The Second Worst Day
Oct. 29th, 2013 09:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
st_clare in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
birthright_rpgLondon, England - 1978
The bottom line was, she wanted to be punished. If they'd punish her, perhaps she'd be satisfied.
Julianna and Edmund remained in Boston for a week after Allison's funeral. They spent the days touring the city, the evenings in the hotel bar, and the nights not talking. The time passed far too quickly. When it came time to fly back to London, the flight alternately was too long and too short. They arrived at Heathrow just before dawn, and he kissed her on the cheek when they said farewell.
She was wearing basic black when she arrived at Council headquarters, the color of mourning. She was terrified but resolute. If they sacked her, it was what she deserved. If they didn't sack her, she was going to turn in her resignation.
The Watcher's appointment was with Cyrus Claymore, a senior member of the Council. Julianna had never met the man, but she'd heard rumors. Her low heels made clicking noises on the highly-polished floor as she made her way down the hall. Portraits of other Watchers, now long dead, hung on the walls. She was vaguely surprised to see that Mother was not among them.
"Doctor Claymore?" She was amazed that her voice didn't shake. Was she supposed to use his professional title? I am Julianna St. Clare. Whatever happens, I deserve it
The bottom line was, she wanted to be punished. If they'd punish her, perhaps she'd be satisfied.
Julianna and Edmund remained in Boston for a week after Allison's funeral. They spent the days touring the city, the evenings in the hotel bar, and the nights not talking. The time passed far too quickly. When it came time to fly back to London, the flight alternately was too long and too short. They arrived at Heathrow just before dawn, and he kissed her on the cheek when they said farewell.
She was wearing basic black when she arrived at Council headquarters, the color of mourning. She was terrified but resolute. If they sacked her, it was what she deserved. If they didn't sack her, she was going to turn in her resignation.
The Watcher's appointment was with Cyrus Claymore, a senior member of the Council. Julianna had never met the man, but she'd heard rumors. Her low heels made clicking noises on the highly-polished floor as she made her way down the hall. Portraits of other Watchers, now long dead, hung on the walls. She was vaguely surprised to see that Mother was not among them.
"Doctor Claymore?" She was amazed that her voice didn't shake. Was she supposed to use his professional title? I am Julianna St. Clare. Whatever happens, I deserve it
no subject
on 2013-10-31 11:13 pm (UTC)Her tone became clipped when she said it, more precise, and she put the cup aside on the table with the other tea things. She folded her hands into her lap as if she were praying to keep them from fidgeting. "As you said, she passed your tests, lived up to the expectation that she was ready to be active in the field. To follow the path of her destiny."
Outside, a bird had landed on the lowest branch of the tree just outside the window. Julianna watched the way it preened its feathers, the glossy black stark against the green leaves. She forced her fingers to relax their grip on each other.
"All of our...assets...have strength and courage. They have to. Without the raw materials to work with, training would be useless."
She wondered if she was scandalizing him. The philosophy of the Council was a simple one; that if the girls didn't survive, it was because it was their time to die. Julianna knew Mother had subscribed to that belief. She wasn't sure she believed it anymore.
"There is a failure here, Cyrus, but it's not the Council's. It's a personal one. My failure."
no subject
on 2013-11-01 12:20 am (UTC)He sat back.
"We grieve for a life cut short, yes. We grieve for a family who has lost its daughter. But we do not let it deter us. She accomplished more on this earth than most people will in eighty years."