I like mysterious characters, particularly ones which we know next to nothing about. So this is me coming up with the first meeting between Mama Agreste and Gabriel. I settled on the non-canonical Sarah Archange because it sounded biblical like Gabriel, and Raphael is who I think Hawk Moth is. More at the end. For now, enjoy Winter in Paris
Years. Years I spent! All for nothing!"
The knife came up, slashing down through the canvas to cut the smiling face in half. He brought it across, breathing heavily as tears poured down his cheeks. Putting the knife down he picked up the portrait and smashed it to the ground. "Call me a hack, will you? Call me washed up? I am Lucian Aurus, the greatest artist in Paris! The president himself has gazed upon my works, but because of some young upstart… aaargh! Shit!"
He swept an arm across the table, knocking aside the inspirations for his art. The small jewellery box flipped itself open, revealing the contents to a trashed room. Lucian collapsed, weeping into the table.
-S-
Le Balle de Bienfaisance.
The rich, the powerful, the influential, all unconcerned with the doings of the poor. However, with several newspaper editors and journalists present, purposefully so, many found they had no choice. Amongst the booted and suited men and woman of Paris' higher caste, a man and woman walked through with their arms interlocked. A stately looking madam with a large fascinator came towards, smiling beatifically
"Lady Archange, so lovely to meet you at last. I just adored your new line in Paris Today" tittered the older woman, sipping champagne beneath wrinkled cheeks and shrewd eyes. The blonde girl blushed, moving a lock of hair out of her eyes, the rest a cascading ponytail down her back.
"That's very kind of you, Madame Sylvie, but I'm just a beginner. Marie is a good friend of mine so she agreed to model them." She smiled softly, looking pleased all the same. The man beside her cleared his throat, attracting Sylvie's attention. His voice was smooth and deep.
"My sister is very modest. Thank you for your compliments, Madam Sylvie."
"Of course. And you are…?"
"This is my brother, Raphael Archange. Editor of Le Figaro" replied Sarah, squeezing his arm gently, both relaxed by the other's presence.
"I see. Well I hope you will continue to produce many more fascinating designs. Perhaps you shall reach even our lofty heights" responded the socialite after a while, and walked off. Raphael glared at her back, Sarah steering him away gently before anything happened.
"Stuck up vache. She's lucky I don't throw her out the window" seethed her brother, barely resisting his sister's efforts. Sarah knew he'd never risk hurting her, so she was particularly good at holding him back. Sarah was considered by many innocent and kindhearted, balancing out the raw, fiery passion her brother imbued into everything.
Sarah giggled, taking a bottle of champagne and pouring glasses for them. Her smile never wavered, but she allowed a look of distaste to appear, and saw her brother was pleased. "I know, mon frere. She was an awful woman, but you kept your temper in check very well. Aww, I'm so pleased you agreed to come." She squeezed him affectionately again, beaming. Raphael's expression softened considerably, and he patted the back of her hand.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss your success for the world."
"You're not… resentful?"
'Why would I be?"
"Well, because… I mean, I'm making so much money…"
It was true. Despite just starting out, she had done quite well. They were already in a larger house, and her designs were in all the fashion magazines. All helped by Marie, the second top model in Paris, who had grown up with her.
All of it was an effort to pay back her brother, for all those years he looked after her, but she saw him sometimes despondent. He hid it well, but family was family. Her thoughts were interrupted as he pulled her into a close hug. Sarah sighed contently as her brother responded.
"Sarah, all I wanted for you was to be happy, to be the family we both lost. I'm proud of you, and I know our parents would be too."
Tears trickled down her cheeks, all fears and worries evaporated as she put her head in his shoulder. "Thank you. Thank you so much, mon frere.'"
The double doors burst open, startling the guests and making the siblings part. "Your star has arrived" yelled an excited voice, the human equivalent of a peacock striding across the floor. A pale blue tuxedo sparkled from sequins and crushed diamonds scattered across the blazer. A luxurious fur coat stopped just above the floor, swaying with each movement. "Good evening, Paris!"
His voice echoed, fading to silence and leaving only the murmuring crowd. Bright blue contacts contained gold flecks, the diva-esque man going straight for the table laden with canapés. "Continue with your party, peasants" he laughed, taking up mini quiche and popping them one at a time.
The orchestra, having paused, started up again, and the revelry continued.
-V-
"What was it the expert said? Some sort of ancient talisman against evil? Bit late for that now!" cursed Lucian, throwing the ring across the room. He thought he heard something moving, but by now he had taken out the bottle of wine he had stored for celebrations. "Here's to life! Salut!" He raised the bottle to his lips, drinking deeply.
The door to his fridge squeaked open, and the artist stopped. One eye open, he watched the door slowly get wider, something black floating in front of it. "Do you have any camembert?"
-S-
"Enchante, mon petite chérie" slurred Gabriel slightly, taking Sarah's hand and kissing the back of it softly. She pulled it back, smiling uneasily, and held out an arm to stop Raphael who she could feel vibrating with anger.
"Gabriel Agreste, is it?" she acknowledged, smile becoming more neutral. She had to tread carefully here.
"The daddy's boy" interrupted Raphael, and Sarah sighed. Gabriel straightened, looking beadily at her brother. He chuckled, pushing back his coat's tail.
"That's right! My daddy's the president of France, so I can do whatever I want! And I want us to party haaard!" he shouted, wooing and taking up another bottle of champagne. "Orchestra, play something more upbeat than this boring drivel."
He saw Raphael and Sarah turn to leave, frowning. "Hey, I'm talking to you two. Don't you know who I am?"
"A drunken idiot" retorted Raphael, shaking off his sister who stepped back.
"How dare you! I am not an idiot!"
"But you are drunk."
"Maybe you should try it, you wouldn't be so stuck up."
"Listen, you spoilt child, I don't care who you are. If you disrespect my sister again, I -will- teach you a lesson." Raphael put his hands together, cracking the knuckles pointedly.
"Is that so?"
Gabriel's eyes sharpened, surprising Sarah. Perhaps he could hold his drink better than she thought. She saw Raphael tense, ready for a fight, but then the doors were broken down. A lithe shape barged through the doors, covered in black leather and dressed like a cat.
"Another clown?" commented Raphael, and pushed his sister out of the way of the staff which had just increased in length. It swept across the table, knocking over glasses, plates and foot.
"Listen you puffed up, bourgeois scum. I am Vide Noir. Today is your reckoning. Give me all your jewellery, your valuables, and you may leave unharmed."
"Like Hell! You can't come in here and ruin a party" yelled Gabriel suddenly, throwing off his coat and running forwards. Raphael moved to position himself in front of Sarah, knife in hand, but before he could use it, a slender hand had picked up a metal serving plate and hurled it at the new arrival.
Distracted by Gabriel, Vide took it across the forehead, crumpling to the floor. Gabriel was on him, raining down punches until the staff smacked him across the head. Rolling, he saw Raphael look shocked as Sarah removed her heels, walking across the ground barefoot. Gabriel was doing fine, she saw, but she had seen enough to know he was still drunk. Vide kicked him off and spun the staff to hit at Sarah.
She somersaulted over it, foot coming up and pushing it to the floor. Sarah imagined Raphael was speechless, but after his confidence in her, his reassurances, she felt like she could do anything. As it came back, retracted then swung again, she went into a slide, jumping up and bringing her foot around to kick him away.
He went onto his front, lunging up to grab her neck. Gabriel reached down to grab his foot, pulling the man away and turning. He threw Vide through the air but the villain somersaulted with a cat's agility, landing on his feet at a run. Laughing triumphantly, he was stopped by Raphael's outstretched arm clotheslining him.
"Cataclysm!" yelled Vide through a bleeding lip, moving his arms around and clawing the air, black spots hovering above his palm. "My hand can now destroy anything I touch. Which one of you will be first?"
He lunged at Raphael, hand aiming for his face. Furious, Sarah's brother waited for him to come close and then flipped him over. Vide's palm slapped the floor, cracks extending suddenly across the wood. "You're finished now. Let everyone die, I don't care!" cried Vide, and Raphael uppercutted him.
"Everyone, get out! Sarah, are you OK?" he asked, running across the now breaking floor. Guests scrambled for the exit, Gabriel dazed but running forwards to help them. A short scream, and Madam Sylvie was on the floor, whimpering with a broken ankle
"Help me, please!" she called, reaching out to Raphael. Sarah watched her brother walk away, fighting back the pain and going up to help her. Huffing as she hoisted the woman as best she could, she grabbed a staggering Gabriel who understood immidietly and went to the other side. Moving swiftly, they reached the doorway just as the wood gave a creaking groan and collapsed, a cloud of dust blowing up from below.
Gabriel being Hawk Moth is way too obvious. I think it's this guy, Mama Agreste's brother, who is resentful. Anyway, more to come! Please review.