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Ginger Thornburgh ([info]talkinghands) wrote in [info]fairthreads,
@ 2009-10-30 10:32:00

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Entry tags:!complete, !incomplete, character: ginger thornburgh, character: margaret cauldwell, location: the herb shop, player: catherine, player: jeanne

Who: Ginger and Molly
Where: The Herb Shop
When: Morning
What: A meeting


She wasn't really sure what she was doing with her life, anymore. Lady Agnes had died- word of that had reached her some time ago- but Ginger could do nothing for her friend but mourn in silence. Her brother was off adventuring... somewhere, and Lavender took care of the shop. Ginger helped in the shop as best she could, though she had known for some time that she'd never have the talent for working with herbs that her mother and sister did- still, she could at least help keep things clean and organized, or help customers who wanted to pay.

Ginger missed palace life. She couldn't explain it, and she certainly couldn't tell her family- who would miss being a servant?

It was mid-morning, a day like any other- they all seemed to blend together, didn't they? Ginger sat behind the counter at the herb shop, trying not to fall into a daydream yet again.

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-10-31 02:20 am UTC (link)
Overall, things actually had been going well. Thomas and Bridget were safe, if affected by their disappearance. Life had gone on. Molly couldn’t complain really. It’s just, well, despite her growing interaction with some of the pub staff, she still felt like the odd man out. Worse – she was bored. With nothing better to do that morning, she decided to head out and run a few of the errands she’d been putting off.

There had been shopping to do. A few new articles of clothing were needed for an inland winter. She’d picked up the fabric and supplies with very little trouble, mostly because she wasn’t that picky. If she wasn’t so over-careful with her money, she’d have been commissioning new shoes too. The pair she had was nearly falling apart. Spending so much time on her feet, Molly needed good shoes. Instead, she chose to put up with the blisters. And her feet hurt.

After a brief walk around the town left her limping, Molly decided something had to be done about the situation. There needed to be a more immediate solution than shoes – that would take time. Instead, she ducked into the herb shop, hoping there would be something helpful there.

“Hello?” Molly asked tentatively, not wishing to startle the woman behind the counter.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-10-31 10:59 pm UTC (link)
Thankfully there was a bell over the doorway to signal the arrival of a new customer- this had been installed for Ginger's and her mother's benefit, of course, not Lavender's. Ginger- covertly (she hoped) rubbing the bleariness from her eyes- sat up straighter and looked toward the doorway, offering the newcomer a cheerful smile. "Hello," she nodded. "How can I help you?"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-10-31 11:52 pm UTC (link)
Molly was intrigued by all the herbs. Apparently she’d come to the right place. Head turning back to the girl at the counter, “Hm? Oh. Yes, I was – uh – looking for something. For my feet.” Her mind was not on her errand, nor was it on the shopkeeper. Instead she was wondering what exactly was in the jar on the right. A plant of some kind, but it didn’t look like anything she’d come across before. “What is that?”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-10-31 11:58 pm UTC (link)
At the girl's request, Ginger started going through her mental catalogue of the various herbs and their medicinal uses- this wasn't her strong suit, of course, but she had picked up enough to get by, at least. "That? It's Mullein, for breathing problems. Well, and for rat poisons as well," she added, laughing a bit.

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 12:03 am UTC (link)
“Really? It doesn’t look that sinister.” Shouldn’t something poisonous look it? “Wait, did you say for breathing problems and rat poison? How can it be good for both?” This was far more interesting than her feet. She shifted her weight so that she was no longer leaning on the sore spot of her foot.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 12:09 am UTC (link)
"Extracts from the flowers help with breathing," Ginger replied, ticking off one finger and then a second as she continued, "but the seeds are a paralytic."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 12:14 am UTC (link)
Impressive. Molly had no idea plants could be so versatile. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to keep that in mind the next time I come down with a cold – avoid the seeds.” She offered the woman a smile. She wasn’t at the pub, so maybe people weren’t so casual here. She didn’t care. Right now, she just craved a little bit of friendly banter. The shop wasn’t busy at the moment. Maybe the woman wouldn’t mind the conversation either.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 12:34 am UTC (link)
Ginger laughed a bit, though she smiled and nodded, hoping that the girl wouldn't be offended. "Well, my sister wouldn't sell you the seeds if you came in complaining of breathing problems- we certainly don't want it getting around that we've poisoned a customer!"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 12:49 am UTC (link)
“Oh, I didn’t think you would,” Molly reassured. “But I’ve been a lot of places. Not all herb shops are as nice as yours.” Thinking over the woman’s answer, she added, “Does your sister work here too then?” It wasn’t that the answer really mattered to Molly. She just wanted to continue the conversation and that seemed the polite thing to ask.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 12:57 am UTC (link)
"My sister runs the shop," Ginger admitted. "It was my mother's, originally, of course, but Lavender has taken over for much of it. I just work the counter- I don't have her talents for herbalism."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 01:07 am UTC (link)
Oh. Molly knew what it was like to feel out of place. Working at your sister’s shop could certainly cause those feelings. She wondered if the shopkeep was unhappy with the arrangement. Hoping to get to a topic she enjoyed, she asked, “Well, what is it you like to do then? I mean, besides oversee the counter.” She’d be happy to talk about whatever it was that happened to catch the woman’s interest.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 01:25 am UTC (link)
"I worked in the palace for almost twelve years," Ginger replied, simply. "I was a servant to-" she hesitated, but then figured there was no harm in keeping the secret now that her mistress was dead, "Lady Agnes, who was mute. I speak sign language," Ginger added, signing this last sentence with her hands as she spoke it, and continuing to sign as she spoke, "My sister was born deaf, so I learned signing as I learned to speak."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 01:40 am UTC (link)
At the mention of working at the castle, Molly’s eyebrows rose. Really? “You worked at the palace?” She didn’t mean any offense, but she was surprised.

The name of the lady meant nothing to Molly. For all she kept tabs on the important personages, they could all be named Agnes. It was interesting that she was mute. Oh. Was. The past tense caught up with Molly. “I’m sorry. I – uh.” There was nothing she could say for it. She could only speculate on what impact that had left. Without some further indication, she couldn’t even come up with the appropriate words of consolation. So she changed what she was going to say. “I heard of a man who had his tongue cut out, but I never met anyone who couldn’t talk. Theo did though. He’s the one who told me about the man.”

The signing was interesting. Molly watched the woman’s figures dance, wondering exactly what it meant.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 01:47 am UTC (link)
"There's no need to apologize," Ginger said, quickly, her hands stilling as she looked back to the girl. Ginger had mourned in private, and saw no point in letting anyone else in on that. "Who is Theo?"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 02:11 am UTC (link)
“Oh, uh. Theo’s my father.” Sick to death of the pretense, she added, “He raised me.” And that appeased her conscience. There had to be a way to steer the topic back away from these personal issues. “I grew up by the coast. I’ve been here a few months now, but I admit, I still haven’t figured it out. Besides the pub, what do you do here for fun?” She wasn’t trying to insult the town. But things were so very different. It’s not like she could run down to the docks on a lark and help out for the day.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 02:35 am UTC (link)
"That is what fathers usually do," the snarky remark came out quite before Ginger could realize it and bite it back- oh, she was hopeless, wasn't she? She shook her head. "I enjoy going to the pub, actually. Do you know Zachary?" Ginger's cheeks flushed at the mention of the cook.

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 02:46 am UTC (link)
Molly laughed at Ginger’s response about fathers. She deserved that didn’t she? She smiled to have found someone who didn’t mind saying what was on her mind. “I guess that’s true!”

“Zachary? Of course I know him. He’s the cook there and a fine baker as well. I wait tables at Madison’s, so I do see him every once in a while.” Realizing she hadn’t properly introduced herself, she held out her hand. “I’m Molly.”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 02:55 am UTC (link)
"Ginger Thornburgh," she replied, taking Molly's hand and shaking it in greeting. "Zachary is- a friend of mine." There was hesitation there, though, and her cheeks blushed further.

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 03:23 am UTC (link)
Molly saw the blush. Oh, how sweet! She imagined her face had even looked like that once or twice. “Zachary’s a nice boy. I’m glad he’s got a good friend.” Because she was a little worried about him. Molly knew that he still hurt from losing his father. “You should come by the pub sometime soon. If we’re busy, you just let me know you’re there and I’ll tell him. I’m sure he’d be glad for a visit. Things have…been a little crazy there lately.”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 03:47 am UTC (link)
"We've been friends since we were kids- I think Zachary would be worried if I didn't just sneak into the kitchen through the back door to see him." Ginger smiled all the same. "I'll be certain to stop by, though. What's been going on, apart from the usual bustle?"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 06:52 am UTC (link)
“I guess that would be why I never noticed you before.” Molly hoped that was why. She didn’t recognize Ginger and she thought she knew most of the regulars by now. The idea that Ginger had been coming by through the kitchen was reassuring. “But if you’ve been by, I’m sorry. I usually have a better eye for faces.”

Molly shook her head. Abby had asked her not to tell. Though that had been before Thomas and Bridget had returned, she hadn’t been released from the promise. “Things have – well, everyone’s been a little off is all. Probably just recovering from the festival. I had no idea things got so busy here.” She ended with a false brightness she didn’t feel.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-01 02:34 pm UTC (link)
"There's no need to apologize," Ginger waved a hand, shrugging off the idea. "I'd hardly expect you to remember everyone who came into the pub! It's the busiest place in Greenville!" She offered a smile, if a hesitant one. "We may not be quite so big as a sea village," though Ginger had never been to one of those, so she had no idea, "but we get our fair share of travelers!"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-01 04:12 pm UTC (link)
Molly brushed off her irritation at herself. Ginger didn’t seem to mind, so she wouldn’t let it continue to bother her. She’d just be better about it in the future.

“Actually, the town I grew up in was pretty small,” Molly looked away. “Too small.” Before she could become lost in thought, she continued, “But there was always something to do. There was swimming and the pub too, of course, and helping at the docks or even just watching for ships. My time seems a little empty without it.” Perhaps that was a little too personal, but she didn’t have a confident. And there was no Captain Vine around right now for commiseration.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-02 04:23 am UTC (link)
"If your time is empty here, then why stay?" Perhaps that was a personal question, but Ginger couldn't help her curiosity. Though, of course, Molly could very well ask her the same thing- her own unhappiness was evident and easily admitted to, and yet Ginger did nothing to fix that.

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-03 07:15 am UTC (link)
Ginger’s question made Molly pause. Why did she stay? Well, it’s not like she had any place else to go. Back home wasn’t really an option.

“I didn’t mean it like that. Greenville’s a lovely town. There’s the pond and all these nice shops.” Molly gestured at the room around her. She tried to force a bright smile, but instead she faltered. “I-I don’t know. I guess I’m not happy no matter where I go.” Not that she wasn’t happy, but there were different degrees. And the homesickness had been catching up with her.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-04 12:59 am UTC (link)
Ginger frowned at Molly's reply, but she was quiet, herself, unsure what to say. "What would make you happy, here?" she asked, hesitantly. "What is it that you're missing? Perhaps we could find a way to fix it!"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-04 04:11 am UTC (link)
Ginger’s offer pulled Molly out of her melancholy. What possible good was it standing here wishing for things that couldn’t be – especially since she couldn’t even figure out what they were? On top of that, she was being unforgivably rude.

Giving actual consideration to Ginger’s question, Molly’s eyes lit with mischief. She doubted this was at all proper, but she was tired to death of being ‘good.’ “I don’t know. I just want to do something. Sometimes I just get the urge to – I don’t know –run miles or swim rivers or roll down hills.” The fervor in her voice increased with each suggestion until she caught herself. “Sounds silly, doesn’t it?”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-05 01:46 am UTC (link)
As Molly spoke, Ginger's frown was quickly erased, replaced with a brilliant smile. "Not at all!" she insisted, quickly. "What's to stop you from doing any of that? I think you should!"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-05 03:09 am UTC (link)
It dawned on her, “Nothing. Nothing’s stopping me. I’ve – um – done a few of those things in my time. My best friend and I used to get into all kinds of trouble. We were always going too far or staying out too long. But then he grew up. I thought I was supposed to grow up too.” Lord, she knew she wasn’t making much sense. It was a whole sordid affair. But Ginger was right. There was absolutely nothing to stop her from doing exactly as she wished. She just missed having someone to do it with.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-05 03:59 am UTC (link)
"My brother and I were like that, when we were younger," Ginger admitted with a wistful smile. "Now he's off having all sorts of adventures." She envied him, certainly, but Ginger knew she had to stay close to home- her mother and sister needed her. Ginger offered Molly a faint smile. "You have to get older, doesn't mean you have to grow up, right?"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-05 04:42 am UTC (link)
“Why is it we have so much more sense when we’re young? What is it about getting older that makes us forget everything that really matters, do you think? And so you know, just because someone’s left doesn’t mean they’re having more fun. I mean, I hope your brother is, but – well – traveling’s got its own set of problems.” Narrowing her eyes in thought, Molly added, “I actually don’t think I’m welcome in Lennoxtown anymore.” Well, at least at one of the pubs there. How was she supposed to know he was the proprietor’s son?

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-05 05:07 am UTC (link)
"Because when we're young we don't have the worries and demands of adulthood." It was the easy answer, though Ginger knew there was more to it than that. "You don't have to worry about money, so long as you've got enough coins for a few sweets from a shop. You don't have to worry about mending your clothes if they tear, mama will just do it for you." Ginger shook her head, cutting off the senseless nostalgia. "I'm sure Gareth's getting into no end of trouble- and truthfully, I wish I was there with him. Sometimes I think I've been an adult since I was ten years old."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-05 05:17 am UTC (link)
Molly had never had a mother to do her mending, but she got the point. She let Ginger speak and didn’t interrupt when it was clear the girl was caught up in memories. Molly knew she’d been doing the same thing.

“Well, why is it the boys get to have all the fun?” Hoping it wasn’t too terribly presumptuous of her, Molly decided to extend an offer. “Sometime, one of these mornings, would you like to go and not be so grown up for a while? We could take a picnic down to the lake or – I don’t know – go buy some sweets? Something we used to do when we were kids and knew better?” She’d only just met Ginger, but she really liked talking to her. The etiquette for forming making new acquaintances escaped Molly. She only knew that she’d like the chance to talk to her more.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-05 05:45 am UTC (link)
Ginger was admittedly surprised at the offer, but she smiled brightly and nodded. "I would love that!" She couldn't help but clap her hands, excitedly. It had been too long since she'd done something purely for fun- Zachary was her closest friend, really, and he was always busy. Not that she blamed him, of course- he had an important job!

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-06 12:42 am UTC (link)
Molly was delighted that she’d potentially found a new friend. She wanted to cart off the shopkeeper to the sweet shop right now but knew she couldn’t. Afraid of scaring Ginger off, Molly attempted to contain her enthusiasm. “I work most afternoons and evenings. But I’m free every morning and I get the occasional day off. I do have a couple of other things – but I don’t think Rena would mind too much if we moved things around.”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-06 03:51 am UTC (link)
"I will certainly stop by the inn, then," Ginger replied, smiling cheerfully. "We'll make a day- or at least a morning!- of it, and soon."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-06 03:59 am UTC (link)
That settled, Molly would have said her goodbyes and left, but she remembered why she was here in the first place. "Oh, but if I could, I think I do still need something for my feet." The topic was uncomfortably personal. She felt like she needed some sort of excuse or explanation. "I spend a lot of time standing."

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-06 04:17 am UTC (link)
"Ah, yes," Ginger nodded, then thought for a moment. "Gingko and lavender," she said, finally. The herbs in their various jars along the wall were all alphabetized, of course. "You can make a tea from their leaves, easily enough."

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-07 12:25 am UTC (link)
Molly shifted her weight again. Tea would be good but probably wouldn’t work fast enough. And her feet really hurt. She should make sure to order new shoes before it got any later. “I’ll get some of that then. Is there anything else I could get too, something that might work faster?”

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-08 07:46 pm UTC (link)
She considered a moment, biting her lower lip as she thought. Ginger knew that there would be something else, but she couldn't provide that, herself. Still, she hated to disappoint. "There is," she offered, a bit hesitantly. "But my sister will have to make up a poultice for you. If you come back later, I can see to it that she'll have it for you, then?"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-11 03:25 am UTC (link)
Molly noted Ginger’s expression and felt guilty for having asked. She didn’t want to offend her new acquaintance. She took a breath and smiled brightly. “That will be fine. So I’ll get the tea now and then be back later? If that works for you?” How long had she spent talking anyway? She probably needed to get back to the pub. But later would work. Maybe she’d even be able to run into Ginger again.

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[info]talkinghands
2009-11-11 03:31 am UTC (link)
"That works, yes, of course." Ginger nodded. "I'll speak to my sister, and when you come back, the poultice will be ready." She offered a faint smile. "And we'll have that adventure day soon, too!"

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[info]wandering_molly
2009-11-11 07:39 pm UTC (link)
Molly nodded. "Than that's what I'll do." It would be good to have an excuse to come back, she decided.

"I look forward to it." An adventure was just what she needed.

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