A High Rise Apartment In the Sky (Samantha, openish)

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra sneered as Sam mentioned paisley print, and then smirked at the thought of rubbing her future success in her father's face. Lyra was quite for a minute, taking it all in.

Lyra turned her head to give Sam a suspicious look. She had just been thinking on asking after a job at the magazine when Sam offered one out of thin air. Could Samantha read her mind? No, Lyra suspected that Sam would have mentioned practicing legilimency. They talked frequently about wanting to know what others were thinking, usually when discussing someone's terrible fashion sense.

"Did Julian put you up to this?" It would be one thing if Lyra were to go to her friend and ask for help, one her terms and when she chose to. But if Julian had already spoken with Sam on Lyra's behalf... Lyra was conflicted, as that would have been both kind and obnoxious.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"No, the rat. And speaking of which!" she said fury suddenly blazing in her eyes, "How did he know before me?!" she almost yelled - if yelling hadn't been beneath her. She blinked once, then twice as it sunk in that Lyra had gone to Julian before she had gone to Sam.

It was further sinking in all the things that Julian had done for Lyra after finding out what had happened, which got Sam's wheels spinning in a different direction.

[Lyra Newbury]

Sam's outburst startled Lyra and she couldn't help but smile at her friend's jealousy. "Rat, indeed. He tracked me down, I don't know how he knew where to look. He just showed up on my doorstep yesterday with flowers and a house elf." She didn't know when Julian had found out she was living on her own, or even how he had discovered it. Lyra had been careful to tell no one. She was even still putting her parents' address on job applications, hoping her old street would appear more prestigious and inviting than a flat address.

"It wasn't as though I singled him out to let in on the secret. It sort of just...burst out."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She sniffed, mollified that Julian had sought Lyra out and not the other way around, but Lyra's words carried more weight than she knew. That coupled with everything else she had heard about Julian during the day, not to mention how far the man had gone to see to Lyra's comfort all conjured a rather specific target for Lyra's affections - at least Sam thought so.

It wasn't the first time she had thought as much either, though she rarely lowered herself to play matchmaker she would do it in a heartbeat for Lyra and Julian. They would make each other so incredibly happy, but also incredibly miserable. Sam knew much more about other people's hearts than she did her own, or rather she acknowledged the truth in other people and refused to see it about herself. Lyra and Julian could be perfect together, or they could destroy one another. That's how epic romances worked. There was no safe and steady. But it was usually worth it in the end.

"Well he has his ways." she said not yet sharing her thoughts with her friend, "His sly, but thoughtful, ways."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra had made her peace about where her relationship with Julian stood. She had offered herself to him last year, and he rebuffed her. But still, she couldn't let him go. Not like the other guys when she was done with them or they with her. Julian was different and he had managed to stay in her life without shattering her heart. He was the male friend she needed, one that had nothing to do with sex or romance but held all of the intimacy and caring that she sought after. She grew to realize that any romantic feelings she had had for him were simply misplaced by the chaos she was dealing with, and without that drama to fuel her, Julian had become a great friend. Whatever Samantha was thinking, she certainly wasn't on the right track. The pair were friends, nothing more.

Lyra smiled. "Yes, he's sly all right." She shifted on the sofa, turning her whole body to face Samantha, propping her arm on the back of the sofa, with her head on her hand. "And who gives a house elf as a house warming gift, honestly?" She loved that Julian surprised her with gifts, and was over the moon at Mimsy's arrival. It truly was exactly what she needed at that moment, and Julian always seemed to be able to give Lyra what she needed without her having to ask. But Lyra had seen the glint of jealousy in Sam's eye, and nothing brought girlfriends together like blathering about other people.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"He's rather sweet on you isn't he." Sam said, leading the conversation.

She remembered bringing it up to Julian when he had refused Lyra, at the time he argued that she was in a vulnerable position and that he didn't want to take advantage of her. Which was proof positive in Sam's mind that Julian felt something for Lyra. Not that he was the type to take advantage, but he had kissed away his fair share of tears when it came to other women, but it was Lyra he didn't want to "take advantage" of, as if the boy knew how.

Sam didn't press the issue however, preferring to stay out of it and leave her friends to their own happiness, but now it was worth a second glance.

[Lyra Newbury]

"Julian?!" she exclaimed. "Definitely not! He just likes playing the hero." That was certainly true. Julian was the knight in shining armor, she had told him so to his face on several occasions. But they were just friends. Yes, just friends.

"He's done nice things for you, does that mean he fancies you?" No, because Julian was a friend. A wonderfully caring friend.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam lifted an elegant shoulder, "Everyone fancies me don't you know?" she asked teasingly.

"But as much as he enjoys playing the hero, he's never stuck around longer than it took the girl's tears to dry, and you my dear have long been over what's his face." she said pointedly.

[Lyra Newbury]

Samantha was clearly off her rocker. There was nothing more than a platonic relationship between her and Julian. Nothing. He wanted to see her happy, just as Sam wanted to see Lyra happy. And vice versa. Sure, Julian brought her thoughtful gifts that showed he took the time to consider her individual wants and needs. And yes, he spent fortunes on her, today notwithstanding. But people did that for their friends. Didn't they? Yes, they must. Why else have all that money if not to buy the affections of your friends. Although, come to think of it, Julian wasn't really the type to buy people's affections. That was more of Lyra's game. But nevertheless, there was nothing romantically inclined about their relationship.

"We're friends," she insisted, although she wasn't sure who she was insisting it to. Her conviction in the statement wavered, and she looked to the ground in thought.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Well, alright fine." she said with a sigh pretending to give in, "If you're just friends then a marriage of convenience could be just the thing. You both pretended an engagement once, I don't see why a marriage would need to be any different. He'd be positively doting, and you'd be well situated. And if you were just "friends" then there would be no issue with seeking pleasures elsewhere would there?" Sam explained.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra chewed this information over. Julian deserved to be happy, and a false marriage certainly wouldn't do for him. Lyra could think of nothing worse than having her dear friend shackled to a woman he didn't love, whether that woman was Lyra or some other. And the thought of seeking pleasures elsewhere...A funny feeling was turning in Lyra's stomach. She didn't want to think of Julian finding pleasure with anyone. All of her thoughts centered around Julian in this scenario, Lyra never even considered what it would mean for herself.

"You're being ridiculous..." she said to Samantha as she stood and began clearing the dishes from the table in front of them.

Just then, the house elf appeared. "Mimsy will take care of this, Miss." And without so much as a second for Lyra to make a fuss, the dishes were levitating toward the kitchen leaving Lyra with nothing to occupy her mind except the conversation with Samantha. She sat back down, slightly deflated.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Excuse me. I am brilliant." she said haughtily, "and the lady doth protest too much, methinks." she smirked wickedly.

"Very well, just something to think about. I'll say no more about it."

But she would push and prod in other ways of course.

[Lyra Newbury]

It was certainly something to think on and Lyra would find herself thinking about it relentlessly until she saw Julian again. But presently, she maintained that Samantha had lost her marbles. "Good. But seeing as how you're clearly bonkers - brilliant yes, that too," she added, noting Sam's brow beginning to raise, "when do you want me to come in? Do I get an office? I know the 'new girl' wouldn't normally get an office, but being that I'm your mate I think I should have one."

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam laughed at Lyra's change in subject, as well as the girl's confidence.

"Seeing as how I'll be introducing you as an executive editor, yes I imagine you will be getting your own office, as well as an assistant, company carriage, spending account, as well as something else that's quite priceless. The EEAP. The Enchanted Executive Appearance Program is a responsibility as much as it is a privilege. Once you receive clearance you'll have access to the in house spa center. We have secured the best estheticians, masseuses, stylists, et cetera. An executive at Enchanted must always appear flawless. And Tony is a master at working out any kinks you may have from dealing with designers."

Sam took a sip of her wine and studied her friend, "I'm not just offering you the position because you're my friend Lyra." she said honestly if not a little hesitantly, "I care too much about the magazine to do that." she teased, "But I think you can get the job done."

Lyra's tastes often ran in a similar direction as Samantha's, the girl had a natural eye for elegance, which would be sharpened at the magazine. But it was really Lyra's confidence and vivacity that would allow her to thrive. Sam knew Lyra would do well, but she wondered if she'd be able to keep Lyra when the girl no longer needed the position. For now it was a win-win.

[Lyra Newbury]

As Samantha prattled off the list of resources she would be giving Lyra, Lyra began thinking that Sam was toying with her. She allowed Sam to continue with her joke, which was rather long winded as far as jokes go, and waited patiently for the punchline. But instead of a gentle ribbing or even the crass "psych" that she was expecting, the culmination was that of a genuine tone.

"Wait. Are you serious?" Sam really had lost her marbles. "I thought you'd have me getting people tea or something. I can't do...whatever it is an executive whatchamacallit does!"

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Would you rather get people tea? A rather large waste of your talents. Also there's no spending account." she teased then set her wine down and schooled her features to appear more serious.

"Need I remind you of the paisley disaster? Just trust your instincts like you did today. Whether you realize it or not you have an innate fashion sense. I've been to your estate home Lyra, I've seen what your mother wears, as well as how she's decorated her house." Sam said as if that should explain things.

"You've been at my side as designers paraded countless gowns and made excellent selections and observations."

[Lyra Newbury]

If all she needed to do was point out what she found appealing and what she knew was a disaster, then Lyra thought she might be able to do it. Sam made it sound so easy. And the perks would certainly outweigh any negative aspects the position might hold, wouldn't it? 

Lyra scrunched her mouth up at one side, and narrowed her eyes as if she were thinking very hard. "Do I get to tell people what to do?" she said with a smirk.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha let out a sharp laugh, "You're a natural." she said confident she had made the right decision.

"What do you say we give it a test run and owl a few designers over? We can set you up with a new wardrobe for the position."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra excitedly agreed. She may have balked at Sam's advice on her love life, and she may have questioned Sam's sanity on quite literally handing her a top position at Enchanted, but Lyra would never turn down free designer clothing. She called for Mimsy to bring her a glass of water, not wanting to have as much to drink as she had the day before, and had the elf fill Sam's wine glass.