maskormenacelogs | Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing

Entry tags:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing

WHO: Claire Fraser + YOU!
WHERE: Mainly Maurita Falls and De Chima
WHEN: The month of October!
WHAT: General going-ons, shopping, poking around, etc.
NOTES: Bracket or Prose, will match style! If you'd like a specific starter, PM journal or @propernice on plurk!
WARNINGS: None, will update if needed.

Maurtia Falls

[ Claire's day begins like all the other days have since she arrived in this place. Roll over, eyes still closed, feel for Jamie, realize he's not there, and remember all over again. The time it takes to not feel so afflicted by loss and longing has decreased, she doesn't wallow in it and cry into her pillow (anymore), but there's a pang, always a keening sense of loss, followed by a realization that she never missed Frank quite this way. She missed what was home then, and familiar. Perhaps then, she was adjusting slowly to this new life alone. Once she dresses, she goes about making coffee for herself (oh, how she did miss that) and any roommates who might be awake. She's not a good cook, though, so she'll only subject herself to her own bland meal of two eggs and slightly burnt toast before heading out with a basket on her arm. She never thought she would find so much to do, and yet she's done well to keep herself occupied.

She moves around the Falls checking in on some garments she's having made before heading to the library to return and take new books on medicine and herbal remedies. She shops a bit, popping in and out of businesses, and when her day of reading and leisure is over, she goes to The Red Branch for dinner purely for the atmosphere. It sounds, smells, and looks the most like the rowdy public houses she saw while collecting tax with Dougal and Jamie. She's comfortable there, eats and drinks before going home. More than one day through the month is spent this way. ]

De Chima

[ When she travels to De Chima, it's to see about enrolling in school. She'd like to increase her knowledge and be able to help those who come to her future clinic for care a bit better. She still has no plans to be completely modern, but there's value in learning. She can be found touring a campus, a hospital, or generally milling about with phamplets of information on medical programs. ]

Choose your own adventure

[ Claire is always looking for the best place to forage for herbs and oher things that have medicinal value and grow naturally. Feel free to be a guide to a place she's never been before or leave some other starter! ]

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((ooc: Let me know if this doesn't suit :> ))

[The bell on the shop door rings when it opens and Bela moves from the stockroom to greet her potential customer. She offers Claire a warm, welcoming smile as she stands next to the counter. Bela wanted to make sure that anyone who came into her shop feel welcome, but not hounded. They were free to look around at their leisure.]

Hello there. Welcome to Herodotus Antiques. If you need any assistance please let me know.

[ Claire gives a smile in return and looks around, not quite amused by what's considered an antique (is she?) but feeling more like these are things she would have bought a year ago in a house she doesn't have. ]

I'm honestly not sure what I need exactly, but do you have vases? Specifically from the 1940s, perhaps?

[ Maybe an odd request, but it's the first one that comes to mind. She isn't sure how far back the things here might go, or even if they span multiple continents. Best to start small. ]

[She listens carefully to Claire's request, coming round from behind the counter.]

I think I might have a few in the back. If you would like to wait here while I check for you.

[Bela smiles again.]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[ Claire nods and smiles in return, browsing while she waits. When she hears the young woman walking back (but before she can see her), she calls out again. ]

How old are your antiquities here?

Some are about one hundred years old I believe.

[Bela replies, speaking loud enough for Claire to hear her. She's got this vase in a box between her hands when she returns, carrying it very carefully.]

What do you make of this one?

[ Claire is actually struck silent for a moment as she stares at it, then realizes she hasn't said anything. So, she clears her throat. ]

I saw a vase exactly like that in a hospital in France. I moved on, but then word of mouth came that the hospital had been bombed by the Germans and...for some reason I always wondered what happened to the vase.

[ She looks at Bela. ]

That's a terrible first thought, isn't it?

[ Bela doesn't say a word at first, trying to process what Claire had just said. Firstly, it told her that Claire was definitely not from this time period, and secondly, that it seemed she'd seen some awful things in her life. ]

Not the thought I was expecting, but it's alright. You don't need to explain.

[ She's going for the tactful approach. ]

This could be an entirely different vase. I'm sure they made quite a few of them back then.

Oh, easily. But I'd like to see about purchasing this one. Do you have a price in mind?

[ It's not something she needs, but it's the last thing she'd been ready to buy before the time travel and it seems the idea hasn't left her just yet. ]

I'm having a sale at the moment so probably around fifty dollars.

[ It would probably make more at an auction, but Bela didn't have the heart to ask for more than that. ]

I'll take it.

[ She has no idea where she's going to put it, but it feels like something she needs to at least acknowledge her entire life isn't simply 1743 Scotland. ]

You have a lovely shop. My name is Claire, by the way. Claire Fraser.

Thank you, Claire. I'm very proud of what this shop has become ever since I took ownership of it.

[ It was clear from her tone of voice just how proud Bela was. There were times when she had her doubts, but she had made it through. ]

A pleasure to meet you. My name is Bela Talbot.

Likewise, Bela. I don't believe I've ever met someone so young this interested in antiquities. Usually one would imagine a little old man or woman, well-worn with plenty of goods to show for it.

[ She gives a smile and a small wink. ]

I quite enjoy the change-up.

You wouldn't be the first person to imagine that, Claire. Honestly, I didn't think I would be given ownership of an antique store, but here we are.

[ The wink draws another smile from her. ]

Glad to hear you're pleased about it.

[ Kid regularly went around Maurtia Falls to speak with the store owners privately, particularly those in the poorer parts of the city, where crime rates were highest. Things had settled a great deal since the new ambassador had taken over Maurtia Falls, but Kid wanted to make sure that the most vulnerable of the native businesses weren't still getting pinched for protection money... or if they were, for Kid to get information to handle it directly.

But today, there were no reports of anything amiss, and Kid is leaving one of these shops with a pleasant smile at the same time as a woman is near the doorway. ]

Pardon me. [ he nods, stepping to the side and holding the door for her ]

[ Claire's tried to get around different places, and she's tried to commit the faces she's seen to memory just in case it becomes relevant later, but this isn't one she remembers seeing. She smiles, though, nodding her head, basket full of books. ]

Good afternoon, thank you.

[ She moves to step inside, but all of her wayward books spill out of her open ended basket and she sighs heavily, closing her eyes for a moment because why did she pick this basket? ]

[ He kneels right away to help her gather the spilled books, and noting that there's too many of them now to easily carry in one's arms, offers help instead. ]

Would you like me to help carry them, until you can find something more suitable for carrying this many?

[ Actually, he reflected, the basket was a bit odd. Who still carried things in baskets? ]

[ She's heading toward a store that will hopefully have something more suitable, and she smiles at his thoughtfulness. ]

That's very kind of you, thank you.

[ Smoothing a hand over her skirt, she holds a couple books in her own arms. ]

My name is Claire, and I very much appreciate the help.

[ For all the unique circumstance of his growing up, one certainly couldn't say Kid wasn't raised with good manners. ]

I'm Kid. It's very nice to meet you, Claire.

[ He takes in her outfit more fully as he gathers the last of the books from the ground, shifting them into two piles... and getting them as close to level with each other as he can. Glancing around at their location, deciding which of the shops would have bags. ]

I haven't seen you around Maurtia Falls before. Are you recently arrived, or lodging in another city?

[ What an interesting name. She wonders if it's a moniker but for now it's no matter. ]

Likewise, a pleasure, Kid. And I suppose you could say I'm still new. About three months in, but I've mostly been doing quite a lot of reading at the library or at home, trying to catch up to this century.

[ There's a reason he doesn't typically offer his full name on first introductions, unless the context of the meeting warrants it. ]

Ah, you're time-displaced as well? [ empathetic, but understanding ]

Might I inquire what century you left? And if there's anything you've found that they books haven't clarified, perhaps I can help. I have an... extended memory.

[ Courtesy of his father, because that's what happens when you create a child from your own soul. ]

[ Claire has no idea what that last bit means, wondering if it means he's immortal like Dorian and Toby. But for now, she lets that go. ]

Oh, of course. When I arrived here it was the 18th century. But I was born in the 20th.

[ A touch of a smile graces her lips. ]

Arriving here isn't the first time I've been displaced.

[ Ironically he was indeed immortal, but he'd been speaking of something else. He piqued with interest at her revelation of her time period-- periods. ]

Then time magic exists in your world?

There are instances of it in mine, but it's only used by a certain type of individual [ witches, but he could be tactful ] and it doesn't span such a wide range, as far as I know.

I don't know if it's magic, science, or a combination of both, perhaps. Certainly, the Scots believe it's druids or fairy magic.

[ Of course, no one in the 18th century will be stepping forward to proudly proclaim themselves a witch responsible for anything - let alone time travel. ]

(Sure, we can do that! I hope they can talk again :))

[ Spider-Man is back on patrol for the first time since his showdown with Tony Stark, and he's raring to go. Maybe catching muggers and foiling a few bodega robberies is a small contribution to social welfare, but it's just what the doctor ordered to get him back into--heh--the swing of things.

Not on the prescription: getting thrown through a plate glass window by a new super with a serious aversion to being told no. He skids across a table, rolls off the edge, and fetches up groaning practically against some poor passer-by's feet. ]

Oof. Somebody get the name of that lorry?

[ Claire has no idea what's happening, it all happens so fast: the sound of the glass, the mass hurtling toward her, and she yells in a very undignified way. ]

Good fucking Christ, bloody hell!

[ Annnnnd then she realizes who it is, pressing a hand to her chest before shaking herself out of it and trying to help him up. ]

I apologize, I didn't mean to over-react. Are you all right?

...Claire Fraiser? No, don't worry, I'm fine.

[ Spidey rolls to his feet before she can do much, gently shrugging off her hand as he rises. ]

Nice seeing you again, Claire. If you'll just give me--[ he holds up a finger ]--one second, I'll be right with you.

[ With that he catapaults himself back out into the fray. From the thuds, bangs, crashes, splashes, and single brassy musical note that ensues, said fray involves a narrowly averted armored car heist, a broken fire hydrant, and at least one unfortunate tuba player who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Five minutes later Spidey leans back through the threshhold, carefully avoiding the shards of broken glass. ]

All clear. Everyone all right in here?

Edited 2016-10-14 01:12 (UTC)

[ Claire blinks slowly, then shakes her head in disbelief when he leaves. When he comes back, though, she tries to help him back inside. ]

Everyone's just fine here. What about you, let me look you over.

[ She can't help it, she's used to men and boys going off and doing brash things (her husband) and pretending they're perfectly fine. Though it's of course hard to tell with his red suit. ]

Nothing a few minutes with a needle and thread won't fix.

[ He's examining a small tear in the suit on his forearm, and it takes a moment for him to register the alternate meaning. ]

I mean the suit, not me. Recent scuttlebutt to the contrary, I don't bruise easy.

[ Wait, does she know? It was on the network, not to mention at least a line item on news and social media, but Claire doesn't really strike him as the plugged-in type. ]

[ Oh yes, she knows, and as such tries to stay out of plenty of people's way. ]

Well, if you do have anything that needs fixing, that seems to be what my speciality is, so let me know.

[ She lets out a sigh, looking at the glass and shaking her head a bit. ]

How have you been otherwise?

Hopefully I won't need it, but I'll keep that in mind.

[ So she hasn't said it outright, but "otherwise" and her general demeanor suggests she knows. So much for keeping up Spidey's devil-may-care persona.

Though it's probably for the best that he doesn't have to explain the details, every time he comes face-to-face with the fact that hundreds of near-strangers, well, saw his face under the most humiliating circumstances...

Claire being a nice near-stranger he'd like to strike up a cross-temporal friendship with makes it worse, not better. ]

One of my oldest friends got mind-swapped with an evil version of himself, I didn't notice until he'd already nonconsensually given hundreds of people superpowers, and then he beat me up for live broadcast and publically revealed my secret identity, putting not only myself but my daughter and nephew in danger the next time one of my enemies gets Ported in. What "otherwise" could there possibly be?

[ His voice ratchets higher and his gestures get broader until he runs full-bore into the end of his speech and deflates as quickly as he'd wound himself up. ]

Sorry. I don't know why I just--well, it's been a heckuva couple of weeks, I can tell you that much.

[ Claire's frown grows deeper as he speaks, and by the time he's done and apologizing, she reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder. ]

No need for apologies. When family is in danger, there's nothing more terrifying.

[ She's not sure exactly what someone needs in this situation, but she wants to help somehow. ]

Would you like to try and clear your head, take a walk with me?

((ooc: Hope this starter is fine. Sorry for not doing anything before this!))

[A meeting between them was long overdue. It hadn't been Peggy's intention to leave it this long, but a few things had come up and she was a little restricted for time. Now that she was more settled, Peggy ventured out onto the streets of Nonah to browse through the shops and see if she could find something new to wear. She had never really let go of the style she was accustomed to back home, but trying something different might be fun.

Peggy encounters Claire on her way towards a boutique store, obviously delighted by her presence.]

Claire! How lovely it is to see you. [A smile.]

[ Immediately, Claire realizes she ever followed up with Peggy thanks to construction meeting and planning her small medical practice with contractors. So much more goes into it than she initially thought, but it's wonderful to see her and she smiles in return. ]

Peggy; this certainly makes me glad I made the trip here today. And we're meeting just as I'm about to try and tackle some more modern clothing. Would you care to join me?

[ By 'modern' she absolutely means 40s standards and instead of 18th century. ]

Yes, absolutely. I would love to join you. Having the company whilst shopping definitely makes the task a lot more enjoyable than doing it alone.

[ Perhaps task was the wrong word to use, but she had never spent a long time shopping for herself, either here or back home. Simply because she didn't always have the chance to. ]

[ Oh, it certainly feels like a task to her; Claire hasn't shopped for clothes in so long, all she truly cares about is being comfortable. ]

How have you been since we last spoke?

[ She makes her way with Peggy toward the door of a boutique, taking her time, however, not in any rush. ]

I have been well enough, thank you.

[ She arrives at the door first, opening it and stepping aside to let Claire go ahead of her. ]

And you? how have you been, Claire?

[ Stepping through with a nod and smile of thanks, Claire hums a little at the question as she thinks. ]

All things considered, I think I've been well. Adjusting to things - I learned how to use a computer, figured out texting on that device and met someone willing to help me open my own old-world medical practice. I suppose that's not bad for three or four months.

[ She's never been one to sit down in crisis mode and complain about the unfairness of it all. Pick and go on, make the best of it - it's the only way she knows how to survive anymore. ]

Not bad at all. Quite impressive, actually. It took me some time to figure out computers and the internet, as well as the device.

[ She had yet to venture into the world of online photos and social media, but baby steps. No need for her to become bombarded. ]

I sincerely hope that the practice will do well, Claire. But I can imagine that it'll be all right, considering the woman behind it all. [ Another smile. ]

[ Claire smiles at the compliment, and honestly there's not anything she thinks couldn't get done just as well - if not better than - if a man were doing it. ]

I'll admit to having someone show me at first, but I get a bit obsessive about learning things and how to get on. Once I figured out these all seem to be key things in communicating, I think I let it suck me in. Probably not the healthiest of ways to cope.

[ She's also sans Jamie, which means she can throw herself into whatever the hell she wants with no real distraction - even if he would be a good one. ]

If you know anyone interested in working a front desk or people who might want to apprentice, feel free to let me know. I'd like to train others and that way if I leave, the practice won't sit unused.

[ She'll put out a general call as well, but it never hurts to put out additional feelers, especially with a friend. ]

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Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing

Shopping (Herodotus Antiques)

this is great!

:)

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Maurtia Falls;

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so sorry for the slow, if you'd like to fade it out I'd understand <3

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De Chima, but option three! Early October.

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Nonah

this is great, and don't apologize at all! my fault, too.

:>

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bad hiatus timing; if you want to plot on plurk and handwave we can!