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ratsoftobruk2018-11-06 11:33 pm
eiffelinlove) wrote in ratsoftobruk2018-11-06 11:33 pm
Entry tags:
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
[Ah, Paris!
It's a beautiful summer's day in the city of love. The sun is shining and the streets are crowded with pedestrians, tourists and locals alike. On the street corner, a handful of them are nearly run over by a car driving up onto the sidewalk to get around traffic, horn blaring. A man selling postcards just barely jumps out of the way. Somewhere, someone is playing the accordion.
Yes, it's a beautiful day in Paris. The heart of the nation. The rest of the nation also happens to be in town; comfortably seated in a cafe overlooking the river, glass of wine in hand and positioned oh so elegantly for any passersby to admire. If you look at him for too long, it's possible the cafe may be replaced by a background of sparkles and roses.
Stare for too long and he'll probably notice. Leaning back with a flip of his hair, France winks charmingly.]
Would you like to join me, mon cher?
[Sparkles.]
It's a beautiful summer's day in the city of love. The sun is shining and the streets are crowded with pedestrians, tourists and locals alike. On the street corner, a handful of them are nearly run over by a car driving up onto the sidewalk to get around traffic, horn blaring. A man selling postcards just barely jumps out of the way. Somewhere, someone is playing the accordion.
Yes, it's a beautiful day in Paris. The heart of the nation. The rest of the nation also happens to be in town; comfortably seated in a cafe overlooking the river, glass of wine in hand and positioned oh so elegantly for any passersby to admire. If you look at him for too long, it's possible the cafe may be replaced by a background of sparkles and roses.
Stare for too long and he'll probably notice. Leaning back with a flip of his hair, France winks charmingly.]
Would you like to join me, mon cher?
[Sparkles.]
no subject
Can you think of a better way to spend it, monsieur?
[Watch and learn from your motherland, Tamaki. France gestures to the empty chair across from him with a sweeping gesture and elegant smile. ]
The only thing that could improve it... would be your beautiful face across from me.
no subject
You flatter me. ( His jacket is shrugged off, legs crossed and hands politely folded. ) If you don't mind me saying, I'm sure I'll find my lunch much more enjoyable now that I'm in such handsome and polite company.
( It's impolite to assume anything about said handsome and polite company, but because of this invitation...well, he's willing to pay for lunch if need be. If not the full lunch, how about an appetizer? ) Would you like a wine to start you off? My treat.
no subject
[ France winks. France, don't flirt with high school students. But then he huffs and waves his hand dismissing Tamaki's offer.]
Do not be ridiculous, mon garçon, you are here on my invitation! Allow me to pick out the finest French wine this bistro has to offer while you take your pick from the menu! You must let me spoil you a little.
no subject
If you insist, though don't go to too much trouble on my part. ( Tamaki picks up the small menu with more grace than is necessary to simply choose a meal for lunch. Before his eyes scan it, he looks at the man across from him with gratitude. ) I will say that I'd like to know the name of the gentleman so kind as to treat me so graciously this evening.
no subject
I do insist! Your contribution is keeping me company.
[ Sparkle sparkle. France refuses to be outdone.]
But of course... I am France!
no subject
Ah, of course. ( Maybe his benefactor here would like to remain anonymous...that's fine, someone so French must be trustworthy, obviously. ) What are we Frenchmen if not the true spirit of France itself?
( Now how about that lunch menu...oh, he hasn't had bouillabaisse in a while... )
no subject
... Technically true, I suppose. [ What is a nation if not their citizens? ] You are certainly part of me.
[ Priorities in order, France flips open the wine menu. ]
no subject
It's true. We are all apart of one another in order to make up this beautiful country. It's something you can feel in your very heartbeat... ( Well, it's not just simple platitudes. Tamaki has missed France...what France represents to him. Being there again is like part of him that was missing is finally present again. )
I'm sorry. I'm sure you have better things to talk about than the patriotism of a teenager...do you have any recommendations for lunch?
no subject
Oui, exactement! Love and passion connect us all! [ It's possibly he means this a little less abstractly than Tamaki. Just a little. ] Non, non, please continue! I adore listening to the fervent feelings of young people such as yourself... They're so beautiful! And of course anyone would enjoy flattery from a handsome young man.
[ When you're a nation, patriotism quickly becomes vanity. Europe rarely agrees on much, but how self-absorbed France is tends to be something they'll quickly affirm. Frances pauses for a second. ]
Ah, but food is also important... L'andouillette is quite good but l'escalope de veau is a favourite of mine... I have known the family that owns this restaurant for many years; anything on the menu will satisfy you.
no subject
I certainly don't want to burden you with personal details...but it's been quite a long time since I've been in France. I suppose suddenly being able to return makes me feel more impassioned than I expected.
( He takes note of the recommendation of l'escalope de veau -- that may be a better option than his previous intended selection. ) I do love my home, of course, but the nostalgia of France is certainly something I've missed all these years.
I may be looking at the menu of an actual Parisian cafe btw
Ah, you have been abroad...
[ France doesn't need to check the lunch menu; he knows it by heart. He wasn't kidding about knowing the family for years (decades). But the wine list needs examining, you just never know with wine lists.]
Then allow me to say bienvenue! Where have you been living? Japon?
[ A motherland has it's ways. ]
exactly what I did earlier lmao
You're right! You've definitely got a good eye, sir. ( There are certainly features he has that are definitely tinged with his Japanese heritage, but many people wouldn't hit that nail on their first guess. ) I'd hate to take up so much of our conversation, though. Why not tell me a little about yourself, as well?
( Perhaps this kind stranger won't be so open, especially since they didn't open up about their name, but the politeness is necessary. Not to mention Tamaki is genuinely curious. )
no subject
[ Perhaps not to most people, but France has been listening to French for a very long time. In all it's forms. ]
Mais, moi? I would be more than happy to! Ah, what is your interest, mon cher? My history, my art, my cuisine- ... you are not too young for a geography lesson, are you? [ France, pourquoi? ] But you must pick a direction, monsieur, or I shall have to hold you captivated for the rest of the week.
no subject
At this point in the interaction, Tamaki finds the verbiage of the conversation a bit strange. In fact, it makes him wonder if his fluency is slipping slightly. His accent has changed, perhaps his grammar also needs to be brushed up. )
Oh, I'm interested in all of it -- but you say you're an artist? I'm sure talk of your art could keep me captivated for a month alone.
no subject
I have captivated people for decades with this topic! But I shall try to summarise for the sake of our afternoon.
[ Somewhere in France, an art historian feels an inexplicable urge to take notes. Oh, well. ]
When I was a child I fell in love with fine arts and culture! After years of hard living, the luxury of being able to dedicate myself to beautiful things was simply wonderful! At that time, I was particularly enraptured by sculpture. You have likely seen some of my work around the city! I wanted to create tall, magnificent sights... Ah, but I was still a child, non? And so my style was still a little crude compared to how it would grow. [ Humble smile. Yes, France knows what those are, he looks at other people too. ] After that I had something of a renaissance. I became enraptured by the human form and expressing it's beauty through sculpture! Much of my inspiration came from God, of course- I was very religious in my youth.
[ The waiter hovers awkwardly by their table, waiting for a break in France's speech. He pauses for a second to point out the wine he wants. ] The bottle, I think, cheri. Merci.
[Okay, right, back to the topic.]
Ah, it was around that time that I discovered the joy of painting! An adorable little brother of mine did the most beautiful work... But of course I knew I could make even finer art!
no subject
Tamaki looks at France intently as he tells his story -- in fact, he's fully enraptured by it. So much so that when the waiter comes by, he's honestly a little startled. )
That's...beautiful. ( Ever so gently, Tamaki reaches out and places his hand on his companion's arm. That story was certainly touching, and his soul is one that is certainly very easily moved. ) Monsieur, you lived a hard life and found true beauty and grace of the soul through something so magnificent, and then found it in you to share it with the world. The heart of an artist is one that is truly pure, and your passion has lasted even until now.
( The hand he's got resting against the man's arm squeezes it very slightly. ) You certainly have an admirable spirit. You say I've likely seen your work, but you must tell me the name of one of your pieces so I can be sure.
no subject
France isn't even halfway done but he takes a break to preen under Tamaki's attentions. Yes, he's so wonderful and passionate and wise. Treasure him. Admire him. ]
You are too kind, monsieur. [ France covers Tamaki's hand with his own and gazes deep into his eyes. What the fuck. ] I believe it is my duty on this Earth to bring beauty to everyone. Art is the truest expression of our hearts and so, through it, we can bring peace and love to the world!
[Also, he likes being praised and emulated and looked up to and let's be frank, he was never going to get that on war and industry alone.]
Paris itself is my finest canvas, mon ami. [ Wow, France, picking favourites! ]
no subject
Well, he is indeed a living art installation, so it's essentially like the same thing. One crafted by man, the other crafted by God himself. )
If there's one city to draw inspiration from, Paris is certainly a city to choose! Truthfully, I'm a native Parisian so I may be slightly biased on the subject. ( Tamaki withdraws his hand carefully. Being in Paris is beautiful and comfortable, but it's also a bit melancholy. ) I play the piano...when I need to feel truly at ease and at peace of mind, the Paris of my childhood is one of the first things that enters my mind.
no subject
Ah, music! I am such an admirer of the art.
[ France catches Tamaki's hand before he can properly with withdraw and tugs it forward to place over his own heart. ]
Please, monsieur- let the beating of my heart inspire your playing. Paris will always be here for you.
[ The waiter pours them each a glass of wine, ignoring this ridiculous display. They're probably used to it. ]