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Post by Carolina on Dec 16, 2008 3:30:08 GMT -5
"Mar--" *Carolina mouthed the name, repeating it to herself with a puzzled frown.* "...were you named for the old master? He would have died about the time you were born...twenty or so years ago. Before even I came here. I never knew him, but they say he was a good man."
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 18, 2008 19:42:06 GMT -5
Her mention of "the old master" sparked off a flood of memories. Not all of what was missing, but enough for him to fill in most of the gaps. It almost staggered him.
He rested a hand on the nearby countertop, leaning a bit as though for support.
"I...yes."
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Post by Carolina on Dec 19, 2008 17:37:09 GMT -5
*Seeing the man was in some kind of distress, Carolina eschewed the bounds of class and went to support his elbow.*
"Are you alright, sir? Will you not sit down? Shall you take a glass of water? Or wine?"
*She paused, glancing downwards.*
"...why can't I--" *she tried to put her hand on his arm again, and somehow it seemed her hand was deflected at the last moment, or else didn't quite make contact. She wondered if there was something wrong with her vision.*
"Er..."
*She felt very cold...strangely cold, in a hot kitchen.*
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 19, 2008 17:39:50 GMT -5
He reached out to touch her hand, as though to reassure her of something, but his fingers only went through her. He stared as her own efforts resulted in the same thing.
"I..."
He stared at the semi-trasnparency of his arm.
"Oh." He glanced up at her. "I'm dead." He said matter-of-factly.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 19, 2008 17:52:46 GMT -5
"...you don't look dead," *said Carolina slowly.*
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 20, 2008 15:29:47 GMT -5
"I don't...feel it."
He gave Carolina an apologetic look.
"I don't mean to make things complicated."
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Post by Carolina on Dec 20, 2008 15:32:40 GMT -5
"To be frank, sir, I think your situation is more pitiable than my own. I may be confused, but if what you say is true...you're dead."
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 20, 2008 15:46:16 GMT -5
"I don't know how it happened. Not exactly. But...my wife!"
He started to reach out to her, then stopped, remembering that he couldn't.
"Where...do you know where Marianne is?"
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Post by Carolina on Dec 20, 2008 16:08:28 GMT -5
"You don't--?"
*Carolina swallowed and glanced away, paling slightly.*
"...the mistress of the house, as she was then...as I understand it, sir...she..."
*Her gaze flickered back up to the ghost, pitying, yet timid.*
"She went mad...after...after you...I...I think there was a baby that died, sir, as well. Her mind, it...it broke."
*She held out her hand quickly, adding--*
"She's sound enough in body, sir, and her madness isn't dangerous...only...she is confused...and quite--well, rather simple, in ways. She believes you're alive...that she still has a family..."
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 20, 2008 16:48:57 GMT -5
If he had been still alive, likely he would have paled at all of the news.
"No...no..."
He'd been ill. Severely ill. That's how he had died.
"Marianne." The name was half-sob, and accompanied by eyes shiny with unshed tears.
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Post by Carolina on Dec 20, 2008 16:57:27 GMT -5
"I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you, sir," *said Carolina softly.* "Your...your...son is the head of the household, now."
*She damned herself for it, but she blushed to speak of Olivier.*
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 20, 2008 17:17:05 GMT -5
The unshed tears stayed, though his expression shifted.
"Really? Oh, but of course...the mantle passes..."
He made a frustrated sound.
"I can't see him...or her...I'll make them mad...or, her worse?"
He glanced back up at her.
"But you aren't going mad. I don't bother you?"
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Post by Carolina on Dec 20, 2008 17:30:01 GMT -5
"I do not think you mean me harm, sir...which is more than may be said of many of the living I have known."
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Post by Marc Desmarais on Dec 20, 2008 17:32:27 GMT -5
In spite of the standing tears, he gave her a gentle smile.
"I couldn't hurt someone so kind and helpful. I'm sorry you've found trouble before."
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Post by Carolina on Dec 20, 2008 17:59:22 GMT -5
"It found me, I'm afraid," *she said.*
"...sir, if I may be of any help...if...if there is any message I can give to...anyone. That is, unless--can everyone see and speak to you as I can, now?"
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