{Video}

[fliesonfour]

There is a reason why Saint Valentine is so very popular in France! Who does not like a handwritten note and a little favour at their doorstep, handed over by some pretty damsel-- or stripling? Hm? One should be willing to Rome very far indeed, to execute such a token with care to friends and loved ones, with all the haste of flying on a Cupid's wings!

Indeed, I wonder that everyone does not have a few recipients in mind already, for such favours? And to such an end, this question, most serious:

Is there a shop well-known for sturdy, pretty stationery and good pen-ink? Nothing pigmented, if you please!

If anyone knows of such a place, please point me in its direction. I'd thank you for the tip.

Ah! And for those of you who do not know me yet, salutations and introductions. I am called Joly, and I am a medical student, lately of Paris, presently as shell-shocked as the rest of the company. A pleasure to meet you!

Now, to end with a little seasonal joke, for the medically-minded among us:

Gapeworm is red, Cholera is blue,
Honey helps the lymphs, and lemon does too.
Thou are my love and I am thine;
So stay warm and dry, my Valentine!

It's very sound advice, at that. The winter months are dastardly.

Happy writing!

Comments

[fliesonfour]

Do you? Well, such is flattery.

[He has a seat beside her now, more at his leisure now that the storm has passed and its red rain has been sopped up from his floors.]

You are considerably improved now, my dear?

[jondrette]

Yes, yes, I suppose I am. [She smiles at him, her teeth red with the wine. She leans against him, but only just.]

Now, Joly, you must tell me many a thing about yourself! I know little of you, and I wish to know my dear Theo.

[fliesonfour]

Must I? [He sits up, seemingly pleased at the idea; or was it more by her agreement that she was no longer in such hysterics? Well, either way, his smile was at-ready again.] What should you like to know, then?

[jondrette]

All there is to know! Tell me things that will make me happy, that I will look at you and know, 'Oh, there is Matthieu Joly, he is such a remarkable person' and then I shall have reasons!

[She smiles fondly at him, taking a sip of more wine.]

[fliesonfour]

[To that, he chuckles, glad to be drawn back into a state of charm.]

Remarkable? That, I cannot be wholly so sure of! But I do often make remarks, so perhaps I am.

Let us see, let us see. Well! I am a medical student, as Etienne. I am a fond and acute studier of modern medicines in all their formats. In fact, I have a rather great interest in connections between physics and the physical. Now, after that, I do think I make very smart cuts in my clothing, and have such that eye for style. Beyond that, I can hold my drink well enough, can tell a relatively good oyster from a relatively bad, am from the countryside, have sisters, and I have yet to meet anyone I find extremely disagreeable as a person. (Many disagreeable, in terms of hygienic.)

Is that enough, or more-than?

[jondrette]

Oh that is enough! Though you may go on if you so wish! [She's been drinking through the whole list, pouring them both more.]

Why, Matthieu Joly, you are a very remarkable man! I should have known it, but now I have proof! I have never had an oyster, and also have a sister. I am no student, and have very little room to make smart cuts or choose style. But I find you very agreeable.

[fliesonfour]

And what of you, then? You like the fashions, I see; do you have a mind to try oysters, or to learn some trade?

[jondrette]

I should love to try oysters. I have a job, as it were! I grew up in an inn in Montfermeil, and I find it fitting to work in one such establishment. I tend bar at the Brazen Turtle. But as I have said, I grew up in Montfermeil. My family owned The Sergent at Waterloo, but lost everything when I was seven, and so we came to Paris. Since then I have had many trades, but none of them honest. I am free here. With good friends and company and wine. And handsome company, at that!

[She raises her glass to him.]

[fliesonfour]

[He clinks his glass to hers and grins ear to ear.]

Ah! A bar maid! One of the best types of maid, and one of the best of trades, wouldn't you say so? Well then, my girl! I shall have to make the Brazen Turtle my place of hobby from hereon.

[He'll drink to that.]

[jondrette]

Good, my Joly! I shall expect you to tip me liberally. But I shall take more than money. [like kisses. and sex.]

[fliesonfour]

And what other currency do you like to be tipped in? Not hats, surely, hmm?

[jondrette]

If you offered me a hat, I would take it.
But I dare say I would accept kisses. Especially from such a handsome man as yourself.

[fliesonfour]

And what kind of hat is your preference?

[A chuckle, sipping more.]

You are very forward! [Most men would not commend that, but...] I am easy at being called handsome Kisses will suffice nicely. If you pass me your hand, I will show you now.

[jondrette]

A fashionable one. Blue.

[Too bad, she's the most forward of all the ladies. She passes him her hand all the same, taking another drink.] Let us see if you do my hand well.

[fliesonfour]

Blue, and not something brighter?

[Setting the wine down, he took up her hand instead, and kissed its knuckles.] Judge not too harshly!

[jondrette]

Perhaps. We shall see.

[You are stupid, Joly. Eponine considers the kiss for a moment, then decides:] No, I do not believe that was enough for me to judge. Perhaps you should try again. [she's leaning forward just a little bit.] Then I shall show you how I kiss.

[fliesonfour]

[A brow raised, and he pressed his thumb over her fingers before acquiescing in his own mind.

She was not a normal girl, not by far. But should there be that prejudice held against any gentle creature? And she was no Musichetta, of that much he was very certain. But dear, pretty, clever Chetta was not here-- and judging who was in company, she might not be, for some many days.

If she was so set and settled; and so little in fear of falling in love, as her heart was declared firmly in the engaged Pontmercy's hands; then how was he to argue, as red-blooded, human, and quite without equal in tenacity here?

Fine enough, then, he kissed her hand a second time, then looking faintly amused, went on:]

You are not very shy, cherie.

[jondrette]

I have no reason to be, Joly.

[She'd turned bold in her years on the street. She did what she had to do in order to get what she needed and wanted.]

See! There, now I judge you a fair kisser. But, I believe, you must judge me as well. [With another sip of wine, she leans forward, gently placing her lips against his.]

[fliesonfour]

[Fine, then. It would be awful manners not to kiss the woman back, so when her lips met his, he leaned in to greet them with his own, both distinctly turned by the wine. And she was not bad at is, as any kiss should not be bad from a willing girl, and when Joly did pull away, it was to nod and commend,] And I judge you as being all good about it, indeed.

[jondrette]

[She smiles contentedly. It's been some time since she's kissed someone, and she tells him this.] It's been some time since I have kissed someone, I am glad my abilities have not waned. And you, too. Your kiss lips better than hands.

[fliesonfour]

Do I? I should have to work on both, so that hands might not grow jealous. I kiss those more often, but mouths with more zeal.

And you, my dear. I am not very lyrical, so I will merely say that your passions are best put by the mouth. [She was better kissing with urgency than she was with throwing his glasses with urgency.]

[jondrette]

You are plenty lyrical! Quick to speak and pun, I do enjoy speaking with you, Theo. And I enjoy kissing with you perhaps even more.

[To prove a point, she's going to kiss him again.]

[fliesonfour]

[Well, then. Who was e to deny a lady her pleasures?

If kissing it was, then so be it. Gingerly, he'd put the wine aside to prevent spill, and take her hand instead, before pouring his focus into the task and her warmth, the womanly curve of her hip very close to his own. All these things, so much better defined by a kiss!]

[jondrette]

[With the kiss, she pulls him closer to her, enjoying the feeling of his body against hers. A hand gently caresses his soft cheek as her eyes flicker closed. Sweet, sweet Joly. She can taste the wine on his lips, and it makes it all the sweeter.

Somehow, her own glass of wine finds itself on the table.]

[fliesonfour]

[Which was well enough; they did not have to be sloppy about the entire thing, though some sloppiness was implied.

He happily displaces himself, and replaces himself much nearer, an arm on the top of the seat, and a leg perched near enough against hers to distract himself between her kisses and her shape. Exactly where he liked to be, when with a woman, in any capacity. But there needed to be a softness for her to lean into too, so his free hand would be at her cheek, and though it was hollow-- he stroked it with his thumb as if it were full.

It was only right.]