And we're back! While I still own nothing, I'm quite enjoying my little dip in the Tin Man pool. looks wicked
Anyway, this little ficlet was inspired by all the DG being courted fics. While I like the concept, it just begged to be tweaked a bit!
BTW, no one has yet caught the fandom reference, though props to both Velera and TheCricket for the Firefly thoughts. Who knew that I Browncoat like me wouldn't be hinting at Firefly? Either way, I am going to give yall a hint. It is actually an Alan Cumming fandom- though yall were going in the right direction with "blue." Have fun!
Wyatt Cain, Commander of the Royal Guard, was being courted. If she hadn't thought he was close to assassinating a member of one of the O.Z.'s noble houses, DG just might have been laughing her ass off. As it was, she and her sister were sporting matching smiles that they'd struggled to keep respectable. Even their mother had been caught, lips twitching as she suppressed her amusement.
Watching her flustered friend being dragged across the dance floor by the rather gargantuan and frankly shameless Countess Dumond, DG supposed it had only been a matter of time before the court ladies figured out what a catch the former tin man was. The whole "hero of the realm" thing aside, the man was just, well, sexy. Not that he seemed to realize it, of course. Add in the widower thing, and most of them were hooked. Wyatt Chasing was now one of the more favored pastimes for some of them, to the deep chagrin of Cain, himself. In his opinion, as he'd ranted to the younger princess during breakfast that morning, he had far too much to do to deal with vapid little husband-hunters. Not to mention that he was sure they posed some kind of security threat… or something.
She'd giggled, which might not have been the most intelligent response, she'd realized as he stalked off. It had just been so out of character for him; ranting was just not his normal style. Seeing him now, though, stuck with the Countess for the third straight dance in a row, DG could tell her friend was fast approaching his last nerve. The other woman was on the prowl, determined, in her own words, to "hunt that man down like a dog and bag him."
DG sighed and shared a look with Az. Someone was going to have to rescue their Guard Commander. She carefully detached herself from the small knot of nobles she'd been conversing with, and strode quickly to the Royal Advisor. Glitch was deep in conversation with several of the O.Z.'s finest minds discussing some of the more archaic points of alchemy. The princess grinned a little at that- the zipperhead might not have a brain, but he was holding his own. She almost hated to interrupt.
"Glitch, I need a favor." He spun around comically.
"Hello, do I know- Hey DG!" One of the men behind him coughed, and then smiled sheepishly as the young woman shot a him a quick glare.
Shaking her head, she turned back to the pale man before her. "Glitch, I need you to go cut in on Cain and the Countess." His eyes widened and he turned to watch his friend on the dance floor.
"Sorry, Deeg, but I'm not sure I'd survive if I did." He shuddered. "I may not be all there, but even I know that harpy would kill me if I got between her and her new boy toy." DG choked and sputtered at the thought, suddenly forced to fight down the mental image of Cain as an Other Side pool boy. The Speedo was both disturbing and intriguing, particularly when paired with the hat and holster. She shook her head, then stared wide eyed at Glitch, thankful that their Viewer friend was in conference across the room.
"So, you really aren't going to help him?" Glitch showed rather impressive fortitude, staring right back at her before telling her a very firm no. Her face fell, as she turned to survey the dance floor. Apparently, it was up to her. "Here's hoping she doesn't decide the O.Z. doesn't need an extra princess." Glitch patted her on the shoulder before pushing her out among the other dancers.
"Be brave, doll. Just, think of the greater good. And a good escape route if all else fails…" She rolled her eyes at the less-than-encouraging words, before plastering on her best court smile and gliding carefully through the throng to Cain and his captor. The Countess did her best to avoid the princess's gaze completely, perhaps hoping that if she ignored her, she'd simply go away. DG couldn't fault her for that at least; having one of the few women she could intimidate heading her direction could not be comforting.
"Might I cut in?" Struck truly speechless by the younger woman's request, the Countess actually forgot herself enough to glare. Choosing to take her silence for agreement, Cain quickly swept his princess into his arms and swirled away.
"I owe you one, Princess." She grinned up at him; he looked like a pitiful puppy in that moment.
"Don't worry, Tin Man. I'll protect you." She'd surprised him with that, and his boisterous laugh had the entire court turning to look.
See that button there? Pool boy Cain wants you to push it!
-slaps hands- Not that button! You dirty little so-and-sos!