"Classified. At least until I am certain you are not having spy intentions." Jacob said simply. "Sorry." He noticed the soaked through shoes, tilting his head some. "Perhaps I can get you some boots to make up. Your feet must be cold."
"I would greatly appreciate it. You aren't like the other officers." She commented as she saw 2 of them chatting on a street corner. "None would be so kind, most would just yell at me to get home, or be rather…horrid men towards men. Rape, murder, greed. Even within the soviets it exists. I've heard some stories from the other tendents of my apartment building. Whether they are all true, or completely true, I may never know. But the fear and panic is wide spread. I am lucky I am not dead. Most artists are, or will be sooner or later. But you. You are kind. There is a certain shine to your eyes that defeats your stiffed back nature, and thick accent. Us Frenches are seen as the romantic poets of the world, and the Russians as hard backed warriors. You oppose the stereotype. I liked that. During the show I noticed your eyes were mostly trained on me and when I was not on stage and behind the curtain, doing a freshening up or helping to change scenes, I'd see you searching."
Jacob froze, stopping where he was. "You… Don't know me." He tried to argue, though he knew what she was saying was true; he was not like the others. Nothing about him even struck anyone as similar to other communists, except for his appearance and his facade he forced himself to follow. "Let's… just get you the boots." He walked her to a nearby shoe store.
She followed him, and walked slower looking a bit deflated really. Suddenly a boy with wild black hair and blue eyes, with dimples and freckles ran over and gave her a hug. "RAIN! I didn't ever think I'd ever see you again!" "Well mon cher!" Rain cried out. The boy was about 14, and even his words bounced like bouncy balls. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tootsie roll, which may very well be the last of it's kind, and folded it into his hand. "Shhh, the mean officer will report me for giving you candy." She giggled and patted his head as he popped it into his mouth. "What are you doing here Rain?" "Well Charlie, the nice man has offered to buy me some new winter boots, since my other pair got too small and I donated them to the homeless. Especially now I know they need it more then I do. More than ever." The boy nodded as his father walked over. "CHARLIE! You have shoe soles to fini-well I'll be. Rain. You are still around in our corner of the world. I'm surprised." He gave her a small shoulder hug, and looked down at her feet. "Madam mousille, you need a pair of good thick boots. Come. We will get you the best. Anything for a good family friend." He looked at the officer, and nodded his hat towards him, before offering Rain his hand. "Come walk with me, my little pet. And Charlie! Go back to repairing those shoes!" "Yes father." The boy ran off as Rain smiled and took Charlies fathers hand. "Louis. How is your little shop still running?" "Secrets Rain, secrets. We're just lucky I guess." He sat her down in a little velveteen arm chair and grabbed one of the shoe sizer thingies, and slid her foot into it. "Tsk tsk tsk. Your feet are going to turn blue by the end of week. I'll be back." He said and whisked himself into the shop as Rain hummed gently to herself one of the songs from the show.
Jacob was stunned, as the man took her over to the chair. He followed, watching. "So, you know Rain well then?" He asks. He was still suspicious of the girl, and her having friends didn't change this. He didn't want to scare him, but he did want to know more about rain. He found it suspicious how well she knew him.
Louis looked at the officer as he searched the shelves. "Yes. She's an old family friend of ours. I knew her mother and father, and our son and her grew up playing at the park just down the street." He grabbed a pair of foots and observed them carefully, and shook his head, continuing along. "Do not be suspicious of her. She is just very poetic, and knows how to read people like books. It's a rare talent. Ask her about anyone, and with a glance she may know right down to their favorite color. No files, just a special sense. Had it since she was a little girl. Ah! Here we go." He grabbed a pair of big thick black fleece lined winter boots, with draw strings at the top she can tighten to help keep out the snow, and he rushed back to where Rain was seated, and carefully helped her into them. She then got up and walked back and forth in them. "I wish they weren't so heavy…" She said with a pout. "But they will last me a while. Thank you Lois." "Of course of course, now then while I would be more then happy to hand them over for free, these are hard times and I still have a business to run. So I do ask you to pay. $18.00 please."
Jacob handed him a 20. "Keep the change." He stated, then turned back to Rain. "Should we take our leave, then?" He asks, handing her ballet shoes back to her. "I still have to get you back before curfew, or I will have to prosecute." He said simply, not to scare, but to remind her. He turned back to the shop keep. "Thank you for your assistance."
He nodded and Rain sighed. "I suppose." She then turned to Lois. "I'll try to see you all soon. I do miss you all. Goodbye then and tell Charlie goodbye for me too." She smiled and then followed him out the door, carrying the baller slippers in the crook of her army,where she went silent.
Jacob glanced at Rain as they walked along the road, sighing some. "I'm sorry, but I do not wish to be considered spy." He then hesitated a moment, remembering Louis's words. "My name is Jacob." He stated out of the blue, not looking at her as he said it. What the store owner had said made him feel more comfortable around the woman.
"Hm Jacob. Not a very russian name…but. Who am I to say. That would be like saying Rain isn't very french." She continued along the sidewalk, still cold but glad to be going home. She watched the moon a bit, returning to her silence, just enjoying the silent night.
Jacob stopped when she did at her apartment. "Stay safe. Keep with the crowd next time." He said in a tone that almost sounded like he was… Joking with her? "Here, give me a call if you ever have trouble." He hands Rain a slip of paper with a phone number written on it, then tipped his hat at her. "Have a good night." He then walks away.
She watched him walk away and waved, tucking the phone number into the black holes of her pocket,before stepping inside. Her little sister Alison leapt up. "CLOUDY!" She cried out from watching some war cartoons on the couch, rushing into Rain's arms. "Hi there Ally Cat. Have you had dinner?" "Nooo…" "I think we have some mac and cheese, how about I cook that." "Yeah cheesies!" And thus the night fell silent. The rest of her family was dead, or to be presumed dead. It was easier that way. As soon as her brother was sent off to go fight on the French side, and her parents well, her mother and father got into a scrimmage over something Rain doesn't bother to recall anymore, and the only thing that came back was their usual meal stamp ticket and pieces of clothes, along with only half of the groceries they were going to need to last the week. Luckily the meal ticket hadn't been stamped so she went out with the weight of death on her shoulders, got the groceries, and just carried on as she always have. These sad memories turned to Jacob's face. The softness of his eyes, and the sort of smile to his voice. Even if he came off as cold and harsh, she knew that front was as weak as paper. She hummed an old french song, Snow In Venice. Her mother used to sing it completely in French. (A really cute mostly english love song I'd check out. Sounds like it's right out of the 1920's but a bit modern?)
Jacob headed to his own home, taking off his blood-soaked jacket and throwing it in the washer. He then walked over to his workbench, sighing and plopping down in his chair, crossing a name off of his list, labeled; TO KILL. He rubbed his face some with his hands, tired beyond belief. He never slept well, it was normal for him. So he often had baggy eyes and a tired look on his face. He wasn't the worst cop out there, but he was the most feared, due to his job on the force. He set his hat down on his desk, looking over the symbol that was sewn into it. 'You'll never become a warrior by being friendly. Everyone will see right through you.' These words rang in his head, the same words his parents always repeated to him when he was younger. Meeting Rain had been nice. He hoped he'll get to see her again. Something about her was very… Interesting. He wasn't sure why, or what, but the feeling was there. He then got out his computer, looking up the dancer on it. Sure enough, it listed her shows that she'd be doing. 'He needed to go to more of them.' He booked tickets for each one, leaning back in his chair after. His raven that he kept as a pet, Ollie, flew over, landing on his head. He chuckled some and fed him a treat. Ollie was the only thing that kept him sane.
(Phew! That was quite a long response! '^^)
(Dude i'm in a roleplay where they do like 4 paragraphs of response and I write like one. I feel bad but they didn't exactly say how much response they needed. I didn't know! It's a headache to read though. Not that I mind.)
(Oki, I'm glad you don't mind! I just, don't like not adding details is all!)
(And it ticks me off when people write two words and call that a response! Like how am I supposed to work with that?!)
The next morning, Rain always sleeping on the couch with a metal baseball bat right on the floor next to her in case someone tried to break in. She knew that in war, desperate times call for desperate measures. The sounds of birds outside her window twittering away, woke her up. She got herself and her little sister a bowl of cereal after waking her up. Her sister still had her school books, and right before the war her parents had bought her sister next years school books as well. So Rain grabbed a sheet of paper, and after paging through the books, wrote down the assignments she expects her sister to do before she comes back from practice, circle the ones she will need help with, and then made her sister a peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and a glass of milk, put both in the fridge, and changed out of the leotard she wore, into a pair of sweats and a tank top, before heading off to practice. She had 2 more places she would be doing the nut cracker over the next week, still she wanted to stay in tip top shape. Her ballet studio was lucky, and always had coffee in the mornings. It wasn't good coffee, but it was one of the only places to get a cup anymore. So she walked in, and after talking with some of the new top woman that were now permanently part of her troupe, discussing the night before as she sipped her coffee. Once they all finished she did her stretches, ballet slippers now dry, and began to practice a few steps she was struggling with. There was a male there, who had struck her fancy. His name was Gabriel. He had dark brown curly hair and deep brown eyes, and little dimples on his cheeks. He took her in his arms as they danced together, humming the same tune as they counted steps and made sure they mastered their dips. He had played the nut cracker the night before.
(It's why I have a set of rules. I actually dropped a roleplay because they would barely add any detail and then bump because i wouldn't respond, like i had nothing to work with! I would kindly reprimand them, and then the roleplays that did have any details were one liners like, did you even read the rules? Apparantly not. I don't mind roleplaying with new people, as long as you're good ya know?)
Jacob had also found the studio the night before, heading to it on his parol. He didn't know why, but he was desperate to see that girl again. He froze when he saw Rain dancing with the other man, and something bubbled inside of him. Jealousy? Anger? He wasn't sure. But he walked farther into the studio, nobody obviously stopping him, and watched as the two danced with a sour expression on his face. It lightened as he saw Rain dancing about, her hair flowing lightly as she danced about gracefully. His expression shifted from sour to soft in almost an instant, without his realizing.
(Right, right. I do my best, though sometimes I feel I can get a little repetitive!)
She twirled away with a laugh. "Monsiuer very good! I'd watch that hand work when spinning so then we don't practically collide into eachother like we did the night before." He nodded. "Of course Madame Rain. I will be careful." He bowed playfully, and looked up at her with a wink, making her blush and giggle. "Alright 1 2 3 1 2 3…" She took up his hands and soon they were waltzing almost, before it turned to twirling. "And Lift!" She commanded, where she flew over his head and was set back down, where she spun away, being careful of her little footsteps. Suddenly, she turned to sharp, and she went down with a cry, tears welling in her eyes as her ankle began to swell. The troupe swarmed around her as she held her ankle, and they rolled up her sweats and took off her shoe, and someone felt around it. "I think she's broken her ankle. She'll need to go to the hospital." Gabriel stood at the edge of the crowd, looking almost ashamed. Rain cried out. "NO! We have two other recitals this week! Who will get my part?" "Well. We are all top ballerina's." Came an older womans voice. "I am sure we will find someone as your replacement. Officer, carry her to the hospital?" Called the gruff woman, looking over her shoulder over at Jacob.
(Naw don't worry. I don't mind it at all! The more detail the better ya know? I have friends who text in novel form and I LOVE reading it)
Jacob had rushed over as he saw Rain fall and heard the cry of pain. He nodded and tipped his hat at the woman, picking up rain and rushing out of the building quickly, not speaking for the time being. He realized the girl had no coat on and it was freezing outside, so he wrapped her in his coat as he ran down the road. The hospital wasn't far, luckily, and Jacob was fairly athletic, no it wasn't a problem for him.
"Hey careful careful! Walk OFFICER WALK!" She cried out,as tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her face. "Every bump makes it hurt more. Have some consideration for a lady whose hurt!" Still she almost snuggled against the warmth of his chest, rather enjoying it. Soon they were inside, and her foot was checked out. It was indeed broken and would need a cast. "I do not have the money for a cast doctor…" Rain said, as her foot was being wrapped. "How am I supposed to pay for this cast? You surely do need the money so you can provide as much care as you can for the other patients." The doctors face softened. He was old, with heavy set wrinkles and crows feet at his eyes, and a balding head. He wore thin wire framed glasses, and had a beard like Santa Clause, but was pretty skinny. "Rain. The war is giving us supplements and rations in all things, from medication to casts and crutches. While I appreciate the concern, I promise you. You just worry about getting better. I saw your show last night, it was quite spectacular. And I'd love to see you keep dancing. So. We'll send you the bill once the war is over." "But then I'll be in debt!" He shrugged. "I'm sorry Rain, but so are many others." "I have my little sister to take care of! I can't live off of rations forever!" He shook his head. "It's the way things are now I'm afraid Rain. There is nothing I can do about it. And I'm sorry for that." He was an american doctor, which was rare. And he looked like he should be retired, but he felt his expertise was needed elsewhere, so he got himself shipped along with his remaining days, over to France to help where he could.
Jacob glanced at the doctor, then to Rain's wrapped foot. "How much?" He asked. He got paid plenty, he'd surely be able to pay this off. He didn't want to poor dancer to go through any more than she had already. She didn't need to be in debt, her life must have been hard enough as a french woman. "I can pay for her. So she won't have to pay another time." He said in a concerned sort of tone, not caring about his front that he usually kept up for the time being. He just wanted Rain to be safe and happy.
Rain gasped a bit, and her voice went quiet. "O-officer! There's no need to do that. You've already helped so much." She said shyly. The doctor sighed. "$501 dollars. To be exact. And that's without taxes and such." Rain shook her head. "I barely have 20 dollars to my name…but really Officer I wouldn't want to bother you."
"I insist," Jacob said to Rain in a stern tone, his front returning then fading once more. "I'll pay for it. Do you take credit?" He asked the doctor, already pulling his wallet from the coat that was still wrapped around rain. He wasn't taking no for an answer, period. And Rain couldn't say anything against that.
He nodded and held out his hand, then left the room to go swipe the card and pay for it up at the front of the desk. Rain hobbled on her cast, almost testing it out. "How am I supposed to dance…? I can't dance like this. I have 2 more dances, and while I know they have a replacement…and of course there's my little sister Allison." She took a breath and sighed as she grabbed her crutches. "And now I have to walk home…Thank you deeply Officer."
Jacob heard Rain's words about her sister, frowning some in response. "How old is your sister?" The officer asked, not allowing Rain to leave just yet. If she was too young, she wouldn't be able to help care for her older sister, and that would mean the woman's condition would likely get worse. And he couldn't have that. He wanted to see her dance again, he wanted to watch her porcelain figure leap and glide almost like she was flying. He had never really cared this deeply about the well-being of another person before besides his parents. He thought it was odd, but instead of shoving the feeling down like it was nothing, he embraced it.