Disclaimer: as usual, I don't own The Rocky Horror Picture Show

A/N: This story is a bit out of character, isn't it? Though the thing about Rocky Horror is that we know so little from the film that everyone/everything can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

Also, Claudia will become something of a 'tragic hero'. Since she's a conman of sorts (though she doesn't see it like that, since her trickery isn't technically causing harm) she isn't a good person. Few characters in this is are truly good, come to think of it. Her behavior will become increasingly immoral as the story goes on. Then, her fatal flaw - that she can get away with anything via "acting" - will doom her. Though she won't die or anything. It'll be happier than that.

The previous paragraph was less of a spoiler and more of a description of the genre.

When Claudia got to the kitchen, she heard a hushed conversation inside. Suddenly glad that she wasn't wearing noisy shoes (or any shoes) she tiptoed closer to the door. Then, she carefully put her ear against it.

Now she could hear the conversation! It was being held between a man and a woman – though she wasn't sure which man and woman. The latter's voice was somewhat deep and reminded Claudia of some sort of old-time femme fatale movie star. After a moment, she realized it was probably Magenta. In the very least it sounded her imitating someone older.

"Sir, I don't think I can do that. It would be indeed quite difficult, surely you know, with all the security that-"

"Find a way, girl. Preferably by… October," replied the unfamiliar male voice.

"Fine!"

Then a door was violently slammed (or so it seemed). As if in pain, Magenta then shrieked. A moment later Claudia heard sobbing sounds… and agitated muttering, barely audible. The sort of furious, under-your-breath words spoken in a fit of rage.

Slowly, Claudia opened the door and saw Magenta pacing 'round the room looking very upset about something. Claudia caught fragments of what the redhead was saying.

"…already poor as… cheating us… the money now!"

And then Magenta saw Claudia standing in the doorway. She stalked towards the girl, hands on her hips. Never had Claudia seen her like this. So very controlling, so dominant. And also regal, like the lady in the pictures.

"What is it you want? How much did you hear?" the woman growled.

"I just wanted to help make breakfast," Claudia said softly, staring at the floor.

She was attempting to put on a 'wide-eyed innocent' persona. Her posture was a bit sloppy and meant to look sort of pathetic, as if she were just the victim. The (faked) expression on her face was a somewhat nervous one. This was in the hope of appearing non-threatening. Like some sort of bystander who'd been there totally by accident and was frightened by Magenta's manner! It worked to some degree. In the very least, Magenta calmed down slightly. She'd lapsed back into that head-in-the-clouds person who seemed slightly motherly at times.

"Well, then! Let's make breakfast."

Without further ado the two of them made waffles (wonderfully made by Magenta) and scrambled eggs (undercooked by Claudia). This was a nice little breakfast that the rest of the household enjoyed. Though Claudia didn't get to see this, due to the fact she'd been banned from the table. Frank didn't want to see her face again after realizing how wretched her cooking was. And he thought her somewhat ugly (not to mention her childish figure), so had no real interest in her.

After she'd eaten leftovers from breakfast Claudia was given a list of Magenta chores for her to do. Again, it was mostly dusting the house and other 'mindless' work. So she planned to think while going around the house and doing everything she was supposed to. For one thing, she needed a plan. So far everything had worked well enough. She was getting all sorts of ideas for her stories! Now she needed to figure out what to do next. This didn't mean leave. No, she hoped to stay here for a little while even after she'd written her first novel.

It meant she got free food and at least one place to sleep (the castle had hundreds of rooms, Claudia could've sworn it was bigger on the inside). That's useful indeed. Not to mention all the exploring of this place she could do when not working. Plus the secrets – figuring out secrets from little information was fun. Nobody back home had any dark secrets – it was ever so dull – and Claudia adored the idea of being surrounded by little mysteries. For one thing, the conversation between Magenta and the unknown man. Claudia had found a door that must've been the one slammed. Though she was too afraid to open it. Who knows if the man was still right on the other side? Not to mention the smear of blood on the door from when Magenta had slammed/punched it.

But, if she stayed forever, would she have to keep behaving like a sweet little girl? That would get annoying, she knew. Even with all the story-fodder surrounding her maybe it wasn't worth it! So she decided that she needed to find someone in the house to trust. Someone to tell her own secret to. Such a thing would take much effort, of course.

Much more effort than she thought...

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