✥ 𝕾𝖊𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝕽𝖊𝖉𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖗 𝕸𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖗 ✥ open

[amithethird]

________________________

⁂ Anthony August Holmwood
⁂ the butler
⁂ male - 26 - questioning
⁂ location: on the move (manor)
⁂ tagged: will, cynthia
________________________

He'd half expected only a nod or a grunt from Will in response. He'd hardly spoken a word since they got here, and even since this morning he'd been terribly quiet. August used to dread moments like this, back when he first came to the manor. Back then, he found Will impossible to read, and save for the deadly cold undercurrent of anger, there was no telling what was going through his head. It used to make him uneasy. Not so much anymore. It wasn't, necessarily, that Will had become easier to read - he was still perfectly capable of hiding when he wanted to. Rather, it was that August had learned not to worry about it. He'd learned to trust that whatever Will was thinking - whatever he really wanted to do - he wouldn't do anything rash without at least giving some kind of warning, whether he meant to or not. Yes, Will was practiced in concealing his thoughts and feelings behind his stiff body language and neutral, glaring expression...but he couldn't hide everything. Not from him. The past four years were certainly proof of that.

"You really thought I hadn't noticed?" he'd asked one day, doing his best to act as casual as ever, even though they both knew he was drifting into dangerous territory, sticking his nose into Will's new "business" when it was obvious he'd been deliberately kept in the dark (as if such a thing would have been possible,) "Or did you think that gun of yours cleaned itself?"

"Knowing her it might be just the family and a few selected people," Will said, bringing August out of his own thoughts, "I want you there."

He said it with such finality, and August couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised. Then he felt foolish for thinking that. It really wasn't that odd of a request given their shared experiences, but even so, his first instinct was always to downplay any rapport he'd built with his boss. Sometimes, like now, it felt silly to do so, but he always reasoned it was better than letting himself get too...familiar.

Focus.

"As you like," he said, his soft voice standing in warm contrast to Will's iciness.

"Remind me to have a talk with my mother later tonight after the reading of the Will. I have some personal, issues, I need to discuss with her."

August simply nodded.

Yes, I imagine you do.

Will would probably have to have a talk with everyone in his family at some point. Judging by how he eyed Cora, August was sure such conversations would be tense at best, explosive at worst. Speaking of conversations...

Cynthia wasted no time in gathering everyone back together in the parlor and laying out the plan for the rest of the evening. As she wrapped up her brief speech and made her way back into the crowd, he briefly wondered whether or not the other servants needed any help getting refreshments out to the guests. He didn't have longer than a few seconds to entertain the thought, however, as it seemed Cynthia was headed their way next.

Well, this should be fun.

_______________________

✒ Percival Erasmus Sawyer
✒ the fiancé
✒ male - 21 - gray-aro/ace?
✒ location: front entrance
✒ tagged: evie
_______________________

"It's.. I, um, I didn't think you were.. coming back," was the first thing Evie had to say to him.

Ouch. He couldn't blame her, though. If he were in the same position, he might have thought the same thing. Even so, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Was it really so easy to give up on him? Was he really that flighty? The little voice in the back of his head started to pipe up again with an answer, but he hushed it.

Don't you start.

He listened as she deflected the attention off herself, insisting she would be ok even as her eyes began to water again. He had half a mind to press her, ask if she was sure, ask if she needed anything, but that thought immediately choked and fizzled out when her next question came.

"Were you okay.. at least?"

He paused as the last of the crowd parted around them and disappeared inside, leaving them alone in the open door way. For a moment all he could hear was the gentle drumming of the rain against the front steps, which rapidly turned to static in his head. Ok. Had he been ok? No, no of course he hadn't been ok. The past two years were some of the worst in his life - no, the worst in his life. He'd never been that scared for so long, and he was always scared of something. Where would he even start? Should he start with the "friends" who threw him under the wheels in the first place? With being threatened at gunpoint by criminals in his own apartment? What about the time spent hiding in London, arguing with himself for months on the merits of actually returning home?

I...I can't tell her any of this. I can't. Not today. I've upset her enough.

"Well..." he started, almost immediately chickening out. He glanced away from her and took off his glasses, wiping water off them on the hem of his equally soaked jacket, just so he wouldn't have to look her in the eye. He didn't want to lie to her either, but...well the alternative was definitely worse, so... "It's, uh...it's sort of complicated, but, um...yes. I-I'm fine."

He took a breath and put his glasses back on, eager to chance the subject. He glanced through the still-open front door and realized everyone had more or less disappeared.

"Oh, um, we should probably catch up. Your family is probably looking for you."

[razzberry]

⟣ — — 𝐇𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐑

the middle child ∾ 24 years ∾ female ∾ single | hetero. ∾ location: the manor ∾ mentions: cynthia, the family ∾ tags:--

The gloom that settled over the land seemed fitting for the situation and quite deserving for the man that everyone had gathered for. She didn't think her father deserved the warmth of the sunshine on this day and although she had never been one to speak ill of the dead, figured she was allowed a pass at this specific occasion. The mass of people that had been at the ceremony was astounding to her even though it shouldn't have been since if she had to guess, many weren't there out of the kindness of their own hearts. Lord knows she wasn't. It wasn't certain what exactly the brunette's motive was for returning to her childhood home but it certainly had nothing to do with her father's death. That's what she told herself anyways. Deep down Hazel sort of knew that she wanted to be here on this day, the day her father was put into the ground. To be able to finally look down on him as he had done her all her life until she left the family, to look down on him and know that the source, the origin of all her self-doubt, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness had been rid from the world indefinitely.

When she had arrived the day before for the service she remained out of sight, watching from the back with little intention of immersing herself with her family just yet. She wanted to savour that moment, the sight of her father's coffin and the hole that she would have happily pushed his corpse into if given the opportunity. She'd caught glimpses of her siblings who stood near the front of the crowd and acknowledged how much her two younger siblings had grown into young adults now, no longer the teenagers she recalled them as. It had been seven years of her absence and she had to admit that it was good to see their faces. As for her two elder siblings she despised them just about as much as her mother and father. They had been there, witnessed all the times Enoch had lashed at her, berated her for her difference of personality and degraded her both in private and out in public, and they hadn't done a thing. Not a damn thing. For all she was concerned the sooner they joined their father the better.

Hazel stood just outside the front doors of the manor with her gaze fixed intensely on the handle of the door though no immediate movements were made to enter. Nothing could mentally prepare the woman for what would come after entering and she knew she had to accept that bitter pill. Her eyes casted downward at the same time her hand dug into the pocket of the suede jacket that she had borrowed from one of the women she considered to be her closest friends and pulled out the off-white envelope that held the letter inside. Her brows furrowed as her mind swam with an abundance of thoughts before she shoved it back into the depths of the pocket and swiftly opened the door in one fluid motion.

After she had shed her jacket and hung it up her body moved towards the parlour where everyone from the previous day were mingling in. It seemed she had arrive just in time to hear one of her mother's speeches that was surely more for show than anything else. Then came the blatant dabbing of her tears that had Hazel scoffing under her breath, earning her a pointed look from a man standing against the wall nearest to her. An angled brow raised before she dismissed the man entirely, eyes roaming around the room before she decided a little help was in order to get through this evening. Pushing off the wall the svelte brunette headed towards where she remembered the wine was stored, pulling a glass from the cabinet and popping the cork off a tantalizing bottle of red wine that had come to be one of her favourites. She lifted the crystal glass to her lips and took a sip, her body visibly relaxing while her eyes closed in satisfaction. 'You never do disappoint' she hummed to herself as she propped her behind against the edge of the sleek table.

⟣ — — 𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐒𝐑𝐈𝐂

the maid ∾ 23 years ∾ female ∾ single | hetero. ∾ location: manor ∾ mentions: cynthia, the guests ∾ tags:--

That morning she had taken special care to make herself presentable, well as presentable as a maid could be, for the guests that would be arriving at the manor. She, along with the other servants of the Redbriar manor, had been busy with cleaning and preparations for the gathering that would occur later on. Crowds would usually have her on edge but since her employment at the manor she had gradually become at ease around other people, though being touched by men in particular was still a red zone. She had only just finished making Lady Redbriar's bed when she heard the unmistakable voices of people downstairs. Putting the finishing touches on the supple duvet that covered Cynthia's mattress, Ellery turned to head downstairs when she caught her reflection in the mirror in the Lady's bedroom. Rather than her face that caught her attention it was the jagged, translucent scar that peeked out from the collar of her uniform that had her stomach twisting. A gentle hand rose to her neck and her fingers touched the soft skin while memories of the night the scar became etched into her skin replayed in her mind.

She had become used to scars now since her body was littered with them from her abusive marriage but that particular one, the one that ran along the side of her neck and across the top of her left shoulder, was a reminder that she should be dead by now. Not wanting to dwell on the horrid thoughts any longer, the blonde maid hurried out of the room while fixing the collar of her dress to cover the scar. Ellery descended the stairs quietly and peeked into the parlour from across the hall, after all there was really no reason for a maid to be among the guests for an occasion like this. Given that she had been eternally grateful for Enoch and his wife for taking her in under the circumstances that were, she was fine paying her respects to the deceased head of the house from afar.

She listened as Cynthia spoke before the gathered guests and once she was finished, watched her make way for a rather tall man who she recognized from family portraits throughout the house. Elle also recalled listening to Cynthia gush about her beloved eldest son and so the blonde assumed that was who the young man was, simply by the fond look that crossed the mother's face. While the guests returned to their own conversations, Ellery found herself without anything to do which was the last thing she wanted. So, picking up a broom that leaned in a corner nearby, began to sweep the front entrance of the manor now that all of the guests had arrived.

[ethereal .]

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄
the rival ✰ twenty-four ✰ tagged; open ✰ mentioned; percy, genevieve, hazel

mother nature was known for putting her nose in other peoples' business, much like most of the guests gathered around the hole dug six feet deep. even now, as they were nearing closer to the very end of summer, there was doom and gloom all around them. a light rain had dampened the tops of sterling's shoulder in the short time he'd been outside, though he couldn't say he was surprised. england's weather had never bothered him that much, he found the chill in the air to be quite comforting compared to the hot sticky feeling that came along with the summer sun. that was just about as uncomfortable as the fiasco he'd witnessed that morning.

on any other occasion, sterling was sure he would've stuck out like a sore thumb considering he'd never actually properly acquainted himself with the redbriar family. instead, he blended in with the rest of the vultures dressed in black, waiting ever so patiently. the only difference between him and them was he hadn't come here expecting anything. no, he was here for one reason and one reason only. percy. just the thought drew him to connect his eyes with the back of the other man's head for what felt like the millionth time already. it'd been a while since he'd come face to face with him and he'd be lying if he said it didn't send a chill down his spine, one not from the cold. percy recklessly, but understandably, threw himself back into the lion's den and sterling just wanted to make sure he was safe. it seemed as though he'd been doing that a lot, watching out for this man more than he did himself. he couldn't help it though. if he didn't do it who else would?

sighing softly, he turned his head up towards the dismal sky and let a few droplets catch on his face. maybe the rain would be mistaken for tears and he'd blend in more. it wasn't likely, but points could be awarded for trying. the second the ceremony was over sterling turned on his heels and made his way towards the family home along with everyone else. he'd only seen the home in person once before, more of a passing glance really, but he felt as though it was a view he'd never get used to. glancing up again as he neared closer, he really took in the structure. he was sure he looked a bit odd to the few family members passing by him to get inside, but he didn't wish to go inside just yet. despite the inviting color of the house it felt everything but..that was the case with most homes this large though wasn't it? it certainly matched the mood for the day with just a touch of eeriness.

it wasn't until he heard the soft voice of an old friend approaching that he looked back for a split second, but his attention was on someone else. so, this must be the fiancé he'd gone on about. sterling couldn't help but do a small once over before he walked inside to give them some privacy. he didn't hate the woman, he really didn't. he had no real reason to, but jealousy can paint someone in a different light all on its own. how desperately he wanted to huff and puff, to feel sorry for himself, but he refused in that moment. that's not why he was here and he needed to pull himself together if he was going to make it through this. he focused more on picking out the other family members, which didn't take long. the widow, he presumed, was already reaching the tail end of her..lovely speech. there was enough silence in the room for him to pick up on a quiet scoff coming from one of the women in the room, causing him to raise his brow a bit. he didn't blame her really, he wanted to do the same thing and he didn't even know them.

𝐉𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐓
the servants' child ✰ twenty ✰ tagged; none ✰ mentioned; none

---

[querencia]

. 𝘎𝘌𝘕𝘌𝘝𝘐𝘌𝘝𝘌 𝘙𝘌𝘋𝘉𝘙𝘐𝘈𝘙 .
──────────────────────────────────────────────
. youngest daughter . 20 . questioning/pan . location: front entrance . tagged: Percy .

Evie paused at his answer and instinctively bit the inside of her cheek. She understood the act of deflection all too well, she did it herself more times than she could remember, it was second nature by this point. But Percy's response.. she'd hoped it would settle her nerves somewhat but it did not make her feel any better, rather the opposite. She truly had not expected much of a response, she knew it was not her place to ask for details and she'd expected a very general response, but it only added to the ever-present feeling of anxiety and dread she'd had since setting foot on the estate.

Complicated. fine. Not just a neutral 'okay.' Evie had just hoped he'd disappeared for himself, or to escape the marriage agreement, which was reasonable in Evie's eyes. On her best days, she'd hope he was somewhere making art in some tropical location. But the response.. it felt like the opposite and the way he avoided her eyes did not help settle her nerves about anything one bit.

Evie glanced into the manor when prompted, she could hear voices getting quieter from further in and she knew she had to go, but she dreaded actually entering the estate. It had been months since Evie had set foot in there and the act of going in felt suffocating, even more so than when she was a child. It made her feel like a child again, and that was not a good thing. Outside the situation was awkward, but at least it didn't have to do with her dead father. But she was a Redbriar,

"That's.. good then, I'm glad." Evie finally spoke, she didn't believe her own words and wondered if it was obvious, she'd never been a good liar despite how much it would have helped her get out of situations when she was younger. "You're probably right.. we should head in, this is a.. situation we should be present at" Evie gave him a tense, sad smile, going inside felt like the actual funeral all over again, then she turned to head in, "I'll.. catch up with you later?"

[kalo.]

( ♚ ) ────────────── 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐑
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl( eldest sibling ) ( tags; august, cynthia ) ( mentions; coraline ) ( location; rebriar manor ) ( wc; shh )

x
indentWill kept his gaze across the room, catching the eyes of a few people. They were quick to lower their gaze, unsure of how to react. He let out a sneer before perking up when August had spoken up. It was simple, simplier than he was used to hearing from the butler, but in the context he understood it. They were in public. Not alone. August had to uphold his reputation with Will, that he was just a butler. The family image was important. Even if Will didn't enjoy most of his families presence, he did it for everyone else. Did he enjoy it? No. With a sigh he lifted his gaze to look up and see his mother walking towards him. He instantly felt himself straighten up and brush some imaginary dust off of his black shirt.

indentSeeing his mother again was something that made this trip worthwhile [and also seeing his father lowered into the ground but that wasn't the point]. He let out a soft smile, trying to play with the act of a 'grieving child', before glancing around the room. "Afternoon mother." Will opened his mouth to speak more, but no words came out. He abruptly shut his mouth before placing his hand on his mother's shoulder and squeezing it softly. "I believe we have somethings to discuss. Whenever you find the time." Removing his hand Will let it find it's way comfortably into his pocket. Relaxing his posture and casting his eyes down. Giving him a somber look. Almost sinister if the lighting was darker. The rain outside starting to hammer on the windows in the room. Will let out a grumble. He always hated the rain. It felt like it always rained whenever he was visiting the house. He used to blame his father. But, well, now, he was gone.

indentHe swiftly cleared his throat before moving his gaze to look around the room. There were so many people here that he didn't even recognize. It's been years since he has last been here. People he didn't even know where giving him their sorrows and telling him how strong he must have been for not shedding a tear. It infuriated him. What right did they have to tell him how he should feel? How strong he was? He let out a grumble before running his hands through his gelled hair.

[amithethird]

________________________

⁂ Anthony August Holmwood
⁂ the butler
⁂ male - 26 - questioning
⁂ location: parlor
⁂ tagged: will, cynthia, hazel
________________________

A quiet scoff coming off the end of Cynthia's speech briefly drew August's attention as Mrs. Redbriar started heading their way. He glanced towards the back of the room and noticed a woman uncorking a bottle of wine from one of the cabinets. At first he didn't recognize her, but after a moment, it clicked.

God, is that really Hazel?

It had been six years since he last saw the Redbriar's middle-est child, but given that she wasn't dressed like a servant and knew exactly where to find the booze, it couldn't be anyone else. Frankly, he was surprised she showed up. He hadn't exactly been privy to all the drama surrounding her departure, but he knew enough to know that she never got along with her father. Maybe she came for the same reason Will had: to watch the gravediggers finally throw dirt over the old man. Whatever she'd been up to in the years she'd been gone, he could only guess. She certainly didn't look like she came from a wealthy family, though maybe that was the point.

He turned his attention back to the matter at hand. As other guests meandered by, offering brief condolences to both the widow and her son, he couldn't help but watch their body language with a quiet but keen eye. Watching out for people who might be hiding something or who might be trouble had just become habit the past several years, and he silently scolded himself for being suspicious. Not that any of these people weren't capable of getting into trouble or wishing ill on the Redbriars, but he doubted any of those ill wishes would come in the form of bullets. Frankly, he should be enjoying this opportunity to relax his guard.

_______________________

✒ Percival Erasmus Sawyer
✒ the fiancé
✒ male - 21 - gray-aro/ace?
✒ location: parlor
✒ tagged: evie, sterling
_______________________

Percy mirrored Evie's humorless smile. A "situation" huh. Yes, he supposed this qualified. Reading the will was next, right? That would be interesting. Everything always was with the Redbriars. But for Evie's sake, he hoped it wouldn't be too hectic. Maybe for once they'd all put aside their differences and settle down to get just this one thing taken care of. Maybe.

"I'll...catch up with you later?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll be here," he said, then made a little more effort at a smile, "I promise I won't run off again."

Then he grimaced slightly, painfully aware of how not-funny that was. His mother always told him that one of these days he would have to actually think about his words before he said them out loud, but clearly today was not one of those days. That was a shame. Today, of all days, would have been an excellent starting point.

It was almost something of a relief when Evie finally went inside.

Percy took a deep breath. Alright then. Well, at least the most awkward of the pleasantries were done with now. Hopefully. He wasn't sure he could handle any more anxiety. He straightened his jacket, running his hand through his hair to shake free the worst of the rain, and then walked inside the manor house.

Inside the parlor, it was clear he'd just missed some sort of announcement from the lady of the house. He hoped it wasn't too terribly important. As he hovered in the doorway, his eyes swept over the crowd, wondering what he should even be doing right now. He should probably talk to someone so as not to be rude or awkward. Problem was, he didn't know any of these people very well. Then his eyes landed on Sterling.

He had to do a double-take before he was sure he hadn't just attributed some other man's face to that of his...friend's? Could he call Sterling a friend? Their relationship wasn't exactly the kind of thing you'd expect from friends, even if they were on good terms. When was the last time he'd seen him? And what was he doing here? That was the real question. Had he known Enoch? Surely not. That would be too strange of a coincidence. He glanced at the other guests, wondering if he knew one of them, but no one else seemed to be paying him any mind. Finally he stopped spinning his wheels and walked over to him.

"Sterling? Wha-?" He paused and cleared his throat as he realized he had no idea what to say. "W-what are you doing here? I didn't think...?"

I didn't think you had a reason to be.