(A/N): We're back with Amelia, Spencer, Annette, Marta, Nolan, and Spencer, who soon receive both welcome and unwelcome visitors. I have the feeling this chapter is going to be one that is heavily revisited, at a later date- once I get to write about certain things, further down the track. I would also just like to say, if you ever feel the need to stop reading this story because you don't understand a choice I've made with a certain character, I would love it if you would message me about it so I can explain it (and most likely spoil everything for you before you leave, so you understand WHY I made those decisions). Everything is the way it is for a reason, I promise... it may just not be one that makes sense, right now.

Trigger Warnings: Typical mentions of/references to/allusion to/depiction of child abuse as tends to crop up in these Joannis Family heavy chapters. Also mentions of/allusions to sexual assault, and several uncomfortable comments are made that actively depict sexual assault, as well as abuse of power (Sebastien is Sebastien, basically). Spoilers from this point onward: Sebastien and Cipicia arrive looking distinctly post-coital, they act strangely (particularly Cipicia), and everyone else takes note of this. Sebastien lauds his power over his servants/staff, going so far as to make suggestive comments to Amelia and Marta, and even threatening to fire them should they not 'obey' the next time he 'solicits' them (Amelia uses the word 'solicit', which is far nicer than what he's actually doing/trying to do). He also speaks rather harshly to Miasenna, and while there's not really anything mentioned outright, we can infer that everyone involved knows that consequences would follow should she not respond favorably. Leonides is mentioned as not being in a good position/condition (since at least Amelia, Annette, and Miasenna assumed he's locked in his room with a broken leg), which is sort of the most parental abuse that's at least openly talked about in this chapter.


October 19th, 1967

Amelia

As it turns out, 'soon' was over an hour later- and when Annette eventually did see someone making their way toward the Workshop, it was neither Cipicia nor Sebastien. No, it was even more worrying than that- or... no, perhaps they were more even than I'd first thought- to the point where those by the door all took one look through the window, and collectively furrowed their brows. "Is that...?" Spencer asked quietly, sounding incredibly befuddled, and Annette pulled the door open just in time to allow Miasenna entrance, without her having to knock or anything. She didn't, though- enter. At least, not immediately. She paused in the doorway, staring at Annette, Marta, Nolan, and Spencer with obvious wariness- then her gaze landed on me, past them, and relief flooded her face.

"Ms-" She shot a cautious, curious look at the gathered group, her eyes lingering on Nolan in particular. "Amelia," I jolted- it was the first time she'd used my name, after all- and she looked appropriately apprehensive, once again shooting glances at everyone else.

"Miasenna," I said, trying to heap as much relief onto her name as possible, and she seemed to sense what I was telling her indirectly- that these people were safe, at least in this respect. "How are you?" It was a weighty question, and I appreciated the fact that the others were staying quiet for it.

She gave me a sad, but ultimately incredibly determined, look. "Better than my brother, I can tell you that." Nolan, the only person present who had interacted with Leonides on any sort of meaningful level- recently, and as far as I knew- appeared both confused and concerned. "And you?" I blinked. "My mother set you this task as punishment, with the intention that it would make you suffer- are you?" The others eyed her warily- especially Logan, for some reason.

"Not currently," I told her cautiously. "Scrubbing boots isn't that bad- even those belonging to strangers. No, the true 'punishment' ended when your mother left." I tilted my head at her purposefully. "I hope she didn't take her anger at me out on you. Can I ask-"

She cut me off, surprising all of us with her directness. "I need to talk to you. Alone. Now. Can you make that happen?" I stared at her for half a second, before glancing at Nolan over her head briefly and nodding.

"That shouldn't be a problem," I told her, and Nolan gestured toward an open door on the far wall.

"You can use Aldin's office- I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Annette nodded, but before Miasenna or I could even take a step toward the room in question, the door next to the housemaid was pushed open.

Unfortunately, this interruption wasn't one we'd been prepared for- distracted by Miasenna's arrival as we were- and it was just about the worst possibility available. Sebastien Joannis stood in the doorway, and for once, he seemed to only have eyes for his daughter. This was such a shocking change of heart that it actually took me a second to register the other oddity- the fact that he was incredibly rumpled, both in terms of his hair and clothing, and just in general.

His shirt was partially unbuttoned at the top, and if he had been wearing neckwear prior to this, it was missing now- much like his left cufflink, which resulted in his sleeve flapping open slightly. Even where his shirt was buttoned up, it was done improperly- which was only visible because he was very clearly missing his over layer, either a vest, jacket, or jumper, depending on the occasion and day. Or vest and jacket, as was often the case- though less often than his father, Daimen Joannis. His hair also looked as though it had recently been hastily smoothed after enduring vigorous touching, and there was a rather natural shade of lipstick smeared on his splayed collar. The most obvious sign of what had transpired, though, was the dark, glaring, bruise of a bite mark on the side of his neck.

"Well, well," He said, apparently having noticed the rest of us now. "So this is where you ran off to- where all the other females with poor judgement gather to figure out who made the worst decision recently." He eyed Marta pointedly, and Spencer looked like he was on the edge of having a conniption. Then, Sebastien flicked his eyes to me. "I'm sure it's a close competition, Ms Rochester... perhaps you'll apprise me of the results, later." I was very careful not to look at him directly, but I saw Nolan's jaw clench; luckily for the both of us, he was far from the only person to react like that. "Ah, how do you find room to breathe with so much chivalry filling the space?" Sebastien asked in a way I thought was meant to be humorous. "I suppose that sort of thing has room to crop up, when one lacks such a prestigious pedigree." Or such a prodigious ego, anyway.

"I'm afraid I'm all booked up for the day, Master Joannis- your wife has ordered me to clean each and every pair of these boots as punishment for losing track of your son-" His eyes narrowed slightly, most likely already guessing where I was going with this. "-and as is appropriate for the situation, I am obligated to devote my entire attention to such a task." But not to you, was left unsaid, but not unheard.

Sebastien smiled darkly, as though the only thing I'd achieved with that excuse was endear myself to him- in the worst way possible. "And is that what you've been doing?" He asked slyly- almost coyly. "Devoting your 'entire attention' to the 'task at hand'?" Once again with the suggestive comments about- Clearly, Cipicia and Sebastien had been matched perfectly.

"Only if I feel 'the task' deserves such attention," I told him pointedly- which was shorthand for, 'and you certainly do not qualify'. This merely enticed him more, it seemed, but before he could do more than open his mouth to reply, the door behind Annette was pushed open again- this time revealing another downright awful possibility... Cipicia herself.

She appeared just as rumpled as he was, which was even stranger, in a sense. Her dress was creased and hung on her ever so slightly, as though whatever closure existed on the back of it hadn't been done up all the way. Her hair was in a different style to when I'd last seen it, and while still neat enough to pass under normal circumstances, I noticed a few flyaway strands that wouldn't be possible if she'd had her usual charms in place. Speaking of missing charmwork, it was obvious that she hadn't had the chance to recast any cosmetic charms on her face, considering that her cheeks were rather obviously flushed- though whether from the exertion of rushing over here, or some other sort of exertion, I couldn't really tell. I suspected it was both, though, given the last, most damning aspect: her mouth was stained- bruised- red, and she was devoid of the lipstick she'd been wearing earlier... the same shade found on Sebastien's collar. Everything turned sideways, though, when she spoke up.

"You- you found her? Good." Her voice shook in a manner I'd never heard from her, and her eyes darted around the room almost nervously. Wide as they were, she looked unusually... well, young. Possibly even younger than I was.

When Sebastien turned to look at her, his expression changed; I wouldn't go so far as to say it softened in any way, but it certainly became more... if not doting, then at least indulgent. "You weren't exactly far behind me, Cici." I was shocked by the nickname- I think we all were- but then Cipicia went and did the most shocking thing of all... she blushed.

"I- I was just- I thought-" He tilted his head to one side, watching her with an almost predatory level of attention. "I thought if she was going to go to anyone," She said quietly, nearly shyly. "It would be the governess she fought so valiantly to protect." She- She what now?

Sebastien gave her a smile that I imagine might have come across as proud, if I were someone a little more desperate for approval. "And you were correct," He said pointedly, then- then he stepped closer to her, and brought his hand up to cup her jaw before he pressed a kiss to the middle of her forehead. A kiss which, by the looks of it, seemed to be mostly teeth. "My clever girl." Cipicia blushed again- which was just as strange as the first time- and Sebastien looked exceptionally pleased with himself. It was only then that he turned his attention back to Miasenna. "We are done here, child." His tone brokered no room for argument, and though she flashed me a quick look full of regret and determination, Miasenna didn't offer any.

"Yes, father."

Now, he turned his eye to the group by the door- who were considerably further from the door, now, since they'd managed to subtly shift away from our Master and Mistress as they'd arrived. "Aren't you all supposed to have jobs to do?" He shot me a particularly pointed glance over his shoulder. "I suggest you get back to work, before I'm forced to find someone else to do all my menial labor for me. Someone who won't say no," He looked to Marta. "Or talk back." This was clearly directed at me, even if he didn't look back again. "Keep that in mind, the next time one of you sees fit to... disobey." What he really meant was, the next time he tried to solicit one of us.

The door thudded shut behind them, and Logan snorted derisively. "I don't know why he's so bent out of shape about 'the help' refusing his advances, when he's obviously got a willing woman right there." We were all silent for a second, until- "That was really fucking odd to everyone else, too, right?"


(A/N): TLDR of above Author's Note: Yes, the Joannis's are acting strangely, particularly Cipicia. Yes, it's for a reason- but probably not one you're going to learn about for a long time yet.