(Untitled)

[fixer_of_snails]

Here is a middlish sort of man, a book and notebook under his arm. His eyes are bright and warm, but slightly abstracted - he seems too interested in his surroundings to pay attention to his feet. Despite this, he seems relatively sure footed, and never does actually walk into any bushes

Comments

[ebonyjewelled]

*has been working in the gardens, so is in working clothes*

New and old. It depends on your point of view.

[fixer_of_snails]

"Certainly new to me," he says, closing his book over his hand and shifting forward in a way that suggests she now has his full attention. "Are they old to you, Miss?"

[ebonyjewelled]

"But don't you see? Even that is relative. They are old because I'm used to them, but new because they're so much younger than some of the gardens I know." She smiles slightly, possibly unnervingly, as she's giving him her full attention in return, and that's something startling even to those used to it.

[fixer_of_snails]

"A reasonable perspective," Pertellis says, with a little crook of a smile.

[heartofbirds]

...

...

...

Linden is not easily fazed, but having just found himself sitting on the same bench as Hopewood Pertellis will make an impression on the most seasoned Birdcatcher. He looks sideways at the fellow who's just sat down beside him, and for the moment doesn't speak.

[fixer_of_snails]

"...This bench was occupied, wasn't it?" Hopewood says after a moment, looking up from his book. "I hope I haven't disturbed you."

Hopewood has seen Kohlrabi, of course, but mostly at a distance and in passing, or sitting in on court, when Hopewood had his attention quite distinctly on other matters, such as the welfare of his latest client. He recognizes him, but he does not really connect him with Lady Tamarind's Birdcatcher ally. This, then, explains the ease of his smile.

[heartofbirds]

"Not at all," smoothly, recovering herself. "It's big enough for both of us, so it's certainly big enough to share. I've seen you before, sir. How do you do?"

[fixer_of_snails]

"Very well, thank you - ejection into the fresh air agrees with me," he says amiably, "And you?"

[callmestargirl]

*^_^* It's a lovely garden, isn't it?

[fixer_of_snails]

"Very lovely - not so overgrown as to hide its charms, but not regimented, either."

He smiles warmly. "What do you think of it, Miss?"

[callmestargirl]

"Haven't I just told you?" She beams at him, bathed in sunshine. "My friend Dickon and I planted some flowers, over there--do you see the zinnias? That's where my friend the caterpillar is buried."

[fixer_of_snails]

He beams back, his small blue spectacles sliding down his nose and his hat teetering precariously. "Ah, I didn't phrase myself well, but - Yes, yes indeed I do."

He tilts his head and leans forward, all attention and focus. "You're fond of caterpillars? I always try to rescue the snails, but it so rarely works."

[snow_white_scar]

*Her glance flicks between Pertellis and Mr. Kohlrabi on the bench, then settles, piercingly, on poor Hopewood*

"It isn't the most likely of locations for the Assizes, but now that we have your presence again, I shall be happy to stand in for my brother."

[fixer_of_snails]

Eyebrows go up in an expression of mild consternation. "Lady Tamarind. I must admit, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

He holds up the book, which bears a broad, blazoned stationer's seal across both covers. "Perfectly harmless, my lady. And legal, what's more. While you always make an excellent substitute for your brother, I fear this would make a poor showing as an understudy for state’s evidence."

[snow_white_scar]

*is very still, and in a very calm, soft voice*

"Mr. Pertellis, there are no Stationers here. I have been to the library, no book there bears their seal, a most unfortunate turn of events. I speak of the Floating School."

[now I'm second-guessing myself. Mosca did leave her a message about it, yes?]

[fixer_of_snails]

[Oh, she did, but the physical evidence that allowed the arrest was all, well, books.]

"Ah? It would seem we have no quarrel, then." He smiles and pinches out an inner fold of his coat to clean his spectacles.

"Unless, of course, you have the means to extradite us both."

[moderatelymad]

Florian pauses on his way across the lawn, if only because in this sea of Victorians it's nice to see someone slightly more familiar, or because Pertellis seems approachable, or (most likely of all) looks as though he might be in need of guidance. "Good afternoon."

[fixer_of_snails]

"Mmmhm... Good afternoon," Pertellis says, taking a moment to emerge from his book. "Lovely day, isn't it?"