eloisesbardot

[eloisesbardot]

“you don't look happy to see me.” she pouted, lower lip fat with her manufactured distress. her shoulder sagged for the briefest moment, carrying the weight of all the untruthfulness. maybe that was harsh, but cain seemed to always prefer things that way!

his excuse is flimsy at best, construed as some sad longing that she can start to put a figure to. fat chance that he didn’t actually want what was on offer from the jut of her hip, the glint of her knife. he can deny all he wants, she doesn’t even entertain the phrase— just as she ignores the detachment he tries to ply his phrasing with.

“i think you haven’t been very truthful with me,” she was no private detective, but when last names aligned so did the stars. “i thought you were all alone in this big bad world!” there were plenty of genetic similarities to give the sentence weight, a rhetorical question which was only to measure her next reaction. “tell me who is abilene boseman to you?”

When your soul is eager to hear a voice of familiarity and warmth for so long, even substitutions worm their way in to gnaw at memory. What is welcomed initially, spirited enthusiasm abundant, dwindles when the sight does not match what ears have hoped for.

Cain stands there before another girl, one who does not fit the form of the one his mind had pictured seeing. He had pushed beyond what little voice in the air had whispered to him, tugging at his senses to distrust his wants over reality. Punishment comes in shattered pieces, evident in the way his smile flattens, dissolves altogether. He stands with only what his rushing has left him with: bare feet, fingertips stained in smudged acrylics, nails dirtied underneath, and eyes wandering down to what laid inside the sheath at her hip.

"I don't seek any temptation you've got to offer." Sharper objects are in the room that pale his words ten-fold, and his vision peels around the stitching of what metal glint is hidden beneath. For a moment. It is only a moment. She is looked at. Her. Girl of blonde hair, teeth baring, voice as bright as the scorching sun to dry out the fields and burn sweat right off reddened skin.

"What is your need?"

[eloisesbardot]

"sada sada sada." the name is a song, echoing down the walls in it's perfect pitch. eloise doesn't respect anyone, she doesn't care about boundaries. sada has a unique perspective on their situation, but it's one that grows boring as all stale tyrannies do. she's not particularly worried about the rules around here. but, it is funny that ethan of all people is the one who brought them up. "if i didn't know better i'd say you were the boy toy." and how is that possible when he like likes another girl!

the sentiment is silly in its sugariness, delivered to be glossed over— heaven forbid she take a shot at the idea! "some prize you are!" she's past the days of fighting with girls over boys, if they'd ever started. and she's definitely not going to fight with anora without good reason. illuminating all of this for ethan is more work than she's interested in, so she just nods along to his words, a chirpy smile on her face.

"if you're allowed to like a girl, why can't i have a guy?" it's not really a question worth answering. it's not much of an answer in its own right. "do you have a problem with soulmates?" it's not the word she'd normally use. it's too flippant, too much, and yet still too overstated. an effect she's trying out for the time being. "or are you finally too scared to play with fire?"

"I now regret bringing you along. I tolerate you, El. That's it," he lied through a sigh, pushing an obviously feigned smile to his lips. "But I guess I like like Anora," he admitted. Although he had no idea why he'd just word vomited his feelings to her of all people, knowing fucking full well it would make it back to the subject at hand. "And she is more than a little territorial over me so you fibbing to her about how I feel about you will get some good old fashioned girl on girl action going and you know how much I like to watch," he explained just a bit further as if he needed to justify pitting the two against each other aside from his enjoyment of the chaos that ensued when women fought over men. And it would have been fucking hot to watch Illy fight for him.

"It's either that or my gun and no way am I giving you that much of an upper hand. Sorry," he mouthed the last word silently. "Unless of course you think you can take a whole lot of chompers out with my flashlight," he dismissed of her giddiness over using his personal weapon with a laugh.

"So I gotta ask," he went on, momentarily stalling their trek as he peered around a corner to check the route ahead - motioning that it was clear and moving forward. "You and Frenchie. What's that all about?" he asked of the rendezvous he'd witnessed that he'd been sure were meant to have been secret. "Isn't he Sada's boy toy? You know other than that Jeremiah guy. Kind of playing with fire there aren't you?"

[eloisesbardot]

"you don't know that until you talk to a guy!" she had little interest in the interpersonal lives of the newcomers. they offered nothing to the dynamics in play here, just a funny add-on to the story. if aspen wanted to try a two-for-one special, well, the idea was all her own. she'd bet someone would take the woman up on an offer, but it wasn't the men on the good behavior committee. still, it never hurt!

"it is a wedding." and no one had yet to cause a scene, a ticking time bomb that she could wind a little more. she doesn't press the comment about aspen's sex life, it would veer her friend's attention a little wide of the mark. which wasn't a conversation between girls, it was action! "it's worth an ask."

It didn't take much for Eloise to implant ideas in Aspen's head, each one carrying some strange kind of weight that maybe came with how pretty she was or something. No one had ever said that she wasn't shallow, that's for sure.

"I mean... no, but he doesn't seem the kind of guy who would just drop a hook up if it wasn't." Then again, he'd never explicitly said... Eyes turning to find her Moose in the crowd, a brow rose as she contemplated that point. Maybe it was worth a shot for at least one more roll in the hay? It had been a long time since she'd had those delicious bruises on her thighs.

"Of course I'm up the task. I wore out Moose over there, I bet I could leave that sexy cowboy gasping for air."

[eloisesbardot]

"wow— a real stroke of luck!" a teacher, mundane and polite. making sure to mind all her p's & q's. she studied the new ryder for a moment longer, trying to figure out which of the traits mirrored the crippling insecurity in her son. the unbending ability to make the selfless call somehow not work out. they'd find it soon enough. but for now, she didn't need to hear about the wonders of administration or education.

"it's been a treat." she said suddenly, her best red carpet smile across her features, the last dazzle for the moment, just because she was so nice. "i so appreciate you recognizing me. does wonders for a girl's self-esteem!" she seemed to glow from within, as though that statement was powering some shining battery for the rest of the evening. "you have fun with this reunion!" don't let her hold you up! not when her own escape from the event was imminent. "i'll be sure to save you a spot at lunch sometime."

"Oh, that's surprising." And maybe a little disappointing. It would have been something to see her acting live and in person. Though there was something about her that made Amelia think that maybe, just maybe, acting was an every moment thing for her. Though she put that out of her mind, a cruel and judgemental thought that she refused to entertain.

"Oh, like administration assistant, that's such an important job. I'm sure you're wonderful at it. I used to teach elementary school before all of this, and by the looks of the population here... it seems that may still be an in demand profession."

[eloisesbardot]

"why, thank you." she takes the compliment at face value, deciding not to read into the conversations that they have when no one else can overhear. she doesn't second guess, she no longer needs to. in a world full of loser and idiots, she's found one person who can understand the continued annoyance that's grown harder and harder to cover.

"i'm just happy to put them to good use." how many people had thought they made it to the wexley's gates, and how many were allowed in were a minor solution to a major problem. but she had all the faith they'd work it out! "i wasn't made for local plays." especially the kind with children's dance numbers, yuck!

the possibilities were wider now, seeing how their newest guests interacted with everyone. it was a test of judgement, whether they'd found just the people to stick out in a crowd. but so far, they were doing just fine pushing everyone to the outs. a dangerous position for newcomers. "once this day is over the real fun can begin."

"we've seen their sort before." travelers, never finding a real place to settle within the town's suffocating walls. sometimes they were alone or in a small group. two were most common, like the duo in question. probably gone within the month. of course, henri and eloise had long ago decided that anyone who'd came to the wexley and decided it wasn't for them should been considered security risks.

it simply wasn't safe to have people who knew about their community out there. between the ex-military and roving groups of hostile survivors there were too many threats to risk letting that information out. "very useful," henri agreed. "they would've ended up like the rest." dead. shot or stabbed, stalked through city's blocks until they were out of the town's range. at least with their current plans for the duo their inevitable deaths would strengthen the town ( or at the very least provide some entertainment for them ).

"this wouldn't have been nearly as fun without your talents." he complimented, feeling charitable with his affection. "you've certainly opened a range of possibilities for us."

[eloisesbardot]

she allowed herself to look up at him, the direction loud and clear. there's a moment where they're making eye contact, studying each other for the sign of weakness that doesn't come. she doesn't give it up, her eyes glittering with amusement at his move. anger causes a deeper thrill than happiness, a satisfaction that's been missing from all her recent interactions.

she wraps her own fingers around his wrist, manicured nails digging into his skin. not enough to draw blood, not yet. equal pressure, nothing more. "of course you do." the smile that dances across her lips is a slow enjoyment, growing as she senses the person that she's picked is a step up from the rest. or, at least he's willing to meet her somewhere further away from small talk. "i could make sure the rest of the heir apparent doesn't get anything more than her thrift store."

emotional distress was easy when she'd already slotted herself into the younger sister role. violence was a task that she resorted to later. she knows he wants blood and anguish, but she's still doing what she can to make sure that there's no reason to send her out to the mean streets "just cause you're a real charmer." finally she pushes at his hand, a soft sign to give up the game. she doesn't shove, she's asking kindly. "but, i've got to take it slow."

she called his bluff on that, acknowledging the very thing that they were both after. entertainment. is that not what elisabeth was to him at the heart of it? something poked and prodded for the sole purpose of his amusement? manipulation was erotic to him.

henri stood from his chair and stalked towards her, his hand coming under her chip to force her gaze up to him. "if i wanted a puppet i could find one in the nursery." he wasn't interested in having to direct her every move. she should be able to come up with something herself ( or at least anticipate what he'd want her to do, a skill elisabeth had honed over the years ). "make your own choice."

truthfully he wasn't sure what he was hoping for. obviously there had to be flare. he had offered his own declaration of murder as inspiration but the bar didn't have to be that high. he'd settle for severe emotional distress or mild to moderate maiming.

he tapped her chin before removing his hand and sliding into the pocket of his slacks. "i do like excitement, miss bardot," there was a tone of warning in his words.

"don't waste my time."

[eloisesbardot]

"he has a wife." her voice scratches across each icy note, her expression the barest hint of the un-feeling that lurked underneath most of her decisions. it's quickly covered by a smile, an annoyance in similarity. she didn't care about the sanctity of marriage or anything that approached civility. the idea of walking down an aisle had only ever held one appeal: spectacle. she sighed, a long drawn out note, "but, you're right. i would be a beautiful bride."

unfortunately there was no one left to impress. her existence had been to show the a-listers, the upper-classes, the whole of the media-centric world that she had bested them all. that world no longer existed, leaving a yawning void in what she felt like bothering with these days. she certainly wasn't going to twirl on stage for this group of losers.

"what's with the twenty questions?" if ethan felt half of what she did, there was no reason for him to feign entertainment in the topic du jour. or, he was interested, and she was going to have to pepper illy with just enough drama to spend a day or two gossiping. "going to ask for my hand?"

"I was bored to fucking death," he lied, smirking knowingly through a drink. Although had he attended the wedding he would have had the same opinion, so was it really lying? "Mix of both," he ante-uped without ever having to hear said vows, sucking the remnants of his beer from his bottom lip. "Because I'd double down that they are just so in love that they forgot what they wrote and winged it," he went on, mocking the envied infatuation.

As much as he liked Anora, he was beyond thrilled she wasn't interested in something as trivial as marriage. Ethan didn't need, or want for that matter, such a public declaration of his commitment to another. He found the ritual to be fucking pointless before the fall. He was hard pressed to find a deeper meaning to it now - even with his growing attachment to Illy.

"Please tell me you aren't actually in to all this shit," he half pleaded with a motion to the party, taking a drink of his beer. "Or am I going to have to pretend to care when you walk down the aisle with Frenchy?"

[eloisesbardot]

"oh, i don't know..." she shifted on her feet, eyes to the sky as though she were working through a difficult equation. did it matter how oscar felt, could he feel anything akin to missing. she didn't care very much. "why wouldn't he miss you?" she traces a heart in the grass with her foot, trying to imagine the scenarios of how this plays out. she had no allegiance to ruth ellery of all people. "have you asked if they're serious?"

she didn't put much stock into either of aspen's options causing much excitement— but a girl could always dream!

"does she?" the couple had appeared to her to be somewhat of a solid unit. they had something that other people around here didn't, but she wasn't going to spell out for aspen what loyalty looked like. someone had to try to test the foundation before any sweeping claims were made. "doesn't she?" head was shaken, curls catching shine, officially uninterested in a conversation that revolved around what other men deserved in their lives. "or do you think you're up to the task?"

"What do you mean? Like you think he misses me, too?" She sure did adore Ruth, but it was true enough that she didn't really come off like the type that would leave him bruised, shaky, and completely spent. No matter the amount of hours it took to get there. She had this soft, movie love making vibe around her, and Oscar did, too... but Aspen also knew better. Just how virile he could be.

The mention of the cowboy though, had her whole attention stolen, eyes flicking over the crowd to catch sight of him. "I mean, I don't know. She looks a lot younger than him, but sometimes you can't really tell." Aspen also was quite a bit younger than him, but it wasn't bad when she did it.

"She doesn't look like she'd be in any shape to make his knees buckle for him, though, does she?"

[eloisesbardot]

"i feel safer already." her agreement was effusive, the marionette nodding that came so easily to everything the council thought through. she was the stenographer, henri the enforcer. where on earth could anything go wrong! the only good decision they made were the ones made for them. serves them all right for not knowing the better or worse.

her placement in the order had grown stale over the past two year. she refused to keep up this facade that all was happy and nice, because that meant things were boring and stagnant. what was the point of living if you weren't going to be the best. and what was the point of this whole township if they didn't keep that in mind. complacency was weak. it was an affront to her sensibilities to spend all this time pretending like eric sanders knew the ways of the world.

"i sure wish they'd talk to more people!" the two who'd come in with amelia ryder did themselves no favors by keeping to themselves. even here at a party they were nearly attached to the hip. she could always reason with love and devotion, but me-oh-my!

"seems like they could be a useful pair..." it could mean animal handling and horse training, or it could be anything. that was the beauty of life when you didn't limit yourself. "if only we knew their last names! could really get the sense of how those o's work."

"they're so quick to forget, aren't they?" the question was his favorite sort, rhetorical, meant only for her agreement. how many times had this group been fucked over by its attempts at charity. how many more until they finally learned? henri may not care about the survival of the community as a whole but considering he was lacking better options it was in his best interest to see the township persist.

good thing he and eloise were always willing to do the dirty work. to remind the group that the world was still full of monsters and inviting them inside was particularly stupid. "the only good decision they've made as of late was involving us in the council." not on the council, but still involved. because as much as the others' wanted to cling to their facade of morality at least part of them could recognize the need for eloise & henri. most of their misdeeds were of the alleged kind, but the rumors circulating the duo made it clear they had no qualms about doing what it took to survive. "who else would have gone these lengths?" to wake them up. to remind them they were not as safe as they liked to pretend they were.

"and what do you think of the newcomers?" there was something coy in his question, as if they hadn't discussed the new arrivals at length. eloise practicing her southern drawl as he laid in bed watching her talk to the mirror.

[eloisesbardot]

eloise knew just as much about aspen as her sister was willing to confirm. it was sort of disappointing to hear that all the sordid tales which may have come to pass were not a result of anything lurking in aspen's nature. in fact, there was no nature at all! just a blank slate to impress ideas upon.

"teach me!" it was about as much of an acceptance as anora would get with anyone else in earshot. she wasn't much one for admitting to wanting a weapon when she was in the midst of pacifists. it would be a fun skill to have, all things considered. "wow that'd be a real show-and-tell." at least it would be something other than the walls of a council room.

"if you say so." she's all sing-song and shrugging, a kid in a candy store, being asked if she'd like to skip the cash register on the way home. they'd find out one way or another. "it's either that or another round of the two-step!" how much more thrilling could one event get. "come find me when you want some real fun."

eloise's comment was probably the nicest way of calling her sister a slut that anora could think of and she couldn't help but laugh at the backhandedness. the blonde was real good at using her words like that--framing things, making them askew. she could call you five kinds of stupid but with that ugly little smile on her face you'd be none the wiser.

not anora though. she was always good at cutting through the bullshit. illy's next comment was dismissive of her sister's knack for drama. she wasn't sure if it was supposed to be spoken in aspen's defense or against her. like her attitude towards most things, her feelings towards aspen changed day to day. "she usually doesn't mean anyone harm. she just doesn't do a good job.. thinking things through." anora had the self control of a monk compared to aspen's squirrely ass.

"it's a lot easier than you think. i could teach you sometime." her reply was quick, maybe a little too proud to show off that piece of knowledge. anora had never actually made one but she'd seen plenty of others doing it online. it usually ended with someone blowing up a limb but anora figured they'd be fine. eloise's final comment brought an image of angry hornets erupting from the box and stinging everyone. yeah it didn't sound very realistic, but the idea stuck. "mm. forget i asked." as long as it ended up being someone else's problem illy was fine with whatever weird shit she was up to. surprises were fun after all.

[eloisesbardot]

her mouth dropped open in a mock oh! as though aspen's words had any ability to injure her. of course people thought it was lame if you didn't participate in all of the festivities that people put together in trying times. but, if she'd wanted to blend in with everyone else so thoroughly, then she was the wrong girl!

"you and oscar aren't going together? gosh— i'm sorry to hear that!" she didn't keep track of aspen's love life, and no one else seemed to pay close enough attention either. still, there could be some power in that sort of position. she picked a few real targets to say the least. "i didn't realize he was with that ol' doctor." of course, that meant also playing attention to ruth, which blah! "are you sure he's through with you?"

she tapped a finger to her chin as if in thought, considering both the conversation with oscar and the other option that aspen gave her. "boy, that cowboy!" apsen's second pick promised just about as much interest as the first. "do you think he's with that girl he came with? seems like a real recipe for trouble."

The compliment from her pretty friend had Aspen beaming, almost wriggling in her chair as she basked in the hint of praise. "I mean... I guess but it's so lame to just sit here, too, you know." Though she didn't blame her for not wanting to mess up her hair or whatever glamorous people like Eloise worried about more than just having the time of their lives.

"I mean I used to go to Oscar like all the time, but then Ruth had to come in all gorgeous and brilliant and stuff and now he barely even looks at me. Then of course there's Knox but he's just Knox, you know?" He was her best friend, they just happened to bang it out sometimes. "That new Dallas man is like the hottest old guy I've ever seen in my life. Like if I had daddy issues, I'd be rabid, but like... I can pretend for a night, you know. Or ten." If anything Aspen had mommy issues, or probably just issue issues but she didn't really dwell on it much.

[eloisesbardot]

@eloisesbardot 🩷

[eloisesbardot]

long horrible stories were the best kind. she loved picking them up in bits and pieces and keeping them like tiny treasures just in case. who knew the next time it would fun to bring up the long walk to canada. it might happen sooner if the conversation topics kept up their exciting pace. for now, she's a gracious hostess, a welcoming face, the best of the best.

"oh no— i don't really work with the theater." if asked, she wouldn't turn down the diva's position. but she had no interest in sharing the stage with amateurs and children. she didn't believe in the spotlight for anyone who just so happened to have the fancy. it devalued her work, her skill. her. "i'm with your son on the council! i take all the notes."

"I was... for a minute, and then Canada and now here. It's a long, horrible story I'd rather forget to be honest." It was so much easier to focus on the here and now, where Ashton was, with all this happiness and security. Where she could deny to herself that he truly hadn't needed her at all. He'd built a new world from the ground up without her, and despite how proud she was of herself, the selfish mother part of her couldn't help the sting. How strangely easy it had been to forget that he wasn't still her baby.

"It's so nice to see a familiar face, even if it is only one way. I'm sure the theatre must be so happy to have you. I heard they're putting on a Musical?" June and Maisie had already talked her ear off about the dance number they were set to have, and how the bride was their ballet teacher. So much to catch up on, including little tiny faces.

[eloisesbardot]

@cainxboseman / the art museum

"hellooo." she let the words bounce off the walls of the building, summoning one of the museum's care takers from the depths. there was only one that she had any business with today— and he appeared in record time.

"well bless my heart!" she said by way of greeting, trying to affect her southern accent, a little less blanche dubois and a little more mountain range sharp. the regional change, as it was known. she made no secret about the knife she was carrying on the waistband of her skirt, "tell me you've got some free time in your schedule."

it wasn't much of a question. she'd make the free time out of thin air. neither of them did much important around here, and it was enough to drive her a little stir crazy! "i've got to quiz you on your favor subject!" she'd known about it in bits and pieces, though she didn't find family talk very entertaining. "i'll make it worth your while."

[eloisesbardot]

aspen's solution the the current problem was so boring. she wanted to fit into the wash of vanilla that this event had turned out to be— and eloise simply wouldn't allow it. there was no reason to keep around a girl as flighty as aspen if she couldn't be pushed in a direction and given a new task. something with a bit more bite.

"you are so cute!" she chooses her words carefully, emphasizing her appreciation, tracking each one with as much honesty as she could muster. "really— i'm not in the mood." the vision that had been painted for her wasn't very appealing. she wasn't the type of girl who'd ever felt the need for an empowering female friendship moment. "you oughta find a better partner."

she glanced around the dance floor, the edges of the party, at all the people awkwardly shifting and considering things. "there has to be a guy or two you're interested in asking when the mood is right."

Oof. Eloise was sure spikey tonight, not being the center of attention, and for a minute she thought about just leaving her there, but then again who would do that to a friend. She'd really been working hard on remembering what friends were supposed to do and remembering to do it. Oscar and Ashton had been a really big help in drilling good morals into her, but it was never going to become second nature.

"Come on, Barbie. I bet we could go over and get Tad to play anything we wanted." Like he'd deny Ria's friends a thing, she absolutely knew he wouldn't. "I mean especially because you'll for sure pick something good and that'll get Ria on the dance floor, too. You know how much he loves to watch her boogie. Then we can show these people what dancing really looks like."

[eloisesbardot]

"how sweet!" the last thing she'll be doing with her time on this planet is fighting with another person over their love interest. and she's not going to give ethan an inch more enjoyment than he needs for her to stay entertained. she didn't doubt that anora could kill her, but gosh— the story really was missing a why. plain old possessiveness could only take people so far. it had to have that second layer, which ethan willingly gave. "you like like me!"

she bypassed the implications of his own words, sticking with her own version of the statement and going for the knife that was offered out. he jerked it back, pulling a hint of frustration from her tone as she finally takes it. "your personal weapon just for me!" the knife is larger than her usual choice, making up for its weight in the sentiment that ethan shared with her. she twirled it just once before pointing it down and grinning, "i'll be real good, don't you sweat it mister."

the safety lecture would have to be missed. there was nothing that she gained from trying to get on sada's good side. she wasn't sure there was much to gain from it unless she was thinking about opting for a lobotomy like wells had— shes preferred a more gainful route to the top. "you point, i'll stab!"

"I don't know if like is the right word for it, but go ahead and blab if you want. I doubt anyone is going to believe you anyway."

Even though it was true, if anyone asked he would deny, deny, deny. Because that was what he did when things became too real for him. Too normal. It was already bad enough that he'd begun falling for Anora. God forbid he also have friends. But it wouldn't matter how hard he fought it, that's what they were. Friends. He would soon need to just get over it and admit that he didn't mind El's company - even preferring it at times.

"Word of advice though, I might not tell Illy. Unless of course you want to die," he warned with a knowing smirk. "On second thought, I might like to see you two go at it over me so why don't you go on and tell her first," he added with a chuckle.

He merely shrugged and pursed his lips in nonchalance, uncaring if they were forced to endure a casualty or two if they came upon a crowd at the hospital. There was bound to be at least some collateral damage during the apocalypse. Truthfully he didn't want it to be El however so he supposed he could even the playing field for her.

"This is my personal weapon of choice so it's only on loan to you. I get it back when we're done. Capiche?" he instructed as he pulled out his knife and handed it over, pulling it back just as she reached for it. "Why don't we also keep this as our little secret too, hmm? The last thing I need is a fucking safety lecture from Sada because I let you carry a weapon," he warned - though he really only wanted to keep it from Anora. If she found out he let Eloise use his knife he'd have hell to pay.

[eloisesbardot]

she's always taken direction well, given that the purpose for it was of mutual benefit. a hand to her back, a gallant offer of the arm, that was all for the love of the game. she allows herself to be guided away, just as she'd have stayed there and just waited to see who was the first to pick up the agitated box. she did so love that the two of them had found each other for just these little moments! the romantic strolls, the secrets to be whispered over silk pillowcases and party chatter.

"no kidding!" she smiled, all charm as she thought of yet another plan put in motion around here. there were too many people smiling, forgetting that they were in the end times. it was only right that they reminded people just what the facts of their situation really were. "we really can do it all."

she sighed dreamily, the adoration clear for him alone, fizzling out for anyone else who got close enough to eavesdrop. "it has been good seeing the new folks out and about." she tracked some of the new-comers at the party, they sure weren't going to help any cases with their current attitudes. even amelia wasn't safe considering the boring way she held every single conversation in a mile radius. "i'm sure learning a lot for our good old wexley welcome!"

it would be all too easy to give into his irritation at the garish display but something about seeing eloise sharing the sentiment, perhaps even more so, had tempered him. because he could offer a solution. henri continued to prove that eloise had chosen correctly when aligning herself with him. he was very good at solving problems.

"my only regret is not having more to give," henri carefully sets the box down and slides it against several of the other presents. he'd wanted to fill the box with snakes but in the end it had proven difficult enough to find just one. the bright side was that if he'd read the markings on the snake correctly it was venomous.

his hand comes to rest on her back and guides her away from the gift table, lest they linger too long and arise suspicion. "but.. our other plans are still going well." and henri could not wait to see the fallout of that. "perhaps things will be interesting around here soon enough."