Just A Little Bit's Enough [October]

Just because many social interactions could be overwhelming did not mean Pearce wasn't social. He liked people. They simply...also stressed him out. Shopping was the right amount of socializing however. Not the higher level of serious politics as a dinner or a party.

Pearce wore a beige and dull green tunic and pants, his coat a maroon to match Tobi's. He kept it closed around him against the cold, not at all enjoying the weather. Perhaps he should be used to it by now but he never was. The man allowed her to link her arm in his and lead them toward the counter. He took a deep breath of all the scents of the perfumist. At least this was a shop he enjoyed too so he wouldn't argue the fact that he was certain both women had plenty of variety of scents to choose fromm

"All of that sounds so n-nice of you," he agreed, picking up a small candle and taking a slow breath in. A bit too sweet for his tastes, but pleasant. He set it back down as October tugged them onward. He stopped at some massage oils and other soaps and perfumes, simply enjoying the scents around them. "T-t-terribly tempting to spent far too much money here," he said, clearly not complaining.

The Viscount had as much a penchant for pleasing aromas as his companion. From candles to soaps to perfumes to imported incense. He was especially found of lavender of course. It was a calming and relaxing scent, which, at least sometimes, helped him release some of his daily stress. That, almost more than being clean, was why he liked to take a bath nearly every other say.

Worried too much? He blinked. About what? As far as he was concerned, he worried a proper amount. Well, most of the time. Admittedly, sometimes he worried a lot but he couldn't help it.

While October busied herself with picking up an order and more goodies and flirting, Pearce found his own scents to enjoy. Not that he needed anything in particular this moment. Usually when he ran out he simply had a servant run errands for him. But Tobi liked to touch and smell and handle things in person.

He did turn as the shopkeeper called his companion 'miss.' She did look young and pretty and he supposed that suited her much better than 'ma'am'or madam. She looked much more like a 'miss.' He returned to her shoulder. "Do we have any more stops before dinner?" Not that he was hungry, Pearce was never hungry.

The Viscount hardly considered it his business who Tobi looked out, let alone who she got close to. They had married out of convenience and while quite close, their relationship was not a romantic one, nor even one of any level of sexual interest. Though he still considered her family and a close friend and sometimes, if he didn't think about it too hard, concluded that if anyone was to be the mother of his children, it would be October. Of course, that had fit so much better when her dear brother was still alive. Though it had only been after his death that the two of them became so close.

"I did," he said, adding another candle and indeed some lavender infused soaps to her small hoard. He busied himself counting out silver and copper rings for payment while she inspected the specially ordered perfumes. He didn't like carrying money on him, but when Tobi wanted to go shopping, he knew better. The lady had her way of doing things and he wasn't about to put up a fight over it. Pay for it though he might, he stepped outside to politely request the carriage driver collect and load everything.

Luckily the seamstress was only another block down. Pearce offered Tobi his arm for the short stroll. "Another month and it will be too cold to shop," he pointed out, quietly suggesting she be sure to get everything she thought she needed for winter. Though, supplies were looking to be less impacted due to snow and weather than due to war.

The viscount had always know he would marry a woman. It hadn't been merely expected of him, but very much required by his family. It hadn't been negotiable and of the few battles he had fought and lost, that had always been one he simply gave in. Because he had a duty to his family more than anything, regardless of what his father said. Pearce had resigned himself to always wanting something he couldn't quite have. But at least with Tobi, he felt...comfortable. Far more than he would have ever thought possible.

The blonde even handled small gestures of affection in both directions. He loved her. Not romantically, but certainly more than just a friend. Their relationship was different than what he had with his sisters even. Some of that stemmed from their shared struggle to be themselves. Tobi was a kindred spirit. A secret keeper. A best friend. Someone he was elated to spent his life with. Even when she talked about him behind his back with his sister, or chided him about eating dinner, or dragged him on her day long shopping sprees. They had spent years together, just the two of them. Before, when they got married, they had talked about starting a family together too, but they had been young and ambitious and now...well, Pearce had always accepted he would never have children, despite it being the one thing he wanted more than anything in the world. But that was okay. He was an uncle. And Persephone might have her own kids one day too.

Pearce made a noise of disbelief deep in his throat, but let Tobi drag him along. "P-p-perhaps for you," he noted. Not that the blonde was particularly prone to illness, but he would very much prefer being somewhere toasty and comfortable than outside. He didn't get along with nature all that much. But he wouldn't say no to warmer clothes either.

At the mention of a gift he blushed. Of course she had. He cared very little that it was their money and more that she had thought of it. "I like almost everything you give me," he said softly. It was both true and a bit pathetic, not wanting her to think he didn't appreciate it.

The viscount nodded in greeting to the shopkeeper. He had always liked Greta, but despite the numerous visits, her more severe nature was intimidating. Besides, Pearce always felt a little off balance going door to door. His anxiety made balancing his social need....awkward.

"I should think Lady Lockheed knows mmmmy size by now," he made the joke gently. He had absolutely no desire to remove any of his current clothing in public. Even if Tobi had merely commissioned him a new coat, the removal of even that singular article of fabric would be entirely too much stripping for him.

Greta moved to a back room to retrieve three rather large bundles, setting them on the counter for the pair to inspect. Pearce would let Tobi open them, not wanting to open the wrong one. He could lift up and inpect the new coat for him though. "I do like green," he noted quietly and he held up the long tailcoat. It was a lot softer than he was expecting. "What mat...mat...material?"

Pearce smiled. October was quite particular about things. But her attention to detail in some areas matches his in others. He had always liked that about her. He would has disliked the notion that he was skin and bone however. Certainly he was slender and could do to gain a few pounds but he was hardly starving. He had enough muscle to dance and would argue he didn't need anymore. Just because he could afford everything to eat didn't mean he should eat it. Others would go hungry. He only didn't eat when he was anxious. That just happened to be often.

It certainly felt thick and warm. He nodded approvingly. Trading a bit more weight for warmth worked for him. He would have liked more lace too, but he couldn't get away with that in the same way as she could. "You's looks lovely," he added of Tobi's fancier matching coat. Of course he did expect this longer one of his would make him look quite dashing.

"Yes, b-beautiful," he echoed Tobi's compliment.

As they finished inside, the carriage driver arrived with the carriage to load the additional boxes on top. Pearce browsed some of the other fabrics Hreta had on display but as Tobinhad seen too their winter fashion, he was happy to return to Brighthollow. "Are you ready to return home, d-darling? He asked.

Pearce was glad to go home. Not that he was looking forward to the carriage hour of a couple hours. Even with cushions, it would be a bit bouncy. At least Tobi was good company.

He smiled as she mentioned being a bit hungry. She was always hungry. Hopefully she could make it the ride home. "If you're hungry perhaps we find a snack? For...for the ride home?" he suggested gently. That was something he would pass on, considering he wasn't really hungry anyway.

"Ah, yes. Persephone will be...quiet upset she wasn't invited to join us," he murmured. Not that he seriously thought that she would be mad or that they had to always invite his sister, but sometimes he felt a bit bad for leaving her out. He didn't want her to feel left out. He was glad Tobi always had a way of helping show some appreciation to her.

Once Tobi had repacked everything, he helped her into the carriage, following after her. Pearce was quiet initially, letting out a soft sigh and wishing the cushions were half as comfortable as his armchair in his study in Brighthollow. He was at least glad he didn't have to pretend when it was just him and Tobi. It was difficult to think of her as his wife, let alone act like it. Not that it was a lie. According to the law, they were married.