An Advanced Victorian Steampunk Roleplay discussion
Characters' Havens
>
Vivian's New Start
message 251:
by
Ji Mei , The Meticulous Secretary
(new)
Jul 02, 2013 09:36PM
Joeri glanced down at the book, then up at her. "I can see why," he commented softly. He wondered what she was thinking and feeling, since the sonnet could mean many things to each person. It was beautifully written, and he liked its eloquence, but there was a tinge of melancholy to him.
reply
|
flag
Vivian took the book delicately out of his hands and went up on tiptoe briefly for a quick peck on his cheek before placing it at the end of the line on the shelf. With a sudden laugh she said, "Joeri. We've all but forgotten about Frankenstein!"
He burst out laughing, his laughter sounding freer than usual. "We have, indeed! My goodness, I don't know what happened to it. I think I still have it at the inn," Joeri said, breathless as he tried to regain his composure.
Vivian laughed so hard she had to sit down on the edge of the alcove bed. So much had happened since that day at the Inn, and as she looked at him now - here, in her own home surrounding by the books that contained stories they both so dearly loved - Vivian marvelled at how quickly she had come to love him.He looked like he belonged in her home, fitting with ease into the new surroundings, making his mark with the way he was helping her settle in.
"I don't believe I even touched it once after we talked about it in the library." Joeri smiled, running a hand through his hair. It seemed so long ago, with everything that happened, it almost seemed unreal. Sitting down next to her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, convincing himself that it was real.
Vivian snuggled against his shoulder for a moment, then got to her feet. "Scoot back," she commanded, grinning at him. She went to the bookshelf and retrieved the sonnet book as Joeri scooted back, one leg drawn up so he could rest his arm on it. Vivian tapped her cheek absentmindedly before grabbing The Tempest and returning with both books to the alcove. She settled herself comfortably against him, her shoulder against his chest and her back against his upright knee, her legs slung over his stretched-out leg.
"You've read this one, right?" she said happily, nestling against him. She didn't stop to think if perhaps she ought not sit so comfortably against him as she turned to Act 3, Scene 1.
Ferdinand:
There be some sports are painful, and their labor
Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness
Are nobly undergone and most poor matters
Point to rich ends. This my mean task
Would be as heavy to me as odious, but
The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead
And makes my labors pleasures: O, she is
Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed,
And he's composed of harshness. I must remove
Some thousands of these logs and pile them up,
Upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistress
Weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness
Had never like executor. I forget:
But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labors,
Most busy lest, when I do it.
Though he didn't read Frankenstein, Joeri did manage to read more Shakespeare and silently nodded to her question. He didn't mind her closeness, actually welcoming how comforting it felt. Looking over her shoulder, he read the next part. Miranda:
Alas now, pray you,
Work not so hard. I would the lightning had
Burnt up those logs that you are enjoined to pile!
Pray, set it down and rest you. When this burns,
'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father
Is hard at study. Pray now, rest yourself.
He’s safe for these three hours.
Vivian laughed. "You ought to read Ferdinand. It seems wrong the way we're doing it."She hadn't realised he'd probably want to read along, which was why she'd started in the first place.
Grinning, Joeri gave a nod. "Yes, I do not have a good reading voice for a woman," he commented with a small laugh. He continued to read Ferdinand's part.Ferdinand:
O most dear mistress,
The sun will set before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do.
They read together in that way until the end of the scene, and Vivian put down the book. She fiddled with the chain of Joeri's pocket watch before pulling it out to check the time."When do you have to go?" Vivian asked in a small voice, realising that they only had today and tomorrow left before he had to go report for duty.
"Soon, I'm sure." He ran a hand along her arm and up to her shoulder. Squeezing her gently, Joeri kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry, I might be free later today."
"Okay." Vivian cuddled against him for a little longer before mustering up the courage to let him go. "I don't want you to be late," she told him, looking up with earnest eyes.
"Why thank you, my lady. Punctuality sure would soften the innkeeper's mood, I'm sure," Joeri said with a grin.
Reluctantly Vivian scooted off the alcove bed to let Joeri get up. "Will you be back later, for real?" Vivian asked, already missing him.
Cupping her cheek, Joeri bent down to give her a quick kiss on the lips. "I will, if I can," he promised after he drew back. "If not, you can just kidnap me."
Vivian got his jacket for him and helped him tie his tie neatly. She kissed him wordlessly, and walked with him down to the front door."Have a good day," she said earnestly.
Smiling, he gave a salute. "I will, cross my heart. And you must have a wonderful day as well," Joeri replied.
Vivian smiled and pulled him down for another lingering kiss, then let Joeri go on his way, watching him head down the front steps to the street. She caught the kiss that he blew from the other side of her gate, and continued watching him until he was down the street and around the corner.Sighing, Vivian retreated back into her house and locked the door behind her, wondering what to do with the empty hours that lay ahead. Deciding that sitting around and moping wasn't a good way to spend time, Vivian put on her cloak and bonnet, grabbed her purse, and headed out a short while later. She had a larder to fill and a home to decorate, and Joeri would be back soon enough.
***END OF SCENE***
True to his word, Joeri had come back to her later after the evening rush was done, and just like the night before Vivian had been sleeping lightly enough to rouse him from his nightmare and comfort him until he fell back asleep. She'd managed to fall asleep herself sometime before dawn, and soundly too.When she woke up with the sunshine on her face, even before she opened her eyes Vivian knew she was alone in bed. Her eyes flew open and she sat upright. Where was Joeri?
There was a piece of paper on the pillow on his side of the bed and a tray on the bedside table with cheese and bread and an apple. Scooting over, she nibbled on a square of cheese while reading the note, smiling to herself.
Happy that he'd be back soon enough, but still wishing she'd been able to give him a good morning kiss and eat breakfast with him, Vivian ate quickly and then dressed. After doing her dishes, she was just drying off her hands when there was a knock at the door.
Puzzled, Vivian walked to the front door and opened it.
"Bert! Hello!"
"Hey, Vivvie." He hugged her tightly. "How are you?"
"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful," Vivian replied. Sensing he wasn't alone, Vivian peered around him at the wide-eyed blonde standing behind her brother. "Hello...?"
Bert stepped aside and presented Kathleen. "Do you remember her at all, Vivvie?" he asked when the introductions were done and Vivian ushered them inside. "She visited us in Dublin when you were just a kid still."
"Vaguely," Vivian said, then gasped in surprise when Kathleen threw her arms around her in an embrace.
"Oh, Vivian! I'm so sorry to hear about you...about what...oh, you know," Kathleen exclaimed.
Vivian stared at her brother over her cousin's shoulder. What the hell? Why is she hugging me? she demanded of him with her eyes as she awkwardly patted Kathleen's shoulder.
Bert shrugged, rubbing his forehead.
Vivian sat them down in her parlour and returned with tea and biscuits.
"How's the arm, Vivian?" Bert asked, getting up to help her with the tray.
"Much better, thanks," she told him.
"What on earth happened to it?" inquired Kathleen.
"I fell off a horse," Vivian replied simply. Turning back to Bert she said, "Isn't there anything you can do to make it heal faster? I'm getting so sick of this cast."
Bert shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Vivvie. I'm a man of medicine, not of magic."
Kathleen raised an eyebrow slightly. "You may not be, but I am," she said quickly. They were family, after all - why shouldn't they know?
They stared at her. "What?" Bert sputtered.
"I know the healing arts," Kathleen explained, reaching across the coffee table and grasping VIvian's machinated arm. "Why, what on earth? Your hand is so cold.:
"It's mechanical," Vivian told her. "What do you mean, healing arts?:
"I can use magic to heal people," Kathleen said, fascinated momentarily by how well-disguised Vivian's robotic arm was - it looked so lifelike. "Would you like me to heal you?"
"Wait a second," Bert interjected. "You...you're a magical healer? Where the he..." He cleared his throat. "How do you know that?"
Kathleen shrugged. "I was spirited away by faeries when I was a child," she told him frankly. "When I was returned, I came back with special gifts, like the Sight and healing."
Vivian stared at her, then at Bert. Bert, she's got more bats than a belfry.
Vivian, be nice.
"And you can heal me?" Vivian asked sceptically. "Completely? I wouldn't have to wear the cast anymore?"
Kathleen shook her head. "No cast," she chirped. "You'll be able to use your arm and hand again, just like new."
The siblings exchanged a look. It couldn't hurt to try.
"Alright," Vivian sighed. "Do it, then."
***END OF SCENE***
Joeri walked up to Vivian's townhouse, suitcase in hand. He felt oddly liberated at his decision and he wondered how he can talk to Vivian about marriage without giving anything away. He felt like it wasn't the right time yet to ask and he also knew he should talk to Geoffrey before he did anything else. Raising his fist, he knocked.
Because she'd wanted to make Joeri's last night of leave special, and because she was hopeless in the kitchen, once Bertrand had carted Kathleen off back the Kaylock estate Vivian had carted herself back up to Geoffrey's mansion to retrieve Bridget and an evening gown she'd not thought to take with her initially.While Bridget had cooked up a storm, Vivian had decorated the terrace with bolts of floaty chiffon that she'd bought to make God-knows-what, way-back-when. She realised as she climbed ladders and monkeyed around on the wrought-iron trellis in one of Bridget's cotton frocks that the fabric would probably help make lovely curtains indoors.
For whatever reason, the previous owners had left countless candles and candelabras in the cellar, and Vivian and Bridget hauled up the lot and put them all over the terrace.
She'd had just enough time to bathe, freshen her hair, put on her makeup, and dress when Vivian realised Joeri would be back any minute. VIivan flew down the stairs and onto the terrace, making sure one last time it was perfect. Bridget had lit the candles, evening was upon them, and she could hear Bridget welcoming Joeri, their voices echoing all the way down the hall.
((Vivian's dress:))
((Pretty! :)))Surprised to see Bridget, Joeri gave her a warm greeting and told her how grateful he was of her cooking. Though he could cook, he knew his skills weren't up to par with the gourmet quality Bridget can cook. He asked her kindly to take his briefcase and place it in the room designated to be his, then at her gesture made his way to the terrace.
Vivian clutched at the side of her skirt nervously, hoping she hadn't gone too far over the top with the chiffon draping and the candle light. Biting her lip, she saw Joeri come down the last half of the hallway alone.
Stepping through the threshold onto the terrace, Joeri stopped in amazement. The candles gave off a soft glow and the chiffon above gave off a luxurious and elegant feel. Seeing Vivian standing in the middle of it, he felt like he stepped into another world. Smiling, he gestured to the terrace. "You did all of this?"
"I had a lot of time on my hands," Vivian said with a grin, walking to him with both of her arms outstretched - and no cast in sight.
Joeri stepped over to give her a hug when he noticed something was missing. Seeing her pale arm instead of a white cast, he paused in surprise. "Indeed you do have a lot of time. Is you arm all right? All healed?"
"Yes," Vivian said happily. She threw her arms around him and smiled up at him, knowing full well that her eyes and hair and skin and smile seemed to absorb candlelight and make herself seem to glow from the inside. Giving him a quick peck on the lips, she explained, "One of my cousins is in town and she...well. She's a magical healer, Joeri. Isn't that incredible?"
"Certainly incredible. Almost as incredible as seeing you," Joeri agreed, smiling and giving a small laugh.
Vivian rose up on tiptoe to kiss his nose. "I missed you today, though," she said. "But your note was lovely."
"Well, I couldn't let you worry, could I?" Joeri winked and playfully added, "Plus I never get the chance to leave notes at home to someone I love."
Vivian felt her insides go warm and fuzzy when he said the word "home.""Do you really feel like you're...you're at home here?" she asked him, leading him by the hand over to the low wall that she'd quickly become fond of perching upon. Vivian sat down on it now, looking up at him lovingly.
Nodding, Joeri sat down next to her. "I haven't felt it in a while, but the moment I set foot in that entrance, I feel like I'm home," he said with a smile, caressing her jaw with a finger.
Vivian nuzzled the palm of his hand. "It feels right, too," she told him truthfully. "To me, I mean. I've gotten so used to having you around that anywhere feels wrong if you're not there."
He felt a pang in his chest, knowing that it would be even harder once his leave was over. Hard for both of them. "Me too," Joeri said softly, kissing her forehead. "I wish I have a way to make sure that you're reminded I'll be with you in spirit always."
"I'll have the wallpaper squares," Vivian joked, "and all of Shakespeare."She leaned against him for a moment, then heard Bridget's voice.
"Miss? Dinner's ready."
Vivian turned around to look, then stood up with a smile. "Yes, of course. Thank you, Bridget."
Joeri laughed at her joke and rose to his feet. "Ah, Bridget is cooking? That is wonderful. I'll make sure I won't waste a bite."
"I've never known you to waste a bite," Vivian laughed, taking his hand.Bridget served them once they were seated, then dropped a quick curtsy and stood back, her hands clasped in front of her.
"It's alright, Bridget," Vivian said. "You can go on up - Mr Walker and I will clear up."
"Are you sure, Miss? In your pretty dress and all?"
Vivian laughed. "That's what aprons are for. Good night, Bridget."
"Yes, Miss, and thank you."
He gave a nod to Bridget. "I'll make sure to help," he added before she left. Then he turned to Vivian. "Don't want to give any chance to ruin that dress," Joeri said with a smile.
"What did you get up to today, then?" Vivian asked. "I mean, after the Inn? Or did you just rush straight on over here because you missed me so much?" Her bright green eyes twinkled merrily at him.
"Oh, well, I packed my briefcase and came straight here," Joeri lied. He didn't think it would be good to give away his purchase at the jeweler's store.
She smiled at him. "How's your dinner? Roast chicken is Bridget's speciality."
"Wonderful. I'm sure I could learn a few tricks from her," he said, before taking another bite of his food. "Did you ask her specifically to come today?"
"Well, she was supposed to come tomorrow anyway," Vivian laughed. "I just...I just didn't want to serve you bread and fruit and cheese...again...on your..." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "On your last night at home," she finally said.
Joeri almost joked that she sounded like he was about to die, but then realized it wouldn't sound good when he was in the military after all. "Thank you, Vivian. My last night is even more wonderful because of it," Joeri reassured her, laying a hand on hers.
She grasped his hand, her real fingers - finally fully limbered and freed of their plaster prison - entwining with his. His palm was cool and dry in hers, and Vivian realised just how much she would have liked to have spent the last three weeks being able to hold his hand like this, instead of awkwardly as she'd done.
Rubbing his thumb along her hand, he smiled at her touch. He didn't realize how long it was since he felt her hand in his. Joeri was silent a bit, then drew his hand back to resume eating. "I'll write to you as often as I can. And you can visit me."
"May I, really?" Vivian exclaimed. "I mean, I knew you'd have days off but...you're able to have civilians come and visit?"
He nodded. "Yes, you can visit. I think there's at least one day a month. Twice when there's a holiday," Joeri explained. He gave a shrug. "It's not much, but it's something."
Vivian nodded. "And I'll write to you," she promised in kind, her voice level. Inside she was crying at the thought of only seeing him once a month. "Do I have to come to the Barracks to see you, or are you able to come out?"
"There is a mutual room for visits at the barracks, so most of the time it would be in the barracks. I'm not sure if I'm able to come out," Joeri answered, taking a drink from his glass.
