Measuring Nature|(Open) INACTIVE

[JANE EYRE]

It was hard for Jane to find an open space on the Brooklyn Bridge that allowed a generous view of the skyline. Especially a place that would be easy to find on another day in order to get the same angle and light. But, after about a half-hour spent searching, Jane found her spot. She unfolded her portable easel and stool and set them down carefully. Her canvas came out next, a large 14 inch by 22 inch rectangle that rested on the easel just right. From her leather portfolio came her paints and brushes which were sat on the small shelf on the underbelly of the easel and was followed by a jar of paint thinner.

Eventually, Jane pulled out a small piece of charcoal. Slowly and painstakingly, she began to sketch out the skyline and the details she wanted to include. Instead of doing a strict rendering of the view, Jane wanted to do a more romantic version. It would still be the skyline when she was done, Jane was sure of it, but it would be her interpretation. Hazy and full of interesting colors, the colors of the city that most people didn't see. It wouldn't be majestic, like some paintings. Jane didn't want majestic. She wanted the truth on her canvas.

Content with her outlines, Jane prepared her palette and set about filling in the general shapes. She worked quickly in order to finish a little bit before the light faded completely.

[christine]

Dusk had fallen in New York City. Christine had risen from a long nap, and looked around. Getting into a simple dress, Christine decided to take a small stroll to the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a lovely evening, so why not. Once she grabbed her keys to the Apartment, she walked out down the street and called a cab. Once she arrived to the bridge she paid the cab driver. Getting out of the cab, she looked around.

Christine brushed back a few strains of hair out of her face and began strolling down the bridge. She didn't really have a chance to take a walk upon this bridge. Though it felt a bit strange not having her husband with her. While staring at other couples, it made her feel kind of upset a little bit inside. As she continued to stroll she noticed someone painting the skyline.

As she walked behind the woman who was sitting on the chair before her, Christine just remained silent and watched her curiously as she painted. Then she cleared her throat for a moment and softly said "Thats beautiful. You did a lovely job miss" she said in a soft voice. A small smile came upon her face as she watched her.

[JANE EYRE]

"Oh!" Jane started and turned around. She wasn't expecting anyone to comment on her painting. Most people just passed her by. Jane stared at the woman for a moment out of pure shock before remembering her manners. "Thank you. Thank you very much," Jane blushed a little from the compliment and looked back at the painting. It didn't look like much yet, but Jane had high hopes for it still.

"I don't complimented on my work very often," Jane confessed with a small smile. Even her students didn't acknowledge her work. It was like her art, just like herself, was just there. People saw it, people noticed it, but didn't deign it important enough to comment on. Just like people tended to ignore her, Jane's paintings had gone unnoticed by many. But it made it that much better when somebody did notice.

[christine]

Once the woman turned around she said "Your very welcome Miss" she said softly with a soft smile playing on her face. Christine had always liked art work that other people had painted. Though she wished she had only wished she could do something like this herself. All Christine saw was black lines that would soon be the sky line of New York.

Her eyes darted to the skyline that had just lit up for the evening, and she smiled. It was very beautiful. Turning back to the girl who had spoken up again she said "you...don't get compliments that much?" she asked curiously. Her eyes were relaxed as she watched her for a moment. "Forgive me, for not introducing myself" she said softly. "My name is Christine, and you are?" she asked curiously looking at the painter who she was talking to. Christine loved talking to new people and she hoped this one would be the next new person she'd met in New York.

[JANE EYRE]

"Not very often no," Jane said sheepishly. "And my name's Jane," Jane smiled at Christine. She was quite pretty, much prettier than Jane, but Jane didn't feel like it was something that would separate them. Jane got the feeling that Christine was similar to herself in that she was calm and not too obsessed with unimportant things like money and beauty. Then again, when someone was gifted with a natural beauty, they had little to worry about. Jane banished that thought quickly from her head.

She didn't want to dwell on those kinds of thoughts. Jane already knew the truth about herself. Jane knew she wasn't beautiful. Jane knew she would never be the center of attention. Jane knew that men would never go out of their way just to talk or court her. That was alright with her. Jane felt content to live her meager life as it was handed to her but, at the same time, Jane was glad that Christine stumbled upon her painting. Even though she was content to be small, plain, and miserable, Jane welcomed the idea of having a friend. "Do you also paint?" Jane asked lightly.

[christine]

A soft frown came to Christine when the young woman said she didn't get compliments much. "Its very nice to meet you Jane" she said smiling suddenly. "Its a very good drawing of the skyline of New York" she said smiling upon her. "You have very good talent. I don't think I'd be able to draw like that" she said softly while brushing a strain of hair out of her face.

Silence came between them as a few locals examined her drawing, and went about their business. Christine had never had the chance to come upon this bridge as of late. It was a nice bridge to walk upon. Then Jane had asked her if she paints. Shaking her head softly she simply said "No I do not Paint, I just sing." she said smiling softly at Jane. Jane was a lovely young woman. She wondered if she was married or not.

[JANE EYRE]

"I wish I could sing," Jane said wistfully. Unfortunately, she was not gifted musically. All of talent came out in her art. "And painting really isn't that hard. It just takes a lot of practice. I've been painting for a long time," Jane smiled and looked at the painting intently. She had a very good foundation and if she was able to get back to the very spot she sat at early enough she'd be able to finish tomorrow.

Jane continued to work as Christine continued to watch. It was sort of nice to have company while she worked. It was different than when her students watched her paint in class. It was more equal and less formal. It wasn't about teaching and learning, it was about drinking in the beauty of things around them and talking. "You know, you're the first person I've really talked to since I've moved here besides my students and local vendors by my house," Jane commented. She didn't know why she brought that up but it seemed relevant. It certainly was relevant to her.

[christine]

Christine's head tilted just slightly to the left, when Jane said that she wished she could sing. "You have all the time in the world Mademoiselle, to learn to sing" she said softly. Christine smiled softly at Jane for a moment. Unsure of what else advice she could give her. "I see, you are very good at what you do" she said a moment later. The wind blew off her curls on her shoulders and she looked out at the water and looked back at Jane's artwork.

Once again, Silence had fallen between Jane and Christine. Then Jane spoke and she looked at her, her eyes relaxed. "Oh, im sorry to hear that." she said softly after she told her she was the first person she had spoken to. "Tell me, Jane, where to you come from?" she asked softly. Christine could hear an accent, but she wasn't quite sure where she could be from. Christine stood there and just waited patiently.

[JANE EYRE]

"I would love to learn, but I don't have much. All my time is either spent teaching others to paint, or painting for myself," Jane chuckled to herself. So much time was dedicated to her art, she doubted that she could do anything else. Sure, she could teach, and she could paint, but Jane didn't know what else she had to offer the world. Jane knew that if she worked and practiced studied, she could find something. Finding the time to develop herself is what she would have trouble with.

"I'm originally from England," Jane smiled. She had been working to get rid of her accent so her students could understand her better. Sometimes, her intonations skewed her words to a point where the youth of Brooklyn had absolutely no idea what she was saying.

"And where are you from?" Jane asked lightly. Christine's mannerisms and speech pointed to France, but Jane didn't want to assume. She spoke some French, but not nearly enough to carry on a conversation with a native.

[christine]

Christine smiled softly when Jane said that she loved to learn. Raising an eyebrow, she heard her say that she taught other people. "You are a very good painter mademoiselle" she said softly. "Im sure you will have time to learn other things in your own good time when your not busy with your painting" she said in a soft voice. Christine moved away and leaned on the wall of the bridge, Looking down she saw the Hudson river and she looked back at Jane.

While remaining silent as she spoke she looked around her surroundings. Christine was already loving New York. She had met so many lovely people in the past two years since she's been here. Jane then asked where she was from and she looked back at the water for a moment.

Turning back to Jane she said "England must be very nice Jane, I've never been there. I hope to be there one day." she said with a soft smile upon her face. Then she said "I am from Paris France, but originally from Sweden. My father was a swedish violinist" she said smiling softly. The smile then faded away and frowned a bit, but then the smile came back.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane noticed the small frown on Christine's face but chose not to point it out to her. "Thank you," Jane said softly. Then, efficiently and silently, Jane began to pack up. The light was changing too much so there was little she could towards finishing the painting. Jane rinsed her brushes and capped her paints. She sorted her materials into their proper sections in her carrying case and snapped it shut.

"It's getting too dark for me to paint," Jane said sheepishly in explanation. "Do you think that, perhaps, we could meet again some time?" Jane didn't want to seem overly eager. However, she knew that she possibly had a friend. The first friend since the move to Brooklyn. The first friend since she quite her nannying job.

[christine]

Looking over the rail to the water, she felt the breeze. It was a nice breeze and she then looked over to Jane and smiled upon her. Christine didn't say much and she just said "You welcome". Then she looked up at the sky, and noticed it was getting dark. A soft sigh escaped her.

Nodding softly she simply said "Indeed, it is." she said a moment later. Her voice was soft when she spoke. The bridge was still crowded and full of people then she looked upon Jane again. "Yes, I think that would be lovely. Im fixing to go have dinner. Would you like to join me?" she said softly. Christine didn't want the poor girl to be alone tonight maybe she could get to know her more.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane smiled at the dinner invitation. "I wouldn't want to impose," Jane said politely. Her manners surfaced stubbornly even though Jane felt more at ease around Christine. Inwardly, she was glad about the invitation. She had eaten alone every night since moving and the only time she had company for a meal was when she ate at the school in the teacher's lounge.

It was lonely sharing her dinner with the rats that the super could never quite get rid of. Jane finished tucking her tools away and her paintings rig was broken down efficiently. "Out of curiosty, where would you be dining?" Jane thought it would be good to know, just in case she was still invited. She would not, under any circumstance allow Christine to pay for the meal. However, Jane's miniscule income did not allow for splurges. If Jane was to accompany Christine to a restaraunt of any sort of quality, Jane may have to cut back on groceries for a week.

Or two.