Phryne Fisher (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
st_illunsmeared) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
strangetrip2017-07-23 02:13 pm
st_illunsmeared) wrote in strangetrip2017-07-23 02:13 pm
Entry tags:
[Log] A minor adventure - Dot and Phryne, backdated to late July
Phryne creates an adventure for herself and Dot, mostly so they can spend some time together.
It had never been Phryne's intention to stop dragging Dot along on every adventure. Certainly not. It was simply (and sadly) that there were so few adventures to be had now that had settled in. In truth, the absence of mysteries and mayhem left her very listless when she wasn't with Jack, and she'd defaulted to not inflicting that same tedium on Dot.
But Dot had been feeling neglected, and Phryne Fisher couldn't have that. So she roused herself from her boudoir rather earlier than later, dressed for a ride in the delightful denim trousers that the young women wore, and repaired to the stables to arrange for a lovely quiet mount for Dot and a more spirited animal for herself for the day. And then she took herself to the cafe where she announced, "Kitty, darling, I do hope you won't mind me stealing Dot for the afternoon. I absolutely can't do without her."
Kitty, whether she suspected mischief afoot or simply didn't mind, smiled and replied, "Of course not, Miss Fisher. I'll be fine."
"Good, then it's settled. Dottie, I'm afraid I'm going to need you to do something of which the good Father would not approve."
That Phryne had any idea that Dot might have felt a bit neglected, though it was more feeling unnecessary that neglected, would horrify the younger woman. Not that it was untrue, she had just been doing her level best not to alert Miss Phryne to it. After all, it was about time her boss and the Inspector got things settled and as important as she knew she was to Phryne, a third wheel was still a third wheel.
Of course it had never occurred to Dot that Phryne settling down (so to speak) would have been nearly as much of an alteration to their relationship than if it had been Dot.
"I think Father Grogan may have come to terms with things," though when she was still able to go to confession he did rather like to assign rosaries. She wiped her hands on her apron and then took it off to hang it on a hook.
"Kitty, could you take the biscuits out of the oven in ten minutes?"
"Sure thing." Kitty waved the two of them off, for which Phryne was grateful.
"Come along, Dot. You'll need a change of clothes."
Dot looked down at her perfectly serviceable dress and frowned, "What's wrong with my clothes?"
Something about the need to change her attire worried her about what Miss Phryne was going to suggest they do.
"Entirely inappropriate for the occasion," Phryne said briskly and hooked her arm through Dot's. "I've got just the thing for it up in my suite."
Dot went meekly enough, pleased despite the wariness to be going on an adventure with Phryne. Though she was still concerned about what that adventure might be.
And the fact that she knew that the other woman considered appropriate attire to be completely different that what Dot did on many occasions.
"I'm not wearing one of those bathing costumes from the shop." Just going to put that out in the universe.
"Nonsense, Dot. If the circumstances called for it, I don't doubt you'd rise to the occasion." Phryne steered her toward the lift. "As it happens, though, the circumstances call for something considerably less daring than a bikini. I'm afraid, dearest, you're going to have to put on pants."
"Miss," You would have thought she was suggesting that Dot pretend to be in the family way again by her tone. Certainly pants were acceptable as sportswear, or if they were of a particular cut or style that really resembled a dress more than anything else but Dot had certainly never worn a pair unless you counted her racing garb. But that had been more of a jumpsuit and really, HAD been sportswear.
She would not admit, even to herself that occasionally when Miss Phryne wore hers Dot envied her freedom and ability to do things like scale walls and chase after suspects. Not that Dot would scale a wall, or even really chase after a suspect, but it did seem to make more things possible.
"I'm sorry, Dot. I'm afraid I can't have you careening about the countryside on horseback in a skirt," Phryne said with good humored matter-of-factness. "There are no sidesaddles, and I require your assistance." That it was a simple matter of her assistance in choosing a place for their picnic, well, Dot needn't know that. It was an adventure of a sort, and a little air of mystery around it would make it more fun.
Having had her automatic argument of riding side saddle eliminated before she even got it out of her mouth might have miffed Dot a bit but she didn't let it show.
"You're just in luck that I can ride astride at all." Okay maybe it did show a bit.
If Phryne heard the miff in Dot's voice, she simply ignored it. She would get over it, and she would, Phryne expected, quite enjoy the practicality of pants once she got used to them. Being astride a great powerful beast...as much as Phryne enjoyed having anything that strong between her legs, well, she suspected she would have reason to be glad that she'd chosen an older mare for Dot.
"You would've caught on quickly, I don't doubt. I've found you a mount that will follow mine docilely enough. All you'll have to do is stay on until you're comfortable with it."
Dot had never thought about having anything between her legs, strong or otherwise, except possibly that once when she was out of her mind.
"Just stay on," agreed, and she thought maybe she could manage that.
She opened the door to her room and let Dot in. "There are several pairs of blue jeans on my bed, darling. They should all fit, but I'm reliably informed that comfort is everything when it comes to denim, so I've brought you your choice of styles."
Phryne, of course, had already dressed for the occasion, minus the chic riding boots she'd not brought with her from Australia, since she could easily acquire another pair in London.
Once she was in the bedroom she held up a pair of the denims and inspected them, then she got her kit off and slid into the first pair. They were a bit too long and far tighter than she was comfortable with though she could tell that was how they were meant to be. She settled finally on a boot cut pair that came to her natural waist. There were tops too, in case she was wearing a dress instead of a suit and blouse and she selected one that left her arms and throat bare and then promptly put her cardigan on over it. Dot had managed, barely, to keep up her dress standards since coming here. It was lucky she was good with a needle and thread.
"I don't know what to do about the shoes Miss," her shoes were sensible and sturdy but not precisely made for outdoor adventures.
"As luck would have it, the boutique does have a selection of cowhand boots that should fit." Of Dot's shoe size, she had been somewhat less certain, and painful shoes were not to be tolerated. "If you've dressed, come on out and we'll go choose a pair."
She was dressed, though obviously uncomfortable with how the denim outlined her curves as she joined Phryne in the other room.
"I think my mother might have an apoplexy if she saw me dressed like this." Which is why she never would, much as she would never hear about 90% of the things she did for Miss Phryne.
"Perhaps, but any man who saw you dressed like that..." Phryne smiled conspiratorially. "Would also have apoplexy." Dot really did look a treat in the blue jeans. She did wish Hugh were here to see them, but he would probably have a fit of an entirely different nature.
"Shall we get the boots then?"
"Miss," Dot blushed scarlet, but she was also quietly pleased. She'd never been the sort to cause a man a fit of any sort.
Not even Hugh, not really.
Phryne simply smiled her most angelic smile and held the door open to usher Dot through it. "Enough dawdling now. The horses won't wait all day."
Well, they WOULD wait but Dot didn't dawdle murmuring a thanks as she entered the shop and then making short work of finding an appropriate pair of boots. Then she quickly unpinned her hair and plaited it, it would get less untidy this way while riding.
"I don't think I've been on a horse since I was a child."
"It's a wonder we haven't had reason to remedy that before now," Phryne mused aloud. "The horsey set has always been good at generating drama and intrigue." She smiled again, summoning a cheery thought. "We'll have to look into it when we return home." Never mind that they wouldn't be arriving to the same time, presumably, if they did return home, it helped on the dullest of days to imagine the trouble they might get into.
"In any event, there's no time like the present." And she whisked Dot off to the stables before she could change her mind.
Changing her mind did occur to her any number of times as they made their way to the stables and she very nearly balked when introduced to her horse. Sweet she may be. Plodding, probably. But she was also quite large. Still she plucked up her courage and soon found herself seated on the mare.
Once Dot was astride the mare, Phryne took her leave of the stables with a thank you for the help to that intriguing cowboy. A horse being somewhat more difficult to remain seated on than a Hispano-Suiza (dear Lord, she missed that car), she allowed Dot to acclimate at a walk. There would be time for galloping off once she'd stopped looking like she was trying to birth the mare instead of ride it.
"You must admit, the trousers are quite practical, and far more comfortable than having a wad of skirts between your thighs and bare knees against the saddle leather."
That was what a side saddle was for, but Dot didn't argue, she was too busy staying on.
"I suppose Miss, I don't really have an experience to compare it to."
Phryne humphed quietly and urged her mount into a slow trot, hardly fast enough to unseat Dot, but certainly enough to give her a good jolt or two. It wasn't mean-spirited. She simply wanted Dot to realize that a sidesaddle wouldn't be more comfortable or easier to stay balanced on, so she could allow herself to appreciate the freedom of the trousers.
Dot didn't even have to urge her horse into a trot, it simply followed the example of the other animal and Dot squeaked softly but managed to stay on. It wasn't long though before she caught the motion and was moving with the animal, and shortly after that she was relaxed enough to speak.
She might even be enjoying herself.
"So where are we going Miss?" She hasn't realized yet that the riding IS the adventure.
"Now you've hit upon it," Phryne replied with a pleased little smile. "I don't have the faintest idea. There is an absolutely perfect location for a picnic, somewhere out here, but I've yet to find it and I desperately need your help."
"You wouldn't rather go looking with the inspector?" There might be a hint of a tease in her tone, but that was all.
"Perhaps if I was planning a picnic with the inspector. But as it happens, I'm in the mood for female companionship and for that, he simply won't do." She did occasionally need a break from Jack's company, lest she begin to take it for granted, as she apparently had with Dot's.
Dot didn't feel taken for granted, though any denial would probably be brushed away by Phyrne. Still she was visibly pleased that she was needed in this instance.
"And what makes a good picnic spot Miss?"
"A nice flat space, perhaps with a bit of a hill at our backs." She tapped a finger to her lips, ever so dramatically demonstrative. "A view is lovely, but not necessary. Shade, naturally, since the sun will be quite hot within the hour. The sort of place that makes you want to stay and recline on a blanket and enjoy fine food, fine wine, and finer company."
Dot hadn't gone too far from the inn on her own so far, but she knew there was a hilly area behind where the pool was.
"Maybe back around the pool? There's a bit of wilderness there."
"It would certainly do, but I thought perhaps we might enjoy exploring farther out. The horses will enjoy the exercise, and--" Here, Phryne frowned mildly, as the implications were disturbing on many levels. "--since the landscape seems to change from one day to the next, it's at least a little bit of a mystery, hm?"
It wasn't much of a mystery, but it was just the sort Dot liked. Where no one was likely to shoot at them.
It had never been Phryne's intention to stop dragging Dot along on every adventure. Certainly not. It was simply (and sadly) that there were so few adventures to be had now that had settled in. In truth, the absence of mysteries and mayhem left her very listless when she wasn't with Jack, and she'd defaulted to not inflicting that same tedium on Dot.
But Dot had been feeling neglected, and Phryne Fisher couldn't have that. So she roused herself from her boudoir rather earlier than later, dressed for a ride in the delightful denim trousers that the young women wore, and repaired to the stables to arrange for a lovely quiet mount for Dot and a more spirited animal for herself for the day. And then she took herself to the cafe where she announced, "Kitty, darling, I do hope you won't mind me stealing Dot for the afternoon. I absolutely can't do without her."
Kitty, whether she suspected mischief afoot or simply didn't mind, smiled and replied, "Of course not, Miss Fisher. I'll be fine."
"Good, then it's settled. Dottie, I'm afraid I'm going to need you to do something of which the good Father would not approve."
That Phryne had any idea that Dot might have felt a bit neglected, though it was more feeling unnecessary that neglected, would horrify the younger woman. Not that it was untrue, she had just been doing her level best not to alert Miss Phryne to it. After all, it was about time her boss and the Inspector got things settled and as important as she knew she was to Phryne, a third wheel was still a third wheel.
Of course it had never occurred to Dot that Phryne settling down (so to speak) would have been nearly as much of an alteration to their relationship than if it had been Dot.
"I think Father Grogan may have come to terms with things," though when she was still able to go to confession he did rather like to assign rosaries. She wiped her hands on her apron and then took it off to hang it on a hook.
"Kitty, could you take the biscuits out of the oven in ten minutes?"
"Sure thing." Kitty waved the two of them off, for which Phryne was grateful.
"Come along, Dot. You'll need a change of clothes."
Dot looked down at her perfectly serviceable dress and frowned, "What's wrong with my clothes?"
Something about the need to change her attire worried her about what Miss Phryne was going to suggest they do.
"Entirely inappropriate for the occasion," Phryne said briskly and hooked her arm through Dot's. "I've got just the thing for it up in my suite."
Dot went meekly enough, pleased despite the wariness to be going on an adventure with Phryne. Though she was still concerned about what that adventure might be.
And the fact that she knew that the other woman considered appropriate attire to be completely different that what Dot did on many occasions.
"I'm not wearing one of those bathing costumes from the shop." Just going to put that out in the universe.
"Nonsense, Dot. If the circumstances called for it, I don't doubt you'd rise to the occasion." Phryne steered her toward the lift. "As it happens, though, the circumstances call for something considerably less daring than a bikini. I'm afraid, dearest, you're going to have to put on pants."
"Miss," You would have thought she was suggesting that Dot pretend to be in the family way again by her tone. Certainly pants were acceptable as sportswear, or if they were of a particular cut or style that really resembled a dress more than anything else but Dot had certainly never worn a pair unless you counted her racing garb. But that had been more of a jumpsuit and really, HAD been sportswear.
She would not admit, even to herself that occasionally when Miss Phryne wore hers Dot envied her freedom and ability to do things like scale walls and chase after suspects. Not that Dot would scale a wall, or even really chase after a suspect, but it did seem to make more things possible.
"I'm sorry, Dot. I'm afraid I can't have you careening about the countryside on horseback in a skirt," Phryne said with good humored matter-of-factness. "There are no sidesaddles, and I require your assistance." That it was a simple matter of her assistance in choosing a place for their picnic, well, Dot needn't know that. It was an adventure of a sort, and a little air of mystery around it would make it more fun.
Having had her automatic argument of riding side saddle eliminated before she even got it out of her mouth might have miffed Dot a bit but she didn't let it show.
"You're just in luck that I can ride astride at all." Okay maybe it did show a bit.
If Phryne heard the miff in Dot's voice, she simply ignored it. She would get over it, and she would, Phryne expected, quite enjoy the practicality of pants once she got used to them. Being astride a great powerful beast...as much as Phryne enjoyed having anything that strong between her legs, well, she suspected she would have reason to be glad that she'd chosen an older mare for Dot.
"You would've caught on quickly, I don't doubt. I've found you a mount that will follow mine docilely enough. All you'll have to do is stay on until you're comfortable with it."
Dot had never thought about having anything between her legs, strong or otherwise, except possibly that once when she was out of her mind.
"Just stay on," agreed, and she thought maybe she could manage that.
She opened the door to her room and let Dot in. "There are several pairs of blue jeans on my bed, darling. They should all fit, but I'm reliably informed that comfort is everything when it comes to denim, so I've brought you your choice of styles."
Phryne, of course, had already dressed for the occasion, minus the chic riding boots she'd not brought with her from Australia, since she could easily acquire another pair in London.
Once she was in the bedroom she held up a pair of the denims and inspected them, then she got her kit off and slid into the first pair. They were a bit too long and far tighter than she was comfortable with though she could tell that was how they were meant to be. She settled finally on a boot cut pair that came to her natural waist. There were tops too, in case she was wearing a dress instead of a suit and blouse and she selected one that left her arms and throat bare and then promptly put her cardigan on over it. Dot had managed, barely, to keep up her dress standards since coming here. It was lucky she was good with a needle and thread.
"I don't know what to do about the shoes Miss," her shoes were sensible and sturdy but not precisely made for outdoor adventures.
"As luck would have it, the boutique does have a selection of cowhand boots that should fit." Of Dot's shoe size, she had been somewhat less certain, and painful shoes were not to be tolerated. "If you've dressed, come on out and we'll go choose a pair."
She was dressed, though obviously uncomfortable with how the denim outlined her curves as she joined Phryne in the other room.
"I think my mother might have an apoplexy if she saw me dressed like this." Which is why she never would, much as she would never hear about 90% of the things she did for Miss Phryne.
"Perhaps, but any man who saw you dressed like that..." Phryne smiled conspiratorially. "Would also have apoplexy." Dot really did look a treat in the blue jeans. She did wish Hugh were here to see them, but he would probably have a fit of an entirely different nature.
"Shall we get the boots then?"
"Miss," Dot blushed scarlet, but she was also quietly pleased. She'd never been the sort to cause a man a fit of any sort.
Not even Hugh, not really.
Phryne simply smiled her most angelic smile and held the door open to usher Dot through it. "Enough dawdling now. The horses won't wait all day."
Well, they WOULD wait but Dot didn't dawdle murmuring a thanks as she entered the shop and then making short work of finding an appropriate pair of boots. Then she quickly unpinned her hair and plaited it, it would get less untidy this way while riding.
"I don't think I've been on a horse since I was a child."
"It's a wonder we haven't had reason to remedy that before now," Phryne mused aloud. "The horsey set has always been good at generating drama and intrigue." She smiled again, summoning a cheery thought. "We'll have to look into it when we return home." Never mind that they wouldn't be arriving to the same time, presumably, if they did return home, it helped on the dullest of days to imagine the trouble they might get into.
"In any event, there's no time like the present." And she whisked Dot off to the stables before she could change her mind.
Changing her mind did occur to her any number of times as they made their way to the stables and she very nearly balked when introduced to her horse. Sweet she may be. Plodding, probably. But she was also quite large. Still she plucked up her courage and soon found herself seated on the mare.
Once Dot was astride the mare, Phryne took her leave of the stables with a thank you for the help to that intriguing cowboy. A horse being somewhat more difficult to remain seated on than a Hispano-Suiza (dear Lord, she missed that car), she allowed Dot to acclimate at a walk. There would be time for galloping off once she'd stopped looking like she was trying to birth the mare instead of ride it.
"You must admit, the trousers are quite practical, and far more comfortable than having a wad of skirts between your thighs and bare knees against the saddle leather."
That was what a side saddle was for, but Dot didn't argue, she was too busy staying on.
"I suppose Miss, I don't really have an experience to compare it to."
Phryne humphed quietly and urged her mount into a slow trot, hardly fast enough to unseat Dot, but certainly enough to give her a good jolt or two. It wasn't mean-spirited. She simply wanted Dot to realize that a sidesaddle wouldn't be more comfortable or easier to stay balanced on, so she could allow herself to appreciate the freedom of the trousers.
Dot didn't even have to urge her horse into a trot, it simply followed the example of the other animal and Dot squeaked softly but managed to stay on. It wasn't long though before she caught the motion and was moving with the animal, and shortly after that she was relaxed enough to speak.
She might even be enjoying herself.
"So where are we going Miss?" She hasn't realized yet that the riding IS the adventure.
"Now you've hit upon it," Phryne replied with a pleased little smile. "I don't have the faintest idea. There is an absolutely perfect location for a picnic, somewhere out here, but I've yet to find it and I desperately need your help."
"You wouldn't rather go looking with the inspector?" There might be a hint of a tease in her tone, but that was all.
"Perhaps if I was planning a picnic with the inspector. But as it happens, I'm in the mood for female companionship and for that, he simply won't do." She did occasionally need a break from Jack's company, lest she begin to take it for granted, as she apparently had with Dot's.
Dot didn't feel taken for granted, though any denial would probably be brushed away by Phyrne. Still she was visibly pleased that she was needed in this instance.
"And what makes a good picnic spot Miss?"
"A nice flat space, perhaps with a bit of a hill at our backs." She tapped a finger to her lips, ever so dramatically demonstrative. "A view is lovely, but not necessary. Shade, naturally, since the sun will be quite hot within the hour. The sort of place that makes you want to stay and recline on a blanket and enjoy fine food, fine wine, and finer company."
Dot hadn't gone too far from the inn on her own so far, but she knew there was a hilly area behind where the pool was.
"Maybe back around the pool? There's a bit of wilderness there."
"It would certainly do, but I thought perhaps we might enjoy exploring farther out. The horses will enjoy the exercise, and--" Here, Phryne frowned mildly, as the implications were disturbing on many levels. "--since the landscape seems to change from one day to the next, it's at least a little bit of a mystery, hm?"
It wasn't much of a mystery, but it was just the sort Dot liked. Where no one was likely to shoot at them.