A tour of sorts [[Combeferre]]

[adifferentlife]

Sybil was serious about her offer to show Henri about the city should he wish, and the hospital and college in particular. There's a cafe at the college she's suggested they meet at, a place where the tea is finally acceptable after a year of her patronage. It's a beautiful day, there's a crispness in the air that can only herald the onset of autumn. She loves this weather, it's her favourite time of year, and something she's very glad still happens here in Darrow.

She has a table outside, a pot of tea sitting half-empty in front of her. The sun is warm enough that she's slung her cardigan over the back of her chair in a manner she considers rather haphazard even still. Her notes for pharmacology lay in front of her, mostly untouched. It's too nice a day to study and she's rather looking forward to the company she's been promised.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

"You may, if I might do the same?" It's a pleasant walk to the town, down a slight hill and Sybil is in no rush for it to end. "It will get less strange, with time, and that is strange in itself."

[jaimemieux]

"Indeed." Combeferre sighed. "It... tips the world over, being here. Just a bit. I think I could believe almost anything now." That was a bit of an exaggeration for someone with such a skeptical mind, but it was fairly close to the truth. He had traveled through time, he had seen technology that seemed to dance on the edge between science and magic, he had met a Roman gladiator, and a little girl ghost, and an angel, for God's sake. And all in the course of scarcely two weeks. Here, doubt was something to be applied meagerly.

[adifferentlife]

Sybil only wished it was all a joy. She hesitates for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. "It is not all pleasant. This place... It can perform tricks almost. Cruel ones."

[jaimemieux]

"Of course-" Combeferre began to say, but something in Sybil's expression gave him pause. No world was ever perfect, and he had read something of the problems caused by new technologies. But... "Tricks?" He frowned. "Very sorry, I do not know what you mean."

[adifferentlife]

"There are times when it presents us with challenges. Horrors even." She doesn't care to seem melodramatic but still she rolls up her left sleeve to above her elbow, showing where a criss cross of scars is well-healed and just starting to fade. "Sometimes we find ourselves other places, places that defy explanation more than this one. These are from bug-like creatures on one visit. Other times the frightening things come here."

[jaimemieux]

His stomach tightened uncomfortably when Sybil showed the scars along her arm. He touched her forearm gently, but immediately pulled away with an apologetic murmur - even knowing they were there seemed invasive somehow. "Other places?" Combeferre looked at her in confusion, though perhaps that should not have sounded so strange after appearing in Darrow. "Were you brought there by someone. Or- some power?"

[adifferentlife]

"We don't know. The same thing that brings us here?" She doesn't flinch, but once he moved his hand away Sybil rolls her sleeve back. "It seems every few months something strange happens. I have no better explanation."

[jaimemieux]

"That is quite unsettling," Combeferre admitted softly. It was one thing to be dropped here without warning, and quite another to be tossed about like a ship in a storm, thrown in the path of monsters, and mayhem, and worse.

He licked his lips and looked at Sybil. "I am very sorry to hear that you were part of something of that nature."

[adifferentlife]

It is enough, for now, for him to think it the once. She nods, and tries again for a smile though it pales in comparison to those of earlier. "Thank you. I am lucky, still. Things could have been much worse. I have my health, and my life, and it makes me appreciate those so much more."

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre still frowned as he searched Sybil's face, as though he might find there some explanation of the tragedy that lay behind her eyes. It had been easy for him to think of Darrow as a safe place, especially compared to the Paris he had left behind, but now he had to question that assessment. This newfound knowledge was helpful, yes; he only wished he had not received it from such a tragic source.

He gave Sybil's arm in his a gentle squeeze. "Let us not end our afternoon on such a low note, d'accord? Tell me, Miss Crawley, do you enjoy the theater, by chance?"

[adifferentlife]

His effort to lighten the conversation is a welcome one, and her smile grows more genuine. "I do enjoy the theater, though I've barely been here."

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre nodded, pleased. "I have wanted to learn more about it. The theater here is very different, I imagine." But it would be fascinating, he was sure. "We might go, if you wanted. After that dinner."

[adifferentlife]

"That would be lovely," Sybil answers honestly, slowing as they near the corner next to her building. "I think we should do that."

[jaimemieux]

"Good. Good." Combeferre's blush was fainter this time, but still pinked his cheeks. "Is this where I leave you?" Ridiculous as he knew it was, he found himself a bit disappointed by the idea.

[adifferentlife]

"It is," she admits, her words slightly rueful. Even with the brief turn in their conversation the day has been a pleasant one, and she doesn't truly want it to end. But as much as it must the fact they have made plans cheers her. "I have enjoyed today a great deal, Henri."

[jaimemieux]

"As have I, Sybil. Even more than I had expected." Her Christian name felt strangely informal on his tongue, but right, somehow, as though they had always been meant to meet. As if this were merely a re-acquaintance, after years and years apart.

Not that Henri Combeferre believed in such things.

When they paused outside the building's nondescript door, Combeferre dipped his head in a small bow, hands clasped behind his back. "Au revoir, mademoiselle."

[adifferentlife]

"Au revoir, monsieur." She smiles at him, dropping slightly in a curtsey in response. She doesn't want to go inside, but she knows that she should. There will be another time, they've planned for that. "I look forward to next time."