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17:00 Hours Hobbs & Pollard Threads – Greenwich, London

When Pleasantries are About



Placing her delicate hand within his masculine sent goosebumps up her arm, thankfully she sported her coat to conceal that fact, Vera stepped down from the Peugeot, and nodded her thanks. She turned with him to view the store front with him, her eyes widening as well. While Vera kept a straight posture, she pulled her shoulders back square, and lifted her chin up a tad higher than she normally carried it. She would not be made a fool of in a place like this, and nor would she allow anyone to mock Shay of his accent.

“Don’t you worry about what these people think, money always silences their wagging tongues. We’ll tell them that you need a measurement, and a fitting done; hopefully, your shoulders aren’t too broad, or else we’ll need a custom-made suit. Besides, all they know is that we can more than afford any suit in their blasted shop.” She boasted, tugging on Shay’s wrist briefly, and then proceeded with a brisk walk up the stairs to the front door of Hobbs & Pollard Threads, where she disappeared inside the red brick building. The store front itself denoted of higher quality items inside with its white stone Grecian columns that stood like a gateway into a realm of opulence and luxury, mirrored by broad panes of glass trimmed with painted green wood, this was a place afforded by only the wealthier members of society, certainly not the richest, but those that lived in Greenwich, lived a more lavish life when compared to the commonfolk in Southwark. How Mr. Harrison afforded suits of these quality left her feeling dumbfounded, she thought that the people living in Southwark were generally associated with the lower class, which was true, but why a man like Mr. Harrison kept his shop in Southwark, when he could afford suits from Greenwich baffled her. Perhaps he preferred to live a simpler life than his wealth would allude to.

When Shay eventually joined her inside, he would find Vera talking to a saleswoman in her mid-forties, sporting a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, draped around the collar of her blouse like a set of pearls hung a measuring tape, a neat bun secured at the base of her skull held her peppered hair. As the bell above the door chimed merrily, Vera turned her attention upon him, her relaxed posture and easy-going smile indicating that she had encountered no conflict. Whatever she said while he remained outside no matter how brief or length of time, was long enough for her to waive any questions about his worries over his accent.

“There he is, my dear. Yes, Matilda, if you would be a doll and give him a proper measurement, we would both be indebted to you. Finding a suit that fits this man is like trying to cool a cuppa’ tea with hot milk. Shay my darling, this is Matilda, take off your coat so she can obtain a proper measure right quick. She said a man of your stature and build would find several suits here.” Her choice of words were odd indeed, calling him dear, and darling were not words a woman like her would use so readily. That only went to show how well her skills in communication were, ready to assume any role necessary despite the situation. She would have no problem adjusting to tomorrow’s task, but it was Shay that her worries concerned. Deciding inwardly, Vera knew it would be best if they picked up a book on paintings at least to aid them in tomorrow’s assignment. Even then, she would be able to help him with what etiquette she did know to mask any suspicions about their status. This would certainly be a long night ahead of them both. As her eyes lingered on the two individuals, Vera reflected back to his words in the Peugeot. His own father, while he had one, was a hard man to love, which made her question how her own father would have loved Sam and her, if there were any love to be given. According to their mother, when she managed to speak of their father, it was always in a positive light, how he swept her off her feet, figuratively speaking, with a bouquet of flowers picked from a field, and how he had asked Eliza and Edward for her hand, as her mother's parents were deceased by that time. What she marveled at the most, was his words of the war; he had mentioned that he was a cautious man, one that remembered all too well the ways of the war, how every loud noise bothered him, the backfire of a car, a blown out tire, or even shouting. Her thoughts darted to how her brother reacted in the car drive over to the Tawdry, how he had yelled at her for her poor choices, she wondered then if he had felt tense or fear, if it had put him on edge.

Before long, her gaze simply fixed upon Shay, lost in her own thoughts. He felt nothing when he killed that Jepson brother, or injured the others, no, his sole task was to protect her, and he did an excellent job. It became clearer to her as to the reason why her brother elicited his help, regardless of his heritage, Sam understood before she did, that he could trust him to get the job done. Unknowingly, a smile crept onto her lips, recalling how he said that if Sam hadn't asked him, and if she were in danger, he still would have gone to look after her safety, as he put it, she was a good lass, even if she had her own demons to conquer, he had his own vices like her where smoking and heavy drinking provided comfort. His words echoed in her mind, and she could feel her body relax as she leaned against the counter, one elbow propping her up, with her hips jutted out to one side. She was in safe hands.
Yissss! We'll have to do that :D!

"What the fuck is a Banff?" <-- This accurately portrays my own thoughts as well! I thought I was saying it wrong for the longest time. Where does a name like that even come from?

Oh yeah, I think I would only go to Mars if the Earth was truly fucked, other than that, I'd definitely stick it out here, although it really depends on how our own Earth is holding up at that time, I mean, if there is a fuck-ton of nuclear fall-out, then yeah, I'd skip out then.

The only thing nice about Arizona is probably the Grand Canyon. Other than that, it's humid as hell, there are giant cacti, and a bunch of toruisty things, like a lot of Native American shops, so those are good places to buy a souvenir. Though I live in New Mexico, where it's less humid. There are still cacti here, and my boyfriend tells me that there are a lot of dinosaur deposits within the state. Plus the food is awesome, probably the only reason why I like living here so much.
YOU LIVE NEAR BANFF!?!?!?

>.>'

My company that I work for, they offer all expense paid trips, if you win a yearly contest, and for last year, we worked for the opportunity to win a trip to Banff! We missed it by half the points, but my boss and a good number of other people are going to be there next week! They'll be staying at that castle on Lake Louise! We're working on this year's trip to go to Spain, Italy, and France next year.

I find this highly ironic!

Besides that, I'm glad that you don't experience many wildfires! Last summer, all of Arizona's wildfires turned our skies hazy for weeks on end, you could hardly see the blue sky or the sun at times /: kinda makes me want to move to the Midwest, where all they get is psycho Mother Nature with her wishy-washy weather.
While he spoke, he gave a great deal more than she had intended to hear. Not that that was a problem by any means, she wanted to know something, anything, about the man she would share his home with that night. What she found peculiar, was that, even in wartime, he had not found the solace or comfort of a woman, not even from the brothels. Not ever, quite frankly. She kept her gaze cemented on him, she could see how he gripped the wheel, how he worked his jaw, even how he shook his fingers loose to downgrade a gear. Did Sam know this? Is that why he had chosen Shay to look after her? For the fact that he had never lain with a woman? She found that impractical and assumed it went deeper than that. It was when Shay addressed the issue of him keeping his watch over her did it become clear the bond between Sam and Shay.

A gentle flurry of snow began to dust the streets as she turned her face to gaze out the window, she contemplated the fullness of his words for some time before she found what she wanted to say.

"Aye, my brother is a good man. That's why I question his intentions from time to time, it seems as if he is trying to conduct my life where it would not be needed. You see, Mr. Alden, Sammy and I were born in Liverpool, our father passed before either of us knew him. I think that my brother has tried to be the man that he imagined our father to be, noble, honest, and kind of heart. When he came back from the war... He was a changed man, through and through. I remember the days when Sam would smile, how he laughed, the way he would tease me, but now, it is as if his happiness has all but dried up. I know, deep in my heart that the only thing he cares about, is me. When we stayed in Liverpool, we lived with my Aut Eliza. After my mother moved us to London, we lost touch with her, so neither of us are sure if she is alive. We're all we have. Without me, he would have no one, and I the same. So please, you needn't apologize for doing as my brother asked. If anything, I find it rather endearing that he asked for help to keep an eye on me." Vera stopped talking to gain her bearings, her eyes flickering from store front to store front as she leaned forward on the bench before she saw a street sign.

"Turn right up ahead at the cross street. You can take this road up for about another four streets before you'll make a left onto Clifton Ave, on the left side of the street will be a store called, Hobbs & Pollard Threads."

"Sometimes, when something tragic happens in life, and you feel that you can tell no one, for the simple fear of stigmas, you choose to bottle up what you believe to be something you can control, by having the power of silence. I've learned my lesson well Mr. Alden, so I want to say thank you. Thank you for doing as my brother asked, and looking after me, regardless of what you witnessed me do. I am a woman with a deep pain, and I try to vanquish that pain through my own diabolical vices. Without you watching over me that night, I believe that I would not be alive today." Crystalline blue eyes flickered over to Shay, and she allowed herself once more, a small smile, though this one was not meant for joy, but rather remorse and self-pity.
Oh I heard about the forest fire up there... Where was it Alberta? I found that shocking to hear! Do you ever get forest fires often up there? We had one down here in the mountains about two weeks ago.

I hope it goes well (: after the surgery, I think you'll be a chipper ol' mate.
Suffering in the sweltering heat of this cursed desert.._. And you? How's your studying coming along?
Careful not to catch her skirt, Vera stepped up into the cabin of the Peugeot, and settled on the bench. She caught a glimpse of Shay turning the crank for the engine and allowed herself a small smile, she wondered how he felt, having a complicated woman such as herself, dropped right into his lap, to look after, and now they were assigned a task, which if it went south, would likely tarnish the Roughers name.

As the engine rumbled to life, Shay sidled into the bench beside her, shutting the door to the cabin, the Peugeot prattled on down the road, it was here that he made his apologies, for he thought it best to take care of their needed purchases, as well as pay the market a visit to pick up some ingredients, for dinner and perhaps breakfast tomorrow.

"No need to apologize Mr. Alden, I think it best we take care of the essentials so that we're not slacking behind when tomorrow comes. As for food, well, I can't say that I'm a fantastic cook, but I can certainly try my best. So where shall we head off to first? There's a store in Greenwich, it's a bit of a ways from here, but they've nice articles of clothing, especially for gentlemen such as yourself."

From under the shielded lip of the cloche perched precariously on her head, she could see Shay when she shifted her eyes sideways, perhaps it was the discussion between Tommy and Sam that left her sitting on edge, the two glasses of whiskey, and her julep left her nerves stroked painfully thin. There was a nagging notion that pestered her, why had Sam cast her off with this Irishman? Sure she knew that he trusted him, but how could she trust him?

"Mr. Alden, if you beg my pardon, as I'm sure you will find my language lewd, but have you ever been with a woman?" Depending on his reply, Vera felt that she could determine how well she could trust him.
Sounds good to me ^.^!
D: uh... Yessir!

Post is up, and we can carry onto the next scene, if you want to jump ahead to any given scene, like to any of the dress shops, or the bookstore, that's fine with me, unless you want to carry out the conversations that would occur in the car ride? Wait, does Shay even have a car? If not, let's just say that he borrowed the one he picked Vera up in today from the prison.

On a side note, I'm thinking that with Vera taking up an official job with the Roughers, she'll quit her day job, and possibly the one as a barmaid, depending on how well this mission goes. So she'll have to move out of her attic bedroom above the jewelry store where she works.
Sam knew that he made the right choice by asking Shay to carrying out the task of looking after his sister. For once, a relieved smile appeared on his lips, a strange sight to see, that was certain. The war sapped out all of the joy from his life, it left him on edge, on the brink of constant paranoia, living in a world where every breath could be his last, every word, his last spoken. He felt that he had no time to waste, whereas Sam once took delight in lengthy, indulgent conversations with his schoolyard mates, he felt no need now to waste such valuable time shooting the breeze. No, he was a man of few words, a man of business, a man where the seconds ticking away on his pocket watch were seconds he would never have again. This is why he found such comfort in the Irishman that sat across from him, the first time when he had come to him, to find out why Vera acted the way she did, to find out where she was going at night, Shay had asked not a word about the situation, but simply asked what Sam wanted him to do. Even now, with his words, 1700 hours, Sam recognized the black-haired man as retaining the teachings of war. So, Sam extended his hand for him to shake, the corner of his lips upturned in relief.

While Vera sipped on her mint julep, she couldn't help but to smile at Shay's words, how he apologized for his humble accomodations. Surely, anything would be better than the stifling hot quarters of her attic room. Occasionally, as she listened to her brother and Shay talk, she would glance briefly at Shay, curious to know why her brother entrusted this man with her livelihood so steadfastly.

“On a soldier’s honor. Right?” When the handshake came, Shay would find one not overbearingly strong, or one that crushed his hand, but instead, a gentle grip, one the commended friendship.

“Give me a second to finish my drink, and we can be on our way then. I know of a few stores that my boss, Mr. Harrison, goes for his suits. He’s an impeccably dressed man. As for me…” She stuck her pinky in the cool drink, and brushed away the mint leaves, drinking all of the contents within before setting it before her, “I hope I won’t be a trouble to shop for. I don’t have any patience with any of these fancy snobs.” Here, she rose to her feet, turning to her brother as she did so, and placed a tender peck upon his forehead. “I’m sure you will hear from Mr. Alden if any harm befalls me brother.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Alden. Will we be driving or walking?” Vera asked, she slipped her coat over her shoulders, and fastened the single boat, and proceeded to wrap her knitted scarf around her neck, the very same outfit Shay would have saw her in the night he took out the spiteful Jepson brother.
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