third floor common room - saturday afternoon - 10/11

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

How boring.

He'd never forgive his dear Mummy for sending him here to this ridiculous place, away from the Emerald City and everyone worth talking to. She'd said the change would do him good, that the fresh air was necessary for a lad of his age, that when she was growing up in Gilikin, that she'd savored every day in the countryside and missed it still.

Right. As if Glinda, as she preferred these days, really wanted to head back to her childhood home and give up the fame, fortune, and power she had now. He was like her; he'd done enough of the countryside when he was a boy and the City was what he enjoyed now, the razzmataz slambang spirit of it all. Oz! Bright, beaming and steaming! The theatres, the shops, the miniature furniture...

Besides, it wasn't about the air. It was about the stables, or rather the stable hands she'd found out about him having affairs with. She'd been fine with the maids, of course, as that was just what a young man of station did but that had apparently been too far. So he'd been banished away from the glitz and glamor of the Emerald to this pathetic little island.

Which was why he was sitting in the common room, smoking an imported perguenay cigarette out the window and reading some of the newspapers that'd just come in to see what the damnable bankers were doing with the current Munchkinland crisis.

"...idiots."

[open like an open thing]

Comments

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen came in to clean the room. Damn, these wealthy pigs anyway, living like slobs and expecting the help to clean up after them. But one day she'd have her revenge. Oh yes, she heard things and saw things and did a little judicious snooping. And one day she'd make them all pay for the way they'd treated her.

Just because she was a maid didn't mean she didn't deserve respect. Or that she couldn't bring them all down.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He looked up to see who'd entered before looking back down again. He couldn't help musing aloud, however.

"Munchkins... they'd be starved out in a month if their wool wasn't worth the price and their water reserves were properly taken care of. Idiocy... Idiocy!"

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, by all means, ignore the help. Not that a one of them could last a week without their maids and cooks and valets.

She shot him a look as she cleaned.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He did finally look at her.

"Do you think one of you people could come by my rooms to shine my shoes? I understand that we're not allowed a valet in the dorms for various reasons, but I'd rather not look like a heathen."

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

'One of 'we people'?' she thought bitterly. 'Oh, I'm sure if the master needs it, he'll get it.'

To him she merely nodded. "I'm sure I could manage that, Sir."

Not that he'd make it worth her while or anything. He could have at least offered something.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He smiled at her.

"Much appreciated. If you can get someone to see to the suits as well I'll certainly make it worth your while."

He looked at her, green eyes just a touch lecherous.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She raised an eyebrow, wondering what she might gain from dallying with this man, and nodded. "I'm certain that can be arranged, Sir. And I'd be most grateful."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"A fine lass," he said with a wider grin. "I'll be certain to put in a good word for you with the administration."

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She smirked at him a bit. "And will there be... anything else?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"You will have to see," he said, his voice smooth and confident.

"Nothing for the moment, however. I'd hate to keep you from your... hard work."

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Her eyes narrowed and she ducked her head quickly to keep him from seeing the anger there. She worked her fingers to the bone for these people and barely made enough to keep herself fed and clothed and he suggested he wasn't working.

It took her a moment to get her anger under control, before she could raise her head and smile politely and say, "Yes, Sir."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He left a large bank note on the table for her, to let her know that he did appreciate her work, and to hopefully secure her services later.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

It disappeared quickly into the pocket of her uniform and she made sure to bend over a bit more provocatively than was necessary as she cleaned near him. He could have her 'services' later. And she'd see what information she could get from him and his room in the process.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope, pretty as you please, walked in to get away from the lecherous boys that wanted nothing more than to toss up her skirts and take her money by forcing her hand in matrimony. Silly boys. Yes, she knew she was a beautiful heiress, but her standards were simply to high for the likes of anyone around here. As if.

Sitting down primly on the couch, she did much to ignore anyon else that might be around, except for him. Her eyes cut over at him and she refrained from saying anything. He who flys on a broom. Did he think that truly impressed her?

Taking the remote control, she started flipping through the channels.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He looked up at the sound of the television, smiling as he saw who it was.

"Finally, some good company. What a relief, my dear."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She snorted at the broom boy; very unlady like she knew, but it was unavoidable. Really. "Are you speaking to me?

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He raised an eyebrow.

"I should say so, Miss Wilhern. Do you perhaps have me mistaken with someone else?"

Someone beneath your notice? he didn't say, though it was what he meant.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Definitely not, boy. I know who you are," she retorted with a slight lift of her chin.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He lifted his head, eyes green and full of fire.

"Then you should know better than to address the adopted son of Glinda the Good, the only surviving Prince of the Arjiki of the Vinkus, the Wizard's last descendant, and the rightful Thropp Third Descending of Munchkinland like some... some peasant."

He looked down his nose at her.

"I thought someone of your breeding would know proper manners, but I see I was wrong. How... unfortunate."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Same as always. Did he never learn? "You honestly believe that your title, your handsome face, means anything to me? If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, and quite honestly I tire of having to say it again," she said, careful to keep her eyes from meeting the flash of his. His eyes always affected her and she would not allow it to happen again.

"Your title is no good here and well you know it. I daresay your ego knows no bounds. How...unfortunate for you."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"And yet, I greeted you with manners and composure and was treated like a scullion in your eyes," he pointed out. And then he smiled.

"My handsome face?" He'd picked that up. "Had you only mentioned my face, it would be plain it means nothing to you, and yet you call me handsome.

"I am well aware my title, unfortunately, means nothing here... but it seems my face still serves me well enough, Miss Wilhern."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Oh! She huffed and would not let him get to her so easily. Not again. Not...that way.

Whipping her long dark curls over her shoulder, she glanced back at the TV. "It was a stupid slip of the tongue," she told him, just like she'd told him every other time she called him handsome. Did he forgot so quickly? Brainless broom boys.

"Your face among other things."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"The cut of my suit, my sparkling wit..."

He held out a paper rose, conjured from the papers he'd been reading, and held it out over her shoulder to lure her to look at him again.

"How shall I enchant you tonight, Miss Wilhern? It seems as if, perhaps, the lady doth protest too much..."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope looked at the rose and as he suspected, looked at him. She did not, however, accept the rose.

"Please. You know there is nothing you can do to enchant me," she said sternly, though perhaps in her eyes was another emotion entirely. "You know why I protest..."

She could not like him. He could not like her. That one time... well, it simply couldn't happen again. Why did he seek to tempt her?

Her resolve strengthened.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

His eyes seemed to soften.

"No, I really don't. And I think... I think you would like to be enchanted."