Symbol Prompt for Helena

[Reuben Slade]

[ ☢ ] the carriage broke down in an unfamiliar part of town, and our muses are lost.

@polinshipper82

[Deleted]

Helena and her father were sharing a carriage with the notorious Reuben Slade to care for one of his “associates”. She wants to maintain a distance from the man, as she heard he was dangerous. 

Suddenly, the carriage broke down as she checked where they were. Her father told her to stay in side as they get some help. He also worn Slade to be at his best behavior with his daughter or else he will not help his “associate”.

”It appears we’ll be there for a while. Looks like we’re in East London.” Helena checked from the window. Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @polinshipper82

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade did not take well to such threats or ultimatums. Should the physician refuse to help, Slade would find someone else. An inconvenience? Indeed. One that would displease the nobleman. But it was more about the principle of making such a threat. Rather bold of a man to do so towards another of higher rank. Though Slade made no show of his displeasure over the remark. His expression remained unchanged as he remained seated in the carriage. He knew now, that the father did indeed care quite a great deal for his daughter. Some parents did not but it was always a valuable piece of information when Slade discovered those who did. For it was indeed, most excellent leverage to use again them should the occasion ever arise for it.

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Helena spoke of them being there for a while and Slade remained quiet at the thought. He knew his own bodyguards were some distance away, on horseback though so it would not be of help to them. A broken carriage could of course be merely an accident and coincidence. But Slade was cautious. Being in London exposed him more than he was used to, so he would not put anything past his foolish rivals. "Do you always accompany your father when he conducts business?" Meaning, when he sees to patience. He wondered how used to Helena was when it came to travelling with her father; if it was the norm between them or if this was one of the few exceptions that she joined the physician.

[Deleted]

Helena understands that her father is worried about being in the same carriage with Mr. Slade or any man. The physician is used to repairing carriages when it breaks down, despite being in the twilight of his life.

But asking why she is with her father all the time?

“Would you rather have me stay home and read books all day?” She replied, annoyed to be in the same room as him. “Or I should tend to my dear Mama about potential suitors when in reality I don’t have one because I’m not part of the Ton? It seems like we can’t escape each other. You came by our home for something that I have no care about in the world. You wouldn’t let me pet that cute goat. You are offering me advice about my sore leg. By the way, my leg is excellent. I get worried from time to time because of a childhood infection. And now we’re in a carriage together. It seems like you can’t escape me!” Helena turned to the window, ignoring his presence as talking to him any more might anger him.

“I always wanted to work in the medical field. But as a woman, I can’t. So all I can do is be an apprentice to my father or one of the midwives.” Helena continued, not looking at him. “Plus, there’s more action outside the friendly confines of my home. At least having my Papa around would give me an excuse to have some adventure, especially at his advanced age.” Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @polinshipper82

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Bloody hell. These women were so damn emotional. He had all asked but a simple question had it had led to an outburst caused by what he presumed was built up annoyance at him. But Slade remained silent, letting her vent. Women such as this only reinforced his preestablished belief that it would indeed be difficult to find one that possessed the qualities of a good mother to his daughter. And now, he had to listen to her upset. Suddenly, the open road to walk seemed like a much stronger temptation than sitting in a confined space with the physician's daughter.

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She accused him of coming by to their home, when it was to pay her father. What a thing to criticize. And then she spoke of not allowing her to pet his goat, which he indeed had. And then she commented on her injury, giving detail of it. Women here expected precisely what this woman was agitated about. They expected men to dote on them; to fill with concern and worry over their wellbeing. To wait on them hand and foot. As yes; this is what it had come down to. And still, he remained calm. Composed. Remaining still and unchanged in expression and demeanour. He let some silence linger before responding.

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"It is of no concern of mine what you do all day." She asked him would he rather she stay at home and read . . . he was indifferent to what she did. Yet it seemed that her own stressors came out in this moment from finding a man to marry, to wanting to work in the medical field, to desiring more excitement -- or action -- in the world. Perhaps it was not entirely personal. Perhaps his question had merely triggered her angry outburst to let it all out after having been suppressed. "If you loathe my company Miss Bishop and wish to avoid it, then perhaps you should not have come along with your father in this particular call." Which, involved Slade and one of his associates.

[Deleted]

“Not come?” Helena scuffed as she crossed her arm. “And miss all of this? I refuse to let my Papa get hurt.” 

She finds him oddly attractive that she can’t point out. Maybe it’s the aura of mystery and danger. Whatever it is, they are together in such tight corners. 

“So tell me, Mr. Slade… have you ever courted a woman or a man? It’s okay about the latter. I won’t say a word. Do you only find company with your goat? I think your goat shows more emotion with one lick than you put yourself together as a whole. Are you intimidated that a woman who is not from the Ton asking you questions? You probably think all women are the same: emotional and fragile. I know you covering up this facade of being stoic because that’s part of the aura, but you were emotionally hurt before, weren’t you?” Helena eyes narrowed, hoping she can break him out of his stoic shell.

“It is alright, Mr. Slade.” Helena calmed down before opening the door to check on her father. “I have no interest in you. I just find our unusual acquaintance fascinating.” She got out of the carriage and checked on her father if the wheel was fixed. Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @polinshipper82

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

She was asking question after question. The long walk was seeming more tempting but he also knew he was on a time constraint to reach his associate. He made a mental note to not hire the Bishop family in the future. Skilled Bishop may be, between his threat and his daughter's incessant questions . . . Slade required services of those far less problematic for him. But alas, the payment had been made and he would see to his associate for this time. In the meanwhile however, he was still trapped in a carriage with the daughter who was asking him questions about courting, questioning his preference, assuring him that she would not tell anyone. And then insulting him . . . questioning why he was remaining calm and deducing that he had been emotionally hurt.

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Was emotional hurt a part of his stoic demeanour? No. He had merely learned to control himself but hurt, was indeed an overstatement. But he was not about to speak of such personal affairs with her. Not when she spoke to him in such a way. He continued to let her speak. Uninterrupted and without any heightened emotions from his end. She, was indeed emotional though. Why else would she seem to have been so . . . irritated by him? Whatever it was to cause her continued outburst. "Now why would I divulge my personal affairs when you Miss Bishop, appear to possess such a loose tongue." His words delivered with the same composure, despite the insult in his words. They were meant to be rhetorical and yet, he would not be surprised if she answered it.

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"If this is how you conduct yourself around a client, I dread to see your bedside manner toward those unwell or injured." As she started to move, she stated that she had no interest in him . . . but that she found their interactions unusual and fascinating. "If this is how you respond to fascination," he began to say, turning to look at her. "Then I hope to bore you in the future." So that he would not be subject to this sort of conversation. When she stepped out, Slade leaned his back against his seat, relieved for the peace and quiet.

[Deleted]

Helena checked the wheel her father and the coachman were fixing. Thankfully, it was something minor and they can continue the journey. 

“Papa, can this be the last time you deal with Mr. Slade?” Helena asked her father. “I don’t want to know exactly what is going on but it’s for your own safety. Plus, he prefers the company of his goat than to people. Though I must say his goat is adorable. I think I went a little too far during our conversation.”

Her father gave a nod as they return to the carriage, seeing Mr. Slade as stoic as ever. 

“I do apologize for my conduct, Mr. Slade. I know you won’t accept my apology but know that you’re an interesting character. I’m just worried about Papa, which explains my conduct moments ago.” Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @polinshipper82

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade heard her re-enter and braced himself for having to deal with more of her wrath . . . when instead, she apologized. Expressing concern for her father. It seemed she had a transformation outside the carriage and Slade for one, was relieved for it. Perhaps they could ride out the remainder of this in peace and quiet. He looked at her and gave Helena a nod of acknowledgement for her apology, in acceptance of it. Perhaps her father had said something to her . . . but then she spoke of being worried for her father.

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Which, she said was why she acted the way she had before. Slade thought over the words, and wondered if this was a frequent occurrence. Her saying that she thought him to be an interesting character indicated that if she did do this to those other than him, it was perhaps selective. "Have I given you cause to be concerned about your father?" He questioned. Thinking back on their limited interactions, he had made no threat to her nor her family. So he was inquiring as to where this came from. And hoped for a genuine answer rather than, more words of anger or zeal.

[Deleted]

She looked at Mr. Slade, remorseful for her actions earlier as they ride back into the safety confines of their home in Marylebone. He asked her if he had given her any indication of her family being in danger. She wanted to reply in front of her father but felt it needed to remain private. 

“Papa, would you excuse us?” Helena asked her father. “I promise I will behave for our guest.” With a nod from her father, Dr. Bishop stepped out of the carriage, giving her less than three minutes to speak. 

“I know you may think of me as some chit who follows her father around.” Helena began to explain to Slade. “I don’t have anything against you. And I’m sure my father feels the same way if he is willing to help you.

“My family gone through a lot in the past twenty years. I lost my uncles and half-brothers because of the Revolution. We had to find ways to hide before making it to Calais and eventually England. We had to give up our identity to protect ourselves. Bishop isn’t even our real last name. We change it from Levesque. Despite being a renowned physician in the area, he still live in danger while Napoleon is still a threat.” Helena paused as look at Slade. 

“I know a sob story from a woman isn’t going to change anything, but know that my father made too many sacrifices in his life. For that, I have to protect him while he’s in his later years while my only other brother is fighting in France. Maybe I must’ve misjudged you by gave that initial impression that you could put my father in danger.” She climbed out of the carriage before looking at home one last time. “If you don’t want to use my father’s services for the foreseeable future, I understand.” She closed the door and started to walk away with her father. Reuben Slade