Summoned with a Smile

[Eleora Etherium]

@'Barnabas Skeeter'

The letter she had sent Mr. Skeeter asking him to tea may have been phrased like an invitation, but in her mind it had been a summons. She was, therefore, not at all surprised when he confirmed that he would be joining her and shown up at the specified time.

She had left him waiting just long enough after his arrival to remind him of their respective position in life, but nowhere near long enough to be rude, and then had directed for him to be brought into the parlor to meet her, the tea already set out and her gown arranged around her to emphasize her delicately feminine appearance. It didn't hurt that she still felt a little fragile.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Skeeter," she murmured as he joined her. "Please, take a seat."

  

[Barnabas Skeeter]

Barnabas had never had a conversation with the Countess that he could recall. Their social circles were clearly separate. Even at Hogwarts, there had been several years that divided them. He believed she'd also been in Slytherin, but hadn't paid much attention to her other than that. He was of course aware of her, but very rarely thought of her. He hadn't even thought that she had known who he was - until the invitation to tea arrived, that is. He highly suspected that this had to do with women's dueling, which was a topic he had grown quite tired of after the whole Amelia mess.

Neat in appearance but lacking a single drop of enthusiasm, he had attended the summons promptly. Now that he was admitted to see her, he was struck by the juxtaposition of just how tiny and delicate she was compared to the opulence of her title. He didn't remember her being so small. Had she shrunk since then?

"It is no matter at all, Lady Etherium," He did as he was bid, tucking his cane politely behind his chair so as not to rudely remind her of his disability, "I thank you for the invitation." He would have like to mention that he'd never been invited to tea by a woman of her prestige before, or perhaps even that he wondered the cause of her sudden interest in him, but he was mindful of the class distinction between them and had to allow her to guide the topic at hand.

  

[Eleora Etherium]

When she had been younger, Eleora had hated her small, doll-like appearance and done everything that she could to make herself seem taller and more present. Now she was well aware that being small could serve her, at least at times - and, frankly, she never had to worry about reaching tall shelves. There was a staff (both human and house elf) to worry about getting books off of the upper shelves of the library for her.

"How do you take your tea?" she asked, pouring two cups. The blend was somewhat exotic, a green tea with orange blossom and jasmine; it was another subtle reminder of her station. "You are, I understand, recently promoted to head the Dueling Commission? What position did you hold prior?"

  

[Barnabas Skeeter]

"Just a dash of milk," He replied stiffly, rather uncomfortable that this had turned into an interrogation so quickly. She was getting straight to it, wasn't she? Was she about to tell him how unqualified he was for the position? He wasn't in the mood to deal with passive-aggressive judgement, even from her.

"I was an Improper Use of Magic Office Investigator for seven years previous to this position." As she poured the tea, he furtively glanced around the room. The decor wasn't to his taste, though he didn't often think much of interior design. His flat was rather plain - it held just the essentials. In an attempt to steer the conversation away from anything too personal, he asked, "Have you lived here for long?"