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[ Open rp post + TFLN overflown]
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she might be a little squeamish nbd
[ She's got a sewing kit in front of her with various needles, and while Eloise did say that she wasn't squeamish, she technically hasn't spent a lot of time giving sutures before, and the thread doesn't look nearly sturdy enough to do the trick. She shows it to him before saying ]
Again, if this ends up being a rubbish job, please take matters into your own hands before I mangle you. Luckily for both of us, I can talk and work at the same time, so just try to ignore that pi— that is an intersting feeling — right, as I was saying, I may be the least presentable by society's standards but still clean up well. I just don't enjoy the pressure.
[ She inspects her work so far and dips the cloth into get more disinfectant on it. After a sharp inhale, Eloise swipes it across his arm and gives him the most apologetic look that she's able to manage. ] I'm so sorry. I really do not wish to hurt you.
Ah, poor girl
Take your time. I'm not going anywhere. [ All the talking also reminds him of his brother Klaus, and maybe that's another reason why Five doesn't mind it.
She's sweet and caring, and he's not used to any of those things. Most of his instincts tell him to not let people close when he's vulnerable, lest they make things worse. But Five's also pretty good at reading people, and she seems honest in her attempt to help so he's not about to look at a gift horse in the mouth. ]
You look fine and presentable enough to me. You should see the rest of my family, we are the text book definition of 'not suited for social events'. Besides, some people just can't appreciate what's in front of them, or they have very narrow views about how others should behave.
[ He watches her hands, more out of curiosity than concern, but he does catch that regretful look before he even hears the apology. ]
You could literally stab me with the scissors, and I wouldn't even blink. [ Other people, normal people most likely, might make that sound like a boast or a threat, but Five only sounds like he's explaining a fact of life. He does give Eloise a smile at the end and makes an effort not to look too deranged while doing so. ]But the concern is appreciated.
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[ She rotates his arm just enough to make sure that it's straight before she grabs another cloth to gather as much blood as she can. Eloise is nosy enough to look into the cut, but after she does she just feels sad. It's going to take forever to heal. Part of her is desperate to ask what's happened, but she also knows that she might not like the answer. This doesn't look like a play wound, and men in suits generally take themselves more seriously than a social duel in the meadow. She swipes her forehead with the back of her hand and clears her throat just enough for it to be obvious that she's about to ask a question. The curiosity wins, again. ]
Much like I have more interesting opinions other than if I should wed or dance at a ball, I'm sure that you walked away from whatever happened in much better shape than your counterpart. Was this a social event or something more... deliberate? If you do not mind sharing, of course.
[ She's the one smiling this time, her hands covered in blood while she stitches up someone in a ball gown. If it were any other occasion, one might assume they were interrupted on an evening out. The irony isn't lost on her. ]
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[ Five is a practical fighter, so he can and will use anything to his advantage. He doubts that Eloise's brothers are trying to kill each other for real, but you never know when this sort of knowledge may come in handy. She could need it someday.
As Eloise mentions women being more subtle conspirators, Five's mind immediately goes to the handler. He has to fight the urge to scrunch up his nose, and instead replies: ]
You're not wrong. I know a few women like that myself. But also plenty who will fight me straight ahead. [ Again, like his sister or Lila. Five never really cares about an opponent's gender, nor does he think one is less dangerous or weaker than the other. He knows better. ] Do you know hand-to-hand combat?
[ He figures the answer is no, but it doesn't hurt to ask, and maybe Eloise should learn it one day. Five doesn't seem to mind her staring at the wound, but he can read the unsaid questions on her gaze and waits for the inevitable. He's not prone to answers in the best of days, especially about injuries, but since she's doing him a favor, he can be polite enough to explain. ]
It was neither a social event nor a purposeful fight. I crossed paths with an acquaintance who had an old grudge and little common sense. [ And ex-member of the time commission, who hadn't gotten the memo about leaving the Hargreeves alone. It's been taken care of, you're correct. ] This cut was a lucky hit, usually, I'm better at dodging but the true is that my shoe skidded on the muddy ground and I lost my footing for a second.
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Interested hums greet at him in the appropriate times in his story, working hard with both hands to make sure he’s wiped down and stitched up as neatly as she can manage. It’s for the best that she practiced on her stuffed toys as a child, even if they offered no real experience for how it felt to stitch up an arm. Her fingers try to keep the cut pinched together, but it’s always a bit tricky when there’s blood involved.
The answer is in fact no, and Eloise can’t stop herself from letting out a lighthearted laugh at the thought. ]
I think I could manage a man in the nose or groin if I were in a pinch, but no, my hand-to-hand combat is likely lacking in comparison to your skills. I suppose the women that you know are far freer to learn things like fighting and swordplay. Do they use swords? Scissors, at least. [ She grins at that one. Her fingers are still holding him together and Eloise gives him a tender press of the cloth, trying one more time to make sure that his wound is cared for before she seals it. ]
I suppose it would be wrong for me to be thankful that this happened, but then… [ Eloise cuts the thread, ties it off at the end and frowns. It isn’t perfect, but hey, what ever is? She grabs the gauze from behind her and starts to wrap, her bloody fingerprints coating it like parting gifts. There’s some more on her dress, but that’s nothing to worry about. Just a little accident that her staff can worry about later. ] If you’d have dodged him, you would have missed me. Maybe not a price you wanted to pay, but perhaps it was a happy coincidence. Now, how does it feel?
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As for the difference in their lifestyle, she's still young as far as he knows —unless she's trapped in a body that doesn't fit her mind, like him, but that seems unlikely — and has many years ahead of her to follow her dreams and make plenty of mistakes. Often, the latter, unpleasant as it is, teaches better than the former. ]
Hm, that's not a bad start. The best way to win a fight is to not engage in it if you can help it, but if it's unavoidable, going for the soft parts is a good strategy. Another good way you could take an attacker by surprise is to step really hard on their feet. You mentioned having experience with that already, it's a matter of being meaner about it.
[ And if she happens to wear heels, that means more possible damage and stopping your enemy from pursuing you. Frankly, Fives could go on and on about ways to incapacitate and kill people with the most mundane things, from ties to pens or even books, but he doesn't want to disturb her. ]
Dad did make us learn fencing, but it's never really been all that useful in the fights we've been involved in. One of my brothers uses knives, though. His girlfriend also once threw a frying pan at my head, so, you know, that's an option too.
[ The corner of his mouth upturns at the scissors comment, amused by it despite himself. Then he shrugs a little, then, with his free hand, he paws the breast pocket of his vest suit and pulls out a white handkerchief to offer it to Eloise. It has a little umbrella in a circle sewed in one of the corners. It might not help much to clean her fingers of blood, but he's trying to be courteous here in some way. ]
Happy coincidences are rare in my life, but I welcome this one. If you hadn't offered help, I would have simply found something to close the wound without much care what it could have been, maybe I'd have used glue. [ That would have been painful and not the best solution, so he's grateful for her help. ] Thank you. [ It's brief but sincere, with not a hint of irony in his tone for a change. ] You did a great job. I don't think my arm is at any risk of falling off anymore.
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It just so happens that she finds his particular brand of charm endearing. Doubly so when he hands her the handkerchief. The resident look of sarcasm on her face dissolves into something softer, and Eloise takes her time to clean her hands while finding any time to kill at all. The glue comment got her to crack a grin, and then she gave him the lightest poke with her stained fingertip. ]
How lucky for both of us that I was in the right place at the right time? Glue may be a good fix for a shallow cut but I suspect that it would make you ill. Additionally, your arm was never at risk of falling off. It may get infected if you don't tend to it. I mean that, Scissors. If you fail to keep it clean there is a real risk of it getting ugly and then I would struggle to fix that.
[ She folds the handkerchief, prepared to hand it back to him. Eloise pauses and gives it a thoughtful smile. Surely no man of the Ton would accept silvery words from a woman, but he is atypical. ] What if I kept this and return it to you in better condition? Perhaps in a few days, and you can show me how a woman swings a frying pan? In heels?
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He can be mindful and sociable under the right circumstances, and more often than not those circumstances bow down to Five not feeling on edge. Eloise doesn't make him feel like he has to keep his guard up. ]
Ouch. [ Fives lets that out after the poke, and he says it in the most flat, deadpan possible way before the corner of his mouth turns into a small smirk. ]
I'm not lucky often, so you're most likely right on both accounts. [ He means she's both right about her being in the right place at the right moment, and about the glue possibly causing bigger problems in the long run. ] I'll try to remember to disinfect the wound properly if need be. I wouldn't want your hard work to go to waste. Scissors? That's your new nickname for me?
[ He raises his eyebrows at that, but this time he's also smiling in amusement. He's more used to being called names by his enemies and siblings, and until now it was only Klaus who gave him silly monikers. ]
You can keep it forever if you want. We don't need it as an excuse to see each other again. [ Which is to say, yes, he will like to talk to her in the future. ] How about I bring you some books the next time we see each other? Consider it payback for the help.
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Sure, there’s gossip and the Ton would feast on it - that’s a starting point. Then, her brothers. Additionally, her sisters, and by the time Eloise is trying to whittle down a weak excuse, she realizes that she doesn’t want to. He’s offered her books and if there’s one thing that she loves more than a spirited debate? Reading. ]
Books would be a great gift, thank you.
[ She starts to gather up the supplies and gives him a little crinkle of her nose, the nickname question still teasing away at her. ]
Well, it could be something worse like Slippy or Staples? I suppose Scissors isn’t much better, is it? [ Though, given the alternative, maybe he would benefit from a name that wasn’t just a number. She could go on about it, but Eloise shakes her head indifferently and pulls the sewing supplies back into the kit. ]
I would love to have something to call you that wasn’t a number. I’m sure you can appreciate how impersonal that is, especially after I’ve just laced you back together.
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Let people gossip and their siblings wonder what is going on, Eloisa and him know the truth, and that's what matters. ]
Is there a subject you're interested in reading more than any other? Science books, mystery novels, horror...? I'd like to bring you something you are really going to enjoy.
[ It's Five's turn to scrunch up his nose when she says 'Slippy '. Oh no, that's definitely not a nickname he will ever respond to. Sharp objects? Sure. But he draws the line at ridiculous pet names. ]
It's not impersonal, it's my name. It might have started as a number, because my father was an asshole who couldn't even be bothered to name the children he purchased, but it changed with time. Grace offered to name me, just like she gave names to my other siblings, but Five is who I am. [ This is a conversation Five had before with many people, and while he would usually dismiss or ignore the other person, he won't do that with Eloise. He's trying to make her understand that it might be a number to her, being 'Five' is his identity. ] Besides, is it really that impersonal? How many people do you know named Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, or William? Now, how many of your acquaintances are named Five?
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Then, he speaks again and Eloise's face changes. Much like her mother picked her name, his did as well. Well, Grace did, and the fondness in his voice is the same as hers when speaking of her parents. It gives her a nagging, tugging sensation in her chest and Eloise looks away from him, her teeth attacking a spot on her lip.
He has good points, good enough that she can't really challenge them. Her own middle name was mundane, but Five? It was unique. No one else would ever think that they were calling them. He never had to worry about being the third Eloise in a room.
Her hand reaches out to squeeze his. It's a kneejerk reaction but one that she's not upset about, and Eloise gives him an affirming nod of her head before speaking again. ]
As you said, he was an asshole. I cannot imagine having children and not giving them a name, but as you said, this is who you are. That is your name, and even if sounds quite silly coming out of my mouth with such an accent, I suppose you might get used to it? After all, how many people would respond to your name on the street? Not many, if any at all. But at least now I know, when I say it, I know exactly who I speak of. A friend.
And I could go on about that, but neither of us want to be lectured about parenting and how important it is to be cared for, do we?
I prefer mysteries, books about natural history and everything related to what is now called Feminism. That last subject is particularly uncomfortable for men of my time, and the women simply seem to look past all of the advancements that could be made because they are far more focused on marrying and producing children than their own happiness. You might say that I have an opinion on that.
I would read anything you bring me. I might even make notes to return to you, if you were bored enough to read them.