[Jacinthe listens, and surprisingly, she nods; it's not as if she doesn't get it. Her own dreams have tended to be more selfish in nature, because that's all they've had to be for so long; the idea that she could care for people, for the city and it's people's wants had been so foreign to her at first. She couldn't even begin to understand Corbeau, but...
Seeing that care and kindness he puts into the city, and knowing what he's sacrificed to make it so...it makes it so much more understandable.]
...You're no craven man, Corbeau. No matter what they say to you or how they feel. I'd say the fact you are still willing to help them after they have spurned you so is far more than one could ask.
[And perhaps at her heart, she's more willing to take his side because she is selfish. Deeply. It's something that Jacinthe will likely never be able to get rid of no matter how hard she tries. But Jacinthe goes quiet after she says that. The only other things she could say at that point would likely be inflammatory toward that family, and...
It seems unwise.]
But truly, it is no trouble! I do not mind in the slightest! [Beams! Maybe if she beams away the strange, tight feeling in her, she can just continue on as normal--] That you would trust me with such information makes it more than worthwhile, you know. Trust like that is a strange way of letting down one's layers, but it is not a bad thing.
I find that I do not mind it, as it allows me to get to know who you are, more!
[Corbeau's gaze flicks to the side for a moment at the first part; he wants to argue it. Not that he is craven, because frankly, he isn't, but the idea that they've spurned him. Jacinthe says it like he's extending them a kindness when he's just giving them what's owed. He's the father of those kids, and he isn't going to stop looking out for them in his own way. This is all he can do at the moment, and it isn't enough - it'll never be enough - but...
It's pointless to get hung up on semantics. Jacinthe isn't looking at it the same way he is - and most people probably wouldn't see it like he does anyway. So he shakes his head and refocuses.]
Guess I have been pretty tight-lipped, huh. [Not really a big realization, but it is a bit wry.] I've always had a habit of being a little too cautious with info that could come back to bite me. But you've more than earned my trust, so I don't mind answering any questions you've got.
[Jacinthe's cheeks puff out a bit, hands going to her hips briefly--sorry Arbok, she's gotta make a point here.]
If you hadn't been so stubborn that day, you would not have known anything of me, either! We both know the value of secrets; of keeping them close at hand, so that nobody may use us. Even if...
[Jacinthe's pout dissipates, her eyes closing as she tries to think for once.]
...Even if I did want to know more, it is not...something that should be forced, non? I am not owed information, just as you are not. Trust is but simply a must in matters like these! I rather like it better like this, where we can be treading upon equal ground.
While I do have some questions--I would love to hear of any good memories you have of those times...might I even our metaphorical playing field with some information of my own? It is not as devastating, but...
[Her hands will go down once he says that much, chuckling softly as she goes to spoil Arbok with pets; yes yes, you poor needy child, she now has two hands for you!]
Ha! I suppose that is fair, my friend. But even so, I...suppose I want you to know this much, given the rather sensitive nature of what you yourself have shared. It is one thing to know that my parents and I are not on good terms, but it is another to know why, non?
[She doesn't look up at Corbeau when she speaks again; her tone doesn't sound sad initially at least, but...]
Truthfully, it is the matter of children that has caused quite the rift for my family and I. You see...Mother cannot have any children of her own; I am Father's child, of course, but Mother permitted my father to have a mistress solely so they could secure an heir to their fortune, and expected me to do the same once I became old enough. They've arranged me to be wed five times; none of them worked out, and even when I decided to date on my own, those relationships did not last. Most of those men wanted to change me, and I had no intention of bending for them. I would not be some prize to be won for them, simply put.
It was during the longest of these marriages--when I lived in Unova, that we discovered that I too, cannot bear children.
[And perhaps surprisingly, Jacinthe doesn't seem...the most perturbed by this. Maybe deep down, she can at least acknowledge that she would be a terrible mother; she's only had Themida's example to lead by, after all. But it sounds like she's made her peace with it, at least.]
...To say Mother was displeased when she found out was an understatement. Sickness took much of the warm, vibrant Mother I once knew away from both Father and I, but if there was any hope of us maintaining a good relationship, it...died, that day. I have tried so very hard to be a daughter worth being proud of, to her, nevertheless.
[And it's there, and only there, with those soft words that something grows sad in Jacinthe's expression. Because despite everything, she really does love her parents; they're what she knows most, and the people she desperately wants to make proud. Even if she has tried so hard to escape and make a fairytale-esque world for herself when they aren't around, and this horrible saboteur is ruining everything.]
I think that is why your circumstances, they...resonated with me, at least a touch. And perhaps why some selfish, hopeful part of me hopes that you can still find happiness, and perhaps even closure someday.
[Yes, good, give him all the pets!! This snake is absolutely rolling around delightedly.
Corbeau's more focused on what Jacinthe has to share, though. Truthfully, he never stopped to question why her parents might treat her the way they did - it never really mattered. Some people are just awful, even to those closest to them. Maybe even especially to those closest to them. He'd assumed overbearing became abusive over time, not because of anything specific. But the details she lays out for him...
Some part of him wonders if Themida is truly "punishing" Jacinthe, or punishing herself. Not that she should be taking out her self-hatred on Jacinthe, but it's sort of eye-opening to realize that there is a reason behind the behavior, even though that doesn't excuse a single damn thing they've done. This also might explain why her father seems slightly warmer toward her; he doesn't have the same baggage her mother does, after all.]
I know you don't need me to tell you this, but even if some parts of it are understandable, it's still awful that she treats you like that. Her issues are her own; your issues are your own. There's no reason for her to take it out on you, and their treatment of you even outside of that is still unacceptable.
[He falls quiet after that before reaching up to adjust his glasses with a huff.]
...Sorry to hear all that. I imagine it wasn't easy on you either.
[Maybe she never wanted kids to begin with. Maybe it was easy to accept. But Jacinthe frames it in a way to explain her mother's behavior, not something that must have had a heavy impact on herself. It's... frustrating, sort of. That Jacinthe feels the need to defend her mother like this, even though her behavior is both unreasonable and infuriating.
...But family ties are a different breed, he supposes. There are undoubtedly good memories of her mother in there too, and those drive her just as much - if not moreso - than the bad ones. Nothing's ever truly black and white.]
...It isn't, but I will bear it all the same. I truly do love them both, you know. Even if most of the time, their presence can be more of a curse than a blessing.
[Jacinthe looks up to Corbeau at that, eyes opening and her smile just a touch softer.]
I do thank you, nevertheless. For hearing me prattle on about something so dismal. It is quite nice to know that I am not alone in such things; I do hope you feel the same. And I do hope that perhaps one day, things can repair in such a way that you will all be able to be happy, once again.
[If mostly because Jacinthe knows she'll never be able to repay for her own shortcomings, to her Mother. She'd at least like to believe that Corbeau can, to his kids and their grandparents.
Even so, though--]
Might I switch us back to something more light, then? And oh, perhaps I ought grab my record player--I found a few new ones to add into my collection that I think you might like!
Yeah, let's move on to easier topics. Sounds good to me - I do want to hear what you've got.
[The rest of the night goes well; a nice reprieve from the heavier topics of conversation and the rather dismal circumstances they've found themselves in. For once, all of that truly seems so very far away.]
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sranks2025-10-22 06:33 pm
no subject
Seeing that care and kindness he puts into the city, and knowing what he's sacrificed to make it so...it makes it so much more understandable.]
...You're no craven man, Corbeau. No matter what they say to you or how they feel. I'd say the fact you are still willing to help them after they have spurned you so is far more than one could ask.
[And perhaps at her heart, she's more willing to take his side because she is selfish. Deeply. It's something that Jacinthe will likely never be able to get rid of no matter how hard she tries. But Jacinthe goes quiet after she says that. The only other things she could say at that point would likely be inflammatory toward that family, and...
It seems unwise.]
But truly, it is no trouble! I do not mind in the slightest! [Beams! Maybe if she beams away the strange, tight feeling in her, she can just continue on as normal--] That you would trust me with such information makes it more than worthwhile, you know. Trust like that is a strange way of letting down one's layers, but it is not a bad thing.
I find that I do not mind it, as it allows me to get to know who you are, more!
no subject
It's pointless to get hung up on semantics. Jacinthe isn't looking at it the same way he is - and most people probably wouldn't see it like he does anyway. So he shakes his head and refocuses.]
Guess I have been pretty tight-lipped, huh. [Not really a big realization, but it is a bit wry.] I've always had a habit of being a little too cautious with info that could come back to bite me. But you've more than earned my trust, so I don't mind answering any questions you've got.
no subject
[Jacinthe's cheeks puff out a bit, hands going to her hips briefly--sorry Arbok, she's gotta make a point here.]
If you hadn't been so stubborn that day, you would not have known anything of me, either! We both know the value of secrets; of keeping them close at hand, so that nobody may use us. Even if...
[Jacinthe's pout dissipates, her eyes closing as she tries to think for once.]
...Even if I did want to know more, it is not...something that should be forced, non? I am not owed information, just as you are not. Trust is but simply a must in matters like these! I rather like it better like this, where we can be treading upon equal ground.
While I do have some questions--I would love to hear of any good memories you have of those times...might I even our metaphorical playing field with some information of my own? It is not as devastating, but...
I dislike the idea of us being on unequal ground.
no subject
Hah, you're right. It's not an easy thing to give, that trust.
[That's true of both of them, for different reasons. But Jacinthe's offer earns a soft scoff from him.]
I wouldn't say we're on unequal ground. I've learned a lot about your situation without giving much in return before now.
[But that's being dismissive of her feelings and only looking at it from his own perspective. Corbeau lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug.]
But if you still don't think we're square and you want to tell me more, I'll listen. Up to you, Jacinthe.
no subject
Ha! I suppose that is fair, my friend. But even so, I...suppose I want you to know this much, given the rather sensitive nature of what you yourself have shared. It is one thing to know that my parents and I are not on good terms, but it is another to know why, non?
[She doesn't look up at Corbeau when she speaks again; her tone doesn't sound sad initially at least, but...]
Truthfully, it is the matter of children that has caused quite the rift for my family and I. You see...Mother cannot have any children of her own; I am Father's child, of course, but Mother permitted my father to have a mistress solely so they could secure an heir to their fortune, and expected me to do the same once I became old enough. They've arranged me to be wed five times; none of them worked out, and even when I decided to date on my own, those relationships did not last. Most of those men wanted to change me, and I had no intention of bending for them. I would not be some prize to be won for them, simply put.
It was during the longest of these marriages--when I lived in Unova, that we discovered that I too, cannot bear children.
[And perhaps surprisingly, Jacinthe doesn't seem...the most perturbed by this. Maybe deep down, she can at least acknowledge that she would be a terrible mother; she's only had Themida's example to lead by, after all. But it sounds like she's made her peace with it, at least.]
...To say Mother was displeased when she found out was an understatement. Sickness took much of the warm, vibrant Mother I once knew away from both Father and I, but if there was any hope of us maintaining a good relationship, it...died, that day. I have tried so very hard to be a daughter worth being proud of, to her, nevertheless.
[And it's there, and only there, with those soft words that something grows sad in Jacinthe's expression. Because despite everything, she really does love her parents; they're what she knows most, and the people she desperately wants to make proud. Even if she has tried so hard to escape and make a fairytale-esque world for herself when they aren't around, and this horrible saboteur is ruining everything.]
I think that is why your circumstances, they...resonated with me, at least a touch. And perhaps why some selfish, hopeful part of me hopes that you can still find happiness, and perhaps even closure someday.
no subject
Corbeau's more focused on what Jacinthe has to share, though. Truthfully, he never stopped to question why her parents might treat her the way they did - it never really mattered. Some people are just awful, even to those closest to them. Maybe even especially to those closest to them. He'd assumed overbearing became abusive over time, not because of anything specific. But the details she lays out for him...
Some part of him wonders if Themida is truly "punishing" Jacinthe, or punishing herself. Not that she should be taking out her self-hatred on Jacinthe, but it's sort of eye-opening to realize that there is a reason behind the behavior, even though that doesn't excuse a single damn thing they've done. This also might explain why her father seems slightly warmer toward her; he doesn't have the same baggage her mother does, after all.]
I know you don't need me to tell you this, but even if some parts of it are understandable, it's still awful that she treats you like that. Her issues are her own; your issues are your own. There's no reason for her to take it out on you, and their treatment of you even outside of that is still unacceptable.
[He falls quiet after that before reaching up to adjust his glasses with a huff.]
...Sorry to hear all that. I imagine it wasn't easy on you either.
[Maybe she never wanted kids to begin with. Maybe it was easy to accept. But Jacinthe frames it in a way to explain her mother's behavior, not something that must have had a heavy impact on herself. It's... frustrating, sort of. That Jacinthe feels the need to defend her mother like this, even though her behavior is both unreasonable and infuriating.
...But family ties are a different breed, he supposes. There are undoubtedly good memories of her mother in there too, and those drive her just as much - if not moreso - than the bad ones. Nothing's ever truly black and white.]
no subject
[Jacinthe looks up to Corbeau at that, eyes opening and her smile just a touch softer.]
I do thank you, nevertheless. For hearing me prattle on about something so dismal. It is quite nice to know that I am not alone in such things; I do hope you feel the same. And I do hope that perhaps one day, things can repair in such a way that you will all be able to be happy, once again.
[If mostly because Jacinthe knows she'll never be able to repay for her own shortcomings, to her Mother. She'd at least like to believe that Corbeau can, to his kids and their grandparents.
Even so, though--]
Might I switch us back to something more light, then? And oh, perhaps I ought grab my record player--I found a few new ones to add into my collection that I think you might like!
no subject
Yeah, let's move on to easier topics. Sounds good to me - I do want to hear what you've got.
[The rest of the night goes well; a nice reprieve from the heavier topics of conversation and the rather dismal circumstances they've found themselves in. For once, all of that truly seems so very far away.]