Forums » General Roleplay » Blood-Stained Gold {1x1}

Genevieve nodded quietly at Piper's words, smiling gently before returning to eating thanks to Judith's calm reprimand to her grandchildren. So during dinner, Genevieve would just listen to whatever the others had to say, hoping to pick up on words here and there, hopefully figuring out their accent. Always quiet, never adding in anything more than a silent nod in agreement or a small smile when the others laughed. Her mind was elsewhere, it seemed.

It was just like any old meal time in the Eaves' house, but with considerably less overlapping conversations and falling utensils thanks to putting on airs for the guest. Soon the twins cleaned up the mess while Judith spoke lively with Genevieve.

"I know this ain't no Paris," she started, trying her best to speak as proper as possible, "but I do hope you'll at least become acquainted with life out here'n Colorado -- until you're welcomed home again." The matriarch didn't linger too long on talks of 'home' for the girl, not wanting to stir up any mixed emotions in the poor soul; but to her credit, she was taking the recent loss exceedingly well from what the grandmother could tell.

"'For-'For I f-forget." Beau said lowly, his deep voice automatically distinguishable amongst the women around him. Reaching into his pockets he handed his grandmother the neatly sealed envelope, as the two youngest stood around curiously to peek at what was inside.

"Who fixin' to send us a letter?" Lyric asked indignantly, turning to her brother, grandmother, and even Genevieve in suspicion.

"It ain't a letter for y'all, now hush." Judith replied swiftly, no heat to her tone but enough to simmer down the girl's fire.

As the table was cleared, the old woman leaned over to speak with Genevieve. She listened quietly, before nodding, with a gentle smile. "Yes, thank you, madame." As Beau pulled out the letter, she sat up a bit straighter, trying to hide her curiosity. Why, even she didn't know what was in the letter, or who sent it. Most likely from the chief of police, thanking the Eaves for taking Genevieve in. She couldn't imagine it being from anyone else... Unless her father had been prepared for a situation like this and had written a letter in advance! The thought made Genevieve's left hand clench into a fist, before she forced herself to relax. She would just have to wait and see.

Much to the onlooker's dismay, Judith read the letter silently, wanting to spare Genevieve of having anymore of her privacy taken away if the letter happened to be relatively detailed -- it, however, was not. Political jargon praising the Eaves family for their hospitality, while mentioned a 'pension' stuffed into the bottom. The elder tried her best to keep her face as stoic as possible, but once her eyes landed on the funds they grew to the size of saucers. This was their idea of simple compensation? It looked to be a whole year's salary or more!

"I -- my word." Judith fumbled, shakily placing the envelope into her lap and away from eyes. Even Beau was intrigued, noticing the gaping jaw of his usually composed and undeterred family member. "Well, it -- it seems we've been...compensated, alright."

Genevieve watched the woman's face, and became worried. Was something wrong with the amount of money? She looked fixedly at Judith.

"Madame, if the money is not enough," she began, struggling to find the proper words, "write back. I can give more."

Of course, having grown up around greed and riches, she had never known anyone to be animated about too much money. Naturally, she assumed that Judith didn't believe there was a sufficient amount to care for an extra person in the home... And this worried Genevieve greatly.

A booming yell swept through the opening of the home, echoing off of the walls and, most likely, surprising the young French maiden something terrible. Judith was laughing, and almost close to tears by the time Beau wordlessly plucked the envelope from her lap to steal a peek. He held off a curse only by a fraction of a second, having to cup hand over his mouth to starve back the blasphemous phrase.

This -- this was more money than he'd ever seen in one setting. And it was here, in his palm, just as real as the fire burning on the mantle or his grandmother wiping the dampness from her eyes.

"Darlin'," the woman started out of breath, "I couldn't even fix my mind to think of more money. We gon' have to put it in a safe spot lest'r neighbors start fix'n to rob us blind!" From the look on Genevieve's face, it was obvious she hadn't caught a word of what the woman was trying to say, so Beau stepped in, leaning over slightly to attract the girl's attention.

"Th-Th-This is m-more than enough, m-miss." was his understatement, too busy staring into Genevieve's eyes to notice the twins pop up from behind, trying to peer over his shoulder at this infamous letter.

Genevieve was, needless to say, very concerned when Judith started laughing. She had no idea what was going on, or what was so funny. Had a mistake been made?

Thankfully, Beau stepped in to save the day with his simpler words. She watched his face as he spoke, and after a moment she began to understand. It was enough, good. Then Judith's laughter was for joy, then? It was no wonder, according to the home they resided in. Hopefully they could put the money to good use after caring for Genevieve.

"She don't understand? Oh dear, I must look like a prattlin' ol' loon." the elder said modestly, clutching her invisible pearls at the thought. "Don't you fret, dear, you're -- you're more'thn welcome. Always were, but, this is just -- a blessin' if I ever saw one."

"This mean we ain't gotta go to the mill in'th mornin'?" Piper asked from the hallway, a smirk on her face though her tone held a wave of seriousness to it. The girls were accustomed to rubbing their fingers raw all day, never having the luxury to -- well, be unemployed.

"Now don't you go talkin' that mess now that we got a little bit'a funds!" Judith chided, waggling a wrinkled finger at her oldest granddaughter. "Ain't nothin's changed. And the least people who know the better -- folks start treatin' ya diff'rnt when money's involved. Beauregard," she said sweetly, a stark contrast to the woman's near militant voice, "go and put this under the mattress for safe keepin's."

"Yes-Yes'm." Beau nodded, walking off into the backroom, followed by his eager sisters desperate to know exactly how much was 'just enough'.

"Miss Leclair, if you're tired, you're welcome to turn in for the night." Judith cooed pleasantly, treating the girl as if she were one of her own.

Geneviéve watched all these happens, quite lost save for the main idea that everyone was excited about the amount of money received. Beau left the table with the envelope, his sisters trailing behind him like ducklings. But Geneviéve remained, until Judith spoke to her. Her sweet tone was calming, and though Geneviéve couldn't understand everything she said, she supposed it was an invitation for bed. She nodded slightly and stood up.

"Thank you for the meal, Madame Eaves," she said gently, giving a grateful smile to the old woman. "Good evening." A moment of hesitance, then she moved to return to the bedroom so that she could rest.

The youngest girls had settled down, told to hush and scurry off into their own beds by the older sisters as Beau placed the envelope under his grandmother's cot. He turned just in time to see Genevieve appear into the doorway, and cast his eyes away out of respect. His room was upstairs in the attic -- a small price to pay for privacy -- but there was a bed and a dresser and a window and a lantern; all he really needed, so Beau thought.

"G-G'night." he mumbled quietly to Genevieve before passing by, sure the twins would handle setting her up for the night.

Geneviéve dipped her head in acknowledgment, but didn't verbally reply to Beau. She walked to her bed, leaning down to open her trunk to choose out proper clothes for the night. She pulled her her white silk nighgown and straightened herself, pausing. Where was she to change in order to have privacy? It wasn't entirely proper to let her caretakers see her in her skivvies as she got ready for bed!

Cecilia was just about to raise her dress over her head when she locked eyes with Genevieve, instantly noticing the girl's plight.

"Oh, I think she's shy." she whispered to her identical, Piper, who looked to the French girl in confusion. She couldn't fathom such a thing, being timid about undressing -- never having grown up with separate quarters, or even lockable doors, Genevieve's nervousness seemed almost comical to her. Thankfully Cecilia took the apprehension in their guest's eyes with more validation.

"Come," the brunette said, holding out a hand for Leclaire to hold onto after she'd undone her long braid, "you can change in Beau's room -- it's in the attic, no one'll bother ya up there."

Geneviéve looked gratefully at Cecilia, and sighed, toking the girl's hand. "Yes, thank you." She clutched her nightgown and houserobe to her chest and would follow the girl out of the bedroom, walking with her in whatever way one got into the attic. So she could get a little privacy, at least. She couldn't even consider changing in front of people she had just met—sure, she had had servants help her change dozens of times, but strangers were an entirely different story.

Genevieve was led out of the room hurriedly and into the very back of the cabin where a rather large wooden ladder rose towards a square opening on the ceiling. "Follow me." Cecilia said with a smile, her hair flowing behind her as she made the climb with ease. There were only ten steps on the ladder, but such a thing could intimidate unaware eyes.

"Bo-Bo," the girl called once she got to the top, making a fist and 'knocking' twice on the attic's floor before popping her head up, "ya dressed?"

A murmur came from the back of the attic, one Cecilia was used to hearing and could easily differentiate between it being a 'yes' or a no' -- it was obvious to her this particular mumble was meant as a 'yes'.

"Good, we're comin' up!" she alerted once more, finally making her way up and in turn allowing Cecilia up as well, "Luhclair's gonna change in your room -- she's kinda nervous changin' in front'a us so..." Cecilia explained awkwardly, looking to Genevieve to gauge how comfortable she felt.

Geneviéve was...surprised to see a ladder where stairs should be, but she didn't let it phase her. She picked up her skirt and climbed up after Cecilia. Once in the attic, she gazed around, before realizing that Beau was in the room with her. She felt her cheeks redden beneath her light layer of powder makeup, and glanced at Cecilia unsurely. Changing in a room of females was better than a room with one male... But if it was her only choice, she would "man" up and do so.

Cecilia would've been able to see Genevieve's blush from space, but the lantern near her brother's bedside drawer did the trick well. She hid the giggle bubbling in her throat under a cupped hand to her mouth, turning to face her new 'friend' head-on, "Don't worry -- Beau and I are gonna go down," she paused, pointing back towards the ladder, "and you can come get him when you're done. Sound good?"

The teen was trying desperately hard to limit her slang and thick accent for Genevieve's sake, taking notice of how puzzled she'd looked throughout her grandmother's conversation with her. Beau stayed quiet as always, but made his way around to go down the ladder with no complaints, followed shortly by Cecilia after a light pat on the shoulder was given to Genevieve.

Geneviéve tensed, but then when Cecilia expain, she relaxed considerably. She nodded, sighing in relief. "Mm, thank you." She dipped her head and waited for them to leave before taking a few steps to Beau's bed. She set down her clothes and began to change. It took her a bit, taking off her corset by herself, but she managed, and decided that perhaps during her stay she wouldn't wear it anymore; she felt so dressed up compared to the others, and it made her feel slightly uneasy, so tomorrow she would tone down her dress.

The French girl put on her gown and tied her delicate robe around herself, leaving her feet bare now (surprisingly, she never liked wearing house slippers...). Her long, dark hair was taken out of its bun and put into a braid draped over her shoulder. She gathered her day clothes and folded them over her arm before heading down the ladder and back to the bedroom to put her things away. Once that was done and her trunk was closed, she stepped lightly over the cool wood floors to search for Beau. Whenever she found him, she would gently come behind him and tap his shoulder cautiously.

"Thank you for your room," she said softly to him, dipping her head as always. "I have finished." Obviously.

Beau moved to say something, perhaps a 'not a problem', or 'you're welcome' or anything similar, but nothing came out. He closed his mouth immediately, giving Genevieve a rushed nod to alert her he hadn't completely ignored her before walking back towards the ladder. It'd be a lie to say he was too used to his mouth by now to still get embarrassed, and left to spare the girl of more forced conversation.

"Miss Luhclair?" a tiny voice called from around the corner, showing the youngest Agnus dressed in a hand-me-down peach gown, "'Cilia said to show you to the room again 'case ya got lost." With that, the tiny eight year old held out her hand for the maiden to grab, waiting patiently to see what the stranger would do.

Geneviéve watched him leave, and sighed slightly. She turned when a small voice called her name, and she offered a small smile. "Thank you, little sweet," she said gently, reaching out to take the girl's tiny hand in her own delicate one. Though she could find her way back on her own, it was sweet to see the child wanting to help her.

"I found her!" Agnus called upon entering the room, all three of her big sisters in their respective beds.

The youngest hopped under her sheets, happy to fall asleep on a full stomach and in a warm bed. It was a blessing to have, especially knowing others in her town weren't as fortunate.

"Sleep tight, Luhclair." Cecilia said, her voice muffled from the pillow squished against her lips.