The Fifth - [ written ]

[charitylovehopefaith]

July the first,

It has been suggested to me that I might find myself happier here if I were to engage in further enterprise than I have so far made it my business to do. [Which... She'll grant the wisdom in the suggestion at this point. She has no house to run, and keeping the rooms tidy and her and her brother fed keep her busy but not interested.] I have an arrangement with one individual here [she's trying to be very formal, so she shies away from mentioning Richard by name] regarding sewing and repairing articles of clothing in exchange for what he can part with. [Or the promise of future goods.] Firewood and produce, mostly. I should be happy to extend my offer to others for similar terms.

If this service is unnecessary, I apologise for having troubled the good people of Luceti with this.

I thank you all for your time,
Faith Long

Comments

[greenjacketed]

[ keen to make an honest pursuit of the woman, he scribbles back a good natured message: ]

You may write my name, should you want to. [ unless, he suddenly realizes, she truly doesn't want to. perhaps she's ashamed of the association. ]

--RICHARD.

[charitylovehopefaith]

Of course, Richard. I wasn't sure if you would want the possible advertisement, if others thought to strike similar bargains with you.

Faith

[greenjacketed]

If they do and I think not to allow it, I will tell them so. But...[ a pause. a hard swallow while he figures what to write. ] I hope you're comfortable writing it.

[charitylovehopefaith]

[...Oh. She hadn't realised it might have sounded like...

That won't do. At all.]

I very much am, Richard.

[greenjacketed]

[ what a relief! for a moment, he thought his pursuit might be for nothing. because although she's been kind enough in person, he wouldn't be so bold as to presume that she wasn't simply being polite. humouring a useful ally.

he plays around in celebration: ] I don't know how to write the words needed to tell you how happy I am to read that.

[charitylovehopefaith]

I apologise that there was ever cause for concern, Richard. I suppose I have been taught discretion a little too well. I hope you'll forgive me.

[greenjacketed]

It may come with a price.

[ my forgiveness. ]

[charitylovehopefaith]

One you're owed, certainly. [Because, after all, she trusts him enough for him not to take too great a liberty with said price.]

[greenjacketed]

An afternoon is all I ask, if you'll permit it.

[ he'd once been to a strange and baffling picnic -- some french convention enjoyed by the marquesa and her suitors. it seems well adapted to luceti, and he thought he might first announce his courtship with a quiet chat. outside. nothing formal. bloody hell, he couldn't do formal. ]

[charitylovehopefaith]

[The boon to a written conversation is that Faith can, to a great extent, hide the beaming that request causes.]

That sounds delightful, Richard.

[greenjacketed]

At your convenience, of course.

[charitylovehopefaith]

The earliest date that you are available would answer well for me.

[greenjacketed]

[ in for a penny, in for a pound: ] ...Today?

written

[originaljackass]

And what services might you be seeking?

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

I suppose that depends on what could be offered. I don't feel there's anything in particular I need, especially in fair weather. [Come winter, she is going to be stocking up on firewood and candles.] Fresh food to cook, perhaps. The store provides, certainly, but I can never be too sure how fresh anything is. Or supplies for sewing, if they're found around. Material, thread and yarn. That sort of thing.

I guess I'm very open to negotiation, really.

Faith Long

written

[originaljackass]

[Ah. Formal written conversation. For Jack, it's a bit of a struggle to make his writing appear nice and clean. But he endeavors to do well anyway.]

Currently I'm a bartender, working at Seventh Heaven. I've also dabbled in construction. Stories have been told about the house that I built. I've a strong back, too. Stronger than most. But I'd like to know what you would offer in turn.

Jack Horner.

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

[A house.

But, no. That's quite an elaborate project. Faith knows she doesn't have anything to offer that could rival that.]

I'm afraid that my practical skills [after all, music, dance, and management skills -- she had been taught to run a household staff, after all -- seem to have very little application for goods here] are limited to cooking and sewing. If you're in need of mending or new clothes, perhaps small pieces of furniture might be in exchange, depending on the size of the task?

written

[originaljackass]

A little stitch work would go a long way. Slits in the back of a shirt are a little tacky, don't you think? As if the wings weren't bad enough.

[It was a common look around Luceti. But certainly he might strike a better image if the backs of his shirts didn't look so sloppily cut open.]

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

They'll also fray slower if they'e properly stitched up. I'd be happy to do that, certainly.

written

[originaljackass]

A home made meal sounds even better. Especially if we get to spend it together.

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

[Faith has to remind herself that people here are quite a bit more... relaxed... with their associations. It isn't (to them) strange for a gentleman and a lady to eat alone.

Even if it still seems far too intimate for her. She is trying to adapt herself.]

I could cook for you, certainly. Perhaps a meal or two and a few shirts stitched up might be sufficient for an easel? I was fortunate enough to find one in the shops after I arrived, but I should like another.

[And, well, in her mind... if he can build a house, he can manage the carpentry to make an easel.]

written

[originaljackass]

[It could be said that Jack was in fact the originator of the term 'Jack of all Trades'. Certainly he had lived so long that he'd tried his hand at nearly everything, but rarely mastered anything (apart from the art of love making, movie making, and sometimes money making). It had been awhile since he tried to really build anything and he'd never made an easel.

But he was Jack Horner. He figured that this should be easy for him.]

You're an artist? That sounds like a fair trade. It shouldn't take me long at all.

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

Oh, I wouldn't call myself that at all, sir. I merely dabble in drawing and painting. Nothing that can really be called art.

If you'd like, I can see to picking up some of the shirts you'd like stitching on so I can work on those.

written

[originaljackass]

It's more than what most do. Have you sent any off to the Art Gallery?

I'll put some together for you. [Time for his ace in the hole:] I'd have to see to Clementine, first.

written

[charitylovehopefaith]

Oh, certainly not. They're not very good, certainly not for a gallery.

[And, well. Because the note does deserve attention:] Who's Clementine?