Part Forty-Four: Gaston's Resolve

[matrixrefugee.livejournal.com]

Matrixrefugee197: Gaston got the message from Premiere Zhao, and was about to break the bad news to the Contessa...
Matrixrefugee197: I think he wavered a moment and wanted his father to do it for him but Le Mero wouldn't let him do that...
Miss Meglomania: Right...the Contessa is still in the Common room with Nitika, the both of them reading and conversing pleasently in Hindi...Nitika says something and they both laugh...
Matrixrefugee197: Gaston crosses himself, gazing up at the painting of his ancestor St. Dagobert (one of the last of the Merovingians), then steps out into the hallway, heading for the common room...
Matrixrefugee197: LM: (watching him go out. Internal: You'd better pray your damnedest...>
Matrixrefugee197: Gaston pauses in the outlet of the hallway, just before entering the common room... hearing the Contessa and Nitika together, he almost ducks back.... he doesn't want to spoil their happy moment...
Miss Meglomania: He's a little too slow...
Nitika: "Hiya, Gaston..."
The Contessa: "Your Majesty', darling...good afternoon, sir."
Matrixrefugee197: G: "Good afternoon, Contessa, Nitika..." (Not sure how to proceed, even as he steps into the room...>
Matrixrefugee197: G: (internal: Lord, be thou my strength; give me the words...>
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa notes a bit of hesitency in his voice, or maybe in his footstep..."Niti, please leave us, we must speak privately."
Nitika groans and picks up her book, heading towards her bedroom...
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa stands, looking at Gaston wth slightly narrowed eyes. "Is something the matter? You look quite...I'm not sure."
Matrixrefugee197: Once Nitika has gone...
G: "Contessa... I'm sorry to break this to you.... but I have some very bad news..."
Matrixrefugee197: His face is almost as white as his shirt...
Miss Meglomania: She pauses. "Go on."
Matrixrefugee197: G: "I've just been informed, by a courier from the World Court... that Premier Zhao is trying to accuse you -- and I know these accusations are unfounded -- accuse you of attempting to overthrow the government of the Eastern Alliance..."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa's expression does not change. "I see."
Matrixrefugee197: G: "I know this will sound 'corny' as I think the term is often used, but if there's anyone you can rely on to argue otherwise, you can rely on me."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa nods. "I thank you for your support. May I see the document?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: (Almost reluctantly, not in a surly way, but as if trying to spare her, he takes it from his breast pocket and hands it to her, holding it as if it were something foul...>
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa acts in a totally business-like manner, as if this were a bill being considered for drafting as she unfolds it and reads it carefully. She pauses a little, and her eyebrows knit before relaxing and she
folds the paper again and hands it to Gaston. "I see...he has certainly laid down the law for me, hasn't he?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "He may be doing that, but I can tell he's twisting the law, trying to make it into a noose to hang you with... but I won't let him do that."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "What he has done is perfectly within his legal right to do so." (wry smile> "I should know, I helped to draft that law myself. I have little choice in this matter than to turn myself into the custody of the World Court at the appointed time and...and then take my fate as it may come to me."
Matrixrefugee197: G: (reaches out, clasps her wrist, as if trying to stop her> "You can't do that: that's just what he wants you to do... You can't let him win: Schrever's proven there's reason to believe that Zhao may have had
something to do with your husband's death."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa looks up at him and her eyes are flashing, a strong note in her voice. "Do you think that I am not fully aware of what he wants and expects me to do? Do you think I am not aware of what my fate will be
should this travesty continue? But do you honestly believe that going against the rules that I have so solidly defended will make this any easier? What do you expect me to do?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "Which is more important: to follow the letter of the law, or to do what's right and true even if it means bending man-made laws?"
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "To do what is right and true is to follow the laws of man. I will not put Nitika in danger or disgrace my husband's name because of my own faults!" she looks at Gaston seriously, but there is a hint of
sadness in her eyes. "What else can I do? What choice do I have?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "No, to do what is right is to follow the law that the creator engraved in every human's heart."
Matrixrefugee197: "Even if it means flying in the face of man's laws when the need arises."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa rises and walks to the window, looking out. "And how am I to do such a thing?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "I can help you with that: we... my father and I... have obtained enough evidence to prove that Zhao had something to do with your husband's death."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa turns to look at him. "I have 24 hours to prove this and present it...can that be accomplished?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "Everything is in place: Schrever has all the documents prepared and the video from the laproscopy he conducted."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "These documents...may I see them?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "The man's adept at burning the midnight oil: he's conditioned himself to need only a few hours' sleep."
Matrixrefugee197: G: "Yes, my father and he have been preparing them the past few days."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa nods. "Thank you. And thank you for informing me of this...turn of events. It is imperative that Nitika not learn of this."
Matrixrefugee197: G: "I've been told I'm a natural at keeping secrets because I'm so quiet by nature."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "Then I would appreciate your discretion now." She nods towards the French hall. "These documents...they are with your father?"
Matrixrefugee197: G: "Yes: he's keeping them in a locked box to which only he has the key."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "Then I shall request it from him. Thank you, Your Majesty. Good day." Heads down the French hall towards Mero's rooms...
Matrixrefugee197: G: (looking up to the ceiling. Internal: Thank you, Lord, for bearing us both up... Guide our hands...>
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa keeps her head up with a cool, detatched demenour...but inside she's in anguish...
Miss Meglomania: Knocks on Mero's door..."Meroveque, it is I. May I come in?"
Matrixrefugee197: When she knocks on the door to Mero's office, she'll hear some all too familiar... uhhh, romantic sounds....
Matrixrefugee197: At the sound of her voice, the sounds stop...
Matrixrefugee197: Then a loud thmp! like someone's padded backside hitting the floor, followed by a loud squawk from Julien and some scuffling around...
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa's anger starts to flare...she's facing most certain death should she be brought to court, and all he can do is-- no, no, keep your cool...
Matrixrefugee197: The door opens and Castor peers out. "Oh, the Contessa... sorry for the delay, but we were sparing you the gruesome details." (opens the door wide enough to admit her>
Miss Meglomania: Teh Contessa brushes past him. "So I heard. Where is Meroveque? He has something I need."
Matrixrefugee197: Once she emerges, she'll find Le Mero seated behind his desk, completely decent... though there's still this 'caught in the act' look about him...
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "I believe I know what it is which you need..."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa stands in front of his desk, looking at him seriously. "I have read the document, and I-- you, get out of here!" she snaps at Julien. "Must you eavesdrop on every detail? Out!"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "EEP!" (scurries for the door>
Matrixrefugee197: Castor: "I guess 'at means *I* should eighty-six it, too." (follows Julien>
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa flutters her eyes closed for a moment. "Do forgive me, Meroveque. I fear I am out of sorts of late."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "So aren't we all to some extent." Rises, loosens the knot of his tie, opens the top button and draws out a sturdy chain hung around his neck, a small ring of keys hanging from it...
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa waits for him...she's in no position to make demands right now, just to sit and wait...
Matrixrefugee197: Takes one of the keys off, goes into the next room, to a closet, opens the door and unlocks a locked box bolted to the floor, takes out a heavy dossier folder with a thumbprint reader, keys it, opens it and removes a
second, smaller folder...
Matrixrefugee197: He returns with the second folder and hands it to her. "Schrever and I only finished drafting this last night: I must admit, he did much of the work, since much of it consisted of material somewhat outside my expertise... (the New Jersey accent cracking through> "Tho' a lot 'uv it was famil'yah territory."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa narrows her eyes at that last bit. "Pardon me?"
Matrixrefugee197: "I usta be a crime r'portah yeeeahs ago." (clears throat>
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa says nothing, just raises an eyebrow a bit at the accent. "I see..." she takes the folder and opens it, scanning it quickly without showing much emotion...
Matrixrefugee197: (the French accent back in place> "You'll find a disk containing the laproscopy scans, somewhat enhanced with Schrever's own voice-over commentary, as well as precis of his findings and the timeline of events leading to the Count's death."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "Does it come with the original theatrical trailer as well?" she shakes her head. "A poor joke. Do forgive me."
Matrixrefugee197: "As well as.... some recent findings of my own: namely, files from the lab where the MetaFlesh cellular disrupter was grown..."
Matrixrefugee197: (Finding my dice...)
Matrixrefugee197: (F0und!)
Miss Meglomania: (waiting in beathless anticiopation....turning blue...)
Matrixrefugee197: ((6/6)
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "Zhao was stupid enough to put his name on the work order for the disrupter."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "Not only does he not have a leg to stand on, he doesn't even have any flooring under him."
Miss Meglomania: ((LOL!!!))
The Contessa pauses. "Where...what lab produced this? And how could it have been done without our knowledge? My God...."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "It was grown in a lab in Toronto, Canada, the only place where MetaFlesh can be legally grown."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa: "And he...that bastard, he...oh God, oh God..." she presses a clenched fist to her mouth..."Oh, sweet Jesus, that bastard, he-- he stood beside me at the funeral, that bastard! He made sure Josef's doctor appointments were kept from the Minister of Information, and you're telling me he...he...oh, God..."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "I've seen things arguably a lot more gruesome, but this made me sick, too..."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa's voice is quiet. "We trusted him..." shakes her head. "But no more. I cannot stand for this, I cannot force myself to pretend anything other than this. Thank you for your help, Meroveque. That is all I can
bring myself to say at this point."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: (shrugging> "It had to be done, and I had the means to do it. You needed closure on this... and now you need it more than ever."
Miss Meglomania: The Contessa nods and puts the files back down. "Yes, and I owe you a debt that someday will be repaid. Good day, Meroveque." And with that, she heads out the door
Matrixrefugee197: LM: (returning the documents to their folder and replacing them in the lock box> (internal: A debt? I was doing this to save my own scrawny ass.>
Miss Meglomania: (lol...of course, she doesn't KNOW that...but some things are best left unsaid...>
Matrixrefugee197: (He's too canny to let her know that of course...>
Miss Meglomania: While Julien is (I assume) moping about outside, one of the orange-clad Russian serving girls approach him..."Mr. Julien, is it?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: (Looking up, miserably, yet seeing a pretty girl near him, his little face brightens> "Yes, I am he!"
Miss Meglomania: She smiles pleasantly at him. "Your presence is requested in the ballroom, if you are not too busy. Good afternoon." She curtsies and heads back again
Matrixrefugee197: J: "Oh?" (wonders what it could be... scurries off to the ballroom....>
Miss Meglomania: The ballroom appears empty except for a player piano banging out Stravinsky, a few notes of sheet music on the floor...
Matrixrefugee197: J: (examines the sheet music...>
Matrixrefugee197: J: Hm, Schonberg.... difficult stuff...>
Miss Meglomania: And a voice comes from behind him. "Ah, Julien, my old friend, thank you for coming to see me on such short notice." Ilia steps in front of him and taps the piano, shutting it off and smiling warmly at the new arrival. "Your presence is most welcome."
Matrixrefugee197: Looks up, his gaze going to the piano...
Matrixrefugee197: J: "Oh? How may I help you?" (a little stiffly: this is, after all, the nasty man who tried getting his dear master in trouble.... but he did help him out again, so he owes him a debt of gratitude...>
Miss Meglomania: Ilia: "Julien, the piano is not talking to you-- I request a little common respect, please?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "I am sorry, M'sieur Ilia..." (turning his gaze to Ilia, head bowed a little>
Miss Meglomania: Ilia: (smile> "Better! Now," he clasps Julien about the shoulders and begins to walk him around the room. "We can talk. Julien, I need some help from you."
Matrixrefugee197: J: "Oh? What can I do to help you?"
Miss Meglomania: Ilia raises an eyebrow. "You have been with Meroveque a long time, yes? You know what it takes to be on his good side, I assume?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "Oh, indeed.... He can be a hard man to please, but when one knows him as well as I do, one finds his heart is warmer than it would seem... He merely has to be approached properly."
Miss Meglomania: Ilia: "So I see." He tightens his grip around Julien's shoulder. "You see, here is my dilem-- dil- problem. Your dear Meroveque has something I want, namely ultimate control of what is staged at the Paris Opera
House. My problem is, I cannot ask him for his assistance with my project directly, as that would be against several laws. I need him to give it to me, and I do not know him well enough to know how to obtain that. Do you understand?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "I believe you may have started to slip past the stone wall around his heart: he enjoyed that tango you danced with him the other night."
Matrixrefugee197: J: "Oh, yes indeed.... the Ministry of Culture is nearly as iron-clad as the Ministry of Finance..."
Miss Meglomania: Ilia: "I suspected as much...what does he enjoy? I mean, I know what he enjoys...but what does he do otherwise? Plays, restaurants, what? I realise I did not exactly endear myself upon our first meeting, but I had no
need to at the time...you could prove to be a very valuable resouce to me, Julien."
Matrixrefugee197: J: "He himself would say his tastes tend toward being dark and at times... angst-laden... I know he often goes to a gothic club in Nouveau Marsailles, the Absinthe Club... I believe he found a similar establishment here
in Rome, Club Strega..."
Matrixrefugee197: J: "He would admit he has had little time to sample the nightlife, since things have been so... tense and complicated to say the least."
Miss Meglomania: Ilia: "Strega...so I see." He turns Julien to face him and holds up a finger, looking somewhat 'plesantly-authoritative', if possible. "Tell your master this: I have a proposition for him, if he should meet me at
one-thirty AM at Strega tomorrow night. Can you do that for me?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "I shall tell him, I promise you."
Miss Meglomania: Ilia flashes a brilliant grin and claps Julien's shoulders. "Good boy! Now off with you, I have practice." With that he turns away and turns the piano back on, going back to stretching
Matrixrefugee197: J: (scurries back to his master's rooms... where Le Mero is already roaring with annoyance trying to find him!>
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "Must you ignore me when I call for you? Or did you switch off the transmitter... again?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: "It will not happen again, I promise... I was called away on important business."
LM: "Important business? Of what sort?"
Matrixrefugee197: J: (relays Ilia's message>
LM: "Ah... This could prove interesting... Why of a sudden would he make this offer...?"
J: "He told me he had a proposition to make to you, but he could tell me nothing more."
Matrixrefugee197: LM: "I see..." (wonders what this could entail... This could be interesting...>
Miss Meglomania: That evening, before the Contessa lies down for 'sleep', she takes off her wedding ring and holds it tightly in the palm of her hand, looking up at the stars... ("Whatever wrongs have been done, whatever pain we have both suffered, it will be absolved, my darling. It will all be absolved...I am so sorry I could not see it sooner."> Lies down in bed and kisses the forhead of her already sleeping daughter before shutting herself off for the night...
Matrixrefugee197: That evening, Gaston prays a second rosary, offering his prayers for the sake of the Contessa, that she will be spared this sorrow...
Matrixrefugee197: That evening, Julien is obliged to spend his night by himself... his master lies with the queen mother...
Miss Meglomania: (She definitely needs it, Gaston, and she knows it...if the truth about her composition and existence were known, she would most likely be destroyed....Nitika put in danger for her own life, the Count's name dragged
through the dirt as a 'tinfucker'...she's trying to do everything she can to avoid any of that...)
Matrixrefugee197: Frank has heard nothing of all this, though he's sensed something was up... He's tried pressing Le Mero about it, but to no avail....
Miss Meglomania: After taking his bi-daily anti-aging treatment and doing a few lines of coke, Ilia crashes into bed to wait out the high...an hour or so of pure euphoria, mind floating above everything...everything so beautiful...
Matrixrefugee197: Cecie has a few difficulties settling down that night: Joseph Neo must sense there's something up, as he's been unusually active...
Miss Meglomania: lol...boy, do I remember THAT...
Miss Meglomania: (Ruby: "Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep..."
Hubby: "(yawn> I WAS asleep..."
Ruby: "I'm talking to your son!">
Matrixrefugee197: F: (holding Cecie in his arms and feeling the wee one kicking> "What's he doing now?"
C: "He's practising his scorpion kick... hey kid, that was your mom's pancreas you just jabbed..."
Matrixrefugee197: F: "What's he doing now?"
C: "More of the same."
F: "Oof... you feel that?"
C: "Yeah, he found the inside of your elbow..."
Matrixrefugee197: And in the Queen Mother's rooms, Marilyn lies awake with her head resting on her spouse's chest, listening to his heart beating...
Miss Meglomania: Before drifting into final shut-down, Nitika nestles further into her mother's arms...she knows something's wrong, she can sense it from the silence and the expressions, and she's starting to become afraid...they can't
take Mom away, they can't, they can't leave her alone...no, she's not alone, Mom's here and she's not going anywhere...Mom's always going to be here, always going to be with her and love her and protect her...
Matrixrefugee197: M: (internal: May another heart as strong as his soon begin to beat...>
Miss Meglomania: And somewhere in the compound of the Basilica, a semenary student wakes up to a pair of icy eyes staring at him..."Helloooo, my darling..."
Matrixrefugee197: Nadia Benachkova, like everyone else, knows little of what is going on, but she could tell from her conversations with Gaston that something isn't right with him, though he never let on and she knows better than to pry...
Matrixrefugee197: She's not a praying type, but she silently makes a promise to herself to just 'be there' for him, if he needs any moral support...
Miss Meglomania: When Yulia Donskaya settles down to sleep, she drifts off into the netherworld she inhabits at night...not exactly dreaming, but not pure vision, either...and she doesn't like what she's seeing...a wolf and a snake at
battle...
Matrixrefugee197: (Any signs of a hyena and a white stag aiding the wolf?)
Miss Meglomania: Nothing yet...just the serpent and wolf locked in battle, then the serpent striking, the wolf falling to the snow...a collective cry from the rest of the pack...
Miss Meglomania: The serpent creeping away through the snow...an angry flap of wings from above, a white swan landing near the fallen wolf, wrapping wings around the still form before the snow obscures it all...
Yulia snaps awake, takes a sleeping pill and drifts off again...maybe the next round will be better...