22
After changing, Rogue had made her way downstairs towards the kitchen. Remy, of course, had been on her mind all morning seeing as, what ever question or problem she had, it always seemed to come back to circle around him. But there was one thing on her mind that wasn't about him so she thought she would face that first.
"Mornin' Tante," Rogue said as she entered the kitchen.
Tante glanced her way, a beaming smile on her face as she saw her stood in the enterence. It was like last night had, almost, never happened.
"Honey chile, y' be up early! Y' here f' le petit déjeuner?" Tante asked, seeming rather pleased by that.
"Erm, yeah," Rogue said, moving further into the kitchen and taking a seat at the table.
Tante's head feel slightly to the side.
"What be troublin' y'?" she asked, moving to put the kettle on the stove.
"Nuthin' really… Well, except the usual," Rogue muttered.
She felt a dish cloth hit her in the back of the head and she winced.
"Speak up chile!" Tante commanded in a calm voice.
Rogue had glanced back at the woman who had a hand on her hip and was glancing down at her with a stare that said don't-try-and-kid-me. After rubbing the back of her head, Rogue found herself glancing back down at the table.
"There's a few things on mah mind," Rogue said, louder this time without mumbling.
"Like what?" Tante asked, taking the kettle off the stove.
"Well ah-" Rogue stopped herself as she remembered what happened the last time she'd talked about something in the thieves mansion.
She glanced at the enterence to the kitchen, wondering if Etienne was out their, listening in on their conversation.
"Don't y' be worryin' 'bout those garcons overhearin'. If they ain't workin', their all dead beats, lazin' around at dis time of de matin, le démons inutile!" Tante muttered, taking a seat beside Rogue and placing a cup of coffee in front of her.
Rogue smiled down at the coffee. She ended up just staring into it, feeling like there was this heavy weight upon her. She saw Tante's hand reach out and take hold of her own gloved hand. Rogue glanced at the hand, then followed the arm up to Tante's eyes that looked all so inviting.
"Tell moi chile, what on y' mind?" she asked.
Rogue stared into those eyes for a time longer and just let Tante's touch stroke waves of calm into her body. That woman's touch always felt like a mirical of some time.
"First thing on mah mind is ya," Rogue admitted, keeping eye contact with Tante.
"Moi?" Tante questioned, seeming confused.
Rogue nodded her head, trying to shot Tante a small smile.
"Ah hope ya don't take this the wrong way, but ya were in quite a state last night. A state that ah was partly responsible for. Ah'm just worried 'bout ya," Rogue said. "Wanna know that you're alright."
Tante placed her free hand over her heart, a touched smile making the ends of her lips almost touch her eyes.
"I be just fine honey chile. No need t' worry 'bout dis old lady. As long as y' all be safe, then I'll live t' see another day," Tante said, bring her hand down to pat Rogue's hand. "Why y' worried 'bout little old me anyhow?"
"Well," Rogue said, really considering her answer. "Ah ain't tryna say bad 'bout the others, but ya the one person in this place who welcomed meh into ya home, took care of meh an' never asked meh for anythin' in return. At least, not yet."
"Chile," Tante near sighed. "There be plenty'a people here who care f' y'. Henri, Merci, Remy. They'd all die f' y' rather than see y' hurt."
Rogue snorted lightly at , she did wonder if Remy might have died for her last night.
"Maybe," Rogue said, taking back her hand and wrapping it around her warm cup. "But, the thing is, ah, well, ah don't know if ah can trust any of em and they're kinda drivin' meh a bit insane."
Tante let out a humoured huff at that.
"Be no denyin' dat. What has y' t'inkin' y' can't trust em?" she asked.
"Well," Rogue said, debating if she should tell Tante this. She seemed like the type who would run off and go take off the heads of anyone who upset her and she didn't want that. But, she really needed someone.
Tante reached over, touching Rogue's arm and, once again, the calmness that matched the woman's bright eyes went rushing through her.
"Y' can tell moi," she said, gently.
"Well, first, ah guess there's Remy. Ever since ah stepped foot in here, he's been distant an' tryna get rid'a meh. Told meh ah ain't safe here an' the best place for meh ta be is back with mah family in Bayville, but ah don't wanna go. At least, not just yet. But he keeps pushin' for it." Rogue ended her discussion on Remy there, fearing that telling Tante about the deal they made would be a mistake. "Then there's Merci an' Henri. They've been amazin', doin' everythin' they can ta help meh settle, but… Ah found out they don't want meh t' leave 'cause that'll give Remy what he wants, but they also don't want meh becomin' a thief 'cause then Jean-Luc will get what he wants. They told meh their reasons, 'bout Jean-Luc an' Remy bein' at each others throats. Told meh they were planin' t' manipulatin' it so that's how it went. But they did't wanna lie t' meh, so told meh straight which ah can respect, but… Last night, some mix up happened an' ah instantly thought that it was Remy out ta get meh, then that it was Merci an' Henri liein' ta meh when ah figured it wasn't Remy. Ah never said anythin'an' the truth came out that they hadn't lied, but… ah just feel so guilty."
There was quiet a pause as the pair let Rogue's troubles settle. The air shifted when Tante moved her hand off Rogue's arm. Rogue couldn't help but risk a glance at Tante, expecting the worst when she spoke.
"Well, I gotta say, I ain't happy with any'a those clowns! It be one t'ing Remy tryna sweep y' on outta here t' y' family, but Henri an' Merci tryna manipulate like dat, those kids ain't too old t' go over mon knee!" Tante fumed.
"Oh, no," Rogue said, sitting up and shaking her hands in front of her. "They weren't tryna be cruel or devious. In fact, Henri told meh himself what they were plannin' an' apologised, sort'a. They ain't-"
Tante lifted her hand, silencing Rogue.
"I know what they be like, an' I know they meant no harm. But they did. After what y' been through, it's normal t' be expectin' de worst an' havin trust issues. Y' been unrooted from any sense of security y' had. Those two shoulda realised dat," Tante said.
"But-" Rogue went to say.
"But," Tante interrupted. "I can honestly say wit' mon hand over ma heart, those two meant well. Sadly, they can't help de way they behave. They been raised t' be dat way, but I know they care 'bout y' more then some silly aim they hope t' accomplish wit' y' presense here."
Tante never let her eyes drop from Rogue's. She really believed that. But there was something Rogue still wasn't understanding.
"How could they care for meh the way ya say they do when they barely even know meh?" she asked.
"Oh, they have reasons dat pull at their heart string," Tante said, seeming near smug at knowing the pair inside and out. "Their first may have been t' do wit' Remy. Dat boy still ain't enclosed why he t'inks so highly of y', but it be clear dat, whatever y' deux went through, he came away from it t'inkin' y' be somet'in' special."
Rogue just blinked, rather surprised at hearing how highly Remy thought of her. She honestly would never have figured it out if she wasn't told. All she could do was wonder more about what it was they went through together outside of his family. She guessed she'd just have to put a pin in that question and save it for another time.
"'cause y' special t' Remy, dat mean y' special t' everyone in dis mansion. We thieves respect each others treasures, whether they be people or items," Tante continued."Even wit' dat, Henri an' Merci still found their own reasons f' y' t' become someone special in der hearts."
Rogue chewed on the inside of her check, still not fully seeing why they cared.
"Y' know," Tante said. "When Merci decided Henri was de one f' her, she had t' give up all her femme amies?" Tant asked.
Rogue's eyes exploded open on her face at this.
"Ya can't be serious?" she muttered.
"Oui, dat girl had a choice t' make. She either gave up her old life t' come start a new one wit' de thieves, or she gave up dis life an' bein' wit' Henri. Guilde couldn't have town folks knowin' 'bout our business. Some might be clued in 'cause'a Remy's side hustles, but if dey knew there be an entire thieves organisation right under their noises, we be hunted like mutters. Merci's friends started askin' too many questions. Gettin' too involved in t'ings they weren't welcome t' know or trusted t' keep quiet 'cause they didn't have no emotional attachment like de rest of us do. So, she chose Henri an' been without a femme her age f' a time," Tante explained.
Rogue sat back more in her chair as a few things began to make sense. Merci near forcing all those luxuirious brands on her during her first night and wanting, desperately to go shopping with her. These were things she could of shared and experienced with her friends, but couldn't. Then Merci always checking over her shoulder for Rogue on that night out and giving Etienne an ear full when she thought he'd upset her. Merci desperately didn't want her to leave because she wanted another woman around. Sure, there was Tante, but she was a much more mature woman. Rogue couldn't help but feel sorry for Merci being stuck in a mansion on her own, surrounded only by male thieves. Unable to make one close female friend.
"As f' Herni," Tante continued. "Oui, he see y' be somet'in' special t' Remy an' Merci, but dat boy always used t' tell moi when he be growin' up dat he wanted a younger sister."
This made Rogue smile, then chuckle.
"Oui, it be true! Dat boy used t' come an' pull at mon apron, tellin' moi 'bout how Remy gone, took off again an' ain't listenin' t' him or sharin' he's toys. Dat boy loved his brother an' took care'a him de best he could, but, as y' could imagine, Remy always be runnin' off, getitn' in t' trouble no matter what Henri said. An' dat boy could handle a bit of trouble. Henri felt like he was never really needed even though, he didn't realises dat boy needed him more than he needed air t' breath. "
The smile couldn't be knocked off Rogue's face at picturing a younger Remy and Henri. But she still wasn't fully there in understanding why Henri would care.
"Henri always used t' say dat he wished his papa brought home a petite fille he could protect. Someone who would look t' him t' take care'a em an' listen t' what he told em. Dat boy must'a been feelin' pretty grand when he found y' out on de streets, in trouble an' lookin' t' him t' help. I reckon he was taken wit' y' from dat moment an' been tryna look out f' y' ever since he picked y' up an' brought y' t' safety," Tante explained.
Rogue did see. As she glanced down into her coffee, taking in Merci and Henri's reasons for wanting her to stay, they felt more humane. It felt more and more like she wasn't just some weapon to be used against Jean-Luc and Remy now. They really wanted her to stay because they wanted someone like her here.
"So, y' see honey chile. Those two might'a gone de wrong way 'bout tryna keep y' here an' keep y' outta trouble, but they only doin' it 'cause they do care," Tante said. "They don't want y' runnin' off back t' Bayville 'cause they don't want t' lose an amie an' une soeur. An' they don't want y' joinin' bein' a thief, 'cause they don't want y' takin' any unneccesary risks that y' don't have t'."
Upon hearing the last motive for why Merci and Henri had been trying to lie to her, her face feel. She still remembered Merci's story of joining the thieves and how hard it was to be welcomed in by Jean-Luc. Even now she was one, it was a struggle. If she wasn't getting married to Henri, then who knew where she'd be.
"Tante," Rogue called. "They think they can keep meh here without becomin' a thief. But, Jean-Luc, he runs the thieves an' this house hold. When he was showin' meh around, ah think he made it pretty clear that he wants sommethin' outta meh in return for the hospitality. Are Merci, Henr an' Remy really able t' keep meh here without meh becomin' a thief?"
When tante was for quiet for sometime and had an even line on her lips that stressed the muscles in her check bones, Rogue swallowed down something nasty.
"Jean-Luc's reasons f' wantin' y' here be less personal an' more goal driven, oui. But even if dat homme realises he ain't gonna reach his goal, we'll all still find'a way t' keep y' here. Don't be doubtin' dat," Tante said, placing a firm hand on Rogue's shoulder as she stood up.
The only issue Rogue found this time when it came to Tante's touch was it wasn't calming her like it usually did. It just confirmed her fears.
Tante moved to the stove behind Rogue and picked up where she left off with breakfast.
Rogue thought and thought, letting her coffee go cold.
"Theo," she finally said, although, a bit hesitant as it seemed Tante was siding with Henri, Merci and Remy when it came to the decision of her becoming a thief. "He's offered ta take meh on a heist. Just ta see what bein' a thief would be like. Maybe… maybe ah should go with him, see what it's like. Maybe it'd help, somehow. Make Jean-Luc relex for a time. Make him think ah'm gonna become a thief," Rogue said.
"Non, de only t'ing that gonna do if y' go on dat heist wit' Theo is light a fire under dat homme even more," Tante said firmly, shaking her head.
Rogue huffed inwardly.
"What's so wrong 'bout becomin' a thief? Everyone here is, an' they ain't bad people," Rogue said.
Tante glanced over her shoulder with a harsh, warning eye that made Rogue regret asking.
"De only t'ing dat'd come of y' becomin' une thief be trouble. Trust moi honey childe, it ain't de route y' wanna take," Tante warned.
Rogue was rather disappointed with that answer. It was the same sounding answer she was getting from Henri, Merci and Remy and none of them seemed to go into the reason why it would be such a terrible idea. Rogue felt the question burning on the lip of her tongue, but she sealed her lips, not wanting to make Tante angry.
An explosion went off somewhere upstairs in the mansion which made both Tante and Rogue jump. Tante began sounding off in French curses while Rogue growled silently under her breath.
"Bonne matin," Henri said as he entered the kitchen, half dressed in his pjs. He didn't seem affected by the explotions.
"Dat coquin best pack it in wit' dose cards'a his, o' he gonna be back in those swamp waters!" Tante warned Henri.
"Don't t'ink y' threats be stoppin' dat garcon dis time Tante," Henri said, taking a seat beside Rogue.
"Is dat so?" Tante said, turning on Henri.
"Oui, let's just say he be personally be seein' t' de punishment of people he believes made t'inks so outta hand in de first place last nuit," Henri said, his eyes still closed.
Rouge couldn't help but watch Henri. She was interested in what he was saying and could guess who he was talking about, but, after her conversation with Tante, she just couldn't stop staring. This man thought of her as his younger sister who he wanted to protect? She wondered what having an older brother would be like. Then she smirked to herself, guessing Henri really did fit the figure.
His eyes opened and glared straight at her. Rogue felt her checks lose colour as Henri smirked at her, curiously. His raised eyebrow questioned why she was looking at him the way she was.
"Didn't expect y' up dis early. Everyt'in' be alright, petite?" he asked.
At the word petite, Rogue couldn't help but smile warmly at the man in front of her.
"Ya think ah'd be able ta sleep through that racket?" Rogue asked, refusing to upstairs.
Henri chuckled.
"Guess not. I'd stay clear o' it if I be y'. Any of those fools try ropin' y' in t' what's 'bout t' unfold, y' come get moi, non?" Henri said.
Rogue's smile only grew.
"Ah'll bare that in mind," she said. "How's Merci?"
"Femme couldn't sleep through de rukus either. Sent mon down here t' fetch coffee an' le petit déjeuner," Henri explained.
Rogue nodded her head, standing and moving to rinse her cup out in the sink.
"She up for company?" Rogue asked.
"If it be y', sans aucun doute!" Henri said.
Rogue nodded her head, the small smile never falling from her face.
"Guess ah'll go check up on her then," Rogue said, moving towards the exit.
"Now hold up just a moment," Tante commanded. "Y' ain't had y' petit déjener ! "
"I'll brin git on up t' y' femmes," Henri comfirmed, giving Rogue the escape she needed to go visit Merci.
xxxxx
French Translations
Petit déjeuner - Breakfast (or little dinner)
Garcons - Boys
Matin - Morning
Le démons inutile - The Useless Demons
Moi/ Mon - Me/ My
Deux - Two
Femme amies - Female Friends
Oui - Yes
Petite fille - Little Girl
Une Soeur - A Sister
Homme - Man
Non - No
Bonne Matin - Good Morning
Coquin -Rascal
Nuit - Night
Petite -Small one
Sans aucun doute - Without a doubt