[Introduction: Samuel Knowles] So I stood for a moment and pondered my case...

[outsidethegrain]

Sam always got antsy before a new show. It was silly, he knew, and he even already had buyers emailing him constantly, wanting to purchase this piece or that piece before they even went up on display. The day before, and the anxiety and shower of comments and last minute changes was starting to overwhelm him (as it often did and still nobody

Comments

[umpteenthdream]

Presumably his greeting committee of secret werewolves will have helped Sam get to the Mansion - at which point, he might encounter a woman in the kitchen. Helen is making scrambled eggs, and there are flat breads laid out with greens and tomatoes. She's making brunch for her boys, but there'll probably be plenty for Sam too, if he's hungry.

[outsidethegrain]

He's inside, still confused and sure there's been a misunderstanding somewhere (or maybe it's the shock?), but when Sam finally does wander into the kitchen, he is relieved that there is at least someone else around.

He will try to stay out of her way though and may look for a glass or bottle of water. All the weirdness has made him thirsty...

[umpteenthdream]

Helen is sure that it's 11-12 she's hearing fussing about in the background, so she asks, "Oh, 11-12, might you hand me the milk, please? I'll brew a pot of coffee."

...

"11-12?"

...

Eventually she turns around, having extended an arm out without looking for longer than is right, and blinks. "... Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking, I thought you were my son."

Let me know if this don't work?

[outsidethegrain]

It's the movement that catches his eye, though he doesn't hear her of course, and Sam will offer an apologetic smile and a spread of his hands.

"Ah, sorry. Was there something I could help you with? I don't mean to intrude..."

[umpteenthdream]

Helen looks appropriately surprised, and she might stutter a little, "...yes - I'm so sorry, if you could pass the milk, please?"

He looks like a nice gentleman, she tells herself - such familiarity is a bit embarrassing, isn't it?

[outsidethegrain]

Even with the stutter, 'milk' is a familiar word and Sam will hunt up the jug to pass to the woman. "Here," he says, setting it beside her. "I'm sorry for startling you. I'm, well, I'm a stranger here."

[umpteenthdream]

"It's quite alright, we all are," she replies as, alas, she turns to put the coffee on. Her back is turned as she asks, "Would you like some coffee?"

We're so sorry about Helen, Sam! She has no idea.

[outsidethegrain]

Sam has no idea she's speaking to him, so he turns to resume looking for water. He's not about to ask her to share what she's working on, after all. It's not for him.

He is pleased to find a glass though and he'll pour a glass for himself.

[umpteenthdream]

Helen waits for an answer, then is confused and turns around. "I'm sorry - I said, would you like some coffee?"

This time, she's facing him, at least.

[outsidethegrain]

Sam manages to not spill water down himself when she turns to ask him her question, but he does swallow quickly and then smiles behind an embarrassed blush. He wasn't paying close enough attention to understand her at all that time.

"I'm so sorry miss. I couldn't hear you. I'm, uh, Deaf. Can you repeat that once more?"

[umpteenthdream]

Ah, well that would explain it.

It's quite likely Helen, what with being who she is, is a proficient signer, but she knows better than to sign, if asked to simply speak by a deaf person.

"I'm sorry," she enunciates with care, "I did not realize. Would you like some coffee?"

A beat.

"... would you prefer if I signed?"

[outsidethegrain]

Sam lifts an eyebrow. It's not skeptical, more curious and a tad hopeful. "Do you know ASL?" As no two signed languages are equal and all.

"And if you're sharing, I would love coffee."

[umpteenthdream]

"Only insofar as it relates to ISL," she replies, signing as she speaks as well as she can - focusing on the ISL components that she . "I learned in England, mostly BSL. Just a minute, I'll put the coffee to brew."

A beat, and she turns to make it, then resumes her attention.

"I'm Helen, by the way."

[outsidethegrain]

Sam is at least grateful for the attempt and ISL seems to have some similar signs. "As long as you face me I can pick up most of what you say," he says, smiling.

"It's nice to meet you Helen, I'm Sam."

[umpteenthdream]

"If I ever forget, don't hesitate to remind me," Helen replies, smiling. "So, milk, sugar in your coffee? You know, I was making lunch - are you hungry? There's plenty for one more."

She always makes too much anyway.

[outsidethegrain]

"Oh, I will." Sam signs as he speaks, still watching Helen's mouth more than her hands. The ISL signs are ... close and he can work out what she's saying with much more ease when she uses them, but there are still some things that are very different.

"Black is fine. I think I can use the caffeine right now. I don't need lunch though. I'm not very hungry, but thank you for the offer."