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Disclaimer: I think you know already, that I do not own Assassin's Creed. Cause' if I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction...At least...I don't think so.
Chapter 9- Unwanted Attention
"The cook's out today. Break, I believe." Yvette had shown me a shoddy looking room which was kindheartedly called a "kitchen". For a second, I thought this was a storage room or something. Thank god, I didn't say that out loud. "But then, the dear deserves it, she works much too hard for her age! Imagine working constantly until the sun and moon were sound asleep!" Yvette continued adding commentary like a real tour guide, well, one that deserved a raise. I had begun to notice she had a habit of having a sweet charming comment about everyone. From her perspective, it seemed the world (even with Rosette in it) would be a nice place. But we all know better.
She turned to me, her eyes twinkling with a young girl's excitement observing the first splendors of the sky for the first time. I didn't know what to expect."The lady Rosette is enormously against any hand servants of my people, I had thought I would be alone." She was still ecstatic about the fact that I could speak her language…And apparently French as well. I was a tri-linguist and I didn't even notice…Dang it!
It was understandable, I suppose. I could offer up some sympathy towards her situation of loneliness…though my own wasn't as nicely solved (a creepy old man who tries to kidnap you…I still get shivers). Rosette's obvious hate towards the Arabian was a no brainer to those who knew her (and to those who encountered her within a few seconds). Where all the hate came from, I did not know. All I knew was the girl was seriously making me feel ashamed for being so close in age. No wonder people didn't take women seriously during this time period…No, wait…
"Don't get too excited." I warned her with a small smile. "I'm an odd conversationalist." My small smile immediately died at the thought of possibly spending the rest of my pathetic life in the same vicinity as Rosette. Why did we have to be so close?! In my definition, a continent would be too close!
"Oh, do not be so bothered." Yvette was like a doting mother, I noticed, and her uncanny ability to read emotions quickly reminded me of Raha. Oh, I could only worry helplessly now and hope he was safe. I found myself mentally depending on Antoine to look after him. I had my utmost confidence in the guy ever since he assisted in my escape.
But even not knowing the cause of my troubling cloud of problems, Yvette insisted kindly, "The lady Rosette is not as…" She tried to place an appropriate word.
"Monstrous? Bratty? Annoying?" I offered quite seriously in a low tone. "…An insult to the human race?"
She laughed harmoniously and instead said, "Complicated…As she makes herself out to be. The girl's heart has a conscience, you see, as everyone does." I nearly rolled my eyes. Wouldn't it be possible that Rosette was an exception to all that? The girl seemed possible of murdering her own grandmother if it meant getting what she wanted.
"Yvette, let's try to think this over." I inhaled deeply. "She made me her PET! If she had a conscious conscience somewhere in the black hole she has for a heart, she would have seen that undermining people to a lower stature than human is BAD!" Before she could interrupt me I squeezed in, "And the same goes for you! She shouldn't be treating you like garbage!" I was about to counteract my comment after thinking a few seconds that she probably treated garbage better than both of us combined.
But I saw I had said enough. I shut my mouth as it looked as though Yvette was going to cry her poor too-big-for-the-world heart out. Did I suddenly pick out the right hammer that broke down her dam of emotions? Darn it, sometimes I need to learn to shut up…
Her smile faded. "Oh yes, I had forgotten. Forgive me, Cosette, you have my pity." She took my hand and patted it soothingly. I twitched at hearing my new name being used.
I sighed, feeling defeated. "It's okay. I'll try and deal with her. She hates both of us for a different reason…makes me wonder who she hates more."
I saw Yvette smile at my comment. "I believe you'll be quite fine, Cosette." As if she thought that Rosette hated her more than me. Well, after a few days here I was determined to make the girl hate me more so to save Yvette. At least I could deal with the verbal abuse; Yvette seemed too innocent for that.
"That's excellent news. I'll try and survive for 3 days and see what happens and decide whether or not to commit homicide or suicide." I said monotone as we walked out of the kitchen. Yvette at first looked frightened beyond compare like she thought I was serious about my statement. "Oh! Please, do not do that!" I stared at her and said after a sigh. "I was…joking. Sorry."
"Oh." Yvette looked like such an adorable child sometimes. And it's odd for a person to think that about someone who is possibly 10 years older than you. I just felt like hugging her then, she seemed to be more sheltered than I thought.
"Yvette! Yvette!" Our heads turned in time to witness a lanky, skinny boy nearly trip in through the doorway. His face was red as though he had finished running the marathon, and from his heavy breathing, it sounded like so too. He gasped as he dropped his hands in exhaustion to his knees. I had to sympathize; I couldn't really run very well either. "Y-you…need to…re-return…" The poor boy sounded as though he wasn't capable of finishing his own sentence.
Miraculously, Yvette somehow knew what he was trying to talk about as realization dawned upon her face and she turned to me. "That's right! Forgive me, Cosette, but it seems I cannot accompany you any longer. I must leave for work." ("You mean slave labor." I insisted.) She looked to the young boy, with a sincere smile. "Thank you muchly, Gervaise! You do Yvette favor, yes?" Her speech seemed more broken when she spoke to other people aside from me; I assumed that it was her attempt at French…or English. I couldn't really tell the difference. To my ears, everything sounded English. It was like everyone was dubbed, but very well and without the crappy obvious fake acting.
Yvette gently took my arm and pulled me forward, closer to Gervaise so that I could practically see the pupils in his eyes. I felt a little antsy with his bottle green eyes staring at me as it seemed he just now noticed me. Yvette seemed unaware of how uncomfortable I was feeling (oddly enough) and continued with her request. "Cosette new here, she need someone look after her."
"Um, hi. How's it going?" I spoke as casually as I could before I broke down from the anxious feeling I was getting and backed away a little. Those eyes of his were just unnerving, they seemed like they wanted to delve into the deep parts of my soul. I nearly asked him if he required me to punch his eyes closed since he was having so much trouble closing them himself. I disliked this anxious feeling; it was like being examined on a dissection table. Fortunately, I only said, "It's nice to meet you too."
That seemed to break the trance he was under as he started blushing furiously, embarrassed. "Wha-?" He recovered as gracefully as he could manage. "Oh, yes, please forgive me; it is an honor to meet you…Cosette." Sure it is. I didn't want to think badly of him, but there he was still staring at me with those eyes of his. And when he said that name…I don't know, it just made me feel all weird. And that's saying a lot!
"Um…Yeah…" I looked away from his gaze, but could still feel his stare on me as I looked to Yvette for help. Unfortunately, she amazingly did not seem to notice (despite her observation skills) and only smiled. Everything seemed to be going well in her book. In fact, I didn't understand why the guy was staring at me like that in the first place! Why not Yvette?!
Suddenly, as though my voice had brought him to a sudden realization, Gervaise gasped to himself. "Yvette! Wait! Before you leave, my brother told me he needs to speak with you!" After saying so, Gervaise seemed satisfied that he managed to remember to say so as he gave a little smile. Yvette was only standing a few feet away from him, so I didn't see any real reason why he needed to shout.
Yvette's smile seemed to falter for but a moment when he told her, but it was so brief, it was like it didn't even happen. "Good! Tell Marcellin, Yvette will meet him in morning!" Gervaise quickly nodded in response and looked very serious as though it were a life or death mission. I figured he held his brother, Marcellin, (Hmm, odd name) on a high pedestal. I wondered what Marcellin's relationship was with Yvette…What if he was her boyfriend?!
I suddenly felt a protective need to inspect this Marcellin.
I was careful not to show any of my intention on my face. "OKAY!" I turned to Gervaise, who was now wearing a very odd expression that resembled a surprised monkey. "Let's go on the tour!" I started walking in a direction.
Then paused and turned around. "Where are we going?"
"The stables." Gervaise managed to answer as he awkwardly tried to lead the way, still stealing not very secretive glances at me. I'm not sure what he's trying to do, but there are better ways to remember a person's face. He could at least pretend to be secretive about it. He wasn't even trying to hide it. Unless…his intention was to bug me from the beginning… Nah, that's something I would do!
A couple steps later I turned around and waved Yvette goodbye as I threw her a smile. I felt a twinge of guilt and wanted to run back and tell her she should take a break and I could do whatever it was she was needed for. It seemed unfair that she had to work while I was basically taking a break from everything. But the smile in return that she gave me reassured me just a tiny bit and I was on my way before my disturbance could be caught by those deep eyes.
Gervaise did not seem a very talkative person…well, at least, around me. I would have felt offended, but then I realized that maybe the guy had problems talking to people he didn't exactly know well. It didn't really help that I was a weirdo. So, I decided it would be best for my patience to test itself as I waited a few extra seconds for him to try and say something. After 5 passed, my patience couldn't handle the silence anymore.
"SO! What is up with you? How'd you end up here?!" I was being a little too loud than necessary, but GOSH DARN IT, I couldn't handle the silence as well as most people. If I were made into a playing card, "Awkward Silences" would be listed as one of my weaknesses. But then, if I were made into a playing card…I don't think I'd be here. People would worship me! (I think…) But I'm going a little besides the point here…
Gervaise seemed hesitant to answer my very loud questions but finally said in a nearly whisper tone voice, "My family has been serving here for years. I think it's a matter of loyalty." Well, it wasn't much, but I took it and I became absorbed in my desperate attempt to try and muster up an actual conversation with this guy.
"Loyalty? Oh, so I guess you're family's been here a while. I wonder if they did Regal Lady's ancestors a favor or something. Something honorable like saving the last heir or something…" I was beginning to take a turn for the dramatic. Ah, those adventure stories were finally starting to catch up to my brain. "Maybe they were part of some conspiracy."
Gervaise was quick to answer this time from my outrageous deduction. "M-miss, what you're saying is sullying the family name!" Whose family name, he did not mention. But I listened with a big grin at his panicked look. "I am sure my family or the Basset family would never be involved in such things!" He paused with a gasp and looked around as though Rosette or Regal Lady were going to jump at him and slit our throats.
Before I could say anything else he said with a thought. "And who is this 'Regal Lady', you speak of?! You couldn't possibly be speaking of our selfless Lady Clemence?!" He thought my nickname of her was scandalous. It was interesting hearing her name for the first time though…and seeing Gervaise's expression was just a small bonus.
We walked the rest of the way in silence to the stables, side by side. And every time I glanced at him he I would catch him staring at me again, blushing and turning his whole face red. This is going to be a long day. I didn't understand why he was doing that, it was like he was trying to correct something on my face.
"You know, it's rude to stare." I said, glancing at him.
He turned beet red again. "F-forgive me." He quickly looked away and I did too, but out of the corner of my eye I saw he was staring again. I nearly gave my forehead a hand print in irritation and groaned. It was just so noticeable; I wished he would just tell me what he found absolutely fascinating about me. I was at the point where I didn't care what his opinion of me was anymore, I was prepared to bark back for whatever he thought was wrong with me.
"My, my, this is absolutely delightful!"
I stiffened at the voice, my anger already building up. Oh my, my, isn't this absolutely NOT delightful? I didn't know why, but people like her made my blood boil. Just hearing her voice set me off, I was already thinking of ways to get rid of her.
"Hello Rosette." I replied monotone and giving her a mock bow to top it all off. You heard me, not a curtsy, a bow. That's right, you blankity blank bad word insert here... She just ticked me off. Why had she followed us? What a stalker!
Gervaise, however, bowed humbly to my great disgust. "My lady." Tch, what a pansy. As if there weren't other qualities he had that made me annoyed. I didn't want to hate the guy, but, OH GOD, did he really have to grovel to that?! She didn't deserve respect! That's something that you need to earn, and I sure as heck know she didn't earn it.
"Aren't you both just an adorable couple?" She accused playfully, laughing to herself. I think she just wanted an excuse to get punched by me.
Gervaise blushed…yet again and started to jabber his protest. Okay, it was definite that this guy was the submissive type. I knew that he was just scared of offending her, but if he didn't notice, I wasn't exactly being respectful. And I hadn't had my tongue cut out or a hand chopped off. This girl had no authority to do that anyway. Regal Lady did.
I sighed and immediately took over. "We have no idea what you're talking about." It was difficult keeping all that anger plugged in.
"Of course." She smiled, finding it amusing that it bothered me. Of, course. "Do not deny it; you two are a vision of love." Ugh, where's a barf bad when you need one?! I'll be sure to dump it on her later.
I rolled my eyes. "Keep your fantasies to yourself cause' I don't need them." I glanced at Gervaise and pulled him up and started dragging him as he prattled on his apologies to Rosette. "We're leaving." Not that I needed to announce it.
Gervaise apologized to me, blushing. "I'm sorry, Cosette. I'm not like you; I can never speak up to anyone…" I felt like I softened up as I slowed down. This guy didn't deserve my anger, that was just his personality. I sighed and looked at him. "It's okay. I'm not saying you need to insult her, but she doesn't deserve your respect, you know? You're better than that." I was surprised that he didn't chastise me for saying that. He only nodded as though taking it to heart.
We arrived to the stables without Rosette following to us, but came to a very angry and infuriated stableman. I think I'll take my chances with his so called "wrath".
"You were supposed to be out here half an hour ago." He resembled Gervaise in appearance, his eyes were, however, blue. Hmm, they must be brothers. Obviously. I remembered Gervaise saying so earlier, so it must have been true.
"Forgive me, Brother, we came across Lady Rosette along the way we-…" Gervaise looked forlorn and wounded that he had disappointed his brother; I nearly petted him and told him everything was going to be to his own brother, it was like he had a confidence issue.
"No, right now we must tend to the stables." He glanced at me, giving me the look. "And who, pray tell, are you?" Your worst nightmare, buddy. I didn't say that. But I gave him a look too as I challenged him. What exactly made him so high and mighty?
Gervaise answered for me. "She is Cosette."
"Only temporarily." I grumbled (But it seemed like he didn't hear me).
His brother looked at me peculiarly. "That name, does it not mean…'little thing-'…"
"...'-of no importance'. Yes, we all know." I finished for him, glaring at him and hoping; by some miracle lightning would come and strike him. Never happened. Dang it all. That name didn't bother me at first, but with everyone using it now I was beginning to feel like my identity was being painted over.
"Yes…Well, let us take our leave with haste. The horses will not wait forever." He led the way, all of us walking in silence. I nearly said that they could have, but it would have been animal cruelty. But I expected Marcellin wasn't one to take a joke. He looked so serious; it put me off from speaking to him.
"Hmm…" I pondered on what to talk about, the walk being awkward. "…Nice weather we're having." Now, that was just pathetic. I wanted to say something to Gervaise but he was so concerned with following his brother, he didn't even look at me this time. It was weird, his new staring subject was his brother and he didn't seem to mind or notice.
They both disregarded my attempt at conversation and I felt very aggravated, I wanted to punch something…someone. I hated silence. I felt like I need my mp3 player with me so I could listen to it along the way. What was the point of having people walk with you if they didn't strike up conversations? At least my sister would do that…Even if they were about the destruction of the human race.
Marcellin turned to me suddenly when we arrived. "Please, will you allow my brother and I a word alone?" It was like he thought I was going to follow them into their conversation. We were at the horses and I wasn't really in the mood to follow them any more than necessary, so yeah, I was perfectly fine with splitting from them.
I quirked an eyebrow and answered. "Okay." I shrugged as I went over to a nearby horse. I loved horses, they were so adorable. Their huge eyes were so cool to look into, it was like you could see your own reflection in them.
Marcellin wasted no time and went to his brother who looked worried. Whatever…I shouldn't even care. I began petting the horse gently as it snorted in approval, nuzzling its nose to me. They're probably talking about me. I shouldn't even try to think of…Ah, what the heck. I'm bored. I need something to do.
I gestured the horse to stay as I sneaked over to their little meeting spot. I could almost hear the Mission Impossible theme playing in the background. It took a great effort not to hum along.
"…Forgive me, but she seemed so insistent-…" Gervaise…obviously.
"No, I required Yvette to be here. I needed to speak with her." Marcellin.
"…So you did not require help after all? Brother, what are you-…"
"Hush, not so loud! It is a secret, brother. I cannot tell you." Marcellin interrupted again, whispering.
Gervaise whined. "B-but brother I-…"
"No. No more." There was a pause as though he were listening for something. I held my breath, my heart beating fast within my chest; I was scared they would hear it. "Now, let us go and send that girl back. Tell her that the problem is no more."
I quickly made my escape back to the horse in record time, taking deep breaths to calm my heartbeat as I watched them come back.
"What took you guys so long?" I asked casually as I combed the horse's mane, tenderly with my fingers. The horse was so calm, it was like I never left it. I felt like cooing it. It was such a good horse!
They didnt' suspect a thing. Absolutely brilliant. I am so good at this! And modest!
Gervaise came to me red faced after much encouragement from his brother. "P-please forgive us, the problem is-…"
"Already fixed, right?" I continued looking at the horse's frayed mane and combed through it. It was so dry. I wanted to keep on petting it forever.
"Yes. How did you know?" I predicted his surprised expression.
I smirked. "It was just a guess." I paused a moment as I remembered. "Oh, good bye Gervaise. It was nice meeting you." Finally, I can leave! I loved horses, but Marcellin watching me disapprovingly was really killing the mood. I'm sure he didn't really like me. Ah, me and my first impressions never really end up well. Too bad. I purposely didn't say goodbye to him. It certainly wasn't nice to meet him, so saying so would've been a lie. I was just being honest.
It didn't take any encouragement for me to leave; I was tempted to break into a sprint after my first steps.
"Yvette! I'm back!"
"Oh, how was everything?" She looked a little tired and I figured Rosette must have worked her to death after our encountered. I made a mental note to make her life miserable later.
"Marcellin is kind of…a jerk."
"Really?"
"Yes, Yvette." I didn't know how any more obvious I could get with this. "He wouldn't strike up a friendly conversation with me about the weather!"
"NO, he didn't!" She acted surprised.
"I KNOW! How dare he think the weather be too insignificant to talk about!" We laughed. "His brother couldn't stop staring at me, the weirdo. Must be my clothes."
"Oh, please, do not speak ill of the boy. He has taken a liking to you." Her last sentence hit me like a spontaneous snowball.
"W-what…?" Was all that I choked out of my mouth, suddenly I felt tongue tied.
She smiled knowingly. "You did not notice?"
"Heck no! It wasn't like I was asking for his attention!" I blurted out, feeling my cheeks burn burning with mortification. "How do I make it stop?!" I felt so stupid asking the question. I wasn't even sure it could stop.
She gave me a playful frown. "You do not like him?"
"My feelings are kind of neutral right now. I haven't known him long enough to hate him." I retorted, embarrassed beyond reason. How in the world was I supposed to face him later?!
"Hmm, and yet you met Rosette for a mere minutes and presume your hatred for her." She said pondering. She caught me in a deadlock.
"That's because I know for sure, it's there. The hatred, the anger, Oh yes, it's like a burning fire in my body, let me tell you!" I waved my arms around and eventually leaned against the wall, overcome.
She sighed and patted me for comfort. "Perhaps it is only a liking; he does not wish to marry you." But I knew she found it amusing that I was discomforted. Khairiya was secretly sadistic underneath that sweet exterior.
"I sure hope so." I muttered as I groaned, putting my hands to my face.
Just then, I remembered something and grinned, relieved that I could change the subject from me to her. "Yvette. Did you know Marcellin wanted to talk to you?"
She became shocked and looked around. She checked out the door to make sure no one was listening then closed the door. She came to me, her expression staid. "For what reason?"
"I don't know." I answered truthfully. "I eavesdropped…You aren't going to tell on me, are you?" I seriously doubted she would, but if Marcellin ever found out, I was sure he'd made me silent permanently. The guy was a little intimidating…almost. But then, tall people usually were intimidating.
She let out a breath, as though relieved. "No, no, I would never think of such a thing."
We sat together, leaning against the wall, in silence. "Do you know?"
She gave me a grim look. "We should not speak of this." Now, that's just going to leave me curious. I wanted to know even more than before.
"Come on, how bad can it be?" I reassured her. Yvette had a secret, that was something I couldn't ignore. What, did she have a secret past? What she a spy? Oooh, those adventure action stories were catching to me again.
She bit her lip, looked around again then whispered softly to my ear as I leaned in. "I am preparing to run away...back to my homeland."
I nearly cheered for her. Yay! Good for you! Where's the confetti when you need it? Yvette is finally standing up for herself...She grows up so fast. I was so happy for her. Finally, after all this time she would be able to have a chance to be away from Rosette and back with her kinder and loving family. But I was curious where her homeland was. Hopefully, it'd be close. The closer the better. But then, I don't think she would have waited this long if it was close…
"Where is that?" I whispered in reply.
She gazed into my eyes, looking for any reason for me to betray her. She found none. What reason did I have to betray her anyway? It's not like I felt a loyalty towards Rosette. Heh, a loyalty…towards Rosette. Regal lady…I respected, but I think she would have understood why Yvette disappeared. And I doubt she would have trouble hiring another person to take over Yvette's place.
She looked around once more (this was becoming a routine) and said even more quietly. "Masyaf."
I found myself whispering back. "Take me with you." This was going to be an awesome trip.
Thank you for taking your time in reading (I sound like an advertisement). XD
