enfin libre

🥨 - our muses eat hors d'oeuvres together

“Oh my Godric Gryffindor!” Came the mumbled moan of appreciation as she doubled down on eating the food that had been laid out at the ball. “It was worth coming for this alone, don’t you think. Here, you should try this!” Evelyn encouraged, picking up one she had particularly enjoyed and holding it out in front of Xavier.

@xavierdupcnt​

“Merlin, Evelyn,” Xav rolled his eyes at the woman before him. “That facial expression and the accompanying moan... is not something you want to experience at a buffet,” he shook his head at her though a smile was on his lips so he couldn’t have been too harsh. Xavier held his hand up at her offering, “Hands. No. I shall take one for myself and you can devour that one like you have all the rest.”

🧣 - one of our muses gives the other a jacket/scarf when they’re cold

“Merde, it’s cold!” Octavia exclaimed, shivering slightly in her dress. It was not a design of hers that went well with a jacket so she hadn’t made one. Now she was beginning to regret that choice. Perhaps a long sleeved dress would have been better or a different material, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to curse,” she said to the man next to her, forgetting she’d cursed in French and not everyone would understand.

@xavierdupcnt​

Xavier laughed at the woman’s exclamation. “Tu avez raison. Il fait très putain froid,” he nodded before beginning to unbutton his jacket. “You may have my jacket for a moment as long as you promise not to run away with it,” he offered the other, a serious look on his face before softening as he saw her shivering with the cold, slipping it over her shoulders. 

“Oh sorry I didn’t see you there.” Lucie stated when she looked up from the table she was sat at in her little shop, having been chewing on the end of her pen as she scribbled some things down onto the notepad in front of you. “I’m just trying to figure some things out for the festive menu.”

“That’s no problem, Lucie,” Xav smiled. “Do you mind if I sit?” he asked. “I’m on my lunch break and thought I’d try somewhere else for a change.” Xavier didn’t exactly love the decoration in Madam Puddifoots but the treats here couldn’t be beaten. “Can I suggest Palmier cookies? We used to have them at Christmas in France. They are pastry swirls filled with cinnamon and sugar– délicieux,” he smiled.

“And you said that to their face?” Chloé quirked a brow. She wasn’t questioning if Xavier had actually done it, it was more her challenging his audacity. “I don’t imagine that ended well at all,” she remarked with a shake of her head. “Did they say or do anything in response?”

@xavierdupcnt

“Of course I did. Who do you take me for? Someone who talks behind people’s backs?” he questioned, raising his brows at her. “Oh, it didn’t. She hit me with her purse and I apparated out of there before she could throw her drink at me. It was bad, Chloé. I’m not meant for dating over here,” Xav sighed, leaning back in his chair as he sipped on his whiskey.

“Woah, I feel like that was blatantly peacocking there.” Evelyn laughed when Xavier mentioned how women seemed to throw themselves at him. “But that actually explained another reason why you spend time with me. Clearly I’m the only woman you know who isn’t insane.” She stated with a grin, laughing at the expression on his face. “And you think a drink is good enough? Not even slightly Mister. I want a drink, snacks and at least one dance.”

“Peacocking?” Xav questioned. “I don’t know what that means but if it is something to do with showing off my skills then I guess you were right and my sarcasm didn’t come off as well as I’d hoped,” he pressed his lips together. “You... not insane... those words don’t go together, Evie. You are the most insane woman I have met,” he told her with a chuckle. “How about two drinks and a handful of snacks? I do not dance.”

“Yes, and you’re about as serious as one too. Whether you’d be able to handle the celibacy is a secret only you know though.” She added before sticking her tongue out playfully. Still, she was laughing a moment later at his words and the way he posed. “Oh I see. I’m just here to fend off your flock hm?” Evie teased again. “Well if you want me to do that you’re going to have to make it worth my time.” 

“Maybe I’m as serious as one at work but not outside of it,” he said. At least that’s how he viewed himself anyway, maybe he was wrong. “But the celibacy? Hm. Given the amount of women who throw themselves at me I don’t think I’d last, somehow,” Xav teased heavily, grimacing at her tongue being stuck out at him. “That’s... well, yes. That’s most of the reason I’m here,” he told her. “What do you want in return? A drink? I can do that.”

“Capable? You’d prefer not to hear my answer to that, trust me,” she mocked. “Very funny, Xav– you wish,” Chloé rolled her eyes playfully. While he was an attractive man, they both knew that the blonde was not the type of woman to throw herself at any man without any self-respect.

“Oh, but I would,” he shot a smirk in her direction.  “I am very funny, I know. Thank you for the compliment, Bonaccord,” Xav replied, the smirk growing even wider. “I’m sure in another life it would have been the other way round, you throwing yourself at me. I am that irresistible after all.”

“I mean, technically they’re not wrong.” Evelyn stated as she sipped her drink, laughing softly. “And I love that you feel the need to come up with an excuse just to be by my side all night Xavi.” The woman fluttered her eyelashes ridiculously before laughing. “I think it’s because it strangely suits you though.”

“Do I look like I could be a priest? Really?” he felt the need to ask, hands on his hips as he posed in a priestly manor for the other. “No. Doesn’t feel right,” Xav shook his head and body out of the feeling. “It’s not an excuse, just a reason to stop the comments. Psh,” he rolled his eyes at her, though he did enjoy Evie’s company of course. He wouldn’t admit it though. “I don’t see it, I really don’t.”

“I sure hope that’s your costume and not you dedicating yourself to a new faith,” Chloé teased once she saw how Xavier was dressed. “Not that you’re not allowed to believe whatever you like, but I’m sure being a wizard and being a priest would be pretty contradictory,” she added with a laugh. 

@xavierdupcnt

“So what if I am becoming a priest? You don’t think I am able?” he asked with furrowed brows. “The swearing away women part is the hardest, you know. They keep throwing themselves at me, yourself included.”

Silas: I've been pulled out of the office for a few hours but I've managed to leave some paperwork that needs to go out asap on my desk. Do you think you could do me a favour and get it sent out for me please?

Silas: I'll owe you one.

“Some moron in a café I was sketching in got coffee all over my latest ideas, so forgive me if I’m not in the cheeriest mood,” Chloé warned the second she spotted Xavier from the corner of her eye. “Any chance you’ve got something positive to share or even some pain killers? I think I’d prefer the latter anyways.”

@xavierdupcnt

“And you didn’t think to just, reverte?” Xavier smugly suggested, hand movements of the spell in tow. “When are you ever in the cheeriest mood though, Chloé? Or am I missing something?” he continued to tease, clearly not getting the message. “No pain killers but you can have my lunch. I was put off by some texts I got from a friend and now don’t have an appetite,” he said, reaching into his bag to pull it out. “It’s a good one too. Crudités and everything.”

Evelyn: Probably. I'm touched that you care enough to want to save my cute ears.

Evelyn: Hold up... did you just... Apologise????

Evelyn: What can I say, I've got a talent 😎

Xav: I'm more thinking about how if you end up covered in blood I'm going to have to come to your rescue and I'm not sure if I can be bothered right now to be honest.

Xav: I did. Is it that untoward?

Evelyn: Wow. That is harsh. I am hurt. My heart bleeds. If I might just have to express my despair in the form of a new painting. Maybe cut off and ear like Van Gogh.

Evelyn: I've got cute ears though and I like wearing earrings too much so maybe not.

Evelyn: Like a pellet gun, pew pew. Next time I'll make sure to aim right in your direction.

Xav: I figure you're probably joking but please don't cut off your ear. I didn't even think that what I said was that hurtful but here we are. I'm.. sorry?

“We do, don’t we? Fortunately my boss is pretty inclusive and always willing to expand the catalogue of what’s available here. Besides, we can’t just have Shakespeare lining the walls. How drab would that be?” she replied with a light huff of amusement. “Apollinaire? I’m sure we had some of his work. I will double check if there are some still in stock,” Dom said, disappearing briefly before returning with a few books in hand for the other. “We’ve got a collection of some of his poetry here,” she held it out for the man as she spoke. “Then I found a copy of Couleur du Temps. As well as another collection of short stories here,” Dom added, placing the others on top of what she’d already handed to him. 

“You really do,” he nodded, his eyes still drawn to the spines across the walls. “Oh, it would be so incredibly drab. I don’t know why they praise him so much here. He was such a boring writer–... and I’m saying that now hoping you’re not a huge Shakespeare fan,” Xav chuckled, bringing up the books to hide his face in case the small blonde packed a punch. “Thank you,” he smiled, moving to the other side of the store to actually look for what he had come in for– law books. “Ah, incredible. If you don’t mind I’ll just take the short stories and come back for Couleur du Temps another time? I’m one of those people who refuses to buy more books until he’s read the ones he has– such a rare breed,” Xavier joked. “I’m also looking for a slightly more boring book called The Intricacies of Rappaport’s Law if you happen to know if you stock it.”