The Maid

run away as far and as fast as your feet will take you.

[dorothykipper]

vikazielinski‌:

Her words rang true for Vika too; though with the great exception that she didn’t trust her family. Perhaps the only person she had in the world was herself – something that could have been considered a lonely existence but she has built her guard up far too high for anyone to ever scale – and there was no one on the train that she could say that she, whole heartedly, trusted. There was people she could say she would, if she had to, accept that her fate would be left to them, but nothing like trust.

“In that case,” Vika said, just a touch above softly. “I believe it’s going to be hard to trust anyone here – who comes on a short train journey to get to know people?” A very pessimistic outlook on it and that caused Vika to sigh, shaking her head. “But, perhaps that could be rectified by getting to know people. This could be a start – hello, I’m Vika and I would love to get to know you.”

Again, the young woman spoke nothing but the truth to Vika who couldn’t help but smile. She, herself, had built up quite a bad reputation and she knew better than anyone that it was a lot better. “A reputation is only a reputation, and unless it gets back to the wrong people, then it shouldn’t be something that worries you. I, myself, have been quite privy to the bad reputation, or two, but it’s something I can just brush off.” And then, she added, a little more to herself than anyone else; “Being a disappointment is fairly easy these days.”

Vika watched the colour stain her cheeks, the way she almost stumbled over her words, and as no stranger to this, it made her mouth tick up in the one side. A lover of the finer things in life, Vika allowed herself to fall in lust with whoever she so desired and she could pick up on a desire too.

“Now, that’s forward,” she joked, mostly light heartedly. “Typically, talking isn’t a part of it, but if you so wish –”

A wink, followed by a soft laugh that many Parisians had told her sounded quite like the Devil making his schemes. She liked to be known for that. “I would happily keep you company, in whichever manner you wish to be kept, and… I have plenty to talk about.”

To Dorothy family had been one long consistent line with a harsh dip in the middle. The only thing that ever shook her concept of family was the death of her father. They were consistent people all with the same desires and needs since they were children. Her brothers wanted excitement, her mother wanted peace, Dorothy wanted freedom. Nothing really had changed, so at the very least she could trust the sameness of home. 

“I certainly did board this train with intention of making friends . . . or enemies, but sometimes that’s just how it goes,” she admitted with a shrug. Perhaps, ‘enemies’ was too strong a word but she couldn’t think of a way to say ‘people who want to murder me’ subtly. At Vika’s words her face flushed an even deeper shade of pink and she felt a thrum vibrate in her chest, “Nice to properly meet you Vika, I’m Dorothy. And I think you and I will get on just swell.” 

She tried to contain her smile, but her lips formed a tight line of barely concealed excitement, “You are too much! It’s a good thing I can handle a lot. For tonight we can talk and tomorrow night we’ll see if something else catches our fancy. .  .for safety reasons, of course.” 

[dorothykipper]

ofdresses‌:

“ I beg your pardon, I didn’t mean to sound as though I’ve lost the plot, ” Eleanor replies, an apologetic smile in tow. Her expression warms at the other’s next words, however. “ I’d have to say I think the same of you. I’m Eleanor. ”

“I suppose we women have to stick together. Not that we are incapable of our own terrible deeds, but in a situation like this I would be terribly frantic if I only had men to speak to. They are all so terribly . . . repressed,” she laughed softly under her breath, “But I’m one to talk.” 

[dorothykipper]

jimmymcnichol‌:

“I don’t think I had a home in the same way you did, Miss, if you don’t mind my frankness. Not much to miss but a building. I quite prefer getting to see a little bit of everything,” he replied, unbothered and giving a slight nod. “In my experience, evil like that doesn’t truly exist. Everyone likes to think they’re important, that they’re a hero, and that stops us from being truly awful.” 

The idea that everyone wanted to be important was one he knew well, it was how he made his living. If she asked, he would say that he thought perhaps he could understand the adjustment in morality that needed to be made to commit such an act a single time. More than once and for no reason? Surely not. Jimmy prided himself on knowing people, and that was a narrative that didn’t make sense. 

“I see, well, actually it’s quite difficult for me to comprehend but I am sure you mean what you say. Don’y you have any family? Or at least someone to go back to that makes you feel safe and loved?” she asked, and then suddenly realized that was a rather personal question and looked away, so that her gaze would not feel as invasive as her question. Her brows tilted downwards, “Then how do you explain murder?” What she did not ask was ‘How do you explain the men in my life I have had to run from?’ 

[dorothykipper]

vikazielinski‌:

The girl’s question was an interesting one; the semantics of it could mean a variety of things. Was there someone she trusted personally? Was there someone who garnered trust right away, like an official in a uniform? Perhaps yes, but most would be a long way away from this train. Others would have to prove themselves over the next few days. “Well,” she drew out, long and slow. “I do believe there are, but trust is such a fickle matter, no one really holds it for long for me.”

Vika felt a small chuckle rise in her throat, escaping her with a soft smile. It wasn’t a harsh one in the slightest, just a small giggle at her perception of scandalous. “It certainly will be,” she nodded, her smile rising on one end to become a smirk. “The rumours will fly, but I believe people should be more concerned with themselves than who people share a cabin with tonight. Or ever. Far too much going on to be an issue, right?”

Vika then dropped her head to the side, very slightly. “Any ideas on whom you think would be best to roommate with tonight?”

The question of trust was always difficult to answer. There was always the outward appearance of trust - the people you pretended to be loyal to or affiliated with because it only seemed to be polite. but then there was the deeper level, the people who you actually believe will never do anything to bring you to harm. These were few and far between. She tried on a faint smile, “That’s true. I don’t think I’ve met anyone I really trusted in my life outside of my family. In order to trust someone you must know them, and I don’t know anyone here at all.” 

Dotty was no stranger to rumors, they had always swirled around her. She was prone to falling for women and prone to lying, both habits inspired some sideways glances and hushed tones, “Perhaps it’s better to have a bad reputation while you live than to lose your life early.”

She paused, a flush coming over her cheeks as she struggled to say the words she meant with eloquence, “Maybe . . .you?” 

[dorothykipper]

jimmymcnichol‌:

“No, not at all. I’m a reasonable man and we’ve already had enough trouble on both of our hands. I truly do hope it helps, Miss Kipper.” He hands over a small glass vial with a dropper stop, his hand lingering – waiting for the exchange. “Oh I’m certain it wouldn’t matter if you showed up without a week of sleep, anyone could tell you’re a lovely woman with a good head. However, it is always best to give ourselves every advantage we can.”

She takes the vial from him, careful since her hands are still shaking. The tremor had been there ever since that first night. So she was intently focused on the item’s exchange from hand to hand. If she dropped it she would be so embarrassed, so she too lingered in that moment of contact to ensure she would not make a fool of herself. She laughed, softly and quietly, her eyes connecting with his, “You are too kind Mr. McNichol. And too right.”

[dorothykipper]

vikazielinski‌:

Vika thought for a moment, watching the girl’s shoulders tense slightly at her words. It wasn’t an easy time for anyone, and it caused her to wonder if she should be more worried than she already was; the thrill of it was beginning to wear off, after all. “That is a risk we’re all going to have to take until we arrive in Paris, unfortunately. I believe everyone here is some kind of suspect.”

She had to sigh, to shake her head slightly. “But perhaps, if you choose not to sleep and, instead, keep talking to them, then it’ll be more difficult for them to strike if they are who we’re worried about. It’s highly unlikely that they’d let you see them, right?”

At the mention of Paris Dotty relaxed. She felt as if she was going to be on this hell train forever, locked in these same four cars and confined to grapple with fear for infinity. But when Paris was mentioned she realized it would only be a few more days and then she could look back on this like a bad dream, “Certainly there are some people you trust?”

A strange smile crept at Dorothy’s lips, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. That is probably the only way to keep myself safe. So I must find someone to talk to all through the night. It will be scandalous, but the only thing I can do to protect myself.”

[dorothykipper]

triesagain‌:

jack felt somewhat caught red-handed, standing, hovering outside of his seat. he turns to her reluctantly, but his face is as warm as ever, “thanks for the encouragement,” with a breath emitted, he sits back down. “that sounds like somethin’ a murderer would say, doesn’t it?” he hopes the conversational tone of the words gets across its joking nature.

she froze for a moment - a deer in headlights. and then laughed, the sound shrill and quick, but her eyes filled with genuine understanding, “it does yes, but a murder would never admit that. i don’t think. don’t worry, jack, you’re a good person in my book. and i hope you don’t prove me wrong.” 

[dorothykipper]

ofdresses‌:

 Eleanor’s lips press together as she considers alternatives, as if they could enforce such a system of their choosing. “ What about trios ? I’m sure, if anyone did it on purpose, it was only one person. No one knew anyone prior. ”

Dotty gasps, momentarily taken aback by the thought, “Don’t prompt me into conspiracies I will certainly fall down that rabbit hole and never return. We don’t know anything about anyone. I don’t even know if I can trust you, although, instinctively, I do.”

[dorothykipper]

vikazielinski‌:

“Perhaps that’s exactly what the murderer wants us to feel.” Her voice wasn’t gentle, though it wasn’t harsh either. She was merely theorising. “But if it’s really such a terrifying prospect for you, perhaps you can sneak out after curfew and share a room with someone else. Safety does come in numbers, after all.”

Dorothy’s shoulder’s tense at the other’s words. She doesn’t want to attempt to enter the mind of the killer. She does not want to sink to that level for fear of never coming back, “I actually was thinking the very same thing. I just have to hope that whomever I am taking comfort with is not the very person I should be avoiding. I guess there’s no way of knowing until it’s too late. But I think I’d rather keep myself awake whispering to someone than staying in sleepless silence.”

[dorothykipper]

jimmymcnichol‌:

“I don’t go home often, Miss Kipper, so I can’t say that I do. Occupational hazard, I’m afraid,” he gave a small shrug. “Well, I sure hope so. We all have our struggles and I’m a bit short on coin myself.” There was a soft pause. “Unless? Sounds like you have a theory.”

“Oh, I imagine you miss it though, don’t you? Wish you were there when you are here? And wish you were here when you are there?” she said, trying not to pry too deep in case his home life was a sensitive subject, her eyes drifted away from him and danced about the room. “Unless, of course, the killer was not after Charles in particular. And is merely going to pick us off one by one.”

[dorothykipper]

jimmymcnichol‌:

“Three bottles, but I hardly think you’ll need that much. It’s a dropper and should last you quite a while; one should be quite sufficient. Besides, I can’t bring myself to take your last three euros.”

“Oh! Oh, I thought it would be far more expensive. I’d pay a high price for a restful sleep so one euro is certainly a bargain. I’d be happy to make the exchange,” she remarked, pulling the bill our of her purse, and handing it over with a soft smile, “It’ll be worth it I’m sure. It’s best I look for a new job with my head on my shoulders.” 

[dorothykipper]

@jimmymcnichol​

“Okay, okay. . . I have three euros. How much lavender oil can I get for that?”

[dorothykipper]

@triesagain

“Are you leaving? I suppose it’s time to lock ourselves away - alone, in the dark, with a murderer possibly lurking in the halls. Rest easy.” 

[dorothykipper]

@vikazielinski

“I respect the curfew but  I don’t want to go to bed. I don’t want to risk not waking up.” 

[dorothykipper]

@ofdresses

“I wonder how they’d feel about instating a buddy system. That sounds rather nice. Unless. . .your assigned buddy is the killer.” 

[dorothykipper]

[dorothykipper]

azsarkozy‌:

he shuffled forward in his seat, and wondered if she was pretending as much as him – determined, perhaps, to hide the panic paired with sharing a train journey with an unmasked murderer, while alexander swallowed his own morbid relief.  

“if you happen to stumble on any good whisky while you’re back there, i wouldn’t say no.” another coy smile. alexander consistently found himself disappointed by fine whisky – not at all the smooth texture and liquid courage his mother’s fiction made it out to be. it made him wince, the muscles in his throat contract, and gave him terrible headaches. but strong, smart english men drank whisky, and so alexander supposed he ought to start playing the part.

dotty felt a great comfort in talking with him. she couldn’t say why, but she trusted him wholly. although she knew it was too early to mark anyone off as innocent or guilty, she felt she could not fathom him wielding a knife. not that he was physically incapable, or even lacking in the resolution. she just hoped that he wouldn’t, and that hope was enough to make up her mind. 

she grinned, “sneaking around and snatching forbidden items from liquor cabinets reminds me of my teen years.”  in all honesty it was more of her early twenties but that didn’t have quite the same ring to it. additionally, it was embarrassing to admit that she’d lived out her life in all the wrong order. starting as a mother and then becoming a rebellious girl. flashing a mischievous grin, “whiskey it is.”