Genevieve Albrecht (thespecialstock) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-10-31 19:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, genevieve albrecht, juliette coulombe |
Who: Vivi and Juliette
What: Checking in on the bitty
Where: Vivi’s guesthouse
When: Yesterday
Rating: Tame
Status: Complete
What with the wedding and her own birthday fast approaching, Genevieve was busy. There was still plenty to take care of, least of all was ensuring that Juliette had managed to pick a dress. She doubted that the girl had had a chance to do so - Audrey’s tragedy had surely taken priority in her mind - and it felt rather crass to have to remind the girl, but perhaps having something inane to think of would distract her. Genevieve knew that planning the wedding had been plenty distracting for her. She heard Boris before she knocked and shook her head. He had always been quite the excitable dog. She knocked. Juliette answered, assuming correctly that no one but the Countess would have wandered onto the grounds. She appreciated the knocking, even if the house belonged to the woman on the doorstep and not Juliette herself -- the Countess had been more than accommodating in letting trust rebuild slowly. Boris ceased his barking the moment the door was opened, and Juliette wondered if she might have to change her plans after all -- she had meant to look in on Alys, but… “Countess,” she said, already unwinding the scarf from around her own neck and resigned to staying in, “what a surprise. Please, come in.” She noted the scarf and bent down to pet Boris, who promptly slobbered all over her hand. Genevieve smiled down at the dog before looking back up at Juliette. “I apologize, were you going out?” “Nothing urgent,” Juliette assured. Though the basket standing on the side table and emitting the smell of food was certainly telling. “I thought I might… stop by Alys’ estate.” It was still not hers, would, she thought, never really be. But that didn’t stop her from fretting and wanting to ensure that Alys ate properly. “It can wait.” Genevieve considered it. “If you wish, I could go with you. I’ve been meaning to stop by her estate and check in on her. She has a nasty habit of forgetting to eat.” Many people she knew did; it seemed to be a trademark of those who had their hands in things that they probably ought not. The countess herself had this problem, and if it hadn’t been for Michel, she probably would have forgotten to eat for the last several days. “I have noticed that,” Juliette said, trying not to sigh. The Alys who had come to her rescue had seemed somehow smaller than the one she had known. Why else would she have spent her free afternoon baking things she considered too sweet? “If you truly do not mind, I would be glad of the company.” Perhaps the Countess could even diffuse the incredible awkwardness that came upon her in Alys’ company now that they were speaking again. Her presence might be a boon of sorts, now that she thought of it. “I do not mind at all. As I said, I’ve been meaning to check on her myself, but wedding preparations and the various upcoming holidays have unfortunately stolen my time.” She stepped back outside, waiting for Juliette to accompany her. “Speaking of, have you yet to be fitted for your dress?” Genevieve had one final fitting a few weeks before the wedding, and she was just looking forward to the pageantry being over. She had not desired a big wedding the second time around, but customs dictated that it must happen, as it was Reinholdt’s first marriage. Such ridiculousness, but her own mother was spearheading any event that Genevieve herself was not dealing with. It was utterly exhausting. Fortunately, Juliette was nothing if not dedicated to seeing through her promises (though she did have to hope that this gown, at least, would not hang unused in a closet like the one she had been meant to wear for Alys’ wedding; then again, in retrospect, that seemed best). “I had a fitting,” she assured, then added, “in early Libra.” Before the disaster with Alys -- for once, her tendency to overprepare had served her well. “I… suppose it must be ready by now. I will pick it up tomorrow.” Somehow, she would find the time -- how could she have forgotten it? “There is still some time yet until the wedding, and I am certain that they will hold it a while longer. Right now, there are far more pressing matters to attend to than picking up a gown.” Audrey, for example. She needed to sit down with her ward, see if she had need of anything, though what Genevieve could offer was minimal. She could not magically bring back the use of her arm, or turn back time. The best she could do was be there if Audrey needed her, and perhaps provide a bit of motivation of she seemed content to wallow. There was certainly a time for wallowing, but it had an expiration. She would rather not find Audrey drunk in her bathtub again. “If you are certain,” Juliette said, reaching once more for the scarf she had discarded, then adding a jacket, “then perhaps we can discuss these other matters while we walk? Boris, stay.” The dog did not look pleased, but, ever-obedient, his large hindquarters did not move from the floor. Juliette picked up the basket. “Of course.” As soon as Juliette had shut and locked the door - ever the cautious child - they began walking. |