Who: Vivi and Audrey What: Snapping Aud out of her funk, gdi Where: The Coulombe Estate When: Earlier today Rating: PG? Status: Complet
It was always good to note the rumors that flew about Emillion, especially when they were about the nobility. It had kept Genevieve entertained more times than she could count - knowing who had a grudge against whom, or what lord was frequenting a gem house unbeknownst to his lady, or even who she was supposedly sleeping with. However, when she first heard the whispers about one Lady Alys Coulombe, she paused in her browsing and listened.
Once she had heard enough, she turned on her heel and exited the shop, intent upon making an unplanned stop at the Coulombe estate.
The servant who was manning the gate made a halfhearted attempt to stop her, informing her in a rather pleading tone of voice that the mistress of the house was unwell and not taking visitors. Genevieve waved him off, along with the three others who told her much the same. Boris and Mercutio whined, following her up the stairs to where she veered off in the direction of Audrey’s personal rooms.
The dogs beat her there and began scratching at the door.
Genevieve knocked twice, sharp and short, before turning the door knob and entering. “Good afternoon, Audrey.”
The sound was enough to rouse her from her bathtub. Her head was pounding, a migraine imminent from last night’s liquor. However instead of greeting the countess, she could only sink deeper into the dried out tub.
Maybe if she hid, she wouldn’t find her.
Maybe.
She had only to take one look at her daughter - and, at this point, she quite considered Audrey and Juliette to be her children, what with the effort it took to ensure that they had what they needed and fixing their problems - and excused herself. It took a few moments to convince the startled servant to fetch her a bucket of ice filled with water, but fetch it she did.
Then Genevieve dismissed her and returned to the room, ensuring the door was firmly shut behind her, and re-entering the bathroom. Wherein she promptly dumped the bucket of ice cold water upon Audrey’s head.
A scream echoed throughout the estate causing many of the servants to look nervously in the direction of their mistress’ room. Looking at her mother, she screamed again as if though it was the only way to understand the logic behind her madness. “Why?” she screamed again, holding her shivering hands away from her body in shock.
“Get up,” Genevieve said, ignoring the question. There would be time to answer it later. “You will shower and put real clothing on, and then we are going to tea.”
Audrey hesitated only momentarily in between her sobs. The next half hour had been dedicated into her transformation to a lady, wiping away last night’s sweat and clearing the stench of alcohol. As she exited out into the lounge where surely the Countess had been waiting, she had nothing but the look of shame of being seen in that state. Her gaze had traveled to one of the maids, who seemed startled by her glance. It had been a while since anyone had seen Lady Coulombe rather than the shell of a woman that roamed the estate at night.
“Where are we going?” she finally voiced out, fingers fidgeting at the hem of her shirt.
“Cafe du Ciel Rose,” the countess answered promptly, looking Audrey over. She held back the frown; under the grime and alcohol, Audrey looked exhausted and gaunt. Had she even been eating? The way her clothes hung loosely about her frame succinctly answered that question. “After we have had tea and lunch, then we will discuss what to do.”
The underlying your current actions are unacceptable remained unspoken. Her tone had not been overlooked causing the blonde before her to slink her head down in obvious understanding of the disappointment she might have caused the Countess.
Genevieve moved forward and placed a hand on Audrey’s chin, lifting her face up. “I understand that you are hurting,” she said quietly, and she heard the door shut; the maid had left. Good. “Hiding inside your estate and wasting away will do nothing to help you heal. I know this from personal experience.” She had had to leave the city in search of a man she had not known to retrieve a trinket her late husband had been searching for before she could truly lift the mantle of grief from her shoulders. It had taken nearly two years.
She did not want Audrey to have to grieve for that long, not when there were ways in which she could make amends.
“Now, let us be off.”
Audrey nodded, following Genevieve’s lead as the two women left the mansion walls behind. Her first step outside had been a minor shock, bringing up her arm to cover the sunlight that filtered down from the trees. She had stopped, creating space between her and the Countess as she felt the breeze tickle her skin.
The hovercar ride hadn’t been much different. Audrey remained glued to the windows, watching Emillion flow by them until they finally arrived at their destination. It had only taken minutes to get a table, and now she was sitting in front of the Countess in a very public location socializing like real people—not that creature Genevieve had the misfortune of seeing.
“Order whatever you wish,” she said, scanning the menu herself. Perhaps she would have a crepe with her pot of tea. Something sweet sounded particularly appetizing at the moment. A strawberry and chocolate hazelnut crepe. Yes, that sounded delightful. “They’ve some wonderful sandwiches.” A not so subtle hint to eat.
Audrey had come to understand the “subtleties” of her mother and had skimmed the menu for their sandwiches. Nothing sounded appetizing, at least not right now. However, she was here to humor and as soon as a waiter came by to take their order she pointed out what she wanted. As he left, her eyes trailed after him before returning to Genevieve. “How,” she paused trying to use her words. “How are things?”
“Hectic,” Genevieve replied. “Between planning for the wedding and fielding questions regarding Basil, I’ve had little time to tend to the tavern.” Fortunately, she had a competent staff who were more than adequate at handling things in her business. And she did not mention Juliette by her lonesome in the guest house; she had promised to not say anything unless asked. “I apologize for not coming by sooner.” I had thought at least Arielle would have been by to take care of you.
An incorrect assumption it seemed, if Audrey had been lounging in tubs with bottles of wine and alcohol littering the floor.
“You know,” she said a moment later after the waiter had dropped off their tea, promising to return with their food once it was ready, “if you are having troubles, you ought to feel free to come to me.”
Her hands had instinctively reached for the pot, pouring the tea before setting it back. Picking up her spoon, she had mixed in sugar before proceeding to take a small sip of it. “I know, I just did not wish to trouble you. After all, with your wedding planning, I’m certain the estate is buzzing with all sorts of commotion. I remember how it had been during my,” she had paused, faltering in her posture momentarily before taking a sip of her tea to regain herself, “wedding.”
“It is my second,” Genevieve replied, waving the matter off. Her estate was quiet; Reinholdt’s, however, was another. It was his first marriage, and as a duke, it would be quite the spectacle. And as it was Reinholdt, it would be even more so of one. “And there is nothing so important that I would not be able to take some time for you.”
Audrey forced a smile. She had been ready to speak when the waiter had arrived with their dishes. Staring down at her sandwich, she had spent sometime observing it before picking one half with her hands. Even then she continued to observe it as though it were some strange artifact. “Did you find Juliette?” was her question, forcing herself to take a small bite and setting her food back down.
Genevieve cut a bite off of her crepe before answering. “Yes. She is doing as well as one could expect, given the circumstances.”
“Where is she staying? Is she—” There was clear concern in her voice, but her actions had otherwise shown a complete inability in taking care of her younger sister. The thought alone was enough to shut her thoughts and questions of the younger girl. Surely she must have been happier without Audrey in the picture. Surely.
The blonde had absentmindedly begun to fiddle around with her food using her knife.
She had anticipated the questions, but she had not realized that playing go-between would be painful. Especially when the information she was able to impart was limited. “I have promised her that I would not give you any other additional information. She is upset, but she is being taken care of and is safe.” Her hand moved to still Audrey’s. “For now, you will need to abide by her wishes.”
“That is fine. As long as she is safe.” Audrey nodded along, eyes drifting down to Genevieve’s hand. Squeezing her hand, she returned it back to her sandwich in an attempt to eat. However all her attempts were in vain and ended with ordering a box to take her food to go. Needless to say, she hadn’t surprised anyone. It had been on their way back to the Coulombe Estate that Geneveive had suggested they visit the gardens. Obliging, she had led her guardian towards the back of the estate. The two wandered aimlessly admiring the scenery. “Is there anything you wish of me?”
“Aside from your well-being? No.” Genevieve shook her head. “I have no expectations of you or Juliette. I simply wish your happiness, though perhaps that is the greatest expectation of them all.” A disappointing truth. It seemed that it was such a rare feat for one to truly be happy - the closest she had seen it of Audrey had been when she had been involved with the white mage.
Rumor had it that he had ended it prior to Audrey’s marriage. Perhaps it would not be remiss to get in contact with him once the annulment had been finalized.
“And what of me? Is there anything you wish of me?”
Audrey smiled, shaking her head. “You have always provided me with your council, even before I was your ward. How could I possible ask more of you?” They had reached a bench she liked, and Audrey took a seat smoothing her long skirt. “This is a time of joy for you, and I’m afraid my feelings will only dampen yours.”
Genevieve took a seat next to her. “It is an interesting time for me, yes.” She had never thought she would marry Reinholdt, had expected their relationship to carry on as it had for years. “But that is not the only aspect of my life. And your feelings - positive and negative - are equally important to me.” Genevieve looked up at the sky. There had been something that she had wanted to tell Audrey for some time, but there had never seemed a good time for it.
Now was as appropriate as any.
“And,” she continued, “you are aware that you do not have to speak formally with me, and that you need not only wear dresses? You do not have to lose yourself in Alys in order to make anyone happy.”
This had startled Audrey and she perked her body up to look over at Genevieve. "I-- I'm sorry. I'd gotten used to it, I guess," her normal tone began to seep through. "We'd been in so many public situations, I guess I kind of forgot about it." She had been Alys to the outside world for so long, playing house with Basil. "Besides I had thought this would've been easier to approach Juliette like, seeing as she's so proper about everything." Audrey chuckled. "Though I suppose with my life down the shithole there's no need to pretend anymore."
A sigh was exhaled and she leaned back with her eyes drifting to the sky. "I wonder what the rumors are saying now about me."
“That you have become overwhelmed with your husband’s betrayal and subsequent imprisonment that you have chosen to become a recluse,” the countess answered promptly. “On my way over, I also heard that you had not appeared in public for so long because you hung yourself, and that if you passed by the estate at a certain time of night, one would see your lifeless body swinging.” She shook her head. “I have already begun to disperse the rumors, naturally. There is quite enough for the gossipmongers to speak about that one less will not make their notice.” Unless Audrey remained a shut in.
“As for your speech and mannerisms, the formality does not bother me so much as the act. I knew you from before you stepped back into the circles. And I believe that Juliette was simply happy to have her sister back that she would not have cared about your behavior, so long as you did not court scandal.” Speculation, of course, but she had seen the two interact. Juliette had been so careful to ensure that she did not bother Audrey, searching for whatever scrap of approval she could glean. It had been painful to watch; as painful as watching Audrey not know how to interact with her own sister.
She was silent for a bit, the only words slipping out of her mouth being an, "I see."
Another sigh. "I haven't really thought to go back. I'm not even really sure what I'm supposed to so. I came back to rebuild the estate, and that's done. But now my sister won't even look at me. I feel as though I've been left with only one goal, one I'm so close to accomplishing. But after that, I have nothing? What does someone like me do now?"
Genevieve mulled over the question. There were plenty of things that a young noblewoman could do, though many of them were admittedly dull. She could no sooner picture Audrey in a knitting circle than she could picture herself among them. “There are a myriad of things you could do, but the question should not be that. It ought to be what do you wish to do? There are many nobles with ties to the Bards’ Guild - you could become a patron to one of the theatres. You could also resume your apprenticeship with Sky, or take the helm of the group that Miles once directed.” She shrugged. “Whatever you want.”
Audrey remained quiet, listening to what the countess advised her with. A pathetic smile broke through, her hand reaching up to cover her mouth. “I want what I can’t have. I want Miles to come back home. I want my sister’s forgiveness. I want to not feel rotten every second of the day. I— ” her voice broke, thinking on how to word it. Her thoughts fell on the white mage. “I just want to feel like I’m treasured again.”
“You cannot control Miles’ actions. And though his sentence is extraneous, he will be fine and will eventually be allowed visitors. There is little that you can do with regards to him. As for Juliette, sitting about and wallowing will not bring you closer to clearing up your misunderstandings.” She brushed a strand of hair from Audrey’s face. “In order to be happy, you must work towards it. It is not something that simply happens. Distancing yourself from your relationships will not help.”
Genevieve sighed. “I did something similar to what you are doing when Alistair passed away. I did not love him, but I was fond of him. When he died, I shut myself into the estate for a year. I did not leave except to attend church. I did not see anyone, including my family. I lost myself in my grief, and I did not find myself until I left the city for a year.” The countess smiled gently. “I do not suggest disappearing for a period of time. I did not have anyone to make amends to as my family understood I was grieving, and you wish to make up with Juliette, so leaving will only make it worse, but you have not been yourself for close to a year.”
“So,” she finally spoke out looking back at Genevieve, “you’re saying I should be myself?” Audrey looked confused. “But I’m not,” she glanced around distressed, “a proper lady. I—” the thought alone was already destroying everything she had built about Alys from the very first moment Altair and Vivi had begun helping her reintegrate into society. “Who am I even?” she muttered.
“You are Lady Alys Coulombe,” she said firmly. “However, you grew up as Audrey Leradine. You are both, though it seems Alys makes you miserable. I am not saying to join Arielle on a romp through the nobles district for shiny baubles, but you do not need to be miserable to be a noble. And one need only maintain the image of propriety - one does not need to be proper. I would venture that I am rather improper, myself.”
A slow nod came from her. “I suppose there’s no use complaining about my life if I haven’t even tried to give it another shot.” Her head came to rest on the Countess’ shoulder, closing her eyes slowly.
Genevieve nodded in confirmation and curled her arm over Audrey’s shoulder, letting the girl lean against her. It would be a start, and Genevieve would gladly help her in any way she could, even if that meant letting her pillow her head on the countess’ shoulder.