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[priorlives]

Prior always faced the change in weather with dread. One of the blessings of the island was that the climate was overall good for his immune system. He'd had bronchitis on the island once, and pneumonia another time, both during that small window of winter.

And as soon as he saw the real change that the island had undergone - the time period in

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[loveofmasters]

Florence was not lost, she lived in London for Christ's sake, but the sudden change and the snow and the whole... craziness of it had her head turned around and she'd been wandering the streets for the last half-hour looking for way back to the building that was now her home. However, if anyone asked, she knew she'd say she was exploring, she was not going to look like a lost fool in front of the people here, she had some pride. It was probably the last thing she could really call hers in this place.

But all of those thoughts faded as she saw the man double over ahead of her, coughing hard enough to shake. "Hey, do you need help?" Trying not to slip on the ice, she rushed forward to take a hold of his arm.

[priorlives]

The fit was on a downswing by the time she touched him, and the familiarity of the voice didn't register until he finally stopped, straightening up. "No, I'm - "

Then he saw her. His eyes widened in alarm. "Jesus!"

[loveofmasters]

"What! Is something-" Florence started, rocking back on the high heels of her boots and looking backwards, trying to figure out what startled him so. It took a moment before she realized he was looking at her.

"God, I'm sorry, you knew Maureen, didn't you? I didn't mean to scare you, I just... are you sure you're okay?"

[priorlives]

Maureen. No, of course she wasn't Maureen. Which meant...

"Oh fuck me, you're Florence," Prior blurted, and then his hand flew up to his mouth. "I'm sorry, sorry, I just..." He coughed again, but it only lasted for a second this time as he bent to pick up the fallen hat. So much for first impressions.

[loveofmasters]

That... was not the most reassuring recognition she'd gotten and for a moment, she wondered who this man was and which of her exes had enlightened him. However, wondering about her reputation was quickly dropped as he began coughing again and she quickly started looking around for some place she could maybe take him to sit down for awhile.

"Don't worry about it. Can I get you something? No offence, but you don't sound very well right now."

[priorlives]

"I'll be okay, I'm fine now," Prior said. Though as luck would have it, they were standing right in front of a church. As long as there weren't any angels inside he should be okay.

"I could probably stand to sit down for a minute, though."

[loveofmasters]

"We can go inside the church, here, let me get the door at least."

Pulling at the heavy wood, Florence opened the entrance and pulled her skirts aside to he could pass her without getting caught up in them. If he didn't improve after resting for a bit, she'd suggest a trip to the infirmary, just to see if they had anything for him.

"The cold's a bit to get used to, isn't it?"

[priorlives]

"At least I know to expect it now," said Prior as he moved into the church and sank down into the back pew, taking a deep breath. "And I'm a New Yorker, it's not like I've become a beach bum."

[loveofmasters]

"I grew up in England, I was beginning to think all that sun was unhealthy."

Florence smiled, pulling the skirts into some semblance of order as she sank into the pew next to him. Even after the last few days, she wasn't quite used to sitting with the bustle in the back and the corset forcing her upright and proper. Not that she slouched usually, but she missed having an option.

"Not that this is any more familiar. I don't think I've missed my century more."

[priorlives]

Having gotten over some of the initial shock of seeing her, and breathing normally after the coughing fit now, Prior finally looked at her, and offered a little smile.

"I should probably introduce myself. I'm Prior."

[loveofmasters]

"It's nice to... nice to meet you."

It took a minute, but the name finally clicked. Prior. Specifically, Freddie's Prior. No wonder he'd cursed when he realized who she was. This should be an interesting conversation.

"You already know who I am."

[priorlives]

"Yeah, I take it you know who I am too," Prior said, and then smiled a little. "Freddie told me you were here, so I knew that if I saw someone who looked like Maureen..."

[loveofmasters]

"I've heard your name, that's all. And obviously who you're involved with."

She could still hardly believe it. Both the men that she'd let into her life, living theirs with other men. It really made her question a great many things sometimes, but she couldn't think about that now.

"I can't imagine what he's told you about me."

[priorlives]

"Not a whole lot," Prior admitted. "And knowing Freddie, yeah, I'm not surprised you didn't hear too much about me. Wow, you really do... look like Maureen. I don't suppose you need some dresses?"

[loveofmasters]

"And I do know Freddie."

A little too well, she thought sometimes. He'd been so ready to toss Anatoly to the wolves when she arrived, she wasn't surprised he'd remained silent about his own life. However, Florence didn't dwell as his next question took her completely by surprise, "I'm sorry, dresses?"

[priorlives]

"The kind you wear," said Prior with a little smile. "I sew. I made a lot of stuff for Maureen, for parties... some of it I've altered and given to Helen, but there's a few pieces left. They'd fit you like they were made for you."