Posted September 15, 2021
"A topper? Why shore, give me a more 'elligant' appearance." His responded to the question of a more formal style of hat. The search for a haberdashery and a milliner relatively close to one another was on. The street suddenly opened into a large square affair, which they had already seen before on other streets, but had not chanced to see what they were about.
The walks were a bit wider and both sides lined with shops of many kinds, as well as a quaint cafe or two, plus an upstairs restaurant featuring seafood, and a view of the harbor. That would settle where dinner might be had. Looking about, there were at least four to six of the various business' they were in search of. Alleyways fingered off of the larger avenue, and shops were tucked away as the alleyways appeared to open into yet another square. Pike stopped.
"So, Missus Pike. See one you like? I believe there are enough to make a selection from. An up thar's supper a waitin' on us." He grinned. "Meanin' we got us pleanty 'o time."
Posted September 16, 2021
It was all actually a bit overwhelming, a glimpse at how 'the other side' lived, and she never would have thought of herself as 'the other side'! Of course, that was a good deal attitude, and she knew that neither of them would be arrogant or rude.
"You don't need to get a top hat, I was just teasing." If he wanted to, that was fine, but if that would make him uncomfortable, she wasn't going to insist. Besides, such a thing would have little need in a place like Kalispell, much the less on a ranch!
"So, what about that one?" She pointed to a shop that had 'Lulu's' painted across a large window in flowing gold script. Behind the letters was a display of dress forms swathed in fashionable dresses. Beyond that, the shop itself was spacious, neatly appointed and clean.
"Well, Mr. Pike, shall we look like we know what we're doing?" Emeline laughed.
Posted September 16, 2021
"Yes Missus Pike we shall. Oh, and look just there on the corner, a telegraph office, might oughtta shoot a line to Speed, let him know we survived the first leg of the trip. An' you, one to Clara with whotever news you'd wanna send her way." Then he looked to the window with the lavish gold script and smiled. "Yes Ma'am, just like we knew whot we was about."
They stepped to the door, Pike paused then opened it for her and then stepped into the world of ladies clothing where the gentleman sat and waited as the fashions were brought out for the lady to examine. Of course the things that were ready made would need to be fitted, and then there were the necessary accouterments.
This was going to take some time.
Posted September 18, 2021
Stepping into the shop, then waiting for Barnabas to be at her side again, Emeline took a moment to look around and wonder where to start. But she didn't have long to ponder when a woman rushed up to them, all smiles.
"Good day! What can I do for you folks?" While her demeanor was formal, she didn't seem to be looking down on them at all.
"I need...something more presentable?" Emeline smiled, looking down at her garb, then back to the woman. "We just came down from Kalispell, in Montana, but we're going to San Francisco, so I need..."
"Of course!" Hooking her arm into Emeline's, the woman continued. "I'm Miss Eleanor LaMotte, I can help with everything. And you are?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Barnabas Pike." Emeline's smile widened and she tried not to laugh. "My husband is very happy to be here."
"Indeed!" Eleanor chuckled as she looked at the man. "Mister Pike, can I get you some wine? We have cookies and small cakes, too, if you'd like while you wait." She nodded to a padded chair.
Posted September 18, 2021
"Ma'am, there a men's emporium close to hand?" He asked, figuring he'd be able to complete his business long before Em. Or, he could just sit there, wait, and still have his shopping to do. he liked the woman right off, and, he figured she would have Em in and out of cloths for a bit, unless he missed his guess.
Posted September 19, 2021
"Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Pike." Eleanore smiled brightly as she nodded. "Just two door up, Wigfall's Haberdashery and ice house. He's very good at what he does, I'm sure you'll be very happy."
"Deserting me?" Emeline whispered in Barnabas' ear as she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I just might make sure you pay for that!" Not that she could imagine spending more than a few dollars, but she'd do her best! "I will see you in a bit, then, and be the proper lady!"
Posted September 19, 2021
"Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Pike." Eleanore smiled brightly as she nodded. "Just two door up, Wigfall's Haberdashery and ice house. He's very good at what he does, I'm sure you'll be very happy."
"Wigfall? Sounds right familiar. Got us some Wigfalls up ta Kalispell. Thank ya. Appreciate it." He said getting to his feet. He turned to Em,
"Deserting me?" Emeline whispered in Barnabas' ear as she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I just might make sure you pay for that!" Not that she could imagine spending more than a few dollars, but she'd do her best! "I will see you in a bit, then, and be the proper lady!"
"Ya are a proper lady Em, always have been, alays will be." Hee looked to the proprietor and added. "An Ma'am, ain't gonna quibble over cost. No matter what the woman here says." He gave Em a quick hug, "Be back. Have everything delivered to the hotel, so we ain't tryin' ta lug it all back with us. See ya in a bit." And with that he strode out the door.
Two doors up a window emblazoned with 'Wigfall's Haberdashery' greeted him in red trimmed gold leaf paint. 'The finest in men's clothing.' He squared his shoulders, took hold of the knob, twisted it, and stepped inside. The scents of various cloths, leather, and fine beaver felts attacked his senses immediately, smells he had know before, but had not experienced in some years.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted September 20, 2021
"Ah, good afternoon, sir!" A well-appointed man, several inches shorter than Pronto, strode over, looking him over with a critical eye, perhaps wondering if the man had mistakenly wandered in. Still, it was a break in the monotony, the man was clean and didn't stink, and he might have some good tales to tell.
"I'm Charles Withers, master tailor, at your service. How can I help you today?" Fortunately, the owner, Mr. Eliphaz Abijah Wigfall, Esq. was not in at the moment, so Charles had the chance to chat with the potential customer. "We have the finest clothing this side of the Pacific Ocean!"
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows" - Helen Keller
Posted September 20, 2021
Portland was a new space, the world had moved around her once again. And they were only staying a couple of days in Portland, hardly worth learning it. She had actually made decent money in San Francisco: there were pianos to tune; musical entertainments required; if they had been able to stay longer, some teaching opportunities might have arisen. Maybe that was the problem: the longer they stayed anywhere, the more dominant her position became: Frank didn't like that. Maybe Kalispell would be different.
At least he had brought her to the door of the dress shop, which had saved time: holding her stick in her right hand she lightly touched the shape of the door jamb with her left and estimated the position of the handle. Got there in the end. It pushed in. She felt underfoot that the place was carpeted: fancy! She hoped it wasn't too dear. She smelt the place, listened for voices. A man and woman were talking.
"Wigfall? Sounds right familiar. Got us some Wigfalls up ta Kalispell. Thank ya. Appreciate it."
The woman replied, they parted. She got the impression they were older than her, a more mature couple, but bantered with that free expression of a couple in love. She smiled, but tried to hide it. It was rude to listen in: but it was one of the most powerful tools she possessed to navigate her universe.
The man moved past her and she heard him leave the store.
She gravitated to where the woman's voice had been.
"Excuse me, Ma'm. Did I hear you say you are from Kalispell? Kalispell in the territories?"
She listened for the words and tone of the reply. She knew her appearance was outlandish: she wore a bandage over her eyes rather than the dark glasses that Frank (ever embarrassed by his sister's blindness) encouraged her to wear. She had found early that even a glimpse of her eyes upset people, until they knew her extremely well, and the blindfold gave her a strange air of frivolity and happiness: just like she was any other girl, playing blindman's bluff at a party.
She tipped her head, listening for the sunny-voiced woman's reply. If she was still there. Sometimes people just sneaked off.
Posted September 20, 2021
"Afternoon," Pike replied to the greeting. He realized that though he was clean, and that they were both dressed as well as they could be, he was a far cry from looking the gentleman. His best clothes he left behind, for whatever reason, but no matter, he would be rectifying that shortly
"I'm Charles Withers, master tailor, at your service. How can I help you today?" Fortunately, the owner, Mr. Eliphaz Abijah Wigfall, Esq. was not in at the moment, so Charles had the chance to chat with the potential customer. "We have the finest clothing this side of the Pacific Ocean!"
"Imagine some in Friso might wanna argue thet with ya, but I like what I'm seein' and believe you can fill the bill." He said, still appraising the place. And everywhere he turned, he liked what he saw. "Gonna need a couple suits a clothes, shirts, boots, brogans, neckies, the works. Need to look the part again. I've business partners on the Comstock down Nevada way, so appearin' like some saddle tramp pro'lly won't do. 'specially for my wife who's jest down the street at LuLu's gettin' all gussied up. So, reckon we best get started."