Thread: Dresses and Derangement (Shikokudarkstar & Charlie_Death)

Thomas grinned when he heard Thorben speak next to him. The raven haired man hummed, I am aware of my status as a fool. It is something that I can live with. Doing nothing while pigs like that go unpunished is something I've found that I don't care for. Thomas watched the man go with a bow in his direction, Good day, Mr. Strand. You should speak your mind more often. Thomas walked off with only one last glance to the shadows. The gentleman caller Arabella had was interesting. If only he was someone who Thomas knew he could trust then he really would let the man have Arabella and himself. It seemed however Mr. Strand found Thomas annoying as himself. The younger man didn't really feel threatened like he had when he was blind drunk and had vomited upon the other man but it was close. Just once he wanted someone that he could pester affectionately. Lifting his head back to look at the sky, he mused that he was probably meant to be alone. At least he knew, that while Thorben wasn't meant to be, he would be interesting. Over the course of the next few weeks, Arabella allowed Thorben to see her twice or even sometimes three times a week. They usually sat in the parlor, chatting about things that were small but interesting. Once, Thorben even took her to the park for a stroll! Thomas hadn't minded the stroll and even though he got a little excited instead of his icy Arabella self, Thorben hadn't minded. Thomas worked hard in those weeks two. He felt energized by the attention he was getting as Arabella and pulled at least ten more girls from the streets into his unconvential school. That did however mean that he was working as Arabella twice as hard as well. It was amazing to him to see how much money that he could make as Arabella vs. Thomas the writer. Don't get him wrong, his writing made a good chunk of change, especially since the pen name was one that was a current mild sensation but he made far more as mere Arabella escorting the rich. However, he should have seen that all this positive motion would come to an end. In fact, it came to a screeching halt. Arabella had been escorting a young lady around one of her first balls. It was one of the larger ones, known for it's large supply of alcohol and wine. Arabella was only supposed to watch the young lady until her aunt could make it to the ball a few hours later. The job went without a hitch, however...the ball did not. Thomas still couldn't remember how it had happened. Arabella had been working the ladies around for references and such...subtly when a gentleman asked her to dance. After that dance, Arabella had been led to the side of the room and exchanged for another dance partner. It was there on the far side of the room that Arabella had met another gentleman. This gentleman was no gentleman. He grabbed Thomas's wrist, dragging Arabella into an isolated part of the house before cornering her. He had wanted to do unspeakable things to Arabella and so Thomas had fought back. Luckily Thomas had been saved by the man's wife who had come looking. Everyone had secrets. This cheating scum was also an abusive ass to his wife and while the couple were arguing, Thomas slipped out of the room and out of the ball. Hailing a hackey had been easy and Thomas found himself limping back to his home with only minor aches when he remembered he had the shittiest luck. There he saw his suitor...well Arabella's suitor, walking down the sidewalk. Thomas didn't think about the time or even bother to think about why the man would be out at this time. Instead, Arabella froze like a deer when Mr. Strand saw her. Of course there was worry about the man. Mr. Strand came over to her and started to fuss a little. I apologize for my unseemly appearance, Mr. Strand. I would ask that we please not talk about it. Arabella rubbed her blackened wrist and winced at the feeling of a black eye. It didn't help that the attacker had ripped a bit of the sleeve off of the dress. Thomas was burning it when he got home. There was nothing he hated more than when he couldn't fight back. When he was helpless as Arabella. Turning his blue eyes to Mr.Strand, Thomas let out a soft sigh. Would you please accompany me to my home? I believe I might need a bit of help with the stairs. Arabella held out her hand for Thorben, allowing the man to take her home. John had taken over from where Thorben had left. John helped Arabella up and stairs and gotten Thomas changed back to his own clothing. Letting Thorben in would have been improper and Thomas was glad for it as he licked his wounds. He only wished he could get back at the bastard without hurting the wife. She had helped him when she had come looking for that abusive ass. No doubt she had known her husband would be on the prowl and tried to save whoever he found. Thomas threw the dress in the fire and pondered about where to hide pockets for knives. No one was ever going to make him or Arabella a victim ever again.