|
Date: 12-18-10
Poster: Mikhail MacKay
Post # 10
Getting
Ones Situated in the Lands
The day was warmer than it had been, a heat wave hitting the 30 degree
mark. Eion's roller had been at work and finally was done after the snow
stopped falling. Mikhail was out by the fountain which had been
turned off for the winter, leaving water in the wide basin that had
frozen. A number of young children were skating under the watchful eye
of a mother or older sibling. Mikhail was soaking in the day while
keeping warm under the heavier fur lined cloak. A knitted cap on his
head that was pulled down over his ears. The length of thick black hair
helping to keep the heat in against his skin, including his beard.
ALl Hiram could do, was look up at the sun, and hope that he would not
sneeze, thankfully the cold air dispelled with the allergies, bundled
from head to toe, Hiram was sure he would survive the great outdoors ...
Children played happily in the snow, as winter birds chirped with the
music of play. And, Anthea moved along this music with a smile to lips,
red with cold. The chill of the air did not affect the Greek today,
almost welcoming the chills, and the change of temperature. Her petite
form was covered in a Grecian apron dress of dark lavender, woven
patchwork of different shades of same color danced along the apron, with
a cream colored chemise to set off the design in its simple form. She
was not one to be fancy, but thrifty, and this had come cheap, and fit
her well enough. With silver eyes did she look about the shops, kid
boots moving slowly as she enjoyed the cold as well as the sound of play
surrounding her. Now, that was heard by all she might think. Gazing
about, and looking for the printing press, or where it was housed, as
well as familiar faces. Hip length hair flowed well past her hips, held
back by a french braid. It was the style she preferred, and only way she
did decorate black tresses. Things were looking up for Anthea, and she
smiled as fingers reached up to touch the pearl hidden within the folds
of material, perhaps praying silent to the jewel for her good fortune.
Evony had walked, today, rather than bringing out Trésor, for it was
cold and she intended to examine shoppe fronts at some length. That
would leave the poor horse to kick his heels in cold air with nothing to
do. Besides, she needed a good stiff bit of exercise, after last night's
early retreat...and yes, she knew it for what it was...into her room.
Too many hours in that small space had left her ready to run shrieking
through the snow, though naturally she was doing no such thing. Walking,
in her red sable cloak, the emerald green hem of her skirts flaring out
with each step as she meandered along the commons.
A dip of his chin as dark eyes shifted to the bundled man. Something hit
on a memory and the fact a certain one had been spotted and related to
him by Alex. "HIRAM," having that military quality for the one
to stand up straight and be counted amongst the living. Provided it was
Hiram Jones, if it was not the deep commanding voice would just pass him
by harmlessly.
Hiram watched the children at their play, unable to remember when he had
ever done such a thing at their age, absently patting his pockets for a
handkerchief, he carried several just in case, hearing his name called,
Hiram looked up like a deer caught in the light, blinking, and of all
things sneezing, just like he knew he would "HUH?" hoping it
was not that bully that kept pelting him with snow balls. Giving a
another sneeze as he searched for the caller then sneezing as he found
his hankie holding his nose ...
Yes, if it was Hiram, the sneezing would begin. As it did. Mikhail
couldn't help the chuckle that the one probably would not hear for it
was a low rolling sound that one would need to be next to him
to hear. He had been in a lean against the fountain's edge as he pushed
up moving towards Hiram with an outstretch of hand. "It has been a
while my friend. I'm pleased you came back. Need a job?" Mikhail
was usually quick to point on something. He noticed both Anthea and
Evony's arrival which were two he hoped would be around as well.
At the male bellow, she froze in midstride and looked around towards the
sound, a slow blink coming as she realized it was the gentleman from the
night before. Her eyes sought out the one yelled for, and in so doing,
caught sight of Anthea. She smiled and waved to her. Another nod and
smile were sent to Mikhail and the man with the hanky.
A littel girl fell, and Anthea let silver hues roam to the small child.
Watching the mother, who looked like she did have her arms full, try to
console the child as she held twins. Anthea moved to the mother with a
smile, and then reached into her pocket as she knelt in the snow.
"Look.. ?" Of course permission was granted first from the
mother, and the child took the candy stick with a smile. Soft Greek was
spoken, and then was Anthea moving with a wave
to the small family as she seen her friend. A soft motion took the Greek
toward her friend, smiling as the child was silent now.
Blowing his nose,cautiosly Hiram watched Mikhail, with his hand
outstretched, "oh Mikhail," he extended his hand, with the
hanky, then pulled it back, and tucked the hankie in his pocket. "A
job you say?" reacching his hand forward again, shaking Mikhail's,
hoping that the man was healthy, he really didn't need a cold this time
of year. His other hand pushing his glasses up his nose ...
Luckily he had gloves on so he'd not be touching a sneeze coated hand.
Grip was strong, probably stronger than Hiram was use to but it was
released quickly enough too. "Aye, reporter like you use to be in
these lands years back. A job with the lady Anthea," which he
motioned to both ladies to come join them. "Lady Anthea will be
taking over the printing press and this is the Lady Evony, a friend of
hers." If he was not mistaken that they had become good friends
along with Charlie and Sadie.
"Evony.." She called softly, and with slender fingers did she
lift the her clothing high, above ankles, so the hem of chemise and
apron dress would not gain moisture. Moving quickly she did, smiling at
Mikhail, as well as the gentleman near him.
OHMYGAWDIT WASAWOMAN, look crossed his face as they neared, starting to
stutter "I ..I ..who ..I "Nodding his head, "sure,"
he finally gushed ...
Anthea had come upon the men as she heard Mikhail's words, and she to
smile with sincere kindness to the man. " A pleasure to meet
you.."
Once Anthea and Evony got near, "ladies this is the charming
gentleman Hiram Jones who was a reporter here and I think will accept
the position back."
Evony nodded to Mikhail, to agree that she was a friend of Anthea's, a
very kind smile curving her mouth at the clear state of discomfort of
the other man. "It is lovely to meet you, sir."
"Erm Really?" he stammered, studying her through the horn
rimmed glasses, "you .me ..I say ," he coughed, reaching for
his hankie again, looking at Mikhail, "are you sure?" He asked
clearing his throat ...
"Hiram, it will be an honor to work with you." Her smile did
reach eyes of silver, to show the gentleman she would be a good person
to work with. And, then did those silver hues roam over her friends,
only to land upon Hiram once again. He was shy too?
There was a twinkle set to dark eyes as he was very well versed in
keeping a straight face. He knew some of the antics of Hiram Jones.
Amused by them too of course.
Shy didn't cover poor Hiram, he was socially inept, but he tried to be
social, when his tongue did not get over his eye teeth to confuse what
he might say. "An honor ...no way ..you sure?" He asked once
the cough settled to where he could breath enough to speak ...
"Aye, I am sure and I have the key to the printing press
building." Which was a small one between store fronts, not needing
many front windows. It had one, steps going up straight once inside to a
room upstairs that was wide open with the printing press and many
tables, storage shelves and bins for paper and ink. All the keys needed
to set the words that would be inked and printed, manually turned for
each sheet, manually inked too.
Anthea could only stare to the man, and then with a smile she let
Mikhail speak, as she remained silent. Nay to move as he spoke, but to
smile bright as he spoke of the having the key. Almost a key to her
future.
"You do, you have, I say...Umm, May I have an office like
before?" he asked, sniffling up to clear his sinuses ...
Evony just stood and watched, learning what she could of Hiram and the
other not so well known man, Mikhail, as they interacted with Anthea.
Her hands were in her red sable mitt, nicely warm, and the sun was
gilding her hair to molten gold. It felt delicious.
Luckily Hiram did not catch that look or he would have started to
sneeze, looking for what ever odd bugger was on his face, not that there
was, Hiram was just that way...
He handed Hiram a key, he knew exactly where the building was from where
they stood across the street. It was one in the common's square of
buildings. "Here is one for you and one for Anthea," which he
handed her the second. "Hiram can teach you all the in and outs of
the printing business. There is also a flat above it with three spare
rooms in case there comes a night you end up staying very late, so you
can sleep there." It had a small kitchen too she would discover,
big enough to cook a meal there in case they got snowed in or working
around the clock to get out the next paper.
A look of quiet delight spread over her features as she watched the key
be placed into Anthea's hand.
A KEY, his very own Key, Hiram just knew his eyes were going to mist up.
"A key ... I ..well I never thought," he cleared his throat
looking towards the building, "thank you Mikhail." He needed a
job certainly, and to get more herbs.
The chill had returned, the incident that was not new to this woman.
And, an experience that lasted even now, bringing her to wear no cloak,
nor mittens, only the attire that one might where in early spring. Eyes
seem to sparkle, almost glow in nature as she took her smaller hand to
accept the key. She could not believe her good luck, luck that had
finally touched her as the rays of sun that touched these lands.
"Thank you, Mikhail.. very much." Then with a clutch of
fingers around the key, she held it to her heart, almost afraid to let
go. She would like that, if Evony did. But for now, did she look to the
face of Hiram with a smile.."I shall look forward to working with
you." Spoken with kindness, and the chill to welcome to key closer
within her palm.
"Evony, there is a nice store front next to the Printing Press
establishment if you are interested?" This one had two large
windows in the front on either side of the door. The store on the first
level one stepped through and also had a flat upstairs, bedroom, living
room and a kitchen in the back on the first floor, steps leading up from
the kitchen to the flat. The store's main room was longer than it was
wider.
Hiram noticed that Anthea ..the lady had no cloak, "oh my," he
sniffled, shouldering out of his coat, well as fast as he could,
unbuttoning took a moment, "here put this on Miss ..cant have two
of us sniffling." He was nice, really he was, the sheerling line
coat would swallow her ...he was a tall but thin man, needing fattening
up and herbs to sooth his allergies ...
Lids did widen, her shapely brows to arch as he showed such kindness.
But the secret of a lack of cloak was her own, thus did she accept it
with a smile. "Thank you, Hiram.. at times I would forget my head
if it was not attached.." The lie did come easily. "But that
will leave you cold, yes?"
She looked from Mikhail over to the shoppe front he mentioned, and a
slow smile formed on her mouth, as her eyes took it in. Head tipped to
the side as she mentally placed fur designs in the window fronts, and
then she gave a slow nod. "It would be lovely, sir. Truly lovely.
And a delight to be next to Anthea and now Hiram." Smiling warmly
at all of them. At this point she realized that Anthea was unprepared
for the weather, and so slipping her hands from her mitt, she firmly
placed it into Anthea's hands. "You are to wear these, or I shall
do something most horrible!" Smiling at her.
"I ..you ..." he put it on her shoulders, "we can get
extra wood for the hearth ..or pot belly," he assured her, he could
stand a shiver a two ..
"That is a lovely ideal, Hiram.. simply fantastic.." So they
would not freeze, for she was not always with the chill. "And
perhaps some food on the off chance one or other is snowed in?"
Softly spoken, her warm accent to kiss each word spoken.
"This will be your store here in the commons," and the fact it
was next to her friend would be a plus for both of them in settling in.
At least that was his intent for picking out the place from the others.
He procured the key to offer her. "Would you like to get a better
look at the place?" At this point he was slowly on the move to both
places as a group.
"Evony.. truly I am fine.. you keep that.. we do not wish you to
catch a cold, where will I go for fur then?" Soft was the smile,
her movements glided to brush a kiss along her cheek. "I thank you,
and am so happy you will be next to us."
Hiram blinked, it was a good idea, he smiled, well tried to smile, his
lips were chapped, but still, he managed, "I will order some
up," he said absently looking in his heavy shirt pocket for a
pencil and paper, to which he licked the end of the pencil, before
writing, "f.i . r, e .wo.o.d," he mumbled, adding food, and
lots of it ...
"Hiram.. we work as a team.." Spoken as she turned her olive
features to him, her attention on the sneezing man. "I can find
food.. and do love to cook. Perhaps some good Greek food, and
haggis?" She never liked the stuff, but perhaps he did?
She reluctantly took her mitt back, slipping her hands inside it, and
nodded with a smile for the buss to her cheek. "Oh, very well, but
I must to say I am not happy when you are cold." Oh, cue the
nosewrinkle at mention of Haggis. Gah! Oh...yes, Mikhail. Belatedly
noting the key and taking it from him with gentle fingers. "I would
love to see it, yes."
"Haggis," he blinked over the lifted paper, "OM mah word
..sheep guts no." He coughed, tucking the paper in his shirt
pocket, "I .. you ..I like simple things ..like taters and biscuits
and butter," but he never gained weight ...
She had not eaten it, but was taught to cook it. Watching Shawn eat it,
well, it had made her cringe, but soon she had grown use to it..
"We shall see what we need when we arrive, ne? Yes, I mean.."
She smiled warmly to Mikhail, thinking it was a grand ideal to move,
almost like a tour, and the mystic was their guide. "Fried
potatoes, boiled, even some with butter.. hmmm... biscuits I am good at,
but bread.. for some reason they always are hard as logs." Twitch
of a grin as she did follow the group.
"I have found places for both of you not far from the other.
The one for you, Anthea is the next place up from the Aviary run by
Vanessa Baltimore. Further into the wilderness and Willow lake is a
cottage that is comfortable for one or two people and has a large barn
as well a stable attached with a paddock."
Again, this man was bringing her to smile so brightly, silver hues
almost seem to glow. A home too? She took a slow breath to contain her
excitement. "Mikhail.. thank you so much, words cannot express my
thanks." Words came soft almost shy in nature, and then was she
touching her pearl, glad for all this, and for her safety as well.
-c- |
