In need of a home (introduction)

[crimson_sugar]

There might be, on the stairs of the Mansion, a young woman, proud and determined, a shivering little girl clinging to her skirts.

She isn’t pretty per say, no, the young woman is not, but there is charm and grace in the way she holds herself, willfulness and a sense of education, even if her accent, when she speaks, though polished it may seem, is

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[thornofcamorr]

Locke steps out the front door and closes it behind him, on his way out to look for Valen, looking better than he has...well, since he arrived at the Mansion. And so when he turns around and sees a woman and a young child looking confused, he sweeps an elegant bow, though there's a touch of the mocking in it, as it should be. "Madames, you look a trifle lost."

[thornofcamorr]

Aww. That's cute. Locke evidently thinks so too, because he gives her a little grin.

"Somewhat alarming customs." He's thinking fast. "The women wear trousers, for one." Because while Locke and Camorri in general have a very great respect for women, he's noted that the attitude isn't universal.

[crimson_sugar]

"Trousers?" Sugar is genuinely surprised. And somewhat disbelieving. Agnes Rackham was OBSESSED with fashion. If something so revolutionary had existed, she would have started a trend in London.

Sophie points it out very practically. "That's just silly."

[thornofcamorr]

"True, though," he says firmly, because he knows Anita.

[crimson_sugar]

Yes. Of course.

"Well then." She shrugs. "They can do what they like. I'm just surprised it never reached London."

She's not only surprised. She doesn't believe that.

[thornofcamorr]

He leans back. "Maybe not yet." A pause, and he considers dropping a bombshell and decides not to. "It's fairly new."

Lies are so easy for Locke. One starts, the rest follow just as easily.

[crimson_sugar]

She believes him even less now. Because in her time, from the US to England, it's MONTHS to travel, and she was in London just the night before, and she would have seen something in the papers.

"Well then." Again. Skeptical. She's thinking he's not overall sane: he seems to believe his stories.

Haha.

[thornofcamorr]

He eyes her, and seeing her skepticism, goes for the bombshell. "Or you could be from the wrong time."

[crimson_sugar]

Alright, he's insane.

"Evidently."

[thornofcamorr]

He grins. "You think I'm mad. I assure you I'm quite -" A pause. "Well, not sane. Exactly. But I'm not raving."

[crimson_sugar]

That's what happens when you fib around, Locke. People eventually have trouble believing you when you tell the truth.

"Of course not."

[thornofcamorr]

Well, he doesn't actually mind that much. He crosses his ankles and grins. "Any more questions?"

He knows she doesn't believe him. He's amused by it. And hopes she meets someone less usual than him.

[crimson_sugar]

Sugar worries at her chapped lip a moment.

"Aye. What were you doing out, so late?"

[thornofcamorr]

"Walking," he says simply. Avoiding nightmares that surface when he tries to sleep. Though they've gotten better.

[crimson_sugar]

"Ah." A pause. "Well then."

Sophie, in the meantime, is still mesmerized by Locke. She believed every single word he said.

[thornofcamorr]

He gives her a bit of a sideways, slightly bitter smile. "I couldn't sleep." And that's the full truth.