A Curious Soul

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle had been downstairs all morning making meat pies, she hated them and sometimes for fun would spit in them just to make Aunt Nellie mad. She sighed and rolled the batter, put them over the pies and put the pies in the oven. Now she had nothing to do. This always happened, ever since Isabelle arrived one year again to be taught by Aunt Nellie Lovett she would bake meat pies, cook and clean and then have nothing to do.

Isabelle sighed again and looked up at the ceiling which was where Mr. Todd's Barber Shop was. She always had been curious and she wanted to practice. Mr. Todd was supposed to be gone with Aunt Nellie to the market and peeking around wasn't that much of a deal, was it?

Isabelle grabbed a cloth and headed out of the shop and up the steps. She was just going to practice, Isabelle was a female barber but no one had heard of it before so she had to cook pies and get married and have a bunch of children. Like she was told to do but that wasn't what she wanted. Isabelle wanted to be married, just not forced.

The door was unlocked as Isabelle entered. She looked around and saw nothing much, a stove with a tea kettle, a chest, a broken mirror and the barber chair. Isabelle put the cloth down and walked over to the chair. If she was a hair cutter she could do fabulous things but no one trusted a woman in this day and age.

She was about to sit down when she noticed a box. Isabelle couldn't stop her curious self so she picked it up, sat in the barber chair and opened it. Her jaw dropped as she saw beautiful sterling silver razors. She looked at the door to make sure that she wasn't going to be caught. Isabelle picked one up and opened the blade. She touched the blade and smiled. This was why Mr. Todd was the best, not only his talent but also his tools were magnificant.

[Sweeney Todd]

Mr. Todd had been out at the market with Mrs. Lovett for quite some time. He was forced to go with her as she picked up some extra spices to add to her pies. After the second hour in St. Dunstan's market, Sweeney's patience was wearing thin and he was anxious to return to Fleet Street. He had a feeling all was not well at his shop, he just had a feeling that there was someone there, someone waiting for him. As much as he tried to dismiss himself from the situation, he couldn't. Mrs. Lovett kept a watchful eye on him and kept him close so he could not abandon her at the market and just go back to his shop, where he would sit all day and avoid contact with her. After four long hours, they finally went home. Mrs. Lovett to her bakehouse and Sweeney up to his shop.

He began to ascend his stairs, eager to return and wait for another client. He walked into the shop, took his trench coat, and barber coat off and set them on the chest. He then looked up and saw a young woman sitting in his chair.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in my shop? This is not a place for you to just come in unwelcomed." He said, a bit annoyed by her presence. His eyes then were brought to the box in her lap and the razor in her hand. He narrowed his eyes and began to walk towards her. "Playing with my razors eh? I suggest you put those down where you found them. Wouldn't want one of them breaking, that would not be a good situation for you, or me." He said as he began to take a razor out of his holster and pointed it at her throat.

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle stood up when she heard a voice, when she saw that it was Mr. Todd himself she blushed and put the box down but still had one of his razors. He took it from her and pointed it at her. She smiled at his darkness, it was very intimidating but also very attractive. Isabelle put her finger on the razor and pushed it away from her throat.

"I am assuming that Aunt Nellie forgot to tell you," said Isabelle, "I'm Isabelle Lovett and I am Aunt Nellie's niece. I started working for her. Baking pies. She must be thinking about poor Uncle Albert too much."

Isabelle walked around Mr. Todd and went to leave when she stopped and she turned back to him. Should she ask him? It wouldn't hurt to ask.

"I was wondering Mr. Todd, I am interested in cutting hair and heard you're one of the greatest from Aunt Nellie," said Isabelle, "I was wondering if you would let me cut hair for some of your customers. I wouldn't take any pay. I just would like some experience."

[Sweeney Todd]

He looked at her and slightly smileded back at her. He then lowered the razor and set it down on the table. Sweeney was still a bit confused with her presence..

"Yes, Mrs. Lovett did fail to mention you. Have you been here long? I haven't seen you around, you must spend most of your days with her downstairs." He sort of liked the idea of her presence, it meant that there would be an extra person working and most importantly another person to keep Mrs. Lovett company so that she would not see a need to bother him.

He watched as she began to walk towards the door, and reached for his razor again in order to begin sharpening it. Sweeney started to slowly strop his razor, he then looked up when he heard her question.

He nods, "Yes, Mrs. Lovett is correct, I am the best barber in London. You want to learn my trade?" This was unusual for him, as he had never heard of a female being interested in barbering. He wondered if she would be a suitable barber. "Well, I guess I could teach you a bit about barbering. It's not as easy as it looks, you must have a very steady hand. Wouldn't want to cut anyone" He smiled slyly and began to inspect his razor.

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle walked forward and stood in front of Mr. Todd. She hoped he didn't instantly dislike her or think she was lying. She wasn't. Isabelle admired the razor, it was perfect, it was beautiful, especially the way it shined.

"Well I practiced on a few of my friends in France and they thought I did wonderful," said Isabelle, "I do have a steady hand."

Isabelle walked around Mr. Todd and to the barber chair. She took out a hidden purse and pulled out her own razor. It wasn't even as spectacular. It was sharp but made of iron, not steel or silver. She breathed on it and shined it.

"I could show you my skill if you let me," said Isabelle, "I promise not to slash your throat."

[Sweeney Todd]

Noticing the way she was eyeing the razor in his hand, he held it out to her in plain view.

"Beautiful isn't it? I bought these off a local merchant around seventeen years ago. They are just as sharp as the day I got them. They are the best razors on the market, best ones that I have seen."
He then looked at the razor that she had brought. It was quite a bit smaller than his, definitely not from a very skilled craftsmen. It was not exactly what he would consider a proper razor. He smiled a bit, amused at her comment.

"Of course, I trust that you won't cut me. I will allow you to practice on me. That would be best, then I could tell you exactly what you are doing wrong. But..." He looked back down at her razor "..You should use one of my razors. I am afraid that, that instrument you have will not be adequate."

He walked behind his barber chair and took out one of his smaller razors and handed it to her. He then proceeded to take a seat in the chair. It has been a while since he had been shaven by anyone else. For as long as he can remember, he had always shaved himself.

"Make sure to strop the razor properly before you start, you must fine tune the edge of the razor in order to give the closest shave possible." He said, hoping that he was doing the right thing, allowing her to practice on him.

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle took the small silver razor and put it down as she made the lather. She was good at the barbering but sometimes not the lather. Isabelle decided to stay quiet that her lather was slightly watery and put it on Mr. Todd's chin. She put down the lather and picked up her razor.

To say the least it didn't go well. She was doing very well on the right side but then she had to do the left side and because of the watery lather she cut him. Then cut him again. And again. And again. By the fourth time Isabelle stopped and put down the razor and felt like an idiot.

"I usually am not that bad," said Isabelle, "I should never of thought of becoming a barber. I'm sorry I wasted your time."

[Sweeney Todd]

He quickly got up from the chair and reached for a towel to clean off his face. He was a bit annoyed, now regretting that he let her shave him. How typical, a young lady could never be a proper barber, he should have known that. Now people will think he does not know how to properly shave himself. He thought about just making her leave his shop, and telling her to stick to the pies, but something kept him from doing that. She was young, and already seemed nervous enough, he decided to take it easier on her.

"Well, that is definitely not the smoothest shave that I have experienced." He took a damp towel and wiped his face off, inspecting the small cuts on his face. "You certainly did make a mess of me. I think it will be a long while before you become a proper barber."

He walked over to the table and picked up the razor she used. "I think you didn't set the angle properly. These things are very sensitive." He held the razor against his own forearm at around a 45degree angle, and allowed it to glide smoothly over his arm, leaving that area perfectly smooth. "See? Like that."

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle reached and touched Mr. Todd's hand and held the razor. She knew she did a horrible job so she took the cloth and headed downstairs. She came back a few seconds after and brought a small cupcake with pink icing and a cherry on top.

"Here. As a thank you for my first practice for accidently carving up your face," said Isabelle as she handed the cupcake to him.

She picked up the small razor and cleaned it of Mr. Todd's blood. Isabelle looked out the foggy window, wiping the dirt from it with her dress and looked outside. London was beautiful but dark and scary at the same time.

"I was thinking to advertise the barber shop and the pie shop maybe we could talk to some... nobility," said Isabelle, trying to be helpful for her aunt and Mr. Todd, "I was thinking of making an errand day and speaking with some of the lawyers around the area and I was also thinking of speaking with Judge Turpin. I think if a woman could have him enjoy our business."

[Sweeney Todd]

He looked at the cupcake, a bit confused. He had never seen a pastry of this sort, and so vibrantly colored as well.

"You're welcome. It will definitely be a while before I let anyone shave me again." He took the cupcake and set it down on the table. He then joined her at the window, and looked down at the people on the streets.

"Advertising does seem like a good idea. We would certainly get more customers then. It would be a nice change to attract a higher class clientele. Especially Judge Turpin." He smiled slyly and began to sharpen his razor, "It would definitely be an honor and privilege to shave the great Judge Turpin."

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle looked up at Mr. Todd and smiled. She could smell his cologne and she almost leaned forward to kiss him but her better judgement made her step away and look around the room. It was very dusty, it needed a good cleaning and some new furniture. Isabelle took her cloth and started taking out the cobwebs.

"I don't think Judge Turpin is that great," said Isabelle honestly, "He may be a judge but I have seem him, the way he treats people. It is far from great."

Isabelle finished with the cobwebs and looked at the cupcake. She smiled at Mr. Todd and picked up the cupcake. She walked over to Mr. Todd and held up the cupcake to his lips.

"You at least have to try it before I go," said Isabelle.

[Sweeney Todd]

Sweeney stood and watched as she cleaned up his shop. "The shop does get quite dirty, I can never find the time, nor do I desire to find the time, to clean this place. None of my clients seem to mind." He then moved back over to his chair and sat down.
Sweeney was all too familiar with the way the Judge treated people around him. But he saw that as an even better reason to have him as a client. He surely would enjoy having one of his blades up against the Judge's throat, leaving the Judge at the mercy of his razor.
"Well, I still would like the Judge to grace my shop with his presence. I would make sure to give him the closest shave he's ever known." He gently ran his finger along the edge of his razor, testing its sharpness.

He looked down at the cupcake and licked a bit of the frosting off of it. "Hmm, It's definitely sweet. I have never tasted anything like this" He took the cupcake from her and set it down on the table "Maybe I will eat it later, after Mrs. Lovett gives me another one of her pies. Thank you for bringing it to me though"

[Isabelle Lovett]

Isabelle smiled as he licked it. At least he tried it, thought Isabelle as she picked up the cloth and started towards the door. She stopped, wondering if she should leave Mr. Todd at all. He seemed... sad, like he had too many memories in his head that were coming to the surface like leaves on a pond. Isabelle opened the door, the bell chiming and decided to say one last thing.

"Thank you for the compliment," said Isabelle, she smiled at what she said next, "If you think the cupcake is sweet then wait till you taste me."

Goodness that was dirty as Isabelle headed downstairs and to the bake shop. She continued baking, giggling to herself about what she said. Aunt Nellie would be angry, Mr. Todd would be angry probably because he was older than her and it was inappropiete.

[Sweeney Todd]

Sweeney just stood still. A bit confused with what just happened. Was it proper for a young lady to talk like that? It certainly was not something he was accustomed to. Although, he knew in the back of his mind, he was curious as to why exactly she said that. Sweeney decided not to dwell on it too much, young women did tend to say impulsive things, he thought. So he stopped thinking about the small remark and began to shift his concentration back to his razors. Sweeney then just sat back down in his chair, waiting for Mrs. Lovett to send another customer up.

[Isabelle Lovett]

((OOC: So I guess this thread is over. Um... it was fun roleplaying with you. If you want to do another thread just PM me.))