Who: Caspian and Katherine What: A chance encounter with the Ripper? When: 9 September, 1888 Where: A back alley in Whitechapel Rating: PG-13 for vaguely scary things
It was only a few days after the full moon and Katherine really shouldn’t have been out. She’d been with Zipporah a few times, talking to mostly women in the Whitechapel neighborhood. About their lives in general, about what they thought was happening. She had assured them that she wasn’t writing for some newspaper, and eventually they’d chatted. Tonight though she was by herself, which was a really stupid thing to do.
Except that another woman had just been murdered and tensions were high. Though she was writing for her book, Katherine felt this odd sense of obligation, as if her being out there would keep people safe. Hardly.
She’d been mostly in the shadows herself, not coming quite near anyone for fear of being mistaken for a lady of the night. Not that it mattered, but being by herself, that was a good way to get herself killed. Except she was quite sure she saw something down in the alley that she was next to. Gathering up her strength, she marched down the alley but only heard the sound of clothing whipping next to her. There was no one in the alley, but she had heard.. Something..
As she came out of the alley, she nearly collided into someone. There was a look of panic on her face.
The slayings had been all over the papers and even for someone as informal as Caspian even the stain of death was smeared upon him as silently as it tarnished the town. The Ripper was the name on everyone’s lips, the whispers in the wind, and the outline of the shadows.
He wasn't particularly worried; it seemed that he didn't fit the profile of such a daring man but that did not mean he wasn't concerned. What if Keira, Leah fell victim by the sheer chance of bad luck? He couldn't stand to think such beauty could be marred by surgical steel but it was happening here, now, and the air was coated in the unrest.
Watching the street carefully, eyes sweeping the scurrying, worried townsfolk beneath the brim of his best hat Caspian breathed softly. He frowned, a gesture most unlike him, at the way the humans shuffled about like blind mice.
Two steps to the side put him close to the gaping mouth of the alley. He was too focused on the townsfolk to realize there was something within the darkness heading his direction.
He turned slightly, without realizing that he was about to become a point of impact and then…
...lifting his hands upward he caught the young woman by the elbows and where the frown once was now sat concern. “Goodness, please forgive me, Miss. I didn't see you standing there.” A sweep of his eyes over her face told him she was like the others, shaken. “Are you alright?”
Promptly he let her go. He didn't want her to think he meant her any harm, she was a pretty thing.
Katherine had let out a surprised noise, but quickly hushed it as to take in her surroundings. Get ready to scream if necessary. She was still on her guard, of course but the person in front of her certainly didn’t look like a demon. He didn’t have a knife, and he was talking to her. Of course she supposed the reason those women had been taken in, was because the man had been nice to them at first.
That was a chilling thought.
“The fault is all mine, sir. I assure you. I did not see you either..” she turned her head and looked deep into the alley. Nope. No one was there. She couldn’t help but cast her eyes up above, to the roofs of the buildings next to them. Something had brushed past her, she was sure of it. Perhaps it was just a cat.
“I’m all right, I think so. I was just..” what excuse could she give for being in an alley. “I felt eyes upon me, and I .. felt.. Something. I think I panicked a bit and hurried away. Forgive my bumping into you.”
Caspian peered down the stretch of shadows of the corridor that seemed endless and ominous. He could understand why she felt afraid, why she looked afraid…
“Perhaps we both were distracted,” he replied. His gaze returned to the young woman after another moment of studying that gaping chasm.
“Were you headed somewhere in particular? May I escort you there to ensure you arrive safely?” And then it dawned on him that he had failed to properly introduce himself. Where were his manners? In some places he was somewhat of a celebrity and there were others that’d never heard a breath of his name.
“Pardon me, again, miss. My manners seemed to have fled me this evening. Caspian Finn at your service.” He bowed some to her politely and then straightened up. “Please, let me get you some place safe.”
This was truly an idiotic idea. Who was out here at night when there was a murderer on the loose. She looked slightly sheepish, but nodded her head. “It is a dreadful thing to know that some monster is out here, stalking women..” She was surprised that anyone was out now that a fourth woman had been murdered.
Now what was she supposed to tell him? That she was out, just making notes and looking for clues, as if she was some kind of amateur sleuth? Hardly. He probably thought that she was a sex worker.
She’d been about to make something up, when he brought up his name. “Katherine Foster, a pleasure.” Katherine gave a curtsy, “Forgive me but your name seems quite familiar.”
Briefly there was the sound of something scraping against a wall. Nails maybe. But louder than that. Her head turned towards the noise. “Did you hear that? Forgive me for not trusting to go anywhere with a man I do not know.”
He'd had the same idea about her - how could she possibly dare to venture out after the sun had set knowing full well what lurked in the shadows.
“Indeed, it makes my heart sad to know that such a man dares to tamper with the more beautiful parts of the world.” Humans could be so brutal, so cruel.
At the comment about the familiarity of his name, Caspian finally managed to smile, “Miss Foster, you might know me from the Spectacular Review if you've been. I assist with the shows there.” Perhaps this was conversation meant for safer times, but he felt the more he gave the more she might not think he was there to do her harm.
Shaking his head, Caspian frowned again. His shoulders straightened and his gaze diverted once more to the alleyway. “My lady, I can assure you that I mean you no harm but I do understand your circumstance. I shall let you be though it pains me to do so.” He couldn't make her get off of the street and he wouldn't try.
“Please, at least find a nearby place to stay until morning. There are things that lurk that I am afraid none of us can overcome.”
His blue eyes shimmered as he turned back to Katherine.
Some part of her wondered if it wasn’t some kind of supernatural creature, but surely humans were more cruel to each other. Perhaps because they didn’t live as long, she wasn’t sure. The look of recognition passed over her face, and Katherine smiled if briefly. “Oh! Yes! I’ve been to the Spectacular Review several times. I’m sure that’s it. I quite enjoy the theater.” Though she hadn’t been in a while. Too much going on.
“I understand. It is an odd thing, contradictory. Wanting to be safe, but not being able to trust anyone..” She probably should have gone to Zipporah’s, or even found her brother’s residence and stayed there. “I will certainly try to sir.. But if..”
She trailed off when she saw a flash of something. Down the alley again. But this time it was something. Like yellow eyes? What?
“Oh gods..” she murmured. “Do you see that?” Her voice barely a whisper.
The way her face lit up, the way her eyes sparkled in the dim street lighting had Caspian’s smile growing by leaps and bounds. “I am glad that you have been in attendance. The people coming have been less lately, it makes me sad to see though I understand why.” It was risky being out at night, and the slayings had a particularly negative effect the nights following.
“Pardon?” He'd misheard what Katherine had said and took a moment to try to figure out exactly what she'd said.
This time Caspian did see the flash. He turned and peered curiously down the dark alleyway. “I did,” he breathed, nodding. “Should we follow it? Find out what it is?” He was a bit scared and he didn't understand why.
“I’m quite surprised that I ran into anyone at all. I thought surely no one would be out on the street like this, with a madman on the loose,” she said with a sad smile. “I should hope that the audience picks up for you again.” She meant that sincerely, it had been a while since she’d been able to just get out and enjoy the theater.
Katherine was a bit scared as well, it showed on her face. “I don’t know. Maybe. I think it saw me before in the alleyway though. Oh god..” Surely there were two of them, they couldn’t be in that much danger, right? Besides even though she didn’t know this gentleman, she knew she could take care of herself. Werewolf and all.
Slowly she stepped towards the alleyway.
He was no Scotland Yard or really any good in a scrap but he could hold his own against a single enemy. It was the groups that really had the advantage. Had he a proper thrall he'd be a match for anyone, but as it was he was about to foray into an unknown danger with a strange, curious woman he'd just met.
“Ah,” he replied, nodding. “Yes, I can see how that might be surprising considering the circumstances. I am not the type to stay cooped up inside, danger or not. Perhaps I'm a bit reckless. Though the bright side to venturing out into the darkness is running into beautiful strangers like you, Ms. Foster.” He meant it, she was quite a vision. And probably a ton of trouble, but that was what made things interesting.
“And thank you, I really appreciate your concern. I'm sure we shall see attendance rise again soon.”
Being the gentleman that he was, Caspian would not let her venture into the darkness alone. He followed Katherine into the gaping chasm of the alley and kept himself on high alert. He didn't have exceptional sight or hearing, but if he opened his mouth to sing (as bad as it was) maybe it'd give her time to flee.
Belatedly she realized that he had called her beautiful. That was only the second time in her life anyone had said such a thing to her. It was nice to hear, if only for the rarity of which it occurred. “I suppose a little recklessness goes a long way, and of which I am completely accustomed to myself, Mr. Finn.” though she would argue that she didn’t have the habit of getting into trouble, it did seem to find her lately more often than not.
“You’re quite the flatterer, Mr. Finn,” she said as they walked into the alleyway together. If only she had a torch of some kind, but she hadn’t brought anything with her. Not even a match. Foolish maybe. Perhaps he would have seen her blushing, were it not for the darkness.
There was another sound. The sound of something dripping. And then a growl. A human one, not like an animal, or so she thought. The alley echoed with the sound of it. It was getting closer.
“Do you happen to have a light on you, Mr. Finn?”
“I am only an honest gentleman, my lady,” he replied.
Always prepared to assist in the inner circles of his chosen company, Caspian paused and began to pat the pockets of his jacket. After a few moments he produced a book of matches from deep within his vest and offered the entire book to Katherine to use as she pleased.
The growl was unsettling; he'd heard such noises before in his lifetime and they were not the most encouraging sounds.
“Perhaps we could borrow a lantern, I shall keep my eyes open in case we stumble upon one. It would fair better than a few matches, I would imagine.”
Oh she’d heard that one before, all of that ‘i’m only being honest, not flattering’ thing that men often said. Of course she didn’t hear it said to herself, but just in general but still. They knew what they were doing, she was sure of it.
She took the matches, and trembling a bit, she lit one. There wasn’t a whole lot of light, but perhaps just enough. “Yes.. yes, I think that’s for the best..” Looking on the ground was keeping her eyes off of everything else though.
And that’s when she heard it again, though this time it sounded like it was right next to her. She moved her matches and there was something or someone hulking only a few feet away. There was the sound of something bladed being drawn and then rapid footsteps towards the two of them. Oh gods. She reached out and gave whatever it was a shove, before shouting. “Run!”
The matchlight was scarce; had he understood the depth of what he was seeing, in that faded chiaroscuro, perhaps he would've appreciated it for what it was. His eyes did their best to see with the scarce light.
Squinting, Caspian peered at the darkness for anything useful, a lantern, anything that might prove useful either as a light source or a weapon. Goodness knew what they'd have to do to defend themselves if danger did appear.
And before he could even finish his thought there was something noisy nearby, as if they'd added someone to their small party of warm bodies.
He didn't think twice about the command. The Mer simply pivoted on the balls of his feet like a coward and high-tailed it back the way he'd come. He made sure to keep Katherine within sight of himself, not wanting to lose her to the shadows.
“This way!” He suggested, grasping one of Katherine’s hands gently to keep him from becoming separated. She could scold him later for violating her privacy if she wanted to, he'd take it gladly as long as they both made it out alive.
The alley wasn’t so big and there had been trash all over the place. Dumpsters full of the stuff. Perhaps that’s where the person had been hiding. Whichever it was, and whatever it was, Katherine wasn’t too surprised when she found Caspian holding onto her hand as he lead the way back out of the alley and onto the street.
She was running as fast as she could, though the street wasn’t much better. There wasn’t anyone there either. No one walking along any more. Had they heard something and gone inside? There was still that sound of something charging after them.
“Which way??” she really didn’t know directions in a place like this, especially to get away from something. “We need to get inside..”
“That way,” Caspian replied, stopping only long enough to assess the street and think of a direction. He'd been just about everywhere - any place with a crowd was a place he knew intimately and there was a bar not too far from where they stood that welcomed those of the night (not just the ladies but also anyone with a thirst that needed quenching with cheap ale).
“It isn't the nicest looking place, but it's safe and it'll do until we've lost whatever is behind us.” He felt bad taking such a lovely lady to a place like the bar but they didn't have many options over here.
He ran with Katherine down the streets. The fact that the sidewalks were empty, there were no sounds other than the echo of their footfalls on the cobblestone and the sounds of their hearts racing as quickly as their legs were.
“Almost there,” he commented, already out of breath. Mer were not champion athletes by any stretch when it came to matters of the land.
Rounding a corner, Caspian pulled Katherine close and ducked into the bar by pushing the door open with a shoulder. He slammed it closed behind himself, trying to catch his breath and leaned against the solid wood for a minute.
The fact that everyone had stopped to stare at them when they'd arrived didn't seem to phase him. “Well, that was quite the adventure.”
Quickly moving behind him, she let him lead the way into the bar. By the time they got inside, she was sure that whoever it was had long given up the chase. Still there were people looking at them, as they had just dashed inside and now both were trying to catch their breath. She was panting, and quite frazzled. Still there was no large bang on the other side of the bar.
“Oh good .. good grief,” she said as she fought for breath. “That’s .. one word for it.” Some people were still staring, but most had just decided to mind their own business. Maybe this wasn’t too out of the ordinary.
“I don’t know what that was, or who.. And I’m hoping to God it was just someone wanting to be funny.” Except it wasn’t funny, it was terrifying. “I don’t know what that was.”
“Well, if that was their idea of amusement I would say that perhaps they are very mistaken in thinking we would laugh. That was rather frightening, if I could say so.” He didn't scare terribly easy and that was due to his usually carefree nature. He knew there was danger - land and sea had its own, unique set of obstacles. Caspian was good at avoiding most confrontation.
“Are you alright, Miss Foster? Can I at least get you something to drink while we are here? If you're not the drinking type, I imagine they have tamer things to aid you.”
By now the attention they'd gathered from the company around them had waned. Caspian pushed away from the door, removed his hat, and offered Katherine a hand. “Or we could venture outside again and take the chance that whomever it was did decide we weren't worth the chase.”
The same could be said of her, she didn’t rattle easily. That whole time she’d been held captive in her room, she hadn’t panicked. This frightened her. Maybe because she had heard and seen the carnage that the supposed Ripper could do. That wasn’t something to just brush aside. “Quite frightening,” she agreed with a nod of her head.
Now that she was settling herself, she realized that she didn’t quite know how to get home any more. But she could worry about that later. “I could use a whiskey, if that would be all right.” There was nothing wrong with someone buying her a drink. No one here would think much of it.
She gave a small smile and put her hand in his, “I think we should get a drink before venturing back outside. I doubt they would wait around, but you never know.”
At mention of a whiskey Caspian nodded and offered a wide smile. “Then a whiskey the lady shall have!”
He lead Katherine through the crowd and to a vacant table. Letting go of her hand, Caspian pulled a chair out for her and when she was seated he set his hat down on the table before her. “If you will excuse me.”
It was then he shuffled off toward the area for drinks and returned with each of them a whiskey.
“My lady,” he said, setting the drink down before Katherine. Caspian took a seat for himself, set his own drink down and cast a look about the place. “Well, the night has taken a turn for the better. This place doesn't seem all bad.”
With a nod of thanks, she took a seat at the table. This wasn't the Lionhart or anything, but she thought it was a decent place. Much more down to Earth than any of the places she'd been to in the more posh places of the city. She didn't go to any of those any more. She no longer felt welcome in them. These people seemed more accepting than any of the richer places she knew.
She watched him go, and then kept an eye on the door just to make sure. Her ears were open, just in case someone came in that seemed to have the same kind of encounter that they had. She wasn't about to open her mouth and claim to see something she hadn't, just in case.
"Thank you, sir. Your kindness is appreciated." She took a sip of her whiskey and nearly instantly felt her nerves subside. "Inside has good people, and drinks and more importantly, not people lurking in the shadows. I can't say I've ever been here before. I barely realized it existed, until you pulled me in."
Caspian smiled warmly, “There are many places like this if you know where to look. Some of them maintain a level of secrecy that many aren't privileged to,” he explained, waving a hand to imply the importance of the places. “Secret codes, a series of discrete taps...all sorts of places.”
Was it a surprise that the town had an underbelly? A world beneath the surface of the superficial? Maybe. Maybe not.
“I feel more comfortable with the more humble parts of the society, myself. I do enjoy the lavishness of the high-society but they tend to get a touch pretentious if given the chance. It's rather distasteful if you ask me.”
One of the patrons was a bard, playing a small instrument.
“Miss Foster, do you dance?”
"Secret codes? Huh. I had no idea.." Though now that he had seen that, she was getting all kinds of ideas. She was going to have to do some more research on secret back rooms and the like. It shouldn't have been a surprise, she supposed but that was definitely something that would have to go into her books. "You'll have to tell me more about that." Better to get answers right from the horses mouth, so to speak.
This was as underbelly as she got, minus the whole secret werewolf things. Being a writer meant having to go undercover a lot. Hence her being out and about at night, with a mad killer on the loose. The things she did to make a good book.
"I'm finding myself feeling the same," she told him. "My family is fairly middle class, but enough that they'd never be in a place like this. But since I have been on my own, I find myself drawn to places like this. I feel as if I can be more of myself here. You constantly have to worry about your choices and making sure people view you a certain way. Not here." And that was nice.
She looked a little surprised by his question. That's not what she thought he was going to ask. "I've had lessons, I'm unsure if I'm any good though."
“I could show you,” he breathed. What was a story without definition? One had to experience something with their own eyes to really understand it for what it was. He had no idea she was writing a book.
“Indeed. In such places as these there are no questions, no judgement. Everyone has a story to tell and none are speaking.” He'd spent enough time with people of every class to have experience with all of the social structure.
“Dancing is something unique,” he explained.
He offered Katherine his hand, “If I may? I will guide you.”
"You've met me at a time in my life where I don't actually have a lot going for me, so if you wanted to show me - I would be not only grateful, but quite keen to see that side of things." Even if she wasn't writing a story, she would want to know about the world. To look at it from all angles. She didn't want to be naive, she needed to understand.
Hearing about people's stories though, that was what really interested her. She liked knowing about people, getting to see their deepest insides. It helped her write her own stories. Her life was boring and kind of awful, so she lived vicariously through her creativity and other people. "I very much enjoy a place where there is no judgment," she said a bit wistfully.
Dancing was the one thing she had actually done with a man before, at those social gatherings of people with too much money. Though she hadn't said anything, he'd been the first man to hold her hand in any capacity.
She finished the rest of her whiskey, and then put her hand in his again. "You may," she said before getting to her feet.
“It would be my honor to lead you into the darker, safer places of the city.” Really, it would. He didn't mind at all in the slightest. It was a privilege to be welcomed in such places and being who he was, not that he acknowledged it, Caspian found the experience rewarding.
Impressed as she drained her glass, Caspian waited another moment for her to gather her bearings. He didn't particularly like alcohol, the taste alone was dreadful.
Rising to his feet, Caspian lead Katherine over to the music. “My good sir, could you please play something light? I shall make it worth your while.”
The bard happily agreed and Caspian twirled Katherine around once, “There is no formality here, it is each to their own but if you prefer the more formal choices of dance you have to but name the tune and our friend here will play it.” His time in society had molded him into a good artist, one who would blend in and yet stand so far out.
It seemed quite good luck that she had literally run into Caspian. He clearly knew where he was going, and there didn't seem to be any judgment there. It was refreshing, to say the least. "I would like that, perhaps when there isn't such an ever present danger of a killer in the air. Though I suppose as long as we're inside, we'd be safe enough." She really hoped so.
She'd noticed that he hadn't had a drink, and there was no judgment there either. It wasn't for everyone. She'd never met a man who didn't drink, but she thought of several reasons why they might not. It didn't appear that he was married, and there was no ring so it wasn't because his wife didn't want him to.
Katherine followed him to the floor, and let him twirl her around. She laughed a little as she was spun around. "I'm not one for formality, especially in dancing." It was just enough if they swayed together. She put her hand on his shoulder, and let him lead the way. "This is lovely, thank you."
“I shall wait until you're ready, then.” It was a promise he would keep, even if she decided she wasn't interested. Waiting seemed chivalrous.
When she expressed her disinterest in formality, Caspian beamed. “Good. Formal dancing can be boring.” He preferred uniqueness.
Being polite, Caspian placed a hand upon Katherine’s waist and he danced with her slowly. “I find dancing to be quite relaxing. It's the moment you're able to be entirely yourself.”
"Soon, I promise." Who was she to deny him a chance to show her around? And she didn't want to stay inside because she was scared to go out. Clearly he wasn't scared, and she wanted to be more like that.
It was easy to just forget things for a while, like the fact that they had been chased by something only moments ago. This was nice. Just swaying back and forth. For once she wasn't embarrassingly falling all over herself, which she usually did when anyone paid her any attention whatsoever.
"It can be, when you're not worried about stepping on anyone's toes," she said with another laugh. Thankfully she hadn't stepped on him yet, and she wasn't even paying attention enough to see if anyone was looking at them strangely. This was just nice. Really nice. "Since I'm dancing with you, you should tell me about yourself. I should make sure I'm not dancing with someone's husband."
Caspian laughed softly.
“Ms. Foster, I can assure you that I am not spoken for. Actually, I haven't ever been the type to settle down. I haven't met the right person, you see. It has to be very special for me to settle down. There are very many people in this town and yet I've found very little to hold my interest. Most flock as the wind blows. I need someone that goes against the wind,” he explained.
He moved in a circle with Katherine, leading her without fear of her stepping on his toes. “My lady, if you did happen to misstep it would be my honor to be tread upon by you.”
Relaxing slightly at the confirmation of such a thing, she nodded her head. "You sound like most men I've come across. And I mean that as no offense. I mean, I suppose you are either attached, or you are not. But I am glad that I will not be chased by an angry wife, and admonished for dancing with you." She was teasing a bit though.
He was very charming, she'd have to give him that. The world was full of charming men. Better that than the sour and angry ones, she knew. "It took me several years before I could move my feet without looking at them. Count your poor feet lucky."
Another laugh escaped him, “I can assure you I've no ties to any lady. No worry there.” Not that he wasn't in hot pursuit, he was always chasing something.
“I count myself lucky in general, Miss Foster. You're quite the beauty, much better than a place like this.” It was no offense to the seedy bar, but even the patrons could tell. Middle class or not, Katherine deserved high class. Every woman did.
“It is my honor to be able to dance with you.”
Katherine gave him a dubious look, "Your flattery is appreciated sir, but I admit that the most difference between me and the women here is that I moisturize." The look on her face said she just couldn't quite believe she was any better looking. Sure these women were a little ... rough around the edges, but they each had their own something. Men came to them freely, which was more than could ever be said about her.
"The honor is all mine, sir." She did not wish to seem ungrateful.
“You doubt yourself, Miss Foster,” he replied, not deterred at all by the comment about his flirting. Sure, he was apt to come on strong but he was honest if nothing else. “These women are not as well off as you or I, they haven't experienced the world as we have. But they deserve no less the chance.”
He was no better than anyone else. He never tried to be.
He spun Katherine slowly. When the song was over Caspian smiled and lead the woman back to the table, “Could I get you another whiskey?”
"Yes well I've had extensive practice and experience in the subject," she said with a slight wry smirk on her lips. "Oh yes, most of these people have chances that I will never have." That they could both agree on. "And in some respects, I would dare say better than the chances we have." These people seemed genuinely happy, and that was something rare. She didn't see much of it in the upper class.
Once the song was over, she gave a deep curtsy as was tradition. "Just one more, if you please. To steel my courage in walking home."
“Again, you doubt your worth.”
Caspian nodded at her request for another drink. He pulled her chair out, and when she was settled he was off to gather her drink. He preferred happiness to wealth, but that was just his way.
It took only a few moments to bring Katherine her whiskey. “My lady,” he breathed, setting the glass down before her. “My offer to walk you home is still there.”
As did she, which was why she had gone out on her own without thinking too much about how financially it would set her back. She had to leave her pack behind, even if it meant a loneliness that she couldn’t quite describe. While she missed her family greatly, this was where she had to be. She took the whiskey, and sipped it again. “You don’t drink?” she asked, after a moment.
She licked her lips and sat back in her chair. “I think that would be acceptable. We would have to catch a hansom cab, I think. If that is all right.”
He cast a glance at his own beverage which had remained untouched. “Can I confess something?” He inquired, offering Katherine his attention again, “I'm not partial to the taste, nor do I enjoy the effects it has on rational people.” He wasn't a fan but if the company indulged he did his best to keep up.
If she wanted transportation he would ensure she had the best. He wasn't partial to horses either, he thought they were disgusting.
“When you're ready we shall venture out.”
That was a better reason than him swearing off the drink because he tended to black out and get violent. She’d heard that one a lot. “That’s quite admirable. I admit that mostly I do not care for the effects it has on rational people. Of course there’s something to be said about it helping you to forget. I suppose you come to these places for the company then.”
She didn’t like horses either, since they rarely dealt with wolves that well. However it was late, and her place was more than a brisk walk down a few streets.
“I am ready,” she said after finishing her drink. “Let us hope that thing is not still out there.”
“I’d rather remember,” he admitted. “Perhaps I haven't lived long enough to know regret. Forgetting with something like whiskey seems wrong.” He shrugged. Humans were curious things.
“If that thing has waited this long I'd commend him on his diligence. You're definitely worth the wait, though for reasons better than that.”
Placing his hat upon his head, Caspian stood and offered his hand to Katherine, “After you, my lady.”
“I envy you, not to know such things. Regret is a horrible and multifaceted thing for most, including myself,” she said sincerely. She’d been about to say something about living as long as she had, but remembered that she could very well be talking to someone who’s life would be gone in a mere moment, compared to hers.
She grinned slightly, and took his hand again. It was nice. She wished more gentlemen were like that, offering ladies their hands and the like. “I should hope better reasons than to be lurking outside, looking for an opportunity to stab me to death.”
Pushing their way outside, Katherine looked around for a cab and didn’t find one too far away. She gave the coach her address and got inside.
“Such the vision that you are in quite surprised that you've no gentleman flocking to take your hand and see you to your destination,” he replied. Honesty was always the best policy. “Then again, I am quite alright without competition. Things can get messy, you know.”
Into the cab they went, Katherine in first with his insistence and then he afterward. He wanted to ensure she made it home safely.
“You know,” he began, making a face, “I find horses to be rather dreadful.”
It was a tricky thing, to be flattered like this. It was the kind of thing that got her in trouble the last time. The nice things said, being sweet. It only caused her to develop feelings that were never returned. That seemed to be the way for her, every single time. “You shouldn’t be. I’m a spinster. I’ve been rejected by everyone prospect I’ve ever had,” she said with a shrug. “So no, you have no competition, but I expect no more than polite words because that’s all there is.”
Everyone wanted to flirt, but no one wanted anything more, and thus Katherine paid it no mind. She wasn’t going to fall for someone again, only to have her heart broken.
She turned to look at him, “They’re droll creatures and they smell endlessly, but they make good transportation. They are generally too nervous for my tastes.”
“All of them are fools,” Caspian replied. That was his honest opinion on things. He kept specific company, and while he was reputable as being a huge flirt he really only pursued that which had promise. Not every situation was compatible.
“My dear lady, I would be honored to show you more of the city though we are but strangers. If you'd allow me the opportunity I would ask to take you out again perhaps in a more formal setting.”
He was glad someone else shared his distaste for horses. “If only there were other ways to get from one place to the other that didn't require walking!”
Katherine shrugged slightly, “Maybe. My parents have been trying to marry me off for years. I gave up and moved out on my own. It’s easier that way for them.” And they were better off not having her in the picture and having to explain her situation.
She studied him a bit, trying to figure out if he was actually serious. A more formal setting? He wanted to take her out again, but was she ready for that? It was so hard to know if she’d just wind up getting herself into trouble again. She needed to know him better to determine it, but she wouldn’t know him better if she didn’t go. “I.. if you’re sure you don’t mind being seen with a spinster, then I.. don’t see why not. If only to know each other better. As friends.”
Looking at the rear end of them wasn’t pleasant either. They just went to the bathroom right there on the street. “We can only hope in the future, we’ll get to use something else.”
He was definitely serious.
“Even as friends, i would enjoy the chance to entertain your company again. If you'd like you are welcome to choose the destination. Otherwise I can find a suitable place. I have no shame at all being seen with you. What people perceive is based only on their impressions, I like to find out what's deeper.”
Horses were dreadful things. They stank, they were temperamental...he preferred walking.
“As long as it’s not going out looking for killers, I would go with you. There are a lot of wonderful places in the city to see, and things to do.” She would take him at his word, if he didn’t mind being seen with her, then so be it. Katherine could do with more friends. “When are you free?”
“While that is an adventure in itself I prefer safer ways to enjoy myself,” he replied, amused at the idea of chasing the night.
“I work most evenings, the shows are more sparse and widely spread apart. Usually every other evening except Friday’s.”
Friday was improv night.
“What about you, Miss Foster? When are you free?”
On that they could both agree. Katherine wouldn’t be out at night like this for a while. Just in case. She would do her research during the day.
“I work as a governess during the day, until the afternoon. But after that I am completely free. Do you wish to telegram me, once you know when you’d like to go?” That way there was no pressure. If he changed his mind and didn’t want to know her better, he didn’t have to. She was giving him an out.
He could recall the first time he'd ever seen a telegraph, a machine that looked wonderful and strange both at the same time. Now he used it when necessary and it had lost some of its earlier charm.
“I will do that,” he promised. It was one he would keep. He would plan it accordingly, it needed to be well-thought out and he would need at least a day's time to think over a good location.
Caspian was not a quitter, he'd never been for all of his life.
The carriage finally came to a halt and Katherine smiled. “We’re here. Thank you for taking me home. I look forward to your telegram, Mr. Finn.” She opened up the carriage and stepped out, giving the driver some coin before heading inside.