France, June-July, 1919.

[teachyouwhoiam]

They traveled through Belgium rather quickly, meandering southward (and away from Pas-de-Calais for reasons Carlisle never truly enunciates). The first city of any major import Edward and Carlisle pass closely to is Reims, about eighty miles outside of Paris

Comments

[iwouldfollowyou]

The damage to the city is obvious. The bombardment has left it's marks everywhere, as well as the open firing from both sides. The further into Europe the more it is impossible to find spots that are not tracks of the recent turn of history.

"We could see the cathedral on all the posters," Edward surmised, evenly.

[teachyouwhoiam]

"We almost have to."

It's important. No matter how much Carlisle will regret having to see such a beautiful construction as he remembers the Reims cathedral to be in such disrepair and wounded so.

They haven't found a room for the night (they've been traveling more and more lately), but Carlisle finds a storekeeper with some spare room and overpays him to keep their small bags off in a corner for the evening.

[iwouldfollowyou]

"It's not as though we have to have one." The room. "We haven't stayed anywhere longer than a day and half in the last week."

Edward had inquired for directions with a look of respectfully youthful interest that has become easier to slip toward when having to interact with people who are not Carlisle -- at least for the few minutes he has to.

It's a bit of way, but it's not like that ever bothers them.

[teachyouwhoiam]

Carlisle shrugs, letting Edward lead towards the cathedral. I get annoyed with carrying the bags. It's a prop Carlisle tires of, even if he recognizes its usefulness.

The hospitals are on the other side of the city. Carlisle notes this and moves on.

Edward and Carlisle would be far more conspicuous if people had time to care who they were. Everyone has their own business to mind, their own damage to repair.

[iwouldfollowyou]

"We could leave them," Edward offered, even as he stepped to the side to let a man, much more wrapped wrapped up in his destination and his worries, pass between them. He didn't even think except to move, as Carlisle would still hear him even were he across the streets.

[teachyouwhoiam]

We'll need them whenever we head back to the US.

A sideways glance at Edward.

"You haven't seen my pack rat side yet."

[iwouldfollowyou]

Eyebrows rose.

"Is it terrifying?"

[teachyouwhoiam]

"Oh you have no idea."

As they continue to walk towards the cathedral, Carlisle starts to run through a clinical inventory of the storage unit he keeps in Western New York. Paintings, obsolete medical equipment, first editions of books that have monetary value if not necessarily sentimental --

It's a stark difference to the threadbare apartments and hotels Carlisle has been inhabiting for the past several years, and before he turned Edward.

The cathedral is coming up, one more left turn.

[iwouldfollowyou]

"At least you have taste." It's tart, with a smirk.

[teachyouwhoiam]

"That is debateable."

The cathedral itself has been bombed and shelled. Windows are shattered and it makes Carlisle's palms itch for the capacity to fix it. He's better suited for it anyway, never tiring, he could just work and work --

They are mostly worthless here, but Carlisle slips a five-franc note in the collection box as he walks inside.

[iwouldfollowyou]

Edward walked through staring at the weathered structure, a pale imitation of the glory he keeps seeing coming in and out of Carlisle's thought at times when Carlisle is looking at it. The breathtaking work of so many lifetimes tattered asunder in the work of minutes and seconds.

It is the perfect posture piece to use.

His fingers graze benches edging and beams still standing.

Even in the midst they carry one, they all carrying on, they have to.

[teachyouwhoiam]

They've been having mass here. The thought makes Carlisle smile stubbornly, as though the people of the city are still getting their own way despite the destruction of it all.

Carlisle genuflects towards the replaced crucifix at the altar when he passes it, still taking everything in.

[iwouldfollowyou]

Edward looked away giving Carlisle whatever little he might want for that moment, even though he doesn't follow in his foot steps. The stained glass is in bits and pieces, all but microscopic shards still lingering in things, steals his brief attention.

Stain glass in sunlight. When was the last time he'd seen that?

How long would it be before this place saw it again?

Eventually Edward ambles somewhere nearer to Carlisle again, falling into step not exactly at his side as he was still being distracted by the small details of what was left of it's original face before the marring.

[teachyouwhoiam]

It'll get better.

Carlisle's bitterness in Zwolle -- no treaties, only ceasefires -- applies in the opposite direction as well.

They rebuild. If they're smart, they'll rebuild to original designs. The framework is still sound.

[iwouldfollowyou]

"The present will put its face on it, too," Edward said, quietly, respectful of the location even if there was a necessity so much to be overly silent.

[teachyouwhoiam]

"Of course."

It always does.

Carlisle makes his way back to how they had entered, mentally scrolling through
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
a closure to his thoughts on the church as they leave.