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Tweak says, "This is where I get off."

Harry Fisher (social_climber) wrote,
@ 2008-04-06 19:19:00

Questions and Answers
Harry Fisher is a social climber. He's handsome and a known patron of the arts, aiming to marry one of those wealthy French heiresses swanning around court, or even an English woman, if she's rich enough.

Harry owns a town-house in London, and has certain business interests he doesn't like to discuss. He likes to be seen in the fashionable coffee houses, in the galleries and at the parties. And that's where he is now- at the fashionable coffee house not far from Regent's Park, enjoying a warm drink and watching the other patrons, a copy of the Times on the table before him.

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	little_star 2008-04-07 03:19 pm UTC (link)
	Nell hovers outside, not sure if he should bother the man inside. He knows Harry doesn't always wish to be seen with him but its important. He knocks on the window lightly, hopeing to attract Harry's attention. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-07 03:26 pm UTC (link)
	He glances around, spotting Nell and sighs, finishing his coffee and taking his time pulling coins from his pocket to leave on the table, bringing his paper with him. "Nell? I thought I explained to you that I was busy..." He stops, the look on the boy's face making him sigh again, "What's wrong?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-07 04:22 pm UTC (link)
	The boy fidgets. "I...No one is buying the tickets." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-07 09:11 pm UTC (link)
	"Aren't you being your most charming and resourceful, Nell?" Harry asks, folding his newspaper carefully, and tucking it under one arm. "Haven't you asked those gentlemen friends of yours?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-07 09:12 pm UTC (link)
	"Yes, but...but everyone said they've already seen it now. They're used to it." The boy whispers. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-07 09:17 pm UTC (link)
	"I see." Harry says, looking over the boy again, before beginning to walk down the cobbled street. "Have you spoken to any of the other boys, tried to sell them on through them? No new patrons?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-08 09:28 am UTC (link)
	"No. I haven't. But they wouldn't want to help me anyway. They never do." Nell whines softly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-08 06:37 pm UTC (link)
	Harry sighs softly. "Very well." He says, handing the boy the newspaper. "Every ticket left unsold brings us a day closer to closing the Theatre, but as you've tried your best, I suppose we should head back, shouldn't we Nell?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-12 08:26 am UTC (link)
	Nell glances down at the paper, the words an inky mess to him but he studies the sketch on the front page but he finds it to vague to tell him what is happening. His head whips up and he looks at Harry almost desperately. "Close the Theatre? Harry, Please. I can sell them all, I can. I just need more time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 10:37 am UTC (link)
	"More time?" Harry repeats. "You still have time. You just aren't using it very wisely. Lucky you aren't French, aren't you?" He adds, nodding to the newspaper. "Most of them don't have any time left at all." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 10:45 am UTC (link)
	Nell looks down at the newspaper again, still unable to decipher what the drawing is about - there is a crowd and some men on a platform but he can't make it out too clearly. "Why not? Harry what's happening to them?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 11:09 am UTC (link)
	Harry gives him a bitter smile, and draws his index finger sharply across his stretched neck. "They're running out of aristocrats." He says simply, and shrugs. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 11:18 am UTC (link)
	Nell gasps, looking horrified and drops the paper which he quickly grabs - there is no point in wasting good fire fuel. "That's horrible!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 11:26 am UTC (link)
	"What do you expect, they're French." Harry explains. "Be grateful you aren't one of them. Now, are you going to run along and sell those tickets? How many do you have left?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 11:29 am UTC (link)
	Nell holds up the his little collection of tickets. "Ten." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 11:37 am UTC (link)
	"Ten? That shouldn't be more than an afternoon's work for you, Nell. I'll expect you back at the Theatre before dark." Harry says, patting the boy on the cheek. "Off you go. And don't be late back. You know how the pups get jumpy after dark." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 11:43 am UTC (link)
	Nell pales visibly. "Your dogs, Harry?" He whispers. "You're bringing them to the theatre?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 11:51 am UTC (link)
	"Of course. It's been a long time since they had a chance to play with you and your little friends. They've been excited all day." Harry says, ignoring Nell's obvious fear. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 12:12 pm UTC (link)
	"But Harry...they...they frighten some of the other boys." He says, trying not to let on how afraid he himself is. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 12:15 pm UTC (link)
	"Then the other boys don't have to play with them, Nell. Besides, the pups will only be there before the fight at Church Street." He smiles, and re-adjusts his jacket. "You'll play with the pups, won't you?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 12:17 pm UTC (link)
	"But...but Harry, they won't have been fed if they're going to the fight! What if they bite me?" The boy whispers. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 12:20 pm UTC (link)
	"Bite you? Nell, don't be such a child. If they bite you, I'll tell them off." Harry reassures, ready to go on his way. "Shouldn't you be selling those tickets?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_star 2008-04-13 12:23 pm UTC (link)
	Nell, having seen just how vicious both of the dogs can be takes a step away instinctively, even if they are not around. "Yes Harry." He says, rushing off in the opposite direction, desperate now to sell all his tickets. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-13 12:25 pm UTC (link)
	Harry smiles, the nearest he comes to a laugh in public, and watches the boy dash away, before turning on his heel and strolling away, humming to himself. Tonight would be entertaining. (Reply to this) (Parent)

krochester
2008-04-13 01:39 pm UTC (link)

Katherine walked carefully into the coffee house, eyeing the patrons already inside out of the corner of her eye. She was always aware that men didn't like single women in their establishments, and she had only become more hypersensitive to it over the years. But resolutely she walked up to the counter and asked for the boxes of tea her mother had ordered.

Turning around, she watched the quiet activity of the mostly male occupants of the coffee house, her eyes falling on a man by the window window reading the Times, perhaps a little disinterested in it as every so often she noticed that he was eyeing the other patrons as she was, not reading his paper. It would only be so long before he'd catch her staring, too.

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social_climber
2008-04-13 01:56 pm UTC (link)

The young woman was, in fact, the very next figure he laid eyes on. After all, the room had been stale for some moments, the conversations mumbled, the guests all settled. There was very little else to hold his attention. That was, of course, before the girl had stepped in. He'd glanced at her then, her retreating back, as she'd headed to the counter. Harry had listened too, his eyes resting back no the crude sketch on the front page. She was English, and relatively well brought up too, if accent was anything to go by. A pity, she'd been rather attractive with those narrow hips.

He felt her gaze, of course, and moved his own from the opposite corner of the room to where she stood. "Good day, miss." He smiled, and gaze a polite nod.

Forgive me replying with the wrong journal. *embarrassed.*

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krochester
2008-04-13 02:04 pm UTC (link)

She was a bit surprised when the man had, indeed, responded to her gaze. It was common for men to notice the wandering, come-hither glances of working women, or the hard stares of scrutinizing society ladies, but were usually offended, at least in Katherine's own experience, if a woman dared to look at him with anything other than desire or challenging disgust. And she was doing neither.

Taking a step towards him, Katherine curtsied briefly but gracefully, and as she lifted her eyes back up to look at the man she carefully replied, "Good day, sir."

haha it's okay!

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social_climber
2008-04-13 02:25 pm UTC (link)

Harry's eyebrow raised at the curtsy. He'd never have anyone do that to him in any seriousness. But he wasn't surprised she had replied to him. She looked inquisitive enough. And not knowing exactly what else to say, asked "Would you like a seat, miss?"

He didn't expect her to take it. After all, she was obviously a toff, and he, most obviously, was not. Someone who didn't look too closely might have thought him to be wealthy, but not high-born.

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krochester
2008-04-13 02:35 pm UTC (link)

Katherine watched his response carefully. She was intrigued by his seeming amusement at her greeting him properly, but perhaps she should not have been. After all, as she could deduce from what little she had observed and heard, he was obviously not an aristocrat, and it was therefore likely not ingrained in him to always greet another properly.

She took another step closer to his table. Any man who treated her with any type of equality without being forced was, hopefully, worth looking into further. "I...I suppose I would," Katherine responded, before adding, "though it is quite out of propriety to sit with someone whose name I do not even know."

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social_climber
2008-04-13 05:02 pm UTC (link)

"It's only improper, miss, if you don't allow them to order you a coffee or a tea while you make yourself comfortable. My name is Harry Fisher, and I'm very glad to make your acquiescence, miss...?" He said, gathering the paper from the table and folding it, setting it down on a spare chair, his eyes flicking over the main title again- Saint-Just was up to his usual tricks.

"I don't suppose you'd like some of that tea you've just ordered? Maybe something a little different?"

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krochester
2008-04-13 11:32 pm UTC (link)

Katherine offered him a rare, amused smile as she sat down in the chair opposite his, adjusting her skirts. "Indeed it is, though I am afraid, Mister Fisher, that the tea is not to my liking," she explained appreciatively, glancing over at the counter. Strange, they had not yet brought out the tea from the storerooms, though she felt that they may have seen her take a seat and not wanted to disturb. "It is for my mother, and she can wait for it."

She glanced out the window briefly before turning back to the man across from her. "So, Harry Fisher, what brings you here today to read your Times?" Perhaps he was a good subject on which to test the waters, see just how far this seeming equality of the sexes might be taken.

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social_climber
2008-04-14 08:12 am UTC (link)

"A coffee then, miss? You know they say it's bad for the heart, the lungs and the digestion." He says, in a tone of amusement that suggests he, if no one else, doesn't believe those what the Prince's doctors say. "Yet they do not say the same things about the Prince's parties."

"What am I doing here? Wasting an afternoon, my dear. Reading, watching the world go by, drinking over-priced coffee and talking to mysterious, unnamed women." He remarks, another smile pulling at his lips. "Will you introduce yourself, miss?"

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krochester
2008-04-14 10:35 am UTC (link)

"Yes, just a bit," Katherine agreed, "though only that, else I'll be up all the night." She smiled again, never one to fully laugh at jests and jokes, but rather, to grin with clear amusement. It was useful in her position, she had found, for it would often confuse and daunt men who expected her to laugh at them for their wittiness.

But somehow his next comment, rather unamusing, made her chuckle. "Mysterious? I hardly think so," Katherine remarked of herself, her cheeks turning that light shade of pink that she had always tried to avoid. "Though if you do insist, it is Katherine Rochester."

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social_climber
2008-04-14 04:18 pm UTC (link)

Harry nods, catching the eye of one of the aproned staff. "Perhaps something to eat would help, if coffee has that ill-effect on you, miss?" He asks, head tilting slightly to one side. Although the food here wasn't exactly... cuisine. This young lady, by the look of her at least, was probably used to fine dining rather than coffee house fare.

"Miss Katherine Rochester. Of course, you are no longer so much of a mystery. But women are meant to be, are they not? At least to the coarser gender." He paused, allowing the coffee-house's boy to carefully set down the porcelain cup, the small jug of milk. "Was your mother's tea your only errand in town today, Miss Rochester?"

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krochester
2008-04-14 11:44 pm UTC (link)

Katherine let out a sigh, almost of relief. With all of the galas her mother forced her to attend with Miles, and organized dinners with her fiance, and the regular overdone affair at the house, there was little time to enjoy simplicity as in the coffee house. Perhaps it was meant to be that she should find company in such a place, and an invitation to eat there. "Just the coffee, I think, and a fruit tart," Katherine explained to their server before looking back across the table.

She found herself blushing again, this time out of surprise. "I did not think I ever was so great a mystery, Mister Fisher, though I cannot deny that it is our role as women to bewitch you coarse men. Mysteriousness fetches husbands," Katherine stated, a bit cynically. It would never do so for her; she had been sold off as if cattle to further her mother and, unknowingly to him, her brother. Sighing, she replied further, with a bit of humour, "Yes, my only errand and duty. The poor dear's got herself a gentleman caller and had to find some reason to get me away from the house."

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social_climber
2008-04-18 10:42 pm UTC (link)

Sorry for the long wait! ><''

"It will go on my bill." Harry adds before the boy turns to make his way back to the counter, and Harry allows his attention go back to the young woman. "After all, I did invite you to join me. You can't expect a young lady to pay for herself when there is a man happy to pay for her." The slight twist of his lips could have been a smile.

"Mysteriousness fetches husbands?" He repeats, with an entertained smile. "I think you may be right, Miss Rochester. Women who leave much to the imagination are, if you will forgive me, puzzles to be solved." He picks up his cup, taking a swallow. "You will forgive me if I am... coarser than most of my sex. Not all of us are pleased with grace."

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krochester
2008-04-19 03:26 am UTC (link)

Forgiven! :-)

Katherine opened her mouth to protest, but shrank back. "I...thank you, Mister Fisher," she responded calmly, weakly even. It was not at all like her to accept help, least of all from a man, but oddly enough it did not faze her. She folded her hands in her lap and looked across the table, biting her tongue to keep from contradicting the inherent male superiority in his words; Katherine could not blame him for that, for it was man's nature to care for woman, but never would she call him out so openly for it. It would surely compromise the anonymity she'd created by using her brother's name.

Smiling coyly, Katherine replied openly, maybe without the restraint she ought to have had, "And if you will forgive me, I might venture to say I'd have properly tried it by now had I not been committed already." She stalled, realizing what she'd said, and backed off the cynical tone. "Hmmm," Katherine mused, "not pleased with grace, then? And coarse you say? Good heavens, why? It's certainly not extraordinary to find a man intent on solving the puzzle of women, as you put it. Rather, they all oft pursue us with little else in mind than solving the puzzle and marrying it."

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social_climber
2008-04-19 07:41 am UTC (link)

"No thanks are necessary, miss. What would the world be if it wasn't for the kindness of strangers?" He smiles, watching as the server returns to set a steaming cup before her, and set down the little jug of milk, hardly taller than his thumb, and the little box of sugar, which the server carefully opens, waiting for the young lady helps herself before closing the box up again and carrying it away.

"Committed already? Such a same. But I hope the gentlemen is deserving?" He asks, amused at her coy grin and tone. Certainly a creature a little more forward that high-society rules dictated.

He smiles, taking another sip before he answers her question, using the time to organise the words within his mind. "Grace is something few of us are lucky to be born with, Miss Rochester, and for those of us not within that lucky few, to attempt grace is unbecoming, don't you think? I don't try to be what I am not, and what I am is a coarse man. No doubt your mother would be shocked if you told her of our conversation. And your fiancée? Ashamed." He says, the last part with a amused, teasing lilt.

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krochester
2008-04-20 02:39 am UTC (link)

With an appreciative, sweet smile to her companion, Katherine helped herself to a spoonful of sugar, stirring it carefully and delicately into her coffee before handing the small spoon back to the server. Taking a sip from the steaming liquid, she replaced the cup on its saucer and let out a small laugh. "Are you not with the times, Mister Fisher? It is rare to be my age and not committed. The queen of France was wed at fifteen, though I am afraid my betrothed was not of my own choosing. But it would be horribly unwise of me to speak ill of him when I've no reason to dislike him."

Katherine wistfully glanced out the window before returning to her conversation. "And why such a shame? Few would dare put up with me and my opinions, sir, least of all a good upstanding politician as my mother found for me. She would certainly have me harshly reprimanded if she heard how I speak out of her company, and even when I tone it down for her." She paused, getting a bit a head of herself. "But as you so correctly stated, we cannot be what we are not. You are, perhaps, coarse and never graceful. I am, I think, graceful but not at all reserved." Katherine took another sip of coffee, wondering if she'd indeed gone too far and spoken out of turn.

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