Chapter Seven: Entering London And Meeting Etta Candy
The next morning Tom lay on the blanket and held a small body close to his chest. He must to have during the night, pulled Jerry close in his arms. Opening his eyes, he noticed Jerry snuggled into him, looking content and peaceful. With a gasp, Tom set Jerry gently down and looked about, making sure no one saw them like that. He spotted Diana, standing at the front of the boat, while Steve stood to the side. He assumed the pair had been up sooner then he, getting to his feet to come between them. While Diana was an adult, Tom still worried for her as any brother would, or so he guessed.
"Morning, Tom." Diana said, seeing him look Steve over.
"Don't worry, Tom, we were only talking."
"Yeah, yeah, the whole I don't sleep with a woman unless we're married. I still got my eye on you, bucko." Tom pointed at his eyes, then at Steve.
"I would think you'd be happy, 'cause we made it. Welcome to jolly old London," stated Steve with glee, gesturing to the gloomy, smoke filled skies. "Ain't she something?"
Tom stood with a grimace on his face, looking about the dirty city, surprised it was so dreary. In fact, he guessed it'd be bright, colorful, like the paintings in the books he'd read. Though, the time period was farther back than 1918 or whatever year it was.
Diana too was unimpressed by London. "It's hideous." She commented with honesty.
"Yeah, what a dump. I mean, are animals live in better conditions than this. Is there a person sleeping in that door way?"
"Yeah, it's not for everyone," said Steve with a nod. "As for the guy, he's homeless."
"Homeless? Is that another term for nomad?"
Steve again, rubbed his forehead. "No, he has no money, no job, he literally has only the clothes on his back."
"Why don't you help him. Doesn't your army help the misfortunate."
"We can't help everyone, Tom."
"So much for a good leader." Diana added.
"Okay, let's stay focused, we need to-" They turned when they heard a thud and scratching on the wooden deck. Jerry was having a nightmare, whimpering and moving around restlessly. Diana and Tom rushed over, thinking they should help him. Steve gestured for them to let him handle it, picking Jerry up, and holding him close. After a few minutes, Jerry's breathing, and struggling slowly stopped. Steve looked worried at first but sighed with relief, setting Jerry back down. "He'll be okay. He just has bad dreams sometimes." Seeing Jerry rub his eyes and wake, Steve leaned down. "You good buddy?"
"Yeah, let's get moving."
"Right, the war continues as we dilly dally." Diana nodded and rose to her fully height, Steve doing the same.
Tom placed a paw to his chin, knowing the mouse was probably dreaming of his time in the laboratory. Tom couldn't imagine such a life and simply shoved it from his mind, not wanting to think of the cruel things the humans might've done to the tiny mouse. "Okay, hop on." Offering his paw, Tom waited for Jerry to get on.
"I can walk fine on my own." Jerry shoved Tom's paw away and scurried to keep up with the humans.
"Fine, have it your way."
They went to the closest dock and tied their boat to the wooden post, the old fashion vessel sticking out compared to the large metal steam-powered ones. Several crew members looked down to the wooded boat and didn't know what to make of it, especially the lot that maned it. Steve simply jumped out of the boat and gave Diana his hand, helping her out. Tom leaped over and assisted Jerry out of the boat, following the humans as they made their way into the streets of the city. Entering it, Tom saw a man and woman holding hands, the pair smiling and laughing.
"Why are they holding hands?" Diana asked.
"Uh, probably because they're together." Out of no where, Diana took and held Steve's hand. "No, no, we're not together in that way." Steve tugged his hand from Diana's grasp, putting a few feet between them.
Tom held a confused glance, yet kept moving. They passed several people and Tom's eyes filled with child like wonder, taking in his new surroundings. The clothes were very strange, layers of shirts, vests, coats, even their shoe wear seemed a bit extreme. Hats, gloves, handbags, all of it seemed inefficient regarding battle. Why, even the roads and paths were built differently. And the buildings, they towered high over head, reaching taller then the largest trees on the Themyscira. The streets were dirty with papers, and other waste, littered across the pavement. Still, despite all of the unpleasantly of it all, Tom grinned from ear to ear, brushing by pedestrians, and accidentally strolling into the middle of the road. He backed up to get a good look at the buildings, and spun about, feeling so small compared to the city around him.
On the cement street, Steve made sure to keep his eye on Diana and Tom, feeling like a parents watching over his kids. When he noticed Tom wasn't with them, he panicked and tried to find the feline. "Tom!" shouted Steve, heat a car coming around the bend, seeing it headed right for the cat, who somehow ended up in the middle of the road. "Tom, look out! Behind you!" Cried Steve was was too far to reach the cat in time.
"Tom!" Diana called, preparing to leap out to save him, only for Steve to hold her back. "Steve, let go, Tom needs me!"
"I can't let you get hurt too!"
Jerry moved fast, the humans seeing him go for Tom. At that instant, Tom blocked out the sounds around him, and was so caught up in the moment, he didn't even notice the car, or hear its horn beeping loudly, and repeatedly. Jerry, from the side, jumped into action, rushing to Tom and shoving him for all his little body was worth. Tom was hit and thrown forward, feet trying to keep him balanced by the jolt. Off the road and to the farther street they tumbled to the ground, Tom landing on his back while Jerry was cushioned by Tom's body. The car beeped as it drove by, a fist shaking out the widow, and middle finger flipped them off. "Watch were your standing, stupid!" Left in a cloud of smoke and fumes, Jerry lay on Tom's chest, and they stared into each others eyes.
Steve waved to a car, letting them know he and Diana were crossing. They ran across the road, Diana aiding Tom to his feet. "Tom, are you hurt?"
"Fine."
"You have to be more careful, Tom, you don't want to end up as roadkill." Jerry shook his head at Tom.
"Why didn't he stop when he saw me?" signed Tom, rubbing at his sore shoulder. "He should've been watching, and slowed down. I saw a car slow when Steve and Diana crossed."
"He probably thought you'd move out of the way, like other animals do. I said it before and I'll say it again. People don't treat animals like they do where you're from. Plus, you were the idiot who was gawking, and not paying attention to events happening around you. Next time, you might not be so lucky."
"Now that we know to look both ways before crossing the street, let's continue."
"He's right, Tom, you stay close yo me from now on." Tom gave a nod at Diana, who looked at Steve. "So, where to next?"
"Well, I want you to meet a friend of mine." Steve walked and gestured for them to follow.
They went by several stores and the pair stopped at every window to look through the glass, pointing to the unknown items that were on display. Tom's eyes lit up when he saw a bakery, watering at the mouth by the sight of the stacked cakes, decorative cupcakes, a variety of cookies, several candies, and other delicious goodies. Steve kept having to pull the pair away, and keep them focused. "Come on, now, we must keep going."
"Oh, Steve, chill, we were only looking."
"Yeah, it's not like we were going to steal like we did when we were kids." Tom added.
"Thieves? For shame." Jerry scolded.
"We were kids, okay."
They were walking along when a mother passed, pushing a stroller with a small infant in it. Diana gasped and turned immediately to the little bundle of joy, leaving Steve's side once more. "Oh, a baby!" Diana rushed over to look at the little miracle of life.
"I've always wanted to see one up close!" Tom's eyes widened and he joined Diana, peering over the stroller. The mother at first was taken aback, yet calmed when she saw it was only a woman and her odd looking cat. They made a fuss over the child, the mother finding them endearing. "I take it you don't have a baby of your own?" The mother pulled back the cover for the pair to get a better look. The baby was wrapped up in a soft fuzzy blanket, wearing a small hat to keep his head warm.
"No, thank you for allow us to gaze upon your child." Diana leaned over and watched as the baby reached out to her with tiny hands, pulling at her hair. "Oh, look at his little hands."
"How could Jerry think all men are evil, you're not evil. You're just a little squirt." Tom leaned his head over and the little guy reached out, patting Tom on the head, making Tom beam with glee.
Noticing the pair weren't with them, Jerry patted Steve, who glanced around. "Now where did they go?" He saw them and gasped out, going and pulling the pair away from the mother, and child, waving nervously. "Good day, ma'am." The mother simply waved and went on, taking the baby with her.
"Steve that baby was so precious, don't you agree?"
"Yeah, let's keep moving."
It took time, but Steve managed to led them to a woman's fashion store. They went through the set of glass doors and were met by a short stout woman. The woman wore the latest in 1918's style, having a dress, and matching hat. She saw Steve and ran to them with a warm smile and cheerful disposition. "Oh, Steve, you're not dead. Harah and hazar," said the woman, hugging the taller man, squeezing him tightly. "I did think you were dead, until I got your call. He's been gone for weeks and not a single word, very unlike him." Etta commented to Diana and Tom. Spotting Jerry, she opened her hand up for him to hop onto. "Oh, Jerry good to see you. I assumed you kept Steve here in line?" Jerry nodded and gave her a salute. "Jolly good then." It was then Etta found Diana was not your typical woman, and neither was her cat. "So, who do you have with you Steve? I must say, that cat has biceps." Tom then flexed, proud of his tones body.
"Uh, yeah, my bad. Etta, this is Diana. Diana, I'd like you to met my secretary, Etta Candy. Tom, Etta, Etta, Tom."
Etta took and shook Diana's hand, then leaned over to shake Tom's paw. "I pleasure to meet you both."
"Excuse me, but what does that mean to be a secretary?" Diana asked.
"Oh, it means I do what Steve tells me to and goes where he asks me too."
"Well, where I'm from that's called slavery."
"Oh, I like her, I really like her." Etta said, admiring Diana stature.
"Fantastic. Ladies, after you." Steve gestured for them to go. "Look, Etta, I was wondering if you could find her some proper clothes. Ones that don't stick out."
"Oh, yes follow me," said Etta leading Diana, along with her cat into the shopping area.
"I'll catch up with you in a bit," said Steve, waving to the three. He stopped and held Jerry in his opened palm, looking down at the mouse. "Jerry, do you mind going, and keeping an eye on them?"
"Of course Steve, you can count on me." Jerry saluted and jumped to the ground, going after the three.
When they entered the woman's boutique, Diana looked at the odd clothes, followed by Tom, who was as curious as she was. "Take a gander at these, Diana?" There were girdles, corsets, long underwear, the list went on. The strange clothes were what society deemed presentable.
"Indeed, very strange indeed." Diana studied an example of what a dress would look like, and seemed confused. "Is this what passes for armor in your country?"
"Armor?" Etta chirped. "No, it's to keep our tummies in, everything kept in place."
"Sounds uncomfortable."
"It is." Etta said with a smile. "Now, have a look at this one. It's conservative, but not entirely unfun." Etta stood beside a brown coat, with a fur collar.
"By the Gods, they make animals into coats? What sort of savages do that?"
"The kind who make money off of it. Yeah, they trap them, skin them and sell the furs." Jerry commented to a shocked Tom. "And it only gets worse from here."
Tom moved on and saw Diana prepare to remove her jacket, revealing her armor underneath. Etta with a nervous chuckle rushed to recover her, letting out a small tune as she did so. "La, la, la, la." Once Diana was proper, Etta took her to another area. "Jerry, can you find something for Tom?"
Jerry looked at Tom, rolling his eyes. "Sounds like a challenge, but I'll do my best."
Jerry took Tom to the men's department, Tom strolling by the many articles of clothes men wore. "Good good, how many items of clothes does one need to own?"
"Well, there's under garments, daywear, evening attire, fancy nightwear outfits, suits for weddings, balls, funeral. If there is an event, you bet humans have an outfit for it. Now, onto you, you can't run around like a half naked gladiator."
"Excuse you, this is a fierce attire, one fitted for a warrior such as myself." Tom stood proudly, admiring his refection in a set of mirrors.
"Whatever, you need to cover up to blend in. Just pick a coat or something."
"Fine." Tom went through and found a nice trench coat, taking it and pulling it over. "Fits nice enough. But where do I put my sword?"
"Not any place I want to know about." Jerry quipped.
Once done, Jerry took Tom back to the ladies department, catching a few eyes for Tom held his sword and shield in hand. In the women's area, Tom saw several styles, and colors of clothes. There were hats, that had feathers, jewelry, and bows sewed into them. Ranging from small to big. There were gloves, that could be matched to any hat, or purse, which ever the lady preferred. There was al sorts of necklaces, rings, bracelets, anything a queen would desire. "Is this where royalty shop, Jer?"
"Nope. Another thing about people, they love to look good and show off their taste in style."
Tom stopped and grimaced, seeing the foot wear, namely the heels. "Gods, how do ladies even stand up in these. Are these for torture?"
"You could say that." Jerry had seen dresses, but never what was under them, so being in the lingerie department felt a bit odd. Tom on the other hand, had been around females his whole life, so he didn't feel funny or out of place there. He saw an example of a how a undergarment should be worn, and glanced about to make sure no one was looking. With no one around, he reached out to feel the corset. Seeing Tom feel up a mannequin, Jerry quickly slapped Tom's paw away. "Tom! You can't go around feeling up mannequins. It, it just isn't right for a male to do such things. It's inappropriate and I wont tolerate it."
"It's not like it was on a women. That'd be a completely different."
"You pervert." Jerry hoped no one saw them, his cheeks flushed as he pulled at his collar.
Tom only sighed and rolled his eyes. "Calm yourself, mouse."
"Come on, before we get thrown out for not being with our human owners."
"Owner's? Diana doesn't own me. We're family."
"Just come on."
Jerry took Tom by coat string and went to see how things were going with the women. They found Etta, Diana changing in the back. Diana came out of the dressing room in a purple dress, making Tom automatically burst out into laughter. She nearly tripped on the heel, but quickly got her balance by keep her arms out to either side of her body, causing Tom to double over with laughter. He only ever saw her in a warrior outfits, but seeing this was too much for the good humored cat. "You look like a cloud!"
"Tom, don't be rude." Jerry frowned and swat him, not wanting to insult the woman. "Don't listen to him Diana, you're tall, and skinny, so technically you can pull anything off."
"I don't know about that one, though."
"I know Tom, how can I possible fight like this. I look ridiculous in this thing," said Diana, lifting the fluffy bottom to reveal her under garments to those around her.
She ruffled the fabric and moved around, making Tom giggle even louder. Jerry quickly averted his eyes, knowing it was ungentlemanly to look at the under area of a woman's dress. Tom laughed and slapped Jerry on the back, knocking him over in a comedic way. The people around them gasped at the sight and Etta hastily went to cover Diana's legs.
"We don't fight, we use our principals. Although I am not opposed to engage in verbal fight, should the occasion arise."
Knowing this look wouldn't work, Diana tried on several more, while Tom and Jerry would give a thumbs up if they like it, or a thumbs down if it wasn't good. At one point Diana did a front kick, tearing the skirt she had on. Tom was looking for an outfit she could move around and fight in, while Jerry tried to make her look like a proper lady. The pair usually didn't agree, but after some time Diana found what she though was perfect. It was a suit skirt with a matching jacket, thus the four went to meet up with Steve. He was in the lobby when he saw Diana in a suit dress outfit, making her stand out.
"The point was for her to blend in, Etta."
"Hey, I'm a secretary, not a miracle worker."
With a shake of his head, Steve went to Diana. "Did you find what you wanted?"
"Yes, so did Tom." Tom wore a jacket, that covered his gladiator outfit. Like Diana, he held his shield and blade in his paws unable to tuck it away it, due to the coat covering the sheath. "Yes and after two hundred and twenty six tries, I chose this one." Diana smiled and fixed her hat to prove a point.
With a sigh Steve knew there was no use arguing with the strong willed woman and decided to move on. Etta, with purse in hand walked ahead, entering a spinning door, waiting outside for the others. Diana tried to go through, but her blade hit the side and sent her backwards. Steve saw this and tried to get her to put her sword down, seeing the people around them begin to stare. "Will you please put the sword down, you might take someone's eye out."
"I got this, I can do it." Diana pushed him off and waited for the door to come around again. Jumping in, she walked around to where Etta was and joined her on the street.
"Oh, boy, what have I gotten myself into." Steve followed and looked back to see Tom, attempting to do as Diana did. "Come on, Tom, you can do it."
Tom and Jerry walked around, but while Jerry joined the three humans, Tom continued to walk around, and around, not sure how to get out the spinning door. Steve groaned and slapped his hand to his forehead, finding it hard to deal with the pair. Jerry stood by the door and when Tom came back around he grabbed the feline's tail and pulled him out.
Finally, having the cat with them Diana spoke. "To the war!"
Trying to stop his world from spinning, Tom added. "Oh, yeah, to battle we go!"
"Actually, the war is that way, but we need to go this way first," said Steve, stopping Diana from leaving them. "But for now, let Etta take your weapons. Cause the War Council won't let you in if you're holding a blade and shield."
"What, no, I need this."
"You ain't taking my blade."
"Doesn't go with the outfit," said Etta, holding her hand up and making a circular motion with her index finger around Diana.
"Yeah, what she said."
With a sigh, Diana nodded and turned to Etta, holding a very serious expression. "Will you guard this with your life."
Etta extended her hands to take the items from Diana. "Sure," answered Etta, taking and struggling to hold the heavy weapons. "Oh, my, rather heavy."
Diana seemed good and turned to go with Steve. "To the War Council." Tom and Jerry joined the two and followed them to the War Council building, leaving Etta behind. All the while, Tom wondered what it'd be like. They were so close, very soon they'd be able to join the battle.
