Dex Kessinger (gentledragon) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2017-07-24 13:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | dex kessinger, katherine foster |
Who: Dex and Katherine w/NPC: Samuel
What: Interview for Governess
When: July 22, 1888
Where: Dex's home
Warning: None
Several days had passed since Katherine had seen Lucien. A great big weight have been lifted off of her shoulders after that. She was still heartbroken and sad all the time. Crying was second nature to her lately, but she was managing. She’d finally spoken to her parents at length about her need to get away. They were saddened too, of course. That both of their eldest children couldn’t stay in the pack was a hard blow to them, but they understood. She could visit and wish them well every chance that she got.
Going to the Lewis’s was another hardship, but she had to do it. She quietly informed them that she could no longer be their governess because she was leaving the pack. They asked questions, but she supposed they knew, even if Katherine didn’t want to get into it. It was a piece of gossip that had gone around the pack for ages, and so it came as no surprise that Katherine was leaving, now that their Alpha had chosen his mate. They were sad to see her go, and paid her quite well for the job she had already done. After that, she had packed up the rest of her things and took all of her trunks to her new place.
Though she was leaving off the royalties of her books at the moment, she really did need to find a proper job. She had gotten the paper and saw several governess positions available. Today she had been to two other homes, full of unruly children that had no doubt driven off several other governess’s before. This was her third stop of the day. She’d made sure that she looked presentable, resume in hand and knocked on the door.
Dex had interviewed four women today to be governess to his son, Samuel. Three, out of the two women, had not been dressed to his standards to being a governess to a young child. It was evident that they knew he was a bachelor and had money and were hoping for something a little more than just being his governess. He’d gone through the interviews, however, and then had shown them the door telling them that if he decided to choose them he would alert them by Monday morning. He was not going to be contacting them at all. One other young woman had come who had seemed promising, but had a feeling about her that she wouldn’t be right for young Samuel, though if he didn’t find anyone else, she would be the one to get the job.
He was waiting in his sitting room, a fresh tray of tea had just been brought in with a few biscuits when the knock at the door came. Waving away his butler, he went to answer the door himself. Pulling it open, he was pleased by what he saw, at least she was dressed better suited.
“Miss Foster, I assume?” He asked and moved to allow her entrance to his home. “I am Dex Kessinger, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you’ll follow me, we’ll hold the interview in the sitting room.”
Thankfully for her, Katherine only knew that this was a household that needed a governess, she didn't quite know that it was for a single father, not that it would have made a difference. She was definitely not there for anything else but a job. She had been expecting a butler perhaps, but what she wasn't expecting to see in front of her was quite the largest man that she had ever seen in her whole life. Good grief. He could squash her with one finger, she was sure of it.
The look on her face didn't seem to read that she was quite taken aback though, long ago she had learned to not let her face betray anything. Instead she gave a curtsy and bowed her head in front of him. "Yes, my Lord," she answered and slipped inside after him. "The pleasure is all mine, sir." She followed him into the sitting room, where she finally held out some papers, which were her resume. There were letters there from the Lewis's, explaining how well she did with their children. A good reference.
She did not sit though, waiting for him to take the lead. He was the one asking questions after all.
In the sitting room, Dex took her papers and glanced down at them a moment. “Please, take a seat,” he gestured towards the seat. “Would you like some tea?” He asked. “And there are biscuits as well,” he said as the maid came in to pour their tea for them.
“You have good references,” he said, looking at the papers once more. “If memory serves me right, the Lewis’ children are at the age of still needing a governess, is there a reason that you left them?” He asked, settling his large frame into a chair.
Giving a slight nod of her head, Katherine sat down in one of the chairs. "That would be lovely, thank you." Her parents had always taught her to not refuse an offer of refreshment, for fear of being rude. It was always polite to say yes, even if she didn't want the tea. Still she had been out and about all day long, and she was quite parched. The other homes she had visited hadn't been as welcoming as Dex was, so she was grateful for the tea.
When he asked about the Lewis's, she already had an answer ready. It was something she had to think about, before going on these interviews. It wasn't like she could tell them about leaving her pack, or her troubles, but she didn't want to lie exactly. "I have recently moved out of my parental home and into the city proper permanently. I felt it was time for me to be on my own, and my parents encouraged me to try and make something of myself, as I am unmarried. The Lewis's were gracious enough to understand the circumstances in which I left, and gave me their blessing. If they lived here in the city, I would have gladly continued to serve them."
The maid poured the tea, handing one to their guest first on a saucer and then a biscuit. Then it was for Dex. With a nod of his head, he was dismissing her and the door was closed to leave them to their business, the tray close enough if Katherine needed sugar or anything else.
Dex nodded and made a mental note to contact the Lewis’ to ask about their ex-governess and make sure there wasn’t anything missing from the resume. “I understand,” he said. “It’s good to see that you have a standing history in the position and that the Lewis’ gave you such good recommendations,” he said before sipping at his tea. “My son is…” he sighed and gave a small smile. “I have no wife, I’ve never married, and Samuel is adopted,” he explained. “He’s been with me for two years now and is from New York. “He is a bit of an unruly child, loves to push boundaries, and he and I bump heads quite a bit. He needs someone to be stern with him, but someone who also allows him to push at those boundaries. I don’t want him put in a box, I want him to test his limits, but I don’t want him hurting himself in doing so. I also need someone that can tutor him in his studies, if you can not do that, I will hire another for that specifically,” he explained. “He has yet to call me father, I don’t know if he is afraid to do so because he just doesn’t want me as a father or if he fears it would take away from his own father, who he knows nothing about,” he told her.
Reaching forward, Katherine placed a little milk into her tea and then took a sip. That was much better. She wouldn't down it all, as much as she wanted to. Also it was hot and she didn't want to burn the roof of her mouth. "The Lewis's are very good and upstanding people," she agreed with a nod of her head. She was curious of course as to why he would adopt a young boy, except she figured that he just must be a good person. Maybe that was the only reason that was needed. The kid sounded like a handful, but it wasn't anything that she wasn't used to. The Lewis children weren't perfect of course.
"I can be stern with him and disciplined. I can also tutor. I went to school. Though I understand that just because I say that, doesn't mean that you necessarily trust that I can do just that. I'd be happy to talk to him, or spend some time with him in order for you to be sure that you've picked the right person." And she wouldn't even charge him for anything. The fine line between being stern and letting him push boundaries was something she was only slightly worried about. She'd never actually been told to let a kid do what he wanted (within reason). And she would probably need some more specific instructions on what was on and off limits, but still.
She took another sip of her tea. "I do not claim to know much about young boys, but I feel that if he truly did not want you as a father, he probably would have.. left. By now. Has he tried to run away?" she asked cautiously. "I think perhaps it is a matter of trust. It's very hard to come by. If he calls you father, perhaps he has to admit to himself that you are there to care for him. That could be hard for him."
Dex nodded. It was good she could be stern. Samuel would need it. He needed someone that wouldn’t hold his hand, but would stop him when he tried to go too far. “I know it’s strange for a father to say let the boy push at his boundaries, but I believe that if he doesn’t test himself to a certain degree then he’ll never grow. He’s going to fall and scrape his knee, possibly fall out of a tree, lord knows that I did as a child. I want him to have a childhood, but I want someone there to make sure he doesn’t go too far with his antics. It may not make sense know, but believe me trying to chain the boy down would not bode well for anyone,” he chuckled. “He’s a free spirit and I would like for him to keep that about himself.”
“He hasn’t tried to run away, surprisingly,” he said with a small laugh. “Though he has threatened it. He’s only ten, was eight when I adopted him, he is sure to remember the orphanage and that here is a much better place than alone out there,” he gestured towards a window.
And, as if on cue, there was a knock on the door and then his son was shuffling in. He was a little tall for his age, but not overly so and seemed skinny. His red hair was mused and there was a dirt streak across one cheek. His green eyes flashed with surprise when he noticed that there was someone else in the room with his father.
“I’m sorry,” he looked back and forth between the two. “I thought you were already done with the interviews. Shall I come back?”
“No, Samuel, it’s quite alright,” he said. At least he was being polite at the moment. “Samuel, this is Miss Katherine Foster. Miss Foster, this is my son, Samuel. Son, why are you so dirty?” He asked with a laugh.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss. Foster,” he said and then gave a wide grin to Dex. “I was running, took a tumble and rolled.”
Katherine understood a bit more, and nodded her head. “I wouldn’t coddle him, and let him make his own mistakes. But I will watch that he is always safe, and that everyone around him is safe too.” That much she could do. “I fully agree about letting him grow up, and learning to make his own mistakes. That’s the only way that you can make better informed decisions.” She was lucky that her own parents hadn’t coddled her, and let her do her own thing. Of course it lead her to this path, but still.
She smiled a bit, “I think all children threaten to run away, but I suppose if he hasn’t actually tried, that’s probably a good thing.” She didn’t want to overstep her boundaries as far as what she could say, so hopefully she was keeping things respectful. “This is much better than an orphanage, but I suppose a child doesn’t necessarily recognize that at first.”
Glancing up at the sound of the knock on the door, she glanced over to find the skinny little ten year old enter the room. Katherine smiled at the boy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Samuel.” He had nice manners at least, that was nice. “The summer is a fine time to be outside, tumbling and rolling. I miss those days.” He was a cute kid though, but she could tell that he was utterly mischievous. She was going to have to keep an eye on him, if she got this job. Which hopefully she would.
She turned towards Samuel in her chair. “Would you care to take a walk with me and your father? We could see if you find me agreeable.” She believed that a kid needed input as to who their governess was, otherwise it would be a total disaster.
Dex was proud of Samuel in the moment, how he was being polite and using his manners. Sometimes the child forgot that there were manners to be had, that he wasn’t a heathen. He had to admire Katherine for directly involving Samuel into conversation and not just acting as if he weren’t there. Samuel seemed to appreciate it as well. He wondered if not letting Samuel get a taste of his governess before hiring is what had him running them off. This could be a nice stepping stone.
Samuel looked at Dex with a question in his eyes and when Dex gave the smallest of head nods he smiled and turned back to Miss. Foster. “Sure,” he said. “We could show you the grounds. You’ll like it here, there is a lot of space and so many trees,” he grinned.
Dex chuckled and stood to his feet. “Then it’s settled. We’ll accompany Miss. Foster on a walk through the grounds. Samuel, why don’t you lead the way.”
Samuel moved to hand his hand out to Miss Foster to help pull her to her feet and then they were being led outside.
It did hardly seem like the boy standing in front of her was a mischief maker, but she supposed it was in the heart of all children to be bad some. He was a cute kid though, and she appreciated all of the manners that he was showing her. She smiled once at Samuel, and then at Dex, so that she wasn’t just looking at one or another. “That would be nice, thank you.” She did like trees.
Taking a hold of Samuel’s hand, she got up to her feet and let them lead the way outside towards the grounds. Their place was very nice, and so was the outside.
“Do you have fruit trees? Or other kinds?” she did wonder if this was some kind of orchard maybe. Rich people had all kinds of things. “What kinds of things do you like to do outside, Samuel?”
Dex followed behind Katherine and Samuel, wondering just what his son was up to. It was unlike him to take an immediate liking to a stranger, especially a woman, and he never wanted to show his governesses around. He said nothing, however, and followed the two as they walked.
“We have all kinds of trees,” Samuel said as he lead her to one. “We have apples and plums and apricots and peaches,” the little boy continued. “What fruit is your favorite?” He asked. “We have other trees, too, for pecans and then just regular trees. I like to swim, sometimes and just...things,” he shrugged as they neared the section of land with the fruit trees. “I keep trying to get Dex to let me have a dog, but he hasn’t let me yet,” he frowned.
Katherine walked alongside Samuel, letting him lead her over to one of the trees. “Oh wow, that’s a lot of different fruit,” she enthused. She had to think about that. “I think I’m very fond of apricots, and plums.. And.. all of them are really my favorite,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve never seen a pecan tree. I didn’t even know that pecans grew on trees, but I suppose it makes sense that they would.”
She looked back at Dex, and then back to Samuel. “I like to swim too. Do you have a place to swim here? Oh that’s too bad. Dogs are wonderful. Maybe one day, you’ll get one. I think though you have to be sure that you can look after the dog properly. If you take care of your dog, then your dog takes care of you.”
Dex smiled and gave a nod when Katherine looked at him. He was still on alert, trying to look around and find whatever it was his son was up to, but so far he couldn’t find anything. When Samuel heard of her favorite fruit, he took off, climbing a tree with the grace of a cat. He climbed and climbed until he was at a spot that was really unsafe.
“Samuel,” he called out. “Pick your fruit for Miss. Foster and please come down from there,” he ordered.
“It’s alright, Dex! I do this all the time,” Samuel called down from his perch and reached for a plum at the edge of a branch. Dex watched with a careful eye, ready to swoop in to catch the boy if need be. But it didn’t seem as if he needed to. Samuel got the fruit and then shimmied down the tree until he could jump down with grace. At least he was graceful with that.
“Here, Miss Foster,” he said, handing her the fruit and giving Dex a glance.
“Right.. Then,” he looked at his son with a small smile. “Let’s get us back inside, we can go through the back way. “I’m sure Miss Foster has other engagements she needs to get to and I have a bit of business to attend as well,” he said and motioned for Samuel to lead the way.
Before she could say anything, the kid was up in the tree, shimmying up there like he was a cat. Amusing, but she was a bit worried. So she stood, tentatively and ready to catch him as well should he need it. Her reflexes were much better than a human’s and she was much more durable, so surely she could catch a nimble ten year old. Thankfully she didn’t have to do any of that, and was quite relieved to find him holding out the fruit to her.
She took it from him, and took a bite. “These are delicious, thank you, Samuel. You’re a very expert tree climber.”
With a nod of her head, she followed the two back inside. “By the way, I should mention that.. “ how to put this delicately? “Once a month, for three days, I will be indisposed for those days, to take care of some family issues. Would that be a problem?”
Samuel took off towards the back of their home and Dex followed, taking stride next to Katherine. “That should be fine,” he said. “If it weren’t I would have already called the interview off earlier. You’re a werewolf,” he said matter-of-fact like. “Which is good for the most part. Samuel needs someone who is supernatural. He and I are both dragons,” he looked over at her. “That shouldn’t be an issue with us, will it?” He asked her. “Samuel needs extra tending to, especially when he gets moody as he’s liable to set things on fire,” which pointed out that Samuel was a fire dragon. “He has no control. When I found him, no one knew what he was or understood him, and he didn’t even know what he was, which is why I adopted him. The only issue is that I’m a water dragon, so trying to teach him control can be a little difficult sometimes.”
The fact that he could tell that she was a werewolf was surprising, and it was clearly written all over her face. She looked quite surprised, and maybe a little embarrassed. Though of course that was mild in comparison to the look on her face when he said he was a dragon. “You’re a dragon?” They both were? She couldn’t help but look at Samuel, and try to get the surprised look off her face. “I had no idea.. I mean, I’ve only heard that there were actual.. Dragons. I didn’t know that you could look..” she gestured to him, her cheeks a bit red. “Like that.”
Oh man she was putting her foot in her mouth. “I apologize. You caught me off guard. Well now that you know that I’m a werewolf, I won’t have to try and hide it. It’s been hard, having all those other families who interviewed me, asking me why I needed to be away for a couple of days.”
Katherine shook her head. “That’s not a problem. I.. well I hope that I can prevent him from setting things on fire.” Note to self. Always have water near wherever they were. “I understand. I could.. Try to work with him on that. I don’t know if it’s quite the same, but controlling the wolf if something I’m familiar with. And I.. well I’m not as adverse to fire, as I am sure you are.. Sir.”
Dex laughed at the surprised look on Katherine’s face. “My species is rare, yes,” he nodded. “Very rare,” he sighed. He would most likely never have children of his own, he couldn’t unless it was with another dragon, and he doubt that would ever come along. “What did you think we would look like, Miss Foster?” He chuckled. “All scales and weird eyes?” He asked and then, holding his arm out, palm down, he allowed scales to cover his skin as an armour. “Like that?” He teased her lightly and then his arm was turning back to human skin.
“There is no need to apologize, Miss Foster. It’s quite alright,” he assured her. “I do hope that you can help him,” he said, looking towards where his son had ran off to. “He is a handful, independent, temperamental…” he looked at her. “But over anything, whether we are connected by blood or not, he is my son.” He’d come to love the boy over the past two years as he would have loved his own son.
They were just starting to round a corner of the home close to the door when he finally spotted just what his son was up to. There was a trap. A thin line of fishing wire was strung low as a tripwire which also ran up the wall to a bucket that was sitting on the edge. Before he could stop Miss Foster from taking another step, the tripwire was broken. Quick to move, he grabbed Katherine and moved her right before the bucket poured out it’s contents. Inside the bucket was just water, thankfully, and instead of raining down on her, it poured all over Dex.
“SAMUEL!” He bellowed and then looked at Katherine. He pushed drenched hair from his face and couldn’t help the laughter the started to bubble from his lips. “I do apologize,” he said, wiping his face once more. “As you can see, Samuel loves to play pranks.”
Her cheeks flushed red, and she looked down at the ground. “Honestly I have no idea what I thought you looked like. I mean I’ve only ever read accounts of you being able to look human in stories that may or may not be true.” And here she was, meeting one. She watched him change his shape effortlessly, looking quite fascinated by the whole thing. “Wow. That has to come in handy. You can do that to only part of yourself? I wish I could do that.” Sometimes it would be nice just to be able to have one hand that was a claw. Easier to open things.
Though she didn’t think she’d ever have children either, she admired and was even a little jealous that men could just find children off the street and adopt them. She didn’t think she could do such a thing. She’d never looked into it though. “You’re quite lucky to have him, and he’s quite lucky to have found you.”
She jumped, letting out a surprised noise as she was pushed out of the way. She had nearly gotten water all over herself. She couldn’t help but laugh a little though. “Yes, I see. Thank you for saving me. I’ll have to be on my toes.”
Dex had thought werewolves could do partial changes, teeth, claws, but he wasn’t sure. He knew werewolves, but really didn’t know their abilities. “I can do small things, yes,” he said of his abilities. “Mostly I can control water…”
And then he was drenched in it and it didn’t seem as if he could control it so much. “Caught unawares. He’s good about that,” he was chuckling. “Let’s get you back through the house. Out of everyone I have interviewed today, you make a more perfect fit and Samuel…” he looked toward where his son had ran off. “He took to you easier than I’ve ever seen before. Can you start Monday?”
“That’s quite fascinating. I didn’t even know there were different types of dragons really. Just ones that were different colors.” She would have to do some research. Katherine appreciated the fact that he was treating her like she wasn’t beneath him, the way that a lot of other families had. He clearly had quite a bit of money, and was so way out of her station, but she was glad when people weren’t complete snobs.
She put her hands on her hips, “I’m honestly kind of impressed that he was able to set that up so fast. We weren’t that far behind him.” Sure he had raced ahead but that kid was surely faster than most. “Really? Oh that’s wonderful. Yes, I can start Monday. Thank you. I went to several interviews today, but most of them I think viewed me more as a slave, than a governess.”
“I’m almost positive he had that setup before we even stepped foot outside,” Dex answered. “He knows that if we were giving you a walk through the grounds, I’d take you in through the back exit. He had this in mind, though I’m unsure if he was trying to get you or get me,” he said thoughtfully. He was delighted that she would take the job. Finally! Maybe this one would stay longer than the last. “A slave?” He shook his head. “No, you won’t get treated as such here.” He led her to the doors where a maid was waiting with a towel for him. He smiled and gave a thank you to the woman and then watched her scurry off. “I’ll see you to the front and you can be on your way. I do have some business I need to finish up before the day ends,” he smiled. “Monday, we’ll give you the full tour of the house and I’ll show you a few places Samuel likes to hide so you’ll know for when he goes missing. Do you have any questions? He asked, dabbing at his hair and face with the towel as they walked.
He was definitely a smart kid then. “I’m unsure as well, but I would venture it would be me. Kids always want to test the people that are watching them, to see what they can get away with.” Or maybe he just wanted to embarrass his dad in front of the new governess, she wasn’t sure. Katherine nodded her head, following him towards the front of the house. “Thank you. That would be appreciated.” She had to think for a moment as they got to the front door. “Does he have materials for tutoring here? I have some at home, but I’m curious if I should bring anything. Perhaps on Monday, you can tell me where he is in his studies as well.” That way she wasn’t spending time repeating things.
“He does have material here for his studies, and anything he doesn’t have and needs I can get for him,” Dex answered. “I’m debating on whether to put him in school in the fall, or continue the private tutoring lessons. He needs to be with children his own age, but if he can’t control himself he’d be putting others in danger,” he sighed. “We can go over it all on Monday, see where he is.” He opened the front door for her. “It was a pleasure, Miss Foster, I look forward to seeing you on Monday.”
“Very well, that’s all good to know, thank you.” She nodded her head slightly. “That’s understandable. I’ll work with him to better get control.” She was already thinking about the things that she had done, so that she might be able to show Samuel one day. Giving a curtsy and a bow of her head, she slipped out of the tower. “As do I, sir. Thank you again.” With one last wave, she set down the path, and on to get a cab to take her back home.