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 Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:55 am
____________________________________________
_____________• RAIN AND BAD NEWS •_____________
Who
Langston Beufort (The Leech Festival)
Elsie Crane (Rown)
Where
A bustling Imisus marketplace.
When
Late afternoon to dusk, overcast and threatening a storm.
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:42 pm
It wasn't until midday of the second day of his visit that Langston was reintroduced to Doctor Fairleigh and even then, the ordeal was too brief to really "keep an eye on" the man as his father had instructed. The physician had dropped by just as Courtney was cleaning up after their lunch and only stayed long enough to remind Jacqueline and her nurse of some special procedure that was to be carried out later that afternoon and exchange a few hurried niceties with Beufort Junior before taking off to attend to the other matters of the Institution. Langston had been made to suffer a bland lunch of watered-down stew and and flavorless bread (evidently, many people under the Institution's care suffered stomach problems, or simply had no sense of taste) and eternities of pacing about the entryway, waiting for his mother's attendants to shower and dress her, before being notified that he would not be accompanying them to the central wing at all. According to Courtney, this was to prevent makin' a public spectacle outuv the treatments and allowing other doctors and medicine-types from stealin' our ideas, or some other such similar nonsense.
Naturally, arguing with her didn't get him very far. He had always been a miserable participant in any battle of wills for one thing, and for another, it really didn't do him much good to convince Courtney of his innocence; being but a patient attendant, her opinions on the subject probably mattered little to the physicians that initiated the policy in the first place.
Fortunately, the procedure would not exceed half a day's length, or at least so he'd had been told, so Langston's account of the events of his visit would only have to be modified very slightly to avoid trouble with his father. Langston had originally intended to spend the duration of the procedure in his mother's quarters, where he could check up on her as she came back and just maybe get another chance to speak with Doctor Fairleigh. His resolve did not last for even an hour however, with the dimness and poor ventilation of the rooms giving him an unexplained sense of uneasiness. In Helios, he would have just now been garbing himself in his uniform, readying himself for a night of patrols, and making haste so that he might have the fortune of chancing upon Lady Alexandra during her evening stroll. Though still jostled and weak from the uncomfortable trip into Imisus, Langston's legs were aching to stand, to move, to do anything at all but sit on an uncomfortable wooden chair as he stared around at each of the room's few furnishings for the thousandth time. Ridiculous as it sounded, he wanted to patrol something.
After an exaggerated stretch and a stifled yawn, the young man clomped his feet down on the ground and grabbed either arm of his chair, hoisting himself up to a wobbling stand. It occurred to him just as he was straightening himself out that his poor, afflicted mother had to spend day after day after day in these eventless, dreary quarters with two strange women and nothing but 'treatments' to look forward to. Even with her mind slipping, she must certainly be capable of such feelings as boredom and tedium, shouldn't she?
• • •
And so, with both a longing for physical activity and the resolution that he would bring back something new for Jacqueline, Langston spent the next few hours wandering aimlessly about the alleys and roads of Imisus. It was decidedly the strangest manner of place he'd ever been, incredibly different from both Helios and Mishkan. Never in his life had Langston encountered such a preoccupation with machinery and metal, nor had he seen so many institutes pertaining to some aspect of science or medicine in one place, but that was not even the half of it. Like weeds and shrubs amidst trees, squat buildings and dingy sweatshops almost seemed to have grown in through the cracks between the factories and other magnificent structures. The diversity was incredible, with clothing ranging from fashionable to ratty to purely outlandish. Every snippet of conversation Langston overheard had a dialect and accentuation totally unique from the ones before it. The whole effect was almost overwhelming. How the Imisese went about their daily normalities without constantly being distracted by each others' strangeness was a mystery to him.
As for his mother's gift, Langston was entirely at a loss. He knew that the heaviness of the air and the overcast sky were threatening more than just a sprinkle of rain, but at the same time, he could've weaved through the crowds and in and out of shops all day and probably still not have seen everything that this marketplace had to offer. One thing for certain was that the trinkets and decoratives were exceedingly overpriced in this area, and that Langston's mother would have to settle for a food item of some sort.
But what to get? It was almost maddening, how many choices there were and how few of them Langston actually recognized as normal food from Helios or Mishkan.
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:39 pm
There was only one reason that Elsie was standing on the corner, and that was to mark her position for that evening's shift. Her brother had warned her off robbing graves for the time being, too many bodies having been uprooted recently that the police were noticing, so it was with a slight bit of venom that Elsie return to her other profession. Seamstress jobs were rare, people were mending their own clothes, but it seemed that mean in want of company never went without. She could always count on being on her back before the night was over, returning in the morning with shillings and little more than a few bruises and soreness - were she lucky.
In an effort to return to her profession the young woman had taken it upon herself to get cleaned up, her normally dirty and greasy hair freshly washed. Her streaked face was clean and free of any traces of dust and grime, her bright eyes sparking from above cheeks that were faintly colored with make-up. Colored lips pouted ever so slightly and they seemed to match in style with the color of her dress, a vibrant red made from fabrics she had scratched and saved to purchase. This cloth would have been used to make clothing for a certain child when he grew older, but since he now was no longer in any way part of the world Elsie felt he wouldn't mind if she used it for herself. Whatever had been left went to Thomas, and he liked his new shirt - plenty of compliments had been laid on the skill of Elsie's needle. Completing her outfit was a cup on a string, hooked about the belt that held fast to her waist. The cup itself looked plain at first glance, though the heavy smell of decay and rot leaked from it the closer one drew to it. Elsie was tapping it with a single finger as she swayed back and forth, a habit she was developing as a method of comfort. While some people merely took it over as her having a fetish from drinking from her own cups, Elsie would know the true meaning.
Ah, there.
Her eyes had fallen on a gentleman browsing the stalls, looking very out of place amongst all the common and street urchins that darted here and there. It brought a smile to her face as a plan formed itself in her mind, and with sure steps Elsie moved from her corner and towards the figure. She would first act so innocently, just asking questions, to see what he wanted. Money was likely no issue to him, so it was worth her while to try this out.
"Is there something you're looking for, fine sir? Perhaps I can be of assistance to you."
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:22 pm
Save for his occasional bumping of arms or stepping one toes, Langston's presence went largely unnoticed by the Imisese. As interesting as this unusual privelege of anonymity was, it was doing him little good as far as the task at hand was concerned. And besides, dusk was nearing, and the man had no interest in learning of this area's nightly crime rate first hand. To be honest, he had lost most of his initial vigor within his first hour of meandering.
Midway through his gawking about though, Langston was surprised to discover that his drifting gaze was being returned by a short, young woman standing just off of the main path, not a few paces away. With a twang of self consciousness, Langston's eyes abruptly cut over to another portion of the crowd—one that would have the decency to ignore him entirely—and carried on his aimless stroll, hoping he hadn't given the stranger any wrong ideas.
"Is there something you're looking for, fine sir? Perhaps I can be of assistance to you."
Much to the quietly-expressed displeasure of whoever had been walking directly behind him, Langston slowed to a stop and risked a sideways glance at the woman who he'd locked eyes with just a few moments ago. As he'd suspected, she was the kindly voice's source, as he could see that he was still the object of her focus. Confused, the man drew his index finger up to his chest.
"M-me, miss?" It seemed like the proper reply in such a situation, despite how foolish it sounded coming from him. She didn't retort though, so Langston continued, "No, no, I'm just taking in the... ehm... the scenery. And browsing."
He found it strange that a marketplace this disorganized would have its own attendants, but this woman did have the speech and appearance of one who knew her way around the area and was willing to impart this knowledge to others. The makeup, the professionally tailored attire, the cleanliness... it did not occur to the man that her attractiveness could be suggestive of a livelihood just a little less respectable than it appeared to be. "I'm actually in need of some advice about the wares here, if you've the time to spare..."
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 8:10 am
Elsie had to giggle (despite trying not to) at how utterly lost this young gentleman seemed now that she'd approached and spoken to him. They had been looking into one another eyes for quite some time before she'd spoken up, thus leading her to him in the first place, but to actually hear the timidity in his voice was rather refreshing - and cute. How long had it been since Elsie had heard a man who spoke in a manner that did not belay his true intentions? It was endearing, not that she'd ever dare admit such a thing aloud or even to herself.
When the man denied needing anything she giggled once more, bell-like with a tone overall merry. Her laughs were not condescending nor were they cruel, but merely the laughter of someone amused. One could not fool a liar, she wished to say, but she did not want to chase him away so early into their meeting. Perhaps if he were lucky by the end of all of this she would forget her original plans for her and actually have no agenda of her own, though Elsie seriously doubted it.
"You're in need of a lady's opinion then, good Sir? I would be more than glad to assist you if you will find a commoner's opinion more than just for whatever it is you seek."
Elsie may not know how to read or write, but she certainly knew how to speak properly. Her mother had practically beaten proper English into her and her brother from a young age, telling them stories of how even the lowest of people can change their fate if their words lead them there. she hoped one day such a thing may happen to her, but not yet. Not yet.
"Is there someone specific you are shopping for? If you were looking for yourself surely my aide would not be needed for your tastes."
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 5:22 pm
There was no doubt about it. The clothes. The adroitness of speech. The tinkling laugh that induced self awareness, but was free of any obvious malice. Langston was not in the presence of a random stranger, but a lady. She was clearly of good breeding despite her modest referral to herself as a commoner. Perhaps her family had run into financial trouble?
A great deal of good you're doing standing around and wondering about her, you idiot.
"My mother, actually. She resides in a Sanitarium presently, you see, and I--" With a start, Langston realized just how close he'd come to finish that explanation, with the last part coming out sounding like more of a choking noise than a coherent word. He hadn't considered whether or not his mother (or worse yet, his father) cared to publicize this ordeal, and had not even though to ask either them. How would he know anything at all? He'd been away from home the whole time. Was supposed to be a secret? Catherine hadn't mentioned any such thing in her letters. Why did Catherine always leave important details out of her letters? Why was he always expected to figure these things out on his own? Why was the young lady in front of him staring at him as if waiting for him to say someth--
"She... works there. At the Sanitarium..." Well this ruse was off to a jolly good start.
"B...But sometimes I fear that her occupation may be the cause of her down-spiritedness at times. Naturally, I would treat her to the finest delicacies that this marketplace has to offer, but..." A nervous laugh. "But unfortunately, this is my first time visiting her here and I am unfamiliar with the identity and... uhm... quality... of goods here... Might you have a recommendation? Food or fragrance, preferably."
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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:32 am
"There's no need to lie to me, good Sir, nor feel ashamed. My mother was taken off to a sanitarium as well, where she perished several years ago. Such things are quite common in this part of the world and nothing to be ashamed of, since you know at the least your mother is still quite living. It is a blessing to be able to see a face, even if it is in a place you'd rather not recall entering once you've left."
A thin flicker of a sad smile crossed over Elsie's lips and her eyes, her head turning slightly to the side as if with memory. She was certainly not going for pity from this man by her words or her actions, her body merely responding honestly to thoughts she hadn't dared pull up in quite a while. Thomas had always made sure to be there for her and fill that void of family, so how long had it been since she last tried to recall her mother? It was odd to think in such a way, but she could not remember a face or a voice to place with the woman who had been with her for so long and part...part of her heart ached for it.
Still! It would do her no benefit to dwell on memories such as it were, her present company not the type to likely want a trip down her path to her past so early into their meeting up. Elsie could not even tell if she would develop a rapport with this man, his mannerisms so stiff and his words so precise. They were obviously from different classes in this ramshackle world, meeting on the street by an odd stroke of fate. Her original plans to get him into a specific situation were slowly leaking from her mind and into the gutters where they belonged, replaced by a wish to help him and get him on his way before a street urchin of some kind found his pockets and his coins.
"As for what I'd recommend, why not get a bit of both if you have the coin for it? Even if you don't believe you do good Sir I am certain we will find something for lesser coin and off good value, allowing you to present two gifts at once to brighten the mood. Perhaps we should look for some fresh fruits to give, as well as beautiful flowers? I know perfumes are quite popular amongst women but I've never seen the beauty of scented water in a bottle, if you'll forgive me for being so forward."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:33 am
Of course. It sounded like the most natural and practical decision one could make, she way she worded it. Langston couldn't help but find his attendant's manner of speech simply captivating.
"My opinion exactly. I've never understood the appeal of such artificial scents. I find them too heavy for my tastes, generally." Langston began to laugh lightly but hastily choked it back upon remembering how discourteous it was to criticize women's choices in personal enhancement. Especially not in the presence of a woman. "...yes, well... my mother has a great fondness of sweet things, if that is helpful in our selection of a food item."
Something was missing here. For a moment, the young man couldn't quite place his finger on what it was that was picking at the corner of his mind. It was troubling. Something about this exchange made him feel too... forward. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to realize that the source of it all was the fact that he had been mentally referring to the young woman as 'she' and 'her' thus far.
"Ah, my apologies. We've not been formally introduced. I am L--" A sudden plink on water on his nose cut him short. The sky had taken on a rather dark bluish tint and the air in the marketplace had gone dead still. A few passerbys had stopped whatever they had previously been engaged in to gaze skyward.
"Langston Beufort."
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:59 am
When the man stopped talking about sweets Elsie had originally been troubled, though when he apologized she felt the fear run down her back a bit more. It was only when he said it was because they had not been introduced that she felt that cold drip of sweat stop rolling itself down her back, and she smiled as she opened her mouth to respond. She was interrupted however, but something plinking against her face just as it had been for the man.
"Ah."
As soon as the first large raindrop splattered against the top of Elsie's head, burrowing itself deeply through the hair and against her scalp, the woman gave an involuntary shudder against the temperature change and the sudden shock that often accompanied such things. At her hip the coffee cup bang against her body with the sudden movement and, if one cared to lean down close enough to tell, the moment a raindrop or two hit the cup it released a faint but clearly putrid smell of its own. A gentle hand was placed over the cup as if to prevent it from getting wetter and thus perhaps smelling worse, though it was more likely that the touch was meant to be reassuring. Elsie seldom did things with that much forethought involved.
"Ah, pardon me. I'm not quite fond of getting wet, or rather I should say I'm not used to being rained upon? No, perhaps that is a lie as well."
There were times when Elsie had been digging out graves as the rain poured around her and her brother. Rain kept the smell of decay down and kept the guards away. Elsie loved rainy days, but could she honestly say so? No.
"Do forgive me for seeming rude as well. My name is Elsie Crane, but you good Sir may simply call me Elsie. I am not a lady nor do I have fine enough manners to warrant being called Ms. Crane as it were, so please excuse me for being so forward in that regard."
Being called Ms. Crane was a title only reserved for her mother, if Elsie could remember such things. No one had called her Ms. Crane in quite a while, not that she would wish it on anyone to do so. She liked her name and being called it, for she was hardly nineteen years old after all! She was a long way from being an adult, even though she'd already brought a life (briefly) into this world.
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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:51 pm
Langston's gaze followed Elsie's hand to what appeared to be a small tea cup hanging from her belt, a very curious accessory for a lady to wear, even in this strange and vivid land of Imisus. Very briefly, he could detect a sharp odor, but it was gone in an instant and the man was left inhaling humidity and typical city smells. Before he had much chance to wonder about it, his attendant surprised him with a rather brisk introduction and request.
"Oh... erm..." Now this was unusual. Most of the women Langston had ever met very much enjoyed being verbally gratified. He might have insisted that it was all in the interest of good manners that he address her with respect, but now was not really the time or place for social debate, with the clouds sagging so low and neither of them being particularly fond of being caught out in the rain.
So, for brevity's sake, Langston simply nodded in silent agreement, standing at attention to indicate that he was ready to follow her whenever she was ready to set out gift-hunting. Or possibly duck underneath a ledge to avoid being rained upon. Either way, she was in the lead.
Something stirred in the young man's mind as he waited for Elsie to make her next move. What had he been thinking about before? Something strange he'd noticed... ah yes, the cup. He would try to steal a better look at it when she next moved or turned around, but even so, he could tell that it was a fine piece, too fine perhaps even to drink out of (save for special occasions), let alone wear. Its wearer seemed a rational enough woman. No doubt she had a reason for it to be there, even if Langston couldn't at the moment fathom what it might be.
And worse yet, the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to know what this reason was. Why a cup? Why? "I must say, the fashions of this city are rather unique." Hopefully this had come out sounding like a passing comment, not directed at anything in particular. "My hometown dulls in comparasion."
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:55 am
"Really? Do the woman in your town dress that differently from us? I have never been away from Imisus so I can't really compare how they look here to anything else. I don't think I dress that differently from the woman around me, even if my clothes are not made from quite the same quality of fabrics and silks. It's hard to afford such luxuries for someone such as myself, though I'm sure you're not here to listen to me lament."
Elsie's face blushed as another drop of rain splattered around her to remind her that she was outdoors and not really trying to impress anyone or anything, and she motioned for the gentlemen she was helping to follow her and get out of the coming storm. Several drops of rain would be alright, but the street walker in Elsie knew the smells that followed those few patches of water. She could smell the humidity in the air and feel the strange shift in the temperature, which told her very clearly that a storm was on its way and would hit before the pair had a chance to finish their activities.
Now safely situated beneath one of the arches of a grand building, Elsie decided their conversation could perhaps continue if her companion so wished it. He'd piqued her curiosity with his comment since she wanted to know more about the world around her. Being in Isimus was fine, of course, but that didn't mean she couldn't wonder such things.
"What did you see that was so odd, if I may inquire?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:10 pm
Well that did it. He'd gone and offended Elsie and her society's tastes in fashion, ignorant fool that he was. Still, she did not refuse his company, which was a bit of a relief, and the man tried his best to keep up with her as she ducked for cover underneath a nearby ledge. He nearly ran right into her when she decided to suddenly stop.
"Odd?"
Was honesty really a virtue in situations like these? He had already inadvertently drawn attention to the fact that she was not as wealthy as he had at first believed, and he feared that pointing out the cup would only insinuate that he thought she was mad as well. And yet, she sounded genuinely inquisitive, as if she had no more motive in the world than simply to know what about her was not to be found on the women outside of her district.
Well... erm..." It was a hard thing to just bluntly point out. "Well... at your hip..." Langston crossed one arm over his chest, propping the elbow of the other one on it and tapping his chin idly with his finger. "I've just never seen anyone wear a teacup on their person. It's a rather nice one though, if I do say so myself. An interesting touch."
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:12 pm
Oh. Oh.
Instead of looking offended, as one might have expected a woman to do when something was pointed out to be specifically linked to her, Elsie instead smiled down at the cup on her hip and patted it softly with the tips of her fingers. It made a slight tinkling sound as it bounced against something metal in her pocket, likely a few shillings to spend on a meal or that cloth for Thomas.
"This...isn't really fashion, if you must know. I know I may look odd for carrying it, but this cup is a memento of my son. He passed away shortly after he was born."
Elsie didn't look up to see Langston's reaction, but she knew it wasn't anything good (most likely). It was obvious just by looking at Elsie that she was too young to have properly had a child, and since she was talking to him so freely it meant she didn't have a husband? More and more of what she was was slowly rising to the surface without her having to really even say anything.
"I suppose it does look a bit out of place, doesn't it?"
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