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[gardienne]

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[sendsregards]

Don't you ever lie to me.

[There's ice in her voice.]

Try again. Is there something you wish to tell me about today?

[gardienne]

[Her scowl deepens.]

No. I don’t wish to tell you nothing.

[sendsregards]

Eponine. You think I'm simply prim and kind? That you can lie to me easily?

I have been in a place where lies are like air. I know it, I hear it and I will always be better at it than you.

If I have to ask one more time, you will regret it.

[gardienne]

I am NOT lying! You ask if there is something I want to tell you and I say no. That’s the truth! And now you call me a liar? I hope you break your foot! And you shout at me? Pah! Go away!

[sendsregards]

Very well then. What did you do?

[gardienne]

Nothing

[sendsregards]

Now you're lying.

Tell. Me.

[gardienne]

Well you already think you know. So why bother? What is it to you anyway? It’s me what’s insulted. Again.

[sendsregards]

What's it to me? You're my submissive.

When you act like this, I'm expected to punish you. It's all my business.

Tell me who insulted you then? What did they do?

[gardienne]

Punish me? Oh no. You won’t be doing that. No, I shan’t agree to that.

It was someone dressed as that dreadful Kate. They insult me and say I am horrid and stupid. So I shouted back. Why should they be allowed to call me such names? Pah! And now you want to punish me? I hope you swallow and it gets stuck in your throat. Pah. Go away.

[sendsregards]

Your agreement is irrelevant. Punishing you is my responsibility.

No, that isn't all you did. Were it simple shouting, this wouldn't need to come to my attention. Tell me the rest.

[gardienne]

Then you will have to find me first. Pah. I know this city better than you. You won’t find me.

I spat on them. I did it and I’m glad they did. Why should they be allowed to insult me? Because I am Eponine? Why can I not defend myself? And now you wish to punish me? No.

Our contract is done. Goodbye you old bag.

[sendsregards]

Very well. My next call is to Grayson.

[gardienne]

I hate you

[sendsregards]

Yet I still love you.

[gardienne]

Why? You’ve called me a liar. That’s not love. You threaten punishment. That’s not love either.

[sendsregards]

I love you enough to punish you, as a mother should.

[She sighs, toying with her prayer beads.]

As you won't listen to me, say that you will not accept due punishment from your dominant, I shall have to tell the city. I imagine your second offense at insulting a Dominant will result in prison.

[gardienne]

Prison?

No - no, but she insulted me. She called me stupid. She said my insides were rotten and I should mix with a donkey’s ass or a rat. It was only spit. It isn’t a prison sentence. Mama, no. You’d have me arrested? For spitting? Mama, no. Please no.

[sendsregards]

That isn't what I would do, but you say you don't want to be my submissive. So it will be the city that decides the punishment. A second offense could well bring a harsher punishment.

Unless you would rather come home?

[gardienne]

[There are tears in her eyes.]

It’s not fair, you know?

[sendsregards]

No, it isn't, but there are better ways than to simply spit.

This isn't how to face them. You can be strong, refined, and quick. They will not insult you then.

Are you coming home?

[gardienne]

That’s not -
It’s not fair

[Hot, angry tears bead at the corners of Eponine’s eyes.]

Fine.

[It takes her an hour but she comes. She lets herself into Kosem’s apartment and leans against the chair, hiking her skirt up to show her bottom.]

Just do it. Get it over with.

[sendsregards]

[Kosem barely acknowledges her, her attention on her prayer beads instead of Eponine.

Her voice is soft and dismissive.]

Go sit in the corner.

[There was a stool for her, low to the ground.]

[gardienne]

[Eponine just stares.

Slowly she lowers her skirt and stands straight.
With a sigh, she hesitantly goes to the stool and sits down.]

What’s happening?

[sendsregards]

[There's no answer from Kosem. She doesn't bother to even look at Eponine.

Once she has finished her prayer, picks up the writing desk next to her and begins to manage her accounts.

This is far more important.]