Comments | thiefparker: 001: [Action] I am the Cat who walks by herself, and all places are alike to me.

thiefparker

001: [Action] I am the Cat who walks by herself, and all places are alike to me.

Aug 22, 2010 22:51

Parker is on the floor of a carousel. This would be fine for most people, but as Parker has a serious distrust of horses -- she used to loathe them but that’s tempered to unhealthy distrust -- she is not amused. They’re all too pretty and sparkly, and look like they’re hiding something. When she stands, she looks one straight in the eye, ( Read more... )

horses are scary, person: doll, parker is parker, person: lucy locke, thinking about pretzels, person: eliot is my big bro, community | polychromatic, action

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Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 10:02:51 UTC

Doll's walking by on one of her daily trips to the Welcome Center, her puppy trotting happily at her heels and a stack of city guides in her arms. They're always needing more with the constant new arrivals, and even if after some bad experiences of her own she doesn't feel comfortable waiting for the arrivals herself, she still keeps an eye out for them because she knows just how confusing the place can be at first.

She hasn't got much else on her besides some money and candy and her device in her pockets, and is now busy trying not to trip over Tiger as the small dog takes it into his head to wind himself around her ankles.

Re: Action thiefparker August 23 2010, 18:26:37 UTC

It's a 3.2 second assessment: dog, full arms, distracted, and all the regular pockets are obviously being used for the usual items.

She's about to dip into the all too accessible pockets, when she sees what in her mark's arms. Snatching one off the top, there's a brief whoosh sound as Parker steps in front, holding up the guide.

"This for here?"

Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 18:33:42 UTC

Doll teeters dangerously when Parker suddenly appears from her blind side, close to losing her balance between that and the unhelpful puppy. It's only her years of practice on the tightrope that have her managing to right herself in time and keep all the rest of the guides safely in her arms.

"For 'ere? Oh, you mean is it 'bout the City? Yeah, they are! Did ya just get 'ere then?" Even after more than a year living in the City her cockney accent is just as broad as it used to be back home, and she offers Parker a smile as Tiger moves in to sniff at the new arrival's feet in a curious but friendly way.

Re: Action thiefparker August 23 2010, 18:46:10 UTC

Parker looks at the dog, with little interest. As long as it doesn't try to chew her ankles, Parker puts on a huge grin and her best faux-Southern accent, "Yes'm I surely did. And I'd be much obliged should you give me one of those lovely looking guides to help me find my way."

For someone unused to a Southern accent, it might sound genuine. For someone used to a Southern accent, Parker would be sorry, if she were capable of such a thing.

Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 18:53:50 UTC

Once Tiger has satisfied himself by sniffing her he sits obediently, tail thumping the ground. Doll on the other hand is busy trying to understand what Parker is saying, having little experience of accents outside England and whatever she may have heard in the City during her stay.

"Course you can 'ave one, 's what they're for! I'm afraid they're a bit outdated, ain't 'ad anyone write a new one for a while now. But they explain just about everythin'... No one's told you anythin' 'bout the City yet? About how...we can't leave?" She hates this part of greeting new arrivals - either they don't believe her or else they start panicking.

((ooc: Guide link for reference!))

Re: Action thiefparker August 23 2010, 19:12:42 UTC

Parker is about to grab the guide, and anything in the pocket of her mark, but tries to think for a moment: what would Sophie tell her to do?

The dog is important enough to take with her. She's carrying guides. She's answering questions. This should mean --

"What do you mean I can't leave?" The accent stays, but the tone is nowhere near as friendly. All previous analysis is gone when that piece of information is dropped.

Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 19:44:25 UTC

"I mean we're all trapped 'ere. No one knows the way out. Sometimes people leave but we've never figured out 'ow. Been 'ere more'n fifteen months myself now. If you leave the City an' get a little way into the forest or a little way out to sea, there's a sort of...barrier? Won't let anyone through anyway."

She manages a complicated movement that's half apologetic shrug and half trying to keep the guides from sliding out of her grasp. The less friendly tone isn't promising but then again she's used to that sort of reaction. "The guide explains it better. An' if you need anythin' you can come down to the Welcome Center too - clothes or a meal or even a place t'stay till you manage to sort yourself out."

Re: Action thiefparker August 23 2010, 20:01:02 UTC

Trapped. The explanation makes Parker smile. She can beat a Steranko so she doesn't believe she's trapped. She believes others haven't been able to find a way out. She will. There's always a vent to be found, in her mind, always an exit strategy to be developed ( ... )

Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 20:13:38 UTC

Now a smile isn't the usual thing she sees when explaining to people why they can't leave, but she just puts it down to Parker not really believing her. But Doll knows she'll soon find out that it's true, and just hopes she doesn't take it too badly then ( ... )

Re: Action thiefparker August 23 2010, 23:14:58 UTC

If the other woman did notice the theft, it either would have impressed, or frustrated, and even Parker wouldn't know which.

"Freckles?" Parker doesn't have the social skills (or any social skills of note) not to sound a bit in disbelief about the name, more so than the inability to leave.

Wait, names. This woman introduced herself, and the dog, and mentioned some woman named Penny. Good name, being named after money. There's something she's supposed to do now. Oh yes, now she remembers.

"Alice White." Pick an alias and stick to it.

Action freckleddoll August 23 2010, 23:21:06 UTC

Doll laughs at the way Parker sounds when she repeats her name, not seeming to mind at all. "I know, 's strange, right? It's only a nickname, on account of all the freckles what 've got. It's Doll, really, but people find that one weird too, an' even that's only a stage name. Everyone knows me as Freckles 'ere. You don't mind it, do ya?"

She nods again when Parker introduces herself, still smiling. "Nice meetin' ya, Alice. Blimey, think you must be the fourth or fifth Alice we've got 'ere now. Anyway, 'd offer to shake 'ands but mine are a bit full right now."

Re: Action thiefparker August 24 2010, 00:39:03 UTC

"You can call yourself whatever you want." There's more truth to that than anything else Parker's said thus far. "Freckles." The disbelief is still there, as she purses her lips and looks to the sky, considering the name.

The woman does have freckles, and it'd be easier if everyone's name made such sense.

This might be a lot longer of a break in the conversation than most people would be accustomed to, as is the stare this woman is being given.

Parker's got the money, and she's got the guide, and she's got candy. She needs nothing else, but does adjust the pile of books a little -- careful not to touch Freckles in any way -- to help with the balance of books.

"Better."

Action freckleddoll August 24 2010, 12:37:56 UTC

"Yeah...yeah, guess I can." She watches Parker thinking about it, a small smile still on her lips - though that's interrupted by a sharp whistle to get Tiger to sit again when he tries standing up against her.

She isn't easily rattled though, having experienced her fair share of unusual behaviour - but it does mean she's not expecting the help with her guides, surprise crossing her face before she gives Parker a nod of thanks. "A lot better. Thanks, Alice. Did you want to ask anythin' else 'fore I continue on with these?"

Re: Action thiefparker August 24 2010, 16:50:20 UTC

Parker's usual definition of helping is something both immediate and unexpected. In this case, she's calculated the best way to stack the guides so they won't fall, and that's what she's done. She wouldn't think to offer to carry them. That lesson in social decorum hasn't taken yet.

"No thank you," Parker's faux-Southern drawl is even more pronounced here. "Freckles, you have yourself the sweetest of days, ya here!" To complete the character ("Trust the diamond character," Sophie would say) she gives the obedient dog a scritch behind the ears.

With that, Parker steps out of sight. There might be an odd sound like a breeze through a cheap camera, and there might not look like there's anywhere to go, but Parker has now disappeared.

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