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Can you steal a heart?
When Victor had left, Maelie had stood in the gaming room long enough that Mordecai had wondered if she was in shock. Too many emotions raced through her mind but none of them had a chance to show; sadness, anger, regret, distrust, and denial. All warred for courses of action of how Maelie Arsenault can salvage this disaster. Finally, Clover ushered her to bed, and she slept.
"I am... not used to dis." Maelie said softly to Nel the next day at the café.
The large ursan gently asked her. "The being in love part or the dealing with secrets part?"
"Definitely de being in love. But also, usually I am de one wit all de secrets." She laughs half-heartedly.
She nods and takes her arm back, not wanting to make Maelie uncomfortable, or embarrass her at the cafe. "Do you think the secret is something you can live with?"
"I 'ave no idea... I wish I just... knew." A look of determination crosses her face briefly.
‘That’s it.’ She thought to herself, ‘I just… need to find out what this is about. If Victor won’t tell Maelie. Then Fox will take care of this.’
She takes a breath and stands up. "Merci Nel, I... I need to go. I 'ope to see you soon."
"Thank you, Maelie. You too. Good look with whatever you're doing to go do."
"Merci!" She says with a grin before running off.
She sat down at the large oak desk of her study, leaning back in her chair and putting her boots up as she let her mind run through what she knew. Her mind always worked better in here, she’d felt it the first time she walked in when viewing the manor. She was still getting over the anxiety of how much it reminded her of her mother’s office in small ways, but… maybe that’s what she needed. A place for these kinds of thoughts. Dishonest, scheming, conspiratorial thoughts that had no place in her relationships.
Victor had a troubled childhood. He hid behind this façade of a rake so that people would leave him alone. He always acted as if whatever secret he held would be crushing to tell anyone. His heart. He had such a weak heartbeat and he rarely slept well, despite doing his best to not bother her.
His father. His heart.
Maybe.
Why else would a father mistreat and nearly despise his own son? Blame him for his wife’s death rather than cherish the child she left him?
Because the child was unwell.
Her mind raced. Putting pieces where they fit. What if Victor didn’t want to tell anyone… his own father had all but disowned him over… whatever it was. If that’s what it was.
“Okay… that’s a direction I can try…”
She got up from her desk, sorting some notes back into her safe before disappearing into her room to retrieve her gear.
“I’m sorry Victor, but if we’re going to play games with secrets then I’m gonna play for keeps.”
Continue reading...
-
The Last Rule
November 27th, 1882, - Novandria
-
The Den
-
Am I losing?
-
A Close Call
-
Plans
-
New Toys
-
Mistakes were made
-
Too close to home
-
Not like you.
-
This City is Mine.
February 6th, 1883
-
Aimless?
March 5, 1883 - Novandria
-
The Game Begins
February 13th, 1883
-
Too much like You
March 13, 1883
-
Safer in Shadows
April 3, 1883
-
New Beginnings
April 7th, 1883
-
Ready to Run
April 17th, 1883
-
Home
April 25, 1883
-
Can you steal a heart?
May 8th, 1883
-
Trouble
11th of May, 1883
-
Heartbreak
14th of May, 1883
-
Hunter or Prey?
16th of May, 1883
-
Guilt
19th of May, 1883
-
Untrustworthy
21st of May, 1883
-
Why am I like this?
25th of May, 1883
-
Worthy
8th of June, 1883
-
The One She Left Behind
13th June, 1883
-
Annnd it's back...
July 1st, 1883
-
Learning to Fly
July 4th, 1883
-
Thrill of the Hunt
July 29th, 1883
-
From the Embers
21st of August, 1883 // 1867
-
Mother Knows Best
16th of September, 1883
-
A Snake, a Star, and a Fox
25th of September, 1883, Novandria
-
It wasn't him.
28th of September, 1883, Novandria
-
The New Blade
13th of September, 1883
-
Something Good
October 31, 1883 - Novandria
-
The wound that won't close
18th of December, 1883 - Novandria
-
Promise
25th of December, 1883 - Novandria
-
Fallen through the cracks
6th of January, 1884 - Novandria
-
Day to Night
7th of January, 1884
-
What's Left to the Shadows
22nd of January, 1884, Novandria
-
The World without Colour
18th of February, 1884, Bellancourt, Montaigne,
-
Seventeen Roofs
26th of February, Novandria, Eisen
-
Crossing the Board
4th of March, 1884, Novandria, Eisen
-
New Freedom
May 4th, 1884
-
Saved
5th of May, 1884/16th of July, 1858
November 27th, 1882, - Novandria
February 6th, 1883
March 5, 1883 - Novandria
February 13th, 1883
March 13, 1883
April 3, 1883
April 7th, 1883
April 17th, 1883
April 25, 1883
May 8th, 1883
11th of May, 1883
14th of May, 1883
16th of May, 1883
19th of May, 1883
21st of May, 1883
25th of May, 1883
8th of June, 1883
13th June, 1883
July 1st, 1883
July 4th, 1883
July 29th, 1883
21st of August, 1883 // 1867
16th of September, 1883
25th of September, 1883, Novandria
28th of September, 1883, Novandria
13th of September, 1883
October 31, 1883 - Novandria
18th of December, 1883 - Novandria
25th of December, 1883 - Novandria
6th of January, 1884 - Novandria
7th of January, 1884
22nd of January, 1884, Novandria
18th of February, 1884, Bellancourt, Montaigne,
26th of February, Novandria, Eisen
4th of March, 1884, Novandria, Eisen
May 4th, 1884
5th of May, 1884/16th of July, 1858
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