Italy, Summer 2024 (Jacques & Elenore)

14 June 2024

My dearest Maman,

I hope you're well? And Papa?

Elenore and I are doing very well here in Italy. The last two weeks have been very busy, which brings me to the apology of the late correspondence from myself to you. The Valentinos have been keeping both of us very busy, but I have finally found time to write to you now.

I had not believed that the masses of information that Elenore and I had looked over would hold quite as much truth within them, in truth, Maman, a mistake I will not make again in the foreseeable future. The visit has been eye opening for me, but I am revelling in the experience you and Papa have gifted me. I hope that I will make you proud, Maman, but I have some great news for you.

It was a couple of days ago...

The Island of Capri was beautiful, Jacques could not deny that as they had been shown around the island quite explicitly by the hosts. It was not, however, as beautiful as France. Jacques had, of course, kept such notions to himself as he'd walked around the island with Jules -- or Jesse as he preferred -- discussing the history of the island and learning more of the island from the man who was one day supposed to inherit the island and the power that came with it.

Though, both males knew this was not going to be the case as they watched fondly as the two younger witch's before them looked out across the sea, Tess Marie obviously showing his sister something she had found to be out of this world.

As the two girls spoke softly, Jesse had turned to Jacques with the announcement of the meeting that had been arranged with several figure heads of Italy. Members from the Bank of Italy, Ministry officials, and then some independent financial analysts. Jacques had left it with the smallest of nods of understanding before they continued on on their walk.


The silence of the room had been palpable as Jacques emerged in to the meeting room of some of the largest names in the country with his sister by his side. The silence had brought the lightest of tremors in Elenore's body, something only noticeable to Jacques as her arm was gently linked in his own. His hand had moved to rest upon his sisters, slowly, pointedly, with the silent reassurance that she was here, and she was staying.

"Gentlemen, thank you for agreeing to meet with us today." Jacques commented, showing Elenore to the seat beside his own and helping her in to it. "I trust all of you are well, my sister, Lady Elenore will be joining us today, I hope that this bares no problem with you all?"

A few pointed glances, but not a word of objection rose from the mouths of those gathered, and Jacques smiled gratefully at the figures around him. "Good." He summarised, and then the talks on the state of Italy had started. How had the collapse started, how the collapse of the economy had impacted the country, and what measures were currently in place to aid the financial recovery of the country.

It had not, however, been Jacques who had asked the pressing questions.

No.

As they had sat with the men governing the country, Jacques had been following the conversation, making notes against his own understanding of the country when Elenore had spoken up to correct the Head of the Italian Bank on his incorrect growth figure for the last financial quarter. The man had quoted the previous quarters figure, and Elenore had gracefully corrected him. The man had looked aghast in that moment, and Elenore's eyes had moved to her brother, a small, silent question in her eyes with which Jacques had simply turned his attention to the Head of the Bank.

"The new figures were published yesterday, non?" Jacques asked politely, and the man looked every bit as offended as he did look impressed.

The admission that he was wrong had come only a moment later, begrudgingly, and with another glance to her brother for courage. One that was returned with the nod that she could keep going -- as if she needed permission -- Jacques couldn't help but be blown away as his younger sister sat there, pushing forth her own questions, with the soft admission that she was not an economist, and would need to rely upon the answers provided by the men before her.

How much cash might be needed to be injected in to the country to make enough of a difference to push Italy in the right direction?

What industries were struggling, needed remodelling, or else scrapping, to push forth a greater economic up turn?

Elenore had pushed home the point that this was going to be a correctional take over, that the Clements, no matter what the Italians before them thought, were not going to allow inefficiencies to cripple the country again. How the Clements would only bring forth their aid if the men before them could appropriately use the aid to break the habits made of prior generations.

Jacques had watched his sister flourish, before aiding her in the barrage, ensuring that the arguments that she put forth were not just a childish whim, but the word of the Clement house.

By the time the two of them had finished with the meeting, the Italians before them were sat looking thoroughly god-smacked, unable to really argue as the duo put forth their proposal. They were left looking at the paperwork and each other as the Clement child stood from their seats, followed shortly after by the Valentino heir who looked almost like he'd forgotten himself too as he caught up with them at the door.

The economic problem was, for now, something the Italians were agreeable upon. Not overly accepting of, of course, the returns were not going to profit the country in the long run, but the Clement help was a necessity.

But most of all, Elenore Clement had shown that she too, was not a witch to be reckoned with in that moment.

I pray, Maman, that you're as proud of Elenore as I am in this moment. Her work towards this meeting has not gone unnoticed, and I don't believe I could have won the Italians to my side had it not been for her quick thinking, and awareness of the recent updates to growth figures.

We still have a long way to go, though, we're both aware of this, and are not counting our chickens before they have hatched.

I wish you could have been here to see this, Maman...

All my love,

Jacques

P.S. I hope you enjoy your birthday present from the two of us...