(Untitled)

[priorlives]

Prior always faced the change in weather with dread. One of the blessings of the island was that the climate was overall good for his immune system. He'd had bronchitis on the island once, and pneumonia another time, both during that small window of winter.

And as soon as he saw the real change that the island had undergone - the time period in

Comments

[unbellegeste]

Marie has been shopping--indulging a sudden interest in vintage fashion she hadn't been aware was lurking. Apparently being in London, even London of the past, makes her a bit stereotypically Parisian.

So she's contemplating her gloves, and paying attention to the way the snow crunches underneath her boots, when she hears the coughing, and looks up to see a man a few paces ahead have to stop and lean against the wall.

"Monsieur," she says gently, picking up the fallen hat to offer it to him. "Are you all right?"

[priorlives]

Prior got ahold of himself just as she approached, and managed to straighten up, offering the French woman a little smile. "Ça va bien," he said, his accent not bad for an American who hadn't actually been to France, and then took the hat. "Thank you."

[unbellegeste]

Marie offers him her arm anyway, though it might just be because it's what one does, when one is dressed up like this. She can't be entirely sure what's just the clothes and the atmosphere, at this point. "It's cold," she says sympathetically. "So sudden, it's hard to get used to, yes?"

[priorlives]

"Yeah, it is," Prior admitted. "I think I should... sit down for a second. Do you mind?" They were standing in front of a church, conveniently, and he nodded to the doorway.

[unbellegeste]

"Of course," she says, and it looks like it might be warmer inside, anyway. "It can't hurt to go in. And the inside is probably worth seeing." Because the city may be dirty, but the architecture is amazing.

[priorlives]

Prior didn't think he was probably on the angels' good side these days, but he didn't think he'd burst into flames or anything. He pushed through the doorway, walking with the cane though not with difficulty, and dropped into the nearest pew. It really was kind of beautiful inside.

[unbellegeste]

A flutter of motion from one corner; the vicar pokes his half-corporeal head out of a door toward the front of the nave and then ducks back in again when neither of them seem to require his services. Marie leans lightly against the side of the pew, just looking around.

"A little better?" she asks after a moment.

[priorlives]

"Yes," he said. "Thank you." He offered her a smile, with a hint of sheepishness. "I'm Prior."

[unbellegeste]

She smiles too, offering him a gloved hand. "Marie," she says, just as sheepish. "Enchante."

[priorlives]

"Enchante," Prior repeated. "So you're French, clearly - but more modern, or is this closer to home for you?"

[unbellegeste]

Marie shakes her head, nearly dislodging the small silk hat perched there. "A lot more modern, I'm a twenty-first century girl. But something about the atmosphere--and the wardrobe--I guess I'm getting into character. What about you? When and where?"

And she's still not entirely used to asking the when question all the time.

[priorlives]

"New York," said Prior. "Early eighties." He smiled at her. "I always wanted to go to Paris. I studied French in school for years, had some big dreams that never quite got off the ground."

[unbellegeste]

"I would have been a little girl, if you'd gone then," Marie muses. "I think we all have dreams that don't happen. If something doesn't come along at just the right moment and give you courage, I think they all fall away."

[priorlives]

"That sounds about right," said Prior. "What about you? Big dreams to live on a tropical island?"

[unbellegeste]

"Actually, yes." Marie's mouth might twitch at the corner, just a little. "I thought I could set up my own little banana republic. Then I found out being a dictator is a lot of work, and stopped being interested."

[priorlives]

Prior laughed. "It probably is. Though being the dictator of this place wouldn't involve much, would it."