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He gave a slow nod to the answer his partner gave before he took his notebook and a pen, only to sit by the other. His legs instantly crossed and he opened his little book, scribbling things down instantly all of course in German.
"So, what is the plan?" he asked the other. "We weren't given much information..." Slowly he allowed his eyes to meet with Francis'. Those brown eyes brought a smile to his lips. For he saw earnest in them. The eyes of the other reminded him of his dog at home. When that thought crossed his mind he just chuckled to himself. |
Francis thought for a moment. He too was unsure what exactly they were to do. He stroked his clean shaven chin for a moment as he thought.
"As we're making medical supplies, I suppose the most logical thing to do would be to enlist the help of those in the medical field to see what is needed. I imagine that Edward, the Dean, will contact those snobs from Mercy Hospital to come through. But in the meantime, I know a man that is the best in the field. He's an American. Came over here to work a few years ago. Now that he's tying up the last few ends in his own project, he has a week or so before he is to travel back home. I'm sure that he'd be happy to help us out. Nice chap, though he likes to drink, so we shall probably have to share a brandy or two with him." |
The German listened and nodded. It was the most logical thing to do, at least for now. Then he began to think, he himself had to do a lot of other things for himself as well, such as finding a lodging. He rubbed his forehead, his thumb stuck on his temple as he allowed his other fingers to run smoothly over his skin. "That does sound interesting." he stated. "As for the drinking, I'm fine with that." slowly he leaned back a bit before he put his hands down. "I do have a favour to ask of you." he began.
"As you know I'm staying at a hotel for now, but I fear that this will take more time than a few months. Could you help me out finding a home?" |
"You're staying in a hotel?" Francis asked in surprise. "Oh pish posh, that is an unneeded drain on resources. They'll end up trying to get you to foot the bill. You're more than welcome to stay with me if you like? I have a multitude of spare rooms, and the staff would be glad of a fresh face in the house."
Francis smiled and stood up. "I'll let you mull that over, I need to go and see if I can get in touch with our American friend. I shan't be a moment." He strode out of the lab, going to get one of the university message girls to deliver a telegram to the American Professor, Chad Kennedy. |
When the other offered him to stay the smile on his lips widened more. This was very very nice. The costs would be lower than what he had to pay now. And everything would be tended to. It sounded like music in his ears. But before he could give an answer the other was already up and about. "Thank you." he said and gave a nod before he allowed the other to leave.
This was the perfect opportunity to organize everything in the way Marcus liked it. His waistcoat was thrown over the hat rack, his white sleeves were to be rolled up and he set out to the wall, pulling everything from it and studying it. There were a few tools that he did not know of, but none the less everything had to be organized. From small to big, what was used first and last. Marcus did have a good pacing already and he had started off with the gears first, for the tools were easy to sort out. |
Francis was glad that Marcus had accepted his offer, it would be company around the house for longer than any of his street ladies anyway. He did hope that Marcus wouldn't object too much to his lifestyle. Of course, he would be much more conservative than normal while Marcus stayed.
He wrote down a quick telegram: Chad, it is Francis Darling here. We have had a few dealings in the past, and before you get back off to America I require some assistance in a project at the university. Perhaps you could meet at the manor tonight for drinks to discuss? Please enclose a reply ASAP. He scrawled "Professor Kennedy" on the envelope and sealed it. Handing it over to a woman who delivered messages from the University. "Please make haste with that delivery," he said and the woman just nodded. She can't have been more than eighteen. Shaking his head slightly, he went back into the lab. |
Once the other got back Marcus sat on the floor, everything seemed to be scattered around him. But he knew exactly what he was doing. Soon enough he put the last cog in the right basket before he took notice of his new friend. "Almost done." he smiled. "Things were not organized the way I like them to be." he stated before he got up and dusted off his trousers with a single sweep of the hand.
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Francis sat and watched Marcus sort out the tool shelf in relative amusement.
"That's not a bother to me, as long as you can work well that's all that matters. It is you that has been taken from your homeland on this mission anyway," Francis said with a smile. "I've sent off the telegram to Professor Kennedy. If all goes according to plan, he should be at the manor later for a drink, and in the lab tomorrow helping us with the schematics before those from Mercy come along." |
Marcus cracked his knuckles before he began putting the baskets in place again, of course in the order he liked to have them. Then came the tools. "Ah, I'm quite curious to the American. I've heard of them, but never met one." he stated. Once everything was in place Marcus took a step back, fists in his side as he looked over it with a satisfied smile.
Then he turned back to face his friend and took a seat next to him. "I'm quite used to order. Some may even say I'm obsessed with it." of course he remembered the way his parents would say such things to him. 'You're obsessed, it's not bad. But keep in mind not everyone likes this cleanness.' At that fond memory the German smiled wider and pushed his hair back in place. "Say, Francis, do tell me a bit of your home and the customs here. I don't want to insult or upset any one at your home." |
"Chad is a very nice fellow, strong accent so it can take a bit of getting used to. He's from New York. Sailed over, he's quite impressed by vessels of high caliber, and never ceases to tell others about them," Francis said and chuckled slightly.
He looked at Marcus' handy work, he had to admit, that tool rack was much cleaner than he had ever seen it before. He listened to Marcus' explanation of his obsession with cleanliness, nodding every so often. "I myself am a very untidy person. I have staff at home that are happy enough to pick up after me as long as I pay and treat them well. So in that respect I'm quite lucky," he remarked. "As in my house, or England as a whole?" Francis asked. |
Marcus had simply nodded. "THat's going to prove to be a challenge. For I sometimes have trouble understanding what you say as well." he laughed. "But I'll get used to it." he nodded slowly. "It's not that I don't have an accent."
As the other told him he was untidy, Marcus rose his brow. This was going to be fun. Marcus was a real neat freak and if Francis was so untidy as he spoke of, their cooperation would have some pitfalls. But hearing he had servants about that helped him clean the house, he smiled and nodded. Good to know. But knowing himself he would most likely help about with the cleaning. "Both, really." he stated as he rested his elbows on the table and rested his chin down on his fist. |
Francis chuckled. "I shall tell Chad to speak slowly for you, though he seems to speak about a mile a minute, so that may present a challenge for him."
Francis thought for a moment. Many of the customs he took for granted and he never really questioned. He wasn't entirely sure what Marcus wanted to know, what part of everyday life would interest him. He decided to tell him about his home first, then generalize to encompass the rest of London. "Well, for my home there is not much to know. I live in a comfortable manor on the edge of the city. As I live alone, there are no strict rules that must be obeyed. The staff come and go, they won't bother you. Breakfast is at six in the morning, sharp, we shall head home for lunch around noon and then dinner is at seven. If you don't make those times, you don't eat. Cook is only a part timer, and she only comes in at those times to prepare meals. She is a sublime cook, so it is well worth getting into schedule for some of her dishes. You may see a few, uh, 'lady friends' come and go from my house. I'm unmarried you see. Don't take notice, it's most likely that they shan't be back. I would prefer if you kept the number to yourself though, I may be the maverick here, but I don't want my reputation to get out of proportion." He paused for a moment to let that sink in before launching on to a more broader view. "London itself is a very fast paced city, many people will not stop to speak. When walking the city, try not to rub anyone up the wrong way, and never go into the alleys alone. Some areas of the city are crawling with the poor, those areas are incredibly rough, so I wouldn't stay unless needed. Street merchants are an important part of life here, so be prepared to haggle for things that you want." He scratched his head and wracked his brains. "I think that's all the important things," he said somewhat anticlimactically. |
Amazed Marcus listened to the rules and of his new friend's lifestyle. The cultural differences didn't seem too big from his own home, really. Though, when the other stated of his lady friends, Marcus rose a brow. "I see..Well, don't worry about such thing. What you do with your own time isn't any of my business. Knowing myself I won't even notice them. I'm not so much interested in romance, nor anyone else's unless it's my baby sister's." he stated. It was the truth, Marcus was unmarried and uninterested in women. He did look at them, sure he did but he did not see them. He did not have time for such affairs.
At hearing that the alleys were dangerous he nodded and took a mental note of it. He doubted that anyone wanted to take him on, for he was taller and broader than most Englishman, he had noticed that. But you could never be so sure. "Thank you." he said with a slight bow of the head. "I also make sure that I will be in on time for the meals." he promised. Then he eased back a bit rubbing his eyes a bit. Everything had left quite the impression on him and he was starting to feel fatigued already. "So, what will be the plan for the rest of today?" |
Francis could sense that the constant variety of streetwalkers that used his home as a resting stop would be a pretty large culture shock to Marcus. He definitely vowed to try to keep it at a minimum.
He stretched out on his chair just as the lab door opened. The girl that he gave the telegram to rushed back in purposefully. She handed the note over importantly and gave a curtsy to both Francis and Marcus before striding out again. Francis kept an eye on her as she left. She was definitely a pretty young thing. He opened the telegram and saw his own message. He turned it over and saw that on the back, written in Chad's trademark elaborate handwriting said: I was hoping to see you again before I left England. A drink at your's sounds a marvelous idea. I'm intrigued to see what new project you're working on. I'll be there around eight. I have a bottle of port from my mother, I'll take that. -Chad Smiling, Francis tucked the telegram into his pocket. "I'm not sure about now," he said. "But at eight tonight we'll be having port with Professor Kennedy." |
Marcus did look up when the girl came rushing in, his eyes slightly shifted to see the look in Francis' eyes. Okay, that look meant danger. Marcus could feel it oozing from the man. He feared that staying at the other's house wouldn't be easy. If the man had such friends over, Marcus was bound to walk in on Francis doing inappropriate things.
As the other read the note Marcus stiffled a yawn behind his hand. Then he picked a small golden pocket watch from his vest pocket and checked in with the time. "How about this; I go to my hotel, rest for a couple of hours, pack up and head towards your home around five thirty? That way I am on time for dinner and I can have a look around your place?" he suggested with a small smile. |
Francis looked up at Marcus' words. He smiled. "That sounds a good idea. I'll escourt you out, we don't want you getting lost." He took a bit of paper of the lab bench and scrawled down his address and handed it over to Marcus. "Just give that to a horseman and he'll take you to the manor."
Francis stood up from the bench and slowly walked towards the lab door. |
Marcus smiled and nodded. "Thank you." he stated before he took the note and carefully filed it into his notebook, he'd copy the note into there when he would arrive at the hotel. He took his coat and jacket, dressing properly again before he took his bag and followed Francis onto the hallway.
"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness." he smiled humbly at the man. |
Francis smiled back at Marcus. "No need to thank me," he said simply. "If we are to work together on a long term basis it seems silly that you pay for a stay in a hotel when you could bed down for free."
He led him back through the winding corridors of the university and to the main doors. He opened the heavy oak doors and stepped back to let Marcus pass. "I shall leave you hear, assuming you know your way back to the hotel?" Francis said. "I shall meet you back at the Manor later. Take care in the city, you hear?" |
Marcus smiled happily. "Oh, but I do wish to pay for the costs that may come down on us, as cause of my stay. Or at least let me help you out on an other basis." he stated before he stepped out into the warm sun. It was rare, for England to be this sunny. Or at least that was what the good German had heard.
"I'll be fine from this point, thank you kindly. I shall." he bowed his head politely. "Have a good day and I'll see you this evening." with that he stepped down the stone stairs and moved himself to the main gates, where he headed into the direction of his hotel. Once arrived he made sure he stopped by the reception and paid for the bill as it was. He had until six to remove himself from the hotel and it was all right. For the next few hours, Marcus rested himself, tidied up and made sure everything was packed before he had a hansom cab to stop for him and take him to the Manor. The driver had assured him that they would arrive at a quarter to six, which was a perfect time. And indeed so they did. After the slightly bumpy and rocky ride, Marcus paid the man well and petted the horse before he got his luggage up to the front steps and rang the bell. As he waited he picked up his watch and checked in with the time. Good, there would still be an hour left before dinner. Which gave him enough time to explore the mansion and learn to know the inhabitants. |
Francis smiled and nodded, waiting to watch Marcus get to the main gates, before he pulled back the heavy oak door, turned on his heel and went back to his office. There was no point straying to the lab, he would get no work done alone anyway. Also, he had a team to build. There would be someone from Mercy hospital, Marcus, him and at least for a few days, Professor Kennedy. However, on a long term basis they did need some other lab assistants.
Francis thought the fairest way, and the cheapest, would be to take the more promising students from his final class and offer them this opportunity. To those wanting to break into the science field it was a golden ticket. He made a coffee and looked through several portfolio before selecting three candidates to help them. James Darcy, a promising young man whom he had taught for the past four years; Lyall Mackenzie, a young man who traveled from Scotland to study here; and finally, Harry Thomas, a young man who Francis was not particularly fond of, but he could not deny the magnitude of that man's brain. At half five Francis packed up his briefcase, put on his jacket and called for his horse to be taken to the front of the university. He was cutting it fine to meet Marcus back at the manor, but that could not be helped, he did have to write up those letters to the three candidates. After what felt like a short ride back to his home, a horse and cart passed him on the way up the drive, so he must have just missed Marcus. As his cart pulled up to the front of the door, he could see that Marcus was there, just being let in by one of the maids. Francis thanked the cabby, grabbed his briefcase, gave a quick pet to the horse and went inside himself. |
Marcus' coat had just been taken from him as Francis walked in. Smiling he turned to his friend and stepped aside, allowing the man in further into his own home. "You're just in time." he chuckled before he found one of his maids tugging at his heavy trunk. "Oh, no dear. Don't try to lift that." he said in a hurry before he picked the trunk up himself, not seeming as if he had any trouble.
"Just lead the way and I'll be fine." he stated to the girl, who seemed to be very surprised at the heavy accent the man carried and the quite odd choice of words. But Marcus did not notice it much. |
"Margaret, show him to the guest room in the front of the house if you please?" Francis instructed as he took off his coat and hung it on the hook. "After that, if you would be so kind, you could show him around the rest of the manor. I've got to speak to the cook, but after that I'll be in the drawing room if you'd show him there when you two are finished."
He smiled and nodded his head slightly at Marcus before excusing himself to go and alert the cook that she had an extra mouth to feed. |
Marcus smiled as he heard how kindly Francis treated his personnel. The man sure was kind and very thoughtful. The maid seemed to be pleased with the extra man in the house and had smiled at Marcus kindly and sweetly, perhaps even a bit flirtatious.
" Come along, sir." she had said after Francis excused himself. " Oh please do call me Marcus. There is no reason for you to call me so formally." the German spoke, provoking a giggle from Margaret. After he was shown his room, she took him, as promised on a tour through the mansion, answering any questions he had for her and even adding some extra information about culture and what not. She concluded the tour in the drawing room, allowing the tall man to enter before her. " And if you have any more questions, feel free to ring for me, Marcus" she had put extra stress and a lot of flirt in calling his name ending with a giggle before she skitted off to god knows where. Marcus gave her a doubtful look before he nodded. "Thank you." With a troublesome sigh the tall man allowed himself to fall into one of the chairs around the fireplace and rubbed his forehead. He could see why Francis would treat them like he did. Of course his host had wanted Marcus for his own flirtasious behaviour but his staff seemed to be the very same. "I have to admit that you live quite spaciously. Personally it's tad to big for my taste, but then again, we have cultural differences." |
Francis walked into the sparkling clean kitchen to find his cook stirring a pot of stew on the hob while the smell of baking filled the air. Grace was a rather large lady, steely and harsh, but by far the best cook Francis had ever encountered. Of course, Francis never actually called her Grace, even if she was an employee, she saw that as a mark of disrespect, so he referred to her as Mrs Harris, as she preferred.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Harris," Francis said smoothly. "G'afternoon sir," she said in her strong northern accent. "What can I do y'for?" "We have a house guest. He'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future." Grace looked round, a smirk on her face. "He?" she asked incredulously. "It's nothing like my other, uh, house guests. This is strictly business. His name is Marcus, he's from Germany. Working with me at the University." "Right you are, sir." "That shan't be a problem, shall it?" "No. Don't put me up nor down, sir. I cook plenty of food, I do. Enough to feed a second person any which way they want. You got him told though? Told of the times? I won't hang 'round for no guest, business or no business. I have other meals to cook, sir." Francis smiled at Grace as he started out of the kitchen. "He has been told, yes." He walked into the drawing room and sat down in one of the armchairs by the fire. He crossed his legs and picked up the daily paper that one of the maids must have brought in. He began reading just as Margaret and Marcus came back in. He smiled at Marcus over the top of his newspaper. "True," he said simply. "For a solitary man, it is large. But if you have the money, you may as well splash out. You never know when one may need the extra space." |
Marcus smiled a bit at the man before he himself just stared at the flames in the fire place. "That is absolutely true. Such as my case, I suppose, or when you finally settle with a lady and have a few kids about." he chuckled softly almost dreamily at the subject of children. Yes, that was his biggest dream. To settle in a nice home, with a small workshop for regular clocks and toys, have the most beautiful lady in the land at his side and have a daughter. Oh how he wished for that!
But alas, no woman seemed to really attract the German. With a small smile, he crossed his legs and tapped his foot slightly on the floor. He was not an impatient man, but slightly bored already, if he were to stay at the hotel, he'd probably be drawing idea's and what not away, or tinkering is own watch. But he could not make a mess of someone's home. |
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