BACK TO THE 20'S - 4
Alfie & Rose Solomons belong to @raincoffeeandfandoms
“First, however, there are those upon this land that need protection, and I hear, Ms. Rose, that you are in need of some guards and those to teach them. It would be my divine honor to help in that matter. All female, of course, and to also help the children and women learn basic things they can do to help them should they ever be cornered. We women are not nearly as frail and fragile as the men would like to believe. It is such a joy to remind them of that, in the most painful of ways.” A devious smile formed on her lips, one that went all the way to her eyes causing the corners to crease. “And then we can talk about the beautiful ravens.” Gynnifer smiled brightly now, oh how she did love her birds!
“Yes, you mentioned your ravens, Miss Gynnifer.” Rose said, smiling over at the other woman. “You can help train my staff and bring your own? And these ravens of yours will be of help?” She thought back to the bird who had come at Gynnifer’s calling with the liquor. It did make her curious about any birds trained by her.
“I have trained many under the employ of Ms. Annabella and Mr. Jasper within New Orleans. There are things that can be done by your staff, staff I can bring, and the women and children themselves. Everything in degrees of experience and application.” Gynnifer explained patiently. She was nearly as old as Annabella, it was not the first time she had explained her methods to someone. She had trained herself at Anna and Jasper’s side long ago. Now she was their head trainer, for all things. “The ravens, ducks, and even geese that are natural to these lands can be of great use to us. Birds are often overlooked, flying over our heads. This makes them the perfect surveillance and security system for those who need early warning for when danger approaches.” She blinked slowly and inclined her head to the woman with a soft smile. “Gynnifer is known for training all our new operatives in our organization in New Orleans. I would put her trainees up against the worst of Shelby’s men any day, and I guarantee you that they would be the ones walking away.” Anna winked at Rose. Her association with Tommy was well known, so for her to make such a statement held weight. "You never send a man to do a woman's job."
"If you'd like, Mrs. Rose, I can have some of the ladies I've trained in New Orleans come over to assist while we are training staff here in England. They can stand as testament to your ladies here that they do not need to be afraid and also what proper training can do. This is true for staff and those hiding here from the evils they've endured." While Gynnifer tended to be a more reserved and serious woman, she had a softer expression and tone at the end of her statement. While she loathed, with a passion that rivaled the heat of a supernova star, those who dared to raise a hand to children or women, for those who had endured such abuse, she had nothing but compassion. In her life she had seen far too much to feel otherwise.
"If that wouldn't be too much trouble, that sounds wonderful! It would help raise their spirits to see those that are able to defend themselves and not be afraid. And for our staff, it would show that what we are proposing is possible." Rose beamed as excitement grew. Her dream of protecting the innocent and abused was growing and fully materializing.
"It will be no trouble at all. I'll send a wire tomorrow to have several pack and come over as soon as possible." Anna laid her hand on her good friend's and squeezed softly. "I know you'll adore them all."
"And I dare any man to try to burn down your headquarters again with my ladies and our ravens guarding it." A devious smile alighted Gynnifer’s lips. "They will wish it were you husband’s men they met." A wink and a smirk were cast to Rose, whom Gynnifer was becoming quite fond of.
"You mention your ravens again. I know you said they act as a warning and surveillance. We will be grateful for that while you are here, but what can be done for when you leave? Please do not think we are not grateful!” Rose inquired, trying to not sound ungrateful or demanding at the same time.
“Oh darling, we won’t leave you defenseless. Poe and Nevermore both recently had chicks. I would be more than happy to bless you with your own starter flock of ravens that are trained from birth by my people so that they are loyal to you and your staff. While we are training you all on defending yourselves, we can train you as well on raven care and rearing. You’ll have more ravens than you know what to do with soon.” Gynnifer laughed and gave her new friend a brilliant smile. She did so love introducing new people to the wonderful world of ravens. Blessing these women with a new crop of her beloved bird’s offspring would be lovely. “And once you learn how to train them, you can also give them to the women who live here so they have protection and warning when they leave. I have found, in my years of experience, that men of a certain type can be…persistent.”
There was a certain inflection on the last word that Gynnifer spoke that made it clear exactly what she meant without having to expressly specify it. Anna inclined her head towards the dark haired female, a knowing and tight smile forming on her lips. “Yes, and that is why, dear Rose, that I would only entrust your establishments here to the best of my best.” 200 years had passed since she had been Rose’s age, and she had learned and seen a lot in that time. If she could prevent another woman from experiencing it, well all the better.
****
Back at Alfie and Rose’s home, the men were still discussing liquor and smuggling. Jasper kept having to remind himself that not only was he not to eat Alfie, which he had already decided was not something he was interested in, but he was also not to have him sign over his soul. Anna really did like to spoil the demon’s fun sometimes. She really should be more appreciative of the fact he adored her.
As they sat now discussing cigar imports for Alfie, Jasper could feel the human’s eyes studying him. While not as scrutinizing and sharp as Anna’s friend Tommy Shelby, another human that was off the menu, they were just as heavy on the demon. Curious how his favorite Grigori had made friends with two humans who were so meticulous in their review of a being, yet failed to notice that neither of them were human. Even in New Orleans there was the occasional human that would figure it out, rarely with as much attention paid as Mr. Solomons was currently paying Jasper. Although, again, Alfie could not become a snack if he figured it out, so Jasper had to be very careful not to let anything slip.
Thankfully Alfie was paying more attention to the negotiations on profit sharing than anything that might give Jasper away. Since the only snacks hadn't been living for some time, there was no worry of accidentally eating something still alive. He'd learned long ago that tended to freak humans out, especially if the snack were another human.
@saltysupercomputer @blind-the-winds @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @dreaminggoblin @outpost51 @toribookworm22 @ceph-the-ghost-writer @aziz-reads @call-sign-shark @look-at-the-soul @runnning-outof-time @cillmequick