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When Rowan awoke she had first presumed the house was empty but after hearing the clanking of plates and cutlery, she assumed that breakfast was being served. She changed into a beautiful peach pink dress that had embodied what you would expect from 1920's finery. She could imagine Ada wearing it and look as lovely as ever, she smiled at the thought of the beautiful young girl and how she felt out of place in this rather dysfunctional family. But Rowan reminded herself of what she had learned about Ada factually and couldn't quite believe they were the same. But tragedy makes people different I suppose.
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As she walked down the stairs, barefoot and not making any noise, she wandered into the dining room and saw Tommy sat at the head of the table reading the newspaper. A cigarette in his mouth as usual and some dainty food that was untouched thus far. As Tommy caught sight of a flash of pink he looked up and smiled at the wonders of the dress as what it had done for her. Her porcelain skin was impeccable yet held freckles that dotted about her skin randomly, adding to the uniqueness of her. Her hair was untamed but had a wonderful bounce and shine to it. He almost smiled as she sat just a place away from him, and folded her hands in her laps awkwardly.
Rowan looked around aimlessly hoping not to meet eyes with the man who had pressurised her into making a fool of herself in front of him the night before. She had gone numb from nervousness and lost her hearing when singing but thinking back she realised how nasally and disgusting she had sounded and mentally facepalmed at the thought of it.
"Did you... fix my watch, by any chance?" She asked timidly but was extremely proud of the idea she had had to start a conversation. "It took a little persuading but yes, it's being prepared. I'll pick it up today." "What kind of persuading?" He looked up from the newspaper at the question and she faked understanding what he meant by the look on his face. He decided to translate it verbally for her. "I don't think you want to hear the answer to that question." She soon picked up on what he meant and couldn't help but voice her thoughts... regretfully.
"Why is it always murder and mayhem with you? Don't you ever just do normal person things? Eat a sandwich? Brush your teeth? Do you even brush your teeth?" Rowan asked out of pure curiosity. Tommy chuckled at the girls' inquisitiveness and how it would eventually get her killed if she was to be around people like him for the time being. "I don't have time for personal indulgences." "that's untrue." Rowan muttered to herself before taking a bite of a bit of toast and butter. Tommy slammed his fist on the table causing the jug of water to tremble and spill a little and the cutlery to flip from surprise. "And what the fuck do you mean by that?" He asked rather emotionlessly, in contrary to his prior body language. She swallowed nervously and felt the dryness of the bread on her already dry throat, her clammy hands reached out for the glass and she poured herself some water. "Well... not to be rude Mr Shelby but... there are reports of you sleeping with over 200 women so I don't think that saying you don't 'self indulge' would be very honest." Tommy stood and pulled out his gun, pointing it at her with a calm and unbothered expression on her face. "You don't try and be clever. Is that clear? Your 'witty' little comments will get ya killed. Is that understood?" Rowan nodded and Tommy placed his gun back in the holder, noticing her now shaking hands as she takes a sip of tea from a teacup. The china cup clattering against the saucer as her hands trembled from the threat upon her life only moments ago.
It had been an interesting breakfast, to say the least.
Tommy picked up his things and put an unfamiliar coat (the one she didn't have in her room) on and made his way to walk out. "Rowan, stay 'ere, stay out of trouble and... I 'ave to admit... pink suits ya." Rowan's eyes widened as she flushed and looked back to her plate as Tommy smiled and placed his cigarette back in his mouth. His boys felt tired from the long night with no sleep but he had heard word back from Alfie Solomons and they had arranged to meet at the office today. Tommy decided that he could try and sleep at his desk for a while up until he arrived, since sleep became the bare minimum for him recently.
Rowan grew bored of staring out the window at groggy Birmingham and suddenly understood climate change's beginning: the industrial revolution. That's what had started the increased CO2 in the air and she could see how polluted the air itself was. A house across from this one, Rowan had watched as a tall woman exited and she could've sworn she recognised her face from a book about the Shelby's... and then it clicked.
"Lizzie..." she whispered and as she turned she could get a proper look at her face. It was indeed Lizzie Stark. The infamous prostitute that Tommy had spent many a night fooling around with. Even for Rowan, she was not surprised he had taken a liking to her. She was stunning and looked like a runway model with her long lissome limbs that accentuated her impeccable clothing. Her short hairstyle framed her face and smoky makeup caused a mysterious aura about her. She was lest to say: staggeringly gorgeous in Rowan's eyes.
She looked down at herself and felt unfit for this era, maybe she needed a hair cut and to lose some weight to feel safe in the beauty standard. Rowan was always proud to have rather standout abs because of the intense yoga she would do sometimes in her gym to release stress. She may have had little responsibilities because of the pile of money she used from her parents, but she worried that she was wasting away her life. Now she had something else to be anxious about in this unfamiliar time. Though she had studied the 20s for years, she had never experienced it (obviously) and it suddenly felt like she knew nothing at all. All those days of studying made her feel no safer in her skin. She walked to the mirror and bought her hair up as if it was in a bob, a popular style in this time and wondered if it would make her more comfortable and less likely to stand out like a sore thumb amongst skinny, short-haired Hollywood standard women.
She sighed and fell back onto her bed, bored out her mind. An empty room and nothing to study any longer. She studied every abnormality or decoration in the room all night, insomnia was a terrible thing. She picked up Tommy's coat and raised it to her face, she inhaled and smelt whisky, cigarettes and an ash-like scent. Perhaps Tommy had recently had a bonfire or something, because it was a withered away scent but was very forward when you intentionally smelt for it.
"I wonder..." There was a sudden knock at the door and Rowan was tempted to go down the stairs to see who it was. The maid got there first but she watched from the top of the stairs who was visiting.
It was John.
"Come on love, get something warm on and let's go 'ave some fun." He smiled and she did so in return, rushing into her room to collect Ada's coat and scarf and a pair of little boots.
