Beloved of Science

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton momentarily met her backwards glance as she departed. There was a very brief flash in her eye, and he caught a sheen of gold refracting off her hair when a stray ray of sunlight fell on her. It distracted him for an instant, reminded him of something...
...And then she was gone, and the moment ended. He turned back to gaze into the store and headed in amongst the rows of shelves. He knew his way around a bookstore and did not ask the shopkeeper to lead him to the scientific books.

and avoid ambition

((sorry that this post is short- I'm a little unmotivated right now and it's a slow point anyway XP
I'm for the idea of a blizzard snowing them in at the manor, and we can see where that goes from there.
Annd I know her hair is brown, but maybe she has some gold highlights in the sun ;P))

[animerider223]

((tis okay, haha.and the gold is fine too, haha, hey, most brunettes have shades of gold flecked in their hair....))

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Two hours was simply not enough, but Emma kept an eye on the time and promptly returned to the bookstore where she had left Mr. DeTamble. Her search had been mostly in vain, though she did find two new brushes which were in excellent condition. Their horse hair tassles felt stiff enough to last longer than the ones she already possessed. But the stores where lacking in colors. Apparently there were fewer artists and even fewer painters. She aquired that the most that happened here were charcoal sketches by the younger school girls, as learning to draw was esteemed to be a thing which meant one was an eligible wife. Emma had become somewhat aquainted with the store keeper, a kindly larger lady, with rudy cheeks that denoted lots of time spent in the fields. Emma stood at the door, searching the small humble bookstore for her benefactor. The basket had not moved from where she had placed it and so she picked it up, placing it neatly on her arm at the crook of her elbow.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

By the time two hours had passed, Burton had collected a weighty stack of books focused on medicine, biology, electrolysis, along with a volume of Gray's Anatomy and even a couple books on alchemy (a decision he hesitated to make but he had never legitimately studied the craft and wondered if there may be some small truths in it.)

He pulled the last book from a dusty bottom shelf and placed it on top of the stack. Standing slowly, he balanced the column of books in his arms. He then realized that he had left his hat on the floor. Sighing heavily, long legs bending at the knees, he painstakingly crouched and shifted the books to his left arm, then reached for his hat with his left hand and placed it on his head. He stood slowly again and peered over the top of the stack to see his way through the close aisles of bookcases.

When he reached the shopkeeper's counter Emma was there waiting. Burton placed the books on the counter and eyed the basket. "I suspect that a few of these may not fit in one basket," he remarked. The shop owner calculated his fee and Burton handed him the money. "Did you find anything for yourself?" he asked Emma.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Mr. DeTamble came presently from some dusty part of the quaint bookstore, a large stack of variously sized books in tow. “You found what you came for I see.” Emma greeted her benefactor, keeping a business like smile painted on her lips.
"I suspect that a few of these may not fit in one basket," was his answer.
“I can carry a few,” was her smart answer, not meant to be tart. She carefully organized the books into her basket, managing all but three in. She prayed the basket not break under the load as she picked it up. The handle complained softly, but for now held. She cradled it to her side, holding the other three in her free hand. Emma sighed inwardly as Mr. DeTamble handed over a large sum of money for the trade. She was sure her master was the one keeping this business alive, if not majority of the shops here must rely on him occasionally.
"Did you find anything for yourself?" He asked her in an off-handed way.
“Yes, enough.” She answered. She hefted the basket, biting her lip as she began to the door, unable to open it herself.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton tightened his collar around his throat, preparing for the outdoor chill. After a distracted moment he noticed Emma struggling with the door. He hurried to hold it open for her with his free hand and then exited after her into the town square.

Burton took his list out of his pocket and skimmed it again. He had enough books for research. There was some equipment he might need to construct his experiments, but he would have to send away for those. What else did he need?

A variety of vendors at their booths and carts were set up around the square. Noticing an old woman behind a table stacked with cages, the idea occurred to him that he needed test subjects. He stopped and considered a cage inhabited by a pair of rabbits. "Male and female?" he asked the woman.

She nodded. "Yearlings," she responded.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma mumbled her gratitude to her benefactor for opening the door for her. Upon reaching the outdoors she realized the weather had turned even sourer the short time she had been inside the book store. A nasty storm must be on its way…she thought as a goose bumps rose on her arms from the chill slight breeze that seemed to sweep through her.
She hadn’t noticed Mr. DeTamble had stopped at a vendors table and had continued towards the carriage unawares. She was more preoccupied with the sky, the grey wisp of clouds that whispered of possible letting of precipitation. She was but a few steps away from the carriage when she finally came back to earth and realized her benefactor was not following. She stopped and turned around, a stray hair managed to get caught on her lip as it was blown into her face. She quickly spotted Mr. DeTamble, he stood out from the crowd, as a more polished individual tends to do amongst poorer crowds.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton inquired a little about their breeding and was allowed to pick them up and look them over. He was no expert on animals but they seemed healthy enough. Two was all he needed- he was sure that if he left them to their own devices there would be more in no time. He paid the elderly vendor and shifted the cage to a comfortable carrying position.

He presented it and was about to ask Emma what she thought of the rabbits when he spotted a small procession of people strolling towards them. Leading was a young man, very close in age to Burton and also apparently of similar social standing due to the austere quality of his outfit. He carried a cane in one hand, and on his other arm was a pretty young woman with brown curls and a round face. Behind them trailed a couple of servants with baskets not yet filled with the day's shopping. They must have just arrived.

When the young man caught site of Burton, his face lit up, then turned smug as he headed right for him. Burton, in turn, paled and felt as if all his blood had drained and left him bitterly cold. He wished he could turn and walk in the opposite direction, but he knew he had already been spotted, and seemed to be frozen in his spot anyway. He would have to square his shoulders and feign polite chatter until he got the opportunity to escape.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma waited by the carriage, deciding to allow Mr. DeTamble to deal with this business himself. Her arm began to ache from the weight of the basket on her arm, the books feeling heavier by the minute. She shifted her weight between her feet with impatience, watching him as he inspected what looked like rabbits. Whatever did her benefactor want with rabbits? He didn’t impress her as the animal loving sort.
He finally made her way, animals and all, coming up to her and holding the bunnies out to her, as if to show them to her. She smiled politely, and cocked her head to look at them. “Whatever do you need rabbits for?” She asked before noticing her benefactor’s attention was again not on her. He was looking away and she could have sworn she saw him pale. She turned to see what he was looking at, but saw nothing. “Sir, what is it?” She asked, searching the road trying to spot whatever it was.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton faintly heard Emma's voice but his brain wasn't processing it. He was too focused on dreading the impending interaction.

The young man was grinning broadly when he reached them, but in his expression he bore a slightly wicked air. He had a long black coat and a top hat like Burton, but his seemed newer and cleaner. His sideburns were full and neatly groomed, and he sported a thin mustache. "Well, well, well- Today of all days I decide to make an appearance in town when who should I happen to come across but Mr. Burton DeTamble himself!" he declared. The man bowed briskly and Burton reluctantly did the same. "It has been many a month since anyone has glimpsed you out and about, hasn't it?"

Burton started out mumbling but suddenly remembered the decorum required when conversing with others of his social standing. "Ah, yes-" he cleared his throat. "It is quite the pleasure," Burton responded vaguely.

"Would you care to introduce us to your lovely companion?" the man asked, tightening his hold on his wife's arm in a significant way. Burton held back a sneer. The formal introduction of someone who was obviously a servant was hardly ever called for. The man was mocking him. He was fairly sure the remark was subtle enough to go over Emma's head, especially with her inexperience in working under a wealthier class, but he bristled at the man's underhanded treatment of his personal attendant.

"This is Miss Emma Crick," Burton responded for the sake of their mutual faked courtesy. "She is a new member of the manor staff. Miss Emma, this is Mr. Mathias Etheridge, lord of the Drumchapel estate east of the valley, and his..." Burton stopped and waited for the grinning Mathias to present his own companion.

"-My wife, Catherine, of nearly three years now," he proudly announced, stepping to the side a bit to show her off. She blushed and bowed her head. Burton's chest ached. "We invited you to the wedding but we were dismayed to receive your letter of declination- though of course we were quite understanding. It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was talked about for months afterward."

"Yes, I'd heard."

Mathias chuckled. "What brings you out of your hermitage Mr. DeTamble?"

"I...I am just running errands."

"Errands? Isn't that why Miss Emma here is in your employ?"

"There were several specific items that required my judgement."

"Well, no matter," Mathias replied, waving off the subject so he could change direction. "Now that you have made your presence known in the valley again I would think that it is only appropriate for the DeTamble manor to host a ball! You will have quite an expectation to live up to with the reputation of the ones your parents used to throw, do you recall? When we were boys? We had fun did we not? Remember when we went swimming in the creek and I hid your clothes? You had to walk all the way up the hill to the house in your sopping skivvies!" He cackled and slapped Burton's arm, causing him to flinch and the rabbits to be jostled in their cage.

"I- I cannot say for certain that the manor is in a condition to host a ball...." he stammered. The absolute last thing he wanted was a gathering of scrutinizing rich people in his house.

"Well I daresay it will not be up for debate when word of your reemergence gets about; it is only polite that you do so. I do not believe that the families of the valley have had a good ball in quite some time, and your manor was always the best suited for large gatherings."

Burton sighed discretely. "I will consider it. I shall notify you if I decide to begin planning something..."

"-When, old friend, when you decide to begin plans," he interjected, gesturing jovially. Burton braced for another smack on the arm but it didn't come.

"I apologize but I fear I've run out of time to chat; affairs of the manor call to me and I must return..." Burton pounced on an opportunity to ease out of the interaction. He was beginning to feel physically fatigued by the man's presence.

and avoid ambition

((i'm trying not to make it seem like Burton thinks the story's all about him (meaning I want him to act more involved with Emma), but it's hard not to when he's so single-minded and socially awkward...I think it's a case of being trapped by the character-type. : I guess don't be afraid to let Emma push him a bit from time to time, I think that might be the only way to get some real interaction out of him, haha))

((p.s., the good news is that there is now the opportunity to have a ball, so something can actually happen in this story, haha))

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma jumped in surprise when a well dressed couple surprised them. Apparently her benefactor does not necessarily look at what has his attention. The man was well dressed, just as Mr. DeTamble himself, the woman on his arm was a delicate looking beauty. She was the picture of an aristocratic woman should be. Emma could feel the distance between them, this lady was so high above her.
The mention of her name brought her back, realizing she was rudely starring. She looked up at her benefactor, before quickly nodding a kindly mumbled greeting of “How do you do.” She kept quiet, entertained by the banter between the two gentleman. Mr. Etheridge seemed to own the very air around him, over confidence and pride dripping from his personage, especially compared to Mr. DeTambles painfully obvious awkwardness. Her attention was again caught, her head snapping to a more erect position, her eyes taking a more interested look. A ball? She had never been to one! They sounded fantastic. She looked to her benefactor, willing there to be a ball. The manor in no condition… indeed… it was rather shabby. But they could clean it up with some work. There wasn’t a whole lot else to do. Though her employer made no promise, she couldn’t help smile, dreaming of satin covered ladies and the jovial conversation that would ensue with a ball. There would be dancing too!
”I apologize but I fear I’ve run out of time to chat; affairs of the manor call to me and I must return…” Her benefactor began to ease out of the current conversation. Emma smiled and curtsied her good bye to the gentle couple, caught in the euphoric dream of a ball.
“Shall I take that for you?” She asked Mr. DeTamble, taking the rabbits cage from him before he could answer. She set the cage and basket in after him, gathering her skirts to climb in herself. She bit her lip, looking outside, glancing privately at Mr. DeTamble, wanting to know his thoughts at the moment.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

((did i not write that Burton saw them coming? Guess not, whoops XD oh well.))

seek happiness in tranquility

Burton let Emma take the cage from him and was grateful when she climbed into the carriage, giving him more reason to make his exit.

"I should hope that the appearance you have put in today is not a unique occurrence!" Mathias said.

"Oh, I am sure I shall have other errands to run in the near future...'tis the nature of errands to be recurrent, after all..." Burton began inching towards the carriage door.

"I will look forward to your invitation then!"

"Yes, of course," Burton mumbled. He tipped his hat. "Mr. Etheridge, Mrs. Etheridge."

The couple likewise expressed their farewells and finally turned to stroll towards the shops. Burton swiftly climbed into the carriage and settled himself amongst the day's bounty. He tapped the wall with his cane, prompting the coachman to depart, then leaned back his head and exhaled a pent-up sigh.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma rocked with the carriage as it began to move, overcoming its stagnant motion. She couldn’t help but watch Mr. DeTamble, noticing his sigh. She fidgeted with her fingers, twisting them gently. Finally she couldn’t help herself much longer, fore-going the silence.
“Do you really intend to hold a ball sir?” She asked, leaning forward a little. She tried to mask her obvious excitement at the thought. “I think it would be a fantastic idea after all…” she added, smoothing her skirts absent-mindedly.

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

Her question budged him just a bit from his self-pity party. His top hat was nearly pushed down over his eyes but he looked over at her and briefly thought about it.

"Hmm, do I?" he repeated quietly. Burton really had no desire to expose himself to more judgement by his peers, and he knew they would easily entertain themselves the entire night gossiping about what had gone on with him over the course of the past 4 years. He knew without a doubt that news that he had been sighted would spread in no time amongst the upper social circles, courtesy of the Etheridges. Up 'til now everyone was sure that he had gone mad and was holed up in his room like an old ogre. He wondered how much of that was actually true.

"I will have to think about it some more. Truthfully, social gatherings exhaust me. And I have avoided associating with most of those people for several years," he said, rubbing his eyes. He didn't refrain from making his opinion of his peers known. He often made his staff his confidantes when he needed to complain.

and avoid ambition

[animerider223]

Life is full of Beauty. Notice it.

Emma sat back, overcome by the feeling that Mr. DeTamble wasn’t going to think much into it. She sighed quietly. She was a little surprised by his openness about his opinion of others, since she had arrived here he hadn’t struck her as the kind to share his thoughts.
“Why should you avoid associating with people? Fellowship does a body well,” She told him. “I do believe God created humans to be with humans, not to be alone.” She glanced outside at the changing landscape, noticing how the colors subtly changed as they passed by. Then she turned back to him, smiling softly. “If I should say so myself,” she quietly added, “Ms. Weatherbee has done a wonderful job keeping the house well tended to. I think she’d enjoy opening the house to a guest or two. I should think it rather a pity to let such a grand manor as yours go un-noticed.”

Smell the Wind. And. Feel the Rain.

[PepsiNarcolepsy]

seek happiness in tranquility

"I do believe God created humans to be with humans, not to be alone," Emma said. Burton thought this was very true. The idea pained him, nonetheless.He hadn't planned to be alone at this point in his life.

“If I should say so myself,” she continued. “Ms. Weatherbee has done a wonderful job keeping the house well tended to. I think she’d enjoy opening the house to a guest or two. I should think it rather a pity to let such a grand manor as yours go un-noticed."

"Mmm." She was right about that. Ms. Weatherbee had never faltered in her housekeeping duties. Even if the place had grown a little dour over the years, he couldn't blame her now that the entire staff was made up of no more than a dozen individuals. It was a very large property to keep. "I have no doubt that it is possible for the manor to be ready for company; rather it is a matter of making myself ready..."

and avoid ambition