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Post by Charlotte Wright on Feb 10, 2021 2:41:26 GMT
Her nerves had been shot the moment she set foot into the carriage, having to pretend that everything was fine lest her brother question her. She wasn't scared, necessarily, just nervous that Crane would not show. Or, that he would, and he would find her to be nothing like what he imagined, that she was not a woman he would want.
Whoa, Lottie, where is your head going? This was just a meeting, not some sort of proposal. Sure, her penpal seemed intelligent, kind, and a very interesting man...but it was all words. What if he wasn't this way in person? What if that connection was no longer there?
That had made her stomach twist into knots, and she was trying to slowly nurse her wine after she sought Emmeline out immediately when she and Nathaniel arrived at the countess' manor. Charlotte remained close to her friend, practically clinging to her as she'd every so often reach up to the intricate curls at the back of her head to make sure the paper flower was still clipped securely.
After the countess had given her speech, and the lovely lanterns were lit, Charlotte knew she could not remain glued to Em's side any longer. Her friend also had to mingle, as this would be her last season...and Lottie prayed it would be a good one for her. Emmeline deserved the greatest happiness.
Drawing in a deep breath, she gave her friend's hand a squeeze before adjusting the white mask upon her face. "Alright...good luck," she told her with a reassuring nod before slipping away to slowly weave through the crowd. Despite the sounds of music, laughter, and dancing people, all Charlotte could hear was her thundering heart within her chest. Nervously, her fingers began to curl into the fabric of her gown; dark eyes sweeping across all of the masked faces.
Would she somehow know if she saw him?
[ Anthony Warwick ] |
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Post by Anthony Warwick on Feb 12, 2021 7:11:56 GMT
He looked ridiculous. There was no doubt about that, and he was sure Tom was going to cough up a lung from how hard he'd laughed at seeing his friend in the ridiculous mask. To the point he swore he was not going to stand with him for fear of being looped in with the fool. Anthony had thought he'd done rather well in making his mask, making it very clear who he was as he hoped to find Penelope here somewhere. He hoped she came.
There was nervousness in his belly and he resisted the urge to reach up and make sure none of the paper cranes' that had been painted black, wings weren't bent and still in their rightful places. His attire was that of nearly every other gentleman in the room. White crisp shirt, black waist waistcoat, the works. Anthony had dug out his best for tonight and was determined to prove that even the middle class could clean up well. He'd have to thank Tom again when he could look at him without laughing for managing to smuggle him in... After the Countesses speech, Anthony all but ran from Tom. Deserting with a "Wish me luck!" As he'd entered the fray of people. He'd been prepared for if he spotted her. His bright blues scanned many a ladies hair, looking for that particular flower. Dancing bodies moved back and forth in their dances as he walked along the edge of the dance floor, his eyes jumping this way and that, when suddenly he stopped. His stomach did a twist, and for a moment he couldn't believe his eyes. He'd never admit it to anyone else, but he had been terrified that Pen wouldn't come. That she would get cold feet and he'd be forced to look all night, only to come up empty handed. He feared the disappointment he would have at her absence. Fate, the wonderfully spectacular being that it was, luckily was in his favor tonight, as a cross the way in white was that paper rose. Tucked into the young woman's intricately curled dark hair. He wondered instantly what color her eyes were, and whether they matched her hair, or contrasted against it. In order to answer the question he saught... He'd have to approach her. Or...Get her to come to him. He fumbled for the inner pocket of his jacket, not taking his eyes off Penleope, and produced one of the many paper cranes he'd made. "Alright, we can do this. Off you go." He whispered to himself encouragingly as he placed the crane in his palm and then blew on it. It came to life almost instantly. Giving its self a little shake as if it'd just woken up. It spread it's wings, and then soared into the air. Anthony had to concentrate as he directed it through the dancing people. Soaring and twirling above their heads, before it angled it's wings and swooped in towards Pen, fluttering around her. It came to a stop in front of her face, still floating there before it tapped her gently on the nose and then made to fly away, only this time it stalled, craning it's neck to wait for her. As if to say "Come on! He's this way!" If Pen let it, the little paper crane would act as her guide. Leading her straight to her Mr. Crane. |
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Post by Charlotte Wright on Mar 3, 2021 0:12:46 GMT
With every step she took, she felt her hands shake more and more. With each passing second, she feared she would give in to her nerves and fear and head straight for that exit. Charlotte felt like all eyes were on her, judging her, questioning her motive as she passed them by. Of course, she knew this was all in her head. The only other person who knew, besides Mr. Crane himself, was Emmeline and that dear heart wouldn't tell a soul if she was asked not to.
Crane. Where was he? Was she not obvious enough with the flower? Should she have told him what she had planned to wear, perhaps? What if he didn't spot her, how would she know how to find him?
Maybe he decided not to show up after all?
Her heart sunk to the pit of her stomach at such a thought, and her lips turned down into a soft frown. This was foolish, it had to be. She was hoping for something she thought she didn't care about, and yet...there she was, hoping for it anyway. There were so many masked faces, and none glanced at her for more than a few seconds, if they even looked at her at all.
Before Charlotte realized, she was drawing to a stop at the large doors of the ballroom. She shouldn't leave simply because he didn't show- she should still mingle, she should still be dancing and meeting people...but she didn't want to. What was the point to this evening without him now? It had been all she was looking forward to.
Just as a gloved hand reached for the handle, something was fluttering in front of her, pausing her immediately. It was a bird! A paper bird- no...it was an origami crane. Suddenly, her heart leapt into her throat, and she whirled away from the doors to follow the magical creation as it seemed to be leading her back through the crowd of people. Her nervousness was getting worse but there was an excitement glinting in those dark eyes, studying the passing faces once more before she spotted a man in a particular mask.
One that was covered in black cranes.
Charlotte was but a few feet from him now and she suddenly froze in place. It was really him, he really came, he really did wish to meet with her. Now, her voice escaped her...but a beaming smile spread across her face regardless. |
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Post by Anthony Warwick on May 1, 2021 21:39:01 GMT
As the seconds went by, Anthony felt like his heart was going to beat straight out of his chest. This was mad. Tom was right, he’d gone mad. Yet, he didn’t move. He staid in place, working the magic to his little paper Crane to guide Penelope to him. It had to be her right? His eyes hadn’t deceived him with that paper flower? He wasn't bringing some other woman towards him that was curious about the paper crane?
It as if the crowd parted in front of him then. Splitting like the sea, and there just a few feet away, dressed in white with that paper rose in her dark hair, was the woman that had unknowingly become his invisible companion over the last year. And lord, was she beautiful. He didn't need to see the rest of her face hidden behind that mask to know it. He just knew. Was so sure, that her outward appeared did nothing to derail his true feelings towards his pen pal. He merely hoped that she might feel the same way. He wondered if he'd be able to even speak to her without the help of paper. For the moment he silently took her in.
His Penelope...
The bright smile on her face caused his stomach to flop, and his jaw went slack for a moment, afraid he wasn’t going to be able to speak. The paper Crane that had guided her to him, flew around him and out of habit he held his palm out, watching it land on his palm. A small, almost shy smile appeared on his face. Goodness Anthony, has the cat got your tongue? He was normally a rather friendly, talkative person, but now? In front of Pen? Speechless.
“...Penelope?” He finally managed to find his voice. It came out in a small huff of laughter. Disbelief in his eyes as he took her in. “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure you’d come, but-” He said with a small shake of his head as he took a hesitant step closer. “Here you are…” He said quietly, as a bright grin spread across his face, half obscured from the mask, but his blue eyes were positively delighted.
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Post by Charlotte Wright on May 15, 2021 3:28:39 GMT
Without realizing it, her fingers were curling tightly into the fabric of her skirts, and that mask shielding half her face suddenly felt suffocating. Charlotte dare not remove it. Not only were there rules in place during this particular masquerade, she still couldn't help but fear that this man would not like what he saw beneath the decorative covering. Although she felt rather lovely this evening, the aspiring writer always felt she was a little bit plain, and was such a waif of a girl.
All of these thoughts were making it difficult to concentrate, and Lottie stood there staring with wide, dark eyes as if she would be able to see through his own mask. For a brief moment, she couldn't help but feel like she knew him, like she recognized something in those blue eyes. Perhaps it was just kinship and understanding, finally meeting the one behind the last year full of letters.
Was she even breathing? Charlotte was desperate for words but her voice was utterly failing her. Thank God he managed to speak of, using her pen name and she finally blinked back into existence. Still, she stood there like a hapless fool, feeling her heart beginning to thunder inside her chest just from the mere sound of his voice. Was this what she had envisioned? No, she realized, the sound was far more pleasant than she had ever imagined.
"Here I am," she echoed, mimicking him with taking a single step closer. After a couple of seconds, she dared another; curiosity making her desire to know the exact shade of blue of his eyes. "In truth-" she began to add. "I did not think...you would show. And now that you are indeed here, I fear I lack the words to speak." Lips pressed together to try and suppress the soft laughter that emitted from her throat. Although most of the expression was hidden, she was suddenly shy and appeared embarrassed to admit this. As with him, she was far better at expressing herself with the written word than in person. |
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Post by Anthony Warwick on May 23, 2021 6:33:52 GMT
Why was he so nervous? There was nothing to be nervous about right? This was Penelope. Good ole’ Pen who he considered to be a good friend now after all their correspondences. Why was it so hard to breathe? Why did he feel like his chest was swelling, and yet constricting him at the same time? His blue gaze slowly began to look her over. That olive skin, with the dark hair, and her dark eyes.
In Penelope's mind she might have been a waif of a girl, but in front of Anthony he thought her the loveliest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. What if she’s ugly? Tom’s voice echoed in his mind, and in that moment, Anthony wanted to snatch Pen’s hand, and find Tom to tell him right to his face she wasn’t. That he’d been wrong about his Penelope. To show him himself that she was real and beautiful, and that-
She was there. Here. With him.
He watched her mimic him before taking another step closer, and he felt his breath catching again, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. He huffed a small laugh then, before he chuckled and slightly shook his head. “Funny you say that, I had the exact same thoughts…” He said quietly. His gaze softened for a moment, as relief actually settled on his shoulders. “I know it was a bit-” He slightly grimaced. “Forward for me to ask to meet in person, but-” his eyes started to wander again, before they came up to meet her in the eye. “Something told me I had to finally do it.” He said softly. “And I’m glad you came. Truly, I’m just-...In shock.” He chuckled lightly. He might have brought a fist up to rest his mouth against if he didn’t think it would knock his mask off kilter.
Instead, the fool couldn’t help but grin widely. The mask obscured most of it, but Anthony’s delight was clear. He was happy she was there. He seemed to remember his manners in that moment as well, and quickly straightened, glancing around. “Would you like a drink? Perhaps a-” He glanced towards the dance floor that was conveniently next to them. ”Dance? They do that at these sorts of things don’t they?” He asked. If only Tom could see him now. He was going to start babbling on like an idiot in front of her because of his nerves, but he had the desire to try and make this as less awkward as possible. To try and make her as comfortable as possible, and maybe...Just maybe he’d get the courage to tell her how he really felt before the night was out.
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