We demand cute

[halftheslain]

Freyja is a big fan of the cute. She likes flowers, fluffy bunnies, and children. But turning people into flowers is more of a Greek thing, and if you turn people into fluffy bunnies you are ultimately left with more fluffy bunnies than anyone could want. And while Freyja is a staunch supporter of making children it takes so long before they

Comments

[eye_and_heart]

Though it is true that, by and large, the dead always return to life here at the Mansion, they do not always come back by the same means. Freyja's magic permeates even to the last place Sagramore dragged Lascelles' mutilated and mouldering body, and had quite an effect on it -- so that he is now not only alive, but young.

He is just about eleven years old, in fact, dressed in his starched Sunday best, and wearing a sly expression not very different from his usual. Aside from that, he is quite a handsome little boy -- in fact, one might almost call him pretty.

He strides up to the first person he sees and stands in front of them, legs somewhat apart, hands behind his back, to demand in a clear, high voice, "Where is my father?"

[stephenblack]

"I do not know," Stephen answers as respectfully as he knows how.

[eye_and_heart]

"His name is Francis Lascelles," the boy continues, "and he is a very important man. He shall not be pleased to find me gone--!"

[stephenblack]

"Perhaps I can help you find him."

[eye_and_heart]

Young Henry gives the pageboy an unflatteringly lengthy examination, disgust showing clearly in his bright eyes. "Hmm! If you think it likely that one such as you might be allowed the sort of places Sir Francis Lascelles goes...!"

[stephenblack]

Stephen tries giving Henry a haughty look. "I serve a good family and go to all the best sort of places."

[eye_and_heart]

Henry returns Stephen's look with a cold smile of his own. "Oh, I am sure," he drawls, a childish version of his customary tone. "But, really."

[stephenblack]

"Really. It is a far better family than yours."

[eye_and_heart]

"Ha!" Henry laughs coldly. "I find that very difficult to believe. Why would any good family have you for their servant? A scrawny mite such as yourself, why! You would scarcely do to shine my shoes."

[stephenblack]

Stephen swallows hard. He knows he has to be polite to his betters but he really can't decide whether he would rather punch Henry or cry.

[eye_and_heart]

We vote for the punching.

Henry looks positively smug. "Go back to your master, boy," he drawls. "You are not wanted here."

[stephenblack]

"I can't. I do not know where he is anymore than you know where your father is." There's an implied so there at the end of that sentance.

[eye_and_heart]

Lascelles narrows his eyes at the other boy. "Then you are a very poor kind of servant! My father would never allow you to serve in our house!"

[stephenblack]

Stephen may be a servant but he is also a little boy and some things are more important than remembering your place. So he hits Lascelles, not very hard since he still a bit hesitant but definitely hard enough to hurt.

[eye_and_heart]

t: Sorry! I got a little backlogged in tags there. :)

Itty-bitty Lascelles, who was not expecting anything of the sort, stumbles back a step, clasping his hands to his nose. He glares furiously at Stephen. "You will pay for that, you filthy, disgusting Mudblood servant!"

[stephenblack]

"Don't say mean things!" Stephen is shaking with a mix of anger and fear.