sweethymns | Mι∂ηιgнт ιη Ƥαяιѕ

❇ ❇ ❇

[The return to the Midnight Grind is peaceful and without incident. When Oren opens the doors for Iona and the two returning guests, the cafe lights up as if giving its greetings to the owner. Iona collapses on a nearby sofa seat while Oren pushes a table towards her along with two seats. He gestures to the Aubert brothers with the poise and composure of an practiced servant.]

Take a seat. Will return with refreshments.

Door will be too difficult to find. No fear.

[And with that, Oren disappears into the back kitchen, leaving Iona with the two brothers.]

[ The walk back, incidentally, also involves a lot of whispering between the brothers— primarily Gus demanding explanations from Claude, who relays it without much affectation— and Gus looks a bit...off-put? by the time they get back. Huffy? 'Pouty' is a good word. How did everyone else know so much while he was in the dark, he's not actually used to that even if everyone tries to pull that on him on a daily basis.

While Gus sulks for a bit, Claude hangs his jacket on the nearest coatrack, adjusts the collar of his shirt, and settles into a chair. ]

When I told my brother to enjoy himself [ he says, with just a hint of edge to his tone ], I didn't mean for him to enjoy himself so much.

Mm.

[Iona straightens up her back, with her opposite hand clutching her crystal arm. It retains its normal appearance, but to her, it always feels heavy causing a slight imbalance in her physical structure.

She glances at Claude and then at Gus, clearing her throat before she speaks up.]

So... Where should I start? I could start with an apology if that's what we want to get out of the way here.

[ The both of them respond almost simultaneously, Claude with a "none needed" and Gus with a "pass", before they exchange glances and Claude relegates himself to the non-speaking role. Maybe a strange choice, all things considered: one would imagine that Claude would be the one speaking for both parties, but his reverence for his brother is absolute.

Gus frowns a little. ]

Claude filled me in, so you don't have to apologize. [ Gus elaborates, elbow on the table and chin in one hand. ] ...What about you? Don't you want one? An apology, I mean.

[The witch blinks as if confused.]

Well... I guess that'd be appropriate? [She's someone who takes responsibility for her own actions as much as possible. Being a witch was already a guarantee of facing danger one way or another.]

I mean, I wasn't entirely worried about getting into trouble as I was getting out of it IF it happened. Which it did. And we got out of it. [SHRUG ~~she really should be more worried c'mon~~]

However, I do think an explanation is in order. I prefer that over an apology. Like, how and why you're so important in Paris to the point where people know your name and why do shady assholes try to kill you in broad daylight?

[She glances at Claude.]

I guess that's a reason to keep a doctor around though.

[ Claude only smiles, tilts his head, and then looks to his brother to provide an explanation— which he clearly believes that Gus can give. And he does, his expression settled into something more befitting of someone who is ostensibly supposed to be the head of an influential family, clear blue eyes sharp and focused on the woman he's speaking to. ]

I apologize, then, mademoiselle. For putting you in danger, and for my lack of candor.

[ That sounds like something Claude would say, but Gus relaxes after a beat, lets the tightness in his shoulders recede. ]

—Long story short, our family owns most of the Northern half of Paris. That's why some people know me, and the others want to kill me.

[ A beat. ]

That was way shorter than I thought it would be, wow.

Huh. Yeah, that was super succinct. [She nods, impressed, no really!]

... Although, basically that means that 1879 Paris is basically like a huge real life version of Epic Mafia. Sort of. Hm.

[She sighs, looking more sympathetic as she tugs at a strand of her hair. And then she opts to untie her ponytail altogether, letting the untamed waves and curls fall where they will.]

You know, that almost explains how the both of you have been able to find the door to my place though.

Edited 2015-06-12 06:12 (UTC)

Epic...?

[ That reference flies over his head, but her second statement is a little more cryptic than that one. The two trade looks, and Gus relays their curiosity. ]

—And why's that?

[She leans back in her seat, thinking of a way to explain the nature of the gilded door.]

Let me put it this way; you have to have some sort of sixth sense, magic, or an incredibly sharp eye to notice the door's existence. The both of you share that last trait since even normal people are able to have a radar for the abnormal. But... Hm. How do I put this...??

[This space had existed for a long time after all, probably older than both her and Oren combined; he just happened to find it first when he was with Berna and the duo had decorated the door themselves.

When Iona took over, her magic filled the space and it was with absolute purpose. A strange sort of Envisioning that reached out to others.]

... The purpose of my cafe is to provide a place of solace. For people like me, the magickind, those gifted with abilities, or... [Cue Oren, with a tray of cups and a pot of fragrant tea. It's placed on the table and he returns to the kitchen.]

... Or people who aren't human at all. It's kind of tough, trying to hide your true nature, so might as well relax in a place that's abnormal as you, right?

[She chuckles sheepishly, as if embarrassed.] What I'm saying is, is that both of you were probably looking for a place to get away from the stuff you deal with on a self-conscious level. I mean, I barely set foot out there, and already I could tell it's highly stressful to live that sort of life. Running from guns, shouldering what I can only assume is a hell of a lot of responsibility.

[A beat.]

Does that make sense, or am I just running my mouth here?

[ Internally, Claude pulls the biggest face in the world at Iona's assertion. It's the same thing that Oren said, but it's even worse when it's spelled out like that, as if he needs a place of solace. As if he's being told that he has selfish emotional needs which, as far as he's concerned, he most certainly does not. Not for his own conscience, at the very least.

But he doesn't let that show, and he defers the reaction to Gus, who thinks about it, considers it, and accepts it like he does so many things, veracity of the claim aside. ]

That makes sense. [ Is his reaction, liberal and without judgment. He even grins, a bit of that Golden Retriever look returning on softened features. ] This place is pretty comfortable, I concede to that!

Heh. I knew you'd get it.

[While the playfulness is present in her voice, she's beginning to be more subdued as she continues. Hesitant.]

But yeah. Basically, I'm a witch and I used my magic to shape this place into what it is right now. It's been a crazy few years, running this place, what with a bunch of unique characters entering my cafe, let and right. [She takes the pot on the table and pours the tea into the cups.]

If either of you are worried about me interfering in your lives, it won't be a problem. I can't follow you out once you shut the door behind you. It'll always return the person holding the doorknob to their place of origin.

Kinda silly huh? I have to wait for people to come here, but then they can leave and there's a high chance I'd never see them again.

[Despite the inherent wistfulness and sadness in her voice, she manages to give the brothers a smile, full of sincerity and joy.]

But that's why I was really happy to see you both again. Repeat customers are the best!

[And honestly, she's been blessed with some great repeat customers, the ones who would give her great memories even when they're eventually gone and she would remain.]

[ Ah...that's a melancholy thing to consider, that she can't chase, maybe even when she wants to. It's a sentiment that Gus digests slowly, and it's one of those impossible problems that he faces with as much earnesty as he can muster, because the world isn't as black-and-white as people would like it to be.

(And, to some extent, he's bad at choosing: he has heart, a sharper mind than he likes to let on, but he hasn't grown up. Claude grew up too fast and Gus still has a difficult time choosing between aliases— add the two and maybe they'd be able to balance each other out. If only.) ]

The solution's simple, come on. I just have to keep on wanting to see you, and I'll end up here. Right?

[Coming out with the tray of tea sandwiches and when he hears what Gus just said...

He can't even deal.

(Iona's safety is his first and utmost priority and it's clear to him that this is one of the least safe things ever!!) Whatever, here's your tea sandwiches losers.]

[GUS?? You're supposed to be cute and kinda dumb, not make Iona surprised like this???]

Uh, yeah, I guess that kinda works, but, um... [She waves her hands back and forth as if saying, "No, no, no!"]

I mean, I just told you that I'm a witch right? I mean, this is my cafe, but even that doesn't guarantee that weird stuff happens sooner or later; it's a magic thing so...

[Wait, why is she even insisting on making him rethink this? Iona's not sure herself, but she's probably so used to having to keep a certain distance from shorter lived people.]

[ Claude is 10000% not On Board for this, but it's also no place for him to question his brother's decisions, which he holds to be more important than his own; whatever trouble he gets into, he'll do his best to clean up.

If his sandwich-eating looks a little more vehement than usual, forgive him.

Gus, on his end, happily digs into his coffee and shrugs as lightly as can be expected on him, because he knows, on some level, the futility of transient relationships. People die around him all the time. ]

You also saved my life. And, even if I never get to see you again, I'll still remember what you did. Don't tell me not to!

[Somehow... Yeah, no, Gus's reply is incredibly rewarding. Iona knows the feeling is selfish, but to have been able to save someone and then to be repaid with something that she cautiously call a budding friendship... It's amazing. It's great.

It makes her glad to be alive.]

Thanks, Gus. Even if I tried, I have a feeling it wouldn't work.

[Claude, don't think she's been ignoring you for one second.]

Uh, Claude?? No input? Seriously? Not even thinly veiled sarcasm???

Thinly-veiled? I like to think I make it obvious when I've tapped into my sarcasm resources.

[ There it is, there we go. For once, he isn't smiling his infuriatingly placid smile. ]

Auguste's made himself abundantly clear. I've no doubt you don't need my input on the matter.

. . .

[Iona stands up and then reaches over with her left hand to... Pinch Claude's nose.]

Boooooo. Weak sauce.

[then she lets go!!]

[ How undignified...!!!!! He'd protest, but with her hand on her nose, he'd just sound ridiculous...

So all he does is lean back in his chair, fold his hands on his knees. Nerd. ]

Come, come. Surely you don't mean to say that you want to be showered with validation— I'm trying not to undermine Auguste's words with my own, I've been told everything I say sounds mildly insincere.

[ GEE

WE ALL WONDER WHY ]

I dunno. I was expecting some undermining. Like, yeah, that'd suck ass and make me feel down, but it'd be your own?? That's not a problem in itself...

[Sweet girl, but incredibly crude language.]

Ah, never mind. I guess what I wanted to say in the first place is that I'm sorry both you and him got involved with me. I wasn't planning on using any magic whatsoever, but. Here we are.

Uh, I hope no one out there is gonna ask about that by the way... [Is that too much to hope for...]

[ Gus is in the back pulling some faces, which happens often when Claude is in the equation: there's a signal to 'stop' when she says "it would be your own", because he knows what his brother will say about it. It'd be "that's irrelevant", and it's not a nice thing to hear no matter how many times it happens.

(Note how Claude avoids using the word 'brother', he regrets saying it in the 'heat' of the moment when they came back, really.)

But. There's that slightly morbid smile on the elder Aubert's face when Iona mentions someone asking about her arm. ]

Doubtful. They'll be looking into it extensively by now, I imagine.

[ Claude must you do this ]

Mn. Well, I asked, got my answer. [SIGH and she flops back down onto the sofa chair, crossing her leg.]

That said, guess we'll all lay low then? I doubt they're gonna find out much because even in my own environment, I'm the only one who has this kind of arm. So freak of nature among even the weirdos.

You'd do best to lie low, of course. As for Auguste, that's his decision to make.

[ He sips his coffee, reaches inside his jacket with a free hand to inspect something that looks like an even more antiquated version of a beeper, one that glows faintly in his hand when he presses a switch on the side. ]

—And me, I see I've already been approached by unsavories who'd like me to operate on your arm.

[ He says this like he's saying he just got a message about someone's dog who just had puppies. ]

[From the kitchen, there's a noise, a deep stomp, coming from Oren who 's about to that resonates throughout the cafe, but stops when Iona makes her command.]

Oren. Stand down.

[Silence. Iona coolly looks at the device and then at the brothers.]

I stopped a bullet. Scapels won't even leave a scratch.

[ Claude is yet again about to say something wildly inappropriate, when Gus raises his hands and tries to pacify the situation. ]

Aaaaalright, alright! Sorry, Claude has a morbid sense of humor...

[ He shoves the rest of his sandwich into his mouth to buy time, and append: ]

What he's trying to say [ not that Claude will contest to misinterpretation ], is that there are bad people after you and he'll know about it. Yeah?

❇ ＭＩＤＮＩＧＨＴ ＧＲＩＮＤ ❇

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

❇ ＭＩＤＮＩＧＨＴＧＲＩＮＤ ❇