A Good Feeling

Who: Marian and Roy
Where: Roy's Vault
When: early afternoon

For once the smile that lit up Marian's face wasn't just her act, it was really truly how she was feeling. The morning with Zhen had been so wonderful, such a dream come true. She'd come home with all her new things and spent a good amount of time putting them away with the utmost care, hanging things neatly, folding other things properly. It was unreal to think so many lovely things were hers.

Before heading out, she brushed her hair, which was shiny and mostly tamed from being washed properly. It fell so perfectly around her shoulders that she almost didn't put it up, but instead settled for clipping half of it up and off her face with a clip that was a gift from Roy. Pleased with her appearance she wrapped herself up in her warm coat and headed out to find Roy at his vault.

Roy did happen to be there, trying to figure out how he could get the gift to Marian. He'd found a ribbon, even if it was kind of a dingy one. Not really dirty--he'd washed it off and everything, but it used to be a lot brighter red than it was now. But it was the best he could do. He was thinking a wagon. The thing was heavy, and sure, Lily had said she'd deliver it for him, but he wanted to be the one to give it to her. So, he'd just carried it back from the library. Along with the other things that he'd needed that she'd given him. Ink ribbons, and such.

He looked up when he heard footsteps in the hall, and walked out to see who it was. Madeline, maybe? Hopefully not Dodge?

Marian was amazed that she'd not only been able to easily navigate the messy sidewalks in these new shoes, but that once she arrived at Roy's vault, here feet didn't hurt. It was a wonder, what could happen with shoes that fit. "Roy?" she called lightly as she cleared the last of the steps, just in time to see him walk out. "Oh good! You are here. I was worried you'd be out and I didn't have long."

Roy spotted his sister and blinked a little. "Wow, Marian." he said, walking up. "You look...you look really nice." he told her genuinely. What was more was she looked pretty happy. Even if it was just a split second decision there that she did look that way. But she looked fantastic. And her clothes were definitely new. And she smelled nice, that he could tell from where he was as well. He broke out into a grin. "You look really nice." he repeated.

She flushed a little at his double compliment as she close the space between them. Once Marian was at his side, she threw her arms around his neck, similar to how she'd hugged Zhen just hours before. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it Roy. The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." The tears she'd thought she'd already cried were threatening to spill again at just the thought of Zhen's kindness.

Roy hugged her back, a little bewildered, but he couldn't actually figure out what was going on. "What's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you?" he asked. Obviously she had new things. And she definitely smelled nice, and looked fabulous, and yeah he was a touch lost. "What's going on? Besides things being good?" he asked, drawing back and smiling, even if it was mildly uncertain.

When she looked up at him, Marian's eyes were shinning with happy tears. "Zhen," she explained. "The water it was out at my place, and she took me to her place, oh it's such a lovely place Roy, you wouldn't believe. Just...wow. The bathroom, just so nice. And the soap and everything else." Marian realized she was babbling a little, but she was so excited that the words just tumbled out of her.

It had been ages since Roy had seen Marian smile, or look like this. It made him smile in turn, happy to see her happy, and not that fake smile crap she did for everyone else in the world, but smiling like she meant it. That definitely meant something to him. "Yeah?" he asked. "Well that sounds great. You look radient. Not just your clothes, you look happy." he stressed, so she'd know what he was talking about.

"She gave them to me Roy, the clothes. And more, and shoes," she told him leaning in again to rest her head against his chest. "And I am happy, so very happy. I'd forgotten there were really truly nice people in the world. Truly nice."

Roy wasn't sure he'd ever met anyone that fit that description, but then again, he had gotten a typewriter for Marian today, and Lily hadn't charged him anything. So maybe there were, and girls just got a different brand of it than boys did. He wasn't sure. Still, he smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Guess my gift'll kinda pale in comparison, but I've got something for you too." he said, nodding back towards the vault, and he headed back that way, pulling the heavy door open and motioning inside, where the typewriter was.

"Gift? Roy, you don't have to get me gifts," she told him as she followed after him to the vault. Marian was sure that whatever he gave her would be better than Zhen's gift, but only because it came from her brother. Zhen's gift was an act of kindness, but anything from Roy was something from a love that neither of them were very good at expressing. She stepped into the vault, looking around the familiar place, thinking briefly of DG who had been there the last time Marian had. After a moment her eyes fell on the case with the bow. "This?" she asked pointing to it, eyes a little excited. "What is it?"

"It's a --" he started, then rolled his eyes at himself. "Open it." he amended, stepping closer, leaning against the wall by the open vault door. He'd still have to figure out a way to get it back to her place, but he was okay with that. He was still thinking a wagon would work best. Something like that, anyways. It was heavy as hell. She sure as hell wasn't going to be carrying it anywhere.

Marian gave him a look for the almost tease with telling her then cutting himself off, but then focused on the package, carefully undoing the bow and then slowly flipping the latches on the case. When she opened it, the little gasp that came from her was audible. A typewriter, just like he'd promised, and it looked almost new. Turning towards him, new tears making her eyes shine she gave him another happy smile. "Where did you find it?" In some ways Marian still thought that Roy's idea of her working for the Echo was silly, but she'd made a promise to Zhen to dream little more, and now with the typewriter...well it didn't seem as ridiculous a dream.

He smiled. "I just did." he told her, not wanting her to be thinking about that kind of thing, wanting her to just be happy with her present. Which really, she did seem to be, so that was a plus. He relaxed a little, not realizing he'd been holding onto a little tension in the meantime, but now that it was eased, he felt better. "You like it?" he asked.

She couldn't help but be curious at where he found it if he wouldn't tell her, and hope briefly that it wasn't stolen or something like that. Marian always thought Roy would be above stealing, but sometimes people did things they weren't proud of, she understood that better than most. "I love it," she told him sincerely, pushing a the "M" key and watching the arm snap up to the roller. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Roy said, smile sliding into something more grin-like. He was pleased, and that was clear. "I'll get it to your place today somehow. It's just really heavy, so you won't be able to carry it or anything. But it'll be there by the time you're done with work." he said. Then she could have it, and do whatever she wanted with it. Learn how to type, all that. It could open doors for her. He didn't even know what kind of doors, but it could.

This time she pushed the "R" key, smiling as she did it. Turning towards him, it was like a breath of fresh air to see him so pleased. He didn't smile enough. "I really do love it, Roy. You're too good to me." How many times was she going to think that today? "What can I do for you? Are you feeling better? Have you eaten today?" Marian barely got by on her wages as is, but Zhen had given her a hearty meal earlier and she could probably spare some money to see to it that Roy ate something.

"You don't have to do anything for me, it was a gift for you, not payment for something else in advance." he told her. "Kind of takes away from the whole gift thing if you turn around and want to give me something for it. No. It's just there, for you." he told her. "And I've had a little. I have to go though, too. I'm meant to be at the garage today. And I've been feeling better. The medicine I got from the girls has really helped me a ton." Which reminded him that he owed them, too.

Marian looked the typewriter over once more, then lovingly closed the case, latching it shut again. Once it was shut, she re-tied the bow across it, thinking it added the perfect touch. "I still wish I could do something nice for you, you deserve it too," she reminded him, crossing the vault towards him. "I'm glad you're feeling better though, I was worried. Can I walk with you part of the way at least?"

"Sure." Roy said, thinking okay, maybe he wasn't going to be getting himself a wagon, he'd just be carrying the damn thing. But oh well. He went and picked it up, starting for the door. "And yeah, I'm glad I'm feeling better as well. Wasn't sure I would be, for a while there. But I am. I definitely owe D and Arden, though." he added, starting for the steps.

She wanted to protest about the typewriter being heavy, but it would have fallen on deaf ears. Instead she followed behind him, doing her best to tug at the vault door a little, closing it perhaps and inch or two, before giving up because it was too heavy. "I'm certain D would have made sure you were alright no matter what it took," Marian told him. "She seems to care an awful lot about you." Her tone was curious, hesitant even, as she thought back to the kiss to Roy's forehead before the girl had left.

Roy glanced over, looking like he wasn't sure he understood. "What makes you say that?" he asked. He was also trying to not look like carrying the typewriter was a task that took a bit of concentration, and he managed to pull it off alright. But the thing about Madeline, that was different. Sure, she'd stayed with them the other night, but he didn't know that that meant anything noteworthy. Had they talked?

Marian didn't answer for a moment, wondering if she should say anything at all, but then she looked at the lingering bruises on Roy's face and she couldn't ignore it. "The other morning? When I left with her, she just seemed really affectionate towards you. I didn't realize things were like that with you." She also hoped Dodge didn't know that things were like that between them. If the boy was already looking to pick fights over the girl...well finding out that she was with Roy, that would be worth far more than a beat down in the streets.

Roy frowned a little, still looking confused. "....um...like what?" he asked, really feeling like he was missing something. "And affectionate how? I...we're not...y'know...together, Marian." he told her. Yeah, he was just missing something. He didn't know what, though, and he vaguely wondered if he wanted to know. He'd had enough problems of late that he wasn't sure he could handle another complication in his life, but then again, it wasn't like he could avoid them either.

"You're not? It's not come up at all?" Marian was relieved, but she wanted to make sure. "It's just...She was curled up next to you when I woke up, and not like curled up next to you like I do sometimes because it's warmer, but holding on your shirt, arms around you. And when we left, she seemed almost loving, kissing your forehead." She paused a moment trying very hard not to sound frantic even if she was suddenly feeling a little frantic. "I just didn't know what to think Roy, we'd talked about Dodge, about what he did and why and then I woke up and she was there. You said you didn't know where she was and then she was so loving, I was worried you were keeping bigger secrets."

"I didn't know where she was. That doesn't mean she didn't show up in the middle of the night." Roy said. He was still frowning as they walked, eyes more on the sidewalk than his sister, though that was more because he didn't fancy slipping on the ice while carrying something this big and heavy. He was pretty willing to bet if he dropped it on his foot, he'd have a broken foot out of the deal. "She kissed me?" he asked, glancing over quickly, then back to the sidewalk again. It was news to him, really. "Why do you sound like this is horrible?" he asked, wanting to know why on that, even if he was still having to deal with the big surprise that D had been giving that impression to his sister at all.

"I believe you," she told him. "At the time though, I was confused." Marian was watching him for any reaction she could get out of him, so when his eyes darted her way she searched them quickly. "Yea she did. It was really sweet." She left out the part where she'd almost fallen over from shock at the sight of it. "It's not all horrible, Roy. You deserve someone to care about you like that it's just...Dodge." The name was loaded with everything she was afraid of and she hoped he could follow her train of thought.

That at least made sense to him, and he felt mildly better that Marian wasn't taking issue with him having a girl who was being affectionate with him, even if he wasn't even conscious of it or anything. Or conscious during it, for that matter. The Dodge situation, that was more than enough call for concern. "Okay." he said. "yeah....that's an issue." he agreed. "Not one I think there's much I can do about, though. I'm pretty sure D still plans on having a 'talk' with him, which I'm pretty sure will just wind up with Dodge thinking I'm trying to turn her against him or something. And if he thinks she's got something going on with me he doesn't approve of...well. He already proved that he's happy to pick a fight with a guy who can't even really defend himself due to health reasons, I'm sure he won't hesitate to do it again." He was quiet for a few long moments as they walked. "I'm sorry it's going to worry you, Marian. I just don't think there's any actual help for it. There isn't anything I can really do, is there. He's going to think what he's going to think, what I have to say won't matter in the slightest, and D thinks she's got control over him when I doubt she does. Plus, even if he did do something like make a promise to her that he wouldn't do anything to me, that doesn't mean he couldn't just tell his boys to come round and do whatever, and he'd still technically be adhering to whatever he said to her. I'm sure he's the type who'd think about that. Think of ways around anything said." One didn't get to be leader of a street gang without thinking like that. "At the end of the day, there's him and a whole gang of guys who're happy to do his dirty work, versus me. And that's kind of it. End of story." he was aware it was a story that didn't end especially well for himself.

There was a sadness in Marian's eyes because she knew everything he said was right. It was unfortunate that it was DG who was interested in Roy and not any other girl on the planet. It had to be the girl whom Dodge was already more than invested in. "I don't know if there's much you can do about it either," she said with a concerned tone. "I know what you think of him, that he's mostly just blowing smoke, but he's still dangerous Roy. Just be careful. Make sure she's worth it before you go and get killed or something stupidly heroic over her." She hated that her warnings were as much warnings to be careful of the relationship as well as of the enemy. Marian did want her brother to be happy, but that didn't mean that this was the best route.

Roy shot Marian a look. "Marian, what part of everything I just said to you says that I think for a second he's just 'blowing smoke'?" he asked. "Did you listen to anything I said? I just finished telling you that I know he's already picked a fight with me and can and probably will do it again for any excuse, and if he doesn't do it directly, then he'll send his boys to do it for him." he said. "I know he's dangerous. I just finished telling that to you. You don't have to treat me like I'm stupid, okay? I get it. If you listened, you'd know that." he said, irritated that he hadn't been heard at all. Especially considering it was his sister, who was usually better at listening than all that. "And as for D, I'm not with her like that, but you know what, she's my friend. I care about her. And I'm not dropping her, just because some stupid asshole thinks he can take whatever he wants." It was as much about his own principals as it was about D, in his mind. He didn't drop friends, not like that, not for reasons that weren't his own, that weren't all his own choice. No one else was going to tell him to drop someone else, or try to intimidate him into doing so. It wasn't fair. And while he was really well aware of the fact that life wasn't fair, that didn't mean he had to contribute. Plus, there was something else. Which he decided to share with his sister. "I don't..." he started, not sure how to word things. "I don't know if she'd do well without me, sometimes." he admitted. "She makes me so mad, so often, but it's because she does stupid things sometimes. Shit she doesn't think through. So, I yell at her about it, and hopefully she takes it into account next time. Which, when she showed up the other night, it seemed like she had. She told me she listens."

Marian's face broke a little when he turned on her. She hadn't meant to upset him or make him think she wasn't listening. Perhaps she'd been too focused on telling him how worried she was. "I'm sorry," she mumbled looking away, back at her feet. Even the sight of her new shoes couldn't cheer her up, hurting Roy in anyway was the last thing she wanted to do. "I didn't mean for you to drop her, especially not if she needs you. Just..." Marian paused, wanting to look back at him again, but not having the guts to. "She's not the only one who needs you." The comment was a whisper, barely audible.

Looking back at her, Roy didn't say anything for a few moments. "I didn't mean to snap at you." he said, voice far softer and apologetic. "But don't you go all cowed on me, either, Marian. You're stronger than that." he said, not really appreciating her going 'I'm going to hang my head and whisper' at him. She was better than that, and him having a momentary irritation with her shouldn't have her hanging her head and trying to be small. Or, that was his opinion on the matter. He wouldn't want her behaving like that with anyone else in the world, he wasn't going to expect it with him either. "You're better than that. And just because I got mad for a minute that you weren't listening to me, doesn't mean it's the end of the world, either. Are you okay? What's going on with you?" he asked, flipping to concerned. She'd been radiantly happy a second ago, and now this. He really hoped it wasn't because of what he'd said.

Marian finally brought her eyes to his, still hurt, but trying to seem less ashamed. "I just didn't mean for you to think I don't want you to be happy or to stay her friend. Or think I wasn't listening," she finally said voice a little louder. "I can't lose you Roy. Just don't forget that." She was still worried, worried that D talking to Dodge might just make things worse, worried that Roy was going to get hurt because Dodge thought Roy deserved it, worried about all of it.

Gaze ticking down, Roy sighed quietly. "I know." he said. "I just...don't see a way out I find acceptable." he said honestly. "I'm not going to drop D. I can't get away from someone with a whole gang, who knows where I live, and..." he trailed off. They'd just gone over it. "I don't know what else to do. I'm pretty sure reason is out, and either way, I'm pretty sure even if I tried talking to Dodge, he'd discount anything I said in the first place."

Marian put a hand on her brother's shoulder trying to be reassuring. "Then we hope for the best. Talk to D, tell her you're worried. You said she listens to you, maybe she'll get over her idea that she can control his ego and actually come up with something. And keep your eyes open for some way out, whatever way it is. Maybe there's something he wants from you or whatever." She didn't really think any of her ideas were any good but she hated the idea of her brother feeling hopeless.

Roy considered what she was saying, honestly trying to think of something, if for no other reason than for her sake. Her well-being was higher up on his list than his own. Always had been, always would be. "What might he want?" he asked. "...what might he want that I'd even be okay giving?" he asked, wondering if she'd thought of something he hadn't.

Marian shrugged. It had been a good idea, but she hadn't thought through as far as what Dodge could want that Roy had or could give. "Could be anything I guess. He could want you to drop D, so she's all his or someone to play stickball with. He's the kind of guy who just assumes you know what he wants without actually telling you."

"How do you even know him so well?" Roy asked. "You...you haven't been spending time with him, have you? You don't..." he couldn't finish that sentence, really. The idea that she avoided the hell out of him sometimes and he knew it, but she'd go spend time with a guy like Dodge, that just didn't at all sit well. Not in the slightest. He walked a few paces away, feeling all kinds of not good.

"Dodge? No, not at all. But I've seen him around some, he's hard to miss. Actually I think I've seen him hanging out the boarding house some lately." Marian shook her head and moved so she was close to him again even if he'd been the one to walk away. "It was just a guess, really. Going off what you said about him the other day and what I've heard about him. We get people like that in the diner as well. People who think that you should just know what they want."

That made him feel better. "Okay." Roy said, accepting that. "I...if he does come around, don't talk to him, okay? The last thing I want is him using you against me too." he said, looking her in the eye for that. It was a manipulation point he was aware of, and one he could do nothing about. "Just steer clear of him. I don't want him getting to you too, not with what he does to D. I...promise?" he asked. He didn't ask for promises a whole lot, but right now it seemed important.

Marian hesitated, but only because it surprised her that he was that worried about that, about Dodge getting to her. "I promise," she told him sincerely, touching his arm again. Between work and sleep Marian spent little time outside of the boarding house, but even though she thought she'd spotted Dodge loitering about it wasn't for her.

"Thank you." He said, then he gave her a one armed hug, which meant he almost dropped the typewriter, so it got cut short and he grabbed that up again. "Shit, sorry. No dropping your present." he promised, giving her a smile. It was tired, but genuine.

"Yes! Don't drop it," she teased a little, finishing the cut off hug with one of her own across his shoulders. Marian returned his smile, this one closer to the smile she'd worn when she first saw him. She was still upset with herself for giving him a reason to snap at her, but she was feeling better about it, feeling like they were on the same page again. "Thank you again for it. I absolutely love it."

"Yeah?" he asked, looking at it as they walked again. "I was hoping. I just...I thought maybe..." he wasn't good with full sentences at the moment, was what. "I thought it'd be nice for you." he said. Much more coherent. He just wasn't necessarily someone who was able to give presents often, and he'd been really hoping she'd like it, so he was very very happy that she seemed to.

"Yeah," she reassured him. "Although I'm not sure if I'll be able to live up to the expectations that come with it." Her voice was teasing a little, but it was a honest concern. She wanted to make him proud, wanted to use his gift to do something good, but she was still wary. She was really, really good at being a waitress, and she was worried she wouldn't be as good at anything else.

"I just want you to have opportunities, Marian." Roy said. "No expectations. I just...I want you to have options. Skills other people don't have, and all that. You could get better work with it, possibly. But don't worry. Just...take it, and do with it what you want." he said. He really did want better things for her, but he didn't want her doing things she didn't want. But better things. She was better, way better, than a waitress. He had faith in her.

"I know, and I want to make you proud," she told him honestly as the rounded the corner of her block. For Roy she was at least willing to try. There was at least one reporter who frequented the diner, and the woman was really nice, maybe Marian could ask her about jobs. That would be less scary than actually walking into the Echo and asking.

"I'm always proud of you!" Roy said, laughing a little and grinning at her. It was an expression that hadn't touched his face in the past few weeks all that often, but it was there now. It even wiped all the stress of earlier off of his features, and he looked unburdened again.

Roy's face lit up like that brought back the grin from earlier, the truly happy one that went all the way to her eyes. "You are?" she asked even though she didn't sound skeptical, just really happy to hear that she wasn't letting him down. She assumed she was letting them all down, her siblings, cousins, everyone else close to her that she couldn't help.

"Course I am." Roy said. "You're doing well. Got a real place, even if I want a better one for you and all that, you've still got one. Got a good job, and you're going to get an even better one someday. You're beautiful, and have the best smile ever, and yeah. 'Course I'm proud of you."

Marian flushed a little pink, and leaned over to kiss her brother's cheek, awkward as it was while walking and with him holding the typewriter. "Thank you," she told him sincerely, knowing that she'd survive for days on his praise. She slowed to a halt as they approached the boarding house. "Do you wanna just leave it downstairs and I'll get some help carrying it up later? I know it's heavy."

"No, I can get it up to your room. Do you have to take off for work? I can just put it in there on your table or counter or something...would that work?" he asked, wanting to accommodate as much as possible.

"I still have a little bit, stuck with the late night shift again tonight. I'll walk up with you. I need to change and find something to eat anyway." Marian pulled the front door open, holding it for Roy so he could step in easily.

Roy headed in with the typewriter, feeling happy. He'd got her the gift, she liked it, she was looking radiant today and happy herself...it was a good moment. One that he wanted to hold onto, and try to let it ride him through the rest of the day. Ride him through til later, or something. He just liked the feeling of not being bogged down, and hoped it lasted. For both of them.