Ch 15: Connecting
Their faces were red with mirth, one more flushed than the other as she slapped the table for attention. Raoul wouldn't stop laughing, tears escaping his tightly shut eyes. He collapsed forward on the table, holding his head in his hands, exhausted yet unable to compose himself. Serena looked on, prying his hands out and demanding an explanation for his sudden outburst. She wore a small smile but her expression masked a silent panic, desperately wishing the man would calm down and answer her questions.
"What?! What did I do?! Was that not okay? Not acceptable? Tell me!"
Raoul leaned on his arms, wiping his face dry. He managed to catch his breath before replying, "No, no, no. I just can't believe you said that to him! Or that you, you, y-"
"Number one thing to know about me, I will not be disrespected. And-"
"And you're really strong, like window smashing strong."
"For the last time, I forgot it was there! No! You will not start this again." She grabbed his hands and shook him lightly, physically trying to shake out his laughter.
"When did you forget? When you went to throw the guy out of the store or during your daring escape?"
"I could lie and say that 'well the window was cracked anyway so I decided to put it out of its misery' but that's not what happened."
"You forgot twice then. Twice!"
"Stop! Stop laughing at me!"
"Oh, I wish I was there."
She released his hands and folded her arms across her chest with a huff, pouting. It was a childish gesture, but on her it looked more innocent than immature. She squinted critically at him before speaking, "You find amusement in this, but I for one take pride in my ability to silence my opponents." Raoul looked curiously at her, a hint of fear making him cautious of her gaze. Her eyes had an intensity to them, her expression blank. Then, a smirk crept onto her face and they both doubled over in laughter.
It was during this exchange that Lucille and Francoeur arrived, but had fallen back to observe the two. The young woman thought it kind to let them have their peace, since Raoul seemed to have gained her trust and favor so quickly. She would never admit it aloud, but to herself, she knew that the smoldering pain she felt could only be that of jealousy gnawing at her heart. It would be unwise to join them if she didn't get a hold of herself, remembering the loyalty her moron of a boyfriend harbored for her. They did spend years yearning for one another, having affairs but staying committed to their one true love, even if it was against their will.
As for the big guy, he would be sweating bullets at the moment if he could. There were a million and one things flying through his mind, but the most persistent were two words. She knows. The questions, the fears, the hopes, and wants. She knows. It was burying him alive, but also giving him the air to breathe. She knows. His anxiety reached sky high, he felt smaller than when he was a flea. She knows. But still felt like he walked on top of the world, especially when she looked at him. She….she's looking straight at me!
"Hey-y-y! There you all are!" Raoul waved for the two to join them eagerly. Lucille couldn't help but perk a smile, as she went to walk their way she noticed how Francoeur had froze in place with a struck expression. She looked at the other woman, the same sort of awe and excitement sketched on her features. Raoul followed her examining gaze, confused before realization hit him. His eyebrows rose followed by his devilish smile, finding the discovery delightful. Lucille was less optimistic, always recognizing that her best friend's state of being could never deliver him that kind of love.
"Francoeur, have a seat next to Raoul, alright?"
The blue flea shook his head and nodded lightly, hiding a nervous smile beneath his scarf. The woman kept her sights on him and it felt like she could see right through his disguise. Well, she did know his secret, so that could be true. He sat down next to his friend, making the tall man look like a child in comparison. Raoul frowned at this, sitting up straighter in his seat, an action not missed by Serena.
"You trying to preserve your manly superiority or sum'tin?"
"Huh? What? No."
She smiled knowingly at him, before turning her attention back to her prize, "It's nice to see you again, love. Still not too raddled by that flimsy car?"
"Flimsy?! I-"
"She wasn't talking to you, Raoul," Lucille scolded. She gave the man a look that said keep your mouth shut and play nice. He closed his mouth indignantly before speaking again.
"Well it's not like who she was talking to could respond anyway. Sorry, buddy," he looked apologetically at Francoeur who just nodded in affirmation of no hard feelings. Serena stared at them perplexed.
"He's, uh, hoarse from a day at the job, right bread-winner?" Raoul asked Francoeur who nodded again. "You see, he's gotta preserve his mystical, angelic voice from the corruption of day to day chit chat. Why lose a day on stage because he went to say, 'I'm good and by the way my friend's car is not flimsy' and used up his singing voice. That would be silly." Raoul and Lucille laughed, trying to play off a weird explanation for his inability to speak without singing. Serena gave a weak smile, not out of suspicion, but of discomfort at the revelation.
"So, you're a singer?"
Francoeur nodded once more, and the world began spinning slower and slower in her mind. There was a sudden image that filled her vision, more popping up in succession.
Lucille joined in, "We are actually partners, he's an absolutely glorious musician. An artist of the guitar. Our last show was actually at the local theater house before it, um, collapsed."
"It didn't collapse," Serena blurted out suddenly with her eyes locked on the table, "it was destroyed, dismantled, obliterated by a monster," her hands clawed at the fabric of the offending surface, "a monster that's still out there," she looked pleadingly at Francoeur, "a monster that hurts people," she whispered. But to Francoeur, it seemed like she said a monster that hurt you from the devastation written on her face. Preposterous, because how could she have known?
Raoul extended his arm over to the frantic woman, giving her a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. She immediately snapped her gaze to him, an unfocused look on her face. He smiled reassuringly, "You okay?" And with that it was like a switch had been flipped, she shrugged his hand off and smiled brightly like he was the sun that she reflected from.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine. It's just that," she sighed, "things have been getting weird lately."
The other three nodded in agreement and understanding. Lucille controlled the conversation from there, inquiring innocently and leaving room for Raoul to step in. He was much better at talking freely with her, while Lucille felt like she was walking on egg shells around the woman. She didn't think she was a cold person, but she couldn't seem to connect with the Serena like Raoul could. It was irritating to say the least. At least she had Francoeur at her side, also entirely lost from the subject. Something about cars no doubt. Lucille rested her head on her hand, watching the servers go from table to table. She looked down to her own drink, forgetting how many she had. Four? Definitely too many to ask for more. Her attention turned back on her friends and the woman. It took only a few minutes before she noticed the way Francoeur fidgeted in his seat whenever he locked eyes with Serena. Only those who knew him well could identify the fear and panic in his actions. What in the world?
"Oh, goodness! It's getting late."
"Uh, the sun is just beginning to set," Raoul supplied, distressed by her worried tone.
"Right you are, I wouldn't want to be walking alone after dark. Long trip it is to my um, place o-of residence," she fumbled for a proper excuse, rising from her seat and preparing to leave.
"We could give you a lift. I'd take you myself, but as you can see," he brought up his bandaged arm, "that wouldn't be a good idea…please? I, we all had a great time," he turned toward Lucille and Francoeur for encouragement. Lucille happily gave her most radiant smile to convince the woman of her delight in meeting her. Francoeur could only nod in response, not being able to really express himself with the disguise on and no opportunity to play any music. The only thing he could think of was to extend his arm out for a handshake, and when she complied, to squeeze her hand tenderly. He was reluctant to let go, but her face was unreadable and he was unsure if he'd upset her once more.
"It's a kind offer, but I-I have other errands to run and private business to attend to. I appreciate it, I really do. I had…I had a great time too, but I must decline," she apologized profusely.
"Hey," Raoul displayed his hands out for her to stop, "it's fine. It was just a thought. Pleasure to see you again."
"Hope to see you again before our trip is over," Lucille spoke elegantly.
"Of course, I'm sure we'll run into each other again."
"Except maybe don't actually be running, it's exhausting trying to catch up to you," Raoul heaved theatrically.
"I'll keep that it mind, court jester," she winked at him. And with that, she sauntered out the door, Raoul and Francoeur's eyes following her every step.
How does she run in that?
She knows…and she didn't say anything.
"Ahem." The two guys were brought out of their thoughts by a harsh cough from Lucille who looked sternly at them, mostly at Raoul.
"I was just-"
"We'll talk later, let's go." It was a slightly tense walk back to the inn, everyone more exhausted than anything. Raoul had a hard time keeping up, having been bed ridden for so long and the earlier burst of activity strained him to the max. Francoeur wanted to help his friends, but Raoul refused to be carried around like a doll and the big guy almost had to bend himself in half to support him under his arms. They took continuous breaks, until Lucille asked Francoeur to hurry ahead for Emile to help. He rushed ahead retrieving said man in no time, his movements mechanic and his eyes distant. Lucille noticed the strange behavior, making a note to confront him later.
"We're almost there, ya big baby," Emile mumbled to Raoul.
"I'd stop being a pain if you stopped treating me like a child. I can walk on my own."
"You literally collapsed before I got here, you can't."
"I need to get a feel for it."
"You know what, if you try, the only feel you'll get would be the feeling of the cold, hard ground under your face."
"These legs were made for walking and that's just what they'll do."
"But you can't! You're not physically able to!"
"I'll show you physically able," Raoul slipped out of his friend's grasp and shoved him off. He took a few steps before his breathing became heavier. As soon as he opened the door to enter he fell forward inside and slammed against the wood.
"For crying out loud!"
"Now who's the big baby? Haha….ow," Raoul groaned from the ground. Emile rushed to his side, leading him on his feet. From then on, the injured man stopped complaining and they returned for the night in their respective quarters, leaving a request for the innkeeper to bring up their meal. Lucille bid them a good night, lending her service if Emile wanted relief at any time from 'babysitting'. Francoeur went to join them in their room, but Lucille blocked the doorway.
"I'll send Maud over to help them, we're going to talk."
Francoeur tilted his head in question, about?
"Serena." At the mention of the name, Francoeur felt light-headed and euphoric before feeling worried. He looked suspiciously at Lucille, feigning ignorance. Why?
"You're not good at lying. Or hiding your emotions," she sighed miserably. This really wasn't a talk she wanted to have with him. She hoped she'd never have to crush the hopes and dreams of her best friend, but it was a necessary evil to overcome. Could he handle heartbreak if he encountered it?