socialitesleuth

[socialitesleuth]

This author wonders when Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward will end rumours and introduce her latest accessory to the ‘ton. Or perhaps earlier speculation about an unwise entanglement begins to ring true, dearest reader.

... Have I time-travelled back 250 years?

[socialitesleuth]

favourite photo you’ve taken this year so far?

Beach getaway with @squidsinashirt

[socialitesleuth]

i have heard that olympians have super strength and super stamina. truth? (ᵔ◡ᵔ)

I'm not an Olympian but I suppose they must?

[socialitesleuth]

how do you define love?

This is an awfully big question, Anon. Let me do my best to answer it for you.

In my opinion, love is more than a simple emotion. It's the way you show up for somebody, the way you care for someone.

Love has so many different forms, which is what makes it so beautiful but it is also what makes it tricky to pin a single definition to it.

There are no rules to love. Everybody expresses their love differently.

To define love would be to set expectations on it, and whilst people do have certain expectations for how they wish others expressed their love for them, I don't believe in such a thing. You'll know when someone loves you, or if you love them in return, by how they, or you, respond. That goes for romantic love as well as parental, familial, platonic or any other sort of love.

I also believe that love does not come from the heart but from the soul of the person. How could something so encompassing be resigned to one, small organ?

I do hope that's answered your question, Anon. It's terribly difficult to put something into words when that something is so vast and wonderful and complicated.

[socialitesleuth]

Ooh, she thinks she’s all that. Feeling so Gatsby? Flaunting Daddy’s money, living the big life and the only man she could get was a dumb baby Thunderbird (Signs of getting old, Penelope, younger men who love you like you’re brand new 😘). 

Terrible fashion sense, terrible taste in men and a terrible taste in music too 😘 

Have the day you deserve - probably swanning about doing very important things like drinking tea with more vapid socialites and pretending you contribute to society beyond being apparently pretty 😘 

I was going to give you a proper reply, Anon, but not only do I believe you undeserving of one after your pitiful attempts at being evil, I also think you'll much prefer this instead...

"Bass beat rattling the chandelier,

Feelin' so Gatsby for that whole year.

So why'd you have to rain on my parade?

I'm shaking my head and locking the gates.

This is why we can't have nice things."

"Terrible music"? Did you really think I wouldn't catch the reference, Anon? The irony of the song choice is palpable. If you wanted me to quote Taylor Swift to you, all you had to do was ask. Now, if you don't mind, I have better things to do with my day. This charity auction won't host itself!

[socialitesleuth]

The fingers are cracking. The neck is stretching.

Honestly, saying it with love, how the hell does a short stuff 3 like you end up with a 10 like her?

Honestly, between just the two of us Anon, not a damn clue but I’m a simple man and I don’t question the workings of the universe.

Hawaiian shirts.

Very generous with the 3, thank u 💕

[socialitesleuth]

Honestly your Ladyship, going right down in my estimations with that one. 3 was being generous 😘 sleeping with both eyes closed.

I wasn't going to grace this with a reply but I must ask: why should any of us care for your silly little estimations? Rate us all at a 0. Why not hit the minus numbers? Rate us at -10000. I assure you, this opinion you have impacts us very little.

If I were feeling petty, I'd rate your abilities for underestimating people, but fortunately for you I am not, and, I must admit, I have better things to do with my time.

Have the day you deserve.

[socialitesleuth]

She's rolling up her sleeves, ready for a fight. Sleep with one eye open, Anon.

Honestly, saying it with love, how the hell does a short stuff 3 like you end up with a 10 like her?

Honestly, between just the two of us Anon, not a damn clue but I’m a simple man and I don’t question the workings of the universe.

Hawaiian shirts.

Very generous with the 3, thank u 💕

[socialitesleuth]

Dearest Penelope,

It is your second cousin Agatha here, on your father’s side, twice removed. We last saw one another two years ago at the All England Bowls Final. A thrilling spectacle by all accounts. I do hope you are well. My mother has asked that I enquire after you after hearing some rather interesting news regarding your own affairs, at a luncheon for the Royal Archeology Society earlier this week. Of course, it is always prudent to discuss such matters but… such wonderful news, so delighted for you, and we do hope to be introduced presently. Perhaps tea some time this week? All my love,

Cousin Agatha

Penelope reread the note from her cousin twice over. Since receiving the letter, an influx of worry had begun to take over. While Penelope was always open-minded about messages from her family members, these sorts of messages usually had her mind spiralling.

The reply was begun later than she'd anticipated. She could only hope that her cousin did not read into why that was.

"Darling Agatha,

"Thank you for your enquiry. It is so wonderful to hear from you. I remember our last meeting well, as though it was only last month. I am keeping as well as can be. I hope the same can be said for you and your dearest mother."

Her writing ceased for a moment as Penelope pondered how best to tackle the following "news" that had been shared. Penelope guessed it was probably nothing but trivial gossip, however exactly who the gossip was related to had her curious.

"Indeed I would enjoy you company for tea. I have attached a list of free times I have this week for you to peruse. If none are suitable, do let me know and we can rearrange again.

"I must say, I am rather curious about this news your mother has overheard. I fear I already know what, or who, this news pertains to, but I know better than to speculate and shall try to refrain from doing so. At any rate, it would be lovely to see you again, Agatha.

"All my best wishes, Penelope x"

Penelope breathed a sigh of relief once her message was sent, though why she did not know. She was far from safety, especially with her actively engaging with Agatha's obvious thirst for more knowledge.

But what was done was done and Penelope couldn't have exactly ignored her cousin's letter forever. It wouldn't have been the polite thing to do and she would certainly have never heard the end of it in the future. In times like this, she'd learned it was best to have your family in your corner before all hell breaks loose - the proverbial hell in this case being the national tabloid media.

Yes, having one's curious family on side was a trifle less stifling than the tabloid news journalists seeking an answer. And, as she only had Cousin Agatha's words to go by, her claiming whatever the news was as "wonderful" was a sign it couldn't be all bad... Right?

[socialitesleuth]

Follow up question to my new favourite Swiftie - top five songs? 💫

For anyone unaware (and for sake of continuity) this was the original question and answer.

My apologies for not getting to this sooner, Anon. Things have been awfully busy at the manor lately.

Picking a top five is incredibly difficult, however I think I've managed to narrow them down. They are listed below and are not in any particular order.

I Did Something Bad (reputation)

You Are In Love (1989)

Come Back... Be Here (Red)

no body, no crime (evermore)

Paper Rings (Lover)

Honourable mentions go to the entirety of the reputation album. If I could have put the whole album here, I would have.

And, of course, all the relevant albums are always Taylor's Version.

[socialitesleuth]

Sigh. And here I thought they still had him locked away somewhere. I shall see what strings I can pull.

In the meantime, investing in some better locks might be worthwhile. Perhaps some anti-invader lasers, or a couple of trapdoor booby traps?

I find it thoroughly intriguing that not only do the GDF have no apparent plan to visit me any time soon, I am allowed through most major airports entirely unchecked.

That is, of course, the perks of a frequent flyer’s club.

Perhaps a tropical holiday is on the cards.

[socialitesleuth]

It wouldn't even last ten seconds.

Oh, dear lord. You actually have managed to put them into a rhyme like the States of America...

I tried asking Lady P this but she didn’t reply but I wanna know!!! I saw she has 13 middle names. What are they?

If she hasn’t told you, why do you think I would?

JessicaMaureenNeveahSharonSheliaMercedesAgathaNicoleEileenBritneyAgnesMeganLana, thank me later.

[socialitesleuth]

At least no-one can put your middle names into a rhyme. I dread to think how that sounds...

I tried asking Lady P this but she didn’t reply but I wanna know!!! I saw she has 13 middle names. What are they?

If she hasn’t told you, why do you think I would?

JessicaMaureenNeveahSharonSheliaMercedesAgathaNicoleEileenBritneyAgnesMeganLana, thank me later.

[socialitesleuth]

Wonderful! The best kind of birthday is a full birthday!

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to the Tracy who has finally reached the age of 18. Alan, darling, I hope you had a wonderfully cosmic day!

@thunderbird-3-best-bird @realrocketboy

[socialitesleuth]

*ahem*

Alan Bartlett Tracy. Where to begin... Expert astronaut. Cavern Quest champion. Exceptionally compassionate and all round extraordinary member of International Rescue. Watching you grow into the man you're becoming has been a great honour, and this is only the beginning. We're all so very proud of you, Alan.

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to the Tracy who has finally reached the age of 18. Alan, darling, I hope you had a wonderfully cosmic day!

@thunderbird-3-best-bird @realrocketboy

[socialitesleuth]

“What I’m expecting is for you to say you’ll be careful!”

She posed her statement as though it was something Gordon had never been careful, although Penelope knew deep down that it was quite contrary to the truth. That didn’t mean she’d cease her tirade. Months, if not years, of pent up frustration poured out of her in excess. Even if Penelope wanted to stop, she wouldn’t have been able to. Her soured, bitter words escaped her like a runaway train with no chance of stopping until it hit something devastating and was left a crumpled mess.

“I know it’s your job, Gordon, and I would never ask you to stop. I’m aware of the hypocrisy given my own line of work, but I was not the one who got themselves gravelly injured!”

They were stuck on a merry-go-round, cycling back again and again to the same old tune. It was clear neither of them were willing to put themselves into a position to actually listen to each other, least of all Penelope. Given time to think it all over, she would no doubt become repulsed by her sharp comments.

By her actions.

By blaming Gordon for doing one of the things she adored him most for; his job.

But Penelope wasn’t within reach of reasonable thinking just yet.

And it certainly didn’t help when Gordon brought up that incident. Penelope had never regretted that kiss, and she wasn’t about to start now, but she had been running on adrenaline, and the courage that she’d felt that evening had yet to be matched. There was too much at stake to follow-up, even with a conversation. Out of all the risks that she’d taken in her life, this was the one she shied away from.

I don’t think you’re a careless jerk! I didn’t say those things earlier to make you feel better! That kiss was far more than me simply playing it safe!

None of those thoughts were ever voiced. She didn’t have the chance. Penelope barely had the time to contemplate his comments regarding Scott being more reasonable and less careless — the latter of which Penelope knew for certain wasn’t always true — but she figured those were the words she’d used. Against him. They’d been bitter blows, delivered at break-neck, devastating speeds, so fast she hadn’t even remembered until he spoke them back to her.

Penelope saw Gordon’s exterior falter. For once in her life, she felt like she’d been knocked for six. Her whole body went numb. The faux compact that was sitting on her flat palm remained open, the line, for now at least, irrevocably dead.

Then, her own guilt began to twist and turn in her gut, combining with her unfamiliar sentiments of outrage. It was a deadly mixture, one that birthed the likes of self-loathing and mortification. For a while, it would be easier to place the blame on Gordon. After all, he was no longer present to defend himself or argue his case. He’d hung up on her.

He’d never hung up on her.

But, then again, wasn’t her own actions equally as culpable in this matter?

She knew playing the blame game was of no use to anyone, least of all herself. What happened, happened. They’d both have to find a way to be mature enough to eventually solve it. Penelope could have rang him back up, had it out once and for all, but for the fear of saying more things she regretted, she figured it was best to let it lie.

So that was what she did.

The rest of the day passed by.

Then the next.

And the next.

Any time she had to call International Rescue, even for ocean-related inquiries, Gordon was never available. Penelope never pressed for him either. Perhaps letting him stew was a good idea. Perhaps then he’d see how childish it had been to hang up on her!

She successfully buried any worries she had over not hearing from him, and actively banished the thought of sending him a message to make sure he was still alive. Gordon Tracy had traipsed through hell and back; he’d be fine.

The weekend approached quickly. Even despite her heart feeling like it was being crushed underneath a megaton weight, Penelope soon found herself dressed to the nines in her chosen attire and stepping out of FAB1 with the help of Parker, ever faithful, ever stalwart. He’d sensed the heaviness, had watching her like a hawk the last few days. Penelope would have said something about it being far too unnerving had she not known his actions had been out of a place of care.

They both knew that there should have been someone else there with her, and Parker, even though Penelope hadn’t divulged all the details to him, knew enough to guess why he wasn’t there. Nothing had been said, not even the usual jibes Parker would sometimes throw towards even the mention of Gordon. 

“Thank you, Parker. That will be all. I shall call for you when I wish to leave.”

“Are you quite sure you’ll be h’alright, m’lady? I can h’always park up ol’ FAB1 and meet you h’inside.”

“Quite sure.” Penelope smiled toward him. The golden mask on her face would have prevented Parker noticing it didn’t quite meet her eyes.

The masquerade accessory matched her flowing gown perfectly, the ribbons woven into her intricate hairstyle. Randall Price always did love a good show. The gala tonight being themed as such came as no surprise to Penelope, who managed to find herself a complementary mask to her already picked out dress. At least she didn’t have to worry about pairing with Gordon…

Once again, she banished him from her thoughts, and entered Price’s gala. She had a job to do, and she was determined that nothing would get in her way.

:COMMS BEGIN:

Lady P,

Sorry for the early morning comms, hope this doesn’t wake you too early - I make it just after 5 your time.

We’re just finishing up a mission in the Persian Gulf - a luxury hotel collapsed overnight, on an island just offshore Doha. Only built two years ago, whole place is pretty new and shiny.

Been a rough night, Pen - fifteen we were too late to help, including two kids. Just families on vacation...

Anyway, victims are saying they felt tremors, it certainly looks like a quake from the debris now the sun is up and J is absolutely confident it came from beneath the sea bed (absolutely being a rather irritated direct quote, so I’m not asking again).

But… this isn’t a quake hot zone. It doesn’t make any sense, and there haven’t been any aftershocks either while we’ve been working. Five can’t get a good read because of the debris and mineral interference underground. The whole place is on top of the enormous old oil fields, and it sends the scanners haywire.

The company that owns the hotel has set my squid sense off though. Name’s Fulcra, I’ve sent you the profile on them. Ran by a guy named Randall Price. He’s a venture capitalist from Houston originally, but the company’s HQ is a London address. That’s as far as I’ve managed to get.

They own a couple of the small artificial islands around here that are being used as tourist hotspots. Think luxury waterfront villas on stilts kinda stuff, the hotel that’s collapsed was the biggest. Nice place, high end, lots of good dive spots.

This area’s all under a World Heritage protected marine environment permit for a biosphere reserve. They’ve spent decades trying to replenish the mangroves and coastal vegetation after what the oil fields and production did to the waters here, the aquatic populations are only just starting to rise comfortably. I didn’t understand how they even got permission for this sort of work but…

They’ve got a giant platform further out in the Gulf that’s supposedly ‘cleaning the sea’ and helping to replenish the sea bed. Seems to be some sort of agreement that they can build these resorts, in exchange for what appears to be green work. I tried to get a proper look at the platform in Four, out of interest, but they’ve got laser nets up. I got an autoturret my way for trying to go any further in the exosuit…

I’d like to think they’re just really protecting that biosphere, but I don’t get a nice eco-friend impression.

My gut says I’m getting Hydrexler vibes, and you were right about that oily CEO last time. I’m not sure I want to be right, but I do want to know what’s going on here… and I thought you might too, as our resident top agent with a passion for all things Earth-saving.

So, I thought I’d hand it over to you, and let you do what you do best - cosying up to the billionaires and getting them to spill the tea.

Lemme know if you know or find anything on them. We’re going to be here another couple of hours, finishing up stabilising the debris field and having another run through, and then heading back. S managed to get the Price guy on comms briefly, but he wasn’t much for talking. Maybe you’ll have more luck.

G 🦑

:COMMS END:

FIRST DATE?

The flickering light and the soft buzz from her compact device caught her off-guard. Penelope, who had positioned herself in an armchair beside her tall windows after giving up on sleep half an hour earlier, sat herself up a little straighter. The blanket which she’d wrapped around herself was pulled tighter to her frame as her eyes read the message.

The hour might have been earlier and, on any other day, Penelope might very well have still been sleeping, but today was different. She rubbed her tired eyes as they scanned Gordon’s words. At first, she’d hoped it had been something akin to a social call. She rather enjoyed those, especially when they came from Gordon, but the more she read, the more Penelope realised it was anything but that.

Her interest peaked as she reached Gordon’s conspiracy.

Her mouth grew dry when she reached Gordon’s information.

The blanket was thrown off her body and Penelope stood. With her comms device still in hand, her eyes still darting from left to right as she continued her reading, she crossed her bedroom and gently tugged on the bell. 

Minutes passed before a very sleepy Parker knocked on her bedroom door. Penelope, having only just finished Gordon’s message, opened it.

“Terribly sorry to wake you, Parker, but it seems we have a situation. I need you to cancel my schedule for today and then get me all we have on the company known as Fulcra. CEO is a man named Randall Price.”

“But, m’lady, that’s—”

“I’m perfectly aware of that, thank you, Parker. See if you can arrange a meeting of some kind, if that’s at all possible.”

Parker nodded, still more asleep than he was awake, before he trundled off down the hallway to make good of his ladyship’s requests.

Penelope returned to chair by the window and curled herself back up. The sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon as she typed out her reply.

COMMS BEGIN

@squidsinashirt, Thank you for your concern — I shall look into this and get back to you when I

Penelope ceased her typing and sighed. She knew it wasn’t fair to lie to him, not after her sent her looking. A moment or two passed before Penelope deleted her previous sentence and began to re-type it. 

COMMS BEGIN

Gordon,

This company?

I shall look into this as you requested but, I must warn you, you may not like what I find. Randall Price is… let us say a man I am already familiar with, or rather his business is. What I can tell you is that, for the most part, Fulcra is celebrated as a rather clean company, but that doesn’t always mean much — you were right to mention Hydrexler. The Persian Gulf was supposed to remain a protected marine environment, at least that was how I understood it. I’ll ask some of my World Heritage connections what they know too, see if I can get a bigger picture for you.

Give me a couple of days. I’ll try and, what was it you said? Cosy up to the billionaire? Get him to spill the tea? Parker is going to try and get me an appointment but, if that fails, I do have an alternative plan.

Do try and get some rest once you’ve finished up. The mission in Doha sounds like it’s been a terribly distressing situation for all involved. You know I am always here if you need to talk about it. Any of it.

I’ll be in touch once I hear something.

Stay safe, 

Penny x

COMMS END

-------------------------------------

Once upon a time, names held weight. Penelope had thought that Scott’s name had simply been too tied up with International Rescue for Randall Price to give him the time of day… until she too was ushered away once the more difficult questions were asked. From her other sources, Penelope had heard only rave reviews of the company. Yet something felt… off.

It was just after dinner when Penelope began her second message to Gordon.

COMMS BEGIN

It's too clean. Not sure what’s going on but I definitely sense something. Plan B is in operation. Randall Price might not have wanted to speak to me today, but he did invite me to his Charity Ball this weekend — I’ll see if I can find out more then.

I’m hoping you returned home safe and sound and that you managed to have a good rest. I suppose it’s my turn to apologise if this message wakes you. 

Penny x

COMMS END

[socialitesleuth]

I can always start, if you so wish...

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to the Tracy who has finally reached the age of 18. Alan, darling, I hope you had a wonderfully cosmic day!

@thunderbird-3-best-bird @realrocketboy