EXCOLO

Kate is smiling as she pours juice for us all and I start to relax just a bit. Maybe it will be okay. Tess is still giving me that watchful, judging look but she's not asking anymore pointed questions. She and Johnny are continuing their conversation from the kitchen but Kate asks me, Is your work at Mr Dorian's store going well?

I answer happily enough, "It's well enough if a bit slow now. Mostly it's by appointment only and those are getting rarer. Sometimes I wonder how Dorian can make any money." That's putting it very mildly. Dorian's hours are lately very erratic and he often cancels a day's appointments with no notice. and yet he never seems to worry about money. Guess he's independently wealthy and the store is kind of a hobby for him.

From:

"'F you go earlier it ain't rowdy, and they do have food now," says Johnny about the tavern, and I smile.

"That could be nice." I look at Tess. "What do you think, should we visit the tavern sometime? It would make a change from the Miskatonic."

Damien talks about his work. I pour syrup onto my pancakes and chew.

"It's well enough if a bit slow now. Mostly it's by appointment only and those are getting rarer. Sometimes I wonder how Dorian can make any money."

I can't help sniffing a little.

"Mr Dorian is not that interested in business, I think," I say. But I don't wish to insult Damien's employer, even if I dislike him, and so I smile. "I'm glad you're liking the work. If the hours get too thin, though, let me know - business has been good enough at the store that I've been thinking of taking on some extra casual help."

From:

Johnny glares over at me when Damien turns t'Kate t'answer her. "Are you back t'work soon?" I nod. "'Course," I tell him. "I expect there'll be lots wantin' t'soothe their stomachs in the next day 'r so." It's strange sittin' 'n chattin' with Johnny, 'cause most 'a what we'd talk on we know 'r it's too private fer here.

"...If the hours get too thin, though," I hear Kate tellin' Damien, "let me know - business has been good enough at the store that I've been thinking of taking on some extra casual help." Huh. I suppose that'd keep 'em 'round longer, though I ain't sure 'a how I feel on that yet.

"I've hardly met Mr. Dorian," I say, "though there's plenty to hear about him. He hasn't been here long, right?"

Edited Date: 2010-03-10 09:28 pm (UTC)

From:

"'Course," Tess answers with a nod. "I expect there'll be lots wantin' t'soothe their stomachs in the next day 'r so." I grin at her, 'cause I dunt want t'get in a fight this mornin', and it's nice, even with Tess bein' all touchy. "I figure we'll be sendin' a couple 'a folks your way then, with all 'a the Christmas pies 'n cakes 'n such." There's lots as have bigs meals fer the holiday, even 'f things are a bit thin through the winter.

Tess asks 'bout Dorian, not lookin' at anyone in particular, and I fight back a scowl. "He sure seems popular," I say, and I reach over t'the side 'n take Damien's hand t'remind me I dunt got t'be mad over 'Ri anymore. "The food's great," I tell Kate, tryin' t'change the subject.

From:

Kate sniffs in disapproval when I talk about the lack of business at the store.Mr Dorian is not that interested in business, I think.I'm glad you're liking the work. If the hours get too thin, though, let me know - business has been good enough at the store that I've been thinking of taking on some extra casual help. I nod. Dorian pays well and regularly regardless of how much work we actually do. So I doubt i'd take her up on it. BeT I could get tips playing at the Tavern. Though really, playing there is about the music, not the money.

Tess makes a remark about Dorian not having been in town long and I know that tone, It goes with all sorts of comments about outsiders... Johnny adds, He sure seems popular, Then he takes my hand n' tries to change the subject. I give him a quick smile and give his hand a little squeeze. I feel better now.

From:

Damien doesn't say anything in reply to my offer, which seems a little rude. The general store is not as glamorous as the clothing store, but it's respectable work. Be charitable, I tell myself. He's probably just nervous.

Tess mentions that Dorian's quite new to town.

"He sure seems popular," says Johnny, sounding a little sour. I'm curious about that, but then I blink as he takes Damien's hand. It's not that I'm disgusted; it's just...not something I've seen before. After all, female friends can hold hands without it meaning anything, but it's not something men do. It strikes me suddenly that this must be a difficult thing, quite apart from all the bigger problems men might face if they care for other men - to not be able to do something that's quite ordinary for other people. I should think about that later.

"Mr Dorian has had an impact in town in a short time," I say, but I keep my tone neutral. I should try to be kind to him for Glass's sake. Then Johnny compliments the food and I smile.

"It's hard to get pancakes wrong," I say. "Are you staying for dinner, or do you both have plans for today?" I ask.

From:

Johnny grins at me, and my mood lifts with how happy he looks. "I figure we'll be sendin' a couple 'a folks your way then, with all 'a the Christmas pies 'n cakes 'n such." I smile back. "I'd best grind up some more chamomile," I tell him.

I wonder just why he's so mad at Dorian; it's got t'be somethin' t'do with either that Verite girl or Damien, 'cause he wouldn't be so mad just 'cause 'a what's goin' on with Glass. He reaches over 'n takes Damien's hand like he's tryin' t'prove somethin' t'himself.

"Mr Dorian has had an impact in town in a short time," Kate says in that tone she gets when she's tryin' t'be nice 'bout someone she dunt really like, and I turn my smile t'her 'n give her hand a squeeze. "The food is lovely, Kate," I tell her.

Kate seems pleased with Johnny's compliment. "Are you staying for dinner, or do you both have plans for today?" Johnny dint say, but fer all I want t'be with Kate it's nice t'be able t'share her like this, t'be 'round folks who know and dunt mind.

"It'd be nice 'f you did stay," I tell Johnny 'n Damien, "though I could see where you might have plans 'a your own."

From:

I catch the quick flash 'a irritation from Kate when Damien dunt answer her. I know Damien sometimes thinks their answers t'questions 'n dunt think t'say it out loud, but I can't just tell her that. But she's nice 'nough I dunt think she'll be mad fer long.

Damien takes my hand and smiles at me, and then it's smiles all 'round but fer that talk 'a Dorian. "It's hard to get pancakes wrong," Kate tells me. "Are you staying for dinner, or do you both have plans for today?" Tess takes Kate's hand fer just a moment, and when her 'n my eyes meet it's easy t'know what we're each thinkin', that we can be with who we want right now 'n not have t'hide it. She gives me a smaller smile, just shared 'tween us.

"It'd be nice 'f you did stay, though I could see where you might have plans 'a your own." I look t'Damien. "I'd like t'stay," I tell 'em. I grin at Kate 'n Tess. "Just 'cause breakfast was so good 'n I bet dinner'd be even better," I tease.

Edited Date: 2010-03-16 10:26 pm (UTC)

From:

Mr Dorian has had an impact in town in a short time, Kate says in a very level tone. There's something I'm not getting here about Dorian and these people. No one in this group seems to like him. He can be difficult when he;s in a mood but surely that can't be the reason for all this dislike?

Johnny compliments Kate on the food. and so does Tess. Good. Maybe we can get away from the subject of my boss. I'm about to add my compliment to the others when Kate adds, Are you staying for dinner, or do you both have plans for today? I have no idea idea how long we are expected to stay for. John and I didn't discuss things like how long to stay at Kate's...Part of me wants to stay awhile and get to kow these two, especially Tess, but part of me wants to leave before they decide that I shouldn't be with John. I saw that blink of surprise from Kate...

But then Tess is saying she'd like it if we stayed and Johnny is looking hopefully at me. I'd like t'stay He adds. And I'm lost. There's no way I'd refuse those puppy eyes. "Of course we'll stay, so long as it's not a bother."

Johnny's grinning and adding the extra compliment, Just 'cause breakfast was so good 'n I bet dinner'd be even better, So I add with a grin of my own, "It would be wrong to turn down the offer of another such lovely meal."

Right now everyone is smiling at each happily and I think I saw Tess give Kate's hand a squeeze so I guess my worst fears about this get together were wrong. Maybe we can get along and have a good time together. Maybe this time it'll be alright.

From:

I smile at Johnny and Damien's compliments.

"You're both kind," I say. "And I'm glad you'll both stay." I saw how hopeful Tess looked, and I reach over and squeeze her hand lightly.

I clear away the breakfast things and prepare the meat to roast - I have a goose, and it will take a while to cook and rest, so it makes sense to start it now.

"I see you brought your guitar," I say to Damien. "Were you going to play us something?" I smile. "It might be a nice way to spend the time before dinner. Or I have cards, if anyone likes to play."

From:

When I take Kate's hand my eyes meet Johnny's, and I can tell he knows what it's like. I wonder sometimes 'f there's somethin' wrong with us, with the witch-blood, just somethin' that makes us how we are, likin' folks we ain't supposed to like this. I shake the thought off as Johnny tells Damien he'd like 'em t'stay.

"Of course we'll stay, so long as it's not a bother," Damien says after lookin' at Johnny. "It would be wrong to turn down the offer of another such lovely meal."

Kate starts clearin' the table, 'n we all help some, movin' awkwardly 'round tryin' not t'get in each others' way. I kiss her cheek as we pass, and Johnny makes a face which makes me laugh 'cause it's a little brothers' face at his sister kissin' someone. He gives Damien's cheek a kiss too and I make a face back, and we both laugh at our joke, and it feels better.

"I see you brought your guitar - were you going to play us something? It might be a nice way to spend the time before dinner. Or I have cards, if anyone likes to play." I smile at Johnny, and he catches my grin and opens his mouth t'interrupt me, but I talk quick 'afore he does.

"Johnny could sing 'long, too. He's got a good voice since it settled down some." He scowls at me and bumps into Damien as he goes t'reach down somethin' fer Kate, and I grin at him, my eyes bright.

From:

Damien turns t'me, 'n I can tell they're not sure, but I look up 'n they relax 'n nod. "Of course we'll stay, so long as it's not a bother. It would be wrong to turn down the offer of another such lovely meal," they add, with a grin that near matches my own. "You're both kind," Kate answers our compliments, "And I'm glad you'll both stay."

I give Damien's hand another squeeze, and then breakfast's done and we're all helpin' out clearin' things so Kate can put dinner on. Tess gives her a kiss and I wrinkle my nose but it's mostly teasin', 'cause I figure I'm old 'nough t'see her kiss someone and not get all disgusted. She sees me and laughs 'n so I step over 'n kiss Damien's smooth cheek, and when she wrinkles her nose at me I got t'laugh. It's more like a family Christmas than when we were home.

Kate asks Damien 'bout their guitar as she starts gettin' the goose ready. I see Tess' eyes light up with mischief 'n I try t'cut her off but she's too fast. "Johnny could sing 'long, too," she suggests as I glare. "He's got a good voice since it settled down some." I'm goin' t'bring down the pepperpot Kate waved at but I'm still glarin' at Tess and Damien has t'catch me as I step into 'em.

"I ain't - I dunt sing when I ain't home," I tell her, feelin' annoyed 'cause it ain't like I go walkin' 'round singin' t'the air like some travellin' minstrel. Her face falls some when I say it, and I curse under my breath and feel Damien's hand on my back. "But I guess I could, 'f Damien was playin' somethin'."

From:

Johnny gives my hand another squeeze and I return it. Breakfast is soon done and we all pitch in to clear the table and help Kate prepare the dinner to start cooking. We're all a little awkward with so many of us trying to move around in the limited space of the apartment. Though that does give some opportunities that more space would not. Like when Tess kisses Kate's cheek as they pass each other. I blush some when John does that same to me just a moment later. Tess wrinkles her nose at us and laughs, and Johnny joins in. It's good to see them both happy and relaxed. I think this could be a good afternoon.

Once everything's clear, Kate asks, I see you brought your guitar,Were you going to play us something? It might be a nice way to spend the time before dinner. Or I have cards, if anyone likes to play.

I nod. I'm about to say something about how since I can't really cook I needed to bring something but that sounds awkward even in my head.

Tess smiles and says, Johnny could sing 'long, too. He's got a good voice since it settled down some.

There is an air of mischief about her that is doubled by John's glaring at her so hard he stumbles into me. I don't mind catching him at all. It feels good to have an excuse to touch him. HE's curshing under his breath. i wonder why he is so annoyed at the idea of singing? and i find myself wanting very much to hear him sing, even if he turns out not to be good at it.I ain't - I dunt sing when I ain't home, But I guess I could, 'f Damien was playin' somethin'.

"I'd like to hear you sing. Just tell me what song you'd like me to play." I turn my head a bit to face Kate. "It's never hard to convince me to play music." I add. I've pretty much always taken any such opportunity that came my way.

From:

It feels strangely comfortable, seeing Tess tease Johnny and all of us tidying up and getting things together. It makes my heart squeeze suddenly, because it's been so long since I had a - family Christmas. I suppose that is almost what this is.

Johnny gets embarrassed at the idea of singing, but Damien looks like he likes the idea, and I smile.

"It's never hard to convince me to play music."

"I'm glad to hear it," I say. "If you have a gift you should let it shine." I smile. "Johnny, we can all sing something today," I say, because he'll feel less self-conscious that way, and as I put away some dishes I quickly sing out a snatch of one of my favourite carols:

"Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir."

I smile at Tess as I sing, and I laugh when I'm done.

"Come, though, Damien can show us how a professional does it."

From:

"I ain't - I dunt sing when I ain't home," Johnny says, and I can tell my face shows how I feel when he adds real quick "But I guess I could, 'f Damien was playin' somethin'." And Damien smiles down at him, and I can see why Johnny likes 'em so much. "I'd like to hear you sing. Just tell me what song you'd like me to play."

They turn t'Kate. "It's never hard to convince me to play music." She nods, and smiles at Johnny. "Johnny, we can all sing something today."

"Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir."

She smiles at me, but me 'n Johnny both look a bit somber at the first line, 'cause 'a Christmas. I look at Johnny sometimes too, with his shock 'a dark hair 'n fair skin, and worry 'bout holly. I'm sure he'll be fine, but sometimes he fits it well...

I keep my face clear though, and Kate laughs in pleasure at singin'. I walk over 'n give her a hug, feelin' better fer touchin' her. "Come, though, Damien can show us how a professional does it."

I nod. "Yeah, it'd be nice t'hear you play, though we probably only know some 'a the more traditional songs."

From:

Damien's arms draw my annoyance away, and after Kate sings her asks him t'play. I ignore the worried scent from Tess 'cause it seems to out 'a place - maybe she's just worried I'm annoyed still at her.

"Yeah, play fer us all," I ask with a smile. Damien's played fer me 'afore, but we were alone and it was different.

From:

I'm glad to hear it,Kate says. If you have a gift you should let it shine. She smiles. Johnny, we can all sing something today, and she sings justa couple of lines from a song. She has a nice voice. Nothing special, not like Wanda, but nice enough. "Everyone can have a go." I add.

Kate laughs in happiness and Tess gives her a hug as Kate says, Come, though, Damien can show us how a professional does it. and johnny and Tess chime in with agreement. Yeah, play fer us all, John urges me with a smile.

I grin at that that and give Johnny a quick hug before going and fetching my guitar.

"All right," I announce, "If no one picks a tune, I'll play the oldest one I know in the hopes that that will do."

From:

Tess hugs me, and I smile against her hair. Then we sit down, and I put my hand lightly on Tess's as we settle on the sofa. It is nice to not worry about what the others will think of that.

From:

Damien steps over and lifts their guitar out 'v its case. "All right," they announce as Kate pulls me down with her, sittin' snug with me on the sofa. I smile at her as she puts her hand on mine. "If no one picks a tune, I'll play the oldest one I know in the hopes that that will do."

The start t'tune up 'n I think fer a moment, glancin' at Johnny. "D'you know 'Adam Lay Ybounden'," I ask. I know Johnny likes singin' that one. "We usually do it in a round - 'f you dunt know it Johnny 'n I could start, and you could pick it up."

From:

I watch Damien as they get their guitar 'n start tunin' it. I sit myself down next t'their chair, so I ain't in their way 'n ain't gettin' the music right in my ear.

"All right, ff no one picks a tune, I'll play the oldest one I know in the hopes that that will do." Tess glances over at me from where she 'n Kate are sittin' close together. "D'you know 'Adam Lay Ybounden'?" she asks Damien. "We usually do it in a round - 'f you dunt know it Johnny 'n I could start, and you could pick it up."

I nod slow. "Yeah - it's pretty simple too, and you repeat it 'till you get sick 'a singin' it, so you'd be able t'pick it up 'afore we started makin' it more complex." We've done it in three parts sometimes, in pairs 'a girls 'n boys, with Pa keepin' time.

From:

Tess and Kate settle on the sofa together, and John settles himself next to my chair. Tess thinks for a bit while Johnny and I get settled in and i'm just about ready when she asks,'you know 'Adam Lay Ybounden'? We usually do it in a round - 'f you dunt know it Johnny 'n I could start, and you could pick it up.

I smile as Johnny nods agreement. Yeah - it's pretty simple too, and you repeat it 'till you get sick 'a singin' it, so you'd be able t'pick it up 'afore we started makin' it more complex.

"I know a version of it. Learned it not that long ago before I came down the river."

Didn't learn too many folk songs in the city, had to get out of there to learn much of that. And then it was more because that was what the audience wanted than because I really wanted to learn it. But now that I know Johnny likes to sing them. Well it gives more meaning and depth to them.

I start off easy and slow with the intro, waiting for Johnny to start his part. I hope his sister lets him get a full round in before she starts. I want to hear his voice to my music.

From:

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter,
Thought he not too long.

It's a pretty song, and sad. I don't know it, but I think how maybe Tess and Johnny sang it as children, and that makes me smile and lean into Tess. And Damien has a pleasant, light voice. This is really turning out to be a very nice day.

From:

I'm surprised Damien knows it, but it ain't such a rare song 'round here. "I know a version of it. Learned it not that long ago before I came down the river."

They start playin' as Johnny starts singin', goin' through the whole thing once 'afore I start, my voice higher 'n Johnny's but a bit fuller.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took.
As clerkes finden,
Written in their book.

Kate snugs close and I smile though the song 'n put an arm 'round her.

From:

Damien plays a few chords and I start singin' on the upbeat, holdin' my spine straight and tiltin' my chin up proper. Tess looks amused, but she's got better sound 'n me so I got t'do more.

Ne had the apple taken been,
The apple taken been,
Ne had never our ladie,
Abeen heav'ne queen.

Tess gives me a chance t'sing it all on my own, my light tenor soundin' loud in the still apartment, and then she starts on the second verse. I only half hear her, concentratin' on my part, and I hook my arm 'round Damien's leg as Tess holds Kate. It's easy t'sing the song brighter 'n we usually do, this mornin'.

From:

Johnny has a nice voice, light tenor, and his singing is very careful. Tess joins in as I hoped after letting him do the first run through on his own. Her voice is higher but fuller. I adjust both my playing and my voice to better blend the three of us. With Kate the only one not singing it feels a bit odd like a cross between a private performance and a jam session.

I can see Tess' arm around Kate and a moment later, feel John's arm around my leg. I have an urge to lean over and kiss his ear, but don't because that would interfere with the song. but I do smile and slant a look in his direction. I'll wait til we finish. Won't be long I think, I can feel an end point coming up.

From: