SERGEANT RUPERT PINK OF THE BRITISH ARMY stands before him, a name & face he has memorized from appropriate, relevant files: HUMANITARIAN & SOLDIER turned SCHOOL TEACHER - - an odd turn of careers, though the scotsman’s witnessed far more drastic & disappointing examples. (he only believes it to be odd, as he himself has gone from COMMANDER of the ROYAL NAVY to naval intelligence, then to senior operational officer of the british SIS.)
but today, rather than his legitimate title & occupation, the blond male will introduce himself according to his COVER. because, unknown to all students & instructors at COAL HILL SCHOOL, he visits on official business (official to his superiors at MI6, yet disregarded & confidential to the prying eyes of MI5 - - domestic jobs are, truly, beyond his scope yet the mission connects to another ongoing assignment & to sacrifice this operation would be unforgivably COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.) his gaze returns the focus to the retreating students, and the agent silently adjusts the cufflinks at both his wrists.
“ headmaster coburn introduced me to the staff this morning, ” he intones, and lowers both arms to his sides, “ though i would have missed the affair myself, if i could’ve gotten away with it. ” though his offered CONSPIRATORIAL GRIN is absent from his cruel, hard mouth, it shines visibly in his cold blue eyes. he’s not here to reprimand nor judge the maths teacher, but merely introduce himself and better establish his presence among the civilian community.
“ the name’s STERLING. ROBERT STERLING, ” he lies, his low tone without the usual embellishment, for danny pink exists outside the sphere of women he aims to charm & beguile; this leaves opportunity, in fact, for his voice to carry a more genuine sincerity. (& here, he extends his HAND to shake, rather than salute, as he’s certain they’ve long since learned to do.) throughout his investigations, and the events which may or may not follow, he doesn’t wish to make an ENEMY, too, out of his fellow soldier. sergeant pink’s record describes him as a man of appropriate courage & determination, and james is too familiar with what happens if these admirable traits are somehow turned against him and his duties. “ i’m just here for OBSERVATION, not you personally, but COAL HILL SCHOOL in its entirety - - let me know if my presence interferes with your lessons, mr. - -? ”
DANNY WATCHES THE FINAL retreating student exit the classroom; it was his final class of the day and, with no exams and no homework turned in, he finds himself uncharacteristically free -- well, in a way. With a cursory glance at the debris scattered under desks and down aisles ( discarded gum wrappers, forgotten pencils, even mislaid notes and muddy footprints creating a patchwork of mid-winter colours upon the floor ), he finally gives his complete attention to the visitor.
At first he bristles, thinking he’s getting berated for not attending the staff meeting. He’d had a doctor’s appointment - he’d pulled something in his right shoulder last week playing football with some students ( don’t ask ) and it hadn’t healed properly. Of course, he should have tried to find a time that wasn’t during school hours, but it had proven difficult and that morning had been the only available spot. So he’d missed the introduction. But before he can get a word in, the man continues and Danny immediately relaxes.
The bloke’s got an air about him, something that reminds Danny of the Army - the way he carries himself makes Danny assume officer or some sort or another, but there’s a flash in the man’s gaze that speaks of something RECKLESS, something that suggests this might be a man who has trouble following orders. None of these conjectures take firm root in Danny’s thoughts, however, since he barely has time to blink before he’s taking the offered hand in his and shaking it warmly.
❝ Pink, Danny Pink, Mr. Sterling. ❞ He smiles a bit, with enough warmth to convey his very sincere welcome. ❝ An’ I don’t think y’ve got anything t’worry about. Feel free t’ --- observe all y’like. ❞ He walks over to his desk, pulling papers together and beginning the process of packing his bag to go home, glancing every now and then to Mister Sterling as he continues.
❝ Yeah, I wasn’t there this morning ‘cause I had t’go t’the doctor’s. Hurt my shoulder, but, ah, all fixed now. Or, it will be - ‘ve got to REST, she said. ❞ He pauses in his narration, absentmindedly fingering the bandages holding every muscle in its proper place right under the collar of his shirt. It’s itchy. Very uncomfortable. ❝ But ‘m not sure why y’need to know all that... ❞ which is followed by a slightly embarrassed chuckle. ❝ Did y’get a tour at all? Did anybody show you around? ‘M about to head out, but if there’s anythin’ you wanted t’see, it wouldn’t be any trouble... ❞