Chapter Text
The afternoon carriage drive to Mr Body's property was nice. Anthony and Nick were coming along with him for the ride and there was only a few jokes from Anthony about dropping Plum off as their son to his friend's house. Nick stayed quiet at the mention of being a couple. Once again uncomfortable. Aside from select chatter the ride was enjoyable for the most part. The road was smooth and the horses were well behaved today, along with the scenery of green trees, thick foliage, and the surroundings only getting more dense as they got to a long stretch of road. Apparently Mr Body had a clearing around his house and it was only a small way out from the main upper class properties but with the thick trees and bustling bush area Ludwig would've never guessed.
"If he makes any deals," Anthony's voice falls on deaf ears for a majority of the ride, his acentric hand gestures and bubbly tone ignored. Ludwig did listen in when the talk of money came into play. "You tell him you'll think about it, than tell me about it when you get home. Get their numbers if you need them,"
"I'll be fine dad," he huffs with a smile. He's wishing he brought a snack or something of the sorts because this trip is taking forever. He hadn't done much to prepare for the party either, he had gotten a suit jacket on and sprayed some strong smelling spray onto himself.
"Well *sorry*, that I don't want to check our accounts later and find out that every dollar is gone," he folds his arms and turns his nose up incredulously at Plum.
"Our accounts?" Ludwig prods quiet enough for Platnium to hear. Nick doesn't hear him and thankfully shifts the attention away quickly.
"What could he possibly say to make Ludwig agree to give away all his cash?" Nick laughs, humouring the absurd idea from Anthony.
"It's a hypothetical!!" The bald one grumbles and leans back into his seat with crossed arms.
"Hypothetical Ludwig must be an idiot," Plum adds helpfully. The elder shakes his head and looks out the window to his left. He's done talking then. "I'll be smart, you know I can actually do that, right?" Anthony continues to ignore them so Ludwig turns to Nick and decides to start talking to him instead. "Are you going to be staying the night at our house?"
"Umm," Nick's only agreed once, but he figures with the lack of people going to be working because of his going outs that Nick might be able to enjoy himself with Anthony. "N-Nah, I'll just stay until midnight, maybe... what time do you get back at?"
"Not sure, but if you're leaving ar twelve I'll come back at eleven," Nick smiles a greatful smile and nods.
"Also, I was thinking about inviting Officer—"
"Stop." Nick quickly cuts into Ludwig's statement. "You know what will happen..."
"You could at least become his friend," the professor suggests. "You've talked enough and you both share interests?"
"My parents dude. You know what would happen." He doesn't know what would happen, but if the look on Nick's face is anything to go by then he probably doesn't want to know. "I just can't. Not again," Lud bites his lip and shakes his head. 'Not *Again*'
"Can't you just move out?" Anthony seems to finally be willing to talk again "you could stay with us?"
"No," he runs his hands through his hair and accidentally knocks his glasses asscue "they'll make my life a hell even if we don't live under the same roof. I don't want to put that on you guys,"
"You know my family are lawyers, it would be okay," Nick's about to say something else but Ludwig cuts him off. "Just think about it. Please?" Nick nods but it feels fake. Ludwig doesn't point it out, out of respect, nor does he have the time to ask as the carriage pulls over. He hadn't noticed that they arrived.
Outside the window is a tall building, it's made of a pale stone and a dark wood. Well cut hedges and precisely placed flowers. There's also a set of workers in fancy apparel, they're conversing with his own driver and another pair stand near the doorway waiting for him. He sighs. "Well, have fun." Slimes pumps his eyebrows and ushers the professor forward with one hand. "You want us to come back at eleven?" He nods
"Or I'll call you." Plum pulls himself off of the cusioned seats of the car, stiff and aching from the lack of movement. Platnium and Tar waves him off. As soon as he touchs the floor and releases his grasp on the carriage, it pulls off and back towards his house. He sighs softly, reconsidering if this was worth it... why'd he do this again?
"Right this way please sir. Mr Body has a handful of guests waiting in the foyer," his thoughts disperse as he is guided by a short man in what he thinks is meant to be a uniform. Plum follows the skinny man down the hallway, he's in a posh white, so he assumes he's another butler, though he did have a magenta accent... perhaps he's the head of staff.
"You are?" Ludwig quickly follows up. Assuming this guy was the head worker, he'd like to know who to call over to aid him during the drinking they'd be doing. There was no doubtly wine, all fancy proper and prim parties like these had them. Anthony had claimed it was better then all the "parties" he had attended as a peasant child. Ludwig wouldn't know. They're walking down a corridor with pieces of art done in oils. He imagines each portrait is one of the each person in the bloodline, as by the time they're practically at the end there were a few empty gaps on the walls.
"Your servant for tonight I'm afraid." 'His servant' opens the door to another big room, high ceilings, shining floors of white and big white stained glass windows, bottom's hidden by potted plants. There's a circle formation of couches, a coffee table in the middle and a green and purple patterned rug under it. Above head there's a huge chandelier made of fancy gems and twisted rods if ivory. It's candle lit unfortunately, hopefully no hot wax is going to drip down.
There is also an array of people sitting and standing around the coffee table, glasses of aged wine in their hands and laughter erupting from them. He knows a few people at the table by formalities, nothing more then introductions or meetings by fate. There's Mr Green, who he had seen in the paper. Head of the local church and thriving from tax, no wonder he would be here, to gain his favor would be a foot in the doorway to monopoly. His deep green tones compliment him well. Then there's also the account that this is the guy who's pumping people's head full of that god shit. Then there's Miss Peacock, elegant as always, though silent and polite as much as she was attentive. Her family are seamstresses, people who make fine fabric and clothing, and they worked in tandem with the lady next to her Misses Red. Misses Red's family were farmers, though you could never tell, with the way she presents herself in fine silk dresses and with her sharp pretty features. She was also susceptible, probably why she was invited and not instead her father.
There are a few other he doesn't recognise, an extremely built man, in a yellow suit and has a few medals on his left chest pocket. If Ludwig had to guess, he was probably a war veteran, having a family dedicated to fighting in the wars.... that surely wouldn't provide for a rich household, would it? Near to him was a short woman, in soft pinks, a fancy hat upon her coloured hair, and a pair of tinted glasses hiding her eyes from view. He's not sure what profession she has by just looks, but she dresses smart.
Then there's the host himself, Mr Body. He's currently leading a conversation with the man in yellow, the way he laughs and holds himself, Ludwig can tell he's a sweet talker, honey-tongued and ready to steal money. The man who's taken Plum here quickly departs towards another door, apparently done with his job. But when that man enters the other room a lady in a maid's uniform steps out herself. He also knows her. Miss White. And no, despite what Nick says, not part of the reason why he's here. Nick's just under the impression that Ludwig only talks to women he wants to date... or something. She seems to notice Plum and waves at him from across the room. Though unfortunately he doesn't get time to wave back.
"Is that Ludwig Von Plum?! In *my* house party?!" Body strolls over with a grin and outstretched hands for a hug. Ludwig didn't know the man well, but he imagined he was half drunk because of Plum's ten minute tardiness.
"It's Professor Plum to you," he finds himself saying without a second thought. He bites down on his tongue. If he wanted to make money, that's not the play he should be doing. Despite his bitter tone and sour atmosphere Will laughs.
"You're quite sharp." He says as if he knows Ludwig. If he had said something like that to Anthony then he'd be dead by the end of the night. "I like that in a friend." Plum doesn't like this man yet, but he's willing to be wrong.
"Then shall we take a seat and get acquainted?" Then thankfully his intelligence gets a hold on him and steers him towards something smart to say. Body nods and gestures over to the colourful couches where the guests are waiting for their return.
"Have you met any of my guests before Proffessor?" Will asks as he sits down cross legged onto a wood couch with red seating, the tall man in yellow is watching the interaction, waiting to be involved in conversation. Ludwig's also glad that he's calling him by his title.
"Not personally. Some faces are familiar however," Body turns around to see the man in yellow downing his glass of wine. He chuckles and ignore the action completely.
"This is the Cornel, I'm sure you'll be good friends," the man's hair is well kept, and he's got a bit of stubble. He's also got a sort of neck scarf thing, it's not necessarily frilly, but it's got the same sort of shape. The Cornel offers his hand to shake, Plum quickly does just that.
"Hasan Mustard. You've got a good handshake,"
"Ludwig Plum. I'd say the same to you," Mr Body quickly diverts Plum's attention to Mr Green.
"And this is Father Green, he owns the local church," Green shakes his head quickly. He raises a hand as a sign to stop talking and swallows whatever fingerfood is in his mouth.
"It's God's Church. I just tend to it. And please, call me Mr Green," Mr Green seems perceptive, perhaps from the way he speaks, perhaps from the glasses.
"These ladies are Misses Peach, Peacock, and Misses Red. Miss Peach is an artist, family does amazing pieces, perhaps you saw some on the way up? Quite an abstract feel amongst it," Peach smiles politely but stays silent. She doesn't offer a hand or even so much as nod at him. She simply smiles and makes eye contact. Body ignores her and continues. "Peacock and her family all create clothing, why I'd argue that your people probably got your suits fixed in her very palor." Lud chuckles and nods along, trying to do his best expression of pretending he doesn't already know that. Peacock nods at him, also quiet. He nods back, apparently the women are too scared to talk or something because they're all giving him the silent treatment. "And of course-"
"Misses Red," she hums out. Eyes glancing him over as if he was a book. Her eyes certainly cut him like he was a fruit. "You're Mr Plum, non?" He's not sure if she's French or putting on an accent to mess with him. He plays along though.
"Oui, je suis le professeur Plum. Est-ce que tu parles français?" He says something along the lines of 'yes, I am Plum, do you speak French?' She nods thoughtfully and hums. He's pretty sure she doesn't speak French. "And you're Miss Red," her lips quirk up
"Are you sure he's even a Proffessor? This man doesn't even know how to address a lady by her titles," he rolls his eyes and is about to snap back before Green cuts in.
"My apologies Misses Red, but I do believe we're not here to bicker for simplicities. This is a night of discussion, drinks, perhaps even a few stories," she sighs and shakes her head in synchronization with the Cornel. Green doesn't seem to notice. Or at least doesn't care.
"Oh, we'll make a few stories alright!" Body gleefully cheers. A few glasses are placed down in front of them and Plum looks up at Misses White. He smiles and nods at her, trying ever so subtly to greet her. Though he's caught.
"Mr Plum, do you know Misses White?" He doesn't bother to scold him over his title. Maybe he does understand why Misses Red was upset at the title mistaking.
"Yes," White fills in Mr Body "I worked for The Professor before working here,"
"What? He didn't pay you enough?" Body chuckles. White and Plum exchange eye contact semi-awkwardly. "Well, you're welcome to spend the evening with us then!" Plum is certain it's a tactic for getting him to open up. He'll deal with it though.
"It's good to see you Lud,"
"It's good to see you too,"