#olive pendleton | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yr-obedt-cicero · 1 year

Text

A recording of Hamilton's days following the duel

July 8th, 1804

Sunday morning, Hamilton walked with Eliza “over all the pleasant scenes” of the Grange estate, and returned home at noon. He read the morning service of the Episcopal church. The hours until evening were spent “in kind companionship” with his family. And at the end of the day, Hamilton gathered his children around him under a near tree, he laid with them upon the grass until it turned dark. [x] According to Alexander Hamilton Jr. in an interview; “Col. Smith, son in-law of John Adams, had dined with us, and the result of a conversation on the subject was a tacit agreement on my father's part not to fight.” [x]

July 9th, 1804

Monday morning, Hamilton left Eliza at the Grange and rode down to lower Manhattan, to his town house at 54 Cedar Street with his four eldest sons. After taking care of his urgent clients and affairs, he drafted his will.

Source — Library of Congress, Digital Collections. Alexander Hamilton Papers: Miscellany, 1711-1820; Hamilton, Alexander; Last will and testament

In the Name of God Amen! I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York Counsellor at Law do make this my last Will and Testament as follows. First I appoint John B Church Nicholas Fish and Nathaniel Pendleton of the City aforesaid Esquires to be Executors and Trustees of this my Will and I devise to them their heirs and Assigns, as joint Tenants and not as Tenants in common, All my Estate real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever upon Trust at their discretion to sell and dispose of the same, at such time and times in such manner and upon such terms as they the Survivors and Survivor shall think fit and out of the proceeds to pay all the Debts which I shall owe at the time of my decease, in whole, if the fund shall be sufficient, proportionally, if it shall be insufficient, and the residue, if any there shall be to pay and deliver to my excellent and dear Wife Elizabeth Hamilton.

Though if it shall please God to spare my life I may look for a considerable surplus out of my present property—Yet if he should speedily call me to the eternal wor[l]d, a forced sale as is usual may possibly render it insufficient to satisfy my Debts. I pray God that something may remain for the maintenance and education of my dear Wife and Children. But should it on the contrary happen that there is not enough for the payment of my Debts, I entreat my Dear Children, if they or any of them shall ever be able, to make up the Deficiency. I without hesitation commit to their delicacy a wish which is dictated by my own. Though conscious that I have too far sacrificed the interests of my family to public avocations & on this account have the less claim to burthen my Children, yet I trust in their magnanimity to appreciate as they ought this my request. In so unfavourable an event of things, the support of their dear Mother with the most respectful and tender attention is a duty all the sacredness of which they will feel. Probably her own patrimonial resources will preserve her from Indigence. But in all situations they are charged to bear in mind that she has been to them the most devoted and best of mothers. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand the Ninth day of July in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred & four.

Alexander Hamilton

Signed sealed published & declared as and for his last Will and Testament in our presence who have subscribed the same in his presence.

The words John B Church being above interlined.

Dominick T Blake

Graham Newell

Theo B Valleau

Source — Last Will and Testament of Alexander Hamilton, [9 July 1804]

According to John C. Hamilton, while he was executing it, a friend came in and related to him his fear of an intended fraud. Hamilton took him by the arm and said, “Let us walk past the counting-room of these people. Perhaps, on seeing us together, they may think it expedient to do you justice.” The expedient succeeded. [x]

In the afternoon, the regulations of the duel were finalized by Van Nass and Pendleton. [x] Hamilton wrote that Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney would be placed on John B. Church. This was included in a list of seven items given to Nathaniel Pendleton. [x]

Know all Men by these Presents, That I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York Counsellor at law, in consideration of one Dollar to me in hand paid by John B Church Esquire, (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowleged) have bargained sold assigned and conveyed and hereby do bargain sell assign & convey to the said John B Church all and singular the debts due owing and payable to me: which are specified in the schedule hereunto annexed to be by him collected and the proceeds applied first towards the payment of all and every the debt and debts which I owe to my household and other servants and labourers, and to the Woman who washes for Mrs. Hamilton—and secondly towards the satisfaction and discharge of certain accommodation notes made by me and indorsed by him and which have been or shall be discounted in and by the Manhattan Bank and the Office of Discount & Deposit of the Bank of the United States in the City of New York. And for this purpose I do hereby constitute and appoint him my Attorney to ask demand sue for recover and receive the said Debts and every of them and upon receipt thereof or any part thereof to make and give acquittances. In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed & set my hand and seal the Ninth day of July in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred & four.

A. Ham⟨ilton⟩

Source — Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney to John B. Church, [9 July 1804]

The last remaining hours of the day were spent with his old Treasury protégé, Oliver Wolcott Jr., who later wrote; “Hamilton spent the afternoon & evening of Monday with our friends at my House in Company with Mr. Hopkinson of Phil’. He was uncommonly cheerful and gay The duel had been determined on for ten days.” [x]

July 10th, 1804

The following document is undated, but is theorized to have been composed or finished on Hamilton's last work day, Tuesday. Hamilton wrote a list of reasonings as to why he accepted the challenge;

Source — New York Historical Society. Alexander Hamilton statement on impending duel with Aaron Burr, undated, [July 10, 1804(?)]

On my expected interview with Col Burr, I think it proper to make some remarks explanatory of my conduct, motives and views.

I am certainly desirous of avoiding this interview, for the most cogent reasons.

1 My religious and moral principles are strongly opposed to the practice of Duelling, and it would even give me pain to be obliged to shed the blood of a fellow creature in a private combat forbidden by the laws.

2 My wife and Children are extremely dear to me, and my life is of the utmost importance to them, in various views.

3 I feel a sense of obligation towards my creditors; who in case of accident to me, by the forced sale of my property, may be in some degree sufferers. I did not think my self at liberty, as a man of probity, lightly to expose them to this hazard.

4 I am conscious of no ill-will to Col Burr, distinct from political opposition, which, as I trust, has proceeded from pure and upright motives.

Lastly, I shall hazard much, and can possibly gain nothing by the issue of the interview.

But it was, as I conceive, impossible for me to avoid it. There were intrinsick difficulties in the thing, and artificial embarrassments, from the manner of proceeding on the part of Col Burr.

Intrinsick—because it is not to be denied, that my animadversions on the political principles character and views of Col Burr have been extremely severe, and on different occasions, I, in common with many others, have made very unfavourable criticisms on particular instances of the private conduct of this Gentleman.

In proportion as these impressions were entertained with sincerity and uttered with motives and for purposes, which might appear to me commendable, would be the difficulty (until they could be removed by evidence of their being erroneous), of explanation or apology. The disavowal required of me by Col Burr, in a general and indefinite form, was out of my power, if it had really been proper for me to submit to be so questionned; but I was sincerely of opinion, that this could not be, and in this opinion, I was confirmed by that of a very moderate and judicious friend whom I consulted. Besides that Col Burr appeared to me to assume, in the first instance, a tone unnecessarily peremptory and menacing, and in the second, positively offensive. Yet I wished, as far as might be practicable, to leave a door open to accommodation. This, I think, will be inferred from the written communications made by me and by my direction, and would be confirmed by the conversations between Mr van Ness and myself, which arose out of the subject.

I am not sure, whether under all the circumstances I did not go further in the attempt to accommodate, than a pun[c]tilious delicacy will justify. If so, I hope the motives I have stated will excuse me.

It is not my design, by what I have said to affix any odium on the conduct of Col Burr, in this case. He doubtless has heared of animadversions of mine which bore very hard upon him; and it is probable that as usual they were accompanied with some falshoods. He may have supposed himself under a necessity of acting as he has done. I hope the grounds of his proceeding have been such as ought to satisfy his own conscience.

I trust, at the same time, that the world will do me the Justice to believe, that I have not censured him on light grounds, or from unworthy inducements. I certainly have had strong reasons for what I may have said, though it is possible that in some particulars, I may have been influenced by misconstruction or misinformation. It is also my ardent wish that I may have been more mistaken than I think I have been, and that he by his future conduct may shew himself worthy of all confidence and esteem, and prove an ornament and blessing to his Country.

As well because it is possible that I may have injured Col Burr, however convinced myself that my opinions and declarations have been well founded, as from my general principles and temper in relation to similar affairs—I have resolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases God to give me the opportunity, to reserve and throw away my first fire, and I have thoughts even of reserving my second fire—and thus giving a double opportunity to Col Burr to pause and to reflect.

It is not however my intention to enter into any explanations on the ground. Apology, from principle I hope, rather than Pride, is out of the question.

To those, who with me abhorring the practice of Duelling may think that I ought on no account to have added to the number of bad examples—I answer that my relative situation, as well in public as private aspects, enforcing all the considerations which constitute what men of the world denominate honor, impressed on me (as I thought) a peculiar necessity not to decline the call. The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good, in those crises of our public affairs, which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable from a conformity with public prejudice in this particular.

Source — Statement on Impending Duel with Aaron Burr, [28 June–10 July 1804]

Hamilton ran into a family friend and client on Broadway, Dirck Ten Broeck, who reminded him that he had forgotten to deliver a promised legal opinion. Afterward, Broeck reflected with astonishment on Hamilton's reaction; “He was really ashamed of his neglect, but [said] that I must call on him the next day, Wednesday—(the awful fatal day)—at 10 o'clock, when he would sit down with me, lock the door, and then we would finish the business.” [x]

Hamilton wrote to Theodore Sedgwick, his friend of many years, who had been the channel of his most useful communications on the policy of the country; thus showing that, to the latest moment, his thoughts were upon that which had formed the leading topic of the Federalist—“the utility of the Union to the political prosperity of the whole American people.” [x] Since one purpose of the duel was to prepare to head off a secessionist threat, he warned Sedgwick against any such movement among New England Federalists.

Source — Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 10 July 1804.

New York July 10. 1804

My Dear Sir

I have received two letters from you since we last saw each other—that of the latest date being the 24 of May. I have had in hand for some time a long letter to you, explaining my view of the course and tendency of our Politics, and my intentions as to my own future conduct. But my plan embraced so large a range that owing to much avocation, some indifferent health, and a growing distaste for Politics, the letter is still considerably short of being finished. I write this now to satisfy you, that want of regard for you has not been the cause of my silence.

I will here express but one sentiment, which is, that Dismembrement of our Empire will be a clear sacrifice of great positive advantages, without any counterballancing good; administering no relief to our real Disease; which is Democracy, the poison of which by a subdivision will only be the more concentered in each part, and consequently the more virulent.

King is on his way for Boston where you may chance to see him, and hear from himself his sentiments.

God bless you

A H

Source — Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [July 10, 1804]

Hamilton then saw Judah Hammond, who was a clerk in AH's law office, where he drafted an elaborate opinion in a legal matter. Hammond later recalled that; “The last time General Hamilton was in the office was in the early part of July 1804, in the afternoon. I was the only person remaining in the office with him. The last thing he did there, in his professional business he did at my desk and by my side. Even the place seems sacred to my memory. The office was at Number twelve in Garden Street, opposite the Church Grounds. The building has been since removed. It was near sunset, the evening bright and serene. The setting sun approached the margin of the horizon, shedding his last rays on the beautiful objects illustrated by his departing splendours. At this closing of the day, when we love to linger in its pleasures, General Hamilton came to my desk, in the tranquil manner usual with him, and gave me a business paper with his instructions, concerning it. I saw no change in his appearance. These were his last moments in his place of business” [x]

According to John C. Hamilton; “—after waiting upon his faithful friend, Oliver Wolcott, at the close of an entertainment given by him, [...] made his last visit. It was to Colonel [Robert] Troup, the companion of his early years.” [x] For weeks, Troup had lain bedridden with a grave illness that Hamilton feared might prove mortal. When he dropped by to visit Troup, Hamilton did not mention the duel and overflowed Troup with medical suggestions;

“The General's visit lasted more than half an hour; and after making particular inquiries respecting the state of my complaint, he favored me with his advice as to the course which he thought would best conduce to the reestablishment of my health. But the whole tenor of the General's deportment during the visit manifested such composure and cheerfulness of mind as to leave me without any suspicion of the rencontre that was depending.”

Source — William and Mary Quarterly, Journal

Afterwards, Hamilton returned to his townhouse. Pendleton found him there and attempted to discuss with him and make a final attempt to dissuade Hamilton from his decision to delope during the duel. Nevertheless, Hamilton insisted he would fire in the air. When Pendleton protested, Hamilton indicated that his mind was made up; “My friend,” he told Pendleton, “it is the effect of a religious scruple and does not admit of reasoning. It is useless to say more on the subject as my purpose is definitely fixed.” [x]

At 10 p.m, Hamilton - even after already writing Eliza a farewell letter dated on the fourth - sat down in his study upstairs and took his quill once more to pen another letter but in favor of Anne Mitchell, Hamilton's cousin, and his largest supporter in his boyhood.

Source — A letter from Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, dated July 4, 1804. Courtesy of the Library of Congress Manuscripts Division.

My beloved Eliza

Mrs. Mitchel is the person in the world to whom as a friend I am under the greatest Obligations. I have ⟨not⟩ hitherto done my ⟨duty⟩ to her. But ⟨resolved⟩ to repair my omission as much as ⟨possible,⟩ I have encouraged her to come to ⟨this Country⟩ and intend, if it shall be ⟨in my po⟩wer to render the Evening of her days ⟨c⟩omfortable. But if it shall please God to put this out of my power and to inable you hereafter to be of ⟨s⟩ervice to her, I entreat you to d⟨o⟩ it and to treat ⟨h⟩er with the tenderness of a Sister.

This is my second letter.

The Scrup⟨les of a Christian have deter⟩mined me to expose my own li⟨fe to any⟩ extent rather than subject my s⟨elf to the⟩ guilt of taking the life of ⟨another.⟩ This must increase my hazards & redoubles my pangs for you. But you had rather I should die inno⟨c⟩ent than live guilty. Heaven can pre⟨se⟩rve me ⟨and I humbly⟩ hope will ⟨b⟩ut in the contrary ⟨e⟩vent, I charge you to remember that you are a Christian. God’s Will be done. The will of a merciful God must be good.

Once more Adieu My Darling darling Wife

A H

Tuesday Evening 10 oCl⟨ock⟩

⟨Mrs Ha⟩milton

Source — Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [10 July 1804]

Hamilton descended from his study, and entered the parlor downstairs, there he found his son reading a book. Hamilton watched him pensively for a few moments, before he leaned over his book and smiled as he asked him if he would sleep with him. [x] The son in this story is Hamilton's fifth child, John Church Hamilton, who later recalled the same incident in an interview;

I recall a single incident about it with full clearness. [...] The day before the duel I was sitting in a room, when, at a slight noise, I turned around and saw my father in the doorway, standing silently there and looking at me with a most sweet and beautiful expression of countenance. It was full of tenderness, and without any of the business pre-occupation he sometimes had. “John,” he said, when I had discovered him, “won't you come and sleep with me to-night?” His voice was frank as if he had been my brother instead of my father. That night I went to his bed, and in the morning very early he awakened me, and taking my hands in his palms, all four hands extended, he said and told me to repeat the Lord's Prayer. Seventy-five years have since passed over my head, and I have forgotten many things, but not that tender expression when he stood looking at me in the door nor the prayer we made together the morning before the duel. I do not so well recollect seeing him lie upon his deathbed, though I was there.

Source — Interview with John Church Hamilton, reminiscences about his father.

July 11th, 1804

After Hamilton retired to bed with John uncommonly early, he awoke quietly at three o'clock the next morning. Hamilton reportedly had; “some imperfect sleep; but the succeeding morning his symptoms were aggravated, attended however with a diminution of pain. His mind retained all its usual strength and composure. The great source of his anxiety seemed to be in his sympathy with his half distracted wife and children.” [x] He soon awoke John and took his hands in his palms, “all four hands extended”, he spoke the Lord's Prayer, as John repeated after him. Afterwards he asked his son to light a candle, John asked him what was the matter and Hamilton had lied to him claiming that his little sister, Eliza Hamilton Holly, was ill and had been taken out of town. And that his mother had sent for him and that he was going out with Doctor Hosack. After the candle was lit he sat down and wrote a hymn which he had but just finished when Pendleton and Hosack called for him. The hymn was put in his will where it was found by his wife later on. [x]

Main sources:

Life of Alexander Hamilton, by John Church Hamilton.

The intimate life of Alexander Hamilton, by Allan McLane Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow.

A Collection of the Facts and Documents, Relative to the Death of Major-General Alexander Hamilton, by William Coleman.

Four letters on the death of Alexander Hamilton 1804, David B. Ogden.

#amrev #american history #the duel #alexander hamilton #historical alexander hamilton #john church hamilton #nathaniel pendleton #judah hammond #theodore sedgwick #robert troup #oliver wolcott #elizabeth schuyler #elizabeth hamilton #history #txt #cicero's history lessons

52 notes · View notes

therealmrpositive · 1 year

Text

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

In today’s review, I double-check if greed, for lack of a better word is good? As I attempt a #positive review of the 2010 long-awaited film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps #MichaelDouglas #ShiaLaBeouf #JoshBrolin #CareyMulligan #SusanSarandon #EliWallach

The allure of money is a constant in practically every society, yet the 80s, crystallised the iconic notion of greed, as the subtle satire of 1987’s Wall Street went over the heads of the rising investor class. In 2010, with the recent economic collapse still fresh in the minds, and a wounded populace looking for answers, the masses returned to Gecko, and the allure of economic vengeance, in Wall…

View On WordPress

0 notes

obscure-horror-game-protagonist · 1 year

Text

OBSCURE HORROR GAME PROTAGONIST BRACKET

Welcome to the Obscure Horror Game Protagonist Bracket, where the "obscure" in the name is modifying the word "protagonist" and not the word "game".

We believe we have, after a decent amount of deliberation, come up with a wide range of characters, ranging from "Just Normal Guys" to "Insane Torture Murderers" to "an apple", some from games that are fairly obscure themselves and some from games that are actually pretty well known, but we believe all these somewhat arbitrarily chosen characters have one thing in common: If you referred to them by name while talking to any given random person, we've determined there's at least a 60-70% chance they won't know who you're talking about. And they're horror game protagonists. More or less. They all have two things in common. Kind of.

Due to the nature of the premise, it is likely that there will be some situations where you may not have any idea who these people are. To compensate for this, descriptions of the characters including any notable traits will be included with each poll. There's no shame in deciding which one you like better on the spot if it comes down to that.

Additionally, we would like you to please be wary that due to the nature of this being about horror game characters, sensitive subject matter will be mentioned in the descriptions of many of the characters, as it's often unavoidable. Similarly, there will be spoilers for the storylines of the games brought up here, if that matters to you.

But without further ado...

OUR ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:

Cynte (Endoparasitic) vs. Blake Langermann (Outlast 2)

Ellis Lynch (Blair Witch) vs. Murphy Pendleton (Silent Hill: Downpour)

Michael Tapp (Saw 2: Flesh and Blood (Xbox 360)) vs. Daniel Lamb (Manhunt 2)

Benjamin Oliver Walker (SCP: Containment Breach) vs. Andy the Apple (Andy's Apple Farm)

Foxtrot Unit 1 Commander Sanders (SCP: Nine-Tailed Fox) vs. Eriko Christy (Illbleed)

Clancy Jarvis (Resident Evil 7: Banned Footage) vs. Simon Jarrett (SOMA)

Justine Florbelle (Amnesia: Justine) vs. Thomas Smith (Neverending Nightmares)

David Hoover (The Crooked Man) vs. Arthur Hastings (We Happy Few)

Round one will begin on May 1st, 2023.

105 notes · View notes

the-al-chemist · 10 months

Text

The Beginning of a Symphony - Chapter 36

A/N: the night of the ball has finally arrived, and Ophelia is determined to make the most of this opportunity.

Warnings: Ophelia’s usual antics, plus fake-dating trope gone wrong.

OCs featured/mentioned: Carolyn Nyberg, Selene Fraser, Alan the ferret and Henry Lovecraft @lifeofkaze, Bradford Pendleton, Ivy Anders, Oliver Gerard and Eliot Gerard @kc-and-co, Adelia Selwyn @thatravenpuffwitch, Marigold Sterling and Cledwyn Ironwood @that-scouse-wizard, Victoria Summer @whatwouldvalerydo, Primrose Gray @endlessly-cursed, William Devlin and Maxwell Pembroke @unfortunate-arrow, Lydia Ellis @mjs-oc-corner

May 1897

The night of the Celestial Ball had arrived at last, and it was everything Ophelia had dreamed it would be. The Great Hall had been transformed into a grand ballroom, with the tables vanished to make enough space for people to dance, and a large obelisk in the very middle. Even the enchanted ceiling appeared more star-filled than usual, as if the very sky knew that this night was going to be one where something magical might happen.

Ophelia observed the scene from one of the seats that lined the walls of the Great Hall. Carolyn, Adelia, and Marigold were all on the dancefloor; Caro with Bradford Pendleton, Adelia with Teddy Ellison, and Marigold with Lydia Ellis. All three of them looked beautiful in their dress robes, and were the very pictures of poise and grace as they danced with their suitors.

The Slytherins were not the only ones who were looking and dancing exquisitely. Hufflepuff’s Ivy Anders flashed Ophelia a wide and friendly smile as she paraded past on the arm of Maxwell Pembroke, while Gryffindor’s Oliver Gerard and Victoria Summer appeared to be saving their smiles for each other. Primrose Grey from Ravenclaw was among the best dressed, smiling as she danced with her fiancé William Devlin. Ophelia felt a pang of jealousy. It was not fair, really. Primrose’s parents had picked out a wealthy suitor for her as a child, and she did not even need one. She clearly had enough money for pretty dresses and dance lessons without one.

As for Ophelia herself, she had managed to magically alter the dress her mother had bought her for birthday so it looked brand new and far fancier and more fashionable than it was in reality. She had arranged her newly blonde hair very prettily and applied a subtle amount of Marigold’s rouge to her cheeks in order to accentuate her newly green eyes. But as of yet, no one had asked her to dance with them.

It was peculiar; she looked as close to being beautiful as she ever would, and the stage had been set perfectly for her to showcase that, but somehow, she still found herself waiting in the wings. She had so many potential leading men, but she had yet to become a leading lady. Sitting to the side of the dance floor next to the wall, she may not have even been part of the ensemble. No, she was merely a piece of the scenery.

She was trying to act as if nothing was vexing her - after all, no gentleman would want to dance with a lady who did not smile nicely - but she was finding it increasingly difficult to not show how disappointed she was by this turn of events. Still, she was able to force a smile as Carolyn approached her, Bradford at her side, the two of them having retired from the dancefloor.

“Ophelia, are you not dancing?” Caro asked her, and Ophelia shook her head. “Why, has no one yet asked you?”

“No, sadly not.”

“Now, that simply will not do. You must have a dance,” said Brady. Ophelia looked at him hopefully, but his eyes had started to scan the dancefloor. “I’m certain that we can find someone to dance with you. Let’s see… Ah, just the person. Jim, old bean!”

At the sound of his name being called out, Jim Hexley walked towards the group. When he reached them, Brady etched around to clap him on the back.

“Jim, my friend, we have a young lady who wishes to dance and has no partner to dance with, and I see that you appear to have misplaced your dance partner.”

“Oh, well, I… I have not misplaced her. That is to say, I am quite certain of where she is. Over there, look.” Jim pointed in the direction of the refreshment table, where his twin sister Ethel was drinking pumpkinade with her own dance partner, Cledwyn Ironwood. On her other side, Selene Fraser was intently listening to something that Eliot Gerard was telling her.

“I take no joy in being the man to deliver this news to you, old chap, but it would appear that there are three of you in this partnership.”

“Yes, but then that… that has been the case since the beginning of the evening.”

As Jim spoke, the small, minky-furred body of a ferret climbed up over Selene’s shoulder and came to rest there, a small bow tie tied around its neck. Brady guffawed, Jim chuckled, and even Carolyn’s lips twitched a little.

“So, what do you say, Jim?” Brady asked, once he had finished laughing. “Fancy a turn about the room with Miss Burke here?”

Jim cleared his throat before nodding his head. “Uh, yes. Of course. It would be my pleasure. An honour. I… Ophelia, would you like to dance?”

Ophelia considered the offer. Jim Hexley was not the sort of wizard she had hoped to dance with. He was a decent enough fellow, but not at all wealthy. Still, one had to start somewhere, and everyone knew that a gentleman showing interest in a woman was sure to garner the interest of other men. So, she took Jim’s proffered hand and accompanied him to the dancefloor, where the couples had just begun to dance along to the polka music being played by an unmanned orchestra.

“I am afraid that I… I am not the best dancer,” Jim apologised. “Ethel and Selene did teach me - or attempted to teach me, I should say - but their efforts, I fear, have been in vain.”

“Do you think that is why Miss Fraser has set her sights on Eliot Gerard?” Ophelia asked. Jim shook his head. His face looked somewhat saddened. “Are you upset by this snub?”

“No. Not at all,” Jim almost smiled. “Selene and I are just friends. Perhaps more like family, with how close she and my sister are.”

“Then why do you seem downhearted?”

“It is nothing. I mean, I am not. I… Well, I had wished to accompany someone else tonight. I am sorry.”

“That is very well. I had wished to accompany someone else, as well.”

“Really? Who?”

“No one in particular. Just someone of status.”

“I see,” Jim nodded slowly, frowning. “I feel that I must be a disappointment.”

“It is better than dancing with no one at all, is it not?” Ophelia asked him.

“I am not certain that I agree. I… It seems to me that the more dances one has with others, the more one misses the company of the one they truly wish to dance with.”

“Well, maybe if the one you wish to dance with sees you dancing with another, she will find herself wishing that it was her you were dancing with and miss you in return.”

Jim looked thoughtful. “That is what my sister said. But so far, Héloïse has barely looked at me.”

“Does she know that you and Selene are only friends, and that Selene has also been accompanied by her ferret?”

“I… I do believe that she does.”

“Then perhaps this is why your sister’s plan has not worked. Say, I have an idea,” said Ophelia, suddenly feeling hopeful again. “A ruse, one which will allow us to help one another. If we each appear to be enjoying the other’s company as we dance, then other wizards shall wish to dance with me, and… Héloïse, did you say? Perhaps Héloïse will take notice of you at last. What say you?”

“It is as good a plan as any, I suppose,” Jim sighed. “How… How should I act towards you.”

“You may start by smiling,” Ophelia told him, and Jim laughed quietly to himself. “See? You are doing quite well already.”

They smiled at one another as they danced, barely talking. Jim did not seem to want to talk much, seeming to be too preoccupied with counting his steps to attempt to hold a conversation. Eventually, though, he asked her:

“Is it working? The ruse?”

“I think it is, yes,” Ophelia said. She looked around her at the boys at the edges of the hall. Several were looking at her, including Henry Lovecraft, who was watching the scene with the little dark-haired, dark-eyed girl at his side. “Héloïse is looking at us.”

“She is?” Jim’s eyes brightened. He cleared his throat. “Is she… What is she doing?”

“At present she is talking with Henry Lovecraft.”

“Ah.”

“He is putting an arm around her shoulders.”

“Oh.”

“I do believe that he is attempting to comfort her,” Ophelia informed Jim, watching as Héloïse took a deep breath and blinked rapidly. “Yes, she looks quite upset.”

“What? Is she-”

“No, don’t look, you’ll ruin the ruse,” said Ophelia. “It is working, is it not?” Jim nodded, but he looked doubtful. Ophelia turned her attention back to Héloïse and Henry Lovecraft. “She is sad, but Henry is saying something to her. She is shaking her head, and has stepped away from him.”

“She has?”

“Yes, but he’s taken hold of her hand. Oh, but she’s taken her hand back. She’s taken another step away from him. She… Oh.”

“What?” Jim asked urgently. “What is she doing?”

“I do not know,” said Ophelia. “She has left. She ran that way.” She pointed in the direction of the main doors out of the hall, and Jim turned his head to look, his lips parting and his arms falling to his sides. Ophelia sighed. “You should go after her.”

“Are you… You do not mind my leaving?”

“Of course not. The ruse has served its purpose.”

Jim bowed his head to her, and she curtsied back. And with that they parted ways, their ruse over. And it had worked. For as Jim rushed out of the Great Hall, Ophelia returned to her seat by the wall with more eyes on her than ever, knowing fully well that this time, she would not remain a wallflower for long.

#the beginning of a symphony #ophelia burke #carolyn nyberg #bradford elijah pendleton iv #jim hexley #hogwarts legacy

19 notes · View notes

kc-the-writer · 3 months

Note

🧭 ♻️ 🤔 for the ask game please Mrs.

😍Mrs! 😍 thanks for waiting forever for me to answer these, I’ve enjoyed being Pendleton-Free for the week

An alternative title to your/ one of your WIP(s)?

The quote is:

Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stone:

Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so

That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone forever!

I know when one is dead, and when one lives;

She’s dead as earth.

Men of Stone is really really trying to pull me away from Dead as Earth

A scrapped idea for your current WIP

Oliver and I are not on speaking terms. He wants his slutty Lake Como adventures to be more detailed than what I’ve been willing to write. His smut isn’t scrapped… yet.

What’s a story you’d love to write but haven’t even started yet?

Awoman is recovering from a car accident: on the outside, her politician husband is supportive and working hard to crack down on the drunk driving problem. She begins to suspect her perfect marriage is in jeopardy when she finds lingerie that’s not hers in their home, her pillow smells like perfume she wanted but never splurged on. The bright red lipstick on her husband’s neck is a dead giveaway.

He’s cheating, right? Worse. She’s unaware that she’s developed a personality split after the accident. Tired of his picture perfect wife, he’s obsessed with the vixen she doesn’t know she often becomes.

6 notes · View notes

greenvalley-if · 2 years

Text

GREEN VALLEY BOARDING SCHOOL WELCOMES YOU!

Green Valley, the name of one of the most prestigious academic chains in the United Kingdom, has a secret. A very well kept secret. When you enrolled to their boarding school — or rather college, as it was only for teenagers over sixteen before they enrol in university — you were told you'd be staying at Casadia Hall with six others. You hadn't given it much thought at the time but now you're here all you hear about are the rumours surrounding the House.

That and the students' bet pool about who in your house will go missing this time.

DEMO |

RO Visuals (Picrew) | RO Visuals (Artbreeder) | RO Skin Tones |

think house of anubis meets the riot club in this dark academia mystery that may just include supernatural threats.

*descriptions subject to change

FEATURES

Play as one of the new teenage residents of Casadia Hall to make or break relations and reputation while you and your housemates investigate the sudden disappearance of one of your own. Discover who and what exactly you are as you strive to keep yourself and the people you live with alive until graduation.

Oh! and there's a cat too. [ His name is Mister ]

Customise Your:

Gender (All Genders including choose-your-own-pronouns)

Sexuality (Including AroAce option)

Build (XXS—XXL including muscle and height variations)

Skin Tone and Hair Texture

Fashion Style and Aids (e.g. glasses or hearing aids)

Nickname (what you're called)

Personality Perimeters (including introverted/extroverted/ambiverted tailored dialogue styles)

British History (which part of the UK are you from?)

Previous Injuries (that may affect certain challenges)

School Life (including how you chose Green Valley, if you got in with a scholarship and how engaged you are in class)

Active Academics (including a preference for class subjects and the option for choosing subjects for advanced qualifications)

Supernatural Quirk (what has happened to you while you sleep?)

Strengthen or Neglect your House relationships, which could make or break co-operation!

Romance one of six romantic options including two polyamorous routes:

the fun-loving trickster (jj)

the softie with secrets (dakota)

the charming gothic practicing witch (petra)

the coolest one here (echo)

the rebel with a golden heart (lyric)

the bookworm you don't want to cross (alfie)

the surprisingly intimidating ones (jj and alfie)

the trio that garners everyone's jealousy (petra and echo)

...Or don't! (aroace route!)

Make an amazing new friend group to support and be supported as you make your way through school while trying to figure out the huge mystery that surrounds your house and the series of connected disappearances that have happened there!

ROMANCE OPTIONS

Alfie Redding [ 16 — M — Bisexual ] — as a bookworm with a kind smile and a terrifying glare, Alfie is the only person you 'know' before attending Green Valley, having been in the same secondary school. Not that the two of you were particularly close but perhaps his bright mind and striking wit is just what you need to solve this mystery.

[ English ] tall and willowy, extremely pale skin that burns easily, short bright ginger hair (2b) in a perpetual state of bed-head, olive green round eyes, aquiline nose with a high nose bridge and a straight base, lots of freckles, freckles everywhere in varying shapes and tones — they tend to come out more after he's been in the sun... as long as he's not burnt a bright red, thin lips but a wide mouth — a small pink scar on the left side of his top lip, deep dimples when he uses his mouth to form expressions. [ 6'0" ]

JJ Pendleton [ 17 — M — Pansexual ] — JJ is the one most people see either running away from a crime prank scene or the one sat outside the headmaster's office with a grin the size of England. He's funny, intriguing and easy to befriend however, he's hard to stick with, and often leads to trouble. Maybe that's why he's the one who most people are betting their money on, whether it's to disappear or prevail though, who knows?

[ Irish ] tall, athletic build, rosy warm tanned skin tone, bubblegum pink dyed hair (1c) — naturally dark brown — that's longer on top than on the sides and is usually styled up and out of his face, cat-like cornflower blue almond shaped eyes covered with large round glasses — currently sporting a pair of silver frames, a light smattering of freckles over the bridge of his romanesque nose with a bump on the bridge — it helps keep his glasses on his face, bow-shaped lips with a thinner upper lip — if you look closely there is a scar where a medusa piercing has been healed over, shallow dimples that only appear when he grins widely. [ 6'1" ]

Petra Molina [ 17 — F — Pansexual ] — as one of the only Non-British people at Green Valley, Petra brings a lot of intrigue and gossip wherever she goes — both the positive and negative kinds due to her appearance and life-style. Outwardly she never seems fazes by the whispers gathering in her shadow and she tends to keep to herself but she's a deeply passionate person as well as a loyal and protective friend, one that builds an almost perfect support system no matter what you'll go through.

[ Polish-Canadian ] small, petite frame — not much muscle and not a lot of fat, cool beige skin tone — often seen with rosy cheeks despite the weather of what she's feeling and wearing the colour black as clothing or makeup doesn't seem to wash her out paler, waist-length chestnut brown wavy hair (2c) that is usually left down and wind-swept in style with a choppy fringe that falls in a middle parting, down-turned hooded eyes, small snub nose, narrow lips with a straight cupid's bow and undefined philtrum, a singular beauty spot of the right side of her chin. [ 4'11" ]

Dakota Green [ 16 — F/M — Demi-sexual ] — the person who's friendly with everyone but the one no-one seems to know anything about. Not much is known about Dakota except the vast rumours that surround them and their family name — the biggest one being that the Green family are one of the founding families of the Green Valley Academic Chain. They have power and connections and might just be the key to figuring out the darker secrets surrounding Casadia Hall, you'd just have to get close enough for their walls to crumble.

[ Black-British ] average build — not particularly thin but not plump either, rich brown skin tone, shoulder-length white freshly bleach-dyed afro (4b) usually styled in two low puffs (F) or in a natural afro (M), black thin and shaped eyebrows, dark brown downturned protruding eyes — a faint scar running through the left eye the colour is so similar to their skin tone most people don't notice it at a glance, flat bridged nubian shaped nose, heart shaped full lips — upper lip thins out when they smile, a small and hard to differentiate beauty spot under the left side of their lips. [ 5'5" / 5'8" ]

Echo Edwards [ 16 — F/M/NB — Bisexual ] — Echo is the person most people wish they could be: the one most people are too scared to be. They're cool, calm and collected which a natural charm and a never-ending well of sage and though-provoking advice. They're the type of person people can't seem to insult, no matter how hard they try and the type of person who's smooth words could potentially get them, you and your house out of the worst types of trouble. However, is this worth their time? Or would their effort be better placed on keeping it out of mystery?

[ Thai-Welsh ] "attractively androgynous" average build — no particular curvature, fat or muscle however they have more muscle than they let on, rich sienna skin tone, dark dyed purple-almost-black (naturally dark brown) chest-length hair (1b) often styled tied up in some way — most commonly tied up in twin twisted space buns, dark brown straight medium-thick eyebrows, wide set monolided hazel-brown eyes, singular beauty mark directly under the outside corner of their right eye, short button nose with a stud piercing on right side, oval shaped lips with a fuller upper lip, straight shaped cupid's bow and defined vermillion boarder, one dimple on the left side that only appears when they smile. [ 5'7" ]

Lyric Bronwin [ 16 — NB — Non-Sex-Repulsed-Asexual, Pan-romantic ] — as someone who has never liked to be kept caged, Lyric lets their rebellious nature shine through in everything they do. They're outspoke and quick to defend what they believe in — due to excellent debate skills and some tough times in a couple of foster homes. They're good at finding loopholes and giving a change of perspective, which is especially useful when you start to get tunnel-visioned and stuck on a problem. It's hard to say no to them but that doesn't mean they're easy to like — what would be for the best?

[ Japanese ] lithe "unathletic with a fast metabolism" build, fair fawn skin tone, jaw length jet black hair (1a) often styles outwards under a beanie making their hair look shorter, thick yet shaped black eyebrows, double-lidded chocolate brown upturned asian eyes, narrow, straight nose with a high nose bridge — hooped septum piercing, small mouth and small lips, short and well-maintained thin moustache — to "confuse the prejudiced". [ 5'9" ]

OTHER CHARACTERS OF IMPORTANCE

Melinda Khan, Head Master [ 47 — F ] — the current headmaster of Green Valley Connection and Boarding School, London. Her smile is serene when it isn't sharp and her presence is calm and kind when it isn't rigid and intimidating. It's hard to get a read on her and it's even harder to keep secrets from her. They only questions left are — what does she know and who's side is she on?

Geoffrey Davies, Grounds Keeper [ 52 — M ] — stand-offish and not really in a good way, he's quiet and broody and isn't afraid of 'powerful people'. He's quite the mystery as the only thing people really know of the man is his love for gardening, unfortunately he's terrifying to talk to with a pair of hedge sheers in his hands.

Noaki Bushby, House Keeper [ 39 — NB ] — in charge of looking after the house rather than its inhabitants, Naoki is as kind as they are awkward and it's blatantly obvious they're much more suited to house keeper. They have background in architecture and home decoration making them incredibly suited to the job but they're kind of scary when you can hear them coming.

Archie Novak, House Mother [ 40 — M ] — takes on the role of 'mother' with pride. He has a degree in psychology and his previous job was working in a day care facility. Archie is loving and nurturing and is a warm and welcoming presence at Casadia Hall.

Mister, House Cat [ 3+ — M ] — Ragdoll, white body with a fully chocolate brown face. No one can recall where he came from, just that his name is Mister and he's been at Casadia Hall for three years.

#interactive fiction #green valley if #greenvalleyif #choose your own adventure #cyoa #interactive novel #choicescript

162 notes · View notes