Prince Among Men

[helpdesk_hero]

Frankly, he hadn't expected to get this chance. At all. Didn't matter that he was the top of his class. That he learned things mostly instantly. Sure there was a lot of reasons that this shouldn't have happened. Yet here he was, two days in to an internship at the Genoshan royal palace. And David's been moving through things carefully, juggling a large pile of folders and binders. A lot of stuff went on behind the scenes he'd learned, working as he did under a minister of commerce and trade.

And as an intern his main jobs seemed, at least for these first few days, carrying things back and forth and fetching coffee. He'd networked with someone who did the internship the year before and learned that yeah, it sucked the first few days, but then you started doing cool stuff, so he had his fingers crossed.

Okay, not actually, he was too busy moving quickly through the halls, trying not to trip and drop a massive pile of reports that he was certain had only been given to him because hazing the new guy who had already turned out to be smarter than half of the undersecretaries. Oops.

The big problem, of course, is taking a corner too quick. It wasn't that he meant to run into someone, but there it was happening anyway.

Comments

[wearingthestars]

Growing up in the palace, Prince William was well used to the space out his rooms not being entirely his own. There were almost always people running about doing something or other, and for the most part he was able to avoid them. Or maybe it was that they knew to avoid him, because the Prince suddenly found himself near toppled over by a face he didn't recognize, starting in surprise and trying to help steady the other, magic freezing the papers, catching some of them before they managed to fall into a mess on the floor.

"...Hell of an introduction," he teased lightly, offering a small smile after the surprise fades.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh no, he ran into someone. He's so going to get this even more messed up. He is ready to apologize as he finally processes that something has caught the papers. Something blue. And then the voice. God, who hasn't head the voice of the princes? David, struggling to balance his books, realizes he's probably DEAD.

He just ran into one of the Princes. He's so dead.

"P-Prince William," David stammers out in shock. And tries to bow, which only upsets more items. "I'm sorry. I beg your forgiveness."

[wearingthestars]

Oh, it's sweet, and the prince smiles kindly, trying not to laugh at just how flustered the other seems to be.

"It's all right," he tries to assure, "They're not go to lock you up for running into me, I promise. It was an accident."

The papers he's caught in his spell begin collecting for David, and he stoops to try and gather the rest for him.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Are... you sure?" David asks, a bit uncomfortable because what if they ARE going to arrest him for that. William Magnus, a prince. One of the most recognizable mutants in the world. And David feels very nervous.

"T-thank you for your help," David says softly as the Prince helps to collect things. WHich mostly means William adding things back to the pile. "I didn't... realize you would be in this wing of the palace. They said the royals don't come over here much."

[wearingthestars]

"...Pretty sure." Okay, maybe that's a little mean, he looks so very nervous, and the prince gives a reassuring nod. "No one saw. You're good."

This is all really too much for one person to be carrying, and when William stands again he doesn't hand over the rest of what he's collected.

"We aren't often. I was hoping for a change of scenery. I should have been more careful, I know you're all very busy. Can I help you get these where you're going?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"It's more busy work than busy," David admits and he shifts to try and lower his stack for the prince to put things on. And is left shocked by the offer.

"Your Highness, that really isn't necessary. You are so very kind, but surely you have something better to do than help an intern on busy work."

[wearingthestars]

He flushes a little, and glances around pointedly. Clearly he's not on any charitable outings or what not at the moment.

"It's my free time. And I think learning what an intern does here would be a good use of my time. Do you disagree?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Does he disagree? Yes. Absolutely. David doesn't do anything yet. But you don't disagree with one of the Magnus family. You just don't.

"I... Of course you are welcome to join me, Your Highness. I do not believe I will be very interesting, though."

William can't even begin to imagine how boring David is. But he's also the newest intern here, the one coming right from the Mutant Leadership Academy. Their prize student.

[wearingthestars]

Yeah, he learned that little trick pretty early on. No one wants to directly disagree. It doesn't work so well on the Red Guard, but if he really wants his way it's a good tool to keep in his back pocket.

He looks rather pleased with himself, and shrugs a shoulder, gesturing for the young man to lead the way. "It's important for me know these things, whether they're interesting or not. What's your name?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"David Alleyne, your Highness," David says as he starts talking. And trying not to be too nervous about a Magnus around him. "I'm a psychomimetic."

[wearingthestars]

"William Magnus," he introduces in turn, despite being fairly sure David is WELL aware. He arches a brow with an impressed hum.

"That sounds either very helpful or very dangerous," he half teases, looking over him with a curious expression.

[helpdesk_hero]

So damn very aware of. The beautiful twin. Not that he has an opinion.

"I mean, generally helpful. I learn things really well. And fast. And I retain what I learn, thanks to some telepaths working with me."

He's got a lot better control over his powers, properly trained here. Which means he doesn't have to worry about taking too much. In fact, he's blocked most of William out of his head. Thank goodness. He doesn't want to spy on a prince.

[wearingthestars]

Luckily, the prince remains unaware of that particular description of him, or he'd be quite pink.

"I wish I had anything like that," he notes with a hushed laugh, "My brother's much better with lessons than I am." Which is good for Genosha, since Thomas will be the one most likely to assume the throne, but not so good for William's pride.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Your brother only has to learn to be fast, right?" David suggests. But no, of course not he has to learn to rule. Unless Pietro finally has a kid.

[wearingthestars]

The prince shakes his head softly. "He has to learn all the things that make a good ruler. He's next in line after our Uncle, and given his relationship with our grandfather..." He pauses and tries to phrase things as neutrally as possible, "...It seems likely Thomas will have to fill the roll at some point, regardless."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I would think that you would take the lessons as well," David frowns. But clearly he's not as smart about all of this as he could be.

[wearingthestars]

"I take a lot of them," he volunteers, and it doesn't occur to him that maybe some of this he shouldn't be sharing with just anyone. "But he does better than I do with retaining the lessons."

[helpdesk_hero]

Really? David, just for a moment, relaxes his shields. Relaxes to let himself feel the air. The knowledge in it.

"You're retaining it better than you think, Your Highness."

[wearingthestars]

He gives a curious flush, almost bashfully averting his gaze. It may be more a question of confidence than it is smarts.

"...William is fine, if you like."

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh god, that just looks good. So he shuts down his powers and just keeps walking.

"I could never, Your Highness."

Imagine what Billy's family would do if he did that!

[wearingthestars]

"No one would know," he counters softly, but he understands David's worry, and won't press him on the issue.

"...So what is it you do here with all of this?" he asks, gesturing to the files.

[helpdesk_hero]

They aren't friends, William. He's a complete non-entity next to a Prince. Sure, someday he may be useful to the throne. But for now? Nope.

"I copy things. I carry things to places. I make coffee. I nearly bowl over royals on my third day when the only reason I know how to get around is because of my powers."

[wearingthestars]

They aren't, but this is how you make them, right? No, really, he's not sure. He doesn't get to see a whole lot of people outside of his immediate family.

"Sounds like they're making great use of your powers," he notes, and offers a smile, "You're not the first. Just be glad it was me."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, it's not like people would WANT him to make friends with a random mutant, right?

"They're... I made an undersecretary look bad. And a few of the lower level assistants," David sighs. "I'm getting grunt work for punishment. But I'm an intern, so there you go, it's my job."

Glad it was him? Yeah, the speedsters could have dodged.

[wearingthestars]

Definitely not.

Well, there's always the women of the family, or maybe worst of all, the King himself. Of those options, William may be the best bet.

"How did you make them look bad?"