Tailored To Suit

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce was quite looking forward to spending the day with his cousin. He had plans, of course, as one of his rank did not just meander the market. Well, okay, Pearce normally did enjoy that, but he had a feeling Percival would much prefer to have purpose and direction. Not that the Marquis was not flexible (he considered himself quite flexible and patient and easy going and all that) but he wanted to have an initial purpose. If his cousin decided to take the reins and lead them another direction, he was more than happy to follow along.

As a precaution, he’d taken...well, quite a bit of tea in the morning and with lunch. Even things he enjoyed made him nervous and Percival and meeting new people at the market both qualified. So he was trying to nip his anxiety in the butt beforehand. Pearce certainly felt...more relaxed. A bit slower or tired perhaps.

His plan? New clothes. Tailored, of course. The slight hiccup was that his current tailor was indisposed. Aralore had no shortage of competent craftspeople around, at least and he had heard of a young woman with a shop near the market. Reports suggested her work was suitable, and clearly she was well enough off to afford a shop. Pearce was, as usual, both delighted and nervous to meet someone new.

The cousins arrived at the marketplace just after noon in the Lockheed carriage, the exterior a soft cobalt blue with black trim, the interior decorated with dark but warm upholstery and curtains. Pearce made easy small talk with Percival, covering current events, the easing of winter to spring, what was to be done in the garden this year, Pearce hopefully new position as bookkeeper for the monarchy, and any general topics Percival wished to discuss, before winding down to shopping.

“Where would you like to begin?” Pearce asked, stepping out of the carriage with a smile and nodding to the footman and then the driver. They would be nearby if necessary. The whole of the marketplace, a mix of carts and colorful tents in the central square and shops on the sides and down side streets unfurling before them.

Percival Lockheed

[Percival Lockheed]

Shopping was always something that helped ease the blondes mind. Which was certainly something he needed after recent events. He still couldn't entirely wrap his head around the idea that his cousin, the head of his entire family, was with another man. If he didn't think about it though it wouldn't cause as much of a headache. As much as he was a bit nervous to go shopping with the man it would still be nice to get out of the manor with him. Perhaps a little one on one bonding wouldn't be that bad. So long as the redhead wasn't brought up.

The carriage was comfortable and he was looking forward to browsing around. Small talk may have normally been boring but at least he was being alowed to talk. Also learning more about his cousin and family business wad interesting enough to keep most of his attention. As they stepped out of the carriage his eyes scanned around. There were a few people talking and laughing with each other. Though nothing in particular caught his eye at the moment.

"Are there any shops you like to visit regularly?" He asked curiously. While he was used to shopping this was a new environment for him. It could be rather intimidating.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce tucked his hands into his pockets in an attempt to keep from fidgeting. It was sort of cold still, anyway. Places he liked to visit? He thought a moment. He wasn't quite a regular anywhere, though he was slowly getting that way.

"The uh...potter. She has a stall over that way," he said with a nod to the left. "Lots of stalls that way. And...there's a seamstress. North of here," he said slowly, collecting his thoughts. Pearce hadn't exactly planned this trip for himself. He cast an uncertain but expectant look at Percival.

[Percival Lockheed]

Percival wasn't particularly practiced at leading any kind of trips. Even with his friends at home they would more or less lead him around while talking and he'd find something he wanted from any shops they visited. It was a bit strange but he supposed if they just started walking they'd find something right?

The idea of a seamstress was intriguing enough. Some new clothing always did the trick to brighten his day. "I didn't know you were interested in pottery." He'd seen a few small statues around the manor. The little blonde girl also ran around with a rabbit sculpture in her hands a lot. It was odd thinking that she lived there as well. "Did you adopt the little blonde girl?" Even if she were the soldiers sister she could fit into their family rather well. With some proper training. It would also do some good for the man to have some children. Though now might not be the best time to bring that up.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Walking suited the nobleman just fine. Percival didn't make any of his preferences known, so Pearce lead the way toward the stalls first. Not anyone specific, but he figured a loop through the marketplace center and then toward the seamstress would be fitting.

"Interested in...oh!" Was he interested in pottery? He had ordered a few items. He had a passing interest in a lot of things but...well, not pottery. Art though...maybe that was a better way to put it? "Sometimes..."

Pearce's eyes widened slightly at the question. "Well...that came out of nowhere," he said, a little shocked. And a little amazed he wasn't stuttering. He had had kind of a lot of tea... "No..." Pearce almost asked what had brpught that on but he didn't want to talk about Zander or his sister with Percival. No that Pearce didn't want children.

"Do, uh...do you like pottery?" He asked, tearing his gaze from his cousin to look over the stalls they passed. Produce, rings, bolts of fabric, eggs, simple wooden tools... Smooth topic change, Pearce.

[Percival Lockheed]

Percival had a feeling the question might catch him off guard. Still, he was only curious. When it came to any kind of business involving his family he was always curious. "I only ask because she seems fond of you and I think she'd fit in with the right training." Though he had an idea that what he thought was 'training' and what Pearce thought was training were vastly different.

The question on if he were interested in pottery quickly made him shake his head. "Never liked it myself. Seems too messy. Things are too easily broken." Sure vases and statues were pretty and pots served purpose but they were always a hassle. "I like music though and sewing." After a short thought he looked down a bit. "I know sewing and dancing are...girly but they're fun."

Percival had been teased a lot for his interest in music and clothing. His father used to mock him about being 'worse than a woman'. Clothing was nice though and he liked to know how they were made.

[Pearce Lockheed]

It seemed all the men in his life enjoyed making him uncomfortable. His father because he was a selfish bastard who didn't care what others thought, Zander becaise he found his boyfriend cute when he was embarrased, and Percival because...well, Pearce was tempted to say because Percival didn't like him but he really wasn't sure why. Pearce...did try to answer usually.

Pearce winced at the word 'training.' He knew what that meant to him. What that had meant to his father. "I...am quite fond of Briella too," he said carefully. But...it would be awkward, his relationship with her brother being what it was. Formally adopting the girl wpuld be a bit odd. But he supposed he had informally adopted her, in a way.

"I merely enjoy the art," he said, tone suggedting he agreed woth his cousin's estimation of how messy and fragile the craft was.

Pearce smiled gently. "Not at all, cousin. I might have been forced to learn piano, but I enjoy it immensely. Do you play anything? Or prefer to dance?"

The nobleman paused at a stall with a collection of sweets and candies. Speaking of Briella... He gestured to one of the servants following them to pick out a few for her and some of the other children of his staff.

[Percival Lockheed]

Having him formally trained in music had mostly been on the insistence of his mother. It was one of rhe biggest things he could have ever thanked her for. When asked if he was trained in any instruments Percivals face lit up as a bright, genuine smile danced across his lips. "I play the violin, the lute, the piano, and the harp but my real love is in dancing."

As they stopped by a stall he looked curiously over what was being sold. Sweets? Why were they stopping for sweets? Though it seemed that they were for the children and not Pearce himself. At least that was good. As much as he loved sweets he was rarely allowed to have them. They were bad for you. His dance instructor always scolded him for his sweet tooth.

"You care a lot about people." He observed cassually. It was strange to him. To care about others that were such lower class. Why did they matter so much to him? "Why is that?"

[Pearce Lockheed]

It was almost a relief to stumble upon a conversation topic that Percival seemed enthusiastic about. Which made Pearce mildly self conscious because the implication was that he was surprised his cousin had interests and that was...not polite of him. Regardless, the noble was happy to converse about music.

"Quite the commendable musician," he said in pleasant appraisal. "Impressive, really. I...dabbled in stringed instruments but the moment I learned piano, I knew that, given the choice, I would have become a professional musician and composer." Of course, his father had not consider either a valid profession. And then Pearce had had a family and business and house to run. "I, uh, sorry..." he mumbled, realizing he had talked a bit more about himself than he intended. "Do you get much opportunity? To dance, I mean?" He had an idea about that.

The blonde blushed as Percival eyed his purchases but he didn't explain himself. He did, however, wordlessly indicate Percival was welcome to select some himself.

"I..." Pearce wasn't sure how to answer. It was...a profoundly deep question. "I just...it's nice," he said lamely. "Better than the alternative?" Better than what he had been through.

[Percival Lockheed]

There was a temptation to buy somethin but he could practically feel his dance instructor breathing down his neck. Screaming about him getting fat off of candies and no longer being able to dance. That thought alone was enough to make him tuck his hands away into his pockets.

The answer to the question wasn't really the one he'd been looking for. "What's so nice about it? What do they do for you? You already pay your setvants." The idea of just doing things for others was so foreign to him. What was the pay off? The return for his time and effort? Percival remebered helping a girl catch her cat and return it home one day. The way she smiled had felt so nice but his father then complained he could have been doing something more productive. That he didn't get anything for his time he'd been robbed. Smiles didn't feel as nice anymore.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce raised an almost playful eyebrow at his cousin and then selected a small hard candy for himself and popping it in his mouth before moving on. Payment would be handled with or without his presence, as usual.

What was so nice about it? Pearce tried to hide his uncertainty at how to answer by browsing other nearby stalls casually. "They don't have to do anything?" He clearly didn't understand the question. But...well, he had wanted to talk to Percival. A lot of it wasn't suitable for public conversation, however. "I like making people happy. It...makes me happy. Like...how I imagine dancing makes you feel," he attempted to explain. And becaise when people were unhappy it made him nervous.

[Percival Lockheed]

The response of people not having to do anything made him furrow his brow in confusion. "Father says time is money. So if there's no pay off theres no point." As they passed a stall full of jewelry Percival paused as his eyes wandered over the necklaces. There was a silver one with three deep green gems hanging from it that particularly caught his eye. Green was his mothers favorite color. Thinking of how happy she'd be with it made him smile.

"I'll take this one." As it was carefully placed away in a wooden box and handed to him Percival placed the box in his bag and paid for it before turning back to his cousin. "Did your father not have a similar philosophy?" He asked curiously in an attempt to steer back to the subject. Though he had a feeling it was a rather uncomfortable subject for him.

As they walked further the different smells of food wafted around him from other stores. Percivals stomach growled in a reminder that he in fact hadn't eaten lunch. He'd found himself too distracted in the garden but he couldn't remember on what.

[Pearce Lockheed]

He watched Percival select a pendant, wondering who it was for. His sister or mother maybe? Or did he have some romantic interest? Pearce sort of doubted that, considering what he knew of his cousin's use of the manor.

He steered them a bit more specifically around the stalls toward a particular shop, considering what Percival had told him.

"He did," Pearce replied simply, not thrilled by the topic. His father had been very self centered. Even his own son's well-being didn't concern him, let alone the lives of those not of his family. If there was no pay off, there was no point. Only what had been the pay off for Pearce's own time all those years ago? Not money, not affection, not anything good. "I suppose I have a bit of a...rebellious streak. My father would despise even the hint of altruism..." He shrugged uncomfortably.

Noticing Percival's distracted look he glanced around. Ah, food carts. "Shall we stop for a bite?" Pearce had eaten lunch. Technically. As such, he would let his cousin decide on their food choice.

[Percival Lockheed]

"Rebellious streak?" That seemed rather odd to consider his sweet, gentle cousin rebellious. Though he supposed in their family that kind of nature was rebellious. That idea made him chuckle to himself as he shook his head. "I suppose my father would consider you rather rebellious as well."

The idea of stopping to get food sounded nice. "I don't suppose you're terribly hungry." Even Percival had noticed how little Pearce ate. How it seemed to take encouragement from the soldier or his head servant to really push him to eat anything. Though he supposed he understood that. Even in his own house the blonde never ate much of anything. Mostly due to not wanting to appear selfish.

"If you're not hungry I'll be alright until we get back to the manor."

[Pearce Lockheed]

He smiled. Not quite rebellious. At least not technically. And certainly never when he was younger. But it was easier now without his father constantly over his shoulder.

"Ah, not really," he said softly, this a bit more self-consciously. It wasn't a question of liking food or of appearances, he simply wanted to avoid some of the discomfort from his own anxiety. Having gotten used to Percival around the estate, he was a bit more comfortable eating. It was just a matter of learned appetite. Clearly there was no short supply of food. "Alright then."

"There was a specific shop I wanted to take you too..." He just...forgot, standing there for a moment trying to collect his thoughts. The seamstress? Or had their been something else before that?