Tonight was supposed to be the night. Penelope had been writing 'Wandering Xavier' for two years. He didn't know her name or what she looked like. However, he knew her better than anyone else.
Initially, they'd met online for players of the famed 'The Ton' role-playing game. In the game, people could escape their lives and play members of the 1800s English aristocratic society.
Penelope's character Lady Whistledown tapped into one of the game's niche playing experiences. She was drawn to the side quests - What happened to the French modiste once the Napoleon war broke out? Where does the secret passageway in the tea shop lead to? Who is the swindling fraud trying to make off with most of the Ton's money?
The game is what you make it. For instance, a popular player, Lady Cowper, had discovered all the different regency outfit options for women in the game.
Yeah, Penelope never changed her character from the default blue dress. But, she has teamed up with the 'Wandering Xavier' player to uncover the swindling fraud. After they successfully revealed the fraud, they both joined the same chat room. However, they often moved to DMs instead of joining the community chats.
For the first year, they only discussed the game. But they slowly started talking only to each other. Penelope noticed that he had even left the chat room community. She left shortly after. Sure, they still played together, but they could be found messaging each other outside the game more and more.
Pretty early on, they learned that they were in the same time zone. Penelope felt comfortable revealing to a random stranger that she lived in London. The city was large enough that it couldn't be too big of a risk.
Once she found out that he was in London too . . . every unknown man she saw became a potential Xavier. So, basically, every man Penelope saw she imagined as her writing buddy.
She could probably track him down with all the information she had on him … but she would never do that. Those details were shared in confidence; plus he never tried to find her IRL. Though, now that she had finished up Uni and had more time … she was tempted.
Finally, he had asked to meet. She tried not to sound too enthusiastic. They settled on meeting at a public customer contest in central London. Penelope was going to go all out - what else was she meant to do around Halloween?
However, finding a regency dress? Not simple. Penelope wasn't one to throw in the towel easily. She kept searching and searching until she had as authentic of a design as she could get. Unfortunately, it was yellow. But beggars can't be choosers.
Donning the dress, Penelope checked her hair and make-up for the tenth time. She texted her sisters to let them know where she was going just in case everything fell apart. With one last twirl in front of her mirror, Penelope left for the costume contest.
Penelope walked into the bar. She was suddenly overwhelmed. The sound hit her first, then she noticed it was packed. There was a wide variety of costumes. She spotted a Minion onesie from Despicable Me next to an elaborate David Beckham costume (fake tattoos included).
To avoid stares, Penelope headed toward the bar. If she had to push her cleavage out to get some attention from the bartender, that was her business. With a drink in her hand, she began scanning for a man with a blue cravat. Realizing that it was too packed, she spotted the stairs to the second floor and made her way up there. Thankfully, it was much quieter up there.
She'd told 'Wandering Xavier' that she would be in a yellow dress. He'd told her that he hoped to find a Regency suit in time, but he would definitely have a blue cravat at his neck.
Holy shite. At the balcony a little ways down from her, she spotted him. With elegantly tousled brown hair and a blue suit with a cravat, it had to be him. His suit was clearly tailored for his body. It wasn't Regency, but she would cut him some slack based on how tight the jacket gripped his arms. Pulling out her phone, it was time to see if she was right.
Typing quickly, 'What did you do … pay a model to come in your place?' She bit her lip, and took a sip of her drink. Then she sent it.
The stunning man pulled out his phone and that was it. Penelope had spent the last couple of years messaging this model of a man. What the hell? If she knew how handsome he was, she would not have complained casually about her period. (Though he did start that conversation by complaining about his IBS).
She watched his face as he read the message. Taking her time to drink him in, she was entranced. He quickly looked down at the first floor as if to spot her. Then he turned his gaze across the second floor.
Once his eyes met hers, she raised her drink at him. It was fascinating to watch his eyes take her in. He ran them slowly down and then back up her body. She fought not to shiver. Then he bit his lip. Oh, the things she'd like him to bite … No! No dirty thoughts before she's even met him.
Taking a quick sip of her drink, she followed his progress towards her. He covered the distance quickly.
"Lady Whistledown?" He asked her hesitantly.
"Wandering Xavier?" She replied. "Or are you a model he paid to come in his place? You can't be real." She let her eyes wander over his form again, taking her time.
"I can assure you that I'm very real." He took a shuddering breath. "You, on the other hand, I'm blown away by your beauty."
Penelope flushed. "My friends call me Pen."
"Pen," He breathed out. "I'd be delighted if you called me, Colin."
"Colin. It's nice to meet you in person." She smiled at him.
"Shall we dance?" He held out his hand.
"Do you have permission to waltz?" Penelope joked. She and Xavier - Colin, now - had gotten annoyed at the fact that women used to need permission from their families to waltz. So, Xav - no, Colin! - had said that he would ask his family for permission.
"Of course." He smiled at her. Of course, he had dimples. This was very unfair. The only consolation was he looked as affected as her. His eyes kept sneaking peeks at her chest.
Penelope stepped into his arms. They felt incredible and so strong. Colin groaned as he pulled her closer.
"You're killing me. It's like you stepped out of all my fantasies." He muttered.
Penelope watched him take another look at her chest. She smirked at him when his eyes met hers again. Maybe they wouldn't make it to the end of the night at the costume contest.
The two of them just clicked. It had always been that way over messages. Clearly, it translated to real life as well. Surprisingly, they held out for three dances. (Though the dances didn't quite resemble a waltz.)
Her drink had long since been abandoned, Penelope was catching her breath as she pulled Colin from the dance floor.
"Should we get drinks?" Colin asked.
"How about we go outside? It's a little too warm here." She offered instead.
He pulled back and made a dramatic gesture to offer her his hand again. She giggled at him, but she did take his arm.
As they stepped outside, there was much better airflow. They drank in the fresh air. Penelope looked at him. He was standing close to her but not too close.
"So, where do we go from here?" She asked.
"Where do you want to go?" He countered. He stepped closer to her and refused to let go of her hand. Not that she tried too hard to reclaim it.
"Well, we could get kabobs, but then kabobs would turn into one more drink which would turn into me inviting you home, and then I hope more. But if that's not what you're thinking, you should tell me now."
"I'd be more than happy with that." He said. His gaze never left hers. "But first," He paused, then he lifted his free hand to tilt her chin up. Dropping a quick kiss to her lips, he sighed. "We should definitely do more of that."
She felt a smile creep over her face. It felt so natural to be with him. She'd never felt this way before. Penelope couldn't wait to see where the night took her and Colin - even if they never found out who won the costume contest.
The End.
(A/N: I don't love the ending, but I wasn't sure how to wrap this up. Hope you enjoyed it!)