sixwordstories | (no subject)

What is over?

*sits with his head in his hands, gripping his hair. Thickly* Everything.

*She moves to him and sits down next to him.* There is a new beginning in every end.

*shakes head, keeping his face hidden* No. Not after this. *releases a shuddering breath* The Opera House has burned to the ground. There's nothing left.

I know how much the Opera House means to you, but there can be no other Opera House for you? *She speaks lightly, very softly.*

The Gendarmes would never allow it.

I am truly sorry, how did the House burn?

I... I released the chandelier. The stage caught fire and - *shakes head* - It had to be done.

[ooc: movie!verse :D]

Why would you destroy something you loved so much?

[ooc: gottcha :)]

*doesn't look at her* I love Christine more.

*Is a little confused.* Did you burn down the Opera House because you love this Christine more?

*nods and tries to wipe the soot from his face with the sleeve of his shirt* I had no other choice.

What....

Dude, what happened?!

*sitting with one knee propped up, face hidden in the crook of his elbow, one hand gripping his hair. Swallows heavily* The Populaire is gone.

Oh god.

*lightly touches his hair* What happened? What happens now?

*shakes head helplessly* I don't know. I don't - Nothing. There is nothing.

Oh god. I'm so sorry.

*sighs, dropping down to one knee*

We can figure something out. How'd it happen?

*simply, with conviction* It burned.

*continues to stroke his hair* What do you plan to do? Where are you staying?

*shudders slightly at the touch, a sympathetic feeling of disgust on her behalf. Shrugs, careful to keep his dirtied face hidden from view* I intend to-to leave France. I do not... Perhaps I shall make my way to Africa. I have had my fill of Eastern cultures, enough to last a lifetime.

Damn. I get to Europe and there you go taking off. *tones light, trying to be upbeat*

What will you do there?

It is difficult to say. Anything is better than being imprisoned at La Conciergerie. *shudders* They will put my head on display after they have the pleasure of removing it.

*hands freezes against his hair* You didn't... I mean, you aren't responsible... Did you?

*carefully turns his head to look at her before turning away with a dark frown* Would it matter?

Only in the sense I would ask why you're sitting here moping when you got what you wanted. Might ask if anyone got dead but that's about it.

*angrily* It was not what I wanted!

Shhhh. Calm down. Babe, you know I'm not judging. Just take a deep breath and calm. *fights not to step back*

*climbs to his feet, his back to her and stomps ahead, stopping a few feet away from her. If he'd been alone he'd be pacing like a beast caught in the trap. Breathing heavily, trying to control his temper* It was never supposed to be this way. None of this was supposed to happen.

*jumps back with a small yelp, flinching that she'd shown that fear*

I never said you did. I don't think you did. What happened?

*glances over his left shoulder, frowning deeper* You... You are the same as them. You are the same as that boy and his confederates.

Huh?

*she made a face, confused*

You've lost me. What? What boy? Who? What did I do other than try and help?

The pious fop that Christine is to... *turns away, shoulders slumping* marry. You think me a monster, just as he does. *thickly* As they both do.

BULLSHIT!

*storms around him to stand where he has to look at her unless he turns away again*

That's bullshit and you know it. I came to Paris to see you. I don't think anything bad about you but that you need to stop with the goddamn drugs but you know I think that!

Yeah, you scared me when you jumped up like that. Hello! I was a kidnap victim once. Hit and mistreated and I'm freaking gunshy but people afraid of you? Don't give you massages and stroke your hair. Not in my world, Buddy.

*a hand rushes up to cover his face* Get away from me! *backs away from her, intending to storm out but... he has nowhere to go*

Stop that!

*sighs but turns away, her back towards him*

Fine. Does that make you happy? You're my friend, dammit, so stop acting like I'm suddenly going to hate you.

*frowns, his hand still covering the right side of his face, studying her. Releases a shuddering breath* ...You will and I would rather not bear witness to it when you do.

*rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest though he can't see the irritated look on her face*

Believe whatever you want but calling me a liar isn't very nice. I've watched you shoot up, stood at the top of those stairs after you basically threatened to abandon my ass in those tunnels and I've had you yell at me before. You just basically admitted to arson and I'm still standing here going... Hey, can I help and you don't trust me.

I'm sticking out my tongue at you though you can't see it.

*turns so that only his left side is visible to her and leans his back against the wall, sliding down it to sit on the floor again, one leg stretched out in front of him, the other knee propped up and supporting his arm* Then why do you not? Hate me, I mean. You have more than enough reasons to.

*looks back over her shoulder at him but doesn't turn*

Because you need a friend more than you need an enemy, even if you're determined to try and make me one just to prove yourself right.

*rubs a hand over his eyes, swallowing heavily* ... Thank you.

You're thanking me for yelling at you? *turns a bit more towards him* You're welcome, even if you are being a pain in the ass.

*offers her a small albeit bitter smile* I would rather have you yell at me than be afraid of me.

I'm going to be afraid sometimes. Suck it up. It's just not... I'm not afraid of you because of who you are. I'm sometimes afraid because of what I've been through. Not the same thing.

*nods* Yes, I understand. I am just so angry with-with myself... I have ruined everything and - *glances at her* I did not mean to remind you of those people. Forgive me.

No need to forgive you. That's all me and not you. *staying to his left, Lucy moved closer and sat down.

There has to be another life for you. Is there anything I can do to help?

No, I could not risk placing you in such danger. The French authorities do not take kindly to helping criminals.

Oh please. I'm not worried. I should be but I'm sort of over watching the good people hurting. Are you sure there's nothing I can do?