Days of Victoria - Tuesday March 15th @ 2pm to 5pm Central

Diana

LOOK HOW CALM SHE IS
Original poster
ADMINISTRATOR
MYTHICAL MEMBER
Invitation Status
  1. Not accepting invites at this time
Posting Speed
  1. 1-3 posts per week
  2. Slow As Molasses
Online Availability
10AM - 10PM Daily
Writing Levels
  1. Adaptable
Preferred Character Gender
  1. Female
Genres
Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy, Thriller, Space Exploration, Slice of Life
daysofvictoria-poster.png

DAYS OF VICTORIA

Victoria is a charming high class town just outside of London known for it's gorgeous landscapes and being host to the fabulous parties by Sir and Lady Wellington. Several families are in town for the spring season all in a twitter hoping they receive invitation to the Wellington's famed parties. However, behind the gay façade of the London socialites there is much gossip, not only about the Wellingtons but the strange habits of their fellow lords and ladies. Someone has lost their fortune, someone is out for revenge, and someone may soon meet their end. In Victoria, all is not what it seems!

You have been invited (or may even be uninvited) to Sir and Lady Wellingtons' Spring Masquerade. Please wear your most elaborate costumes and masques.


EVENT INFO


WHO: Everyone is invited! Character Bios/Pics are not required, but totally encouraged! Post 'em if you got 'em.

WHAT: This is 1882 Britain. You can play supernatural elements. I don't need things to be 100% historically accurate, but do stick to the theme and vibe!

WHERE: Join us in the DAYS OF VICTORIA chat room. You'll find the link to our chats in the CHAT tab when it's time to play.

HOW: This is a SOCIAL SETTING WITH IMPROVISATIONAL GAME MASTERING. That means the object of this roleplay is to interact with other characters, and from those interactions I will create a plot and story around you. There will be action moments, where strange events will happen and your characters will have to work together to resolve it. With this ChaRP "lol random" behaviors are discouraged -- what your character says and does will have in game consequences, so choose wisely!

My roleplays are always NEWBIE FRIENDLY so even if you are terrible at roleplay or have never participated in a ChaRP before, this will be easy for you to get involved in. :D Ask questions, let me know when you need help. I often give tips and direction out of character in the main chat room when people need a little direction.



EASY CHARP TIPS!


Try to show up a good 10 to 15 minutes before the ChaRP is to begin. That way you can read up on any important info, and it makes it easier for your GM to know how to start off the ChaRP when there's a head count.

Don't worry if another player is doing something similar to your idea. DO IT ANYWAY! Similarities and things in common happen in real life too. Everyone also plays differently, so two characters who are both "sweet and shy" will still end up being totally unique people. Two assassins could create a fun and interesting conflict!

Talking to other players about their character before the roleplay is a GREAT way to create connections and background for your own!

Post SHORT AND FAST. Charps are very quick pace and contain a LOT of players. Players can't wait 20 minutes for you to write a wall of text, and if there's too much text they won't be able to read it fast enough and will MISS details. If it takes you longer than two minutes to type your post, you are taking too long and might get lost in the action. This is an exercise in quick and concise writing!

Make sure your character name is mentioned in every post, close to the start of it if possible. This is especially helpful when there's many players, so we know who is playing what character.

Like in Real Life, a character may not be able to acknowledge or notice your character immediately because they are engaged in doing something else. (For example a new character walking in to the room, but the other characters arguing about muffins and do not see them.) Don't get discouraged if you go can't get someone to interact with you right away. Just keep posting and doing actions with your character, or even approach others who also seem to be idle and it WILL happen.

Do not take events in the roleplay personally or assume that bad reactions are because they think you/your character sucks. Everyone is playing a character and reacting to things as their character would!
 
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The Sir and Lady Wellington
The Sir and Lady are infamous socializers, having THE best parties during each of the seasons. Everyone wants to be invited, or you’re just not part of the popular crowd. Sir Wellington is a friendly older chap who adores his hunting and well as his wife. Lady Wellington seems to be a friendly enough woman, but she has a nasty bite and tends to spread gossip if someone steps on her toes. The couple has not had any children to date and it’s been rumored that lady Wellington cannot have children. Neither do they seem to have any other living relatives! With this in mind, all are wondering who will inherit the Wellington estates when the couple finally passes.
 
1645896321030.jpegFull Name: Emilie Morgaine Riebau

Social Status: Artisan

Civil Status: Single

Occupation: Personal Assistant to Professor William Dalrymple (unofficially: inventor)

Country of Origin: England

Age: 18

Family Members:

George Riebau (father), Elaine Riebau (mother). Brothers: George Jr, James, Emmett (deceased), Horatio Nelson, Martin (deceased). Sisters: Marie Sudwick (nee Riebau), Amy, Emma, Natalie (deceased)

Homes: 48 Blandford St., Westminster W1, London (childhood family home), Newhailes near Musselburgh, Scotland, Professor Dalrymple's suite, Oxford University

Personality: Emilie avidly follows the latest developments in natural philosophy. Presently she has become especially bedazzled by the "air engine" patented by Robert Stirling and the solar generators invented by Augustin Mouchot envisioning applications for a combination device in everything from clockwork automatons to the experimental flying machines of George Cayley. She is equally eager to make her own contributions, even if these must be introduced under Professor Dalrymple's name. She dreams of a world where machines and automatons will do the work of servants and laborers, and everyone can be elevated to live as the gentry do now.

Emilie shines in front of the mostly-male audiences who come to Professor Dalrymple's lectures and technical demonstrations, and even the more showy presentations of Professor Dalrymple's Cabinet of Curiosities, performed before audiences of gentry and nobility, to attract more funding for the Professor's research. Put her in a soiree or high tea with other women however, where she is supposed to join conversations about men and gossip and fashions and children, and she becomes silent and taciturn. Inside, she feels as if she's being quietly strangled, and can barely manage the occasional "that's brilliant" or "yes, that dress looks lovely on you, I am sure he cannot fail to notice."

Lately, she has started to feel herself drawn toward radical politics, such as the abolitionist movement, and proto-feminist writers such as Jeremy Bentham, the Marquis de Condorcet, and Mary Wollstonecraft. Uncomfortable with the idea of becoming some kind of political agitator or revolutionary, she pins her hopes on literally building a world where women, slaves, and the laboring classes are set free by machines.

Background:

Early Years:

Emilie was born the second eldest daughter of a book-binder and printer, and developed a love of books from an early age. Elaine frowned on her daughter's excessive interest, especially when it turned toward "manly" subjects like mathematics and the workings of the natural world. Her father George was more indulgent, however. For one thing, at least someone among his growing brood was interested in the family business, what with his sons all dreaming of finding adventure and glory in the wars. For another, little Emilie could produce the most heart-melting Entreaty Face in the history of Western civilization, at least if her father was to be the judge.

It wasn't long before she exhausted the resources of her father's little bookshop, and took whatever free time she had to explore the national library at the British Museum.

Professor's Assistant:

Hard times hit the family as more children were born, while George Jr. and Emmett both joined the army. With only James at home to help run the family business, money was tight. The family started taking in laundry for washing and other odd jobs the daughters could do. Chafing against this new drudgery, Emilie started making drawings for an improved "patent washing mill" (early washing machine) that could be powered by a treadle. The family had no money to even attempt to experiment with such things, and her mother started to scold her fiercely to forget such flights of fancy and accept her lot. One day she'd be married, and there would always, always be washing.

Emilie's salvation came when a professor at Oxford, Professor William Dalrymple, uncle of Sir James Dalrymple, the 5th Baronet of Hailes, came into the shop. He was seeking a laboratory and workshop assistant, and needed handbills printed. Overhearing the professor from upstairs as he described the attributes and skills he sought, Emilie abandoned her mending, ran for her room, then came back downstairs and burst into the shop waving a sheaf of drawings she'd made. "I could be your assistant, Mr. Professor sir! I'll work hard day and night!" "Emilie! You get back to your mending this instant!" Elaine snapped. "I'm so sorry, sir!" she said to the Professor.

"Please sir?" Emilie said, holding up her drawings and giving her very best Entreaty Face. The need not to make a scene in front of such a potentially important client was the only thing that kept Elaine from giving her daughter a beating on the spot. "Oh, it's no trouble at all," the grandfatherly gentleman said, bending down to look at the drawings with an indulgent smile on his face. The smile faded, and his brows knit together as his eyes raked over the array of wheels, gears, and belts dominated by a cylindrical drum.

"Well, what have we here?" Professor Dalrymple said. "It's a patent mill for washing sir, with a foot treadle so that the hands are free to hold a book!" Emilie replied. "Where did you get these? Did you make them?" Emilie nodded, curls bouncing. "Well, this is quite a thing! Though the gearing ratio between these two wheels would not offer sufficient torque to get such a drum turning if filled with water, and you'd need a flywheel to..." Professor Dalrymple began.

George Riebau knew when his wife was about to snap, and this was such a time. Before she could pull an arm back to slap some sense into her daughter and get her back to her mending, he gently pulled her away. "He adores her," he whispered. "Hit her now and we could lose his business! She'll only take up a little...of his...time..." By now the Professor and Emilie were thoroughly engrossed in a conversation about machinery, and George was having an inspiration. "What if we offered to hire her to him?" "George, be serious! Machinery is men's work." "Think of it though! If we can hire her out to him, we'll get at least as much as her work pays now, and we wouldn't have to feed and clothe her! She's going to start blossoming into womanhood soon. As his assistant, she'll meet young men of letters and learning, better matches than we can offer. And just look at her. You do want her to be happy, don't you?" Daft as the notion was in Elaine's mind, she held her tongue as her husband went back to try to negotiate a deal.

No teacher worth their salt can resist the lure of an eager, brilliant young mind, and Professor Dalrymple was no exception. Though having a twelve year-old girl as his assistant was a bit of an irregularity, she would not be able to steal his inventions and claim credit for them as an ambitious young man might. And furthermore, perhaps feminine tenderness might be a good thing to have in an assistant, when he had one of his...lapses. Sometimes Professor Dalrymple forgot what he was doing completely, or found himself in a room or somewhere out in the countryside without any memory of how he got there. The young girl looking up at him with adoring eyes like a granddaughter might be more...forgiving, more accepting, than some up-and-coming boy would in her place. And if "society" didn't like it, well, he was old enough to get away with ignoring a few conventions.

And so it came to pass that Emilie found herself on a coach to Oxford with an old, battered trunk stuffed with her clothes and a few beloved books that had come off the press marred in ways that made them unsaleable. As promised, she poured herself completely into her work, and into learning, day and night. As the Professor had hoped, she had nothing but compassion for him when his mind decided to stop cooperating.

Over the years, his lapses worsened and became more frequent. His inventions and publications gradually became less "his" and more hers. To the outside world, it seemed that "old Dalrymple" was more brilliant (and also more eccentric) than ever.

Present Time:

Emilie absolutely loves her life, and it is doomed. Of course she wishes she could patent her inventions in her own name, but she loves Professor Dalrymple enough to be happy for him when he receives an accolade. His worsening condition is getting more difficult to hide. She writes his lectures and speeches for him, and comes up with subtle ways to give him cues when he loses the plot, uses her beauty to captivate audiences during demonstrations, and creates misdirection to hide the fact that she is effectively the one in charge.

Her own condition--beauteous young womanhood--is also drawing the sort of attention that she doesn't quite know what to do with: interest and pursuit from young men, and the mounting expectation that she should marry soon. She lives in fear of the day that "her" laboratory, workshop, and inventions will be taken from her, and replaced by never-ending mounds of laundry.
 
1645898507209.jpegFull Name: William Thaddeus Jacob Dalrymple, FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society)

Social Status: Gentry

Title: Professor

Civil Status: Married

Occupation: Professor of Natural Philosophy at Oxford university, inventor.

Country of Origin: Scotland

Age: 76

Family Members: Father: Sir James Dalrymple, Second Baronet of Hailes, Midlothian (deceased). Mother: Elizabeth Dalrymple (nee Maxwell, daughter of Sir John Heron Maxwell, Baronet of Sprinkell) (deceased). Brothers: David Dalrymple Lord Hailes Third Baronet (deceased), Sir James Dalrymple Fourth Baronet (deceased). Nephew: Sir John Dalrymple, Fifth Baronet. Wife: Maergarethe Anne Grace Dalrymple (nee Kirkpatrick).

Homes: Newhailes near Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; Professor Dalrymple's suite, Oxford University

Personality: When lucid, William is genial and eccentric, with a mind that flutters as quickly and erratically from one area of interest to another as a butterfly in a field of flowers. When his lucidity slips, he becomes disoriented, forgetful, and afraid. He is utterly devoted to his wife Maergarethe, though there are times when he doesn't remember exactly who she is. He is equally devoted to his young assistant Emilie Riebau, the daughter, the granddaughter he never got to have. During less stable moments however, he feels as if his mind, which was once so nimble, is somehow being taken from him and given to her. In those moments, he blames her, sometimes with angry shouts, sometimes in teary laments. Then the moment passes, and he begs her forgiveness.

He believes that death is oblivion, because for him it does not consume with a single gape-jawed gulp of darkness; rather it nibbles, taking his life away a piece at a time. A precious memory here, a few recent hours lost there. He knows what death is because the holes in his mind show him where it has already taken place for him.

Background: William was born as the third son of Sir James Dalrymple, Second Baronet of Hailes, in Midlothian, Scotland. It seemed unlikely that he would ever inherit his father's baronetcy, and he never had any interest in doing so. He was a solitary, bookish boy who found his happiness in the family library, or walking around the grounds with hand lens or microscope in hand, or pointing a telescope at the night sky.

At age 11, William's father died, and his eldest brother David inherited the Baronetcy. William entered Newcome's School, where he would get quality teaching, and the 25 year-old Third Baronet would not have to raise him. At 18, he entered Cambridge University as a student, and found his true home. After graduation, he returned to the Dalrymple estate and set up his own laboratory and workshop. After several years of private research, he wrote Man the Machine, an illustrated comparative study of human anatomy and the current state of the art in mechanical automatons crafted in human form, including some novel design elements of his own. In it, he argued for Descartes' conception of biological bodies as highly sophisticated machines, and offered speculation on how the creation of a truly humanlike mechanical man might impact society. He also applied his mechanical knowledge to the development of an articulated crane for hoisting crates onto ships. For these contributions, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 33.

During a fete he'd been invited to by one of his new friends, his attention was captured by the curious simmering hostility of a young woman with fiery red hair, toward the assembled Fellows. Somewhat awkwardly, he peeled off from them to try to talk to her, and find out why their discussion seemed to anger her. She was Margarethe Anne Grace Kilpatrick, the youngest daughter of his host. A Romanticist who fancied herself a Druid priestess and student of the arcane, her beliefs could not have been more opposite to his own. Oblivious to the smirks and snickers of the other Fellows, William spent the rest of the evening in lively debate with her, an intellectual fencing match and waltz that resulted in stalemate. He would come to call again, and again. On the first anniversary of their meeting, Margarethe presented William with a challenge: he would take her side for their debate, and she his. He agreed. They drew their rapier wits, and squared off. This debate ended not in stalemate, but in mutual conquest; when each saw the other arguing for their opposite number's ideas as passionately and capably as each would have themselves, William and Margarethe both knew they had found The One. They were married a month later.

William took a post as Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge. During teaching season, he and Margarethe lived in a suite with a workshop and laboratory provided by the University. During off-seasons and sabbaticals, the couple traveled to the Dalrymple Estate in Midlothian. They settled into a comfortable rhythm, achieving neither great success nor great disgrace. Over the years, their contrasting philosophical positions gradually evolved toward greater degrees of overlap.

William and Maergarethe's love never faltered, though there was one shard of pain they had to share: their union produced no children. Unlike many of his peers, William never took a mistress. When Maergarethe cried because of her childlessness, William would console her by saying "I married you, not a brood of future children. I married you.

Old age slowly crept up on them, as is its way. In 1858, David died, and William's other older brother became the Fourth Baronet, who died eight years later in 1866. At the age of 60 and with no heirs of his own, William was no more interested in becoming Baronet than he had ever been, so he yielded the inheritance to his nephew James. In 1870, he had his first "lapse," finding himself at the dinner table without a recollection of the first half hour of his meal. At first, he and Margarethe tried to find a solution themselves. They pursued the path of science, as well as the herbal remedies and contemplative practices of Margarethe's older traditions.

After a few years, William finally had to admit that he was getting worse as time went on, and that if he wanted to continue with his career, he would need an assistant. He went to London in search of a bright young man, and returned with a brighter, younger girl instead. Margarethe loved Emilie Riebau at first sight. Her lost dream had suddenly come true: a child in their home. William taught her natural philosophy, and the craft skills she would need to make scientific instruments and mechanical inventions. Margarethe taught her savoire faire, the social skills she would need to navigate among the upper classes.

As Emilie grew into her role, William slowly withered in his. At first she was an able helper and eager learner, bolstering his ability to continue his work and papering over his foibles. As the years passed, the work gradually became hers, with his part in the partnership shriveling to that of a human fig leaf for the young inventress. Even with his declining mind, William can see that not only does Emilie's genius burn hotter and brighter than his ever did, so does her ambition. She wants her inventions to change the world, and in order for that to happen, she must get more money for research, and also, hopefully, the favorable attention of the British Empire's movers and shakers. Toward this end, she has completed some of William's half-finished projects from prior years and added her own inventions to create an exhibition called Professor Dalrymple's Cabinet of Curiosities.

Though both William and Margarethe want Emilie to succeed, and in fact have arranged for the first major exhibition of the Cabinet of Curiosities to be held at a grand ball being held by Lord and Lady Wellington, both know that the arrangement William has with Emilie cannot last, even if they manage to pull off the upcoming demonstration without a hitch.
 

  • Diana:
    WELCOME TO DAYS OF VICTORIA


    Today at 12:27 PM



  • Diana:
    This is a Victorian setting in the town of Victoria, specifically 1882. You can play supernatural elements. I don't need things to be 100% historically accurate, but do stick to the theme and vibe!


    Today at 12:28 PM


  • Diana:
    TYPE FAST AND KEEP IT BRIEF! We're paying in real time, so if you take too long you might miss out on the action. If you write too much, people miss details! Stick to 10 sentences or less.


    Today at 12:29 PM


  • Diana:
    Put your character's name in the first sentence of each post so we know who is playing who. You can also make use of color bbcode to help differentiate your posts from others!


    Today at 12:29 PM


  • Diana:
    Game Master posts appear in this bright bold yellow, so pay attention to those! They're giving you hints and directions for what to do next.


    Today at 12:29 PM


  • Diana:
    My roleplays are always NEWBIE FRIENDLY! Don't worry about making mistakes or getting confused -- I am always in the main chat room to help answer questions or turn you in the right direction.


    Today at 12:30 PM


  • Diana:
    (◉,◉) (◉◇◉) (⊙,◉) (⊙◇◉)


    Today at 12:30 PM

  • Diana:
    The doors were open to Lord and Lady Wellington's beautiful estate home and the party in full swing! The Spring Masquerade offered a wide variety of beautiful and interesting costumes by the local society elite. Many donning the masks of birds or fans with rows of bright feathers. Others with fox or hare ears. A small string quartet played a lively sheet of music.


    Today at 12:56 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Oh my..." Professor Dalrymple said. "I--I don't know anyone! With this new fashion...I..."


    Today at 1:05 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "It's alright, you know them all," Emilie replied in a whisper, patting the Professor gently on the arm. "It's not a new fashion, it's a masquerade--" she said, reaching up to adjust the Professor's mask before he fumbled at it too much. "Don't worry, we'll get through this," she said. We'll get through this, she repeated in her thoughts, to reassure herself.


    Today at 1:08 PM

  • Diana:
    One cue it was Lady Wellington that bustled over in her finely crafted white swan attire. "Dearest Doctor, it is such a pleasure to see you here today! Why, I almost didn't recognize you! Isn't this such a delight?"


    Today at 1:14 PM

  • Dawn:
    Cromwell was a household name, what with Jack's father being an inventor and his mother being famous in the opera. And then there was the young man himself, born Jonathan Lee Cromwell but preferring to go by Jack. Jack was more fun, you see, and he was all about fun. Rich, neglectful parents bred untethered children; Jack was a bit of a party animal. Of course that was why he was now showing up with a posse of well dressed ladies and gents; although, the other masquerade-goers might argue the class of his friends. As the group fanned out, no doubt to cause a little chaos in charming ways, Jack caught sight of Lady Wellington and approached her and the duo with her. Boyish charm on full, the rabbit mask clad gentleman smiled warmly and tipped his hat in greeting. "Lady Wellington. And the professor too. Miss. A pleasure to see you all this fine evening."


    Today at 1:19 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Lady Wellington," Emilie whispered as she subtly steered him toward the Lady.

  • "Lady...Wellington," the Professor repeated. "Why yes, quite a thing..." he said, just as a young man walked up with a retinue of hangers-on who were starting to spread out in search of...whatever they might be looking for at a place like this.

  • Who's that? Emilie thought, trying to piece together any clues from his choice of clothes, any House heraldry or such... Then he spoke, and she remembered. "Mr Cromwell!" she said, giving him a curtsy. "I hope your father is well. We haven't seen the good Doctor since the last meeting of the Royal Society. He had the biggest row with Sir William Crookes! And I hope all is well with you also," she said, feeling trepidation at the prospect of trying to engage in small talk with the young man.


    Today at 1:33 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Ah yes, Dr. Cromwell, good to--" a subtle nudge from Emilie. "No...wait, you're....you're too young...Jed? No, Jack! It's, it's good to see you, my boy," William said. "This is...Maer...uh..."


    Today at 1:36 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "I'm Emilie," she said, offering a hand. "Emilie Riebau, the Professor's assistant."


    Today at 1:36 PM

  • Diana:
    From across the room, the Lord Wellington could be heard bellowing raucous laughter. Someone dressed up as a boar was doing a mighty fine job of an impression of his mother-in-law. Lady Wellington huffed, not so appreciative of these sorts of shenanigans about her dear mother! "Well I say, please do partake of the party punch! Or a few glasses of the imported spirits, if you dare. I hear they come straight from Ireland!"


    Today at 1:39 PM

  • Dawn:
    "Miss Emilie," Jack repeated, another polite nod the woman's way. "I'm afraid my father's business is his own, dear professor. I'm not here to talk mundanity but rather to bring a little life to the party. As you can see, I've brought a few fresh faces with me otherwise a party where you already know everyone can be a bit drab, wouldn't you agree?" The rabbit mask covered the upper half of Jack's rather freckled face, but his bright blue eyes flashed with mischief and paired nicely with his coy smile. "I think I shall take that drink, however. A taste of home sounds lovely. Professor, Miss Emilie, care to join me?"


    Today at 1:48 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    Life to the party? Emilie thought. The young man's eyes sparkled with mischief. But...maybe that will be good? He'll give the gossips something to talk about, and captivate everyone's attention...as long as he doesn't do something to ruin the presentation...

  • "Yes...life to the party," William said, "And a belt of good Irish whiskey," he said, heading for the drink table with Jack. "Why I think we'll be...adding a bit of life of our own! To the party...with...the Cabinet of Curiosities..."

  • "Professor Dalrymple's Cabinet of Curiosities," Emilie said. "A demonstration of the latest wonders of science and invention!" she said as they reached the table. "We'll be presenting it after the dancing."


    Today at 2:02 PM

  • CarnelianUndead:
    Wendel Wellington was late. He was always late everywhere. It was absolutely certain that if there was a party no matter the size he would be late. The doors slammed open a little too hard and Wendel gave a cheery wave to the party-goers. He wasn't dressed properly either. He never was. He had a mask but it didn't fit over his glasses so it sat on top of his fair head. Wendel Wellington was the family disaster and he embraced it cheerfully.


    Today at 2:04 PM

  • Diana:
    All of the drinks looked festive and fun for the spring season. Each dyed a myriad of colors and with fun thematic names! The Flirty Hare. The Raging Racoon. The Fussing Fox. All mixed with the imported ingredients, of course, and chock full of way, way too much alcohol.


    Today at 2:06 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "I...I don't remember...I don't remember any of these...any of these drinks!" William said.

  • "Of course not," Emilie replied. She was well-attuned to the hint of fear in the Professor's voice. "These are all whimsical names that Lady Wellington gave them, and she's colored them too. I suppose, so you won't know what you've drank until you've drank it?" Emilie decided she'd better not partake of any of them herself; she was sure she'd need all her wits. She tensed a little as the Professor took a Raging Raccoon and knocked it back. But maybe...just one...would settle his nerves?


    Today at 2:15 PM

  • Dawn:
    At the tender age of twenty, Jack's liver ought to be perfectly preserved from the sheer amount of alcohol he'd already consumed in his teen years, so of course the drink he tasted generously did nothing more than leave him feeling like a bit buzzy. Which was amusing to him because he was more a butterfly than a bee, what with his fancy suit and cane. "Does whimsy worry you?" he asked the duo, cocking an eyebrow and forgetting his mask concealed his sass. "I rather like whimsy..." His gaze shifted just then to the late arrival as he sipped the last of his drink.


    Today at 2:26 PM

  • CarnelianUndead:
    Wendy's mask was supposed to be a stag. But it was upside down ish and halfway off and his tie was crooked and his cufflinks didn't match and there was mud on his shoes because of course he'd gotten a hansom that was just absolutely full of mud! But he hadn't wanted to drive his own carriage. Damn inconvenient. His much older brother was going to kill him.


    Today at 2:32 PM

  • Diana:
    Avoiding the strangely colored drinks might have been the wise move - at least for anyone that didn't enjoy getting real high and real tipsy all at the same time! As they worked their magic through-out the crowd, more and more quests were getting wildly ridiculous. Including the Lord Wellington who, dressed as a gallant goose, was now HONKHONKing at youngsters and chasing them around trying to goose their tushes. "Oh no...!" Exclaimed Lady Wellington. "My lord, please be careful of the glassware..! We don't want to shatter the antiques!"


    Today at 2:35 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "What? Whimsy...worry?" William said. "My dearest Maergarethe loves whimsy," he said with a chuckle. "'Why you two, and all your mechanical mathematical marvels!" he said in a higher voice, impersonating his wife. "But if it doesn't have any heart, can't make a child laugh, what good is it? Hmm!' So she...so...Emilie..." his words trailed off.

  • "Made sure to remind you to incorporate some whimsy into your inventions for the demonstration," Emilie said. But now it seemed like whatever was in those drinks was starting to get the better of people, definitely including Lord Wellington himself. And then the Professor had snatched up a second drink.


    Today at 2:39 PM

  • Dawn:
    Well that was certainly a different sort of buzz than the usual whisky. "I do believe we're high, Professor Wald--Wellin--William Dalsomethingorother." The giggle that escaped Jack was about as silly as the younger Lord Wellington's upside-down askew mask and mismatched cufflinks! "Inventions... Oh yes that's right: you work with my father. Then are you going to demonstrate something for us tonight? I most certainly am going to demonstrate my fantastic charm on the next handsome available gent-" And here he leaned in a little and said in a stage whisper, "-but that's more of a private show, I'm afraid." He leaned back again and winked, clinking his fresh glass against the professor's. "To demonstrations. I hope yours goes well."


    Today at 2:49 PM

  • CarnelianUndead:
    Wendy tripped over the drink table and almost bowled it over but managed to not. Instead, he got a drink and downed it. That was a mistake. Parties were always mistakes for Wendy. The silly mask ended up in the punch bowl. when he slipped off his head because of the weight of it, splashing red liquid everywhere. His glasses went with it. "Oh bother!" He had splashed everyone around the drinks table! "I'm dreadfully sorry!" He said cheerfully.


    Today at 2:56 PM

  • Diana:
    If one had never seen a faerie before, the ones drinking were certainly seeing them now! Glowy, small, floaty little beings flitting around this way and that. Tugging on costumes, whispering into ears with all sorts of wild suggestions. It seemed something ELSE was actually hosting this masquerade party!


    Today at 3:00 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    Gent? Emilie thought. Growing up in a houseful of brothers, the suggestion of one to another that he was 'effeminate' or a 'fairy' or worst of all, any implication that he was attracted to another man was just the thing to get a raucous row of roughhousing started. She knew next to nothing about men, but it was still not entirely unheard of for 'gentlemen' to get in deadly duels over slights to their 'honor.' So she was completely surprised by Jack's words, and could only nod.


    Today at 3:04 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Why yes, it's...it's..Dal...Daly...somethingorother, I forget my own name somet--" Suddenly he and Emilie were both splashed with red liquid. Emilie let out a shriek. How were she and the Professor to put on their exhibition now that they looked like victims of Jack the Ripper?


    Today at 3:06 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Uh...Mr....Wellington," Emilie stammered. "Are...you alright?"


    Today at 3:07 PM

  • Dawn:
    Flicking droplets of red from his very nice cream colored silk vest, Jack gave the clumsy lord a once over before reaching into the punch bowl and fishing out the slippery mask. "Don't lose your head now~" he teased, handing the dripping mask over. The flutter of light caught his eye and he followed it, confusion spreading across his face as he swept the room. Fae. Everywhere. He'd only heard of them in stories... Oh right, he was quite high, wasn't he? Pushing up his own mask, he blinked down at his drink. "Suppose that's not whisky."


    Today at 3:10 PM

  • CarnelianUndead:
    "Sorry! Sorry, so sorry. Clumsy of me! I dropped my mask and my glasses and oh there they are... In the punch bowl... also." He blinked. "Does anyone else see fairies? You know. Little wings. Like those pictures that girl took in the garden but those turned out to be fake! But these... these are... my word, what was in this drink?" He stuck in hand in the punch and drew out his wire-framed glasses after Jack had pulled out his mask. "Thank you."


    Today at 3:11 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Well hello there," William said, talking to the held-up palm of his right hand, as if there was someone sitting there. "I wish Maergarethe could have come. She would have loved to see you," he said, smiling. "She keeps the faith of the Fair Folk," he said. "I'm afraid I don't have an offering of milk and mead, but the drinks here..." He wove a little in his steps.


    Today at 3:12 PM

  • Diana:
    Have a little fun, whispered the faeries. What have you always wanted to do..., they queried. Do it! Do it!


    Today at 3:15 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Professor..." Emilie said, fighting for calm. Wait--are they seeing faeries too? she thought. She hadn't tried any of the drinks, though her curiosity was starting to egg her on. Would she really see faeries? What would they look like? I can't! I have to be ready for the exhibition. But maybe I could take a glass, to try afterward?


    Today at 3:18 PM

  • Zarko Straadi:
    Emilie took a glass, but didn't drink from it. If she could find a place to stash it... "Well, Professor, we should...Professor?" He had wandered off into the ballroom, and was talking and gesticulating with and to things Emilie couldn't see. She hurried over to him. "Professor! Professor, are you alright?"


    58 minutes ago

  • Dawn:
    Whispering in his ear and Jack's gaze shifted toward the musicians. Of course there was the bane of his existence, looking perfectly handsome with his little violin and his pretty, dark hair tied back. He doesn't even like parties! Sometimes Jack swore the man came to these events just to piss him off. What have you always wanted to do... Do it! The meddling little voice had his heart aflutter. "It's absolutely not that sort of party, my tiny friend," he muttered, smiling as he, against his better judgment, finished off his drink.


    57 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    William turned to her, looking at the masked girl with incomprehension. "Excuse me, miss?"

  • Emilie pulled up her mask. "It's me, Emilie!" she whispered, before pulling her mask back down. "We need to get ready for the exhibition."


    54 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Exhibition?" William said. "You know what I've always wanted to do when we go to these things, all these laced-up stuffed shirt Lords and Ladies deciding who's good enough for whom and all that rubbish? Go Skyclad, and perform an invocation to Cernunnos and Frigg!" He started to fiddle with his tie.


    51 minutes ago

  • CarnelianUndead:
    Devlyn Gates did come to parties just to piss Jack Cromwell off and he was definitely in his corner with the rest of the musicians looking smug as hell as he played his violin for it was spring and his cello was just too big for this sort of thing. He saw Jack looking at him and gave him a wink.


    50 minutes ago

  • Diana:
    There was going to be an exhibition alright! Fueled by encouraging suggestions of dainty and mischievous little fae, more than one guest had thrown off their clothes and were now streaking through the party. Of course, salacious things weren't the only desires... a couple of guests were on the floor making sweet appraisal of the Wellington's adorable hounds. Some guests were dancing themselves exhausted. Others were eating and eating and eating... or drinking! Making merry! Madam Duchovey slapped her sister for stealing her best broach ten years ago as she had always wanted to do... it was joyous mayhem!


    50 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Professor," Emilie said, taking him gently by the arm. "We need to do the exhibition now," she said softly. "Can you come with me? Maybe we can try to get some of this out..."


    49 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    Suddenly, the Professor's mood changed. "NO! I don't want to do this anymore!" he cried, a mix of anger and despair. "You do it. You. It's all you anyway! It's yours...it's yours...I can't even...hardly...think anymore...it's yours..."


    47 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "Professor, it's alright. It's alright," Emilie said, trying to calm him down, but now tears were starting to run down his cheeks, and he couldn't wipe them because of his mask. "You'll be great, Professor. This will be your greatest show."


    45 minutes ago

  • Dawn:
    Kissing gentlemen, if Mister Gates could be called one!, was not an option, so Jack settled for joining in with the chaos. "I propose a game!" he called as he climbed onto one of the refreshment tables. "It's called 'For What Reason?'.. I'll go first then!" He spun on his heels, knocking a tray of brownies aside in the process. "I know you dye your hair with teabags, Lady Wellington~ For what reason? You went gray yeaaars ago! Embrace it, madam!" Several of his posse snorted and snickered. "Who's next?"


    44 minutes ago

  • Diana:
    "The tea makes my hair smell delightful you three legged fox!" shouted Lady Wellington!
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    40 minutes ago

  • CarnelianUndead:
    Wendy sorta rolled across the carpet and gathered the tray of brownies to himself and stuffed one in his mouth. This was interesting and strange! he wondered what his sister-in-law had poisoned them all with this time. "I know my darling brother doesn't spend any time at his club anymore!" Wendy sing-songed. "For what reason? He owes Sir Own Flough money for gambling losses!"


    36 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    "No...no..." William said. "Look at them! All the high and mighty! HAHAHA! Lost in bacchanalia! What will the papers say! A game? Brilliant! Brilliant...yes...a truth game! Well here's a truth for you!"

  • "Professor, no!" Emilie said, giving him a very gentle shake.

  • "I, Professor Dalyr...Dal... I am a fraud. It's all her!" he said, pointing at Emilie. "All 'my' papers, 'my' inventions, 'my' Cabinet of Curiosities! It's all her...all her...hers...these last few years...her mind...not mine," he said, fumbling at his mask until he was able to pull it off and let it fall. For what reason? FOR WHAT REASON should you have to pretend...puppet my body while I steal your inventions? For what reason?" he said, breaking into sobs.


    34 minutes ago

  • Diana:
    Yes! Yes! Spill all of the truth! Of blood! Of heart! Spill it all!, encouraged the faeries!


    32 minutes ago

  • Dawn:
    Jack was sitting on the table now, leaning from side to side with laughter as each confession was announced. It seemed he wasn't the only one harboring delicate secrets! A knee folded over the other, leaning on one elbow, his free hand plucked a dessert square from the platter and popped it into his mouth. His now exposed face was red across the cheeks and nose from his beverages, almost red enough to snuff out the spattering of freckles. He pulled his rabbit mask off of his head and tossed it over his shoulder and ruffled up his already wildly curly brown hair, content to watch the chaos unfold.


    22 minutes ago

  • Zarko Straadi:
    Emilie went white as a ghost. "Professor...it's alright," she said, but he pulled away from her.

  • "You...you do it...your show," he said. "Look at them. Where are their rules and propriety now?" he said, bursting into laughter. "I want...to see you do your Cabinet of Curiosities. Before I go...before they take me with them. Please...for me?"

  • Emilie gave a sigh. But things were as ruined as they could be, and there was no way she could see to put the genie back in the bottle. She took a deep breath, gave him a nod, then led him to one of the seats that lined the ballroom. "I'll do it. For you, Professor," she said.

  • She looked at her drink...then downed it, choking a little, then, resolve gathered, headed for the array of wheeled cabinets that held the inventions she had come to showcase. The party was turning into something far wilder than she had ever seen at one of these fetes, but the time was now.

  • When the musicians started playing the intro she and the Professor had arranged for them, she spread out her arms. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! We live in an age of discovery and wonder! As science reveals to us the farthest contours of our world, unimaginable new insights into the workings of nature, from the small and unseen to the vastness of the stars, I present a humble compendium of the future, creations born of Art and Science..."

  • She looked at the Professor, who gave her a nod and a twirling "go on," gesture, not unlike the ones she made when she had to get him back on track. "E-Emily Riebau's Cabinet of Curiosities!"


    17 minutes ago

  • Diana:
    Rapt and in awe were all the guests at this announcement of the Curiosities! Even the little floating fae, busy with their mischief were happy to clap and stop to see the show! We'll pretend some of them were not perched upon lad's long limbs!
 
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