[A book appears, neatly wrapped in brown paper and string, on James' doorstep. With it is a handwritten note.]
Monsieur,
I am sorry. I was rude and badly behaved and I am sorry. I wanted to make it up to you so I got you a book because Agron says you like reading. But they only have sex books here. Maybe you will like it.
he told me not to beg but im not good at listening. So, Sir, I beg your forgiveness. I am truly sorry for being such a bitch. I was trying to be funny but I suppose I am not. Please, will you let me apologise in person and you can see for yourself I am not so horrible as you might think I am.
[Eponine’s got herself the afternoon off, especially for the meeting. She’s tried to tidy herself too, choosing a pretty, lady like dress that Qi’ra might have approved of, along with her scruffy black boots. When she finds the studio, she knocks on the door.]
[ James is dressed no differently than usual, black trousers and sweater both slim fit, his cuff that matches Agron's collar the only accessory on him. He opens the door, giving her a good once-over before stepping aside so she can come in.
He's still working on getting a few sets together, but there's already some decoration, as well as a few props for photoshoots. Most of them are definitely sex toys and accessories. One of the sets has a mattress, another with restraints, but James gestures to the one with a couch instead. ]
[Eponine looks around with interest as she’s led through the sets. She’s never seen a photography studio and she has a million questions, especially when she sees the bed with restraints. She’s not at all perturbed and in fact chuckles when she sees it.
But, for once, she keeps her mouth shut and does as she’s told, sitting on the sofa as directed. Only when she’s sat does she speak.]
Monsieur? I wanted to apologise in person. I am sorry, you know? Dreadfully sorry about being so rude. And I’m that grateful you didn’t report me. Truly. And I’ll do anything to make it up to you.
[ He expects the sets to draw some attention, but she's not here for those. So for now he'll ignore whatever reaction she has, sure that she will bring it up sooner or later— provided she manages not to fuck things up yet again. James isn't even a little patient, and even less lenient, so.
Still, he lets her say her piece, arms crossed as he leans against the wall. ]
What would be the point of reporting you? [ Not that he isn't petty enough for that, but it would probably just upset Agron. And guess what, he doesn't want that. ]
You know, I don't care if you have a problem with me. But I would prefer knowing the reason.
[She bites her lip, chewing on it as she thinks what to say.]
I was cross. Me and Agron, we put paint on the Elevator and we got punished. He got a week in the Zoo and a man he loved. I got four weeks on the end of Lady Qi’ra’s leash. She was so cross with me. And then he says to murder her and I say no, for it’s the Creator’s fault, and if anyone should die, it’s him. So I got punished again. And you know? I lost my house, my job, my opportunity, my Mistress. I am left with nothing and he has everything. I was so cross that I said such things to you. Perhaps jealous. I don’t know. But I shouldn’t have said it. And I am sorry.
[ James lets Eponine finish, an eyebrow arched though he's not at all surprised by anything she says. ]
Well, at least you realize that it's stupid to blame either of us, or lash out against us. We're not to blame if your Dominant was a stickler for the rules of this place. Or if you make the conscious choice to run your mouth while knowing full well that may end up in serious punishment. This place doesn't fuck around.
[ He figures he's not the first to point this out to her, so he'll let it go. Instead, he pulls up a chair and sits across from her, back straight, hands on his knees. ]
Agron doesn't have everything. He has me. I'm nothing compared to his own freedom.
[ Of this, he is fully aware. He lives under no illusion. ]
If I could have that, I would give up every freedom, every free will. I’d give anything to have someone who wants me. Agron don’t know how lucky he is. And you know, I love him as he is my brother, but sometimes, he has a brick for a head. He don’t know how lucky he has to have found you so soon.
[Her pleading expression alters and becomes much more hard. She sits forward, determined.]
And as the sister what he has adopted, Monsieur, if you ever hurt him, and not in a fun way. If you ever make him upset, I shall annoy you and pester you until your dying day. Yes? But so long as you do him well, me, I am happy for you really. Honest!
[ Freedom means different things to them. Agron, Eponine, James himself. He's not going to get into it, least of all with her. It's a point he's not going to linger on in this place, not while there's nothing any of them can do about it. For now, anyway.
He's also going to gloss over her saying how lucky Agron is, and how he doesn't know it. He's not keen to expose himself emotionally, least of all to someone he barely knows. ]
Yeah, that's real threatening. [ Delivered in a flat tone. ] Agron can handle himself. Regardless, you don't have to worry about that happening.
He is better in a fight. Me, I am persistently annoying, I think. Like an itch that cannot be scratched. Except I am a cockroach that never seems to die.
[She chuckles.] No matter how much you or I wish I was six feet beneath.
[Eponine sits back, relaxed now she's sure James isn't about to snap at her.]
But I am sorry. I was a bitch. But I'm not always. I can be a very good girl too. And I will help you in whatever ways you like. I don't care. To make up to you. How is that?
Don't underestimate people. There are plenty of ways to shut you up, if you insist on being annoying.
[ It's not delivered as a threat, more of a mild observation. She's far from being annoying enough that James would want to do something about it... for now, anyway.
His lips do curl in amusement at her offer, especially when it immediately follows calling herself a good girl. ]
That's a dangerous offer to make to any man you've only just met, you know.
[ And he figures she doesn't give a shit about the consequences. It's stupid, reckless, maybe borderline suicidal. A little entertaining, in the sense that James would just love to sit back and watch her get into trouble repeatedly. ]
You have no idea. [ Really, really no idea. But there are so many details there that he hasn't even shared with Agron, and he definitely won't with her. ] But you are Agron's sister, adopted or otherwise. He wouldn't want me to hurt you, so I'll respect that. Even if you were to ask very nicely.
I've never caused pain. Not that sort of pain anyway. My man at home, he was like a husband to me, you know? He was a cut throat and he would hold me against the wall of an alley with a knife to my throat and my back scraping the rough stones. I hated it at first, but soon... well, let me say I liked it. Here, no one understands that thrill, I think. When I say I like my hair pulled and my nipples twisted hard, they think I am mad. But perhaps to learn to inflict it as well might be interesting. Is that what it is called? A masochist? I never knew there was a word for it.
Really? I'm surprised. I've met a number of people so far who are into pain.
[ Both giving it and receiving it. Some are more hardcore than others, granted, but still. He wouldn't expect anyone to be all that shocked if she expressed interest in it. ]
That's the word, yes. A masochist likes to be on the receiving end of pain and humiliation, while a sadist enjoys inflicting it. I'm more of the latter, myself.
I didn't know it had words. I didn't know about humiliation or nothing. At home, half the time I just closed my eyes and opened my legs and let the men do what they want. 'Parnasse, my husband, no. He would never let me. But the others, they don't care. They just want payment for a coin, no? I didn't know there could be kinks or any of that stuff. But you know? I like to explore it all.
[She grins.] So, will you show me one day? And you can add it to my debt to be paid to you.
[ Boy, she certainly isn't shy with her words, is she? A man with lesser self-control would probably be getting turned on right now. He would like some credit that he remains calm and unaffected, thank you very much. ]
You're not the only one. Agron didn't know about kinks either. [ He expects that must have been true for others here, too. ] Very well. We could arrange for that. Maybe find someone willing to be on the receiving end for you.
I think some things are more secret from old times like our's. Like, here, if you are gay, no one cares. At home, it is a scandal and you'd be ruined. Do you see? It is the same, I think, for kinks.
[She grins.] I would like that. Will you message me when you know? I'm a quick study, very clever with the things like that. You will be very pleased with me, I promise!
[ Things like this tend to evolve with time. He's sure people have always engaged in kinks, but it wouldn't be until later that people would even think to have a name for it. ]
You don't want to look for your own submissive? You should choose who you want to hurt, not me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Monsieur,
I am sorry. I was rude and badly behaved and I am sorry. I wanted to make it up to you so I got you a book because Agron says you like reading. But they only have sex books here. Maybe you will like it.
he told me not to beg but im not good at listening. So, Sir, I beg your forgiveness. I am truly sorry for being such a bitch. I was trying to be funny but I suppose I am not. Please, will you let me apologise in person and you can see for yourself I am not so horrible as you might think I am.
Yours
Eponine
un: kirk
It still takes a good few days for James to send her a text, brief as always. ]
Thanks for the book.
We can meet.
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>>action
Monsieur, it is I, ‘Ponine. Might I come in?
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He's still working on getting a few sets together, but there's already some decoration, as well as a few props for photoshoots. Most of them are definitely sex toys and accessories. One of the sets has a mattress, another with restraints, but James gestures to the one with a couch instead. ]
Sit.
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But, for once, she keeps her mouth shut and does as she’s told, sitting on the sofa as directed. Only when she’s sat does she speak.]
Monsieur? I wanted to apologise in person. I am sorry, you know? Dreadfully sorry about being so rude. And I’m that grateful you didn’t report me. Truly. And I’ll do anything to make it up to you.
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Still, he lets her say her piece, arms crossed as he leans against the wall. ]
What would be the point of reporting you? [ Not that he isn't petty enough for that, but it would probably just upset Agron. And guess what, he doesn't want that. ]
You know, I don't care if you have a problem with me. But I would prefer knowing the reason.
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[She bites her lip, chewing on it as she thinks what to say.]
I was cross. Me and Agron, we put paint on the Elevator and we got punished. He got a week in the Zoo and a man he loved. I got four weeks on the end of Lady Qi’ra’s leash. She was so cross with me. And then he says to murder her and I say no, for it’s the Creator’s fault, and if anyone should die, it’s him. So I got punished again. And you know? I lost my house, my job, my opportunity, my Mistress. I am left with nothing and he has everything. I was so cross that I said such things to you. Perhaps jealous. I don’t know. But I shouldn’t have said it. And I am sorry.
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Well, at least you realize that it's stupid to blame either of us, or lash out against us. We're not to blame if your Dominant was a stickler for the rules of this place. Or if you make the conscious choice to run your mouth while knowing full well that may end up in serious punishment. This place doesn't fuck around.
[ He figures he's not the first to point this out to her, so he'll let it go. Instead, he pulls up a chair and sits across from her, back straight, hands on his knees. ]
Agron doesn't have everything. He has me. I'm nothing compared to his own freedom.
[ Of this, he is fully aware. He lives under no illusion. ]
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[She shrugs.]
If I could have that, I would give up every freedom, every free will. I’d give anything to have someone who wants me. Agron don’t know how lucky he is. And you know, I love him as he is my brother, but sometimes, he has a brick for a head. He don’t know how lucky he has to have found you so soon.
[Her pleading expression alters and becomes much more hard. She sits forward, determined.]
And as the sister what he has adopted, Monsieur, if you ever hurt him, and not in a fun way. If you ever make him upset, I shall annoy you and pester you until your dying day. Yes?
But so long as you do him well, me, I am happy for you really. Honest!
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[ Freedom means different things to them. Agron, Eponine, James himself. He's not going to get into it, least of all with her. It's a point he's not going to linger on in this place, not while there's nothing any of them can do about it. For now, anyway.
He's also going to gloss over her saying how lucky Agron is, and how he doesn't know it. He's not keen to expose himself emotionally, least of all to someone he barely knows. ]
Yeah, that's real threatening. [ Delivered in a flat tone. ] Agron can handle himself. Regardless, you don't have to worry about that happening.
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[She chuckles.] No matter how much you or I wish I was six feet beneath.
[Eponine sits back, relaxed now she's sure James isn't about to snap at her.]
But I am sorry. I was a bitch. But I'm not always. I can be a very good girl too. And I will help you in whatever ways you like. I don't care. To make up to you. How is that?
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[ It's not delivered as a threat, more of a mild observation. She's far from being annoying enough that James would want to do something about it... for now, anyway.
His lips do curl in amusement at her offer, especially when it immediately follows calling herself a good girl. ]
That's a dangerous offer to make to any man you've only just met, you know.
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[She laughs, not at all perturbed. She leans forward again.]
Perhaps, Monsieur, I like to play with fire. [She sits back, quite cocky in her attitude.]
I like a dangerous man and a deadly game. Are you like that, or are you boring?
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[ And he figures she doesn't give a shit about the consequences. It's stupid, reckless, maybe borderline suicidal. A little entertaining, in the sense that James would just love to sit back and watch her get into trouble repeatedly. ]
You have no idea. [ Really, really no idea. But there are so many details there that he hasn't even shared with Agron, and he definitely won't with her. ] But you are Agron's sister, adopted or otherwise. He wouldn't want me to hurt you, so I'll respect that. Even if you were to ask very nicely.
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[She laughs again.]
But see? I knew I was safe with you. And perhaps one day, you show me how it is to sit in your seat and inflict the pain. I think I’d like that.
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[ She piques his interest when she mentions wanting to be the one causing the pain. Well, color him intrigued. ]
Suppose I could show you the ropes there. There's plenty of masochists around here who'd be eager for punishment.
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[Her expression becomes thoughtful.]
I've never caused pain. Not that sort of pain anyway. My man at home, he was like a husband to me, you know? He was a cut throat and he would hold me against the wall of an alley with a knife to my throat and my back scraping the rough stones. I hated it at first, but soon... well, let me say I liked it. Here, no one understands that thrill, I think. When I say I like my hair pulled and my nipples twisted hard, they think I am mad. But perhaps to learn to inflict it as well might be interesting. Is that what it is called? A masochist? I never knew there was a word for it.
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[ Both giving it and receiving it. Some are more hardcore than others, granted, but still. He wouldn't expect anyone to be all that shocked if she expressed interest in it. ]
That's the word, yes. A masochist likes to be on the receiving end of pain and humiliation, while a sadist enjoys inflicting it. I'm more of the latter, myself.
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[She grins.] So, will you show me one day? And you can add it to my debt to be paid to you.
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You're not the only one. Agron didn't know about kinks either. [ He expects that must have been true for others here, too. ] Very well. We could arrange for that. Maybe find someone willing to be on the receiving end for you.
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[She grins.] I would like that. Will you message me when you know? I'm a quick study, very clever with the things like that. You will be very pleased with me, I promise!
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[ Things like this tend to evolve with time. He's sure people have always engaged in kinks, but it wouldn't be until later that people would even think to have a name for it. ]
You don't want to look for your own submissive? You should choose who you want to hurt, not me.
Sorry I've been on holiday
no problem!