My, what a guy... {Elaine}

[Gaston]

It was true, Gaston was still smarting from the injustice of being passed over for the role of headmaster. He had never been anyone’s deputy in his life, and he found the term an insult. He’d even gotten hold of the votes, and the votes for ’anyone but Gaston’ had been particularly enraging. He wasn’t the person he’d been 10 years ago - well... not entirely - and he’d have made a fantastic headmaster. Better than that spectacled little dweeb anyway.

Regardless of the title, he was still taking his job (relatively) seriously. He was proud of this place, and he had fond memories of his time here, all those years ago. He wanted to see it returned to it’s former glory, full of students from all over milling around the corridors, and the grounds, and the courtyard.

He was in the middle of a sweep of the school grounds and buildings, just checking in on things and seeing how the place was coming back to life, when he’d paused in the courtyard to watch the fountain. He gazed at it thoughtfully for a while, watching the water fall and studying the stone Phoenix at the top. The Phoenix, the symbol of rising from the ashes. That was what Gaston needed to do, rise from the ashes of deputy to be the Phoenix of headmaster. Or... something, he’d figure out a better metaphor later.

”This would be so much better if it had antlers...” he muttered to himself with a small shake of his head.

[Elaine of Astolat]

Elaine was still feeling rather sent adrift. Her tether to Astolat had been broken, but she was without direction, rudderless in a vast ocean. The true problem was that Elaine has duties and responsibilities at home in Astolat. Here, she had no duties, no responsibilities and no expectation of any. For a woman who dedicated herself to her duties, in this place, she was lost without a compass to guide her way. And she had no ides where to begin.

She thought as she walked along a path, taking time for some serious reflection. She was a woman with many skills and a woman with more education than most thought necessary. At least, these things were both objectively true back home in Astolat. In Astolat she had power. She had influence. She had the skills to get things done. Here, in this place and time, things were very different. Many of her skills would be no use here. She could calculate finances, but so could a computer, or even, perhaps, one of those cellular devices. It was certainly likely anyway. She was effective in a position of leadership, but there was already a Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster currently. There was potential in teaching, but then the question became what she could teach. French was the obvious choice. And yet, she was a native speaker. Would she do well educating young minds? She wasn't quite sure. It didn't feel quite right. Perhaps someone would need a right hand woman for something. Event planning? She had always enjoyed that sort of work.

But how did any of those ideas play out in this place? She wasn't familiar enough with the societal landscape of this place yet to know. Perhaps she ought to speak to someone regarding these kinds of questions. Perhaps there was someone at the school to ask.

Elaine had wandered close to the fountain, coming out of her thoughts only to realize that a man was standing there, staring at the fountain. She turned her gaze on it as well, pausing momentarily to enjoy the general spender. She couldn't make out the words he said when he muttered something to himself, but she realized as she stood there silently, that he likely hadn't noticed her presence. "Forgive me," she began, walking in his direction. "I do not wish to sneak up on you if you are quietly contemplating." Elaine realized as she drew nearer that this man was the new Deputy Headmaster of the school. He'd been upset at the announcement. "Do carry on," she urged. "I'll not disturb you."

[Gaston]

Gaston had, of course, noticed the very attractive young lady appear and stop near the fountain. But in the last 10 years he had learned a few things and hunting and women, and sometimes the things he learned about one topic also applied to the other. This was one of those occasions.

Gaston had known for many, many years, that when hunting a wild beast - such as a deer, or a bear, or a flock of wild geese, or a giant beast that had once been a prince - the most important thing was not to startle the creature and risk it either fleeing or trampling you. It had taken a long time, but Gaston had finally learned in his time away from Tintagel that this method often applied to women too. He had realised that in his youth he had been too hasty, too eager, and had pushed himself forward too early when pursuing young ladies, and this had led to many a retreat, slap, or drink in the face.

But he had learned his lesson. On a hunt, you stayed still and you allowed the prey to come to you. You waited, still and silent, for them to stray just close enough for your weapon to hit its target. It was exactly the same with women.#

So yes, Gaston had noticed the beautiful, lost-looking young lady appear. He had seen her gazing up at the statue, and he had watched her noticed him and move towards him. But he was waiting, not wanting to startle her and have her bolt like a doe, and his patience had paid off - she spoke.

He slowly turned his head to look at her, and smiled slightly sadly. "Ah, mademoiselle, please, no forgiveness is necessary. This beautiful fountain is here for all to enjoy, it would be cruel of me to turn you away." He smiled, inclining his head slightly. "And honestly, it would be a pleasure to be disturbed, trying to ensure this wonderful school returns to it's former glory is proving to be a difficult task." Reaching out, he took her hand and bent his head over it, kissing it gently. "Allow me to introduce myself - Gaston LeGume, Deputy Headmaster of this fine establishment."