Mι∂ηιgнт ιη Ƥαяιѕ

[formidable]

Private AU/PSL RP, set anywhere from 1879 alternate history France to 21st century North America. A tale of two brothers and the witch and her golem who gets entangled in their lives. Urban fantasy, steampunk, magic, guns, and coffee collide. ➤ PART I ➢ "La Caravane".

Comments

[nerine]

Ah, no I'm afraid Jackie's out on various errands right now. You know witches; it's one thing or another.

[She mentions it so casually and smoothly as if gauging this guy who's made it more than obvious why he comes here Besides the food and drinks anyways. Still, Monts gives Gus a rather radiant smile as she sits upright, her short hair bouncing lightly as she moves.]

Luckily for you, she's not the only person here who waits on people. That's where I come in.

[effet]

[ Ah, right, this person must be another witch— or something similar. Gus sometimes forgets, because Iona is so... normal? He's not sure if 'normal' is the right word for someone he finds so radiantly special, but she doesn't play to the stereotypes.

Gus also gets up in turn, dusts himself off and tries to salvage his mangled hair. No dice. ]

So you're her friend? Ah, Iona should've told me she has such a pretty coworker!

[ If he were a dog, his tail would be wagging furiously. ]

Has she said anything about me, then? Tall, blond, and handsome?

[nerine]

[(Iona actually did mention something about finding a parallel dimension Paris or whatever and there's a few other details Monts didn't bother prying about, although Paris did sound fun in spite of or even because of the danger.)

Of course, Monts chooses to not make this apparent as she stands up and buttons up her blouse. Please, she's a proper young woman.]

Whether she did or not, I can't say I disagree with those three words. Maybe she knew better than to mention it to me.

[And with that she gives him a wink before turning around, hands on her hips, feigning looking around.]

Alright, now where did I put my shoes...?

[effet]

[ Oh no... oh no!!!! Monts is humoring him, this is a dangerous game she's chosen to play. She doesn't argue with his overbloated comment about himself, and in turn, he perks up as if he's been given a direct compliment instead of a slightly roundabout one.

Gus Is Easy. ]

—Your shoes? Here, I'll help you look!

[ And here he is, boss of a family that owns half of Paris, trotting around looking for a stranger's shoes.

His father would have a fit. ]

[nerine]

[To be fair... Having someone around her finger is not unusual for Monts. She looks amused when he goes to look around for her shoes, but remembers she put them under the sofa and thus slides them out.]

Ah, no need for assistance. Thank you though!

How about you take a seat and I'll serve you something to drink? And since it's not a busy day we could have a chat.

[She's honestly curious; new boyfriend? No, Iona would be upfront about her relationship status. As it is, the witch was in a weirdly hand gestures-but pretty much single sort of state. So if anything, it's not being unfair if Monts gets to tease any hopefuls too. You know. For fun.]

[effet]

A chat sounds good! I'm not busy, anyway.

[ Lie: he has to be looking through paperwork, but people are so used to him getting his deadlines done precisely when they need to be anyway, so they've given up trying to get him to run a reasonable schedule.

He stops rummaging through the place, and trots on over towards the most comfortable-looking corner of the cafe, with softer chairs and nicely dim lighting. ]

But first things first: your name? Where are my manners, right?

[nerine]

Right, right. Names.

[She hums thoughtfully, her head tilting to the side.]

... I usually let people just call me Monts. It's a little weird, but if the shoe fits...

[effet]

Monts? That's an interesting name— probably a nickname, right? So is mine, actually!

[ Picking up on similarities right off the bat: check. His smile brightens even more, as he holds out a hand for Monts to take. ]

I'm Gus. It's short for my real name and my alias.

[nerine]

You're absolutely right.

[A little snap to indicate his correctness, good job French Doge.

... Also, he's criminally adorable in that weird way where Monts wonders if it's actually okay to tease him. Not that she's pulled out any of her big guns yet, but. Yes. She takes his hand, assuming it's for a shake.]

It's very nice to meet you Gus. I'm glad Jackie has other people who like her as well.

[effet]

The pleasure is mine, miss.

[ He says, light and breezy: the way he was taught to. But the sweep of her hand to his lips is distinctly him, not because the gesture is outrageous, but because he grins against the back of her lips and chuckles there, briefly. ]

I like 'Jackie' very much, so please tell her I said so.

[ Still faux-polite. ]

[nerine]

[WELL.]

...

[She reaches up to ruffle his hair. Monts cant help it. It's so. Fluffy.]

1/2

[effet]

?!

[ Headruffles again?! He thought he was being suave?! ]

[effet]

Is... is that a gesture women do to handsome men in the year 2121?

[ Firstly, he got the year so wrong.

Secondly, keep dreaming, Gus. ]

[nerine]

Gotta knock off a few more numbers there, Gus.

[With crossed arms, Monts is thinking deeply again.]

You're taller, but I can't say you're actually older than me...

[effet]

Hm... I know it's impolite to ask a lady her age, but...?

[ What if she says that she's like, 350 years old... he can never tell, with these magical people. ]

[nerine]

21 going on 22.

[Huh. Normal.]

You?

[effet]

T...twenty, going on 21...

[ Ah... he finally lets go, to dramatically fall on his hands and knees. ]

But! As suave as a 25 year old!

[ As if this makes things better?! Somehow?! ]

[nerine]

[Aw. Monts squats down to ruffle his hair once again. She's finally met dog in human form, it's kind of amazing really.]

You're not quite there yet, hon, but given time I think you have a chance.

[effet]

—You're probably only older than me by a few months! You don't get to treat me like a child, Miss.

[ He lifts his head and flashes her a semi-cheeky smile, though he can't deny that he's enjoying the ruffling... ]

[nerine]

True, true.

[Monts shrugs as if to conceding to his point.]

Does Iona treat you like that?

[of course]

1/2

[effet]

[ Instinctively: ] Yes...

[effet]

[ WAIT... ]

—No, I meant no!!

[ FAKE IT....FAKE IT!! ]

[nerine]

Oh, so you go for the "big sister" types. You're that kind of guy, huh?

[THE TEASE LEVEL IN HER VOICE IS OFF THE CHARTS]

[effet]

If 'that kind of guy' is 'charming, sweet, and very manly', yes...? Yes?!

[ Gus... he sounds so indignant but he's also so offended!! ]

[nerine]

Well, I think, "sweet" might just be the only place you're at right now, but what do I know after all, hm?

[She taps her cheek with an exaggerated sigh.]

We've only just met after all.