[Milliways]: An American in Paris

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus' flat in Paris is above a little boulangerie in the Latin Quarter, not too terribly far from Notre Dame. It's...very small, and that isn't helped by the musical instruments and half-finished, scribbled sheet music that are littered around the place. Everything is clean, just cluttered. It's a bit stuffy as well, though Orpheus has all his windows open.

As they step into the living room, Orpheus turns to Steve with a smile. "Bienvenue à Paris," he says.

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve sits back, his lips pressed together to keep from smiling too much, and looks at his meal with both curiosity and hunger.

"So this is duck confit," he says, poking it with his fork.

[golden_lyre]

"Try it," Orpheus urges, picking up his sandwich.

If Steve doesn't like it, he's more than happy to trade.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"It looks like fried chicken."

He tears off a bite and eats it--skeptically at first, then with more appreciation as he chews.

"Wow," he says once he's swallowed and digs in with enthusiasm.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus grins at him. "See?"

His expression is very, very smug.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I figured it would be good," Steve says. "Nothing you've had me try has been bad. I just didn't think it would be this good."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus shrugs, fully enjoying his own cheesy concoction. "It's French."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"The only thing I know about French food is French fries. And snails."

[golden_lyre]

"Snails are actually tasty. And not exclusive to France.

"Also, they're called frites here, and are much better than what you've had."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve points to the pomme frites on his plate.

"These are fantastic."

[golden_lyre]

"Everything here is fantastic, lovely. It's Paris."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Fine, fine, I'll take your word on it all."

He eats some more, watching Orpheus.

"Can we get something gooey and decadent for dessert?"

[golden_lyre]

"At the Louvre," Orpheus reminds him. "All the chocolate you'd like."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"That's right. Plans for later."

[golden_lyre]

"You should at least see the Mona Lisa," Orpheus says. "And Winged Victory."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods with enthusiasm. "I hear the Mona Lisa is a lot smaller than you expect."

[golden_lyre]

"It is, if you're expecting it to be large. And there's a barrier around it."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I'm not surprised, after it was missing all that time."

[golden_lyre]

"It's still worth seeing, though," Orpheus says.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh, of course! I want to see it.

"I had an art teacher who hated it," he says after he eats another bite of duck. "He said it was only famous because it had been stolen, not because it was an especially wonderful work of art."

[golden_lyre]

"I don't know that I would say 'wonderful,'" Orpheus says after a moment's consideration. "But definitely accomplished. And somewhat...personal."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Personal?"

His eyes widen. "Did you know da Vinci?"

[golden_lyre]

"I met him briefly," Orpheus admits.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Why is it personal?"

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus shrugs. "It's in her expression. The familiarity. I didn't ask him about it. I didn't know the painting would be famous."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve tilts his head. "Orpheus. Is it ... you? In the picture?"