Application for Sir Percy Blakeney, Baronet, from "The Scarlet Pimpernel"

[sir_percy_b]

A tall, blond gentleman, irreproachably and richly apparelled in a suit of fine cloth, with lace jabot and ruffles, high top-boots, and riding breeches, gallops into the Great Hall astride a pure-bread Arabian horse. He swiftly pulls on the reigns and rides back out the doors. After a moment, both horse and rider return. Six foot odd of

Comments

[lilypotter60]

Oh. Lily liked this applicant. And not just because he'd named her for the harassment question! Stepping forward, she grinned and held out her hand. "I'm Lily," she said, laughing a little. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Percy."

[sir_percy_b]

Sir Percy kissed Lily's fingertips ceremoniously. "Utterly charmed, Lily."

[lilypotter60]

Blushing faintly, Lily nonetheless smiled up at Percy. "Your horse is lovely. I do already know how to ride, but boxing or fencing lessons sound smashing. And I'm going to recommend Gryffindor to you as a House - you..." she paused a moment, her smile turning soft and her eyes studying his face. "You remind me of my husband and my best mate. That's the House we all were in, my first time here. I'd be pleased to vote you there, if you like." It was clear from her tone that both the vote to Gryffindor and the comparison to James and Sirius were high compliments, indeed.

[sir_percy_b]

"Thank you, miss," Sir Percy replied, with a genuine smile. He was not insensible to her tone and her look, and thus perceived the compliment, though he had no idea what Gryffindor was.

"Odds fish, vote me there if you like. You have the advantage of me, though- I'm not entirely sure what Gryffindor is, or how I ended up here."

[carri3_whit3]

You really think humiliation is a good idea?

[sir_percy_b]

Sink me, miss, don't get the wrong idea, but compared to killing a gentleman, humiliation is preferable. Of course, I'd prefer to avoid either.

[carri3_whit3]

Would you now.

What could a 'gentleman' do t'make you feel like humiliatin' him was the proper course, 'zackly?

[sir_percy_b]

Killing or imprisoning the innocent. I wouldn't humiliate anyone for anything less severe, miss.

[fw_darcy]

Good day, sir. *bows correctly*

Would you be so good as to explain how you define the term "innocent political prisoner," please?

[sir_percy_b]

*returns the bow* Sink me, sir, nothin' simpler!

Anyone imprisoned by the Revolutionary government who is innocent of the charges that landed them there. For instance, a maid who was thrown into jail because she happened to work from some countess who fled the country.

[fw_darcy]

I see. However did you and your compatriots hit upon this occupation, sir?

[sir_percy_b]

A chap can only stand readin' about bloodshed in his morning paper for so long. I had some time on my hands since I was avoiding my wife again, and I realized that no decent gentleman could just stand by and watch innocent people get guillotined.

I consulted a few friends, figured out how to forge passports, and, as the Frenchies say, voila! The League was formed.

[danny_blue]

You do like dressing up, don't you?

[sir_percy_b]

Indeed I do, sir.

[danny_blue]

Right, what's your game, then?

[sir_percy_b]

Rescuing the innocent from the jaws of death. *flippantly* It's a demmed sight better than fox hunting.

[artsy_jilly]

"So what made you decide to take up rescuing political prisoners?" Jilly asked with her usual friendly smile. Her face sobered a moment later and she added, "I'm... er... sorry about your wife."

[sir_percy_b]

Sir Percy bowed gallantly, and kissed Jilly's hand. With a smile, he drawled, "There's only so many times a gentleman can stand reading about the death of the innocent, before he's roused into action. Odd's fish, miss, I dare say anyone with a sense of honor and chivalry would've done the same."

His expression froze when he heard the comment about his wife, and his smile became rather forced. However, his expression soon relaxed and he assumed his usual good- natured, and inane smile. "Zounds, miss, I thank you. I consider myself quite lucky to have married an actress with the reputation of being 'the cleverest woman in Europe'. Since everyone knows me as that 'demmed idiot Blakeney', I should have expected some tension as the result of such a dichotomy, eh what?"

[artsy_jilly]

Jilly's opinion of the man rose considerably at his answer to her question, although she felt bad about upsetting him. "That's all very chivalrous of you. Were you ever afraid of getting caught?"

[sir_percy_b]

"I thank you, miss. 'Tis nothing, I assure you. Zounds- I've got the easy role. It's the nineteen other chaps who have to do most of the grunt work and such, and they're far more worthy of praise than I am." Sir Percy, who, as was his wont, had worn his spyglass on a long ribbon around his neck, tapped his lower lip with it.

"Lud love you! I was terrified the first few times, and always anxious each time after, but I'm of the opinion that Fortune is an old man with three hairs on his head, and you must bravely reach out and grab him by the hair. Hesitation or fear, in such a case, only hurts you, and ensures your failure." Sir Percy was also a meticulous planner, and thought up plans for every eventuality, but Sir Percy, with his usual self- deprecation, failed to mention it.

((ooc; reposted for a silly typo))