2019-12-04 - What Goes Around

Hyacinth has had a sub-optimal week. Really she just should have shot the old bag when she had the chance. Well too late, or iiiiis it?

Regardless Margaret's position has been made quite clear: She has money and power and very little in the way of good taste. This hasn't stopped Hyacinth from going to work nor pouring herself into her craft though there are a few more things being overruled than she's used to. Disconcerting. Still there are things here that she's been sorting though and called Byron about advising him to come retrieve whilst available.

Looking to Vyv she gives him that look. She might burn the building with her mind which might be why the powers that be sought to deny her such felicity

Vyv remains entirely, if reasonably quietly because it's unwise to broadcast such things, of course, on board with the shooting-the-old-bag plan, though given rumour perhaps that needs to take a backseat to deal-with-the-will first. Alas, neither of these are on today's menu, and nor is burning the place down, or at least not with the power of either of their minds. Not without strong assistance from the power of their hands.

"This one isn't bad," he says, leaning lightly against the table and giving a critical look to one of the several items still being sorted through. "Pleasantly art deco." Probably ought not suffer for its unfortunate timing, he doesn't say. Currently. Instead, he offers it over.

Ever since Hyacinth brought it up at the funeral, Byron was intrigued about what she might have in her possession that would have anything to do with his father, or at the very least, the Thorne family. So when time permits, despite some of the chaos in his persona life currently, he shows up at the ever esteemed Addington House in the business attire that one would expect from him. There are rumors going around about certain Addingtons being written out of Margaret Addington's will, so that piques his curiosity even more.

"Thanks for meeting with me, Hyacinth." He says, his gaze lifted to view the interior decor at first, before idly roaming over pieces of Addington history that looks to be sorted out at the moment. "Are you switching up what is being put on display?"

Hyacinth warms a smile to Byron and shakes her head, "I actualyl stay rather hands off with what the current curator puts on display. While I can talk about it at length-" A polished nail swings to point to her cousin with a wry smile, "And I sooooo the decision's not mine. " In the wake of all dust settling and not knowing quite where she stands? he confidence is shaken but undeterred when she speaks. The carefree rule of the parquet wood floor she's standing on is not so absolute as she could and invites both gentlemen to follow her back to what is a very small office but fantastically well kept. On the desk is what looks like a large hatbox; slightly crumpled and tied with a thin cotton string. her fingers pluck and pull the string to carefully open it with some reverence for preservation, though she's careful not to touch the garment within.

She steps aside, fingers resting on the desk as Byron and Vyv make themselves situated in the room. Inside the box in an aged ivory is a much older garment Perhaps 1910's or maybe their math and estimations are off entirely. (https://imgur.com/a/GcF9v2M) What interest this is to Byron? She watches him for a moment curious as anything with those sharp green eyes watching. "This belonged to your great-great aunt Claire. She... wore it when she married Robert Addington, the elder. Your great-great aunt is Margaret's mother. But this.... this is from when the Thorne family became Addington family."

There is a long silence and there's a curious pause to her words. She's had feelings lately but has neither the experience nor knowledge of what to do with them precisely so she waits for it to pass. "In case everything gets lost I thought since it's property of Thorne you might.." Another pause and a hope holds for Byron to maybe do all the math on his own, "If you hold onto it you an see... what was there. That day. The wedding was... interesting to witness. Either way I wanted you to have the opportunity to understand and know I...suppose."

It's not often that he, or any other guests, get to see this part of the museum, so Byron takes this little journey into the Addington family archives is something he finds rather interesting. Following behind Hyacinth, his eyes look for anything of interest, though with the hat box being put on full display resting at the center of that table, it makes sense that it would catch his attention. He wasn't even sure if this box had anything to do with him or was set there by someone else for any number of purposes, but once Hyacinth carefully undoes the string around it, so that they slide off to the sides, he watches it all with curious anticipation.

There's a moment where his gaze lifts to Hyacinth with an inquisitive arch of his brow. She can more than tell that he's about to ask what it is and what relevance it had for him, but she goes on to explain things without him needing to do so. Then Claire's name is mentioned, his own ties to the Addington family only coming to his attention through Alexander Clayton a few months back. "I-- I see." His hands rest on the box as he peers inside of it to the garment. There's a look of uncertainty on his face, when he asks, "Am I allowed to touch it?" Who knows how delicate and fragile the thing is, being quite the antique.

He then blinks at something which she says, meeting her gaze when she looks his way. "You... you read it?" It's not the first thing that would've come to his mind. No, that first thing is what he says next, "I wouldn't know what to do with this. How to care for it without keeping it locked up in a security box somewhere." His penthouse was no museum. Another look is given the garment, one of the few things left behind by Claire Addington nee Thorne. With a heavy brow, he asks, "You weren't given permission to give this to me were you?"

Vyv strolls along with the pair as if he were an integral part of these proceedings, and not just mostly inquisitive. Once in the little office, he settles with nonchalant elegance into one of the chairs. He does not, however, even attempt to hide his interest in what's being revealed and exchanged, and leans forward a bit as the hatbox is untied, to see what's within. The dress gets a slight quirk of one brow. "Fetching, but I suspect it's going to need some tailoring to suit him," he murmurs, gaze flicking to Byron, possibly to measure him up for dress-fitting, but more likely to see his reaction to what he's being presented with.

Interesting to witness. The chef's brows lift a bit again, both of them this time. "Are your hands clean?" he replies to Byron's question, not directed to him though it is. "It doesn't hurt it any to read it, does it?" He's fairly certain it doesn't, but that's an ability that's rather new to him, and he hasn't really had many chances to practice it yet. And this one is interesting, Hya says. He gives the thing a distinctly contemplative look, just short of simply reaching out to try it, an impression perhaps bolstered by, "Well, there is that thing they say about permission v. forgiveness, either way. It's your family tree too -- if I were you, I'd at least shake the branches a bit. Who knows what might fall out?"

Vyv's retort gets a flicker of a smile to summon on her for but a moment. Byron's question, nee remark, has her straightening her spine just a bit. Some people get defensive, and some people are all fight and no flight. This person is Hyacinth who casually answers, "For matters of the Historic Preservation Society I felt it important to check the veracity of ownership." SUUUUUURE she did! Rolling her hads to palm up one arm extends in a gentle gesture toward the door they came though and right, "There's a water closet to wash your hands with there." Vyv did have a good point in that though perhaps she trusts this group to understand this second nature.

"The answers are yours, Byron. Though technically you are not... an Addington by this at all. And I think that is a very good thing, but as a descendant of the Thorne that is? Well you'd still be family and I think technically a... " Her eyes squint and she does the math up quick, "Fourth cousin? This is the part I'm rubbish with so." Yes she just said rubbish. She's definitely been hanging out with the pastry chef for over long. "So in theory the Addingtons are a branch of the Thorne family from this context, and not the other way around. but I like you so I wanted... you to know you're still fairly insulated from damages there I suppose." If that's even a thing in Gray Harbor. Her expression shifts back to that of a technical analysis.

A pause later and there's the briefest look of something considering, to appreciate or have a small bit of empathy for the woman. "She doesn't seem... overjoyed about it and now I'm curious if this was for some business arrangement of if one of the families were in trouble. " She holds up a hand and says in whiplash defense of... no not her, Byron. "This is not a judgement on you. I mean this purely in a historic context."

Hey, there's a few people in this city she will violently and aggressively defend the dignity of.

Byron doesn't seem overly offended that Hyacinth had the article of clothing read, but there is some wariness in his eyes on what he'd seen. Then again, though he's a mentalist himself, he holds a great distrust towards other mentalists. He does look a tad more offended by the fact that he believes that Vyv is insinuating that he has dirty hands! He will, however, take out a handkerchief from within his coat pocket to carefully wipe his hands with.

"I mean, I don't mind so much. It makes me wonder if the curators in the museum, or the museum's archivists actually do readings on each and every piece just for that sake-- or to get a better picture of the world at that time." The handkerchief is returned into his pocket when he tentatively reaches into the box to gather up the long, white dress with care. He's exploring the fabric, the little details and the like. When the fourth cousin thing is mentioned, he just has to laugh, "At a certain point, I think most people stop counting what cousin you really are. So your guess is better than mine." There's this pause, eyes lifting to flicker in Hyacinth's direction, "I wonder what sort of response you'd get if you ever said that: That the Addington's were part of the Thorne family's branch. Even if it's true." A pause, "Damages? Are you talking Margaret Addington? As I'm not an Addington proper, I'm sure she has no--" His lips quirk into this knowing smile a bit, "I'd be a fool to think that I'd be completely out of her grasp, because she /is/ Margaret Addington, but!" He adds emphasis, "I'm sure I'm very low on her radar for the moment."

He's considering whether he should read it right then and there or do so in the privacy of his own abode. This contemplative look in his eyes may hint at these thoughts racing within his mind. "That doesn't surprise me. Back in the day, from what I've read anyway, marriages were something that often tied families together, for business alliances and things of that nature. I didn't think that they were usually blissful and happy affairs, unlike the freedoms that we have now." And for a while now.

Vyv glances at Hyacinth and her casual answer with a little smile that exists almost solely around the eyes before Byron's movements draw his attention back. He looks faintly amused at the handkerchief use, which doesn't make it much clearer whether he was insinuating that, or whether he'd assumed they would be and it was a joke. Some times it's just really damn hard to tell. He does watch the dress carefully when it's extracted, still looking a bit intrigued, which probably means he's considerably intrigued. He still keeps his hands (and mind) to himself, however.

"Mm. I don't know, she does a rather impressive demonstration of 'grasping' from where I sit," he says idly, fingertips tapping silently against the arm of his chair. "But yes. The whole love-match marriage thing is a fairly recent development, as these things go. Even now there's definitely... opinions on what's a properly appropriate match. We just prefer not to say it out loud, and pretend none of the rest matters anymore. At least until someone chooses wrongly." He's still watching Byron and the dress, head slightly cocked, and one corner of his mouth twitches up slightly. "But of course our current frequency of blissful and happy unions quite proves that as the great bards said, love is all you need."

Hyacinth lifts her eyes to Vyv, then Byron and back keeping any emotion on her face in reserve. Looking around her manicured fingers curl in resisting the urge to null the room; her will imperial and at times dangerous. For the greater good or no all present know they play a dangerous game with or against Margaret Addington. Drawing a deep breath she informs, "I don't know what in particular you may garnish or wish to hold onto. If you wish to return it after you may. all I ask is you let me know where it is so I don't have to look around for it if I have inquiry" She pauses and shakes her head, "I don't know that I would, but... it did belong to Margaret's mother, so... it also could be useful later for us to hold onto." Considering this a new inspiration hits her eyes.

Hyacinth, tactician, always looking for some security or advantage. Sometimes she makes things better with a scalpel and sometimes it's a sledgehammer. Who knows, but a resource is a resource. Green eyes blink at Byron, "I'll be cleaning this room of this discussion." Not after, but of. "I would be interested in what you might find that I might have missed ." There seems to be little more to be said that her cousin won't suss out for himself. Less stoically she offers with a softer tone and by softer it is simply 'non-hostile and undemanding'. "You have a right to your own family and I'm a bit exhausted on others overlooking it. So..." The words trail off, but it is the olive branch she has. "It matters to me that you aren't."

"I suppose this is as much a part of the Addington legacy as it is the Thorne legacy." Byron says, still cradling the dress in his arms as if he were carrying some bride over the threshold. "But really, you don't think that Patrick Addington or anyone else would take notice?" Giving the wedding dress one last looks, he carefully places it back within the box. "I wonder if Margaret Addington had wanted to wear it were she to be married. Then again," He sets the cover over the box with a wide grin, "Maybe she always knew that marriage wasn't in the cards, having this desire to govern herself." His voice raises now, "Not that her husband could do anything about that, mind." Then quiets, thoughtfully, "Unless she were to marry out. She very well may have felt like her mother wearing this dress."

Taking the box in hand, resting in the crook of his arm, he nods, "For now, I'll be taking it back to the apartments, but I believe it really should be kept in a museum, less I ever plan to pass it down to the next generation of Thornes. With how fragile it must be, I have doubts that it's something that should be worn." And he has doubts that Lilith would want to wear it someday, but that day is off in the distance if it ever happened.

"Afterwards, maybe you could stop by for a drink and tell me, if anything, what you know about the type of dress, the make, the fabrics and the style of the time. " A look is then given the entirety of the room and he nods to Hyacinth. "I won't say that it's not suspect at all to find no memories attached to an item or room, but I'd be surprised if you were the first to ever do so." A pause now, "Thank you, for bringing this up to my attention. I know my father would have been interested in something like this. He was always family proud, even if he thought that the Addingtons should have done more in his darkest times." Or so he remembered his father's drunken rages when he would complain about receiving no help, no extended hand from that family.

"Does it have to be all memories attached the room, or can one do it more surgically?" Vyv isn't quite as powerful a mentalist as either of his current companions, and still working on learning what he can. "Could one simply remove the discussion so far, then chat innocuously and leave it looking as though nothing were missing?" He has less investment in these family legacies, despite interest; these technical issues are equally intriguing.

It perhaps occurs to him that when it comes to a different flavour of the power, the tables are slightly turned, because he notes, "Someone who can move things reasonably well may be able to locate the dress even if it's held elsewhere, of course." He doesn't add that it should possibly be considered in any thoughts of using it as an advantage. Surely that goes without saying. "At any rate, I have the impression that around here, it's reasonably likely her theoretical husband would likely be considered the one marrying into her family rather than vice versa. Names and such notwithstanding."

Hyacinth considers the question like one considers the roundness of a grape: carefully and exactly how to say no. "We should be able to remove the discussion. That is... actually accurate but if there's a lot of emotion on a particular situation it leaves a bigger wine stain in the upholstery." This she expects to make total sense. There' a pause when Vyv brings up the issue of the dress and Hyacinth narrows a squint and a blink of mascara. "Well, Byron, hold onto it as you like. Learn what you will. Return when done. It's not as if we can't restore it." Okay that was a good thought and that gets the slightest smile of pride.

Gold Star, Vyv.

With the box in hand now, Byron's mind is full of all sorts of ideas-- thoughts that might cling onto his great grandaunt's wedding dress. "Thank you, Hyacinth. I don't want you to get into any trouble if this is ever found missing, but if can't think of any way to better preserve this, then I'll more than likely return it back to you. I mean, sure, she was my great grandaunt and this may be one of the few things that exists of the Thornes of old," After his family home was sold, among other things... there was really no heirlooms to be found anywhere that he knew of. "But, it's a part of your legacy as well." Then this grin forms on his lips, "It's a wedding dress, so I feel a little relieved by the fact that if I do read this, it /shouldn't/ be something completely awful, right?" No murders or pain, at least not in the physical aspect. He can only hope.

He looks about ready to take his leave now, "If theres, uh... anything that I can help you with, just let me know." For reasons, he's still conflicted by being in possession of this, but despite his own family turmoil, it was something he never even knew existed before today.

"Mm. So one might be better served, if trying to do such a thing, by discussing something with a similar emotional resonance post-cleansing? Or is it simply that it's impossible to disguise the fact that part of this cushion is cleaner than the rest now, without leaving the cushion obviously entirely bleached?" This could be useful knowledge sometime. Maybe even this time, though it's not precisely his problem. None of this is, really. ...he'll take that gold star, though.

"Been to many weddings, have you?" he inquiries lightly to Byron's suggestion it won't be awful, one eyebrow and the alternate corner of his lips quirking subtly. Still, "I suppose the lack of rips and blood stains is always a positive sign. Pleasant seeing you again." And he is absolutely not still deeply curious just what is there to be found from that dress. Nope.

Hyacinth quirks a faint smile and says, "She didn't seem thrilled about it but if I knew what was to come I might not be either. Still, great-grandmother has my respects and you should know." Family is still something that means something to Hya even if some days she ma feel she's the only one that regards the state of its assembly. She's not, but the feelings linger. At Vyv's comment the dry quip comes from her, "Being Gray Harbor it might be a sign of a lack of real investment. But, thank you. Both. If you have questions call me."

Yes yes, she's opening family graces to a Thorne. Margaret hates her and Hyacinth can't be bothered in the wake of things to give two shits but to take care of the informational needs of those she still concerns herself with.