TheExperimentAssignmentsFor reasons most couldn't fathom, Jovanna had chosen the evening to start the experiment, instead of the crack of dawn. As the sun set in the west, the newly costumed nobles made their way to a pub neighboring a boarding house. Jovanna was already there, standing in the corner and talking with some agitation with a tall, bespectacled fellow a few years older than her. Her table was reserved by young blonde woman, still stunningly pretty in her absolute boredom. Elsewhere, the working class of Aquila, sailors, dock hands, grocers, and others of a more vague occupational status, gathered with ales in hand, their talk swirling in the tavern in dark, brooding clouds. The evening was still young. Giulian Anderon arrived fairly promptly, having been dropped off in a side street a few blocks away by one of the more unobtrusive Anderon carriages. The costume of a junior clerk didn't differ too much from his usual dress apart from cut and material, and the absence of House colors. To it he had added a pair of blue-tinted spectacles, which he didn't actually need. Not only did they alter the look of his face, but partly masked his most distinctive facial feature. The satchel slung over his shoulder had been emptied of the books and art supplies he normally carried to and from University classes, and now contained what belongings he'd need for the next few weeks: some minimal changes of clothing, toiletries, a bound journal and small sketchbook for recording his observations. A glance around, as he entered the pub, located Jovanna, and he moved in her direction, pausing at a polite distance so as not to intrude on her conversation. Harold came in just after his friend. Like Giulian, taking on the costume of a junior clerk was not that onerous a hardship. He didn't add the spectacles to the mix, just sticking to the clothes and the fact that no one would expect Lord Harold to be dressed as a clerk. His belongings were similar to Giulian's, with the addition of a novel to read when he did have some free time. Many of the pursuits that he had been used to performing were going to have to be put in abeyance... Harold turned and headed toward where Jovanna was standing. Spotting him, Giulian half-turned and gave him a brief wave. Renata came in directly behind her brother. She was wearing a plain cotton skirt and blouse in a medium-brown, and her hair was plaited simply, the braid wound at the nape of her neck. She wore no jewelry, and her nails were cut very short. Her face was slightly flushed with excitement as she entered the pub. The blonde girl recognized her instantly. "Renata!" Izzie waved her over and motioned her to a seat. "Jo told me she pulled you into this! Oh, you'll like the Swaggering Bull... Just watch out for Marco. He's a cad." "Izzie? Oh, it is you. I'm so glad!" She took the offered seat immediately. "I've wanted to thank you for the help you gave me the day of the Dragon's funeral... that awful riot... I was all turned around. You must have thought me the perfect scatterbrain. But I'm really not, and I'm here to do the best job possible. The Swaggering Bull? Is that a tavern? I'm to be a barmaid?" There was nothing in her voice save curiosity and enthusiasm. Izzie gave Renata an up and down look, pursing her lips. "If you want the barmaid gig, you'd need to undo a few buttons and slit your skirt a bit. But I think she's saving you for work that won't leave you with a bruised bum." A laborer in a sweat stained sleeveless tunic with no shirt, cracked a grin at the woman's appraisal of whoever this Marco might be. He adjusted his cap with dirty calloused hands at the bar and turned toward the collecting nobles. He wore dusty homespun breeches and his calves were bare. "Cad?" Romeo chuckled, leaning over the ladies. "Is that the nature I need to cultivate to fit in here?" Harold turned toward the arrival of Renata, and then the laborer. "Romeo?" Harold ventured, squinting his eyes. The disguised Acciaio tipped his cap to the clerk in a neighborly fashion. "Roberto, my good man. Likely you've me confused with some dashing figure of legend," he chuckled. "I've grown used to it." His gaze encompassed the organizer and her conversation, but he made no move to interrupt. It took a moment, but finally she caught sight of the group that was growing at her table. She said a few final curt words to her companion, then turned, cutting off his comeback. By the time she reached Romeo and Harry, she was smiling, even if it did seem a tad strained. "I see you found the place," she said. "Drinks all around, I think." "Seems appropriate," murmured Giulian, lowering himself into one of the chairs across from Izzie and propping his crutches within easy reach. "What's the specialty of the house?" "Black and Tans. It's like a meal in a bottle." She gave Renata an almost apologetic smile. "Afraid they don't carry the Tremontaine vintage here." Jovanna sat, made a gesture at a passing barmaid, then returned her attention to the table. "Last chance to back out, you know. Any takers?" Giulian returned a grin and a brief shake of his head. "And waste all that training? Not a chance." Renata, flushing slightly at Izzie's good-natured jibe, also shook her head. "I'm ready. For anything." Romeo smiled, appraising the women about the room. "So am I, one supposes." Harold nodded. "I wouldn't be here, otherwise." In a nearby corner of the same area, Elissa sat at a smaller table and watched the unusual gathering of various young nobles come waltzing in. She studied their dress and tries at blending in and disguises. Dressed in her clothes that always blended in, since she came from this area and level of citizens, Elissa wondered what these young nobles were up to. Taking a night to herself after her successful break-in, wondering where she should look to next, she studied the group at the table. Thanks to training and study into the various noble families, she recognized many of the young faces. Including one of the soon-to-be Duke Maun, a Tremontaine daughter, and a son of Anderon. Finishing her Black and Tan at the same pace they spoke, Elissa figured it would be interesting to follow and check out what these nobles were up to. Perhaps someone would be interested in knowing what secrets she found. Romeo looked at the lame clerk. With a devilish grin on his face, he asked, "Did I mention I spent an afternoon with your sister?" Giulian flicked an eyebrow at him and queried, "Which one?" "Renalda," he answered. "She's quicker than she seems, y'know. Felt like I spent an hour chasing her about the room," he added, elbowing Harry in the ribs with a knowing wink. Harold grinned in response. "You don't," Giulian responded dryly, "want me to tell my big brother on you." "Why? Doesn't he like dancing?" Romeo chuckled. Reasonably certain now that he knew what was going on, Giulian only smiled and said, "He's just a bit touchy at the moment." Elissa raised an eyebrow as she listened to some of the young men speaking about a young lady, an Anderon daughter, if she remembered her names correctly. She carefully studied the young man on crutches with an eye for his beauty, even in spite of his crutches, and then looked at the others. The Anderon held himself well. Of course, she was a 'cit' and had no business even staring or studying the 'noble' sons. Not that they would have anything to do with a spy or thief or one who was both. Staring down at her Black and Tan, she ran a hand over her dark chocolate hair she let loose around her shoulders. She should have been keeping a low profile after her little visit to the Palazzo, but she was never one to stay low for long. The gesture briefly drew the gaze of Harold, whose eyes followed the movement of her fingers. After a moment, and returning to character, Harold flushed slightly, and returned his attentions away from the mysterious stranger and back to Giulian and Romeo. Jovanna followed his gaze, amused... but the half-smile faded when she saw the woman sitting in the corner. She looked back at the heir. "Do yourself a favor: keep your hooks unbaited. Different brand of woman out here." His notice drawn by both Harry's and Jovanna's reactions, Giulian gave the dark-haired woman an interested look before turning his attention back to Jovanna. She looked back at Elissa, and there was a glimmer of recognition before their drinks were served, and she turned her attention back to the table. "Everyone ready for assignments?" "Definitely," Renata said, wondering in the back of her mind about the odd undercurrents weaving around the tables... "The sooner the better," seconded Giulian, cheerfully. Elissa stared back at the other woman and one of the heirs to the Ducal throne. She'd seen that face somewhere before, but wasn't sure where. Still, she did hide her smile when the heir turned to look at her and saw his faint flush begin to rise up. Jovanna pulled several sealed envelopes out of her breast pocket and started to pass them around. "Your assignments, and your new names. Also, where you'll be flopping down for the time being. What would have been left of your paycheck after rent is in there as well, for meals and such." Giulian took the envelope Jovanna handed him, and quickly unsealed it. Renata did the same, with similar eagerness. While Harold did not undo the handed envelope with the speed of Giulian and Renata, the look in his eyes showed similar piquing of interest in the contents. From her corner, Elissa watched envelopes being handed out. Over the noise in the tavern, she could barely hear the particulars about this assignment. She raised an eyebrow and wondered what the heck those young nobles thought they were getting into. If she was going to figure this out, perhaps she should follow one of them, and see exactly what was going down. The door swung open and closed with a thunk, and a few muttered words, and a slender young man moved through the crowds to join the table with Jovanna and the young nobles. Devon grabbed an empty chair from another table, swinging it around so he could sit on it backwards, ending up next to Jo. He pushed long dark hair back out of his eyes, glanced at the table to scope out any food that might be there, and then at the others. His quick flash of a grin at Jovanna was obvious. His gaze fell on Romeo, and he nodded, eyebrows rising slightly before his gaze skittered away. Nods and longer looks for each of the others -- Renata, Harry, Giulian. "Sorry I'm late," he said. "Got caught up." "How ya doing, Dev?" Harold offered warmly, trying a slight change of accent, and a definite change in tenor and composition. "You're not that late," Renata said, followng her brother's lead. "Hardly missed a thing." Romeo sat wearing a laborer's cap low over his eyes as he finished his drink with gusto, a few drops escaping the sides and rolling over his bare chest. "Other than a few drinks," he added. He took his envelope from Jo with a smirk, tapping it down to one side before ripping the other side open. Harold turned from greeting Devon to nod at Romeo, and quickly returned to perusing the contents of his own envelope. Still in her corner, away from the others, but within viewing distance to her pleasure, Elissa watched the young nobles open their various envelopes. What on earth was going on with them? They all seemed rather eager to do whatever they were planning. The thief/spy stayed quiet in her corner, her eyes watching the group, but kept it hidden from most in the group. Once again, she raked her fingers through the chocolate hair, wishing again she snagged a leather tie to pull it back. The assignments weren't terribly different from what had been discussed earlier. Romeo was to work on the dockyards, loading cargo, moving flats, and basically being a grunt. He was sleeping in a flophouse by the docks, where rooms could be had for copper a day. Harold had been assigned to a print-house, proofing and helping set type for local flyers and posters. It wasn't a glorious job, but at least he would be out of the sun. His room appeared to be rented from a woman some blocks away. Harold considered this and nodded. "It could have been worse," he conceded with a smile. "Far worse." "I can make it worse," Jovanna offered sweetly. Giulian gave Harry a sidelong, sardonic grin. Renata had an evening job, starting at 4 pm and running into questionable hours. She wasn't a barmaid, but kitchen help for a bar on the darker side of town. She would be rooming with one of the other kitchen girls who had a spare bed. Guilian, indeed, had the clerk's position, but there were two addresses for his apartment. One was close by... the other further away. "We had debated about this," Jovanna said, leaning back. "Given your trouble walking. The one near your work is expensive. There are no homes, so no rooms to rent. The best I could find was a place above a shop. It's going to be nearly out of your range. The other one is a few blocks away, and more realistic for what anyone might have who works a clerk's position." Giulian considered for a minute and then asked, "Is the farther one also on an upper floor? It doesn't say." Though he had plenty of practice in climbing stairs, it was still a slow and laborious process for him. Walking along relatively level streets for a few blocks might actually be a fair trade for not having to climb two or three flights. Jovanna squinted, mentally going over the layout again. "A bit of steps, but not a full flight. It would be a room they added onto the back, for more rent space." Giulian nodded. "I think that would actually be better. Saves money, and I'll trade walking down a street for climbing up and down stairs any day." The decision made, he folded up his paper again and tucked it into an inner pocket. Romeo nodded at his assignment. "Well, I'm off then, I think," he said. He offered Dev a nod and blew a kiss to Jovanna. He tipped his hat to the other ladies as he stood to leave. The gesture Jovanna returned wasn't quite as affectionate (and one that could make a priest boil) but her smile was affectionate. "Stay out of trouble." Devon watched Romeo leave, and Harold consider doing the same. "Looks like I missed all of it, really," he said, more to himself than anyone else. He raised one hand, looking to get a drink, and paid precious coin for it when the server came. "What've you got, Renata?" he asked. "I'm to work in the kitchen of a tavern. I imagine dishes and glasses... or maybe prep work?" It might be useful to know something about cooking if she was to run a household staff some day. "Whatever they tell me to do," she said, knowing her mother would fuss over dishpan hands -- her father, too, for that matter -- but that would fade. The lessons she could learn... those would not. Elissa leaned back in her chair as one of the nobles got up to leave. She listened in about a place where the Anderon would stay and knew there was place in her hideaway. Not that any other cit would know. She kept that to herself to make sure her hideaway stayed a hideaway. It was a building that always belonged to the Chatham family, no need for rent in her case. Yeah right, Chatham. Like a noble would look twice at some cit when he has other nobles to go after. Especially a cit with questionable background and... There is always my job, that's a whole new kick in the pants, she told herself. "I suppose getting set with this shortly would be best," Harold said, glancing around at the Experimenters. He drummed his hands against the bar, regarding everyone before finally coming to his feet. Jovanna rose as well. "Getting a good night's sleep is probably best. Dev, can you walk Renata to her apartment? Izzie can show you the way." Renata got up, examining the bit of money she had, then remembered that Jo had said her rent would be taken out of her wages. Wages... she had to admit there was something exciting about having money she would actually earn, even though she'd been warned there wouldn't be much of it. Watch your dress, she told herself, you shan't get another for the duration... Devon looked at his drink, barely started, and decided he wasn't going to waste it. In a moment, it was gone, and he set the mug back down on the table and rose as well. "Of course. I'll see you later, Jo." He nodded to Harold and Giulian, then waited for Izzie to join them, so that he could walk Renata home. Giulian got to his feet with the help of the table in front of him, and slung his satchel across his shoulder before reaching for his crutches. "Anyone going my way?" Harold nodded. "Or close enough, I think." At her table, Elissa rose smoothly to her feet after finishing the last of the drink. She reached over and picked up her own satchel that held some things in case she ever had to disappear or pull off a job. Smoothing down the soft, long-sleeved shirt and loose skirt, she walked past the full table of nobles and cits. She gently brushed past both Giulian and Harold as she left the tavern. She barely controlled her skilled fingers from lifting anything from their persons. She glanced back at both young men and walked out the main door. Despite the warning issued before, Harold could not help, given his nature, but return the glance that the mysterious young woman gave him and Jules. He smiled and waited for her to exit before holding the door for Giulian and their own exit. "I suppose clerks flirt too," Giulian murmured to Harry as he passed through the door, amusement in his tone. Harold chuckled lightly. "Too much of my personality not to," he agreed with Jules. (Continued in The Experiment: Harry and Jules) |
