InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "bunnies! It must be bunnies!"

John Kramer (iwant2playagame) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2009-03-25 16:10:00

Entry tags:

anne of cleves, john kramer (jigsaw)

Who: John Kramer and Open
What: People-watching and plotting
When: 4pm
Where: Franchised coffee shop
Why: Need to get him into the fold somehow? ;)
Warnings: TBA, but considering the fandom?

She'd been in his office six hours beforehand, petite and eight months pregnant, covered in contusions from an obvious beating. What had specifically disgusted him was that her abuser was at her side the entire visit. He played concerned and she played the giddy mother-to-be. The pair passed her injuries off as a fall but the marks on his knuckles and her arms said otherwise.

Now John watched her through a tall cafe window as she argued with her partner again. The man didn't dare lay a hand on her in public, but it didn't matter, the woman was not the victim. She'd returned to this man again and again. She'd sacrificed the safety of an unborn innocent for her own selfish needs and he'd not thought twice about laying hands on her despite the life trying to grow inside of her. They were disgusting people and it made John's stomach turn and boil.

He hadn't the means to punish this pair and he wouldn't put the child in danger, but still he made notes and sketched in his journal between sips of coffee. He'd need help if he was to teach them anything, he wasn't well enough to do it on his own. He had the means, though. Coming into the life of a doctor meant he was at no loss financially.

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an ex (living) queen of England

german_queen
2009-03-25 07:01 pm UTC (link)

The coffee shop was one of the closer ones to where Anne worked. She had a car but parking was always atrocious and she had always preferred walking.

She'd ordered an orange blossom tea, taking a seat and watching people. Though she'd been in this era for eight months, the deep seated habits of the Cleves and English court never left. She had learned to watch people, to look for clues of behavior and try to discover them before they could surprise her.

What caught her attention was a tall, thin and pale man that was taking notes. He seemed to stare attentively at a couple through the cafe window, a man and pregnant woman arguing with eachother. Anne thought she could see bruises on the woman, frowning as she remembered growing up in Cleves, how her brother would take is anger out on her because she wouldn't fight back or argue or even beg.

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-25 07:32 pm UTC (link)

"It's disappointing seeing people treat one another that way, isn't it?"

John, ever astute and watchful, hadn't missed the pretty young woman, nor the subtle downturn of her lips at the scene he himself had been witnessing and thus asked her that question with a strangely soft but rasping voice, his blue eyes appraising her in a distant way.

"I remember a time when a man did everything in his power to please and protect a woman, especially one carrying his child."

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german_queen
2009-03-25 07:45 pm UTC (link)

"It is, especially when it is so much easier to just leave and live in peace." It is so much easier here than back home. While it would be difficult for the woman to find a job and raise a child by herself, it was possible, not as back home when the only way a woman could hope to secure herself was through marriage.

Anne's speaking fluent english, but her German accent is still evident as it's always been.

"Some men will do what they please, even if the woman is family or she is with child. They enjoy having power over another person and will do anything to keep it." Even if it means keeping them in fear, constantly worrying about whether or not one wrong move could send them to the executioners block.

She shouldn't recall those memories. They happened long in the past, the Henry there isn't the same as in this time. She has a boyfriend who appreciates her as her, a young girl who could possibly become like a daughter, and a means to support herself without relying on the charity of a man.

She took a sip from her tea, preferring it to coffee at this time of day.

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-25 08:44 pm UTC (link)

John considered the young woman's words carefully and tilted his head ever so slightly to the side as he ruminated over it a while.

"I'm John," he introduced himself, rising slowly so his stomach would keep still and body wouldn't ache so badly. Cancer was a cruel disease, turning his body in on itself. So many symptoms, so many trivialities suddenly missed or desired, like the ability to move quickly or to keep a meal down.

Not wanting to seem too bold he offered his hand to shake her's, his other moving to the back of a chair to steady him.

"To say it like you have, it shows a certain apathy or acceptance. I wouldn't ask you to explain, but where do we lay the blame for this shamelessness? On the abuser? The victim? Or maybe society for every man or woman who watches but does nothing? Forgive me if I'm overstepping my bounces. I often come here to speculate on society and philosophy. When I saw you see them it peaked my interest. You looked, you didn't notice and turn away to pretend you hadn't. It's commendable in an age like this."

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german_queen
2009-03-25 10:03 pm UTC (link)

She offered a small smile, though she couldn't help but be concerned, he looked wary, maybe ill. She said nothing about it, it wouldn't help anyone if she remarked on it, he may even be insulted at her pity.

"I'm Anne."

"You're wrong on both accounts. It is neither apathy, nor acceptance, but observation from experience. I do not like to place blame on someone without knowing the circumstances." She motioned towards the couple, just leaving. "Perhaps she is staying because she is more scared of raising a child by herself, or perhaps he bribes her with security and pretty things." She said, reminded of Kitty Howard. "As for him, maybe he is paranoid and doesn't trust that the child is his, perhaps he's been hurt and doesn't know how or want to be healed, so he takes his pain out on someone who won't leave him." She remembered her brother William and her other 'brother' Henry.

"It is alright, I admit to not being from this era and enjoy discussing such things when given the chance."

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-26 01:59 am UTC (link)

"You're insightful," John observed, looking to watch the couple disappear into the building they'd been arguing out front of, "But many women fought for sufferage to allow the rest freedom from outdated gender roles and standards. There's no shame in being a single mother. The woman is actually a patient of mine. I was surprised to see her in this part of town. I ordered bed rest but clearly she has other things in mind."

He adjusted his hand on the chair a moment.

"I don't want to intrude but if you're not expecting anyone I'd enjoy the company."

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german_queen
2009-03-26 02:16 am UTC (link)

"I'm not expecting anyone, merely on break." She stood and accepted the chair, taking a seat.

"Women do have a lot more freedom, much more than back home in 16th century Germany and England. But that does not mean that all women have the self-esteem, knowledge or drive to attain those goals, and would rather go for the easier way out at the expensive of their dignity or even health."

"If I may change the subject, but were you aware of that, in this world, it is possible for people to appear from different eras and worlds. I'm Anna von Kleves, that is Anne of Cleves.."Her voice was humored, not bitter, as though what had happened to her was a mere prank. "the 4th wife of Henry the VIII."

She shrugged. "Here, I'm just Anne or Anna, I work in Interior Design."

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-26 02:48 am UTC (link)

John listened closely, ever fascinated by the concept. It brought to mind those strange questions people sometimes asked, such as 'If you could have lunch with three historical figures...'. It'd seemed such a pointless question but the possibility now struck him and he was awed by it, though he had to stay on task.

Many of those famous souls faced obstacles few modern men or women would ever understand or have the endurance or will to. That was what immortalized them.

After John had taken a seat again himself, he closed his journal and tucked the worn pencil into the coils of the wire binding, resting his arms over it all and refocusing his attention on Anne. He lacked much education in European History but found it interesting nonetheless.

"From Queen to Interior Designer. It must be a lot to adjust to."

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german_queen
2009-03-26 06:51 pm UTC (link)

Anne shook her head when he said 'Queen'.

"I'm no longer queen back home." It was like talking about an old scar, no longer painful, but it brought interesting emotions. "My marriage, it was annulled. I'm now his majesty's royal sister." Even now, it was still humiliating, but she escaped with her life so she couldn't complain.

"It was at difficult at first, but only in terms of technology and the freedoms. I have so much freedom here, it's enough to make one laugh, and of course after the English court, I'd like to believe that I could survive anything."

Alright, so the Halloween did scare her a lot, but she was able to keep her wits about her. That was the most important thing.

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-27 01:51 am UTC (link)

"You probably could. People get too accustomed to their luxuries, you've seen hardship, even from the English court," John said, agreeing were her easily. He struggled a moment with a packet of sugar and fixed his coffee just how he liked it.

"Do you enjoy Interior Design? I would have expected something to do with entertaining, but I've never been suffocated by high society. I was an engineer before I came here. I built skyscrapers, bridges, canals. I enjoy seeing how things work or making them work."

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german_queen
2009-03-27 11:43 am UTC (link)

"Most of my hardships were physiological-I believe that's the term used? I've never really been wanting, having always been part of the nobility."

She watched him, wanting to inquire, but not wanting to seem rude.

"I do indeed actually. In England, Henry gave me two great houses of my own as part of the settlement,The first time I've ever owned property in my own right. I enjoyed discussing and planning on how to decorate the rooms." She'd like to think that she had better taste then Kitty, but of course, Kitty was a young girl and prone to extravagance.

"Truthfully, I have never really enjoyed entertaining at society parties, I always preferred smaller, more pleasant sorts. I've had enough of people watching and criticizing me as part of the center of attention."

"That sounds fascinating." She wasn't just saying this, despite knowing enough of the english language, she never said something for the sake of an answer.

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-28 02:18 am UTC (link)

"Never wanting for luxuries. You'd have survived, but would you have lived?" John posed to her, lips curling into a subtle but polite smile. He'd have never imagined himself in this position but this woman Anne was very charming and very polite. She hadn't asked about the obvious at all but she couldn't have missed it.

"We have that in common. I create, envision. The social games were too dishonest for me," he admitted, believing her when she said what he did was interesting. If she enjoyed the idea of decorating a building then on some level she appreciated what he did. "You're very polite not to mention my condition. I have cancer. It's less trouble for me in the morning, but it puts life in another perspective when you know you might die any day. In the court you must have had similar concerns."

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german_queen
2009-03-28 02:47 pm UTC (link)

She took a sip of tea. "As humiliating as the annulment was, in the end it was one of the better things that's ever happened."

"I suppose that is the whole irony of it. I indeed loved being queen, I loved my ladies and I suppose I could even like Henry in a non romantic sort of way, but no I wouldn't have 'lived' as you've said. There was always a spy waiting for you to say the wrong thing, or the right thing and pull it out of context if that's what was wanted, arrest, assassination."

Anne listened as he said that he had cancer. "That is how I felt when I learned that the king was not pleased with me. One wrong word, a glance or a smile at the wrong person would send him in a rage. Sickness, age, and the fear of treason and being made a fool of had drove him to paranoia and madness."

"I didn't mention, because I didn't wish to offend. I'm too used to being around men who would fly into a rage if you point out their weakness."

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iwant2playagame
2009-03-30 01:56 pm UTC (link)

"I understand," John replied kindly, appreciative of her sense of pride rather than annoyed by a show of pity or disgust some others may have had about it all, "Death in inevitable. I came to terms with it years ago. it gave me direction, a purpose. I considered it enlightening. I'd taken so many things for granted before the sickness but now I can enjoy a talk with an intelligent woman and really glean something out of it, really appreciate it."

He finished his coffee and checked his watch. he hated to cut things short but he had something to take care of.

"It's been a real pleasure Anne. I'd like to speak to you again sometime."

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