penny (badpenny) wrote in roads_diverged, @ 2008-09-20 19:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | baccano!, badpenny:gandor family, theme 15: empire |
Baccano!, Eve & the Gandors, "Of Mutual Benefit", and Theme #15: Society - Empire
Title: Of Mutual Benefit
Author: badpenny
Fandom: Baccano!
Characters: Eve Genoard, Luck, Keith, and Berga Gandor
Rating: R-ish for mild language and a fade to black scene between Keith & Katherine.
Warnings: No real warnings outside the rating
Theme: #15. Society - Empire
Summary: The Genoard Family's power and influence is fading, but it may still have enough of both for Eve to negotiate an arrangement with the Gandors.
The Gandors were New Money, and if her parents or Geoffrey were still alive -- if Dallas had not disappeared -- perhaps Eve would not have to worry about sullying the Genoard name. Eve shook her head. No, that was her mother's influence, and she best rid herself of it before they arrived at the Gandor Estate. Given her position -- the Genoard's current position -- Eve had no right to be so haughty.
Besides, what would sully the Genoard name would be an alliance with the Runorata Family. Eve had overheard enough of her father's conversations with Geoffrey to know the Runorata Family, though Old Money, was corrupt and ruthless. At least the Gandor Family had an honorable reputation.
Beside her, Elean shifted. "Is there a problem, Miss Genoard?"
"No." Eve glanced up at him, folding her hands carefully in her lap. Perhaps she should have hired Nicolas to serve as her negotiator. Elean, while well-spoken and well-dressed, looked too much like a servant. Eve purposively did not look at Samantha sitting up front with the driver.
"Because you don't have to do this if there is. I can have the driver turn around."
Eve shook her head again. Elean's concern -- etched on his face as well as in his voice -- reminded her why she hired him over anyone else at his Guild. He would negotiate with her best interests in mind. Eve had no doubt of that.
And if the Gandor brothers judged her based solely on Elean's appearance, they were not as honorable as their reputation claimed.
The car slowed to a stop at the gate to the Gandor Estate, the purr of the idling engine oddly comforting. The driver rolled down the window and spoke to the Gateman, both their voices low, and then the gate swung open.
Elean let out a low whistle. The Gandor Estate was impressive, the lawn large and immaculate and impossibly green, the mansion elegant and understated. Like an Old Money manor, Eve noted with a wry smile. Some of the tension loosened in her chest as the driver came to a stop in the roundabout.
Eve waited for Elean to exit, then slid across the seat and allowed him to help her out of the car. Gravel crunched under her heels, and the sensation was surprisingly comforting. There was no real difference between her family's land and the Gandor's land. Were she to step into the garden, she'd find the same loamy earth and likely the same herbs and flowers.
"If you're not comfortable, Miss Genoard..."
"Are you trying to tell me the information I purchased from your Guild is misleading?"
"No no no!" Elean said quickly, waving his hands.
Eve straightened her back. "Then I am comfortable."
"It's just that you're so young, Miss Genoard!"
She paused at the first step, turned and smiled up at him. Yes, she was young, but she had people -- she had Dallas -- depending on her.