Versailles 2013 (Clements & Kit Harrington)

Subject: Versailles 2013 (Clements & Kit Harrington) Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:09 pm

Jacques' afternoon had come to something of a bore. This did not happen very often for the young Clement, he had a multitude of activities to keep him busy. From his studying of family history, finance, magic, business, the arts, sports, and music to name but a few, Jacques should, rightly, never grow bored in his time at the Palace.

However, that afternoon consisted of one of only a few rare moments in Jacques' life that he was bored.

Why, many would ask, would a boy who had the world at his disposal find time to grow bored? His Papa had been cooped up in his office for the past three hours in the need of finishing off important business. Jacques knew it was something to do with the technology that was not permitted within the castle -- a question that had been raised when Jacques had come to notice it's dominance when they were away visiting other countries, or families of the world. The answer had been one that had left Jacques with a small frown on his features for a few moment, as he absorbed the information he'd been given, and worked himself to an understanding that he'd relayed to his Maman for approval. Her confirmation of his ideology had made him smile triumphantly, before accepting the decision his parents had made on his behalf.

His Maman was with Elenore. Their usual attempt at getting Elenore to play music was well underway, and from Jacques seat just a short way up the hall, he could hear the off keys from where he was, and the sound of his Maman's 'patient' voice. Elenore always seemed to bring out the 'patient' voice his Maman in these lessons, and Jacques didn't like it. Everyone in the Palace knew that Elenore was very good on the piano, he'd heard Elenore with Grandmere, and she never made a wrong note. But with their Maman...

Jacques' features furrowed once again as he turned the page of his book. It was a heavy tome, one that his small hands could only just grip on to, but Jacques was enjoying it. The Intimate Study of Wand Quality Trees and Different Organic Combinations of Wand Cores was a book aimed at those with a desire to go in to wand making, it was said, but that was not what Jacques was reading about. It was said, that at the age of eleven, he would be allowed to get a wand -- something Jacques had questioned when he'd found out because his displays of magical capability had not been limited to a piece of wood and a core from some kind of magical creature, or plant.

The explanation had not been enough, though, for his parents had explained how the channelling of magic through a wand often resulted in better spellwork. This had led the Clement heir to the discovery of the different kinds of magic that were used in the Magical world, and his curiosity had piqued upon learning that there were two categories of magic.

Light and Dark.

Jacques' reading had continued on, learning which woods were better for each kind of magic. Learning about the affiliation of the wand to the wizard, and then what kind of traits the beholder would likely have based on their wand. This knowledge had been something Jacques was waiting to recount to his Maman, for he had just found out about the Cypress wand. The Cypress wand was noteable for those who laid down their lives willingly -- something Jacques believed he might have a connection to in their family, a question he would need to ask his Maman to see if she could help him locate the book which might tell him what his ancestors, by the name of Pierre, had for their own wands.

Sitting quite still as he continued on, drinking each word in hungrily, Jacques could hear a small commotion in the Entrance Hall.

Looking down the Hall, Jacques waited for a moment, before sliding off of the seat. The sound of Elenore's lessons continued as Jacques placed his book on the seat, and hurried down towards the commotion in the hall. As Jacques grew closer, he could hear the voice of their Butler explaining that nobody could simply walk in to the Palace and demand an audience with Lady Clement because they claimed to be her friend. At the end of the hallway, Jacques peered around the corner to see a very tall man, not looking at all in control of his emotions, but the Butler was doing his job, and stopping him from getting any further in to the Palace than he already was.

Curiosity was clear in the Clement heir's features, and just as the boy was about to step out in to the Hall, and tell the man that his Maman was busy, his Papa came out from his study, obviously hearing the commotion too. A short conversation, and the stranger was ushered in to his Papa's study.

The door snapped closed.

For a moment, Jacques stood there, staring at the door. Wondering. But as the silvery spectre of his Papa's Patronus emerged, hurrrying along the Hall to the music room, Jacques knew that whatever was going on, it was very important. Waiting no longer, Jacques hurried up the stairs of the Palace, out of sight of his Maman, but laid down at the top the stairs, watching his Papa's door like a hawk.

He was, after all, the most curious boy of his age, and when a stranger showed up to the Palace unannounced, it was important.

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~ Profile ~
~ Clement Heir ~ 24 ~ Athletic ~ 5'11" ~ French Accent ~

Thanks to .V0ldiemort @ TDA for my signature!

Piano lessons with Elenore were a lot more challenging than motherhood with her brother had been for the past nine years. While it was clear that Jacques never intended to cause his mother more pain than It took to bring him into the world, his sister thrived on it. Sometimes Vanessa equated the child’s stubbornness to a sense of justice. Perhaps this was her reward for not being in pain when Elenore was borne. Forget the fact that the Lady Clement had paid for her second child with her pound of flesh for years to follow.

“Non,” she tried yet again, interrupting the child’s wrong note. “Try again.” It was perhaps the most humbling experience for the no longer so young mother to watch her child make the same mistake over and over again, a problem Vanessa had known almost no Clement to have. The witch refused to believe her child was slow, or musically uninclined. Elenore composed melodies when she thought no one was watching and the child was young yet. But when you put her on a piano to practice simple notes, she made mistakes. Was it nerves? Was it the instrument in question that bothered the little girl?

Or was it her Maman’s presence?

“I want to practice with Grandmere,” the child stated, the request would have been a whine had whining been allowed in the palace.

“Grandmere is in Lyon tonight, she will be home tomorrow and you can commence practice with her then.” The gently stated reasoning was a clear no to Elenore’s unspoken request of skipping practice today. And even at her young age, the girl understood, straightening her back and getting ready to play the wrong notes once again. If she couldn’t have things her way, neither could her Maman. Little did the child know that Vanessa was not one to give up so the next hour was spent in painful repetition, with Elenore continuing her silent vengeance and Vanessa broadening the expanses of her patience.

At least there was one bright to all of this. The Lady Clement now had an almost limitless a reserve of patience and understanding. Not exactly lacking in the area previously, raising Elenore had at least opened her eyes to how difficult it must have been for Grandmere to see her and Louis grow up. Day by day, the witch could relate to what it must have been like to watch your children run amok, disregarding a plan forged by their betters and ignoring the impact even early childhood rebellions had on long term goals. Were Grandmere Lissette still alive, Vanessa would have fervently apologized for what she and Louis had put the old matriarch through.

“Elenore Lissette, try again.”

And the farce continued, until a sleek silver fox made way into the piano room, bounding on silent feet to come to rest beside Vanessa, its silver snout nuzzling at her waist. Elenore looked up at the Patronus hopefully, only for that hope to vanish when her mother simply reached to stroke the apparition's ears fondly but did nothing to move from her position at the piano. There were two minutes left and two minutes wouldn’t hurt anyone. It was only after Elenore’s time was up that Vanessa raised her weary grey gaze to the door.

“M’Lady.” Elenore's nanny had silently appeared at the door to pick up the child after her lesson.

“Please take Lady Elenore to her nursery, and work with her on musical theory with renewed vigor.” Vanessa rose from the piano Elenore had already abandoned. The child was almost to the door when her mother spoke. The words uttered, Vanessa swept from the room, heading out into the grand hall and then towards the marble staircase - the silver fox following closely behind as if it knew she needed the comfort after the grueling lesson. Louis hadn’t spoken of a guest but it wasn’t unlike him to call her in when a major investor or lawmaker came knocking unannounced in conjunction with the many and varied Clement businesses worldwide.

Pausing a moment to catch sight of herself in the antique eighteenth century gilded mirror that hung on the way to Louis’ study, the brunette took a bare moment to smoother her already crease free silk mauve gown. There was nothing much to do about the tiredness of her eyes but the Lady Clement did manage to call forth a polite smile she had been over working for the past two hours. Proceeding to the study door, the woman knocked once and entered.

Only to have those tired grey eyes open wide in surprise.

‘Kenneth…?” her gaze flew to Louis. Kit Harrington was hardly ever the bringer of good news.

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Come Plot With Me <3

Versailles 2013 (Clements & Kit Harrington) Rsz_ve10

The paperwork on Louis' desk was being sorted as he signed off on various suggestions from their teams across the world. Investments here, designs there, new information to be used. Business was thriving and Louis was as busy as always. The Palace was quiet, except for the very faint sound of music. Elenore was in her music lessons with Ven that morning, something that never seemed to be a perfect situation, as Vanessa described it, but something his wife was not about to give up on.

But that music -- no matter how faint and not even distinguishable -- was overridden by the sound of raised voices outside his door. The Butler's voice Louis recognised but the other -- American voice -- was out of place in the castle. Louis had no pressing business with the US at the moment, so he was not expecting a meeting with someone from that side of the world. Still, one could not allow people to barge in to one's home when his children were around. Their safety was paramount, after all.

Rising from his desk, Louis emerged from his study and found the source of the commotion quickly. The Butler had done what was expected, but upon seeing the man that had insisted on being in the Palace, Louis' body went icy cold.

Kenneth Harrington.

Louis knew of Kenneth only by name from his wife. Louis had found out more after the news of the child Vanessa had given the man out of curiosity. For his own piece of mind. The knowledge had been dealt with, and filed away in his mind for almost fifteen years now, and it no longer was of use to Louis. However, a man would never forget the face of the man who had stolen the most precious moment from the woman he loved. No matter how much Louis would have liked to.

"Mr Harrington." Louis greeted the man stiffly. "You can leave us, thank you." Louis added to the Butler who looked to Louis for a moment before nodding, bowing and leaving the two of them. "Please, follow me through to my office. I will ask Lady Clement to join us." Louis insisted, ushering the American wizard in to his office.

There would be no show of pleasantries from Louis in the offer of tea, or anything else. Nobody insisted upon an audience without previous arrangements, and Kenneth Harrington was not welcome, ever, at the Palace in Louis' mind.

Closing the door behind them, Louis did as he said, sending his Patronus to Vanessa before moving back around to his seat at his desk. He did not question Kenneth's reason for being here. He did not ask the man how he was. He simply waited for Ven, eyes on the door, jaw set.

It wasn't a long wait -- though Louis knew Ven had not come at once. A quick glance at the clock denoted that Elenore's hour of practice had not yet finished, and he knew that Vanessa would not allow his summons to call it short. The minutes stretched, Louis held his silence, until it was broken by a knock at the door, and then the sound of it opening.

Vanessa appeared in to the room with the confidence befitting the Lady of the Clement house, until her eyes fell on the American wizard in the room. The surprise was not held internally, and Louis felt relieved that this was as much as a surprise to Vanessa as it was to him. The Frenchman could not guess what Kenneth Harrington might want, but he was quite sure they would find out soon enough.

As Vanessa's eyes met his, Louis responded with a look that said he did not know any more than she did, but instinct drew Louis up from his chair, to his wife's side, as he carefully shut the door with a small wave of his hand. It would be of no use to have the children hear whatever might be coming.

They, after all, did not know of their elder sister.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

As far as Vanessa knew, Kit Harington had only stepped foot into Versailles Palace once, and that too under pretense of being a photographer come to capture their wedding over a decade ago. The fact that he was here now did not bode well. For a brief moment, the witch wished her silent fox companion hadn’t vanished, but the wish melted as its real life conjurer moved to stand by her side under pretense of rising to close the door. Louis did not touch her, he didn’t have to. As he stood in solidarity beside her with Kit opposite, the picture spoke volumes.

The two of them against the one of him, the one she had left behind all too long ago.

“Vane-“ the American began, only to correct himself mid-word. Despite his clearly upset appearance, he was at least trying to observe the formality in which he found himself. A quick scan revealed that he had even managed to obtain a blazer somewhere to compensate for the fact that he was wearing jeans to the palace. “Lady Clement,” he corrected himself, inclining his head slightly in her direction to afford her the respect her status now demanded.

Afterword Vanessa might effect on how he must have found her, a pillar of the establishment she had hated so much in her youth. But that had been a different girl altogether. Today, she was Lady Clement, mother of two Clement children and guardian of the sacred line. With all the composure she could muster, the witch erased the surprise from her features and replaced it once more with the polite smile that was her weapon as much as her armor. “Monsieur Harrington, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

English… felt odd against her lips after all these years, it didn’t belong in this palace, much like the man it was being used for.

Now that she had taken a moment to look over the American gentleman, it was clear he was in no small amount of distress. The man sported eyes rimmed red with lack of sleep, hair tousled from lack of attention, stubble growing along his jaw and was that dried dirt on the hem of his jeans? She had known Kit Harrington in his worse days and yet he had never been unkempt. The worst thing about his person though was the worry that decorated his brow, a worry she was all too familiar with because she had children too. The man, usually so confident and cheerful, fidgeted before he finally managed to speak.

“My daughter is missing,” he stated flatly, and the despair poured through in every syllable. This was not a man who was worried about the worst happening, this was a man who had accepted that it had already happened. “And I can’t find her.”

The ground beneath Vanessa’s feet shook yet her shock kept her rooted firmly to that moving ground, her expression turned to stone. The polite smile cracked on her face, chipping away slowly to reveal the human behind. The air was too thick in the moment, Vanessa unable to breathe as Kit continued.

“She’s been living in Canada with her boyfriend for about two years… We kept in touch, I saw her on Christmas 2012 and then…. She wrote a letter saying she wished to be alone in February so I gave her the space she asked for… But when she didn’t write or call in months, I decided to go looking.”

The man looked beyond helpless as he uttered the next words. “I’ve been looking for two months… The authorities say we have to declare her dead if we don’t find her soon…”

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Come Plot With Me <3

As Kit addressed Vanessa -- almost with too much familiarity before he caught himself -- Louis' eyes took the man in before him. It was the first time Louis had met Kenneth Harrington, in person at least. He'd been brought to life by Vanessa's story of her past life in America. He'd been solidified in Louis' mind by the pictures his research had presented him. But the man before him was not the man Louis would have expected to be brought to him.

Unkept. Untidy. And... an infinitely imperfect picture of a man is what stood before Louis, but he knew from looking that Kenneth Harrington was not the man he was seeing. There was a problem -- a large problem -- bubbling inside the other man, for Louis was sure no man of sound mind would turn up to the Palace of Versailles unannounced and sporting a pair of jeans in such a fashion.

The sound of Ven's voice, speaking not in the melodic manner of the French, but instead in the tongue of her father's country. So rarely did they dip in to English unless necessary, that this situation simply brought Louis in to further distaste for the man before him.

Neutral expressions were something Louis had perfected now, though, and Merlin how he was thankful for that much as Kenneth dropped the news of their daughter. Louis had almost corrected the man, before catching himself in that moment. He could feel Vanessa's discomfort in the moment, his hand moved to rest in the middle of her back. It was not an open show of steadying his wife, he would never seek to belittle her in such a manner, but a subtle motion to let her know he was there. That he would look after her, and that if she needed him, he was right there for her.

Kenneth's final sentence was one that Louis knew would pierce Vanessa like knives. They had not had the chance to explain to Azalea. They had not had the chance to explain how she was their daughter as much as she was Kenneth Harrington's. But Louis would not allow the final sentence Kenneth Harrington had uttered to be one that would hurt Vanessa.

"Non, vous ne la déclarerez pas morte." Louis replied to the man -- seemingly looking like he'd forgotten himself in that moment as he spoke in French and not English. But Louis was not saying this for Kenneth Harrington. He was saying this for his wife's sake, calming her in their tongue so that she would know that he meant those words without the distraction of the English language.

"No, you will not declare her dead." Louis translated for the American wizard a moment later, eyes not faltering. "You will have what you need to find Azalea, monsieur." He said with finality. "No rock will be left unturned until we find her."

For a moment, Louis stayed where he was, taking in the situation. Vanessa quiet, unmoving. Kenneth quite clearly distraught. He did not know the truth of the situation, and he could not know. Stepping away from Vanessa with clear reluctance, Louis moved to his desk, and quickly made through some papers, it took a few moments, before the paper file came to hand. Another singular moment in which Louis pulled out a piece of parchment.

He opened the file to find the card of Clement investigator, before turning to the parchment. His hand made quick work of a note to the investigator. Denoting the assignment with which they'd been tasked, Kenneth's full name, and the permission to save no expense in finding answers. Louis pressed his seal in to it after scrawling his signature in to the expensive page, before getting up from his seat and moving to Kit, holding out both pieces of information to the man.

"This will be a start. I'll find more for you." Louis told the slightly taller man. "Our children are our most important treasure in this world, after all." He added, though he knew Kenneth would not understand the full extent of those words, it was for Vanessa's sake he said them.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

Vanessa may have remained stunned for days had It not been for Louis’ gentle touch on her back, returning her to reality. Only when she was once again composed did he leave her side, but not without the firm words of reassurance she needed. As the Lord Clement busied himself with providing the documentation the familiar stranger needed, Vanessa tried not to think of the situation Kit had landed their daughter in.

Why was the girl living so far away from home? Had there not been enough room in the heinous property he owned in California?

Why was she living unwed with a man for almost two years? Had Kit learned nothing from what came of such dalliances in his own time?

How had he simply been able to give her “months” of space, Vanessa couldn’t go to sleep each night without seeing both her children safely tucked into bed in their rooms by their various nannies.

“The boy?” she asked coldly as Louis handed him all the papers he would need to search freely around Europe. “Has he been looked into?”

“It wasn’t him,” Kit answered miserably, the tone of a man who had checked that avenue to inquiry. “In her note she said it had nothing to do with him so don’t pester him. He’s since moved to the UK. No suspicious activity around his parents’ house in Minnesota according to my investigator.”

Then who was it, Vanessa wanted to ask, cutting him as deeply as he’d cut her with the news of their daughter’s disappearance. She had left Azalea with him because Vanessa had firmly believed he would make a better father than she would a mother at that time. It was the only thing she had expected of Kit Harrington and now he was here with the gall to stand in front of them saying he couldn’t even do that. Azalea may not have been a child anymore but she was still his daughter. Would it have been too much to ask that he look after her?

Kit turned to thank Louis briefly for the help, before nodding once at Vanessa and turning to the door. Before he left however, Vanessa called out to him one final time. “You will keep us in the loop. The Clements are involved now and we would rather know about the girl before the media does.” It was the best she could do given the circumstances. Kit nodded once again before exiting. No doubt the Butler waiting outside would escort him to the front doors.

As soon as the door had shut firmly behind the American’s back, Vanessa sank down into a chair, all the breath knocked out of her body and her slender frame quivering like a leaf in rough winds. The fear of what had just transpired was setting in. Their daughter was lost… She may be dead…. A single tear gathered at the corner of an eye, rebelliously clinging to her eyelashes and refusing to fall as she sat helplessly against the images her mind was accosting her with.

Azalea out in the cold.

Azalea hungry.

Azalea hurt.

Azalea died.

The witch shook her head, dispelling the tear from its perch and allowing it to glide down her face, followed by another.

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Come Plot With Me <3

Louis didn't even raise his eyebrow when Vanessa questioned the boyfriend's possible hand in their daughter's absence. Most people who went missing were hurt by those they loved. A strikingly odd idea in Louis' mind. If you loved someone, truly loved someone, how could you ever raise your hand in a manner that would hurt them?

The idea was so alien to Louis, when he'd come across the statistics he'd had to take some time to fully comprehend it.

But, Kit quickly shut down that route, and Louis frowned to himself as they finished the talks. It was clear that Kit would not be staying in the Palace for longer than was necessary, and almost as soon as the papers had been handed over, and the thanks made, Kit was heading to the door. This much, Louis was glad for, he knew without questioning Vanessa that she would not be able to keep her composure forever. She would need him, he knew, but not before he'd settled something away from her ears.

Louis, however, allowed the door to close, and settled Vanessa gently on a chair, making sure she would not hurt herself from collapsing. "Je ne serai qu'un instant, ma chérie." Louis whispered softly, placing a soft kiss to his wife's forehead. He paused for a moment, clearly not content with leaving Vanessa when he knew she needed him, but Louis had made up his mind, and followed through with his decision.

Opening the door to the study to let himself out, Louis shut it firmly after his Patronus had reappeared, to sit with Vanessa until his return. His feet moved quickly, but soundlessly to catch up with Kit and the butler, and before the Butler could pull the front door open enough to allow Kit to leave, Louis' hand had pushed it closed, eyes intent on the American wizard.

"If you ever show your face in our home again, without prior invitation, I will not be as forgiving of your actions as I was today. You have what you need, and you need only contact Lady Clement and I in writing from this point." Louis told the man in a soft growl. "And you will remember yourself, next time. She's Lady Clement now. Not a scared young woman who thought she needed you."

Louis gave the American wizard one last, cold look, before removing his hand from the door.

"See that Mr. Harrington is removed from the Palace grounds." Louis told the Butler, though his eyes remained on Kit only a moment longer, daring the American to reply. No reply came, though, just an equally cold stare, before Louis moved away from the man, and back to his study.

The door opened and closed softly once more, and Louis was down on his knees before his wife in the same moment that his Patronus vanished. There was no way he could keep the magic in place when he saw the tears staining Vanessa's cheeks.

"Nous trouverons notre fille, ma chérie, nous ne laisserons aucune pierre non retournée." Louis assured Vanessa softly, his hand moving up to softly brush the tears from her cheeks. Trying to keep her from the pain that she did not deserve to be burdened with. Leaning forward, Louis gently pulled Vanessa in to him, knowing she would need to let out her emotions, her grief, showing her that it was okay, because he would find their daughter, even if it was the last thing he did.

And they would, they were Clements, nothing in the world was out of their reach.

Je ne serai qu'un instant, ma chérie -- I will be but a moment, my darling

Nous trouverons notre fille, ma chérie, nous ne laisserons aucune pierre non retournée. -- We will find our daughter, my darling, we'll leave no stone unturned.

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~ Lord Clement ~ Profile ~ 55 ~

Thank you to the amazing Ruby for the signatures! <3

» Versailles Palace - June 1st 2025 (The Clements)
» Palace of Versailles, France - Summer 2018 (The Clements)
» I Won't Be Looking Back! (The Clements)
» Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word (Mr. K Harrington)
» Kenneth "Kit" Harrington