[for romain]

[umbralla]

[It's not hard to find Ghyslain when he's not in class or the dorms - he doesn't go out a lot, and when there aren't classes in the music room, he'll most likely be there. How often do you find a giant grand piano to play, after all? Even his family had a much smaller one, slightly out of tune, which grated on someone with such a natural ear when he came back from lessons and had to practice on it.

Today he's playing something he remembers his older sister listening to; not his kind of music, but the musician was damn good on piano, so the melodies stick out and he picks them out when he hasn't got a song in mind. It's slow at first, then picks up to the actual speed of the song, light and flourishing.

He's clearly in his own world, pale eyes dreamy and head swaying back and forth. In a soft, deep voice, he tries to translate the lyrics he can remember, but they come without scansion and rhyme because it's so off the top of his head.]

Comments

[umbralla]

It is - like moving an arm, or a leg. Very natural. Sometimes - erm - reflex?

[The room is dimly lit, perfect for bringing up another tendril of shadow between their seats. Romain is still a bit scared of them, though, or at least looks that way when Ghyslain uses them, so he doesn't do anything fancy. Just lets it hover there, then dissipate, the black receding from his eyes again.]

It is not always perfect, either. A younger boy at the school tried to hit me, and I only wanted to make it dark enough that I could get away without being seen, but - instead I created a sort of wall. He hit it very hard. That was more punishment.

[quantities]

[He looks for it the moment Ghyslain's eyes go black. See, usually when a power creates that effect in someone's eyes, it means something very unpleasant is about to happen. His fault for associating the two things, but it's the norm, man. And Romain listens to the norm too much.]

... Well. Serves him right. Maybe your power works based on karma, too. Study that.

[umbralla]

Do you think so? [He cocks his head at that. The boy was a bigot, it's true. But he doesn't set out to hurt anyone.] Peut-être. I may at least have changed his views.

[And he's finished another beer. Sloppiness incoming.]

[quantities]

[TWO MORE BOTTLES. AY.]

'Course. Hey, if his views were 'I can totally mess with this guy', I bet you did.

[umbralla]

No. It was more personal. I believe the word here is "poof."

[He didn't even know what he was being insulted for until it got more graphic. The joys of losing slang in translation.]

[quantities]

Oh, come on.

[he drops his hand on the table, a bit too heavily.]

Who was it? Did you get his name?

[umbralla]

His - [He's obviously reluctant to say, but the show of support is so heartwarming that he can't resist. Still, he lowers his voice and leans a bit closer, a clear signal that he'd like Romain to react a bit more quietly.] His name is Miles. But do not speak to him of it, I have been told that he has a long history of violence at the school.

[quantities]

[and his expression falls. Did he even need to ask?]

Seaborn, right? Yeah, I wish I could say I'm surprised. That kid is - yeah. Might as well stay out of his way. Way too many issues for you to try to solve. Even if you have all the reasoning in the world.

[bullies. ew.]

But hey - hey, if he gives you shit again, you come to me.

[pointing rather emphatically at you now. Someone is inebriated.]

[umbralla]

[He nods along with that. Yes, Miles, and yes, deeply troubled. But when Romain defends him again, finger right in his face, he grins shyly and glances down, then back up into his eyes.

Which catch his attention with an all new level of focus. He leans forward, reaches in – so gently, not even a real hold, he touches Romain’s cheek. His own eyes are wide and glazed, pretty drunk himself.]

Ils sont bleu.

[quantities]

[This should be that moment where Romain gets uncomfortable and clears his throat, averting his dark blue eyes to pretend nothing weird happened. Instead he stares right back, because - well. They're blue? So are Ghyslain's. But pointing that out would be like saying he has eyes in the first place.]

... Personne n'a jamais remarqué.

[Because, when he thinks about it, no one has. And that makes him feel really warm.

... no. That's the alcohol. It's the alcohol that makes him feel warm. Speaking of which:]

Une autre?

[umbralla]

[When he's allowed to keep his hand there, he takes the opportunity, but not any steps like stroking or cupping Romain's cheek. His skin is just so soft. It's hard to believe he must already shave.

But that's no reason to break the spell he's somehow created, the one letting him stay this close and touch Romain so lightly.]

Ouais. [His voice is so distant now.] Je n'ais jamais vu des yeux bleu si fonce. C'est... remarquable.

[quantities]

[and then... he just lowers his eyes and huffs a soft laugh.

Oh, man. He recognizes that line. It just took him a while because the drink's making him slow. (And very mellow. Did he mention warm?)]

I take it back. You've totally got ten guys texting you right now, haven't you?

[umbralla]

Quoi? [He pulls back, genuinely surprised, then realizes what he's done.] Ah - je m'excuse - mais non. I would not say such a thing for an effect when I know that you are not like me. I meant what I said.

[He wasn't trying to pick you up, Romain, he was actually very much struck by your eyes.]

Je m'excuse. [Again, quietly.]

[quantities]

Mhm. [He's not offended, though, and if he's offended Ghyslain then he doesn't seem to have noticed.] So it's all you, then. That's even worse.

['cause ain't nobody going to resist that charm.]

Good eye, though. Hey - does that mean you can see in the dark?

[totally coherent, right.]

[umbralla]

Worse?

[He's almost alarmed now. No, Romain isn't offended, but then why is what he did bad? He was led through everything that happened before this, he's never taken initiative. He has no idea that it was naturally charming.]

I - ouais, when I - [He waves a hand at his eyes, meaning the black layer that covers his sclera. About midway through the gesture, he just lowers his forehead into his palm.] - I have had too much to drink.

[quantities]

[good thing he mentioned that.]

Yeah, me too. Think we can walk back? I think I could fall asleep right here.

[umbralla]

I could call a taxi, but we would be seen.

[He stands up, wavers a bit, then offers Romain a hand. Just to help him up if he's unsteady. That's all.]

It is best if we walk. The night air will help.

[quantities]

[Without hesitation, he takes the hand, stumbling a bit to get on his feet. It's a huge adjustment from being sat down to being upright. Balance, don't fail me now.]

How much is everything?

[umbralla]

[He leads Romain gently over to the front with a hand on his back - just a drunk friend supporting another, no more pressure or grip than that. The waitress smiles at them as she divides the bill, mouthing BIAPA to the bartender beside her, and they both giggle quietly.]

Ah, merci. Thank you. [He nods when his end is paid up, card and receipt handed back, and by all signs, he is blissfully unaware that there's a good deal of admiration in the looks from the waitress and bartender. They're not just laughing at these two drunk young men, they're quite taken.]

[quantities]

[Romain isn't nearly as clueless, smiling right back at them. How can he not? Alcohol makes all kinds of attention even more appreciated, and takes away any of the humility that tells him not to overdo it. They're great. Ghyslain is great. Everything's great.]

Thanks. Have a great evening, ladies.

[Just greaaaaaat.

With a quick nod at them he takes back his card, without even noticing that in one of the receipts the bartender slipped another small paper with a number. He just shoves everything in his pocket and walks on out with his buddy.

ANOTHER TIME SKIP!?!?]

[umbralla]

[SURE!!!!

They get to his room first, just happenstance of the dorm layouts, and Ghyslain has a shadow arm wrapped around Romain by that point to keep him steady. He's slightly less drunk, by some miracle (or maybe he was drinking more slowly), so he's the support between the two of them - he's also slightly taller, so it works well.

He could fall asleep right away, too. But he doesn't want this to be over yet. How can he work this so that it doesn't sound awkward or inappropriate?]

I - I have water. Bottles. Peut-être tu voudrais un peu, pour le gueule de bois? You can take back with you, or...

[What was Romain saying about charm? He's blowing it here.]

[quantities]

Mm?

[He might as well be asleep standing. He doesn't even mind the shadow arm anymore.]

Yeah, sure. Mouais.

[lead the way.]

[umbralla]

Ah. Bien.

[Okay.

He opens the door and guides Romain in, easing him down to sit on the edge of the bed. Without watching to see if he'll just tip over, he goes to the small fridge and grabs two bottles of water, then turns around. There's something very antsy about him, but not eager; he wouldn't dream of taking advantage of a situation like this.]