Treaty of Picquigny

Camille makes her entrance as the conversation flows like our wine. Introductions are a bit stilted with the language barrier, but even with her limited English Elise's Mother definitely comes across to be just as warm as her husband, if more responsible.

"So, Scarlet, have you given some thought to after school? What you want to do?" William asks. Camille's taken a seat next to my mother and has joined me and Elise on the wine. Honestly, I figured my life would just end after I graduated, it's only recently I'd thought about it. I'd like to go to University, if only for the experience, but it's not like I'd get in anywhere top-tier.

"Not a hundred per cent yet, maybe Uni? I dunno, Rouge got all the smarts in our DNA" I deflect. Sorry Rouge. Everyone's eyes naturally turn to her, who's barely spoken since her initial introduction.

My sister looks up from her drink to the sea of expectant eyes before responding. "That's me, the perfect specimen, just gotta decide if I want to go into medicine or research." She brags... Sort of... Weird, the way she speaks about it, it's like she begrudges it. "Might just marry a diplomat or something, do nothing all day, seems like a cushy gig." She adds. Damn it. Can you not insult our hosts for like five minutes?

"Actually, Mama's an artist, she painted all the pieces in here." Elise stands up for her mother. I'm not exactly an art critic but... Wow. The various paintings hung around the room are breath-taking, each in their own unique way. Clashing colours and styles draw my eyes to each one, but my favourite is a portrait of a familiar young girl, with onyx black hair and blazing blue eyes. The look on her face is happy, and yet, I know it, I know that's the smile she wears when she's worried. "That one's me as a child." Elise confirms with pride, acknowledging my gaze.

Camille turns to look at the painting and provides a long explanation in French. "Elise used to hate having her picture taken as a child, she had heard that cameras would take a piece of her soul in a story, would never sit for a photo." William begins explaining nostalgically. "She would kick and scream and knock the camera. So, Camille asked her to sit down, and began painting. Hours past, hours more. Eventually, she shows Elise the portrait and she asks 'Mama, why have you drawn me sad?' Camille looks her straight in the eye and tells her 'This is what scares me, and I face it, I never let it out of my mind, and that is the only way to face your fear.' Elise thinks for a moment, walks straight up to the camera, and takes a picture of herself, hands it to Camille and answers 'it looks nothing like me.' Never had a complaint again, cannot stop her taking photos now." He concludes with a smile.

Elise is flushed red with embarrassment, I'm guessing she was hoping that story wouldn't come up. I feel bad, it's such a cute story. I put my free arm around her shoulders, pulling her in to kiss her forehead. She looks at me with appreciation, and a smile that I know means she's really okay.

"Papa likes to leave out that he's the one who told me the story about cameras in the first place." She points out. Well, there's some context that adds a new dimension, William shrugs with a guilty smirk.

"Well, if it helps, Jasper wet the bed until he was Nine." Rouge offers. Okay, really not helpful.

Elise chuckles and looks to my sister. "You know, that does help." She decides. Alright, maybe kinda helpful, but it was overdue. Camille exits the room again for the final preparations on dinner, while Jasper lists every embarrassing secret he knows about Rouge. Gonna keep the gay ex-boyfriend and female fuck buddy secret, I think Jasper would torment her for eternity.

"Out of interest, Bill, what does 'Mon Lapin' mean?" Rouge asks Elise's Father. No Rouge, you wouldn't, I know I dropped you in it earlier, but come on.

"My Rabbit" William replies in a confused tone. "It's a very strange question. Does this phrase mean something?" he inquires with a curious smile on his face. Elise avoids eye contact. I mean, it's not like pet names are really that embarrassing, but come on, no one wants to have to explain their mushy stuff.

I look my sister dead in the eye, who grins back at me. "No reason." She decides, as both Elise I exhale at the same time. Good to know she's not going to totally drop me in it... Just terrify me, quite a lot.

Saved by the bell... Or the French yelling. "Oh, sounds like dinner!" William translates, standing and leading the way through to the kitchen. Elise gestures for everyone to follow, and we take up the rear.

The table in the kitchen appears to have extended from the last time, with additional chairs positioned to fill the space. We take our seats and I make sure to stay next to Elise, I need my emotional support right now. Not that anyone was trying to sit between us, mind you.

Camille begins dishing out the food, I don't recognise it, some kind of potato dish? It doesn't matter, after the food last time I was here I trust the chef with anything culinary. Apparently everyone else agrees, as they're soon tucking in. Soon after, Camille takes her seat and joins us in eating.

Bon Appetit, I guess!