[ ”Leave it to Himeno to already have a date lined up!”
The woman laughs to herself at the memory of her coworker’s teasing. True, she ought to be suffering from jet-lag like the rest of her team — the trip from Tokyo to Paris is a long one, to be sure. And yet, Himeno would rather spend the handful of days when they aren’t on the job taking in all that she can. The sounds of tourists, foreign tongues, and street musicians. She wants to people-watch, the well-dressed ladies and debonair men on their way to somewhere special, surely, somewhere entirely separate from her. When will she ever get the chance to exist like this again? Like a phantom in a city she will never know, amongst people who won’t even register her face in their memories.
It’s wonderfully melancholic, the freedom to be anyone and no one at all, if only for a single evening with a man who would enjoy her company without the expectation of sex afterwards. Now, that would shock her coworkers! She doesn’t share that detail with them. Himeno doesn’t need to— off the clock, her life is her life, and she’ll always welcome the unexpected and refreshing. All they need to know is that she would be “back whenever;” she has the number of the hotel, taxi fare, and a light jacket. And everyone knows she never goes anywhere without a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, though this time the brand is French and not her usual Japanese go-to.
She arrives at the small establishment in a very flattering frock, appropriate for the unusually warm evening. She can clean up nicely! It certainly earned her plenty of stares on the métro and the short walk to the bistro. Well, Himeno is a pretty lady and knows it! And, as promised, her hair is delightfully tousled— though sadly from a siesta rather than a pre-dinner romp.
As she strolls up to the entrance, Himeno notices Michel immediately. He is, by far, the most dashing man her eye can see. The glow of the street lamps cast delicious shadows across his visage, and when she boldly wraps her arms around one of his, she can catch the alluring scent of cologne. Himeno almost feels bad for any man who isn’t him, tonight, but she is absolutely happy to be a source of envy, too— how lucky she is!]
Evening, Michel! Hope you weren’t waiting too long. [She grins up at him.] Though if you were, I bet someone would have tried to snap you up already!
I’m ready to start some rumors. Shall we?
this was an amazing tag, i'm almost sorry to go in drabble mode.
She doesn’t exactly remind him of his ex-wife, but her weight against his arm and her effortless elegance definitely brings back memories. He smiles at her, wide and warm, as she asks whether he’s ready to start rumours. Ah, young woman, he thinks, can’t you see the waiters through the windows? The rumours have already started!
“That shouldn’t take much,” he replies, leaning down to kiss her cheek, then leading her towards the entrance, pushing the door open, the creaking of the hinges announcing them effectively, “when you look so lovely, Himeno.”
Monsieur Laurent, a waiter greets them. And mademoiselle.
you’re too kind :) let’s go for as long as it’s comfortable and we can always switch back
As they cross the threshold, Himeno can immediately feel the intimacy of her companion’s favorite establishment. The decor is tasteful, with beautifully upholstered seating and large, elegant mirrors adorning the walls.
When she glimpses her reflection, she swells with pride at what a handsome pair she and Michel make. A few other patrons give them raised eyebrows— or rather, they give Michel such looks, but it’s more amusing than troubling. No one would dare say anything to an esteemed guest.
Before taking her seat, Himeno returns the kiss from earlier, dangerously close to Michel’s lips, and laughs sweetly.
Edited (Header got cut off— meant to say we can switch back whenever we feel like it!) 2023-04-08 06:23 (UTC)
we'll see how long we can keep it up and then just go back to full-length tags!
He lets Himeno take the lead regarding their game of deception, pressing the side of his face against her lips and feeling an urge to tousle her hair more – ah, if nothing else, women have an intuition for these sorts of things, don’t they? Seating himself opposite her, he lets the waiter present the menu, the man professional to a fault, no surprises there.
Once he’s left them to consider, promising to bring the usual pick of wine, Michel gestures with one hand at his guest, “You can choose whatever you feel like. But the mackerel is good, my recommendation.”
sounds perfect! i always appreciate an exercise in self-restraint haha
“I’ll go with the mackerel then! I trust your tastes.” Flattery will get her everywhere, no? “I don’t usually let my companions order for me, but I’m happy to make the exception for you, Michel.” She draws out his name affectionately. Himeno enjoys his smiles, and she’ll try to see as many of them as she can tonight.
“Tell me— how many lovers do you think there are in this city? I hear it’s the most romantic place in the world.” The smirk playing on her lips leaves it up to him whether or not she believes it.
Her question amuses him, and he lets it show while gesturing, across half the bistro, for the head waiter to give him two times the usual, he has a guest with great taste. The man nods once, and leaves to give his compliments to the chef. Michel, meanwhile, turns his attention on Himeno. Until the wine comes, her entertainment is his responsibility. After that, who’s to say what will entertain her more – his old anecdotes or a better vintage!
“No one keeps count, Himeno,” he says her name like a particularly delicious biscuit, “because Paris makes lovers out of everyone.”
A curious smile spreads across her lips. “And how many times would you say Paris has made a lover out of you?”
She wants to know, truly! How many times had he been completely besotted with another, how often did he have to nurse the wounds left by the jagged edges of a heart broken? He’s enjoyed far more years than Himeno has; the silver in his hair and wisdom in his eyes attesting to a life that undoubtedly evolved with the ever-changing desires of the heart.
Before Michel gets the opportunity to reply, their waiter returns, wine in hand.
The motions; the waiter presenting the wine, pouring a glass for approval, then a glass for Himeno. It's a natural pause to their conversation. Once they’re alone, however, Michel purses his lips, considers.
“Certainly, it depends on your definition. I have been with many, first my wife for twenty years – who didn’t exactly make a lover out of me, but a man… After her, a few longer relationships, though most short-lived.” He takes a small sip of wine, it’s delicious. “Yet, a single season can make you the lover you were always meant to be, yes? With the right person.”
“It all comes down to that ‘right person,’ huh?” When Himeno laughs, there’s a wistfulness that creeps through. Her fingers curl around the delicate stem of the wine glass. “Twenty years, though— that’s quite the commitment to someone. Was it nice, at least? In the beginning, I mean.”
Marriage is supposed to be forever, but Himeno has enough sense in her to know that ‘forever’ is a beautiful dream promised to no one. But it’s the hope in the vows spoken, the belief that ‘maybe we can be the exception, this time’— that must be intoxicating enough to just try.
Michel doesn’t deal in illusions, he’s too much of a pessimist, according to some. He doesn’t draw beautiful buildings, like Julien, or play cadenzas like Elio. Lawyers say things directly, and although he does hate his job, that at least he has learned from it.
So, he smiles, “We married because she was pregnant, and my family reputation couldn’t bear a bastard. Avril made it a passable twenty years, but little more than that, and we were both relieved to be free of it, when it ended.”
Lifting his glass, he toasts Himeno. Let it never be you, it means.
"Michel!" A teasing grin plays upon Himeno's lips. "A shotgun wedding? I never would have guessed it!"
Two decades of a passionless fire burning seems as if it would leave little behind in the bitterness and ashes. Michel, like many others, found himself tethered by obligation before the true flames could illuminate the way to happiness.
Himeno can't say that she is so different. But her flames are fed by desperate obsession, and she'd be lucky to have another five years, let alone twenty.
"To happier seasons, and fulfilling loves!" She raises her own glass in turn, wanting to believe.
”Or with the right love, just one more season,” he returns her toast, drinking before continuing, thoughtfully, “it’s not the amount of time we get, Himeno. It’s to make every day count. Sounds trite, but it’s true!”
The waiter returns with their order, the plates embellished with vegetables and a light sauce, along with the fish itself. Michel takes a moment to enjoy the visual of it. If nothing else, he’s learned from his father to indulge in anything that might bring him pleasure.
Looking up at her, he picks up his fork. “And what will this day count for?”
"I'll definitely toast to that!" The wine is utterly delicious upon her tongue, and Himeno takes a longer sip than what is probably polite. Ahh, but she can't help herself when tasty alcohol is involved. Fortunately, the food arrives just in time for her to temper her drinking.
"I'll count today as one of my favorites, since I'm getting to dine with a beautiful man." There's a glimmer in her eye, mischievous but honest. "I'd love it if you can enjoy it like I do!"
Himeno is delighted by the presentation of the fish, and tucks in without further ado.
He watches her attack her food with all the zest he’s come to associate with her, though it can be hard to tell what pleases him the most, seeing the food being enjoyed or seeing her enjoy it. At her comment, he smiles, half-amused and retorts, “yes, I too favour days dining with beautiful men,” though his tone makes it evident it’s a joke.
Slowly, he begins cutting up his own fish, sipping his wine throughout to clean his palate. Like he wants each bite to taste its best. After a moment, thoughtfully, “I enjoy people who indulge me, Himeno.”
It's an amusing contrast, isn't it, the manner in which the two of them approach their meals. Himeno boldly helps herself to another glass of wine, the apples of her cheeks already kissed with pink and daring to flush even further as their dinner continues.
"What do you know-- I like people who indulge me, too!" She leans forward, reaching across the table to brush her fingers against Michel's. "But that's what we're here for, right? To open our hearts just a little bit more, and see if we can't fulfill a wish or two of ours along the way."
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no subject
The woman laughs to herself at the memory of her coworker’s teasing. True, she ought to be suffering from jet-lag like the rest of her team — the trip from Tokyo to Paris is a long one, to be sure. And yet, Himeno would rather spend the handful of days when they aren’t on the job taking in all that she can. The sounds of tourists, foreign tongues, and street musicians. She wants to people-watch, the well-dressed ladies and debonair men on their way to somewhere special, surely, somewhere entirely separate from her. When will she ever get the chance to exist like this again? Like a phantom in a city she will never know, amongst people who won’t even register her face in their memories.
It’s wonderfully melancholic, the freedom to be anyone and no one at all, if only for a single evening with a man who would enjoy her company without the expectation of sex afterwards. Now, that would shock her coworkers! She doesn’t share that detail with them. Himeno doesn’t need to— off the clock, her life is her life, and she’ll always welcome the unexpected and refreshing. All they need to know is that she would be “back whenever;” she has the number of the hotel, taxi fare, and a light jacket. And everyone knows she never goes anywhere without a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, though this time the brand is French and not her usual Japanese go-to.
She arrives at the small establishment in a very flattering frock, appropriate for the unusually warm evening. She can clean up nicely! It certainly earned her plenty of stares on the métro and the short walk to the bistro. Well, Himeno is a pretty lady and knows it! And, as promised, her hair is delightfully tousled— though sadly from a siesta rather than a pre-dinner romp.
As she strolls up to the entrance, Himeno notices Michel immediately. He is, by far, the most dashing man her eye can see. The glow of the street lamps cast delicious shadows across his visage, and when she boldly wraps her arms around one of his, she can catch the alluring scent of cologne. Himeno almost feels bad for any man who isn’t him, tonight, but she is absolutely happy to be a source of envy, too— how lucky she is!]
Evening, Michel! Hope you weren’t waiting too long. [She grins up at him.] Though if you were, I bet someone would have tried to snap you up already!
I’m ready to start some rumors. Shall we?
this was an amazing tag, i'm almost sorry to go in drabble mode.
“That shouldn’t take much,” he replies, leaning down to kiss her cheek, then leading her towards the entrance, pushing the door open, the creaking of the hinges announcing them effectively, “when you look so lovely, Himeno.”
Monsieur Laurent, a waiter greets them. And mademoiselle.
you’re too kind :) let’s go for as long as it’s comfortable and we can always switch back
When she glimpses her reflection, she swells with pride at what a handsome pair she and Michel make. A few other patrons give them raised eyebrows— or rather, they give Michel such looks, but it’s more amusing than troubling. No one would dare say anything to an esteemed guest.
Before taking her seat, Himeno returns the kiss from earlier, dangerously close to Michel’s lips, and laughs sweetly.
we'll see how long we can keep it up and then just go back to full-length tags!
Once he’s left them to consider, promising to bring the usual pick of wine, Michel gestures with one hand at his guest, “You can choose whatever you feel like. But the mackerel is good, my recommendation.”
sounds perfect! i always appreciate an exercise in self-restraint haha
“Tell me— how many lovers do you think there are in this city? I hear it’s the most romantic place in the world.” The smirk playing on her lips leaves it up to him whether or not she believes it.
same, haha!
“No one keeps count, Himeno,” he says her name like a particularly delicious biscuit, “because Paris makes lovers out of everyone.”
no subject
She wants to know, truly! How many times had he been completely besotted with another, how often did he have to nurse the wounds left by the jagged edges of a heart broken? He’s enjoyed far more years than Himeno has; the silver in his hair and wisdom in his eyes attesting to a life that undoubtedly evolved with the ever-changing desires of the heart.
Before Michel gets the opportunity to reply, their waiter returns, wine in hand.
no subject
“Certainly, it depends on your definition. I have been with many, first my wife for twenty years – who didn’t exactly make a lover out of me, but a man… After her, a few longer relationships, though most short-lived.” He takes a small sip of wine, it’s delicious. “Yet, a single season can make you the lover you were always meant to be, yes? With the right person.”
no subject
Marriage is supposed to be forever, but Himeno has enough sense in her to know that ‘forever’ is a beautiful dream promised to no one. But it’s the hope in the vows spoken, the belief that ‘maybe we can be the exception, this time’— that must be intoxicating enough to just try.
no subject
So, he smiles, “We married because she was pregnant, and my family reputation couldn’t bear a bastard. Avril made it a passable twenty years, but little more than that, and we were both relieved to be free of it, when it ended.”
Lifting his glass, he toasts Himeno. Let it never be you, it means.
no subject
Two decades of a passionless fire burning seems as if it would leave little behind in the bitterness and ashes. Michel, like many others, found himself tethered by obligation before the true flames could illuminate the way to happiness.
Himeno can't say that she is so different. But her flames are fed by desperate obsession, and she'd be lucky to have another five years, let alone twenty.
"To happier seasons, and fulfilling loves!" She raises her own glass in turn, wanting to believe.
no subject
The waiter returns with their order, the plates embellished with vegetables and a light sauce, along with the fish itself. Michel takes a moment to enjoy the visual of it. If nothing else, he’s learned from his father to indulge in anything that might bring him pleasure.
Looking up at her, he picks up his fork. “And what will this day count for?”
no subject
"I'll count today as one of my favorites, since I'm getting to dine with a beautiful man." There's a glimmer in her eye, mischievous but honest. "I'd love it if you can enjoy it like I do!"
Himeno is delighted by the presentation of the fish, and tucks in without further ado.
no subject
Slowly, he begins cutting up his own fish, sipping his wine throughout to clean his palate. Like he wants each bite to taste its best. After a moment, thoughtfully, “I enjoy people who indulge me, Himeno.”
no subject
"What do you know-- I like people who indulge me, too!" She leans forward, reaching across the table to brush her fingers against Michel's. "But that's what we're here for, right? To open our hearts just a little bit more, and see if we can't fulfill a wish or two of ours along the way."