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31_days2007-06-24 11:18 pm
alyxbradford.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2007-06-24 11:18 pm
[24 June] [Kushiel's Legacy] Talents
Title: Talents
Day/Theme: 24 June / rend your heart, and not your garments
Series: Kushiel's Legacy
Character/Pairing: a host of OCs in Eglantine House
Rating: PG13
Mirielle reeled as though struck. "Didiane?" she gasped. "He gave the part to Didiane? You cannot be serious."
An uncomfortable silence lasted for a heavy moment, until Trinette resumed draping the long, gauzy cape over Mirielle's shoulders. Fidgeting nervously, Elodie looked at the floor as she continued, "Apparently ... Aubert thought she demonstrated more chemistry with Etienne."
For once, Mirielle was stripped of the composed theatricality that so defined her life. No precomposed hysterics, no well-rehearsed tears, no grandiose speeches; merely a churning sense of nausea, and a sensation of a lump choking the air in her throat. "That little slut..." she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead. Trinette promptly took her wrist and gently moved it back to her side so the cape would fall properly. "She's been hungry after him for years... and now she's gotten..." Feeling dizzied, Mirielle swayed slightly. Trinette grabbed her head and held her still, then placed a circlet of beaten-gold about her forehead, and started fussing with the attached veil.
"I warned you no good would come of this," Trinette said. Though it was a chastisement, her voice was soft and kind; she'd learned in her years as Mirielle's costumier, to say nothing of their upbringing together, that being strongly rebuked rarely did much to improve Mirielle's disposition. "You must have simply pushed Etienne too far. And he took consolation with the easiest source."
While Mirielle sniffed in indignant agreement with the characterization of Didiane as 'easy', Elodie gave a woeful sigh. "Oh, no," she cried. "Etienne loves you, Mirielle, truly, I'm sure of it. He just... He's just asserting himself, in some odd fashion."
"You have been awfully hard on him lately," Trinette pointed out. Her tone, apparently, was a touch too sharp, for Mirielle released a sorrowed moan, her knees weakening and going out from under her. Elodie and Trinette both jumped to catch her and drag her upright again, then Trinette took her shoulders fiercely and gave her a little shake.
"Mirielle. I need you to pull it together now. Yes, it's tragic that Etienne has turned his attention to that pale little waif, and even more so that Aubert gave her the role which is rightfully yours for the autumn production. But if you don't stand still long enough for me to finish this costume, you won't be able to go on stage tomorrow night, and that will be far more detrimental to your career than Didiane's machinations."
Mirielle's lower lip quivered, in that temptingly vulnerable way so many patrons had found attractive, but the tears welling in her emerald eyes were unfeigned. Elodie stroked her cheek soothingly. "That's right, Miri. Just think... think how much it will gall Didiane if you show no sign that this bothers you in the least. If you show everyone you're above her petty dealings and let your talent speak for itself. And we'll..." Elodie's lips quirked in a half-hearted attempt at a smile. "We'll find a way to get Etienne back for you. He'll see what Didiane is soon enough, I'm sure he will."
Drawing a deep breath, Mirielle nodded, and composed herself. She allowed Elodie to dab at her tears with a handkerchief, and docilely let Trinette resume dressing her. But as they hovered about, Trinette focused on her work and Elodie making idle chit-chat to try and distract her from the intrigues, one thought resonated in Mirielle's mind: 'The Comte de Faucon. I must entice him back. Adrien de Faucon will have answers.'
Day/Theme: 24 June / rend your heart, and not your garments
Series: Kushiel's Legacy
Character/Pairing: a host of OCs in Eglantine House
Rating: PG13
Mirielle reeled as though struck. "Didiane?" she gasped. "He gave the part to Didiane? You cannot be serious."
An uncomfortable silence lasted for a heavy moment, until Trinette resumed draping the long, gauzy cape over Mirielle's shoulders. Fidgeting nervously, Elodie looked at the floor as she continued, "Apparently ... Aubert thought she demonstrated more chemistry with Etienne."
For once, Mirielle was stripped of the composed theatricality that so defined her life. No precomposed hysterics, no well-rehearsed tears, no grandiose speeches; merely a churning sense of nausea, and a sensation of a lump choking the air in her throat. "That little slut..." she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead. Trinette promptly took her wrist and gently moved it back to her side so the cape would fall properly. "She's been hungry after him for years... and now she's gotten..." Feeling dizzied, Mirielle swayed slightly. Trinette grabbed her head and held her still, then placed a circlet of beaten-gold about her forehead, and started fussing with the attached veil.
"I warned you no good would come of this," Trinette said. Though it was a chastisement, her voice was soft and kind; she'd learned in her years as Mirielle's costumier, to say nothing of their upbringing together, that being strongly rebuked rarely did much to improve Mirielle's disposition. "You must have simply pushed Etienne too far. And he took consolation with the easiest source."
While Mirielle sniffed in indignant agreement with the characterization of Didiane as 'easy', Elodie gave a woeful sigh. "Oh, no," she cried. "Etienne loves you, Mirielle, truly, I'm sure of it. He just... He's just asserting himself, in some odd fashion."
"You have been awfully hard on him lately," Trinette pointed out. Her tone, apparently, was a touch too sharp, for Mirielle released a sorrowed moan, her knees weakening and going out from under her. Elodie and Trinette both jumped to catch her and drag her upright again, then Trinette took her shoulders fiercely and gave her a little shake.
"Mirielle. I need you to pull it together now. Yes, it's tragic that Etienne has turned his attention to that pale little waif, and even more so that Aubert gave her the role which is rightfully yours for the autumn production. But if you don't stand still long enough for me to finish this costume, you won't be able to go on stage tomorrow night, and that will be far more detrimental to your career than Didiane's machinations."
Mirielle's lower lip quivered, in that temptingly vulnerable way so many patrons had found attractive, but the tears welling in her emerald eyes were unfeigned. Elodie stroked her cheek soothingly. "That's right, Miri. Just think... think how much it will gall Didiane if you show no sign that this bothers you in the least. If you show everyone you're above her petty dealings and let your talent speak for itself. And we'll..." Elodie's lips quirked in a half-hearted attempt at a smile. "We'll find a way to get Etienne back for you. He'll see what Didiane is soon enough, I'm sure he will."
Drawing a deep breath, Mirielle nodded, and composed herself. She allowed Elodie to dab at her tears with a handkerchief, and docilely let Trinette resume dressing her. But as they hovered about, Trinette focused on her work and Elodie making idle chit-chat to try and distract her from the intrigues, one thought resonated in Mirielle's mind: 'The Comte de Faucon. I must entice him back. Adrien de Faucon will have answers.'