Arabella
Chloe Andreu
Tue 07:14PM CST
The Princess, two cowboys, and a stripper were all hanging out in front of a fancy-schmancy condominums.... Sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke. Probably was.... on some cosmic level.
To Chloe, however, it was the oddest thing she'd ever lay eyes upon. Two hicks sitting in the back of a truck. She stares at them through the window of the place on the corner, where one gets coffee... A slow shake of her head, sends short black tendrils of hair brushing across her face. Dark lashes flickering over smoky-green eyes as she finally exits the place. Her own cup of coffee simmering in its large styrofoam container.
She juggles with some money, rolling it up into a small wad and pauses near the newspaper dispenser to set her cup on it. She leans over slightly, adjusting fishnet stocking. The money slipped away into a hidden spot in edge of her calf high boots.
Billy McCann
Tue 07:16PM CST
Billy's not always a man of many words. Sometimes all you need to speak fer ya is an elbow and a low whistle, and when there's a pretty pure bred kinfolk walkin' outta one of them fancy buildings so tall you gotta crane your neck 'bout all the way 'round 'n upside down, well, that's one of those times. Don't need to speak through the ties of totem to your brothers when you've been communicating near silent-like since you was knee high to a mama hog. Billy gives Tommy ye old elbow, hardly stirring from his lean against the bed of the truck, and tilts his hand in the pretty girl's direction.
And Billy gives Arabella a long, low whistle. It ain't the sharp whistle of a mocking construction worker. It's lower, maybe harder somehow. It's got a meaning if'n you was to hear it. 'Cept for that one movement, he's pretty darn still and his sunburned face near expressionless.
Tommy McCann
Tue 07:20PM CST
Tommy, leaning against the bale of hay, almost prone in the bed of the truck with his arms folded across his chest, is napping. The coffee offered to him is ignored. When the elbow goes into his ribs, though -- feels like an elbow tossed into a side of beef -- he grunts and nudges the brim of his straw hat up with a big hitchhiker's thumb. The face under the brim of the hat might've been goodlookin' once, but now a scar pulls one edge of his mouth up, and an old injury makes the same eyelid droop. Gives him a permanent look of sardonic knowing-ness. Though, given the sitch, Billy whistling at some babe, it was appropriate.
Taking the coffee, he pulls the cap off and bats the whipped cream out onto the sidewalk, over the side of the old green truck. "Dammit Billy," he grumbles, "I done toldya, I hate cream on my coffee." After the last lump of whipped cream splats onto the asphalt like so much birdshit, he finally takes a sip. And grimaces. "Whoo-ee. Tastes like shit."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:25PM CST
Much as the pickup had caught Chloe's eye, so had it caught 'Bella's, because it was so strangely out of place it deserved a second look. That second glance might have been because the whistle originating from it. Without expression, she's really unsure who it could be directed towards, eyes that caught on Chloe assume perhaps her. This was the girl who'd miraculously escaped much male attention until very recently afterall.
Her path set in strappy sandals for the coffee shop and she slipped around people, to move inside. She walked in the soft whisper of silk in her dress and faint french perfume she wore.
Lucian Smith
Tue 07:30PM CST
With the night beginning to set in, and the energy beginning to drain from his limbs from a long day of wandering, Lucian steps into a coffee shop, shortly after Arabella, blinking faintly as he notes her, his gaze flickering over her briefly, before he heads on over to the counter, ordering in a quiet voice.
Chloe Andreu
Tue 07:32PM CST
Billy's whistling snares her attention, lifting her head up to look in the direction it was came from. She made eyes at the two cowboys, before flicking her gaze over towards the Princess.
"Oh, how rich.." she smirks, picking up her coffee cup. She steps away from the store, Chloe picks at the flimsy plastic lid, peeling part of it back. She sips gingerly at the hot coffee, making a slight face as it burns her tongue. Her eyes sweeping back with a slight cant of her head to watch Arabella enter the shop. Swinging her head back around she notices Lucian following behind. A shrug of bare shoulders and she keeps walking.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:35PM CST
Its a chaotic moment of sorts, entrance and then a half turned exit, as she manuevered around Lucian who entered to give attention to the one who'd addressed her. She wasn't worried that some starnger was going to do improper or dangerous things on the street in front of a busy coffee shop afterall.
Moving to stand just to the right of the door, out of the way of passing people and her green eyes settled on Billy. They took him in but if she made any snap judgments they weren't apparent. Only the slight, polite smile. That and a faint blush for the compliment. "Yes?" Carefully trained voice lacked an overt german accent anymore, simply coming out in European. Maybe it was the years in Switzerland? Either way, cultured and refined as she was.
Tommy McCann
Tue 07:36PM CST
Tommy rolls his eyes, takes one more sip of coffee, tips the hat back down until all that's seen of him is his scarred mouth and strong, lean chin -- same chin he shares with Billy to mark 'em as brothers -- and folds his arms across his thick chest again. Tommy's built big and broad, husky, the sort of man that plays halfback on the high school team, carries his squealing airheaded cheerleader girlfriend off to bed over his shoulder with a smack on her ass and a half-grim bawdy joke tossed off to a buddy, and develops love handles in his 30s. His big barrel chest rises and falls with a huge sigh -- irritation or contentment? -- and then he stills.
Nappin' again. Like always.
Sholing
Tue 07:40PM CST
-Sho just looks around-
Billy McCann
Tue 07:41PM CST
Billy: tall, broad-shouldered like he’s gonna fill in real good, but whip-lean. Don’t mistake him, he ain’t skin and bones. He’s -muscle- and skin and bones beneath an old white tee and faded jeans and cowboy boots. Blonde hair, long face, and sort of buggy eyes that’ve done been bleached out so thoroughly there's hardly no color left to ‘em, the blue of a bleached out summer's sky. Highlights of sunburn across both cheeks, beneath both eyes. He's stoic-faced, but when Arabella stops and changes directions, he flashes her the first hint of a charming grin and ambles away from the truck.
"I saw you last night, an' I cain't get your face outta my mind. Don't s'pose you'd ease my sorrows an' give me yer name?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:48PM CST
Eyes flicker towards the truck with its [sleeping] other inhabitant and then resettle back on Billy. Fortunately for him and her, she doesn't usually get the lines so its not disdain, rolling of the eyes, or amusement at his request. Its a slight chuckle, that pink filling her cheeks not fading back and more of a smile. Distraction is a good way to bring out glimmers of usually more carefree and impish persona.
"Arabella Eberstark von Doenhoff... and yourself?" She totes out the fuuuuull name, with all its implied prestige but her tone lacks any arrogance. She didn't tend to be that way often.
Gustav
Tue 07:52PM CST
Its the roar of engine really. That deep rumbling sensation, spreading through the air in the ways of atoms pushing against atoms. Felt first in the clothes, then in the skin, and then deep in your bones. Its the sound of an engine left to purr as it drives the Chevy Nova slowly down the street. Not many would recognise that sound. Some would. Fewer still recognise the face behind the windshield. (brand new) It has taken him a while of driving around, following the gentle tug of stone and leather.
But now steel blue gaze lift to focus down the street. A slow scan, and then focus. Its like a bird of prey that spots the rabbit far below. There could be a smirk on those lips. there could be a smile. Stone and leather pocketed, and foot pressed down on the gas. The engine roars to life, shooting the black nova forward. A soft turn, and it pulls up perhaps 30 feet ahead of Chloe. The engine dying with a shudder of the metallic frame. The door opens, to release the dark moon.
Rising up to his full 6'3, plus another inch for the heavy boots he wears. Metallic toe protector ending in a tip. Long leather coat draped over his mucular form. He isnt pretty, but he is striking. Hard angular face, clean lines, and a shaven head. Something definatly predatorial about him. Half turning to look towards Chloe, he lifts a tote bag out of the car, placing it on the roof of his car. Those steel blue locked on her, seeming oblivious to the others around her. As if they hold no importance, no real strength.
Billy McCann
Tue 07:55PM CST
"William McCann, Miss." He responds, with a near tip of his imaginary hat. "Everone calls me Billy. In the truck there's my brother Thomas an' everone calls him Tommy." He turns sideways to give Arabella a better view of the disreputable, broken down truck. Green flaking paint. NASCAR sticker. Rude Calvin pissin' on somethin' whose name has been scratched out. Bale of hay an' all. "It's a real keen pleasure to meet someone of your sophistication an' - " he steps closer and lowers his voice until he's near atop her but still can get a good look at her face. " - if you don't mind me sayin' so, background an' breeding. Real fine ladies like you don't have to talk to just everyone."
The serious cast to his face hasn't lifted and it doesn't look like a mask, neither. 'Cept for that one flash of a grin, his expression remains dour.
Chloe Andreu
Tue 07:59PM CST
Sipping at her coffee as the hot liquid was savored. One ear kept perked towards the conversation behind her with the Princess and the Cowboy, she almost choked on the coffee when Arabella spout out her full name. Chloe turns to look back over her shoulder with wide eyes.
"Jesus..." murmured under her breath, the click of thick-soled boots resonate over the asphalt, carrying the leggy Brunette towards the street. The sound of squeeling tires and the heavy rumble of an engine pour through the city street towards her, snapping the woman's head around. Her eyes widen, like a deer caught in headlights, simply staring at the black car.
Slender fingers tighten around the cup of coffee, tension contuing to coil through the sleek frame as Chloe watches the bald man with narrowing eyes. She sees the familiar tote bag tossed up onto the roof. Her chin lifts up in defiance, meeting the gaze with a cold glare, and yet she began to tremble slightly. "What do you want?" snapping bitterly out to Gustav.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:00PM CST
Needless to say Billy has 'Bella distracted enough not to notice many other's approaches at the moment, holding herself where she stood in well coached posture, willowy and elegant. This was how her mother would have her be. The notion 'Bella tosses on blue jeans and slums it at baseball games might shock her a bit much.
"A pleasure to meet you... Billy." She looks around him at the truck and Tommy, givinh a little wave of greeting before she shifted to face Billy once more. He may appear polite but dour, but she smiles, and her face reads her emotions to others like a book at times. "It never hurts to be polite, Billy, and I meet some very interesting people this way."
Billy McCann
Tue 08:06PM CST
"I hope you won't take this the wrong way Miss von Doenhoff - " Then he pauses and squints a speculative gaze at the horizon, like he might someday find whatever answers he was seeking writ big in the sky. The dour expression slides into a mild, thoughtful frown. "It is Miss von Doenhoff? Or is it Miss Eberstark? I don't want to call you what ain't right for you t'be called." Folding his hands in front of him, he waits for clarification. Seems he can't go on until he gets it. Just stands there, the sun throwing his long shadow over the elegant, pretty girl.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:09PM CST
"Miss Eberstark, please." She's nonplussed by any possible mistake made in that aspect. Her gaze dipping to follow where his had gone, curious why, or what perhaps, had prompted it.
"And take what the wrong way?" Shift, weight redistributed to one foot a bit as her heard tilted aside to watch him closely. Her curiousity was piqued at least.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:16PM CST
"Miss Eberstark, then, an' I do apologize fer the mistaken name." He repeats, tasting her name like he was tasting a fine wine, or at least a real good whiskey or scotch, one that's been kept back against need for a great occasion. "Miss Eberstark - " No longer looking at the horizon, he focuses his pale, summer-seared eyes right on her. His mouth splits into lazy, livid grin that disappears near as soon as it comes up. " - I would like to buy you one of these fancy coffees from this here fancy coffee store. I don't thank there's anythin' in the world that I would like better than that right now. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me for coffee?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:20PM CST
She wasn't sure what to make of Billy. He wasn't like the men she was used to associating with, well bred and refined. Then again, most of them had gone and she was feeling the lonliness more then usual. It was part of why she spent time not at her lessons out and about where she'd usualy have been inside.
The smile echoes back to him where it sits on her own lips still. "I'd like that, Mr. McCann... but what about your brother?" In her mind, it might have been rude to leave him laying alone in the nearby truck. Oh yes, this girl doesn't date much.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:28PM CST
"He don't like that fancy coffee." Billy's intense gaze lifts from the girl's face to look toward the truck. Tommy's still there, a-snoring. "An' if he wakes up, well he sure as shootin'll be able to find us inside there. An' please," his eyes return to her, pale and brief and hot on her face, and then lift toward the Starbucks not ten feet away. Like he couldn't look at her too long without burning, or like there was something bashful a'curled up inside of him, somewhere, too. "it'd give me great good pleasure if you would call me Billy, Miss Eberstark. I got five brothers an' if you done called us all Mr. McCann, well, it'd be a riot of confusion. Anyway - "
He tips his strong fingers lightly on her shoulder and starks walking - a lazy, shiftless sort of stride - toward the door. Opens the door for her, stands there like a right good gentleman, then steps in behind her as she walks in. Leans down behind her almost close enough that she can feel his breath on her neck. " - it'd give me real pleasure t'hear you say my name."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:37PM CST
"A pity, and his loss then." She happened to like her sugary, fancy coffees, and the soft chuckle slid out again, light, faint, almost inaudible. She had little to laugh about, but her mood was improving a bit, not that most would know the difference. She is usually so good about looking at others, but he sends her eyes down, around, elsewhere, where they feel hot and pressing and then fade back as he shifts. Unnerving, that.
"Billy then, and please... call me Arabella." It was better then him referring to her like her brother had. Moving with him for the door, her's was a graceful thing and she had ballet lessons to thank for that. Vocal lessons for the voice, ballet for the grace, and too many more little things to turn ot a proper young noblewoman.
"Five brothers you say? It sounds a touch like my family. I've a handful of my own brothers." That usually made most steer away from her, being the lone girl, and the baby at that, in her family, but none were here anymore. Head turning as he stood close, glancing voer her shoulder at him as she said it, hair slipping around her face revealed the tiny diamonds in her ears to match the small diamond ring she wore. Well matched even in her accessories.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:48PM CST
"It seems a real familiar thang to call you Arabella, Miss." She stops and looks at him over her shoulder; he stares, first at her shoulder, and then up the line of her neck, the secret shell curve of her ear revealed as her hair slips back. Like it's near instinct, he reaches up to smooth away one stray lock tangled up in them tiny diamonds back into sleek line with the rest of her hair. Pauses with his large hand hovering near her ear like he don't know what to do next. Holds his breath, then breathes in her scent and lets his arm fall to his side.
Covering the moment with a chuckle, the stray brush of his fingers propeling her to motion into line, he follows and stands close. "Well, in truth Miss - I am going to call you Miss Arabella fer now, if you don't mind. In truth Miss Arabella I have four other brothers, an' myself an' that's five. We had us another brother what died, and we had us a little sister too. Pretty little girl, but she died too." His voice is real solemn - his bright tenor seems stained with grief, like yellow gone amber in that moment. But before either can dwell on it, he's lookin' at the complicated menu over her shoulder. Whispering, with a thread of a grin. "Think you can suggest somethin'? I ain't too familiar with the fancy coffees an' stuff. Don't know what the best is."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:53PM CST
"Any moreso then I calling you Billy?" Words roll and slip free of pale pink painted lips with enunciated ease. A light, sweet soprano for those who thought in such terms. Her breath catching a moment, still as his hand smoothed her hair back, neat and silky shiny perfection again. Strange awkwardness in the moment before he chuckles and she dances forward to join the short line ordering. She nods, her smile fading back [unspoken pain] in the flicker past her public mask, her polite mien, her social facade... and then she's back. "I have 5 brothers..." Had, had... she had five, now has 4... why can't she say it? Then again, how would she explain where the first and oldest had gone? Turning her attention to the menu to cover her slip and she perused. "I like iced mochacinos... if you want something hot, the Black Forest is good. Basically chocolate cherry espresso."
Billy McCann
Tue 09:02PM CST
"It's real different." He replies, staring. Staring at the board and falling to silence, stealing a look at her only when he knows she ain't lookin' at him. There's something in her voice, though, some shirring catch that reminds him of the way a bank slips broken when the earth don't cohere together no more and he shoots her a pale-eyed look. Catches the fading of her smile. Says nothing, because some silences wasn't meant to be broken. He just stands there, close and confident, and somehow it don't seem awkward, his silence, just respectful, the deep respect of someone standin' at a graveside, thinkin' on this world and the next.
The line moves forward. People are served. Then, it's their turn. Billy speaks up, his voice a near laconic drawl. "Two iced - iced machocachinos." The girl behind the counter starts to giggle, but Billy's standing there so solemn and sure that she doesn't have hardly the heart to wholly laugh. Just sort of snickers behind her black-painted mouth, lips twitching as she glances to Arabella for confirmation that they really was orderin' together and that that's really what she done wanted.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:07PM CST
She lets it lie. Her calling him Billy while he persists in the Miss. She's relaxed a bit since coming to the States, but in Europe it wouldn't have seemed strange to her, as if she deserved that level difference. Casual American etiquette was rubbing off on her. She was glad he didn't question ehr momentary lapse, like Helena had. It wasn't something she could or would talk about easily... and she'd not seen family much to unload. So she bore it alone, and well. Brand had taught his baby sister some tricks afterall.
A nod given the girl behind the counter, her confidence unswerving and maybe the green eyes pin the girl more, to help that snicker die completely. In fact, she found Billy's oddities rather refreshing and certainly a welcome distracyion for the moment. Smile lights up a touch again as she glanced at him. "So, are you new in town?"
Billy McCann
Tue 09:17PM CST
He watches her sidelong. The way sorrow swells in her, and the way she swallows it back. The way it pulls at the corners of her mouth, the reserve in her green eyes. In fact, he is staring so hard and with such close attention that he doesn't notice at first when the black-mouthed, snickering girl brings their iced mochaccinos and rings them up. He doesn't look up until Arabella speaks again, and then it's near like startlin' a dead man from his sleep.
Looking up at the impatient clerk, he slides a hand into his back pocket, pulls out a thin, battered wallet and peels out a ten dollar bill. It's about what he has left, 'cept fer the change rattlin' 'round the floor of the cab, but he hands it over without qualm or question. There ain't much change, but he don't question that neither. Just takes it back and folds it into his wallet, then takes up the cold drinks from the counter and hands her one, then steps out of line, away from the counter. Leans over to take a sip from his, considering her question before answering. "Yeah, we just arrived. Ain't really settled ourselfs in yet, still just drivin' 'round figurin' out if we gon' fit, an' if so, where."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:23PM CST
Hand wrapping around the cold glass, the slight gathering of condensation chill but nice on the delicate boned hand. Moving with him as she looked around for a seat and saw a table free near the windows. "Would that do?" Again, looking to him because in these things there were decisions that just deserved input, or maybe she liked the casual conversation. How long has it been since she's gone out and had coffee with someone? Not since the last time she'd gone with Casper... weeks and weeks ago now.
"Its an interesting city. I've been here a few months now myself. Maybe I could help direct you, or some such thing, if you liked." Polite offer, given with her small smile. Leaning in a bit to sip her mochaccino she sighed some once she'd swallowed. It seemed she liked the drink.
Billy McCann
Tue 09:32PM CST
"It's perfect. Gets us a view but keeps us in here where it's nice and climate-controlled cool." It was hot outside, or had been earlier, in the sun, in the truck with no dang a/c, the lines busted up 'til they didn't just blow hot air, but blowed scalding air, like it'd been boiled three times over, and fricaseed to boot. Billy pulls out a chair for Arabella, scoots in behind her, then grabs a second chair for hisself. Picks it up and flips it around, settles spraddle-legged, his front facin' the back of the chair, arms folded across the metalwork.
Takes another sip of his drink. Finds it a mite sweet fer his taste, but still good. Like drinking pure cane sugar, really, he thinks. Then he tips the cup in her direction as a toast. "Like drinkin' pure cane sugar. I see where you git some of yer sweetness." Still the almost dour mein, a solemnity that is hard to break, though something shines in his eyes, like hidden humor. He's silent for a moment, sets his drink on the table. Then - lookin' out the window it seems, but actually watching her unguarded reflection in the window, he replies, "I would sure be obliged for guidance, 'specially from a lady of your caliber. It's a right treat to have you offer such."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:40PM CST
Her glass set on the table and moving in with her chair with the same elegant grace she had held throughout. A soft thank you given and smiling a touch more as he settled himself like he did. Charmed for the time being by the newcomer Billy. His statement getting more of a blush as she bit her lip around the smile and then took a sip of her own drink. "Thats sweet fo you to say, thank you."
A glance given the truck parked nearby, outside and she wondered how his brother could simply sleep like that, there of all places. It -had- been warm afterall, for which she was glad of silky summer dresses now. Idle thoughts of why Billy seemed so contained, almost dour as she answered. "It's no trouble and frankly, I would hate to see such a nice gentleman as yourself and your brothers find yourselves in troubling situations." She'd been in a few herself, afterall, places she shouldn't have gone alone, people maybe she shouldn't have met...
Billy McCann
Tue 09:55PM CST
"Oh, don't you worry." Billy chuffs out a sound that might be laughter, if laughter has a fine, short cast. His mouth twists at the corners in sardonic amusement. "Me an' the boys find ourselves in plenty of trouble, 'bout no matter where we go. My brothers an' me - we're just sort of rough ole boys, Miss Arabella. Y'know what I mean? I think they're good boys, but well - " His large hands are flat on the table now, one on either side of his cup. Turning his head, he looks back at her. Lifts a strong shoulder to nudge at an inch in the rough stubble lining his cheek. Late night. Early morning. Some combination of the two of 'em meetin' in the middle.
His pale eyes are flat now, his tenor voice roughened like it is when he sings his own songs, hard songs. Intense as a summer storm. "I don't want you to git th'wrong idea none, Miss Arabella. If'n you thank we's better than we is, you'll be like to be disappointed. If'n you think we's just what we is, you'll see us true. I seen the way you held back your sorrow, took it all up inside you an' still came back to bein' nice an' thoughtful fer a stranger, an' I think you're a strong girl, the sort who kin see us as we is, an' not just as a prettier picture of what we is."
That was a long speech for Billy. At the commencement of it, he was leaning back, his hands flat on the table. By the end of it, he's leanin' forward, one hand tucked along the back of the chair, the other creepin' across the space that's intervenin' between them and touching her arm, just below the elbow. The lightest of touches, really. Ain't hardly nothing, just a little ole whisper of a touch. He draws back then, lapses into a silence that might be meditative. Looks up again after a moment, and says somethin' about a half-octave lower, baritone register, not tenor. Low and sure. "Leastways, I'm hopin' that's the kinda girl you is."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:01PM CST
"Well, I tend to look for the best in people, and judge them on their merits, Billy. Life is hardly a pretty picture, and I don't go around viewing it all through the proverbial rose colored glasses." She's intelligent, if a bit naive in various areas. On the world, especially the one she lives in, she sees more then perhaps she might want to. It hasn't killed that spark inside her, just buried it time and again to be resurrected with proper time.
She watches him, serious, solemn, less contrived and more real for once. "I only thought to give you a better start then you might have if you were ignorant of things... I've known a few that were trouble." She, herself, could be seen that way in the stilted view of her family. She'd been a precocious child.
Billy McCann
Tue 10:09PM CST
"I didn't thank you would, but I thought it best to be real clear what th' boys an' me is like. A woman like you puts a man on his best behavior, but I don't want that to be like a lie 'tween us, Miss Arabella." Solemn face broken at the end of that with a lazy grin. Soon the grin settles back into his laconic surety, of course. Like always. "An' I'm lookin' forward to your tuition. But I have to make sure my little brother Cody's got his bike fixed, an' it's gettin' late." He hasn't looked at a watch, beyond the light outside, the depth of the shadows. Pale eyes fixed on Arabella. Maybe he was makin' it all up for an excuse to see her again. "Maybe you an' me could meet another time an' you could tell me more?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:13PM CST
"I'm duly warned then, Billy." She gives that a touch more wry amusement as she nods. It didn't diminsh the seriousness so much as defray any awkwardness, or tension. She was generally good at setting others at ease, or at least managing casual meetings without snags. It served as a ready distraction these days.
""That would be fine. Other then my lessons, I've free time." She reached into the small drawstring purse she tended to forget clung to her wrist, pulling out a pen and jotting a telephone number on a napkin. She didn't carry paper or business cards in that tiny bag. "You can reach me there."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:13PM CST
"I'm duly warned then, Billy." She gives that a touch more wry amusement as she nods. It didn't diminsh the seriousness so much as defray any awkwardness, or tension. She was generally good at setting others at ease, or at least managing casual meetings without snags. It served as a ready distraction these days.
""That would be fine. Other then my lessons, I've free time." She reached into the small drawstring purse she tended to forget clung to her wrist, pulling out a pen and jotting a telephone number on a napkin. She didn't carry paper or business cards in that tiny bag. "You can reach me there."
Billy McCann
Tue 10:28PM CST
"I'm much obliged, Miss Arabella. I'm afraid I don't have a phone or a number for you, though." Billy says, reaching out and folding her calloused hand over the napkin. It's not a murmur and it ain't a mutter, but it's a quiet voice that says it, none the less. Real quiet, real low. Maybe it's a reminder of that whistle he done uttered the first time upon seeing the girl walking outta her big fancy building, into the slanting rays of the dying summer sun. He looks at it a moment, then hitches hisself up and slides the folded napkin into his pocket. Watches her, and holds out his hand for her pen. Takes one of the napkins as his own thing, spreads it out over the table real carefully, the callouses on his workman's fingers catching on the paperpulp.
When the napkin is good and smooth, Billy bends deeply over it, working at writing out something. The pen runs sinuous in his hand, circling like a snake that done bit itself and the napkin is slowly covered in a man's heavy, blocky script. When Billy's finished, he considers it a moment. Nods to himself and hands both the napkin and the pen to Arabella. With an imaginary tip of his hat - and not another single word - he rises up to his full height, hitches back from the seat there, and ambles out the door.
Billy McCann
Tue 10:31PM CST
to Arabella Eberstark: On the napkin, in large, careful script:
I ain't got a card to sign
Roses have been hard to find
There's so much I want to say
But all the words just slip away
If I could I would deliver to you
Diamonds and gold; it's the least I can do
So if you'll take my IOU
I could make it up to you.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:35PM CST
"Well, you can call me when you can then." She smiles a touch, watching him write on a napkin back, accepting both pen and napkin with a bemused look as he ambles out. A few moments to watch him beyond the shop before she glanced down at the napkin to see what he'd written. Looking it over as she moved to stand herself, and heading for the door. Her smile a touch brighter as she slid out and headed home. It was getting late anyways and even though Aurich wasn' there to worry, she still adhered to some code of conduct.
Not many people wrote her poetry, and it gave color to fair cheeks as she glanced at the napkin, then her bearings until she'd reached her building and could disappear inside.
Tue 07:14PM CST
The Princess, two cowboys, and a stripper were all hanging out in front of a fancy-schmancy condominums.... Sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke. Probably was.... on some cosmic level.
To Chloe, however, it was the oddest thing she'd ever lay eyes upon. Two hicks sitting in the back of a truck. She stares at them through the window of the place on the corner, where one gets coffee... A slow shake of her head, sends short black tendrils of hair brushing across her face. Dark lashes flickering over smoky-green eyes as she finally exits the place. Her own cup of coffee simmering in its large styrofoam container.
She juggles with some money, rolling it up into a small wad and pauses near the newspaper dispenser to set her cup on it. She leans over slightly, adjusting fishnet stocking. The money slipped away into a hidden spot in edge of her calf high boots.
Billy McCann
Tue 07:16PM CST
Billy's not always a man of many words. Sometimes all you need to speak fer ya is an elbow and a low whistle, and when there's a pretty pure bred kinfolk walkin' outta one of them fancy buildings so tall you gotta crane your neck 'bout all the way 'round 'n upside down, well, that's one of those times. Don't need to speak through the ties of totem to your brothers when you've been communicating near silent-like since you was knee high to a mama hog. Billy gives Tommy ye old elbow, hardly stirring from his lean against the bed of the truck, and tilts his hand in the pretty girl's direction.
And Billy gives Arabella a long, low whistle. It ain't the sharp whistle of a mocking construction worker. It's lower, maybe harder somehow. It's got a meaning if'n you was to hear it. 'Cept for that one movement, he's pretty darn still and his sunburned face near expressionless.
Tommy McCann
Tue 07:20PM CST
Tommy, leaning against the bale of hay, almost prone in the bed of the truck with his arms folded across his chest, is napping. The coffee offered to him is ignored. When the elbow goes into his ribs, though -- feels like an elbow tossed into a side of beef -- he grunts and nudges the brim of his straw hat up with a big hitchhiker's thumb. The face under the brim of the hat might've been goodlookin' once, but now a scar pulls one edge of his mouth up, and an old injury makes the same eyelid droop. Gives him a permanent look of sardonic knowing-ness. Though, given the sitch, Billy whistling at some babe, it was appropriate.
Taking the coffee, he pulls the cap off and bats the whipped cream out onto the sidewalk, over the side of the old green truck. "Dammit Billy," he grumbles, "I done toldya, I hate cream on my coffee." After the last lump of whipped cream splats onto the asphalt like so much birdshit, he finally takes a sip. And grimaces. "Whoo-ee. Tastes like shit."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:25PM CST
Much as the pickup had caught Chloe's eye, so had it caught 'Bella's, because it was so strangely out of place it deserved a second look. That second glance might have been because the whistle originating from it. Without expression, she's really unsure who it could be directed towards, eyes that caught on Chloe assume perhaps her. This was the girl who'd miraculously escaped much male attention until very recently afterall.
Her path set in strappy sandals for the coffee shop and she slipped around people, to move inside. She walked in the soft whisper of silk in her dress and faint french perfume she wore.
Lucian Smith
Tue 07:30PM CST
With the night beginning to set in, and the energy beginning to drain from his limbs from a long day of wandering, Lucian steps into a coffee shop, shortly after Arabella, blinking faintly as he notes her, his gaze flickering over her briefly, before he heads on over to the counter, ordering in a quiet voice.
Chloe Andreu
Tue 07:32PM CST
Billy's whistling snares her attention, lifting her head up to look in the direction it was came from. She made eyes at the two cowboys, before flicking her gaze over towards the Princess.
"Oh, how rich.." she smirks, picking up her coffee cup. She steps away from the store, Chloe picks at the flimsy plastic lid, peeling part of it back. She sips gingerly at the hot coffee, making a slight face as it burns her tongue. Her eyes sweeping back with a slight cant of her head to watch Arabella enter the shop. Swinging her head back around she notices Lucian following behind. A shrug of bare shoulders and she keeps walking.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:35PM CST
Its a chaotic moment of sorts, entrance and then a half turned exit, as she manuevered around Lucian who entered to give attention to the one who'd addressed her. She wasn't worried that some starnger was going to do improper or dangerous things on the street in front of a busy coffee shop afterall.
Moving to stand just to the right of the door, out of the way of passing people and her green eyes settled on Billy. They took him in but if she made any snap judgments they weren't apparent. Only the slight, polite smile. That and a faint blush for the compliment. "Yes?" Carefully trained voice lacked an overt german accent anymore, simply coming out in European. Maybe it was the years in Switzerland? Either way, cultured and refined as she was.
Tommy McCann
Tue 07:36PM CST
Tommy rolls his eyes, takes one more sip of coffee, tips the hat back down until all that's seen of him is his scarred mouth and strong, lean chin -- same chin he shares with Billy to mark 'em as brothers -- and folds his arms across his thick chest again. Tommy's built big and broad, husky, the sort of man that plays halfback on the high school team, carries his squealing airheaded cheerleader girlfriend off to bed over his shoulder with a smack on her ass and a half-grim bawdy joke tossed off to a buddy, and develops love handles in his 30s. His big barrel chest rises and falls with a huge sigh -- irritation or contentment? -- and then he stills.
Nappin' again. Like always.
Sholing
Tue 07:40PM CST
-Sho just looks around-
Billy McCann
Tue 07:41PM CST
Billy: tall, broad-shouldered like he’s gonna fill in real good, but whip-lean. Don’t mistake him, he ain’t skin and bones. He’s -muscle- and skin and bones beneath an old white tee and faded jeans and cowboy boots. Blonde hair, long face, and sort of buggy eyes that’ve done been bleached out so thoroughly there's hardly no color left to ‘em, the blue of a bleached out summer's sky. Highlights of sunburn across both cheeks, beneath both eyes. He's stoic-faced, but when Arabella stops and changes directions, he flashes her the first hint of a charming grin and ambles away from the truck.
"I saw you last night, an' I cain't get your face outta my mind. Don't s'pose you'd ease my sorrows an' give me yer name?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 07:48PM CST
Eyes flicker towards the truck with its [sleeping] other inhabitant and then resettle back on Billy. Fortunately for him and her, she doesn't usually get the lines so its not disdain, rolling of the eyes, or amusement at his request. Its a slight chuckle, that pink filling her cheeks not fading back and more of a smile. Distraction is a good way to bring out glimmers of usually more carefree and impish persona.
"Arabella Eberstark von Doenhoff... and yourself?" She totes out the fuuuuull name, with all its implied prestige but her tone lacks any arrogance. She didn't tend to be that way often.
Gustav
Tue 07:52PM CST
Its the roar of engine really. That deep rumbling sensation, spreading through the air in the ways of atoms pushing against atoms. Felt first in the clothes, then in the skin, and then deep in your bones. Its the sound of an engine left to purr as it drives the Chevy Nova slowly down the street. Not many would recognise that sound. Some would. Fewer still recognise the face behind the windshield. (brand new) It has taken him a while of driving around, following the gentle tug of stone and leather.
But now steel blue gaze lift to focus down the street. A slow scan, and then focus. Its like a bird of prey that spots the rabbit far below. There could be a smirk on those lips. there could be a smile. Stone and leather pocketed, and foot pressed down on the gas. The engine roars to life, shooting the black nova forward. A soft turn, and it pulls up perhaps 30 feet ahead of Chloe. The engine dying with a shudder of the metallic frame. The door opens, to release the dark moon.
Rising up to his full 6'3, plus another inch for the heavy boots he wears. Metallic toe protector ending in a tip. Long leather coat draped over his mucular form. He isnt pretty, but he is striking. Hard angular face, clean lines, and a shaven head. Something definatly predatorial about him. Half turning to look towards Chloe, he lifts a tote bag out of the car, placing it on the roof of his car. Those steel blue locked on her, seeming oblivious to the others around her. As if they hold no importance, no real strength.
Billy McCann
Tue 07:55PM CST
"William McCann, Miss." He responds, with a near tip of his imaginary hat. "Everone calls me Billy. In the truck there's my brother Thomas an' everone calls him Tommy." He turns sideways to give Arabella a better view of the disreputable, broken down truck. Green flaking paint. NASCAR sticker. Rude Calvin pissin' on somethin' whose name has been scratched out. Bale of hay an' all. "It's a real keen pleasure to meet someone of your sophistication an' - " he steps closer and lowers his voice until he's near atop her but still can get a good look at her face. " - if you don't mind me sayin' so, background an' breeding. Real fine ladies like you don't have to talk to just everyone."
The serious cast to his face hasn't lifted and it doesn't look like a mask, neither. 'Cept for that one flash of a grin, his expression remains dour.
Chloe Andreu
Tue 07:59PM CST
Sipping at her coffee as the hot liquid was savored. One ear kept perked towards the conversation behind her with the Princess and the Cowboy, she almost choked on the coffee when Arabella spout out her full name. Chloe turns to look back over her shoulder with wide eyes.
"Jesus..." murmured under her breath, the click of thick-soled boots resonate over the asphalt, carrying the leggy Brunette towards the street. The sound of squeeling tires and the heavy rumble of an engine pour through the city street towards her, snapping the woman's head around. Her eyes widen, like a deer caught in headlights, simply staring at the black car.
Slender fingers tighten around the cup of coffee, tension contuing to coil through the sleek frame as Chloe watches the bald man with narrowing eyes. She sees the familiar tote bag tossed up onto the roof. Her chin lifts up in defiance, meeting the gaze with a cold glare, and yet she began to tremble slightly. "What do you want?" snapping bitterly out to Gustav.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:00PM CST
Needless to say Billy has 'Bella distracted enough not to notice many other's approaches at the moment, holding herself where she stood in well coached posture, willowy and elegant. This was how her mother would have her be. The notion 'Bella tosses on blue jeans and slums it at baseball games might shock her a bit much.
"A pleasure to meet you... Billy." She looks around him at the truck and Tommy, givinh a little wave of greeting before she shifted to face Billy once more. He may appear polite but dour, but she smiles, and her face reads her emotions to others like a book at times. "It never hurts to be polite, Billy, and I meet some very interesting people this way."
Billy McCann
Tue 08:06PM CST
"I hope you won't take this the wrong way Miss von Doenhoff - " Then he pauses and squints a speculative gaze at the horizon, like he might someday find whatever answers he was seeking writ big in the sky. The dour expression slides into a mild, thoughtful frown. "It is Miss von Doenhoff? Or is it Miss Eberstark? I don't want to call you what ain't right for you t'be called." Folding his hands in front of him, he waits for clarification. Seems he can't go on until he gets it. Just stands there, the sun throwing his long shadow over the elegant, pretty girl.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:09PM CST
"Miss Eberstark, please." She's nonplussed by any possible mistake made in that aspect. Her gaze dipping to follow where his had gone, curious why, or what perhaps, had prompted it.
"And take what the wrong way?" Shift, weight redistributed to one foot a bit as her heard tilted aside to watch him closely. Her curiousity was piqued at least.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:16PM CST
"Miss Eberstark, then, an' I do apologize fer the mistaken name." He repeats, tasting her name like he was tasting a fine wine, or at least a real good whiskey or scotch, one that's been kept back against need for a great occasion. "Miss Eberstark - " No longer looking at the horizon, he focuses his pale, summer-seared eyes right on her. His mouth splits into lazy, livid grin that disappears near as soon as it comes up. " - I would like to buy you one of these fancy coffees from this here fancy coffee store. I don't thank there's anythin' in the world that I would like better than that right now. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me for coffee?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:20PM CST
She wasn't sure what to make of Billy. He wasn't like the men she was used to associating with, well bred and refined. Then again, most of them had gone and she was feeling the lonliness more then usual. It was part of why she spent time not at her lessons out and about where she'd usualy have been inside.
The smile echoes back to him where it sits on her own lips still. "I'd like that, Mr. McCann... but what about your brother?" In her mind, it might have been rude to leave him laying alone in the nearby truck. Oh yes, this girl doesn't date much.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:28PM CST
"He don't like that fancy coffee." Billy's intense gaze lifts from the girl's face to look toward the truck. Tommy's still there, a-snoring. "An' if he wakes up, well he sure as shootin'll be able to find us inside there. An' please," his eyes return to her, pale and brief and hot on her face, and then lift toward the Starbucks not ten feet away. Like he couldn't look at her too long without burning, or like there was something bashful a'curled up inside of him, somewhere, too. "it'd give me great good pleasure if you would call me Billy, Miss Eberstark. I got five brothers an' if you done called us all Mr. McCann, well, it'd be a riot of confusion. Anyway - "
He tips his strong fingers lightly on her shoulder and starks walking - a lazy, shiftless sort of stride - toward the door. Opens the door for her, stands there like a right good gentleman, then steps in behind her as she walks in. Leans down behind her almost close enough that she can feel his breath on her neck. " - it'd give me real pleasure t'hear you say my name."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:37PM CST
"A pity, and his loss then." She happened to like her sugary, fancy coffees, and the soft chuckle slid out again, light, faint, almost inaudible. She had little to laugh about, but her mood was improving a bit, not that most would know the difference. She is usually so good about looking at others, but he sends her eyes down, around, elsewhere, where they feel hot and pressing and then fade back as he shifts. Unnerving, that.
"Billy then, and please... call me Arabella." It was better then him referring to her like her brother had. Moving with him for the door, her's was a graceful thing and she had ballet lessons to thank for that. Vocal lessons for the voice, ballet for the grace, and too many more little things to turn ot a proper young noblewoman.
"Five brothers you say? It sounds a touch like my family. I've a handful of my own brothers." That usually made most steer away from her, being the lone girl, and the baby at that, in her family, but none were here anymore. Head turning as he stood close, glancing voer her shoulder at him as she said it, hair slipping around her face revealed the tiny diamonds in her ears to match the small diamond ring she wore. Well matched even in her accessories.
Billy McCann
Tue 08:48PM CST
"It seems a real familiar thang to call you Arabella, Miss." She stops and looks at him over her shoulder; he stares, first at her shoulder, and then up the line of her neck, the secret shell curve of her ear revealed as her hair slips back. Like it's near instinct, he reaches up to smooth away one stray lock tangled up in them tiny diamonds back into sleek line with the rest of her hair. Pauses with his large hand hovering near her ear like he don't know what to do next. Holds his breath, then breathes in her scent and lets his arm fall to his side.
Covering the moment with a chuckle, the stray brush of his fingers propeling her to motion into line, he follows and stands close. "Well, in truth Miss - I am going to call you Miss Arabella fer now, if you don't mind. In truth Miss Arabella I have four other brothers, an' myself an' that's five. We had us another brother what died, and we had us a little sister too. Pretty little girl, but she died too." His voice is real solemn - his bright tenor seems stained with grief, like yellow gone amber in that moment. But before either can dwell on it, he's lookin' at the complicated menu over her shoulder. Whispering, with a thread of a grin. "Think you can suggest somethin'? I ain't too familiar with the fancy coffees an' stuff. Don't know what the best is."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 08:53PM CST
"Any moreso then I calling you Billy?" Words roll and slip free of pale pink painted lips with enunciated ease. A light, sweet soprano for those who thought in such terms. Her breath catching a moment, still as his hand smoothed her hair back, neat and silky shiny perfection again. Strange awkwardness in the moment before he chuckles and she dances forward to join the short line ordering. She nods, her smile fading back [unspoken pain] in the flicker past her public mask, her polite mien, her social facade... and then she's back. "I have 5 brothers..." Had, had... she had five, now has 4... why can't she say it? Then again, how would she explain where the first and oldest had gone? Turning her attention to the menu to cover her slip and she perused. "I like iced mochacinos... if you want something hot, the Black Forest is good. Basically chocolate cherry espresso."
Billy McCann
Tue 09:02PM CST
"It's real different." He replies, staring. Staring at the board and falling to silence, stealing a look at her only when he knows she ain't lookin' at him. There's something in her voice, though, some shirring catch that reminds him of the way a bank slips broken when the earth don't cohere together no more and he shoots her a pale-eyed look. Catches the fading of her smile. Says nothing, because some silences wasn't meant to be broken. He just stands there, close and confident, and somehow it don't seem awkward, his silence, just respectful, the deep respect of someone standin' at a graveside, thinkin' on this world and the next.
The line moves forward. People are served. Then, it's their turn. Billy speaks up, his voice a near laconic drawl. "Two iced - iced machocachinos." The girl behind the counter starts to giggle, but Billy's standing there so solemn and sure that she doesn't have hardly the heart to wholly laugh. Just sort of snickers behind her black-painted mouth, lips twitching as she glances to Arabella for confirmation that they really was orderin' together and that that's really what she done wanted.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:07PM CST
She lets it lie. Her calling him Billy while he persists in the Miss. She's relaxed a bit since coming to the States, but in Europe it wouldn't have seemed strange to her, as if she deserved that level difference. Casual American etiquette was rubbing off on her. She was glad he didn't question ehr momentary lapse, like Helena had. It wasn't something she could or would talk about easily... and she'd not seen family much to unload. So she bore it alone, and well. Brand had taught his baby sister some tricks afterall.
A nod given the girl behind the counter, her confidence unswerving and maybe the green eyes pin the girl more, to help that snicker die completely. In fact, she found Billy's oddities rather refreshing and certainly a welcome distracyion for the moment. Smile lights up a touch again as she glanced at him. "So, are you new in town?"
Billy McCann
Tue 09:17PM CST
He watches her sidelong. The way sorrow swells in her, and the way she swallows it back. The way it pulls at the corners of her mouth, the reserve in her green eyes. In fact, he is staring so hard and with such close attention that he doesn't notice at first when the black-mouthed, snickering girl brings their iced mochaccinos and rings them up. He doesn't look up until Arabella speaks again, and then it's near like startlin' a dead man from his sleep.
Looking up at the impatient clerk, he slides a hand into his back pocket, pulls out a thin, battered wallet and peels out a ten dollar bill. It's about what he has left, 'cept fer the change rattlin' 'round the floor of the cab, but he hands it over without qualm or question. There ain't much change, but he don't question that neither. Just takes it back and folds it into his wallet, then takes up the cold drinks from the counter and hands her one, then steps out of line, away from the counter. Leans over to take a sip from his, considering her question before answering. "Yeah, we just arrived. Ain't really settled ourselfs in yet, still just drivin' 'round figurin' out if we gon' fit, an' if so, where."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:23PM CST
Hand wrapping around the cold glass, the slight gathering of condensation chill but nice on the delicate boned hand. Moving with him as she looked around for a seat and saw a table free near the windows. "Would that do?" Again, looking to him because in these things there were decisions that just deserved input, or maybe she liked the casual conversation. How long has it been since she's gone out and had coffee with someone? Not since the last time she'd gone with Casper... weeks and weeks ago now.
"Its an interesting city. I've been here a few months now myself. Maybe I could help direct you, or some such thing, if you liked." Polite offer, given with her small smile. Leaning in a bit to sip her mochaccino she sighed some once she'd swallowed. It seemed she liked the drink.
Billy McCann
Tue 09:32PM CST
"It's perfect. Gets us a view but keeps us in here where it's nice and climate-controlled cool." It was hot outside, or had been earlier, in the sun, in the truck with no dang a/c, the lines busted up 'til they didn't just blow hot air, but blowed scalding air, like it'd been boiled three times over, and fricaseed to boot. Billy pulls out a chair for Arabella, scoots in behind her, then grabs a second chair for hisself. Picks it up and flips it around, settles spraddle-legged, his front facin' the back of the chair, arms folded across the metalwork.
Takes another sip of his drink. Finds it a mite sweet fer his taste, but still good. Like drinking pure cane sugar, really, he thinks. Then he tips the cup in her direction as a toast. "Like drinkin' pure cane sugar. I see where you git some of yer sweetness." Still the almost dour mein, a solemnity that is hard to break, though something shines in his eyes, like hidden humor. He's silent for a moment, sets his drink on the table. Then - lookin' out the window it seems, but actually watching her unguarded reflection in the window, he replies, "I would sure be obliged for guidance, 'specially from a lady of your caliber. It's a right treat to have you offer such."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 09:40PM CST
Her glass set on the table and moving in with her chair with the same elegant grace she had held throughout. A soft thank you given and smiling a touch more as he settled himself like he did. Charmed for the time being by the newcomer Billy. His statement getting more of a blush as she bit her lip around the smile and then took a sip of her own drink. "Thats sweet fo you to say, thank you."
A glance given the truck parked nearby, outside and she wondered how his brother could simply sleep like that, there of all places. It -had- been warm afterall, for which she was glad of silky summer dresses now. Idle thoughts of why Billy seemed so contained, almost dour as she answered. "It's no trouble and frankly, I would hate to see such a nice gentleman as yourself and your brothers find yourselves in troubling situations." She'd been in a few herself, afterall, places she shouldn't have gone alone, people maybe she shouldn't have met...
Billy McCann
Tue 09:55PM CST
"Oh, don't you worry." Billy chuffs out a sound that might be laughter, if laughter has a fine, short cast. His mouth twists at the corners in sardonic amusement. "Me an' the boys find ourselves in plenty of trouble, 'bout no matter where we go. My brothers an' me - we're just sort of rough ole boys, Miss Arabella. Y'know what I mean? I think they're good boys, but well - " His large hands are flat on the table now, one on either side of his cup. Turning his head, he looks back at her. Lifts a strong shoulder to nudge at an inch in the rough stubble lining his cheek. Late night. Early morning. Some combination of the two of 'em meetin' in the middle.
His pale eyes are flat now, his tenor voice roughened like it is when he sings his own songs, hard songs. Intense as a summer storm. "I don't want you to git th'wrong idea none, Miss Arabella. If'n you thank we's better than we is, you'll be like to be disappointed. If'n you think we's just what we is, you'll see us true. I seen the way you held back your sorrow, took it all up inside you an' still came back to bein' nice an' thoughtful fer a stranger, an' I think you're a strong girl, the sort who kin see us as we is, an' not just as a prettier picture of what we is."
That was a long speech for Billy. At the commencement of it, he was leaning back, his hands flat on the table. By the end of it, he's leanin' forward, one hand tucked along the back of the chair, the other creepin' across the space that's intervenin' between them and touching her arm, just below the elbow. The lightest of touches, really. Ain't hardly nothing, just a little ole whisper of a touch. He draws back then, lapses into a silence that might be meditative. Looks up again after a moment, and says somethin' about a half-octave lower, baritone register, not tenor. Low and sure. "Leastways, I'm hopin' that's the kinda girl you is."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:01PM CST
"Well, I tend to look for the best in people, and judge them on their merits, Billy. Life is hardly a pretty picture, and I don't go around viewing it all through the proverbial rose colored glasses." She's intelligent, if a bit naive in various areas. On the world, especially the one she lives in, she sees more then perhaps she might want to. It hasn't killed that spark inside her, just buried it time and again to be resurrected with proper time.
She watches him, serious, solemn, less contrived and more real for once. "I only thought to give you a better start then you might have if you were ignorant of things... I've known a few that were trouble." She, herself, could be seen that way in the stilted view of her family. She'd been a precocious child.
Billy McCann
Tue 10:09PM CST
"I didn't thank you would, but I thought it best to be real clear what th' boys an' me is like. A woman like you puts a man on his best behavior, but I don't want that to be like a lie 'tween us, Miss Arabella." Solemn face broken at the end of that with a lazy grin. Soon the grin settles back into his laconic surety, of course. Like always. "An' I'm lookin' forward to your tuition. But I have to make sure my little brother Cody's got his bike fixed, an' it's gettin' late." He hasn't looked at a watch, beyond the light outside, the depth of the shadows. Pale eyes fixed on Arabella. Maybe he was makin' it all up for an excuse to see her again. "Maybe you an' me could meet another time an' you could tell me more?"
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:13PM CST
"I'm duly warned then, Billy." She gives that a touch more wry amusement as she nods. It didn't diminsh the seriousness so much as defray any awkwardness, or tension. She was generally good at setting others at ease, or at least managing casual meetings without snags. It served as a ready distraction these days.
""That would be fine. Other then my lessons, I've free time." She reached into the small drawstring purse she tended to forget clung to her wrist, pulling out a pen and jotting a telephone number on a napkin. She didn't carry paper or business cards in that tiny bag. "You can reach me there."
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:13PM CST
"I'm duly warned then, Billy." She gives that a touch more wry amusement as she nods. It didn't diminsh the seriousness so much as defray any awkwardness, or tension. She was generally good at setting others at ease, or at least managing casual meetings without snags. It served as a ready distraction these days.
""That would be fine. Other then my lessons, I've free time." She reached into the small drawstring purse she tended to forget clung to her wrist, pulling out a pen and jotting a telephone number on a napkin. She didn't carry paper or business cards in that tiny bag. "You can reach me there."
Billy McCann
Tue 10:28PM CST
"I'm much obliged, Miss Arabella. I'm afraid I don't have a phone or a number for you, though." Billy says, reaching out and folding her calloused hand over the napkin. It's not a murmur and it ain't a mutter, but it's a quiet voice that says it, none the less. Real quiet, real low. Maybe it's a reminder of that whistle he done uttered the first time upon seeing the girl walking outta her big fancy building, into the slanting rays of the dying summer sun. He looks at it a moment, then hitches hisself up and slides the folded napkin into his pocket. Watches her, and holds out his hand for her pen. Takes one of the napkins as his own thing, spreads it out over the table real carefully, the callouses on his workman's fingers catching on the paperpulp.
When the napkin is good and smooth, Billy bends deeply over it, working at writing out something. The pen runs sinuous in his hand, circling like a snake that done bit itself and the napkin is slowly covered in a man's heavy, blocky script. When Billy's finished, he considers it a moment. Nods to himself and hands both the napkin and the pen to Arabella. With an imaginary tip of his hat - and not another single word - he rises up to his full height, hitches back from the seat there, and ambles out the door.
Billy McCann
Tue 10:31PM CST
to Arabella Eberstark: On the napkin, in large, careful script:
I ain't got a card to sign
Roses have been hard to find
There's so much I want to say
But all the words just slip away
If I could I would deliver to you
Diamonds and gold; it's the least I can do
So if you'll take my IOU
I could make it up to you.
Arabella Eberstark
Tue 10:35PM CST
"Well, you can call me when you can then." She smiles a touch, watching him write on a napkin back, accepting both pen and napkin with a bemused look as he ambles out. A few moments to watch him beyond the shop before she glanced down at the napkin to see what he'd written. Looking it over as she moved to stand herself, and heading for the door. Her smile a touch brighter as she slid out and headed home. It was getting late anyways and even though Aurich wasn' there to worry, she still adhered to some code of conduct.
Not many people wrote her poetry, and it gave color to fair cheeks as she glanced at the napkin, then her bearings until she'd reached her building and could disappear inside.
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