gonna drink bacardi like it's yo birthday [nancy's 20]

[stauncherhearted]

Twenty. Gods, Nancy could hardly believe it. She didn't expect to still be here for this day, truth be told. She knew the sort of life she lived, and the sorts of people she associated with. But against all odds, here she was. Twenty-years-old by Fagin's count, and as wonderful as that was...

It was odd. She'd been a teenager for so long, and now she was officially a twenty-something. An adult, for real this time, not like when she'd turned eighteen.

It didn't exactly help that Charley Bates had decided it was a great idea to call her 'old'. She'd hit the back of his head for that, refusing to consider herself old. She was still so young, at least in comparison to those she spent most of her time around, people that were centuries older than her.

This, of course, caused her some angst. She hadn't particularly wanted to celebrate her birthday. It wasn't anything to be glad about. She was, as she realized, three years physically older than Cooper. And that just felt... weird. She knew, mentally, he was far older than she was. And as he always said she was stuck with him until she was old and grey, but...

Would he still love her, then, she wanted to know? How weird would it be, an haggard old woman next to this cute seventeen-year-old kid. A chill ran up her spine when she thought about it, comparing the wretch that Fagin was to her hypothetical-old-woman-self.

If she lived that long.

Still, people want to celebrate with her. Eames, wonderful Eames, had surprised her with tickets to go see a show on the West End, and taken her out to an amazing restaurant. She'd even brought cake over to the boys', knowing a few of them had saved up to get her something. Or, likely, stole it. But she didn't reach out, not really. If you were lucky enough to know it was her birthday, however, she'd happily entertain any and all plans. There was no need to be rude, after all.

---

Nancy's 20 aww yiss.
Uhm, this is an open post. A few starters in the comments. Want something specific? Please let me know!

Comments

[knowntohisfriends]

"Ah, come on Nance, he does it every winter," the Dodger isn't trying to make excuses for the old man, he's just pointing out that they're used to it. He takes the blankets from her though, wondering how it is that someone manages to collect blankets.

[stauncherhearted]

"I don't care, it ain't right, and you know it. I've got to care for you lot, don't I?" She'll even pack the blankets for him in one of her enchanted bags.

"Hand me the black backpack by the door? I'll put 'em in there, and loads of food. Just keep it away from the old one, you hear me, Dodger?"

[knowntohisfriends]

He goes to fetch the bag. He's a bit annoyed with himself - he's put her in one of her moods. It's not technically a mood, as such. It's just her mothering nature put on over-drive that it might as well be a mood.

"Hear you loud an' clear, Nance."

[stauncherhearted]

Are you complaining about having an adult figure in your life that is actually somewhat decent, Jack Dawkins?

"Good." When he's got the bag over, she starts stuffing the blankets into it. They fit in easily, the backpack enchanted to have far, far more space in it than you would expect. "What d'you need for food?"

[knowntohisfriends]

Little bit? He's used to no one really carin', as long as he's doin' what he's supposed to. Someone actually keeping an eye is ... a lot more active guardian-ship-ing that he's used to. He gives a shrug.

"We're still gettin' sausages every mornin'" he points out. "Dinner's are different dependin' on who's doin' the fetchin'."

[stauncherhearted]

"Vegetables, then. And some milk, I wouldn't wonder." She's going through the fridge, grabbing items here and there. She was the only person that really needed to eat human food in this house, after all.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Gin'd be good." He says, like he hasn't already nicked some bottles from her.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy gives him a look, but grabs a whole handle of it and stuffs it in the bag.

[knowntohisfriends]

"You don't have to do this, Nance," his gulity conscience makes him speak up.

[stauncherhearted]

"I don't have to, but I can. So I'm going to do it. It's not fair of me to be in this flat while you lot are out there with the old devil freezin' and who knows what else." Her accent always flared when she was angry. Or spoke to Dodger for long periods of time.

[knowntohisfriends]

Well. What could he actually say to that that wouldn't be an outright lie? An' he didn't much like lying to Nance, she was only tryin' to help after all. Some of the lads would be lost without her help

[stauncherhearted]

atta boy.

"Alright, bag is packed for whenever you need to head out. Tea's almost ready. You're welcome to hang out today too if you want. I'm heading out later, promised a friend she could plan something for tonight, so help me."

[knowntohisfriends]

"Don't reckon I'll hang long," the Dodger says. "Still got work to do 'fore Fagin gets back."

[stauncherhearted]

"Fair enough," she says with a nod. She pulls out a thermos.

[stauncherhearted]

"Fair enough," she says with a nod. She pulls out a thermos.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Does your boyfriend know?" His voice is overly cautious, and it sounds more like he's worried for himself than he is for Nancy. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. The Dodger plays many roles, she knows that. "Bout what Fagin has us do?"

[stauncherhearted]

Her back stiffens at the question. Has them do? What sort of things, she wants to ask, because there were thousands of them. Ones they could explain away, others they couldn't. Others she didn't want to bring up to the young boy in her kitchen.

Nancy looks at her sink when she answers. "No. He knows I've had a less-than ideal life. That's it." You had to have, to be so young and working the way she did.

[knowntohisfriends]

He gives a small nod. Right. Good. He knows how to handle the new fancy man then

[stauncherhearted]

She knows that silence.

"What are you planning?"

[knowntohisfriends]

"Nothin'!"

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy gives him a fierce side-eye.

"Right." She doesn't believe him.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Honest, Nance!"

[stauncherhearted]

She just rolls her eyes.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Come on, Nance," he appeals, "ain't always plottin'"

[stauncherhearted]

"Somehow i don't doubt that." Nancy pauses, and looks at him. "Preferred sort of tea?"