Sous les toits de Paris [Versailles/Transylvania/Public]

They were supposed to meet outside of the cinema. Auguste's date was not here yet. He had to say, he felt a little worried. Well, maybe not worried, it was not like Auguste's heart was set purely on this woman. If she ditched him, he could easily shrug it off. It would be pretty disappointing, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. She was just a whore- a very pretty one, but there were plenty of beautiful women in the world.

Of course, he knew if she was absent, it was not because she ditched him. (No sane woman could really ditch a man like Auguste.) Men probably did not take her on dates very often, she was a prostitute, he assumed she was just used for sex, and then done with. If she was not here, it would be because of her brother. The Frenchman and the Moldovan had declared a cold war of sorts on each other, ever since the Moldovan decided to get stingy with his payments. The man could have gotten wind of Auguste's visits to Crina, Ionescu's own sister. Actually, Auguste was sure the man had heard something about the visits. It was getting increasingly difficult to meet with the girl, because of her brother. If he prevented her from this date- as he had the one before, than her brother would be victorious, at the expense of Auguste.

They couldn't meet at the carnival, that would be too obvious. Someone could tell her brother. They were supposed to meet at the cinema, just because that was the best place to meet. Maybe she was lost? He doubted they had cinemas in her home. Did she even know what one looked like?

He had the tickets. Very fortunately, there was a French film showing, Sous les toits de Paris. He didn't get what it was about, but it was French, and it was supposed to be romantic. The tickets were somewhat pricey, they almost cost as much as the tickets to the carnival cost. It would be a useless expense, if she did not show up.

Lifting the sleeve of his jacket, he took a glance at his watch. The movie was going to start soon. She still wasn't here.

((TL;DR: WHY THAT HOE SO LATE))

(SHE DOES WHAT SHE WANTS.)

Crina rushed down the sidewalk, one hand held tightly on her small pocketbook and another trying to fix her mess of curls. She was late. Not too late but still enough time had passed to be considered rude. There could were several reasons she could have given the Frenchman for this: Her brother was keeping her 'hostage', a guest appearance from one of her customers set her back an hour, she had no clue what a cinema was-

The Transylvanian stopped near a light post to catch her breath, catching sight of Auguste. Was he upset with her? He must have been upset. The girl couldn't tell though, not from the distance she was standing. She sighed and fixed her dress, the old one she wore on her days off, and began to stroll towards him- Or rather inch.

"Auguste?" Crina touched his arm lightly to pull his attention from his watch. "Auguste, I'm sorry I'm late- I Just..I just lost track of time.." An apologetic smile followed her vague excuse before her eyes fell on the building before them, in awe. This was a cinema..? She knew they had them more South of her homeland, but she never knew exactly what they were. The woman's attention turned back to Auguste, a look of slight excitement growing on her face.

His name was called, followed by the slightest touch on his arm. His eyes shifted away from the watch, and to the girl. A smile, the smile he always wore slipped on his face, this time, the smile was unusually genuine. He was very relieved that her brother did not, in fact, have the degree of contol over her, that he had expected. He could even say that he was looking forward to this. Dealing with someone like Crina was much more pleasurable than dealing with someone like Franze.

A short laugh burst out when he saw her reaction to the cinema. His hand jumped to cover the laugh, that even he knew was obnoxious. He tried not to really laugh, very often. He must have acted like her when he saw his first cinema. That was in his early adolesence, though. It was funny to see a grown woman be so excited about something.

"It's fine, it's fine. The movie hasn't even started yet-," he smiled, leaning down to kiss both of her cheeks. Subtly, and gently, he looped his arm with her's, and head her into the direction of the doorway.

"We even have time to get some popcorn," Another smile, as he handed the money to the vendor, and recieved a bag of popcorn, in return. He was not a fan of the snack, and working at the carnival, he had constant access to it. But he was told that getting popcorn was part of the 'experience.' He had really been in the cinema once before, as a boy, and his date had most likely never been in one. They should probably have that 'experience.'

When the door was opened to the theater, Auguste also had to stare in awe, though his awe was not as notable as his Romanian partner's was, his hesitation conveyed some sort of wonderment. "Choose whichever seat you like, mon petit chou," he concluded, after the pause.

She should have known in a town this poor they'd be worried about theft. But not on candy. Which was why she found it so strange that she was kicked out for trying to lift some caramel chews. The way she saw it, eventually she would get her comeuppance in the form of cavities she wouldn't be able to salvage. Being kicked out was just adding insult to eventual injury. Rubbing salt in the preemptive wound.

She didnt know where she was going to find that sugar jolt thatchildren her age thrived on like heroin now. There was a butcher shop, a clothing store and...

A moving picture theatre? She wasn't at all fascinated with the technology. She was too afraid to be ripped off to ever try to sneak in (buying a ticket was out of the question). But they probably had sweets. Definitely. Looking at the crowd in front, she realized they had something else too.

"...is that... Crina?" she had to do a double take. Why here, of all places? The last she'd heard was that she was chasing after their brother. Then who was that guy?

Too late, they had disappeared into the theatre. Emiliana found her feet moving towards where they had been, and where they were going. She was right-- so many sweets there. But suddenly she was less hungry.

As if she felt introducing herself to them both was wasteful (her sister already knew her, right) she jabbed the man in the side. "Who the hell are you?" Was that popcorn? She took some. "Eh... Not as good as I thought."

Crina tilted her head. It was the first time she had ever heard the man laugh and hopefully the last. Was it directed towards her? Before she could ask, he had pulled her into the building and any previous thoughts soon disappeared.

The Transylvanian didn't bother to acknowledge the snack food he had bought, she was too excited. It didn't even show on her face, but by the way she tugged and pulled Auguste around, one could certainly tell she was ecstatic to be seeing a moving picture for the first time.

"What is the movie called-"

"Who the hell are you?"

Crina turned her attention to the young voice. "Eh- Mili?" The woman reached out and began to touch her face, as if the girl was an apparition. "Mili is that really you?" Indeed it was. She could tell just by the girl's manners...or lack of. "..You've grown so much!"

Suddenly, the smile faded and her skin began to lose its color. Did Emiliana know that her older sister sold her body for money? Maybe she had met up with Dimitrie in secret and had been sent to spy. All was crazy talk but the hands retracted, and were instead held close to her chest.

"Draga mea, what are you doing here?"

She seemed eager, all right. Very eager. Naturally, Auguste could not blame her. He wanted to laugh again, he almost did, but fortunatley, he stopped himself.

"What is the movie called-"

"Sous-" he could only answer the first word of her question, before he felt a jab on the side, and followed by a very rude, "Who the hell are you?" It was appalling to see a child behave so rudely. Auguste certainly didn't act like-... well, his family memeber certainly didn't behave like that at such young an age. The girl then had the audacity to steal his, and his date's popcorn. He retracted the bag immediately. The girl seemed dirty. A frown creased across his face. She probably ruined the bag. She was going to ruin this date.

Crina knew this brat too. The girl, Auguste could see an obvious resemblence to that disgusting Moldovan man, and to an extent, some form of resemblence to the woman his arms were formerly linked to.

"Auguste de Bourbon. The... owner of Carnival Mistique." That name must have garnered some form of respect from the little girl. All the children had to have heard of the carnivals in town, by now. Mistique, more so than the others. And well, even if someone as inconsiderate as that Moldovan man was a relative, she still must have some respect for the powers that keep her brother employed and paid.

His arm rode over the shoulder of his prostitute date, indicating that they were romantic with each other.

Head, quickly turning to the woman, he asked a quick and quiet "Who is this girl?", followed shortly with a "She is not bothering you, is she?"

Crina shook her head to the latter question. "No, no..she's fine." Was she bothering him? Hopefully not. She couldn't just shoo Emiliana off, the Transylvanian didn't have the heart too.

Hopeful to make the situation less...awkward...Crina decided introductions were in order. Pulling the girl close, she placed a hand on her head and gave a warm smile to both her and the Frenchman.

"Auguste, this is my little sister Emiliana..."

"Emiliana, this is.." Well, he had already said who he was. Would it make a difference if she said he was her lover (at least she thought he was)? Probably not, she could tell by the way he had his arm around her-- but still, she didn't want her baby sibling to think he was the reason she was never around. That was definitely not the case.

"Where is mami? She must be worried you aren't with her.."

Maybe she couldn't blatantly tell her to leave, but she could hint at it. If only she would catch on.

"Ain't bothering no one." She muttered before being placed next to her sister. Mystique, huh? "You're the one that took my brother away." She spat at the man. He had just made an egregious mistake.

Now she was mad at the both of them. Shaking off her sister's hand, she glared at no one in particular. "Mami knows I'm fine." Not entirely true, but she wandered off to much for it to be surprising. "Besides, I can do what I want." She spoke of Auguste as if he wasn't there. "What, you like this horse's ass more than you like us? Why are you avoiding us?"

So it was her little sister...? Auguste gathered another smile. When the girl shot a wad of spit towards Auguste's shoes, his smile wavered, but it came back. He was offended, disgusted, to be quite honest, but this was Crina's sister- and also the Moldovan's sister. Being cordial would not only be polite in this situation, and wise (it's always nice to treat your woman's family with respect,) but it would also be advantageous for his fight against the Moldovan.

And he was also informed that the girl's mother was somewhere here...and that woman was probably Crina's and the other Ionescu's mother. It would be good to meet her. Auguste often left a good impression on his 'potential mothers-in-law' (As they thought themselves to be. They weren't. Auguste had never in his life, met a woman he really would consider marrying.)

The Frenchman leaned down, using the handkercheif to wipe the spit from his shoe. He had to ignore the 'took my brother away,' comment. If it was really up to Auguste, he would give her brother back. But the man was too good for business. He also chose to ignore the 'horse's ass,' comment. Tucking the handkercheif in to his pant pocket, he turned to the younger girl. He pressed a dime into her hand.

"There is a movie playing right in the other theatre, a comedy, I believe." His smile brightened. "I've heard it's very funny. You can see it, instead of this one, if you'd like. Afterwards, we can bring you back to your mother-" his glance shifted to his mistress. "Assuming you are fine with that...? I would not want your sister to be put in harm's way."

As for the time being, the movie was about to start. The little girl would be best to leave. Leave for just a bit. He wanted to meet her mother after this movie.

Crina shouldn't have been surprised by the young girl's actions but she was. And the avoiding comment only served to make the Transylvanian feel terrible.

"..N-no, no..." She shook her head slowly. "I just..I..." She tried to speak faster than what her slow mind could process, leaving a lot of 'um's, 'uh's, and stumbling over her words. The woman clutched at her arms tightly until they turned white as she tried to think of a response.

"It's..complicated...You wouldn't understand right now, Emiliana."

She was forced into prostitution for the sake of being there with her brother, what wasn't there to understand?

Her attention shifted back to Auguste. He was taking the girl..surprisingly well. He had even given her money to go see the movie next door. Maybe Crina didn't have too much to worry about. That was until he mentioned meeting her mother. She didn't even know if she was around at the moment, she couldn't risk going out looking for her either, she was already being daring by running off from the brothel despite Dimitrie's wishes.

"Of course," she lied. "...After the movie we will bring her back...That isn't too much trouble is it?"

Hazel orbs then fell on Emiliana. "You'll be fine watching the movie, da?"

She stared at them in intervals for a while before she finally conceded. Snatching the money from the man's hand, she muttered, "Fine."

Before she walked off, she looked back at Crina. "You owe me for this." Not really, but as long as she was conceding something for once...

And with that, she was out.

Auguste was very relieved to have the girl leave. Maybe in her departure, and with that money she would realize that...this man in her sister's life was a good man. Maybe that could diffuse through the family. Really, though, Auguste was not stupid. She did not seem like the type that would remember anyone fondly. She wouldn't say good things about him. But she couldn't say bad things about him.

He replaced a smile for a much needed sigh. His hand smoothed back the hair of her forehand, where he then planted a kiss. Auguste took the cue, that this girl did seem nervous talking to her sister. Troubles at home, he could only assume?

"Children don't understand these types of things. They don't understand how adults function," and he moved his hand towards her hand. "I believe your job- what you do it for is honourable." He kissed her cheek. He didn't even agree with that, but he said what women liked to hear. "To me, you are an admirable woman. And that is why I'm so in love with you." He smiled. The lights in the theatre simmered down, and Auguste took that as an indication to move towards a seat.

"I don't think she'll still be here-" he whispered, "but I'll take her back to her mother by myself, if you'd like. Your mother...doesn't have to know."

And so rolled the opening of the movie. Auguste was silenced, the theatre was silenced in awe at this technology. He still, was not so amazed that he didn't have time to flirt. Slowly crossing his arm over her back, the two did not resemble whore and customer, they resembled an actual couple. Would this be the first time the Romanian had that? Auguste hoped.

Emilana had gone off rather easily, it was a relief, but her words still stuck with the Transylvanian.

Even as she was pulled down into her seat, she had lost all interest in the movie and what Auguste had to say. She simply nodded with his words and rested against his chest when he put his arm around her. Crina's hand wrapped around his, beginning to play with his fingers.

"Doesn't have to know what..?" Her reply was rather delayed and her voice was rather loud, louder than she wanted it to be. A man next to her flashed a glare; immediately she quieted down. "She already knows that I'm.." She was still earning this person's glare and she frowned with embarrassment but was still committed to finishing her sentence. Stretching slightly in her seat, Crina pressed her lips near the Frenchman's ear and whispered.

"A whore.."

She wanted to add more. He didn't need to bring her little sister back to her mother, she would find her way. Yet the young woman slid back down in her seat, eyes fixed on the screen but not paying attention.

He took a glare at the angry bystander as Crina spoke.. Americans, they found any opportunity to be obnoxious. There was no doubt that this man didn't understand the language. He was too American for that. Yet he still tried to hush the only one who could understand the movie? Idiot.

If Crina didn't like being a whore...then why was she a whore? Her brother, obviously. Auguste did not need to question that. The brothel was an enterprise that was under the jurisdiction of the carnival, but it was not run as Auguste would like.

"You could be my assistant-...work for me...alone." he whispered back, into her ear. The tone he whispered it in, was almost seductive, the words- the prospects, he wanted that to sound seductive. "But your brother would never allow that. I want you to be free...free...with me..." He breathed these words into her ear, with some very effectively manufactured sincerity. He must have seemed genuinely in love with her- that was the emotion portrayed. It was not that he did not at all care about her- but he could only care about people to an extent. Forcing fake emotions was much safer than having real ones. His whore could prove that. She was bound to prostitution because of her love for her brother. Auguste would not do that for his siblings.

He gently pulled her body against his. He wanted to prove that he was there. He wanted to tell her, that he would help her. He promised, that he would be there for her, always- but her brother wouldn't allow it. "But...As long as your brother controls the brothel... as long as he controls you like he does..." those words trailed off, as he pressed his lips against the top of her head.

"Crina, I love you...I just wish, I could help you...I wish I could free you..." He whispered to her, the opening credits were over, and the opening scenes rolled out before them.