Never was a cornflake girl Who: Parthenope and Lennox What Introductions/A Random Meeting of Sea Creatures/BFFS FO LYFE Where: Main Street When: (Backdated) 10/4 Status: Complete
The nature of Parthenope’s job meant she kept somewhat odd hours. Second shift meant she could sleep in, mosey around town a bit and enjoy a good part of the day before retreating to her dispatch cubicle for eight hours. It was an arrangement that suited her perfectly, to be honest. She could never understand how anyone could spend the bulk of the daylight hours cooped up in offices when there was so much to be seen and done before the sun went down.
That, and she really loved sleeping in.
No two days were the same with her, save for one thing: coffee. And none of that blacker-than-black, more bitter than aspirin, diner coffee for her. When Parthenope said “coffee”, what she really meant was sugar. The more sugar the better. And cream. Oooh, as much as she found land creatures strange for eating, she did love milk. How she’d lived without it for so long, she had no idea. Having acquired her daily dessert beverage, she set off for a little window shopping. The air outside was slowly beginning to develop a chill to it--something she actually appreciated, having come from a cooler spot of ocean, herself--which made it perfect for such an activity.
She hadn’t been in Summerview quite long enough to feather her her nest--or apartment, more like--so she’d been continuously picking up little odds and ends (a new set of pastel colored measuring spoons here, a chunky knitted blanket there, etc) as she saw fit. Today, however, the shop windows weren’t holding her interest. Instead it felt like something else was vying for her attention, but she couldn’t put her finger on it until someone turned the corner--a boy? Man? Younger than her anyway, which was sort of relative in a place like this, but definitely male--and it was like an alarm bell went off in her head. Coffee firmly in hand, she marched in his direction, and without introduction of any kind, she blurted, “You’re new here, right?”
It wasn’t as if Lennox really had a purpose for wandering down the main thoroughfare of town more so than an intent to browse. He didn’t have anyone to purchase thoughtful gifts for, no birthdays or holidays to recall (he barely remembered his own anymore). So trying to place an exact reason why his legs and feet decided to carry him down that particular path would’ve been a challenge.
With his backpack slung gracefully and casually over a shoulder, Lennox rounded the corner, sliding easily onto the next straight path of concrete.
A plethora of interesting things were to be had - the smells alone were enticing and while he stuck primarily to things that came from beyond the waves (unless they were human) he was not opposed to catching an aroma or two of the sweeter kind. His eyes had drifted to a shop window, the marquee bearing the name of the store boldly and dancing with trinkets beyond the glass, when he caught a quick reflection. It was enough to draw his attention back.
He found himself looking at a sight that was fairly easy on the eyes and from beyond the bandana that was covering the lower half of his face he smiled at her with interest. She had startled him but he didn’t find her threatening in the least.
Nimble fingers lifted upward, drawing that bandana down enough to reveal his face. He let it settle around his neck and throat gently, concealing the scars.
A nod. “Yes...why?” The words were very soft, strained, but no less eager.
“I thought so,” she said brightly, “But you’re actually close to home now? At least, the place you grew up, I mean. Closer than you’ve been in a while, I think?” This was mostly a rhetorical question, as most of hers tended to be, especially when she started spouting information that she couldn’t possibly have known had she not been gifted. Parthenope took a quick sip of coffee before barrelling on.
“What do you think, so far?” She asked, head cocked to the side with curiosity. “I thought I’d have a difficult time settling in, but it’s actually not that different from home in the long run. Isolated, quiet… Except above water, obviously.” She paused, a nagging feeling she’d forgotten something turning her mouth down at the corners for a split second. Ah, yes, right. Manners. “I’m Parthenope, by the way.”
It was as if she knew him, or they’d met before in a life not on the land. Hunches could only be so accurate and hers were too close to allow for much comfort. Though as unsettling as it was trying to be, Lennox brushed the feeling away in favor of the potential that it could be more.
“Sure…” Lennox agreed, offering the strange woman a smile, “..closer.” She wasn’t human, not by a long shot and he could tell not only in the way she carried herself but in her scent. “I...like it….very...nice...place..” it was the truth, he didn’t see a reason to lie to her considering she seemed to know more than she was letting on anyway.
“Nice..to meet….you,” he managed, his smile growing a touch warmer, “...I’m...Lennox.”
He wasn’t going crazy, of course. They hadn’t ever met. Though that hadn’t ever stopped anyone from getting that strange feeling that they must have met her before, because that was a much more logical answer. Parthenope had no use for logic like that, but she also wasn’t about to dissuade people from whatever made them feel comfortable.
Ultimately though, she didn’t usually think too hard about it, and in most cases (like this one), she just kept on going. “Yes,” she agreed with a nod, “Very nice. I particularly like the shops. And blankets. I didn’t know I was missing out on soft, warm blankets. I’ve been collecting them.” Underwater, blankets were fairly unnecessary.
At his introduction, she held out her free hand for him to shake. “That’s a good name. Much easier to say and spell than Parthenope. Though I suppose I shouldn’t complain. My sister’s name is trickier.” She smiled and gave a soft shrug. “Names are odd, don’t you think? You don’t normally get to choose your own, but it’s something that defines you from the day you’re born to the day you die--if you die--and yet, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who had a name that didn’t suit them somehow.”
“Collecting….blankets?” He inquired, curious as to why anyone would collect blankets though it made sense for someone that had no idea the gift of warmth and comfort might decide to hoard the things. There were worse things to find and gather than blankets.
Lennox accepted her hand, shaking gently. He listened to her talk, letting go of her hand after a few moments. Amusement creased his features and he would’ve laughed had he been able to in a capacity that was suitable to the ears.
“I can….see that….for sure….” Lennox agreed. Names were often silly things but she wasn’t wrong in her statement. He just went by whatever his parents had called him and it stuck. He could recall them telling him about blending in, how humans had names, and so he’d gotten one too.
Parthenope nodded in response to his question, but the fact that it was a question sent her mind spinning. Was that odd? Collecting blankets? People collected things all the time. Humans in particular collected much stranger things. Like seashells. Why on earth would anyone collect seashells? Blankets, at least, were useful. And cozy. “There’s a store here that sells these really soft ones, but they’re kind of expensive. I’ve been saving up. It’s just nice to be warm, you know?”
“I wonder what I would have picked if I’d gotten to choose,” she said, thoughtfully tapping her index finger against her chin. “You know the fae choose part of their own names, right? I wonder how they decide.”
He could understand that, and to show it Lennox brightened and nodded, “Which...one...are you….going to….get?” He could’ve bought a thousand blankets and still had plenty to spare. But it was interesting to him which one she might choose out of the numerous options available.
The knowledge of Fae was little to none; he wanted to know as much as possible about every species and really getting to interact with them was helpful in obtaining that goal. “They do?”
Like trying to choose a blanket that also seemed like a strenuous task, picking your name. Was it like drawing a lottery ticket?
Oh. It was a rare thing, at least in the recent past, for someone to take interest in whatever she was talking about. Lately it seemed like everyone was sort of thrown by her predictions. This lead her to be momentarily shocked by Lennox’s question. But only momentarily. “Oh! You have to see it!” She said, eyes wide with excitement. “Come on.” She reached for his wrist, like they were already best friends, and headed off toward the shop across the way.
“Mhmm,” she nodded in response to his other question. “You don’t know about faeries? If you call them by their full name they have to do whatever you say, so they always keep part of it a secret. I thought everyone knew that.” She paused. “They don’t really teach that, do they? I sometimes forget that tutors aren’t really like school.”
Anyone else might’ve shied away from that reach, taken their wrist from between those gentle fingers, but Lennox was curious by nature and he let her guide him as if they were akin and not total strangers.
If she was that excited about it, he reasoned inwardly, it must’ve really been worth something and seeing it would only solidify the fact.
“I…don’t..” he confessed, shaking his head. That was an interesting morsel to digest about the Fae kind. “I’m...not sure….but it’s…interesting…” Lennox managed.
He was coasting on her good vibrations, falling into step easily enough in spite of her eagerness.
It was impressive, or at least, Parthenope thought so. She pushed the shop door open and lead her new companion through it, marching straight for the back where a pale, dusty rose, chunky knit blanket was draped over a display chair in front of a shelf bursting with similar blankets in a rainbow of muted pastels. She dropped Lennox’s hand and lifted a corner of the display blanket for him to touch.
“Isn’t it gorgeous? How much yarn to you think it takes to make this? And it’s so soft. It just makes me want to… I don’t know, make a pot of tea and curl up on the couch and watch the day go by.” She’d never go to work again, probably. But with a $300 price tag, she’d have to work just to make the eventual purchase of the thing manageable.
The shop itself was intriguing. He tucked the location away for later - things like these always made good presents for parents and siblings - and focused on the task at hand. His footfalls slowed as they approached the display with the quilt.
Impressed, he looked at the comfortably knitted thing. “It does….look….comfortable…” he agreed, reaching out to touch the blanket. He was no expert on blankets but she seemed to know what she wanted. Was that such a bad thing?
“Very...nice…”
Lennox swept the thing off of the display and opened it up, looking at the length of it, the durability. He wasn’t the tallest creature standing at a whopping five eight, but he managed.
“Would it…” he began, folding the blanket up carefully, “...be ok….if I...get it..for you?” Three hundred bucks was nothing to see the brightness in her eyes. Doing something nice for a new friend always made you feel warm inside.
Parthenope’s eyes went wide with surprise. Certainly she believe they were already friends, because that was how she operated, but even for good friends that was an extravagant gift. “Oh goodness!” She put her hand to her heart. “That’s so much!”
But even without the Sight, she could tell it was an earnest gesture. And who was she to deny someone an opportunity to do a kind deed? But, still. She had to give him an opportunity to back out, just in case. “Are you sure?”
Lennox nodded.
“My...sister...told me...that...happiness….isn’t….something…you can...buy….and I….believe that...but...sometimes….good people….deserve...to have….nice things.” The struggle was worth the words. He offered her a smile, one that told her he was committed to the gesture.
He knew he didn’t have to. He wanted to. There was a lot in his life he had to make up for and giving a blanket to a friend that wanted it made him feel good.
“If...that’s...okay.”
Well, alright. She couldn’t say no to that. “Alright, fine,” she said--the words might have seemed begrudging, but the tone was light---but held up a finger. “But you have to promise to let me buy you something equally nice, one day. Because, like you said, good people deserve nice things.”
She was deadly serious about this, too. She could never let someone pay her such a kindness without an opportunity to return it someday.
His smile brightened and Lennox nodded, agreeing to the terms immediately. He could handle that, and while it wasn’t comforting to accept such a gift he felt that maybe she was experiencing the same thing in exactly that same moment.
“Deal,” he squeaked, the sound as gleeful as he could manage.
Holding up a finger, Lennox scurried to the counter with the blanket. The transaction didn’t take long, there was only a single person standing between him and the counter, and once he had paid for the merchandise and had it wrapped up, Len brought the item back to his new friend.
He offered it to her with a grin, “For….you.”
Oooooh goodness, it was all hers now. Parthenope didn’t even attempt to muffle the excited squeak that issued from her throat when he returned with the blanket. She pulled it to her chest and hugged it like she was a five year old who’d just received a stuffed bear at the carnival. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“I’m going to get you back, some day. When you least expect, I think. I’m very good at discovering the sort of things that people need most, so plan to be very surprised.” This probably would have sounded like a threat were it not said in her typically dreamy tone of voice. And really, she was pretty good at giving gifts.
As he suspected that warmth began to settle into his bones, the act of giving was a very small thing but it made him feel rather large when he thought about it. The smile on her face, the way she squeaked in delight, that was gift enough. “You’re…..welcome.”
Her next few words should’ve been alarming but by now, with his ever growing experience with supernatural beings, he came to expect odd things being said or shown to him without a hitch of delay or hesitation.
“You can…” he began, swallowing to catch his breath before stumbling onward, “..help...me pick….stuff for...my family….when….the time...comes.” He was awful at selecting gifts. Before his accident he rarely went without something nice for himself, afterward he tended to be a bit more forward giving.
“Oh!” She blinked, that wasn’t what she was expecting at all, and that definitely was not going to fulfil her end of the bargain, but yes. That was definitely a thing she could do, and would like to do. Parthenope nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I would like that. I think we’ll make a good gift buying team.”
She gave the blanket another squeeze. The only thing nicer than receiving gifts was picking out the most perfect thing for other people. “Do you think I ought to take this home before work? I think it would be absolutely lovely to wrap up in it while I’m at the dispatch phones. It can get a little sad there sometimes. I don’t think they’d mind, really?” Mostly she just wanted to hold onto it forever.
Any help was good help, large or small in capacity, he wouldn’t mind either way. Nor would he refuse a gift she picked out for him when that time came. Surprises could be a good thing. Some people didn’t like to be taken by surprise but Lennox didn’t mind at all when the event was positive.
At the question he tilted his head some in consideration of how to answer. Whatever her job was, he couldn’t tell by looking at her, but then she revealed her occupation to him. Answering phones didn’t seem like a job that required you to do more than sit and be cold. A blanket might be just the thing to help boost her mood for the day.
“You could….try it….and if...anyone….says….anything….you...could always….just….put it….away?” It didn’t hurt to try, right?
“Hmm,” she hummed, pondering that for a moment. “Yes. I don’t think anyone will say anything. And it seems a shame to have a gift and not be able to use it straight away.” Just the thought of sitting at her desk with a warm mug of tea and a blanket draped around her made the idea of going into work sound incredibly desirable. “I think in the worst case, they’ll think I’ve caught a cold. I don’t think I’ll dissuade them of that if it means I can snuggle up at my desk.”
And then it dawned on her that most beings had work to do during the daylight hours. Except vampires, obviously. But, you know. “Do you have work to do today? I’m not keeping you from anything, am I?” That was something she didn’t always see. Especially not when she got going.
Her reasoning made sense to him and he felt no uprise for protest. Her employer might even assume she was feeling under the weather and let her go home to further enjoy her new blanket. She didn’t seem ill, she seemed fine, but you never knew with employers how something would go.
Shaking his head, Lennox beamed. “No...work...today.” He had a few things lined up for the next day, taking some photographs of a few places around town for flyers and something he had heard about preparation for town events. Of course that was strictly rumor, but they were coming upon a holiday very soon.
That was the perk of being a photographer, you made your hours based on what you needed to get - food was always a priority, but then again Lennox never really went without.
“That’s lucky,” Parthenope said. “It’s a perfect day to not have to do anything. But then, I suppose any day is a good day to not have to do anything. I’d probably say the same thing if it was raining, because that’s a perfect day to sit indoors and watch the rain fall with a cup of cocoa. But today is one of those days that is perfect for wandering around and getting lost--or as lost as you can get on an island, can you imagine?--or sitting on the beach and catching the last few warm rays of sun for the year.” She nodded, savoring the imaginary day she was planning.
“I suppose it’s an alright day to work, too.” She shrugged. “You’re sort of an artist though, aren’t you? Any day you’re working or not working is still a good day for art.”
Her words painted a picture in his mind’s eye that he could share vividly with her - each description a step closer to that perfect day spread across the canvas. He could hear the water, it was always so loud and he’d learned long ago how to drown out its murky call.
Nodding, Lennox fished his camera out of his bag and held it up to show her, “Yes.” Art was a variety of things, a broad term, but she wasn’t wrong in the slightest. Before the photography he had a prominent YouTube channel for his music. Now this was all he had left.
“Pictures….mostly.” He was far from Bob Ross and those happy little trees but this was just as suitable.
Parthenope nodded. “Ah, yes, this is a very good place for pictures.” She and her sister had been drawn to Summerview because it meant they could be on their own, but safely. But it wouldn’t have been worth staying if it hadn’t been so picturesque.
“Walk with me to work, and maybe we’ll find something to catch your eye and occupy your free day?”
The camera went away, safely into the bag where he’d retrieved it from. There was little lately that meant more to him than that small piece of equipment.
Motioning for Parthenope to follow, Lennox got the door for her and walked alongside as she lead them in the intended direction. The street was lined with various storefronts, eateries, all places that were packed full of savory things.
Sometimes walking down the main drag in Summerview was dangerous for Parthenope. There was always something new to discover, and she was fairly easily distracted. New smells were usually the most distracting. Once outside of the shop, she took in a deep breath of the fresh air and grinned, following along with Lennox on the way to the police station.
“What if you did a series of all shop windows? Maybe in black and white? That would be something you could even give as a gift, to the right person.” Handmade gifts were always the best. Came straight from the heart.
That was not a bad idea at all. Lennox looked as if a bolt of lightning had stricken him where he walked, eyes bright with the essence of creativity. “That’s...a really...good...idea!” Any excitement he had was contained only by his lack of ability to express himself the way he used to be able to in words.
When he left her to work he would come back with his camera and see if his eye could catch exactly what she had described. A series of photos.
“You think so?” Parthenope, naturally, knew it was a good idea, because… Well, gut feeling, really. But it was still nice to be validated. “I’m glad you like it. You can have it.” She grinned, and hitched the folded blanket under one arm so she could retrieve her phone from her purse with the other. “You’ll have to text me when you’ve done it so I can see them,” she said, grinning.
She unlocked the phone and handed it to him. “Put your number in. I love looking at art. That’s the only downside to this place. No art museums.” She let out a little half sigh. She supposed they weren’t so far from New York. She could ostensibly make the hike into the city for a few hours of bopping around the Met, but still it was nicer when those things were right at your fingertips. Their family’s home had housed the loveliest statues.
He didn’t have to think it was, Lennox was absolutely certain that the idea was pure gold. He nodded to let her know it, an eager brightness in his eyes nearly akin to starvation.
Accepting her phone, Lennox busied himself with the short task of entering the digits to his own phone, putting in his name, and capturing a selfie for good measure. The scars weren’t visible considering they were concealed but he’d rather her not remember them every time he texted, either. When it was finished he offered the phone back to her. That was one way to get someone’s phone number.
His own phone came out into view, Lennox texted Parthenope a text so she would know that it was his number for sure. The idea that he would be so deceitful was never one he could tantalize. Not anymore.
And then his phone was gone again.
“That’s...a...shame.” He was usually fairly agreeable but when it came to things like art he was not opposed to having more of it around. “Maybe...we….could...open a...gallery...or something…” A strip mall was a perfect place for a small art gallery or photo gallery. It was something to consider.
Parthenope watched patiently as he completed the task, grinning as he shot a quick selfie with her phone so that she’d be able to see his face when he called. She responded to his text with a smiley face emoji and then dropped the phone back into her pocket.
“Oh! That’s such a lovely idea!” She clasped her hands over her heart. “Yes, I think that would be perfect.” It was just the sort of thing this town needed. A little feather in its cap. Something beautiful to break up the mundane.
He radiated warmth in response to her words. There was something about her he found oddly charming and it wasn’t something he could shake. Not that he wanted to.
“Me...too.” It was a pretty good idea. Now if he could only get the courage to actually go through with it was another story.
Lennox mulled it over in his mind, considering all of the ins and outs. The urge to go through with it was strong. He pushed it away in favor of giving Parthenope his attention again. A sheepish smile as he looked over at her.
A little jingling noise emitted from her pocket. “Oh shoot,”she muttered, pulling the phone off so she could shut off the alarm. “It is that time I suppose.” Parthenope heaved a sigh and slipped the phone back into her pocket. “Time for work,” she explained.
“Have to set an alarm or else I’ll forget. Especially if I start wandering.” She’d been late more than a handful of times ant they hadn’t even been in town that long. “It’s so easy to get lost sometimes.” She gave Lennox a smile. “I think that would be a good idea for you today, getting lost I mean,” she said, holding her new blanket tightly to her chest. “Yes, I think that will be very good for you,” she continued with a decisive nod. “Text me some photos when you find something beautiful?”
Lennox tilted his head at the alarm. It made sense she set an alarm to remind her to go to work. He should take a leaf out of her book when it came to that planning. It seemed smart.
“Agreed.” He smiled at her. There would be more time to spend getting to know each other better soon. Work was more important than socializing, it was the way someone made their living.
“I...will,” Len promised. “Have...a good...day...at work.” With a wave, he sent her off with a sense of completion. He would find something lovely to photograph and send it to her for her advice later.