ᶫ ʸ ᶜ ᵒ ʳ ᶦ ˢ ⋅

Erik felt the eye under his mask twitch slightly. Well, he wanted a challenge. “Very amusing madame. Yes, I see the name you wish to be known by, Doctor Angelina Dalles. I know all too well the look of a person who hides their true nature. Not everyone needs a mask to disguise it.”

His back straightened, he looked down at the woman in red. “Honestly? I have been watching you for a while, doctor. I confess a certain curiosity. You and I are of a kind. We feel as if the world has turned it’s back on us, that there is no happy ending for people like us.” He let in a deep breath and sighed. 

“We have both suffered. Those who have known loss show it, inadvertently, through subtle little ways madame. Am I in error, doctor Dalles?”

     Amusing; that wasn’t what she would have called it. She would have called it the same as other people had: difficult, stubborn, frustrating, a maddening woman. That was her.           ❝ Your pronunciation is off, dear. Vous êtes français, je                  suppose? Not to mention you’ve managed to miss half                  of my surname. Dr. Durless-Barnett, at your service. ❞

     As for masks, that wasn’t something she really wished to talk about. Her own mask never left her heart. It may not have been visible, but it was always there just the same.

          ❝ Suppose you’re right, then. ❞      Her waiting room was never full, anyway. It would serve her better to have something of a distraction than to be alone with her thoughts.           ❝ Just suppose. What does it matter? If the world has turn-                  ed its back on us -- if there is no happy ending, no light                  at the end of our tunnels -- tell me. Why even try, then? ❞

     Perhaps her words were harsh. As she saw it, she had earned the right to be harsh. The world had injected its v  e  n  o  m into her, and she would never let go of it, and there was no reason to dance around the issue.

Of course everyone would help each other settle in, it’s what family had done. Honestly, everyone around them would bend over backwards to do absolutely anything they could to help each other out. 

Waving at Molly as they headed  up over the stairs, the freckled child watched as Joker did his best to help her out. Most of them all had something wrong  with them. Molly was missing part of a leg, joker and arm, herself… Well, part of her face was badly deformed, so she kept her hair in front of it.

“Are ye real sure ‘bout this?” She asked. This house may have been big, but for one lady to take in all of them was a bit much. 

“ I mean, Can ye really handle all of us?” 

When they went down the hallway and stopped at a room, Freckles peered inside at what it revealed. It was brightly coloured, which was no problem for her…but everything was so… baby.

Looking up at the Crimson haired lady, she grinned, 

“Can we get blue curtains?” She questioned. 

Honestly, She would be content with anything being in there. A be and a dresser was all she really needed.

“Its wonderful, Miss!”

     To be honest, Anne was already immensely proud of how everyone was helping each other. It seemed like they were all a little family even before she came along; that was a nice thought. If nothing else, they’d at least had each other.

     Her smile only grew at the child’s questions, and one hand reached to give a little ruffle to the girl’s hair. Granted, it had been a while before she’d taken care of anyone. The only person she’d ever had to take care of before was her husband. She wasn’t really sure how great of a mother she was, given that she hadn’t had the chance to take care of her own baby.

     But... confidence bled over into every aspect of her life, so Anne wasn’t about to be going all self-conscious now.

          ❝ I’ve never been more sure of anything, dear! If it turns                  out I can’t handle all of you by myself... well, I’ll just                  have to get a little help, then, won’t I? ❞

     Her hand slid down to gently squeeze Freckles’ shoulder, smile spreading as she noticed the hopeful look on the child’s face.           ❝ Blue, hm? I think that would look lovely in here! ❞      She gave a little tug to the girl’s hand to bring her inside the room.           ❝ Do you know what colors the others like? I never was                  sure whether my baby would be a boy or a girl, so...                  everything in here is just a horrid mess of pink, blue,                  and yellow! ❞

Having a home was never something that she could imagine having. A home where it was warm, and dry and all her family was there… it never seemed possibly. Until now.

The lady, Anne? She believed took them in…all of them! Brought them to a stunning new home that they could call their own! She was incredibly thankful!

Sometimes being the youngest had its advantages! Sure she was only 9, but the attention she was getting from the lady was wonderful, and exciting!

Oh but this house she wanted to explore! Find all the cool spots to hide her candy she coukd have, or to hide when they played a game! Oh and all the things she coukd use to play tricks!

She was excited.

Taking the ladies hand once she was put down, freckles giggled and grinned up at her with a toothy grin. “ I’d love tha’ Miss!” She dragged her along, looking around at everything that they walked past.

“ ye have a lovely ‘ouse!”

     It was a lot to take in for the moment, especially given that Anne was on her own without a husband. Taking care of so many children was going to be a challenge. But the older ones were happy to help out, and she was enthusiastic even about the difficult parts of this.

     Thankfully, it seemed like they were all settling in and helping each other. That was the best that she could ask for.

          ❝ My, my! ❞      she laughed, keeping her hand firmly in the child’s. It had been a while since she’d moved around quite this much, or this fast. She couldn’t say she hated it, though.

     A few waves were given towards the others as she started up the stairs with Freckles -- quietly letting them know she’d be back to check on them in a few minutes.           ❝ Thank you! Of course, dear, it’s your house now, too. So                  really, it’s that we have a lovely house! ❞

Erik let out one short chuckle, he’d been called far worse in the past. The red head was proving to be quite fascinating. How she avoided his observations, answering with only more questions.

“My name is irrelevant, as it would be meaningless to you. Though, if you wish to know, I would ask of yours first.”

He put his hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly, his face remained as emotionless as it could be.

“Oh I think you can be of help.” He responded as he looked deep into her eyes. “Was it a lover you lost? I know the look well, it is hard to mask for those who have gone through the same.”

     Certainly not he -- nor anyone else -- could blame her. The mood of her day was not one of self-reflection or improvement. She was just trying to get through the day without drowning in her own emotions, and dredging up her mistakes would make her sink faster.

     Her eyes markedly pointed away from him, focusing on paperwork that she had trouble reading without the spectacles she’d just removed.           ❝ My name is on the door. You should have seen it when you                  came in. ❞

     Perhaps the good Madame should have heeded the age-old advice of be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. All these years she’d longed for a child after losing the one she was supposed to have, and now... well, now she had several to care for. Maybe it was a little overwhelming at first, but her heart and home were big enough for all of them.

madamxripper:

what if Anne lived, and took in the Noah’s Circus gang instead of Kelvin

damn… she’d have so many kids and she’d be so happy… she would take such good care of all her babies and love them and always tell them they’re perfect and I’m not crying yOU’RE CRYING

//Can we do a thread based on this?

     Complex.

     Oh, sir, who do you take her for? She’s had many people try to pretend like they know her; like they’re her FRIEND. Like they know something about her just by looking at her.

          ❝ Mm, how sweet. ❞

no more white picket fences no more lace, veils, or vows no more “you’re the only one” ‘cause that’s all done with now

[ revamped but not new Madame Red RP blog. previously madame--ripper. ]

L A W. | approach. | the doctor’s office.

I'm just rly into my new blog right now

and doing NaNoWriMo things

but I swear I did one draft

and I'll try to do another