Rochelle draped Catrine's jacket over her shoulders, closing the snap collar around her neck and slipping her shoulders and arms into it to make sure she didn't lose it during their trip. Speaking of said trip, she still wasn't sure of where Catrine was intending to take her. Scaris was indeed a decadent city, always changing and morphing with the temperaments of the time. It was a sentient being in a sense, and both Rochelle and Catrine were now caught up in it to experience its latest move. With just a twitch of itself, Scaris could launch itself into the next art wave with hardly any energy expenditure, and the rest of the Monster world would be left in the past trying to catch up. Rochelle hunkered back down into her seat and watched as the city flew by in a blur. As she linked her arms back around Catrines waist, Rochelle prepared herself for the distortion of the world. Geometric figures stretched into nothingness and what would've been the roar of lively city became that of meager din, but Catrine always remained in focus to her eyes. And eventually, the world slowed back down to a more monster pace.
"We are here Mademoiselle."
She knew just where they were. Any monster with a nose and a fraction of knowledge on France could tell where they were.
"This is the Delicacy District" Rochelle timidly spoke, she didn't want to sound unimpressed with their date. She had been here many a time, she had even had a job as a waitress in one of the little touristy cafes when she was younger. The tourists had loved the fact that she wore roller skates when she served them in her cute uniform, they always loved a show...
"I take it you are a native of Scaris, no?" Catrine helped Rochelle off of her moped.
"What gave it away?" She was prepared to hear it was her accent.
"Your pretty face."
If that hadn't pulled the wind out from under her wings, what could? Rochelle found herself sputtering for words, and for what would she retort that with? Nothing, that's what. Rochelle's face hurt as though she had been left under a magnifying glass in the sun, who knew flattery packed such a punch. Rochelle got up from the bike and chirped out a shaky "thank you". Catrine flashed her fangs playfully and so had begun their outing.
They began their date by walking through the district, talking about Scaris and how much it had changed. Rochelle felt herself much more at ease talking about something other than herself, tragic flaws don't usually make for great conversation. During their talk, Rochelle learned that Catrine was currently a student at the local high school, and that during the evenings, she would turn to the streets and paint away for not only cash, but for her own enjoyment. Rochelle admired her passion wholeheartedly, Catrine was just contagious it would seem. She also learned of her admiration of sad films, which seemed rather contradictory to her personality. But then again, Rochelle knew better than to assume that all artists were one in the same. Some produced and loved art completely and utterly reflective of themselves, whereas others do just the opposite. Some were a mix of both. If she loved complexity, she was bound to be keen on her, Rochelle jokingly thought. But as they were, their date wasn't about art preferences. Catrine spoke of how surprised she was when she found Rochelle and her friends in the fountain (much to Rochelle's dismay to recollect) and how much she enjoyed illustrating her the night before. Embarrassed or otherwise, Rochelle was still happy to talk more with the ghoul.
"So Mademoiselle, êtes-vous faim?"
"Oh, no need for such formalities, please." Rochelle felt spoiled just for being with Catrine. They walked towards a bakery, Rochelle still coddled in Catrine's jacket. Rochelle remembered speeding down the sidewalk they were on while skating to work, she noticed that the cafe she used to work at was gone. It was nothing precious to her memories, she felt no serious ties, but change was still change nonetheless, it begged to be noticed.
"Well then Rochelle, what would you like?"
"Something quintessentially Scaris. It isn't everyday you get to be a tourist in your own home."
Catrine seemed to like that answer, letting out a punchy laugh. She hooked her arm into Rochelle's and whisked her into the tackiest looking bakery they could find. Rochelle couldn't deny the giddiness she felt from having heard Catrine laugh, it made her want to laugh as well, and that was a good thing. Laughing together was always nice and comforting, it was meant to be both infectious and healing, so why not catch it? They were bound for more of it once they set foot in said bakery, as it was literally a campy masterpiece. All of the employees were decked out in stereotypical striped shirts and red neck scarves, along with obtuse berets and black pants. The walls held replicas of the famous paintings found in the Boouvre, all of which were hung on top of a gaudy wallpaper plastered with French sayings. It had shocked neither of them that this was what people paid for when they came to France, for the most watered down cultural experience they could get. They had to order and get out of there quick, or else they'd be stuck in a laughing fiasco with no way out. With as much grace as possible, they ordered two pastries and two drinks, and left with gigantic smiles on their faces. Once out, they chatted while looking for a place to sit.
"So, you're telling me you go to a school in the states. How exciting that must be!"
"It is if you go to the right school. If not, it can be dreadful..."
Catrine's ears twitched with interest. They spotted a bench and sat down.
"It sounds like you've been to more than one school in the US."
Rochelle nodded, she placed the wrapper from her pastry in the garbage, and cradled her coffee in both of her hands.
"Why did you switch?"
Rochelle thought for a minute, she wanted to be tasteful.
"Well, I had originally gone to an all gargoyle school, but I never felt much too welcome there. Being the new one in a school where you are all the same, it is intimidating to say the least, to be unique and acknowledged, while also fitting in-"
The sadness in Rochelle's voice became apparent. The gentleness of her tone was as clear as day. Catrine's brows furrowed a bit. She didn't want to bring up old troubles.
"-But Monster High, hm, it's much different."
"Is that where your companions are from as well? The ones who traveled here with you."
Rochelle nodded. The aura around her seemed happier the minute she brought them up, and a soft smile spread on her face. Catrine curled in closer to Rochelle.
"Tell me about them."
"Oh, well there's Clawdeen, she designs clothing, amazing outfits, in fact she's studying under Madam Ghostier as we speak. Ghoulia is the brightest ghoul in all of the western world, Lagoona is sweet and gentle but swims with the intensity of a tidal wave, Cleo exudes confidence, Draculaura is so brave, and there are so many more things to say about my friends who aren't here. And Frankie, I doubt I'd even be here right now without her inspiring me to go."
"You have such lovely things to say about everyone."
Rochelle looked over and smiled. She thought of all the nice things she could say about Catrine. How pretty her makeup was, how her art was flawless, how her gait made onlookers envious of her sensuous ambience. All of those things occupied her mind, and the ghoul who had them all was sitting right next to her getting closer to her each second.
Rochelle noticed Catrine gradually move near her, leaning forward with a slight twist of her head. Goodness was she going to kiss her? Rochelle felt her stomach knot, she hadn't kissed someone in ages, it was like she was getting her first kiss all over again. What if she wasn't good at it anymore, was she even good at it to begin with? What if her lips were chapped, would Catrine notice? Goodness she's made of stone and this pretty soft werecat is going to kiss her, what would it matter if they were chapped or not! The infinitum of things that could go wrong with this kiss were in the forefront of Rochelle's mind, clogging up her synapses and shutting down her nervous system as though they were highway accidents. Rochelle was starting to meltdown. It was a shock she was still conscious, that her brain didn't just give up with the greater the outward stimuli became. She could feel Catrine's gentle breathing. She could hear her melodic purring. She clamped her eyes shut and braced for impact.
Rochelle felt Catrine's soft fur against her cheek, followed by that same expanse of fur being softly dragged across it. Rochelle's eyes snapped back open in surprise. Catrine's purring seemed louder than ever, extremely loud in fact.
"I like you very much."
Rochelle felt like a puddle of goo, it wasn't a kiss, but it was still very intimate. Whatever it was. Catrine bore a look that verged on smitten.
"I-I like you too. But what was that you just did?"
Catrine was caught off guard by Rochelle's question, both surprised and bashful at the confirmation of her feelings. Her ears shifted to point outwards, tail swishing anxiously. What was once seductive confidence, seemed to melt away rapidly.
"Oh, it was a werecat way of, ah, showing affection."
Catrine's manner had become timid and coy, a side that Rochelle had yet to see until now. Catrine's gaze fell into her lap after glancing at something behind Rochelle. Rochelle looked over her shoulder to see a werecat couple, affectionately rubbing their faces together with small kisses in between. They were so tenderly wrapped in each other, the friction and static cling between them stronger than any pull imaginable. Rochelle quickly turned away, she felt like she had been intruding on their privacy for far too long, she almost felt voyeuristic for having looked upon them. It made sense to her now what Catrine had done.
"Th-thank you."
Catrine gave such a piteous smile, she had never been thanked for her affection. She stood up and offered her hand.
"It is getting late, perhaps I should return you home."
Rochelle nodded in dumbfounded obedience and awe. She took the hand Catrine offered her, and walked blissfully back to her bike.