| New Roommates |
| Summary: | Alice and Sasha meet, hit if off, and decide to become roomies! |
| Date: | 1942-01-06 |
| Related: | None |
| Players: |
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It is a cool and overcast winter day short after the new year has begun and Sasha is dressed in all black as she sits at bartop with a half drunken cup of cocoa and a half eaten bowl of soup in front of her. Since it is Friday, the soup of the day is chicken and dumpling and it is quite tasty as Sasha is bringing up another spoonful and daintily eating it. What is better than hot cocoa and warm soup to help you warm up on a cool day?
It may be cool to some but to Alice - California girl - it is freezing! She enters the diner wrapped up in a fur coat, a scarf and a knitted hat that is probably playing havoc with her carefully arranged hair. She heads straight for the counter. "Coffee. Large. Hot. Strong" she orders before delicately sitting upon one of the stools and shivering. "Why does anyone live here?" she complains to herself as she removes, reluctantly, her gloves before offering a smile to Sasha. "No offence" she adds.
Sasha looks over to Alice and says to her "I just moved here myself. America is the land of opportunity after all and I needed a change of scenery. It is much colder where I am from. So no offence is taken. I am Sasha Petrov. It is a pleasure to meet you miss?" she has a strong Russian (At that time Soviet Union) accent.
"You moved here? On purpose?" Alice finds that amusing before she offers her hand. "Alice. Alice Godley. And if my listening to really bad actors tells me anything, you sound…Russian? Petrov is also a giveaway. Mind if I smoke?" Her coffee arrives and she rummages through her pockets for some coins to pay for it. "And what opportunity are you after, Miss Petrov? Or is it Missus?"
Sasha takes to offered hand giving a firm yet gentle hand shake as she says "That I did. And I am from the Soviet Union yes. And I do not mind at all. I smoke myself from time to time, so feel free." She gets a cigarette of her own out, resting it between her lips and lighting it before she offers to light Alice's for her. After she takes a drag, she lets the smoke escape her lips as she says "It is Miss and I am apprenticing under Doctor Styne, have you had the pleasure of meeting him?"
Alice is happy for her cigarette to be lit for her, drawing in herself before blowing the smoke out to one side with all the grace and style she can muster. "Gosh I needed that" she sighs; she will leave her coffee to get a little cooler. A shake of her head. "I have not met, Doctor Styne, sorry. I haven't met many people. Those I do I usually end up insulting." A shrug at that before she removes her hat and checks out her hair in the mirror of her compact. "Apprentice? What do you apprentice in?"
Sasha takes another drag of her cigarette, tapping the ash into the ashtray as she listens and responds "I am an apprentice mortician. Following in my father's footsteps, my his soul rest in peace. How is it you end up insulting those you meet?" A hint of confusion upon her features.
"A mortician? How…charming" Alice smiles sweetly before shrugging to the question. "I think I'm a bit too…liberal…for this place. I'm not the kind of girl who sits around and waits to be given permission to speak or be involved. Seems that upsets a few people around here. Especially other women for some reason." Another drag of her smoke before she curls the smoke out between her ruby red lips. "I think that's a bit sad. Sorry to hear about your father."
Sasha giggles at Alice's pause and murmurs "That is the comment I get quite often but I am rather comfortable with the dead. And some people are set within certain… what is the word… customs." She takes a drag of their cigarette before she comments "I feel that sometimes change frightens people so they may react negatively to someone or something they are not accustomed to. And thank you for you concern. I also lost my mother. Part of why I needed a change of scenery."
"If there is nothing to keep you somewhere, then why stay" Alice nods. "I hope you enjoy the scenery here. I'm told that it is not always white but I have yet to see any proof. I expect that being a mortician must be an interesting job but I am not sure I could handle it. Surrounded by all that death. That old age." A little laugh. "I intend to live forever or die trying. So this Doctor Styne is the town mortician? How did you meet him?"
Sasha smiles to Alice as she says "I grew up with the profession in my life and it always fascinated me. Though I would imagine it is not for everyone. And I met Doctor Styne at his office actually and politely asked him if he would take me as an apprentice. He said yes though I only see him smile when his grand daughter is around, he is quite serious but understandably so. And the dead are great listeners in my opinion." And yes that opinion is rather morbid to say the least.
"I am sure they listen very well but how much advice do they give? I think you could say the same thing about this benchtop." Alice taps on the wood with her knuckles to add emphasis. "Though that is probably a horrible thing to say about the dead." She sighs softly. "Alice, you really need to learn to keep your mouth shut. Well I do hope it works out with the doctor." She braves a sip of her coffee. "Though be careful of serious people. There is nothing wrong with a little fun at work…as long as you don't dress up the bodies as clowns ofr something."
Sasha laughs softly as she says "I suppose you are correct however sometimes one does not want advice and just wants to vent. And it is correct, the dead can not talk back so it isn't an inaccurate statement. And I think it will he is fair with his treatment of me. I am new so we have to adjust to one another." She then sips upon her cocoa before she comments "I am quite serious about my work though. Making sure the family's wishes are carried out about there loved ones is something I feel helps with their comfort of their loss."
"Don't get me wrong, I think what you do is extremely important but that doesn't mean you can't have fun" Alice smiles sweetly before another sip of her coffee and then a drag on her cigarette, cheeks hollowing for a moment before the smoke slips out between her lips. 'So, what do you like to do for fun, Sasha? I am finding it very difficult to find any here though there is this woman I met, a negress, called Carilena. She is like a wandering entertainer, so you should seek her out. Has lots of animals too."
Sasha shrugs softly and says "I can have fun when I am not at work I think. I rather just focus upon work when I am there. I am a hint of a perfectionist. And for fun, I like to paint, sketch, read, dance, and cook. And I am quite fond of animals though cats are my favorite. What is it that you like to do to have fun that you have difficulty finding here?"
"Dancing would be fun for a start" Alice sighs. "Have a band playing here that isn't plucking banjos would be nice. Or just a band. Parties are non-existent as best I can tell though maybe it is because no one invites me? I like to think of myself as an actress too so maybe I should look into the local theater. And when the weather improves, I am sure that I'll go out hiking and all of that kind of thing. Though, of course, there is a war on so perhaps we shouldn't be having a good time at all. Were you in the war when you were in the Soviet Union? Is that what you are escaping?"
Sasha nods softly "Yes a bit. Wanting to get away from Stalin. Communism is rather… stifling. I much rather be somewhere I can be free to make my own decisions and away from the possibility of being ransacked. I was not in the war thankfully. I managed to avoid getting her, though it took some time and some work. Though with the war I imagine not many are celebrating many things."
"They may be celebrating being alive" Alice replies softly. "Not the happiest of conversations" she smirks, "But at least you got away from the horrors and have found yourself where you want to be. Maybe they should make a movie of your escape? Thrills. Action. Excitement. A heroine to root for. And a happy ending. Has everything an audience could ever want."
Sasha shakes her head no and says "I need not be publicized for such things. There are many who were not as luck as I to escape. And I mourn for them. Hope that they will survive not only the freeze winter but the side effects of the war. Certain things of my life I rather keep very private."
"We don't have to use your name. It could be 'based on a real story' or something along those lines. I will protect your privacy completely" Alice promises before shrugging. "It was just a thought. If you're ever in need of money then maybe I can help out by selling /a/ story and we won't mention your name at all. But that's for another time." She stuffs away her excitement at the idea - she could get an Academy Award out of this! "I apologise if I was too nosey."
Sasha shrugs softly and says "Let me think about it before someone starts to write a screenplay for it. And I am comfortable with my money and really am not in need of more. And it is alright. Dark haired strange woman in a diner. I am bound to have someone get nosey especially with my accent."
"Don't worry, blondes get peered at strangely in this town too" Alice assures Sasha with a little laugh. "If you want a friend, Ms Petrov, then consider it done. Us weirdos need to stick together after all. So where are you staying? With the Doctor? Won't people talk?"
Sasha laughs softly and says "I am staying at a local hotel for the time being while I find a place actually. I didn't think it would be proper to live with my mentor. That is just adding wood to the rumor fire which is something I wish to not have happen. I just need a small home for myself. Nothing extravagant. Only been in town a short while so still trying to find the perfect one."
"I'm staying at a bed and breakfast for now. They make me smoke on the porch and heaven forbid if I want to have a friend over in the evening. They will be shown the door on the dot of eight p.m." Alice sighs. "See what I mean about no parties? Let me know how you go with finding a house. I am not sure how long I am going to stay but to have some freedom would be nice."
Sasha ponders for a bit and says "I suppose having a housemate would not be so horrid if my assumption about what you are hinting at is correct. I just… have one rule once that happens. To not go into my room without my permission. Though I must warn. I have been told the things I like to collect are morbid and I tend to prefer to have black curtains in every room, though in yours that can be whatever color it is you wish.
"Oooh…what am I hinting at? Is it scandalous?" Alice smiles before drawing on her cigarette once more. "It's certainly an option, I guess. Cheaper for both of us. And it sounds like we both have open minds and respect for what other people are interested in so maybe it could work out until we both know what we want." She taps some ash into the ashtray. "Are you the kind of girl who has a lot of callers at night, Sasha?"
Sasha actually blushes at the question Alice asks and says "I… I have never actually had a caller. I am still with my virtue. I am old school in that fashion. As long as your guest respects the rules I will have no problem with you having them stay… late. I tend to focus so much on work I forget that men may be attracted to me. There was… Alec… but… once he saw my collection.. he said he couldn't court me anymore."
"I am sorry to have made you blush" Alice notes before a sip of her coffee. "And if you are more interested in work then so be it. Nothing wrong with that. And Alec sounds like an idiot…no offence. You're smart, interesting, beautiful, he was a fool to say such things. But, to be honest, it sounds like you are better off without him."
Sasha shrugs softly and comments "Worse things can happen than a simple blush dear Alice. And… I have a feeling my collections might weird you out as well. I am quite a flirt when it comes to men just. Wanting for the right one to court me before I allow him to be a caller of the night."
"So why don't we go and check out this collection before we agree to too much?" Alice suggests, draining her coffee and getting her gloves ready to tug on again. "And I don't mind flirting. Maybe you can teach me some new moves" she winks before stubbing out her cigarette. "Shall we…if you're not busy."
Sasha seems amused that Alice wants to see her collection and says "Alright but don't say I didn't warn you what others have said about it being morbid." She has already finished her meal and paid for it so she is rising to her feet as she says "We can indeed go now."
Alice slips on her gloves and hat as Sasha gets organised. "I wish they would invent a warm hat that does not ruin hairstyles" she sighs before gesturing for Sasha to lead the way. "You have me curious about this collection."
Sasha laughs softly and says "Perhaps one day they shall but I know not." She then leads Alice to a hotel within town and up to here room where there is a trunk that obviously does not belong to the hotel. She walks over to it and looks to Alice as she says "Alright… I hope you have a strong stomach." She opens the trunk and begins to take out a large mason jar with a two headed pig inside of it and holds it up to show it to Alice as she asks "Are you sure you wish to see the rest?"
"Oh" is Alice's first reaction at the sight in the jar but then she is pursing her lips in consideration rather than running in terror. She reaches out to tap the jar with a fingernail - hopefully it won't spring to life. "Definitely I want to see more." She removes her hat once more as well as her coat to reveal pants and blouse underneath. "So why do you keep them?"
Sasha smiles as Alice doesn't run in fear and sets the jar carefully upon the desk as she says "They are the wonderous oddities of biology. They fascinate me honestly." The next jar is of a fetal sheep with 6 legs which she places onto the desk, the next a cat with three eyes, and last but not lest a bunny with 4 ears. She then begins to pull out some rather intricate jewelry and offers it over for Alice to hold "I also collect these."
The oddities are certainly interesting in a sideshow kind of way. "So these are all real?" she asks as she peers from one to another. "There are some people who create these kinds of things for show but you're a mortician, I expect you'd know." And then something a little more feminine. "Very nice" the blonde smiles as she delicately takes the jewelry into her hands. "What do you make them from?" Her smile disappears as she looks at Sasha with some concern. "Please don't say sheep's intestines."
Sasha nods before she says "Yes the animals were born like this and died shortly after. And these aren't created. I prefer authenticity." She laughs at the sheep intestines and says "I didn't make the jewelry it was either bought for me or gifted to me. Mostly by my father. Nothing weird about the jewelry. There are just stones found in the ground and polished very well."
"Well they are certainly very nice. And no doubt a wonderful memory of your father" Alice smiles before handing it back even more delicately since it has such resonance with the Russian. "I'm afraid my career is based on artifice though I like to think I bring some authenticity to it. If I need to fire a gun then I learn to fire one. Need to swim a raging river, then I learn to be a good swimmer. That kind of thing." She looks around at the jars again. "If this is all you have to frighten me off then I guess we can try and be housemates."
Sasha smiles happily as she says "They are yes. I had no siblings so I never wanted for anything really." Her hands carefully taking her jewelry back and setting it back into the trunk, just as she does the jars, one but one. She smiles as she says "It is all I display so you need not worry your pretty self Alice."
"Oh…something worse that you don't display? I really am intrigued" Alice smirks wickedly before finding an edge of a desk to sit upon. "I don't have an awful lot of money but I will pay my way. Though I am, sort of, in hiding. There was a bit of a scandal so I need to lay low for a while. That okay with you?"
Sasha laughs a bit and says "They can be dangerous in the wrong hands is why. How good are you at keeping secrets?" She begins to slowly rise as she closes the chest. She then looks curiously to Alice as she asks "What sort of sandal is it you need to stay hidden away from?"
"I guess we both have secrets to keep" Alice smiles, "So that means I am very good at keeping yours if you keep mine. As for my scandal…" A shrug. "Let's just say that a well-known actor tried to get to know me a little too well. It got messy. My agent is just waiting for it to blow over and he sent me here to talk to a friend of his. Who I have yet to find."
Sasha ahs softly and says "I see. Pity he decided to over step his bounds with you but sometimes men think with the head below their waist." She then goes over to one of the drawers and grabs out something wrapped in a shirt and begins to reveal a book written in Russian as she says "This is just one of my spell books." Her fingertips put over the cover before she looks to Alice "I'm a witch."
"A witch?" There is a half a laugh from Alice before she realises that Sasha is serious. Maybe it is a Russian thing? She looks at the book but makes no move to touch it. "So you can cast spells? Like in the kind of movies I'm usually in?" Now she does laugh. "Now wouldn't that be ironic." She reaches out to gently touch Sasha's hand. "Being a witch does not bother me either. It's all rather interesting actually."
Sasha smiles as she says "I do cast spells yes. Though I doubt you read Russian so thankfully unless someone else can they won't know what this book or the others actually are. But I am glad that it does not bother you."
"As long as you don't turn me into a toad" Alice points out with a teasing smile before shaking her head. "No, I can't read Russian. And I don't think I want to learn now" she notes. "I shall do my best not to interrupt your rituals with loud music." A sigh. "Though I suppose I should be getting back to the B and B before they lock the doors."
Sasha laughs a bit "I have no reason to do so, nor do I see that happening in the future. If you don't mind sleeping next to another woman, you can stay the night here with me. And I can handle loud music. I concentrate rather well and in case you are entertaining would help muffled my words truth be told."
"I don't mind one little bit sleeping next to another woman" Alice assures Sasha with a wry smile. "Let's hope the hotel doesn't mind and want to charge you double. I don't even have my record player with me, alas. In town I mean. I wonder if there is a store here I can buy one from. Or at least a radio."
Sasha shrugs softly and says "If they do for the night it is fine. But I do doubt that they will. And I am sure that there is though I went to the diner this afternoon when I was hungry and have not explored much in the stores of the area I must admit."
"I am afraid I have not found much in the way of stores so far" Alice sighs. "I have to remember I am not in L.A. anymore." A quick glance around the room. "How about I try and find us a bottle of champagne to celebrate the beginnings of what I hope will be a firm friendship. Or at least some wine." She grabs her coat. "Hopefully they will let me back in."
Sasha nods at her words and says "Just tell them you are coming to bring me something if they give you trouble, they seem to like me well enough here. And I am fine with either wine or champagne."