A French Connection

Synopsis

February 27, 2005 - Mignonette happens upon Beatrix at the Public Library. They have a civil conversation about various subjects.



Setting

Dallas Public Library:

The library is a rather large building that extends two levels. Security gates at the entrance lead past a long rectangular circulation desk where patrons may check out or return books. Across from the circulation desk is large, archaic looking card catalogue beside which is a computer that is set up to locate books. Following the typical Dewey Decimal Classification System, the rows of shelves are laid out systematically, with large signs overhead so that patrons can find precisely what they are looking for. Study carols and tables line the walls, and one corner of the library is set aside for two separate lecture rooms that can booked for meetings.


Cast

Beatrix:
You see a woman who appears to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She extremely thin and yet very toned, giving her a fragile yet dangerous look. The woman's skin is flawless and of mixed complexion, and her long limbs give her an elegant look. Her face is very pretty, with full lips and dark eyes. She usually wears bold lipstick and dark eyeliner, and her hair is black and tends to be pulled up in a complicated fashion.

The woman is wearing a black and red dress. The dress looks almost like a modern variation of an older style, though it is hard to place the design. She often wears fingerless black gloves which leave her well manicured fingers exposed. A pair of tall high heel boots click on the ground as she walks. The woman is wearing a choker, earrings, and rings that are all silver in color and are inlayed with black stones.

___

Mignonette:
A delicate flower. A fragile gem. An apt description, for the woman, in form and figure. Brilliant green eyes, darkly lashed, accented by perfectly arched brows illuminate her face, set above a puckish nose, lightly dashed with childhood freckles never quite outgrown. Full, sweetly curved cupid's bow lips in a naturally rosey tone add a sensuality to her face, offsetting high cheekbones and a slender chin. Her skin is all peaches and cream, darkened only lightly by the rays of the sun. That same sun has kissed her dark brown hair with hints of gold and auburn, as it frames her face and spills down in light curls to just below her shoulderblades. Her makeup is understated, accenting only her eyes, with a light shimmer to her lips. her only jewelry, is a delicate platinum chain, from which depend a trio of diamonds set in a rectangular frame.

Her clothing, as seems her wont, is modern, crisp and business elegant. A tailored silk shirt in snowy white contours to her figure, accenting the line of her shoulders, the toned length of her arms, and finely boned hands. Unbuttoned down far enough to allow the collar to accentuate the graceful sweep of her neck, the soft, demure curve of her breasts, the fabric is a soft accent to a slender waist. A high waisted, equally tailored pencil skirt in midnight blue sculpts her frame from the indentation of her waist, across the gentle roundness of her hips, the cut and the slit that opens the skirt from where it ends just below her knee to mid thigh set to accentuate the curve of her bottom. A pair of black patent leather stilettos adds more than a few inches to her frame, bringing her from her normal 5'5" up to nearly 5'8".



Scene

The Library is a little busier than usual tonight it appears that it is research paper time at one of the local universities. There is a woman in a black dress prowling the shelves, frowning most distastefully as she pulls out one book after another. She has a large stack of books sitting on a table nearby, some appear to be from the international section. Beatrix stops and glares at a group of girls several yards away, but they appear to be whispering quietly.

___

It's not the university students alone, who are making use of the library in the late hours of the afternoon/evening, and Mignonette weaves her way through the crowds that come and go through the aisles, some more polite than others. She seems to be looking for one aisle or another, her voice soft as she counts off the catalog numbers on her way through. The language, French, the accent, Acadian. '1732, no. 1856, no. 1940 to…46.' She turns, waiting for a group to go past before she heads down the aisle.

___

Beatrix is running her hand along a shelf of books, scanning the titles as she does so. She closes her eyes and grimaces, saying softly in French “Damn humans. Why can’t the go to sleep when the sun goes down?” She sighs and continues her search before stopping abruptly. There is someone else speaking French in this library. She scans the crowd, narrowing her eyes at a few of them. No, not that one. The voice is female. Perhaps that one? Her eyes come to rest on Mignonette, she may notice the other woman staring at her.

___

Mignonette does indeed notice the woman staring at her. But it's less because she felt the gaze, as some people claim they can, and more because she happens to be on the same aisle that the small woman decided to turn down. When she speaks her voice is that same accent heard before, but this time in english, rather than French. "Madame." A polite greeting, and an incline of her head towards the stacks, as she waits her turn with the books, Beatrix having first choice on the aisle, as it were.

___

Beatrix pulls a book off the shelf. It appears to be a version of “Don Quixote” written in French. “You speak French? And you are looking for books in the language?” She peers at the girl. “Perhaps a student? No no. You’re too old for that.” He ponders aloud of the woman in front of her. She looks to be about Beatrix’s age before she died. “Your accent sounds native however, you are from France then?” Beatrix’s accent faded long ago, but she remembers well the sound of a true French accent. She steps back and holds out a hand, allowing Mignonette to peruse the books she was just looking through.

___

Mignonette shakes her head, that sweet, disarming smile curving her lips, "Originally, yes, we were from France, but that was long ago. But we Acadians have kept the memory of who we were alive, I suppose. I speak it whenever I can, and I enjoy reading work in my first language." She steps closer, attention shifting from the woman, and to the book in her hand, "That has always been one of my favourites." She holds out a hand, silently asking for the book, though she waits for the other woman to hand it over or not, "Not a student any longer, thankfully so."

___

Beatrix listens to the other woman speak. Not a terrible conversation to be having with a human. At least this one speak in words instead of in media. She grasps the book as Mignonette holds out her hand and hesitates for a moment before handing it over. Her own hand brushes against Mignonette’s as she hands it over, the other woman may notice how cold her skin is. “I am a fan of this book as well, although I have not had a copy in French since a fire…Many years ago. I also enjoy to speak in French. While not my first language, I have spoken it for almost all of my life.”

___

Mignonette accepts the book with a soft, "Thank you," her features schooled, ever polite, showing no indication of a reaction to the chill of Beatrix's hand, before she flips open the book, careful hands moving from page to page, finger skimming down as she finds a particular passage, switching back to her soft, lilting French, 'Thou must take notice, brother Sancho, that this adventure and those like it are not adventures of islands, but of cross-roads, in which nothing is got except a broken head or an ear the less: have patience, for adventures will present themselves from which I may make you, not only a governor, but something more.'. She looks back up from the book, before she closes it, not switching back to english, but continuing on in French, 'A diary of impossible things.' She shakes her head, "I'm sorry, I have been rude and have not intended to be. I am Mignonette," She holds the book back out for the other woman, "And the book should be yours." You did, after all, get to it before she did.

___

Beatrix raises an eyebrow as the girl reads. She responds in French, though it is slightly off. The accent and a few of the words reveal it to be a form of Creole, though the language is so rarely used now that it would be unsurprising if Mignonette does not recognize it. “It is rare to find someone as young as you who can appreciate fine literature.” Perhaps something odd for someone to say to another who appears to be their same age. She nods to the girl. “I am Beatrix, and you can take the book if it is what you are seeking. I have plenty of time to read it myself, and as I said, I used to own a copy myself.” Beatrix has a confused look on her face. Did she really just do something nice for this human? Granted this one seems to be better educated than most.

___

A tilt of her head, as Mignonette listens to the other woman's French. It's different from hers, and in a Creole dialect she's not entirely familiar with, but, the similarity is such that they can understand each other readily enough. And her expression is friendly, companionable. "It is good to have someone to speak with. I was afraid that I would be bombarded with Texas twang for my entire stay in Dallas." Laughter, again, a companionable sound, as she accepts the book, as though the joke were easily shared between herself and the other woman, "I suppose I should be reading those trashy romance novels that most women my age seem to enjoy devouring, but to tell you the truth…I've never really enjoyed them. I suppose I'm a bit too snobbish about my reading tastes. But thank you for the book, it was kind of you."

___

Beatrix still looks bewildered by her own actions, but she composes herself quickly enough. “Oh? Yes well, I try to avoid books such as that myself. And I just moved here myself. The Texas dialect is a bit distasteful to my ears, but I somehow manage. It is nice to find someone who speaks French out here, though.” Perhaps that is it. Nostalgia. Beatrix has not conversed in French in almost 50 years. Her fear of deep water keeps her from crossing the oceans, and so she has to make do with those who happen across her. “I am Beatrix, and do not mention the book. As I said, I have plenty of time to pick it up later.” She waves a hand dismissively at her pile of books. “I have a bit of reading to do for other reasons, I just wanted something for relaxation purposes.” A quick glance at the woman’s books reveal a political array, including a few books written by and about the Fellowship of the Sun.

___

At the woman's gesture, Mignonette's gaze moves to the collection of books indicated, a look of distaste coming over her face as she passes over the books on or by the Fellowship, "I must say, I think I prefer my reading material to yours. Savage, close-minded bigots." A shake of her head, and her hand rises to wave away the comment, though, well, it's not as if what has been heard can be unheard, "My apologies. I daresay my opinion is not welcome in Dallas, where they have such a presence, and I did not mean any offense to you, Beatrix."

___

Beatrix smiles at the woman’s response. “Ah, well if you find them to be so distasteful, then I think we can get along well. I read about them because I disagree with them. The best way to tear down your enemy is to understand how they work.” She traces a finger along the spine of one of the books. “Some are trying to get rid of them legally, but I’m afraid that is a difficult thing to do in America, especially in Texas.” She frowns, “But I fear that my opinion, being the same as yours, is also generally not welcomed here. It was a bit easier in New Orleans, but the pseudo-vampire culture is so ingrained there that many of the locals seemed indifferent to the revelation.”

___

"You are right of course. It is a technique I learned at a very young age, and one that I have put to good use in my practice. But to see them so blatantly promoting their ideals here. And to be fair, while vampires are their primary concern, they also seem to hate anyone who is in any way different from themselves. And frankly, that gives all of us a bad name." A quirk of a smile, as Mignonette nods, in answer to the other woman's comment, "Though, from what little experience I have had with them, I think…not all vampires are quite as romantic as the culture in New Orleans would make them out to be. Cruel or kind, in their own measure."

___

Beatrix ponders the woman’s words for a moment before responding. “Yes well, it is probably wise to not trust vampires so readily, however it is also wise to not readily trust a human.” She smirks, “These fools would use fear mongering and bigotry to achieve their own political needs.” She shakes her head, “But I should not get into this discussion here. It is something I feel quite passionately about. Leave it suffice that I would like to see their group dismantled as soon as possible.”

___

"One of my father's favourite words of wisdom is that trust is something that must be earned, not just given. And I think that applies to any race, not only vampires or humans. Though, I'm often told, that as a lawyer, I'm closer to the first, than to the other, if you'll forgive the reference." It's the only indication Mignonette gives, even still, that she might suspect what you are. "Have I kept you from you work? I know that the library will be closing soon."

___

Beatrix makes a distasteful face. “Yes well, people like to use language in such a way. Granted I recognize the fact that that particular figure of speech is far older than the revelation.” She sighs and folds her arms across her chest. “And no one should judge an entire race, only each individual as they meet them.” The words seem somehow hollow. She believes humans are quite inferior as a race, but she’s not going to ruin the conversation with such an opinion. “Oh? Yes I should probably check out. But no, you did not keep me. Worry not, and do enjoy the book.” She offers a slight smile.

___

"I believe that every race has its own strengths and weaknesses, gifts and abilities, and on those they can be judged, so long as they are put in the proper context. But each person, whatever their race, is more than a collection of the gifts and deficits that come with their race, and the whole person should be acknowledged, if you are to judge them properly and find them worthy or not, in your own mind." Mignonette offers another polite nod of her head, as proper as she can be without the right attire for a curtsey, "Thank you for speaking with me, Beatrix, and for the book. I do hope you'll forgive the figure of speech. And if you ever need assistance in deciphering the legal system, as it applies to the fellowship, my office is in the book, Savoy and Savoy. We have an answering service, if you call and we are out of the office." Finally, a smile, still companionable, as she steps away, "A good evening to you, madame Beatrix." She uses the formal title not to indicate marital status, but a higher social standing, as one would acknowledge an elder. She will, however, wait until she dismissed, as it were, before she moves to head to checkout with her acquired treasure.

___

Beatrix offers a cold smile, “Yes, if only more people shared your paradigm I believe the world would be a better place. And I may send someone toward your office. I am not the best one to deal with such things, I do the research to aid the cause in my own way. “ In truth Beatrix’s plans for the Fellowship are a bit darker than mere legal battles, but again she’d rather not get into that. “ And again, do not worry about the book. Do have a good evening, my dear.” She picks up her stack of books and heads toward the checkout desk, intending to do a bit of research over the next few days.

~ Fin ~

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