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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 15:51:02 GMT -5
Tuesday March 16th
10:45 AM
The events of yesterday had fallen into memory for Elliot, he'd made his gesture towards Parrish and whether or not she acted on it was up to her, but of course if she didn't? Well he'd probably have to send someone to 'recover' the gifts and be done with all of that. But today he had more important things on his agenda, namely the wooing of another woman! Up in his private room above the Ambrosia Club he stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his collar and making sure he was presentable in everyway. The target of his 'affection' today would be Rose Hollandale, Yes the owner of the Five Graces Hotel.
Now why would Masters go for someone such as her? A woman who was a little.. Meek in his opinion? Simple, she had something he wanted. Masters already owned a number of establishments in town, including the nicest Saloon slash Gambling den so why not the nicest hotel as well? But the problem with that was the fact that she didn't want to sell it, something about it being her fathers or some such nonsense. The one possiblity was perhaps that he could romance it out of her hands, then of course drop her when he had it.. IF that failed? Well, he knew that Barlow had some connection with the other co-owner, Alex Manson, so perhaps that was another route.
But one step at a time of course, he'd go over there and try asking her out to the theater or maybe a picnic, so that would require him to be on his best behavior of course. But right now? Miss Parrish was the furthest thing from his mind.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 16:02:55 GMT -5
Katie re-wrapped the package she had been given, and tucked it under her arm, along with her carpetbag. She'd not really expected him to turn up over night, explaining his unseemly behavior, but the hope had been there. It had been foolish, but so had everything she'd thought, chosen and done since her arrival in Lost Haven.
It wasn't her fault, she surmised as she left the shoddy establishment she'd been staying in the past week or so. She was not used to being a free thinking adult. Oh, sure, she knew th egame of manipulation, could get her away in just about any circumstance, but when it came to relationships with the world around her, those had always been chosen for her. This was all new to her and hopefully she'd learn the new game before she lost it.
She'd always accepted gifts before this, paltry jewelry from this senator, a dress from that oil tycoon. Always those wanting to buy her affection, to keep her bed warm. She'd been slapped and called many worse things than the argument that had gone down the night before, and seldom had received such choice payment. This, however, did not appease her. She was not that girl anymore.
She did not want to insult Elliot Masters, she did not think he planned to hurt her, but neither did she want him to own her, and accepting this sort of gift would imply that. She could not accept it. She looked up as she saw the familiar sign of Ambrosia Club, and stepped in, her eyes adjusting to the light to see a slightly worse for the wear Lewis looking sheepish as she met his glance. She squared her shoulders and moved to the bar, setting her package on it.
"Morning, friend. How are we feeling today?" She asked in an amused tone.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 16:09:57 GMT -5
Amazingly Lewis was still looking a bit worse for wear, having probably tapped the stockpile just a little bit the previous night. Though managing a weak smile he nodded to her. "I'm alive, What about you?" Of course he'd heard about her termination.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 16:18:49 GMT -5
Kit chuckled. "Eh, living the dream, or so they say." Indeed, the American Dream was a powerful pull, and never as glamorous as they said. "I need to leave this for Masters." She said quietly.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 16:26:42 GMT -5
Lewis simply pointed to the ceiling. "He's upstairs, Don't leave it with me.. Last time I was left responsible for something.. well.." he chuckled uncomfortably and left it at that.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 16:30:20 GMT -5
Katie stared him down for a minute, then sighed. "Oh, very well." This was perhaps the last thing she'd want to do. Hefting the package back under her arm, she knelt, picked up her carpetbag, and headed for the stairs to Masters' private area.
She hesitated, staring at the door for a moment, then rapped sharply. This would be over soon.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 16:37:37 GMT -5
Oh what the blazes? Masters grumbled over the interruption, assuming it was Lewis wanting something or another. "The door is open Lewis, What is it?" Again with the sneering, Yes the meeting with Barton the day before was still having a negative effect on him to say the least.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 16:43:41 GMT -5
Katie opened the door. "Firstly, not Lewis. I found something that I believe belongs to you. At least, it had your name on it." She held up his package. Her blue eyes watched him, wondering if even now she could decipher how she'd been so mistaken in her understanding of this man, but her face betrayed no emotion, and she was quiet and cool - polar opposite of her tantrum the night before. "Also, I want to apologize for my behavior previously. Regardless of what was said to me, I should not have raised my voice in your place of business."
She waited for him to take the package, say something, even if it was cruel- further confirmation that it was time to go, perhaps. She was undecided now, his next words would confirm her course of action. She needed that push to leave.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 16:52:17 GMT -5
A mild twinge of shock ran up Masters spine when he saw that it was Kate, not Lewis standing at the door. Silently he stood there letting her speak and explain herself, the notion of an apology from her was actually quite surprising yet very welcome. Adjusting the cuffs on his shirt he glanced down at the package for a moment, then at her again. "It was a gift Miss Parrish." And he didn't take gifts back, steal them? Possibly but nothing like this. "I sent it to you and it is yours to keep.. If you want to stay here or go that is your choice. No hard feelings either way."
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 16:57:39 GMT -5
"Thank you for the thought, very lovely gifts, but under the circumstances... I can't take these." She bit her lip, holding it out a moment longer. When he saw she was not going to take it... she shrugged, kneeling to set it down by his door. "You...effect me." She said quietly. She didn't want to leave, but she couldn't stay here. "I'll probably see you around town." She said, straightening with a sigh.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 17:11:46 GMT -5
"Then what circumstances could you accept them?" Of course he didn't want her to leave, but he wasn't going to come out and say that either. For him to do that would be to show weakness and that was simply unacceptable. "I think I know the best course we can take here Miss Parrish." Yes, he was sticking to the formal line for a moment, not wanting to confront the idea that he 'effected' her in any way. If she left, she left and that'd just be the way of things.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 17:17:19 GMT -5
Katie paused, considering his question. "I don't know what circumstances woul dbe appropriate. Perhaps Christmas?" She said flippantly. "Certainly not to pacify a temper tantrum and if it was for the sex, then it's just insulting." She shrugged.
"Oh really, what would the best course of action be? Because I've yet to determine that, myself.." His formal tone was a mockery to the intimacy they'd shared, but she was grateful for it at the moment. Formality was an excellent guard against emotion, which had proven to be a weakness with her already. Keeping a cold exterior seemed the best defense and she was glad he wasn't challenging that.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 17:22:34 GMT -5
Her remark prompted a small chuckle from him. "Sometimes, Any day can be christmas my dear." What was this? A crack in his stern facade? Turning to face her fully he hesitated for a moment before telling herhow this would be best resolved in his opinion. "We should pretend that yesterday.. Never happened and simply move on the way we were, Don't you agree?" And that would be as far as he would go, the ball was in her court now.
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Post by kitastrophe on May 15, 2008 17:28:48 GMT -5
She watched him for a moment, considering this. Then she crossed her arms. "I do, with the following to be kept in mind, if ye don't mind." Her delicate face looked comically stern. "Snappin' at the help is your prerogative, and I'll keep my temper in check until such a time as I own an establishment and can take it out on me own help." A rueful smile hinted at touching her lips, but disappeared as she continued, "that bein' said, regardless of what you know of me, and what we've shared, I'll be thankin' you not to accuse me of being less than a lady again."
It was hard enough starting anew without insinuations of whoredom being thrown at her by her employer, who did not know everything but knew enough to hurt her. In some matters, she had no pride at all, but part of surviving in this harder than it should be world was demanding respect, and even as hired help she deserved that much. If not, there were other employers to be found in the world, and she would not take that far of a step back towards her old life.
She looked up at him, determined but her vulnerability was in her eyes a she waited for a response from him. She didn't want an apology, but she desperately needed security. She couldn't afford to settle for anything less. "..And regarding your gift, if it pleases you for me to keep it still, then I will, and thanks." She finished, awkwardly.
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Post by Shane Lawson on May 15, 2008 17:39:57 GMT -5
Masters listened and watched carefully as she spoke, carefully considering her words before he agreed to anything. The silience between them after she finished was a long one and at one point he turned away from her, walking over to the window for a moment. Was there some reservation? Second thoughts? Perhaps, there was few decisions that he didn't think through first. After a few moments of gazing out the window, he spoke finally. "Fair enough." Turning back to face her again, he looked her dead in the eye. "This matter is closed." He emphasized his words carefully, making clear a certain sense of finality to end this matter once and for all. "Again, I gave those as a gift for a reason.. At some point I will expect to see you wearing them.." And there he let his guard down some, with a simple smile. Hopefully this was done and buried.
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