Post by Bobbie on Sept 22, 2022 16:09:51 GMT -5
‘Fine Pints‘n’Pies’. That was the name of the bar and bistro that Theodore was currently at, looking rather uncomfortable as certain female employees or clientele - he really couldn’t tell - were lingering close by to lure him into their company as he stood at the counter. This was not his ideal place to be, especially with his wife in his thoughts, but it was the only place that met the following criteria: firstly, they had a den den mushi sitting on the counter; secondly, the barista was generous enough to let him use it without any payment.
He couldn’t believe his luck. After everything that he had endured and being on Toroa island longer than he wished to be, the one ship that sailed to Strawberry Hill was being delayed. For how long or for what reason, he hadn’t the faintest clue, but the very moment Theodore got a little pushy with the sailors, he started to get strange looks from other waiting passengers and security. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was all Greene’s doing, considering the guard’s comment when he was dropped off here… 'Mr Greene sends his regards'... perhaps he was being paranoid, but some people just seemed to recognise him.
“Here you go, sir.” The man behind the counter left Theodore to his call, which was promptly made overseas to Strawberry Hill, a very particular location in mind. The location used to be called ‘Barkers’ Barber Trade’, but, unbeknownst to him, it wasn’t functioning under that name anymore.
A woman who was dressed a little too scantily on for his liking was pushed by her companion to brush into Theodore as his elbows were resting on the counter. He turned to look at the couple, with a terribly irritated expression, but as soon as he opened his mouth to snap at them to go away, his wife’s voice came through on the den den.
“Sally’s Salon, what can I book you in for?” the unmistakable voice of his wife came through, and Tedd silently gestured for the couple to shoo and take their business elsewhere. “Hello~?”
“Sally… it’s me,” he replied in a quiet tone, the sound of her sweet voice that he hasn't heard in nine years causing all his feelings for his beloved wife to rush through him once more.
“Hmm, not a name I recognise, sorry." she replied, playfully. "Who’s me?”
“Sally, it’s me. Teddy.” His smile, however, did not last long.
“Is this supposed to be funny? You must think you’re very clever for digging up my husband’s name, but let’s try to be more considerate than a pea and leave this line open for actual paying customers who genuinely want an appointment, okay? Have a lovely day!”
“No, no, no!” Theodore frantically said into the den den, aware that his chances of being allowed a second free call were not likely. “Sally, don’t hang up, it really is me! They let me out on an early release, I don’t know why. Nobody’s telling me anything, they just put me on a ship, and now I’m here…” He let out a long sigh, glancing around to see who heard what he said, then leaned closer to the den den for more privacy, though he couldn’t escape the barista’s prying eyes. “I was dropped off on Toroa island, a kind gentleman is letting me use a snail to call you…”
The woman’s sobs filled the air very quickly and they could be heard across the entire establishment, prompting him to look around once more, this time apologetically.
“Sally, listen to me…” he said, softly, hoping to stop her crying before somebody complained and ended their call. “The ship that sails back home was delayed, so it looks like I’m going to be here for a while longer and I don’t know how long… but I’m almost there. I’m coming home.”
Now that the lady’s crying was reduced to sniffles, she spoke clearly once more. “Did you say Toroa Island?” Nodding in the affirmative, Tedd hummed his response. “Nellie should be somewhere over there. You remember Nellie don’t you?”
Another grunt was offered to indicate that he did, but it was followed by a question.
“What’s Nellie doing here?”
“Making a donation to a food bank. I’ll explain everything to you once you’re home, she’s doing some very good work… but she was nervous about it, and I know she would be very excited to see you as well. You’re stuck there anyway and it would put my mind at ease to know she’s safe with you…”
“Does she have a return ticket for the ferry?”
“I don't know, she probably does, but if the ferry is being delayed, then she’ll be stuck there too. I just need to know that she’s safe, Tedd. She must have arrived a few days ago”
“Hurry it up a bit, alright?” The barista’s voice cut into their conversation as he wanted his den den mushi back for a call of his own, and after what the man said about an early release, he wanted Tedd out of his establishment as soon as possible.
“Okay, I’ll find her. I have to go honey. I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you, Teddy Bear. Stay safe~!”
Tedd didn’t even need to look at the barista’s face to know he was smirking and holding back a chuckle at that. “Love you too. Bye.” He uttered quietly and quickly, before the den den made its classic kacha sound, ending the call.
“Thank you…” now addressing the owner of the transponder snail, the barber scratched his stubble, “Is there a local food bank anywhere?”
Making it clear that Theodore was pushing his luck, the working man frowned while he vigorously scrubbed a glass clean with a white handkerchief. “Yes. Go outside and turn right. Keep going straight, you’ll find yourself in the market. Ask somebody else when you get there.” Eager to have an ex-prisoner out of his bar and bistro, the gruff man turned to see to other customers.
Frustrated by the label he now had associated with his name and the way it was getting in the way, Tedd turned and walked out quietly. Following the given directions, he headed to the market. He only hoped that Nellie being here and her big food donation had nothing to do with Mr Gulliver...
Barista: #a5e6f9
Theodore Barker: #aa6706
Sally Barker: #cda0ff
He couldn’t believe his luck. After everything that he had endured and being on Toroa island longer than he wished to be, the one ship that sailed to Strawberry Hill was being delayed. For how long or for what reason, he hadn’t the faintest clue, but the very moment Theodore got a little pushy with the sailors, he started to get strange looks from other waiting passengers and security. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was all Greene’s doing, considering the guard’s comment when he was dropped off here… 'Mr Greene sends his regards'... perhaps he was being paranoid, but some people just seemed to recognise him.
“Here you go, sir.” The man behind the counter left Theodore to his call, which was promptly made overseas to Strawberry Hill, a very particular location in mind. The location used to be called ‘Barkers’ Barber Trade’, but, unbeknownst to him, it wasn’t functioning under that name anymore.
A woman who was dressed a little too scantily on for his liking was pushed by her companion to brush into Theodore as his elbows were resting on the counter. He turned to look at the couple, with a terribly irritated expression, but as soon as he opened his mouth to snap at them to go away, his wife’s voice came through on the den den.
“Sally’s Salon, what can I book you in for?” the unmistakable voice of his wife came through, and Tedd silently gestured for the couple to shoo and take their business elsewhere. “Hello~?”
“Sally… it’s me,” he replied in a quiet tone, the sound of her sweet voice that he hasn't heard in nine years causing all his feelings for his beloved wife to rush through him once more.
“Hmm, not a name I recognise, sorry." she replied, playfully. "Who’s me?”
“Sally, it’s me. Teddy.” His smile, however, did not last long.
“Is this supposed to be funny? You must think you’re very clever for digging up my husband’s name, but let’s try to be more considerate than a pea and leave this line open for actual paying customers who genuinely want an appointment, okay? Have a lovely day!”
“No, no, no!” Theodore frantically said into the den den, aware that his chances of being allowed a second free call were not likely. “Sally, don’t hang up, it really is me! They let me out on an early release, I don’t know why. Nobody’s telling me anything, they just put me on a ship, and now I’m here…” He let out a long sigh, glancing around to see who heard what he said, then leaned closer to the den den for more privacy, though he couldn’t escape the barista’s prying eyes. “I was dropped off on Toroa island, a kind gentleman is letting me use a snail to call you…”
The woman’s sobs filled the air very quickly and they could be heard across the entire establishment, prompting him to look around once more, this time apologetically.
“Sally, listen to me…” he said, softly, hoping to stop her crying before somebody complained and ended their call. “The ship that sails back home was delayed, so it looks like I’m going to be here for a while longer and I don’t know how long… but I’m almost there. I’m coming home.”
Now that the lady’s crying was reduced to sniffles, she spoke clearly once more. “Did you say Toroa Island?” Nodding in the affirmative, Tedd hummed his response. “Nellie should be somewhere over there. You remember Nellie don’t you?”
Another grunt was offered to indicate that he did, but it was followed by a question.
“What’s Nellie doing here?”
“Making a donation to a food bank. I’ll explain everything to you once you’re home, she’s doing some very good work… but she was nervous about it, and I know she would be very excited to see you as well. You’re stuck there anyway and it would put my mind at ease to know she’s safe with you…”
“Does she have a return ticket for the ferry?”
“I don't know, she probably does, but if the ferry is being delayed, then she’ll be stuck there too. I just need to know that she’s safe, Tedd. She must have arrived a few days ago”
“Hurry it up a bit, alright?” The barista’s voice cut into their conversation as he wanted his den den mushi back for a call of his own, and after what the man said about an early release, he wanted Tedd out of his establishment as soon as possible.
“Okay, I’ll find her. I have to go honey. I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you, Teddy Bear. Stay safe~!”
Tedd didn’t even need to look at the barista’s face to know he was smirking and holding back a chuckle at that. “Love you too. Bye.” He uttered quietly and quickly, before the den den made its classic kacha sound, ending the call.
“Thank you…” now addressing the owner of the transponder snail, the barber scratched his stubble, “Is there a local food bank anywhere?”
Making it clear that Theodore was pushing his luck, the working man frowned while he vigorously scrubbed a glass clean with a white handkerchief. “Yes. Go outside and turn right. Keep going straight, you’ll find yourself in the market. Ask somebody else when you get there.” Eager to have an ex-prisoner out of his bar and bistro, the gruff man turned to see to other customers.
Frustrated by the label he now had associated with his name and the way it was getting in the way, Tedd turned and walked out quietly. Following the given directions, he headed to the market. He only hoped that Nellie being here and her big food donation had nothing to do with Mr Gulliver...
Barista: #a5e6f9
Theodore Barker: #aa6706
Sally Barker: #cda0ff