Embodying a gay man’s mid-life crisis in more ways than one, Pavel has followed his singer lover to London after *allegedly* stabbing a man in defence of said lover, leaving his family in shock, horror and scandal, losing his job and even the man who caused all of the mayhem. Single and practically exiled, he now needs to start from scratch as a middle-aged man.
Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: The first son of the first son of America’s most notable man of wealth, Lee managed to become well-rounded as well as financially successful. He’s also now in his 40s and firmly understands he is gay. He never wanted or meant to marry, but the edict has come down from his father at long last: The family name must be protected, and no Astor son ought to be a bachelor into their 40s. At his mother’s suggestion, Lee has ventured across the Atlantic to the more practical waters of Jolly Old England, in the hopes of finding a woman who will accept him as he is, in exchange for providing her freedom and the bounty of his personal wealth.
Estelle has her brothers completely wrapped around her little finger, delighting in the chaos they create, especially when it comes to her impulsive twin, Lucien. With a confident flair and a clever wit, she navigates her world with the ease of being the one and only to have been spoiled by their father, basking in the knowledge that she can do no wrong in his eyes. This adoration has only fueled her ambitions, as she sets her sights on a grand career in the arts—be it singing, dancing, or playing music. After all, with a name that means “Star,” it’s only fitting that she shines brightly in whatever endeavor she chooses.
An extrovert at heart, Estelle possesses a playful deviousness that adds a touch of mischief to her charm, making her the life of any gathering. Her brother Darius, in particular, finds himself at most ease around her out of his siblings, and the two share a bond that is both teasing and supportive. Estelle has been raised by governesses her whole life, but that’s never stopped her from asking and learning about the woman her mother had been, and perhaps that’s what sparked her passion from an early age.
Sebastián, affectionately known as Bash to his friends and family, embodies the essence of a young gentleman. An artist at heart, he always carries a notebook and pen tucked beneath his coat, ready for whenever the muse may strike. His kindness is both his greatest virtue and his most significant flaw; it often veers into naiveté. With an upbeat attitude, Bash eagerly pursues new experiences and adventures, though his enthusiasm sometimes leads him to stumble over the very steps he overlooked along the way.
Despite being the youngest of four, he wasn’t given as much pampering as one would expect. Instead, his childhood was spent shuffling from one governess to another, along with his older twins, Lucien and Estelle. From a young age, Bash had carried guilt for a crime he didn’t commit: his mother’s death. And through the years, that nagging feeling only festered against his father’s stoicism, and his eldest brother’s, Darius, apparent avoidance. But all this is about to change with the passing of his father and his brother’s arrival home to claim the title of a baron.
This invisible, youngest son to a family blessed with wealth but cursed to live under an abusive patriarch. Elliot is an intelligent, stubborn, soft-hearted and romantic man who is trying to recalibrate to a life without his father. Sometimes lost in overly optimistic daydreams of the future, he has his head in the clouds in hopes of one day making his family proud.
Darius stands as a prominent figure in his prestigious family, with a sharp mind, forthright attitude, a shifty mood and a loaded gun, he is not a man to be trifled with. Having served a significant amount of his life in the military to attain his title as a captain, he has some conflicted feelings regarding being the newly appointed title as Baron after his father’s passing. And now that he is back in London for what seems like a good while, he is handling the emotional turmoil with the grace of an elephant- simply one misstep away from imploding.
Widely known as an eccentric, the Viscountess Pevensey married well, produced her elderly husband no heirs for his failing line, and reaped the benefits of a doting spouse upon his death. With the exception of a manor house and land belonging to the crown, she got everything: Multiple expensive residences, generations’ worth of antiques, a massive yearly income, and maybe most saliently, The London Review, a weekly newspaper she has turned into her pet project.
When Baron Thomas Hastings married Cicilia Morgan, his two grown sons were caught unaware and in utter disbelief. Their new step-mother, wed not long after the death of their own dear Mama, was a mere few years their senior! Well, from the first instance the trio never quite saw eye to eye despite Cicilia’s efforts to try and save what was left — after all, it was quite obvious that her choice of husband had never been their father, and it was to be insisted upon that Thomas Hastings was not the nice, loving kind of man one would hope for. When his father died, Harold chose to marry quickly in order to abandon the Baroness to the Dowager title, Harold made his plans to push his step-mother into her brother’s arms instead (to Wales, in fact, far away from the Hastings foothold). They have barely seen one another since, but it is said that she has claimed to push for her son’s inheritance, and now that she has pulled the strings of a man’s heart she may call herself a Duchess! Harold will fight tooth and nail to keep her from his family name, but even then, he is just a man. His friends say he is Exciting, Genuine & Punctual. Cicilia claims he is Childish, Crafty & Difficult.
Beatrice’s upbringing was mostly beneath the care of her mother, Annabella. And yet, where her mother pushed Beatrice to look to advancement and proper etiquette, her father (David) often tried to splinter the relationship so his first born daughter may look elsewhere for fulfillment. As such, her relationship with her mother is strained yet the one with her father is forgiving. Afforded a fine education, Beatrice is known for her inherited beauty and quick wit, which indeed led her into the arms of a charming politician. Now known widely as the wife of a powerful man, Beatrice resides in London (where? Entirely UTP, as long as it is befitted of an Upper-Middle class household) and practises her well tuned act of hosting and socialising as a prim socialite of the season. Her own advancement has led the Paulets, her maternal relations, to even extend invitations to their social balls and has as such given rise to Beatrice’s place in the world. It is UTP if she has children, or if she is still married and what that relationship is like. She is celebrated for her Resourceful, Witty and Ambitious characteristics. Though it is to be minded that she can be Non-Committal, Compulsive and Money-Minded above all else.
Ziska Cordes is the prima ballerina to reign supreme over the stages of Covent Garden and the Royal Italian Opera. The German-born dancer came from poverty and made it to the apex of her career and profession. Now she anticipates her star to wane, and she is pivoting towards losing herself to her strange occult obsessions.
