Open Post.

[naturestrangled]

Being confined to bed is increasingly frustrating as Vera regains energy and strength, and so she has developed a method of escaping (or at least lessening) her doctor's lectures -- sneaking out with the excuse of a legitimate errand

Comments

[notallworthy]

Tom is outside being Tom and doing things of an outdoorsy nature, but he stops when he sees Vera. "Hello, miss. Do you take orders?" He gestures to the laundry. He has completely forgotten the argument they had as children.

[naturestrangled]

"No," Vera says, wringing reddish water out of the shift and frowning at the stain that is refusing to disappear. "These are my own. I do sew, though, so if you've any mending I could take it." She pushes a bit of hair that's strayed from its pins away from her face and winces slightly -- it's amazing, the number of tiny everyday gestures that jar her injured arm.

[notallworthy]

"Oh, I'm certainly having a devil of a time trying to find a laundress here." It takes him a moment to process the large amount of red for what it is and once he does his face drains. Tom doesn't do well with blood. "Are you quite alright, miss?"

[naturestrangled]

"I would suggest you learn to do it yourself, but that's a suggestion men never take well," she says, dryly. Then, giving the cloth another twist to get the water out -- "To say 'quite all right' would be a gross exaggeration, I'm afraid, but I am at least alive and likely to stay that way."

[notallworthy]

"There were servants before so I never had the occasion to learn. I suppose I could just bathe with my clothes on." Tom really is helpless when it comes to simple tasks. He stares at the bloody water and then at Vera. "May I inquire as to what happened?"

[naturestrangled]

"Unfortunately, I doubt that would have the desired effect. Especially as there are some materials it really doesn't do to wet." Vera scowls at the stained fabric and submerges it again. "I was shot," she replies, matter-of-factly.

[notallworthy]

"Good god! Why? By who?"

[naturestrangled]

"By Prince Paul Maraloffski. As for why, either I can explain the long and rather complicated history behind why he would consider shooting me a good idea, or I can simply tell you that he seemed to be bored and I was nearby." She pauses momentarily in her washing, the throbbing in her arm suddenly a little worse.

[notallworthy]

"Sneering, uppity sort of fellow? I think I've met him. If I ever see him again I shall try to get satisfaction for your injury, miss. No true gentleman would hurt a lady." There is something of his ten year old self in that last statement.

[naturestrangled]

"Yes, that's the man." She looks almost amused. "As for getting satisfaction, I think that is best left to myself. I've had three stab wounds recently he's bound to pay for, as well. Besides which, I should think Alexis would be rather upset if I allowed you to go about starting duels on my behalf when I have already requested that he leave be."

[notallworthy]

"I would feel terrible knowing he has caused you so much pain and has not been made to suffer for it." He sighs. His sense of chivalry is rebelling. "But I shall try to restrain my sword if you wish it, miss."

[naturestrangled]

"Oh, he will be made to suffer for it," Vera replies, lightly. "I simply prefer to see to it myself."

[notallworthy]

He looks at her a bit skeptically. "Do you think that's wise, miss? There are certainly others who are more experienced at bringing men to justice."

[naturestrangled]

She arches an eyebrow. "Sir, I believe that is what is called an 'assumption.' They are generally considered unwise, and rarely accurate."

[notallworthy]

"I did not mean to offend, miss. I was merely speaking my mind. I am not used to ladies acting..." he tries to think of a good word. "...differently."

[naturestrangled]

"Oh, I am not offended. It is a very common mistake. I'm more comfortable with a blade in my hand than most expect me to be." Deciding the last of the blood is not going to come out, Vera wrings the shift out once again and reaches up to hang it near the dress, but stops with a sharp intake of breath as her wounded arm protests.