Dress Has Always Been My Strongest Suit (C.Worth)

[Madame Winifred Trousseau]

Winifred sat in the faculty lounge with the latest copy of Vogue in her hands, flipping through the pages for the umpteenth time. She enjoyed some of the fashions but some of them were so skanky and slutty or exploding with unnecessary frill, fluff or rhinestones that it upset Winifred just a bit. She missed the elegant gowns and flowing skirts or the stage as well as the fashions of Europe. America had become so frivolous that they seemed to be incapable of knowing fashion if it bit them in the rump. How the times had changed in such little time.

Winifred sighed a bit as she continued flipping, stopping occasionally to admire a certain designers work or a unique pattern that caught her eye. She was lost in the world of fashion. In reality she probably should have been in her office at this time, ready to assist some troubled teen or depressed youth to solve their problems but everyone needed a break every once in a while right? Besides, it had been a slow week. What were the chances that someone would show up now, well besides the faculty that might show up in here but most of them stayed to themselves so she wasn't expecting much to happen.

A tune slowly began escaping WInifred's lips as she sat on the couch in the room, engrossed in her magazine. It was an old aria from one of her first lead roles, O Mio Babbino Caro, and, as many of her old songs did, it lingered in the back of her mind and would play as she relaxed and wandered from her daily routine. It was her old friend, a reminder of her old days and her dream. She still had not given up on her dreams but she knew she would have to wait a while before she could even attempt to try for them once more. This thought upset Winifred a but and so she forced it from her mind. Mustn't think of such upsetting things. I must focus on the present of course and this is now. I'm looking at the latest fashion and enjoying the silence of the room. Happy thoughts. Mustn't forget that. Happy thoughts!

She gave herself a bit of a pep talk as she continued to read and look. A smile was plastered on her face like always and her done up face gave away nothing but pure joy and contentment. Inside, her pep talk continued and WInifred was distracted from the world around her, lost in her own thoughts once more.

[Professor Craig S. Worth]

Craig had been watching her for some time. She was a beautiful angel. He had come in planning on just checking the bord as was his daily ritual a 3:15 and had gotten distracted by her. He was now sitting there with a notebook open listing pros and cons, her attributes and many other things.

He had seen her before. How could he not? But nevertheless he had been to afraid to her approach her. It was not proper. But then again it could be more proper then not approaching her, because a man should approach a woman. Oh this was what the list was for. His lists almost filled the page. Finally he went through and counted 15 on one side and 17 on the other. 17 reasons why he should approach. He did not like the numbers but oh well, the numbers didn't lie.

He sighed and then tried to think of what to say. Just then he heard her begin to sing an Aria softly. Oh she had the voice of an angel. He added that to her list of attributes. But where did he recognize it from. Oh my yes, he knew from where. He looked down then up again.

That was how he would talk to her. He got up slowly and walked over to her. "Madam, you have quite the lovely voice. May I ask, was that O Mio Babbino Caro? I thought I recognized it but one can never be sure." He was clear in his diction and always thought he sounded pretentious even when he did not mean to be. It was on his list of faults.

He smiled at her and looked at the seat next to her. "If it is not forward rude of me to ask, may I sit near you?" He struggled in his head for a reason. He tried not to change expression "That chair over their is hard and not that comfortable.... Besides there is better light." He smiled at her. Her eyes were so deep he felt himself sinking in them.

He realized what a ninny he sounded like. He didn't have time for women. He was an independent man. He did not want to be tied to this woman who read... fashion magazines, he noticed. He must be strong. He straightened trying to look like her opinions didn't matter.

[Madame Winifred Trousseau]

Winifred was a bit surprised by the sudden appearance of this man. She thought she had been alone. How long had he been here? How rude of her not to see him until now. She listened to his request, finally closing her magazine and focusing her eyes and her attention on him. He was handsome and had very good manners. His diction was phenomenal and his knowledge of classical operas intriguing. She had never thought he would be like this before. She had seen him around school but he always seemed to want silence and isolation. This was a first in her mind and she found it adorable and surprising.

She was so engrossed in realizing these sudden changes that she hesitated to answer, lost in thought. When she suddenly realized she had yet to answer, she blushed a bit before saying, "Oh I'm sorry. Of course you can sit here." She fell silent as she moved over on the couch and gestured to the newly cleared space before adding, Oh and as for the song, you are quite right... May I ask, how did you know that? Few people would know good opera if it bit them in the rear these days. How sad how the times have changed. What happened to people appreciating fine classics and beautiful music in varied tongues. Now everything is rap and gangsta and has no original and flowing tune. that is even if it has a tune. Oh but look at me here, chewing your ear off. I'm sorry. I guess you came in here to grade papers or read silently and here I am ruining your plans. I'll shut up now and leave you be. Sorry to bother you."

Winifred went back to reading her magazine but found herself unable to focus. She had promised this man that she would leave him be but she wished to find out more. He was so... different and she liked this. Pity she had promised to leave him be as she felt they could have quite an intellectual conversation. Nonetheless she would keep to her promise. One must do what they preached and she preached this to the students she counseled quite often.

And so she tried, and failed, to focus on the magazine as the seconds seemed to tick away in her mind, grating at her nerves and driving her insane. Silence had never been her forte and once around people it was seemingly impossible. Not impossible, just improbable. She reminded herself as she stayed silent despite her better judgment and all odds.