audrey (larcener) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-03-03 14:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, audrey leradine, juliette coulombe |
Who: The Coulombe Sisters
What: About Basil Norwood
Where: Albrecht Guest House
When: After this
Rating: G
Status: complete
Dinner was quiet, but not in the eating way. Usually Audrey would sit at the dinner table and begin to devour everything in sight possibly making her sister wonder why all the calorie intake wasn’t sticking onto her body. Tonight, however, Audrey took small amounts from the side dishes, almost picking at her food like an unimpressed child. Ms. Han had left for the night as soon as she was done cooking for the girls. It hadn’t been until she felt her sister’s eyes that glanced up, then back down to her steamed egg. “I have decided on a suitor,” she spoke, swallowing thickly at her own admission. “I will be engaged to Basil Norwood soon.” Of all things Alys might have said to explain her worrisome lack of appetite, that hadn’t been one that Juliette had expected. Her fork clattered down onto her plate from fingers that suddenly weren’t functioning as they ought. She picked it back up, staring wide-eyed at her sister. “Lord Norwood?” she said, trying to mask her incredulity. Had she ever seen them interact? She couldn’t recall. Lord Norwood, nervous and fussy, wasn’t… bad. But of all people, him? She had thought it might be Darius, perhaps. “I… you… like him, then?” she finally asked, as delicately as possible. "Hardly," she took a spoonful of her steamed egg. She had been ready to echo her mother’s words when she had left her mouth open as she stared at her younger sister. No, she wouldn’t do that. Not to her. Audrey sighed and shook her head as she took a bite of her food. “He’s kind,” she finally spoke. “Not the kind of man that wishes to take advantage of the inheritance.” These were all terrible lies. She knew very well Miles was taking advantage of something—if it wasn’t her money, then it was her status. Audrey reached over for a side plate with japchae, and picking some of the noodles to eat. “I see.” A couple of months ago, she might have left it at that; it was a testament to her growing comfort that she finally ventured, haltingly, “But... if you are not being… coerced to choose immediately…” How to put this? She could hardly figure where to start. “Is it that he is the kindest, the one you think least likely to… use you?” And how sad was that? She had been hoping (quietly, secretly) that it might be Lord Amell, though she supposed that had been silly of her; but even Darius made more sense than a man Alys seemed to hardly know for anything but his kindness. “Have you been… acquainted long? Since before your fall, perhaps?” Maybe that would explain it, though she had always thought Lord Norwood too fussy to mingle across classes. “You wish to live under the Countess’ kindness?” she had snapped back, though quickly bobbed her head in apology while she reached for a glass to drink her slurs away. “I’m sorry,” she repeated again. Audrey had gone back to playing with her food trying to think of a way to ease her sister in. Shaking her head, she frowned. “No, I met him at my debut. One of many.” A frown pulled on the eldest sister’s lips. “Are you that bothered by it?” “I didn’t mean that,” Juliette protested, horrified that Alys would think her willing to live eternally on the Countess’ charity. “I am not upset by it -- if he is your choice, that has nothing to do with me -- but I… am simply trying to understand.” And that was likely a failed endeavor on her part. But what about Darius? she didn’t say. He’d been around again lately but… he had no title, and maybe that was all it was? If any lady was likely to break with tradition, she had thought it would be Alys. Obviously she had been wrong about that. “Perhaps I ought simply to tell you… congratulations,” she finally said. “I am glad you will soon stop receiving those… very distressing letters that come along with the bouquets, sometimes.” Audrey had been ready to open her mouth, tell her things she wouldn’t have otherwise, but something deep within her caused her to stop, to freeze. Juliette was her little sister, she was there when she had been born. She knew from the moment she saw her that through thick and thin, she would always be there for her. Juliette could commit murder right now, and Audrey would help her hide the body no questions asked. She didn’t feel the same way. Trust didn’t sit well. The ninja knew she had to keep things secret from her. How could the teenager possibly understand? “I’m just trying to be a good,” mother, “sister,” she mumbled, picking at her kimchi. A forced smile pulled at her lips, thinking of the bouquets. “At least we will no longer have a greenhouse in our living room, correct?” “Yes,” Juliette said. “I suppose that’s true.” She ached to say, please don’t do this only for my sake, but that felt selfish too. The best thing she could do was accept. “Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.” Her smile was a bit wan as she admitted, “I have… some knowledge on the matter of weddings that I am unlikely to utilize soon. If I can help, please let me know.” Surely Vivi would take care of almost everything, and the groom’s family -- did he have family? -- would have a say, but she wanted to be supportive in the best way she knew how. Audrey forced herself to smile again as Juliette complied with her words. “Yes, thank you.” Smiling at her sister, she continued eating, still not as intensely as she used to. The rest of the of the dinner held silence interweaving with superficial comments about daily life. It hadn’t been until her food turned cold that Audrey finally excused herself from the table, picking up the dirty platters and quietly continuing on with dishes. |