Conversation · Plaisance

"It's not just a storage room, I already saw that... There's another door behind the curtains."

"Of course it's not just a storage room!" she suddenly shouts, her face getting red. "But what does it matter now, you already let the spirits in... We are all doomed now."

"It's just like Annette said, this place is cursed. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing." She closes her eyes, visibly defeated, and starts mumbling something to her pendant.

"It's just like everyone said, this place is cursed. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing." She closes her eyes, visibly defeated, and starts mumbling something to her pendant.

"It's not just a storage room, I already looked... There's another door behind the curtains."

"What-did-you-do?!" she demands in a single breath, hand clasped around the pendant. "You looked?"

"No, you misunderstood me -- I didn't 'look' with my 'eyes', I used my inner vision to 'get a read' on the Darkness... metaphysically."

"The Darkness..." She closes her eyes and nods. "It must be real then... This place is cursed, just like Annette said. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing!"

"I'm not sure whether I want to know what else the spirits have told you in your visions..." She shudders and starts mumbling something to her pendant.

"And you saw a door?" She closes her eyes. "It must be real then... This place is cursed, just like everyone said. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing!"

"Yes, when you weren't paying attention."

"You looked, you let the spirits in!" she shouts, her face getting red. "We are all doomed now, this place is cursed, just like Annette said. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing!"

"You looked, you let the spirits in!" Her face is getting red. "We are all doomed now, this place is cursed, just like everyone said. They don't call it the Doomed Commercial Area just for nothing!"

"It's not like I ripped the curtains open or anything, it was just a little peek..."

"If it's just a storage room then it wouldn't hurt if I just peeked inside..."

"All the pressure has made Annette really anxious. You know she's been chewing her nails?"

"God, I've told her not to do that. It's disgusting. And I told you to mind your own business." Her voice is firm. "Clearly you have no idea how hard it is to raise a girl in this economy."

This economy is a mysterious force, like cosmic weather. Mysterious and harsh.

"I don't think she can do anything about it."

"She can, if she has enough willpower. This is what's called growing pains. Life isn't easy, life doesn't give breaks."

"Come on, ma'am. It's obvious she can't do anything about it. You're placing an unnecessary burden on a young child."

"That is true -- and obviously the will of the market -- but maybe make an exception for your daughter?"

She stands stiff and severe, silently fuming. Ten or so seconds pass without change.

This is a person coming to terms with a new reality. One where they are wrong. It's not easy.

She's looking for one -- but there simply aren't any good arguments for being an asshole.

All of a sudden she exhales sharply. Her shoulders slump down. "Oh no..." she mutters. "Hold on, I need to invite her inside and apologize. She must be freezing out there..."

"There," she returns with a nod. "I don't know what to say to you. My husband, he tries to teach me business lessons. I have... what my mother called a dull mind. All this stress..." She stops, but her mouth keeps moving.

It sounds like both the husband and the mother treat her the way she treats Annette.

Just nod compassionately.

Yes. Sometimes it's better to let people come to these conclusions themselves.

"Is she an only child?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. A real treat she is. It would be nice if she had..." She pauses for a second. "No, we couldn't have afforded more children really. Not in this economy."

A glimmer of sadness blinks through the well-crafted exterior.

"Of course. Yes. This economy."

"Exactly." She agrees wholeheartedly.

"Why not?"

"We're quite busy people, you know, my husband and I. Quite busy." Her voice wavers a bit. "Children are a lot of work. You don't look like a father, so I don't expect you to understand..."

"I'm sorry.“ She catches herself. "I'm sure you do understand."

"Is this husband Annette's father?"

"Yes. My husband is a successful entrepreneur East of the river. If only he were more involved in the business we're running up here." She says gloomily. "No matter, soon we'll both be off for Grand Couron!"

"And your husband's also involved with the bookstore?"

"He made the initial investment. Since then he's been what you might call a silent partner."

Super silent. Almost inaudibly so.

"Wait. Grand Couron? What's that?"

"It's a proper place to live -- one of the most peaceful neighbourhoods east of Jamrock. You may know it for its massive housing projects..."

Your head feels light and dizzy... a cold breeze caresses your flesh.

What's going on?

Monstrous buildings loom over Grand Couron. A cold wind howls in the empty halls of homes built upon delusions.

Why?

There is no life in Grand Couron. No one can afford to live there.

"Most of the buildings are empty at the moment!" Her smile is wide. "It's a great opportunity to get ahead of the crowds. Better times ahead, for sure."

Shudder, let it pass.

"She told me she doesn't go to school anymore."

"She's been too busy, helping me here, so she's studied at home this trimester. This is a temporary solution, of course." Plaisance nods.

"I assure you, I of all people understand the importance of education. She will be back in school the moment the store takes off."

And hell freezes over? Never mind, it's not a good topic to get into.

"Alright. I had something else in mind." (Conclude.)

The woman looks aloof, her features much softer. Occasionally she glances at her daughter's silhouette.

"You're like Annette to your husband. And your mother."

"Oh..." She nudges her glasses nervously. "Well. My mother was horrible, of course, absolutely perverse energies around that person, but my husband..." She shakes her head.