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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 11:10:58 GMT -5
"Yes, Monsieur. Thank you very much."
He stood to stretch and follow the taller fellow, mindlessly slipping his little hand into Valmont's as they left, likely not noticing that he'd done so.
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 11:35:12 GMT -5
Valmont smiled to himself as Mortimer did so, and squeezed the hand very lightly in return. It was tempting to see Mortimer as a child, but he was not, despite the man's oddity. If he was a child, it was in the ways of civilization, like a savage, or that Wolf Boy.
Valmont led him to the waiting carriage and opened the door, directing the driver, who had long since discarded any curiosity about his master's requests, to the Tour Eiffel. The drive was not long.
"Was this what you meant?" Valmont asked as they climbed out and looked up at it.
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 11:40:18 GMT -5
He craned his neck to look up at the massive structure, grinning, never having sseen anything that was so tall (and not on the ocean floor).
"Yes! We can go up? Why is--people live in?"
He folded his arms behind his back, again concious of his manners.
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 11:55:10 GMT -5
"We can," Valmont said solemnly. "I don't think people live in it, however. It's merely for show. Goodness knows why, hideous thing that it is. I think it exists for people to climb up." He hoped he would not have to. Shouldn't Man invent some sort of contrivance to propel him up so many stories, if he was going to build things this tall?
Approaching, he was astonished to learn that his dreams had come true, and that something--called an "elevator," which struck him as absurdly literal--had indeed been invented.
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 11:59:31 GMT -5
Mortimer excitedly took his turn to step into the little box, grabbing Valmont's hand and pulling him in after with a trill. They were carried upward, and when the doors opened again and let them out on a sort of deck ((yeah I have no idea.)) he shrieked with excitement and ran tot he rail to look down, giving a deep, long whale-like whistle.
"Beautiful! Come see, Monsieur!"
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 12:17:04 GMT -5
Valmont had no idea how the man made that sound he was making, but he had to admit that his enthusiasm was, if not catching, at least somewhat endearing. As much as anything was ever "endearing" to him, which meant something more like "attractive." It was all one, really. He followed at a more leisurely pace, not ever having been this high before (though he had no fear of anything), and joined Mortimer at the railing.
"Impressive," he murmured. "Paris does go on." But he could see where it ended, too, an island oasis in a sea of quite dull company.
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 12:20:00 GMT -5
He nodded, staring out, and shook his head a bit. The height, the sight of the ciity from so high up sparked something in the very back of his mind, but it was gone quickly and he was left simply to enjoy the view. He leaned toward Valmont, pressing his shoulder into the man's arm.
"Where is your house?"
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 12:40:35 GMT -5
Valmont let him lean. "I'm not sure," he said, turning slightly. "I can't see it from here, but it's in that direction." He pointed with his other arm in a direction he thought was accurate. "Would you like to see it, Mortimer? When you're done here, of course."
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 12:45:54 GMT -5
He peered out, noting the rows of very fine houses that way, and supposed that Valmont must of course have beautiful and fashionable house, such was his dress.
"It is very big? Very pretty? Yes, I would like to see."
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 12:49:40 GMT -5
Valmont smiled down at him. "I think it's very beautiful," he said immodestly. "I think you'll like it. Very shiny. But look, Mortimer--we can see the Opera from here."
He pointed again, thinking the little man would be interested.
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 12:56:21 GMT -5
He gave a trill, and would have to remember to tell Erik that he'd seen his house from so high up, and how small it looked, and pretty...but then no, he'd better not mention that he'd seen Valmont, it would only upset Erik.
"Is your house as pretty as the Opera?"
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 13:25:50 GMT -5
"Hmm," said Valmont. "I certainly think it much finer, but there is no accounting for taste. I should very much like your opinion in the matter."
Odd, considering how much Mortimer had drunk, he seemed exactly the same. And such a small man, too.
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Post by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2008 13:30:12 GMT -5
And speaking of that
"We can go now. Would like to see, very much. Monsieur has wine as well? Orr tea, if not."
The little man slipped his hand into Valmont's again and pulled him back to the elevator, certain that they were good friends now that Valmont was allowing him some physical contact.
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Post by Valmont on Dec 1, 2008 13:42:23 GMT -5
Again, Valmont let himself be pulled. "Wine, and other things," he said. "I'm certain we'll find something you like." The elevator shuddered its way down disconcertingly, and Valmont reevaluated his opinion of the contraption before decided that the convenience outweighed the anticipation of personal harm. They returned to the carriage, which Valmont directed home. Soon enough, it pulled into a circular drive before a columned portico. It was not the largest house in Paris, or the finest, but Valmont felt he had done very well for himself and it suited him exactly. ((to An unusual guest))
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