11-30-2016, 09:51 AM
Two weeks. Her mind was set despite assuring Jacques she would consider returning to the CCD. Africa might not be safe, but neither did it represent the gilded cage of home - and of the two choices, she preferred her freedom. So it was only chance that drew her to check her personal messages, a minefield dutifully avoided these past few weeks, only to finally discover the flash of urgent ones spanning back weeks. Her heart hung like a stone in her chest, emotion immediately buried deep out of long-ingrained habit. She didn't explain why she'd changed her mind, but after reading those messages she accepted the offer of a flight out of Africa.
The Northbrook retinue met in her at Aubagne (Eleanor despised Moscow, and they had residences in France, so it was more convenient). Natalie didn't recognise the smooth-faced driver who came to collect her like a piece of luggage, not that she had expected to. Eleanor herself was conspicuously absent, perhaps to spare Jacques the sharper side of her tongue - or perhaps simply because the whole transaction was not something she could be seen publicly embroiled in. It mattered little to Natalie. A silent sigh deflated her lungs, but France and its impending familial reunion was merely a stepping stone.
She was unsentimental in her goodbyes. Whatever else had happened, she owed her life to Legion Premiere (not that they hadn't been duly compensated, she imagined). Jacques received a courteous nod, one that extended its gratitude to Jared - for his silence. Her gaze caught a moment longer on Jay, expression still shuttered against whatever thoughts made her linger. She offered a strangely formal handshake, cut by a sly smirk when she knew he'd felt the folded paper in her palm.
Then she slipped into the car, and was gone.
The Northbrook retinue met in her at Aubagne (Eleanor despised Moscow, and they had residences in France, so it was more convenient). Natalie didn't recognise the smooth-faced driver who came to collect her like a piece of luggage, not that she had expected to. Eleanor herself was conspicuously absent, perhaps to spare Jacques the sharper side of her tongue - or perhaps simply because the whole transaction was not something she could be seen publicly embroiled in. It mattered little to Natalie. A silent sigh deflated her lungs, but France and its impending familial reunion was merely a stepping stone.
She was unsentimental in her goodbyes. Whatever else had happened, she owed her life to Legion Premiere (not that they hadn't been duly compensated, she imagined). Jacques received a courteous nod, one that extended its gratitude to Jared - for his silence. Her gaze caught a moment longer on Jay, expression still shuttered against whatever thoughts made her linger. She offered a strangely formal handshake, cut by a sly smirk when she knew he'd felt the folded paper in her palm.
Then she slipped into the car, and was gone.