No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

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Davide Roquefort pounded heavily on the front door of Hewitt House with his fist, each impact rattling the door on its hinges. The smell of whiskey was strong on his breath, even before noon, with the clear sun of that Yule morning shining down behind him. His knocking increased in speed until the door was opened by the exact woman he was looking for. A sick grin curled his face as he grabbed Helene Hewitt by her jaw and powered his way into the foyer, slamming the door behind him. He knew the hold would disarm her, at least for a little while--he'd figured that out a long time ago. 

"You smug salopes thought you were going to get away from me, didn't you? Clever to have them all here after, to keep me away, but you seem to have forgotten something quite important. I. Own. You," he hissed as he drove her backwards until she hit the square pedestal that made up the end of the banister. It wasn't much wider than her, but it was sturdy enough to pin her in place. "I should have known that sluts like you would invite a herd of men over to keep you busy."

His younger daughter came into the room from the left--he recognized the strangled sound she'd made. Marinette Roquefort rushed forward, making some kind of excuse and pleading for him to release her sister. He didn't even look at her, he just used his free hand against her sternum to fling her back with all the force of his drunken rage. He snickered as he saw her fall on her ass in his peripheral. She tried to rise and he threw her a brief glare. 

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay where you are. It's not your turn."

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene had a sinking feeling in her gut as soon as she heard the first pound on the door. How could she forget what had happened at the end of the chase yesterday? How silly and naive of her to think her and Mari would be able to get through Yule unscathed by daddy dearest. It was stupid. Her thoughts of wanting the best Yule ever, were slowly being crushed. Maybe dinner with the deGrey's would be the one good thing to come from Yule. She wouldn't change it for anything else. It felt good to have friends over for once. To be with people she felt like she might actually be able to act herself around. But the fantasy of yesterday was thrown out the door, as fist pounded all the louder. 

"No Darragh! I 'll get it, and whatever happens, you musn't intervene." Helene had told the man servant. She threw a look at Marinette Roquefort , and then got up from her seat. Time to meet her maker. 

The moment the door was opened she could smell the foulness of his breath as he descended upon her, and on instinct Helene tensed. Her fathers hand going around her jaw, his grubby fingers digging into her skin, as panic began to fill her. No, no no, no! Not here!. She glared at him with daggers in her eyes as he shoved her backwards into the pedestal. Despite her glare, fear was clear on her face for a moment as he said he owned her. No, no he didn't. This was her house. Her house! She clung to that small shred of reality. Of hope, but it was slowly falling away. He'd just barged in like he owned the place and maybe he did. Maybe Helene was finally realized she was under a veil of false security. There was no where safe for them.

Helene donned her brave face. Knowing what was coming was gonna hurt, but she'd do it anyways, if it meant Mari was safe. She'd take on fathers rage just like she always did. She already knew when she saw him in the corridor yesterday it was going to cost her, and now payment was due. "No Mari!" Helene called out to her sister, her eyes never leaving her fathers face. She hated him. Hated him so much, and her body trembled as she stared the devil in the eyes. He shoved Mari, and Helene let a small cry out, moving to try and go to her, but his hold kept her there. Her hands went up to grab his wrist, and her hands tightened around it. "Marinette had nothing to do with yesterday Father, it was all my doing. Punish me, but not her. I could have declined Lord deGrey's invitation, but I didn't, and took Marinette with me. It's my fault. All my doing." She said in a flurry. Her dark eyes flickered to where Mari was on the floor, hopelessness in her eyes. How many times had they been through this before? They should of known what to expect, the only difference was it was now in Helene's home. "Punish me father." She said raising her voice at him. 

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Davide laughed in her face. "Oh, I know full well it was your doing, but your idiot sister should know better than to follow your lead. I worked hard to teach her to obey, and you've undone it all. So much for mourning, eh, Helene? Cavorting in the mud with the misfit deGrey? Inviting men into the house? Leading your sister into sin?" He pulled her forward and knocked her back against the pedestal with each phrase, becoming more and more frenzied. Marinette whimpered, and he didn't even spare her a glance. He did notice the way Helene kept looking at her, however, and his poisonous grin returned.

"Perhaps I should punish her first, hm, since you obviously care more about that? I could break her arm for you--or perhaps a leg so that the two of you can't go dancing?" He dragged Helene closer to Marinette and away from the pedestal and kicked at Marinette's leg lazily. "It would be easy. Like snapping a toothpick."

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene had done well in schooling her face whenever she took one of her fathers punishments. It was always best to just to give no reaction. Eventually, he'd just give up, like he always did. Still, she gritted her teeth with each slam her shoulders blades made into the pedestal. Pain shooting down her back and her shoulders. Her hands tightened around his wrist with each blow.

"I've done no such thing, I told you I fell." She grimaced out. She hated it when he spat lies at them. She hated him for trying to ruin a perfectly good memory and hated him for calling Wesley deGrey a misfit. Hated him for implying he cavorted with her, when that was not what had happened. Wesley was no such thing. Father was wrong, so very wrong about him. Sure Wesley was different, but he was only different because he lived life. She barely knew him and she could already see that. The deGrey's were kind men. Gentlemen, sweet to their niece and daughter and had given her and Marinette nothing but respect. You could talk bad about Helene all you wanted, but tarnish those good men? She would never forgive herself as one of their new friends if she didn't defend one when her father talked down about them. When it was Wesley he was talking down about, and tarnishing his reputation by implying untrue things. What sort of friend would she be?

That thought gave her enough bottled raged that something snapped in her. It was like something had finally clicked into place, and as he dragged Helene to Mari, she for once in her life finally faught back. "You will do no such thing you slimy goddamn basard!" Helene practically hissed her own anger at him as she brought back her own leg and kicked her father as hard as she could with her own foot. Thankful she had shoes on, and then tilted her head down, and bit as hard as she could at the skin between his pointer finger and thumb. Hard enough to draw blood before she spat it out at him and yanked his hand away from her jaw.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Davide swore loudly as Helene kicked into his shin with all her might, although he barely budged. It wasn't until she bit down on his hand that he released her with an even more vulgar swear and pulled his hand back. With his left hand, he wiped the spit from his face, looking stunned for just a moment. It was hardly enough time for her to do anything else before he snarled and tried to lunge after her.

Marinette watched as if it were happening in slow motion: Helene drawing back her foot and slamming it into Father's leg, her teeth sinking into his hand, the blood spit into his face and his fury as he wiped it away. Finally, the way he moved towards Helene with murder in his eyes was what jolted Marinette into motion.

"No!" She cried, flinging her whole body at his knees with the hope of knocking him off balance. She succeeded. His grab for Helene's collar hit her shoulder instead, knocking her backward towards the stairs, but he didn't have her in his grasp. He only faltered for a moment, however, before he broke free of Marinette's thin arms. His leg reared back, a dark mirror of Helene's, and his foot hit her hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. Her chest heaved as she tried to remember how to breathe.

Even without enough air in her lungs, she still tried to get up, to stop him from getting to Helene. She wouldn't lose the only family she had left. She couldn't. She had taken so much on her own--she was done letting Helene take her beatings. She wouldn't do that anymore. Somehow she had to do something. She was halfway to her feet, stumbling as if she were as drunk as Davide, when she heard another voice.

Time seemed to stop again as she looked up at the servant who had entered, wielding a massive chef's knife.

[Helene Hewitt]

It was as if a demon had possessed her. Once she was released, Helene took a moment to gain her bearings. Taking sick satisfaction in the the stunned look on Davide's face. Oh yes, she was not going to sit quietly anymore. Stephen had given her the worst beating she'd ever experienced, and she'd told herself  not again. Never again. Helene was drawing back her closed fist just as he lunged at her, and she heard Mari's cry. Davide was knocked off balance, and the punch she threw at his face just grazed him as his hand hit her shoulder, knocking backwards onto the stairs. Unable to catch herself, she turned mid way, as she came down hard on the steps. The edges of the steps digging into her side and ribs, and she cried out in pain. 

She knew she couldn't stay there for long, and struggled to her feet, struggling for breath as pain flared up side. She used the banister to help her up just as Mari was kicked at. Davide got to his feet, murder clear in his eye, but not today. Not in her house. Despite struggling to breathe, Helene threw herself at him with raised fists and the furry of a wild cat. Elliot had taught her some on how to fight someone, but it had mostly been with a sword. But he also taught her how to properly throw a punch, and despite how tall her father was, Helene's fist connected with his nose. She felt hands go around her then, pulling her back and she heard Angus's voice through her red vision. "I think it's time for you to leave now My Lord. I think my Lady has made it clear you've overstated your welcome." He said politely. Off to the side in the main hallway he stood wielding a massive chef knife. His tone was quiet, but pleasant. Cheerful even as he stared at Davide. Helene looked at him as she struggled to breathe, her side feeling like it was on fire, and she realized Darragh was trying to keep her up, but also be partially between her and her father.

"Get. the. Fuck. Out of my house." She whispered as she sucked in air into her lungs. Her tone was deadly as she stared at him.  "You monster. You so much as come here again, I swear to god I will kill you!" She said a bit more loudly, She moved towards him again, and Darragh stepped in front of her. She meant it too. She'd killed before, and she had no issues with doing it again if it meant she could finally be rid of the demon that ruled over her and her sister. "You touch my sister again, or speak another ill word about any deGrey, and I swear on my mothers grave it will be the last thing you do." She snarled at him. The promise clear in her eyes. Her hands were in fist and she tried to move around Darragh again, but his hands were firm on her shoulders. "Easy, my lady." He whispered, trying to calm her, but Helene was angry. Panicked even. Hell, she probably looked insane at that moment, but she didn't care. Adrenaline was coursing her, and she didn't care if she looked like a mad woman in her own home.

Angus came more into the room, his eyes never leaving Davide, and Darragh looked at him from over his shoulder. The brothers both shared quick looks, and narrowed their eyes at their unwanted guest. They might have had issues with their Lady fighting her own father, but there was a unspoken promise that if Davide Roquefort didn't turn around and leave at that moment they were going to see him out. Forcibly. 

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Davide reeled from the hit to his face, stumbling back and away from Helene. One hand held his now bleeding nose, but he spitefully used his free hand to shove Marinette back onto the floor before he glanced over at the servant who had spoken so politely. He did a doubletake when he saw the chef's knife catch the light. That seemed to wake him up, and he straightened up, and tugged his vest back into place, ignoring the fact that he'd just smeared blood on its hem. He stared Helene down as she screamed wildly at him, not even flinching as she threatened his life. He was taking all in through the slits of his narrowed blue eyes, clearly calculating whether or not he could get another hit in. He decided the math wasn't in his favor as he backed towards the door.

"This won't be your house for long, Helene. You forget everything in this kingdom is on my side. I'll always have the upper hand, no matter how psychopathically violent you get." He sneered. He spat on the floor before he turned and left, slamming the door behind him so hard it rattled the picture frames on the walls.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette actually screamed when Helene's fist connected with her father's nose. She was sure that Helene was about to be killed, but thankfully Angus and Darragh intervened. Although, just as she started to relax, her father shoved her again, forcing her back to the floor. She groaned as her head hit the other pedestal to the stairs. She was still dazed when Davide made his retreat, and she only got the vague intent of his words--a sense of cold dread that seeped into her bones. Somehow their victory didn't feel like much of a victory with a threat like that to loom over them. Was he right?

She jumped when someone touched her shoulder, but thankfully it was Angus, who had set aside the knife and come to help her up. She smiled gratefully at him but winced as she rose to her feet and she felt all the blows of the last few minute echo through her. Angus held her arm to steady her as she looked to Helene with wide eyes.

"Did that really just happen? Or am I having another nightmare?" she asked, incredulous.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene narrowed her eyes right back at the monster as she stared him down. Taking satisfaction in the blood coming out of his nose. She tried to move towards him again, but Darragh kept her in place. She bared her teeth at her father as he sneered at her. She watched him leave. The slam of the door followed by silence until Mari finally spoke. Helene's nostrils had been flairing in both anger and pain, her eyes glued to where he had left. His words were like ice water when they finally set in, and it felt like he'd suddenly dumped a whole bucket of it on her as reality crashing down around.

Her anger quickly morphed into sheer panic as Helene realized the reality of her actions. What fighting back was about to cost her and Mari. She'd never done it before. Never had the strength or courage too until tonight when he'd spoken ill about the deGreys. Called Wesley a misfit. "Oh god..." Helene murmured, before she sank to the floor. Darragh quickly held her arms to steady her as she sat down on one of the stair steps. "What did I do?" She whispered. Her eyes darted to Mari, the panic clear in her eyes. "Mari what did I do?!" Her voice rose to scream as panic began to take over, and she began to hyperventilate. Darragh crouched beside her, a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Breathe Lady Helene, you did nothing wrong." He whispered. She laughed then. Turning her head as a bubble of hysterical laughter came out.

"This is all my fault, all of it, If I-" She began to laugh again, and tears began to spring in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. "Did you see the look on his face?" She asked Darragh. He had a grim look on his face, and he looked over to his brother, while Helene's eyes settled on Mari. "He's going to kill us Mari. Oh...Oh my god, he might kill us because I-" She covered her mouth with both hands the graveness of the situation hit her. She had to apologize, grovel, beg, do anything to amend what she had done. He was right. He had half the kingdom on his side. What did Helene and Marinette have? Servants that cared from them enough to get in the middle between them and their abusive father? Who did they have in their corner? Who could they trust? Who'd be willing to go to bat for them? "I-I'm so sorry Mari, I didn't think. I just got so angry when he called Wesley a-Oh Mari, what have I done?!" Helene held her head in her hands and choked back the sobs that wanted to break free. She'd messed up royally, and this time it was going to cost someone their life. This was all on her. Everything.

Everything hurt. Her throat and chest, her body, her mind, this was just one step closer to the edge of darkness where there would be no rescue. There would only be darkness and it would be suffocating, and It would bring her death.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette was rubbing her temples when Helene sank to the stairs, but that hysterical laugh soon got her attention. She quickly moved to sit next to her sister, raising a hand to stroke her hair. She let Helene say everything she needed to say, knowing that she needed to get it all out before she would be able to relax.

"Lini, my dear, my angel, you did beautifully. Whatever happens, I think that was the bravest thing I've ever seen." she soothed, pulling her sister over so that her head rested on her chest and she could wrap her long arms around her shoulders. She rubbed Helene's arm, trying to reassure her. "He was afraid just then. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left." She laughed softly. "It's about time he got a taste of his own medicine."

Marinette raised one hand to rub the back of her head where it had cracked on the wood, wincing when her fingers made contact. That was going to leave a nice goose egg, but it shouldn't be too bad. She'd had worse. She sighed heavily. "To be frank, Helene, I think that whatever comes net was inevitable. He was never going to just let us go. Perhaps we'd gotten too complacent..." She shook her head. "Perhaps this speeds things up, but..."

A sudden realization hit her, and she laughed, more loudly this time. "Helene! Helene, you broke his nose...! He'd never show his face while it's blemished like that. He won't be at the ball!" She laughed again, harder. "I think you may have just guaranteed our one happy Yule. Father won't be there."

"I've always known he would be the death of me..." she murmured, almost under her breath. "At least we'll get our nice Yule beforehand."

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene laughed at Mari's compliment, and quickly winced, her hands gripping her side as it throbbed. "Beautifully? Mari I was possessed!" She exclaimed. Shaking her head. Seriously, what had come over her. "I just...Not again. No more. I'm sick of men thinking they can hit us. I've had enough of it." She whispered leaning in Mari, grimacing as it pulled her side. "Angus is pretty terrifying." She said with amusement, looking over at the young man who smiled sheepishly at them. There was a seriousness to his eyes though. Helene had an inkling he wouldn't have thought twice to use that knife on Davide Roquefort. She didn't know if the thought was comforting or not, but...If it had been her with the knife? Well...what was but a bit more blood on her hands? 

As much as she didn't want to believe Mari's words, Helene knew they were right. He wasn't going to stop until someone stopped him. There was a war coming, and Helene made the declaration that morning with her threats. Her retaliation. "I'm afraid though Mari. This is all my fault, it really is, he's going to come after us. He's right, he has half the kingdom backing him! He has the Hewitts, I have to marry Mari If we want some chance of standing against him. Them. Who do we have? Who do we have other than each other?" Helene asked. Her voice cracking. Fear was clear on her face. She'd ruined everything. Tipped the fragile balance they had with father, and now everything was going to crumble. Everything was going to fall. 

And yet, Marinette didn't seem to look that concerned. Maybe it was the shock, or maybe something else. Normally Helene was the strong one, but it seemed her and Mari had switched places for once. She rested her head on Mari's chest, taking comfort in her sister's embrace while Darragh and Angus seemed to disappear in the background, cleaning up the blood Davide had left behind. She raised her head as she felt Mari's laugh, and she couldn't help the slow smile that graced her face, and she wiped at her eyes. Mari's words sunk in then, and she pulled back, sitting up straighter, but regretted it instantly. "Ouch!" She winced, hugging her side, she tried to laugh, but doing so hurt too much and a weak smile appeared on her face instead. "I guess your right...I did..." She said softly. Looking down at her hand. Her knuckles on her right hand were red from the impact and she noticed she had torn a little bit of skin, but she'd happily accept the small cut. She was going to get her best Yule yet. Without Father there to ruin it.

Her smile grew larger before it fell at Mari's words. "No. He won't be." She said with conviction. Helene's dark eyes burned with a fire of determination. If anything, she was going to try even harder to find a husband to protect Mari. "I'll find a husband or i'll put you on a ship out of Tresteria to keep you safe." She told her. "Or...I really will kill him before he kills us." She whispered. There was a seriousness in her tone and eyes. The same look she'd had on her face when she watched Stephen die. 

She blinked and her sudden dark mood changed and she sighed, before wincing. "I think we might have to look at my side, I either cracked a rib, or bruised the shit out of it when I landed." She said. "Breathing is optional right?" She tried to chuckle, but grimaced. "How are you dear, alright? It looked like he kicked you good." Helene said, as concern for Mari took over, and she gripped her sisters hand. 

[Marinette Roquefort]

"Who do we have? Who do we have other than each other?"[/b] Helene asked, and Marinette almost broke her silence. But she didn't want to get Helene's hopes up for nothing, and she wasn't sure how things would go. It wasn't that she didn't believe William was a good man or that he would do what he said...it was more that she wasn't sure how effective it would be, or if she actually wanted him to get involved. She still felt like it wasn't safe for him, or for them. Even now, with Angus and Darragh getting involved--he may be gone now, but it couldn't last. He would be back and angrier than ever. In fact, after this, she wasn't sure that William would ever get the chance to help them. Not if Davide got to them first.

Before she had time to make up her mind, Helene had made it up for her by continuing. Helene's determination sent ice through her veins. She didn't know why, but she believed Helene when she said she'd kill Davide before he killed them--or at least, she would try. Marinette prayed that it would never come to that, but with Davide... anything was possible.

Once more, Helene was shifting before she had a chance to speak up, and Marinette gave her a half-hearted smile. "I'm sure both my front and my back are going to have some colorful bruises by the end of the day, but I should be alright," she answered. It was a tired refrain: I'm alright, I've had worse. But she had, and she would again. She rose to her feet with a heavy groan, having to bend in half was not pleasant after being kicked in the gut. Still, once she was up she could breathe more easily, and she offered her hand to Helene.

"Let's get dressed, and I'll take a look at the ribs. Knowing you, even if I told you it was broken I couldn't talk you out of this ball, but at the very least we can put some salve on it. You still have some, don't you?"

If Helene let her, she'd hoist her to her feet, then put her arm around her to help ease her way back up the stairs to change into their gowns. After all, there was no time to waste on what might be her last Yule...

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene smiled sadly at Mari. They had had far worse, this was....mild compared to what Father normally did, so...they really were lucky. Helene couldn't help but feel like their luck was running out. Or at least, this would be their last surge of luck for a while or ever... There was a storm brewing, and they were all going to come out differently, or not come out at all.

Taking Mari's offered hand, she carefully pulled herself up. Gasping for breath and holding onto her side. She nodded at her sister. "Sounds like a plan." She winced. "I have to work a spell over you to turn you into a princess." She smiled. "Yes I do, I think I have some tea that should help with the pain too, I'll have to look." She said as she leaned on Mari, and headed up the stairs to get ready. Helene tried to look on the bright side of things. Like the ball that night, and their father not being there. For once, they were going to attend a ball without the devil in attendance. It was a nice feeling.

[End Thread]