31_days | [August 7] [Gankutsuou] Generalize

Title: Generalize
Day/Theme: August 7 - You would think that she is walking upon eggs and green bottles.
Series: Gankutsuou
Characters: Eugenie, Victoria
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Gankutsuou © Maeda Mahiro, Gonzo, et al.
Note: Vague spoilers for the end of the series.

Eugenie thought that playing music for therapeutic purposes was a bit of a cowardly thing to do - in her case, anyway. She then asked her mother's psychiatrist if nervous breakdown patients suffered less than their family did, and he shrugged. "At least you still have your music." She detested the pompously assumptive attitude, but admitted the logic.

Once she invited her mother to sit by the piano and listen as she practiced. Victoria sat as told, hands on her lap, head averted to one side. Eugenie tried not to glance at her too often, or wonder why her mother's fingers, usually beating a nervous staccato against her thigh or folded arms, were very still.

As the song wound down to a close, Victoria turned to her and asked if Albert was coming today. When Eugenie said that Albert was not even in Paris, Victoria began mumbling about how all men who wanted Eugenie were cursed, because their parents were. Eugenie, having heard the litany too many times to even feel bored by it, offered to take Victoria back to her room.

"I don't want to return to my room. The nurse is nasty. Everybody is nasty to me. I must be careful all the time, and it's making me edgy."

"Please? You will be more tired staying out here."

"I suppose so." Victoria reluctantly let Eugenie hold her elbow and help her rise, adding, "A glass of sherry or two will make me fall asleep faster." Eugenie found the plaintive hope in her mother's voice almost, but not quite, painful. "I'm not lying."

"Tomorrow. It's a promise. Would you like to hear me play again before that?"

A hesitant pause. Eugenie replayed what she had just said and was reminded of the psychiatrist's reply, when Victoria muttered, "Yes, if you don't mind."