GHB 3: Afternoon [Orb 2]

[fairweather]

[Lavinia appears seated in front of the orb, wearing an elegant gold and red dress, hood down. In one hand, she holds a glass of wine and takes a small sip, enjoying the flavor and pausing to admire the color before she sets the glass down.]

My regards to the vineyards. I wouldn't have imagined I would be able to find anything good, but well, consider me surprised. I suppose it's true; wherever there is civilization, there is wine and alcohol.

Now the reason I address all of you today is because I am declaring a party in two day's time. No particular reason, though I think some socializing would do us all some good. It's gotten so dready with robberies and kidnappings and visions of fire. [She scoffs lightly and takes another sip.] Yes, so dreadful. So a party then, at the castle, in the evening hour. I'm sure there's a ballroom that can accommodate all the lovely lords, ladies, and heroes of Schnwanheim. Anyone that would like to lend a hand with catering and decorations would be greatly appreciated. Make it fancy and elegant. [Yes, that's right. Lavinia is foisting responsibility onto everyone else. Isn't she wonderful?]

Rupert, darling, I fully expect to see you there. I'd be quite disappointed if you weren't. Also we must talk. I have a present for you.

((ooc; Yep! Party! Mingling! Food! Wine! So this would be the night of GHB the 5th.))

Comments

Re: Bwahaha

[consultmybooks]

[You will never live the "great" down, Lavinia. It's one of the few things Giles has on you.]

It...hasn't exactly come up, no.

[...] You...haven't spoken with her, have you? [She's been by the ocean for a few days, now, so it's possible that she'll miss this message entirely. Maybe. Hopefully.]

You don't know how tempting it is to have Ginia comment to this post

[fairweather]

Her? no, we don't talk very often. Which is a true shame, I should get to know her if she's ever to become a Giles. [A small, thoughtful pause.]

Unless this is a more casual relationship.

Do you *want* Giles to die? ...don't answer that.

[consultmybooks]

It isn't.

[In this, at least, there is no chance of Giles answering anything else. Especially after...well. Certain talks.

And then, almost to himself, Giles adds:]

...it, it's not as though I'd require it. [Becoming a Giles, that is. Giles is old fashioned in a lot of ways, and he's still not entirely sure how much has changed in five years. But he'd always gotten the impression that Ginia adored her family, and was proud of what they made of her.

If she doesn't want to take his last name, he wouldn't ask it.]

...Um. Sorry for the tl;dr.

[fairweather]

You really do love her, don't you.

[It's part casual musing, part surprised musing, and part something pleased. Lavinia never had any intention of getting married. Never mind the fuss and mess of marrying someone when she was eternally young, beautiful, and subsequently cursed to boot, but why ruin her fun? Sure, there were engagements, but nothing ever panned out. Truthfully, no one ever caught her attention, not so much in that way.

Did she ever wonder what life would be like? Certainly. Even if Edna shielded Edmund from her, she saw how happy Edna was with her family, her growing son, her later grandchild. It was a good life, a happy life.

But lives like those ended eventually. People grew old, people passed on, and Lavinia wasn't sure if she could see more people fade and know there was nothing she could do to stop it - ah, the rub; there were things she could do, but whether it was her place to do so...

Too many good young boys never came back from the first war. Then the second war claimed good young men.

No. Lavinia had her share of death and sad goodbyes beyond her control.

But she could share in the joy of others. Living vicariously; she prefered to live directly, but some things could be enjoyed secondhand. If Giles was happy, if Giles was in love, and Giles wished to marry, she wouldn't deny him that.

He was dead in one world. If he could live here and find happiness, good for him.]

*Never* apologize for tl;dr

[consultmybooks]

...I really do.

[Helios knows, of course. Helios had always known. Lavinia, though...she deserves to know, too. She and Sophronia are the only blood relatives Giles has left in the world. For all the good he's done for himself by family he's found...that does carry some weight, still.

In many ways, he's acting a lot like he's imagined the people during the war often did. Living for today, not caring much about the future or its consequences because there might not be a future. He's trying not to, of course - he didn't actually say yes to Ginia's unspoken question. But the temptation is growing stronger by the day.

After all, they both might really be dead tomorrow.]

[fairweather]

...well. Then I'll be over at once with your present. Perhaps it'll be helpful after all.

...And don't try to hide, Rupert, I do know where you live. [Not a threat, never a threat, but a simple reminder.]

[consultmybooks]

[Lavinia does not threaten. Lavinia does not need to threaten.

Giles heaves a tired sigh.]

...suppose I should go and make some tea, then, shouldn't I?

[Well. Maybe it will be nice to meet up with her. They've already gotten into some deeply personal territory, and Giles was never the greatest with filters on communication devices.]

[fairweather]

Yes, and please have some biscuits ready. Or tea cakes, that would be a delight. I'll be there soon.

[there's no real need to say anything more, so Lavinia closes up the orb and heads out. The castle servants are more than happy to obtain a carriage and driver for her and soon she's setting off on the fairly short distance between the castle and quaint little House Seven.

Once she arrives, she'll daintly step out of the carriage with the help of the driver, and proceed toward the door. If it's open, she'll let herself inside. If not, she'll attempt an unlocking spell to let herself in.]

[consultmybooks]

[Lavinia will find it unlocked, which probably comes as no surprise. The house is quiet, beyond the front door, quiet enough to perhaps at first give the impression of being empty.

But, the smell of biscuits - unburned biscuits, thankfully - should be enough to dispel that notion. Indeed, should she venture just a bit further into the house, she'll find Giles, peering thoughtfully in at something cooking in the oven.]

Smell about right...

[He's so absorbed in the biscuits that he doesn't seem to have noticed her yet. Clearly, Lavinia's shoes need to squeak more.]

[fairweather]

[Happy day. Lavinia enters the home, leaving the carriage and driver to wait for her outside. She looks around the living room, and seeing no one, heads toward the kitchen.]

Yes, I must say they do. Did you make them yourself?