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Post by Edward Hyde on May 21, 2008 12:33:35 GMT -5
*Of course she would say that, would think it, because she was in the thick of it and couldn't be expected to understand the position society had placed her in.*
"I know my mind, Lucy," *he said.* "And I'd never have done it, had it been functioning properly."
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Post by Lucy Harris on May 21, 2008 12:58:16 GMT -5
*The drill sergeant attitude dissipated at his words.*
"Oh." She said sadly, letting her arm fall to her side.
She'd assumed it had all happened not just because of Opium, but that he felt the same way she did.
"Well, then, I guess it's time to go."
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Post by Edward Hyde on May 21, 2008 13:45:31 GMT -5
*Jekyll's jaw twitched as he realized his mistake. Mistake--as if things could be worse.*
"Lucy, that's not what I..."
*He closed his eyes. What was the use? Wasn't it better to let her believe it had meant nothing? Wouldn't that save them, even if it dashed her foolish hopes? Even if he never saw him again--better than to tell her the truth.*
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Post by Phoenix on May 21, 2008 13:47:46 GMT -5
"Miss Harris?"
*Phoenix stood in the hallway, looking a little more like herself but very thin. Still, there was a new air of command about her that hadn't been there before.*
"What are you doing? It's time for rehearsal."
*With the Emcee gone, it was all up to her, and Phoenix was determined to make the best of things. To prove to him she wasn't some washed-up junkie. And that meant rehearsal, and it meant not allowing girls like Lucy Harris to entertain gentlemen in their dressing rooms. This wasn't that sort of establishment.*
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Post by Lucy Harris on May 21, 2008 14:13:09 GMT -5
*Lucy threw one last, sorrowful look at Henry, then turned and nodded to Phoenix*
"Right. Sorry 'bout that. 'e was just leavin'."
*All seriousness now, she turned her entire attention to Phoenix.*
"An' 'e aint' comin' back."
*There was a pause, as though she wanted to say more, but instead she left the room. Phoenix was right. There was work to do.*
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Post by Edward Hyde on May 21, 2008 14:21:05 GMT -5
*The tiny woman nodded, casting a suspicious eye over Jekyll, who felt exactly like what she was imagining. Then she was gone, and shame hung heavy in the hallway.*
"Lucy..." *he said softly, his eyes on the fading carpet. But she was gone, too, and Jekyll commanded himself to resist the impulse to dash after her, take her again while fully conscious and in his right mind and able to enjoy all the life and love she had to offer.
Instead, he slunk back to the Rogue in self-defeat. A short time later, a note arrived for Lucy.*
Miss Harris. Lucy.
My behaviour last night was reprehensible, but no more so than my denial of you this morning. You... were right about some things. But wrong about others. I am a bad man--you cannot know how bad. But my actions have nothing to do with your worth, your desirability, your importance to me. Please believe this, if you believe nothing else. I used you, but not in the way you must be thinking. I made excuses for the things I wanted anyway, in a misguided effort to protect you from myself.
But I cannot allow you to believe that this morning reflects the sum total of my regard. I cannot "protect" you in this manner. And so you will not find me at the inn when you return. As I hope you shall, since I have paid up your room for the next six months at least. Ample time to find yourself more permanent lodgings. I also hope you will take to heart my encouragement regarding your ambitions to leave your current line of work. It is not my place to judge you, but I can assure you you are capable of more. And I hope you will make that effort to find out.
With sincerest apologies, and my eternal regard,
Henry Jekyll
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Post by Lucy Harris on May 22, 2008 12:53:25 GMT -5
*Later, after the rehearsals and performances were done, she came back to her dressing room to find the note waiting for her. A host of emotions showed across her features as she read it, and at the end she blanched when she read that he would be gone. Pausing only to grab her coat and throw it on, she hurried out of the club, the note still clutched in her hand *
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