"Oh Lloyd!" the scream resonated throughout the lab. Lloyd snapped his head around, looking in the direction of the voice. Cecile, surprised, stared in amazement as Lloyd spread his arms, giving one of his laughs, and slid into the arms of a woman only a couple inches taller than herself. A man, surprisingly taller than Lloyd, followed and smiled. His lavender hair had shocks of silvery-grey through it and his handsome smile had Cecile a bit flustered. The woman, however, had Lloyd's eyes and facial structure, both bony and sophisticated. She was slighty taller than Cecile herself and thin, with a few wrinkles around her eyes and a strict mouth. Lloyd caught her gaze and smiled, cocking his head.
"Ah Cecile! Come over here for a moment won't you?"she swallowed but obeyed. Lloyd reached out and put his arm around her shoulders, gently tugging her close.
"Mother, Father. This is my assistant, Cecile Croomy. The woman that I've told you about." Cecile blinked, still surprised even though she figured their relations. She conjured up a sincere smile, bowing to them, as another man stepped into the room. Lloyd's face faltered for a moment before his smile lit up his face once more.
"Ranku! My brother! How have you been?" Lloyd shook his hand before hugging his brother to him. "Cecile. Let me have the honor of introducing my younger brother. Earl Ranku Asplund." Ranku looked from Cecile to his brother and back, then broke into a grin.
"My,My. Brother, you dog, you have done well for yourself. With your job and your woman." Lloyd smirked and glared at his brother as Ranku bowed over Cecile's hand in a gentalmanly kiss. Cecile flushed and smiled a bit nervously.
"Better than you'll ever d, I must say." Their parents stood in the background, his mother twitching a bit at the attention her sons were giving to the young lady. Cecile noticed the sour look on her face and raised her eyebrows, slightly uneasy as she gazed back between the brothers. Their father finally cleared his throat to gain their attention and smiled as they turned to him.
"Lloyd, I would like to take you and your brother outside for a cigar and a good catch-up. You may come out whenever you are ready darling." his wife gave a stiff nod as he kissed her cheek and turned towards the door, his boys following. Lloyd blinked, stopping, before sweeping back towards Cecile.
"Cecile!" She looked at him before squeaking and turning the other way, trying to avoid him.
"No!" she clenched her eyes closed and covered them with her hands. Lloyd's family froze and turned to watch them closely. Lloyd just laughed and pryed her hands away from her face, turning her towards him. Once they were pulled away, he bent a bit to meet her eyes and did what she hated most. He tweaked her nose between his fingers. Her nose scrunched up and slowly opened an eye. He was using his most pleading look. She groaned and shok her head, swatting gently at his hands.
"That's not fair! You know I don't know how to say no to that look you jackass!" Lloyd grinned and, in his sweetest voice said;
"Cecile, would you mind staying with my mother until she's ready to come outside?" Cecile stared at him for a moment before sighing softly. Lloyd smiled victoriously and spun before her, lab coat fanning out as he stopped, facing his family with hands on his hips. He was oblivious to his family's wide eyes as they stared in wonder at an open disrespect of an Earl.
"There we are! You have someone to keep you company mother." They all swept out of the room, leaving Cecile and Lloyd's mother alone in an uncomfortable silence before Lloyd's mother spoke.
"You shouldn't be allowed near my precious son." Cecile stopped what she was doing and turned her transfixed stare on the woman, watching her carefully as she stood in confusion.
"E-excuse me?" she wasn't sure that she had heard her correctly.
"You heard me girl. My son needs someone of nobility, wealth, and power. Not some average, pathetic excuse for a Britannian like yourself. You need to learn your place and respect those who are above you." Lady Asplund she turned her nose into the air and stalked out after her sons and husband. Cecile stood dumbfounded, her files slipping from her limp grasp and onto the cold, concrete floor.