Undone. PV Leveret Finished

• OUR VERY OWN, PUREBLOOD, SOAP OPERA •

15th April | Selwyn Manor
wc: 1127
Avery's Hex #136b5c
Cadence's Hex #6d80ab
June’s Hex #145C7A

Outfit: Weekend (Smart Casual)

Reducio

Avery:
Cadence:

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	----- A very smiled at her again, nodding at her summation of his goals. June wasn’t too on board with the idea, he reckoned, but that didn’t matter much. He would arrive where he would on his own merit, without the need for friends if necessary; though he did enjoy the idea of having people around to share triumphs with. ”Confidence is important, a learned skill that opens doors and rattles foes. - Does it rattle you, June Selwyn?” He gave with a slight lowering of his head, as a smile grew; a test of some sort. He often played with people, as he tried to figure out how they worked. Was she fearful? Playful perhaps? These were all key indicators that he could use to forecast their interactions, something that was important to him; as who he kept company with was a part of the duty that was being of his station and status; the image was to be maintained at all costs, unknowns weren’t permitted. Whilst he was very far-forward thinking, she wasn’t and that much was clear. That wasn’t an issue, per se. Though he would prefer company with someone on the same page, it couldn’t hurt to see things from a point of view within the same chapter; and that was what he supposed they were. They were a similar age, of similar status, of similar blood purity; perhaps they were more alike than he cared to admit. He’d have to award her the chance, when it came up; though it came rather quick when she changed the topic to reading. ”Well, to speak plainly, no, not particularly.” Avery said with a small smile, in response to her question before taking another refreshing sip; he was rather enjoying hanging on the edge of a surprise every time. This was another instance where he preferred to be unapologetically himself rather than appease those around him; though that didn’t mean that he would shun her topic of choice and try and steer from it, perhaps it served him to do things differently in this case; to give her the chance to open up. ”Well perhaps that’s a mischaracterisation. - I enjoy reading, but the boring kind of reading. Call me what you like but I like the histories over fiction. When I was younger, my governess would always remark on my peculiarity when she found me in the Moredell library with three or four encyclopaedias open on the floor space that I claimed as my kingdom.” He gave mirthfully, allowing her a small and brief window into his world; if only she knew how rare this was, was it a blue moon? It served him yet still, as with everything. June seemed rather infatuated with reading, as though she had an unspoken itch that she had harboured for a long time, and he couldn’t well let her continue suffering. His opening up would perhaps change the tone, deepen the meaning behind the words; all things phatic did not belong here. Though it was the promise of rare tomes and getting even further away from the business of their elders that was convincing, so he donned his most encouraging smile: “I can hardly say no to that, now can I? - Lead the way, Ms. Selwyn.” He said, seeming keen on continuing to pay respect to her surname. As they left, Avery’s curious eyes spotted his mother switching rooms and holding her clutch bag in both hands; having finished or set down her drink. That meant only one thing, so he’d silently grimace and continue following June; avoiding Cadence’s caring and often intruding gaze that her youngest felt so often, on the back of his neck. As he knew, she was looking for the ladies room so that she might powder her nose, as she’d express often at these kinds of things. It was harmless and necessary; it offered reprieve from the onslaught of constant image maintenance, a break to touch up her lipstick and whatever else was necessary. What she hadn’t expected was to come to a corner and hear what she heard on her way back, which stopped her in her tracks. – She was careful in returning, sporting a pleasant smile that hid a perfectly kept secret; as she looked out for anyone else who would possibly chance upon this fateful intersection of such a pretty, broken, home. ”Phinehas, can I have a word?” She delivered with a most skillful smile so as to not give an impression to their company that anything awry was going on, though it was, having had returned from her travels and making for Phinehas like a dart. She didn’t know just how deep this went, but she would award him the same respect and privacy that she would expect were she in his shoes. Of course, she would never be in such a position; although her own marriage was weighed upon by a number of factors; infidelity was not one that she would need to worry about. – Cadence wasn’t the kind of person to wait for a response, she instead spoke with her eyes and walked off, or spoke without words to those he was previously speaking with; to crowd them out with her sheer presence. When she had pulled him aside into a dining room that wasn’t being used for the function, she closed the doors behind them and gestured for him to sit. ”Forgive me for stealing you away but I’m afraid it couldn’t wait. - You may need a drink.” She said sincerely. When she spoke, it was in a softer tone, as though she was being thoughtful of every word. ”Phinehas, I just came across your wife and a man in the corridor. – I won’t say what they were doing but, well it was unbecoming of your good name.” She continued, and she didn’t look like she was about to stop… ”Now before you react, let’s make sure this doesn’t ruin you. If I were anyone else things could have been different, but you’re in luck. – We must act fast. You will go and deal with whatever you need to deal with, and I will return to the guests. I can buy you privacy if I say that Louise has come down with a sickness, and that you’ve gone to tend her.” She offered, employing her sharp wit in thought of his grand release; how sad it would be to taint such an event but she was keen to shield that stain from spreading onto him.
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Interacting with: @June Selwyn

Avery's questions were far from phatic, that was for certain. The depth of his inquiries left no room for small talk or superficiality. Without even needing to consider her response, June answered, her voice carrying a touch of confidence. "Confidence certainly does not rattle me, Avery Leveret. I can't think of much that would." Fear was not an emotion she allowed to consume her. Not of confidence, not of horses, not of hags. And while June was unable to think of much that would unnerve her, she would soon be eating her words. But that moment was still awaiting her discovery, and for now, June was left in blissful ignorance.

”Well, to speak plainly, no, not particularly.” Blast. Perhaps it was better that he was being honest than attempting to placate, it could mean that he had some sort of desire to continue acquaintanceship with June. After all, why bother presenting a false façade if he anticipated further conversations? The weight of uncertainty lifted slightly, and June began to slowly relax as Avery amended his statement. Nonfiction and history... She could work with that. It was a common ground, a thread they could weave their conversation around. June had to hold back a laugh, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Encyclopedias? Merlin, that's quite impressive. I'd argue that does, in fact, make you a bookworm, Leveret."

June took the final sip of her drink, savoring the unfamiliar tropical taste as it danced on her tongue, before setting down the glass on the windowsill for a diligent house elf to clean up later. "Right then, off we go. I'm sure we have an encyclopedia or two for you to uncover."

She'd choose to lead him through the "scenic route", opting to take Avery through a more visually interesting path, filled with old portraits showcasing the Selwyn legacy. The eyes of past Selwyn ancestors followed their every step, frozen in time yet filled with life, quietly chatting amongst themselves as they often did. Towering canvases depicted majestic Antipodean Opaline dragons, some even seeming to radiate heat themselves, as if the dragons within were filled with life. June gave her rehearsed speech about the history of the Selwyn family as they walked. Although she had recounted the tales many times before, they still carried an undeniable excitement. She kept it brief, aware that Avery might not be interested in the intricate web of past political ties that had shaped the family's story. June hoped that she wasn't boring him to death as they made their way through the captivating halls.

Unbeknownst to the young Selwyn, in a dining room not too far away from the library, her father had been whisked away. With a hint of hesitation, he'd respond. "A drink?" He'd wait for her to share before deciding if spirits were necessary.

The air in the room crackled with tension as Phinehas absorbed Cadence's words. Phinehas Selwyn froze, his usually poised and composed figure turning into a statuesque presence. Every muscle in his body tensed as he processed the gravity of the situation. His face remained stoic, a mask hiding the storm of emotions brewing within him, but slowly, a sense of outrage began to creep into his eyes, a flicker of anger that he struggled to contain. The man stood in silence, his breaths deep and controlled, clearly contemplating his next course of action.

Eventually, Phinehas took a long, deep breath. "Cadence, you're a good friend." Apparently he did need a drink. He walked to a small bar cart tucked in the corner and poured himself two fingers of whatever he grabbed first, the amber liquid shimmering in the afternoon light. Sipping his drink, he turned and began to pace, the weight he now carried evident in his every step. "It's a sound plan," he'd nod. "Louise won't be returning to the party. Not after having the insolence as to be with another man in my own house."

What unfortunate timing for him to say such a thing.

June turned a corner, unknowingly approaching not only the library but the pair's parents. "Right then, almost there..." She trailed off as a female voice carry through the corridor. Strange, why was someone all the way here, so far from the event? Deciding to ignore it, June led the way, passing the door of the dining room just as-

"Louise won't be returning to the party. Not after having the insolence as to be with another man in my own house."

June's steps came to an abrupt halt as she heard her father speak, her heart skipping a beat. The weight of her father's words crashed down upon her, an unexpected blow that left her reeling. No.

No.

Not again.

She certainly was her father's daughter, as June's reaction was identical to his. Transfixed, she was transported far away from the present, lost in a realm of disbelief and shock. June stayed in this limbo for just long enough for it to be impossible to ignore, before being snapped back to reality. Shit, she had a guest. A guest who most definitely overheard all of that. A guest who now had a piece of information over June, a guest who June didn't know well enough to deduce what they would do with that information. With every ounce of strength, she desperately tried to conceal her emotions, a veil of composure descending over her face as she averted her gaze from Avery. She forced herself to continue walking, though her steps felt heavier than before.


"It's, uh, just at the end of this hallway..." June's voice quivered slightly, betraying the storm that raged within her. She briskly made her way to the library, her fingers trembling slightly as she threw open the door, wanting to get far away from that conversation as she could. She honestly didn't even care if Avery decided to follow her or not, her mind clouded with a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, betrayal, and hurt mingled within her, a storm that threatened to consume her entirely. Rage boiled beneath her skin as she stared blankly ahead, her eyes vacant, her thoughts scattered.

It was certain, an unavoidable truth. The picture-perfect Selwyn family had become undone.

Continued in Unworthy.