Chapter 6: Enter… Daniel?
Francoeur was so nervous that he could barely sleep, checking every five minutes if the flask was with him. In his mind he played Duchess's instruction again and again, making sure he understood them correctly.
The amount of potion in the flask was sufficient for three days, one gulp for a day. Every sunset meant the end of his 'human time', unless of course Lucille kissed him and told him that she loved him. He couldn't wait! How would it be to be able to walk the street without disguise, without worry that someone might discover that he was the Monster of Paris?
He had a plan of what to say to Lucille, so she could not suspect anything. He would tell her that he is going to visit Professor, and probably will stay with the man for a whole day. But he'd be back for the show, of course! Finally, tired shortly before the sunrise, he fell asleep, dreaming of how delighted Lucille would be, once she knew that he had turned human, just for her
He woke up to the sound of Lucille in the kitchen. It humored him, how hard she tried to cook, but it never turned out well. After he had become 7 feet tall, he had quickly learned how to cook, just to make sure they wouldn't need to eat burned toast again. Though the female singer from time to time tried to regain her womanly rights in the kitchen, her failures always reminded her who was a better cook.
Not to mention that having four arms was a big plus in the kitchen.
After having breakfast, Lucille told Francoeur that she had to leave to get some groceries and meet with Maud. It was one of their girly days. A moment when neither of the men, Francoeur, Raoul, or even Emile, could interrupt. The flea assured his friend that he would be fine, and gave her a card which told her about his plans. Of course she was slightly worried, but they finally parted and Francoeur could initiate his plan.
He undressed, just like Duchess suggested , found the flask and opened it. The smell was heavy and bitter, making him slightly dizzy and sick, but he took a deep breath and swallowed the first prescription of portion. He quickly placed the bottle on a table and looked at his hands. Nothing. Maybe he drank too little? He was about to reach for the potion again when the pain struck.
He let out a low howl as he felt his insides melt. His body burned, his vision swam and his mind fought to stay conscious. Francoeur felt to his knees, trying to crawl somewhere safe, anywhere, just to make the pain stop. His head pounded, his throat went dry. Lord help him! He slammed two of his fists into the floor, hissing and moaning quietly. What had he done? Would this agony ever stop? When he was on the verge of begging for death, he lost his consciousness and welcomed the darkness with joy.
~~00~~
He woke up minutes later. His body was sore, his eyes slightly burning. He blinked and touched his head. He shook it, trying to focus, when he noticed something odd.
Colors… he could see colors… The floor… it was… it was different, he tried to remember what Lucille said. The wood was… brown! Yes! It was brown! Then his eyes fell on his hands. Fascinated, he raised them higher, inspecting them closely. Flesh… Peach colored, human flesh. He looked down. Just like the rest of his body. Quickly he ran to the mirror. Oh! His face… His eyes! Just like he saw them in that smaller mirror Duchess gave him. And… hmm… what's that? Oh, right, he remembered. Human males had their reproducing organs outside of their bodies… yes, that is why they needed clothes.
Clothes! He quickly got to the bag Duchess gave him. Now, he could go out and meet Lucille properly.
~~00~~
Lucille chatted happily with Maud outside of the café. The topic? The usual. Men, fashion, daily routine.
"And how is it between you and Raoul? Any better?" asked Maud suddenly.
Lucille became silent for a while, her mood ruined instantly. "Oh, I don't know Maud. It's just… I love him. But at the same time… we were nearly sworn enemies for so long… And now that we're together… It's like we can't switch from enemies to partners! And it's been two years! Of course, at the beginning, everything was so perfect! We tried to work things through, we had some minor disagreements, but now…?" the auburn haired woman hid her face in her hands. "It's like something changed horribly. We're still friends, we'll always be friends, but… I don't know if I have strength to carry it on. And that Duchess…"
Maud sighed. "Maybe you and Raoul need some time together? You know, leave Paris for few days… Francoeur would manage without you on stage, you know that. And there's aunt Carlotta, to manage everything. It's not like your relationship is an exception." The petite brunette smiled gently. "Emile and I, we have fights too. But after we cool down, we talk things through and try to understand one another. This is how it should be."
"The problem is, Raoul and I cannot understand each other like that. We're fine as friends, but when it comes to more serious things… there's nothing we can agree on!" the singer huffed frustrated. Why did life have to be so difficult?
"Give it some time…" Maud placed a reassuring hand on her friends arm.
"But there is no time! In few months we are supposed to get married! And I can't marry a man I fight constantly with about even the tiniest detail!"
Maud shook her head, worried. This was a very serious matter.
Both women fell silent for a while, not really sure what they should say now.
"I should go now, Maud." Finally Lucille spoke. "I… just…"
"It's okay. I understand."
They stood up and hugged before waving goodbye, and parted. The auburn haired singer turned the corner and saw… him.
He was tall. Towering over people around him. Perhaps 7 feet tall. Black, messy hair fell over his heart-shaped face. His mouth stretched in a wide grin and wide opened, sparkling eyes gave him the look of a child looking at the world for the first time.
He was dressed in expensive looking clothes. Black suit and slivery green vest, a cane at his side and a small blackboard, like the one used by children in school, in his hand. The man had currently stopped by the florist, and was taking his time adoring the flowers. Suddenly his head turned and spotted her. The time slowed down.
He walked to her, bowed to her and took her hand to kiss. Then he quickly showed her the blackboard.
Bonjour, mademoiselle. My name is Daniel
He was mute, which struck Lucille with a tinge of sadness. His eyes had nice chocolate brown shade…
"Bonjour, monsieur. My name is Lucille."
I know. You sing at Rare Bird. You have a beautiful voice.
"Thank you." She knew she was already blushing heavily. Her heart was practically racing. Oh, God. Oh, God. This man…he couldn't be… He looked just like Francoeur from her dreams… "Calm down Lucille. Breath in, breath out. Smile."
Can I help you?
He gestured to the shopping bag she had with her.
"Well…" Lucille hesitated. She had only just met this gentleman! But he smiled so innocently and sweetly she couldn't help but gave in, and handed him her bag. "I live not far from here."
He nodded and they started walking.
~~00~~
Francoeur couldn't be more happy. The whole world was wonderful! The colors! The smells! The sounds! It seemed that everything around him was strengthened ten times when he became human. And when he thought he couldn't be more surprised, he saw… her. Lucille, his angel. Now with his human eyes he could see how truly beautiful she was.
Her hair, her eyes, her smile and oh, that blush on her cheeks. He wanted to kiss her here and now! But he couldn't. Not yet. But he would wait. He was patient.
When they reached the doors of her house, he handed over her groceries, but quickly pulled out his writing board and scribbled.
I know, this is all sudden, but… would you mind if I invited you out for a coffee?
He was worried she would refuse, but after a moment of hesitation she agreed. His heart grew with happiness. Everything is going to be fine, now. He just knew it.
~~00~~
Duchess watched the couple with a small smirk, they were both so very naïve… Oh, well… All she had to do now is to find Raoul and stir the waters a little bit more…
I'm baaaaaaaaack! Happy, yes, no? More good news, next chapter, next Wednesday! Yay!
A cookie to anyone who would draw Francoeur in a pink apron with: "Kiss the Cook (or Flea)" sign. And a hug!
Also, don't know if I mentioned it in the previous chapter (probably did), if you want to see how I envisioned human!Francouer check ArandaDill's gallery on deviantArt and Bonkachan's. He's mix of both.
Review! Now! Please!
(I just realised I'm acting a bit like a kid on sugar high...)
