(1943-09-22) Settling In
Settling In
Summary: Lillie shows Alice in to her new lodgings.
Date: 1943-09-22
Related: NA
Players:
alice..lucietta..

Ellis Residence, Higsby
Sat Sep 22, 1943


To enter this cozy home is to step a well-loved space. Having never been married and with no children of her own to raise, Ms. Josephine Ellis poured all of her affection into her living space. The level of fastidiousness is not intimidating in the manner of a strict cleaning regime, but rather the sheer care taken to make sure all of the rooms are tidy, decorations tastefully placed, and with no shortage of comforts for the many visitors that have come through. Even in her advanced years, somehow the former teacher manages to keep up. These days she has help.

The layout of this minimal Tudor cottage, built sometime in the early 1900's, is simple and charming. Two storeys: the downstairs with its kitchen and pantry, den, bathroom and one moderately-sized bedroom. Ascending a narrow staircase, one shall find another bedroom, a smaller spare room and closet space. An opening in the ceiling, reachable by ladder, leads to a small attic.

While not luxuriant, the decor and accents in the home range from antiques such as lamps to china and stoneware. Handmade throw blankets are readily available and curtains soften the many windows. The scent is what one would expect of a house such as this: the mellow wood of the home's 'old bones', some manner of baking, fruit, and the barest hint of a subtle floral perfume.

Weather:
It is fall. The weather is warm and overcast.

===

The good thing about running the show yourself is that you're perfectly capable of making your own hours. To live in a boarding house does not quite operate in the same vein as renting a room or part of a house. When one is ready to 'move in', be it on the first of the month, the 15th or heck… the 17th 20th or 21st… it's all good. Hence, when a one Alice Godley — Lillie's (and Josie's) first tenant — was ready to secure a room at the new boarding house? She had the pick of days to choose from! Its on a night-by-night basis and for month-long stays, those nights are added up cumulatively. So really? It's all good.

Lillie O'Clery, after setting a time with the starlet, would be waiting patiently on the pretty little porch of the homestead. She has the keys resting in her lap and she is surprised at the amount of trepidation she feels at admitting her second tenant. It was different housing Dot; the Walker woman wasn't too picky on whether or not the house was finished and it was a delicate situation. With the werewolf back on the mountain and the house officially ready, Lillie is suddenly anxious as to whether or not things are 'good' enough. (Of course, they are; she had excellent contractors!)

The gentle Empath looks upwards and toward Pine Street, set a short ways away at the end of a pretty flower-lined walkway which branches off of the sidewalk flanking the main street. She waits for any sign of Alice arriving.

Alice is running a little late - she's a starlet, she's been /trained/ to be a little late - and when she appears around the corner, she is carrying a large suitcase in each hand and a pack over her back. Thankfully, she has dressed for comfort; flat shoes, slacks, shirt, jacket. Yet, as always, make-up and hair are perfect.

A smile as she spots her anxious friend on the porch, waving with her chin since her hands are occupied. "This is the place then? Or do you like hanging around on the neighbor's porch" she teases while making her way up to the house itself. "Very pretty. This should do fine." A glance to the houses on each side. "What are the neighbors like?"

Few can pull that off! Lillie looks like a drudge, even in pretty clothes, when she has to lug anything heavy. Then there's Alice who, even looking fetching and every bit the Hollywood star, can lug suitcases and packs and heaven knows what else and still have perfect hair. c.c

Spying a moving body out of the corner of her eye and hearing Alice's voice, Lillie quickly looks her way. A testament to her quick mind: she hitches onto the statement meant in jest and runs with it. "I sure do enjoy haunting porches. This one hasn't put the run to me yet." Said with a genuinely cheerful smile and Lillie, an old soul at heart, rises to her feet and smoothes her skirts to receive anyone who comes calling. She is well-put-together today after a day with Tilda: a dark blue everyday dress with darts and tucks in the waist, scalloped neckline, cream-colored cardigan over the shoulders to maintain modesty. Hair? Braided and cinched off with a matching blue ribbon. Her cloud is parked 'round back. c.c

Lillie pads to the top of the stairwell leading up onto the porch and extends an arm to take a suitcase or the like to help out. "They're ok.. mixed bag. To the left is Mr. and Mrs. Bell.. they keep to themselves. Right? Mr. and Mrs. Bishop.. very nosey."

"It's okay, I've got them" Alice smiles at the offer of help with the suitcases. "Almost done anyway" she adds before dropping the cases onto the porch. A roll of her shoulders as she looks from house to house. "Nosey? Oh…wonderful. That will do wonders for my…lifestyle." A smile quickly reforms. "But what would you expect from a small town? You look lovely today, Lillie. Have a caller after you're done here?" A warm, teasing smile for her friend before her attention is back on the house. "You fixed it up yourself?"

Then Lillie, bless her heart, offers in a near-whisper: "Anything.. else, persay… see to it after 6pm. They've dinner and other things to keep their bobbing heads out of their windows for an hour or two." Cripes, is she speaking from experience?! IF one only knew.

A reassuring smile then, only to dissolve into a blush. "Caller..? Oh, no.. n-no.. I've no time, I'm afraid. I've been an elderly woman' gofer all day and heaven forbid I show up dressed like something that rode in on the rails." Lillie laughs gently, clearly accustomed to teasing. From whom, one might ask…?

She, too, turns her green eyes toward the house, "I did what I could, but steered clear lest I get in the way. I organized the logistics of additional bedding, amenities, comforts.. but I hired help in getting the bones set to rights and repaired. The house was in a bad way, almost a year ago." Explained as she slides the key into the deadbolt.

Alice's eyes go wide at the advice on the right time to sneak someone into the house. "Lillie!" she says with a mock gasp. "And you seem like such an innocent angel. I never would have guessed." A wink as she now grins at her friend. "You and I need to have chats. Inside I suspect."

"Which elderly woman is this?" Alice asks, curious. "I doubt you would ever be confused for something that rode in on the rails" she assures Lillie. "Where did you find the manpower? Aren't most of the men away at the war. Though, now I think of it, there seem to still be plenty around here. Odd."

The mock gasp brings a shy smile to the Empath's features, "I was a big city girl who hadn't accustomed to the way of life in a small town. I've.. learned my lesson, however." A brief explanation behind her 'be careful around these hours' bit. There's a glitter of wry amusement to those green eyes as she opens the deadbolt with slick 'ka-chunk' and pushes the newly painted door open. The breath of immaculately-cared-for homestead exhales upon the two, bearing notes of fresh paint and new wood. Lillie steps aside to allow Alice to precede her, eyes watching the blonde with a touch of nervousness as she is yet anxious to see what she thinks.

The decor of the interior is a marriage of early 1900s to the more modern 1940s (seen moreso in light fixtures and colors) … in the foyer, a sort of segmented closet in which one section has already been assigned for the starlet's outerwear.

"Matilda Barnes.. she lives over Butler way. I've been in her employ since a year and a half, now. I look in on her most mornings. Then I'm here." A blush. "Then home. My days are… embarrassingly full." Admitted before she continues, "I have been hiring Walker kin." Said easily, now that the door is closed.

The scents hit Alice as she enters the house, carrying her suitcases so they are now left inside next to the door. "I do like that new paint smell" she sighs, peering around with her bright blue eyes. "Very rustic" she adds in an approving way. "Very…homey." Alice wasn't always an L.A. girl. She opens the closet and seems to approve of the space available.

Alice looks to Lillie with a concerned look. "You don't live here? Oh…I thought we were going to be housemates." A shrug. "Though I guess that gives me the whole house to myself. Hmm…I wonder what type of parties this town can deal with?" A pause. "I'm teasing. I will keep them quiet…ish."

Alice steps into the lounge room to look around. "Kitchen this way?" she asks, gesturing towards a door. "What is it with those Walkers? Shouldn't they be in the army?"

Whew. Lillie seems to relax some, her eyes roving the space thoughtfully as Alice takes the place in. Meanwhile the Empath's perusal, it reveals to her who — exactly — worked on what section of the house. Green eyes surmise Clifton's work on some of the molding, whereas the kitchen? Cabinets? Clyde. Garden beds prepared for the season ahead? Done before Dot was ready to pop. Some of the finishing painting, especially in the den? Jesse and Wolf.

Walkers everywhere.

Lillie smiles however, "Keep them quiet and clean up when you're done. We are slated to have one more tenant at the end of the month, but he travels often. He needs a home base and this shall be it.. he shall not be an issue for you. Otherwise you've run of the place." The Empath offers casually, not seeming too concerned. "Your go-to party place happens to be the Gallows, or any one of the lots out on the back roads." How does she know this? c.c

"Just ahead," Lillie nods toward the hallway leading toward said kitchen and takes it upon herself to walk toward the room. She pauses very briefly at Alice's latter question. "They are a.. mysterious sort. Hard workers but tight-lipped. I have since learned to respect their space, and in exchange… I received some fine workmanship. The town is too hard on them."

Alice nods about the Walkers as she follows Lillie into the kitchen. "The Gallows where we first met? Isn't that a diner? That is party central?" This town surprises her every day. "Don't worry, I won't be too rowdy. Oh…a man will be staying her too? We have separate bathrooms?"

Alice checks out the kitchen. "I haven't been in one of these for a long time" she smirks. "My mother could cook. Me…I was more interested in playing football. I'll make sure I don't bother the Walkers as well. You really know everyone in this town, Lillie. You're a good person to know. For a lot of reasons. My room is upstairs?"

The Empath pauses in the kitchen, looking with some measure of surprise at the lovely blonde. "Diner?" Blink. Gaze. Suddenly Lillie tosses back her head into a melodic spat of laughter, "No no darling… the Gallows is a bar. Not at all fancy, either. It gets awfully rowdy on Friday nights and has witnessed its fair share of madness. It's like a beacon for trouble, I hate to say. It takes a tough nut like Frank to keep to going." A slow smile as her eyes glitter, considering something.

The kitchen has, perhaps, undergone the brunt of renovations. It is a modern (by 40s standards) space with solid-colored curtains, clean appliances and even a cavernous pantry that has been stocked with the nonperishable basics. Lillie, however, moves to a competently humming GE fridge and pulls open the massive door.

Easing her slender body into the cold maw of the new-ish fridge, Lillie pulls back with a bottle of red wine. She holds it up with a tiny waggle, as if in offering, though her expression softens. "I apologize for my not staying here.. but I will be here often and easy to contact. There is a full bathroom upstairs, which is where I shall place you. Jeff remains downstairs and he gets the smaller one. He will not give you a lick of trouble… I pray that does not discomfort you?"

Alice's smile at the bottle of wine suggests it is a very good idea that they partake. "As long as he doesn't 'accidentally' intrude on my bathing, I am sure I can live with a man downstairs." A pause. "If you pardon the expression. If he proves to be any trouble, I know where to kick him" she smiles sweetly. "Should I go upstairs and have a look at my room? After the wine is poured."

The woman laughs gently, "I considered making this space a haven for ladies only. But I shall have you know that I've… a way of seeing to it that people have good intentions at heart when they pay rent to me." Said in complete seriousness with nary a giggle or fidget. A soft clearing of the throat, "I've befriended a few of the Walkers and they would be hard-pressed to see their work, here, be damaged or disrespected by an unruly tenant. So it is a safe place." She knows this.. oh, how she knows. Green eyes watch Alice's face for a moment, hopeful that the young woman won't reconsider or turn tail. Talk of kicking poor sweet Jeff in the button only loosens another light laugh as she seeks out the corkscrew to open the bottle. "You needn't worry. He's as gentle as a lamb."

Pop! Out comes the cork. Lillie pours the winking, dark liquid and sets Alice's glass down upon a table. "Go check it out and let me know if you're ok with it.. there are two others if it's not your pick. It's closest to the bathroom."

"He will be even gentler after I've kicked him" Alice winks, taking the wine and breathing in its aroma before enjoying a sip. "Not too bad" she allows before glancing towards the staircase. "Fifty dollars a month? That's quite a bit of money, Lillie. If it wasn't you, I wouldn't even be thinking about it. But I am sure you will make it worth every penny." With that she sashays up the stairs to check out her bedroom.

"It's not the best vintage." Lillie admits, giving the glass a light sniff. As the starlet mounts the staircase and speaks of costs, Lillie blushes deeply. "Actually—" A beat, and an earnest admittance. "It's cheaper than what was advertised. I have to get some revised flyers…. it's all growing pains, you see. I had to talk to Josie and get things adjusted to smaller town living." A soft chuckle as she stands at the base of the stairwell, looking down at her wine. "She is living in a larger city now and has bore witness to the rents offered there. It's… more along the lines of forty per month. Just a little over a dollar and a quarter per day, depending. No lease." The Empath offers helpfully. "I hope that helps with your budgeting."

"Big cities are ridiculously expensive" Alice calls back down the stairwell. "It's a nice big room!" she adds. "Forty a month…I won't argue a cheaper rate." There is a smile in her voice at that. "This will do just fine, Lillie. It's pretty killer diller. No lease you say? I hope that doesn't mean you'll kick me out at a moment's notice." Alice reappears at the top of the stairs, her glass empty. "Will you keep the room for me if I need to travel? I'll still pay of course. Maybe reduced rates?"

The Empath is not the sort to tail and follow others, leaving them to explore at their necessity. Alice shall find what is indeed a beautifully appointed room, made up for a single occupant with a double bed, new bed dressings and the necessities in the form of a dresser, closet, escritoire and a stand-up tiffany lamp set into a corner like a sentinel. It smells clean and well-cared-for. Little does Alice know, this room once belonged to the woman who owns the house, still.

"I would never kick you out. It is simply for you to come and go as you need to. Provided people respect the space, I am certainly willing to flex to make things work. The room is yours, even when you must be apart, so long as you pay a rate. If you're not here using utilities, you needn't pay the whole forty." Lillie smiles thoughtfully, sipping her wine. "Reduced, indeed. We are a small town and this house follows suit with small town ideals. This is your home for however long, Alice." Said kindly as she, too, drains the liquid.

"Celebratory refill?" She sings up the stairs.

"At least two celebratory refills" Alice grins as she gracefully descends the staircase. "I'll take it" she formally adds before heading for the kitchen and the wine. "I'll try not to mess up the place too much. Oh, you don't expect me to do any gardening or anything, do you? I might be an active girl but I have a black thumb. The Rose Society of America has banned me from touching any of their plants. It'll be hard enough trying to figure out the kitchen again."

The Empath follows along after Alice, her footsteps near-silent. She moves like a young woman who is completely, wholly accustomed to a space even after having long since moved out. A hand reaches out here-and-there to touch a static (ie. unchanging) portion of the decor here-and-there: an original piece of furniture that remained, for example. Lillie has a lot of heart for this house even still. The two re-enter the kitchen and the Irish woman up-ends the bottle, pretty much filling her glass and Alice's. She looks ponderous, lips stained red already from the drink.

"You needn't worry about the upkeep of the yard. I will be by here-and-there to check the boxes, and I will hire help once a month or so to spruce things up as needed. But it is on you to master the kitchen to keep yourself fed." She sips, looks up over the rim of the glass with a mischievous glimmer in her green eyes, "The Sisters diner is a few blocks away as well."

"You made mention of favoring football, Alice? Sports in general? I am curious as to what else you enjoy doing."

Alice nods to the information about nearby diners…this is important information. A smile at how filled the glasses are before she takes hers and enjoys a sip. "A gardener would be a good idea. What a shame it will be winter. He will have to keep his shirt on" she teases. "Football. Baseball. A little basketball. All the things that had my mother in tears when I returned home with scuffed knees and torn blouses." A shrug. "It is who I am."

"I heard rumors that Higsi were even thinking about putting in a team for that new women's baseball league. I would do that in a heartbeat" Alice grins. "I'm not sure I would be very good but I would definitely play. Besides, it can't hurt to have a little glamor around." A wiggle of her eyebrows showing she is teasing rather than completely egocentric. "I also like performing. Singing. Dancing. Acting, of course. Careful, Lillie, you're asking the same questions as one of those Lonely Heart Advertisements in the back of the paper."

The Empath listens with interest, and giggles softly to herself at the starlet's latter statement, "I would be hard-pressed to ever send in such a missive to a paper. Imagine the poor sod to be saddled with me. Enjoys moonlit walks, talks of the paranormal, dirt and wildlife." She won't make mention of her other 'weird' traits. Alice is far more interesting. Lillie swirls the liquid around in her glass as she pushes a heavy chunk of her brownish-red hair over a shoulder, "You are so fortunate to remain true to yourself and what you like. My mother will have dropped through the floor were I to come to her wanting to involve myself with sports. So I admire you for this."

A dawning of a realization, "Ah! It's fact! I think there was a posted flyer at the community hall, calling for all interested ladies for a baseball league. Lord knows I know this from the old girls beaking off about it, wondering what the world is coming to. I hope there were some signatures. You should check it out. I thought I saw a local name or two." Admitted next as she sips.

"Forgive my being so curious. My life is pretty… busy, you see. Not at all glamourous. I live vicariously through stories." Said with a smile. She's understating herself terribly.

"I think you have quite the interesting life, Lillie. All that spooky stuff. I want to hear all about that" Alice grins in reply before another sip of her wine. "And you don't think my mother dropped through the floor? I would hate to think where I would be if I hadn't been taken away to Hollywood. Miserable with children, probably." A little shiver of horror at the thought of that.

"It sounds like I need to sign up for that team then" Alice replies with determination. "I suppose the war will never force America to have a lady's football team. That is probably a step too far. Shame." Another sip of her wine before a warm smile for her landlady. "You are /very/ glamorous, Lillie, though if you want me to help make you up one night. Nails are only the beginning."

Talk of children seems to soften the edges of Lillie's smile some, though it's hard to peg the expression. She's too busy to be a mother, she tells herself; that's it. But she's making herself too busy. "Mayhaps then they will have both dropped through the floor to that little echelon, reserved somewhere in the depths, for shocked mothers. Took tea together. Lamented. Well, it is written in the cards then.. sign up for that league. Whom would it hurt? I will come watch one evening." Said in a chipper way as she sips, and sips. Not much of a dent in her countenance though.. it's either the Irish blood or lack of bite in the wine. Lillie looks happy though.

Talk of glamour warrants another blush, "I.. I don't know. I haven't much cause to get done up, though it would please Tilda…" Pause, clarification: "My charge. But it could be fun. You are a brave woman to suggest such an undertaking. You might find vines in my hair." Said laughingly, "I would be all for trying."

"If there are vines in your hair then we shall make you up to be a spirit of the woods" Alice smiles. "Halloween is coming up. I think a beautiful woodland nymph would suit you well. It is almost what you are already. And I fully expect you to support the team…if not be in it."

Alice drains the rest of her wine before placing a sympathetic hand on Lillie's arm. "You get done up to make a cause" she whispers with a wink. "You don't think the boys won't notice you looking like a million dollars? Just let me know when we can have some dress up fun. I better unpack. Thanks again for the roof over my head."

Blush blush blush. Were Lillie to bat for Alice's team — and NOT re: baseball — she would be doomed! All that is at work here, though, is a sort of shyness. It's as if she cannot quite comprehend receiving the attention of a Hollywood starlet! Someone glamorous and hardy! But despite herself, despite that sort of will deep in her gut that protects a secret with her life as to why she is unmarried and childless… Lillie feels excitement at the prospect of a bit of fun, even if to look as fetching as Alice for a time.

"I would love that.. just for a spot of fun, truly. A change of pace, but—" She offers to collect both glasses when empty, to clean up, ".. please, go get settled. Unpack. Make this your space. I promise that the other tenant shall not be a bother for you.. I…" She leans in to whisper; she smells of a fine, delicate floral perfume and ivory soap. ".. I think he favors books moreso than the fairer sex." Said affectionately.. Jeff is safe and, alas… dull.

"I am glad you are here, Alice. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you." Said as she makes to set the kitchen to rights. That wine is kinda weak. c.c

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