The Art of Being Seamless (Lady C, casual)

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

Peter wasn’t sure why he was there. Oh he knew what was going on and why he’d shown up. The question he had was why was he specifically there.

It all started when he’d been out with the kids down at the community center a week before. They’d just finished up a game of basketball when Alan – nearly mute and still possibly afraid of him – had stepped forward with a flyer. It was for some charity – Art with a Heart. They were having some charity fundraiser. He’d looked at it blankly for a moment, but he knew better than to just dismiss it. Finally, Alan had explained that he was involved with this program and that they were looking for volunteers for the event. He hadn’t needed to ask anything else. The kid had asked him to do something for him. Why Peter specifically still made no sense, but he was willing to go along with it.

That was how he came to be standing in the middle of this charity event for young up and coming artists. He’d had no idea Alan was an artist – up and coming or otherwise. If he had known, he would have talked to Jane about getting him involved in some of her art classes. But that was neither here nor there, seeing as how he had somehow gotten sponsored by this charity all on his own.

Peter had been there for a few hours and he honestly hadn’t done a lot. He’d mainly been a body to help keep things going smoothly, though he had put his muscles to good work setting up the sample art for the displays. But he hadn’t had to work. Of course, he’d charmed a couple people into heftier donations while making sure the snacks were stocked up but...it all seemed too easy. The charity was well known, so it didn’t have to jump through the hoops he usually had to for his own charitable gestures. A lot of that had to do with the founder – Catherine de Bourgh.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

He’d been warned about that. She was titled, after all, so one should remember to use her title. It wouldn’t do to forget that, especially when addressing her. He’d seen her off and on throughout the event, moving seamlessly through the crowd from person to person, letting them all bask in her presence. The more he watched, the more he thought she was fascinating. He was smooth with people, but this woman took it to a level he was envious of. As an expert on masks, he could tell hers was crafted from years of practice, a life time of making appearances. He didn’t know what to make of her, but she still piqued his interest. Chances were that she would be far too busy to speak with a lowly volunteer who was playing pseudo-father to an artist she probably didn’t know the name of, but he was still hopeful that he would at least be able to say hello to her – to have her speak to him and pass him by like everyone else so he could learn from a pro.

Perhaps charity wasn’t so boring after all.

OOC: I have been watching far too much Dexter, haha! Hopefully this works for you!

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

This particular chairty event that Art With A Heart was hosting was going particularly well. Her Ladyship hadn't gone a great deal of charity work in the past few weeks, mainly because she had been on what she liked to call her annual summer sojurn - she went to stay in an expensive resort of hotel in some exotic location for a couple of weeks. Her Ladyship did not travel much - she felt she didn't need to - but her ridiculously luxurious and expesnive summer holidays were the one aspect of travelling she could not live without.

And now Her Ladyship was back in the swing of things in New York, catching up with some of the events her charities had been hosting that she had missed (and, was informed by all she talked to, she herself had been sorely missed in her nonattendance). This particular event was showing some sample artwork of the artist the charity sponsored and encouraging visitors to the gallery to donate to the cause. Of course, Her Ladyship was in the thick of it all, swanning about and talking away as only she could. She was dressed in a light blue skirt suit today, looking every inch the elegant and competent head of the charity.

She finished a discussion about a particular piece of artwork with a couple who, thanks to Her Ladyship's enthusiasm for the piece, intended to buy it and also donate a great deal to the charity, and walked over to where the refreshments were being served, greeting those she passed on the way with her usual regal air. Having lifed a champagne flute and taken a dainty sip, Her Ladyship paused in her bustling to simply stand there and observe the event - it was going well indeed, and she was pleased.

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

As if she had read his mind, he watched as Lady de Bourgh made her way over to the table. She greeted everyone as she passed in her regal way, not pausing for more than that, and no one was silly enough to think that they could keep her time occupied with more than that. He was suddenly sure that queens acted like she did. When she finally paused to observe the crowd, he was only a few feet away from her. Stepping closer, he noted that she even smelled expensive with her perfume lightly wafting towards him. He stood beside her, taking a moment to consider what he would say.

Now, he had never interacted with anyone who had a title before. He’d read books where they were mentioned, but he never expected more than that in real life. He imagined she wasn't as timid as the ladies in those books and looked forward to reading her personality. He always liked to get a feel for the people he was dealing with before he said something to offend them or make himself look foolish. However, he knew he would have to be the one to speak to her first.

“It looks like a great turn out,” he offered, taking a sip from the Champaign flute he’d been nursing throughout the event. He found it to be far too bubbly, but it was what everyone else was drinking. “I am sure you’ll make quite a bit for the charity.”

He was being honest there. Everyone there looked like they had fairly deep pockets. He didn’t know many people in high society. The ones he did recognize had serious money to spend. He supposed it was more about who you knew when it came to these things.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady de Bourgh?"

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“It looks like a great turn out. I am sure you’ll make quite a bit for the charity.”

Her Ladyship was somewhat surprised at being addressed so suddenly, but since she loved to talk about herself and her work the fact did not faze her a great deal. She turned to face the man who had done so - a younger man, glass of champagne to hand - and smiled, agreeing with his sentiments.

"I am most certain we shall. Of course, it helps that the young artists we support are exceptionally talented - we would not be able to make as much for the charity if they weren't."

This was Her Ladyship's attempt at modesty - surprisingly good considering how big her ego was. She took another, smaller sip of champagne, as though to fortify herself for another mini-speech, as the younger man spoke again.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady de Bourgh?

Well, this was a pleasant surprise. Of course, everyone in attendance knew to address Lady Catherine by her title, but as she had never met this young man before, and she was certain he wasn't one of the high class attendees, she was pleasantly surprised to find he knew to address her properly. Young people these days so often lacked the proper respect and deference towards those greater than themselves.

"Indeed, I am." She paused a moment before speaking again,

"Now, you of course know who I am, but I'm afraid I do not recall who you are. Would you be so kind of to remind me?"

One of Her Ladyship's tricks of the trade - as much as she disliked it, being who she was - making the person with whom she was speaking feel important and valued, if only while she placed their name.

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

"I am most certain we shall. Of course, it helps that the young artists we support are exceptionally talented - we would not be able to make as much for the charity if they weren't."

Peter was pleased when Lady de Bourgh turned her gaze on him, sounding pleased as she spoke. It wouldn’t do if she were not enjoying her own function, which he supposed rendered his last question useless, but she replied regardless.

"Indeed, I am. Now, you of course know who I am, but I'm afraid I do not recall who you are. Would you be so kind of to remind me?"

Oh, she was clever. Had he not been studying her, he would have probably felt very special right then, which was the goal. She had the tricks of the trade down.

“My apologies,” he replied not willing to correct her, setting his glass on the table behind them. “I’m Detective Peter Aramis.”

He ducked his head in greeting, thinking a bow would be a bit much for anyone who was raised in Montana, but he wanted a courtesy to go with it.

“One of your young artists, Alan Birch, asked if I would volunteer for the event as a friend of the family.”

It had seemed worthwhile at the time, and he had enjoyed himself to the extent he assumed most people would at one of these events. It had been educational, at least. Now he knew how professional charities ran.

“I’m glad that you were kind enough to get this charity going. Otherwise, I don’t know where young artists like Alan would end up. What was your inspiration, if you don't mind me asking?”

He was happy that Alan was happy, and this woman was responsible. If he could compliment her and study her at the same time, while supporting Alan, then he considered it a job well done.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

As the younger man introduced himself he ducked his head in greeting - a respectful gesture which Her Ladyship, whose overinflated ego she felt was in constant need of reassurance, greatly appreciated. It was then, ego boost aside, that she seemed to take more notice of his own title. He was not simply Mr. Peter Aramis but Detective Peter Aramis. She inwardly frowned a little at this - what would a policeman be doing at her charity gathering?

His subsequent explanation was one she found surprising. Some of Alan Birch's work was on display that day, and Lady Catherine had to admit she was rather fond of some of the pieces. She smiled as Peter finished his explanation.

"That is wonderful," she replied, her tone clearly confirming this. "He truly is a talented young man - I've admired his work for some time."

She set down her glass as Aramis did - not only was this a better way to talk than over the rim of a glass, but allegedly copying the motions of the person with whom you were conversing would make them more at ease in your presence.

When Aramis asked about her inspiration, however, her smile fell, just a little - so little it was hardly noticeable. This charity was one of the several she was head f that her late husband had founded - she explained ths to Aramis, citing Sir Lewis de Bourgh's charitable work as the inspiration for her own.

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

"That is wonderful. He truly is a talented young man - I've admired his work for some time."

And yet, despite the smile and the warm tone, Peter was sure she couldn’t have picked Alan out of the crowd of people. That was alright. He knew how this game was played. He wasn’t even offended that she was playing it with him. She even mimicked his actions to put him at ease. He was tempted to see if she would copy him if he did something outlandish, like start eating watermelon with a fork.

However, when her smile fell, he did feel bad for how he was studying her. She would have gotten away with it, had he not been watching so closely. He could tell she honestly mourned her husband. That honest emotion was what made him see her as a person in that moment, instead of a high society figure.

“I’m sorry to hear that your husband has passed, but I am sure he would be proud to see you’ve taken such good care of his charitable reputation and adopted the spirit.”

Honestly, she could have thrown money at it and never made an appearance, but he had the feeling that she would have found that to be a half-measure. He was sure she never did anything by halves.

“And the charity is lucky to have you. I’m sure the event would not have turned out quite so elegantly without your input.”

He would have thrown up card tables and served crackers. This was fantastic, even if it probably all cost more than he made in a month. He was sure they brought a lot more in, so it all evened out, but it was still elegant, something that he was sure Lady de Bourgh demanded when her name went on anything.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“I’m sorry to hear that your husband has passed, but I am sure he would be proud to see you’ve taken such good care of his charitable reputation and adopted the spirit.”

Lady Catherine's smile returned a little at this - a weak smile, but a smile nonetheless. It was true that she mourned Lewis' passing far more than she let on - she usually didn't let this emotion show for fear it would make her look less in control and in charge than she usually was. Therefore she found that she greatly appreciated the young detective's compliment - although Lewis had been far better with his charitable business than she was the comparison meant a great deal.

"Why thank you, Detective Aramis," she replied, in a voice much quieter than her usual pompous tones. "That...that means a great deal."

Having said this she allowed a few moments of silence to pass, picking up her champagne glass again in a moment of weakness to take a fortifying sip. It wasn't like her to let her guard down like that and look anything less than the formidable, elegant Lady everyone expected to see.

“And the charity is lucky to have you. I’m sure the event would not have turned out quite so elegantly without your input.”

Almost at once her usual demeanour and social mask were in place once more. The fact that this particular event was elegant was something of which Her Ladyship was extremely proud - then again, everything where Her Ladyship was concerned was elegant.

She nodded by means of saying thank you this time, before making her reply.

"Well, it isn't all entirely my doing, you know," she said. "The committee did the decorating and so forth, I just organized everything, that's all."

Of course she organized everything; she was the head of the charity and she always had to be in charge.

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

The small, sad smile was something Peter picked up on. He was sure he wasn’t supposed to read any more into it than she missed her husband a bit. Unfortunately, Peter seemed to be excellent at picking up on just how deeply some people were grieving. Lady de Bourgh most certainly missed her husband acutely.

"Why thank you, Detective Aramis. That...that means a great deal."

He simply nodded, not wanting to draw attention to her moment of vulnerability, as slight as it was. She sipped at her champagne, and Peter absently tasted his own. God, it was awful stuff. Bubbly, dry, but sweet in a way that reminded him of really bad soda. He licked his lips a little to clear the taste faster and set it down again.

His next comment seemed to bring the lady back.

"Well, it isn't all entirely my doing, you know. The committee did the decorating and so forth, I just organized everything, that's all."

When in doubt, be modest. They had definitely studied the same rule book when it came to dealing with people. The committee may have done the physical decorating, but Peter highly doubted that Lady de Bourgh had sat back and let them be in charge of themselves. The more he listened to her, the more she reminded him of his mother. He’d had a life time figuring her out, so it was easy enough to know what the lady wasn’t saying.

“Well, you did a fantastic job,” Peter politely assured her. “Have you had a chance to view the submissions?”

He had wandered when he had first walked in. Alan had nearly tripped over himself in his eagerness to show him every piece the other young artists had contributed to the event. He’d explained styles, textures, and many more terms Peter’s brain just wasn’t hard wired for. Art, like music, was something that Peter just couldn’t figure out. So he’d listened, nodded, and spoke very little, letting Alan speak. The kid rarely spoke to him, so to see him stammering a high speed was shocking enough. He owed this woman and her late husband an awful lot for giving the kid something to open up and chat about.

“I’d be interested to hear your opinions on them.”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“Well, you did a fantastic job. Have you had a chance to view the submissions?”

Lady Catherine nodded graciously, as was expected, and drained what little was left in her glass, daintily of course, before setting it down. It was only then that she replied to the Detective's enquiry.

"I have managed to view some of the submissions, yes," she replied. "Including those from young Mr. Birch."

“I’d be interested to hear your opinions on them.”

"Well, for the work of Mr. Birch...I feel he shows a great deal of versatility. He has great promise as an artist, I feel. Have you viewed any of the submissions yourself?"



ooc: Sorry this took so long - starting university is hectic!

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

"I have managed to view some of the submissions, yes. Including those from young Mr. Birch."

Peter watched as she set her empty glass aside and noted how she had made note to mention Alan. He was their common ground, after all.

"Well, for the work of Mr. Birch...I feel he shows a great deal of versatility. He has great promise as an artist, I feel. Have you viewed any of the submissions yourself?"

Peter knew Alan loved his art. That was all that mattered. To hear he had some future as an artist was something that Peter was sure his mother would love to know. He made a mental note to tell her later.

“Uh, no ma’am,” he replied to her question. “I’ve been a bit preoccupied by everything but the art. They weren't lying when they said they needed people to help out.”

He had been busy helping out, but that wasn’t all of it. He was born and raised in Montana. He thought if someone could paint, good for them. He sure couldn’t, and he didn’t know enough to judge what was good or bad or ‘showing promise.’ Where he came from, there were more important things to do than sit around and make art. He would have been whapped around the head for that when he was Alan's age. But this was New York and being an artist was okay. Hopefully he would be successful at it, but if he wasn't, it wasn't the end of the world.

“But that’s alright. I really don’t know enough about art to give an opinion on it,” he assured her. “I’m sure your ladyship knows much more about all of this than I do.”

Even if she wasn’t an expert, he was sure she wouldn’t have come to the event without base knowledge so that she could get by and make conversation with those who did. She could easily bullshit her way with Peter because he wouldn’t know either way. Him? Oh, he was up a certain creek without a paddle if he thought of trying that.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“Uh, no ma’am. I’ve been a bit preoccupied by everything but the art. They weren't lying when they said they needed people to help out.”

Lady Catherine gave a small, polite laugh, though inwardly she frowned at Aramis' use of the pronoun 'ma'am' to address her. He had addressed her correctly before - was her title really so complex for people to forget? At least she didn't insist on people calling her The Right Honourable Lady Catherine Beatrice de Bourgh. Even she found that a mouthful sometimes, and that was her own name!

"I see," she replied. "Well, I can tell you that your help has been greatly appreciated - even this wonderful committee of mine needs help from volunteers every now and then."

“But that’s alright. I really don’t know enough about art to give an opinion on it. I’m sure your ladyship knows much more about all of this than I do.”

"I can't pretend I know nothing about the subject, Detective, but I would not make the claim of being an expert. As for yourself, I am sure you know far more about it than you realize - and you don't even need to understand all that much about it to say whether you like a piece of art or not."

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

"I see.”

Peter studied her then, curious of her tone after that polite little laugh. He wasn’t sure what had changed, but she seemed...well, displeased. It wasn’t obvious, but he’d been raised by a mother whose moods changed with the passing breeze, and he could pick up on the subtleties when it came to women. He’d have to be more aware.

“Well, I can tell you that your help has been greatly appreciated - even this wonderful committee of mine needs help from volunteers every now and then."

Peter nodded. He was sure they did. Not only did it save them some work, but it also let outsiders in enough to pass on the word about things and talk up the place. It was something he was familiar with. He’d volunteered enough to know that volunteers loved to tell other people about how they’d donated their time to a good cause, which spread the word about the cause. It was a circle that just kept on going.

"I can't pretend I know nothing about the subject, Detective, but I would not make the claim of being an expert. As for yourself, I am sure you know far more about it than you realize - and you don't even need to understand all that much about it to say whether you like a piece of art or not."

He had to hand it to her there. He could admit when he liked things, but his opinion was far from that of a critic.

“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” he replied thoughtfully. “I can say whether I like a piece of art or not, but I doubt my opinion would hold water with anyone who really knew what technicalities make good art.”

So he rarely said anything when he was asked. He was very adept at having others tell him about what was so great about art. Now he was going to have to work on retaining some of that knowledge. He’d bug Jane – she seemed to know art better than anyone.

“Now, the technicalities when it comes to judging things like horses I understand. Do you know much about horses, Lady de Bourgh?”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“I hadn’t thought about it that way. I can say whether I like a piece of art or not, but I doubt my opinion would hold water with anyone who really knew what technicalities make good art.”

Lady Catherine nodded at this. To be perfectly honest, she doubted her opinion would hold water with anyone who knew the technicalities that made good art either - then again, whether someone was an expert or not, they would be inclined, or feel obliged, to agree with her because of who she was. Being titled certainly had its advantages.

“Now, the technicalities when it comes to judging things like horses I understand. Do you know much about horses, Lady de Bourgh?”

"Horses?" Her Ladyship repeated, sounding somewhat surprised at the abrupt change of topic. In truth she knew very little about horses - she had wanted a pony when she was younger, as all the young ladies at her prestigious boarding school seemed to have one, but her parents hadn't allowed it. So Her Ladyship had made one up. But she wasn't exactly about to reveal the falsity of Whinnyfred the pony to the Detective - not only because the fake pony's name was a feeble attempt at a joke but because this had all occurred so long ago as to be near pointless to recount.

Instead, Her Ladyship simply said,

"I'm afraid I know very little about them, Detective. Do you work with horses as part of your job, or is horse riding simply a hobby?"

[DETECTIVE PETER ARAMIS]

"Horses?"

Peter had a talent for two things. The first was asking people questions when they were eating, often causing sputtering or choking, and the second was changing the subject too quickly. From the sound of surprise in her repetition of the word ‘horse’ he knew he’d moved on too quickly again.

"I'm afraid I know very little about them, Detective. Do you work with horses as part of your job, or is horse riding simply a hobby?"

A bit of both. He’d grown up on the back of a horse, then he’d managed to land himself a position with the mounted regiment. Now, he was a pathetic city boy with no contact with anything western. But that wasn’t the point. He’d changed the subject and now she was prodding him along.

“I grew up with horses, and then I was a mounted patrolman, but they don’t have much use for detectives on horseback,” he replied. “Now it’s a hobby.”

And that was all he was about to say about that. If he had his say, he would be on the back of a horse all the time.

“I’m sure your ladyship knows how it is – you grow up and out grow the things that made you happy as a child. You find new hobbies.”

Like volunteering at charity events because one of the kids gave you the big eyes and asked you to.