets // ayanna's apartment

it wasn't that ayanna was a perfectionist per se, just that if things weren't aesthetically pleasing and look like they came from the picture books, then it wasn't correct. so, it was only natural that when sloane mentioned coming over to hang out that ayanna brought out all the stops. in her house the big light was definitely a no, meaning her warm lighting was adjusted perfectly and her candles were lit for the right ambiance. it was always their intention to make their home somewhere people felt safe and warm, where they could come just to relax. pulling out their phone, they projected their favorite playlist onto their speaker to liven the mood as they set the charcuterie board up on the coffee table, along with a little homemade menu she handed over to sloane, listing two different cocktails and two different mocktails to ensure her friend had choices. "what can i say," she said shamelessly, motioning to her set up, "i'm extra. now, what do you want to drink?"

[promisedhexvens]

who: edith & cassandra ( @bruiscdviolets ) where: the diamond ball

The last place that Edith wanted to be was here. There was so much optimism in the air, so much hope and she was totally devoid of any of it. She had accepted her fate. She would marry but it would be for comfort, for a good life. Nothing more. She didn't want anything more. Her love had gone and her heart had gone with him. So what was the point in being there? That had been the question that Edith had been asking herself all night. The only positive of the whole evening was seeing her beloved Maude be called the diamond. It was the least that the other deserved, she thought.

As Edith circled the ballroom, Edith took to studying the people around her. She thought that, that was the only interesting part of this whole evening. She took in it all - the hopeful, the despondent and the ones which were totally indifferent. It was clear to her who were desperate for a match this season, those who were only there to please their parents ... and then there was Cassandra.

Curious, Edith made her way across the room to the other woman. She only stopped to grab herself and Cassandra a drink. "Here." Edith spoke, holding out the drink to the other woman. "You look like you're enjoying this place just as much as I am."

[oferwood]

Their circumstances hadn’t changed from this morning, only that Cassandra was now presented to the queen and if these English lords had any sense, she would have an offer by season’s end. “Would you prefer me to lie?” He asked without spite or malice. Since he learnt of her attendance in London, readying for a potential husband, William had felt as if the very sky was pushing him down to the point where it seemed impossible to stand let alone breathe. He couldn’t fathom a life with Cassandra and yet, with every passing moment, it seemed as if he would have to grow accustomed to that fact. 

There had never been any lies between the two, so why should either of them start now? “Not intentionally, but the circumstances are cruel to us both are they not?” William could not deny seeing the enjoyment on Cassandra’s face as she danced, nor would he wish to strip that away from her, but he couldn’t stand idly by, stuck on the side lines as Cassandra would no doubt become the object of many affections. Reading about Lady Whistledown and Sir Thayer’s apparent courtship of Cassandra had left William with an uneasy feeling in his stomach since this morning, but that would only be an inkling of what was to come. “You are seeking a husband, Cassandra,” Her name felt heavy coming from his lips. So rarely did he use anything but her pet name but now seemed like an inappropriate time. “They will be scouring Lady Whistledown to ascertain if you are a suitable match.” William scoffed, lightly laughing without any hint of humour in his voice.

Margate seemed like another life, the distance of the past few weeks separated by heartache and longing that could never be filled. “I will always be your friend first Cass, surely you must know that?”  There was a constant ache in his chest, a quiet unrelenting pain that throbbed with each second that passed. Everything was reminding William of what they had lost - the laughter they had shared, the warmth of each other's touch and the promises that William shouldn’t have made. The joy and excitement that should have been there was feeling more out of reach than ever before. “I am the one who has done the sullying according to Sir Thayer, or didn’t you hear that I have no honour?” 

With a hesitant breath, he took a step closer, closing the physical distance between them. “Do you… is there anyone?” William couldn’t bring himself to finish the question as his voice was a quiet, painful whisper. There should be no lies between them, no matter if the answer could shatter what was left of his heart.

Cassandra stopped, her feet planted as William seemed to spit venom in her direction, "Will," she whispered, "I came to see if you were okay since this morning." Cassandra hated their conversation earlier in the day, the one where she had to be truthful about her intentions here in London. Even though her heart had never mourned the loss of him, she forced herself to move on as best as she could. It would never be enough to quell her broken heart, but it was enough to find a suitable husband.

"Do you believe me to be hurtful towards you?" She asked, afraid of the answer he may give her, "I do not wish to dance with another while you stare longingly back at me. I wish there was a better way," she breathed out, feeling as if she was gasping for air to breath, the corset crushing her ribs around her, "and I do not care what Lady Whistledown writes of me when she knows nothing of the truth, my truth." The papers had written about how Sir Thayer was courting her and that she was the mad one: they were incorrect in all their assumptions.

"This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, Will. You were once my friend, were you not?" Cassandra understood that what she had to do was not what she wanted to do, but she sought out an old friend in these trying times. Will had become the man she loved, but first he was her friend. Scoffing, "Sir Claremont knows of our history, yes, but we are friends are we not? I do not plan on sullying my honor in the middle of this diamond ball, I do have self control." Her heart worried about his, in all of this she still cared about the groomsman she fell for. Cassandra would suffer in silence if it meant William was okay in all of this, "I still love you," she whispered quietly, just loud enough for his ears only.