Hattie's Shop

[Administrator]

Clothes, snacks, trinkets; pretty much anything can be found here. Run by a nice old man who'll gladly help, if you need it.

[zoo]

Zoo was tired. The trip from Boston had been long and miserable. It was only early afternoon and she felt like she wanted to crawl into bed in whatever form it took, probably at the lodging house she'd stayed at before. Singing at Irving Hall seemed like such a distant memory anymore. Being in New York was bittersweet: she knew every nook and cranny of Boston, but New York still held so many mysteries. Home was in shambles - New York was seemingly the same. She stepped on the cigarette she had been smoking before she went into the store and breathed one last, dusty breath, taking the aesthetic all in again.

"Do you need help finding anything? Candy's just a penny!" An older gentleman almost beat the bell to welcoming a new customer. The comic timing made Zoo laugh to herself.

"That's alright." Zoo smiled and the man disappeared from sight as she entered the long aisle. She found herself surrounded by wood planks, hammers, and nails. Apparently she'd entered the "hardware" aisle. Normally she would have gone quickly to the next aisle, but she wanted to inspect every detail. Anything to waste time till nightfall.

[Lord Byron Hastings]

Lord Byron shuffled his way down the street past several shops to waste time until nightfall. Looking in the window of Hattie's, he decided to stop in and pick up some candy as a treat for the young boys at the lodging house. Every so often when he had extra money, he would do something like that--buying the boys little trinkets or toys or candy--believing that the kids who worked selling papers needed to spend more time being kids; and being treated every now and then to things like that helped make them feel that way.

Byron opened the door causing the bell overhead to chime and an old man to pop his head up from behind the counter. "Good day, young sir. Anything I can help you find?" he asked shoving a rag into his back pocket.

"I was looking to buy some sweets and a bag of marbles," Byron replied looking around the store. Spotting the top of a head in one of the aisles he added, "But I think I'll look around first." The old man nodded his head, pulled the rag out of his back pocket, and began cleaning the countertop.

Byron made his way through the aisles, picking stuff up here and there to look at, before placing it back on the shelf and moving on. He was flipping through the pages of a book when he heard the only other person in the shop, moving down his aisle. He looked up from the book, and spotting a young girl, he smiled and greeted her in his English accent, "Pardon me, love." Byron took the fedora off his head--as was proper when greeting a lady--causing his honey-brown, curly shaggy hair to fall down over his green eyes. "I hope I'm not in your way."

[zoo]

Zoo had to escape the hardware aisle rather quickly - she remembered being allergic to sawdust but not that allergic. She began sneezing up a storm and quickly moved to the back to make sure she didn't startle the older gentleman, or any customers that may come in.

Sure enough, as soon as she though she sneezed her last,the bell rang, announcing a new customer. She heard the old man greet them.

"Good day, young sir. Anything I can help you find?'

"I was looking to buy some sweets and a bag of marbles, but I think I'll look around first."

Ah, the sounds of an Englishman. Though she was far more used to the Irish accent on every street corner, the English had their place in Boston. She looked up, assuming she would see the young man, but all she saw was a wall of wind up toys and wooden horses. She was curious to put a face to the voice, but wanted to act casual at the same time. She continued inspecting the items on the wall, until she surprised herself by stopping several feet from the young and rather dashing young man. He held a book and she quickly checked the opposing wall - yes. The book aisle. She had found the place she was meant to be in. A grin crossed her face even before he spoke.

"Pardon me, love." He removed his fedora from his head, allowing a mess of golden brown locks to fall, but still a flash of green could be seen behind them. "I hope I'm not in your way."

Her grin turned into a wide smile. She played her manners as if they were a game, slipping her right foot behind her left and dipping slightly.
"Oh no, please pardon me. I was the one that nearly walked right into you." Her body language became drastically more casual however, and she lifted her long fingers to the book he held and peered at the upside-down pages.
"I'm sorry if I'm imposing at all, but I must ask. What are you reading?"

[Lord Byron Hastings]

"Oh no, please pardon me. I was the one that nearly walked right into you."

Lord Byron flashed the girl a charming smile, "The fault is all mine ma'am. I was the one standing in the middle of the aisle."

"I'm sorry if I'm imposing at all, but I must ask. What are you reading?"

Byron glanced down at the book he was holding and then raised his gaze back up the girl, "Shakespeare's Complete Works. I was glancing through his sonnets but you caught me as I was scanning through his comedy Twelfth Night. Ever read it?" Being an Englishman it was like breathing to know ALL Shakespeares works, but he wasn't sure if the girl had ever heard of it. Most people who have read the Bard's works have only ever heard of Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth or Hamlet and the occasional sonnet; Twelfth Night was not as well known. But, it was one of his favorites.

Byron closed the book and stuck it back in its spot on the shelf. He shoved his hands in his pockets, looked at the girl in front of him, and began to casually look her over. She was a pretty girl who came up to about his shoulders (as most girls did), with long strawberry blonde hair and dark eyes. Judging by her clothes, she didn't seem to be one of those hoity toity girls who looked down their nose at most people who worked the streets; she looked like she was probably around the same social status as him.

Byron took his hands out of his pockets and combed his messy locks back out of his eyes. "So you from 'round here, Love? I don't think I've seen you before.."



_{(OOC: I found online an antique book titled Shakespeare's Complete Works published in 1871, so that's the book i'm picturing in his hand tinypic.com/r/2vkev0i/7)}

[zoo]

"Shakespeare's Complete Works. I was glancing through his sonnets but you caught me as I was scanning through his comedy Twelfth Night. Ever read it?"

Shakespeare. Now that brought back some pleasant memories. Though she had never encountered a boy reading the sonnets of Shakespeare out of honest interest. "Unfortunately no. I have never read Twelfth Night. Well, that is to say, I have never read it myself. My father used to read us literature of all kinds, but my eldest brother was very well versed in Shakespeare. He tried to get my younger brother and I to preform Romeo and Juliet with him, but my parents thought ill of it." She laughed to herself. "And I suppose I would not have approved either. I haven't read too much Shakespeare on my own, although A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my favorite stories."

She couldn't help but look at the book intently as the young man placed it back on the shelf among philosophical works and poetry books. Her gaze remained on the book for longer than she had expected it to. She caught his gaze as he made and attempt to get the hair out of his eyes.

"So you from 'round here, Love? I don't think I've seen you before.."

She nodded and smiled warmly. "No, I'm not from here. I'm from Boston. I lived here once before, a few years ago, but, well, I had to return home for a bit. And what about you? I can't help but assume that you didn't originate in New York."

[Lord Byron Hastings]

"And I suppose I would not have approved either. I haven't read too much Shakespeare on my own, although A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my favorite stories."

Byron crossed his arms in front of his chest and smiled. "A Midsummer Night's Dream IS a good one but can't beat The Twelfth Night. You see, this girl Viola is shipwrecked on the island Illyria, loosing contact with her twin brother Sebastian whom she thinks is dead. She disguises herself as a young page boy naming herself Cesario, and enters into the service of the Duke, Orsino. The Duke believes himself to be in love with the Lady Olivia, who wants nothing to do with any suitors, the Duke included. The Duke uses 'Cesario' to, pretty much, talk him up to Olivia. In the process, Olivia falls in love with 'Cesario', and in turn, Viola falls in love with the Duke who believes her to be the boy Cesario and his friend and confidant... I'm not gonna tell you what happens after that. You need to read it for yourself. It's a funny love story."

"No, I'm not from here. I'm from Boston. I lived here once before, a few years ago, but, well, I had to return home for a bit. And what about you? I can't help but assume that you didn't originate in New York."

Byron chuckled softly. "No, I'm not from New York. I was born and raised in Sussex, England until I was 11, at which point I moved with my father to Galway, Ireland to live for a few years with some family friends. Then, things happened and myself and my friend Ashleigh and her younger brother Aiden found ourselves here." He picked up a book of his namesake's poetry and opened it, flipping through pages, before returning it back to the shelf. "So, do you live here in the Bronx like myself?"

[zoo]

"I'm not gonna tell you what happens after that...you need to read it for yourself. It's a funny love story."

She was convinced now. She would have to come back after she had a bit more pocket money. She felt empty without a book in her hand but the small bag she carried was a reminder of why she was back in New York.

"No, I'm not from New York. I was born and raised in Sussex, England until I was 11, at which point I moved with my father to Galway, Ireland to live for a few years with some family friends. Then, things happened and myself and my friend Ashleigh and her younger brother Aiden found ourselves here."

She smirked as he picked up yet another book of poetry. It seemed obvious that he was interested, and not simply using poetry as a charm for the women. It worked though.

"So, do you live here in the Bronx like myself?"

"I do. I was waiting for it to get a little more dark to go back to the lodging house. I'm afraid if I go there now I may fall asleep immediately." She let a few seconds pass. It seemed like she may lose him in the poetry. "What else do you do, besides read?"

[Lord Byron Hastings]

"What else do you do, besides read?"

Byron crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned his right hip gently against the shelves. "Well, I'm a newsie here in the Bronx. That takes up a lot of my time... But, when I do have a spare moment, you'll probably see me writing." He decided not to go into details about what it was he spent his time writing. Since the girl was going to be staying in the Bronx she would eventually find out sooner or later. Once he told her his name, she'd probably figure it out anyways.

Byron took in the girls appearance once more before asking, "What do you do, love? I ain't never seen you selling papes like that rest of us."

[Tate Potter]

Tate Potter slipped into Hatties, her father had insisted she buy a new hat and now she was all but stuck doing so. Folding her arms she didn't look nearly as bad as she had after that-- incident. she had been speaking to one of her father's colleagues regularly about it. About, everything really. Perhaps that was why she was doing better, though. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling she was missing something.

She knew what it was of course, she missed Danny and the bakery girl hadn't seen him around in a good while. Maybe he meant what he'd said when she'd be better off, she chewed on her lip protesting the thought nonverbally as she moved into the store. Her ears caught the tail end of a conversation.

Papers? Love? The brit didn't sound like Dodger so it piqued her curiosity and had her moving over to where the tall man was speaking to another girl. She felt oddly out of place now, as she wasn't actually a newise and she lived in Manhattan, though she made the trip every day very early to Stan's to work. Even though she didn't have too she was always offering people sweet buns, and she did the same with Hattie. The basket that carried them hung from her arm and she didn't mean to eves drop or intrude... she just.. was curious is all.

[zoo]

Zoo heard the door open and her eyes moved in that direction, but she was too short to see who came in. She smiled as he spoke, talking about writing and selling papers. He seemed so content with it, though she was sure he had dreams pent up in his mind, especially if he was a writer. "I would like to read whatever it is that you write."

"What do you do, love? I ain't never seen you selling papes like the rest of us."

Zoo set her bag down and playfully crossed her arms. "Well, actually, that's exactly what I do. It's what I did when I was here before. Can't say I'm not a little out of practice, but I'm saving to continue school at the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing. I need the money if I want to get back in. Any refreshing tips?"

[Lord Byron Hastings]

The bell above the door chimed drawing Byron's gaze to the girl who had just walked in. Seeing as he was tall, he was able to see over the top of the shelves to get a glimpse of her. She was a pretty girl--chocolate brown hair and an eye color to match, and when the corners of her mouth drew up dimples appeared on her cheeks. She actually looked kind of familiar, come to think of. She wasn't a newsie that he was aware, so maybe she worked at one of the businesses he frequented. When she looked at him, he smiled and bowed his head slightly in greeting.

Byron brought his attention back to the girl standing in front of him. "Well, this is the one time I don't have my journal with me, but you're a Bronx newsie so I'm sure you'll get to see it sometime." He gave her a wink.

Byron picked up another poetry book and shuffled through it before placing it back on the shelf and answering her question. "Well, make sure you dress down of course. The poorer you look the more sympathy you'll get. Also, try to grab one of little nippers to sell with. Younger always sell more papes, and they need someone to help them count money and stuff, so it's a win-win situation."

Byron combed his fingers through his hair and pushed it back out of his eyes. "I'm sorry. Pardon my bad manners. I realized I never introduced myself. My name's Lord Byron." He gave her a smile and bowed his head. Wonder if she'll put two and two together now? he wondered--his name, the writing...

_{(occ: Tate can come into the conversation. just go ahead and pop in somewhere.)}

[zoo]

Zoo smiled to herself. The poetry books, one after another. Him being a writer. She sighed quietly and shook her head. "Of course. Lord Bryon. I suppose you're some kind of reincarnation of your namesake?" He hadn't been a primary topic of her brother's literary exploitations, but she remembered seeing that name on one of his stacks of books. Though it wasn't funny, she laughed a little in spite of herself. "Well, Lord Bryon, I certainly hope that I run into you on a day that you do have your journal on you." She looked at him directly, hoping he would realize that she was being perfectly serious. "I would like to read the next great poetry of our time."

"And I apologize as well." She stretched out her hand, only one gesture at how she felt women should be acknowledged as equals. "My name is Zorana, but I go by Zoo as well. Whichever is easier for you."

[Tate Potter]

Tate watched, unable to help herself as she watched him notice her-- flushing a bit at the smile she nodded her head at him, offering him a smile in return. She wasn't exactly the kind of girl that didn't notice a smile when it was offered her way and she caught the tail end of the introductions, pausing a bit and clearing her throat a bit.

Shrinking back when she heard Zorana she blushed again, oh dear she was going to get in the middle of something. She may have been a lady but she did know when she heard flirting and the petite blond was most assuredly flirting. She just watched, moving back a bit and bumping into a display and knocking over the hat stands that were sitting there.

Squeaking she moved to right them, but only succeeded in knocking over another one with everyone she got upright. Blushing furiously with embarrassment, Tate attempted to right everything turning her back to the group. Oh gracious this was impossible, fiddle sticks..

[Lord Byron Hastings]

Byron shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets out of embarrassment, and stared down at the floor. He smiled and replied, "Well I wouldn't quite call it that, Zoo." He shrugged his shoulders, "Merely just the scribblings of a bored Englishman."

The sound of a feminine squeak and what sounded like something falling, drew Byron's attention away from the girl in front of him. He leaned over the shelves beside him and peeked over them, seeing a girl about their age, crawling around on the floor trying to clean up the hats which were scattered about the floor. A smile made its way onto Byron's face and he gestured to his new friend to wait one moment.

The chuckle he tried to hold in escaped as Byron made his way over to help her clean up. "Those damn hatstands, eh? Always jumping out, making people knock into 'em... hats everywhere. I hate it when they do that..."

Byron bent over and began to help her pick up the hats, placing them back onto the stands. Then he offered her a hand up, "Here, Love. Le'me help you up."