"Break ties
But struggle with the chains in life
You'll always be the puppet wire
Stapled to my heart
I'm washed out
In sorrow and in glory
It's all the same old story
But this will be the time"
-"Pantomime" by Ben Hammersley
Maison du Vieux Amour
Chapter Two
A/N: Hey guys! I was so glad to see some interest in this story so I decided to give another chapter a try. If you like it please let me know through a review or a PM so I can see whether to continue or not! Thanks!
"I have to share my room with her?" Amber was baffled as Victor delivered the news.
"Amber," Victor sighed, "You already share you room with Nina. If Mara, Patricia, and Joy can handle three in a room, then so can you two."
"Besides," Marianne spoke up, "I won't be here for long," her eyes danced along Victor's face, checking for a response, "my program doesn't last forever."
Amber wrinkled her nose in distrust at the older French girl.
"I mean isn't it a little weird that she's staying here?" She turned to her roommate Nina for support.
"It's not weird at all," Victor cleared his throat, "graduate students take residence at other schools all the time. What's weird is that we don't have proper accommodation for guests. But that's not your problem. You will do as I say."
"But she's ancient!" Amber declared.
Victor and Marianne shared a look of panic. How in the world did Amber know…?
"I mean you're like what? Twenty five?" Amber said, "What will we even have in common?"
"Twenty-three, actually," Marianne corrected, relieved that Amber was only exaggerating, as usual it seemed, "and I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about. Par exemple, I adore your boots."
"Really!" Amber squealed as she turned her leg to show off her brand new shoes, "Because I bought them at a sale and-,"
"I'll leave you to it then," Victor grumbled and walked off to his office.
It didn't take the students of House Anubis long to get used to Marianne's presence. They were an enthusiastic crew and overall rather welcoming.
Nina helped Marianne set up her bed in the corner by the window. Marianne hadn't brought anything with her other than a single suitcase containing her clothes- which were in need of a wash, having been untouched since the 1960s. She'd also brought with her her favourite easel and a blank canvas which she set up right next to her bed.
"That's all you've got?" Amber asked.
"Yes, unfortunately. I like to travel light."
And Marianne left her story at that. She wanted the students to trust her, but some things were better kept a mystery. From what Victor had told her, these children had voracious minds and grew more curious by the minute.
"What sort of things does an Art History major do?" Nina inquired politely. There seemed to be a lot on her mind, but she was making an effort to make Marianne feel at home.
"Well, mon cher, mostly I study the history of the world, just as anyone else would. You like history don't you?"
Nina seemed wary of this assumption, but nodded. The necklace around her neck didn't lie.
"Well I study the world, through the eyes of those who were there. It's all very well to read a textbook or a record, but art is really our guide to the world before us. I am interested in the very foundations," Marianne pressed her pam against the wallpaper, "of buildings. That is where the stories are."
"And you draw too?" Amber asked, although she didn't seem invested in the answer.
"Yes I do. I specialize in architecture and landscape, but I do a portrait every now and then."
"I have headshots. For my modelling carer," Amber said.
"I see."
Supper was an awkward affair. It seemed that Victor didn't usually join the students during their meals. Alfie flung food around, Joy eyed Nina and Fabian with disgust, Patricia blabbered on, and Mara and Mick were so in love they didn't notice anyone else.
"So," Jerome said, turning to Marianne, "how about you and I-,"
He was interrupted by the chirping of his mobile.
"No phones at the table," Trudy warned. Trudy was a lovely woman, very motherly if anything. She'd insisted on feeding Marianne some bread before dinner, claiming that she was worried about her weight.
If only Trudy had known that Marianne had gone years without eating. Nothing but fertilizer touched her lips. That, and the cool embrace of death.
While the children were still engaged in their chattering and throwing of food, Marianne stuck out with an extra plate. She'd just grabbed some salad, a piece of buttered bread, and a small pile of pasta.
She knocked on Victor's office door. At first the man looked up with a furrowed brow, but his face softened when he saw who it was. Marianne let herself in.
"I brought you some supper. I thought you might be hungry. If only we had a bottle of wine to accompany us," She smiled.
"If only," Victor nodded in gratitude but didn't touch his meal.
"What's on your mind?"
"On top of the fact that you've returned after fifty years of me thinking you were dead, and the fact that the school year is about to begin? Only the matter of everything that passed last year."
"It's all over now, Victor," Marianne soothed, "the children are well, you're still alive."
"But Rufus. Is he still alive? And the Book of Isis- where is it? I can't keep living like this, Marianne. Wondering when I'll reach my end. And now that you're back…"
"Slow down, my love," Marianne pressed, "What is this about the Book Isis? Tell me everything you know about the elixir…and I'll tell you everything I know about Rufus."
So they agreed, and shut Victor's door. They spent hours talking, only interrupted when Victor had to send the children off to bed. It turned out that Victor had a secret bottle of port hidden away, which they opened and shared.
"What was that?" Victor grunted, standing up from his perch.
"Oh, the children are sneaking out," Marianne shrugged, "They are having a secret reunion picnic or something like that, up in the attic. I heard them whispering about it."
"Well why didn't you tell me sooner!"
"I see no reason to halt their fun."
"Marianne, just because you're here, doesn't mean I will neglect my duty as caretaker. These children must have order."
"Alright, alright," Marianne winked, "off you go then."
A/N: Okay so it was a short one but I am starting to think of some more ideas for the plot, so hopefully you're into it and I can post a new chapter soon?
