Beloved of Science

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma had heard of none of those people. "I haven't heard of any of those.... what do they write about?" Emma asked, interested. She vaguely wondered if they had something to do with his hobby. He seemed like he had such a one track mind. Maybe if she read their works she could guess what his special project was about. Then she wondered if that would really be fair. He made it sound so secretive, maybe he wouldn't want her sneaking.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

"They're scientists as well. Electrolysis, biology...Just for study." He trailed off, not wanting to divulge much. He didn't see what good would come with giving away his plans. It would only bring more questions, and then that meant he would have to give answers that people couldn't understand. It wasn't the science they wouldn't get, but his motivation.
"Do you plan to shop in town as well?" Burton asked, once again changing the subject.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

"Oh, some little odds and ends. I'm running a little low on some colors that I need to finish my painting I was working on." She answered, looking outside. They must be nearing the town as Emma saw some sights she remembered seeing yesterday coming in. This little town some charming points, it looked high end for being in such a rural place. She wondered if it had anything to do with the DeTamble estate being so near. It may have once attracted some richer folk to leave here too.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

"What do you like to paint?" he asked, somewhat distractedly. He was looking outside too and the approaching town was making him anxious. Other carriages and people were passing them as they entered and left town. Unfamiliar faces glanced at him as he passed. Burton wondered what they were thinking when they looked at him.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

"Birds..." Emma answered, absent-mindedly. Which was true, she loved exotic looking birds that she saw in books. The vibrant colors and forms. She noticed all the people along the street they were entering where all stopping their business and watching the carriage go by. This must be a rare sight... Emma thought, for the presence of the DeTamble carriage was drawing quite the attention.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton mumbled something of a reply but was now fully preoccupied with the thought of having to interact and mingle with all these people he didn't know. He was realizing that he took a lot of comfort in routine. After watching warily out the window for a moment longer, he sat back and closed the curtain on his side. He stared tight-lipped at the wall opposite him and took a deep breath, determined not to let his anxiety overwhelm him. Then he cleared his throat and took his notebook out of his pocket and went over his list again. His mind was only half in it, and he couldn't help but fidget nervously.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma noticed the change in light, turning and wondering at the anxiety filled look on Mr. DeTamble's face. She turned back to the window, watching him from the corner of her eye, still mystified at his strange actions, clearing his throat, nervously fidgetting with his little notebook, his cane. He acted as if he was about to engage in an event in which he would rather avoid. Her conclusion to his behavior was a lack of socialization. His hobby must really tax on his interactions with other beings. The carriage came to a stop, rocking gently as the motion arrested. Emma opened the door herself, letting herself out, breathing in the air. She hadn't realized how stale the air had been inside. This air felt alive and happy, lifting her spirits. She smiled at the sun, glancing quickly around her, people still starring in their direction.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton, although distracted, observed propriety and waited for the coachman to come around and lower the step. With all the gawking faces, he may as well come across as still somewhat dignified. He stepped down, attempting hold his head up, but couldn't help the creeping paranoia that was growing as people stopped to stare. Some whispered to each other while others just gazed. There was no doubt that they knew where he was coming from- there was only one prestigious manor in the area and the carriage was nice enough to guess whose it was. He thought he could probably guess that the whole town had had a heyday whispering about it four years ago- the last heir to the DeTamble estate who'd had a nervous breakdown, who had possibly gone insane and maybe the family line was cursed. They were all dead now and he would be the last. It was great entertainment for them, he supposed. He wondered what he must look like to them. Something like a ghost maybe.
"Miss Emma, my bag please," Burton said flatly, adjusting his scarf and fixing his gaze straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. He started down the street, trying to remember where the bookstore was.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma stepped out of the carriage, smiling at the sun. Today looked as beautiful as yesterday was gloomy. She could tell that Mr. DeTamble was creating quite the scene, just by being present here. He asked for his bag, a constipated look on his face. "Here sir." She held out the bag, taken from her with little thanks and he was marching off. She gave a quiet sigh. At least her pay wasn't too bad, she thought glumly to herself. She shadowed after him, having to walk briskly to keep with his pace. She wondered if she were allowed to go off or if he expected her to stay with him. The town began to breath again, people still whispering and giving looks at the rich gentleman, but going back to their previous engagements. Some where pointing at Emma and she wondered what they were saying to one another.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

As he entered the town square, Burton fell back into a scholarly mood, pushing his paranoia to the back of his brain as well as he could. What to do first? He took his notebook from his bag and leafed through it to find his list. Looking up at the shop signs, he held out his bag for Emma to hold and considered where to begin. He remembered there being two bookstores in town. May as well browse through both of them. The nearest one was not far, only across the square.
Striding past carts of vegetables and trinkets, he took in his surroundings and recalled what the town had been when he last visited. Not too much had changed; most of the same shops were where they used to be and some of the people he even recognized, but there was definitely a different air about the place. The sun was out but everything was duller. The paint on the buildings looked faded and everyone's faces seemed gray.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma took his bag and sighed. She guessed he wanted her to follow. She had to keep a brisk pace to maintain a close distance to him, looking around her intently. She didn't have much of a chance to see this quaint town, except for passing. It was homely, sturdy structures that gave an air of having seen many years come and go. The people seemed to belong here, nobody stood out, well, except for Mr. DeTamble. The expressions on the faces were that of mixed emotions at seeing the neighborhood's rich resident. She wondered what they were thinking, what was passing between their lips. She followed Mr. DeTamble into a book store, partly sad, as they wouldn't have the painting supplies she need, but still excited. Books offered another world, and for a girl who had seen so little, they offered the whole world.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Soon they reached the opposite side of the square. The two entered the bookstore, which was modestly-sized and well-stocked. The store owner looked up and did a double-take at him, then nodded his head politely and quickly went back to sweeping the floor. Burton touched the brim of his hat in response but didn't make eye contact with the man. He turned to survey the cases of books, hoping the books on his list were in stock. He would hate to have to get them special ordered. It could take weeks for them to come in.

He noticed Emily still at his side. He cleared his throat lightly. "Um, it is not necessary for you to accompany me as I peruse...If-if you don't wish to." He waved vaguely at the bookcases. "Perhaps you would rather search for something that would interest you." Burton thought she might get bored following him around. The next hour or so would most likely consist of a lot of standing around reading silently.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Geez... gotta remember what's happening : d

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

"Thank you sir, there is something for which I want." Emma nodded her head to her benefactor. "Though, I should not wish to keep you waiting." She wringed her hands, trying to understand what her limits were. She wished to explore this whole town, top to bottom, front to back. She would search every town that she would think would possess the colors she wanted. But she was afraid that this all would take the day away, and she was certain Mr. DeTamble would not want that.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton noticed that she was slightly distracted and her attention seemed to be drawn outside. Generally he preferred to keep his servants nearby when he was in town, in case he needed assistance. But he knew by now that she wasn't like his other personal servants- young and untrained, a girl first and an assistant second. He only had some experience relating to young women...and so far things hadn't fared well for him in that regard. He thought it would be best to leave the training to Ms. Weatherbee and let Miss Emma keep herself occupied while he browsed. Besides, he really didn't mind carrying a few books.

"If you wish, you may stroll about in town, I won't need you for the present time," he told her, taking off his hat. "If you do, please be sure to return by 11, that's in nearly two hours."

and avoid ambition

i feel like we should find some sort of motivation for the next part of the plot...like, i know there's the whole frankenstein thing with his girlfriend to do, but I think we should do some sort of character "bonding" as well? like right now burton and emma aren't exactly hitting it off...it's still a strictly professional relationship, lol. have any ideas of what we could do, so at least ? Unless you think emma would enjoy experimenting on dead things razz
i could have burton be even more weird and obsessive and you just have emma weirded out by his weirdness, but i don't think that would be as fun, lol

[animerider223]

((weren't we going to burton and emma alone for a holiday? maybe to speed that up, instead of a holiday... a death in the family or something like that.... and a huge storm blows in... maybe an early blizzard.... locking emma and burton in the house together! and burton getting weirder is okay smile ))

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma smiled, slightly, in surprise. "Thank you sir." She again nodded politely. She set his basket down on a nearby table. She felt some what awkward leaving and she left, glancing behind her at him before leaving the store. She stopped outside the door, smiling more widely now, taking a deep breath in. She was aware that the people were watching her, but she ignored them, setting out to find what she was looking for. There was a small clerks store down the road, she decided to start there. She smiled and greeted the people she passed by, getting half smiles in return and stiff nods. The people here seemed so nervous... was that the right word? Emma wasn't sure, couldn't put a finger on it.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.