<hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/3d/Ginny_03a.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Virginia 'Ginny' Mary Lou Whateley<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>Whateley Family<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 3rd, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Late Morning<br/><strong>Location:</strong>At the Wishing Well<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Open, Annabel Montgomery<br/><hr/><br/>Ginny's brow creased a bit at Annabel's commentary about how there was only so much a girl could wear.<em><strong>"Annie!"</strong></em>The young Whateley sounded like she was in pain.<strong>"How kin yuh say sumethin' like that?" </strong>That pained tone became more playful, almost as if she understood full well the irony of what she was saying.<strong>"Uh gurl kin always use uh new blouse, uh fancy dress, or sum nice jewelry.  How else are we supposed tah attract attention?  Or wot else are men supposed tah git us fer gifts?"</strong>An arched eyebrow emphasized the dire situation that all womenfolk found themselves in--the danger of being unable to categorize themselves in a hierarchical fashion that made up the crust of what people considered to be the different layers of the social class.  Those that had and those that did not.<br/><br/>Her hands were on the other blonde's shoulders as they looked at each other, eye to eye, even as Annabel could tell that Ginny was already measuring her for an array of brand new clothes.  It would be be fun, dressing up Annie so she could come attend some of the balls and socials that Granny held.  In the young Whateley's mind, Annabel would already be a smashing success; after all, they practically looked like sisters and Ginny had no shortage of ardent suitors after her hand in marriage.  At least this way, Ginny might be able to redirect some of the unwanted attention from herself to Annabel. It would also help the other girl get used to being around strangers so her idea really was two birds with one stone.  Along with the added benefit of having a friend to gossip with while evading the stuffier shirts that wanted a dance when she wasn't in the mood.  A smile came to her lips; what would Annie do without a friend like Ginny?<br/><br/>Those green eyes sparkled at the prospect of dressing her friend as she tugged a bit on the other blonde to try and get her to her feet.  And gave a small frown when Annabel didn't comply.  Apparently, the other blonde had sensed something, much like a wild animal would sense danger.  While Annie had come along way in the weeks that Ginny had met her and become friends, the other girl still could be damned stubborn at times when it wasn't necessary.  This was a perfect case in point.  "<strong>We kin go'nd drop off yur stuff and then we're shoppin'."</strong>It was not so much a question as it was a command, a demand to be obeyed.  Another insistent tug was given like Ginny expected Annabel to capitulate and comply with her.<br/><br/>And a small frown that was more like a half-pout was given by Annabel's counter-arguments.  Apparently, the blonde songstress understood Ginny much better than the young Whateley would have given her credit for.  In the same breath, she had laid a dual-pronged attack.  One, Ginny now couldn't insist that Annabel need new clothes lest she offend her friend by calling her things '<em>old</em>'.  Second, she pointed out her lack of finances and cut off the obvious choice of Ginny supplying all of their shopping needs.  It was obvious to the young Whateley from the stubborn set to Annabel's chin that she would not accept the blonde gambler's coin.<br/><br/>Apparently, a different tact was required.  Subtlety was called for.<strong>"Oh, all right..."</strong>Ginny gave a big, theatrical sigh and stopped tugging on Annabel and chose to sit down for a moment besides her.<strong>"Well, ah can't make yuh do wot yah dun wanna go shoppin' with muh."</strong>The first step was guilt.  Ginny let her lower lip tremble a bit, seemingly crestfallen that her friend would refuse her.  Then, her expression brightened a little before she could really make Annabel feel too bad.  If she was too transparent, her strategy would be too obvious.<strong>"It's okay.  We kin always do sumethin' else together."</strong>A warm smile followed as Ginny made sure to hide her disappointment and let Annabel relax a little.  After all, she wanted the blonde songstress thinking that she had won this little encounter.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Ginny was already scheming.  She knew Annabel's work schedule at New Moon Saloon like the back of her hand; after all, the blonde gambler stopped in almost every single night to listen to Annabel play her guitar and sing.  Ginny also had managed to make good friends with the middle-aged woman, Ms. Betsy, that helped run the place.  All it would take was a little bit of good, old-fashioned Whateley charm to get the older woman loan her a key to the place Annabel was staying.  Once she had explained that it was really in Annabel's best interests, she was certain Ms. Betsy would be willing to help.  After all, she had seen how the middle-aged woman had tried to encourage Annabel to be a little more friendly and talk to others previously the other times.<br/><br/>Then, Ginny was going to raid the small room and strip it completely threadbare this afternoon before her friend got back for her evening shift.  There wouldn't be a stitch of clothing left when she was through.  All the sundry items would all go back to Ginny's house to be returned at a later date.  And then, it would be easy to convince Annie to go shopping early tomorrow morning.  Annie would have to, unless she planned on being stark naked or washing and wearing her current clothes again tomorrow.<br/><br/>With a broad smile in place, Ginny stood up and dusted off her finely crafted pants.<strong>"Well, ah've got tah go!  See yah tonight, Annie!"</strong>She seemed incredibly cheerful like she had gotten over her earlier disappointment of Annabel's refusal.  Though anyone would knew Virginia Mary Lou Whateley knew that whenever she smiled like that, she was up to no good.<br/><br/><em><span class="bbc_u">Never.</span></em>