sirenspull | [Semi-Accidental Video] Backdated to Dec 19th, 11 pm

[With the clatter of a glass object, the NV suddenly turns on to show green bottle of wine, and behind the bottle a blonde woman's head raises with a start. Hattie looks like she hasn't slept for a while, and on top of that, pretty buzzed.]

*snort* Wha-? .. Ella? [She fumbles for the NV, setting it upright, and appears to be sitting at a table under dim lighting.] Pick up, I know you're there, don't leave me on voice mail again!

[She stares intently at the screen for a moment, then sneers as she grabs another bottle and pours herself a glass.] Fine, I'll leave a message. I suppose you're far too busy having yourself a.. Good laugh then, are you? Well that's.. That's just fine with me. Just go ahead 'n laugh it up.

[She shakes her head.]

You haven't called in.. Two days. I checked the calendar four times. So, I suppose that means you're not lettin me back home, so... I dunno. The look on my face when you showed up at the door with that... Whatever that was, was just priceless to you, wasn't it? I bet it was.

I've been thinking, you know.. I tried to wrap my head around it, you know. It was just weeks ago when you were touting 'Give, give this season.'. And I chuckled, 'Typical Ella'.

[The blonde pours a glass of wine, then takes a gulp from the glass. Silence follows for twenty seconds.]

And then.. I thought about how during all that, in the back of your head you must have been thinking 'I know what I'm going to give Hattie this season: a ten minute eviction notice'. And then I'm thinking when we were talking at work, and you're all, smiling that.. innocent smile of yours, with those same words in the back of your head all the while. Something. [Hattie gives a distressed chuckle, and slams her glass on the table.]

I think the most brilliant part was when you let her stay. You really thought this out. So congratulations; don't ever say I don't give credit where credit is due.

Honestly, I'm ashamed that I left myself open. It was only last month I warned her about getting stabbed in the back [By people you can't control, specifically.] An' then I just waltz right into that one. Hah! In retrospect that is kind of funny.

[Hattie bites down on her knuckles and her cheeks burn red. She trembles, as if trying to find the will to shout, but she simply can't muster it, instead she lowers her head in defeat.]

I'm such an idiot.. I hate this place. And this wine.

[But once she gets over feeling sorry for herself, Hattie's going to find a way to get even. But she doesn't say that and instead ends the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is nice, you know... You were funny, sometimes, but I don't have to rush round after Ella. I do like her. Maybe even I can change my shift at Uzushio and not go out after dark. That WILL be good.

[She smirks] You SOUND drunk. I bet you would smell it, too. I suppose I can say that now? You are worse off than me - and you still owe me from your bet.

[Hattie frowns.]

Well you sound stupid.

[She drops her head onto the counter with a heavy *thud*]

.... Do what you want. Take what you want. I don't care.

[Now that - THAT alarms Eponine. She had expected scathing remarks, not utter defeat. In a much gentler tone, she tries,]

Madame? You cannot give up, you know. Just because you have lost your house and your things to Ella and I... [She's including herself in there; she likes the sound of superiority, okay?]

It does not mean that you can give up and let me walk on you. You have to push back to survive. We are weeds, people like us, Madame. It takes a long, long time, but eventualy, Madame, you will be like me. See. There is hope.

[She might be secretly laughing though. Be like her. What joy.]

[Hattie groans as she sets her hands atop of her head. Lower than Eponine is the last thing she ever wanted to hear being. Though it does seem like the girl is offering encouragement in her own.. Unorthodox way. Hattie turns her head to look at the NV.]

... Do I look like someone who can last 'a long, long time'?

Edited 2012-12-28 21:08 (UTC)

Do you want the truth, Madame? No, you do not look like you can. But I didn't either. I think I was eight when I moved to Paris - and yet, here I am. I am still alive.You can change. You just have to work - and do work you don't like. Afterglow does pay well... if you close your eyes... it's better after the first time.

....

[The color escapes Hattie's face and she almost seems to sober up instantly. She's horrified. Utterly horrified! Needless to say, the earlier option now sounds a lot more desireable, so she pretends she didn't hear that.]

Hahah, I know you're just joking, Eponine, I know you actually meant to say 'yes'! And y- you know what, you're right. I have to push back to survive! It isn't so bad starting over a second time, I have experience!

[Beat. She pours herself another glass, then chugs it down; good ol liquid courage! But then she looks a little green.]

.. S- Starting tomorrow, perhaps.

I wasn't... And I didn't mean push ELLA. If that is what you are thinking, do not. I can bring you your things, if you wish? If you'll pay me.

[She sighs] Madame, you need to stop drinking. Right now.

You don't need to spell it out, I can hear just fine thank you!

[And even spelled out, she'll remember it incorrectly later. Because that's how she rolls. The blonde groans.]

I think that is a reasonable request.. Maybe I've had enough for one night. And don't bother, I'll need to find another place to stay tomorrow. I told 'em I'd only be here two days.

.. I foolishly thought it was a trick and she'd tell me to come back today.

[She sighs] Madame? Where are you? Do you have any money?

[She's silent for a minute, fighting an inward battle. Eventually, she admits]

I've been saving money, Madame. It ain't much - but it'll buy you a room for a night -maybe a week, if you do not go anywhere nice.

[She wants paying back though. Plus interest.]

Or... Madame, I don't think I can sneak you back in here... She will make me leave too if we are caught.

[Augh. She's in enough debt with Eponine. As much as she loves money, she doesn't want to own you anything else, thank you very much. Still, she's surprisingly touched by the offer; even if she knows there would be interest. It's the smart thing to do, after all.]

No, I'd not want you to not try to sneak me in anyway. It'd be better if you stayed, really. Just.. Keep me in the loop if anything unusual happens, ok? We can negotiate something for the information.

I just need to think about what I got right now before I commit to anything. I just can't think really well right now.

[Hattie covers her mouth as she yawns.]

And for the last time, 'ain't' isn't a word. You're embarrassing me.

Pish-posh. You'll start talkin' like me soon. I can teach you argot if you like; you might like it if you're part of the scum now, Hattie. Perhaps you should be calling ME Madame, huh? I think I'd like that. I've never been a Madame.

[She chuckles] You can add it to your debt to me - oh, how lovely it is to say that. Debt that I am owed. It is a good feeling, that. This must be how you feel - and you look how I used to feel.

Perhaps now you will understand?

... Um, no. No I really don't think so.

[She rolls her eyes at Eponine. She's really getting a kick out of this, isn't she? Being in debt to Eponine. That leaves such a bad taste in her mouth.]

The only thing I understand is that you're starting to annoy me. .. Sorta of like the first time we met, actually. You were laughing. Almost overjoyed, and you didn't even know me.

[Beat.]

I knew I wanted you at my side at that very moment. .. Damn, you're annoying.

You wanted me to be your friend though I was laughing at you?

[Eponine narrows her eyes, trying to understand]

Why? Surely you would want the opposite of that? Or, if you did want me for your friend.... why do you tell me off? And make me clean? And call me a whore?

I didn't say I wanted you to be my friend.

[And she makes certain she's very clear on that.]

.. There aren't many people like you in the Port, not that I have found. I'm not explaining any further, you'll get a bigger head.

[She stays quiet for a moment at the questions.]

I apologized for calling you that. You're not a whore, Eponine, that slate has been wiped clean.

Just your servant?

[She shakes her head] I am not such a pushover as you think, you know? I won't always do as you say.

[She nods, just briefly, accepting that. She won't press for answers to her other questions.]

Madame, please, close the wine and go to bed. You'll need a drink tomorrow anyway.

[There's another moment of silence.]

My servant? .. No, it isn't as simple as that. I think.

.. I suppose you're right, I am a bit tired.

Thank you.

[And she ends the feed.]

[Semi-Accidental Video] Backdated to Dec 19th, 11 pm

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject