AJ stands for Applejack. (applemark) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-09-14 15:23:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, applejack |
Who: Rogue and Applejack
When: First week in August
Where: Farmer’s Market
What: CATCHING A THIEF
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete
AJ was in the Johnson Family Orchard booth, organizing and restocking the apples. She didn’t always work these booths herself, they normally hired a couple of people to come and do that sort of thing for them. AJ was more used to being stuck behind a computer, making phone calls and dealing with the bulk sale end of the business. But being around the customers was refreshing. It was an eye opener, really.
She was taking a momentary breather, looking out around the shoppers at the market while her co-worker was off at the restroom.
Rogue was hungry. Which wasn’t unusual. She rarely had money for good food - she traded all her stolen wares for necessities - money to pay rent, money to get her from one place to another and clothes. She needed those, oh and laundry money. Food fell by the wayside because she knew she could find food whenever she needed it. But today had been a bad food hunting day - she’d almost gotten ready to break down and spend some actual cash on real food when she wandered into the Farmer’s Market.
Sometimes this was a prime target. Bustling crowds, people being noisy - it was perfect for a girl who just wanted something to take the edge off the hunger. So she meandered, browsing idly as slender fingers trailed over items, every now and then when no one was watching, tucking them into her side bag’s pockets. Nothing big, always little stuff. Until the shiny, delicious looking apples caught her eye and she wound her way over to the booth.
AJ wouldn’t normally have paid too much mind to the young woman who came into her booth. She wasn’t judgemental, definitely didn’t judge people by their clothes, or their hairstyles. But she’d seen this woman fingering merchandise in other stalls, and suspected that some of the merchandise may have ended up in the woman’s bag without the exchange of money for it. She broke into a (somewhat tired) grin at the sight of the young woman in her own booth and stepped over to see if she could help. “Well, howdy, y’all.”
Rogue was prepared to pay if someone caught her, after all she did have a little money on her, but she’d prefer to eat for free. She tilted her head at the woman, and smiled oh so kindly. “‘ello, fine lookin’ apples ya got here.” she replied in kind. Despite her best attempts she couldn’t shake that southern accent that clung to her words, the slight twang and drawl of words. It was a downfall of hers. Rogue was momentarily defeated, it looked like she might not nab an apple after all. But she persevered. Just in case she got an opening. “Fine day we got here.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s beautiful.” AJ said, raising an eyebrow. Normally people didn’t talk about the weather. Most of the time, they talked about the apples, or the food, or the crops... or even the season. ‘Is it apple season?’ or ‘what’s in season right now?’ But the weather? AJ wasn’t used to customers making small talk. “Ya hungry?” She asked, reaching for an apple and a knife. She cut the apple in half and offered it out to the young woman.
”Yeah, actually.” she said quietly as her fingers delicately reached out for the half offered to her. “How much?” she asked with a wary look on her face. Rogue actually liked the weather, too. It was beautiful out, and it made her feel a little happier. But the look in her eye betrayed just how hungry she was as she eyed that slice of apple, biting her lip without thinking about it. She was famished and that looked amazing.
“No charge, it’s just a sample.” AJ said, giving a nod. It wasn’t the first time she’d had a really hungry person in her booth. Farmers’ Markets weren’t just for the wealthy. The produce they sold was actually cheaper than in the supermarket. She could see how hungry the girl was in her eyes. Her coworker came back from the bathroom and started helping other customers.
“Do you... do you want to go grab a sandwich with me? My treat.” AJ said, looking slightly concerned, but more friendly than anything else.
The girl stared for a moment before she plucked the sample deftly from the other woman. She popped the slice into her mouth and savored the taste before chewing on her lip in thought. The way the woman looked at her, Rogue knew she figured out that she was going to steal. But instead of being angry at the mere idea, the woman was offering her a sandwich. Then she nodded after clearly thinking about it for a moment.
“Any catches?” she asked curiously. Before she ran her hand through her hair and smiled. “Alright... ah.. ah could do that.. ah suppose. Ah’m Rogue.” she held out her hand in greeting politely.
“Just... that you don’t ever steal from my stand again.” AJ said, giving a little nod. “If you’re hungry, just come ask me and I’ll get you something.” She hated the thought that this poor, young woman was stealing to eat. “And that maybe we can be friends.”
After grabbing her purse from behind the register, AJ gave her coworker the code for ‘I’m off to lunch, be back soon’ and then turned to walk with the thief other young woman out of her section of the farmer’s market. “There’s a deli not too far from here. Ya like roast beef?”
She nodded lightly. “Fair enough, ah’d say.” she tilted her head a bit then nodded again. “a’ight ah don’t ‘ave a lot of friends from ‘round here.” she said lightly as she waited for her to come around and head out. Once she did Rogue cast a glance around before following quietly. “Ah do. Who doesn’t?” she asked with a bright smile, Rogue was tired of being hungry but she didn’t also know any other way of living. Not here. Back home, sure? She could go back and work the farm but she had no desire to do that, it wasn’t the life for her. “Ah’m sorry, by the by, for whatever it’s worth.” she said to the woman quietly.
AJ came on around the stall and nodded. She pulled her purse over her shoulder. “Great. I reckon this place has the best roast beef in all of Orange County. I mean, I think people come from miles around just for their sandwiches. They stack it on so high you can’t get your mouth around it.” AJ said, giving her newfound friend a grin.
She waved her hand as if to say don’t mention it, then held the hand out for the other to shake. “Aponi Jackson-Jones. My friends call me AJ.”
”Oh sounds divine, then.” she grinned a bit. “Is that so? Ah think my stomach may be in love.” she laughed as she followed her towards the place. Slender fingers captured the woman’s. “A pleasure ta meetcha, AJ.” she smiled .”Thanks for the kindness.” she said after a moment before she looked around the place. It was a busy market and she was glad that maybe sometimes things work out for the best.
“Sure. And the pleasure’s all mine.” AJ was just that. Kind. She loved to make friends, and she was a hard worker, to boot. There were things about her nature that weren’t all positive... she was a bit competitive by nature, and didn’t always think about the feelings of others before doing things... but for the most part AJ was a pretty good person.
AJ led the way into the Deli and straight up to the counter. “Two Roast Beefs.” She called out to the man behind the deli case.
He broke into a grin and gave AJ a wink. “Comin’ right up, AJ.”
AJ went a little pink and turned to Rogue with a sheepish grin. “...I may come in here a lot.”
Rogue laughed softly. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. Good ta ‘ave a place where da people know you, yah?” she shook her head a bit. Rogue was a kind hearted soul but the city had eaten her alive - she was tougher than she was mere months ago. Harsher, ready to brawl with anyone who looks at her funny.
“They already smell good.” she said softly, looking up to AJ.” Like my stomach is already rumblin’ louder in anticipation.”
“Hey, that’s okay with me.” AJ said, giving the other young woman a smile. “Grab a couple of sodas from the case, wouldja?” She asked, then stepped over to the register to pay. “Hey, Johnny,” she said, then passed the money over to pay for their lunch.
A few minutes later, the girls had sandwiches, drinks, and were sitting at one of the outside tables to eat. “Now, ya can’t tell me this isn’t the best roast beef on the face of the planet,” she said, grinning, as she dove in for a big bite.