daylight;

“I’d be flattered if you knew who I was but no, it’s not a necessity. I already have plenty of people who already do.” He answered warmly, a chuckle falling from his lips. “And I don’t know that friends would be how I described it. Not at first. Acquaintances may be more fitting.”

“Well you can blame it on the fact I haven’t been living in the UK for very long, I was in France beforehand and I feel like the culture over there is a lot different. Less Americanized.” That and she was pretty sure if she told the other her mothers name, he wouldn’t recognize her either, not that she could. Too sensitive information. Too risky. “Can I ask how that happened? You and him becoming acquaintances.” 

elodie de lapin + pop culture aesthetics ( elle woods from legally blonde )

“Oh come on, meeting new people is easy. You’ve met me today, I’m new,” He said, trying to reassure her, “And if you wanna go on dates with people, all you gotta do is ask,” He pointed out. Then he grinned, “You could sit in a bar and have a bottle of wine instead. That can be fun and you’ll be doing a lot of meeting people while doing that,” He pointed off and then thought for a moment, “Well there’s a lot of history in the Muggle U.K. have you seen any of the castles or sites yet? We also have art galleries and we have the West End. Have you seen the Globe Theatre yet?”

“In your world maybe, when you have a bit of a language barrier, it’s harder.” Elodie commented, there were still some words in English she faltered on and became frustrated when she couldn’t find what she was searching for. “You make social interaction sound so easy, I’m guessing you have plenty confidence and nerves aren’t really a thing for you.” Because she couldn’t imagine just going up to someone and asking them on a date, or starting up a conversation out of the blue. That and she had to be careful who she spoke to, her sisters mistakes being a grave reminder of that. “Ah yes, people seeing me get progressively more drunk as the night goes on.” She chuckled with a small shake of her head. “I can’t say I’ve seen any of those things, or anything of Muggle land here so far.”

“Okay but what do you say to us getting the biggest Christmas tree we can possibly fit into our place for this December? We should go all out, especially since it’s our first one away from home,” Edith suggested, a twinkle in her eye just thinking about it. “We could even blast Christmas Tree Farm on repeat while we decorate it?”

@elodiedelapin​

“And just how big are you thinking, you do realize it will be us who has to carry it in here. Unless you’ve met someone who is a lot more capable of carrying in large objects.” Elodie commented with an amused smile on her lips, “But I won’t say no to going that little bit extra this Christmas, decking the whole home in decorations and a lot of lights.” Anything to make it feel more cozy and to take away that ache of being homesick. “Christmas Tree Farm and her Christmas album of country style classics. Sounds perfect.”

“I say this with the great risk of sounding pretentious but… I kind of wish I was in Paris for Christmas,” Matthias voiced to the other, looking down at his coffee absentmindedly. “Something about the decorations in the shop windows along the Champs Elysees cannot be matches, you know what I mean?” he said, feeling like Elodie would know what he’s talking about. “I guess there’s nothing stopping me from going but everyone I care about now is here so it wouldn’t make sense. How about you? Do you have any plans for the upcoming month?”

@elodiedelapin​

"Well if that’s the case then I’m right by your side being pretentious as well.” Elodie commented with a small smile, “I miss it, everything about the city, I’ve been trying to make this place feel like my home but it’s just not-... clicking.” And she felt like she couldn’t speak to Edith about this, she didn’t want to make her sister think that she resented her for being the cause of them moving somewhere new after all. “Christmas in Paris is just-... comforting in a way Christmas here will never be. But yes, I do miss the shop windows, all the lights, the smells lingering in the streets. The calmness that seems to sweep over despite it being busier than usual. I just miss it to a point where my heart aches a little thinking about it.” She confessed, “Me and Edith will probably spend it together, just us two trying to cook a turkey and watching movies. It’ll be different to any Christmas’ we’re used to, but-... I guess it could be a start of a new tradition.”

“Ah, here’s not so bad,” Ben replied. He decided not to pry into what happened to her. It was none of his business, “Sure, sometimes our weather sucks but we’ve got loads going for us too. We’ve got just as much culture here. Different from Paris but we still have it.” 

“No, but I am finding it a little difficult to find my place here. To make friends, meet new people, go on dates, settle.” She felt like she was simply floating along most days, not really having much of a purpose other than ensuring that Edith was doing okay and attending her job. “Like what? Please share with me this culture that you seem to be hiding and all the fun things I could be doing rather than sitting at home drinking a bottle of wine.”

“I never realised just how irritating it is when people put things on the top shelves but I could not for the life of me reach what I wanted during the Halloween party and it was the most frustrating thing I think I have ever experienced next to that time I was refused entry into the Elton John afterparty.”

“Elton John?” Elodie simply blinked at the other, “I’m sorry, should I know who you are? Or do you just happen to be good friends with Elton John and he was mad at you? I’m-... confused.” 

“Ah, a bilingual cheers. I’m here for it,” Ben replied with a chuckle and then nodded, “Absolutely we can. Nothing better to say cheers for, right?” He clinked glasses with her and then downed half the liquid in his glass, “Left behind? Where were you before this?” He asked curiously but then he nodded again in agreement, “Absolutely right. I’ve made many friends that way.”

“Paris.” She smiled almost wistfully as though she was seeing the city in front of her, “It’s been my home all my life, but something happened and me and my sister had to move here. I left behind the city of lights and love for-.. cold, grey and rainy.” She chuckled, shaking her head because even though there was a bitterness to her tone, if it meant her sister was safe, she would move to the arctic for her. 

“Okay, okay– it’s not the only reason,” she insisted with a playful little roll of her eyes followed by a laugh. “I couldn’t agree more! That music video was a pastel wonderland and you know I love pastels,” Edith cooed excitedly. “Okay but I love Reputation for you. I almost suggested Red but no, go Reputation. Something from the Look What You Made Me do video too– there were some fabulous looks in that one,” she suggested excitedly. “Wait uh, Elodie does something seem different to you?” she paused. “Do I seem different to you? Because you seem different to me.”

“Oh I know you do, your room at home will vouch for you also.” Elodie chuckled, looking at the other and then choices in front of them. “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.” She quoted, “But that video was also filled with some incredible looks, also all the old Taylor’s at the end, if only we had enough friends to recreate the looks.” Elodie’s brows furrowed at the others words, “What do you - oh mon dieu.” She spoke, but the voice that filtered through the room was deeper, male and.... American. “You are definitely not looking like my sister right now.”

“What kind of genre is it?” Len asked. “It isn’t that shitty pop music, is it?”

Elodie all but scowled at the other, “There is nothing wrong with pop music and it is her genre. She is the queen of pop and she does have country roots too.”

Charles had no bloody clue what he was doing there. Perhaps he got bored of drinking on his own, perhaps he wanted a bigger variety of drinks. He took some time off work for personal reasons, but now he wished he could just focus on cases and not have the time for anything else. He did hope he was going to be sent some place else very soon. He doubted that was going to help him in any way, but he was ready to try anything. He was staring at the wall when he sensed someone was standing nearby. “Yes?” He asked, his voice hoarse. “Do you need anything?”

“Can I not stand here?” Elodie asked the other, leaning back against the wall as she wished to take the weight off her feet but knew if she sat down she wouldn’t want to stand up again. “I thought anywhere in this festival was free reign, clearly I was mistaken given the tone of your voice.”

“This is why you’re my favorite person– we’re always on the same wavelength,” she smiled back at her sister. “Now choosing an era and an outfit is going to be difficult. Although I do think I’m leaning towards Lover or 1989,” Edith admitted as she considered it. “What about you? What era are you thinking of portraying?”

“Only this reason? Mon dieu, I thought there would have been more then being on the same wavelength.” Elodie teased her sister before she let out a hum as she contemplated the many era’s and the many costumes of Taylor Swift. “Oh her Lover era did have some brilliant costumes, especially all the one’s from the ME! music video. You’d have so many options.” Elodie commented, looking out for anything pink on the clothing stands that the other could use. “Maybe Reputation? I think Folklore is a little too soft for me.”

“Wait, so who is Taylor Swift again?” Len asked the other. “I know you definitely told me, but I definitely forgot.”

( @elodiedelapin​ )

Elodie felt like she could only look at the other when she spoke, blinking as she tried to think of the words to describe the icon the she and her sister were dressed as. “She’s the greatest musician of this decade. A lyrical poet and an all around goddess.” She chuckled, “You should really research her, listen to her albums. They’re very good if you’ve just been through a break up, every album is just so emotive.”

🎭 - our muses try on / buy halloween costumes together

“These are cute and all but I think you and I both know what we’re going for this year,” Edith replied, twirling a little in the Elle Woods outfit before sighing. “You know what I’m referring too– yes?” she turned to look at her sister to be sure.

@elodiedelapin​

“You mean for our first experience of British Halloween? Of course we’re going to have to dress as Miss Swift. The real question you should be asking is, what era and what iconic costume are we going to wear of hers?” Elodie commented, looking through the rails of clothing to try and find something that sparked inspiration.

“That’s quite an impressive collection of potions you’ve got with you there,” Verity felt the need to mention when she saw the blonde dump almost her entire bag onto the tabletop between them. When she seemed to find the one she was looking for, Verity twisted it in between her fingers for a moment, “Only a couple of drops? Interesting,” she mentioned before doing just that. “I don’t think I’ve ever used this potion before. Let’s hope it works wonders for me too, hmm?” she added with a soft laugh before handing back the vial. “Thank you by the way. Is there any way I can repay you?”

“Hazard of my job I believe, you tend to carry a lot around with you because you learn just how handy they can be.” She chuckled, knowing the amount that poured out of her purse could maybe seem alarming for most but not to those who knew her. “It’s pungent and too much could cause a rather intoxicating effect, something I don’t think you wish to feel for the middle of an afternoon.” Elodie waved the other off as she tried to return the vial, “Keep it, I have plenty and if it works then let me know. It’s something I’ve been playing around for a few years now and I would love to know if it has the same effects on someone else as it does for me and my sister. As for payment, I wouldn’t say no to a hot chocolate and some company.”