|
Post by Alex on Aug 26, 2007 17:45:22 GMT -5
*Alex walked up to Madame Dahlia's with a skeptical look on her face. She knew very well what this place was; and she was fairly certain Lizzie's brother Jake wouldn't allow her anywhere near it. Which was more than odd, to begin with.
Once admitted, she asked if she could wait for Lizzie.*
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 26, 2007 19:09:20 GMT -5
*When the girl had informed her she had a visitor, Lizzie swallowed hard and wiped her hands on her apron before removing it. She smoothed the lines of her dress and grabbed her short gray caplet and her small bag. Stepping out into the sitting room, she looked a bit out of place, dressed simply and conservatively compared to the other girls that were in the room with her. She kept her eyes lowered as she always did, normally as to not draw attention, but tonight it was to hide the faint blush in her cheeks. She approached Alex without looking up, staring at the shoes in front of her instead.*
"Good evening.*
*Her voice was faint and a little unsteady.*
"I...I'm glad 'ya came."
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 26, 2007 19:57:01 GMT -5
*Alex had entertained herself idly by appreciating the girls who flaunted their wares, but she was surprised to find that when Lizzie entered, as plain and unassuming as was her costume, Alex had eyes for no other.
That was decidedly not how it was supposed to go.
She stood upon Miss Quinn's entrance and bowed slightly, even thought Lizzie had not looked up.*
"As am I," *she said softly, choosing not to mention the odd circumstances of seeing her in such a place. She was no prude, in any case.* "Ought we to go someplace more private to talk? Not entirely private, if you don't want," *she added quickly.* "I mean... someplace we can talk."
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 26, 2007 20:00:46 GMT -5
*Lizzie lifted her gaze to Alex's. He--She wasn't so bad. Not now. She could do this. She pursed her lips and lifted her chin.*
"Take me fer a walk? There's a garden out back."
*She placed the offer out, but there was obviously no negotiation to be had. She could take it or leave it. Lizzie started for the door, but glanced back with a a warm expectant look for a moment as she did so.*
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 10:28:55 GMT -5
*Alex nodded. The girl seemed to be putting out mixed signals, but she followed docilely. Alex was fairly certain her flirtatious nature was not to be allowed free reign here. She admired Lizzie's firmness, and was curious--and nervous--as to what the girl might say.*
"It's lovely here," *she said, though she had no eyes for the actual garden.*
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 27, 2007 10:33:20 GMT -5
*As soon as they were isolated in the garden, Lizzie turned abruptly to face Alex, a fire in her eye, but well restrained. She wasn't ready to put up with any small talk. She needed answers.*
"What is it that you really want from me? 'Cause I have a mind that a friend ain't one to go kissin' one another without mentioning that he's a she."
*It may have sounded short, but it held a hint of desperation. Lizzie just needed to understand what was going on.*
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 11:52:45 GMT -5
*Alex blushed and lowered her eyes.*
"I hadn't meant... No, you are right. It was not very nice of me. I had not thought..." *She sighed.* "I suppose I meant it as mere flirtation, at first. No harm in that, so I thought. But you were so fetching, I forgot myself. I just wanted you to like me, for however long I had before you found out and shunned me. I figured I couldn't get too entangled; but I should not have entangled you. That was wrong of me.
"So when it comes down to it, I only wanted to give you my apology. I am not in a position to ask anything further."
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 27, 2007 11:58:00 GMT -5
*Lizzie eyed Alex shrewdly. She seemed to be telling the truth. It made it a lot harder to be mad. She was quiet for a while after Alex stopped talking, just processing.*
"How long have you...you know...been dressin' like that? Flirtin' with girls?"
*She didn't sound bitter, more curious.*
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 13:01:05 GMT -5
*Alex blinked and risked a glance up at Lizzie's face. She saw... curiosity.
Was she to hope?*
"A few years," *she said quietly.* "Tried to start in London, after... After I was discovered with the kitchen maid and promised to some noble toff. Ran away, but it was too easy to find me in London. So I came here. It's... easier, most of the time. That is, you've taught me one of the big problems with it."
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 27, 2007 13:04:53 GMT -5
*Lizzie let out a short, bitter laugh.*
"That sometimes' a girl's too dense to fig're it out on her own? Well, pardon me, where I'm from, we ain't forced to look that close."
*She crossed her arms indignantly, but after twisting her lips in indecision, her face softened, as did her tone.*
"Must have be rough though...I'd 'magine anyways. Pretendin' to be that which 'ya ain't."
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 15:35:05 GMT -5
"That's not what I meant!" *Alex protested.* "I meant... that it can hurt people. That's all. I..."
*She looked up again.*
"Not that hard. I'm still a tomboy, and a flirt, and in the end whether I'm a boy or a girl doesn't make any difference to me. I am learning, however, that it makes a great deal of difference to... other people."
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 27, 2007 15:47:48 GMT -5
*At the last words, Lizzie's lips tightened and she hugged herself tighter.*
Of course it does.
"And what were you expectin'? That I'd just keep goin' on and never happen on the truth? Just 'cause I still got my cherry don't mean I ain't knowledgeable about a boy's shape. You had to know that I'd catch on eventually. And what then? That'd I'd just be...al'right with it?"
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 16:10:52 GMT -5
"No!" *she said quickly, her hands twisting together in front of her.* "I intended that you stop me. That... you wouldn't like me well enough to care... I only wanted to spend some time with you, before you found out and told me to go away."
*She toed the ground in irritation with herself.*
"It was stupid. But given the choice, I'd probably make the same decision again. Just to get those few kisses, before you found out."
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Aug 27, 2007 16:16:08 GMT -5
*The comment about her kisses warmed a strange place in Lizzie but she fought not to show it. Instead, she scrunched her nose.*
"You're mighty funny to set yerself up like that. You ain't one of those...maso...masomabobbers...people that like to get hurt, are 'ya. 'Cause I don't do nothing like that."
*She looked surprised with herself and was quick to add.*
"Not that I'll be...we'll be...well...yeah."
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 27, 2007 16:31:23 GMT -5
*Alex couldn't suppress a small smile.*
"Not that I know of. But eventually, one starts to notice a pattern..." *She sighed.* "I see it was a mistake, now. But all I can do is apologize; if you want me to explain my preference and emotions, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. Again."
|
|