Thread: Odette (Montresor & sweet.nothings)

Philippians 413 - I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. It was not too bad, Odette surmised, as she laid in the bed within the stone cell. In many ways she was already acclimated to this kind of solitude. The spacious dungeon was larger than her first room at Abbey Ligny-en-Brionnais , when she joined the petites souers de la charite at fifteen years old. The Catholic Order had changed the age requirement for becoming a Nun to eighteen right before Odette had said her vows and slipped into the religious conventual. She had been the last generation of girls seeking charity service so young. The room she had been assigned to was only eight feet by ten feet with old, red brick walls and a small two by two foot window incased so high within the wall that she couldn't see its view even upon tip-toes. A simple dresser with two drawers was the only piece of furniture, and a brass crucifix sat atop with a candle and the Holy Book. She had spent many years within that room, and Odette thought fondly of it as she laid on her back and watched the dust particles move within the ray of light that shown through the barred window of her new accomodations. In fact, the common term for her personal space as a Nun was called a Monastic Cell. Even the name itself provided little separation from familiar chambers for Odette. She finally found herself relaxing slowly in-between the long stretches of solidary hours. And even within a week's time she had already found the spacious cell as a kind of sanctuary, for nothing within it was oppressive for her already minimalistic way of life. It was where she could be natural and authentic with herself to allow her mind the freedom to flow in whatever way seemed righteous for her spirit, and a haven where she could let go of the need to present herself to someone else. It was her only freedom at this time, as she felt her freedom become smothered by Rogier's heavy demands. The kind physician had decided that Odette did not need any stitches for her wound, for it was better to just leave it open to drain and prevent any infection. He had explained that she would have a scar if it healed properly, and the sister did not mind too greatly. It wasn't like she was trying to impress anyone with her body! He had commended the nun for her lack of anger towards Rogier, explaining that Lord Montresor seemed to feed on any hint of fury within his subjects like it was a personal challenge. Truth was, that Odette did feel a little vexed with the young boy for his selfish rationale and provocative actions against God, but anger was never the answer. Instead, Odette spent many hours in prayer for Rogier now, alongside those for Antoine, which helped in keeping the sister as humble and magnanimous as a holy temple would be. She never questioned the worth of her life against the worth of Antoine. Sister Odette dared not go there in her meditation. He was a husband and a father with a lucrative business that had been wronged in an awful way, and that was enough for Odette to settle upon. But she did worry about what her life would be like now once Antoine was set free. Rogier Montresor was a ...iniquitous individual for the pious nun. She feared she would never find respect for such an unprincipled Lord. And besides, his promise was just as haunting as it was unimaginable, You will be as my chattel low as a dog fed on table scraps, and willing as a newly wed wife. Odette felt a shiver of angst, wondering where she would ever find the strength to endure such an image. Rogier seemed resolute on placing Antoines sins upon her, and the abbess was not confident she could endure much more of the young lord's intense punishments, especially not as a lifelong endeavor. Her lips still felt how cool the rosary was when she had kissed it for him. An oath made under God was an oath Odette would never break, and Rogier knew this as true. ----------------- The worst part of every day was having her supper with the Marquee. Poor Odette did not really understand the point in doing so, but it was his demand and she would willingly oblige. Every single day at dusk she was given an evening robe to wear over her bed shift, and so far she had required assistance draping it over her shoulders because the physician had placed her left arm into a sling. He said it would remind her to not use her arm and to keep her chest muscles as unmovable as possible to give the tissue an opportunity to repair. She was escorted to a fairly large dining room where servants tended to Rogier and Odette, both. Their meals were alike, save for the portions, and usually shared in awkward silence across the expanse of a large table. There were notions of consideration extended towards Odette such as a steak already sliced into perfect cuts to save her from the task of doing so, and risking more injury to her wound. It was still uncertain if she would properly survive her wound. No one knew how close to those organs the bullet had sliced, and a single wrong movement of misfortune could rip or tear a remaining tissue and prove lethal. Odette felt like a waiting game was taking place within Rogier's mind a tug-of-war between disbelief and arrogance. She should be dead, and no one understood why she was not dead. The first few evenings of eating her supper with Rogier was nothing but a spectacle of silence from the lord, as he seemed to weigh whether or not she would be a fitting replacement for Antoine. With each new sundown meal, the abbess noticed little details more and more that spilled light into her host. Or perhaps, spilling darkness would be a better phrase, for there was nothing for sister Odette to discover that wasn't sinful against everything she had been taught. One could only imagine the quiet, startled expression she held upon the boy servant dressed like a girl. It was something she had never seen before and her fork paused and poised from stabbing a bite of steamed greens. The boy was trained well, for even as he refilled her goblet of wine beneath her silent dismay he never brought his gaze to meet hers. His humiliation was his alone. ....that's got to be not right. Odette's thoughts flickered, balancing this sight against all the biblical versus she had took heart to memorize. ...until Rogier's voice cut through, and Odette tipped the prongs of her fork down to the plate missing her vegetables. Um.. Her gaze now broke from the gender-confused servant to rest upon Rogier's face. Seven days had passed with meals in Montresor's presence and not once did he offer a conversation topic until now. Why did it have to be about sex ? She released her fork and slipped both hands to her lap beneath the table, no longer interested in food. A sigh escaped her nose as she began to work upon answering the question. It was uncomfortable for her and she was not quite sure how to reply to him within context. Sex outside of wedlock is wrong. Odette stated dryly. Then she continued as her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her robe beneath the table, Within marriage, Hebrews 134 tells us that marriage should be honored by all, and that the marriage bed be kept pure. Odette continued to look at Rogier's face, but that was only because he wasn't paying the least bit of attention towards her, but was busy cutting his steak. What the Bible tells us about sex is exactly my views on sex, she quickly concluded. Since Rogier was in a talkative mood this time, and because Odette felt the need to quickly change the subject, she thought that now would be a great time to bring up a request. Lord Montresor, there is still considerable time left before you release Antoine. I would be appreciative if I could have my nun's habit back within my possession, and a needle and thread so that I can mend it. And if it is not too much trouble to ask I was hoping you'd allow for my rosary and cross to be returned, as well as a Bible that I may read during the long hours in my cell?