[Paris] les oiseaux de Paris (Lilou)

Paris. Under different circumstances Sylvain would have liked a trip to the city. However, his mother had taken him there because apparently she was under the false impression that he would like to help her choose her wedding dress. What an entirely stupid idea! The teenage boy had protested and yelled and stomped. His mother had then offered him two choices - he'd either join her and Avéline or he'd be grounded for the rest of the holidays. While he had even considered the second option, the Ombrelune figured that he might perhaps survive the time in Paris and spend some time with his real and only father afterwards.

Avéline at least liked pretty dresses. Sylvain assumed most girls did. He could not see anything beautiful in a pile of lace, silk and velvet. When he looked into his mother's face, Sylvain felt like crying but he was a young man and he would not allow anyone to laugh about him being pathetic. Anyway, it felt awful to see his mother looking forward to her marriage which he dreaded so much. He didn't want to call Maximilien and Gaspard family and he was certain he'd never do so. He frowned as his mother presented them a hanger with a white dress. White? Really? He felt sick.

His mother disappeared in the changing room and he rolled his eyes. How long did he have to endure this torture? And did he have to stay until his mother decided for something or could he leave? He now regretted that he hadn't made a deal that he'd accompany her to the shop and then leave her there while he'd go exploring. Avéline was looking at dresses herself now and his mother appeared in a long white lace dress with petticoat. When she asked if it suited her, Sylvain didn't know how to react. Of course his mother looked rather pretty in this dress that looked like it would cost a fortune but he was not going to admit it.

The shop assistant approached them and showed his mother another dress, sparing him the ordeal of giving an answer. Telling Avéline that he wanted to look for a textbook he needed, Sylvain fled from the shop just as his mother had disappeared in the changing room once again. Being outside, he took a deep breath. His feelings were overwhelming. He felt left alone. There was nobody except for his father whom he rarely saw these days who understood him, was there? Avéline, no matter if she was pleased about the wedding or not, seemed to like the dresses and had skimmed through all the white dresses squealing in delight even though to Sylvain the dresses all looked more or less the same which made it rather boring to keep looking at them for more than a minute or two.

He walked without really paying attention to the direction and without noticing that he had left the wizarding surroundings. Fortunately he was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt so he did not attract unwanted attention in the muggle area of the city. When he stopped his walk about half an hour later he found himself at the Montmartre in front of the Sacre Cœur. The sight was rather nice from here and the boy sat down at the stairs, looking at the city of Paris. Although there were many people, mostly tourists, walking up and down the stairs, the boy felt lonely. If only there was someone whom he could talk to... he looked around, wondering if he should address a random stranger when he saw a girl that was familiar. Now approaching people he knew was harder than approaching a total stranger. He taxed his brain for something charming or witty to say but nothing would come to his mind and he just stared at the girl helplessly.

C’est au bout du monde. The idea that Lilou could be anywhere right now thrilled her. Of course, she was seventeen, not twenty-two, so her parents still expected her to be home at six-thirty for dinner everyday. A strange request, considering how they didn't really care when she'd steal over to the nearest muggle shop just to buy those cheap cigarettes she liked so much right after the meal, and then staying out well into the dead of night. That, and how her mother had declared that they had to walk over her lifeless body before she'd agree to let Lilou drop out of Beauxbatons. Beyond those two things, she was completely free.

She'd been living in Toulouse far too long, with frequent trips to the city, to really remain amazed at Paris for very long before she got used to everything. She felt like she dressed appropriately enough to blend in with the tourists, who were, for some reason, all excited to go into buildings that have been in Paris for many years, and would continue to remain in Paris for many more. It was very beautiful; even for someone as skeptical as she could be, Lilou had to admit that there was just a little magic to the city if it could make her feel like she was one of those tourists. Although hopefully not one of the children who was dripping ice cream everywhere.

It was no surprise that her first stop was Montmartre. Her schedule, which was really just a dogeared little muggle guidebook she found on her sister's bookshelf stuffed into the pathetic little piece of leather called a purse, listed a number of things she should be doing in a day, and she had every intention of doing all of them. If there was any day to be boring and completely predictable, it was today. Anything, really, to postpone the earful that she was going to get from her mother when she got home. It's a pity she had next to zero sickles to her name and a sister who was quick to agree with their mother on everything. Ça assure pas.

So there she was, on the top of the stairs leading to the famed Sacré-Cœur, with her arms spread out like she was about to take flight and her fingers skating through the slight breeze. She could feel the same familiar feeling of weightlessness, of the invincibility that she'd sell her soul for; not that it was worth very much. Her eyes were closed, but she could feel her lashes brush against her skin as a small smile worked its way to the corners of her lips... As well as someone staring at her. Not that she was one to brag, but Lilou was used to people looking at her. Between the way she dressed and the tendency to flirt with any and everyone, it was no surprise that she got her fair share of attention- wanted or otherwise.

"You know, if you're trying to get me to talk to you, maybe you should try to look less like a wounded puppy." Her little hint of a smile turned into a full-blown grin as she waved at the curly-haired boy to get his attention. Unceremoniously, she moved to plop herself down right next to him, making sure the ends of her long blonde hair brushed against him, before making herself comfortable on the steps. "So, before I determine you're friend or foe, chocolate ice cream with red wine; match made in heaven or an insult to Dionysus? You have thirty seconds to make your case, go."

@Sylvain Chéret  sorry i took so long! i'm a tad out of touch with lilou ><

There was a slight smile appearing on Sylvain's face although he wasn't really aware of it. However, watching Lilou how she seemed to wholeheartedly embrace life was a nice sight. She looked like she was enjoying herself and that was something Sylvain hadn't done in a while. He wished he'd be able to feel so free and relaxed. Instead the boy was mostly grumpy these days, worrying about the future and being tense. How could it be any different? His life seemed like it was all just getting worse every day. He wanted a new start, he wanted to have something to enjoy and he wanted to feel alive again rather than just existing.

He could have watched Lilou with outstretched arms in the warm sunlight for a longer time but unfortunately the girl seemed to realise that he was looking at her. The slight smile vanished and his features became tense again. His cheeks reddened ever so slightly but the boy didn't notice this change. She approached him! He took a deep breath and felt somewhat scared now. He was not prepared to talk to someone like her. She was... so different. She seemed like such a free spirit and on top of that she was also pretty. In short she was simply admirable.

Now she addressed him and even grinned, revealing her teeth. "Errr" was all he managed to say at first. However, he didn't have to say much more as it seemed. Lilou was apparently more than capable of putting him into a situation where he had to react. For a brief moment Sylvain was so confused that he was even considering running for it. He was not really that shy but somehow he felt so awkward that he'd rather be invisible now. What was she talking about ice cream now? He could do with ice cream. A refreshment of sorts was always good. However, that was not the point of her question, was it?

Yet, what was the point? The boy looked into her lively eyes and tried to regain his composure. 'Just act' he tried to tell himself. It usually helped him to pretend to play a role when he couldn't cope with a situation. "Well," he began calmly, opting for a half grin. "I must admit haven't tried this flavour yet. I would assume though that even Dionysus would love it. However, before I give my final answer I'd like to try it. That is, if you join me. However, be aware that as the gentleman I am, I will invite you and pick a flavour for you to try. Are you brave enough to face this?" He winked but while he gave his best to appear confident, he was struggling to keep this up.

The effect she had on the boy was clear, and it gave her ego a major boost. Grinning more freely now, Lilou tucked a loose lock of golden hair behind her ear and crossed her sandal-ed feet. She recognised him only after a few moments of casual observation, which was when the name Slyvain jumped up in her mind. He was a friend of a friend, and he was never around her much for him to fully register on her radar. When there were already enough obstacles that came with trying to sneak out of Beauxbatons past curfew, there just really wasn't much time left for her to worry about someone she didn't even know.

A peal of laughter escaped her before she could help herself. It wasn't malicious in any way, it was just that he was so different from the people she was used to. Any of her other friends would've taken it as an invitation to spend the rest of the day drunk, and Lilou honestly wouldn't have minded. Getting lost in her vices was one of her favourite things to do, but it was nice to just be offered ice cream sometimes. Gosh, ice cream! When was the last time she even had ice cream on a cone? There was probably a time that she refused to eat the sugary treat, for whatever stupid reason, but now she really kind of missed it. "That sounds great, if it's really your treat." Lilou teased good-naturedly.

Stretching out her long legs, she allowed herself to enjoy lazing under the warm glow of the sun for just a while longer before standing up and patting herself off. "You really made it a mission now, so we're not giving up until we find the flavour that tastes best with wine. So we're going to need to get the wine first. Come on!" Her guidebook was marked with many folded corners, most of them by Lilou, since Isabelle hated folding corners on her books, and on one of the pages there listed a winery not that far from where they were. Maybe they could even get a small bottle free if they played their cards right. Anything was possible! "By the way, what brings you to Paris? You don't look like you're just here for the view."

Even though Lilou's laughter didn't seem to be meant in a malicious way it made him feel uneasy. What had he said that was so amusing? Admittedly he had no clue how else he could have reacted to what she had said before. Sometimes it felt like he was communicating with some being from another planet when he was speaking to girls. Their train of thought was so very different from his, a boy's train of thought. He barely managed to refrain from frowning, reminding himself that if he couldn't be himself around the girl he would have to stick to his self chosen role instead. 'Always stay in character even when improvising' - that was something his father had told him and so far it had come in handy in a quite a few situations.

"Sweets and alcohol, aren't that the typical vices of young people?" he asked with a smile, trying to sound all knowledgeable and worldly. He looked at her carefully. While he knew her from school - he was a boy, sixteen years of age - of course he knew the pretty girls who were around his age even if he never dared to chat with them. Lilou was a Papillonlisse anyway. To him the butterflies did seem even stranger than the students from other houses. Sometimes he wished he could enjoy life as they did.

She really was pretty and these legs! How could anyone have such long legs? Sylvain wondered if she could hear his heart beat. He felt rather attracted to her and his face felt like it was glowing. Wondering if she found him attractive as well, he ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair.

"Alright, let's get some wine and then we should find a nice ice cream parlour." He wasn't sure if the endeavour was a good idea but frankly he didn't care. If Lilou would only agree to spending time with him if he wore a tutu, he would probably even do that. He got up as well, grinning sheepishly. "I hope it's not an impossible mission we're on. I'd rather like to celebrate our victory than to give up in the end."

He was getting more relaxed when she asked him why he was in Paris. Now he couldn't help but frown before realising that he did not have to say the sad truth which would either make the girl feel sorry for him or give her a reason to tease him. How good it was that his father lived in Paris although he was away to audition for a role at a theatre in Nantes today. "Well, I've been visiting my father. Unfortunately he's rather busy today. So I decided I should go exploring a little on my own. Paris is lovely in the summer, after all. Why have you come here? Did you want to do some shopping?"

"Exactly." Lilou nodded vigorously, but her mind was already elsewhere. "So we should enjoy them while we can." Maybe she should get some sweets while she was at it. Her brothers would like that; they didn't like the city as much as she did, but an occasional treat would be nice for them. She was really taking this 'normal' day a little too far- if the little rascals knew that she did something nice she'd never hear the end of it. Oh well, once in a blue moon.

Setting a brisk pace, but not nearly fast enough so that they'd break into a sweat, she waved her little guide book at him triumphantly. "We won't be. My sister marked down this place, and for for all the nagging she does, she at least has good taste." That was one thing she couldn't fault Isabelle for. They might've both been daughters of a vineyard owner, but she had the better palate for wine by far. There were times she wished she actually listened to Isabelle a little more, especially those little rants she liked to go into, but she also hated letting the older girl know she had any kind of hold over her.

At least she seemed to be the only one with family woes between the two of them. For a brief moment Lilou considered telling him about her plans for the future, or lack thereof, but immediately decided against it. If he thought she was just in Paris to go shopping, then he probably wouldn't understand. Or maybe he would, but she didn't really want to find out. "Just the usual- sightseeing, enjoying a little freedom, all that good stuff."

"We're here." Giving Sylvain a lop-sided grin, she reached out, grabbed his hand, and tugged the both of them into a deserted alleyway. The good thing about being a witch was that there was always a little magic around the corner. Next time she saw Isabelle she was going to give her proper thanks- she'll wait at least fifteen minutes before making fun of her stupid boyfriend.

The perceived entrance to the shop was pretty underwhelming- just a wooden door with carvings that were painted to look like gold; already peeling away too, by the looks of it. Following the neat little scribbles her sister made at the top of the page, Lilou pulled the brass handle once, twice, gave it a firm shake, and stood back to watch the bricks on the floor fold away, revealing the top of a spiral staircase. "Go on then." She gestured at the ornate black metal railings, the leaves of which were still trembling slightly. After all, there really was no better place to store wine than an underground cellar.

Somehow Lilou's words made Sylvain wonder if she often drank wine. He didn't do that. In fact, he had tasted wine a few times and didn't like it much. If anything, the boy had a pastis before dinner. The sixteen year old boy now realised that maybe he should have practised drinking if that was what girls enjoyed. He was still contemplating if he should work on holding his drink or rather just pretend to be drinking while getting the girl at his side drunk when they were already on their way. For now he was aware he was not hard drinking at all.

So she was there with a guidebook. While Sylvain didn't exactly know Paris like the back of his hand, he knew the main muggle attractions anyway. As for wizarding Paris he was less knowledgeable. He would let her lead him to that shop as he had no clue where to buy good wines or any wines for that matter. He'd probably have entered a muggle supermarket if she had set him on the mission alone.

"You're visiting Paris by the help of a guidebook?" he asked slightly amused. "I know my way around here quite well. If you like I can give you sort of a guided tour after we indulged in ice cream and alcohol." He winked at her, feeling awkward as he did so. He was not usually relaxed around girls unless he pretended to be someone else than he actually was. Being himself was the greatest challenge for Sylvain anyway. If people didn't understand how hard his life was, he'd gladly offer them to switch lives for a day or longer. Then they'd certainly stop criticising him.

"Enjoying your freedom is great and Paris is a wonderful place for that. I love almost everything about the city." He said, surprised that he actually did feel that he liked Paris very much. Such positive feelings were rare these days. He was still thinking about Paris and how he liked the city when Lilou said that they were there. At first Sylvain thought the girl was kidding and was just luring him into the deserted alleyway to... kiss him maybe? But no, Lilou probably didn't find him attractive and he was just imagining things. However, the idea of kissing her suddenly seemed very appealing.

They reached a wooden door and Lilou looked up in her guidebook how to open it. Sylvain watched her or rather looked at her incredibly long legs that were barely hidden by the pretty dress she wore. When she told him to go ahead, he had to suppress a sigh. He'd much rather follow her downstairs so he could look at her legs without her noticing anything. Well, maybe on their way back upstairs later on. That was even more intriguing anyway. He offered her a smile and made his way down the spiral staircase, running his hand over the metal railings.

Reaching the cellar he gasped. What a beautiful place! The light of candles flickered and shadows moved across the rough stone walls. There were old looking wine barrels all over the place and some wooden shelves with countless wine bottles. What Sylvain noticed was that there were hallways leading from the entrance area. Still feeling the urge to kiss Lilou, Sylvain wondered if he could lure her into a dark corner and how she'd react if he approached her in that manner. "This place seems so huge!" he said in an awed whisper. What did they want to get here? Not knowing anything about wine, Sylvain felt overwhelmed by the large choice that was obviously on sale here. Maybe they should do a wine tasting so they'd find the right bottle to buy...