(no subject)

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Saturday afternoon

It is raining lightly outside today, and the sky is grey. I am feeling quite thoughtful, so I suppose the weather suits my mood. It's been a strange couple of days. Hermia's party was decidedly odd - a talking cat followed by a challenge to a duel! I stayed at the party for a while after the latter, and I'm glad I was there, but I don't seem to be able to shrug off threats of violence as well as some people in town. At least the kitten was very pretty, and Chester seems to care about Hermia. I'm not sure what kind of help a talking cat will be, but it's good to know that he's a well-meaning creature. There are enough supernatural things in town that don't care about humans, it seems.

I sigh a little and go back to reshelving some cans. Amanda isn't here today - she came in this morning to help with the usual rush that comes from the market, but she was so full of cold that I sent her home at eleven. Luckily it has been quite quiet this afternoon, and for the last half hour the store has been completely deserted, so I have been able to do a little bit of shelving. It gives me time to think. Too much, maybe. I'm still a little concerned about Laurence. He has been so subdued lately, and he seems to have something on his mind, but he won't say what. We didn't talk very much at the party, and after what happened I was not in the mood for deeper discussion, so I let him walk me home, kissed him on the cheek and went to bed. I feel quite worn out lately. When I think of everything that has happened in the last couple of months, that is not so very surprising. At least there have been bright spots - it was lovely seeing so many people at church last week and being able to chat with friends old and new, and then the picnic was a lot of fun, even if Laurence did run off. Karina's new friend Leah is a most unusual girl. I shall have to call on them sometime. And it was very nice to meet Tess. I like getting to know the old families of the community. It makes me feel more rooted, somehow. And she seemed like a kind girl.

[open to Tess]
[closed]

Comments

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

I went by t'see Jenna last night after walkin' back from the carnival. That could 'a gone better. She gave me a couch t'sleep on fer the night, but that was it. "You aren't careful enough, Tess." And she says the town's tone has turned ugly enough that she dunt want t'take no chances.

I'd be pissed, but what's the point, yeah? It ain't gonna change her mind. So I took the couch, and left the next mornin'. I'm gonna need a place t'stay fer a bit. Probably end up at the Abbey. The folks there're nice enough, and I'm easier with their religion than Ma 'r Pa 'r Mary. Get sick 'a Billy talkin' 'bout Nanshe sometimes, though.

I wander 'round town fer a bit. I ain't really sure where t'go from here, and I'm startin' t'feel more sympathy fer Johnny. Maybe I ought t'go lookin' after that magician, or look 'round t'see if there's stuff he's bin missin' in Excolo. Either way, I'm gonna need a couple 'a things, and I want t'see Kate again. I liked meetin' her. She was real nice, 'n seemed friendly. Still none too sure how things stand with her and that fella Laurence. Big guys like him, well. It dunt take me long t'walk t'the general store. I step up inside, squintin' my eyes a bit to adjust.

There she is, shelvin' some tins. "Good afternoon, Kate." It's a bit strange, callin' her by her given name just havin' met her. Somethin' 'bout her makes me want t'act more proper. Guess it's cause she seems so poised. I run a hand through my hair, pullin' it back from my face.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

It's funny how you can be thinking of someone and then they show up. I smile as Tess says "Good afternoon, Kate." She sounds like she's thinking about saying it very properly.

"Hello, Tess," I say, putting down the can of beans and smoothing down the hem of my dress (http://www.vintageous.com/dresses/vc2799.htm). In less than a month it will be too chilly to wear my summer things, and it will be time to move my winter sweaters out from their brown paper and mothball wrappings and air them out. In two or three weeks the leaves will start to turn red... "I wasn't sure if you were still in town. How are you?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She smiles at me as I greet her, and I can't help but smile back. "Hello, Tess," she says, putting down her work and smoothing her dress. She steps away from the shelf and faces me. "I wasn't sure if you were still in town. How are you?"

I nod. "Yeah, I figured I ought t'stick 'round fer a while, t'keep an eye on Johnny." My tone turns a bit wry. "He's like t'get in trouble, otherwise." I look 'round the store, takin' it in. It smells clean, no mustiness, and it's so neat. It reminds me 'a her, everythin' just in its place. "And I'm doin' fine. Lookin' 'round fer a place t'stay at the moment. I ain't gonna impose on Johnny that much. I figure the Abbey'll let me stay fer a bit." Where I stay depends part on how long I stay on learnin' from Syl.

"How've you bin, these last couple 'a days?" She looks well, but then I bin thinkin' that since I met her, so I might not be the best judge.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I smile at the way she speaks about Johnny.

"Johnny's lucky to have a sister looking out for him," I say. "Although I guess as a teenage boy he might not always think so," I add, my smile lifting wryly. "Come, sit down. It's a quiet afternoon and it's gloomy out there, so if you'd like to join me in a cup of coffee that would be fine," I say. "I've got a pot on the hotplate in the store room." I pull out the stool from next to the counter so she can sit on it if she likes.

"I've been fine," I continue, though I'm not sure if I falter a little at that. "Well, it's been an odd week in some ways, but no one has died -" I don't add the yet - "and for Excolo in the last couple of months that, I'm sorry to say, makes it a decent week." My mouth turns down a little at that, but I try to shake it off. "The abbey, though, now that's a nice place," I smile. "Though if you think you'll stay in town longer than a week or so, I know of a few places you could rent a room. Where's your brother staying?" I wonder why she doesn't share with him, but maybe he's rooming with other boys or something.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Johnny's lucky to have a sister looking out for him," she says with a smile, "Although I guess as a teenage boy he might not always think so." She echoes my wryness there, and it makes me grin. "Come," she continues, gesturing to the counter, sit down. It's a quiet afternoon and it's gloomy out there, so if you'd like to join me in a cup of coffee that would be fine." She walks over, and I follow slightly behind, takin' the stool she offers. "I've got a pot on the hotplate in the store room." I smile and tuck my feet up on the rungs. "That'd be nice, thanks."

Kate answers my question as she fixes the coffee. "I've been fine," she says, though her tone's not quite right. "Well, it's been an odd week in some ways, but no one has died, and for Excolo in the last couple of months that, I'm sorry to say, makes it a decent week." She frowns, but continues like she's tryin' t'lighten things. She offers t'let me know a place t'stay, and I could do with that 'f I'm here fer a bit. "I might take you up on that. There's a chance I'll be stayin' 'round town fer a bit. Johnny's stayin' in one 'a the old apartments t'the south 'a town, 'cause they're cheap. I suppose I could use his couch 'r somethin', but... you ever had a baby brother?" I'm thinkin' not, 'cause she sounds like she dunt get why I dunt just stay with him.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I get two mugs out and fill them with black coffee. The smell is sweeter on a rainy day, I always think. I head back into the store to hear Tess's answer.

"Yes, the old apartments are pretty cheap, I guess because they're quite run down. Terence Longfellow on the council owns one of the blocks and rents them out as a side business. He's quite a nice man." I scribble his address down on a receipt. "Here. If you need it." I sit down myself and sip the coffee. "And no, no brother. Well, I had an older brother, but he was run down by a horse and cart. You don't need to say you're sorry," I add. "I was only three, so I can't really remember him at all. But I think it made my parents more protective of me." I take another sip. The coffee's almost hot enough to burn, but I like it at that temperature. Cold tea or coffee are just awful. "But you've got lots of brothers and sisters, right?" I say. "It must be nice to have a big family." I can't help sounding a little wistful at that. "Though," I add, "I suppose if I lived with so many people all the time, it might be nice to get away from them now and then," I say, and smile over my cup at her. "I admit I quite like living alone. It's nice not to answer to anyone."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She fills two mugs, and the smell 'a the coffee spreads out through the store. She comes back in, sayin' "Yes, the old apartments are pretty cheap, I guess because they're quite run down. Terence Longfellow on the council owns one of the blocks and rents them out as a side business. He's quite a nice man." She sets the coffee out and writes an address down fer me, then sits herself down 'cross from me. She takes a sip, 'afore answerin' my question.

"And no, no brother. Well, I had an older brother, but he was run down by a horse and cart. You don't need to say you're sorry," she says quick, and I stop myself. "I was only three, so I can't really remember him at all. But I think it made my parents more protective of me." I take a sip 'a my coffee as she does hers, and it's hot 'n darker 'n I like. "But you've got lots of brothers and sisters, right?"

"Yeah. One sister, 'n three brothers." "It must be nice to have a big family." She sounds kind 'a sad, 'n I feel bad 'cause there ain't a lot 'a families as have a lot 'a kids. I'd think she was lonely, but she smiles at me over her mug and says "I admit I quite like living alone. It's nice not to answer to anyone." I nod. "'S part 'a why I'm givin' Johnny some space. He's kinda the baby, even with Mary bein' younger. It'll do him good, makin' out on his own fer a bit."

I take another drink. It's good fer dispellin' the chill 'a the rain, at least.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"'S part 'a why I'm givin' Johnny some space. He's kinda the baby, even with Mary bein' younger. It'll do him good, makin' out on his own fer a bit."

"Don't be too quick to rush him out on his own," I say softly. "My parents died when I was about Johnny's age, and I'd rather not have grown up so fast." My mouth turns up into a rueful sort of smile. "But Johnny's in safe hands with Edmund as his boss," I say. "He's a good man, and he looks out for his staff." I rest my coffee cup on the counter. I'm not sure Tess likes hers, but I don't keep anything except the coffeepot down here. I could put a kettle in the storeroom, I suppose, for tea, if she'd like that better... But that's assuming she'd be back, anyway, and if we do become friends she can always have tea at my apartment.

"Is that why Johnny came to town?" I ask. "To make him grow up a little? I'm sorry if that's a rude question. It's just - well, your family's known for mostly keeping to itself. Which isn't bad," I say hastily, though really I do think it's better for families to mix with other people, or they end up a little strange, especially those way out in the country. "Do you like the farming life, or are you thinking of settling in town for yourself, too, not just for Johnny's sake?" Perhaps I'm asking too many questions, I think, and I feel myself flush slightly.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She looks almost sad. "Don't be too quick to rush him out on his own. My parents died when I was about Johnny's age, and I'd rather not have grown up so fast." I was all set t'be a bit mad, but she mentions her parents, 'n between that and her brother I just feel sad fer her, 'cause she ain't really had much family. "But Johnny's in safe hands with Edmund as his boss," she says, kind 'a changin' the subject. "He's a good man, and he looks out for his staff." She sets her mug down. Everyone's bin sayin' good things 'bout Edmund. "'S reassurin'. I know he gave 'em the day fer the fundraiser, and Johnny's had good words fer him. Said he was a bit distracted 'a late, though." Said he was pretty confused, too. But Kate seems t'like him, so I dunt say nothin'.

"Is that why Johnny came to town? To make him grow up a little? I'm sorry if that's a rude question." We're back t'this, then, and yeah, it's kind 'a rude. Not least 'cause I dunt got a good explanation. "It's just - well, your family's known for mostly keeping to itself. Which isn't bad," she says quick. "Well," I say back, a bit stiffly. "We could use a bit 'a money come winter, and both Paul 'n Billy are needed on the farm. We all figured it wouldn't hurt him any t'see somethin' that ain't the farm, and it'd help us all out." 'S true enough, I suppose, and much as I like her, and as pretty as her smile is, she ain't family.

She ain't helpin' either, since she follows that with "Do you like the farming life, or are you thinking of settling in town for yourself, too, not just for Johnny's sake?" I ain't used t'folks bein' pryin', and I'm near to snappin' out a sharp reply when she flushes a bit. I bite back a retort quick, though I think my colour might be a bit high, too. "I like it just fine out on the farm. We just want t'know what's goin' on in town. It's been bleedin' - " and I wince at my language, even though I hardly think 'v it usually - "strange, and dangerous 'a late, like you said. Should us as live out on the farms get fair warnin' if things 'r goin' bad?"

I might 'a said that angrier than I meant to, even if the words 'r true. I try t'soften my gaze, 'cause I do like her. And I know I got a temper at times. "Sorry. Dint mean t'be sharp."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"'S reassurin'. I know he gave 'em the day fer the fundraiser, and Johnny's had good words fer him. Said he was a bit distracted 'a late, though."

I laugh a bit.

"Politics, I'm afraid. Edmund's running for the council. I suppose it's keeping his mind busy."

"We could use a bit 'a money come winter, and both Paul 'n Billy are needed on the farm. We all figured it wouldn't hurt him any t'see somethin' that ain't the farm, and it'd help us all out."

Oh, I think I've offended her, and my cheeks definitely get redder. It's embarrassing to make someone talk about money.

"I'm sorry, I should have thought. Things are always tighter come winter and spring. I suppose he's not so very young," I say, although I still think it's odd. There's a few of them older than Johnny. I wonder what they all do out there on the farm, and why the family keep so close together. And I wonder why I'm so curious. It's not like the Thiesses are the first closed-mouthed tightly knit family in Excolo.

But then she gets really cross, and I'm not sure quite why, even if I did ask more than I maybe should.

"I like it just fine out on the farm. We just want t'know what's goin' on in town. It's been bleedin' - strange, and dangerous 'a late, like you said. Should us as live out on the farms get fair warnin' if things 'r goin' bad?"

"I never said there was anything wrong with the farm," I point out, sitting up straighter. "But if you're going to be in town, you'll have people asking you about yourself, and they don't mean badly. We talk to our neighbours," I say, setting my jaw. I hope she's not one of these farmers who's set against the town. It's a stupid kind of division in a place like Excolo. Town can't function without the farms, and half the farmers would starve or freeze without the town.

"Sorry. Dint mean t'be sharp." Her tone is a bit softer, and she looks almost sorry, and I feel a little bad, too, that I snapped.

"That's alright," I say. "I can be sharp sometimes, too." Though I think my sharpness is a bit different. Colder, maybe. I put that thought away for later. "Are you looking for work in town?" I say. "If you are, I could put you in touch with a few people, depending on what you'd want to do. Most people pass through this store, so I tend to know what's going on," I explain, in case she thinks I'm acting like I'm in charge of the town or something.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She laughs when I say Mr. White's bin distracted. "Politics, I'm afraid. Edmund's running for the council. I suppose it's keeping his mind busy." "It must be. I know my Ma 'n Pa 'r havin' a time 'v it, bein' as they got t'vote fer him, who they dunt agree with, 'r Mrs. O'Leary, who they agree with. But, well. Pa, anyways, thinks there's enough women on the council as is."

She blushes more, and says "I'm sorry, I should have thought. Things are always tighter come winter and spring. I suppose he's not so very young," but she still sounds kind 'a doubtful. And if it were anyone else I guess I'd agree, but it ain't, and I dunt like havin' t'make stuff up. I guess that's why Jenna 'n I never really worked.

"I never said there was anything wrong with the farm," she says back t'me, and she straightens, her blush fadin' and her eyes goin' a bit hard. "But if you're going to be in town, you'll have people asking you about yourself, and they don't mean badly. We talk to our neighbours," she goes on, and her jaw's tight. I could take offense at that, like we dunt talk t'our neighbours. But it's kind 'a true, fer us at least, and really, there's no point in turnin' it into a fight.

She seems t'accept my apology. "That's alright. I can be sharp sometimes, too." And there. I'll try not t'lose my temper again 'round her. She does mean well, and it ain't her fault she's touchin' on sensitive things. "Are you looking for work in town? she asks. I sigh a bit in relief at the topic changin'.

"I was thinkin' 'bout it, but I found somethin', sorta. There's a woman as willin' t'teach me some - " and I pause, tryin' t'think how t'say it without givin' too much away - "herb-craft. In exchange fer helpin' with gatherin' and such." That's well true, so I dunt really feel bad.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"It must be. I know my Ma 'n Pa 'r havin' a time 'v it, bein' as they got t'vote fer him, who they dunt agree with, 'r Mrs. O'Leary, who they agree with. But, well. Pa, anyways, thinks there's enough women on the council as is."

I raise my eyebrows a bit, though it's not so surprising an opinion.

"I like having women on the council. Though in this case I think Edmund's the better candidate, and I don't often side with men over women," I smile. Then I wonder if that sounds strange, since she saw me with Laurence, and I blush a bit, for I don't want to sound like I dislike men. I just don't trust most of them.

"I was thinkin' 'bout it, but I found somethin', sorta. There's a woman as willin' t'teach me some - herb-craft. In exchange fer helpin' with gatherin' and such."

I think for a moment, wondering who that could be, and then I smile.

"Oh! Do you mean Glass Beddau, at the apothecary? She's a dear friend of mine, and she knows about every herb, I swear. I think you said you know the other assistant, Jenna?" I say, remembering our conversation. I haven't much time for Jenna, especially since she started that rumour about Laurence proposing. But I'm not going to insult Tess's friend. "Be careful of Lord Hughes who owns the store, though. He's... well. He's not very nice to women." Which is something of an understatement. Luckily he's rarely in town. "Have you studied herbs and such on your own? It seems quite interesting, all the things you can do with them." And then I think about Syl, and her herbs, and I shiver a little. Not because of what she did, but because of what came before.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"I like having women on the council," she says, and I ain't surprised, her livin' on her own (or does she live with her fella?) and runnin' an important business. "Though in this case I think Edmund's the better candidate," she adds, "and I don't often side with men over women." She says it with a smile, and I return it full. "Dunt see any good reason too. The boys are nice enough, for true. But, well. They dunt always see too clear, and all the ones I know tend t'start fights, whether words or blows."

When she hears what I'm learnin' she gives me another smile, just brilliant, and it near to lifts my heart. But then she says "Oh! Do you mean Glass Beddau, at the apothecary? She's a dear friend of mine, and she knows about every herb, I swear." And no, it ain't, but I remember Johnny tellin' me 'bout her, and it makes me a bit sad that Kate's friends with someone like that. And it ain't made any better when she keeps on with "I think you said you know the other assistant, Jenna?" 'cause I'm still a bit upset 'bout that. She makes mention 'a the owner, and I remember Jenna sayin' he were a bastard, but it ain't really my concern.

"Have you studied herbs and such on your own? It seems quite interesting, all the things you can do with them." It sounds nice, but she gives almost a shiver when she finishes.

"Um. No, I heard 'a Glass, but I dunt think I met her. It's a woman from the carnival as said she'd teach me." I get quieter as I talk, 'cause I ain't sure I ought t'say that, 'cause she dunt seem like she'd approve 'a any 'a that. And I want her t'like me, I do, and not look at me like I'm... I dunno. Improper, 'cause of it.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Dunt see any good reason too. The boys are nice enough, for true. But, well. They dunt always see too clear, and all the ones I know tend t'start fights, whether words or blows."

I laugh.

"It's true. I guess you learned that better than most with all those brothers." I grin at her. "There's some nice men in Excolo, though. But quite a few I wouldn't cross the road to speak to," I say with a sniff. "And half the time even the nice ones are harder to talk to than womenfolk. Or perhaps that's just me." I shrug.

"Um. No, I heard 'a Glass, but I dunt think I met her. It's a woman from the carnival as said she'd teach me."

Tess seems... I don't know, like she doesn't like the sound of Glass's name? Or maybe it's Jenna. Maybe they had a falling out. I suppose that might make sense, otherwise surely she'd room with her friend for a bit. Although I can't remember if Jenna still lives with her mother...

And then she talks about her job.

"The carnival? Oh!" I say, and blink. "I've already guessed wrong once, but... is it Syl?" I feel a little cold at that. Syl saved my life, but she's a hard woman. And she spends time with bad people. "Syl helped me a few weeks back," I say, because I won't be unfair to her. "But be careful. She's not been popular in town because... Well. She and the magician attacked the school teacher. Or so the newspaper said." I remember speaking to Kaeli, and how she wouldn't press charges. I wonder what really happened that night.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She laughs. "It's true. I guess you learned that better than most with all those brothers," she says with a grin. "There's some nice men in Excolo, though. But quite a few I wouldn't cross the road to speak to," she says, givin' a sniff, and it's my turn t'chuckle. "And half the time even the nice ones are harder to talk to than womenfolk. Or perhaps that's just me." Oh, and my heart quickens a beat, 'cause it ain't just her, no. But she's got a fella even so.

She seems uncomfortable when I mention Glass, and I guess I ought t'hold judgement, for all Johnny thinks she's connected to his hound god, and with her married and slippin' off with fancy men. But she's truly taken back when I tell her 'bout the deal I made.

"The carnival? Oh!" she says, and it's ain't a sound 'a good surprise. "I've already guessed wrong once, but... is it Syl?" There's fear in her voice, or near enough t'make no difference. I nod slow. "Yeah. She was lookin' fer someone t'teach to, it seemed, and I was lookin' fer lessons." Kate gives her head a little shake. "Syl helped me a few weeks back," she says, and I'm kind 'a shocked. I din think Kate as the type t'go out t'the carnival lookin' fer charms and such. Maybe she has bin havin' trouble with that man 'a hers after all, and I resolve t'make sure he ain't hurtin' her or nothin'.

"But be careful. She's not been popular in town because... Well. She and the magician attacked the school teacher. Or so the newspaper said." I'm angry then, quick and hot, 'cause I trusted Syl when she said I oughtn't worry 'bout the magician, and she lied. And she might've attacked someone from Excolo, which makes her just what we're supposed t'stop. I feel my fingers diggin' into my palm and force myself t'relax.

"I'm sorry," I say t'Kate. "I just..." I force myself calm again, takin' a deep breath. "I got t'ask her some more questions, it seems like. Johnny said there'd bin some trouble with that magician, but she said it weren't nothin'. How like is the story to be true, d'you think?" I shouldn't go runnin' off angry now. I'll calm down and think it out. There's got t'be some reason to it.

And if there ain't, then I can be pissed, and it'll be alright.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess looks a bit shocked when I say I got help from Syl, and oh, she probably thinks I bought a love potion or something silly like that from her. But I can't tell her it was something else without telling her what it was, and how do I say Syl saved me from an angry ghost?

When I tell her about Kaeli, her face darkens and she looks furious, and upset. Her hands are balled into fists, and I wonder suddenly if she's had - well, an experience like Kaeli. Or like me. The kind that makes anger rise in you when you hear about a woman being hurt.

"I got t'ask her some more questions, it seems like. Johnny said there'd bin some trouble with that magician, but she said it weren't nothin'. How like is the story to be true, d'you think?"

"Pretty likely," I say quietly. "I spoke to Kaeli Whyte a while after it happened. She wouldn't tell me anything in particular, but she didn't deny it when I asked her if the newspaper report was true. I wish she'd gone to the sheriff, but she was afraid that it might encourage violence towards carnival folk in retaliation." I sigh. "I... I don't know how much you believe in what Syl can do, and maybe you'll think I'm crazy, but - I think she and the magician know how to do a lot of things. And some of those things are bad." I reach out and touch the back of her hand very lightly, because I hate seeing her look so angry and hurt. "Syl does help people, and I'm sure she could teach you a lot, but..." I trail off, not sure what best to say.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Pretty likely," she says, quietly, givin' me a almost sympathetic look. "I spoke to Kaeli Whyte a while after it happened. She wouldn't tell me anything in particular, but she didn't deny it when I asked her if the newspaper report was true. I wish she'd gone to the sheriff, but she was afraid that it might encourage violence towards carnival folk in retaliation." I shake my head a bit, for all I know folk aren't above it. Really, everyone knows they ought t'have moved on by now. People've got to be wonderin' why they haven't.

But it ain't right. I go a bit cold when Kate tells me "I... I don't know how much you believe in what Syl can do, and maybe you'll think I'm crazy, but - I think she and the magician know how to do a lot of things. And some of those things are bad." Cold and warm both, for she's touchin' close on what I am, but that 'some of those things', means it she thinks some 'a it's good, too. She reaches out and touches my hand, light, 'n I have t'stop myself from takin' it. "Syl does help people, and I'm sure she could teach you a lot, but..." Kate trails off, lookin' uncertain and worried.

I draw another long breath. "Thank you, Kate, fer tellin' me." My lips twist, more bitterly this time. "I guess it ain't just men you can't trust much either, yeah?" I sit there fer a moment, very aware of her hand on mine. I sigh. "I - I guess I'd best be off. When I find somewhere t'stay I'll be back t'get a few things." I meant to buy a proper comb and a few other things this time, but I'm havin' trouble puttin' all my thoughts together. I stand up.

"You've bin kind," I say, smilin' at her. "If you need anythin', let me know, please?" I lean in and give her a light kiss on the cheek. "See you later."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"I guess it ain't just men you can't trust much either, yeah?"

There's something very sharp and sad in Tess's tone, and it makes something twist in me, and make me wonder what's hurt her to make her sound so.

"I guess," I say softly, and I wish I could do something, so I leave my hand on hers.

"I - I guess I'd best be off. When I find somewhere t'stay I'll be back t'get a few things."

I nod. I feel a bit disappointed that she's leaving. I feel there's so much to figure out about her, and I'm curious. I'm not sure why, but she's interesting. I do hope we can be friends, because I think I like her. Yes, I do.

"If you need anythin', let me know, please?"

I'm wondering what she means by that, or if it's just a polite turn of phrase, and then she kisses me on the cheek, the same place she kissed at the picnic. I can smell her as she leans in; she has a green sort of scent, like growing things, and I think there's rose there too.

"See you later."


"It was good to get to talk with you," I say. "You should come by for dinner sometime. You can bring Johnny, if you like," I say, "though he might not find that much fun." I smile. "Or just bring yourself. I don't cook fancy food, but I find things taste better with company."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She looks a bit sad as I leave. "It was good to get to talk with you," she says as we move to the door. "You should come by for dinner sometime. You can bring Johnny, if you like," and the idea makes me grin. I can see Johnny bein' fidgety and serious sittin' down t'dinner with us. She smiles at me. "Or just bring yourself. I don't cook fancy food, but I find things taste better with company."

I almost kiss her again, there. I know she ain't flirtin', can't be 'cause she's got a fella and she's proper and everythin' else. I know I'm takin' her words the wrong way, so I just smile back and say "I'd love to, Kate." I step out into daylight, and turn one last time. "Thanks again," I say, then I turn and walk off.

I've bin in town only a couple 'a days, and I got lots t'think on. More than I'd've thought, ridin' out that mornin'.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess gives me this look... I don't even know how to describe it, except that it reminds me of - Nanshe, it reminds me of Laurence, somehow, and my mouth goes dry, so when she says "I'd love to, Kate," I only just manage to say "good bye" as she goes.

My coffee has gone cold on the counter. I take a sip and then just hold the cup. I'm pretty sure a girl - woman - has never looked at me like that. Why would she? I must have been imagining it. I mean, I've heard that some girls... but I don't think I've met anyone who does. And from what I know about that, it's like those girls whose paintings are on the railings of the carnival. The ones with the feathers and such. No, I was definitely imagining it.

I rinse the cups out and put them back on the shelf, feeling a twist of something almost like guilt, though I'm not sure what for. I should go see Laurence, really. See how he's doing. That's what I should do.

But for now I return to shelving cans.