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[gardienne]

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[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.]

[gardienne]

Madame?

[Eponine watches her for a while. Then she gets up and goes over to her.]

What’s happening, Madame?

[sendsregards]

Go to the corner.

[That was all she'd say. She doesn't look up or answer her question.

Only those three words.]

[gardienne]

[Eponine scowls. She goes to the corner but she very deliberately moves the stool out of the way so she can stand, leaning her back against the walls.]

This is stupid

[sendsregards]

Sit.

[Again, no comment. Not a look, not a true acknowledgement.]

[gardienne]

[with a groan, she slumps to the floor.]

[sendsregards]

[She would be there for a few hours, but Kosem's silence and lack of acknowledgment continues as well. Once done with accounts, she makes herself some lunch, accompanied by a bit of wine. There was a book she wanted to read as well.

All things that did not involve Eponine.]

[gardienne]

[In the corner, Eponine’s stomach rumbles.]

Madame?

[She goes to help herself to a glass of wine]

[sendsregards]

[Before she can pour herself a glass, Kosem speaks those three words again.]

Sit in the corner.

[The book was clearly fascinating. Why else was she not looking at Eponine or paying attention to her?]

[gardienne]

[Eponine glares and then let’s go of the glass in her hand. If it’s glass, it’ll surely shatter. Luckily for Kosem, Eponine hadn’t quite got round to pouring the wine yet.
She stomps back to the corner and sits down grumpily.]

[sendsregards]

[The glass stays on the floor, showing that act of defiance doesn't get glance, not even a flinch. Anything Eponine did or said, she didn't see or hear. She was a shadow in this flat.

Another hour, leaving her to sit in the corner without acknowledgement.]

[gardienne]

[In the end, Eponine sits hunched in the corner. Her knees are drawn up to her chest and her head is bent, pressing into her knees. She doesn’t look up, doesn’t fidget, doesn’t react.

[sendsregards]

[That was what she was looking for. Kosem closed her book with a snap, getting to her feet to finally speak to Eponine.]

You may get up now. Have some supper, but first clean up the glass.

[gardienne]

[When Eponine looks up, her expression is glassy. Silently, she bends to pick up the glass, sucking her finger when it cuts her. She doesn’t complain. She just does as she’s told. She doesn’t reach for any food but just stands quietly, hands twisting and her gaze firmly on the floor. ]

[sendsregards]

[The pose is penitent, what she was looking for. She had dealt so long with Osman, aggression, threats and cold rage had been her natural response. That wasn't needed with Eponine. Now she understood better and the next time would be easier.

She saw to the cut, dabbing her finger with a wet cloth before putting a band-aid on it (apparently these were something to use.)]

Come on. I'll get you some fruit and cheese.

[gardienne]

I don’t want none, Ma’am.

[She’s quiet, subdued.]

I want to go home.

[Eponine hates being ignored. She’d take a beating, smacks, insults, punches over being ignored any day.]

I feel like a ghost. I want to go home.

[sendsregards]

[She made her plate all the same, picking the fruit and cheese she knew Eponine liked best.]

A wish many of us have.

[She looked at Eponine in disappointment, at the very least acknowledging her.]

When you behave badly, this is what you can expect. I will not tolerate or give my attention to someone who disappoints me. This was your first offense, you've had your punishment, now the night will be easier and warmer.

Starting with this: [She presented her the plate, lovingly prepared.] If you eat everything, you may have chocolate as well. Come sit by me and I'll brush your hair.