32ns Street

[1millionsecrets]

Emory sat in silence. Her sea green eyes gazing upon the old street sign. "Thirty Second." Her lips barely parted as she spoke. Her voice, it trembled timidly like a frightened cub of some sort.
Her vision became clouded for a moment, and then gradually as her eyes closed, it vanished all together. Her proportionally small hands rested, still in her lap. Black lace gloves hid her delicate alabaster flesh. Peaking, just barely between the lacey stitches crimson polish which reflected the sun's ray so harshly from her nails.
Around her the world carried on its mundane routine. Cars thundered by her, as she sat on a small bus bench. Voices danced mockingly through her ear, and a shallow anger filled her largely curvaceous form.

'How could everyone simply carry on?' She thought with a bitterness.
Leaning down, her dark emerald eyes opened. Her tight funeral dress bunched slightly as her gloved hands reached her also surprisingly small ankles.
After a few moments, the bells crashed against the pavement causing only an empty jingling sound.
Without looking at what had fallen, she sat up and exposed her innocently angelic face to the world. Blonde freckles caught the light of the sun as it shined upon her alabaster flesh. Her right gloved hand, pushed a chocolate-cherry curl from her face and ever so softly she spoke again mostly to herself.
"Even the sun mocks me in my loneliness."

 

[Marian_Care]

"What a terrible day." He mumbled to himself as he made his way to the nearest bus stop. He had to continue work on his project and his boiler cracked on his car. He would now have to take the bus home while the tow truck took his car back to his work shop. Then he would have to take out an unfinished project and drive it to the workshop, where he would fix the boiler on his car.

"I guess its my fault." He mumble. "Could have built an actual car instead of a steam powered car with boiler issues." He slumped down in the bus stops handy bench. His feat hurt like neck from the long trek. He had refused the ride from the smoking tow truck driver. Better to walk then to die of second hand smoke. He didn't want to get his nice new leather jacket to be covered in smoke smell either.

He idly played with his goggles, still not registering the girl whom he had passed. He had plans and ideas flowing through his mind. He wasn't an inventor by any means, just a tinkerer and a steam punk junky.

Laid his head back a groaned "Will this day never end?" He knew when he got home he would have to listen to his neighbor ramble on about his lawn, then would have to suffer the other neighbor judging his style and his stuffy looks. People wondered why he never cam out of his workshop. "Hey!" He said suddenly bright "That's an idea! I could move into the workshop!" Suddenly his day seemed to brighten. All he had to do was move the few things he owned to his workshop and add a cot.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Her eyes lowered as he passed and sat next to her on the bench. She lifted from its boards and scooted away as he spoke, her heart thumping in her chest like a rabbit's upon smelling a predator. She tried to settle herself, to not allow her fear to mount and take over her, or her rising impatience with the world to fill and drown her.

She pulled all parts closer to her body, as if trying to fold into herself. Her long creamy legs slid together, her calf muscles flexing due to the elevated level of her heel. Her solid maroon pumps clicked softly, and kicked her discarded jingling anklet further away. A panic rose in her suddenly realizing all the noise she had made, and in silence she prayed not to be noticed... To fade silently from the world until she got to her tiny apartment across the city.

Her plum colored lip, was bitten and pulled on slightly as it was all she could do to keep from bursting into tears. Her mind screamed in silence, 'Go the fuck away with your worthless happiness, can't you see I'm in mourning and wish to be alone?'
She did nothing to free herself from his presence, and as her lip slipped from her pearly tooth's grasp a single tear trickled down her cheek.

 

[Marian_Care]

He had heard a sudden burst of noise and jumped. A girl sat beside him in what looked like funeral clothing. At first the stereotype Gothic ripped through his mind, but he was caught by a look in her eyes and in a flurry of emotion he felt himself suddenly saddened. Empathy is what they called it. When one person picks out the emotions of another and feels them as if they were their own. Something he generally didn't feel because he pretty much ignored the world, instead opting to focus on his little projects, but her entire body spoken of a deep lonelyness. Something that could only be brought on by a death. Not just any death though. A dear loved one must have died.

His protective instinct seemed to rise inside of him and he had to fight the impulse to put his arm around her. He didn't need that kind of situation. Instead he took a deep breath and in his friendliest and kindest voice he spoke.

"Hello." he fought to come up with a good greeting. He really couldn't figure out how to speak to a mourning woman. For a moment his mouth opened as if to say something about her recent death, but now wasn't the time for that. So he snapped it shut and instead did his best to look like he cared and was friendly enough to talk to. His problems disappeared and for a moment all he wanted her to do was to lose that look. That look That spoke of a deep sadness. He wanted more then anything to go back to being oblivious, but that wasn't his nature. He had seen her sadness and now he had to help. He opened his mouth again. "Can I be of any service?"

 

[1millionsecrets]

'Shit... Shit... Shit.' Her mind repeated. She held her breath, hoping he would go away, or atleast continue rambling mindlessly. She clutched the hem of her dress, her knuckles gently resting upon her knees.
She didn't dare move, didn't dare breathe until he spoke again.

Quivering almost visibly she glanced at him with her deep green eyes, the only makeup she wore was a little mascara and that deep plum lipstick. She never thought she was a pretty girl...
'You're too fat.' She heard her mother's voice screech at any glance in a mirror.

"No." Her lips parted in the slightest, and her pearly teeth glinted softly. Her voice, was just as sweet an innocent as her face. She even held the appearance of a frightened prey. Her teeth sunk back into her lip and her head turned suddenly as she glared at the bus which loomed over them.

Its shadow, still not as dark as the places her thoughts were visiting. Emory stood carefully, shakily and took a timid step forward. Her entire form was visible now, her large body... She standing only at five feet six inches she weighed 236 pounds. Her long curls danced down her back and rested at the bottom of its smallest section. Her breasts were small but still large enough to see, and her rear somewhat similar to her breasts.

"Thank you." She whispered, fighting the urge to run. Her gloved hands reached for the bus rail and she climbed the steps timidly. A feeling of relief washed over her as she saw it was nearly empty. Paying the toll she walked back with a little more vigor than before. Following behind her the sweet smell of lemons and sage.

She found a seat, next to the window in the very back, so she may look upon the world alone. Undiscovered...

 

[Marian_Care]

His mind went back and forth, Should he follow her? Push the subject? He wasn't usually an impulsive man, but something about her was intriguing. Maybe it was the vulnerable look, maybe the fact that his 6'1 frame seemed to dwarf her. Maybe it was the way she spoke. Softly, innocently, insecure. He didn't know, but something captured him completely. He had to get on the bus. He had to follow her.

He absentmindedly paid the fare and took a seat just in front of her. Cursing his single tracked mind, wishing once again that he could go back to his projects. The broken boiler, the cracked heating tubes, the malfunctioning pistons, the broken whistle. It all begged for his attention.

He couldn't give it though. He just couldn't tear his mind from the sad girl sitting right behind him. He didn't have the slightest idea what to say though and ended up making the situation awkward for himself. He found himself adjusting his legs, clasping and clasping his hands, and at one point about to say something, but it came out as a crack "Uhh..." He felt out of his elemen. Again desiring the comfort of his warm little workshop.

 

[1millionsecrets]

She hadn't notice him follow, she was relaxing with her eyes closed waiting for the bus to go, wondering why.it hadn't left. Her eyes peaked open as he took his.seat and instinctively her legs pulled up away from.the back of the seat before her. An impatient sigh left her and her mind reeled, why was he.following her, why was he so awkwardly persistent.
She shook her head and forced herself to think rationally. He had somewhere he needed to go. It was on this route....It had to be, that's why he was at the bus stop after all.
She relaxed a little and stretched. The sadness seemed to creep back into her form. She turned from the window, seeing only happy couples for several blocks straight.
Sighing just softly, she would remove her delicate gloves. Just as the left was sliding off a sound would leave him, and she would jolt. Reclusing herself again. Finally she decided to move two seats back on the opposite side. The very last row in the bus. Her steps were swift and unsure but they carried her to her destination with little to no problem.

Once there, she relaxed again, and leaned against the window. Quietly she slipped off her shoes and allowed her large but plumply cute feet hang in the isle. Her legs rested on the bench, her head on the seat's back and her back on the window.
Silently she thought of her deceased... His soft blue eyes... his soothing voice, the way he called to her, protected her, loved her. She was his little one, his baby girl.

He her master.

 

[Marian_Care]

I stood and moved to sit right next to her. Trapping her between the window and me. I turned and looked at her and in a voice that spoken of annoyance I said. "Look. I'm going to be blunt. It breaks my heart to see a sad woman. I am in the middle of a project. I have to get off this bus in..." I looked at the street observing the landmarks. "Four stops." At this point I froze. I sounded rude. My mouth hung open and I just looked at you. Mentally cursing myself for sounding demanding. It wasn't her fault and I was sounding harsh. I quickly reverted to my kind, calm, and friendly voice. "I apologize. I'm going through some stress." I say turning a furious red. "Please....tell me what's wrong. Or at the very least come to my workshop for some tea. I make an amazing tea." I was trying hard to be as nice as I could because every part of me was annoyed and focused and single track and emotional. All because the girl in front of me was sad. I finally took a depending breath and stared at her. Just waiting patiently.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Her eyes teared up desperately as she listened. Her heart beat so hard she swore he heard its echoing thud. When his tone changed the droplets of water rolled slowly down her cheeks. They stopped at her chin, pooling before they fell onto her soft bosom and disappeared into her cleavage.

Not feeling safe enough to be in his shop, where he worked and lived she decided in silence something. Opening her mouth her voice came out weak and broken.
"I, don't wish to tell you... Or to g-go to your home." She stuttered slightly.
"But to help you, relax." Her voice caught... She looked away holding back a sob, her gaze unable to meet his anylonger. "Come to my little home..."

She glanced up at him timidly, her expression one of sorrow but her eyes thankful. "Bring tea... I live two blocks east of here." The bus halted two stops from his destination. "Apartment 127B"
Pulling away she faced the window, unable to speak any longer.

 

[Marian_Care]

He mentally slapped himself when he saw the tears. Those had to be his fault, but he had to get things off of his chest and when she invited him over he felt his heart rate elevate. "I promise I won't bite. I'll also bring lots of tea." he said with a broad grin and a confident demeanor. he mentally made note of the tear that disappeared down her cleavage. He really hadn't taken the time to notice her body before. Concerned only with her face. She was very pretty in that earthy sort of way. The classic beauty of a person of wealth. Had this been 1800s London she would have been popular amongst the men and was therefore popular to him.

He hurried off the bus, thanking the driver as he went to his house to pick up some stuff. It would take him nearly an hour to get to her house. Because he had to go to the workshop for the tea and then go to her house. Generally a twenty minute trip, but his steam powered project would take a minute to warm up. As soon as he got inside he went to his garage and started the fire that would heat the steam pipes. Going about getting ready as the machine would take a minute to get to speed before he could get it out of the garage. Since it was on sinners it wouldn't be a problem to leave it alone for the next 20 minutes while he did some cleaning.

 

[1millionsecrets]

She watched him go, and cursed herself in silence. Another thirty minutes passed before he stopped a block from her home. Smiling weakly at the driver she walked in silence.
The sun had already begun to nestle down when she had reached her building. Another five minutes had passed as she climbed the stairs to her fourth floor place. Unlocking it quietly, then relocking it from inside she sighed weakly. She picked up somethings, and reclused to her room for a moment. The walls were lined with stuffed animals and blankets for soundproofing.
She then found clothing, and got in the shower where she stood for longer than needed to be clean, just letting the water run over her.

 

[Marian_Care]

I heard the wheel of my project spin like mad on its sinners so I grabbed my goggles and rushed out the door. I pulled a lever on the sinner which dropped the front one and Smiled as the wheel hit the ground and screamed until it had traction. I raced down the street on my fast little project, hitting the gears to make it move faster. I ripped up the street in record time, stopping at a huge warehouse, looking building. Well....Not stopping since the wheel didn't stop. I had but a catcher, which lifted the wheel off of the ground and kept it spinning in the air, but there came the one design flaw. I didn't stop. I had prepared for this of course, flying into some strategically placed mattresses, but it still wasn't fun. That moment of weightlessness, then a sudden stop. Nope not for me, but I only did it when I was in a hurry so It didn't matter much. Otherwise I just shut the engine off and hit the brakes.

I moved around the building, looking for my rucksack to hold a few items. Tea, cookies, crumpets, even a small container holding the last of a home made take I made. I had heard that these were something called comfort foods so I grabbed them. I even grabbed the last of my ice cream. Even though I was sure it was bad. I didn't eat much because I was constantly working on my projects and just didn't have time. My fridge housed tons of unfinished foods, but I was reasonable sure what I had grabbed was edible.

I looked at my car and examined the boiler. "Twenty minutes." I mumbled. The crack wasn't big. Just annoying. I could fix it by welding it. I only had twenty minutes though and that certainly wasn't enough time. Instead I ran back to my projects and hopped, before dropping the tire and racing back down the street towards her home. In twenty minutes she would start to hear what sounded like a trains horn as I would release the excess steam and come to a stop in front of her house. As long as a cop didn't spot me.

 

[1millionsecrets]

During his adventuring, she had climbed from the shower and dressed in a soft flowy purple evening gown, one that greatly contrasted with her skin and eyes. Her long curls were braided back out of the way with a few pretty whisps to frame her face. She did this all with no.mirrors, she feared them.

Lastly she added the plum lip stain... only because he had always begged her to...
She stood now in her living room looking upon her shabby living space. 'It will get better'. He always told her. Now in his absence she glared at the old stained rug, the broken down couch. Turning she saw the cracked island counter, the sagging ceiling on the kitchen from the bathroom leaks up stairs.

She looked down at her bare feet, on the right, a tiny 3D green pastel dragon fly. It the first of her tattoos.
She felt her face, the tiny ring glinted from her left nostril into her eyes... Her ears held three piercings a piece.

A yawn touched her lips as she made her way to the kitchen to put soup on. Just as the broth began to simmer, she heard the sound and her heart nearly skipped a beat. Breaking away from her empty thoughts, she remembered the bustop man.
"Fuck me...." She cursed under her breath.

 

[Marian_Care]

I stopped in front of the dingy apartment and my heart broke for her. I could only imagine the inside. I knew she was going through a rough time and would be even more heart broken if I ever found her on the streets. I stood and heated my rucksack over my shoulder before knocking on her door. I hoped she wouldn't be to surprised at my project. The steam powered spyder had taken me years to even get running and it was my prized possession. It was the most well maintained piece in my collection.

I knocked lightly and waited. For some reason my heart fluttered in my chest and I got butterflies. I hood she would like me. I hoped I could help her.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Carefully she walked to the door. A sickly embarrassed feeling took over her stomach. The only too.that looked decent was the bedroom, new carpet, lighting, huge bed but him seeing that was out of he question that was their space.

Biting her lip, she unlocked it. Her sweet voice came out more delicate than she had hoped. "Come in... I-it's open." She made her way back to the little kitchen to bring down the flame on the soup. The apartment smelled wonderful. Fresh vegetable and ham.soup, lemons, and sage.

 

[Marian_Care]

I opened the door and took a deep breath. What hit my eyes was over powered by what hit my nose. The scent was heavenly. Vegetables were cooking. Maybe a hit of a meat of some kind.

I stood in her doorway for a long time before making my way into her kitchen. "If my kitchen smelled like this every day....I don't think I would ever leave." I said softly as I tried to hide my rucksack, suddenly feeling as though the items inside were somehow inferior and therefore should be taken outside and buried.

I kept my mouth shut. The tea would cone out if she asked, but I was not going to show her my comparable pitiful cooking ability.

 

[1millionsecrets]

"It's been simmering for hours... That is the key." Her voice delicate as she studied him. "You can put your items where ever... Sit down, st-stay a while." Her timid gaze never did rise high enough to meet his. Instead she made her way to the living area, and sat on the old couch, her knees pulled to her chest, the hem of her gown resting in a pile on the floor as she stood now bunched on the couch.

 

[Marian_Care]

I set my sack down and came to sit beside her. I automatically curled my legs into Indian style and sat on the couch. Then got uncomfortable and sat in in the same position on the floor in front of her.

"So tell me what's wrong?" I say quietly. My one track mind focussed entirely on her now. No wishes of steam engines or home were distracting. Just her body. Or at least as much of it as I could see. It was wired, but as I looked at her I felt....odd. I wanted her in such an infuriated way. I wanted to touch her face, her neck, her....I stopped the thought right there. No use thinking on things I couldn't get.

 

[1millionsecrets]

"Nothing." She spoke as if it were the truth. As if her life was the way it was meant to be. She could feel his gaze on her form, his eyes burning a whole through her. Her cheeks began to burn a light red and finally she looked a him. Her gaze somewhat intimidating. "What?"

 

[Marian_Care]

"That was the 'Nothing' I expected to hear. I want the 'nothing I didn't expect to hear." I said simply. Geez. When did I get into riddles? I blushed and tried again. "That 'nothing' spoke of resignation. What I saw and see Is more mournful then that. Therefore their was something before that 'nothing' that was pain filled and sad. The reason for the weak and vulnerable young girl I saw on the bus was not 'Nothing'" I say doing my best to elaborate, but pretty sure I made the situation worse instead of better. "Never mind. Lets put it this way. If you don't tell me what was wrong before 'Nothing.' I will sit here and stare at that beautiful bit of red that just appeared on your face and I will do it until my eyes are nothing but empty sockets." As soon as the words came out of my mouth I nearly slapped myself. Once again I the master of word smiling managed to make myself out to be very creepy. I hoped she would ignore that. My track record with actually speaking was....less then good.

 

[1millionsecrets]

As he spoke to her, so bluntly she followed his every word. Her legs stretched before her on the couch and her gaze locked onto them. She tried so hard not to stand, and simply walk to her room, lock herself away until she died from dehydration...

Instead she forced the words as he continued to ramble made up nonsense about her pretty blush. "My husband died, four days ago." Her words barely above a whisper but they were still said. She fought the urge to cry, fought the urge to hide, the urge to cast him away and beg him.never to return, as she did all of this fighting she sat there nearly motionless. Her breathing had halted, and her mind slowly drifted back to him.
They had only met five years ago, four of those years they were married. She was still a very young, very timid girl at the age of 26... Left alone in the world.
The isolation was as much her fault as his, he had always told her she did not need anyone else. She did not need to put herself out there for rejection, for hurt... For five short years, he was her only companion.
"Adam." She spoke absentmindedly. Forgetting for a moment he was there, until she heard him breathe. She then also let out a shaky breath of air.

 

[Marian_Care]

There it was. I managed to make her tell me. Why did I feel like a prick? Her husband had died! Geez! I was an idiot! A loss, a serious loss and what did I do? Brought it back into the light.

I kept my word and averted my eyes. For a moment I sat still and stared at a spot in the carpet. I turned my head slightly and the spot looked a bit like Elvis in profile. Tea! My mind settled on theat and I stood and hurried in the kitchen. "Lemme make some liquid shoulder to cry on!" I yelled from the kitchen. I rustled around in my back and looked at the supplies I brought. The crumpets, the cake. I had even managed to through my favorite tea pot and cups in there.

I glanced around her kitchen and decided some bottled water would be best. I dug to the bottom of the bag and pulled out the jug of water I kept in their. I had to keep one because i Needed waters for my boilers. Though she was worth it to use the water for tea. So I poured it in. I also took out the comfort foods I brought and with a blush took it out to her.

"Please. Try some of these. I'm told cake and ice cream are comfort foods.....And the crumpets are home made." I said doing my best to be cheerful. I wasn't sure what she needed right now, but I was trying my best.

I ran back to the kitchen after putting down the foods And put the tea on. It wouldn't take long so I made my way back to her and sat down right next to her. "The water is boiling, but......" I fought for words. How was I going to say this. "My shoulder can work just as well as the tea." I said turning and looking at her intently. "I don't mind if you cry on that."

 

[1millionsecrets]

She would watch his every move, her gaze lingering just a little too long. She listened and her face reddened even more so. "Why, do you care so much?" She questioned softly. "I'm, a nobody... a nothing... A masterless slave."

 

[Marian_Care]

"I'll be honest." I say smiling broadly as I put a hand on her shoulder. "You won't understand until you see my world. I can't see a woman crying and not do something." I say as I reach out and open the contain of ice cream. "Just as I feared. Melted."

I put the container down and turned back to you, a smile slid across my face. "Masterless slave. Eh?" I say quietly. I stand suddenly and hold out my hand. "Come. Your going to enter my world." I smile. "Your coming to my workshop whether you like it or not. It is literally the only way to get to know me. Put a lid on that soup and bring it with us. I think I can make a container for it.

 

[1millionsecrets]

She studied him for a moment, unsure... afraid. She began to protest, but in a defeated reluctant way she gave in. Standing shyly she nodded.
Digging quietly through her cabinets she found a lid. Placing it on the small pan she held it by the handles after killing the flame.
She sighed watching him, holding the warm pot close.
"Well..."