The Landslide Will Bring it Down (open•casual)

[JANE EYRE]

Somewhere between all the nights spent grading art work and all the days dedicated to others, Jane realized something. All the people she had met here in New York City had seen her, Jane. Not Miss Eyre, the governess, or Miss Eyre, the comely child Mr. Rochester had taken in. She wasn't Miss Eyre, the witch who charmed Mr. Rochester's horse into bucking him off or the witch that had supposedly stolen his heart. She was Jane, artist and teacher and friend.

She was her own person. Jane hadn't realized it until a history teacher at the school she taught at, a tall, regally handsome man with an awkward demeanor, had caught her eye and told her, quite bluntly, that any man would be lucky to have her. Jane had blushed and brushed off the compliment, kindly reminding him that he was engaged to a lovely woman. He laughed and said that he was well aware, he just thought it was a shame that no one else had the sense to notice her.

On her way home, Jane realized that he was right. Her entire life had been spent being beat down and belittled. First her aunt, then at Lowood, then at Thornfield. Mrs. Fairfax, Sophie, Blanche, even Mr. Rochester pointed out her position and how she lacked in the beauty department. But Jane didn't need beauty. No. She made a difference in children's lives, she taught them creativity and independence.

Why did she need the approval of others? The fact of the matter was that she didn't. Jane had always been resolute in her beliefs, and now that could transcend into her daily life. Jane had always regarded others as people who deserved as much attention and compassion as the next. Why couldn't she allow the same for herself? She could. Jane knew she could.

Under a tree in Central Park, near a fountain with insects buzzing around, Jane felt at peace. She would be able to accept herself, accept the qualities she had that were attractive. It wouldn't change who she was. It would just make it a little easier to live without others. Being alone didn't have to mean being lonely.

[mephi]

The air was nice. Very flowing and airy, but not hot, thank heavens. Otherwise eating his piping hot sandwich would be unbearable.

And what a sandwich it was! Normally he'd never eat something like this. He WAS one to watch his weight. But he felt like being a pig today. And this sandwich was exceptionally good. He'd gotten it from the local Italian Deli in the city, but it was too damn crowded to enjoy it properly on the street.

Portabello mushrooms, thin slabs of beef, and drizziling ranch all piled together inbetween two, warm slices of bread. He was in absolute heaven. No one could make a good sandwich like Luigi, and he was damn sure never going to patronize any other Deli but his, after this.

He was about to take his first bite, walking towards a bench just in his site, overlooking the daisies. Unfortunately, whilst walking underneath a large tree, he stumbled. Not just a little trip. He fell, flat on his face. "AH!" His sandwich went flailing all over the place, mostly on the grass, but bits and pieces fell on the young woman he had inadvertantly tripped on. He was sprawled across the ground, ranch dressing and a piece of meat stuck to his face as he crawled up.

"Dammit! My SANDWICH! I payed good money for that shit!" He pulled the meat off his face and flung it to the side, hitting the woman who he'd barely noticed.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane hadn't really noticed the man who was walking about until he tripped over her. She let out a surprised yelp and flinched back. Thankfully, the man fell away from him, but some of his sandwich fell onto her. Bit and pieces of the meal stuck to her face and arms, some laying on her skirt and some sticking to her shirt. "Are you-" Jane started, trying to get up. But the man flung the meat at her and it hit her face. Jane fell back onto her haunches and peeled the meat away. Grumbling, somewhat angry at the man's out burst, Jane pulled her purse to her and began to root through it for a napkin.

Jane wiped her face and stood to brush the rest of herself off, before she handed a clean napkin to the man. "With all due respect, you should have been looking where you were walking," Jane couldn't keep the edge out of her voice. She was tired of being blamed. It wasn't her fault that this idiot hadn't been watching where he was going. She was just sitting there, minding her business and he was the one who misstepped. She wasn't even sitting on the path so there really wasn't a reason for him to be traveling through there.

[mephi]

Damien scoffed. "With all due respect..." he mocked. "With all due respect, if your legs hadn't been where my feet landed, my sandwich wouldn't be ruined!

He was really irked that the beautiful piece of food had gone to waste. He took the napkin with force, and wiped the grime off his face. He shook his head in disgust as he sat up some more, pulling the discarded pieces of meat and mushroom he could salvage, along with the bun, and bundled them up in the wax paper. "Look lady, I payed good money for this! This is high quality meat here! What the hell am I supposed to do now, huh? Buy a new one?! Ha, fat chance."

He wiped face again, and stood up shakily. "And look at my suit! This is a priceless suit! Do you KNOW how much dry cleaning this thing will be?" Not like he couldn't afford it. Hell, he could pay to have the suit REPLACED. But he felt the need to complain to the girl who had ruined his lunch. "What do YOU suppose I do, hmm?" He looked her dead in the eye.

[JANE EYRE]

"I'm not any where near the path that you're supposed to be walking on," Jane bit back. In the back of her mind, she chastised herself for acting so out of character. She wasn't the angry type, ever. But this man, his presumptuous nature, was just what she needed to be pushed over the edge. "I am sorry for the loss of your sandwich, and the damage to your suit, but I am not responsible! You, sir, cannot simply walk all over people, especially literally, and expect them to simper and and cater to your enormous temper,"

"And as for your profession, I can honestly say that I do not care one bit or one way. Obviously you have plenty of money, judging from your suit, so why not remedy the situation yourself by getting over it, moving on, and bloody well leaving me alone!" Jane stopped herself abruptly. She had never raised her voice in anger before, let alone curse. It didn't help to know that she looked a mess as well. Jane's face was blotchy, her clothes spotted with condiments, and her hair was a bit frizzed about the edges. Looking like a madwoman seemed appropriate though, considering her behavior. Jane pressed her hands against her face, the cool of her skin helping to calm her down a bit.

[mephi]

Damien raised his eyebrow, taking a step back, sticking his hands in his pockets. He was a little bit shocked at her sudden outburst, as she seemed so kind (blegh) before. It seems he snuffed that out of her, and was a little bit proud of himself. He smirked, rolling on the balls of his heels. "Woah, Nelly! Someone's in a bad mood... I picked the perfect time to trip over you!" he chuckled.

When the girl placed her hands on her face, he sighed. Must have been shocking for her too, as she didn't seem to be like him. His anger got the best of it often, but it mustn't have been the case with her. Otherwise she'd know how to handle it. He was experienced in dealing with pressure and fury, and easily slipped into a soothing calm when needed.

He looked at the napkin she had given him, and felt sort of melancholy. He crumpled the napkin and tossed it over his shoulder with a grin, closing his eyes and rummaging through his jacket pocket for a handkerchief. He held it out to the woman in a return gesture for her kindness. This was unlike him, but eh. He was constantly out of character, anyway. His moods changed at the drop of the hat, so this was normal for him.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane squeezed her eyes shut and mentally berated herself. Scolding, chiding, furious with herself for losing her composure. What is wrong with you, Jane? You were raised to be respectful and quiet, not to lose your temper at a total stranger! Jane didn't really listen to the man when he made, what she was sure was another jibe. She was focused on calming down. When she opened her eyes, the man was holding out his handkerchief as a sort of peace offering. Hesitating, Jane reached one hand out to take it from him. Not knowing what to do with it, she stood there holding it awkwardly.

"Um," Jane looked down at the fabric. "I'm not quite sure what to do with this," She admitted awkwardly. How the man had gone from yelling at her and accusing her to giving her his handkerchief Jane did not know. The whole situation was disorientating for her. The man's roller coaster emotions paired with her inability to keep her temper made it even harder for her to process. "I am sorry for my outburst," Though she shouldn't have to be considering his behavior leading to it. She was sorry more for acting impulsively then for verbally assaulting the man. He deserved it to some measure, but it didn't make it right for her to do so.

[mephi]

Damien had to roll his eyes at the way she looked uncomfortable. He'd given her the handkercheif because she clearly needed it. Napkins were completely useless. It was only fine cloth that got rid of anything, he found, as paper would rub off and become ruined. Cloth was the only thing durable.

"Keep that," he said. "A lady without a handkercheif, instead using completely wasteful and unpratcial napkins, is a sad lady indeed, in my opinion." He grinned his toothy grin, knowing the piece of cloth was encrusted with his initials. He hoped she would find that out later rather than sooner, when he was long gone and she'd have something to remember his devilishly handsome looks by.

"And don't worry, I'm used to men and women having little 'outbursts' around me. They'd have to when I have an ego the size of New York!" He laughed at himself, only to in turn boast. He liked to do that. Talk about himself.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane nodded, muttering a thank you under her breath. Stiffly, she used the handkerchief to dab at her shirt, wiping away the condiments there. Her shirt was already stained, there was no hope for them now really. She would have to treat them once she got back to her apartment, right away if she wanted to wear the shirt again sans stain.

Jane didn't notice the initials on the clothe until she was folding it up to tuck away safely.

She wasn't quite sure how to respond to his last comment. How does one go about replying to a statement about ego? "Well, I'm not used to having outbursts," Jane was calm, mellow and hard to irrate. Ever since leaving her Aunt Reed's home Jane had settled into an easy going life. Her inner peace that she had found somewhere in the cold halls of Lowood was shattered by this one man. Jane knew it would only be a matter of time before she regained that particular state of grace but in that instant not having it was an odd feeling to be sure.