[center][img]https://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k111/Soly222/f56a3a19-e7e0-46f5-8973-1ed29b4f7dc1_zpskinoijyw.jpg[/img] [h3][color=peachpuff]𝓥𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪 𝓛𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓷[/color][color=sandybrown] ➳ ♥[/color][/h3] "Beauty may be dangerous, but intelligence is lethal." [/center] [center][color=#f4a460]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#ffdab9]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#f4a460]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#ffdab9]︾[/color][color=#fdcfa7]︾[/color][color=#fbc495]︾[/color][color=#f8ba84]︾[/color][color=#f6af72]︾[/color][color=#f4a460]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#ffdab9]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#f4a460]︾[/color][color=#f7b276]︾[/color][color=#fabf8d]︾[/color][color=#fccda3]︾[/color][color=#ffdab9]︾[/color][/center] A bright blush came across Victoria’s face when Xavier kissed the back of his hand and introduced himself in French. She didn’t know French fluently, but she understood his common phrase. She pulled her hand back, looking directly in his eyes. He was not shy showing his intentions, and it made her slightly nervous. Sure he was a handsome guy, but he was still a complete stranger to her. He continued being polite and thankful. She kept thinking that he shouldn’t thank her so soon when she wasn’t sure how her father would react to her bringing in a random man. He really needed to know his stuff if he were to impress her father. Her eyes lit up a little when he mentioned knowing how to play the piano. [color=peachpuff]”There is a tavern in town that is often looking for new entertainment. They are always in need of new talent to try and pull in guests. The more you pull in, the more you get out of it.”[/color] Victoria brightened up a little. She really loved listening to people play music. Her younger sister used to know how to play some tunes on the piano. It always caused her heart to flutter. But Victoria quickly shook her head to snap back to the reality at hand. A ‘real book’? What did he mean about it being a ‘real book’? Of course it was real. It was physically in her hands. Was there ever such thing as a ‘fake book’? She found it odd how he examined it so gently. She appreciated the fact he wasn’t just flinging through the pages. But also confused why he was handling it so gently. However, his reaching for her book was relatively closed to her chest, as she was already pressing the book against her bosom This only caused her to blush significantly brighter until he handed the book back to her. [color=peachpuff]”It is an alright book… I just like reading a lot.”[/color] She wasn’t sure how he would react to knowing she much more preferred reading scientific journals. She knew all men who ever found out made fun of her, or degraded her. That wasn’t her place as a woman! Her place was as a caregiver and mother. She allowed him to take her basket, a very nice gentlemanly action. She courtesy slightly to him [color=peachpuff]”Thank you… Well, let’s head back to my father’s shop.”[/color] And with that she headed down the cobbled path, which Xavier by her side. She began to speak up, but noticed him run of to look at the local newspaper. He didn’t take on of the papers, and it looked as if he were just scanning the title. But when he came back, his face looked slightly paler. A worried look quickly crossed Victoria’s face, even though it was obvious Xavier was trying to play it off as nothing. She didn’t want to pry, it was maybe too nosy and personal of her. It was obvious that whatever it was, he didn’t want to talk about it. If he did, then he wouldn’t be trying so hard to hide his reaction. All she could say was, [color=peachpuff]”Read some bad news?”[/color] As she continued to the clock shop quickly. Upon arrival nothing had changed since Victoria left. She was pretty certain that no new customers came while she was out. Victoria gestured to where Xavier could put down her basket and headed to the back door. She placed a stead hand on the knob and knocked a few times on the door. [color=peachpuff]”Father! We have a visitor.”[/color] Leading Xavier in to his father’s workshop, it was quite big and packed full of many different gadgets. Ranging from a few opened watches, some missing springs, some gears, some screws, all the way to a giant model of a steam engine. It was obvious it had been opened, taken apart, and reassembled multiple times over. Mr. Livingston sat at his desk, hunched over a watch that he was currently repairing. He turned around hearing footsteps and raised an eyebrow. [color=brown]”You don’t have to bring customers back here, you know that Victoria… Is something wrong?”[/color] He stood up, pulling out a rag to wipe off soot and oil that coated his hands. It was at this moment that Victoria had no idea how to introduce this man to her father. Hi dad, this complete stranger, possibly homeless man, is looking for work and a place to lay is head. Can we help him? [color=peachpuff]”Papa- I- Well. Um. This is Xavier.”[/color] Victoria began. Her father raised an eyebrow looking at the young man. [color=brown]”Aye. It is good to meet you, Xavier.’[/color] He stuck out his hand to give a strong handshake to him. [color=brown]”Is this your newest suitor, Victoria? A lot more handsome than that last one, yet… his clothes seem kind of odd.”[/color] He whispered that last part to Victoria. Her face flushed as bright of a red as a roma tomato. [color=peachpuff]”NO! No- I- He-”[/color] God why was she being so bashful right now? [color=peachpuff]”He is looking for work and a place to stay! He was mugged outside of town, and fell into the river… I told him I wasn’t sure if you were looking to hire. But he is a scholar from-“[/color] She paused, realizing she didn’t know where he was from. But it didn’t matter, as Mr. Livingston crossed his arms on his chest. [color=brown]”No… I’m not really looking to hire right now… Unless you can prove to me that you really know your stuff… I can give you a place to sleep and… some money for new garments.”[/color] He stated, examining the odd clothing that Xavier wore. [color=brown]”So… tell me what you know about watches… or engineering… or physics, or mechanics. I’ll see if I have a use for you.”[/color] [center][color=#f4a460]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#ffdab9]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#f4a460]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#ffdab9]︽[/color][color=#fdcfa7]︽[/color][color=#fbc495]︽[/color][color=#f8ba84]︽[/color][color=#f6af72]︽[/color][color=#f4a460]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#ffdab9]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#f4a460]︽[/color][color=#f7b276]︽[/color][color=#fabf8d]︽[/color][color=#fccda3]︽[/color][color=#ffdab9]︽[/color][/center]