#perchess

@duchesslablanc

Perdita had thrown herself into her work. It was a good distraction from the hell that was the rest of her life. It was a good distraction from Paul (though, also, not at all, seeing as his name was one of the ones on her list, how had that happened? she couldn’t even really remember properly.) Also, now that Anita was dating Roger (which really, thank god, it had been long enough), but the fissure of their little group was more glaring than ever.

There were no double dates like Perdita used to tease Anita about. No movie nights with the four of them anymore. No outings to parks or Anita’s house up in the countryside.

They were broken and it was all Perdita’s fault. That was all she did was break things--she’d done the same with her real family as well as her found one. She just broke things into tiny little pieces, until they were too small to fit back together properly. It just left her at a baffled loss and wanting to run.

But, she couldn’t run--because she had her babies.

So, instead, she threw herself into anything to distract herself. Right now, that meant sitting on Duchess’ couch, her hair back in a smooth ponytail to keep it out of her face as she looked over the list in her lap. She’d handed Duchess a copy as well, so that the could both make notes. 

Marie was top of the page. Bonfamille. It was alphabetical.

“Well, of course you know Marie. I swear I didn’t know it was her at first. She just had a good walk--excellent taste. Though, if I’m honest, her height doesn’t do her any favours in the modeling world. And she might be a bit too--cute. Her face is a bit more round than the typical model, but I know that is not exactly what we are going for.” 

Perdita did not exactly know how it came to be that she was headed towards the Duchess LaBlanc’s lovely home in the Woods. She tried not to look at the houses passing her by too closely, because it would make her miss her own lavish brownstone on the Upper East side. 

She should be here. This was where she belonged. Among the elegant and the elite. She would never, ever forgive her mother for cutting her off the way that she had. It was cruel and unimaginable. Not that she had anything these days, but she could never imagine doing such a thing to Penelope. 

Her heart was in her throat, but Perdita had always known how to fake confidence, though, it was a new skill set she was learning now how not to appear desperate. Because she was desperate for this job. If that was even what this was. See, it was vague and unclear. Perdita had merely offered to help Duchess redecorate her house. 

Still, Perdita carried a resume with her, tucked into her sky blue Hermes bag, of course, so as not to appear presumptuous. 

At the door of Duchess’ house, Perdita adjusted her dress (not the one that Duchess designed, she did not want to wear that yet.) No, this one had a pleasant bright blue and violet and yellow floral pattern on a white background. Standing tall, she tossed her golden curls and then stepped forwards to press a manicured fingernail against the doorbell. (Yes, she’d gone and spent money on a manicure, but she couldn’t have Duchess thinking she was near broke).

Stepping back, she raised her chin and waited as elegantly as possible on the stoop, looking the picture of poise.

@duchesslablanc

After the show, which had been wildly successful and critically-acclaimed, things had quieted down around the LaBlanc studio. Which itched underneath Perdita’s skin, if she was honest. She didn’t like being idol. Though, she supposed, really, with two almost-toddlers, she was hardly ever bored.

There was really nothing to do today, so Perdita had brought Penny and Patch with her to work. She knew that Duchess enjoyed having them around, and, sometimes, Perdita felt like an awful mother for always being gone at work--dumping the twins with Anita and/or Roger, or Simba, or Hot Brad. It felt good to be able to take care of them. Especially when they were behaving like they were right now. 

The group of four were spread out on the carpet in Duchess’ spacious office, which was more of a living room space than an office, just because of the sheer size of it. Patrick was playing with blocks, while Penelope sat in front of Perdita so that she could French braid her daughter’s hair back, it was starting to get rather long.

“How is Thomas, then? I haven’t seen him around much since the holidays,” she commented, flicking her eyes up towards Duchess with a playful smile.

Duchess actually did feel terrible when she left Swynlake at the beginning of the whole Takadown ordeal. She’s only slightly ashamed to say that she thought only of herself and not for her very competent assistant.

When she came back to town, Duchess was actually ready to grovel at Perdita’s feet to have her back. Though, she would have tried to keep her dignity and written more letters than she needed to. If Perdita had turned her down, Duchess would have done research and tried to figure out where she wanted to work and made a higher bid towards a salary.

Perdita actually has quite a bit of influence on Duchess’ designs. She knows a good bit about fashion and she isn’t afraid to tell Duch what doesn’t look good. 

(sent in an email)

TO: Duchess La Blanc (@duchesslablanc) FROM: Perdita Faye SUBJECT: Sitting Room Design

Madame La Blanc,

Here is the sitting room design you requested! I hope you like it, if not, I completely understand. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to show you what I can do. Apologies for taking so long to get this to you, I wanted to make sure everything was perfect!