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BATH, 1905

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H [44] Colonel Arthur Lionel Tarquin Blackstock (Emily Amy)
W [39] Venezia Romilly Hero Burdet (Wraith)

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S1 [14] Arthur Hannibal Wulfhard Blackstock (cher529s)
D1 [12] Guinevere Charis Letizia Blackstock (JuliaF)
S2 [10] Samson Jericho Marcus Blackstock (Guest)
D2 [8] Evangeline Camilla Aktaie Blackstock (JuliaF)
S3 [6] Leonidas Enoch Tarquin Blackstock (.)
D3 [4]
S4 [1]

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It is the autumn of 1905. Arthur has been promoted to full Colonel, a position that has drawn him even deeper into military bureaucracy. The Boer War's end in 1902 brought a mix of relief and frustration; he is relieved at the cessation of conflict but frustrated by his distance from direct combat. His role as a military advisor has become more administrative, and he finds himself spending more time at the War Office in London. This increased absence has only exacerbated his stern demeanor at home, where he continues to stress discipline and duty, especially to his eldest son, Art. However, as his growing children enter adolescence, his sway on them has been waning.

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Venezia has taken on a role of patronage, supporting local musicians and artists, which has further elevated her status. Her musical passions have expanded, and she has begun composing her own pieces, which she performs at her gatherings. Venezia's relationship with Arthur has grown more strained, as his absences and rigid demeanor leave her feeling increasingly isolated in her marriage. Her patience with his strictness is wearing thin, especially as one of his longer absences coincided with the death of her beloved mother, and Arthur failed to show up at the funeral.

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Art, now 14, has grown into a serious and ambitious young man. He is a pupil at Wellington College, where he excels in history and military science. However, his relationship with Arthur is becoming strained; while Art respects his father, he chafes under his high expectations and the pressure to emulate his career. He is beginning to question whether the military is truly his passion. Art's relationship with his siblings has also grown more distant; he spends most of his time at school and when he returns for the holidays and they try to rope him back into their childhood games, he angrily denounces them as childish.

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Out of all the Blackstock children, Gwen was closest to her grandmother, the ex-sufragette, and her passing made her curious about her youthful passion. Thus, Gwen has begun reading works by the Pankursts, which she hides from her father. Her musical tastes have diverged further from her mother's; she has taken up the cello in addition to the piano (still shunning the violin) and is enthralled by the dissonant, modernist works of Schoenberg. Arthur and Gwen are frequently at odds, especially as Gwen has begun to openly challenge his views on women's roles - which, more than once, has caused him to storm off angrily during dinner.

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Sam has grown into a quiet, introspective boy, who can most often be found with his nose stuck in a book he looks far too young for (Venezia raises her eyebrow at her 10-year-old reading Nietzsche and Dostoevsky). Unlike his elder brother, Sam has no desire for a military career. He has grown particularly close to his younger sister, Evangeline - called Evie - who is often his companion in play. His relationship with Art has become strained, as Sam resents being overshadowed by his older brother's accomplishments. Venezia worries about his shyness and tries to draw him out of his shell, but Arthur sees it as a sign of weakness and is increasingly disappointed in him.

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Evie, now 8, is curious and imaginative. She has taken up drawing and painting, and draws fantastical scenes inspired by the games she plays with Sam. She is frightened by Arthur's sternness, and tries to stay out of his way, but Venezia dotes on her. Leonidas, called Leo, has inherited Arthur's love for military games. He idolizes Art, and wishes he would play them with him. He is especially close to his younger sister, and they are often found playing together in the gardens, away from the watchful eyes of their parents.

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The youngest Blackstock girl is a strong-willed, 4-year-old girl, with a sharp tongue, a quick mind, and as formidable a personality as a toddler might have. She is the apple of Arthur's eye - he is not shy about showing he has his favourites. His youngest daughter can do no wrong in his eyes. One year ago, Venezia gave birth to what Arthur and her agree will probably be their last child - a boy. Him, too, Arthur seems fond of for now - but perhaps that is because he is too young to talk back.

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The daughter

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First name: of Etruscan origin. For inspiration: (https://www.behindthename.com/names/gender/feminine/description/etruscan) or (https://www.behindthename.com/submit/names/gender/feminine/description/etruscan/editstatus/3).

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First middle name: introduced to England by the Normans (https://www.behindthename.com/names/gender/feminine/description/normans).

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Second middle name: any of her mother's names: Venezia, Romilly, or Hero.

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The son

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First name: a Trojan mentioned in the Iliad.

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First middle name: a king of Northumbria (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_Northumbria).

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Second middle name: contains an X.

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masculine list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/191050/124079
feminine list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/191050/124080

This message was edited 8/8/2024, 4:01 PM