Hello, this is Thomas. Please leave a message.

January
1/1/2019 NYE

1/15/2019 Regan EP

1/30/2019 linkdump


February
2/13/2019 Linkdump - Saoirse

2/14/2019 Valentine's - Greta

2/14/2019 Valentine's - Krem

Thomas planned a day. It isn't exactly their anniversary - that has come and gone - but he still wants to give Greta a lovely time. Brunch at a place they both like, followed by a matinee of a ballet performance and a walk through the park and maybe a little bit of leisurely but last minute Christmas shopping. Tea at the little cafe they had their first date.

All of it is to give Greta a day off, and more than that, to simply enjoy themselves together, not as parents or as people that needed to work. Sure, he's decided to make plans to take Saoire to see The Nutcracker now, especially since Greta thinks she'll enjoy it. But beyond that, it's rather lovely to be free of any obligation for the day.

It's easy enough to decide to walk home - it's an unseasonably nice evening and there's no rush, they can be leisurely.

"I had a lovely day. Thank you for indulging me," he says to Greta as the house comes into view.

Thomas stretched after setting down a box of books in the living room. He'd gotten everything out of the apartment, and most of his boxes were in the spare room for now, to be sorted at his leisure. Important things had already been put in appropriate rooms: clothes were in the bedroom, a few boxes of books down here to put away wherever they would fit. His desk had gone up in the spare room; the rats were currently settled in Saoirse's room. He was quite grateful that the little girl liked them and that Greta was allowing them in her house. He wasn't sure he'd ever get her to warm up to them, but they were pets he could share with Saoirse.

He headed back out to make sure there was nothing left on the truck before he sent the driver on his way. That made things easier, at least - he'd hired a couple of men to help him get things out of the old apartment.

"Greta?" he called as he moved into the kitchen. He had a small box of things in there. He'd just sort of packed everything, figuring he would deal with getting rid of things later.

"I got rid of most of my dishes, except the mugs you said you liked, but I wasn't sure about some of these other things."

The apartment was clean and tidy, as it almost always was. The rat cage had been thoroughly clean, and he had a take out order waiting to be placed should either of them get terribly hungry.

That was assuming, of course, that Greta stayed very long after Thomas told her what he thought she should know. He had a kettle on for tea, and he was on his second gin and tonic by the time Greta finally arrived. He supposed he had been a bit unfairly cryptic in his invitation to her, and so when he answered the door and took Greta's coat, he took the time to clarify.

"I-- Do you remember the conversation we had, very briefly, at the Valentine Ball? About the gardens, and I mentioned my sister. Or perhaps I didn't, but I was thinking of her. But I promised you that we would talk. And I thought, since Saoirse was having a sleep over anyway, tonight... should perhaps be that night."

He was still far too sober for this, but he wanted to at least give Greta an explanation.

"I don't know how much you want to know about me, Greta. But I feel I owe it to you, if you-- so you can decide if you really... want this. With me."

Thomas tried not to be nervous. It was silly to indulge in that, wasn't it? It was just a nice afternoon tea, with a lovely woman. He should be practiced at this; it should feel like old hat.

But that was the thing: it wasn't, really. Edith had been the first choice he ever made, the first woman he ever pursued because he liked her. And now here he was again, about to spend time with someone he genuinely liked, that he was interested in by virtue of the fact that-- well, he was interested. And that meant sincerity, and sincerity meant vulnerability, and--

No, he would not get wound up about this. He wouldn't be an anxious mess - Greta deserved a lovely afternoon, and he would endeavor to give her one. His favorite teahouse was decorated for the season, and he'd gotten them a table in a cozy corner between the fireplace and a window. Since it was afternoon tea, they had a lovely assortment of sandwiches and desserts available for them to have at their leisure.

He'd dressed... nicely, but not overly fancy. It wasn't high tea, after all, and even if it was, modern tea service was quite different than what he remembered. No gloves required. A waistcoat and no proper jacket seemed appropriate.

As soon as he saw Greta walk in, Thomas rose from his seat and remained standing as she was guided to the table by the hostess.

Now and then, Thomas liked to walk in the woods. He used to go walking on the moors, when the weather was decent. He tried to avoid them when it wasn't - unpleasant memories of trudging along after his father. One such memory of being left behind, of nearly dying.

But today was a good day, and the woods were filled with bird song. Thomas wondered if he could make a bird that was sort of like a music box. He'd have to ask Daine if the sounds seemed right; he wondered if Belle could help him with the smaller pieces.

He paused when he saw... a cabin? He frowned, trying to remember if it had ever been there before. He was positive it hadn't been, he came out here often enough. He felt drawn to move a bit closer, but he was slow, cautious.

Thomas was quite pleased to get a text from Daine asking if he was free, or at ihs workshop. He answered her: yes to both.

Come through the alley at the back of the building. The shop is closed but I'll let you in through the workshop if you'd like to visit.

He'd be happy for the company.

At the moment he was restocking after the lunar new year; he'd spent all his time making little rooster mementos and hadn't bothered to make anything else. Steve had warned him that they were selling out on things, and that one or two people had been by to request commissions. He had a board with all the commission receipts and descriptions and sketches for the commissioned pieces. The long work benches were well organized and at the moment it seemed that he had a little assembly line going for some of the smaller pieces he sold. It helped to set things up that way when he had Steve helping him.

When he heard a knock at the door he wiped his hands off, as best he could, and went to open it for Daine.

Thomas was rather excited by the prospect of finding animals that might want to live with him, and not in the guess-work sort of way that it always seemed to be. Daine would help him, he hoped, find a pet or two that might suit him. He'd spent so little of his life choosing things for himself that the prospect of at least having help was terribly appealing.

He waited outside the shelter for her, supposing this was as good a place as any to start. The idea of giving an animal that needed a home some help also appealed. There was no sense in going to a pet shop when adopting would do just as well.

A smile appeared when he saw her and he pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning on. His clothes were simple yet stylish; he'd entirely embraced what Darrow had to offer and rather prided himself on looking put together.

"Thank you, I'm glad this time worked. Steve offered to watch the shop and it seemed as good a time as any."

Thomas is... excited. He's nervous, but it's a good kind of nervous. When he gets dressed that morning, he thinks about something that might be flattering and still casual. Biffy pointed out that most of what he wears is flattering, but still. He chooses a green button down, because the color will reflect in his eyes, and a pair of dark blue jeans. The sleeves end up rolled up to his elbows because he knows it's warm outside, rather warmer than he's used to but he doesn't mind.

He waits, because he feels like he ought, until about lunch time. Then he calls Edith.

"Hello, Edith? I was wondering if you would come to look at something with me. I could come pick you up, if you like."

Thomas doesn't have a car, but he could meet her at her building and walk with her, it wouldn't be a trouble.