a garden's bookworm [ANGELO]

[OZETTE JOSEPHINE BELLAMONT]

.x..x..x..x.

It was, give or take, your average day, any other day in which classes were off. Students roaming the grounds, butlers following ladies, said ladies doing whatever it was they did – whether it be holing up in their rooms, cramming for possible upcoming tests, goofing off in the city, or otherwise – and life just going forward at its normal, genially slow pace. This, of course, extended to the garden as well, where other students milled about, talking, watching the birds and bugs, sniffing the flowers, et cetera, et cetera. Birds flew and chattered, bugs crawled on the plants, and the plants just absorbed the sunlight, producing more chlorophyll.

What an absolute and utter bore.

Which was why the albino girl sitting on the bench with a book in her lap and a dictionary (never know when you might need one) beside her leg was currently absorbed in the foreign text on the pages. For someone not of English or American ethnicity, she was finding such a high-level book quite easy to read. Confusing at times, yes, but actually quite easy… Of course, being one of the top students at her previous school might have helped her quite a bit thus far with the book.

Flipping the page, she read the words on the pages describing the tragedy of Ebinissia with emotionless red eyes, portraying no hint of sadness, horror or shock, quite unlike how the characters inside the book did. Of course, one was like her – showing no emotion. But on the inside, she was just as saddened and shocked as the others. She supposed Kahlan had a right to do so; she had known some of the victims personally.

Ozette turned the page again, as more description, more “sadness” came. She really failed to connect with Kahlan this time around. Had the character been more close to the girls whom had died, then maybe she’d sympathize with the young woman’s loss, but for her to mourn over girls who were practically strangers…? It seemed stupid. Ozette stifled a yawn as she cast her eyes to the other page, reading the few sentences on it, and then flipping the page once more, turning to the next chapter. Back to Richard, it seemed. This piqued more of her interest, as Richard was still her favorite character by far. Shifting her position and bringing the French-English dictionary closer to her side, she put her finger under the words as she read along, reading diligently. As she thought. Things always seemed to pick up whenever Richard was in the chapter.

Abosrbed in her reading, Oz didn’t particularly notice nor pay any mind to it when someone came tromping down the path in the school’s gardens that led near her. Even if Oz did bother to look up from her book, she really wouldn’t have cared who it was. She had no friends – thank goodness for that; “friends” were such annoyances! – and she had no reason to believe a teacher would have reason to speak with her about assignments, as she was doing fairly well in class, and she certainly wasn’t aware of any butler being appointed to her as of yet. She was dreading that meeting, but was certain it wouldn’t happen for a while. Even if it did, she could just command the guy to leave her alone, and if anything else, she had her dictionary, which, being a French-English one, was a bit thicker than the average dictionary, and, it being hardcover, was just as hard. She’d teach any butler to leave her alone.

Of course, she failed to care about the person coming towards her, as she believed they’d brush right past her, busy going about their own business. After all, there was no reason for anyone to bother her, none at all in the slightest…

[solo]

x

The day had come. He had been finally entrusted and appointed a lady. Good thing they fell for it. He could hardly wait to meet this girl. But he had to look atleast somewhat professional. He wore a black suit though he entirely hated the fact, grabbed his notebook and pen, and headed off to search for her. As he walked about the Academy, he pulled out his notebook and began reading the hints and rules. Even though he wasn't actually trying to be the greatest butler, he needed to act like it he supposed. Don't want people to notice now do we?

He mused over the notes, still not believing his predicament. "Who would've guessed I would be doing this sort of thing?" he chuckled at the thought. He still couldn't comprehend the reasons for his parents throwing out the idea. Nor did he really care too much at the moment. His main priority was finding this girl. Too bad there were so many. 'On second thought, scratch that. I like all the girls,' he smirked.

He walked out to the gardens flipping pages in his notebook. He reached a page reading the name of his lady, Ozette Josephine Bellamont. By the sound of her name she seemed unique to him. Hopefully she was as good-looking as he imagined.

He continued forward reaching a bench with a girl. She had white hair and maroon eyes. He stood there for a moment till he noticed he was staring. "Uh... Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to be Miss Bellamont would you?" He closed the notebook and waited for an answer. This could be her. She more unique than he had imagined. She was albino. Not to say he didn't find that attractive. Oh no. In fact he found her very attractive. He caught himself staring once again and closed his eyes for a moment. 'Try and be professional...'

[OZETTE JOSEPHINE BELLAMONT]

.x..x..x..x.

The footsteps stopped as they approached her. Oeette became aware of that much. She glanced at the ground, and saw two polished shoes. Men's shoes. She started getting wary, but she decided to dismiss the shoes as some butler stray from his lady, stopping to sniff the flowers or something lame and pitifully "romantic" - Oz mentally scoffed at the words - that some weird butler might do. She returned her atention back to her book and tried to concentrate on it once more. Let's see, going through the wizards' barrier, that the towers are in, you can only pass through them twice...

"Uh... Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to be Miss Bellamont would you?" Oz's ears pricked at the sound of her surname. this didn't sound very good. Why would this man be talking to her? He couldn't be a teacher, and she didn't have a... Oh no... Could it be that... Now... Was he...?

Keeping her poker face on, she laid a hand on the page she was on and raised her red-eyed gaze to the male voice's owner. He was tall, probably around seventeen or eighteen, and had dark purple hair, matching dark eyes, and tanned skin as well. He could be considered attractive, if one had any interest in boys, but seeing as Oz had no interest in anything whatsoever, the thought didn't even cross her mind. She tucked one ankle behind another, and stared him straight in the eyes, defiant, clear unwelcoming in them.

"And if I did so happen to be her? What business would you have with me then?" She said, her voice icy and harsh. She hated having to socialize, absolutely hated it. And this guy was standing within a three-foot radius of her; something she also did not like one bit. Honestly, hadn't this boy - she'd refused to call someone who lacked personal space-respects and interrupted her reading time to try and socialize with her a man, regardless of his age - heard of staying out of people's personal bubbles? Honestly, some people just didn't like being in close proximity with others, and he apparently needed to learn that.

Oz's free hand itched towards the dictionary that sat pressed against her side. Back to the current matter at hand, if this boy was who she fear he was, her days of freedom from the accursed lady-butler system were over. Blast it all. Hopefully this guy - this stupid, tuxedo-wearing guy who had some stupid notebook in his arms for some peculiar reason - would listen to an order from her to leave her alone. Who knows, maybe he didn't want to be a butler here...

The optimism in her mind failed, and so, positive who exactly this older boy was, unfortunately, her gaze focused into a glare, one telling him to "go-the-eff-away." Hopefully he could read her expression, so she wouldn't have to waste words. Honestly, all these stupid, stupid people...

In the back of her mind, she mentally stabbed her mother for forcing her to attend school at this particular school.

[solo]

He pulled at his tie, cleary getting irritated by the thing. That was another thing he hoped for. That he wouldn't have to wear this all the time. He noticed the pause from her and hoped he didn't say or do anything wrong. He was about to reach for his notebook but abandoned that idea. 'Professional. Remember?'

With a brow raised he tried to think of what could possibly had caused it. When she looked up to him, he felt a chill run down his spine. She looked as if she was staring at his very soul. For a moment he felt nervous, even a little frightened but he managed to calm when she spoke.

"And if I did so happen to be her? What business would you have with me then?" She didn't seem to be the most friendliest girl around but maybe it was just a bad day? Who knows. "Well if you would happen to be her," he was a little hopeful she wasn't, "I am Angelo Lombardi, a butler assigned to," he paused, "You?"

He looked back into her narrowed eyes. She was cleary irritated. But it wasn't his fault! Er... Was it? He wasn't even sure anymore. 'But that isn't going to stop me,' he gave a sly grin as to assure himself. 'I've got this. And who knows. Maybe she'll warm up to me.'

[OZETTE JOSEPHINE BELLAMONT]

.x..x..x..x.

The boy started to look a bit uncomfortable the longer she glared at him. And rightly so. No one comfortably bothered her, Oz was positive. After all, her curt, coldness towards others oftentimes did make them a bit edgy, she had been told. Of course, her response to being told that was probably not what the speaker had wished for Oz to react - as for, the albino girl had shown a twinkle of satisfaction in her eyes and had said "good" in her infamously cold voice - and then the said speaker didn't talk to her much afterword. Another thing Oz deemed as "good." Perhaps this boy would learn to leave her alone as well, but without having to bother her as much as that other girl had.

Oh, the boy finally looked to be saying something at last! Maybe he'd get cold feet, and hurry on his way off - and though Oz wished for that, however, she knew the likelihood of that happening was quite slim now. She'd probably need to scare him a little; creep him out a tad, even.

"Well if you would happen to be her, I am Angelo Lombardi, a butler assigned to," Oz's eye slightly twitched at the words "butler assigned," her suspicions proving to be correct, much to her distaste. The boy continued; "You?" There was a hint of doubt in his voice, a question at the end of that sentence. Her eyes narrowed and her glare depthened a little as she thought out what she could do.

This was a chance for her to deny her identity, possibly send this boy into confusion, doubt, and possibly even, away. As unlikely as it would be that he would believe her - as her previous statement was normally something characters in books would ask rhetorically to others' asking who they were - maybe this boy was stupid. But it was all risky. Maybe, maybe, maybe, if, if, if, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps... All too iffy.

"My name is Nicolette Blanchard. I am not your lady. Try checking some shopping center; she goes there quite often." she said in her deadpan voice, adding in some place he could go to and away from her. If he listened. She eyed him a little while longer, and, getting impatient, spoke again, "I suggest you move along now."

As little a chance it was, throwing it out the window would be a waste. He could be stupid, or just not read often. What was a little lie of her name? Or location, for that matter? It was relatively close to her real name, yet common enough - for French girls, anyways - where he probably wouldn't take much notice and carry on about his merry butlery way. Her location didn't even matter to her; she'd thought of a random place he could hopefully go get lost in and most certainly not find her there, ever, and have fun trying to get back to the academy in one piece. He could get trampled, even. That would be nice.

In fact, anything but have him stay would be quite nice. Even if he found out she lied later on and that she was in deed who she denied to be, then too bad, so sad for him. That's how life works sometimes. nothing you can do about it, no? Besides, she could come up with some excuse or another if he bothered her about it - if he ever found out and still remembered. She wasn't afraid to play this little lying game for any length fo time. As annoying of a nuisance it would be, to see his ugly face often until the "game" ended if it kept on, for who knows how long...

Oz gripped the dictionary beside her leg around its spine almost absently. Just in case...

[solo]

x

He came to the conclusion that this had to be the girl. And if not, well. Maybe they could get to know each other seeing as he was going to be here for a while. He patiently waited for the answer, sure he knew what it was. "My name is Nicolette Blanchard. I am not your lady. Try checking some shopping center; she goes there quite often."

He stood there silently for a moment or two, 'Well that wasn't expected.' He thought about it, 'Either she is telling the truth or she really doesn't want me. What's wrong with me?! I know I'm a newbie and all but come on!' "I suggest you move along now." He was shot back to reality by her words.

Clearing his throat he spoke again, "Is that so?" He wasn't too sure. She might have been lying but accusing her might end up badly. That would sure help his reputation. So what was he to do? He had no idea but he wasn't about to back down yet. He wanted to be sure. He could imagine himself, "Have any identification?" He laughed. 'Yeah that would work' He rolled his eyes.

"So you expect me to check every shopping center, Miss Bellamont?" Well if she didn't notice then he was sure it was her. If she did, he would have to try a different alternative. Or risk being yelled at which he kind of expected from this girl.

[comments; Sorry for the late reply. It's been really busy ^^;]

[OZETTE JOSEPHINE BELLAMONT]

.x..x..x..x.

A few moments passed, and Oz waited for the purple-haired nuisance to either say something or leave. He did not do either, and didn’t appear to have any implications that he would be about to turn away or open his mouth relatively soon, wearing the limited patience she had with this boy thin. Another moment passed, and Oz returned her attention to something more important than this annoying male’s presence. And that something, in this case, being her book.

Now, where was she? Ah, yes, Richard and Verna had entered that space between the Old World and the New World, in the Wilds – there were those Wizards’ towers, and the illusions. Yes, that was what was going on. Now, just where was that line she had left off at? Her finger must have slipped when she had directed her gaze to the boy. The English letters were confusing her a bit now. Had this boy lowered her intelligence somehow, by just talking to her? Could such a thing really be possible, even?

”Is that so?” The boy’s voice – pain to her ears incarnated – sounded once more, and her jaw tightened for a brief moment. Would this boy leave her alone and go hunt down her in the shopping center – as weird as that sounded. Oz gave the boy another sharp glare, twice as annoyed as before. ”No, I made it up.” She said in a cold, curt tone, sarcasm dripping off of the words, before she rolled her eyes, giving the boy another annoyed look from the corner of her eye.

Honestly, this boy was just--! “Just believe me and go get yourself lost, you moron!” she wanted to tell the boy – but that, of course, would be suspicious. Unless this boy was very, very stupid. But he seemed a bit suspicious of her already, if his prior tone was anything to judge by. She’d have to tread carefully with her words.

"So you expect me to check every shopping center, Miss Bellamont?" The boy questioned her. Daring to use her real last name too. Honestly, he probably thought he was quite slick. ”How should I know where Mademoiselle Bellamont is? I don’t follow her around like a stalker, and I’ve been here a good part of the day, I can assure you, so I’ve no clue where that girl has gotten off to. And it’s Miss Blanchard to you, monsieur Lumbordi.” Oz mentally praised herself for having a natural flow into correcting her “name,” the one that this boy had “mistaken” for “miss Bellamont’s,” which was most certainly “not hers.”

Reverting to strained and clearly agitated French, however miniscule, wasn’t hard for her given her current mood, so even if she got the pesky brat’s name wrong – which she couldn’t have cared less about, to be quite honest – the point had probably been made. Oz scoffed mentally. This boy thought he was just so smart, didn’t he? Idiot. This game was far from over, as far as Oz believed, and she wasn’t going to cave in unless he produced a picture of her with files stating who she was and that he was her –ugh – butler.

No, no, no. She’d send him on a wild goose chase to Neverland, D’hara, the Wizard of Oz’s emerald green city and back again before she admitted to being this boy’s lady. Who cared what he said to try to get her to confess – so long as she paid attention to her words, she shouldn’t have any problems with spotting what the boy wanted her to stay and deliberately stepping around these word traps and saying what he didn’t wish for her to say.

[ooc; s’ok. I was sick this weekend anyways. Besides, who can blame you for not wanting to send your poor Angelo back to evil Oz?]

[solo]

x

He could cleary see he was annoying this girl which in turn made him irritated. He was supposed to be making a good impression. This was surely helping out. But she wasn't helping out any. Don't they teach girls manners here or something? That surely wasn't a good way to get along with others. But something told him she honestly didn't care.

He somewhat managed to keep calm and collected. He wanted to correct her after hearing her call him Lumbordi but kept his mouth shut. 'That would probably just make matters worse.' He was almost willing to go on this wild goose chase, just to get away, but his pride wouldn't allow it.

He cleared his throat, "I apologize Miss Blanchard. I have to admit I can be a little suspicious at times. It's something I'm trying to work on." After forcing out the words he tried to think about what he should do next. Even if she was telling the truth he wasn't really willing to go chase after this girl.

He stood there for another moment before deciding to do something he regretted. "May I have a seat? I think it would be best to just wait for her. Perhaps she may pass this way." Angelo waited for an answer. Pulling out his notebook from under his arm, he flipped through the pages. 'I think they gave me some more info about this girl. Maybe if I learn more I can find her easier...'

[comments; XD No you have me wrong. I love torturing my characters lol. Hope your feeling better.]

[OZETTE JOSEPHINE BELLAMONT]

.x..x..x..x.

The boy himself seemed to get a bit angry with her, if the slight changes in his facial expressions meant anything. Oz remembered one book on psychological behaviors and reactions she’s read, with diagrams of how the facial expressions changed with them, too… Of course, the few hints she did remember of when someone was getting angry were categorized in the “no-duh facts” section of her mind, since narrowing of eyes, however slight, and slight eyebrow adjustment were signs anyone could read easily as anger or irritation. Granted they were paying attention, of course, which Oz always was; after all, what kind of observer would she be if she couldn’t notice small, simple details like that?

This time, only a moment or two passed with Oz to her own thoughts before the boy cleared his throat rather loudly, no doubt in an attempt to call attention to himself – and attention he got, granted he meant the evil glare Oz fixated on him but once again, for the umpteenth time today. "I apologize Miss Blanchard. I have to admit I can be a little suspicious at times. It's something I'm trying to work on." So, he was thrown off her case for now, was he? Oz doubted it; she wouldn’t put it past someone who thinks himself so smart to be lying about such a thing. He probably still suspected her to be who she was, regardless of what he said.

”Mistaking someone for someone else is quite rude, especially when they have already informed you as to whom they are. Suspicious or not, it’s quite uncalled for.” Oz said, a slight pout drawing on her lips. She had to play this little role just a little longer before this boy would hopefully go on to the goose chase she was sending him and leave her alone for good. Well, for the rest of today, if nothing else. He’d probably just try and annoy her more later on, just like everyone else who approached her more than twice not out of necessity.

"May I have a seat? I think it would be best to just wait for her. Perhaps she may pass this way." the boy asked his question before taking out the notebook from under his arm, which he flipped through, as if searching for something. He seemed to actually be waiting for her to give him permission. How interesting…

”No, you may not have a seat. You’re rather annoying. I’d rather you leave, if you will. Wait somewhere else if you must; just not here monsieur.” Cold, cruel rejection coming straight form the ice queen’s lips herself. Telling him straight up how she felt about him, if anything, it would either be ignored or dishearten the annoying boy, who had hopefully figured out by now that, with all her extra unnecessary and sarcastic “monsieur’s,” her patience was growing incredibly thin with him.

Even if he wasn’t her butler she was trying to send on a goose chase to no where, Oz’d still have shot him down. He’d just try to strike up some unwanted conversation with her, annoying her even farther. Honestly, she was quite tempted to throw her dictionary at him right now, though had somehow, miraculously, managed to contain her anger. For now, anyways. If this boy just sat down beside her regardless, she’d probably smack him some time in the near future. Yes, that was quite a probable future if the boy decided to be an even bigger nuisance…

[ooc; another fan of character torture? I love you already<3]