Gothic Fangirl

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*Gothic Fangirl*

 
 
“There you are,” Amanda stated, “We wondered where you'd got to.”
“Er sorry, couldn't miss getting an autograph.”
“Ha, proper fangirl!” Jason chuckled!

I showed them the ten by six that Erdbeere had signed for me.

“To Trixiebell my Gothic twin, Erdbeere.” Rod read over my shoulder.
“Twin?” Jas queried.
“Well I am dressed similar to her,” I allowed.
“So, we gonna find some food?” Manda asked.

I think the bands filling out the rest of the afternoon have got a lot to live up to after BlauHase, we certainly weren't the only ones showing signs of moving on.

“Here or in town?” Jason asked.
“We can probably get in The Wall,” Jas suggested.
“Sounds good,” Rod opened.
“It’s not too far is it?” I asked, well these shoes aren't as bad as the stilettos but they still aren't exactly made for walking.
“About ten minutes,” Jason supplied.

 
“You were really shaking it back there,” Manda told me as we 'ladies' followed the menfolk towards our lunch rendezvous.
“Er yeah,” I allowed cautiously.
“It’s good to see some youngsters getting the scene,” Jas put in.
“Guess you either are or aren't.”

Of course, as Zak I’d drop in and out as it suited me, but Trixiebell is pretty hardcore. Of course, a lot of that is commitment, there certainly are lads that have embraced the whole thing but maybe they're less obvious than girls in all the frills and stuff. Without my sister's intervention one, I wouldn't be Trixie now and two, well I wouldn't be Trixie.

 
The men had gone on ahead so that when the rest of us arrived they were already snagging extra seats for us. I say seats, with the damn bustle thing on the back of my dress it has to be a stool for me, somehow Amanda and Jas managed proper chairs. We were in the beer garden but thankfully the city wall offered enough shade to make it comfortable – ish.

“Everyone up for a roast?” Jason queried.
“Just small ones for us girls,” Jas suggested.

I had been about to decline but I guess I can manage a kid’s portion.

“Drinks?” Rod asked.
“Remember you're driving later,” his wife pointed out.
“Kill joy.”

Mand gave him a look, I’ve seen Janey pull that with Rory, you don't want to mess with that.

“Okay, I'm on shandy,” he grinned.
“More music or shopping after?” Jas queried once the chaps had departed to place the food order and obtain beverages.

To be honest, I neither had the money to more than window shop or the inclination for more music, BlauHase having spoilt me.

“I'm easy,” I suggested.
“Pretty sure you didn't mean to say that,” Jas smirked.
It took me a moment to get my head around that, “Erm.”
“We know what you meant,” Amanda told me, “But you might want to choose your words more carefully Trix. Anyway, I’ve had enough of perching on that damn stick, wouldn't mind another look at the stalls in the Guildhall.”
“Works for me, we can let the men loose, pretty sure they won't want to look at drawers,” Jas chuckled.

I mentally went through my finances, I spent forty quid on the dermals last night but otherwise my 'guardians' have refused to let me spend my money on food or drink so I'm still reasonably flush. I really should get something for my hosts and chauffeurs, guess the Guildhall stalls are as good a place as any to do that.

 
It’s no wonder women in the corset wearing eras of history were invariably fairly skinny – talk about an appetite suppressant! The 'small' dinners didn't seem to be much different from the plates that Rod and Jason had, maybe there was a bit less meat, fewer roast taters – anyway, even lightly corseted I struggled to make room for it all. As for dessert – forget it.

The menfolk were still eating their apple pie and custard when I returned from a necessary visit – it’s still very much an adventure I could do without, using the ladies that is.

“So, we'll meet up at the Cathedral four o'clock?” Jas was suggesting.
“'kay,” Jason agreed with a wink at Rod.
“You,” Manda told her hubby, “Behave.”
“I'm wounded.”
“I'll wound you if you turn up plastered.”
“Don't worry Mand, I'll keep him square,” Jason pronounced.
“You'd better,” Jas added.
“Ready Trix?”
“Er, yeah, sure.”

Yeah, my interest in women’s clothing starts and ends with getting back to Zak, there is no way I wanted to discuss bloomers and the like with Manda and Jas. I found myself, instead, on a mission for gifts I had no idea what, but no doubt something'll jump out at me. They were the same vendors as last night of course, the difference being it was less busy, the warm weather encouraging more people to be at the park enjoying the sun.

I'm useless at this kind of stuff, I usually get my almost twin to do the deed, hmm, there's an idea.

She picked up on the third ring, “Hi Zak,” she emphasised.
“You with mum?”
“Right here bro, so how're you doing in Bristol.”
“Pretty good, look, I need some advice, some thank you gifts?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea Zak, pot plant?”
“Really?”
“Can't go wrong.”
'your brother's not doing drugs is he Janey?' I heard mum ask up in Chessy.
“No mum, present for his landlady.”
“What about chocolate?” I posed.
“Bit of a cop out Zak.”
Another voice came on the line, “When are you coming back to Chesterfield?”
“Er not sure mum, couple of weeks?”
“Hmm.”
“Can you put Janey back on?”
“Just you be careful down there Zak.”
“I will, love you mum.”
“And you, here's your sister.”
“You there Zak?”
“Still here, look I'll give you a call later when I know what time we'll be back.”
“Okay, Aspidistra,”
“Right, thanks sis, see you later.”

I ended the call, well that was useful, not. Where do I get pot plants in the middle of Canterbury on a Sunday afternoon? Not in the Guildhall that’s for sure, let’s find the others.

 
“Well?” Amanda asked her friend as they watched her young charge almost skip away.
“Be blowed if I can put a finger on it,” Jas admitted, “All I’ve seen has been a slightly insecure, shy kid. If I had to pin it down, I’d say she's using the Goth thing as a crutch.”
“Yeah, perhaps a bit destructive, those new piercings...”
“She's a kid, they do impulsive things, my advice is not to make a fuss, I reckon she's had her fill of that at home by what she's told you.”
“I still think she's hiding something,” Mand opined.
“Well, whatever it is, she'll tell you, or someone when she's ready, push things and she might take off.”
“You're right, I'm just a bit clucky I guess.”

 
Believe it or not, I found what I was after in the Abbey gardens. No, I didn't steal them, they were having a plant sale, the old fella was quite helpful, perhaps it was a slow day. Anyhow when we all reconvened by the Cathedral's south door, I was weighed down by a couple of recycled carrier bags.

“You taking up gardening Trix?” Jason enquired.
“Er no, look you guys have been really good to me this weekend, here, these are to say thanks.”
okay, it wasn't the most eloquent of speeches, but it got the basic sentiment over.
“You didn't need to,” Jas told me, “It’s a nice thought, thank you.”
“Ditto,” Amanda added, “Come here.”

And so, I ended up in a three-way hug, not quite sure of my own emotions.

“Come on gang,” Jason interrupted, “Taxi's here.”

 
back at the house it was time to become a less stand out member of society for the long drive north, comfort over style. I didn't waste time on the packing, it'll all be hitting the washer when I get back anyhow. As a result, I was the first one to get back downstairs, I could hear someone in the kitchen so I headed that way.

“Trix girl," Jason beckoned me over, “Got a minute?"
“Er sure," I agreed reaching down to help ease my ballet pump onto my foot - elastic is great but not when you are trying to cut corners. “So, what's up?"
“Don't look so worried, I’m not gonna bite," he grinned as I joined him at the kitchen counter.
“Look, don't take this the wrong way but me and the missus got you a little something."
“Erm."
“Oh, I know it might seem a bit strange but we've enjoyed having you here, having a youngster in the house for a couple of days, Em doesn't come home that regular and we'll, Jas gets a bit clucky. Anyhow, we know you don't have a lot of mula, well just consider it our contribution to Trixiebell."

He actually looked a bit embarrassed as he passed me one of those jewellery box things.

“Er thanks, what is it?" my curiosity was piqued.
“Open it and see," he suggested.

Well duh, Zak, Trixie, whatever, make yourself look stupid why don't you. I pushed the lid up and lifted the tissue paper up that was covering the contents.

“Jas thought it'd be more convenient than having to get your phone out every time you wanted the time."

Yep, the contents were indeed of the time keeping persuasion, a delicate clockface in a sort of Steam Punk stylee, definitely more Trixie than Zak!

“Um, thanks, you didn't need to get me anything though."
“Indulge us eh, it’s not like we're short of a bob."

Well I guess to live the lifestyle full time like they do that has to be true. Even from my brief experience as a full-on Goth Princess I know that quality clothing and stuff costs a bob or three.

“I think you've been done," I suggested, “There's no strap or anything."
“Ha, well spotted girl."
“So, it goes in a pocket or something?"
“Or something, it fits on your dermals."
“Huh?"
“Sit yourself down and gi's your hand and I’ll put it on for you."

The distraction of my latest piercings had abated during the day, the ribbon bow between the rings but a minor distraction. To be honest, I hadn't really thought that they could be re purposed. I perched on one of the high chairs and let Jason take my hand.

“So, it's back to work tomorrow eh?" he asked.
“Uh huh," I agreed, “Seventy rooms to strip and clean."
“On your own?"
“No, there's Magda too, we do about half each."
“Sounds like hard work for a youngster."
I shrugged, “It's not too bad, we're usually done by two and I get a good deal on my room."

I felt a little tug on my wrist.

“That was easy enough," Jason stated, “You live at the hotel?"
“Yeah, just temporary, at least I can't be late!" I joked.
There was another little tug and when I looked Jason had removed both of the rings from my wrist.
“I thought the watch was gonna be fixed to those?"
“Not the rings, these," he gently brushed one of the almost invisible posts on the back of my wrist.
“Er okay," I allowed with a little confusion.
He carefully placed the timepiece in place, “See?"
“I think so."
“So, you want to stay in Derbyshire then?"
I gave another little shrug, “It's where my family is."
“Powerful things, families."
“Complicated," I noted.
“That they are," he sat back, “There we go, what do you think?"

I looked at my wrist, at the watch that, without any obvious means, was apparently attached to it. I twisted my hand about and it stayed put, there was a slight pull but nothing uncomfortable.

“How?"
“Cunning eh," Jason chuckled, “Couple of tiny screws, here, you'd best keep these safe."

He passed me the jewel case back, the watch replaced by the pair of rings and the ribbon.

“Er thanks, so how do I take it off?"
“Just undo the screws, there's a couple of spares in the box if you manage to lose any."

I checked it out again, identifying the tiny screw heads either side of the dial. Pretty cool, Janey'll flip when she sees this.

“Thanks Jason, its brill."
“Just take care eh and remember, if you need help any time or just fancy getting away for a bit, we're here."
I leant over and gave him a friendly half hug, “Thanks."

 
“Cuppa before you go?” Jas suggested when the rest of the party joined Jason and me.
“Go on then,” Manda agreed, “We'll eat up the road.”
“You sure, I can rustle up some salad, sandwiches?”
I looked at my new timepiece, “I can help?”
“Looks like we'll do that then,” Amanda sighed.

Well it avoids my travel companions coughing up for overpriced motorway food.

“Come on Rod,” Jason put in, “Let’s get these cases loaded, leave the ladies to it.”

It was almost six before we eventually left our hosts. Tea was what I’d guess mum would call 'high tea', sandwiches, tea of course and some bun-age that Jas produced from somewhere. Not too heavy but enough to fuel us through the journey, sure we'll stop up the road, maybe even have a drink but foodwise we're set.

There was a round of emotional farewells, seems like I’ve acquired more friends, well Trixie has at least. Where that leaves Zak I'm not sure. It didn't take long to get onto the A2 and I was asleep before the Dartford crossing.

 
“Trix luv, we're here,” Amanda's voice broke through my dreams.
“Hmm, where?” I queried as I stretched my arms across the car.
“Chesterfield.”
“Chesterfield? Thought we were stopping?”
“Well you were asleep so we decided to just drive straight up.” Rod advised.

Janey, I was gonna ring Janey.

“Er thanks.”
“Let’s get you inside,” Rod suggested even as he heaved himself out of the car.

 
“Ring me,” Manda instructed as we exchanged a last hug outside the Ibis' entrance.
“I will,” I agreed, “Thanks for taking me, I’ve had a really good time.”
“No problem, oh hang on a second,” she trotted over to the car and returned with a sheet of paper, “Almost forgot this.

My BlauHase, well Erdbeere picture! Mand had put it into her bag as my 'bag' is a bit small.

“Thanks,” I gave her another hug.

 
“Where are you?” Janey asked, “Do you know what the time is?”
“Ten thirty?”
“Wise arse, so what time and where?”
“I'm back, we drove straight up, they dropped me off here at the hotel a few minutes ago.”
“Well that's a relief, I can get to bed now.”
“I would've rung earlier but I was asleep in the car.”
“Whatever, I'll see you tomorrow.”

 
“Late night?” Magda surmised as I yawned for the second time in five minutes.
“Not really,” I told her, “Busy weekend.”
“I should be so lucky,” she retorted.
“Aren't you going home to Poland next week?”
“That's next week, this week we had sixty-five rooms on Saturday.”

I sort of felt a little guilty but of course that's what she wanted, it’s not like she was doing them all herself, the management would've been helping out, if only stripping beds.

“Only twenty today,” I pointed out, Sunday nights are usually quiet, a few keen businessmen, maybe a holidaymaker or two whereas the rest of the week we'll be pretty full.
“Only twenty she says,” Magda was into full theatrical mode.

 
Given the clientele, we had empty rooms by nine, by which time we'd already gone through several of the earlier departs. Of course, we don't get paid for sitting about, Monday's is carpet cleaning – they get hoovered every day of course but once a week it’s a wet wash on a three-week rota, one level per week. Magda, being nominally in charge put me on wet wash while she sloped off to hoover somewhere.

“Miss Heartswoon!”

I almost jumped out of my skin.

“Janey! You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Miss Askwith to you.”
“Look I'm sorry about last night, I fell asleep and next thing I knew we were outside in the car park.”
“Hmm, I'll let you off.”
“I'll get lunch?” I suggested.
“TFI?”
Clear me out why don't you sis, “Go on,” I sighed.

 
“So, it was a good weekend?” Janey asked as we were seated.
“Not bad.”
“Not bad, what's that supposed to mean?”
“Well it was more Steampunk than Whitby was.”
“And that's bad?”
“Just different, the couple we stayed with, well they are like super into the whole Victorian thing, Jas, Jasmine wears corsets and stuff all the time.”
“Weirdos.”
“Not really,” I told her in their defence, “No different to hardcore sports fans or punks or whatever.”
“Like I said, weird,” Janey stated.
“BlauHase were there yesterday.”
“Who the heck are they?”
“Oh, come on Jane, you must've heard of BlauHase, their lead singer's got dark pink hair, they did that Bohemian Rhapsody remake.”
“That BlauHase, why didn't you say,” she rolled her eyes.
“I got to meet Erdbeere too, the singer?”
“What sort of name is that?”
“I dunno, she's got a right pair of....”
“One track mind bro.”
“Trixie,” I corrected, “I was going to say lungs.”
“If you say so.”
“Not that her girls are bad,” I added with a grin.
“Pu-leez.”
“You brought the subject up.”
“Did not.”
 

I munched another fork full of salad, “You think mum smells a rat?”
“She's not said anything, why?”
“I dunno, she just sounded suspicious.”
“She always sounds suspicious and let’s face it, as far as she knows you just upped and went off to Bristol on a whim.”
“I could hardly call home for a big farewell looking like this could I?”
“Wasn't suggesting you could, maybe if you phoned home more often?”
“I guess.”
“New watch?”
By reflex I looked at my wrist, “Yeah, present from Jason and Jas.”
“Well let’s have a look then,” she demanded.

I put my fork down and extended my arm across the table.

“Okay, how's it held on,” she turned my arm over looking for some sort of strap.
“Screws?” I suggested.
“What do you mean, screws?”
“I er got some dermals, you know they sort of go under your skin? Anyhow that’s what the watch is attached to.”
Janey peered closer at my wrist, “So you can't take it off, what about the shower?”
“It unscrews.”
“But? There has to be a but,” she opined.
“I don't have a small enough screwdriver; the screws are like really tiny.”
“Yeah, I can see,” she allowed. “What were you even thinking getting the dermal thingies?”
“They looked so cool,” I told her.
She shook her head, “I thought you wanted to get back to being Zak not become more Trixie.”
“I do, it’s not like anything permanent, the guy said they come out quite easily.”
“He would if he thought he'd get a sale,” Janey, ever the sensible one of us suggested.
“I guess.”
“No guessing Trix, when we get back have a look in the maintenance room, there might be some tools in there.”
“'kay.”

 
© Maddy Bell 08.07.19

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Comments

Just like Gabby.

WillowD's picture

In the early books, when Gabby still thought she was a boy, she was always winding up doing or buying or wearing various things and then forgetting to put it right. That's how she wound up with fancy dresses, nose piercings, etc.

Strawberry

Podracer's picture

(giggly noises) I had to go and look it up this time..
Momma is going to smell something eventually, probably not a rat but an unfamiliar perfume lingering? She's not going to leave Zak out of sight and mind indefinitely. Trixie seems to be doing that well enough though.

"Reach for the sun."

what

Maddy Bell's picture

Did you have to look up?

Mads


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Strawberries

Podracer's picture

Erdbeere of course. And I've only got as far as "Visitors" in my Gaby re-read.
Amazing quantity of wild strawberries around the Lelystad campsite.

"Reach for the sun."

thats

Maddy Bell's picture

A lot of reading to do!

Mads


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Trixiebell

Thanks Maddy. I am enjoying the adventures of Miss Heartswoon
As a side benefit I’m learning lots about being a goth ......who knew you could get a wrist watch that was attached to things stuck in your skin (shudder)

ID?

Hypatia Littlewings's picture

Trixie is going to need some ID sooner or later. How is she being paid, cash?

>i< ..:::

More Gothic delight

Finally got to see this thx for more of the Gothic tale - My reading and enjoying of this was delayed due to my long vacation and then catching back up having had a nice two and a half month break from reality. Was actually in Whitby this summer for a while ofc - unfortunately the fest going on was steam punk then again I likely wouldn't have been noticed if it was a goth fest going on.