Marguerite Blakeney is clearly beyond scruples (blazeinhereyes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2018-04-19 20:08:00 |
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Really, Percy didn’t quite know why it had taken him this long to propose to Marguerite considering how quickly they’d gotten married in the dreams. However, it wasn’t something he completely dwelled on, especially not now since he’d finally decided to propose. But he wasn’t just going to go propose at the theatre or somewhere out in public. Not that he was entirely opposed to either place for a proposal, he just wanted to be a little selfish and have it just be them for the evening.
So Percy had gone to some great lengths to make sure that it would be a proposal to remember. Dinner for just the two of them was a given, but he wanted it to be special, so he simply decided to use the rooftop common area after ensuring no one else would interrupt them that night. Percy had gone to some lengths to make the area look nice. He hadn’t cooked dinner, mostly because his cooking skills were less than adequate for this situation. He’d ordered from a nice restaurant ahead of time, so the food was still nice and hot while sitting covered on the table.
He’d left a note in the apartment for Marguerite to meet him on the roof for dinner. He was dressed like he’d just come back from work, though he’d actually changed his shirt when he’d come home. His suit jacket, which was hung on the back of his chair, held the ring box, mostly to disguise it from Marguerite. Though he wasn’t entirely certain that he was going to get all the way through dinner without her guessing what was going on. So the proposal just might come before they actually ate.
While Marguerite would make quips and tease about how she felt like she was losing her touch because Percy had yet to propose to her, it wasn’t like she really meant it. Yes, she always wore her wedding band from the Dreams on a chain and had to stop herself from calling Percy her husband at random, but they had a good life and even if they weren’t married in name it certainly felt as if they were in all the ways that mattered. Which was probably why she never had thought to propose to him herself.
So as it was, the actress currently had no idea just what it was her boyfriend had in mind. Instead she’d been at rehearsal and so when she got home, she saw the note and smiled. A rooftop dinner? That sounded nice. And given Percy did like to surprise her with random romantic gestures, a proposal wasn’t on her radar just yet. Instead she went and changed out of her rehearsal clothing into a sundress after freshening up some, grabbing a light cardigan for the night air before going up to the roof, pausing to take in the scene.
It definitely felt like they were already married in the ways that really mattered. But even with that, Percy had been thinking about proposing for a while. He just hadn’t done it before because he hadn’t found the right ring. It wasn’t that he hadn’t found a diamond he deemed big enough, he could care less about the size of it. It was the look of the ring, something that screamed Marguerite. He’d actually spent a while looking before he finally gave in and had someone design the perfect ring for him.
When Marguerite came out onto the roof, he grinned at her. “Hello, darling,” he greeted, walking over to her to give her a proper hello kiss. “I hope that rehearsal went well?” At least they weren’t in tech or in the time leading up to tech when rehearsals would be intense so that Marguerite wouldn’t be so worn out. Which was another reason he chose that evening to propose.
The Dreams and just way of life in Orange County had a funny way of doing that. Of course, in the Dreams, the two had married after only knowing one another for six weeks - so both knowing one another and being together for over year might as well be a lifetime. Especially for Marguerite and the multiple versions of Dreams she’d had. Still, it would be nice for it all to be official as well. And rings were always important.
Seeing Percy, Marguerite smiled - he always did have that effect on her. So far, nothing out of the usual. Just a nice romantic dinner on the roof.
“Hello, dear.” Returning the kiss, she nodded at the question, “It did.” Nothing too strenuous. Just basic blocking as they were still going through the first act. And besides the warning from Natasha to be careful, she also hadn’t really gotten any information about what she might need to investigate so all in all, she wasn’t feeling herself being pulled in different directions and could focus her attention solely on Percy.
“How was work?”
Sometimes time seemed to be funny in Orange County. Percy didn’t know if it was a side effect of dreaming of other lives, or if it was just something about this area itself, but sometimes a few weeks, let alone months or years, felt like a lifetime. And yet there were times where it felt like only a couple days had passed instead of a couple weeks. It just depended on what was going on in the larger scheme of things in the OC.
“I am glad to hear it.” He smiled. Not that he expected high drama to happen so early in rehearsals, but still, one never knew what could happen.
“Work was good. No catastrophes or other emergencies happened. Sometimes having a lowkey day is a good thing.” It tended to allow Percy to focus on other details that needed tending to that would keep his business flowing smoothly as opposed to getting caught up in some dispute or tied up in a business deal.
“I regret to say that I did not cook tonight, I ordered out from a restaurant. I do hope you are hungry. I also brought some wine up if you would like some.” He said as he directed her to the table.
If there was one thing Marguerite had learned in her time back in Orange County, it was to stop trying to make sense of certain things. Like time. So long as she was at the right rehearsal on a given day or anything like that? She considered it a win. Trying to keep tabs on the way time worked when things were always so chaotic was just asking for a migraine.
Nor would Marguerite decry an easy day at rehearsal. Given the nature of this place, where props could become weapons and invasions could happen? Any rehearsal that went relatively smoothly was a good thing in her book. Honestly, she really should start up a blog or video blog on what to do when performing in Orange County with all the weird things that go on.
“Well that’s good to hear.” She could see why lowkey days at the office were also important with everything that Percy did, both with the business and with the nonprofit.
“I suppose I can forgive you for not cooking given how lovely it is up here,” Yes she was teasing. It wasn’t like she minded all that much either way. So she let herself be led to the table and nodded, “Wine would be lovely.”
While most people would think slow, boring days were, well, boring and not enjoyable, Percy actually really liked them. Given the insanity of Orange County, things tended to get very stressful at times. And having stress both from living here and work stress, having slow days like today had been were very much welcome. Running on stress all day every day wasn’t healthy, after all.
Percy grinned at the teasing. “I am humbled that you are able to forgive me. I did not want you to return home to a kitchen that was on fire.” He was joking, Percy was a better cook than that. It would take him being especially careless for a fire to start while he was trying to cook.
Pulling out Marguerite’s chair for her like the gentleman he was, he waited until she was seated before he grabbed the bottle of wine, opening it and pouring each of them a glass. They each also had a glass of water. “I do hope that you enjoy it.” He grabbed hold of the lids on both plates and took them off, revealing their dinner. The food was still hot, so he was pleased with himself in having timed this perfectly.
Just like the concept of time, Orange County also had a way of making things that once might seem boring now simply be quaint. Such as slow days at the office where one didn’t have to worry about five hundred different things all at once. Marguerite was sure there were people who thrived in such situations but even they needed a break once and awhile. Just like she would take relatively mellow rehearsals given the fact that it always seems that an invasion of some sort happens while she’s in production.
“It’s a tough thing to forgive, but I love you enough to make the exception.” Grinning, Marguerite folded some hair behind her ear as she took the seat that Percy pulled out. She knew her boyfriend was more than capable of cooking. But romantic dinners were also nice to have catered if one so chose.
Letting the wine air out some, Marguerite looked at the food Percy had chosen.
“I’m sure I will, this all looks amazing.” And it did.
“How about I promise to make your favorite dinner next time to make up for it?” Sure, Percy was responding to the teasing, but he was also serious. He would make Marguerite’s favorite dinner next time he had the opportunity. While he would always take time out of his business schedule for Marguerite, he also knew the business world tended to operate on a largely 24/7 scale. Especially when part of his business was centered in London. Time zones were a wonderful thing, really.
“I am most glad to hear it.” If the food was as good as it looked and smelled, than they should certainly dine in the restaurant in the future as well. But he set that thought aside for another time. “What does your rehearsal schedule look like over the next week or so?” He was both curious and potentially seeing when they could have a night out somewhere.
Interesting. Well, Percy did sometimes respond to the teasing with a serious question but it wasn’t all that common. At least not for something like this which meant that there was something more going on. Well, now Marguerite’s interest was piqued even as she did decide to reply to his offer, “I think that would be acceptable.” Still teasing, but she wanted to see how he replied. There was a reason Natasha would send her on information gathering missions.
“I have rehearsals the next three days, then a couple of days off.” And again, it wasn’t the most suspicious of questions. Percy liked to know when she’d be home or when she might be out late. But given she was now picking up that Percy was up to something? Well. She was curious to see just what her boyfriend was up to.
Perhaps he should’ve been a little more careful in how he’d responded. Percy was well aware that Marguerite was observant and could discern things that were both said and left unsaid. So, he needed to play it carefully if he didn’t want his girlfriend to ruin his plans. “Oh excellent, I do so enjoy cooking for you.” He grinned, and he didn’t even need to fake the joy in that statement either. Because he certainly did enjoy it.
“What would you say to a movie night on one of your days off?” He left it open to whether they actually went out to a movie or stayed in and watched something at home. It was all up to however Marguerite would feel. Sometimes spending a day or two at home after a few days of work was better than going out somewhere.
Marguerite just nodded some. It all sounded legit, and she could tell that Percy wasn’t hiding anything from her. But there was still something going on. And now that she was on to it? The actress was determined to get to the bottom of it, a glint in her eye to show that determination. “So you’ve mentioned before and I do love seeing what you come up with. And this is all quite nice for an impromptu date.”
Yes, she was now on the scent that Percy was up to something. Still she would also reply to things he said while working out just what it was.
“A movie night sounds lovely.” And it did. “I even promise not to critique the acting too much.” Which could often be an issue depending on Marguerite’s mood when movie nights happened. Sometimes she just enjoyed it, but there were also times when there was just so much to be said about the acting choices.
Oh no. Percy knew that glint in Marguerite’s eyes. She was onto the scent and he well knew she wouldn’t stop until she figured out what it was that he was hiding. Great. He’d wanted to get through dinner first, but at least Percy was good at improv when needed as well! At least he hadn’t had a rigid ‘It must happen precisely this way’ type of plan in regards to how he proposed?
Percy had to laugh a bit at Marguerite’s statement. “Then perhaps choosing something that was well cast to watch is in order?” Because perhaps that would cut down on the possibility of Marguerite critiquing the acting. Not that he minded when she did. Sometimes it was rather amusing to listen to her comments on the matter.
He took a sip of his wine, deciding to wait and see what Marguerite’s next move was to try and figure out his plan. If she started getting warm, he was going to just grab the ring box out of his jacket and propose. But until then, he was playing it cool.
It was good that Percy knew that he couldn’t get out of this. Because really now. Marguerite was aware and intrigued and now she wanted to know just what it was Percy was up to. No time to cook, yet enough time to do all the prep work. And so far, no one had come up to the roof. True, there weren’t always people coming up there but it was nice out so one would think one of their neighbors might come up for some fresh air.
“Yes, that might be best.” Critiquing acting was rather fun though. But again, it mostly tended to depend on her mood on the day.
So sipping her own wine, Marguerite kept her gaze locked on Percy, reading his face for any tell tale signs that might give her more of an idea on what was going on.
“I must say,” so she would just go with her observation and watch his reaction, “I’m rather shocked no one has come up here yet despite how nice it is tonight. It’s almost as if you somehow managed to make it so we wouldn’t be interrupted.”
Suddenly it felt like they were playing a game of chess, and Marguerite was trying to figure out his plan while Percy was trying to keep it a surprise. Which, well, it wasn’t completely unexpected that he found himself in the current position because he knew his girlfriend. The instant she caught whiff of something that seemed like he had an ulterior plan? She’d be all over trying to figure it out.
Yet even as he was wondering if he should’ve led with the proposal then served dinner, he was going to keep his cool as much as possible. Could he throw off the trail and make her think something else was going on here? Most likely not, she’d probably see the red herring for what it was.
“Truly? I hadn’t noticed.” Which he actually hadn’t noticed. Even if he hadn’t taken lengths to keep the rooftop to themselves, he wouldn’t have noticed if someone had come out. His attention was firmly wrapped up in Marguerite, which it typically was, so that wasn’t out of the ordinary.
In the game of figuring out what was being kept from her, Marguerite was an expert. And while Percy was quite skilled at trying to keep things from her - she still prevailed. Usually just from wearing him down as it wasn’t like the work she did for Natasha. But at the end of the day, Marguerite always got the information she wanted.
Really, it would have been better to lead with the proposal. Better to actually catch her off guard without setting off her senses that something was in the works.
“Truly.”
No, it wasn’t uncommon for Percy to not notice the world around them when they were together, yet she wasn’t about to let it go just because he seemed to be acting normally. So she did a more inquisitive look around. Again, random romantic nights weren’t all that unusual for the two of them. But now that the idea was in her head…
“So is there something you want to tell me?”
And a quirk of the brow. Sometimes that was all it took.
Maybe if he’d actually cooked the dinner, that would’ve been one less thing for Marguerite to be suspicious of. And perhaps he should’ve proposed right off the bat, but he’d somehow felt that if that had happened, the food wouldn’t have been all that hot. But of course, perhaps he should’ve taken that chance. But as she pressed the issue, he figured he’d better do it now before she started making guesses.
“I had intended to get through dinner before this came up, but alas I have been outwitted,” he admitted with a slightly dramatic sigh for effect. He wasn’t upset, he knew this was a potential outcome. “Yes, I have something I wish to tell you.” He set his fork down and before moving from his seat, he slid his hand back to the pocket of his jacket, which he hoped that the table kept Marguerite from actually seeing that movement. “You are far too observant sometimes, my dear, but that is one of the things I love about you. You have a keen mind and attention to detail unlike any I have met before, and it is certainly one of the reasons we work so well together.”
After securing the ring box in his hand, he got up and moved beside her chair. In one movement, he knelt down, lifted the box and opened it. “And because you are my other half, my love and the light of my life, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” The ring itself was simple upon first glance. It wasn’t ostentatious, but the diamond was enough to make a little bit of a statement. Simple and straightforward, though on the band on either side of the diamond was the engraving of the comedy and tragedy masks. On the inside of the band was the Pimpernel sigil.
There were a lot of things that might have prevented Marguerite from picking up on the fact that Percy had something in mind. That he was up to something. Yet that was often the way of it. There were always things that could have been done differently. And yet, at the end of the day? What mattered were the lived experiences and love and joy and happiness. And the bad that rounded out the experiences.
“You would think you would know by now that trying to outwit me never ends well.”
Her voice was light, though she kept an eye on Percy as he got up. The way he was wording things definitely added to her suspicion that something big was about to happen. But she wanted to hear what her boyfriend had to say.
And oh what it was he had to say. In some ways, it had been in the making from the first time they met and spoke all night in Marguerite’s apartment without even giving names. The kiss and realizing that she was in trouble because of course she would meet and fall for Percy all in one night and not realize who he was. Of one of the main constants in her dreams (besides Chauvelin’s obsession and threatening Armand) was her love for Percy and them being married. She made her jokes on how she was losing her touch that they weren’t engaged and married yet. But they’d only been jokes because really, they didn’t have the paper yet they were already married as far as Marguerite was concerned.
So there were no words she needed to say when he finished his proposal. Instead, the actress just kissed Percy, pulling away enough to breathe.
“Of course I’ll marry you. As if you even had to ask.”
Necessary to ask or not, Percy had wanted to. Even if he felt like they were already married, it was still polite to ask, and he wanted to make it official in this life, and not just in spirit. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Marguerite, there was no one else in the world, or any universe, that was for him.
He kissed Marguerite back, unable to help but to smile into the kiss. The smile then turned into a full blown grin after the kiss was broken and she gave a verbal response.
“I still wished to ask. It is only proper.” He leaned his forehead against hers for some moments, just basking in the moment.
It did help that the two knew one another so well that it was clear what the answer would be. That no previous discussion on the matter was necessary as they had always been on the same wavelength in regards to such things. Really, it was just a matter of time. So she just laughed some, forehead resting against Percy’s.
“Yes, you always have been the proper English gentleman.”
Honestly, the moment was perfect.
Despite knowing how they’d always been on the same wavelength when it came to this sort of thing, Percy had still been a little nervous about it. After all, while hadn’t doubted that the answer would be anything other than yes, it was still a proposal of marriage.
“I can’t help it, I do like to mind my manners when it’s appropriate.”
Percy grinned, forehead resting against Marguerite’s, and he held her close. There certainly wasn’t anything more perfect than this moment.
“Yes, yes you do. And it’s one of the many reasons I love you.” And it was. True Marguerite probably would never be able to put it all into words. There were songs for that just as there often were. But Percy was who he was, and Marguerite loved all of him.