Sep 5th - A Cooling Off Period

[Tereza Rozanov]

As they wandered along the streets of Maldon, Tereza seemed to be more comfortable. Most of the shops were closed, but the pubs were open, so there were people to watch. "Maldon seems like a nice place."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"This is a city and London is larger still?" she walked beside Tereza, looking in windows and making mental notes of what the shops were offering and their location.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I would qualify this as more of a town. London is a lot bigger. About 8 million people in London if memory serves," she said. "There's even an entire district that mutants have taken over."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Outnumbered." She said softly.

"I do not think there were 8 million humans in the world the last time my mother crossed over."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"It's possible there were, but a lot has changed since then." It wasn't clear whether Tereza was buying it, but she was at least not being rude about it.

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I could be mistaken, there were no true methods of counting them all in all locations then. Your world has come a very long way."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Hopefully things will continue to progress. They've gotten more accepting of some things, so hopefully that will continue. I'm not going to hold my breath though. Humans have been remarkably belligerent about the next stage in their evolution."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"They always were. You are wise to be cautious in your optimism. Change for your kind is relatively fast compared to...some."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Fast in the cosmic scale maybe, but not fast enough for those of us affected by their idiocy."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Impatient." She smiled. "Forcing change on others is never wise. The only one you can change without a doubt is yourself."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Yeah, but it's an injustice and you can't let that sit. Maybe some methods work better than others, but I will never blame people for trying to make things better."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I suppose as long as it is for the better and not for the worst."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"The Americans are especially set in their ways. It's a wonder that the Europeans with their depth of tradition are more progressive. I would have expected the reverse."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Older and wiser? Perhaps they felt the loss of the fae after all."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"There are some places where they've crossed the line, but mutants who can leave those places do. Like I wouldn't recommend you travel to France. What you do looks a lot like a mutant power and they might make things difficult for you there."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I see. I do not anticipate much travel off the isle in any case." She paused to admire a leather jacket in a window.

"So, you now believe that I am fae?" She returned her attention to Tereza.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Maybe? I don't know. There's something unusual about you, I'll give you that, but... well, let's just say I'm interested in getting to know you better and that's not something I say about a lot of people." She might have been blushing very slightly or it might have been just the light.

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I suppose there is nothing more I can do to convince you." She smiled and watched Tereza a moment.

"There are somethings I am not free to openly speak of, but I will not lie to you and I am not fond of deception and half-truths."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I can get behind keeping your past to yourself," Tereza said. "I have a few secrets of my own."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"I do not think your secrets would have much impact on my opinion of you, but you are welcome to keep them."

From somewhere above their heads the heard a shout.

"Hey girls! Heads up!"

Vivienne grabbed Tereza a pulled her into a shallow doorway as there was a shower of fabric and goods, obviously flung out of a second story window

"See anything ya like, ya can keep. Serves that lying rat face bitch."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Maybe she knew you were the sort of asshole to throw someone's possessions out a second story window," Tereza shot back, before realizing she was sandwiched in a doorway with Vivienne. "So... um... I think we're safe now," she said, even as she made no attempt to move.

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

Vivienne smiled and pulled a gauzy stocking from Tereza's shoulder.

"Forgive me, a few of the items were in containers."

The head appeared again. A woman about their age, her hair bright blue.

"Hey! Did I hit any ya?"

Vivienne looked at the woman then at the item of clothing in her hand.

"I believe confusion is going to be a very common occurrence for me."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"No, we're good, don't pitch shit out the window next time," Tereza said before turning her attention back to Vivienne, "What's confusing you now?"

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

Vivienne dropped the item in a half crushed box of knick knacks.

"I grew up in a cottage beside the lake my mother resided in. I had few friends, not many were willing to risk the possible loss of status to associate with the half-human. I when I was chosen to cross over, the Court sent tutors, but there are no tutors for certain skills and knowledge. I have been caught unprepared by much in only two days."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Well, ask your questions, and I'll answer them if I can."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Mostly it is the culture shock I spoke of. Your kind has become very open about your intimate personal relationships." She smiled.

"I am not accustom to the idea of such openness about such personal topics. I was not prepared to come to the sudden realization that females now openly...court one another."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Some places are more open than others. The United Kingdom is actually pretty good in that regard, it seems like." She took a deep breath, "That's something I'm sort of grateful for."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Why? Do you not feel that such thing should be kept private?" She watched Tereza.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"You love who you love. Why should you have to keep that private? I should be able to hold hands with another woman in public without worry. If someone has a problem with that, that's something they should keep to themselves."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

Vivienne was silent for a moment.

"One should ever be ashamed to love. It is just...public displays are not unheard of but they always seemed...garish...attention seeking, from the benefit of others." She smiled.

"Court parties were not comfortable for someone of my low upbringing."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"There's certainly the possessive or statement-making public displays. Those are usually kind of weird. But then there's the 'hey, we're happy together and I want to kiss you right now' kind of displays. And those I can totally get behind."

[Vivienne Chinnoir]

"Yes, I can see that, now. It is just...new to me." She smiled and stepped back.

"We should head back to the school. I believe I have seen enough shops to return to tomorrow."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Well, if you need an escort some other time, just ask. I'm busy this weekend, but no plans next week other than classes." As they stepped out into the street light, Tereza subconsciously adjusted her jacket and t-shirt.