"Let me go get my son," she leaves the room to call out. "Alastor! There are some people here I'd like you to meet!"
Alastor comes down into the small kitchen, seeing there a man, a woman, and a little girl. All three of them dolled up in garb that Alastor would only consider wearing for the fanciest of occasions. These must be rich people, he concluded. "This is the Bates family," His mother continued "That is Cassius Bates, the head of the household." Cassius nods towards him in a greeting "Daphne Bates," who waves "and that is little miss Brynn, who's been begging to come to see our city." this little girl curtsies, and her mother responds
"She's been practicing a curtsy but she doesn't know when to use it," Daphne says, eliciting laughter from the rest of them
"How do you do?" Alastor asked politely
"Didn't you say you had another daughter Mr. Bates?"
"Oh stop, call me Cassius. And yes, I'm not sure where she is-"
A young woman bursts through the door in the kitchen holding about four flowers "Daddy! They have Encore Azaleas here! Remember? From the flower book I read?"
"Yes indeed, but you're late. And what did I tell you about removing things from people's property?"
She lowers her head "Yes, of course. I apologize." She hands them to Alastor's mother, who laughs
"Keep 'em."
The young woman brightens up "Thank you!"
Daphne clears her throat "Dearest, please, introduce yourself."
"Oh! Hello, I am Vera."
Vera? Alastor lifts his head at the name, looking toward the young woman over his glasses, who happens to place her hat further back on her head. She was the same girl, the same eyes, the same cheeks, the same hair, and definitely the same lips.
"Alastor, isn't Miss Vera so pretty?" his mother nudges him slightly. Vera looks up at the mention of his name and studies his face, likely going through the same thought process as he had a minute ago
"She's quite beautiful."
She tilts her head "Thank you, sir." Showing a smile that was surely fake
"I've been trying to get my Alastor to think about marriage since he is getting to that age." She says to Cassius "How old did you say Miss Vera was again?"
Cassius looks to his daughter to answer "I'm 19," she says
"Perfect for my Alastor!" She hugs his shoulders and he blushes
"I keep telling my Vera the same thing! She wants to be a famous actress! But I keep saying, when you do, where you gonna keep all the money? You gotta find a husband!"
"Very true!"
The adults chuckle cordially as the children just stare around. Alastor catches Vera eyeing him directly, playing with the flowers in her hands as their eyes meet. When the laughter dies down, Alastor's mother speaks again "Alastor, I wanted you to meet them because they're staying the next town over and they want to work with us!"
"I heard that you were the best, colored seamstress this side of New Orleans Ms. Fontenot,"
"Oh, you can call me May, no need for formalities here,"
"And I heard your son is a genius at lawn care,"
Alastor waves him off "I don't know about a genius," he chuckles politely
Cassius nudges his wife gently "And humble! I like that! That's really important if you want to make something of yourself son,"
He fakes a smile
"While you're here, why don't you take a look around? Maybe Alastor can show you the rest of the flowers?"
"Oh, I'm not one for flowers, but we can discuss the terms of you and your son's employment, but Vera," Cassius turns to his oldest daughter "Vera loves flowers. Why don't you let the young man show you all the flora?"
Vera's eyes flit up at Alastor, who purses his lips and raises his eyebrow. "Well, I do like more than Azaleas," she shrugs slightly
"Can I come?" Brynn pulls on Vera's dress
"Of course," Vera pulls her little sister close
May puts her arm around her son's shoulders "Be a gentleman, like I raised you, okay?"
Alastor nods "Right this way," he leads the girls out the back door "So here we have the Southern Magnolias, Louisiana Iris, Louisiana Phlox, Goldsturm blooms-those haven't bloomed yet- and of course, you've obviously seen the Encore Azaleas" he sounds bored, but mumbles under his breath "Since you helped yourself to some,"
"What was that?" Vera's head snapped up
He turns to her quickly "Since you helped yourself to some," he turns back to the flowers "These are the-"
She's taken aback by his brazenness, "I was unaware that these were being sold, it was simply a mistake,"
"You would think if one didn't know something, one would ask, so mistakes like that wouldn't happen,"
"Well, maybe one is used to flowers being free and has never heard of them being a commodity,"
He quickly turns to face her once more "Well now you know not to steal,"
Vera drops her sister's hand "I would hardly call it stealing! I offered to give them back as soon as I knew they were not free! To steal means to take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it,"
"Mhmm sure," Alastor crosses his arms
"What do you mean 'sure'? You saw me! You all saw me!" She gestures around the empty air
Brynn looks up at her sister "You're shouting again,"
Vera takes a breath and drops her arms, looking down at her sister "I'm sorry. I did not mean to," she cups the little girl's cheek
"Shall we continue the tour?" Alastor asks smugly
Vera stews silently as Alastor continues to go through the flowers they sell.
"What do you do exactly?"
He turns to her slowly "What?"
"What do you do here? What is your purpose?"
"I'm in charge of all the flowers. Planting, potting, and delivering,"
Vera scoffs "Such backbreaking work that is, isn't it?" she asks mockingly
Alastor furrows his brows "It is actually. And anyone who's ever had to do it would know that. In fact, anyone who's ever worked at all would know that,"
Vera rolls her eyes but says nothing in response
"Any more questions?" Alastor asks through his teeth
Brynn raises her little hand and Alastor blinks, he'd almost forgotten that she was there "What's that?" she points to the woods
"That's the forest, it's a very famous hunting ground for professionals and hobbyists, like me,"
"You go hunting?" the older sister chimes in skeptically
Alastor's eyes roll back so far they're almost in the back of his head "Yes,"
"Sounds scary," Brynn says, clutching her sister's leg
Vera bends down "Yes, that's where the crazies will drag you off to before they bump you off!" she shakes her sister's shoulders
"AHHHHH!" Brynn runs into the house the same way they came out as Vera laughs heartily and Alastor offers a bit of a chuckle
"You like to scare your sister?"
She rolls her eyes "She knows I'm just being goofy,"
"I don't think she does,"
She waves him off "Psh," Her laughter dies down and she clears her throat before looking at him, he's staring at her, trying to read her expression. "What?"
He taps his cheek "You're a swanky tomato," he raises his eyebrow "Your whole family is,"
"And?" she asks
"Never seen that before,"
She tilts her head "People who are taken care of?"
"Rich coloreds,"
Vera shakes her head "We don't like to call ourselves that,"
"Well everyone else will,"
"We are Black people, and that's that."
They stand in silence for a beat.
"I guess there's nothing else to see,"
Vera shifts her weight, hands on her hip "Let's address the elephant in the garden,"
"And that is?"
"We've met and you recognize me,"
He strokes his chin "Hmm, I don't think I do,"
"You're full of baloney. I saw it in your eyes. You remember me,"
"Hmm," he continues playing dumb "Doesn't ring a bell,"
Vera blinks dramatically before approaching Alastor "You mean to tell me that you don't remember this face?"
He stares down at her smugly "That's exactly what I'm telling you,"
"My face is unforgettable,"
"Then why can't I remember it?" she can feel his breath on her face
"You're just a liar,"
"Or maybe you aren't as important as you think you are," he smirks
She raises her voice "And just who are you?!"
"Alastor," his smirk widens "Did you not hear my mother introduce me?"
"Quit yapping wise guy, you don't know me,"
"I know rich people like you,"
She pushes him lightly "You don't know anyone like me,"
"Your kind is all the same,"
"What exactly is my kind?"
"Rich, uppity, pompous-"
Vera smirks "Sounds like you're jealous that my family isn't poor,"
His eyes turn dark "I'm not jealous of the money,"
"Then what's eating you?" she radiates confident energy
"That even though you're rich, you love to steal,"
She drops her arms dramatically "Give it a rest! I didn't know they were for sale! I thought they were just growing on the street!"
"Ah yes, give someone stealing from our business a rest. You sound just like them,"
She rolls her eyes "What? What do you want? Do you want me to pay?" She reaches inside her purse and pulls out money "How much is it? One, two dollars?" she waves it in his face "What? Take it!"
"Are you sure you're Black? Or are you white?"
"What? You keep bugging me about the flowers, so I'll pay for them!" she waves the money
"It's not just about the payment! It's about how entitled you have to be to just take them without even thinking to ask!" He leans in toward her
"For fuck's sake I made a mistake! I'm sorry!"
He crosses his arms "Are you sorry or are you just annoyed that I'm bringing it up?"
She groans "I'm sorry! That's why I tried to give them back! You don't think I was embarrassed?!"
"So you're not sorry? You're just embarrassed because you made a fool of yourself!"
"You didn't know that you can feel two things at once?"
"I'm pretty sure you're not sorry,"
She steps up on her toes "Again, you don't know me," she squints
"I think I do, you're a thief, just like a white person,"
Vera pokes him and he swats her hand away "Fuck you, I am not a thief," she speaks in a hushed tone, his grin wide as ever, as if he's taking pleasure from her irritation.
"Are you all still out here? It's been a bit," May sticks her head out of the back door "I made gumbo, do you two want some? I know you do Alastor," she gives her son a warm smile
Alastor's smile warms and shrinks "Of course I do Maman,"
"Well come on in! Of course, you are welcome to have some as well Miss Vera,"
Vera nods "Thank you,"
Both Vera and Alastor approach the door, Alastor grabbing it and holding it open for her and gesturing for her to walk inside, smiling the whole time
"Ladies first," it rolls off his tongue and past his lips like a true gentleman
Vera holds her head high and her nose in the air as she walks past him, entering the house. He watches her from behind, hips swaying all the while. Alastor's bottom lip slips up between his teeth before he follows her inside.
"You gave your sister the heebie-jeebies!"
"Daddy, it was a joke!"
"It does not matter, you don't scare your little sister like that,"
"Okay, I'm sorry,"
"Don't tell me, tell her,"
Steps are heard "Brynn, I'm sorry for telling you that crazy people are going to bump you off in the woods,"
Alastor could hear them talking from the backyard as he planted the flowers around the back door of the property that the Bates had purchased. Alastor found that while Vera had the utmost love for her family, it didn't stop her from causing small mischief, including her morbid humor. This wasn't the first time she'd scared her sister with one of her 'jokes'. Alastor wipes his forehead, as he kneels on the ground patting and flattening the dirt. He happens to look up, seeing a curtain close quickly.
Alastor smirks to himself, sitting on the ground with his legs open. He looks down again, allowing her to look through the curtain again. He catches her this time, a light blush adorning her face when she pulls the curtain shut.
Alastor hoists himself up and approaches the window, removing his gardening gloves to tap it. Vera opens the curtain and the blush on her cheeks rises when she sees how close he is to the glass. Her eyebrows go up, communicating to him silently as he waves for her to join him outside. The curtain closes and a few moments later she appears in the doorway.
"You got in trouble?" He slips his glove back on
She scoffs "No,"
"Sounds like it," he flashes her a grin
"I think you just want me to get in trouble,"
"I would love that actually." Alastor squats in front of her, planting the next flower
Vera's dress almost touches the dirt, she stares down at Alastor as he sits on the ground, urging her to sit with him. She shakes her head vigorously before he shrugs and continues planting.
"I don't get in trouble very often,"
He doesn't look up as he responds "So your daddy lets you do whatever you want huh?"
"Not exactly,"
He chuckles "With money comes privileges,"
Vera puts her hands on her hips "Privileges impeded by my gender,"
Alastor looks up at her "What? You a flapper?"
Vera shrugs and waves around her arms "Somewhat,"
"And just what does your daddy think about that?"
"My daddy supports the movement, but he says I shouldn't dress like that because he doesn't want me to draw attention to myself, and I told him 'But daddy, I love attention'!"
"He doesn't think you're drawing attention to yourself now?"
Vers looks confused "What do you mean?"
He snickers "Nothing,"
"No, tell me,"
"You wearing your glad rags all over the place and your loud mouth,"
She rolls her eyes "Of course my mouth is an issue. But your mouth isn't?"
"Nope,"
"Of course, and what's the difference between you and me?
Alastor rolls up his sleeves "You're ignorant?"
"You are a man," she gestures toward him "Therefore you are automatically afforded more opportunities than I."
"I am a poor man," he corrects her "Not many opportunities would be coming my way. You are rich, which is guaranteed to open many doors for you,"
"My father is rich," she corrected his correction "All the money is his. I have nothing to my name. If I were to head out into the world alone, I would have nothing. On the other hand, you may be poor, but if you were afforded some funds, you would be allowed to keep them. You don't need anyone's permission to do anything. You heard my father, even when I am to become a famous actress, I would have nowhere to keep my riches. They would go to my father or…"
"Your husband," he finishes for her
"Indeed."
"You have no idea what my situation affords me," he points up at her "You are up there," and touches his chest "And I am down here,"
Vera purses her lips "I suppose we both have disadvantages then. Can we agree on that?"
"Hmm…no,"
Vera stood with her arms out as May sewed the sleeves of the dress her mother had ordered for her. Vera felt the purple, green, and gold wasn't exactly the greatest color combination against her skin, but who was she to go against Mardi Gras tradition? May sewed the sleeves to the correct size and length, she had clearly been working on this dress all night, as she'd heard her mother request it the day before and the bags under her eyes were evident.
"And I think you are finished, Miss Vera. You may look in the mirror,"
She turns to the full-length mirror, revealing the gorgeous deep purple gown embroidered with golden beads at the top around the chest and the bust. The beads adorn the hemline as it draped over her ankles. Around the back, there was a deep green trimming attached to the waist, with golden beads on the bottom of it as well.
"This is gorgeous! You are the best seamstress in New Orleans, not that I have any frame of reference, but still,"
May is flattered "Why thank you, Miss Vera," she goes to help Vera remove the dress
"You must be the best dressed at every party you go to with this skill,"
May is slightly uncomfortable with the assumption that she attends parties. She doesn't respond as she peels the dress off the younger woman's body.
"How many of these cute dresses do you have in your closet?" Vera tries to make conversation
The mother shakes her head "None, Miss,"
Vera raises her eyebrows "Really? I figured you'd have so many. If I could make dresses like this I'd constantly be the belle of the ball, how are you not taking advantage of such skill?"
May smiles at the girl, knowing she meant no harm "I don't really have time to make dresses for myself Miss, or the money,"
"Money? You should be drowning in customers with work of this caliber. What's stopping you?"
She sighs "Most seamstresses get work over the phone these days. Where I have to get the work in person,"
"You don't have a phone?"
May shakes her head
"How much is a phone these days? 20? 30 dollars?"
"No ma'am it is about 14 dollars."
"Oh? Is that all? Here," Vera reaches into her coin purse and gives her a 50 dollar bill "This is for my dress," she hands her two 50 dollar bills "And this is for the dress for yourself" She hands her two 20 dollar bills and a 10. "So all together that's…." she thinks "200 dollars" Vera claps her hands in delight
"Oh, Miss Vera I can't accept this,"
"May, please, this is a drop in the bucket for me. You see how easily I gave it to you? This money means much more to you than it would to me. Please, take the money, and make yourself a nice dress." she touches the older woman's shoulder "And get yourself a phone! So you can get more customers! More people need to know about your work"
The mother nods her head "Thank you," and hangs up the dress
Vera turns to the mother "Say, were you upset by me taking the Azaleas?"
May isn't sure if she's allowed to tell the truth, she doesn't want to offend the poor girl, or her parents "Oh no, of course not,"
"Please tell me the truth,"
May tilts her head "Well, it was a bit irksome, but I don't hold it against you. I know that you didn't know that we sold them."
"I do sincerely apologize for that, it's a habit I'm trying to break. My father always has to remind me,"
"It's quite alright Miss,"
She drops her head "Thank you,"
May starts putting away her supplies "What made you want to ask?"
Vera shakes her head "Oh nothing,"
"Tell me the truth dear,"
"Well, your son called me a thief,"
The mother furrows her brows "Oh Alastor? Do not worry your pretty head about it. He's protective of the flowers. You did nothing wrong, the only thing he's more protective over is me," she waves her off "Don't think about a thing he says. I'll talk to him about it,"
"Oh you don't have to, I just wanted to make sure it was all well with you,"
"It's alright thank you, Miss,"
"Alastor," May called for her son
He wipes his hands as he approaches her from outside "Yes Maman?"
"I was talking to Miss Vera and she said that you called her a thief?"
Alastor blushes and looks away "Oh…"
"Did you say that?"
He rubs the back of his neck "I suppose I did,"
May's palm connects with the side of Alastor's head "What is wrong with you? Is that how I taught you to treat ladies? And a client at that? Just 'cuz they ain't white doesn't mean you can act up,"
"I was just joking around Maman,"
"Don't 'I was just joking' me Alastor, you need to watch yourself. I know you're grown, but this could affect our business, okay?"
"Okay,"
"Thank you, sweetie,"
Alastor lingers in the room "What else did you two talk about?"
She raises her eyebrow "Is that any of your business?"
"I just want to know what you Janes were talking about,"
She purses her lips "We just discussed me buying a phone to get more clients,"
"Where are we getting a phone from?"
His mother pulls out the money from her purse "The Miss gave me some money for it," she puts it back in her purse "Though I may use it for extra groceries. Or we could get a new icebox,"
Alastor is shocked "A new icebox?!"
His mother nods "She paid me for the dress, gave me money for a phone and enough to make a dress for myself, though I don't know where I'd even wear a nice dress like the one I made for her,"
"You don't find that odd Maman?" He crosses his arms "We don't wanna be taken for saps?"
"Don't be a killjoy Alastor, the Miss is such a nice girl, why are you being like that?" her eyes soften "Alastor?"
He looks at his mother, confused by her tone.
"Are you stuck on Miss Vera?"
He blushes hot "Stuck on her theft, yes,"
She puts her hands on her hips "Alastor?"
"Maman?"
"Level with me please,"
He looks away from her "I suppose that she is….pretty spiffy,"
"Aww baby," May cups her son's cheek "This is your first crush," she caresses his cheek "If you like a lady," she slaps the side of his head again "Charm her, don't bother her!"
Alastor taps Vera's shoulder while their parents discuss payment. She turns to him rolling her eyes.
"Yes?"
"What are you playing at?"
Vera's expression is mixed with confusion and annoyance "To what are you referring?"
Alastor's lips form a straight line "Giving my mother extra money? She's not some project, and we're not a charity case," he says, completely serious
Vera stares at him, full of disbelief "Are you screwy?" she asks in complete sincerity "What kind of poor person complains about getting more money?"
He looks away "I just don't want to feel like an experiment,"
Vera looks disgusted "I enjoy your mother's company." She speaks with her back to him "She's a charming woman. I think she deserves to have a phone of all things. If I can make her life easier, then I shall. It's the least I can do when my family relies on her labor. It just so happens that I am in a fortunate situation where it costs me very little to be kind. And even if it cost me much, such a wonderful woman, deserves something wonderful for herself." She turns to face him "So no, I am not out to get your mother or you, and I resent the accusation." Her brows are furrowed and she wears a deep scowl to show her displeasure.
"Spend time with your own mother,"
"I do." she looks around "What's eating you? Why are you treating me like I'm the opposite of a gold digger?"
"I don't need some lousy dame who thinks she's the cat's meow giving my Maman and I the run-around,"
Vera tilts her head "Maman?"
Alastor blushes "My mother," he mumbles
"Is that what you call her?"
"And what about it?" he gets defensive
Vera puts her arms behind her back "That's cute,"
His eyes widen and he drops his guard. Alastor opens his mouth to respond when his mother calls for him.
"Alastor! Come on, unless you want to stay here with Miss Vera!" she jokes
Alastor blushes deeper, looking back at the young woman "Bye,"
Vera pouts her lips "See you tomorrow," she says batting her lashes. _
Vera woke up to the scent of baked goods, she danced down the staircase to find her entire family in the kitchen, May by the stove just finishing some pastries with powdered sugar. She had prepared pancakes, eggs, hash browns, french toast, bacon, sausage, and grits.
She took a seat at the table, her entire family in their sleepwear. Alastor enters the kitchen, heading for the back door.
"Pardon me," he states, passing by the table
"Say son, did you eat any breakfast?" Cassius questioned
Alastor turns "No sir, I figured I'd get right to work,"
Vera felt a bit exposed wearing her nightgown in front of a fully dressed Alastor, but she knew better than to give him that satisfaction.
"Sit down! Enjoy a meal why don't ya? You don't wanna work yourself to the bone! Your mother's made a delightful meal! Pull up a chair!"
Alastor forces a smile "Oh I'd rather not, I think I'll get started early,"
Cassius widens his eyes "I insist,"
May gives her son a look
Alastor exhales, removing his gardening gloves and sitting in an empty chair, far from everyone else.
"Why don't you move closer?" Daphne suggests
"I'm fine here,"
The Bates family collectively stares at him and his mother shoots him a glare. Alastor reluctantly drags the chair across the floor, slowly and loudly until reaching the table. Once reaching the table, he finally takes a seat.
Cassius clears his throat "I hope that didn't leave any dents in the floor," he snaps in May's direction "When you're finished with that, take a look at it would you May?"
"Of course," she says not looking at the man, instead shooting her son a slight glare
Cassius turns back to Alastor, "So son, tell us about yourself,"
"What would you like to know?"
"Do you have an intended?" Daphne smirks as May puts the food on the table in front of the Bates "A young man your age should be thinking about marriage,"
May stands behind her son and lightly taps his back
Alastor 'ahems' "Oh no, I haven't been interested in any women," Cassius, Daphne, and Vera give him wide eyes, while Brynn reaches for the eggs and fails. May taps her son's back harder "Or men, of course," She pushes her son's head and returns to the stove "But, I have never thought about it,"
"Well, you should! It's usually around now when young men start courting!" Daphne gives him a grin
"Yes you're right," Alastor turns to the youngest Bates "Brynn, may I have your hand?" he jokes, holding out his palm
Brynn dropped her fork and gasped "Yes!" grabbing his fingers with incredibly sticky ones
The rest of the company laugh, Cassius laughing particularly loud as Alastor pulls his hands away, wiping them on the napkin that May handed him. Vera, on the other hand, is not laughing. She does not understand the comedy behind it. She keeps a straight face as May places the square pastries in the middle of the table.
"What is that?"
May turns to her "Hmm?"
"The things you just put on the table,"
"Oh! Those are beignets!"
Vera is confused "What's a beignet?"
Alastor swallows his eggs and dusts off his hands "They're a bit like French donuts,"
Vera chuckles "You have egg on your face,"
Alastor raises his brow "Hmm?"
"No, literally,"
Alastor turns to his mother, who points at her own chin, signaling where the food sticks. Alastor blushes and wipes his face with a napkin. Vera giggles and Cassius and Daphne slightly grimace.
"Hmm, how…simple," The father comments
"Quite," his wife agrees
Cassius "Oh May, you've made enough food, why don't you join us over here,"
"Of course," She stands behind her son's chair
Alastor puts his head down, seeing Vera's arm reaching past him for a beignet. He watches her wrap her lips around the pastry, licking the powdered sugar from her lips. He feels her pull her foot back and it brushes against his leg on its way to her chair. As the adults continue talking, Alastor reaches his foot toward her, lightly tapping her slipper with his shoe. Her head snaps up.
"Everything alright sweetheart?"
She shakes her head "Sorry, I thought I felt something on me," she glances at Alastor who gives a sly smirk, letting her know his intentions. They continue the conversation and Vera taps Alastor's shoe with her foot, to test out her theory, and feels his foot graze her ankle. She was right! He did it on purpose! She rubs his ankle back with her foot, taking it as a challenge, while he pokes her with his toes. She lightly kicks him and he raises his foot her calf slowly. The blush on Vera's face makes her skin her favorite color and she does the same to him. This time, however, she feels his foot go up much higher on her leg, lifting the hemline of her nightgown much higher, over her knee-
"Mommy! Daddy! Vera is foot wrestling with the garden boy!"
Vera reaches over the table to pinch her sister but is then pinched herself by her mother "Ow!" she rubs her arm
"You don't pinch your sister!" Daphne reprimands her older daughter
Cassius clears his throat "Perhaps son, you should get to work,"
"Of course sir," he says, dragging his foot back down slowly and standing up from the table.
Vera watches him exit through the back door, finally noticing how his trousers fit his legs.
"You all are going to the Mardi Gras parade, right?"
Alastor turns to the voice talking to him and it's Vera standing in an outside dress, covering her arms, as the thin material did nothing to shelter her from the cool breeze. He lowered the shears to respond to her.
"You know your daddy will be on my ass if I don't get this work done,"
Vera shrugs "So get it done," she states plainly
"I would, but a little doll keeps distracting me,"
She stares up at him, over her glasses and he stares down under his
"Look at me over your cheaters all you want, I got a job to do," he returns to the branches
Vera stands beside him and looks at his face as he prunes the branches "Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Going to the parade,"
He clamps the shears shut over the dead branch "We're gonna swing by one of them,"
"One?" she seems confused
"Yeah," he glances down at her and grins "You didn't think there was only one did you?"
She blushes. She did think that. "My family is going to the one run by the Krewe of Iris, my mother is a member,"
"Oh?" He lowers the shears "Is that why you all requested those ritzy-looking clothes?" she nods "This is their first year,"
"Oh," she says, leaving a beat of silence "Which one are you going to?"
"Krewe of Endymion, and no I'm not a member. I like to watch,"
"What are you going to wear?"
He raises his brow "Probably nothing very different from what I've got on right now,"
Vera looks shocked "What? You're going to wear that?! Your mother's a seamstress, why not wear something nice?!"
Alastor places the shears on the ground and turns to face her directly, he puts his gloved hand on her shoulder and she flinches a bit. He sets his brows and his lips in a line "I want to make something clear to you. Some of us, namely my mother and I, do not have everything you do. And we do not have the time, the money, or the resources to get them because we're working for fat cats like your daddy just to survive,"
Vera had no idea what to say to that, at that moment, all she could feel was the warmth on her cheeks and the weight of Alastor's hand on her shoulder. Without his eyes leaving hers, he lowered his hand down to her arm. The wind blows as his hand travels down to capture her silk-covered fingers.
"Do you dislike me?" she asks
"No," he responds, the winds perfectly combing through his hair "I do however, dislike your talks of your possessions and your ignorance. But what I dislike the most," he steps closer "is your father getting in the way,"
"In the way of what?" she asked, her chest unexpectedly warming and her stomach shockingly flipping.
He gives her a giant silly grin and puts her hair behind her ear. The gesture is useless, as the wind blew her hair back, but her skin tingled regardless.
"Vera!" she turns to see her mother at the back door "Let that boy do his work! Should you not be in here studying your mathematics?"
Vera doesn't look back as she answers the call, walking back to the house and to her mother. When she steps into the door frame, Cassius comments on the leaves and dirt on Vera's sleeve, giving a dirty look to Alastor in the backyard.
Alastor takes a long blink and picks the shears up once more. This time, however, when he cuts off the dead branches and watches them fall, he imagines that he's cutting Mr. Bates's neck and watching his head fall with a thud. _
Vera knocks on the front door of the house. "May?" she calls inside "It's me, it's Vera! My father sent me over?" she knocks a few more times, standing on the small porch, waiting before the door swung open with force and Alastor stood behind it. Vera's cheeks warmed "Oh, hello," she wiggled her gloved fingers
"What's up?" His expression seems somewhat dark as he leans on the doorframe
"I thought your mother was here," she says, not really answering the question
He crosses his arms "She is not,"
Vera blinks "Is she coming back?"
"Hopefully,"
Vera stares past the man and into the house, blinking rapidly.
Alastor glances behind him "Would you like to come inside?"
She nods "Yes, please," he moves out of the frame to allow her to walk in before him, and he closes the door behind them. Once inside, he makes a beeline for the living room, where music can be heard playing.
"What brings you here?"
Vera chuckles "I volunteered to come over to give your Mama the money for the rest of the year, but I suppose I can give it to you," her gloves are white as snow, and she removes her hat and hands him the wad of cash "What are you listening to?"
"WWL," he responds, sitting up
"Hmm," she says, trailing her fingers over the couch
Alastor leans back with his head against the wall "I know you don't care much for radio, but I don't need to hear it right now,"
"It's not that I don't care for it," she comes closer to the young man "I just don't understand the urge to be on it," she chuckles "Tell me,"
He turns to her "Hmm?"
"Tell me why you want to do radio,"
She stands over him as he sits up in place "Well, radio stars are the pinnacle of celebrity,"
"And?"
He doesn't know what to say "And…everybody listens,"
"Mhmm? Is that all?"
Alastor shakes his head "No, you don't understand. Everybody listens. Not just some people, everybody. Radio hosts and late-night stories have everyone on the edge of their seats, hanging onto every word they say. To the point where people don't even get up to use the toilet for fear of missing what will come out of their mouth next. The people are gripped, practically chained to it. They don't miss a single broadcast, at least, I don't. I want to do that. I want to be that because I need to know that when I talk, there's always someone who will listen," He had started staring out the window as he spoke, but he turned back to Vera when he finished and saw the tears almost fall out of her eyes, he looks away in embarrassment. "It's not sad, I don't know why you're doing that,"
"I'm sorry,"
His neck snaps with how fast he turns to her "What?"
"I'm so sorry. For the things I said when we met. That was the most beautiful thing I've heard in my whole life. I think I've been moved by your words. Honestly,"
Alastor blushes "I don't think that it was that serious,"
"I didn't mean those things anyway," she went on "I only said it because I got my feelings hurt," she smiled awkwardly
"What did I say that hurt your feelings?"
She tilts her head "Well… you laughed at me and implied that being an actress is a useless pipe dream,"
"Right…" Alastor readjusts himself "Well, why do you want to do acting?"
"Well, I want to be seen. The same way you want to be heard, when you're on the stage and you see the crowd, they paid to be there. So you know they want you, want to see you. I want that to be me," she clenches her fists as she imagines herself on the stage, spotlights on her in the center, with the audience's undivided attention. There's a glimmer in her eyes as she tells him this, one that tells him she means every single word of it.
His expression softens a lot "Wow, you're so beautiful," she looks back at him, her thoughts broken "Well, that was so beautiful,"
"Yes, I suppose so," she places with the ends of her hair.
The two of them sit in comfortable silence, with her staring off into the distance and him staring at her. At a random moment, she snaps back into reality.
"Well, I should get going, my parents are expecting me," she snickers, replacing her hat "And I don't think my father likes you very much," she laughs, but Alastor doesn't find it funny
Alastor doesn't want her to leave, and her father was getting on his last nerve. As she exited the living room, he made quick strides to black the front door, as he had come up with an idea. One to get a secret one up on Mr. Bates and to make sure that even if she left, a piece of her would always be here, with him.
"Don't leave just yet," he puts on his celebrity smile as she pulls back slightly shocked at his appearance in front of the door
She smiles nervously "Do you need something?"
"Well yes, I need you to come see something with me,"
"Where?" she questions
"Follow me,"
She could decline, or insist on heading back home, but she wasn't sure that she wanted to. "Fine,"
He leads her out the back door and into the woods behind the house. Not very deep, however, more like where a child would play. She did her best to not get dirt on her blouse, skirt, or gloves, as it would be very difficult to hide. When he stopped it was in front of a small structure made of wood that if one squinted, they could say it looked like a house.
"Ta-da!"
Vera tilts her head "What am I looking at?"
Alastor chuckles "It's a fort,"
It amuses her "For a child," she snickers "Did you build this?"
"With my own two hands, my dear,"
She crouches "When? When you were a boy?" she laughs
It has enough room to fit them both, but only if they lie down….on top of each other. She looks back at him
"Indeed," he grins
"This is adorable but, why did you bring me here?" she questions
Alastor pulls her back by her waist and she blushes at being held there. He crouches and kneels, removing his jacket and laying it on the floor of the fort.
"Go on in,"
"Are you screwy?"
"Trust me, go in,"
She shakes her head with disbelief and chooses to trust him. She crouches once more and enters the tiny fort, Alastor entering behind her. There is more space than she thought, but not by much. She fit inside fully, but Alastor was so tall that his feet threatened to stick out of the door. Vera giggles at the sight. Alastor smiles at the sound of her giggle and removes her hat.
"Miss Bates?"
She flutters her lashes "Yes?"
"Have you ever…been with a man?"
The blush overtakes her face and she covers her mouth with her gloved hands. Alastor grabs her hands and pulls them back down to her lap, waiting for an answer
"Is that an…appropriate topic?"
He stares over his lenses "I thought you were a flapper at heart,"
"I-" she looks away, embarrassed slightly "I am, but-" she closes her eyes, trying not to giggle anymore
"But?" he goads her
"Well, I haven't been with any men, but…" she pushes some of her hair back "I have…done things with some of my friends."
"What kind of things?" He raises his brow
"Like with our fingers?" She bites her lip in embarrassment
Alastor raises his eyebrows and widens his eyes "So you haven't tried the newest trend?"
"What trend?" she looks interested
Alastor leans in "The trend where you have a man taste what's between your legs?" he smirks, he lids his eyes at her
Vera's face quickly turns pink "I-I've never heard of that.." she stammers
"It's a new thing, cher. All the free-thinking women are doing it. Isn't that what you stand for?"
She glances to the side "Well, yes, but I don't know if we should be talking about this."
"Don't you believe in equal rights for women?"
"Of course I do!"
"Doesn't that include sexual freedom?" he leans toward her
"Well, yes but-"
"Then why don't we try it? It's supposed to represent a role reversal of the subjugation of women."
Vera's breath starts to get heavy, thinking about the man in front of her being between her legs. She also started feeling hot in the space he was asking to taste. She knew that this wasn't the first time she had thought about Alastor this way, but now that he was asking, it all felt so real. She wasn't sure if she was still too young for this kind of thing. She was 19 and they weren't married. This moment had shown its face in all her fantasies, and now she had the chance to make it true. She was a young, free woman goddammit! She could make her own decisions, including who and what goes between her legs! And besides, who said her future husband ever had to know?
"Okay, but you'll be gentle right?" She looks up at him through her lashes
He crawls towards her, thinking about how pretty she looks right now "Of course," he whispers against her lips before connecting with them. He kisses her with passion, and although she is startled, she quickly sinks into it; running her hands up his chest and landing around his neck. Allowing his tongue to enter her mouth and him to press her up against the wall to the small area. Her heat pooled underneath her long skirt, full of anticipation for what was coming next.
Alastor pulled back from the kiss, only for Vera to pull him back in, once, twice, three times. He smirks and licks his bottom lip. "I promise it will be worth it ma chérie." He gives her a few more small kisses before descending and lifting up her skirt to go under it. She felt him pull down her tights and panties halfway down, then felt his warm breath on her heat. Her breath hitched in her throat as he planted a light kiss on her wet heat. She laid back waiting for something else to happen.
Alastor slides his tongue into her vagina, Vera is shocked by the sensation of the intrusion. At first, it felt strange, but then it started to feel good. The feeling of his wet tongue on the inside of her wet core was something magical. He begins to massage the nerves inside her with the curve of his tongue, and each curve and twist had Vera making a symphony of moans in different octaves. Alastor stayed inside of her for what must have been an hour, but it was entirely too short for him. He was tasting paradise and did not want to leave.
When he did remove his tongue he made his way to her clit, Alastor licked and flitted with it. Vera starts moaning at the sudden influx of pleasure. He drags his tongue around and around her clit, then begins sucking on the bud. Her moans get louder and louder, so she has to cover her mouth to avoid being heard by anyone else who might be in the woods. He sucks the bud like his life depended on it; like he needed this little bean to survive. Vera couldn't help but moan louder and louder as the pleasure built up inside of her. She bites on one of her fingers to keep the volume of her voice down. The volume of her voice grows louder and louder, the longer he sucks on her clit. Her breath is growing heavier than before. She looks down at him, not knowing what else to do while feeling this, and sees his arm sitting up, palm open. She grabs his hand and grips it, squeezing her thighs around his head, as the knot in her gut grows tighter and tighter. Alastor uses his lips to pull on her clit and the knot snaps as she is overwhelmed with pleasure, she begins moaning at the top of her lungs.
Alastor comes from under her skirt and embraces her in another passionate kiss, swallowing her moans. She wraps her arms around him as he lowers her onto the coat he laid under her. He lays on top of her, kissing and feeling her as she rides out her first manmade orgasm.
It may have looked awkward when she finally did leave, her face fully red while trying not to smile, and the gigantic smirk on his face. He tried for a goodbye kiss as she walked out the door, but she simply placed her hand on his chest and silently walked out. He was right in his plan. She'd left her taste with him, and nobody, not even her father could take that from him.
Imagine his surprise when his mother called him down on her way out one morning, telling him that he had mail. He tore open the envelope with confusion, only to have to fight the gigantic grin from crawling onto his face as he read it.
Dear Alastor,
Hello, this is Vera Bates. I'm not sure if you know any other Vera's. Ha ha!
Anyway, I will just get to the point and say that I can not stop thinking about you and…
what we did.
Oh, I'm so embarrassed just thinking about it. I can feel my face turning red. Ha ha!
Anyway, I was hoping that we could write until we see each other again. I don't think I want my father to hear me on the phone, haha.
Write back, please.
Love, Vera
Immediately he went to find a pen and paper to respond.
Dear Vera,
Hello to you as well! This is Alastor, haha!
I hope all is well with you, my dear. What we did is on my mind as well, and I am hoping that perhaps we could do something
like it again? If I am allowed to be so forward with you Miss Bates. Catch me up on your adventures in New York City!
I'd love to hear more about your Broadway dreams. And maybe other types of dreams…about me?
It is an honor to write to you.
Sincerely, Alastor
He smirked as he wrote the letter, knowing it would make her blush. They went back and forth like this for the rest of the year. Eager to see her once again and perhaps continue what they'd started, he was up bright and early, ready for the day the Bates came back. But she didn't come that year, or the next. Her parents did, but Vera was absent, and the letters had stopped too. Of course, he had made it all up in his head, he wasn't even sure if what he was feeling was real. He had never felt this before, in his entire life. He could have asked her parents about her, but that would be admitting that he cared, and he didn't so, he did his job and left—day in and day out until the Bates were gone.