Disclaimer: I own ... a dream that I did recently featuring several actors of Starkid (but not Darren, if someone can tell me what happens to my brain ...) as crazy as a production from Starkid. But Glee is still not mine.
Oh the nasty author who made you wait more than two looooong weeks. Uh ... sorry? I have nothing else. I had a little breakdown of inspiration for this chapter (while I have tons of ideas for some chapters later) and in addition, I was in a period when I had, say, a few occupations other than write and that I could not decline. I must pay the rent and I'm not particularly comfortable with the fact of sponge on you in some way. Well not on you exactly but on French society.
A big Thank You to melissa. maier. 902 who helps me a lot. Any question I have to ask, she answers in less than a day.
What has happened so far in The Fox And The Rose?
Sebastian has a sister stayed in France, a father who we all hate, a mother ... like everyone else, but we don't know where she is. And he's close to the maid, Lucía who is however at the service of the family only since they settled in Ohio at the beginning of the school year.
Dave has a father who is worried about him, a mother who thinks he's sick, an aunt in Westerville who agreed to take him home to complete his year in a new school. He has friends, some new, some old but mostly friends who accept him as he is.
Finally, Dave failed his year, so they'll be both seniors next school year.
When we left them, Sebastian had invited Dave to the Warblers' party for end of year. Dave danced with Cameron. But above all he has been closer to Nick. Nick the Warbler, not the blond idiot who outed him. Could this be the beginning of a great friendship?
"Blue Dreamer? You chose it for the name? Seriously guys, can you be gayer?" Nick asked, laughing, paint can by hand.
"In fact ... Yes, certainly, because the gayest gay I know would never have chosen the color of his walls because of its name." Sebastian replied.
"Is he speaking about me, the man with horse teeth?" a voice asked from the living room.
"Sebastian!" "Kurt!"Dave and Blaine exclaimed in chorus. "You promised."
"I promised I wouldn't attack, not that I wouldn't defend myself." Kurt said, entering the room with a tray of glasses and drinks for everyone.
"What? I said nothing there. I could've done worse." Sebastian said with a pout.
"Hold yourself then." Dave said.
"In any case, for what it's worth, the gayest gay you know wouldn't have forget to buy paint rollers." Kurt said pulling a piece of tongue.
"It's agreed, it was an attack there? I have the right to defend myself."
"Who had the bright idea of bringing these two in the same room?" Nick asked
"I think generally, it's called fate, or karma, something like that. I couldn't send back home Kurt and Blaine when they have done a two hour drive under the pretext they have chosen the day when you were coming to help me painting for a surprise visit." Dave sighed.
"He's gone for how long?" Blaine asked.
"Who, babe?"
"Cameron. You know, the one we sent alone to buy the rollers the two simpletons have forgotten." Blaine replied.
"Hey, you just called my friend a simpleton. Thankfully I'm the one you made promise to behave." Kurt groaned.
"He's gone since about fifteen minutes and if I remember correctly, he seemed quite relieved to escape a little. Being in a room of 161sq ft with five guys including two that he barely met once, one with whom he has just danced at a party and the captain of the Warblers, I think it was a lot for him." Nick replied.
"We might have met him more often if the new captain of the Warblers hadn't so openly hit on my boyfriend right before he almost blinded him." Kurt replied.
"And here we go again." Dave sighed.
"We're going to repaint anyway? I propose to confine them together and not open the door until all the blood has flowed. Hoping there will remain at least one still standing and that it will be Kurt." Blaine joked.
"Can someone remind me what I'm doing with him?" Kurt asked, pouting.
"No, no one. Love can't be explained Kurt." Nick replied, laughing.
"I don't wonder so much what you're doin' with him what I wanna know is what he's doin' with you." Sebastian replied.
Blaine approached Kurt from behind to embrace him tenderly. He cast a look of confidence to Sebastian.
"If you wonder, it's because you don't know how Kurt is adorable, sensitive, brave, talented, joyful..."
"It's okay, it's okay, I get it. It's not worth I insist, I have no chance?"
"None." Blaine said, laughing. "But it shouldn't be what lacks the guys who just want to have fun with you occasionally."
"Who says that's what I want?" Sebastian asked.
"What? The great Sebastian Smythe has decided to find a poor guy to stand him for a lifetime?" Kurt asked in a mocking way.
"Timeout please my heart." Blaine growled in Kurt's neck.
"I can't baby." Kurt complained turning in Blaine's arms. "Sebastian may be talking about looking for the man of his life. Aren't you a little curious?"
"I thought we had decided to believe that people can change in a good way Kurt!" Dave interjected.
"You're right. Sorry Seb."
"Oh dammit, why do you all want to call me Seb?"
"Calm down Scar, how do you want them to know if you never told them."
"Uh ... told what?" Nick asked.
"Scar? What is it? A nickname? And I'm yelled at for Seb?"
"Is it possible that for once, just once, you might give up Kurt?" Sebastian asked in a pleading tone.
"And why should I give up myself and not you?"
"Because it would make me happy?" Dave tried.
"OK, fine. Sorry Sebastian." Kurt said with a sigh.
"Wow, I have the feeling of being the teacher in a kindergarten playground. What would she say now? Oh yes, give you a hug." Dave joked.
"Shouldn't maybe overdo though." Kurt and Sebastian protested in chorus.
"Ah, I think you have slightly underestimated them." Blaine said with a smirk. "You're in a primary school playground. Come on, kids, shake your hands now." He added, laughing.
"Oh, but no, me, if there are two teachers I don't wanna stay in this school. Dad, you have to make me transfer." Sebastian threw, turning to Nick.
"Don't mix me with your stories. I pull out my 'Joker Straight' card on that one."
"This card doesn't even exist." Cameron interjected weakly with four rollers by hand.
"Cameron!" Sebastian said with a start. "You're a ninja or what? I didn't hear you come!"
"You should get used by now." Nick pointed out
"I'll never get used."
"But our Sebastian is a big sensitive." Kurt said in a mocking tone.
"Really, Kurt? You can't hold you back for five minutes?" Dave growled.
"And if we finally set to work instead of fighting?" Blaine soothed.
"Except that we have 4 rolls." Nick pointed out
"And?" Sebastian asked.
"And we're six, genius. You see where is the problem now?" Kurt jeered.
"Not at all. Don't feel obliged to put one in my hands. I'm not sure the result would be very convincing anyway." Sebastian replied.
"Did I stumble in some parallel universe where Sebastian Smythe is not better than everyone in everything?" Blaine asked.
"Oh, there it's not me!" Kurt rejoiced. "This is not a parallel universe my heart, if he was better than us, he wouldn't have blackmailed us to win the Regionals and mostly he would've won."
"You must stir the knife in the wound. Thank you Kurt!" Nick got angry.
"Yes, it's not very nice to remind us that we lost. We remember." Cameron intervened in a small voice.
"Sorry, you're right." Kurt apologized.
"Kurt Hummel who admits he was wrong ... Did I fall into a parallel universe?" Dave quipped.
"Sebastian, I think our boyfriends decided to take over our little war." Kurt joked.
"Boyfriends? Did I miss something?" Blaine asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What? You've changed your mind since we talked about? I thought ..." Kurt started looking a little lost before being cut off by Blaine.
"Not us silly. Them!" Blaine exclaimed, pointing to Dave and Sebastian with his chin.
"No, missed nothing at all. We're not together, just friends." Dave said.
"Oh yes Pooky he missed something. He didn't realize that his boyfriend has a very particular sense of humor. It must be a cause of break up that, no?" Sebastian sneered.
"Okay, there it is, I can't no more." Nick was furious. "Go settle your accounts in the living room you two. Anyway, there are only four rollers and strangely, I see you both as little as the other doing something of his ten fingers with it. Cut open, beat up, kiss, do what you want, but when we're done, I don't wanna hear you picking each other and don't want to see anything else on your faces than smiles."
"Uh ... Nick, I'd rather them not to do anything of this. I am too fond of Kurt's nose as it is to risk it to be damaged in the battle and if Sebastian's mouth approach Kurt's by only 4 inches, I warn you, I'm the one who will rebuild his nose without anesthetic." Blaine said angrily.
"You trust in Kurt right?" Dave asked Blaine with a smirk.
"In Kurt yes! But I don't trust Sebastian."
"And in me, yes? You are not really coherent you two."
"Uh ... I'm going to go home. So you'll have enough rolls." Cameron ventured timidly.
"Cam! Do you spend all your life to apologize for existing? Don't worry about their stories of couples and grab a roll." Nick said firmly, putting a roll in his hands.
He took Kurt and Sebastian's shoulders to guide them to the living room. He forced them to sit on the couch.
"If I put cartoons on, you will be quiet?"
"Yes dad." Kurt and Sebastian replied in chorus laughing.
Nick took them at their word and turned on the TV looking for cartoons. Sebastian turned to Kurt with a smirk to which the other replied with a wink.
"You can put Dora please?" Sebastian asked with a small little boy's pout.
"Oh yeeeessssss! Please! Please. Doraaaa!" Kurt exclaimed clapping his hands with excitement.
"I suspect you of doing that to make fun of me, but in doubt ..." Nick said finding a channel featuring Dora. "Have a good time little clowns." he added just leaving toward the bedroom, taking the remote control.
"What did you do to them? What were the screams about?" Blaine asked as he entered the room.
"Oh nothing. They wanted to make fun of me; they'll have fun with the little Mexican with her small monkey and her backpack. "Nick replied, waving the remote in front of him.
"You put them Dora? Oh you're dead, Kurt will kill you." Blaine said, laughing.
"Uh ... Kurt went to busy himself in the kitchen and Dora will make me crazy." Sebastian said, putting his head through the door. "Can I come back?"
"Not even in your dreams. You can come back when you have made peace, not before."
"But ..." Sebastian protested.
"What is he doing in the kitchen?" Blaine asked with bright eyes.
"He spoke about cookies I think."
"Oh no, not the cookies, my diet!" Nick exclaimed with a faked pout.
"Take advantage of it, you wanted to learn how to cook." Dave remarked.
"For pity's sake, don't make me learn with Hummel, I'm sure it's hell with him." Sebastian pouted.
"His name is Kurt and he's a good teacher ... if you know how to rub him up the right way." Blaine said.
"And everyone knows that I have the gift to rub him up the right way." Sebastian growled before resigning and leaving to the kitchen.
He hesitated a little but finally knocked on the door out of habit and stepped in.
"What do you want Smythe? I'm sure Nick wasn't really serious; you can go back with them." Kurt threw while looking for the ingredients in a closet
"He was very serious; I've been literally thrown out of the room. You often come here to know so well the kitchen?" Sebastian asked, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe.
"I came once or twice."
"Can I help you?"
"As if you could cook." Kurt said, stifling a chuckle.
"OK, forget it." Sebastian dropped turning around to the living room.
"Sebastian?"
He froze, waiting to hear what Kurt had to say.
"Fine, come here. As long as you promise not to throw me rock salt in the eyes."
"You put rock salt in your cookies?" Sebastian asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"No."
"Then I should be able to contain myself."
"We need butter and eggs."
"So far, it's up my alley." Sebastian replied, going to the fridge and pulling out a pat of butter and an egg carton.
"You seem to be familiar with the house too."
"Yes, I came a few times." Sebastian replied looking a little embarrassed.
"What did you do for him to cling to you like that? He made me promise not to say anything bad about you even when you're not there."
"Yeah, he did more or less the same thing with me, what did you do you?" Sebastian asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Okay, I guess I searched." Kurt whispered.
"What are we waiting here?"
That the butter softens."
"Wouldn't it be a little faster if we diced it already?"
"Ah, so you know how to cook actually? Sebastian Smythe, you're a boy full of surprises."
"No, I do not cook, but I sometimes listen a little in physics or chemistry or I don't remember exactly what science class."
"You don't remember what class?" Kurt asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I don't, and I can't tell what grade either. I'm still trying to get used to the American school system, it's a bit different from France. If you will stop making comments on my academic knowledge now..." Sebastian replied washing his hands before taking a knife and a bowl to dice the butter in the bowl.
"Blaine m'avait dit que tu as vécu en France, mais je pensais que tu lui avais dit ça pour frimer."*
"Je ne passe pas TOUT mon temps à frimer."*
"Donc tu as vraiment vécu en France?"*
"Indeed yes, and your accent is not too bad."
"I'm not sure how I should take it."
"We can't do anything until the butter softens?" Sebastian asked while going to the sink to wash off of his hands the grease of the butter.
"Apart from measuring the other ingredients, I don't see."
Sebastian opened a drawer to take out the measuring spoons and turned to Kurt.
"We should need it then."
"You're sure you don't know of any cooking?" Kurt asked with a suspicious look.
"Sure, unless my limited knowledge in making pancakes which were perhaps not even eatables is considered as knowing how to cook."
"You've not even dared to try your pancakes?" Kurt asked, laughing.
"It's a long story." Sebastian said, gloomily.
"You intrigue me."
"Long story short, Dave had slept at my, my father came home early from his business trip, he surprised us in the kitchen doing pancakes, we've been fired from the house, it's enough for you ?"
"Dave has slept at you? You ...? No, still not ..." Kurt mumbled, looking shocked.
"No, Kurt, we didn't! I ran into him at Scandals, he had drunk too much, I didn't know his address, he was not able to give it to me, I wasn't going to let him sleep in my car when we have loads of guest rooms."
"Oh yes, of course."
"Ask Dave if you don't believe me. Wait no, don't ask, I give a damn somewhat about what you think about me."
"It's okay, I believe you. Just, promise me not to mess up with him, he's sensitive under his tough guy looks."
"This is not what I intended to do. I doubt that it's mutual but I consider him my best friend. Probably a bit because he's mostly my only friend. But I don't plan to hurt him if that's what you're worried about."
"You're a true mystery Sebastian."
"In general, those who think that only want to jump in my bed. You're not my type normally, but I can make an exception for you."
"And the old Sebastian's back. You can't hold yourself." Kurt sighed.
Sebastian turned his attention to the bowl, trying to crush the butter with a fork, as if to escape the sight of Kurt.
"It may be enough softened now, no?"
"Yes, I think. You must add one cup and a half of packed brown sugar and a half cup of white sugar in it."
Sebastian took the measuring spoons, measured the right amounts of sugars that he poured in the bowl and mixed it all.
"What flavor do we make these cookies?" Sebastian asked.
"Chocolate chips. Blaine's favorite."
"He's lucky to have you; I understand better why he didn't want me." Sebastian whispered.
"No, I'm the lucky one. I didn't think I'd say that one day, but I'm sure you'll find it one day, you deserve it."
"Yeah, we'll see."
"Now, two packages of instant pudding mix."
Sebastian poured the two packages in the bowl and stirred carefully. Kurt broke 4 eggs he added to the mix while Sebastian kept stirring, and then two teaspoons of vanilla extract the same way.
"And now?"
"Four and a half cups of flour and two teaspoons of baking soda."
Sebastian measured and mixed again.
"I like doing this. It's ... soothing I think." He said with a small smile.
"We just have to put four cups of chocolate chips and we can place in the oven."
Sebastian complied, smiling. Kurt, leaning against the worktop, arms crossed, was watching him attentively, a smirk on his face.
"What makes you smile like that?"
"I think this is the first time I see you really smiling." Kurt replied.
"I'm full of surprises you see."
"I see. And against all odds, you're full of good surprises."
Once the chocolate chips added to the dough, they placed a part of it on a baking sheet they shoveled. While waiting for the cookies to bake, they prepared a second sheet to bake once the first would be out of the oven. They had enough dough to fill four sheets in all. Once the third out of the oven; while Kurt was putting the last sheet in the oven; the other four teens entered the kitchen.
"Replace quickly the smell of this paint in my nostrils." Blaine complained. "Are these the famous Kurt's cookies that I see?" he asked wanting to take a cookie on the sheet just removed from the oven.
"Not those, you're gonna burn yourself!" Kurt threw, giving him a slap on the hand to prevent him from taking the cookie.
"But Kurt ..." Blaine pouted.
"Here, these ones are cool." Kurt replied, handing him a plate full of cookies. "My impatient puppy." he added ruffling a few curls escaped from the gel.
"Stop it; you're going to mess my hair up." Blaine moaned, pushing Kurt's hand.
"Uh ... We can also have some or they're only for Blaine?" Nick asked, clearing his throat.
"I hope that you all can have, I didn't give myself all this wickedness for Blaine engulfs everything. He would put that where, anyway? It's not in his three feet and a half that he would have the space [1]." Sebastian joked.
"Oh, very funny, I'm laughing out loud there. As if you were the one who had made them, I'll believe you." Blaine threw.
"Well, it's true baby, he has almost done everything I just gave the recipe."
"For someone who has never cooked in his life, you will become a real chef in less than two." Dave said after having tasted one of the cookies. "Hey Nick, taste." he added, holding a cookie to his new friend.
"You come Cameron, we will let them all of the four, I think we will soon disturb. Let them in their little bubble of love."
"Oh, that's clever Sebastian." Nick cut.
"Ah well sorry; it's not my fault if David hits on you."
" Nonsense! Not at all, I don't." Dave mumbled, blushing.
"Relax you, I was joking. We all played to looking for the mistake today and found Nick because he's the only straight here. It's okay; it's not too hard to live for you Nicky?"
"The cookies make up, thank you." Nick said taking the plate from Kurt's hands and going to the living room. "Don't let burn the last batch." he added, settling down in the couch and changing channel. "With a bit of luck, the game's not finished."
"Well, Kurt, Blaine, you deal with the last batch, we are going to see the game." Sebastian said leading Cameron with him.
Sebastian made Cameron sit next to Nick and took the remaining space on the sofa against the wall. He sat cross-legged leaning against the wall.
"Vid, you come to see the game?"
"I'm coming."
Dave, Kurt and Blaine came in their turn in the living room; Dave took his usual spot on the carpet.
"Sebastian! You'll leave the person in whose you are invited sitting on the floor? What do they teach you among the rich?" Kurt snapped.
"Oh calm down lady. This is exactly where he would sit if he had had a choice. Will you let us watch the game now?"
"What do you want us to do my heart?" Blaine asked Kurt embracing him, an eye on the game.
"It's okay Blaine you're dying to watch the game." Kurt replied with a sigh.
He separated from his boyfriend, sent him with a wave to the others and turned his attention to the bookcase looking for a book he could borrow the time of the match. He chose one sticking out on one of the shelves, close enough to hope to read it all before the end of the game. He returned to Blaine who had sat down on the floor next to the sofa, he sat next to him, his head resting against his shoulder and opened the book. He overlooked the handwritten inscription on the flyleaf, half in French. He began to read the dedication.
To Léon Werth
I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up. I have a serious reason: he is the best friend I have in the world. I have another reason: this grown-up understands everything, even books about children. I have a third reason: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs cheering up. If all these reasons are not enough, I will dedicate the book to the child from whom this grown-up grew. All grown-ups were once children- although few of them remember it. And so I correct my dedication:
To Léon Werth
when he was a little boy [2]
Kurt was lost in his reading; to the point of not even really notice the jolts of Blaine's shoulder when tries, or goals, or whatever name they gave them were scored. This was a feat, even if Blaine made efforts to remain as still as possible so that his boyfriend could read in peace.
Kurt didn't even notice that the game was over. He was pulled from his reading when Blaine harmonized his voice with Cameron and Sebastian and Nick who began to sing.
Uptown girl
She's been livin' in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am
Kurt closed the book and put it on the coffee table. Nick, Cameron and Sebastian had risen and danced, showing the moves they had repeated with the Warblers. Nick continued his solo.
And when she knows what she wants
from her time
And when she wakes up
and makes up her mind
Meanwhile, Sebastian looked at Kurt and Blaine with a smirk. When he took in the solo, he walked toward them, holding out a hand to each to invite them to join the choreography.
She'll see I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love with an
Nick took again the leading position while Kurt and Blaine melted on the choreography as if they had repeated it dozens of times under the stunned eyes of Dave. Nick went solo again.
Uptown girl
Y'know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win
As they sang, Sarah came back with Cheeky and Frisbee; they began to turn around her, singing more.
And when she's walkin'
she's lookin' so fine
Sebastian took his turn.
And when she's talkin'
she'll say that she's mine
To the surprise of many, Cameron took then the solo part that Thad was singing when the Warblers sang this song.
She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love with an
Nick, all to his surprise forgot to take the solo and Cameron went on the next verse.
Uptown girl
She's been livin' in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am
Sebastian took one last time the solo.
Uptown girl
She's my uptown girl
Don't you know I'm in love with an
Uptown girl
My uptown girl
All together, they sang the penultimate line.
Don't you know I'm in love
And Nick ended the song with a big smile.
With an uptown girl
"Hello gentlemen, identity check, show me your IDs please." Sarah joked.
"Sarah, how went your week with Asma? Uh ... I know, we were supposed to be only three but Kurt and Blaine came from Lima without warning, I couldn't send them back and Cameron was all alone, we proposed him to come." Dave hurried to say.
"Uh ... A cookie?" Kurt offered, handing the plate to Sarah.
"Thank you Cameron? Nick? Blaine? Kurt?" Sarah, who really knew only two of the boys here, tried.
"Oh, uh, Kurt." Kurt said, holding out his hand to shake.
"Nice to meet you Kurt, I heard a lot about you."
"And Blaine, my boyfriend." Kurt added, pointing to his boyfriend.
Sarah and Blaine shook hands by exchanging courtesies. Then Dave introduced Cameron then Nick.
"So you're the famous Nick? Dave could talk forever about you."
Dave said nothing, but turned red.
"Sebastian, are you fine?" Sarah asked, hugging him briefly.
"Yes, thank you. So this week in the countryside, how was it?"
"Relaxing, rejuvenating, perfect ... But I'm glad to be back at home. Especially with such a reception. Fine strands of voice boys."
"They are all in the Glee clubs in their schools. Nick, Sebastian and Cameron are in the Warblers from Dalton Academy. And Kurt and Blaine are in the New Directions at McKinley."
"They've also been in the Warblers." Nick interjected. "We all remember their duet at the Regionals last year."
"Well, time for us to leave you, Burt and Carole await us for Friday night dinner, there are not so much left before Kurt leaves." Blaine said.
"I remind you that I'm finally not leaving, I didn't get in NYADA." Kurt said, gloomily.
"You won't stay stuck in Ohio because Carmen Tibideaux chose to take Rachel who missed her audition rather than you who ripped yours Kurt."
"Uh ... We too will go." Sebastian said.
"You have no time to sing us another one before leaving? If I call Burt and Carole to explain?"
"Well ... I don't know, what could we sing? We didn't rehearse anything all together." Nick replied.
"I have an idea, I'm sure you all know it." Blaine interjected. "I'm starting and you follow?"
The others nodded and Blaine began.
I've paid my dues
Time after time
Kurt smiled at Blaine while Nick enchained.
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
Dave surprised everyone by singing in his turn.
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
Sebastian continued.
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through
They took the chorus in unison.
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
Kurt took up the verse he sang for Mr. Schuester
I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
Cameron took shyly the following.
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
Sarah put her two cents in the song, taking the final sentence of the verse.
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose
They finished all seven together on the chorus.
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
After that, the six teenagers promised to write during the two months of vacation where they would be separated.
"Oh, by the way, can I borrow it? I didn't have time to finish it." Kurt asked, pointing the Little Prince to Sarah.
"Ah, no idea, ask to the owner." Sarah replied.
"David?"
"Oh, no, not mine, ask Sebastian."
"No. Don't beg, I'm not lending you this one. Since you speak French, I'd rather lend you the original version."
"Oh, uh ... okay, thank you."
After this exchange, the five visitors took their leave and everyone went home.
[1] In French, when we want to make fun of someone short, we use nicknames like Hobbit or things like that, like you. But sometimes, we also refer to his/her size, exaggerating about the shortness. I couldn't see another way to translate that so let's pretend Sebastian having lived in France, just used a French way to joke (converting the meters in feet, obviously since in France, you use the meters).
[2] Yes, I have the right to copy such a long passage from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, everyone has the right, we have the right to do whatever we want with it, it's in the public domain now.
*Translations
"Blaine told me that you have been living in France, but I thought you had said that to show off."
"I don't spend ALL my time to show off."
"So you've really been living in France?"
