Élodie Reinard
Citizen
Employed at the Bath House
Former Jasmine adept
Posts: 205
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Post by Élodie Reinard on Apr 12, 2010 22:22:27 GMT -5
Post-Encounter w/Del
After turning over half my earnings from the evening to Madam Moreau, I retired to the staff baths. Stripping, I settled into the warm water. I washed every inch of me and even gargled, trying to get the sore feeling out of my throat. Rising, I dried off and put on a robe, before walking back to my little room.
As soon as I got there, all the shame, degradation and pain from the evening hit me like a wave, and I collapsed on my bed, sobbing. At that moment, I would have given an arm and a leg for just a bit of opium. What was this pain for? Was I doomed to be worthless forever, a piece of trash to be used and thrown away?
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 13, 2010 2:03:59 GMT -5
Things had wound down late this night, and after finally seeing that all the girls were safely home, I was ready to get some rest. On my way to my room, however, I thought I heard something ... crying?
A bit alarmed, I paused in front of the door where I thought the sound came from - Elodie's room. I had seen her come in, but only briefly, as I had been busy at the time. Had something happened when she came in? I hesitated for only a moment, then rapped on her door lightly.
"Elodie? May I come in?"
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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 Apr 13, 2010 21:10:00 GMT -5
I heard a knock at my door, and then a concerned voice. Yves. I swallowed and sniffled, trying to appear less weepy. "Yes, come in," I called.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 13, 2010 22:39:37 GMT -5
I opened the door slowly and poked my head in, followed by the rest of me, then shut the door softly beside me. I sat down next to her on the edge of the bed, looking for signs of any injury. I would not hesitate to track down a customer who hurt one of the girls and pay him back in kind.
"Are you all right?" I asked gently, concern evident in my features.
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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 Apr 17, 2010 17:28:35 GMT -5
"Yes," I hiccuped, "and...no..." Letting out a loud sob, I buried my face in his shoulder. "It was so awful," I wept, my words muffled by his strong shoulders. "This man, he..." I couldn't even get it out, I just sobbed.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 18, 2010 20:03:21 GMT -5
I held her, anger blossoming in my chest, though I kept it inside for now. I stroked her hair gently, letting her cry. It was times like this that I wondered if I was cut out for this job; sometimes it was so painful.
"I'm sorry, Elodie," I said softly, as if I could apologize for all the men who had hurt her. "You deserve better." I rocked her gently, then kissed the top of her head. "I see you've already had a bath, is there anything I can do to make this better for you?"
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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 Apr 18, 2010 21:32:33 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Just hold me," I sobbed. "Tell me I'm not worthless, that someday my life will be better."
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 18, 2010 23:27:21 GMT -5
"Sssh," I murmured soothingly, doing as she bid and holding her tightly. "You're not worthless, Elodie, you're no more worthless than I am, and ask Madam Moreau, I'm worth a good deal." I smiled, hoping the little jest wouldn't lighten her mood. "Things will get better for you, I promise. I have seen girls come from here and move on to better things, but you have to believe in it, you have to make it happen. But," I continued, still rocking her gently, "it will not happen at once, and like as not it will take time, you have a lot to recover from." I knew of her addiction, and I knew enough of the drug to know that it was hard to leave behind completely. "Allow yourself that time, you only can do what you can do, and that's enough. And you know I'm here for you, when it gets difficult, when you need someone to help you through. I promise."
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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 Apr 21, 2010 0:11:47 GMT -5
"No, no," I wept, shaking my head against his shoulder. "Not money, I don't mean money." I looked at his face through tear filled eyes. "No one would weep if I died tomorrow, if some man decides he wants to kill me instead of fucking me. My life is meaningless. How do I know that I'll live another year? Another two? How can I work my way up when I don't know if I'll ever get there?" I let out another wail, and buried my face in his shoulder again.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 22, 2010 19:32:43 GMT -5
I pulled her close, saddened by the futility I saw in her eyes. How did you convince someone who truly believed they were worthless? "Hush now, Elodie, that is not true. I myself would grieve deeply if aught happened to you, and I know you must have other friends here. How do any of us know how much time we have? But still we strive, for otherwise, what do we have?"
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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 Apr 23, 2010 23:50:18 GMT -5
"Strive for what?" I asked. "Some of the women have been here for years, since they were girls. How can they get out? How did the others get out, if there are any others?"
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 24, 2010 0:29:59 GMT -5
"It all depends on one's outlook," I said, trying to explain the phenomena that I had witnessed over the years. "Some people accept this life, and I'm not saying that's wrong, but those are the women who stay, they cannot conceive of something better out there for them. The ones I have seen come and go are the ones who saw this as a temporary stop on the way to more. Perception shapes reality, though I think that most people forget that. You cannot allow yourself to believe that this is all you are, all you are made for, even when it seems that that is so. I promise you that it is not, that you are as worthy as the Queen in her palace, despite the hard circumstances that have brought you to where you are." It was a longer speech than I was usually wont to make, but I wanted so badly to give her some hope, something to lift herself out of this sadness.
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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 Apr 24, 2010 16:16:51 GMT -5
His words were comforting, and I smiled through my tears. "Is that what you really believe?" I asked.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 24, 2010 22:26:53 GMT -5
"It is," I said, meaning it wholeheartedly. Maybe it was my privileged background, but I never ceased to find hope in the most dismal of situations. "I have seen it at work to often to doubt it." I stroked her hair again, softly. "Now, whoever the cad is who made you feel so badly, remember that we do not know him or what troubles he may also possess. Those who seek to use or hurt others are often hurting themselves. Not that that excuses such behaviors, 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 Apr 25, 2010 19:59:31 GMT -5
"I think he was hurting," I said. "He kept saying some other woman's name...Ada...Allie...Aza, yes, Aza. Still, if he loves this Aza so much, he'd never do to her what he just did to me."
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 25, 2010 21:54:13 GMT -5
I sighed and continued to stroke her hair gently. "It is a pity that he did not have another way to assuage his own suffering. Perhaps this Aza of his played him false, who knows? That does terrible things to a man." As I well remembered, to my shame. "He does not matter though, you should purge him from your thoughts."
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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 Apr 28, 2010 21:22:41 GMT -5
"A pity that when men suffer, they must make women suffer," I said cynically. "Would that I had some...you know what...this would all be easily forgotten. I fear I must take the difficult road."
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Post by Yves Chevalier on Apr 30, 2010 1:01:17 GMT -5
Aza... the name struck something in me, and I felt a tightening in my gut, could it be her? I pushed the thought away, knowing that it was only a matter of time, here in the City of Elua, that I heard talk of her, but I did not wish to know it. Like Elodie, I wanted to bury those feelings, but unlike her, I could do so, in copious amounts of spiked cider and sleep.
"I know that it seems that way," I said, trying to keep my own thoughts positive, for at times I needed the advice as much as anyone that I counseled, "but think of all the pain the opium has caused you, I think that is the more difficult road, don't you?"
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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 May 1, 2010 18:20:56 GMT -5
"Only in the sense that it would end in my death," I replied. "Staying alive...that's the hard thing, in my mind." I looked into his eyes. "Yves, you are a good man. You're probably the best man I've ever known."
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 2, 2010 13:38:45 GMT -5
I ducked my head slightly, shaking it. "Well, I don't know about the best," I laughed, "but I do try not to be a complete cad." I hugged her, hoping that her mood would be better with a bit of a laugh, though I was serious when I added, "Whatever kind of man I am, I am your friend, you can call on me when you need. Don't forget, all right?"
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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 May 2, 2010 14:50:14 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said. "I do feel better." I sighed. "I think I shall have some spiked warm milk and try and fall asleep. Will you just...stay with me until I do?"
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 2, 2010 16:22:48 GMT -5
"Of course," I said, kissing her forehead. "Would you like me to fetch it for you?"
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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 May 2, 2010 16:42:44 GMT -5
"If you insist," I replied, grinning at the touch of his lips on my forehead.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 3, 2010 16:39:47 GMT -5
"All right, don't go anywhere," I said, rising and heading downstairs. I made my way into the quiet kitchen, where the cook was eating his late meal now that the rush had died down. "I'm going to warm up some milk, if that's all right," I said, though I would have even if it was not all right, but there was no reason not to be polite.
The man merely grunted, and it wasn't long before I was bringing Elodie up a glass of warm milk, spiked with rum. If that didn't make her feel better, nothing would. Back in her room, I sat down next to her again and handed her the milk. "Here you are, my lady, spiked warm milk, as requested."
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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 May 3, 2010 17:57:34 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, sitting up in bed and accepting the milk, before patting the space beside me. I took a sip of the milk. "Mmm, good," I said.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 4, 2010 14:55:43 GMT -5
"I didn't spike it too much, did I?" I asked settling in next to her and tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "I'd hate you to think I was trying to take advantage," I jested, though we both knew it was an idle threat - Madame Moreau was strict about my relationship with the girls and I respected her too much to gainsay her wishes.
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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 May 4, 2010 23:30:31 GMT -5
"I don't think you would," I said, "and don't worry, I can barely taste the spirits." I leaned slightly into his touch. "You'll have to let me thank you properly sometime."
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 5, 2010 20:12:12 GMT -5
I laughed softly, though I'd by lying if I said I wasn't interested in her "proper thanks" but I didn't want her to feel like that was necessary, because it wasn't. "Oh, your smile is thanks enough, Elodie." I said, giving her a smile of my own. "It makes me happy when you're happy, I hate seeing you upset."
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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 May 5, 2010 22:59:29 GMT -5
I chuckled shaking my head. "You have a lot of smooth words in your head," I teased.
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Post by Yves Chevalier on May 7, 2010 20:41:46 GMT -5
I laughed, "You're right, I am not sure where I picked that up!" I ran a hand through my hair, and shook my head, "I do mean that though, I like to see you happy."
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