[for thomas]

[adifferentlife]

Sybil remembers a time in her life where she thought she'd never manage idleness again. Where work had given her a purpose, and begun to fill her days in a way that she'd never imagined before that. Here, it is only moreso; between school, the hospital, and time with Henri, it often seems there are not the hours in the day that she'd like. It has meant that some things fell to the wayside, especially in the first few months with Henri. One of those things were her friendships, and as spring makes itself better known, she promises again to not take for granted the people who are important to her any longer.

It's why she's asked Thomas is he wants to join her for lunch. She picked a cafe in a quiet alleyway, near the centre of the city. It's been too long since they've had more than a few words, that she's done more than asked about his health, and TJ's. It will be nice to have some time to spend with one another, she thinks, ordering a glass of wine and settling in to wait.

Comments

[fightyourcorner]

He'd been running just a tad late-- unusual business for a former under butler, accustomed to being punctual. But life ran on a different sort of schedule, in Darrow, and he'd left the flat a bit later than he'd intended.

"Started without me, I see," Thomas said, lips curled into a teasing smirk as he wove his way through the clutter of tables to claim the seat across from her.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

[adifferentlife]

She smiles brightly when she sees him, his presence a welcome reminder of a life that she still misses from time to time. Though it’s less pronounced now, with all that she’s built here in Darrow, she still feels it sometimes. Thomas is a connection to that life, and she does appreciate that, though their relationship is now markedly different.

“Not long.” She’s had a class that morning, but has no work this afternoon, so a glass of wine with lunch feels almost like a treat. “My class finished early, otherwise you might have been the one waiting.”

[fightyourcorner]

"Classes are going well?" Thomas inquired, and while it might've seemed a rather impersonal pleasantry, he was genuinely curious.

Their waitress was quick to hurry over, pad in hand, and he ordered his own glass of wine.

[adifferentlife]

"Very. Only another few weeks, and then I'll have my nursing exams. We're revising for those, now." She's excited and eager to complete them, having spent most of two entire years studying her in Darrow. "It seems strange, I've spent longer working for this than I have anything in my life."

[fightyourcorner]

"Since you arrived here, it's been what? Nearly two years?" Thomas said, tapping out a cigarette and preparing himself to defend his right to smoke out on the bloody sidewalk, if he wanted to, in the inevitable event a waitress hurried over to ask him to put it out. "That is quite a long time."

He lit his cigarette, exhaling a stream of smoke. "To be honest, I thought it a bit of a waste, when I first heard how much time you were investing in your studies here," he admitted, "I suppose I feel differently, now."

He'd made a life in Darrow, the same as she. He couldn't begrudge either of them the desire to make something of their time there.

[adifferentlife]

"It has been longer than I ever thought possible, I'll admit," she says, not taking any offense. It might have been a long time since their work at the hospital, but she'd felt a kinship with him then. But she doesn't know any other way to be be, other than to throw herself into the things she loves and believes in. "It filled the time, I suppose. And you, are you enjoying yourself?"

[fightyourcorner]

"I'm enjoying the change of pace. And T.J. seems to be settling. I've asked him to move into my apartment," Thomas admitted, knowing that sort of thing simply wasn't done, where they'd come from. Luckily for him, he didn't care.

"It seemed practical. He spent most of his time there, already."

[adifferentlife]

When her cheeks darken this time it's not because she disapproves, but because she's embarrassed for herself and how much what she thinks is right and proper has changed. "Henri and I have talked of the same," she admits very softly, not quite able to meet Thomas' gaze. "It seems we spend more time together than apart, as of late."

[fightyourcorner]

"Why Lady Sybil," he said, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips, "I'm surprised at you."

He was, to a certain extent. For all her rebellion, Sybil was a traditional sort. But he certainly wasn't scandalized by the idea. He'd never understood the societal need for such prudish discretion.

[adifferentlife]

"I know," she says, embarrassed and in part ashamed. She loves Henri completely and fully intends one day to marry him. It still makes the admission a difficult. One she never expected to make. Sybil glances up, sneaking a look to see if he's truly disappointed in her. "But he's unlike everyone I've ever known before."