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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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."