(anOTP): for margot

[iwalkindreams]

It's not like he's actually bored.

Adrian did sign up for nothing else but university! That's a lot of academic dedication for him, who's been through college without necessarily remembering anything, though his intelligence and sensibility are way over average. He just -- didn't care.

Now he does, apparently? He's certainly changing.

Yet he doesn'

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[cleverest_woman]

Margot never lets on to anyone if she's bored or not. She always seems occupied at something, even if it's just sitting and nursing a cup of hot tea. She holds the cup between her delicate hands as if she's trying to absorb her warmth.

But when a man starts to cross through the main room seemingly on the way to the kitchen, she sets the cup down abruptly with a loud clack.

"Pray tell, monsieur, if you have a moment for an errand of mercy..."

[iwalkindreams]

Adrian stops on his tracks, startled. He hadn't noticed her, but he does now.

"Sorry, I didn't see you," he begins. And I don't really understand your way of talking, he'd like to add. She looks as if she's taken straight from the cover of a book. "I understand that you need me?"

[cleverest_woman]

"I do," she says quite cheerfully. "I am in need of someone to talk to."

[iwalkindreams]

"Ah." That, he can do. "My pleasure. May I sit -- and perhaps bring you something from the kitchen? I was on my way there."

[cleverest_woman]

"Oh, I didn't mean for you to act the servant for me. I am capable..." Her words trail off. She knows he's being polite to her. "A little buttered bread would be nice. I think the kettle is still hot if you wanted tea."

[iwalkindreams]

Adrian nods - politely indeed - and will be gone for a few minutes. When he's back he carries a tray: there are a couple of slices of buttered bread on a plate, as well as the kettle itself, a full mug and an extra one, just in case. In his own tea he added a more-than-generous share of whiskey.

"The lady is served," he announces, a faint glitter of amusement in his eyes.

[cleverest_woman]

She smiles, lighting her eyes. "Then join me, please. You're too kind to a tired, lazy woman." She pats the soft next to where she's sitting.

[iwalkindreams]

Hell, why not? She is lovely, if in an eerie way he doesn't quite understand. Adrian has no problem picturing her in a book or a well-made movie. He sits down at a respectable distance - manners, his mother always said - and spoons some sugar in his tea, thinking that it wouldn't be polite to start smoking too soon; and not without asking.

"I forgot to give you my name, m'am," he suddenly remembers.

[cleverest_woman]

A faint wash of color touches Margot's cheeks. "You are not the only one who is remiss in introductions, monsieur. I am Lady Marguerite Blakeney." She doesn't stand, but holds out a hand to him. Her hands are very small and pale.

[iwalkindreams]

Adrian takes her hand like a well-educated gentleman. His mother had a word to say in his upbringing before she died, indeed. He holds the gracious fingers between his and ponders briefly before leaning over and barely brushing them with his lips.

"Delighted to meet you, milady. Prince Adrian Ivashkov, at your service."

If we're being all noble.

[cleverest_woman]

"A prince?" Marguerite echoes. "Forgive me, your highness." She tries to get to her feet to curtsy without taking back her hand.

[iwalkindreams]

"Please, don't worry about this," Adrian says quickly, his own fingers unsure what to do: to let go or to hold. "I never cared -- I don't, really. It's just that your presence sort of imposed me to introduce myself as such. I won't make the same mistake again." He smiles.

[cleverest_woman]

"Oh, but it's an honor to meet new royalty." She's thinking his denials are pretense.

[iwalkindreams]

"If you want to put it this way, then I can accept it," Adrian agrees. There's no point in arguing with a beautiful woman. "Do tell me then, you've been here for a while - I guess - why haven't I seen you around?"

[cleverest_woman]

"I babysit a lot," she explains. "Or just sit quietly somewhere reading." Her eyes are alight with good humor. "I cannot resist a good book."