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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 14:41:32 GMT -5
*Having ditched her mother and Norrington, Pina took to exploring the city on her own. If she was going have to leave the cellars, she was going to see the city, with adult supervision or not. After walking for a while, ignoring the curious looks she got from people to see such a young girl wandering around alone in what looked like a mourning veil, she found herself very close to the opera. She looked in that direction, debating on whether or not she should go in and pay her father a visit.*
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 14:45:42 GMT -5
*Madame Giry walked down the street from the opera, closely veiled and garbed in her usual black, simulating mourning attire. People left her alone that way. The murky fog of the city hung like a pall along the twilight streets, and burning rubbish in the gutters sent forth choking curls of thick smoke. Pressing a dainty handkerchief to her nose at the stench, she quickened her step.*
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 14:54:35 GMT -5
*Pina peered curiously at the woman as she passed, but didn't say anything. Because she wasn't looking where she was going, she tripped over a convenient uneven place in the street and tumbled to the ground with a squeak. Winded and annoyed, she dragged herself to her feet and examined her scraped and and red hands.*
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 14:58:59 GMT -5
*Giry turned at the sudden motion and saw a young girl fall. She paused, and felt a surge of disgust as no one else stopped or even slowed as they circled around her on the sidewalk and continued on their way. Giry crouched beside the girl, not wanting to frighten her.*
"Are you hurt, my dear?" *she asked in a kind, soft voice. Her heart ached for the children she had left behind. This little girl reminded her of how Meg had been in years past.*
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:03:33 GMT -5
*Pina tensed for a moment, instinctively fearful of strangers. Seeing her concern, though, she looked up with a hint of a smile. The woman couldn't see it, of course, but it's the thought that counts.*
"No, I think I'm all right. I just tripped- couldn't see where I was going."
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 15:08:19 GMT -5
"Well you've covered yous eyes with far too thick a cloth...here, let me help you--it's not quite that cold out to require it. Your mother is overly precautious," *she said with a small smile, reaching over and gently unveiling the girl's face. Her expression betrayed no change, and her smile even widened a bit.*
"There. Is that better? Can you see, now?"
*She found herself imagining Erik's childhood. This girl seemed to be suffering no major cruelty--perhaps the world was changing into a more accepting place.*
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:11:00 GMT -5
"No, don't-"
*Pina tried to swat her hands away, but she'd already seen. She jammed the veil back over her face violently.*
"What did you do that for?!" *she snapped, her heart racing.*
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 15:16:29 GMT -5
"I thought you couldn't see where you were going with that silly veil on. Is it really so very cold out?"
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:17:23 GMT -5
*Pina gaped at the woman. Was she blind, or something?*
"I'm not wearing it because it's cold." *she said slowly.* "I wouldn't, if I didn't have to."
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 15:19:11 GMT -5
"And why must you?" *asked Giry simply.*
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:25:14 GMT -5
"Because some people notice the obvious," *she replied.* "And they'd don't like people that are different."
*She'd grown up believing that the world was a cold, uncaring place, filled with people that would do her harm because she looked frightening to them, and that wouldn't change overnight.*
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 15:27:12 GMT -5
"True enough," *murmured Giry softly.* "But I knew someone once who was very much like you...and I learned to look beyond that."
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:29:51 GMT -5
"You did?" *she asked curiously. She'd never heard of anyone like her aside from her father, and he didn't look like that anymore.*
"Who?"
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Post by Vianne Giry on Dec 16, 2007 15:33:58 GMT -5
"He is a very private person...or was. His name is Erik."
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Post by Pina on Dec 16, 2007 15:37:52 GMT -5
*She stared for a moment.*
"You know my father?!"
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