Closing Time

[Sapphy]

"Yes, please," Sapphy smiled. "...If you don't mind me asking, why don't you tell him the truth?"

[Stagey]

"The truth?" She mulled it over, pouring some of the still-warm tea into Sapphy's cup and refilling hers as well. A chipped, mismatched tea set, but it always gave Stagey a sense of being a real hostess when the moment called for it. "I'd tell him the truth, if the truth didn't change from day to day."

It was a combination of the late night, the still-pattering rain, and the long hours she kept: the perfect recipe for honesty. She let it spill. "The truth is that I think I fell in love with him from the day he found me, when we were little. Didn't know what love was then... I don't even think I know what it is now, but it makes me warm and happy." Her warmth changed to quiet frustration. "But when I see him with plans of his own, going through life as though I were only a bump along his path, I rather hate him for it. If I told him that I cared, he'd snicker or something, say it was puppy love, ruffle my hair, and never speak of it again." She signed. "And it would embarrass me for the rest of my life."

[Tree]

((Just popping by to say how much I have missed reading all the adorable fluffiness of Jack and Stagey's relationship. <3))

[Stagey]

((They were so made for each other. Too bad Jack never seems to get a clue. But then, he sided with Sarah, so that's indicative of his judgement right there. <3))

[Sapphy]

Sapphy considered this. Maybe two years ago, she was a lover of love; she chased the boys as much as they chased her. But ever since her family thought of the idea of the west, her desire for that connection was replaced by her new boyfriend: California. ((Dedicate this one to you, Rae.))

"Well, I know I'm not the best to give advice in this department -- gave up on love a while ago for my dream... And not to mention, a few rocky relationships from the past. But, you don't know for sure, do you, that he'll react like that. You could take a chance -- lay it out, even say why you've been scared to tell him. He seems like a decent guy. I'm sure he won't avoid you if it goes awry. ...But that's me. I don't like to beat around the bush."

[Stagey]

"Then I'm jealous of you," she said with a decisive nod, eyes shining with good-natured envy. "I've battled my whole life around the bush. I'd have you tell Jack for me, but I guess that'd be even more silly." But if she had enough bribing money, she'd offer it - anything to save face in the likely event that Jack would laugh at her for having such dopey feelings.

[Sapphy]

"I'd do it in a heartbeat if I thought it was the right thing to do. But it isn't. He needs to hear it from you, in your own time."

[Stagey]

"You're right," she said instantly, shoulders slumping, bringing her chin over her folded arms. "He deserves to know," she decided, setting her tea cup down. "What's it like, living in the lodging house?" Stagey had only known this small backstage room as a living space and often wondered what it was like for another girl, living in such a crowded, noisy space.

[Sapphy]

Sapphy shrugged.

"It's a place to sleep and have a roof over my head. Couldn't ask for more. I'm not picky."

[Stagey]

"Yes, I've heard that much." From Jack, Sapphy, and any newsie she happened to know. "But it's so different from what I'm used to that I can't help but ask anyone I meet." She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

[Sapphy]

"You could try it sometime," Sapphy suggested. "I mean, sell for a day and everything. Get the whole 'carryin' the bannah' experience. It's a fine life and all, don'tcha know?" She nearly choked on her own spit when she first heard a newsie say that -- without a hint of sarcasm -- this life was rough as hell.

[Stagey]

((Reh heh heh...))

"I can't even speak in front of a group of three or more people," she murmured, laughing in spite of herself. "I can bet my boot's buttons that I couldn't spout improvised headlines and get paid to do it. You know, Jack's always asked me if I want to try it sometime... I just don't think I could."

[Sapphy]

"Well, how do you know 'til you try?" Sapphy shrugged. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm a horrible saleswoman. But I still make a profit."

[Stagey]

"I'll leave it to the professionals," she conceded, pausing to light another gas lamp. The damp, dark air made everything feel a little more dungeon-like in her little backstage room. "If you ever get tired of it, I'm sure Medda would love the extra help here. It's all right if you don't sew much," she offered. "I still help with painting backdrops, tidying up the place..." She shrugged. "That is, if you ever get tired of working off commission."

[Sapphy]

Sapphy smiled, so grateful.

"That'd be amazing, Stagey. Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

((Okay, let's wrap this up and start a new one because Stagey and Sapphy NEED to talk about Jack in the kitchen!!))