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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 17, 2010 22:26:38 GMT -8
Time: Day 3, Mid-Afternoon Weather: Cloudy Warnings: Poor rhymes, strange sandwiches. Characters: Michael Tillotson, Ashlin Thomas (CLOSED)
Why, WHY did things seem to be bound and determined to try his patience? The way his day was going - the way his DAYS were going - a less patient fellow might have already broken. Despite his patience, even Michael was getting quite high-strung...enough so that Mister Stewart had quietly suggested that he go out for a while, to take a break on his own.
He didn't feel much like arguing.
Michael carefully eased the door of Sun Drops open, peering inside before walking over the threshold. He looked exhausted, the dark rings under his eyes much worse since last he had entered this place - but more than anything, it was strange that he was alone. Seldom, if ever, did he travel without Mister Stewart...and today was one of those rare sojourns. He cradled the book Ashlin had given him under his arm as he walked further into the place, clearing his throat to try and catch her attention. Was she in?
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 17, 2010 22:45:55 GMT -8
"Oh hello Michael." Ashlin said, sounding pleasantly surprised. She hadn't been expecting to see him again so soon, but she was glad for it. She'd spent a good deal of time cooped up working on the shop, and one could see the difference already. The walls were mostly painted and two of the bookcases were set up against the wall. And laying atop one of those bookcases was Ashlin smiling down at her guest from her probably less than safe perch.
"How are you today?" she asked brightly, as if she wasn't laying atop a tall bookcase, a thin screw driver tucked in a messy bun like some women put pencils in their hair.
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 17, 2010 23:03:05 GMT -8
Michael blinked up at her in surprise - what was she doing up there, exactly? He canted his head slightly to one side, hesitating before he spoke. Her question was...a loaded one. His shoulders were still drawn taut from the earlier encounter, his calm facade flimsy at best. His hand clenched around the book.
"...I have seen better days, but I am...fair," he fibbed, eyes sliding off to one side for a moment before looking back towards her again. "...What...exactly...are you doing up there?"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 17, 2010 23:46:01 GMT -8
She didn't quite notice the fibbing, but she certainly wasn't pleased to hear that her new friend wasn't in the best of spirits. And wasn't that a novel concept, she had a friend. It left her with a warm, fuzzy feeling, though it was slightly dampened by the knowledge that Michael wasn't as pleased. Well then she'd just have to cheer him up, she decided firmly with a mental nod. Ashlin tried to think if she had the appropriate ingredients for a proper tea. She was quite she she did.
She perked up slightly at the second question. "Oh I was fixing a loose screw, and then I found I quite liked it up here. Its a lovely view." Ashlin was quite conversational about it all, as if commenting on the weather. It seemed quite natural to her to sprawl out over the bookshelf like a cat on a particularly sunny patch of floor.
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 0:12:44 GMT -8
"...Ah."
Well, that made sense, he supposed. As much sense as anything else. He watched her for a moment before speaking again, cautiously, not meaning to offend her. "...Can you get down from up there with ease? I can...give you a hand, if you would please." Moving up towards the bookshelf, he offered his good hand, in case she might want the aid. His other wrist was much better - but he was being careful.
He wouldn't want her to fall, after all. He'd done enough of that for the both of them lately.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 18, 2010 0:43:34 GMT -8
Ashlin considered the offered hand for a moment before, shaking her head "No I think I'll be able to get back down. It cant be too terribly difficult I imagine." Trying to use the shelves like ladder steps, she felt relatively secure in her footing. She had spent enough climbing trees in her youth (and now as well, but her mother liked to think she'd broken that particular habit, and who was she to dissuade her of the notion) that she didn't worry. Of course as many would tell you it is only when one begins to feel comfortable and overestimate their own skill that accidents happen.
She was roughly half way down the tall bookcase when her foot slipped. Ashlin tried to cling to the case, but there was precious little to grasp onto. And suddenly she was falling, heart rate picking up and adrenaline rushing her system.
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 2:10:38 GMT -8
Well, all right, she seemed to have a handle on this, and he certainly wasn't in the mood to argue. The young man watched her as she started her climb downward, stormy eyes following her descent - until, quite suddenly, her descent had grown very fast indeed. His eyes widened as she started to fall...and instinctively, he stepped into her path, throwing out his arms to catch her on her way down. The book under his arm clattered to the floor, but it was the least of his concerns at the moment; he would worry about it momentarily. Luckily, unlike the last time he had been in, his footing was sure and he did not fall backward....
...Instead, he wound up catching her clumsily against his body, arms wound about her and his chest absorbing the brunt of the impact. He wobbled back on his heels, but managed not to fall over, remaining standing. Were he in better spirits and more mentally present, he might have mused to himself about the sudden correlation between his interactions with people and people falling over.
However, he was not either of those things, nor was he expecting to have a young woman flung forcibly into his arms. As the shock wore off, he went rather rigid, face turning a deep red. He didn't say a word, blinking down at her in a stunned sort of fashion.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 18, 2010 15:55:57 GMT -8
Heart still beating like an over enthusiastic drum, Ashlin realized that she was not sprawled on the floor, muttering a great many "ow"s and rubbing her backside. Instead she felt herself being held by two very sturdy arms, and against a much more comfortable surface than the hardwood floors. Peeking up she saw a red faced Michael staring down at her looking as surprised as she felt. After a moment of just blinking up at him owlishly it occurred to her that Michael must have caught her when she fell.
Well that was nice of him.
Ashlin opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Pausing again to blink up at him she finally told him calmly (despite her own flushed cheeks, it was rather embarrassing getting caught over estimating her own skills after all) "Thank you."
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 19:30:28 GMT -8
Michael was rather at a loss for words. He made a few inarticulate "er" and "uhhh" noises before abandoning the effort completely. There was a moment of stunned silence before he finally managed to open his arms, waiting for her to be sure on her feet before he moved away.
He gave a little nod in return to her thanks, face still beet red and body starting to shake a bit.
WHATISITWITHTHENEWWOMENINTHISTOWN
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 18, 2010 19:38:17 GMT -8
Pulling away from Michael, Ashlin frowned as she noticed the shaking. Eyes widening she cried out "Oh no!" She stared up at him with large puppy dog eyes, and asked in concern. "I haven't hurt your wrist have I?" She had to crane her neck up a bit to look in the eye (he was really quite tall wasn't he?) Almost moving to check, she managed to stop herself, though she did lift her hand to reach out. She remembered how he'd reacted the last time she'd tried to help him, and did not want to scare her new (only) friend off. Instead she held her own arm, rubbing it awkwardly.
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 21:29:13 GMT -8
It took him a moment, but he finally spoke, voice more than a little meek as he stooped to pick up the book he had dropped. "No, no, no - it's better now - you only startled me, falling down." Sheepishly, he held up his hand, showing her that there was no bandage there. He didn't lift his sleeve, mind you - but she would know why. He dropped it back to his side, bowing his head a little bit.
"I...wanted to thank you, for this book...I...have some questions, if you would take a look?" This whole situation was alien, awkward for him - he kept glancing back to look for Mister Stewart, but the older man wasn't there. He was on his own at the moment. Asking about things for himself. This was...strange.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 18, 2010 21:48:42 GMT -8
Relieved that she hadn't aggravated his injury, and that he did not even need a bandage at this point Ashlin smiled brightly, any unease forgotten. She didn't even notice that he didn't lift his sleeve, didn't occur to her why he'd avoid it though she knew of his burns. When Michael mentioned questions he might have she was so surprised that she just stood there blinking. No one had ever asked her for any kind of explanation if any of her projects before, but then again she'd never shared any of her journals before. It was with a strange mix of nervousness and excitement that Ashlin assured him "I'd be happy to answer any questions you have!"
Looking around Ashlin realized there really wasn't anywhere to sit down in the store, barring the floor. And after what had happened in the last visit Ash thought it would be a better idea to not sit on the floor. "We could discuss it over tea if you'd like? We'd have to go upstairs though. . . " she said rocking back on her heels.
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 22:32:58 GMT -8
He was glad to hear that she would be willing to talk with him - he had found a bit of...confusion with her journal. His intent was to try one of the painkilling salves during the rain, but attempting to read the instructions in his (ahem!) mental state the day before proved a little too taxing. Fidgeting with the book in his arms, he gave a small, apologetic smile (if you could call that a smile, that small twitch of the lips).
"Only if it would not impose...I have...caused enough trouble, Heaven knows." He was grateful for the offer, but he was...rather...nervous about causing any sort of work for the girl. Being a servant himself, he felt...odd being the subject of hospitality instead of the host.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Dec 18, 2010 22:48:51 GMT -8
Shaking her head back and forth like some kind of bobble head "Oh no it wouldn't be any trouble at all!" She never had any guests so it certainly wasn't trouble, it was terribly exciting in fact. "It would be a lovely time to take a break from all this painting anyway." Grabbing his hand she pulled him toward the door, chatter happily. "Is there any kind of tea you prefer? I have quite a few kinds so I'll likely have it." It did not occur to Ash that some might consider it impolite to manhandle one's guests, leading the around like some small child. But Ash never had guests so it really wasn't something that had ever come up before. "I can make sandwiches as well, if you're hungry."
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Post by Mister Stewart on Dec 18, 2010 23:17:45 GMT -8
Michael may have answered her question -
Except that her grabbing his hand caught him completely off-guard, his mouth going agape again. Awkwardly he stumbled along behind her, mouth opening and shutting his mouth a few times in quick succession. Why can't I seem to speak today? I'm not...I'm not THAT tired...I'm fine. His brow furrowed a little for just a second, troubled over his difficulty communicating as of late...it seemed to be getting worse with time. Could he really not speak on his own anymore?
He shook himself with some effort, going back to the confused, bewildered expression as he was pulled towards the stairs.
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