Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Feb 23, 2010 23:39:49 GMT -5
"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me miss? Miss? You have to wake up."
I am awake, I tried to say, but my tongue felt like lead in my mouth and all I could manage was a feeble, "Mmmph." Cracking open my eyes, or rather eye, for I could feel that one was swelled shut, I saw a member of the queen's guard standing over me. I tried to crawl away, but only managed a few inches before collapsing back onto the cobblestones.
The guard lifted me then, out of the road and to the safety of the sidewalk. Propping me up against the wall of a building, he took out a flask and tipped some fiery liquid down my throat. The stuff shocked me out of my stupor, and I managed a, "Thank you."
"It's opium what did you in, miss," he commented. "That stuff'll kill you."
You can't kill the person who wants to die, I thought weakly. The guard rummaged in his pocket and fished out a couple of silver ducats. "Here, miss," he said. "Try and take care of yourself, all right?" And with that he was gone.
Pocketing the coins, I stumbled to the nearest inn. The proprietor took one look at me and almost motioned to his guard to toss me out, but I held up a hand. "Food," I croaked. "Food, water, a bath, and I'll do anything you want." The innkeeper, a slimy fat pig of a man, agreed. He found me later in the bath, as I was assessing the excessive damage to my person. Bumps and bruises all over, a few cracked ribs, a twisted ankle, tearing to my openings, a chipped tooth, a black eye. None of that stopped him though.
Later, when I was in the alleyway I called home, putting on the cleanest of what little I had, I thought about that morning. Continuing life like this, and I would surely die. But really, I didn't want to die. I wanted to live, to make my way in this world, and not die alone in a gutter like yesterday's garbage. But what to do? The only marketable skill I had was my Night Court training...
Distantly, I heard the sound of two men talking. "Madam Moreau's...finest in the Night Court...girls are pretty to boot..." I didn't know who Madam Moreau was or what kind of business she had, but I'll be damned if I wasn't going to find out. Slipping out of the alley, I followed the two men to what appeared to be some kind of hotel or inn. Entering, I told the attendant, "I'd like to see the madam, please."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Feb 24, 2010 0:01:13 GMT -5
I was in my office as usual when there was a knock at my door. "Madam?" The voice of one of the younger girls was behind the solid wood.
"Come." I replied, going over the books for the month, I didn't even look up as she entered into the room.
"Theres...theres a girl here to see you. She looks awful." Her voice sounded shaky.
"Oh yes?" I replied simply.
"Like she's been beaten."
"What does she want?" I asked, still not looking away.
"I uh... well I didn't ask." I looked up then.
"You didn't ask?" I echoed. The girl worried her lower lip and shook her head, her mouth opened to start to explain but I held my hand aloft to stop her. "When some one comes asking for me, that doesn't belong to our inner circle, you ask what their business is." I explained, my tone thick with disapproval. "You're new, so I'll let it slide, but the next time you come and interupt me, you better have a good reason." She simply stared at me as I looked back down and continued my work. It was silent for a moment, she hadn't moved, so I looked back up at her. "Yes?"
"What...what should I..." I sighed and placed my quill into the inkwell as I looked at her.
"Send her in, send her in." I said in a hurried fashion, waving my hand at her. She scurried off to retrive the girl and bring her to my office.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Feb 24, 2010 0:05:14 GMT -5
When the girl returned, she said, "Follow me, please, the Madam will see you." I followed her down the hall, trying to keep up on my twisted ankle. We approached a door, and the girl knocked. "Madam, I'm here with that girl I was telling you about..."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Feb 25, 2010 16:54:08 GMT -5
I looked up then, curious at what sight would lay before me, sure enough the girl looked battered. "Come in." I said, looking at the blonde as I sit back and gestured for her to take a seat in the chair across from my desk. "What can I do for you madamoiselle...? I asked, searching for her name in the process.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Feb 28, 2010 13:57:24 GMT -5
I walked to the seat, trying my best not to wobble. I sat down with all the dignity I could muster. "Elodie," I said, grateful that my voice had got back some of its original timbre. I made eye contact with the formidable woman in front of me. "Elodie Reinard, madam. I have come to..." beg for a job "...look for work. I can cook, clean, sew, sing, dance..." I trailed off, casting my eyes down and flicking them up again before continuing. "I was an adept of the Night Court, a daughter of a long line of Jasmine adepts. I have been trained in Naamah's arts since I was a little girl."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Mar 2, 2010 21:24:32 GMT -5
I took her in as she hobbled toward the chair, sitting down with great pain; when she spoke I quirked a brow then looked back down at my work, my fluid hand sweeping over a document as I signed it. "How did that happen child?" I asked plainly, my voice more demanding that she confess then motherly; I was inquiring about her injuries of course.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Mar 4, 2010 18:16:56 GMT -5
Gingerly, I touched my swollen eye. "These? Oh, don't worry, madam, they look much worse than they are, I should be myself again in a few days." I gave a short sound that would have been a laugh, but my cracked ribs made it hard to do so. "A man...he put something in my..." I looked down at my stained fingers, no way to lie about this one. "Someone gave me bad opium, or something, and beat me while I was unconscious. I woke up like this."
I put my face in my hands, before looking up again. "I want to get clean, I swear. But I can't do it if I'm dead in a gutter. Please..." I trailed off, but did not cry. I had more dignity than that, I was a child of the Night Court, and no one could beat that out of me. "I need a job. I will do anything you need, and more besides." I didn't know how to say more, but I knew this: If I did not get a job, this job, I would surely be dead soon.
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Mar 4, 2010 20:24:00 GMT -5
My quill only stopped for a moment but moved forward, not letting the moment show within my manner. "You're a stupid child." I murmured as I finished the page I was on and then pulled back, placing the quill down as I did. "And why on earth would I trust you?" I asked, my fingers laced across my lap as I leaned back in my chair to appraise her.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Mar 4, 2010 20:34:43 GMT -5
I bristled at her comment, but said nothing. I was desperate, not stupid. "Because there is no use in lying," I said. "I have nothing, and by coming here, I still have nothing. What use would it be for me to be dishonest?" I clasped and unclasped my hands in my lap. "Madam, I promise you, I would be a loyal servant. I have nothing to gain by being anything else."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Mar 4, 2010 20:58:35 GMT -5
I crossed my arms against my chest then, looking back at her as she pleaded. "There is much use to be dishonest here my dear." I replied seriously, my left brow arching gently as my gaze narrowed to stare her down. "You really would be stupid to think anything else; my business is a target amongst those within Nights Doorstep and it wouldn't be the first time a competitor sent over a girl to try to get into my house." My voice was stern, rising in tone and volume only slightly and enough to give my words meaning at their seriousness.
"I do not know you child, there for your word means nothing to me. Despite how desperate or battered you may be, I know nothing about you other then that you are weak enough to allow yourself to reach these depths." My words were meant to be hard; this was a tough business and it certainly wasn't some high strung Night Court.
"Forgive me my child, but your current predicament does not give me much to go on. If I take your current afliction; I would I know if you wouldn't spend your earnings on opium and disapear leaving me high and dry?" I asked; another serious question. "Whats to say you wouldn't break into my safe and steal my profits?" I continued to stare her down. "The fashion in which you've come to me shows me you probably weren't honest or loyal to begin with. What makes now any different?"
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Mar 8, 2010 21:21:09 GMT -5
By now I was staring at my hands, trying to keep my voivce as calm and even as possible. "You're right, madam," I said softly. "Everything you have said about me is true. I have been dishonest, but I am telling the truth to you now. Though I know my words are worth nothing, less than nothing, they are all I can offer."
I raised my voice a little, to convey the seriousness, and deepest honesty I could muster. "I have no friends, no pimp, no one to look after me or to whom I report. I have no money. Opium has taken everything I ever had, and I don't want to be its slave any longer. If I keep going like this, I will die. And I don't want to die."
Reaching into a slit in my pocket, I took out my pipe. "This is the only thing I have that is worth anything, and I don't want it anymore." My hands shook as I set the pipe on the floor at my feet, but I sat firmly, the urge to smoke barely subsiding, but leaving a splitting headache in its wake. "Whatever you want, anything you wish me to do, to prove I am no thief, no liar, I will do it. Please..."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Mar 10, 2010 15:49:55 GMT -5
I studied over her for a few moments, letting the time drag to see if she would falter, or run away, or do anything else then sit there. When she didn't I sighed to myself and uncrossed my arms as I went in search of a piece of parchment; a contract. "We'll see." I said softly as I pulled it out, picked up the quill, signed it and then turned it toward her. "Standard contract, I get half of what you make from the clients, but in return you get free room and board. You prove yourself loyal and things may change; if not..." I trailed off, letting the implications set in for her as to what would happen if she proved unworthy of my trust. "For the next two seasons you will be on probation, I will be watching you, every day, you break any of my rules, or my trust, and you'll be out of here faster then you can say Jasmine House." With that I let her look over the contract to sign.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Mar 11, 2010 17:32:40 GMT -5
It was more than I could ask for, more than I deserved, even. Accepting the parchment, I read it carefully. Half of what I made, in return for free room and board...it was enough, more than enough, for me to decide affix my name to the bottom. At the mention of probation, I agreed. It was what I needed, to leave opium behind forever. "I accept," I said firmly. Picking up the quill, I signed my name to the bottom. "Thank you, madam."
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Post by Madam Beatrice Moreau on Mar 13, 2010 17:33:33 GMT -5
I simply nodded at her thanks and waved my hand dismissively. "Find Bianca, tell her to find you a room, she will tell you the rules and fix you up." I said as I took the contract back and stamped it with my seal before filing it away; my attention lost on this new girl.
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Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Mar 14, 2010 23:25:34 GMT -5
"Thank you madam," I said, before standing up and walking slowly out, my pipe on the floor where I had left it.
Bianca, luckily, was waiting outside. After explaining the rules of the house to me, she led me to a small closet-like room. "I'll fetch the chirurgeon," she said. "You sleep." And I did, deeply.
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