Blah Blah Blah

[Elsbeth Lupin]

"She's awful, August! I promise you!" She whined at her brother, tossing herself upon the settee in a practiced, yet comely way, "I don't know what he sees in her! She can't even speak english properly!" The last was said in a tone that made it clear that this would lead to her imminent downfall.

She continued on, unaware as to whether he was actually bothering to listen, "And her hair! Oh it is such a dreadful color. I expect-" She lowered her voice conspiratorially, "it is not natural. She's pulled a hood over poor Will's eyes and the poor thing is so enamored by her-" This was said with disgust, "-that he can't even see how horrid she is."

"We have to help him. We have to save him from her! She's going to ruin his life, I just know it."

Her venting was interrupted by a knock on the parlor door. One of her staff asked if they would like some tea. August hardly counted as company. Honestly, the two were at each others homes so often that she didn't know why the staff bothered to keep up with etiquette. However, she supposed she ought to continue to play the role as a proper upper class lady, so rearranged herself slightly and agreed that tea was relevant.

@August Echelon-Arnost

  

[August Echelon-Arnost]

August was only half-listening and had almost decided to dislike Will's fiance just because he was having to sit through this, and because the longer the poor girl was around the more of this he would have to listen to.

Of course, it wasn't as though Will's romantic choices were any of August's business. (They definitely weren't any of Elsbeth's.) He considered whether or not he even had a real right to an opinion while Elsbeth prattled, looking at her with an expression that was neither blank nor entirely focused.

The servant's arrival was a welcome break to the monotony.

"You think the girl is a fake blonde?" August asked when the servant had left, having latched onto that the most out of anything she had said.

  

[Elsbeth Lupin]

"Of course she is," She tossed her head impatiently as if his questioning the fact was idiotic, "Why wouldn't she be? I would bet you ten galleons that she subscribes to that Madam Londonderry's hair dye service." Elsbeth had seen it advertised here and there, as having blonde hair was far more attractive than any other color. "I bet she has tragically red hair." This was said with a lowered voice that made it clear how scandalous the thought was. She needed to get a woman friend to gossip about things with, she really did.

"I don't like her," She said decisively, as if her former complaints hadn't made it obvious enough.

  

[August Echelon-Arnost]

Hair dye services were a thing that one could subscribe to? August was learning all sorts of new things today.

"I would never have guessed," he said dryly, "Maybe you should try to prove that she's a - what was it, tragic redhead? - then Will will break up with her. Although - what does she speak, if not English? Mother won't like that."

Of course, perhaps Jena's interest in great-grandchildren would outweigh that. But August was not in the practice of intentionally provoking Elsbeth and did not intend to start doing it now.

  

[Elsbeth Lupin]

Elsbeth chose to take his putting-up-with-her-ranting-face as genuine interest.

"French, apparently," She said bitterly, "The girl hardly speaks any english. I can't even have a conversation with her without her staring at me as if I've suddenly grown a third eye. It's terrible! I don't know how he can think that she would fit in well with the family. They're not going to like her, you know. Especially since she's in my home. If they ever found that out..." Her face brightened considerably as an idea dawned on her.

  

[August Echelon-Arnost]

August was about to say something sympathetic when he saw Elsbeth's face brighten. He had a bit of a Pavlovian response to that and sat up straighter, leaning towards her.

"No no no," August said, "If you're going to make mother hate her, you are not doing so in a way that will drag me down with her. And honestly, the girl will probably be able to do that on her own."

August supposed that he was too mature to pretend to not speak French whenever he met her.

  

[Elsbeth Lupin]

Elsbeth crossed her arms, visibly withering, "You ruin all of my fun. You're a terrible brother." Though he hadn't said that she couldn't make mother hate her - only that she couldn't ruin him in the process. That would be rather difficult, given that she was not nearly as clever as she had once thought she was. She resigned herself to making the girl's life as miserable as possible instead.

  

[August Echelon-Arnost]

"I know," August said in his most long-suffering tone, "I promise to keep you updated on any familial developments where the girl is concerned, though." As if not telling her would even be an option.

  

[Elsbeth Lupin]

"Well, of course you will." Like she would expect any less from him. August wasn't always the most reliable when it came to knowing what was considered gossip, but something would be better than nothing.