It was time to left. She had started to work in Versailles
GERODERE Regiment Commander, why are you abandoning us suddenly?
OSCAR I'm not abandoning you.
Would Gerodere understand that it was not an abandonment but search for her own way? This new life would help her to be involved in her country’s fate. She was repeating silently, “This is not only an escape!” while walking in the hallway. Then she recognized Andre, he was at the end of hallway. Leaving the Royal Guards was not an escape but if she turns her back and walks to the opposite direction, this would be definitely an escape. During those 30 seconds, both lived that night over and over again. Andre did not have the nerve to look up her eyes. He was ready for anything Oscar would say.
It was an empty conversation, till Oscar’s final words:
OSCAR I'm not angry or anything about what happened. I won't hold it against you.
Both knew that anger was not the emotion in her. It was something different and achier, such that she could not look at his face even for once. In his face she was reading that night. The night, at which Fersen went out of her life. The night, at which her best friend put her gender between their secure trust. When Oscar started to ride her horse, doves flied to the clouds and Andre felt she was flying away from his life.
OSCAR I'm not abandoning you.
Would Gerodere understand that it was not an abandonment but search for her own way? This new life would help her to be involved in her country’s fate. She was repeating silently, “This is not only an escape!” while walking in the hallway. Then she recognized Andre, he was at the end of hallway. Leaving the Royal Guards was not an escape but if she turns her back and walks to the opposite direction, this would be definitely an escape. During those 30 seconds, both lived that night over and over again. Andre did not have the nerve to look up her eyes. He was ready for anything Oscar would say.
It was an empty conversation, till Oscar’s final words:
OSCAR I'm not angry or anything about what happened. I won't hold it against you.
Both knew that anger was not the emotion in her. It was something different and achier, such that she could not look at his face even for once. In his face she was reading that night. The night, at which Fersen went out of her life. The night, at which her best friend put her gender between their secure trust. When Oscar started to ride her horse, doves flied to the clouds and Andre felt she was flying away from his life.
Oscar’s first day in Company B was pretty exciting for her. But thanks to her cool look, nobody could be able to notice it. She was curious about her men and how different they could be. The moment she entered that smelly and messy barrack, she had admitted herself that her life would not be so easy for a while. It took only a few seconds for Oscar to notice Andre’s presence in the room. Nobody felt the tension on her voice, except her life long friend…
Oscar hoped nobody will notice she had talked to Andre privately in her office, which was totally impossible. Andre was in her office, standing in front of her. He had always been an understanding friend, who valued her opinion and helped her to find what she wanted, until that night in which he was true to his feelings. Now, he was rebelling her.
OSCAR What's going on, Andre?! I told you not to accompany me any more!
ANDRE I'm not accompanying you, Oscar. I'm a member of this Company.
I have an acquaintance in this Company. And I joined yesterday through him. No matter what happens or what you think of me, I'm the only one who can protect you. I'm heading back, Commander!
Andre was opposing her will for protecting her. The man, under her command, had informed her that she could not stop him when Oscar was the subject. By Andre’s leaving, she couldn’t help smiling; it was Andre’s turn to be stubborn. She had nothing to say except: “Do whatever you want…”.
Oscar had been working in Company B for two weeks. She had encountered a few small (!) problems such that; rebellious soldiers who rejected obeying a woman commander and needed to be beaten to go to a parade... In those days Andre had difficulty about finding which side to stand. Though, others in Company B had placed him without his knowledge; spy of the commander. It was late afternoon when Oscar had read all the documents needed. She looked out of the window, realized that she would leave in an hour.
Something interesting had happened in the day before. She had encountered Gerodere in Mansion Jarjayes. She was thinking why he had come to talk her father when Nanny told her the reason.
NANNY Monsieur Gerodere said to the Master: "I'd like to marry your daughter."
In those days, it was hard to make her laugh, but Gerodere was funny enough. “So it was why he acted such strange…” At least, she had figured that out. The idea of the marriage of Oscar and Gerodere was not worth of consideration so she did not get angry. Sun was about to set.
What surprised her was not Gerodere but her father. He was sitting in upstairs, waiting for Oscar. General Jarjayes was the most important man in her life. The one she inherited her talent, calm and duties; the one she rebelled. He had created the extraordinary life of her.
Oscar was happy with her new position; her face was shining when she told him about her disobedient French Guards who were much more fun. Then, suddenly General Jarjayes started to tremble, he closed his face with his hands, tears were dropping. Her father was crying. The man, who taught her to be strong, was in pain. General Jarjayes was apologizing; for not raising her as a woman, for forcing her unnecessary hardships. Oscar was confused for a second; he was pronouncing her life as a mistake. Was it so? She picked a white rose… Thanks God, the state of calmness gave her the chance to look into all her life in a moment. Would she prefer to have an ordinary life? Whatever she had done, was her will; wearing that uniform, being in Royal Guards, protecting Marie Antoinette… She was the lucky one, who had the choices… She had loved, was loved, and suffered with a woman’s heart. The fragrance of white rose was filling the room while she was tearing it apart. He should understand this, she was happy with every joy and pain of her life. Peace… She listened her fathers last sentence quitely:
JARJAYES If you hurt as a woman, I want you to be happy as a woman. Don't run away Oscar! Don't lie yourself that you are a man.
Oscar smiled again, whispering;"I know, Andre told so..." She had left the remains of rose and had come back to her life, in which she was looking for happiness as every human being.
Oscar stood up, thinking where she could find Andre. He had made Nanny worried, he should visit her at least for this weekend. She walked to the door. “Where is he?”
Choices:
Oscar walks to the barracks.
Oscar walks to the atrium.