[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]

"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?"