Very good, mademoiselle. This is a spirit I can applaud. How un-Rifter of you to push away from languishment--I am pleased to hear it, very pleased to hear it. I shall meet you on the ferry dock before the noon hour. Make sure to wear decent boots, ones that you can walk in. You will need them.
'Un-Rifter—!' [has the gleam of a pending quibble in it. Languishing! What Rifter does he know which is prone to such nonsense. They are a very hearty breed, please and thank you very much, monsieur!]
I will have you know that I exclusively wear shoes fit for walking in these days.
[She sounds like she must be scowling. But maybe the sullen croak has something to do with the hour. It is late.]
Don't be late or I will be very cross and go directly alone to some smith with my plans. And be sure that you close the door behind you when you leave that room this evening. The goat mustn't be allowed to wander.
Fear not for your estate, mademoiselle! I shall fetch Garce the coverlet from your own bed. That will sate her whims and appetites and make her feel queenly, far too queenly to dare to leave the room, even if I were to leave the door open. Which I will not do. Nor will I be late--what a thing to say! As if I were ever late.
[Always late, more like--if one were measuring by a thing known as 'time' and 'schedules' and 'clocks', and who would bother?]
I should hate very much for some smith of questionable repute to see these plans before I do. Who knows what horrid advice you might be given. For this alone, I shall endeavor to be the thing known as early. I hope you understand how great a gift this is.
—You have not been and will not be in my room, Monsieur.
[It's not a question. It's a statement. Do not attempt to change her mind or to disillusion her. She simply will not be made to think about Valentine de Foncé being anywhere near her personal and highly private things unattended while she is stuck across an entire harbor.]
But very good. I will meet you then, and if all is well then I will avoid subjecting myself to the advice of any questionable smith and you and I will be a step closer to—[she has forgotten very briefly what it is they are meant to be acquiring money for]—er. Acquiring a hired maid. For myself.
One who will be, presumably, permitted to enter your rooms.
[Which is neither comment nor commitment from Val on whether or not he plans to cross that threshold. It is always better to keep those around you guessing on what you will or will not do.]
But! Very good indeed. Already I am looking forward to it, mademoiselle, and I shall leave you now to rest in good health and with the knowledge that I, here, am taking care of Garce. À plus!
[The urge to in some fashion correct or interrogate him further regarding the state of the goat, her bedroom, the house or finances or any number of subjects is almost a compulsion. So, with great effort—]
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no subject
Very good, mademoiselle. This is a spirit I can applaud. How un-Rifter of you to push away from languishment--I am pleased to hear it, very pleased to hear it. I shall meet you on the ferry dock before the noon hour. Make sure to wear decent boots, ones that you can walk in. You will need them.
no subject
I will have you know that I exclusively wear shoes fit for walking in these days.
[She sounds like she must be scowling. But maybe the sullen croak has something to do with the hour. It is late.]
Don't be late or I will be very cross and go directly alone to some smith with my plans. And be sure that you close the door behind you when you leave that room this evening. The goat mustn't be allowed to wander.
no subject
[Always late, more like--if one were measuring by a thing known as 'time' and 'schedules' and 'clocks', and who would bother?]
I should hate very much for some smith of questionable repute to see these plans before I do. Who knows what horrid advice you might be given. For this alone, I shall endeavor to be the thing known as early. I hope you understand how great a gift this is.
no subject
[It's not a question. It's a statement. Do not attempt to change her mind or to disillusion her. She simply will not be made to think about Valentine de Foncé being anywhere near her personal and highly private things unattended while she is stuck across an entire harbor.]
But very good. I will meet you then, and if all is well then I will avoid subjecting myself to the advice of any questionable smith and you and I will be a step closer to—[she has forgotten very briefly what it is they are meant to be acquiring money for]—er. Acquiring a hired maid. For myself.
no subject
[Which is neither comment nor commitment from Val on whether or not he plans to cross that threshold. It is always better to keep those around you guessing on what you will or will not do.]
But! Very good indeed. Already I am looking forward to it, mademoiselle, and I shall leave you now to rest in good health and with the knowledge that I, here, am taking care of Garce. À plus!
no subject
Goodnight, Monsieur.