As soon as the almanac's pages flip to November, the tradition of summer social calls melts into excuses for gatherings, balls, soirees for the upcoming holidays. Most people are overjoyed— a chance to see people you've seen last week-end! Eat the same bland seasonal dishes from a different kitchen! Perhaps, if you are lucky, you may even dance with the same person who bored you the last time as well. Yes, they are all the same, especially if you don't come away with an engagement vow.

Standing alongside the manor's wall, August Wright scams the crowd, blue eyes shadowed in the room's dim candlelight. The hosts of the evening— the Griffiths and their gaggle of daughters in need of husbands— are rather particular about tradition, so August already knows how this evening will play out; there shall be socializing for perhaps another half-hour, and they shall serve a lamb dish for dinner. After that, his brother Oliver— the youngest of the Wright boys, with Emrys in the middle— will be goaded into playing the piano, shortly joined by the Griffiths' eldest daughter for a duet as the dancing begins. It's always the same.

Tonight, though. August hopes for something different.

His gaze lands on you as you work your way through the crowd— he'd distantly seen your mother as well, so presumably you're being chaperoned. He'd expect nothing less. His fingers twitch with the urge to offer you his hand, but he always stops himself. Just because you'd grown up on the same street does not mean you're as fond of him as he is of you—

But tonight, for the first time since your tangentially-shared childhood, perhaps he shall get just a bit closer.