[ Open rp post + TFLN overflown]

[n5]

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[bridgertons]

[ She listens and categorizes the information in the appropriate places. The soft parts were the easiest ones to get to, and Eloise considers telling him of the time when she stepped on an Earl's foot in the middle of a dance to gain her distance. His stories are far more interesting and for all of her fussing and huffing, Eloise knows that she's not immune to a bit of charm.

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?

[n5]

[ Five stories are strange at best and horrifying at worst; it's why he doesn't share them all that often. More mundane events, like Eloise stepping on a man incapable of respecting her boundaries, would not be unwelcome. He's aware of the social circles she moves in and the expectations put upon her, and he would support any rebel acts of individuality she displayed.

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.

[bridgertons]

[ She takes her prized possession back and folds it up with her fingers. Though she’s not looking at him, it’s clear that she’s pleased with the situation and can’t find a good reason to argue against seeing him again.

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.

[n5]

[ Five doesn't own a lot of things, and he learned time ago to part with the little possession he had without regret, but this might be the very first time when losing something as simple as a handkerchief makes him think he's actually gaining something else. The pleasure of her company, another person to talk with in the future who doesn't disrespect him or mock him for the fun of it. It's a nice thing to look forward.

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? 

[bridgertons]

[ She can't help herself from breaking into a smile at his scrunched nose. Okay, not Slippy. In all honesty, it was a pretty terrible attempt at a nickname.

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.