theo. (escutcheon) wrote in emillion, |
Glancing over her as they made their way across the shop, he wondered if he ought to say something as they passed by other items on the list (the idea of going through spices with Juliette during their sporadic cooking lessons hadn’t crossed his mind--until now). Again, he reminded himself not to pry too much. “Busy day, is it?” “Moderately,” she answered, pulling jars and bags from the shelves once she reached the first familiar section, working her way down the wall slowly as she found items he had listed. She ran out of room in her hands, after a moment of bewildered thought made a makeshift basket of the apron tied around her waist, an item all employees were to wear the utility of which she had not realized until now. “Yesterday was… somewhat more eventful.” Her progress down the wall towards the back of the store was slow but steady, furner items joining the pile cradled inside the sling of her apron as they went. “I am… unaccustomed to this manner of work,” she admitted at last, quietly. It had given her a newfound respect for the people who did it -- she had never been shouted at by an utter stranger before yesterday (nor had she ever previously set her jaw and held her ground against such a person, but there had been little choice at the time). “Problems?” He watched her sort through the containers of herbs and spices like a mentor inspecting a squire’s progress in swordplay, Theo’s hands starting to twitch as he warred between whether or not he should lend some aid. Eventually, a hand moved up to scratch at the back of his neck instead. “Doing well enough so far,” he added, noting the number of spices Juliette had begun to collect in her apron. “None worth mentioning,” she was quick to assure him. “This occupation comes with its own… unique challenges, but they are not insurmountable.” She had not mentioned the irate customer to the Countess, nor would she do so now to her mentor. She had handled it, and rather ably. She was rather proud of herself, all in all. “I am doing my best. I try to,” she added, feeling as though she ought to explain why Lady Juliette Coulombe (if not Squire Coulombe) would be earnestly piling spice bottles in an apron. “If I choose to do something that is. To do otherwise seems… a waste.” Of a learning opportunity, among other things. She didn’t imagine she would ever need to do this again, but she could still learn here. A determined student could find lessons anywhere. It might have taken her longer than it would have taken him, but she found the final item at last, placing it with relief into the pile she had created inside her apron. “That is all, I think?” “Aye,” he assured her, looking over the complete collection of spices bundled in Juliette’s apron. Regardless of his concerns (Theo had seemed unable to help himself at that), his squire seemed capable enough at the...project she was now engaged in--and for whatever reason. “Good work.” Theo dug inside his pocket for his wallet, prepared to follow Juliette back to the counter for the transaction. While it had been strange and unexpected to see her, he realized, it was good for him to know what she had found herself up to in her spare time (peculiar as it was). “Prepared for training later?” He couldn’t help but ask now, and his brow furrowed in wonder if she would need to cancel. |