As usual (Open)

[Joseph Ferras]

Last one here, as was usual for Joseph more and more now as he had taken over one of the cleaners jobs too, in exchange, obviously, for a cut of their pay, a fair one obviously. When he had done he knew he would rush home, maybe stop off at the Apothecary for some herbal medicine and watch over his family.

Sometimes, when Joseph came home, exhausted and hungry he felt a small twinge of resentment for his family, particularly when there was no food left for him, even more so when it was he who had made it during his break and coming home to find noneof it left for him.

He supposed he could balme it on himself, he had given up his share so often that they probably got used to it. But he was not losing too much weight, the hunger just made him sleep better. Also, more often now, some of the dancers would offer him some of their food, the reason being two fold, they heard he was not getting enough food, he had complained about it to one of the other stage hands once and it spread from there, and that they wanted to keep their slim frames.

He looked up as he saw someone staring at him

[Rosalind Dashwood]

She was dressed in her travelling cloak, it was heavy and long but protected her from the cold of the night. She had set off to see Joseph, her pocket was heavy due to the small bag that was in there. She crept out silently, it was dark out and the stagehands had left ages ago, but Rosalind knew where Jospeh lived they walked past it once and he pointed it out.

She walked along the coridoors, summoning up the courageto walk outside in the dark. She saw a dark figure and her heart started to hammer. Hands shaking she lit her candle and held it up; a wave of relief came over her once she realised it was Joseph.

She smiled at him "Thank goodness it's you" she breathed "What are you doing here?" she asked then shook her head "I mean, I was just going to visit you" she breathed. Her hand clasped around her small drawstring bag full of all the spare money she had saved up, it was, as she had calculated, enough for a few months supply of medicine from the Apothecary and some food, she hoped he would accept it, she really did.

[Joseph Ferras]

Joseph felt a smile tug at his lips "You were coming to see me Mademoiselle Dashwood? Why?" he asked curiously.

He smiled at the beautiful creature infront of him, her heavy travelling cloak wrapped around her slim frame, she was one of the girls who gave him their food and he was grateful for that, particularly that day when he was actually starving, having only eaten scraps for the past few days.

"Rosalind" he said giving up on propriety and using her first name "Can I just thank you once again for giving me your food, i really do appreciate it" You really are an amzazing person he wanted say "You really are a good friend"

He felt another smile come up, he cared for her,, but right now he did not love her, in that way anyhow, he considered her his best friend now, and he rather liked it that way, walking down the street, with her small hand in his elbow and just laughing with her, she was one of the only people, along with Juliette, that made him forget his troubles.

[Rosalind Dashwood]

"YOu do not have to thank me Joseph, you were starving, i could not let you go hungry" she said simply.
She moved towards him and the money bag jangled, she slef conciously picked at a stray thread on her sleeve before looking up

Tell him you fool she thought "Erm" Tell him! "Joseph!" she called "Jo." she used his nickname now "You know you told me about your family, you know the troubles" she lowered her voice "I could not let what happened to my family happen to yours, i just could not."
She turned away just incase she started to cry, noy like she did when he sang, but real, sad tears "The pain was almost too hard to bear" she turned back towards him "And I want to do what it takes to stop others feeling the same way." she bit her lip "So please Joseph, Monsiour ferras, take my gift, do not experiance my heartache. if you can not do it for yourself, do it for your family, or- or for me, please"

She took the money bag out of her pocket and gave it to him "You have a chance Jospeh, just, please don't leave here" she said feeling that if he had this money he would feel no need to work for a while and would so quit untill money was needed

[Joseph Ferras]

he was speechless, how could he accept such a generoud offer? One so forcefully put upon him, he did not want to take advantage of his dear friend, but if he did not he would surely hurt her, and his whole family would continue to suffer, like hers has done. He could not help but admire her for what she was doing, saving him from a fate like hers; a fate that seemed increadibly likely to happen, the stops were all the same, he was just a few behind, Rosalind was trying to alter the course.

And nnow she was crying, the tears falling down her beautiful face, her eyes did not turn red like most people's did, instead her eyes just seemed to shine. The money bag was heavy in his hands and he looked at it helplessly before placing it on the floor at his feet and taking a handkercheif out of his pocket and walking over, closer to Rosalind.

"I'm not sure what to say; you are an amzing person Rosalind, you really are, some people would just let whats going on happen as they need someone to relate to. But you; you don't want anyone to go through the same pain, as you dont want anymore people to hurt. You really are amazing Rosalind, and I am lucky to be your friend, your best friend" as he said this he wiped away her tears "I do not want to seem like I am taking advantage of you Rosalind, can I really accept this?" he asked

[Rosalind Dashwood]

"You wont be" she creid passionatly, louder than she intended, when she spoke again it was quieter "As long as you remain working here near me" she paused "I mean us, Juliette and me," she let him wipe away the tears never in all her memory could she remember someone treating her like this; looking after her, she rather liked it "please Joe, just take it, for me"
She smiled at him then stepped back her tears finally having stopped "If you refuse to take it, we'll say it's a loan, you have to do a favour for me at a later date" she extended her small delicate towards Joseph "Deal?" she asked hopefully

[Joseph Ferras]

Joseph smiled and took her hand and shook it to acknowledge their deal "Deal!" he said but did not let, he remained holding before slowly lifting it up to his lips and kissing it. He then pulled her closer and hugged her.

"I'll remain working with you, and I'll talk to you everyday and" he grinned cheekily "shun people who you don't like, or are mean to you" he laughed as he said this.

He stepped back and smiled at her "I would do anything to stop you crying, or anyone else for that matter"

[Rosalind Dashwood]

Rosalind smiled as Joseph hugged her and kissed her hand "Thank you so much Joseph!" she said gratefully, then laughed at his comment "You don't have to do that!" she thought of some of the chorus girls faces, who she did not really like as they could be mean, to put it lightly, when Joseph shunned them
"Or if you do, be sure I am there to witness it, as it sounds hilarious!"

She felt a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulder, and she felt that a shadow, that had been hanging over her since her mother died had retreated slightly and for once she felt free, completly happy

[Joseph Ferras]

In that instant Rosalind never looked more beautiful, she looked so much more free and happy that Joseph barely recognized her, not that he never though of her as beautiful, it was not something anyone could overlook but it seemed to increase so much just then, maybe she was just in complimentary lighting, but it seemed more likely that a shadow seemed to have left her, if only momentarily

So it was all Joseph could do not to hug her again, but this time it was a huge one, one that swept her off her dainty little feet and spun her around the space that they were stnading in. he felt elated, he felt free for once, no more wandering if his mother would still be alive tomorrow, no more having to have the chorus girl donate him food, no more wondering how bleak his future could be. In that moment he knew that Rosalind would be in his life forever, and he did not care how, whther if it was just as friends, or more than that. Currently he would chose best friends.

[Rosalind Dashwood]

She let out a little giggle as he lifted her up, and she throuroughly enjoyed being spun around like that. When he put her down Rosalind beamed at him her eyes alight; she had really helped someone.

"So you are definatly accepting it, and you are definatly staying. And you have to promise that you sometimes come in and eat with us; I really like it when you do that" she said secretly adding Specially the other chorus girls' faces when they see that you always sit by me and Juliette

She took his hand and got his small finger and hooked her around it, she had said this often enough but she would say it again "best friends forever, right?"

[Joseph Ferras]

"Right" Joseph smiled and put his arm around Rosalinds shoulder and laughed fondly "I do not know what I would do without you Rosalind, or what I have done without you. I'm glad you are here"
he squeezed the material of her travelling cape and smiled; "Thos ought to protect you from the cold" he said suddenly struck by an idea "I think you ought to see who you are helping. Do you want to come to my place? Meet the folks? They should all be awake. The older ones wake the younger ones once they see me coming" he smiled fondly "Plus they really want to see you, one of them thinks you are an angel or a fairy of sorts"
He resolved to buy her something with the money she gave him, or from his wages this month, jewellery seemed the most obvious choice, a necklace was the most obvious choice and it would suit her, specially if he found a silver one.