Beautiful [Paris]

[November Jaymes]

November had been dragged along on a family vacation to France. November was moving into her own place soon, but until then she still had to suffer family trips with her parents and her sister. They were only going to be away for the weekend, the Easter weekend, but still this was going to be a couple of days in her mother's company which made it too long. Spending the weekend away like this with her sister and father was OK, November didn't mind that all too much as she was closer with them and they didn't moan and nag at her.

---Few Hours Later---

After arriving at the hotel, and unpacking, November grabbed her jacket and headed out for a walk around the streets of Paris. Tomorrow November had the pleasure of going to her parents old town where they grew up, but to be honest November just would rather walk around Paris and maybe do a little shopping. But not being one to argue much, she never bothered asking to stay behind and just agreed.

On November's little walk through the streets of Paris, she ended up outside a little coffee shop, it looked really nice, very welcoming, so she went inside and ordered a caramel latte. After paying November headed outside and sat to one of the tables in front of the shop. The weather was oddly quite nice, it had it's nippy moments throughout the morning, but now it seemed to have gone a little nicer. And with the view being so beautiful, why not sit outside?

November sat back in the chair, slowly sipping her hot, caramel latte and just admired the view.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

Only a few tables away, sitting with her back to the street, was a blonde woman, small in frame, but still with a certain indefinable air of strength. She was sipping at a hot beverage of some kind or other and paying little to no attention to that which occurred around her. There was a newspaper in front of her that she seemed absorbed in. But when she turned the page, for an instant it seemed as though the image upon it moved of its own accord. Deftly she folded the paper so that the photograph was hidden beneath, and she continued to read unperturbed.

Her clothing was of Muggle fashion, but it was also obviously expensive. She wore a cashmere sweater of palest blue and a pair of high belted white dress pants which flared about the legs. Her heeled shoes were also white, and her golden hair was done up elaborately with a peacock feather pin. A simple silver weave chain hung about her neck along with a thick navy blue choker, and a pair of dangling diamond earrings adorned her ears. By all appearances this woman was simply a wealthy Muggle, but that picture in the newspaper .....

After a few more moments she seemed satisfied by the articles she'd read, closed and folded her paper neatly, and tucked it under her arm. She placed the payment for her order on the table, along with an excellent tip, then rose and placed her coat, which had been draped over the back of her hair, across her arm and turned to leave.

[November Jaymes]

November slowly sipped on her drink, blowing on it occasionally to cool it down a little. As November was about to take another sip of her drink, she noticed something from the corner of her eye moving. It was the woman from the other table's news paper. With the other woman clearly being from the magical world, November was ready to speak to her, but she got up and appeared to be ready to leave.

Regardless of the woman about to leave, November said -in a tone low enough to prevent any ears other than the woman's from hearing- "excuse me, I couldn't help but notice your newspaper....." she paused a moment, then with a tiny smile appearing she continued speaking "you're from.... You know... The same world as me" she hoped that was enough subtle wording for the woman to know November meant; the magical world.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

At first she looked at the girl as though some magical catastrophe had caused her to grow an extra head. Then she smiled and said, "Pardonnez-moi, mademoiselle, mais c'est la France. Et en France nous avons tendance à parler français." It was fun toying with the tourists. The natives of this country could pick them out easily by their clothes, posture, attitudes. And then there were those imbeciles who expected everyone around them to speak English despite their being in a foreign country where English was not the first language. Or even a language studied by the majority of the populace.

She "feigned" understanding when the girl's eyes moved in the direction of the paper under her arm, which she, in turn, guarded more closely. Let the foolish little creature believe Charlotte didn't understand and thought the girl was some curious Muggle. This could prove entertainment enough in an otherwise exceedingly dull day.

[ Click for OOC Comment ]

No, I don't actually expect you to use French. (;;^^) Charlotte's being a ... jerk. She speaks perfect English. (-_-)
Trans: "Pardon me, miss, but this is France. And in France, we tend to speak French."

[November Jaymes]

[ Click for OOC Comment ]

Haha ok -And I have no idea if my French bit is correct here lol I used Google Translator. I was going for: Well not everyone speaks French, that includes here... There happen to be tourists here too, not that I'm a full on tourist, I actually happen to have family from here....

"Eh bien pas tout le monde parle français, qui comprend ici ... Il arrive d'être des touristes, là aussi, pas que je suis un complet sur ​​le tourisme, j'ai effectivement arriver à avoir de la famille d'ici ...." she said in French, letting some of her lessons in French with her mother pay off. November's first language was English, that was where she was born. But with French being in her blood, her mother taught her some of her second language. Sadly November wasn't fluent with her French, but she was good enough to understand most of what people were saying, and to be able to reply to most things.

"Mon français n'est pas très bon, mais si vous préférez me parler en français, alors tout va bien ....je vais" [ Click for OOC Comment ]

My French isn't very good, but if you'd rather me speak in French, then fine.... I will

she said, knowing this woman was trying to be a b*tch with her, but November just played naive to it, like she didn't know and just continued with the French.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

A wicked yet appreciative smile lit Charlotte's face. "Bien, bien, mademoiselle." The woman bowed her head ever so slightly to the girl. "As reward, I will use English."

Tapping the paper against her hip for emphasis of her next words, she said, "I suggest we find somewhere quieter to speak of those matters which might interest us both. There are many Muggles here and I think it best if they remain ignorant."

Without awaiting a response, she turned on one of her high heels, and started off in a direction that few people seemed to be coming from. Before long she arrived at a bench in a quiet yet deserted park that hadn't been there just a moment ago. Ah, magic certainly had its uses, and France had many beautiful spots hidden from Muggle view. Charlotte sat on the bench, crossed her legs, set the paper and cloak beside her, then folded her hands over her knee with an elegant grin on her pale, pointed face.

[November Jaymes]

Oh good! November thought when the woman said as reward they could speak English. November had done alright with her French at the moment -as far as she knew-, so she wanted to stop while she was ahead, and not make any mistakes and make an idiot of herself.

With the French woman walking off to somewhere more private away from muggle ears and eyes, November got up and followed, leaving her poor untouched drink behind. November sat down on the bench next to the French woman. She looked at the woman, and was silent. She waited to see if the woman had anything to say or ask first.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

The real reason Charlotte had switched to her equally fluent English had nothing to do with rewarding the girl. She simply couldn't stand to hear her beautiful native tongue so horribly butchered by those obviously clumsy in its speech. However, it wouldn't suit Charlotte's desires to say such things aloud. Instead, she merely looked at the girl, the same smile on her face, and unfolded the Daily Prophet for the girl to read. Tucked inside the popular Wizarding paper was another, lesser known to this area, called The Quibbler. A strange combination for any Witch or Wizard who knew anything about the British magical media.

One long, slender finger pointed to an article on the front page of the Daily Prophet denying rumours of the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Rita Skeeter even mentioned within that the young man named Harry Potter, currently finishing his 5th year at Hogwarts, was nothing short of a liar and that the tragedy of the TriWizard Tournament had been a terrible accident.

Then, just as wordlessly, she opened The Quibbler and directed the girl's attention toward another article. One that would surely illicit more than a few laughs from readers. It was supporting young Mr. Potter and his claims of You-Know-Who's second rise to power.

"Tell me, mademoiselle. Will you believe the Ministry of Magic, our varying governments around the world? Or the words of a young man who claims to have seen for himself the Dark One's return?" This had been the material Charlotte was reading at her table at the outdoor cafe. And it was something much on her mind because there were Muggles she truly wished to keep safe. Her expression, however, revealed nothing of her own beliefs. The smile remained flawless, her pale eyes watchful and intense.

[November Jaymes]

November looked to all the bits the other woman had pointed out in the paper, remaining silent the entire time. Though, when asked who she believed over if You-Know-Who is back or not, she frowned deeply. "I... Errr..." honestly November had never really thought about it, it had never crossed her mind to think who could be telling the truth. She had never even bothered to think about how she'd feel about it if You-Know-Who was back....

November was silent for a long while, frowning the whole time as she debated on what to say. Seriously, it wasn't a hard question to answer! It wasn't rocket science, but this girl was having a hard time in answering. "I guess I believe Harry Potter" she said, finally giving her answer. "I mean, I don't see why he has a reason to lie about it! Unless, he's insane or an attention seeker or just stupid. But I honestly don't think he's any of the above".

[Charlotte de Valmont]

"He is a boy who grew up famous simply because of surviving You-Know-Who's attack, so an attention seeker he may well be. That aside ..." Charlotte waved a hand as though dispelling some foolish thought. "I think you may be right to put your faith in the boy. I remember a time as a young girl, the war that raged in our world, and I believe it would not be beyond His power to return. If any could find a way to usurp even death, it would be He."

Then she sat back, folded the papers, and smiled again. "Enough of that, though. How do you like Paris? A young and lovely girl such as yourself must be having a wonderful time in our boutiques and shops. And if you are not, you have not found the right company." She laughed, the sound light and soft as small chimes.

[November Jaymes]

November listened silently as the woman spoke about Harry Potter. When November was in school, from what she had noticed of Harry he did seem to get into trouble a lot, and got himself into a lot of situations that would result with plenty of attention. But she never thought he did it deliberately. However, with Charlotte saying Harry may-well-be an attention seeker, she pondering on her words for a moment... In the end, though, she never commented, mainly because the topic had moved along.

"Oh I'm enjoying it very much" she said half telling the truth. November would probably enjoy Paris more if she were here with friends, or even alone, not on some stupid family vacation. "My parents travel here a lot, they grew up in Lyon, but had to move before I was born. I've been in almost all of the stores now, I don't have much shopping needs left" she said with a little laugh, "I usually check out what's new as soon as I arrive and get some time to myself".

While letting her gaze wandering around at her surroundings, the beautiful surroundings, November asked "I guess you live here then? And you're not visiting like me?"

[Charlotte de Valmont]

A smile lit the pointed, pale face of Charlette as she listened to the younger female. "I am certain there are shops you have not yet seen, ma chère. Paris, and France, have many hidden places. Perhaps you need to find some friends here to show you."

Then it was her turn to answer a question, something she was not generally accustomed to. Few people ever asked her anything. "Oui, mademoiselle, France is my home. I have many maisons around the country. But I spend most of my time out of doors these days to avoid the loneliness of being a widow." For a moment Charlotte's face assumed the look of deep sorrow, but she replaced the expression with one that looked strained and forced, as though she were trying to hide her broken heart.

[November Jaymes]

Hidden places, November couldn't help but to wonder if Charlotte had meant magical hidden places. Which November has visited those too.

"You'd be surprised how much I've seen here, hidden and visible. I've been coming here since I was a little girl" she replied with a little smile. "But, if you think there could be some places I've not had the pleasure of visiting, then be my guest". November would love to visit places she'd not been to.

Oh a widow, that was so sad, and the look now appearing on the Veela's face shown she felt something sad for the woman. "I'm sorry to hear that" she said, her saddened frown still appearing on her face. "What happened-- If you don't mind me asking? I'll shut up if you mind, I can imagine it's not something you'd want to talk about". Even though November knew talking about the loss of a loved one isn't easy, or pleasant, she did know some people didn't mind it....

[Charlotte de Valmont]

"Very well, mademoiselle, let us walk and talk together." Charlotte rose from the bench and placed the folded paper beneath her arm, then draped her cloak over it to conceal both the moving photographs, and the fact that the coat was not a coat. She then started off across the small park. "There are some places you would only see if you were either born in France, or accompanied by someone else who is." The smile on Charlotte's face spoke volumes on that score, but then the girl's question sobered her.

"It was just over three months ago. He was quite ill, and died at home after suffering quite some time. I remained at his side day and night until the end. It was the least I could do." Oh yes, the very least. None would know the truth if Charlotte could help it, and so she wore the expression of the crestfallen widow. Her voice had the tone of a woman almost lost in grief, but fighting her way back to life. "There are still days when I return home and a greeting for him is on my lips. Then I remember he is gone and the emptiness returns." A weak smile that did not reach her eyes was turned upon the girl, but it was ghostly and disappeared just as quickly as it had come. "I am not home much anymore, preferring to stay out as much as possible in an effort to ... live on in his place."

[November Jaymes]

"I know" she said with a slight smile appearing over there are places here only one who's born in France, or accompanied by someone from France can see. "Sadly I wasn't born here, my parents moved away a bit too soon for that, but my mum has took me to some places only the French can see. But I doubt she's took me to all of them, so why don't you try taking me to one of them? If my memory serves me correctly, my mum hasn't taken me to many places around here, mostly places from her home town, so I'm sure we could find a place around here you could show me".

November listened as Charlotte told her story over her deceased loved one. it sounded very sad to November, she didn't think she would ever cope very well in losing someone dear to her, so it was making her admire Charlotte for seeming so brave and strong to continue on so soon after the death. "I admire your strength to keep on going, to be out and living on" she said, voicing some of her thoughts. "I'm November by the way..." she added thinking it about time the two exchanged names.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

"I think I know a perfect spot." Another smile was offered to the younger female. She was a pretty girl, Charlotte had to give her credit there. Part Veela, by the look of her. Likely on the mother's side. Not bad breeding either judging by her appearance. A decently wealthy family, the girl is well dressed and groomed. Though she would benefit greatly from some language lessons. Charlotte continued to muse in her head a little while before speaking again.

"It is not so easy as it may appear, ma chère. There are many days that I wonder if I should even bother living. If perhaps it would be better just to have a sip of poison and never again wake. Then I look at a painting of him at my bedside and again find the strength to rise, dress and go on with life." The tangled webs we weave, but it isn't as though she was lying outright. Bending the truth considerably, yes, but not breaking it. An inward smirk. Lies had certainly served her well in life.

[November Jaymes]

November smiled when the woman had said she knows a perfect spot she could take her. "Awesome" she said while smiling that little bit more. November got to her feet, and waited for Charlotte to lead the way to where this perfect spot is located.

"Oh I can imagine it's not easy" she replied sincerely, "but you must always keep on going. No matter how hard it gets". November went silent and listened as Charlotte mentioned the painting that helps her to keep on rising. She smiled a little, almost in a sad way as she felt for Charlotte. November felt so much admiration for the older woman, to go on as strong as she seemed to be doing.

"So, where is this perfect place you know?" she asked, going for a subject change away from the painful, sad topic for Charlotte.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

For a few moments Charlotte walked along with the girl in silence. It was her preferred state, as talking seemed a waste of time generally. But at the girl's question, the older blonde smiled again. "It is a place away from the city. And a place very few Parisians ever go, unless invited." Since there was no reason to hide herself from her companion, Charlotte extended a hand, flicked her fingers in an odd fashion, and within moments an expensive black car had pulled up. "That is, if you don't mind accompanying me. If you would like to inform your parents first, that is perfectly fine." The chauffeur held the back door while Charlotte awaited the girl's response.

[ Click for OOC Comment ]

In case you're wondering (since you might've seen the other topics this character is in), Charlotte's not trying to seduce November. Charlotte is like this in general, but when she's on the hunt, her prey tends to know it. She isn't shy about her desires, and "children" are never on her menu. lol

[November Jaymes]

"Inform my parents?" she repeated then went silent for a moment before bursting out laughing. "How young do I look?" she asked, then smiled somewhat fondly at the idea she possibly still looked so young. So young as in about fifteen or sixteen. "I'm nineteen, I don't really need to inform my parents about anything. Not unless I'm not going to return home to them, then I'd have to inform them so they wouldn't worry I've gone missing or anything"

November didn't think she wouldn't be returning home this evening, so without another word; she hopped into the back of the car and waited for Charlotte to join her.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

The girl's laugh made Charlotte smile in all sincerity - a feat in and of itself, so rare it was. It wasn't merely the sound itself, but the emotion behind it. Perhaps this child wasn't so thickheaded after all. Not terribly clever, to be certain, but still ... there seemed at least one dim light on in the attic. And that was enough for Charlotte ... for now.

The small woman slid in without so much as a glance at the driver, and took a seat in the deceivingly large interior of the vehicle. "Since you are, as you say, 19, I trust you enjoy a glass once in awhile? And if you have not yet, then let us enjoy a little treat."

Leaning forward she opened a hidden fridge door and pulled out two chilled whisky glasses, as well as a fat bottle of amber liquid. It was not from France, as the foreign writing indicated. Charlotte poured each of them a measure of the poison, then replaced the cap, put it back in the fridge, and handed a glass to November.

"Only sip it, or it will burn. But if you drink it slowly you will notice the subtle hints of various fruits. It is a very sweet drink, provided you don't rush it." Charlotte raised her glass to the girl, then drank from it and smiled.

[November Jaymes]

November watched as Charlotte slid into the back of the car, and watched and listened as the older woman spoke about drinking. While giving a slow nod of her head, she said "erm, yeah... Sure" but didn't sound very sure. As it was November had only ever drank alcohol twice, and that was for her eighteenth birthday and Christmas last year. "I had wine and beer on my eighteenth and some champaign last Christmas.... If that counts?"

November watched everything Charlotte was doing with the drinks, and when November seen it was whiskey the two women would be drinking, the young Veela's face screwed up slightly in disgust. "My father drinks this stuff" not the brand, just whiskey in general she meant. "I've never tasted it myself, but it doesn't smell very nice".

When offered her glass November took it and listened to the instructions. She watched as Charlotte sipped her own, then November looked into her own glass not looking entirely sure she wanted to try whiskey, the smell was enough to put the girl off. "Well, I always say to myself I'll try anything once....." and with that she took a sip of the amber substance and swallowed it easily.

It did burn going down, even though she did as she was told and only took a sip. November coughed a little from the burn and taste, it seemed she didn't enjoy it, but really it wasn't that bad. Her face had screwed up a little as the drink went down, but once it was down her face slowly went back to normal. "Hm... It's not that bad actually..." she said then went for another sip.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

An amused smile played at the corners of Charlotte's lips as she watched the girl have her first drink of whiskey. "It is from Ireland. They are, I believe, the original whiskey makers. And this substance from any other country is but a pale and bitter copy of the forefather."

The elder blonde took another small sip and pursed her lips together in pleasure of the taste. "Mmm ... there is nothing quite like it in the world."

Then her eyes settled on the girl again. "If you can tolerate that disgusting swill called 'beer', then you should be able to appreciate just about anything else. Especially since everything is better than beer." There were certain other words Charlotte would have liked using to describe that particular hops brew, but she was a lady and would not use such language. At least not in the presence of anyone else.

[November Jaymes]

An innocent sort of curious look filled the young Veela's features, when she heard what the older woman had to say over beer. After taking another small sip of the whiskey -and coughing a little in the process from the burn-, she asked "I take it you really aren't a fan of the drink then?"

November rather liked certain beers, she'd only ever tasted/tried about five albeit, but still, those five were pretty d*am tasty. Beer would probably be a drink November would frequently drink in the future if she ever started to pub hop with her friends. She knew not everyone would like beer, like everyone wouldn't like vodka, or wine, or scotch or whiskey. Everyone has their own tastes.

"How come you don't like the drink?" she asked, her curiosity still showing while she braved another sip of the strong beverage, a larger one this time. "It's not that bad you know, I haven't much experience with drinking, but I have tried a few beers, it's not that bad... Neither's this" she added, then finished her words off while looking into her almost empty glass of whiskey.

[Charlotte de Valmont]

"Oh, I suppose beer is fine, if you enjoy the finer qualities of horse urine." Charlotte's nose screwed up at the very thought. "I have been raised on wine. And by the time I was a teenager, the poisons were decidedly more puissant. The higher the quality of the beverage, however, the better the taste. Perhaps the same could be said for beer, but my own dabblings with that particular drink have never impressed me."

Looking out the window a moment she realized they had nearly arrived at her Villa. Green lawns spread for unseen distances, dotted with a thick woodland at the farthest edge of horizon. The drive had become cobblestone, the way Charlotte felt all roads still ought to be. And in the middle distance a very large building was taking shape.

"It looks as though we have nearly arrived. Tell me, November, do you ride?"