West Side

Castle like mansions, giant marble fountains, sparkling cobblestone streets. If you're rich, this is your neighborhood. Venders walk around, trying to get the rich to buy their goods, carriages rattle, servants scramble around. It is the good life.

Important Sights_{Feel free to add to the list}
The Woods Mansion- Ruby's estate.The Godmothers Mansion- The Fairy Godmothers estate.
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The Woods Mansion:

Fixing the sash of her white and pink dress (see Period Outfits), Ruby glanced at herself in the mirror making sure that she looked decent enough to go out into public. This was a silly really, since Ruby had the uncanny gift of being able to look stunning without even trying.

She looked at the clock on her dresser and confirmed that she had enough time. She was planning on "Wolfe Hunting" later but she had some errands to run first. Glancing at her refection once more she grabbed her pursed and headed down the stairs to the waiting carriage. 

---

After a few moments the taxi pulled up outside The Briar Rose, a good sized plant shop known for its stunning flowers and ability to get almost any kind of plant you might need. 

When the carriage came to a stop, Boots hopped out and waited for Ella to join him.

Ella mimicked his hop with a smile, straightening and looking at the plant shop. "It's been a long time since I've been in here," she said gaily. Last time, she was picking up a dozen roses for a man she was working for, who was cheating on his wife. She unconsciously ran a finger over the small scar under her ear, still smiling at the store as she opened the door and went inside, still holding it open for Boots absentmindedly.

Boot's slipped in and waited for her to follow. The place was plush and charming up front, decorated in creams and yellows. Nearly every surface was covered with jar, pots, vases, and buckets filled with flowers and plants. On a marble counter sat a cash register and behind that was a pair of smokey glass and wood doors, which lead down a hall to the green houses. 

Boots sidled up and rang a small gold bell next to the register, then proceeded to lean back against the counter as he waited for the shop keeper.

Ella followed him a little, running her fingers over some plants. She was careful, however, to only touch those plants she knew. She didn't know the shopkeeper that well, and she didn't trust them to not put out poisonous plants where small children could reach them. Ella hummed a little, her eyes darting from a pretty flowering potted plant to Boots, wondering what the man could want in here.

Boots smiled at her and then turned when he heard the doors open behind him. Through the door came a short plump man with balding gray hair and kind brown eyes. "Ah, Mr. Boots. What can I do for you this fine day." He asked cheerfully.

Boots put on his most charming smiled, "Hatter. Good to see you. I was just wondering if the shipment came in?"

"Which shipment would that be, we had a few come in last...." At Boots' raised eyebrows he realized what they were talking about and nodded, dropping his voice slightly, "Oh that shipment. Yes, it came yesterday. I'll go get it for you." He said disappearing back through the glass doors.

Boots smirked and then turned back to Ella, "See anything you like?" 

"I have a black thumb," Ella said nonchalantly, cocking an eyebrow at Boots. She was smart enough, though, to not ask any questions. "I don't think they have anything that could withstand my nurturing ability."

Hatter came back through the doors with a small green plant in his hand. At the, sight of it Boots' grin spread even wider across his face. Placing the plant on the counter Hatter seemed pleased with himself, "Took me a while to get, but I managed.  Best Mountain Catnip you'll find."

Boots reached for the plant and lifted it sightly, inhaling the smell. he didn't take a deep breath but still his eyes seemed to glaze and his pupils dilated slightly. Clearly the plant was of the best quality.

"That's... oh," Ella said, realization falling across her face. Sometimes it was hard to remember his actual form, although it was stupid of her to forget. A snarky grin crossed her face at the look on his, although she quickly hid her smile with a hand, pretending to study the flowering plant by her side. "Was that all?" she said when she had herself under control.

Boots shook his head and handed the plant over to Hatter. "You better wrap it up." He said with one more glance at the plant as he fished out up wallet. Taking the money out he handed it to Hatter who noticed he had been given extra. He nodded in understanding when Boots reached over the counter and plucked a beautiful violet short stemmed rose from a vase. "I'll just go wrap this." Hatter said with a smile and then disappeared behind the doors again.

Turning, Boots sauntered over to Ella wearing a smug grin, "Yes that was all, but I told you I was just running errands. For you, my dear." He said presenting her the flower he had picked from the vase.

Ella blushed in pleasure despite herself, her tanned cheeks becoming slightly rosy as she touched the rose to her nose, breathing in happily. She smiled widely at Boots as she wove the flower into her hair. It stood out well against her blond hair. "You're too kind," she murmured, admiring herself in a nearby shiny surface. She was still smiling openly, something that she hadn't done more than a handful of times since she hit puberty. It made her seem younger, in a way. "And I do like 'just running errands.'" She dropped the open smile and gave Boots a coy look, one underlaid with the playfulness of a friend. "So now off to the tailor's?"

Hatter came through the door interrupting Boots' response, "Here you are, Mr. Boots." He said as he handed a small well wrapped package to him.

"Thanks Hatter. I'll let you know when I run out." He said and then turned back to Ella. "Yes, off to the tailors." He opened the door and waited for her to walk out before him. Once they were out on the street he offered her is arm with overly dramatic dashing flare. "It's only down the street a ways."

Ella took his arm gracefully, giggling a little. "So how'd you tear your vest, anyway?" she asked, curiosity finally overtaking her as they walked towards the shop.

"Snagged it on the rusty edge of a fire escape in a back ally. I was trying to make a fast get away 'cause the person I was following was starting to get a little suspicious. I was in such a hurry to get away that I was a little careless." 

Ella fell silent at that statement. It reminded her that she has never done the interrogating thing before. She just hoped she wouldn't have to be fleeing down a fire escape. "I don't even know what to ask," she muttered, only half-aware she said that out loud.

"You'll be fine, kitten." He said, giving her a soft understanding smile, "Just be yourself, flirt, laugh, make small talk. You'd be surprised at the amount of information people give away if they think you're just talking small talk. And if you have any troubles, I'll be right there."

"Thanks," Ella said, her voice twinged with genuine gratefulness. "Actually, I get what you mean. And you'd be surprised how much information people give away when they're trying to get into your knickers." She gave Boots a playful, appraising look. "Or maybe you wouldn't." She looked up at the sign now above them. "This the place?" she asked.

Boots laughed and opened the door for her. "Yes it is, ladies first."

"Thank you," Ella purred, batting her eyelashes demurely. She went in and went to go sit in one of the chairs offered waiting customers. She didn't really immediately see anything that suited her fancy, and her shoes weren't all that comfortable.

Boots followed her inside and closed the door behind them. If they had looked behind them they would have noticed two rather unsavory characters scope them out and then head across to the alley next to the shop. 

The inside of the shop had a subtle decadence to it, with subdued furnishings so that the customers attention would be drawn to the clothing, which was, in a word, Beautiful. It was not ostentatious or over the top, but simple and well constructed with fine fabrics and master craftsmanship. 

The shop keep came out and greeted them with a friendly nature showing that Boots was a regular customer. After a few minutes of chatting, the man disappeared into the back of the shop and Boots turned his attention back to Ella. "Anything strike your fancy? They may not be the flashiest of clothes, but they are the best quality. Henrik is a fourth generation tailor and his family is known for giving his clothing a... magical touch, if you will."

Ella smiled, glancing around. It was all very well, but while she was always in the mood for trying on new clothing, at the moment she knew she didn't feel like spending any money. "I must visit here more often, then," she said, merely snuggling into the chair more. "I do admire the quality here. It's obvious with just a glance."

After a bit of waiting, she stood, bored, and began to wander around the shop, her fingers hovering over the beautiful cloth but not touching it, as she wasn't looking to buy. Ella stopped at the window, glancing outside, then returned to her chair. She didn't sit down, she just looked over at Boots. "So what are you going to wear to the ball?" she asked, revealing the cause of her restlessness, the fact that she was thinking about what she would have to soon do.

"Sadly my lady, not all of us can wear finery to the party." He said lifting his head up from a rack of clothing he had been looking though. "I will be undercover as one of the wait staff." He added in a more hushed tone. "Gives me more freedom to snoop around and keep an eye out." 

The tailor came back and handed Boots a remarkably boring looking vest. However upon seeing it, Boot's smiled and took it from him, sliding it on over his shirt. "Now for the real test." He said, and in the blink of an eye a small brown tabby cat had replaced the man standing in the center of the room.

Ella looked at the cat with a confused look before realization dawned in her eyes. "Makes sense," she said, glancing at the tailor with a lot more respect. "You have to have clothes that will change when you do." She smiled at the tailor, amusement in her eyes. "He must shop here a lot," she murmured.

"Oh all the time. He was in quite the pickle before he stumbled upon us." The tailor said with a smile before heading behind the counter.

"He's right about that."  Boots commented, returning to his normal form and handed the vest to the tailor so he could wrap it up. "I used to have to take off all my clothes before I changed, and believe me that landed me in some embarrassing situations. I'm pretty sure I gave an little old lady a heart attack once when she walked by the ally I was changing in and saw me in nothing but my birthday suit....."

"The old ladies are tougher than you might think," Ella scoffed. "Take a lot more than a naked stranger to shock most of them." She grinned, folding her arms in front of her and surveying Boots playfully. "Probably made her night."

---

At a large mansion, down the street from her own, Isabelle Tier stood on the door step waiting for someone to answer her knock.  The house belonged to her neighbor and family friend Herr Goldschmidt, and was one of grandest on the block. Drushing imaginary lint off her blouse and humming happily to herself, she waited patiently for someone to come to the door.

There was some shuffling on the other side, and finally Herr Goldschmidt opened the door with a servant quickly retreating behind him who he apparently shooed away. "Aaaaah, Frau Tier!" he said, his hands opened in a welcoming gesture. "Vhat a surprise!"

"It's good to see you Herr Goldschmidt." Moving forward she gave him a swift hug and then stepped back with a smile on her face. "I was wondering if I could take up a moment of your time?"

He parted his arms to allow the hug, and as it happened he grimaced, only to smile warmly when she was able to see his face again. "Oh, certainly. How could I turn down your company? Come een," he said, stepping back and holding out his arm towards the interior of his house.

Isabelle stepped inside and politely wanted for him to lead the way through the house. "So how have you been lately? We haven't seen much of you." She asked cheerfully.

"Oh, I've been fine. Just 'ad a few loose ends to tie up. You know 'ow it is," he said, waving his hand around dismissively. "'Ow 'ave you been?" 

- - - - -
The East Side
The Uptown
The City Park
The City Docks

Blood Money and Fairy Dust
The Magic Begins