[LOCKED] Earlier I Looked a Mess

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Who: Chris Freeman (thelatechrisfreeman) & Annabel Lee Whitlock (witheredpeonies)
What: Exchange for Goods and Services
When: Early October
Where: Annabel Lee's Shop
Warning(s): None at outset


On the recommendation of one of the townsfolk -- a satisfied former customer of Ms. Whitlock's -- Chris enters the workshop that has been established for clothing mending and embellishment.

They are tall and slim, with longish dark hair worn loose about their face. They have on a green (Edwardian style) walking skirt and a tan-striped blouse with slightly puffed sleeves. Soft slippers are on their feet, peeking out from the bottom of the long skirt. Overall, the initial impression of them might be that of a shy young woman (who is flat as a board).

In their hands, Chris holds the linen shirt from the outfit that they arrived in.

"Hello," they greet Annabel, "your services come highly recommended, and I wanted to know if you could add some decoration to this shirt to make it look a little nicer..?"

Comments

[witheredpeonies]

"I could. It wouldn't be particularly hard. Embroidery, around the collar and cuffs, you're thinking? I could sew in beads or buttons, but the cost of materials would be higher."

Chris's gender doesn't occur to her as a thing to question, in this moment. There is work to discuss.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Yes, that sounds nice. It will be part of my daily wardrobe, so it might be treated a bit... roughly. And I wouldn't want to ruin your work and lose the beads..." Chris smiles a little sheepishly. They tug a bit at their skirt, then say,

"I was thinking... maybe flowers? If you could match the leaves to this..." another tug, and the slightest lift to display the fabric -- a muted olive color, "or something that would complement?"

[witheredpeonies]

"Flowers are what I have the most practice with. I think I can do what you're looking for, and I have green thread that's just a couple shades lighter than the skirt. Maybe red and yellow flowers? Black-eyed susans and poppies?"

She gestures to where on the shirt she'd be working, mostly.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Hm..." Chris tilts their head, picturing the flowers that she mentioned, and murmurs, "Justice and remembrance. Lofty goals, but fitting, I suppose. I like it."

They place the shirt on the counter, neatly refolding it and smoothing the fabric. They don't meet Annabel's eyes when they next speak.

"I was never allowed pretty things at home. It wasn't that it was out of our reach, financially. But I wasn't allowed. I don't quite know... how? So I thought... small steps first."

[witheredpeonies]

"We could double down on the idea of remembrance with rosemary sprigs, if you're really into that."

A pause, she looks up at them, and looks at them, a hint of confusion on her face.

"Why weren't you allowed?"

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"I think that might be nice."

Chris draws back, actually retreating a step, when they see the confusion on Annabel's face. For a moment, they dip their head and hide behind the curtain of their hair... but then they take a breath and straighten their posture, tucking their hair back.

"When a baby is born, the doctor will usually say, 'congratulations, it's a girl', or 'congratulations, it's a boy'. The doctors couldn't tell which with me, at first. But eventually my parents decided, the doctors decided, that I ought to be a boy." They press a hand low to their chest (where the scars are), and murmur, "Even despite other signs."

[witheredpeonies]

"Oh."

Give her a moment to process, she's never encountered the concept before. But there's a small nod. "So. Are you actually a girl, then?"

The question's not meant to be pointed, just trying to figure out how to treat Chris as a practical matter.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"The medical term is intersex," they explain, "On a physical level, I'm not male or female. When it comes to gender... there are times that I feel like one, or the other, or both."

They give a helpless sort of smile, hoping that it makes sense but knowing that they risk a bad reaction even if it does.

"I'm Chris. I don't particular like to be addressed as 'mister' or 'miss', but any pronouns will do. If you're aware of the singular 'they'? That works."

[witheredpeonies]

"Singular...they?..." She shakes her head, feeling woefully out of her depth. She only just learned about lesbians, Chris! This is all much!

But. But she's trying. "Chris, though. I'll remember that. I'm Annabel Lee."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Don't worry about it if you're not familiar," Chris says. "I'm used to people saying 'he' and 'him' when they talk about me, at my job back home. You can do that if it's easier."

It's not ideal, but Chris is used to a world that doesn't treat them great. And one has to treat others kindly to get kindness in return, yes?

They smile, when she says she'll remember the name they prefer, "Thank you, Annabel Lee. It's nice to meet you. And I... I do like your ideas for the decoration."

Quick glance to the shirt they left on her counter.

[witheredpeonies]

"It'll take me a few days. Are...there any other alterations you need, for your clothes? To help them fit better, or to fit you better?"

After everything that's happened, she's trying to tread lightly.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"I understand," they reply, regarding the time frame for her work.

The offer to assist with alterations is unexpected, and Chris brightens up considerably upon hearing it.

"That's very kind of you. I don't think my other clothes need alteration... it's all pretty simple right now. But... perhaps I will need that in the future? And I will keep you in mind, Annabel."

[witheredpeonies]

"Good." She nods, pursing her lips. Because she has more questions, lots more questions. But like, where does she even begin trying to ask them?

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"I'm staying at the Oak and Iron," Chris says. Something of those questions translates to her expression, perhaps. "If you'd like, you can meet me there for a meal? And we can talk more."

There is something about Annabel that tugs at Chris. It's not a romantic attraction (they know what that feels like and this isn't it) but more like... the feeling that Chris gets when contemplating a mystery. There's just something brushing at the edge of awareness when he looks into her face.

[witheredpeonies]

"That would be nice. Tonight? I'll buy the first round of drinks, if you'd like." Her smile is a practiced thing; she knows what to do with a social invitation, regardless of the questions she has regarding the gender of the one presenting it.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

[[ OOC: We can timeskip to a new scene, start a new thread, all that good stuff.]]

"Thank you. But just the first round, I insist." Chris says.

Before they leave the shop, they curtsy toward Annabel. It's competently executed, but clearly not practiced. After they straighten up, they give her a wink, and then disappear out the front door.

[witheredpeonies]

That evening, Annabel Lee shows up to the Oak and Iron Tavern, her curls pulled out of her face with a hand-embroidered ribbon. She glances around the room for Chris, or for an open table in his absence.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris is seated at one of the tables -- hair pulled back into a short tail at the nape of their neck, skirt switched out for their linen pants, but the same striped tan blouse. They wave at Annabel when her gaze moves to their table.

Chris rises as she approaches and pulls out the other chair at the table for her. He feels that a gesture of politeness sets a good tone.

Once they are both seated, Chris says, "I'm glad you made it."

[witheredpeonies]

"It's not a far walk, and this deep into the town it's pretty safe, even at sunset." Her smile is thoughtful; she seems to be considering Chris's hair.

(C'mon, one of the most fun parts of being a girl is playing with one another's hair. So Chris oughta get that experience at some point too!)

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris is unsure what that contemplative look means, and nervously touches their hair -- since it seems to be the object of focus. They fidget a little before saying, "Ah, well... my vouchers will cover the meals for both of us, so don't hold back from ordering anything that looks good."

They try out a small smile toward Annabel. "I know... I kind of dumped a lot of information in your lap. And you looked confused, but I didn't want to take your focus away from your job. That's why I invited you to talk to me now..."

[witheredpeonies]

"I'm absolutely confused. But I've been confused by many things since arriving here. I didn't even know I was a 'lesbian' before. Or, at least, that there was a word for that."

She lets out a loud, heavy sigh.

"I've already made a fool of myself."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"It must be a culture shock, having so many people from different worlds all brought to the same place. The island itself and its technology level are strange to me."

Chris hums thoughtfully. "With someone else? You haven't seemed foolish at all to me."

[witheredpeonies]

"With a few someones else." She grimaces. "It was a whole affair at the Gala."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Oh." Chris is visibly thinking, turning over their memories of the Gala. "I don't recall seeing you. I suppose we must have just missed each other all night!"

They twist their hands for a moment, then offer up,

"You don't have to speak of it if you don't want to."

[witheredpeonies]

"Thank you, I don't think I will. I might ask you nosy questions all night, instead."

That sounds like a less embarrassing experience.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

There's the faint flicker of a smile. "I reserve the right to tell you if a question is too nosy, and I recommend we order our food first. Sound good?"