(Untitled)

[before_w]

Evey is...

Not as pleased, perhaps, with her new situation as she might have been.

Considering the alternative.

But it is as it is, and he's no guilt for what's done to keep her alive.
Never guilt for anything needed for that. And alive, too.
That does not mean that part of V is not pleased at the distraction provided when he steps into the bar

Comments

[balletrat]

*Well.

It's a little hard not to notice the masked man in a - Pilgrim hat? - walking through the bar.*

I like the hat, *Meg volunteers. She transparently really does, too.*

[before_w]

The--well.

His voice smiles at her as he replies, "Merci, mademoiselle," in a carefully Parisian accent.

[balletrat]

*Meg's eyes brighten - at the French and the careful accent, both.*

Oh magnifique, vous parlez francais, monsieur? C'est bien rare ici - tout le monde parlent anglais, c'est vraiment tragique - not that English isn't a perfectly good language, *she adds, switching back,* but it's just not the same as your native one, vous savez.

[before_w]

"Oui, je sais. Mais c'est une belle langue."

[balletrat]

- francais, ou anglais? *Meg asks, a little warily.

She knows her own opinions on the subject.*

[before_w]

The mask grins.

"All languages, in truth, if used properly, but your people have a gift of turning a phrase with particular skill."

[balletrat]

*The mask is constantly grinning.

Fortunately, Meg's fairly constantly chipper herself, so it doesn't particularly unnerve her.

Smugly:* I wouldn't argue with that. I actually give French lessons around the bar - it's sort of a side job.

[before_w]

"A lady of fair skill as well as fair face. A delight, then, to make your acquaintance."

[balletrat]

Likewise, monsieur!

*Meg feels it's appropriate at this point to dip a curtsey, and, in fact, does so. It's a fairly dramatic one, as curtseys go, and looks like it would be more appropriate on the stage than anywhere else.*

Er - to complete the acquaintance, I should probably tell you my name. Which is Meg Giry. Marguerite, but no one calls me that.

[before_w]

"A lovely name, in either form," he says lightly and returns the curtsey with a bow that's a near match for it in drama.

[balletrat]

Merci beaucoup, *says Meg, who approves of the bow, and is also giggling. Because no one who flatters that outrageously can be serious.*

Marguerite is a little too long for someone my height, though.

[before_w]

"I am certain I could argue that, but I would be very pleased to call you Meg, if it pleased you."

[balletrat]

It most certainly pleases me.

*Meg executes another impressive curtsey. Mostly just because she can.*

And is there something I should call you? It doesn't have to be your name, *she adds, quickly.* I mean, I'm guessing, the mask and the all-in-black, there's a reason for the mystery.

[before_w]

"V will serve," he informs her with a smile in his voice.

"And there is indeed. But I prefer to think of it as showing what matters most."

[balletrat]

*. . . a happy face?*

V it is, then.

*Meg finds herself rather relieved that it's not 'D'.*

And I'm guessing from the way you're not staring at the bar or the display window or the girl in Spandex over there you've been here before -

[before_w]

"A few times, indeed," he confirms.

"It is an intriguing place to pass time."