Revision [27724]
This is an old revision of 1869.08.22.1945.EllaArrives made by KellyToyama on 2013-02-04 20:21:28.
Location: St. James Hotel and Orphanage
<#kate: I realize lots happens before this event but I figured this was a good event to start for my character at least. Jump in as you like... #>
During Sunday Dinner, there's a jingle at the hotel's front doorway that the children can hear from their seats around the table in the cramped servants' dining room. Elizabeth holds up a single finger, keeping everyone at their place and noses in their meal. Through the thin walls, they can hear the valet's bell chime, floor boards creak in reply, and then Mr. French's booming greeting.
"Bonsoir Monsieur Constable. How may I be of service?"
"Evening, Mr. French" says a gruff voice. "I have a new addition for you."
"Ah, so I see, so I see. Would you wait one moment, and I will see if Madame Black is free?"
"Of course."
The floor groans under Mr. French's hurried stride. The doorway to the main dining hall opens.
Trying to suppress his booming voice to a whisper, and failing, Mr. French says, "Pardon, Madame. The Constable has brought a new charge for your care."
"Oh! How marvelous." Cutlery clatters against porcelain and a chair scrapes against the planks. Mrs. Black's clunky heels stomp after Mr. French as they return to the Hotel foyer.
"Why, she's just a little mouse of a thing," says Mrs. Black.
"You'll take her?" asks the constable.
"Of course, of course, what good Christian would turn away a child."
"She was..." The constable begins, but Mrs. Black tut tuts him. "Never-mind that now, I'm sure that's all behind us." Even over Mrs. Black you can hear Mr. French cracking his knuckles.
"I'll leave her in your hands then. Good evening, Ma'm. Mr. French."
"Good evening," says Mrs. Black.
The front door jingles again.
"Martin," says Mrs. Black, "go fetch Lizzy while I introduce myself to this little peach."
"Yes ma'am."
Elizabeth rises from her seat at the end of the table. She dabs at her lips with her napkin and tucks the cloth beneath her fork. She turns to face the swinging door as Mr. French appears.
He grins. "Another one for you, Lizzy."
"So I heard." She waves for him to head back outside, and casts a glance over her shoulder. "I can hear everything," she says with her no nonsense glare. Although aware of her kind nature, the children know all too well of the trouble they'll land in by misbehaving, especially at Sunday Dinner. Seeing her warning landing home, Elizabeth follows Mr. French into the foyer.
She returns a few moments later, her hand on the slim shoulder of a dirt and ash stained girl wearing a similarly stained dress. The girl has a single braid of wavy, raven hair and pads along on bare feet. Elizabeth guides the newcomer around the table and through the side door. The grind of the pump outside starts, encouraging a gush of water.
"Hands and face," says Lizzy. "Then we'll get you something to eat."
The water's flow cuts off, and as promised the pair return to the servants' dining room. Elizabeth guides the scrawny girl to the head of the table. Despite the recent wash, the girl's skin remains light brown, like the color of sandy soil. Fresh cuts and scrapes dot her face and neck, as well as the hands clutching the fabric of her dress. The hem is ragged, with threads left dangling.
Elizabeth puts both hands on the girl's shoulders.
"We have a new comer," says Elizabeth and looks at the girl expectantly.
The girl meets Elizabeth's gaze with a pair of wide, light blue eyes.
"Well, tell us your name, girl."
"It's Ella," says the girl in a strong, clear tone.
Elizabeth nods with satisfaction and turns to those at the table.
"Well, what's yours?" asks Ella.
Elizabeth's head swivels, her gaze locking with the young girl. "Ms. Elizabeth Clarke," she says, "but you can call me Ms. Clarke."
Ella mimics Elizabeth's earlier nod.
Nicholas looks up from his plate meeting Ella's eye with a smile. "I'm Nicholas!" he calls cheerfully.
OOG: not sure how to read the ! here Bill. Is Cole shouting?
No, it's excitement/cheerfulness. I amended to make it clearer.
<#court: Jeanne has paused eating and is watching intently, but says nothing. Her stare is not casual; its intensity makes it seem almost hostile. #>
<#ann: I will respond to this very soon, but I need to do some of my own backstory before I can understand exactly what I do. I've been at the orphanage for almost four years at this point, so I feel like my status in the hierarchy of children and my relationship with the staff will influence what I say right now.#>
<#kate: No worries and no rush. I realize that lots happens prior to this which needs to get fleshed for people to understand where they are at this point in the "story". I just got this in my head, needed to get it out and so *cough* *hack* here it is. #>
NeedsKate
NeedsJonah
NeedsAnn
NeedsBill
Below I c/p the chat that brings them though the dinner, people can feel free to pick up and keep rolling from there. Sorry for its raw state, Im trying to maximize my wiki time so I will loop back around if I have time.
William: i'm okay with what's there except at this point he'd call himself Cole
me: Let me know when you are done Ann
William: so with that tiny amendment, it's fine.
Ann: I'm watching for the moment, and seeing that Cal is about to jump in will wait
7:25 PM me: Cal smiles and would respond with something along the lines of, "King Callahan, you can call me Cal." Ms. Lizzie would shoot him a look "Boy you anit the king of nothing."
7:26 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: And to be clear, this is the next arrival after Ollie, NPCs included?)
me: correct
jonah.petri@gmail.com: (thx)
7:27 PM me: Louis would respond with some remakr about Cal being the king of cleaning his plate which Cal would smile at.
Ella is presented a seat and hot food.
Ann: I want to tease "King of .... troublemakers, but I don't want to use that word. Something teasing. Jerks? that's too harsh'
7:28 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: King of Maids?
me: (Mischif?)
Ann: Bigmouths maybe, with a small smile for him and for Ella
Courtney: misfits?
7:29 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie giggles at that.
Kate: Ella sits cautiously, and licks her lips looking at the food, taking in everyone with big, observant eyes.
me: "All the better to eat seconds!" He says as he is presented with another round by Louis.
Kate: She grins back at Celeste.
Her eyes go a little big at "seconds"
Ann: Which widens Celestes smile to a grin. "I'm Celeste"
7:30 PM Courtney: Jeanne looks at Celeste and Ella and relaxes a little.
She picks up the bread and passes Ella an extra piece, with a small smile for her and a grin for Celeste.
Kate: "Hi...." She seems a little wary, not scared just uncertain.
Ann: (You said she's small for her age, how old would you say she looks? Still 9, or looks younger?)
Kate: "Thanks," she says, taking the bread.
7:31 PM me: Shawn hands her the butter. "Shawn." He adds with a smile.
Kate: (She's nine but she looks small - more malnourished - tall and skinny)
Ann: (so she looks nine, just a skinny nine)
Kate: (yeah)
"Butter?" She seems awed. but accepts and slathers the bread.
7:32 PM me: Val eats quietly. Jefferson is chowing down.
"All the comforts!" Cal says and Erin giggles.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: "And all the chores!" giggles Ollie, all traces of his accent having vanished over the past 3 years.
Kate: She chomps into the bread and butter, looking at the rest curiously.
7:33 PM She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "Chores?"
me: Ms Lizzie says, "Dont worry your head about that child, we will get that sorted in the morning."
Ann: "We run the hotel!" Celeste says proudly
me: Shawn wispers to you, "She means put you to work."
7:34 PM Minne glowers at him.
Kate: She glances at Lizzy, Minnie then whispers back to Shawn. "But we eat like this?"
Ann: (Do you know where youw ant to work Kate?)
Kate: (I think she ends up doing rooms - cleaning, setting the fires and stuff)
me: Minne says, "A good days work is a crhistain's duty." She turns to ella Im Minne (last name) pleased to meet you.
7:35 PM Kate: "Nice to meet you too. What do you do here?"
me: Shawn nods, "Every sunday"
William: Cole kind of snorts at Minnie's statment.
me: Minnie says "I do my party helping in the garden."
William: "An orphan's duty."
Ann: Celeste shoots her eyes at Minnie then rolls her eyes at Ella. So that Minnie can't see but it's clear that Celeste thinks it's pompous
7:36 PM me: Minnie says, "Just because you are an orphan does not mean you cant be a good Christain." Cal meanwhile does a Minnie impression behind her back.
Kate: She frowns a little at Shawn, and seems to be absorbing everyone's reaction to Minnie, her own opinion held in check.
me: Shawn laughs
Kate: She seems to stifle a giggle.
me: Minnie wheels around and Cal snaps back into eating giving her a who me look
7:37 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: Everyone's soup is jiggling a bit.
Kate: She eats bread, trying to hide her smile.
Ann: the soup is jiggling?
me: (what is causing soup jiggle?)
Kate: She looks askance at the simultaneiously jiggling soups....
jonah.petri@gmail.com: If you look around you realize that ollie is vibrating with excitement, and the whole table is being affected.
Courtney: Jeanne nudges Ollie gently and glances from him to the vibrating table
7:38 PM Kate: Her humor dies a little and she nibbles.
me: Jefferson says, "You should try the (appropirate food item) cooked it up special me and Louis did.
"Louis and I." Ms Lizzie corrects.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie looks up at his sister, blissfully unaware as to why she might look at him so.
Kate: "It's okay with you?" She asks Jefferson.
me: Jefferson nods.
7:39 PM "Im Jefferson, pleased to meet you Ella.:
Kate: "You too...and thanks." She reaches (with her hand) toward whatever the dish is.
Ann: "Jefferson's favorite thing is getting other people to eat his food and tell him how delicious it is." She smiles at Jefferson when she says this
me: Ms Lizzie says, "Deco, eat your food dont draw with it." as the small boy fiddles with his peas.
Ann: "And it's always delicious"
Kate: "Sure smells good."
7:40 PM me: Ms Lizzie notes the reach, before she can respond Minnie says, "Jefferson please pass ella the <dish>"
Ms Lizzie nods.
Jefferson gets an "Oh yeah" epxression and passes over the dish
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Shawn half-yells, "Ollie, QUIT IT."
me: Jefferson blushes at Celestes compliment
7:41 PM Kate: She plucks / scoops obtains a mouthful of the dish and tries it.
while looking at Shawn / Ollie.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie, somewhat shocked, looks away from the conversations and manages to calm himself down for a few moments.
Courtney: Jeanne smiles at Ollie, but then puts her hand on his wiggling knee and directs his attention towards Ms. Lizzy before the jiggling soup catches her attention. One gets the sense this scene has taken place before.
William: Cole picks up the shaking where Ollie calms down....
Courtney: (sorry, scratch, too late)
William: he's trying to be subtle....
but cause a little trouble
7:42 PM me: Shawn kicks Cole under the table.
William: Cole kicks him back
Ann: Celeste is trying to watch Ella carefully without being creepy or offputting
me: Minnie sighs and tries to drink her shaking soup.
Kate: She looks at Celeste and Shawn, kind of trying to see if this is normal.
Ann: Celeste grins. "Welcome to the Black Orphanage"
(or whatever we are called)
jonah.petri@gmail.com: St James Orphanage
me: Shawn rolls his eyes. Callahan coninues to wolf down his soup.
7:43 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: (right?)
me: (right)
Ann: (oh, that reminds me. the Blacks are Catholic?)
Kate: She relaxes a little and grins back at Celeste. She continues to eat Jefferson's dish and her bread with he rhands.
me: they are
William: After a minute Cole starts to shake the table again gently with his knee ...he winks at Ollie
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Valerie stares at her vibrating soup, her face dour and blank.
William: otherwise he appears to be eating his soup...
me: Ms Lizzie smaks Cole
Courtney: Jeanne raises one eyebrow at cole, though she looks amused.
7:44 PM me: Dont be shaking the table, try to be civilized for one evening.
(light smack)
more startling than hard.
William: Cole cough and hacks hard - dramatically choking on the soup that was in his mouth.
me: Shawn laughs.
Kate: The smack doesn't seem to offput Ella at all.
William: "Yes'm"
me: Ms Lizzie says "Dont be encouranging him Shawn.;
Yes'm
7:45 PM Ann: "Are you getting a cold Cole? Maybe you need some codliver oil" Celeste suggests innocently
me: Cal smiles wickedly, he was just shaking like a leaf.
William: (?)
Ann: (shaking like a leaf?)
William: to Kel - Cal was what?
jonah.petri@gmail.com: (don't get it)
me: Sorry missing quotes
7:46 PM Cal smiles wickedly at Celestes comments, "Yeah he was just shaking like a leaf."
jonah.petri@gmail.com: (ah ok)
William: "No, Celeste, thank you. I'm fine. Miss Lizzie's slap just almost took my head clean off..." he says deadpan.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie says "I don't have a cold! I like soup!"
(seems oblivious to the non-sequitur)
7:47 PM Courtney: Jeanne suppresses a grin and had a bite of soup.
*has
me: They eat for a while a little more controlled.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: ....the end?
7:48 PM segue?
me: (I tink we can roll for a bit more)
Shawn whipsers to her, "You should eat the soup before it gets cold."
Erin nods at her and her brother.
Kate: I'm cool - she's pretty much quiet trying to absorb the scene.
"This too?" she whispers back.
me: Shawn nods.
Ann: Celeste is watching out of the corner of her eye, trying to gauge her reaction to the commotion and teasing
7:49 PM Kate: She looks impressed and picks up her spoon, still holding the bred in one hand.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie frowns. "I ate all of mine. I'm still hungry."
me: Deco cleans his plate and says, loudly "Treat PLEASE!"
William: Cole pushes his leftover over to Ollie
me: Ms Lizzie says, "Not till everyone is done Deco."
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie declares "I'm not done! I can eat lots more!"
Kate: She looks to Jefferson after eating some more of his dish and says "This is great."
7:50 PM me: Shawn subtily gives his extra bread to Erin.
Kate: She picks up the spoon in one hand, holding the bread in the other and tries the soup.
me: Jefferson beams
Kate: She eats about half and then offers it to Ollie. "You want the rest?"
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie looks at the others to see if he should.
7:51 PM me: (The kids know the deal if anyone has leftovers no treat)
Kate: (She looks a little stuffed at this point)
me: Cal begins to "help" Minnie.
Kate: (Also, doesn't look taken aback by the commotion just a little overwhelmed)
me: Minnie glowers at him but everytime she looks away he slips a little more off her plate.
Ann: (maybe he can sneak some into his pockets for the cat in the tower)
7:52 PM jonah.petri@gmail.com: Sensing no objections, Ollie takes the half bowl and chows down.
Courtney: Jeanne looks at Ella in surprise (after she offered food to ollie), and then speaks, more friendly. "Herbs on soup tonight fresh from de garden. Come out sometime, I will show you."
7:53 PM me: Cal makes a face, "Green food bleh!" But he says it with a mouthfull that says he doesnt mean it.
Courtney: Jeanne sticks her tongue out at him.
Kate: "Okay." You get the impression she might not quite understand what you mean by herbs and such, but is genuine in accepting the invitation and seems curious to get clarification.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie grabs the empty breadbowl and shakes the crumbs into his bowl, and scrapes them out with his spoon.
Kate: Did Ollie take her soup?
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Yes, see above.
7:54 PM Kate: cool sorry missed it =)
She takes a bit more bread then elbows shawn and under the table's edge.
offering him the rest
me: As plates finally are clean a wonderful sweet smell comes from the oven and Louis reappears carrying an empty plate.
7:55 PM Deco says, "TREAT!!!!"
Shawn makes the bread disappear into his pocket nodding to Ella
Ann: (Do we always get a treat, or is this just a Sunday thing?)
me: (Sunday regular, other days it would be special)
7:56 PM Louis starts to sing a song.
In french.
Ann: I sing along
Kate: Ella looks to Louis, more interested in his singing than the treat.
Courtney: Jeanne's eyes twinkle and she sings along softly.
me: Jefferson Minnie and Lizzie also
jonah.petri@gmail.com: (Do we know the song??)
me: Cal inspects his fork, Valarie sits stock still
(Everyone does)
Deco sings off key
7:57 PM William: Cole looks happy - but not "excited"
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ah Ollie sings loudly
Kate: She winces a little at Deco's off key nees
me: Erin sings
William: he already knows that the treat is...having scoped it in advance.
me: When Erin starts singing Shawn sings quietly\
Kate: and Ollie's volume
Ella looks like she's trying to grasp the song.
William: Cole hums
me: Louis dives into the over and comes out with a plate of hot crossed buns.
7:58 PM Courtney: Jeanne leans over and whispers what it means as it goes(if it looks like Ella does not understand)
Kate: (oven?)
me: (oven yes)
not over
Kate: She listens intently to Jeanne and seems really happy to be able to understand.
Courtney: Jeanne nods, satisfied at the reaction, and sits upright again.
7:59 PM Kate: and a little awed by it all
me: Louis serves Cal first, "For the king." He says plopping a bun on his plate. Cal bows to Louis, Lizzie rolls her eyes, "You musn't encourange him."
Ann: Celeste looks intensely at the interaction between Jeanne and Ella, but relaxes when teh song is over
me: Louis continues around the table distrubting buns.
Louis says, "Every child deserves a dream Ms. Lizzie."
Kate: Ella nibbles at hers, but stops as she starts looking a little green (sick not actualyl turning a hue)
8:00 PM William: "Thank you, Louis" Cole says when he gets his.
Ann: (I love that this is the sort of game where you have to distinguish that you're not, in fact, turning green)
Kate: "Merci, Monsieur ' she says to Louis when she gets her bun.
(=))
Ann: Celeste thanks him with a smiel
smile
8:01 PM me: And Merci to you Child.
Courtney: "Merci, Louis."
Ann: (was Louis in the room when Ella was introduced?"
Kate: She frowns at him. "But I haven't done anything yet...."
me: Yes
Courtney: She nudges Ollie to remember to say thank you as well
8:02 PM Kate: (nm - apparently he responded with Your Welcome instead)
Ella doesn't look like she's going to be finishing her bun....
me: Deco eyes in hungrly.
jonah.petri@gmail.com: Ollie, who has stuffed his entire bun into his mouth whole, tries and fails to say "thanks".
8:03 PM You do get a pretty good view into the internal workings of his mouth, however
me: Minnie rolls her eyes.
Erin giggles.
Kate: She breaks her bun in half and offers some to Deco.
8:04 PM me: Deco snatches it, and is half way though eating it before he looks up at Minnie and Lizzies twin glares when he says, "Thank you" then wolfs the rest down.
8:05 PM Kate: She smiles at him. "Anytime."
me: After eating Ms Lizzie hustles the children off to bed.
Ann: (Ollie hasn't chosen a bed, should we assume he's next to Jeanne?)
me: (I know Court needed to end at a decent time not sure how much we want to keep pushing.
8:06 PM William: i should get going regardless...
Kate: Ella goes along but seems kind of surprised by the operation (She also gives the other half to someone - any takers or I know who she'd give)
