audrey (larcener) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-01-22 23:53:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, audrey leradine, evander finch |
Who: Audrey Leradine & Evander Finch
What: Inheritances
Where: Civic District
When: January 6th (backdated)
Rating: PG-13
Status: complete
She had arrived early. Part of her wanted to do minor touristing around the Civic District, however the level of security in the area had put her off from wanting to do much of anything else. Besides, this was unbecoming of Alys Coulombe, she thought. With that, she found herself sitting in the lobby outside of Judge Finch’s office. The secretary sat her desk across from her, eyes focused on her paperwork. Flicking her eyes back to the clock on the wall, she watched the seconds trickle by before the sound of a door opening caught her attention. Tilting her head slightly, she watched as the lawyer shook Evander’s hand, thanking him and strolled out of the office with a slight nod to both the secretary and Audrey. The secretary stood up, motioning Audrey towards the open doors. Standing up and picking up her purse, she walked in taking a seat across Evander as the woman closed the door behind her. Pursing her lips, she looked around his office curiously. “This is nice,” she finally spoke. “My thanks, milady,” he greeted, waving the woman in with a genial welcome (the kind his brother to apt to forget). The judge had settled back into his seat after bidding his previous visitor goodbye. His schedule was booked, his docket overflowing but Alys Coulombe—or Audrey Leradine, whatever name she bore—was an old friend of Divina. What was skipping lunch if he could help Emillion’s youth? An act of charity, perhaps. He had more chances for full-bellies in this city, with his fortune. The orator cleared his throat, then looked to her with a polite smile. “Now, business. I recall you said there were documents?” The sound alone was enough to get her back on track. Business was to be dealt with and there was no time for sightseeing. Picking her bag and setting it on her lap, she pulled out the files Ofelia was able to get her— those regarding the inheritance and the rules of which the Coulombe children would have to abide by. Setting them on the table, she inched the manila folders towards the judge. “It clearly states that my eldest brother would earn the inheritance and the family business. Had something happened to him, my little brother would then be next in line. Unfortunately, with the fire— it put my sister and I in an unlikely predicament, you see.” She paused for a moment, allowing him time to skim through the first few pages before continuing. “I cannot even express the gratitude I feel towards the Countess for taking my sister and I in as wards, but living off her charity makes me feel nothing but guilt. I am forever indebted to her. I wish to be able to use the money to rebuild my grandfather’s estate and be able to raise my sister without the worry that men are preying on her at all times.” A frown pulled on her lips. “There must be something.” “Let’s see,” the judge muttered, flipping through the pages as she explained her dilemma. “First glance, can’t see a loophole. Requires you to marry in order to receive your inheritance.” Evander traced his fingers over the text again, looking for a red flag of any sort. “No rules on who your spouse must be, at least, or how long you ought stay married.” Disappointment had begun weighing her down as she began to slouch at his words. However, her body immediately perked and straightened at the new revelation. “So,” she drawled, “as far as it matters, I could marry a friend and then divorce him the next day?” The blonde’s mind was already racing through faces, debating on who would be the best choice and ignoring completely the social whiplash she could possibly receive with her impulsive actions. There was a joke on the tip of his tongue: You could even marry and divorce me. It never left his mouth, lived so briefly he would forget he had even considered the laugh. She was a friend of a friend, a long lost child of his memories. This was business. He could save the fun for another time (another person who would in fact understand the absurdity behind it). “You could. For the money, you could. Social stigma aside, nothing stopping you, and I’m not here to advice your social life.” Audrey’s gaze had shifted away from the judge in contemplation on his words. “I suppose this is the only way,” she muttered, nodding to the judge. “Thank you, Evander.” Smiling at him, Audrey had dug through her purse, reaching out a neatly wrapped box. Setting the box on the table and sliding it across, she nodded them over to him. “Especially for seeing me in such short notice. I’m sorry if inconvenienced you in anyway. I should be getting out of your way, I don’t want you to lose your lunch because of me.” “Pleasure is mine,” he responded, beaming and setting the box aside with a soft pat. “No trouble at all.” Evander stood up and gestured towards the door, leading her to the exist. “Off to you,” he dismissed, “and good luck.” Returning to his desk after he assured she left down the hall safely (not that there was anything dangerous with the Courts’ security), the judge sighed and opened up the gift with fingers not deft enough to be a pickpocket. A soft smile appeared on his face as he examined the cookies, pondered on the girl’s difficult situation and then, tucked the box inside a desk drawer. Back to the workday for him. |