Vicarious // Tomas

[Eugene Prothero]

December 1972
In the expensive restaurant
located at the top of the Tower

He was already there when Tomas arrived.

On the table was a tray of appetisers, a bottle of expensive champagne. Two stemmed glasses, empty, awaited his arrival.

Eugene got up from his seat then, stepped forward to take the other's hand in his and giving it a proper squeeze, approvingly, locked Tomas in his blue gaze.

"I heard your speech," he said. The triumph in his voice was mild, but it was there.

[Tomas Bellestorm]

When he arrived, he noted the display of wealth before him, like a veritable red carpet. Appetizers had been meticulously arranged, a bottle of champagne waited to be poured. A show of influence and power. He spared it only the momentary acknowledgement that decorum required of them. It was to be expected here, meeting with Eugene Prothero.

His attention remained where it mattered—on Eugene. Studying, assessing, calculating.

Tomas accepted the handshake with a practiced ease, his grip firm but not forceful. He believed in striking a balance; control was best wielded without excess.

“I imagine you did.” The faintest twitch at the corners of his mouth, just shy of amusement, betrayed his recognition of the quiet triumph in Eugene’s tone. “And I imagine you approve?”

With an easy, deliberate motion, Tomas gestured for them to sit, lowering himself into his chair.

[Eugene Prothero]

The handgrip was firm, matched by his own, approving, clear blue eyes locked on the other.

Eugene Prothero was a man very different from Tomas Bellestrom. Tomas' presence was demanding, fiercely charismatic in a way Eugene had never been, and masculine in a dominating sort of manner.

Though his position as Head of House might suggest otherwise, Eugene had never been one to grab the spotlight voluntarily - after his transferrence from Durmstrand he had been a Ravenclaw, observant, fiercely strategic.

But he could play roles. He had to, with the opportunities, and challenges, that life had tossed his way. Subtly opportunist, in the reserved Prothero kind of way.

“And I imagine you approve?”

"I am a man of family," he said, mirroring the Minister's movement and sitting down on his chair.

"What's first on the agenda, now that the power is yours?" he asked, a lightly humorous smile tugging at the corners of his lips.