Note to Self:

[blondandperfect]

Who:blondandperfect,makeflowersgrow,mouthbreathing,petalpluck
When: Nov 1st, Morning, noon and evening.
Where: Ehvenn Household
Summary: Checklist: Give Eponine a hard time, Make Warsman a man, and get Garry to cook dinner. Let's see what happens.
Warnings: Will update as necessary.

"Mnnghh.." Hattie awoke, bleary eyed, at 7:05 am. She didn't even party that hard the evening before. Perhaps her body was just tired because it was almost time to head down to the gym and the weather was getting colder.

Needless to say, she wasn't very fond of the cold. After washing up, she headed downstairs to look at her notes she placed upon the fridge with a magnet. It looks like it's going to be another busy day..

Comments

8:00 am

[blondandperfect]

Eponine would be here any moment now. It's come to the point where she's trusted her maid with a set of keys, but she didn't trust the girl to wake her in the morning. It's pretty much the same thing every day: cleaning and more lessons in the art of being a maid.

But today she was looking forward to hearing the maid gush about her time at the party.

Re: 8:00 am

[makeflowersgrow]

Eponine turns up just a little late, dressed back in her old scruffy dress, with both the ball gown and Hattie's uniforms draped over her arm. Her hair is still partially swept up in that coiffed do, and what remains of the makeup is still in place. Eponine's exhausted. The party didn't end till dawn, and then Deadpool had insisted she went back with him, which basically meant no sleep at all. Eponine didn't usually have an interest in her chores, but today, it'd be a wonder if she didn't try to mop the carpet or scrub the cat, she was so tired and distracted. Last night she had been a lady. Last night was the most beautiful she's ever felt and she wants to keep that feeling for as long as she can. She was still humming waltz music from her first ever dance.

Once at Hattie's, she let herself in quietly and went to find Hattie to see what uniform she'd prefer Eponine to wear.
"Madame! I am here! I mean, My Lady."
She's getting better at it, mostly. "I have your dress and your jewellery. Which dress today, Madame?"

[blondandperfect]

Hattie suspected that Eponine would not be at 100 percent, this would probably be the one day where she didn't force her to clean things- however it didn't mean that she was going to cancel her plan for lessons.

Upon seeing Eponine in her scruffy attire, the blonde couldn't help but cringe at the sight. She really needs to do something about those clothes before people start up strange rumors.

"So I see. Place the dress on a hanger and add that to the 'Cleaners' closet. The jewelry box is upstairs, along with your uniform.. So, I trust that you had a wonderful evening? First, tell me about the spa. I hope that was to your liking."

[makeflowersgrow]

Eponine does as bid, sticking the dress into the wardrobe, not even noticing Hattie's reaction to her attire. She returns quickly, a massive grin on her face.

"Oh, Madame, it was lovely. You know, they did my hair, and make up and painted my nails, see?"

She'd been staring her nails a lot. They were perfectly polished and perfectly finished with French tips, and now she thrust her hand under Hattie's nose for her boss to see.

"Madame, and they were lovely. They sprayed perfume and they made me feel so special, Madame. I wish I could have that every day. You know, M'sieur Marius thought I was a lady when he saw me?"

[blondandperfect]

"Mnn.. I see." Really, she didn't even think the dress was that great, and she didn't even purchase the most expensive spa treatment! It's so amusing how commoners are so taken by the most 'basic' things for Hattie.

She leaned back from the presented hand however, brushing it off to the side, "Yes, yes, it's very lovely Eponine. So you say Marius believed you to be a lady? I imagine that didn't last long- appearances alone can only get you so far, my dear. But still, that is wonderful to hear I bet you were the lovliest girl at the dance. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Really." she hides the sarcasm quite well. "Did you dance with him as well?"

That should be an amusing tale, she's certain Eponine doesn't know how to.

[makeflowersgrow]

"Yes he did - oh, and Madame, it was amusing, Madame. I pretended that I did not know him - he did not recognise me with the mask, you see. And I pretended I was a grand lady and that the ball was silly and unimportant. Oh, and Madame, he believed me. He tried to impress me - but then, Madame, he realised it was I."

Her face lights up at Hattie's question though. "Oh, Madame - yes, he asked me to dance. It was as if an angel, Madame, had asked me. But I do not think he liked it as much as I. He wanted to stop, Madame, soon after. I didn't know how, you see. I did not know where to step, and I stood on him, Madame."

Her expression is sad now. "But it was magical, Madame. Always have I wanted to dance with M'sieur Marius, and I will never forget it. Oh, and Madame, his smell. Like flowers and ink all together. He is lovely."

[blondandperfect]

Hattie tries to keep a patient expression as she listens to Eponine. There was legitimate amusement as she tried to picture how her maid possibly acted as a grand lady- she could pull it off one day. Maybe. Possibly. With her help, at least. "Of course he did, that was exactly how I had planned with your attire."

"Yes, it comes to no surprise that you do not know how to dance. However it isn't something that a maid needs to know, and it's far too time consuming to teach everything." she reaches out to gently cup Eponine's cheek with a small smile, "Well it doesn't have to be the last. There will most certainly be another dance in December, and if you would like I could teach you how to impress him even more. But, you need to work a bit more seriously, Eponine."

"I think you understand that as long as you have me around, I can make even more of your dreams come true.. Right?"

[makeflowersgrow]

Eponine jerks her head away from Hattie. This is what she hates. People patronizing her, treating her with that sort of pity that is just contempt in disguise. Not that Eponine could put any of that into words...

"But I do not want to be a maid, Madame. You know I do not - not forever."

Not ever, really. But that ship had sailed, and there was no point dwelling on it. Eponine sighs in defeat. She wants everything and more that Hattie offers to her.

"You are right, Madame. What is it you will have me do today? I will be good."

11:30 am

[blondandperfect]

It's earlier than agreed upon, but today would be the first official day of 'class' for Warsman. Hattie's already finished preparing a small list of topics to cover, but right now she's finishing up Eponine's lessons before she has to go to Mr. Gold's.

Warsman has been here before to help Hattie move, so hopefully he should remember where she lives!

[mouthbreathing]

It just had to be today of all days, didn't it? The thought of Hattie's own personal style of coaching was bad enough, but adding in what he saw in his bathroom mirror this morning is enough to induce a cold sweat. Trying to back out, though, wasn't ever going to work: even if he wasn't already too polite to make up an excuse, Warsman has a sneaking suspicion that she wouldn't have taken no for an answer.

He's had to be exceptionally careful on the way over, shying away from anything that could possibly reflect his image and keeping his head down and his poncho carefully wrapped around his upper body. The thought of anyone noticing and staring, or even laughing... it'd be too much to bear.

There's no turning back now that he's right on Hattie's doorstep- praying that she doesn't have too many mirrors dotted around the place now that she's lived in it for a good while, he rings the doorbell and immediately ducks his head to avoid catching his own dark, staring eye in the door's glass.

[blondandperfect]

Hattie also had a.. Strange experience with a mirror. So strange, in fact, that she pretty had little choice but to ignore it for the sake of more important things. She didn't have time for strange happenings, see.

By the time Warsman arrived, it's when Hattie is wrapping up, or trying to wrap up lessons on table setting with Eponine. She's extremely annoyed, if her slamming her hand on the table said anything, "No, no, no!! Eponine, it isn't that hard! Fish fork, dinner fork, salad fork on the left, service knife, fish knife, soup spoon to the right of the plate! Pick them up and place them aga-!"

Hattie is cut off by the doorbell, looking quickly over her shoulder, and then to the clock. "Oh, that must be Warsman.. Fine, this is your chance to practice your door greetings. Make him feel welcome then direct him to the kitchen. Go." and she shoos Eponine off to the foyer, feeling a headache coming on. No mirrors there, at least!

[makeflowersgrow]

Stupid knives. What did it even matter? Stupid tiny little forks all looked the same. And they all had the same purpose. They were just helpful to not get your fingers messy. Eponine was sure Hattie was fussing over nothing and exaggerating on purpose.

She chucks the rest of the forks carelessly on the table, and glares at Hattie before stomping off to the front door.

When she opens it, Warsman will see a young girl in a very fancy crinolined maid's gown, complete with fancy white cap stuck on her head. Eponine's not smiling; she's absolutely exhausted, and she stifles a yawn.

"You're Warsman? Madame Hattie is Expecting you, M'sieur. Am I to take your coat?"

She stands back from the door to allow Warsman in, and holds her hands out for a coat.
[And go through your pockets to see if there's anything worth pocketing - but she'll do that later, when Warsman is safely occupied with Hattie.]

"Madame Hattie wants to see you in the kitchen, M'sieur, if you will follow me."

[mouthbreathing]

The door opens- and Warsman blinks. He's always known that Hattie was royalty, of course, but somehow he hadn't expected... well, maids. Not like this, anyway. Robin had housekeepers back in England, too, but nothing so elaborate.

"Yes... yes, that's me." If he sounds a little bewildered, it's because even when he stayed with Robin he wasn't sure of just how to address the man's maids. He always feels as though he's being too polite, or not polite enough, or too personal. Maybe he's just spent so much of his life closer to their end of the spectrum than Robin's or Hattie's that he's not sure how to place himself comfortably anymore.

After a slightly awkward pause, he sweeps his poncho off of his shoulders; he's in his wrestling gear, as always, but she seems to be expecting something and so he hands it over (though she will, in all likelihood, be somewhat disappointed by the sparse contents of the wallet within).

"Thank you." He can, at the very least, do gratitude. He tilts his head curiously at the young woman as he follows her through- Hattie's been busy, he can see that. "I'm sorry. I don't think I caught your name."

[makeflowersgrow]

"Then you must come in. Madame will shout at me if I do not do this properly."

She drapes the poncho over the banister and beckons Warsman to follow her.

"I'm 'Ponine, M'sieur. Madame Hattie... she has me..... do what she does not want."

Eponine's hasty - it's nearly time for her to go to Mr Gold's, and quite frankly, she has no idea what to do with Warsman. She probably comes across as awkward; she doesn't meet his eyes at all, and she twists her hands together in front of her.

"Madame? Madame -" She shouts Hattie as they come closer to the kitchen.
"It is he."

She opens the door for Warsman and follows him into the kitchen.

[mouthbreathing]

She does come across as a little awkward, but more than anything Warsman is sympathetic; it can't be an easy job even at the best of times, and he can't imagine Hattie is a particularly forgiving mistress. She doesn't look quite so young as she could, but her obvious nerves are enough that he can't quite stop himself from using the kid-skin gloves approach just in case he's intimidated her by appearance alone. It wouldn't be the first time, even without the aid of a mirror along the way.

"'Ponine'?" he repeats uncertainly. It sounds French, matching the titles she uses. "I'll remember that for next time."

Trying to make actual conversation, though, might just make things more awkward for her. Instead he simply does his best to do as he's expected to do, keeping out of her way as she leads him forward- no mean feat, given his size- before stepping into the kitchen ahead of her.

[blondandperfect]

Yeah.

Warsman is a good practice partner, his social awkwardness combined with Eponine's level of skill guarantees that things won't end in disaster. Unfortunately she doesn't need to be there to know that her maid blew it, and by the time the two have arrived, Hattie's already with her face buried in her palms while shaking her head. Why? Why does this have to be so difficult?

After she sighed, Hattie got to her feet and curtseyed (in example) before Warsman, "Good afternoon, Warsman. I apologize for Eponine, she's.. New. Very new.." and a very brief glare is shot in her direction. "You may have noticed she has a terrible habit of adressing me as 'madam' instead of 'my lady'. She also appears to have difficulty smiling, and seems to find it fitting to shout across the halls to me. Oh, and be especially keen on painting me in a poor light to my company, I'm sure."

One could almost see the vein beginning to buldge from her forehead. "You're done here for the day, get out of my sight."

[makeflowersgrow]

Eponine looks upset, glancing from Hattie to Warsman and back again. Is it okay for Hattie to point out her faults in front of - was he a man? It's not fair. Her face turns sullen.

"Madame - my lady. I did not say you were bad. I did -"

Oh you know? She can't be bothered arguing it out. She's too tired. So she just shrugs and turns on her heel to go and get changed back into her normal clothes again. Before she slips out, though, she'll be sure to relieve Warsman of his wallet. (sorry!)

4:00 pm

[blondandperfect]

Work started late today, Hattie had asked Garry if he could come to the house instead of the studio today at 4pm. This would be his first time he's actually come over so she's looking forward to showing off what a nice place she resides in. Two orders had come in, so she's eager to get started on that, and of course she has plans to get her newest employee in taking care of another job as well.

Hattie lives in a two story house, and it's clearly well taken care of and a beauty to look at.

:D

[petalpluck]

Even if it wasn't his first time visiting, he still made the effort to dress a little formally for the occasion, as if he were going to a job interview. Now hopefully the nicely pressed and ironed royal violet dress shirt and black slacks weren't too gaudy.

He's punctual enough to arrive three minutes behind the turn of the hour, with only a few seconds taken to finger-comb some wavy bangs in place before he rings the doorbell.

[blondandperfect]

With Eponine having long gone and Warsman gone for the day, Hattie had found herself not physically drained, but certainly emotionally. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to hold lessons back to back, but she couldn't send her only employee away!

When she opens the door, Hattie is revealed to be in very modern attire: dark coat and pants with a frilled shirt and pumps. She didn't feel like dealing with ribbons and the rest today.

"Garry! Glad you could make it, come in, come in.." she steps to the side to allow him into the foyer. "Well, you look nice, violet really works for you~. Was it difficult getting here?"

[petalpluck]

"Oh my," The house seemed nice on the outside, but he couldn't help but gawk at the interior of the foyer, momentarily forgetting his manners.

"Ah! Thank you, Ms. Hattie." He smiles, stepping inside. "Not at all; I'm getting much better with the transit system here."

[blondandperfect]

And of course Hattie pretends not to notice but she's totally eating up his awe. It goes without saying she's proud of the house, even if it isn't as big as she'd like it to be.

However now comes the tricky part; as usually she has someone else handle coats and such, maybe he'll just leave it somewhere and save her the trouble? "Oh good, I'm glad! Well then let's head on over to my office and I'll get you up to speed on what's going on." she turns around and leads the way.

"You must be freezing, would you like tea or coffee or anything?"

[petalpluck]

His coat will only go on the closest rack, provided that there was one by the door. Garry's not big on leaving it, but at least the house is much warmer on the inside.

"Coffee would be delightful. Do you have cream?" He asks, following after her briskly.

[blondandperfect]

Well so long as he takes care of it she's happy, even if it goes against proper etiquette. Oh what she would give to have her maid around. But yes, she will give him the time to put his coat away as the closet is in the foyer next to the stairwell.

"Of course I do!" Hattie replies, leading him into the kitchen which is a lot more rustic in comparison. Once she does, though, she pretends that she doesn't remember where it is.

"Now, let's see.. She keeps it in that cabinet.. Or.. Was it that one? Hmn.. It could be near the sink, perhaps.."

[petalpluck]

The rustic yet homely interiors of the kitchen make him smile. But he doesn't linger too long; automatically wandering to help Hattie look for the cream. "Do you have.. servants?" He asks, remembering that she was supposed to be a princess.

At least he know knows where the tupperware, spices, and canned soups go.