A Suit Ill-fitting
Fandoms: Thunderbirds Are Go!, Kingsman: The Secret Service
Genre: flashback
Rating: Gen
Characters: Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, Roxy "Lancelot" Morton, Sherbert
Pairings: none
This is a crossover and part of a proposed "5 Ws and an H" (or maybe "Six Questions") series. The question it answers is "How" or perhaps "When" as in "When/How did Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward get her pug, Sherbert?" Answer: During her training for the Kingsman organization. Some knowledge of both properties is probably required. I still have no idea if Sherbert is male or female, so I'm plunking for male. Also, he looks like a puppy and not a full-grown pug, so I've got an explanation for that. I've also posited that Lord Hugh Creighton-Ward is/was a Kingsman.
Penelope sighed, tugging down the tweed jacket she wore, muttering, “So gauche. Not at all stylish.” A soft whine sounded from around her ankle. The wrinkled, worried face of her pug, Sherbert, met her downward glance. “I know, boy. I know. Won't be a minute.”
She rapped a brisk tattoo on the mahogany-paneled door.
A voice within called, “Come in!”
Taking a deep breath, she plastered a pleasant expression on her face and turned the crystal handle.
“Ah, Penelope!” The distinguished older man rose to his feet, smiling. “A pleasure to see you again.” He indicated the leather armchair beside him. “Please, sit.”
“Thank you, Arthur.” She inclined her head, gracefully taking the proffered seat, fighting the urge to settle back and cross one knee over the other. Sherbert settled onto his haunches beside her, looking as alert as any faithful dog could.
“You have a pug!” Arthur peered at the dog, his smile turning into a puzzled frown. “He doesn't look right somehow.”
Penelope nodded. “Merlin is not sure why he still looks like a puppy. She suggests a possible recessive gene, hidden by the breeder.”
“I see.” Sitting back, Arthur folded his hands over a still-trim waist. “I had a pug, you know, when I came here for training. Named him J.B. after my favorite spy.”
“James Bond?”
Arthur shook his head.
Penelope assayed another guess. “Jason Bourne?”
He chuckled. “No to that as well. Someone you may not know as he was well before your time. An American television spy: Jack Bauer.”
“Ah, interesting. You are quite right; I had not heard of him.” She angled her body toward him, both feet flat on the floor. “May I ask why you have summoned me? I am sure it is not to discuss pugs, admirable as they are.”
Arthur nodded. “Direct and to the point, just like Tristan.” He paused as if summoning his next words. “As you are aware, Penelope, your training is complete. You are one of three candidates to make it this far. This next test may very well determine if you are the next Gaheris.” He twisted, reaching across his body to the small table on the far side of his chair. When he turned back, Penelope's eyes widened. He held a semi-automatic pistol in his hand, pointed at her. A long cold moment passed before he offered it to her, hammer first, a finger looped in the trigger guard. “Go ahead. Take it.”
Cautiously, she obeyed, laying the weapon in her lap.
“As you can see, it is loaded.” He motioned toward Sherbert with his hand. “Shoot the dog.”
Penelope's wide-eyed shock folded down quickly to a thoughtful frown as she eyed first the gun and then her dog. Turning her attention back to Arthur's expectant face, she asked, “Why?”
“Because it's the last hurdle, the final test.” He motioned again, his voice more insistent. “Shoot the dog.”
Penelope glanced back to study the gun in her lap. “Hm. Your orders are to shoot-not to kill. Very specific. Most would think one word meant the other. However, my training taught me a Kingsman agent does not knowingly take innocent lives.” A slight smile touched her lips as her gaze slid back down to the pug sitting at her feet. “There is none so innocent as a dog.”
She turned the gun over in her hands. “To ensure that 'shoot' does not become 'kill', there must be a safe way to do one and avoid the other. A blank cartridge, perhaps.” A glimpse at Arthur's face revealed nothing but a stony visage. Breathing deeply, she again gave Arthur her full attention. Her voice was steady, her face serene. “I will not shatter the trust I have built with Sherbert. Even if the round in the chamber is blank, I will not risk his life or health. I will not shoot my dog.”
“Is that your final answer?” Arthur's voice was full of warning; a quirked eyebrow promised fierce, scowling condemnation.
She gripped the muzzle, returning the gun to him. “It is.”
He took the gun by the grip, his gaze never leaving hers. She swallowed heavily, touching her unadorned lips with the tip of her tongue. Still, her back was straight, feet flat on the floor, ready for action.
Suddenly, he huffed out a chuckle. A slight, crooked smile brought out a deep dimple on his cheek.
“I didn't shoot either.”
As he leaned over to place the gun on the table, a shot rang out, echoing through the mansion, followed by another. Penelope couldn't help but jump. Arthur just glanced over his shoulder.
“Well, I don't know which of the others shot first but whoever they are, they passed the test.” Turning back to her, he said, “I am afraid you, my dear, have not.”
“As I suspected.” Penelope's relief was palpable. She relaxed, her shoulders dropping slightly as she settled back into her chair, still fighting the urge to cross her knees or ankles. Cocking her head to one side, she said, “I admit I am confused. You said you did not shoot your dog, yet here you are, at the head of the organization. Did you pass the test or not?”
“I did not.” Arthur stood, visibly stiff, and made his way over to a sideboard, where a decanter and several glasses sat. He poured two fingers of Scotch into a glass, glancing over at Penelope and hefting the crystal bottle to wordlessly offer her a drink. She shook her head.
“No, thank you.”
Once he was settled back down in his chair, he repeated his reply. “As I said, I did not. I wasn't able to connect the things you so ably explained and was ignorant of the blank cartridge-excellent deduction, by the way-in the gun handed to me.” He took a sip, sighing with pleasure. “My handler was furious, not only because I refused to shoot J.B., but also because I stole his boss's car.” He pointed at her, remaining fingers still wrapped around his tumbler. “I doubt you'll be following that stellar example.”
“I assure you I won't.” Her thoughts turned briefly to the classic roadster her father brought up the day before--a gift, he said, for finishing her training. He returned home in one of the family's Rolls Royces with Parker at the wheel.
“In any case, my handler was killed in action, the Arthur of that time turned traitor, and I found myself saving the world.” He tossed back the rest of his drink. “After that, I took my handler's spot until recently.” Setting the glass down, he leaned back in his chair, wincing. “The Merlin of my day, being senior, became Arthur, but on his retirement, I was offered the position as head. I would have declined it had I not been injured badly enough to take me out of action. He grinned, the dimple reappearing deeper than ever. "Like Tristan, I prefer an active life."
A knock sounded. Penelope signaled for Sherbert to remain where he was as she got up to open the door. A middle-aged woman peered in. Still trim and muscular, her golden hair sported few, near invisible, silver strands. She acknowledged Penelope with a nod before turning to Arthur.
“Devlin is ready, Arthur. Merlin has sent Southern home.”
“Very good, Lancelot. Penelope and I are nearly done here.”
Lancelot nodded and withdrew, closing the door behind her. Arthur steepled his fingers under his chin while Penelope motioned Sherbert to her side.
“I am sorry to see you go, Penelope. You would have made a fine Gaheris.”
“Devlin will be even better, I am sure.” She smiled, an expression that lit up her blue eyes. “Besides, I believe I am a poor fit for Kingsman. I like my designer fashions far too much; a suit, however well-tailored, would ill-suit me.” Her eyes widened and she put her fingers to her lips. “Oh, dear. Please forgive the pun.” She sighed, her smile fading. “Also, I did not relish the idea of working with my father. We are too much alike, he and I.”
“Yes, I can see the resemblance. I will suggest Tristan tempers his outrage at your failure-which is no failure considering you came away with the most important lesson of all.” He rose from his chair slowly, offering his hand. She shook it.
“You may rely on my discretion, of course. My father and I may not get along at times, but I do love my Mama.”
“I know. So does he. Goodbye, Penelope, and good luck.”
“Goodbye and thank you. For everything.”
Penelope allowed him to open the door for her. There was no one in the hall but she was sure Lancelot and the new Gaheris lurked somewhere near.
She smiled as Sherbert trotted along beside her. Because his legs were much shorter than a normal adult pug's, she had learned to slow her walk to match his. Once at the stairwell, however, she stopped.
“Sherbert, seeing as I-as we-are no longer in training but are now free, carrying you will help speed things up a little. A good thing, too! You've waited quite long enough to go outside!”
Genre: flashback
Rating: Gen
Characters: Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, Roxy "Lancelot" Morton, Sherbert
Pairings: none
This is a crossover and part of a proposed "5 Ws and an H" (or maybe "Six Questions") series. The question it answers is "How" or perhaps "When" as in "When/How did Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward get her pug, Sherbert?" Answer: During her training for the Kingsman organization. Some knowledge of both properties is probably required. I still have no idea if Sherbert is male or female, so I'm plunking for male. Also, he looks like a puppy and not a full-grown pug, so I've got an explanation for that. I've also posited that Lord Hugh Creighton-Ward is/was a Kingsman.
Penelope sighed, tugging down the tweed jacket she wore, muttering, “So gauche. Not at all stylish.” A soft whine sounded from around her ankle. The wrinkled, worried face of her pug, Sherbert, met her downward glance. “I know, boy. I know. Won't be a minute.”
She rapped a brisk tattoo on the mahogany-paneled door.
A voice within called, “Come in!”
Taking a deep breath, she plastered a pleasant expression on her face and turned the crystal handle.
“Ah, Penelope!” The distinguished older man rose to his feet, smiling. “A pleasure to see you again.” He indicated the leather armchair beside him. “Please, sit.”
“Thank you, Arthur.” She inclined her head, gracefully taking the proffered seat, fighting the urge to settle back and cross one knee over the other. Sherbert settled onto his haunches beside her, looking as alert as any faithful dog could.
“You have a pug!” Arthur peered at the dog, his smile turning into a puzzled frown. “He doesn't look right somehow.”
Penelope nodded. “Merlin is not sure why he still looks like a puppy. She suggests a possible recessive gene, hidden by the breeder.”
“I see.” Sitting back, Arthur folded his hands over a still-trim waist. “I had a pug, you know, when I came here for training. Named him J.B. after my favorite spy.”
“James Bond?”
Arthur shook his head.
Penelope assayed another guess. “Jason Bourne?”
He chuckled. “No to that as well. Someone you may not know as he was well before your time. An American television spy: Jack Bauer.”
“Ah, interesting. You are quite right; I had not heard of him.” She angled her body toward him, both feet flat on the floor. “May I ask why you have summoned me? I am sure it is not to discuss pugs, admirable as they are.”
Arthur nodded. “Direct and to the point, just like Tristan.” He paused as if summoning his next words. “As you are aware, Penelope, your training is complete. You are one of three candidates to make it this far. This next test may very well determine if you are the next Gaheris.” He twisted, reaching across his body to the small table on the far side of his chair. When he turned back, Penelope's eyes widened. He held a semi-automatic pistol in his hand, pointed at her. A long cold moment passed before he offered it to her, hammer first, a finger looped in the trigger guard. “Go ahead. Take it.”
Cautiously, she obeyed, laying the weapon in her lap.
“As you can see, it is loaded.” He motioned toward Sherbert with his hand. “Shoot the dog.”
Penelope's wide-eyed shock folded down quickly to a thoughtful frown as she eyed first the gun and then her dog. Turning her attention back to Arthur's expectant face, she asked, “Why?”
“Because it's the last hurdle, the final test.” He motioned again, his voice more insistent. “Shoot the dog.”
Penelope glanced back to study the gun in her lap. “Hm. Your orders are to shoot-not to kill. Very specific. Most would think one word meant the other. However, my training taught me a Kingsman agent does not knowingly take innocent lives.” A slight smile touched her lips as her gaze slid back down to the pug sitting at her feet. “There is none so innocent as a dog.”
She turned the gun over in her hands. “To ensure that 'shoot' does not become 'kill', there must be a safe way to do one and avoid the other. A blank cartridge, perhaps.” A glimpse at Arthur's face revealed nothing but a stony visage. Breathing deeply, she again gave Arthur her full attention. Her voice was steady, her face serene. “I will not shatter the trust I have built with Sherbert. Even if the round in the chamber is blank, I will not risk his life or health. I will not shoot my dog.”
“Is that your final answer?” Arthur's voice was full of warning; a quirked eyebrow promised fierce, scowling condemnation.
She gripped the muzzle, returning the gun to him. “It is.”
He took the gun by the grip, his gaze never leaving hers. She swallowed heavily, touching her unadorned lips with the tip of her tongue. Still, her back was straight, feet flat on the floor, ready for action.
Suddenly, he huffed out a chuckle. A slight, crooked smile brought out a deep dimple on his cheek.
“I didn't shoot either.”
As he leaned over to place the gun on the table, a shot rang out, echoing through the mansion, followed by another. Penelope couldn't help but jump. Arthur just glanced over his shoulder.
“Well, I don't know which of the others shot first but whoever they are, they passed the test.” Turning back to her, he said, “I am afraid you, my dear, have not.”
“As I suspected.” Penelope's relief was palpable. She relaxed, her shoulders dropping slightly as she settled back into her chair, still fighting the urge to cross her knees or ankles. Cocking her head to one side, she said, “I admit I am confused. You said you did not shoot your dog, yet here you are, at the head of the organization. Did you pass the test or not?”
“I did not.” Arthur stood, visibly stiff, and made his way over to a sideboard, where a decanter and several glasses sat. He poured two fingers of Scotch into a glass, glancing over at Penelope and hefting the crystal bottle to wordlessly offer her a drink. She shook her head.
“No, thank you.”
Once he was settled back down in his chair, he repeated his reply. “As I said, I did not. I wasn't able to connect the things you so ably explained and was ignorant of the blank cartridge-excellent deduction, by the way-in the gun handed to me.” He took a sip, sighing with pleasure. “My handler was furious, not only because I refused to shoot J.B., but also because I stole his boss's car.” He pointed at her, remaining fingers still wrapped around his tumbler. “I doubt you'll be following that stellar example.”
“I assure you I won't.” Her thoughts turned briefly to the classic roadster her father brought up the day before--a gift, he said, for finishing her training. He returned home in one of the family's Rolls Royces with Parker at the wheel.
“In any case, my handler was killed in action, the Arthur of that time turned traitor, and I found myself saving the world.” He tossed back the rest of his drink. “After that, I took my handler's spot until recently.” Setting the glass down, he leaned back in his chair, wincing. “The Merlin of my day, being senior, became Arthur, but on his retirement, I was offered the position as head. I would have declined it had I not been injured badly enough to take me out of action. He grinned, the dimple reappearing deeper than ever. "Like Tristan, I prefer an active life."
A knock sounded. Penelope signaled for Sherbert to remain where he was as she got up to open the door. A middle-aged woman peered in. Still trim and muscular, her golden hair sported few, near invisible, silver strands. She acknowledged Penelope with a nod before turning to Arthur.
“Devlin is ready, Arthur. Merlin has sent Southern home.”
“Very good, Lancelot. Penelope and I are nearly done here.”
Lancelot nodded and withdrew, closing the door behind her. Arthur steepled his fingers under his chin while Penelope motioned Sherbert to her side.
“I am sorry to see you go, Penelope. You would have made a fine Gaheris.”
“Devlin will be even better, I am sure.” She smiled, an expression that lit up her blue eyes. “Besides, I believe I am a poor fit for Kingsman. I like my designer fashions far too much; a suit, however well-tailored, would ill-suit me.” Her eyes widened and she put her fingers to her lips. “Oh, dear. Please forgive the pun.” She sighed, her smile fading. “Also, I did not relish the idea of working with my father. We are too much alike, he and I.”
“Yes, I can see the resemblance. I will suggest Tristan tempers his outrage at your failure-which is no failure considering you came away with the most important lesson of all.” He rose from his chair slowly, offering his hand. She shook it.
“You may rely on my discretion, of course. My father and I may not get along at times, but I do love my Mama.”
“I know. So does he. Goodbye, Penelope, and good luck.”
“Goodbye and thank you. For everything.”
Penelope allowed him to open the door for her. There was no one in the hall but she was sure Lancelot and the new Gaheris lurked somewhere near.
She smiled as Sherbert trotted along beside her. Because his legs were much shorter than a normal adult pug's, she had learned to slow her walk to match his. Once at the stairwell, however, she stopped.
“Sherbert, seeing as I-as we-are no longer in training but are now free, carrying you will help speed things up a little. A good thing, too! You've waited quite long enough to go outside!”