An Advanced Victorian Steampunk Roleplay discussion
Characters' Havens
>
Vivian's New Start
message 1:
by
๖ۣۜSαᴙαh, The Supreme Overload
(new)
Jun 27, 2013 01:05PM
Please post an image of what your haven looks like.
reply
|
flag
This is what it will look like when Vivian has finished decorating (and cleaning out half of the Shopping District in the process) :DExterior (evidently, Vivian's is the one with the green door):
Vivian's bedroom:
(She has a little dressing room which you can see a bit of on the right-hand side)
Rear terrace:
Bathroom:
Kitchen:
Sitting room:
Dining room:
(This is actually the other half of the sitting room - it's an unusually long room, and she'll divide it in two obviously with wallpaper and perhaps some clever shelves)
Bridget's room:
Foyer:
And, of course, a spare room/reading-and-drawing place that doubles as a room for Joeri:
***
Shakespeare, the bullmastiff:
As a puppy
He'll look like this when he's grown
Clutching the newly-signed deeds to her chest, Vivian waited impatiently on the front steps of her very own townhouse, looking up and down the street for Bertrand. She couldn't wait for him to see it. It was perfect - everything she could have ever imagined in a home of her own, and more besides. It even had a green door! Geoff was far too kind to her. She would have been happy in a two-bedroom flat to start, but he had really outdone himself this time. And Vivian could still hardly believe it was going to be hers and nobody else's.
Well, perhaps maybe she'd end up sharing it with Joeri one day...
Vivian caught sight of Bertrand coming up the street and she scurried down the steps to the front gate, waving.
Bertrand grinned as he neared, then hugged her tightly and gave her a kiss. "What's this, then?" he asked, looking up at the door.
Unable to contain herself anymore, Vivian thrust the deed towards him, her eyes shining and her smile from ear to ear. "It's my house!" she squealed, even as he took the deeds, looking perplexedly at her. "Geoff helped me to buy a house!"
"Vivian...what...oh, my God." Bertrand didn't quite know what to say. "This is Geoff's present to you?"
"In a way, yes." Vivian took the deed back and grabbed Bert's hand in the other, leading him up the front walk. She explained to him the arrangement Geoff had established, and was overjoyed when Bert gave his solemn nod of approval as she opened the front door and ushered him in.
"Welcome to my house," Vivian gushed.
***
Seated on the rear terrace some time later, Bertrand couldn't help but feel happy for Vivian. Clearly, in the time that he'd been gone - and even before that, perhaps - Vivian had indeed done a lot of growing up. He didn't even question where she'd managed to get the money. This was Vivian, after all. She always managed something.
He would, eventually, want to find out - but for now he was content to accept that his little sister had stuck to her guns long enough to save up the required finances for her own home. He couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of her when she even presented him with a financial plan.
After a while, once the excitement had died down a bit, Vivian took his hand and looked at him with solemn, wide green eyes.
"What's it, then, Vivvie?" Bert asked.
In a bit of a rushed voice - in case she chickened out and didn't tell him everything - Vivian explained to Bert what had happened at the lakeshore the day before.
"I don't know what it is, Bert," she confessed at the end. "Is it me? Is it something I did? Have I acted too...too boldly and offended him? I really don't know what to think."
Bertrand put his arm around Vivian and gave her a squeeze. "Vivian, I don't think it's you at all. You said that you're Thomas' first? Well, it shouldn't surprise you that perhaps he's a bit...timid. He's probably also confused - more so than you - simply because you're the first girl he's ever fallen in love with so deeply."
Vivian looked up at him. "What do you mean?"
Bert smiled and gave her a squeeze. "I think that perhaps he doesn't want to become intimate with you because he wants to protect your honour," he said. "Thomas is an upstanding young man, and I think he believes that women are to be cherished, and not shown devotion and love in the bedroom until the time is right."
Vivian's brow furrowed. She hadn't thought of it that way before. But then again, in terms of a relationship she only had Stephen to compare, and...well. That had been a lifetime ago. She'd been a child.
"Vivian," Bertrand said after a long pause, "Thomas does love you. Of that I have no doubt. I think he wants to make sure that he remains honourable and therefore worthy of your love. He holds you in very high regard. As for what happened at the lakeshore...well. That's just his way of telling you that he wants you in his life for the long run, and he would rather wait a little longer to lie with you so that he can prove himself to you in other ways."
Vivian nodded, silent.
Bert gave her an encouraging squeeze. "And it goes both ways. You don't have to let a man bed you to prove to him that you love him, Vivvie. Just be there for him. Be in his life, be supportive, and show him you love him by simply being there. Kiss him all you want, whisper as many sweet nothings into his ear as you want, but...you don't have to lie with him yet. Let it come naturally - don't rush it."
Vivian snuggled against Bert's shoulder. "Thanks, Bert," she said softly. "I...I never really thought of all that before."
Bert kissed the top of her head. "You have a house of your own, just like a grown-up would. Time to start acting like one, not just in terms of your finances and your household, but in matters of the heart." His voice was stern, but full affection.
"Okay. I'll try. I promise."
They sat in silence for a few minutes longer, then Bert got to his feet and pulled Vivian up onto hers, wrapping her in a hug.
"I am very proud of you, Vivvie darling," he said into her hair. "I couldn't ask for a better, lovelier, brighter sister than you."
He held her at arm's length and regarded her with a critical eye. She was still as youthful-looking as ever, but he could see in the way she carried herself, as well as in her eyes, that she was much older than her years. Bertrand smiled at her warmly.
"I'm hungry. What say you we find a restaurant in this new neighbourhood of yours and have a bite?" Bertrand asked her.
"That sounds perfect," Vivian agreed, tucking her hand into his elbow. "Let's just spend a lovely afternoon together. Can we?"
"Of course."
***END OF SCENE***
Checking the note in his hand, then looking up, Joeri made sure he was at the right house. As he walked through the front gate, he noticed how fitting it was that there was a green door. Already I can tell it's Vivian's house, he thought with a smile as he knocked.
Vivian rushed down the stairs to open the door. "Hello!" she exclaimed breathlessly, ridiculously happy to see him. She pulled him inside, not waiting for him to say anything, and tiptoed to peck his cheek. "What do you think?" Vivian asked, throwing her arms open and spinning around. She could already tell that Joeri knew it was her own house. "Can you believe all this is mine?!" She laughed happily as she stopped spinning, wrapping her arms around herself giddily, despite her cast.
He laughed, surprised at flying inside and spinning around to look at her house. "This is absolutely fantastic. But it's definitely yours," Joeri commented with a smile.
"Even the door is green," she said happily, taking his hand in hers. "Come along. I want to show you the rest," she chirped.She led him into the long, narrow room - the full depth of the house from front wall to back - first, saying, "Here's the sitting room and perhaps the dining room. The kitchen is off that far end there. I think it's big enough for both. I'll need to divide the space somehow, though. Maybe with wallpaper and some clever shelf arrangements? Haven't decided yet."
Outside to the rear terrace. "Won't it be simply lovely to spend time out here?"
On to the kitchen next, and the larder. "Bridget's going to love this. You wouldn't know it just by looking at her, but she's an excellent cook."
Out of the kitchen and upstairs to the second floor: "Bridget's room, a shared bathroom - I don't mind that at all, really! - and some more reading space, perhaps. There's a balcony through those doors that overlooks the street."
Upstairs to the third floor.
She opened the door and looked up over her shoulder at him. "This is my room," Vivian told him. She ushered him in to a bright, airy space, clearly meant to be a private sitting or dressing room of sorts - there was a set of doors on the far wall that were definitely a closet.
Leading him through to a normal door off to the side, she showed him the cosy space that was to be her actual bedroom. The walls did not go right up to the ceiling, but instead stopped three-quarters of the way up, allowing sunlight from the huge windows outside to filter in. There was also a set of glass-paned doors leading out to a small private balcony overlooking the terrace.
"What do you think?" Vivian asked happily.
Joeri gave a nod, his hands on his waist. "You have an eye for the fantastic. I couldn't dream a better house for you," he said, impressed.
Vivian smiled brightly. "It's not completely ready yet," she said excitedly as they descended to the main floor. "I need to get furniture, though as you can see quite a lot came with the house...but some pieces of my own would be nice. Especially for my room.""And wallpaper," she added, dragging her delicate fingers along the wall. "Definitely need wallpaper. Are you free all afternoon?"
"Yes, I am," Joeri answered slowly. He had a feeling that whatever would take the whole afternoon would be way over his head. "What is it you plan to do?"
"It won't take the whole afternoon, hopefully," Vivian assured him, noting the apprehension on his face. "Wallpaper. Would you come with me to look at wallaper?"
He blinked with surprise and a smile of amusement came to his face. "Well, it does not sound too hard a task," Joeri said jokingly. "I would certainly come with you, though I'm sure with my lack of expertise you might wish you brought someone better."
"I just want your opinion on some of the things that are going to permanently on these walls and in these rooms," Vivian said breezily as she put on her shawl and headed out the door. Locking the door behind them, she took his arm. "So. Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked teasingly.
Joeri pretended to think hard, then gave a small shrug and grinned. "I'm definitely sure. I get a chance to walk around with the most beautiful woman in the world."
Vivian rolled her eyes. "You've clearly never met my sisters," she grumbled. Even though she hated to admit it, Lenore and Jessamine were quite stunning - more so than her, she was convinced.
He bent down to kissed her nose. "But you aren't your sisters. And I love you, not your sisters," Joeri said firmly.
Vivian grasped his arm with both hands and gave him a squeeze, resting her head briefly on his arm and sighing happily. "I love you, too," she said warmly. "I hope you don't object to green. Not on every wall, though."
"I think green would be fitting. It's a symbol of life, newness, and beginnings, so I don't object," Joeri said with a nod.
"I like that," Vivian agreed. Looking up again at him, she smiled and tugged on his arm. When he looked down, she said, "Thank you, Thomas Walker." But her eyes spoke his true name, and she hoped he could see that.
Joeri winked. "Any time, my lady. I'm at your service," he replied, his blue eyes shining.
"No, I mean it," Vivian said, stopping on the sidewalk and making him face her. "I really do." She looked up at him, and clasped his hands in hers. "Thank you for inviting me to sit with you that day at the Inn, and for coming to visit me at the Grand Hotel, and meeting me at the Library...and for being there when I woke up after the accident." She blinked back tears, hanging her head."Just...thank you for being a part of my life," she whispered.
Gently, he grabbed her chin and lifted it so his blue eyes could look into hers. "Any time," Joeri repeated sincerely. "But thank you for letting me in."
Vivian smiled up at him, then linked her arm back through his as they began walking again. "The terrace is big enough to waltz on," she informed him happily.
"We must find some music then," Joeri said smiling, imagining how wonderful it would be to dance under the stars. Then, a whisper entered the back of his mind, reminding him of reality. In just a few days, he'll have to report to the barracks. The leave would end. His smile dimmed slightly and he glanced over to Vivian, thinking how both of them would be heartbroken.
"What's wrong?" Vivian asked, clueing into his change of mood immediately.
He sighed and a regretful look came to his face. "I just was reminded of the little time we have before we'd be parted," Joeri said eventually, speaking softly, not wanting to ruin her mood.
Vivian's head dropped a bit, but she forced herself to raise her chin and stand up with perfect posture. "We still have a few days," she told him, squeezing his arm. "As for what happens after you go back, we'll figure it out, won't we? Leave can't last forever, darling." She spoke bravely, forcing her voice not to waver.
He patted her hand holding his elbow. "Yes. You're right. But for now, we must focus on that green wallpaper," Joeri said, trying to be light. "After all, this is your house and I'm sure it must be perfect."
*END OF SCENE*
Joeri ducked his head as he followed Vivian inside her townhouse. Again, he was amazed and he stood a moment to look it over. Even though it was smaller, it still had the same refined taste but it had a welcoming aura as well. Briefly, he imagined what it would be like to come home to such a house and it gave him a ray of hope. Perhaps he could live normally, despite his name. He helped Vivian remove her shawl and walked with her to the parlour.
Out of the corner of her eye, Vivian decided that she liked how Joeri looked in the space, and realised she would miss his presence in her new home. Laying the satchel on the coffee table that had come with the house, she opened it up and began taking out the swatches.
Breaking out of his reverie, Joeri went to her side to help her. He was quiet, trying to put his thoughts together, unsure how to breach the topic he wanted to talk about.
"Speak," Vivian said, removing the backing from the edge of a swatch and pressing into the wall.
He glanced over at her, thinking how she read him so easily. Then he turned his gaze to putting up the swatch in his hand. "I want to explain that afternoon at the lake," Joeri said calmly, preparing himself for her reaction.
She turned to look at him, hoping her face had a look of understanding on it. "Do you want to sit down?" Vivian asked, gesturing at the armchairs.
He patted the paper down, then moved to take a seat as answer. Hands clasped, elbows resting on his knees, he glanced over at Vivian. "Do you know why I stopped?"
She sank into the other armchair."Maybe, but...I would like to hear it from you," Vivian said frankly.
He nodded, expecting as much. He took a deep breath and straightened up to look in her the eye. "I stopped because I wanted to make sure I was treating you honorably. I felt like I almost crossed the line between what was honorable and dishonorable," Joeri explained. "I wanted to cherish you, Vivian, properly."
Vivian nodded. She sensed perhaps he had more to say, though, so she clasped her hands in her lap and looked at the floor.
"I do love you with all my heart, but I don't think I want to be as intimate, at least not yet," Joeri finished, not sure what else he could say. He hoped she understood, especially since he was only beginning to understand.
Vivian smiled at him and got up from her chair to perch on the winged arm of his. She put her arm around his shoulders."I know," she said simply. "I understand."
Joeri relaxed, and looked up at her with a smile. "Thank you," he said. He placed a hand on her arm.
Vivian dropped a kiss on his head."I...I've just never seen it that way before," she told him honestly. "My..."
She faltered.
"I just thought that...it was something I ought to do to prove my feelings," she admitted. "I'm sorry for not thinking of you and how you might see it."
"It's fine. I'm sorry that you had to feel that way," Joeri said, putting his arm around her waist and gave her a hug. "But now things are clear."
She buried her face in his shoulder. "I didn't know any better, Joeri."After a moment she added, "I didn't know anyone better. I'm sorry if I upset you in any way with the way I behaved."
He tilted his head to rest on hers. "We all make mistakes. I didn't know what I got myself into when I enlisted," Joeri replied. "But we persevere and things will eventually work out for the best."
In spite of herself, Vivian felt a tear slide down her cheek as she nodded into his shoulder.
He offered her a clean handkerchief. "Now, we must take care of this wallpaper before your brother comes," Joeri said. "I'm sure it would be nice to impress him more with the variety of papers we have found."
Vivian laughed and dabbed at her eyes quickly. He was already standing facing the wall, arms akimbo as he regarded the wall.She came up behind him and slid her arms through his around his waist.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Joeri smiled and laid his hands over her arms. "Well, you can't thank me for choosing wallpaper, but I certainly can do the manual labor of putting paper on the walls," he said, lightly.
