eversohungry | [APPOINTMENTS POST] 13 Paternoster Road

Are you askin' me if I'm surprised you want to be around the woman you're clearly crazy about? [Bucky gives her a look.] In a place like this, we all need people to lean on, Miss Vastra. Even those of us who don't like to admit it.

[There's a wry twist to his lips. He would be one of those people too, after all. He leans back against the edge of the counter, and inclines his head, curious.]

I don't suppose you'd tell me about her. The real deal, I mean.

No... [She shifts uncomfortably, then finally settles on shrugging one shoulder.] I simply feel that I projected a certain air of independence that is very much lacking right now. [But he's right of course: Vastra knows it isn't strange to want to be with a loved one. But aside from Jenny, Strax, and the Doctor, she didn't have terribly many friends or people to lean on. She wasn't used to leaning on anyone at all.]

She is... the most fascinating human I have ever met. [Vastra finally says, smiling up at Bucky. No coaxing necessary when it comes to talking about Jenny.] While in London, I always have to wear a veil to avoid unwanted attention. Some faint at the sheer sight of me. But when we met, after I killed the men assaulting her, she saw my face and flinched. Of course she would--but she didn't scream and run. She thanked me. [A tired, almost ancient look passes over Vastra's face as she tilts her head slightly at Bucky.] It had been millenia since someone had said that to me. Perhaps I fell in love at that moment, I can't be certain. I just know that with every lock she picked, every criminal she threw over her shoulder, and every dangerous situation she ran with me into, I felt less and less alone in the world. I felt grateful to have been awoken at that specific place in that specific time, because she was waiting on the other end of a sixty-five million year sleep to welcome me back to the world with open arms. Instead of guarded mistrust of a creature.

The expression of love is a willingness to place absolute trust in another person, isn't it? And even if it wasn't her, even if I was being deceived, that image of me violating that faith she places in me will never, ever leave me Sergeant.

[Bucky smiles as she speaks. It's small, but genuine. Even more than the words, he can hear it in her voice, and in the way her expression changes when she speaks. That's what love looks like, no matter what you are, apparently.]

She sounds like an amazing woman. And you're right, that image won't ever leave you. A lot of things about it won't ever leave you. Trust me, I know. [His tone is even, but he swallows before he speaks again.]

But you've gotta understand, at least in your head, that the only way you could violate her trust is by not fighting some creature that thought it'd be a laugh to put on her face for a while and try to kill you. That's all it was. Are you really gonna let these bastards pretend some trick can hold a candle to the woman you just told me about?

[Vastra looks hesitantly at Bucky, then back at the mess in the sink. By all accounts, she's already let them affect her too much. But she's never been one to admit defeat, or suggest that Jenny wouldn't want her to be alive and well.]

No. I'm not. [She gives Bucky a small, tired smile.] I did not mean for this to be so serious. And I certainly did not mean to remind you of the things you can't forget, either.

Let me get dressed and take you out to lunch. I need something stronger than what I have here, too.

Good. [He shakes is head at her almost-apology.] Hey, don't even think about it. I barged in on you after all.

And anyway, that's the thing about stuff you can't forget: it's always there. [He spreads his arms in a what can you do sort of gesture.]

Take your time. I can do some washing up while you're at it, if you don't mind a hand.

Yes... [Vastra nods slightly, swallowing down her sadness and pining. There isn't anything she can do except be faithful and hold what true memories she has close.]

I don't mind, however do not feel obligated to play as my maid, Sergeant. [Vastra chuckles as she glides off in the direction of her bedroom.]

Your aprons probably don't flatter my skin tone anyway!

[He can't say he's fond of housework, but Vastra is a friend, and it grates on him that there isn't really much he can do for her here, so he'll settle for trying to help her out. He drapes his jacket over the back of a chair and unbuttons his cuffs so he can roll up his sleeves and get to work.

When Vastra gets back, he'll be elbow-deep in soapy water humming When the Saints go Marching In. It seems like a better choice of entertainment than questioning the blood smears on some of the plates.]

[Vastra comes back, about half an hour later, dressed for lunch and looking a little more alert. She looks over his progress on the dishes and flashes a small smile.]

I can take care of the rest, Sergeant. It may not look it, but I am able to keep my rooms clean.

[Bucky turns to glance at her when she re-enters the room, and does a double take because that's gotta be one of the most elaborate outfits he's ever seen. Granted, he's seen Vastra all dressed up before, it's just hard to get accustomed to clothes that look like they're worth more than everything he and Steve ever owned.

Strangely enough, it suits her. He wonders if he should be worried that the fancy dress seems more unusual to him than the lizard lady wearing it.]

I... don't doubt that, ma'am. You look nice.

[It takes him a minute to wrap things up and pull his jacket back on. He inclines his head at the door.] Shall we?

[Vastra allows herself a small, happy smile at Bucky's double-take. If nothing else, the clothes she has in Luceti keep her memories of home alive, and Vastra does enjoy looking spectacular. Which means dresses. Lots of spectacular dresses.]

Thank you, Sergeant. I do try to look my best when going out. [Vastra casts a glance back towards the sink as Bucky is getting his jacket. It was a little... pink. That was more than uncomfortable, but perhaps Bucky hadn't thought too hard about what Vastra might have been eating... She could only hope. It wasn't a conversation she wanted to have with too many people. Natasha had been unavoidable.]

Yes, let's. [She puts on another smile and heads for the door, picking up a hat with a long black veil on it.] I would say it is my treat, however the lack of a bill puts a severe damper on that.

[APPOINTMENTS POST] 13 Paternoster Road

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.........you were just waiting to use that icon, weren't you.

/innocent whistle

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