[Video] - Forward dated to Monday

[walkingtheweb]

[He's thought a long, long time about doing this. In a way he wishes he could avoid it, but there's something about seeing the sickeningly sweet quasi-romance Jean Louis and Mireille have been making oh so public recently has hardened his resolve. In theory, he has nothing against the idea of there being some necessary lies in any relationship,

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[video|private]

[unreadability]

[There is a long moment where the camera catches nothing but the dusty lighting of the Duroc bedroom and the sound of rain against the window. Somewhere off-screen, Mireille is hesitating; preparing to refuse such an offer of betrayal. Finally, she steps closer, her eyes... inquiring, more so than anything else. The words that come over her lips are true to her features, not to her intentions.]

Jean Louis is at the library currently.

[video|private] - > Action

[walkingtheweb]

I will be right over then.

[And he is, in a few minutes, the hood of his rain cape lifted against the drizzle. He raps twice on the door, and waits.]

[action]

[unreadability]

[Truthfully, she had imagined that she could have asked about these topics that he finds essential to discuss; let the conversation live and die over their devices, but Ray had left her no such options.

When he knocks on her door, she is already standing on the other side of it, having awaited his arrival. Desperately. Raising her chin, Mireille lets him in - keeping the door open; wide, concealing nothing (or perhaps to allow the small dragon a route of escape, should it prove necessary). It has been a long time, hasn't it? Since she last saw Ray in person.]

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

[He gives her a smile as she opens the door for him, and as he steps into the house he pulls a wrapped package of smoked fish from under his cape]

I know you said your stores were fine a few days ago, but they must be running low by now.

[Argent pokes his head out from the corner of Ray's cape, trilling happily as he notices Mireille. Ray finds himself agreeing with the dragon's happiness. It is good to see her in person, even if the subject of his visit is unlikely to be so.

I do not wish to take up too much of your time, but I...

[He grasps for words for a moment]

I need to tell you something.

[action]

[unreadability]

[She accepts the fish, wordlessly and without smiling. Leading him into the kitchen, she allows the silence to fall between them as she stores it away. A long minute, and she turns around to face him. Her expression blank.]

About... the connection between you and my husband, am I correct?

[Because she has asked herself this question, often. Also recently, although the answer has come to seem increasingly pointless as their relationship has developed. Mireille has never been blind to Jean Louis' methods; she has looked on from the sideline, after all. Seen the bribes and the corruption of Luxembourg's police force. She has seen it all and in the light of here, of now... She has decided that it doesn't matter. No matter what Ray can possibly add of mistakes. Such is the choice she has made.]

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

Not precisely. [Well, yes, but he'd like to keep his involvement out of this for as long as possible. Argent chirrups again, looking from one human to the other before launching himself off Ray's shoulder and disappearing. This is going to be one of those people things, of little interest to a dragon.]

Madame... Mireille... I know your father is dead.

[Said flatly, tonelessly. But the words are out, the card is played. No going back.]

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[unreadability]

[Blank. Her features have been carefully clear of emotions, but now they all but freeze over. In itself a very expressive expression.]

[action]

[unreadability]

[She swallows thickly, then. Grasps the fabric of her skirt between her fingers, eyes fleeing his and finding the greyish sunlight falling in through the window. An interlude in the downpour.]

Only three men carry that knowledge with them. Jean Louis, Pierre and... [Her voice breaks, lowering in response to the surge of emotion.] ... the murderer who killed him.

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

[For the first time ever, Ray is very, very glad he can in all honesty say he was not the one who shot Barrault on that day. It makes this that much easier.]

And the surgeon who tried to save his life.

[action]

[unreadability]

But -- you said he did not remember. Even his own name.

[A whisper that cannot drown out the thoughts running through her mind. Ray knew, didn't he? Had found him, after the fire. Perhaps he had been feverish, spoken without conscious thought. She feels faint, her face pale and bloodless. Her lips marking a thin line. This may very well be the undoing, of them. Jean Louis and her. Of the battle they have fought, for her father.]

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

[And thus, the necessary twisting of the truth. A very slight bend though.]

He does not, consciously. But he was feverish and delirious for some time after I found him.

[Which is true, as far as it goes. It's just not how he happened by this information]

[action]

[unreadability]

[She turns on her heel, lets him speak to her back as she stares out the window blindly. Even if Jean Louis were making his way home, she would not have noticed. Placing her hands on the tabletop, fingers splayed out and palms pressing against the wooden counter, she remains immobile for a good few seconds. The memories are flooding her; the smell of blood, the sound of his breathing. The chaos of men running about, yelling - Jean Louis barking out orders, the doctor working in silence. Focused. Unrelenting.]

That man... had to bear our secret too, didn't he? Jean Louis paid him, not to tell.

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

[He can not blame her for turning away. For not wanting to hear what he's saying. But he's pretty sure she does hear it, will hear it. Still, he'll give her the distance she needs to process it. Especially since he's not done]

I... do not believe he was intended to bear it. The fire... may have been set.

[Was set. And the wife and daughter shot beforehand. He remembers that night all too well]

[action]

[unreadability]

[In pieces, but she manages to gather herself. Straightening up, her voice takes on an insistent firmness, although she is still speaking to empty air. It has never been an easy lie to live, but she has embraced the implications. Fully.]

If the assassin believed our illusion, he must have thought Michel Lavreau responsible.

[Jean Louis had brought Pierre to the mansion that very evening. There had been interviews the next day. No one took notice of the fire. Of the price an innocent family had to pay, in Father's name. Least of all herself. The mere thought causes her to lose her breath.]

[action]

[walkingtheweb]

[He has to drive the point home, have her reach the correct conclusion on her own. Because if he just tells her, she'll try to deny it. She's been deluding herself thus far after all, and it's always easier to continue a lie than face the truth.]

Or someone wanted to assure his silence.

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[unreadability]

[A moment. A beat. The implications fall into place. Like a puzzle. One of the puzzles Mother favoured, 1000 pieces and in frame when finished.]