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 Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:03 am
__ ________ Life Before ________ __ "Mamma, don't you lay a hand on me!"
Alette's voice flared as she glowered at the woman that loomed aggressively over her. The young, blunt, assertive girl bore an extreme resemblance to the dainty woman she called "mamma," but the two obviously had stark differences that went beneath skin deep.
Far beneath.
"Little wretch, don't you raise your voice at me! You've been sneaking out, flirting with that girl again, haven't you? Why weren't you home to feed your little brother? Irresponsible thing, you. Your father would be ashamed."
Red flushed across the girl's face as her mother brought up her long since deceased father, a man whom she practically worshiped before he died. To bring him into this...
"Ashamed? He'd be ashamed of me? When you don't get off your a** 'n help work to take care of your children?"
It was hard to keep the anger from broiling in her bosom and the words tumbled out hastily, before she could stop them. It was a fight they had time and time again, and it always ended in the same fashion. The beauty of the pleasant, summer morning was lost on the fighting pair and the anxious children that eavesdropped only a door frame away.
"Work? You know I'm too sick! To even suggest such a thing! God; to be left with such an ungrateful brat! I brought you into this world, and you ought to respect that enough! It's the duty of the young to take care of the old! To think, my own daughter doesn't even love me..." The woman sniffled and her red eyes glazed with tears that threatened to spill.
Hunger and illness tended to cause a short fuse, and none of the Townsends were exempt from this. Alette's pinched gut grumbled in complaint and she tried to bring herself to snap at her mother again, but she couldn't.
She could hear sniffling in the next, poorly lit room. Her youngest brother was sobbing and she could not tolerate this any more. She had a job to do, so she could feed him later.
"Clean yourself up, I'm going to work." She forced the words out, trying to keep the venom in her mind from staining the syllables that left her mouth. She was hardly successful.
She slipped into the adjoining room, their home was incredibly small and consisted of only three total rooms, and gave the small boy a hug. She kissed him on the forehead comfortingly and glanced towards her other siblings.
"Take care and try to stay out of her way... I'll be home tonight and I get paid today, Mister L'Héritier treats us well, so there ought to be plenty to eat tonight, guys. Ya'll take care."
With the short farewell, she slipped from the abode, shabbily dressed, but meaning well and determined to provide for the siblings she had raised. It was like this nearly every day.
They fought the same battles.
Maudette almost always won.
In fact, she could hardly think of a time that she did not give into her mother. They might of been at odds about her contribution to the family or bickering about Alette's choice in love interest, but the woman was still her mother and she felt indebted to her in some way.
By any right, she shouldn't of. But blood had to stick together, especially in hard time and the work was never done. It would be with determination and hard work that she would be able to raise her family from this pit, and she would work until things were better.
Until they could eat every night and not ration out their meals like they currently did.
Until her brothers and sisters, and possible even she, could get an education befitting of them. School had not been an option after her father had passed away, God bless his soul.
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced down at her scuffed shoes. They were red with anger and sorrow, but she refused to let a single tear fall.
Besides, she had to look at least presentable once she reached the airship that served as her employer's store.
Tear streaked faces wouldn't do.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:07 am
__ ________ Broken Heart ________ __ Mister L'Héritier was dead.
He had been for some time, but Alette could hardly bring herself to think of it. Of course, she was always reminded when she went to work aboard the airship that had once been his. The spacious, merchandise stocked ship lacked the father figure that she had grown to look up to, the only one to step into her life sinc eher own father passed away.
Even if he didn't consider her like a daughter, she was determined to work hard and to please him as a hard working employee; and hard working was just what she was.
Somber was her mood as she mourned the man and mourned for her friend, Bee. She knew how rough it had been to lose her own flesh and blood father and she wanted nothing more than to give the girl a hug and a shoulder to cry on.
But there was a problem.
No matter how much she wanted to run to her friend, it would of been unacceptable. She knew where Misses L'Héritier stood on her daughter liking the same gender. And she, Alette, was obviously more masculine than other girls their age.
She couldn't possibly lend a shoulder to Bee without it being obvious that the two had feelings for each other.
Alette exhaled heavily as she whiped dust from the shelves that many, many items were stacked upon. Life seemed so lackluster at the time that she hardly gave any thought to the man that entered through one of the many doors that led to this particular room.
Daniel.
He was the one trying to take Mister B's place and though Alette wasn't too fond of him, she worked just as she had when Bernard was in charge, for she took immense pride in the business and wanted it to remain the way it had been when he had walked amongst the living.
She casted a wary glance to the man and offered him a smile, a complete facade over how she truely felt about his presence.
"Mister Daniel, sir, got th' ole floor a dusted well. s**c and span, trim and neat. Y'know, the 'ole deal. S'ready for opening."
She called out as she tucked the rag into a red apron that she wore when working and hopped down from the stool that she had been standing on. The place was usually neat, regardless. The tall, lanky, short haired girl always kept busy and cleaned as though her life depended on it, because it did. She and her many siblings depended completely on what she earned from Mister Bernard, and now she relied on Daniel. It wasn't a predicament she liked, but life often tossed things your way that you didn't like, so she had to deal with it and make do.
"Lovely, Alette. As always. We'll be opening shortly, but... Well, come with me. We need to talk." The man motioned towards her with a brief wave of his hand and the girl approached him, slightly worried about the words that would leave his mouth.
"You see... Oh, how do I put this. This situation is always difficult... I don't need you, Alette. None of us need you. Not this store, not me, not Beatrice. Don't give me that look, I've seen the way you glance at my daughter."
"Pardon, sir, but she ain't your daughter, she's Mister B's daughter." Alette's voice was stern, but there was a slight tremble to her. She knew exactly where this was going and struggled to remain composed as Daniel carried on. His glare was sharper than a blade and his voice was colder than ice.
"That is beside the point, Miss Townsend. We no longer need you and we are letting you go. If I catch you hanging around this ship or near Beatrice, I'll go to the authorities and your thieving little a** will rot in prison."
"I ain't stole nothin,' I ain't ever stole nothin' from you and I wouldn't ever steal nothin' from Mister B!" Rage tinted her voice as she scowled furiously at the man that loomed over her. A hand struck her face, leaving a large, red welt.
"Who do you think they'd believe? A rotten, dirty little thing like you that has stolen before, or me? Get out of here."
It didn't take long for her to vacate the premisis. She had thrown the red apron at the horrid man that was wheedling his way into the legacy that Mister L'Héritier had left, then charged off. Her face stung painfully and tears ran down her cheeks as her feet thudded hard against the cobblestone street.
She needed to find a quiet, lonely place to let loose her feelings. She was headed to a nearby river that she once frequented, before her father passed on.
As she crumpled down near the water's edge, hidden safely by the sweeping oaks that grew rampant in the heavily wooded area, sobs wracked her body and torrents of tears stained the old, patched clothing that she wore.
"Alette... Alette, quit your tears. Rest a spell."
The words ere simple and, though unfamiliar, it felt like she knew who spoke to her. Before she knew it, sleep washed over her tired frame. She rested beneath the long, gnarled arms of the oaks, which shielded her from the reality she would have to return to shortly.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:08 am
__ ________ On the Streets Again ________ __
"He ain't got any right..."
He's got plenty of reasons, though they might not be considered right.
"He's a lyin' sumabitch, s'what he is. Firing me 'n shippin' off Bee."
That sort of language is a bit rough, Al... Besides, there is always the possibility of a bright future. We just have to work for it. Nothing is free. Watch, we'll find your Bee again one day.
"Th' boys are hungry now and what with mamma actin' the way she is. I don't know what to do..."
What we have always done. Just keep chipping away. I bet we'll have enough to buy a decent meal, tonight. We do get paid by Mister Binnings tonight.
"Yeah, I guess your right... You always are, huh?"
I might seem right. I'm just trying to cheer you. Always look on the bright side, you know.
Girl and daemon conversed quietly, as they had done often in the weeks after Alette had lost her job aboard the merchant airship. Times seemed tighter than ever and work was hard to come by, but they were working odd jobs around town and bringing in just enough to keep their bellies full. She couldn't help but worry about her younger siblings suffering from malnutrition, but they seemed right enough at the moment.
The scrawny girl was in one of her favorite haunts, a portion of the roof over her home, accessible only by risky maneuvers from a tall, old tree that grew alongside the house. They lived on the outskirts of town, giving just enough room for a few scattered trees to grow tall.
The afternoon sun was half hidden with wads of dark, fluffy clouds. Rain would soon fall, so she knew well enough she would have to leave to meet the merchant she was currently working for.
She was lost in thought, but pulled to attention by the soft prod of a clawed paw. Her daemon was trying to grab her attention.
Look, she said with mounting curiosity, there is a strange woman.
Al turned her attention downward, alerted by the hazy swirl of fur and feathers beside her. Sure enough, a stranger was approaching their shabby little home. She looked oddly familiar...
Much like her late father.
Alette felt a burn of curiosity and embarrassment. Their home was far from clean and presentable, especially to nice, clean looking strangers.
She was tall and slender, well dressed, and wore a nice scent. Al could catch faint wisps of it from her perch over the door. Just as the lady raised her hand to knock, Alette called out.
"Up 'ere, y'ain't going to get anyone to answer you down there." The oldest child peered down at her visitor, unaware of the huge changes that were soon to take place. Just as Al could see the familiar appearance in the lady, she could see it in Al.
"Would you be Alette Townsend?"
"Yes --- Yes Ma'am."
"My name is Olivia Woshire. I am your Aunt, though I did not know this until recently. It's come to my attention that you care for all of your siblings?"
"Yes Ma'am..."
"Well, that just won't do. Look at the state of you? Dirty and scrawny. I wonder how your brothers and sisters could be better off. Down with you, so I can get a proper look. A young lady like yourself ought to be learning, not starving on the curb. Have you ever thought about going to school?"
Al's eyes wandered slowly to the lady's shoulder, where her quaint little Nightingale daemon sat, bright eyed and watching.
"No Ma'am, ain't thought about that. Never had the opportunity..."
"Well, if you like, I think something can be arranged..."
See, I told you. Good things will come.
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:32 am
__ ________ Seeing Spots... And Feathers? ________ __ Alette perched precariously on the edge of the Jaradin fountain, swaying back and forth, nearly falling into the water on more than one occasion. The day was getting late, as the sun was beginning to sink behind the sweeping trees of the campus, but she preferred this time of day, anyways, and glanced sidewise at her daemon, who was always faithfully beside her.
She was beginning to get a sense of name and being, though she couldn't just touch on it yet. It felt almost like a thought or idea that was there, but just out of reach.
What should her daemon be called?
Better yet, what shapes were exactly in that swirling mass? Sometimes she was sure of the creatures she saw in there, while others just looked downright strange.
And she had only been a student at Jaradin for a few days now, she was still very much new and very much confused about the world around her.
I don't know exactly, Al. You can't expect me to tell you everything, huh? Just put pen to paper and write what you think about it.
The daemon expressed her feelings in a matter of fact tone as she inched nearer to Alette. The girl studied her closely, picking out the forms. Two were spotted...
Alette began to write, drawing on the thoughts and feelings she had felt so far. She had apologized to nearly every scholar within earshot since her arrival with reasons such as "I can't write good," and "I hope you c'n read it, anyways." Things like that.
So she began, in her recognizable, messy scrawl.
Dear Journel,
I've been at colage for a few days now and am writing about my daemon. I don't know her name at all, yet, but I guess when the time is right, I will find out.
She came to me when I got fired by that guy that tried to be Bee's dad. I don't like him much at all. He was pretty mean. Anyways, she came and helped me to feel a little better.
I can't really see what she is, but I have seen four things in peticular. There are spots. I know what one is and the other just is wierd.
One is what I think is called a serval. It ain't too big, but it ain't as small as a house cat, neither. It's covered in spots and has really long legs for hunting on in grasses and stuff like that. Anyways, I read a book what said they like water a lot. The book I got from the library, here. There's lots of books, even if I can't understand all of it. I can always ask a scholar to explan it to me, I guess.
Anyways, so they like water and I love water. I guess that'd make since, now, wouldn't it? And they're supposed to be smart, too. I never really thought of myself as really smart, but it's a nice thing to think. I guess I'm kind of street smart and all. They're supposed to be loners, too, which I guess would make sense. Ain't got many friends, mostly just my siblings and Bee. I don't get on with people all that much.
The other spotty one has a funny face and a long body. It took a long time before I could figure what it was. Something called a genet, which I ain't herd of before. Anyways, it's a loner, too. So I guess she's trying to tell me I like to be alone sometimes. I read they kinda got a personality kin to kitten or ferret when kept as a pet, and are also really good at climbing. Sure is funny looking, but cute.
The other two I seen are both a type of bird with sharp claws. One is larger than the other. The smaller one has a blue-gray back and is what is called a falcon. Or, a peregrine falcon. It's the fastest bird ever, or I think it said fastest animal ever, when it dives for food. Also, it likes to live in mountains and near coasts. I never been to the coasts, but I like said, I do like water. I guess that means I am quick and fierce? I dunno, 'cos she won't tell me. She says to figure it out on my own, which I guess is right.
The other one I saw is white and brownish blackish and is called an osprey, or sea hawk. It can live in many areas, which I guess says I can be adaptable, and can be found everywhere exsept Svalbard. I like to think I am 'cos of what I've been through so far. The name kind of says it likes water, too. Funny how they seem to come back to that, huh?
So I guess they kind of show sides of me. I know there are other things in there, but these keep showing up often, so I guess that means they are importent.
Alette Townsend
It wasn't exactly a long paper, but she managed to fill a page and her heart swelled with a little bit of pride. She wrote a page and it was what she was feeling and she was using words that she knew. She might ask someone to look over it for her, later. She knew for sure she probably misspelled a few things.
"There..." There was a warm, fuzzy feeling in her bosom as she peered over the paper, then glanced at her daemon. Her face was elongated, and her tail. She seemed to like sitting s the little genet right now.
You did good, Al.
"So what ought we to call you, huh?"
I don't know... What sounds good?
"I like things that start with a Jhu, always have."
Well, I guess it ought to start with that, then, since you like it. You know, I know of a fish that starts with a Jhu. I always like that name.
"Where would we of 'eard of a fish with that name?"
I don't recall. Something with Pari and it starts with a Jhu.
"Oh... Well, I want to call you something, you know. I like the name Jukka and you like the name Pari, why not push 'em together?"
It's up to you, hon...
"Mayhap I'll think a little more on it. I like the sound, though."
You can sleep on it. Hey, look? It's getting late. Maybe you ought to go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow, if I remember right.
"Oh, alright... I think I like that, though. Jukkapari. We could call you Juk or Jukka, huh?" The girl gathered her papers, which she was so proud of, and her daemon flitted alongside her, swirling on gray-blue-black-brown wings.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:30 pm
__ ________ Why the Long Face? ________ __ So it's settled, then?
Alette's daemon peered curiously over the girl's shoulder. In the faint swirling mass, sharp amber eyes could be seen. They seemed to burn with a fierce, determined glare only befitting the adaptable sea hawk.
"Well, I think so. I really can't see callin' ya anything else, now."
The short haired girl sat cross-legged on her bed. While it wasn't grandiose or fit for royalty, as it was simple furnishings provided by the college, simply having her own, nice, clean bed made her feel like the princess she could never of been. She was clad simply in a nightgown and soft, cotton leggings, both provided by her aunt shortly before she came to live at Jaradin. She could only hope that her brothers and sisters were just as well off as she was, right now.
Surely, her aunt was taking good care of them.
Well, I like it enough. Happy with it, even.
"Well, that's a good thing. Jukkapari is your name from now on, then. Hehehe, I'll call ya Jukka."
She could feel sharp talons digging gently into her shoulder and the tight squeeze brought comfort and the constant reminder that she was not alone, nor would she ever be again.
Jukka snapped her fierce eyes closed and though beaks could not smile, a ghostly one seemed to play over her expression as her beak shifted to a maw, then to another beak, then to a cat-like mouth.
Sounds good. Nice to have a name.
She moved slowly from Alette's shoulder, shifting as she went. She seemed to elongate and the spotted patterns showed up again. Her tail was long and ringed.
"You seem to like to take that form." She pointed out nonchalantly as she watched her Jukka move.
And?
"I don't know. 'S a funny little critter. What a long face... But cute. I guess y'telling me what sort of person I am, huh? The genet is recognizable and a loner, so I guess I stand out. Certainly wut'nt a secret about me likin' girls. Ma and Bee's fake dad both knew..."
You're unique. You're special.
"I guess... I don't like being alone all the time. It's just how things are. I don't trust easy, I guess..."
You are you and things will work out.
Alette curled up in the bed and wrapped her blanket tight about her, deep in thought. Jukka curled up near Alette's head and made a muffled, happy squeak. It helped to lift Al's spirit and send her into peaceful sleep.
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:55 am
__ ________ There Is Always Something ________ __ "You're going to be late."
"Naw, I ain't."
"Yes, you are. Especially if you keep dawdling like you have been."
"I said I ain't gonna be late, 'n that's that, Jukka." Alette's arms were akimbo as she mouthed off to the phantom form that seemed more than content to curl into a ball in the center of her bed. Her short muzzle grew to a long snout, then shifted towards the shake of a beak.
It was curved and sharp, rather vicious looking, even though it was so small.
"Fine, up to you. Guess your fast and all." The daemon responded with a lazy, exaggerated yawn as she stood in a swirling mass, stretching each limb. Class would be starting in a few minutes, both girl and daemon knew it.
"I am fast, y'know? Yer' takin' the shape t'prove it. Fast, jest like that falcon." Alette grinned, pointing out the distinct shape that began to form in the hazy mist that was her constant companion. Yes, she was fast on her feet and in her mind. How else would she of lasted as long as she did taking care of her siblings?
"Oh, right. Well, then. Go and be fast, don't let me hold you up." Jukkapari snickered quietly as she shifted yet again to the long mawed and spotty creature, her other half taking off in a flurry of books and papers. Though she switched between several, including the falcon and sea hawk, the genet still seemed to be the most prominent.
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 6:03 pm
__ ________ Working Hard? ________ __ The sky was growing dim and Alette's emerald eyes were heavy with the thought of much needed, oncoming sleep. The days had been long and testing had been difficult, but summer had finally come! As much as she liked the opportunity presented before her, it would have been a lie to say that she found it easy.
No, it was pretty difficult. She had no prior schooling and was nearly illiterate when she arrived. She was making massive amounts of progress in her studies and she was quite proud of what she was doing, though she missed her younger siblings like there was no tomorrow.
"Maybe you can visit sometime?"
"I' ain't sure... I 'ope so. Maybe if I write a really good letter t' my aunt she'd lemme come visit or somethin' sometime?"
"Well, most likely."
Alette sighed quietly as she glanced at the form that was following her. Jukkapari was her own, her faithful friend, even if she... Or he, for that matter, could be quite the hard-a** at times. Usually they got on thick as thieves and all quarreling was in jest. He seemed to pick up on her anxieties as they moved along the corridors. He felt distinctly male at the moment and quite comforting as he shifted to a winged form from his usual genet body. He did that often these days and she was sure the genet wasn't right, though it did express the playful nature she had at times.
He was more solid now-a-days, but things were far from over for the pair.
"Keep your chin up, you know? You are one of the most determined young'uns I've ever seen." He followed in a flurry of feathers, a distinct curved beak caught her eye.
"I'm th' only "young'un" y' know, silly."
"Just saying. I know you better than anyone else. C'mon, why not write that letter after dinner? Your aunt will have to reply, I know it. She is a nice lady-person and I don't think she'll keep you from your brothers and sisters over the entire break. I bet you can even get one of the instructors to proof-read it for you."
A small smile played over her lips as a weight settled on her shoulder. Pressure was on her and sharp talons seemed to grip her skin gently and the hairs on her neck bristled. She was thankful for him.
"Awright, I'll do that."
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