Fic: Exhibition
Title: Exhibition
Author: lost_spook
Rating: All ages
Word Count: 1748
Characters/Pairings: Sapphire, Silver, Iron. (Silver/Sapphire, also sort of Silver/Sapphire/Everyone)
Warnings None. (I’d warn for excessive flirting, but it isn’t really. Sadly.) Pre-canon, 1851.
Summary: Sapphire, Silver, and flirting in the cause of duty.
(Prompt 79: silver & sapphire - Birthday & Everyone thinks they're doing it. And since Silver and Sapphire and “everyone thinks they’re doing it” is probably only going to result in smirking as usual, this rapidly turned into something else. There is a birthday, though. Partly for persiflage_1 who pulled this prompt out of the list and thought it might be fun. It was. Although it also went too long and nearly killed me. :-D)
***
“Silver.” Sapphire turned with a smile as he arrived next to them in the ballroom.
He smiled back and eyed their brightly lit and elegant surroundings - and Sapphire - with approval. “Very nice.” He didn’t get to choose where he was sent and it had been too long since he had been assigned to assist Sapphire.
“It’s not,” said Iron. “We need to find the one person in this overcrowded room who is causing the problem. I don’t understand why you’ve been sent, Silver.”
Silver was already busy admiring Sapphire’s gown, but he glanced up at that. “Well, since I’m here…”
Iron nodded. “It’ll take less time with three, that’s true. But we may be missing something…” He stared out at the people around them.
“It’s good to see you again,” said Sapphire as Iron walked away from them.
Silver leant back against her, amusement clear in his expression. They’re talking about us.
She put her hand to his shoulder, closer still. She never minded attracting anyone’s attention. “Oh?”
They seem to think you must be Lord Elton’s new bride, bored already. They’re not surprised about that - but they are wondering who I am.
Sapphire laughed and smoothed down his dress jacket and shook her head at his striped waistcoat. Oh, a fortune hunter, no doubt. Definitely a bad influence - a shameless scoundrel, a gambler… Or maybe the footman getting above himself.
“Thank you, Sapphire,” he said and grinned back at her.
Iron looked back over at them. We need to find the source of the disturbance. You two will need to talk to other people.
Silver and Sapphire exchanged another glance, and Silver pulled a mock-apologetic face, before turning to do as he was told.
Sapphire looked outward at everyone else in the room, but she caught at his sleeve, causing him to look back at her. Her expression was utterly innocent; her thoughts were not: Silver. If we’re talking to other people, then perhaps…
A… contest? Silver bit back amusement and then kissed her hand in the old-fashioned way - they had both been around when it wasn’t outmoded. She always surprised and delighted him.
In a way, but it’s only -
“Mixing business with pleasure?” he returned. “Of course. What would you say is our measure of success?”
“I think a kiss should suffice,” she said, and the look she gave him was a challenge.
Silver’s lips twitched, but he said nothing more. She wanted to push him, to see what he would do. He didn’t know why, this time, but why not? He was prepared to play.
*
[Silver’s tally]
One: the Dowager, the birthday girl’s grandmother, who told him she was flattered, she hadn’t been so amused in years, but she was sure he was a terrible rogue. Which he thought unfair, but it counted anyway.
Two: the rather drunk young man he found out in the hallway who asked him if he had the time, and, of course, Silver always did.
Three: Lord Elton’s bride, who was indeed as bored as the gossips had said, but if they were right about that they were entirely wrong in thinking she might be anywhere near as charming as Sapphire.
Four: the young lady (only a little older than the other young ladies who were busy being whirled around the ballroom) who had been left to sit and watch for half the night, though he couldn’t comprehend why that should be. He passed her effortlessly onto a partner once he needed to leave her.
None of them were what they were looking for - nobody so far had been. Which left, he thought, one rather obvious conclusion.
*
[Sapphire’s tally]
One: the older man who’d been looking for the card room and whom she’d reduced to stammering and confusion and an inability to find which way he was facing, let alone the card room.
Two: the elderly but engaging flirt who had been delighted to find she agreed with him that the world had grown too dull and respectable these days. Or worse, he’d said, the world never changed, and they were nothing but hypocrites.
Three: the girl who’d gone into one of the other rooms with her, wanting help with a tear in a dress. What she’d got in addition had startled her and left her looking flushed and thoughtful as Sapphire left.
Four: Not the arrogant young man who seemed to be having some sort of bet with his fellows about some of the young women, but his shy friend standing to the side, who’d been about equal parts horrified and delighted to be singled out for attention when Sapphire had pulled him away.
Five: a rather drunk young man she’d found out in the hallway who hadn’t been terribly clear about whether he was looking for the food or someone with more champagne, but who had blushed scarlet when she had asked him if he knew the time.
But they weren’t the problem; they had all been the kind of people she had expected to find. Sapphire turned her attention to the couple in the centre, the two who’d been together all evening: the girl whose birthday celebration this was and the young man who shared that birthday and - so everybody said - was very likely about to announce their betrothal before the evening was out.
They hadn’t danced very much, either, she realised. They’d chiefly been standing there, keeping close to that side of the room - near to a decorative clock placed there.
Silver…
“I know,” he said, suddenly beside her again.
We should separate them.
Silver glanced at them with a momentary hesitation, as if he were about to raise an objection, but then he nodded instead. Yes. We should.
*
The young man would have argued, but when faced with Sapphire he lost what he’d been about to say and it was easy for Silver to steal his partner, guide her gently away to the other side of the ballroom and then out into one of the other rooms.
She was very young, he thought, taking her hand again. Not yet nineteen, although in a few minutes more she would be. Silver inclined his head to the side, as she stared down, trying to hide her face. She’d been shaking even before he cut in on her dance, he had noticed that. “It’s all right,” he said, quietly. “Sapphire’s with your… friend. He won’t be coming after you.”
The girl looked up then and let out her breath, as if she’d been holding it in all night.
“Yes,” he said, as if she’d spoken. “Something was compelling you to stay there - to be with him? You didn’t want to, did you?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t know how it happened - as if something kept pulling me on. I - I don’t understand -”
Silver nodded. “No, I don’t suppose you do. But nothing’s going to happen, not now.” Everything seemed very clear now. For some reason what Time wanted, what it was using, was these two people and this significant date that they shared. He kept a light hold on the girl, in case. Sapphire. This is it. It’s these two - or him chiefly, I think.
Yes, she said in his mind. But it’s also the clock, Silver.
He could see it, visualise it through her eyes. Of course. Yes, of course. The timepiece as well. Once it struck midnight, like in an old story. Well, stories had power and so did dates, times, emotions, and many other things. He should look at it, but the essential thing was to keep these two humans apart - so, ironically, he couldn’t do what he had been sent to do. Someone else would have to take a more drastic approach.
Iron? You have to get to the clock. Sapphire and I... have our hands full. That was literally true at this moment, as the girl had inconveniently decided to start crying and clutching at him. And he would rather have had a proper look at that clock. Still… Just stop it before it chimes midnight. You can be as unsubtle as you wish.
I’m already with Sapphire. I know. Iron’s reply was as terse as ever.
“I’m sorry,” said the girl, drawing away from Silver suddenly. “I - I don’t even know you.”
Silver gave a quick smile. “No,” he said. “You don’t. But it is all right.”
*
“Five,” said Sapphire, who was standing by the remains of the clock, when Silver rejoined her, having deposited the girl with her parents. They’d been inclined to ask tiresome questions until he assured them that she’d had a narrow escape and then slipped away from them. He’d seen Iron marching the young man out and the guests were still gossiping about the unexpected conclusion to the evening’s celebrations. They were stealing looks at Sapphire, who only appeared pleased by their stares. Soon, no doubt, he thought, they’d all be back to pretending nothing had happened. Which was more or less true now, he supposed.
“Silver,” said Sapphire, as he couldn’t keep from bending down to retrieve pieces of the shattered clock and examining them. “How many?”
He looked up at her and stood again. “How many…?”
“Yes. Silver?”
Silver laughed lightly. “Oh, that. Four. And a half, perhaps.”
“It’s not like you to lose, Silver.”
He moved to stand next to her again; too close for polite society. They attracted more glances, whether because of the earlier disturbance or their behaviour, he didn’t know. He wasn’t terribly interested, either way. “But I haven’t lost - or not yet.”
Sapphire turned her head and raised her eyebrow.
“I’m merely saving the best till last,” he said, and kissed her hand once more. “Whether or not I’ve lost - well, that’s up to you, Sapphire.”
She looked at him, and then she laughed and slipped her arm through his.
I think they’re talking about us again. Making an exhibition of ourselves. He shot her an amused glance.
“We should leave,” said Sapphire. “We’re not wanted here, and we’re not needed anymore. Besides, if we’re talking of exhibitions, there’s something nearby I wanted to show you.”
“Oh?”
She nodded, as they headed for the nearest door together. “A different kind of Exhibition. I think you’ll appreciate it. Iron didn’t, but then - what we had to deal with there before -” She turned back before they left this hallway, before they vanished together. “And no, Silver. You haven’t lost. Not this time.”
***
Author: lost_spook
Rating: All ages
Word Count: 1748
Characters/Pairings: Sapphire, Silver, Iron. (Silver/Sapphire, also sort of Silver/Sapphire/Everyone)
Warnings None. (I’d warn for excessive flirting, but it isn’t really. Sadly.) Pre-canon, 1851.
Summary: Sapphire, Silver, and flirting in the cause of duty.
(Prompt 79: silver & sapphire - Birthday & Everyone thinks they're doing it. And since Silver and Sapphire and “everyone thinks they’re doing it” is probably only going to result in smirking as usual, this rapidly turned into something else. There is a birthday, though. Partly for persiflage_1 who pulled this prompt out of the list and thought it might be fun. It was. Although it also went too long and nearly killed me. :-D)
***
“Silver.” Sapphire turned with a smile as he arrived next to them in the ballroom.
He smiled back and eyed their brightly lit and elegant surroundings - and Sapphire - with approval. “Very nice.” He didn’t get to choose where he was sent and it had been too long since he had been assigned to assist Sapphire.
“It’s not,” said Iron. “We need to find the one person in this overcrowded room who is causing the problem. I don’t understand why you’ve been sent, Silver.”
Silver was already busy admiring Sapphire’s gown, but he glanced up at that. “Well, since I’m here…”
Iron nodded. “It’ll take less time with three, that’s true. But we may be missing something…” He stared out at the people around them.
“It’s good to see you again,” said Sapphire as Iron walked away from them.
Silver leant back against her, amusement clear in his expression. They’re talking about us.
She put her hand to his shoulder, closer still. She never minded attracting anyone’s attention. “Oh?”
They seem to think you must be Lord Elton’s new bride, bored already. They’re not surprised about that - but they are wondering who I am.
Sapphire laughed and smoothed down his dress jacket and shook her head at his striped waistcoat. Oh, a fortune hunter, no doubt. Definitely a bad influence - a shameless scoundrel, a gambler… Or maybe the footman getting above himself.
“Thank you, Sapphire,” he said and grinned back at her.
Iron looked back over at them. We need to find the source of the disturbance. You two will need to talk to other people.
Silver and Sapphire exchanged another glance, and Silver pulled a mock-apologetic face, before turning to do as he was told.
Sapphire looked outward at everyone else in the room, but she caught at his sleeve, causing him to look back at her. Her expression was utterly innocent; her thoughts were not: Silver. If we’re talking to other people, then perhaps…
A… contest? Silver bit back amusement and then kissed her hand in the old-fashioned way - they had both been around when it wasn’t outmoded. She always surprised and delighted him.
In a way, but it’s only -
“Mixing business with pleasure?” he returned. “Of course. What would you say is our measure of success?”
“I think a kiss should suffice,” she said, and the look she gave him was a challenge.
Silver’s lips twitched, but he said nothing more. She wanted to push him, to see what he would do. He didn’t know why, this time, but why not? He was prepared to play.
*
[Silver’s tally]
One: the Dowager, the birthday girl’s grandmother, who told him she was flattered, she hadn’t been so amused in years, but she was sure he was a terrible rogue. Which he thought unfair, but it counted anyway.
Two: the rather drunk young man he found out in the hallway who asked him if he had the time, and, of course, Silver always did.
Three: Lord Elton’s bride, who was indeed as bored as the gossips had said, but if they were right about that they were entirely wrong in thinking she might be anywhere near as charming as Sapphire.
Four: the young lady (only a little older than the other young ladies who were busy being whirled around the ballroom) who had been left to sit and watch for half the night, though he couldn’t comprehend why that should be. He passed her effortlessly onto a partner once he needed to leave her.
None of them were what they were looking for - nobody so far had been. Which left, he thought, one rather obvious conclusion.
*
[Sapphire’s tally]
One: the older man who’d been looking for the card room and whom she’d reduced to stammering and confusion and an inability to find which way he was facing, let alone the card room.
Two: the elderly but engaging flirt who had been delighted to find she agreed with him that the world had grown too dull and respectable these days. Or worse, he’d said, the world never changed, and they were nothing but hypocrites.
Three: the girl who’d gone into one of the other rooms with her, wanting help with a tear in a dress. What she’d got in addition had startled her and left her looking flushed and thoughtful as Sapphire left.
Four: Not the arrogant young man who seemed to be having some sort of bet with his fellows about some of the young women, but his shy friend standing to the side, who’d been about equal parts horrified and delighted to be singled out for attention when Sapphire had pulled him away.
Five: a rather drunk young man she’d found out in the hallway who hadn’t been terribly clear about whether he was looking for the food or someone with more champagne, but who had blushed scarlet when she had asked him if he knew the time.
But they weren’t the problem; they had all been the kind of people she had expected to find. Sapphire turned her attention to the couple in the centre, the two who’d been together all evening: the girl whose birthday celebration this was and the young man who shared that birthday and - so everybody said - was very likely about to announce their betrothal before the evening was out.
They hadn’t danced very much, either, she realised. They’d chiefly been standing there, keeping close to that side of the room - near to a decorative clock placed there.
Silver…
“I know,” he said, suddenly beside her again.
We should separate them.
Silver glanced at them with a momentary hesitation, as if he were about to raise an objection, but then he nodded instead. Yes. We should.
*
The young man would have argued, but when faced with Sapphire he lost what he’d been about to say and it was easy for Silver to steal his partner, guide her gently away to the other side of the ballroom and then out into one of the other rooms.
She was very young, he thought, taking her hand again. Not yet nineteen, although in a few minutes more she would be. Silver inclined his head to the side, as she stared down, trying to hide her face. She’d been shaking even before he cut in on her dance, he had noticed that. “It’s all right,” he said, quietly. “Sapphire’s with your… friend. He won’t be coming after you.”
The girl looked up then and let out her breath, as if she’d been holding it in all night.
“Yes,” he said, as if she’d spoken. “Something was compelling you to stay there - to be with him? You didn’t want to, did you?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t know how it happened - as if something kept pulling me on. I - I don’t understand -”
Silver nodded. “No, I don’t suppose you do. But nothing’s going to happen, not now.” Everything seemed very clear now. For some reason what Time wanted, what it was using, was these two people and this significant date that they shared. He kept a light hold on the girl, in case. Sapphire. This is it. It’s these two - or him chiefly, I think.
Yes, she said in his mind. But it’s also the clock, Silver.
He could see it, visualise it through her eyes. Of course. Yes, of course. The timepiece as well. Once it struck midnight, like in an old story. Well, stories had power and so did dates, times, emotions, and many other things. He should look at it, but the essential thing was to keep these two humans apart - so, ironically, he couldn’t do what he had been sent to do. Someone else would have to take a more drastic approach.
Iron? You have to get to the clock. Sapphire and I... have our hands full. That was literally true at this moment, as the girl had inconveniently decided to start crying and clutching at him. And he would rather have had a proper look at that clock. Still… Just stop it before it chimes midnight. You can be as unsubtle as you wish.
I’m already with Sapphire. I know. Iron’s reply was as terse as ever.
“I’m sorry,” said the girl, drawing away from Silver suddenly. “I - I don’t even know you.”
Silver gave a quick smile. “No,” he said. “You don’t. But it is all right.”
*
“Five,” said Sapphire, who was standing by the remains of the clock, when Silver rejoined her, having deposited the girl with her parents. They’d been inclined to ask tiresome questions until he assured them that she’d had a narrow escape and then slipped away from them. He’d seen Iron marching the young man out and the guests were still gossiping about the unexpected conclusion to the evening’s celebrations. They were stealing looks at Sapphire, who only appeared pleased by their stares. Soon, no doubt, he thought, they’d all be back to pretending nothing had happened. Which was more or less true now, he supposed.
“Silver,” said Sapphire, as he couldn’t keep from bending down to retrieve pieces of the shattered clock and examining them. “How many?”
He looked up at her and stood again. “How many…?”
“Yes. Silver?”
Silver laughed lightly. “Oh, that. Four. And a half, perhaps.”
“It’s not like you to lose, Silver.”
He moved to stand next to her again; too close for polite society. They attracted more glances, whether because of the earlier disturbance or their behaviour, he didn’t know. He wasn’t terribly interested, either way. “But I haven’t lost - or not yet.”
Sapphire turned her head and raised her eyebrow.
“I’m merely saving the best till last,” he said, and kissed her hand once more. “Whether or not I’ve lost - well, that’s up to you, Sapphire.”
She looked at him, and then she laughed and slipped her arm through his.
I think they’re talking about us again. Making an exhibition of ourselves. He shot her an amused glance.
“We should leave,” said Sapphire. “We’re not wanted here, and we’re not needed anymore. Besides, if we’re talking of exhibitions, there’s something nearby I wanted to show you.”
“Oh?”
She nodded, as they headed for the nearest door together. “A different kind of Exhibition. I think you’ll appreciate it. Iron didn’t, but then - what we had to deal with there before -” She turned back before they left this hallway, before they vanished together. “And no, Silver. You haven’t lost. Not this time.”
***