The Parade [for Aramis]

[vicioussweetie]

Ali stood a little ways back from the crowds lining the street edging Thomas Park, watching the children dance along to the music. They were certainly enthusiastically Irish for the moment. Ali's own obvious credentials had made getting to the park a challenge, as just about everybody wanted to have a celebratory kiss. And the less said about

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[discreet_valour]

*Enfin! Out of the house at last, and looking almost Celtic himself with the ludicrously sized plastic beaker of green beer in one of those delicate hands - and let's not even talk about the big felt shamrock some cheerful lady has managed to stick behind his ear - her companion is looking rather more himself for the first time in a week or so. His fashionably pale cheeks are pink with the outside air*

It is...it is... *For a moment he grapples for the words, making gestures with his free hand* ...I have not seen anything quite like it! *And he beams* Thankyou for bringing me!

[vicioussweetie]

Ali thinks he looks quite charming with the big shamrock, and the beer is easily forgiven. She's carrying the same, though she's not drinking any of it.

"You're welcome! I'm glad you felt up to coming with us today. Otherwise I would have had to carry you."

[discreet_valour]

*Aramis has drunk almost half of his. It's going to be a race to see what gets him first: the alcohol or the E numbers in the food colouring.*

You would do that - for me? *the dark eyes rwinkle at her* Madame, I would be a terrible burden.

[vicioussweetie]

"Nah," she teases, snaking an arm around his waist companionably, "you're a skinny little thing. And friends are never a burden."

[discreet_valour]

*He flashes those white teeth in a beautiful, winning smile, and looks up as a shower of shamrock confetti drifts past them both, catching in his hair*

Merveilleux! ["Marvellous!"]

*His own arm moves rapidly - what, is he touching her? Blink and you'd miss that smooth movement - to curl about her in return. He's obviously got his assurance back in spades*

I cannot tell you how fortunate I have been to find a clever friend like you.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali leans contentedly against his side, pleased beyond measure at these signs of his recovery. The children, meanwhile, are pleased with the candy being thrown down to them from riders on the floats. Let's hope they still like lime lollies next week. "No? And here I thought you were so good with words. Ah well, I shall content myself with the knowledge you find me clever."

[discreet_valour]

*Aramis already has a whole pocket full of lime lollies - and sugar shamrocks - and chocolate leprechauns. The alcohol is probably out-E-numbered. Heaven help anyone who wants to sleep tonight in the Trainer household between Aramis and the children.*

Have you not realised that true beauty is the victor over even the most powerful and skilled of wordsmiths? *his smile has permeated his voice: Ali chose well in getting him outside again*

[vicioussweetie]

Well, if he's still up, he can go out to the bars with her that night. having someone like him around will certainly make fending off most of her would-be suitors easier.

"And here I thought beauty was inspiration. If I have been slaying that I have sought to create, I would be best a hermit who would cause no harm."

[discreet_valour]

*Aramis is good at putting off would-be suitors. Apparently having a ridiculously beautiful boyfriend can be a great deterrant to those gentlemen less blessed with pulchritude.*

Ah, cherie, but words are just the frame around the painting which is inspiration itself.

*...it's probably the first time he has called her that, and he hasn't even seemed to realise he's done it.*

[vicioussweetie]

There is something just so...so French about that, it makes her a little weak-kneed. "And what is the painting, then, that must go so sadly unframed while you cannot find your words?"

[discreet_valour]

*He stops in the street, just as a float carrying a figure of the saint himself goes past, the statue wreathed in paper chains and blasting out a cheerful Irish reel, and brings her round so he can face her and look at her, smiling.*

She is a landscape, a beautiful country, oui? Every time one goes back to her, there are more petits détails ["little details"] to see, depending upon mood. Some days you must focus only on her sky, with its little birds. Other days you can think only of where the paths among the green hills lead. Perhaps you will stand back and admire her from a distance. Or perhaps you will want to move close, so close, to see the very marks where the painter's brush has passed. *he gives a slight, very Gallic shrug* But you see? That is all the words I have...

[vicioussweetie]

If she were slightly more given to swooning, she wouldn't have made it through that speech. Fortunately for them both, she's made of sterner stuff. But she is still blushing. "I think they're very fine words, and surely kinder than any painting deserves."

[discreet_valour]

*Quite right! Lesser women have swooned in the past. It startled Aramis the first time it happened, but it's been a few years now and he's rather got used to the effect he has on the unwary or the simpering. He likes to see her blush - he thinks it's charming*

Vous ne pouvez pas être trop aimable avec l'inspiration. ["You can't be too kind to inspiration"] Don't be unkind to yourself, madame.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali darts a glance at the children, in part to give herself a moment's respite. Too much Aramis is not good for her, she's thinking. She'll get all starry-eyed and romantic again. "And what unkindness have I done myself, darling?"

[discreet_valour]

*Too much Aramis is rarely good for any woman, especially the romantically inclined. It's like chocolate - everything in moderation or you find yourself sickening for something.*

You have decided what you think you deserve is all you should have! *he takes a drink of possibly-radioactive beer and smiles over the lip of the cup* I beg to differ, cherie, I beg to differ.

[vicioussweetie]

"And you're allowed to do so as much as you like," she allows generously, "if you think you can change my mind."