Les Disparus et les Défunts: Part I
#FanFiction #EstherAndErie by @art_of_goulwenr
#Wss366 #Relay #MastoPrompt
A light knock disturbed Mademoiselle D’Arcy as she corrected school papers. Next to them was a bowl of cocoa and something the local baker dared call a croissant. Both were luxuries she could once more enjoy.
“Vous pouvez entrer,” she called, and a shy-looking fourteen-year-old girl entered the headmistress’s office.
“What is it, Bridget dear?” she asked. The words may have been kind, but the tone was stern. If this were something trivial, the girl would pay dearly. While the new headmistress spoke, she studied the girl. Her uniform was neat, her hair was brushed, her shoes shone with care, and the black crepe mourning-band was pinned just so.
The mistress nodded approvingly. “You may speak.”
“The sheriff is at the door, Mademoiselle.” D’Arcy would have preferred to be addressed as "Lady," but the colonies were sensitive to the “affection” of nobility.
“Well, next year with a new crop of proper students, that will change,” she thought.
Little favors went a long way with these affection-starved girls, so she pushed the “croissant” toward the girl. “I’m pleased that you are tidy.”
The girl shook her head at the offered croissant and fidgeted. D’Arcy was sure, though, that Bridget would #relay news of the attempted kindness to the other girls. Gossip within the close confines of a girl’s school was one of the few pleasures they had available to them.
“I see you wish to go, but we must tarry. You're old enough to learn. Always keep a man waiting, or he will think less of you.”
The girl nodded and finally ventured to speak. “Mademoiselle, are you going to disappear too?”
“No, I plan to be here for a long time. You can rely on that.”
#MicroFiction #TootFic #Victorian #NMFic #SliceOfLife