Eleanor inhaled steadily, covering the wounds quickly. "It's why I always wear long sleeves," she murmured. "She would grab me without caring if it hurt or not. It's the side of her that only I get to see, quite literally. No one else knows. No one." Eleanor closed her eyes briefly, remembering how isolated her pain was. Now, at least, she was safe and could tell someone what she'd been dealing with.
Etta nodded knowingly, pulling up the sleeves of her own blouse to expose scars from lashings, healing bruises, and a few still tender wounds. "I know how that feels" She whispered understandingly. "Im so sorry."
"Oh my God, Bernadette," Eleanor breathed, reaching towards the wounds but she stopped just before touching them. Her eyes went from concerned to fierce in seconds. "Who did this to you?" she demanded.
Etta backed away a bit, a habit she wasn't fond of. "Just… managers . other workers… nobles." She stammered. "Its really fine. It is."
Eleanor quickly retracted her hand when Bernadette backed away. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she apologized quickly. "But no, it's not bloody fine! How could you say that?"
Etta started to tear up, harsh memories of her bosses scolding her running rampant through her mind. "Im sorry! Im sorry please forgive me!" She blurted, covering her face as she retreated furthter
Eleanor backed up quickly. "Oh gods, I'm so sorry… Please don't apologize to me, you have nothing to apologize for." Her fingers trembled. Damn, you had your chance to get close to her and you messed it up, Eleanor.
Etta started to sob, sinking to the floor as she curled up, shaking her head with embarrassment. “Oh god… oh god Eleanor I’m so sorry…”
Hesitantly, Eleanor approached her. "Darling, it's alright," she murmured, kneeling to her level. "I understand, it's alright…"
Bernadette sniffed, too nervous to look up. She had made a complete fool of herself, like she always did. Etta simply stayed silent, rubbing the tears from her eyes as she tried to stumble back to her feet
Eleanor gently wrapped an arm around Bernadette's shoulders to comfort her gently. "I promise, it's okay."
Etta leaned into Eleanor, her touch oddly consoling as she began to calm herself. "Im sorry… Im sorry…" She kept repeating.
"You don't have to apologize to me," Eleanor promised. "I doubt anyone better understands you than I do, even after just meeting you."
Bernadette looked up, a softness in her eyes as she nodded slowly. "You know… you know and- and it really is terrible that you relate." She sniffed, leaning back into her shoulder. "No one should be hurt by someone they trust."
(foreshadowinggg hehe)
(Ooooh, that's cold…)
Eleanor smiled sadly. "Well, you can't be hurt if you never trusted them in the first place," she replied quietly, gently rubbing Bernadette's back.
(nevas gonna be crushed..;-;)
Etta smiled, looking down at her hands as she closed her eyes to Eleanor's touch. "Yeah… if you never did."
(Okay, but like with what Eleanor just said, it was about her mother, not Neva.)
Eleanor sighed, glad that Bernadette was finally starting to trust her. "Our tea is nearly ready, darling," she murmured.
( yes but if elly catches neva kissing with sally tho)
(Eleanor would be absolutely devastated.)
(ye)
(Oh dam yall got some shit done while I was in school ok)
(Responding to @brave_soldier 's post on the last page)
"Oh umm well I one day hope to have enough money to buy my own ship and sail the world. Just me." Sally responded. She knew she could trust Neva with this secret.
(ya. I was referring to Neva and Sally doin stuff lmao)
(Yeah… sorry I just kept going XD)