"The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing"

[tommi_esterly]

Tuesday, February 23rd
The Dormouse, mid afternoon

I sip my tea and listen to the conversations swirling about me.

"Did you go this morning?"
"No!  Did you?"

"Do you think he did it?"

"I heard his neck did not snap, and that he jerked around on the--"
"I do NOT wish to hear about that!  If you want to talk about that, you may kindly get out of my shoppe."

Comments

[elanna_bailey]

Milk run's finally over for the day, thank God. Too many new people in town, too many new orders, too much shit to keep straight. And to top it all off, something's got everyone's underwear in a bunch today. Something about a hanging, or something. Real rural justice, not to mention spectacle. I didn't even know about it until this morning, when a lot of my "regulars" (if you can call them regulars after less than a week) weren't home to pick up their milk and I had to leave it on the stoop, and then others, later on the run, started talking about it. Damned if I know the guy they were talking about. This town's gone to shit since I've been gone, if you ask me

[tommi_esterly]

The door opens again, and a young woman walks in, looking just about as tired as Wanda. But funny thing, for not having seen her in here before, she looks so damn---

"Mrs. Esterly?" Well, she recognizes me. It takes a moment of hard scambling in this full brain of mine, but by the time she comes over and extends her hand, I make the connection.

"Elanna Bailey is that you? Goodness dear I haven't seen you in years." I say warmly, reaching out to give her hand a squeeze. "Sit, sit, relax. You look as if you could use to rest a spell." I offer, waving to a chair, hoping she'll sit and dish about why she was gone for a while. Nellie and I have a bet going on it. I push my plate of pumpkin scones over as Wanda comes over to find out which tea she'll have. "What brings you back to Excolo, dear?" You know, besides your fathers death, but I don't want to say that out loud.

[elanna_bailey]

Well, at least it's a warm welcome. That's nice. Makes me hope that there's a chance I can actually settle back in again. I drape my jacket over the back of the chair -- it looks kinda out of place, brown down jacket on the dainty pink chair, but it's not like I'm going to wear it the whole time I'm in here -- and take the offered seat. "Thanks," I say, settling in

[tommi_esterly]

She scarfs down a scone, and looks over to Wanda in appreciation. Wanda just smiles and nods as she brings over a cup of tea, mint from the smell of it, for my guest. "Wanda here is quite the baker. Edmund white has been trying to get her recipies ever since she moved in." Wanda just laughs a little and shuffles off.

"I was homesick, I guess. Felt like coming back and seeing people again." Well now, if that isn't a half truth, I don't know what is. I can smell bullshit a mile away. Still, she does have her father in... Oh. Well. "Yes, I can't image there would be much to bring a young person back to Excolo. I am sorry to hear of your father's passing, dear." I offer quietly, realizing she must have come back to say her goodbyes. Still, Bailey's gone now... wonder what's keeping her here. "How are you finding Excolo since you've left?" I ask, curious. Excolo has grown quite a bit over the last few years.

"What about you? You still doing the spinning stuff?" Now that gets a grin from over the rim of my cup. "My dear, I

[mistresswanda]

My days are getting harder and harder to bear. Yes, I know all pregnant women since the dawn of time have had to deal with expanding bellies, muscle and joint pain, and lack of sleep...

but I doubt many of them had to deal with all of it in a third of the time. I am growing increasingly irritable, and even worse, because of the fatigue, I can't shut the noise out of my head well. I can, but it takes effort now that leaves me exhausted and with a headache. I try to keep focused now on her heartbeat, rather like a white noise to drown out all the random songs from the people around me.

Lucien came by a few nights ago, Friday, after the hearing. I fed him, and we talked a little, but he was generally withdrawn and quiet. Misery loves company, it seems. He spent the night, just so he did not have to be alone with his thoughts, and so I might try to get a few more hours. After all, I always slept better along side some one. Funny thing though, she knew it was not her sire lying beside me, and she was not pleased at all. I don't

[valmont_vicomte]

The business with Donner has left a sour taste in my mouth. They didn't treat the hanging as entertainment, unlike many places I have been before - it was done quietly at dawn. More than he deserved, no doubt. Thinking of Vale, that nice dim sweet girl makes me think of Kora, another nice sweet dim girl, and before I know it I am in rather a gloomy mood. So I decide to shake it off by dropping in at the Dormouse - it's been a long time, and there are few things tea can't cure.

I open the door and see Tommi with a young woman, and Wanda is bustling about. I blink a little, because she looks so, well, pregnant. Now I'm not sure that the baby is Lucien's, because I don't think they reunited soon enough for her to be that size... Well. It's her business.

"Good afternoon," I say cheerfully.

[mistresswanda]

Oh don't think I can't hear you Thomasina Esterly; over in your corner and chattering away like a jaybird, and after I explicitly told the others not to speak of it.

I don't have time to tell her off because the door opens again; it seems people want me to work. I turn on my heel with an affixed smile---

"Valmont!" I say, my smile now real even if it is tired, and I manage to cross over to him without waddling. "How are you darling? I stretch up and kiss him on the cheek." "Come in, sit down. Which one would you like today? How's Hermia?" I ask, guiding him to a chair.

[valmont_vicomte]

Wanda looks genuinely happy to see me, and kisses me on the cheek.

"How lovely to see you," I say, sitting down. "You're positively blooming," I add, although Wanda is actually looking quite worn out. But I'm not stupid enough to say that to a heavily pregnant woman. "Hermia's well, thank you, as am I. I'll have a pot of Earl Grey, and perhaps a scone," I say. "If you'd join me in sharing the pot, I'd be even more pleased. It's been a while since we caught up."