ᴏʜ, ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀʀᴅ-ʟᴜᴄᴋ sᴛᴏʀɪᴇs ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʟʟ ʜᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴇ ( ᴏᴘᴇɴ )

[mannerism]

who: Peggy 'a crumpet is hardly a muffin' carter + YOU, yes you.
what: catch-all for new and old CR
when: Throughout August
where: all over town.
warnings: none for now

( a; communal housing - moving day )

[ three months ago or so have passed since her arrival to the city. during those three months, she had opted to stay in the communal housing for the sake of people watching, of possible intel to collect, of trying to settle in as most people had.

after three months, the need for privacy, for her own space had risen to the point that she went in search of a flat. with the money from the guard and the police force, it was easy enough to make ends meet.

so one sunny morning in August finds Peggy Carter packing her things into boxes and starting to move them from the communal housing to the little flat she found downtown. it's a rather tiring journey, carrying three boxes or so on the GroundTram and then, on foot.

-- and in heels, too! a pair of slacks, a pale blue blouse whose sleeves are rolled up and high heels, of all things. at some point you might hear a THUD outside your room. she had went and dropped a lamp, trying to carry one box too many down the corridors. it'll be followed by a rather annoyed: ]

bloody hell.

( b; downtown; )

[ Peggy's apartment is just by a rather sweet coffee house. if you happen to sit there you might notice her coming and going, carrying boxes with her as she goes.

they'll pile out at the entrance to the apartment house. if you happen to linger by, she'll come out, pick up a box and simply call out: ]

Would you care to pick one up? There aren't many left.

[ she forgot 'please'. be a dear anyway? ]

( c; gym; )

[ she can't for the life of her understand how people exercise with headphones.

it might be paranoid but peggy never appreciated eliminating any of her senses, not even in the rather safe environment of the gym.

you might find her on the treadmill, muttering for the love of god while trying to understand the different settings or by the punching bag. demure she's not, her punches and kicks are quick and vicious. she's not very graceful but she's efficient and precise. watch her long enough and you might understand a simple truth, peggy carter doesn't kick ass gracefully but she does indeed kick ass. ]

( d; out and about; )

[ she may spend most of her day at the riverview police office or with the guard, but evenings find Peggy walking back to her apartment, not a hair out of place. she'll always stop to get herself some light dinner at one of the restaurants or bars.

don't be surprised if a woman, looking as if she stepped out of a vintage photograph turns to you and ask, what do you reckon a california roll is? or bubble tea? are they mixing the stuff with soda these days? ]

( e; wildcard; )

[ for just about anything else. if you want anything in specific, feel free to poke me at ladylike ]

[ peggy's apartment for reference. ]

Comments

b;

[wingedman]

Which apartment is it?

[Sam picks up two boxes. He's not showing off, that's just how he rolls.]

-point out a window. And then open it.

[mannerism]

[ Wilson.

Peggy has a bone or three to pick up with the man but, being efficient and practical above all else, she is willing to go ahead and let him help before she twists his ear for his little prank. ]

--- Are you planning to toss my things inside through the window, Wilson?

[wingedman]

[Sam just rolls his eyes at the question, though it's nothing more than he'd expected.]

Everything'll be perfectly safe - and do you really think I can toss things that far? I'm not Steve.

[He knows full well he's going to get an earful. But he can't pass by and not help a friend in need just to avoid a scolding.]

[mannerism]

I wasn't expecting quite a lot from you and yet it happened, anyway.

[ sharp. not hostile but sharp, indeed. she picks up a box and starts heading inside. ]

In the kitchen, if you please. Just near the counter.

[ she has iced tea waiting but she's not about to say that outright. ]

[wingedman]

Open a window!

[He calls after her, then mutters under his breath:]

Some people just can't appreciate a good cake.

[Sam's joking, mostly. He knows full well he deserves all the sharpness Peggy has to offer.]

[mannerism]

[ she heard that, thank you. but she'll take the help before she'll start her scolding, opening a window and peeking outside. how on earth is he planning to go about this? ]

Right then.

[ do your worst. ]

d

[sweetlies]

[This late in the day, the little nobleman just wants some tea and to return to his apartment and sleep. He isn't expecting anyone to speak to him, even after he's an effort since arriving to be somewhat social.

Her appearance doesn't get much of a look, she doesn't stand out too much to him, who stubbornly tries to stay as close to Victorian fashion trends as he can, right down to his heeled boots.]

Ah, my apologies, I don't know what either are actually.

[mannerism]

[ now that is a rather wonderful plan. tea and rest. usually, it's how she goes about the end of her day as well. except sometimes there's a need of a meal and it's quite frustrating to find out how the world has changed culinary since the 40s. ]

I knew I can't have been the only one. There's no explanation, either. Apparently, telling apart a california roll and a Philadelphia roll is common knowledge these days.

[ and, with an added air of curiosity: ]

Are the names familiar at all? California? Philadelphia?

[sweetlies]

[A meal probably wouldn't go amiss. If he thought of it, but he often forgot meals back home as well if it hadn't been for Sebastian. And he's also, definitely, noticed the changes compared to the 1800's.

The question almost makes him laugh. Almost. Instead he just smiles.]

They are. I was actually on a ship bound for New York a few months ago. Philadelphia, if I'm remembering my lessons, that used to be the capital, yes? And California, that's on the opposite coast.

[mannerism]

Indeed. A man of the world, then? where were you sailing from?

[ and then, as if she had realized she is asking many questions without providing any information about herself, she adds: ]

I live in New York. Have been, for a while now. Born and raised in Hampstead, however, if you've heard it. It's not as well known.

[sweetlies]

I do try to be but much of my work keeps me in England. Until the Campania, work and my fiancee forced my hand. [He just smiles.] We departed from Southampton.

[Ciel doesn't mind answering questions. Especially since they aren't too invasive.

He beams]

It is! It would be terrible of me if I didn't keep track. I live just outside of London.

b

[mingling]

Oh, [Natsume says, and if he had any inclination to keep on passing by, it recedes completely in all of his body language. The inclination to bend down and take a box supersedes, instead, and seems entirely automatic. He doesn't look ruffled or cajoled, but he's not outbursting and enthusiastic, either. He is just mildly genial, and very... very, very polite.]

Where is it you'd like me to take this, ma'am?

[A boy of slight build and apparently crafted to be this gentle, he already gives off the atmosphere of someone who's prepared to do this until nightfall.]

[mannerism]

[ well. it's been some time since anyone called her ma'am. back in the war, for a while, when she inspected over the young men training for project rebirth. but ever since the end of the war, well.

His well manners almost take her by surprise, it's as if she'd forgotten what it's like to have people make these things easy. ]

Second floor, the kitchen.

[ she walks over, heels and all and lifts another box ]

Mind the fourth step.

[mingling]

Ah. Yes, ma'am. [Rote courtesy, deeply instilled within him. He'd even march, if he could, to try and look impressive, but his strength is absolutely awful, so all he can muster is to square his shoulders a little bit extra. As a bonus, he manages to keep from shuffling. Nice, even steps. Don't drag your feet, don't scuff your shoes, all that.

He minds the fourth step, as directed. From the looks of him, he'll do anything as directed. And he very much seems like... Ah, what an overlying image: you can practically see a little boy standing in his father's too-big shoes.

He gives a soft excuse me when he crosses the threshold into the apartment. His steps are much lighter, much more tentative, once he's actually inside. Navigating his way to the kitchen might as well have him on the lookout for landmines.

As he sets down the box, gently as possible, he only pauses to ask her,] You didn't do all this yourself, did you?

[mannerism]

Surely it isn't that horrid?

[ yes, she's done most of it herself. no, she's not too proud of it. ]

I admit, I haven't had a place of my own in quite some time. This one here is styled after the first one.

[ her parents' house in hampstead. indeed, the very style is English, not too gaudy but stylish. ]

Come now, it's unbearable outside. Help yourself.

[ there's a jar of iced tea on the counter. she reaches behind her for a glass before handing it to him. ]

-- Thank you. It would be a lot harder on my own.

[ she might be reluctant to admit it but it's nonetheless true. ]

a.

[winscenario]

[ The clatter just outside the door is a lot less recognizable than the breathed curse that comes after. In a mix of curiosity and concern, Jim makes his way over to open the door, peering outside to find Peggy trying to manage a few boxes too many, and currently gathering things back into one of those boxes that had been dropped to the floor. ]

You definitely look like you should have someone giving you a hand.

[ Rather than wait, though, he steps outside and crouches next to her, helping her gather her things back into the box. ]

Moving?

[mannerism]

Should, would, could, captain.

[ but as it seems, peggy carter isn't the sort of woman to go knocking on doors searching for insistence. instead, she tries to carry far too much and on her usual pair of heels, too.

she does give him a tight, grateful smile when he picks up the clutter. ]

Indeed. I found a rather fitting spot downtown. It's a short ride on the GroundTram, really. A bit more challenging with the luggage.

[winscenario]

Oh, that's nice. We've been thinking of moving too, but we haven't actually started looking yet.

[ It doesn't immediately occur to him that Peggy might not know who is the 'we' he's talking about, so he doesn't think to clarify. ]

I've got an hour or two to kill. If you'd like some company, I can lend you a hand with at least some of your things.

[mannerism]

Are you going to make me guess who you might be referring to by 'we'? Mind you, those might get somewhat creative.

[ her guesses, that is. ]

Two hands, I hope. Take the lamp, would you. we don't have a long journey.

[winscenario]

[ He grins faintly and shakes his head. ] I wouldn't make you go that far. I meant me and my boyfriend. Leonard McCoy— maybe you've met him?

[ Jim watches for any trace of recognition. While Bones isn't nearly as sociable and outgoing as he is, he's not a recluse by any means either, and he can often be plenty friendly and charming when he wants to.

Picking up the lamp, he nods down the hallway. ] Lead the way.

d

[buildsomething]

It's sushi without the fish. [The answer is given promptly and somewhat distractedly, and only after does Tony register exactly who asked it. He turns a little to blink at her and doesn't quite go still. Ah.

He hasn't been avoiding Peggy, exactly, but only because it's not quite avoiding when you don't know where to find them in the first place. But he hasn't really been looking, either. If there's anything that could get him to put his head down and try to process, it's finding out that he'd been accidentally not-quite-flirting with someone he'd known when he was five.

But she's here now, and Tony's not idiot enough to just turn and head in the opposite direction, as much as part of him might want to. The other, bigger part of him does genuinely want to talk to her.

She looks so young.

So he clears his throat and offers her a smile he hopes isn't as awkward as it feels.]

Ms Carter.

[mannerism]

Surely most of the women you invite on a night out have the luxury of being on a first-name basis.

[ she hopes, go knows howard never quite remembered them all. she shifts a bit, placing her purse to her left, making room for him to sit. she's not going to invite him verbally and indeed, the result is not that of a request. it seems as if she expects him to join her. ]

I'm not calling you Mr. Stark.

[buildsomething]

[He barely manages not to wince at the reminder, but Tony helps himself to the emptied seat like he knows exactly what's expected of him.]

Now that would just be weird. Peggy. [It's hard not to add the automatic Aunt to the front of her name, but he has no idea how she'd take it. Not hard to remember that this isn't quite the woman he sort-of remembers, not with her looking three decades younger.]

Anything else you need me to explain?

[mannerism]

Oh come now, it happened. Nothing to do about it but press onward.

[ and pretend it never happened 90% of the time. that sounds like a plan, doesn't it? she looks at the menu before passing him another. ]

You promised me a drink, I'll take it. Choose something. I don't like wine and I detest all these sugary things people still refer to as cocktails.

[ an indignant huff ]

What's a tortilla?

[buildsomething]

It's a type of flat bread made from corn.

[That part, at least, is easy.

He can't keep from studying her, probably more intently than is polite, the menu forgotten by his elbow.]

So...can I ask what the last thing you remember was? From before you got here.