[OPEN] The Page and the Stage is the Cage

[witheredpeonies]

Who: Annabel Lee Whitlock and You
When: End of November
Summary: Carnival Aftermath, Daily Work, Other Chaos
Warnings: Will be noted in comment subject lines

1. Pandora had a pretty little box [For Jean]
It is a couple weeks after the carnival when she works up the testicular fortitude balls to find Jean, but she does, accosting him near the docks when the ship's returned to land.

"We...should talk?"


2. And wisely she kept it hid [Whitlock Needleworks]
Annabel's working on embroidering a length of ribbon for trim, sitting on the front porch of her home-slash-shop. It's a nice day, and she's enjoying watching the ebb and flow of people in town as she works. Do you need clothing mended or decorated? Now's a good time to catch her.


3. 'Til one day she couldn't resist [Ice Skating]
Annabel's managed to befriend exactly one Pokemon, a shiny Froslass that she's calling Ligeia. An ice/ghost type, they get along really well. Especially when Ligeia gets creative ideas.

There's a pond on the Leeds estate, and Annabel has obtained permission to let Ligeia freeze it solid so that she (and anyone else who gets dragged out for fun) can go skating. Find her bundled up skating lazy laps around the edge of the pond, or perhaps trying a couple turns.

(Note: Skates are 50B if you want to buy your own pair.)


4. Playing around with the lid [Wildcard]
Catch me at darkersolstice on plurk or discord to plot.

Comments

[apocryphalarchivist]

"I am, don't worry." A lie, but not as far as he's concerned - he'd never been particularly good at taking care of himself, so "well enough" was a low bar. "I'm sure Ligeia knows what she's doing, though."

With one final tighten of the laces and a check over them, he stands, unsteady; he's wobblier than he would've cared to be as he moves over to the lake, looking intensely focused on not busting his ass as he makes it over to the ice.

By the time he's cleared the short distance, he's letting out a huff of effort here and there, and he cracks a small, embarrassed smile her way. He's feeling a bit vulnerable in his clumsiness, but what else to do but try to take it in stride?

"Any unfortunate falls here stay between the two of us, alright?"

[witheredpeonies]

“Unless a doctor’s attention is required, at which point I take spectre form to fly back into town and get whichever one of them I run into first. Unless you have a preference. But don’t get hurt and there won’t be any embarrassment.”

This said as she lazily scribes graceful circles in the ice.

[apocryphalarchivist]

That gets a laugh out of Jon, as he finally makes it to the edge of the ice, starting a graceless slide as he tries to get his bearings. It wasn't exactly dissimilar to roller skating, but then again, what had it been since he'd done that - nine, ten years since he'd done any skating around his college campus?

"That's surely one way to threaten someone into being careful. I'll try my very best, of course. You seem like a natural at this - did you ice skate much, before everything?"

[witheredpeonies]

"It was enough of a ladylike pursuit for my father not to disapprove of." As she says that, she dials up the 'posh British lady' affectation for emphasis, rolling her eyes. "My chess playing was more uncouth, and my refusal to marry any man who couldn't defeat me at chess even worse."

[apocryphalarchivist]

The posh accent gets a laugh out of Jon, listening quietly while he starts to get his footing and skate along, slow and careful to start with.

"I think that's a fine bare minimum to have. Could you imagine if you'd have to even consider marrying a man who would refuse to play? It would set a horrible tone for the whole thing, quite frankly."

[witheredpeonies]

"And that's why I won't be playing you anytime soon--I might find myself obligated to marry you if you win. Though if you're looking for a partner, River's trying to improve her play."

Not that marrying Jon would be the worst fate possible, but she can't imagine it's what he would want, either.

[apocryphalarchivist]

"Oh, I haven't played in ages, so there's no risk. And I'm certain there's time and means for other games that have lower stakes. Cards for a bought dinner, checkers for a favor, I'm sure we'll think of something."

Marriage isn't particularly what he's after, either - but the notion is quietly shared. Perhaps if either of them in the distant future are falling short of marriage for love, what was a marriage among friends for legal benefit?