Hannah Abbott (hanabbott) wrote in cuaditchic, @ 2020-11-07 09:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log, -player: chele, -player: hannah, c: hannah abbott, c: phillip montgomery |
As she spoke with the vendor, Hannah was reaching into her bag to get money to pay. A frown formed on her face, “Oh no.” She sighed. “I seem to be a knut short.” Hannah let out a small laugh as she gave back the Aloe Vera plant. “That’s what I get for not planning ahead.”
Phillip wasn’t normally one to stroll around the vendor shops, but after being busy at work for the last several weeks and only just getting back into town a few days ago, he decided that a walk and some air would be good for him. He was mostly open air window shopping at present, but making notes for a few things he might return to buy later. A couple old books of rare spells that Charlie might be interested in reading, and now he was coming upon the flower section of the market and thought of Isobel. Her use of herbs, plants, and flowers generally went over his head, but he knew she appreciated them much more than he ever could.
Feeling a bit clueless as to what would be a nice selection for his healer sister, Phillip recognized a familiar face standing just ahead of him. He only heard part of the conversation she was having with the vendor, but he did manage to catch the bit that she was coming up short. He reached into his pocket and pulled out enough to cover the full amount of her purchase and stepped forward.
“I believe this will cover her purchase,” said Phillip, handing the funds over and cast a smile to Hannah. “Afternoon, Hannah.”
Hannah hadn’t recognized the voice at first, not until she turned to see Phillip smiling at her. “Phillip!” Her head tilted slightly, genuinely happy to see him. “Thank you, so much.” She looked back at the vendor and smiled, taking her things.
“I owe you one,” she added, turning back to him. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it. How are you doing?”
Phillip smiled, and nodded a thanks to the vendor as Hannah collected her items. “It has. I’m doing well; glad to be staying in one place for a few weeks again.” He liked the traveling he did for business purposes, but sometimes it would get old towards the end of the trips. Sticking to home base would be nice for a while.
“How about you?” Phillip had never been as close to Hannah as his sisters were growing up, but he’d always been fond of her and thought of her as a friend as they’d gotten older. “And actually,” he started, motioning to one of the herb vendors. “You can help me out with a favour now. I’ve been out here hoping to pick out something for Charlie and Isobel. I think I know what I’m going to go back and pick up for Charlie, but since you’re much more familiar with herbology than I am, you can help me with Isobel’s. What do you think she might like? Medicinal or otherwise, really.”
“That's great, and I’m sure your sisters really love having you around.” Hannah wished she could travel more, so she was always a little jealous of those who had the opportunities. Then again, Hannah was sure that she had enough savings that if she wanted to take a vacation, she could. And of course she did visit her family in France often enough, which was always a good time.
“I’m doing very well,” she replied. “Keeping busy with work, you know.” When he mentioned he could use her help, she looked at him curiously, but waited for him to finish. A bright look appeared when he mentioned trying to find something for Isobel. “That’s great! Of course I can help you.” Hannah started to think back about what Isobel might already have in her possession. “I think I have a few ideas, we can go this way.”
As they walked, she turned to him. “How are you settling in? Is it strange not to be on the move so much?”
Phillip followed Hannah down the path. He hadn’t planned anything big, but mostly just an excuse to stop by for a hello and a visit. He had briefly considered asking both of his sisters for lunch, together, one day now that he was back in town. It had always bothered him how much they didn’t get along. Not just a normal sisterly spat here and there either, but genuine dislike. Well, dislike might have been the wrong word, but they by no means got along.
“No, not strange. I’m glad to have an extended time in one place.” He still liked to travel, but sometimes it did get a little monotonous. “I get away enough to satisfy my travel appetite,” said Phillip, smiling over at her.
“Do you stop here often?” He asked her, motioning to the handful of vendors around that they’d passed. “I’ve only been a handful of times since I moved here full-time.”
Hannah laughed. “That’s lucky. I really should plan better to travel a bit more.” It would be a good goal for her. Mentally, she made a note to herself to look into destinations and to ask any friends if they would like to go with her.
“Not everyday, but often,” she grinned. “Here.” The vendor wasn’t far from where they were before. “She makes amazing terrariums and it’d be a great gift for Isobel.” For as long as Hannah had known the Montgomerys, she always admired what a good older brother Phillip was, he always seemed kind and supportive to Charlie and Isobel.
"If you ever decide to take a trip, let me know what sort of mood you might be in and I can try to offer any suggestions. I'm not always able to get to the out of the way places when traveling for work, but those are often my favorite spots." The Montgomery resorts were as anyone would expect, but sometimes it was nice to get away from the all-inclusive style and vacation much more simply.
While Phillip knew what a terrarium was, he didn't know exactly what went into making one, so he was thankful to hear the vendor could help him with that instead of doing it himself. He followed her over and saw a handful of ones that were already pre-made and ready to buy, but she also had a create-your-own option too that looked interesting. "What about that one?" He asked, pointing to a glass globe that could be fashioned to either hang from a braided rope or spelled to float in place too.
"Maybe styled in something like one of these two?" The main difference between the two he pointed at now was one had a small, purple flower instead with the other more green.
“I will remember that,” Hannah replied. Truthly if she was going to ask anyone about great travel spots and ideas, the Montgomery family would certainly be the first she’d ask.
She watched him, looking through the different options, pleased that she was able to help. When he picked out a few, she looked it over and smiled brightly. “I do love the glass globe, and you're right, I like the style of both of those. The purple and green are good choices, I think she’d like either style, and doing a little combo would be great too.”
Phillip smiled. “Perfect.” He addressed the vendor, asking that she make it up as they’d already described and handed over a few coins to cover the cost. “There’s no rush,” he said. “I can stop back by in an hour or so to pick it up.” He didn’t really have anywhere to be for the afternoon, so there was no need for him to be in any hurry. He still had to go back to the previous shop and pick up the books he’d had in mind for Charlie.
“Any other favorites here?” He asked, turning back to Hannah and nodding down the lane at the rest of the vendors lined up here and there. “Or do you tend to stroll by to see what catches your eye?” Phillip wasn’t much of a shopper, but whenever he was out like this, it was nice to walk around and see what caught his attention when he had the time to do it.
“A bit of both.” Hannah replied. “Sometimes, depending on what they sell, vendors will change so if I’m not on the hunt for something specific I like to walk around.” It didn’t seem like either of them were in a hurry and it was a nice day.
“How is your father doing?” She asked as they walked. For as long as Hannah had known the Montgomery’s, she didn’t speak with their father much. When Hannah’s mother was alive, she never said anything cruel about the man, but Hannah often found herself thankful for her own father when comparing the two. “I think it’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”
“Makes sense, and a smart plan especially if the vendors change.” Phillip was content to walk around for a while, though the question about his father did surprise him a little. It had been some time since he’d spoken to his father in anything other than owls or through other business channels. “He’s Father, I suppose,” he said with a knowing glance in her direction. “He’s well but stays busy.”
Phillip often felt like he stayed busy most of the time, but it was a trait he inherited naturally from his father. Prescott Montgomery was the master of finding ways to keep himself busy when he didn’t want to be bothered otherwise. He also miraculously could find open time for specific reasons -- or people.
“It’s partially for business, but I believe he and his wife are in Italy for the rest of the month.” It wasn’t often that Phillip ever referred to Geranium as anything other than his father’s wife when mentioning her to others even if they had been married longer than he knew his own mother. “How is your father?” He asked. “Are you able to see him often?”
Hannah nodded, his answer not surprising her at all. Hannah wasn’t even sure when the last time Prescott had reached out to her family, he did a few times, Hannah’s father mentioned but while the wives were close, the husbands never were.
“He’s doing well.” She smiled. “We’re actually getting ready to travel to Bordeaux near the end of the month. My cousin Nolan is getting married. Hopefully it won’t be too cold, but I suppose that’s why we have heating charms, and I think they’re getting married inside. The venue is supposed to be gorgeous, and it’s been a while since I’ve been back in France.”
“That sounds like fun,” Phillip said with a small smile. “And France is lovely this time of year.” He’d always enjoyed going to France when scheduling allowed, but it had been a little while. His father liked to get away there with his wife occasionally and took care of the business while he was away. “I’m sure you will, but I hope you have a nice time - and some fun too.”
Not far from the line of vendors was a small shop up ahead with outdoor seating. “I still have sometime before Isobel’s gift is ready,” he said, checking his watch. “Would you want to get something to drink or eat in the meantime?”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she started. “Looks like we both need to take more time to travel for ourselves.” Hannah vowed to make it a goal of hers and her cousin’s wedding seemed like a perfect chance to relax.
Hannah mirrored and checked the time herself. She didn’t have anywhere to be, but knowing the time certainly didn’t hurt. “I have plenty of time today. I’d love to get something to eat, your choice.”
“You’ll have to take lots of pictures to show when you get back,” Phillip said. He hadn’t been to a wedding in a while, but generally had an okay time at them depending on how well he knew the couple or family.
“Good.” He smiled and motioned to the place not too far ahead. They could get a bite, talk and catch up, and have a nice time. Phillip hadn’t expected to spend most of the afternoon in the area, but he found himself glad to have the chance to just have a relaxing day while not worrying about work or family obligations one way or another.