Fates (open)

[Deleted]

Country: Paris, France
Current Time: September 1, 1940
Weather conditions: Warm and settled though the air can be crisp and fresh. The evenings are cooler and the leaves start to turn with the beginning of autumn.

Poised, Elegant and Graceful. The words of her instructor echoed in her head---much like the never ending instrumental being played on loop on the tourne-disque. Cosette found herself side tracked as she tried to figure out the composer of the drowned out piece of music---The ballet instructor's voice echoed in the background, fading in and out of the music as she scolded a few newer dancers about how their knees were not straight enough on the Arabesque. It was quite a normal day for Cosette...eat---sleep--dance---eat again---sleep---dance. Never ending routine, not until she was perfect and graceful like the dancers she had admired as a child.

Though not quite everything was in a way normal for Cosette now a days. Not since the Nazis occupied Paris. It seemed as though the Nazis enjoyed the French ballet...in a way it was a good thing. Almost every night there was a performance...it was pain staking work to keep up with the demands of the Nazis. They danced ballets made by German composures...listened to music on the radio by Germans and only Germans. Cosette frowned slightly not at all pleased with the new rules their "captors" gave the Parisan people.

She had to give the Nazis some credit...at least she was making enough money to keep her high socialite life style. She still had her flat, and not to mention she was still being invited to extravagant parties; the only downside was that they were hosted by the Nazis. But, regardless of all the luxury she still had none of it could compare to the losses she experienced in such a short time frame. Sure others may have experienced far worse events compared to her's...but the sheer feeling of knowing that she was utterly alone in the world began to sink in.

Cosette couldn't help but think of happier times when her country wasn't under Nazi rule...as soon as the thought crossed her mind the music had already stopped...warm ups were done for the day. Cosette still had time before the ballet performance was to begin. Minutes...maybe hours? who knows. Everything seemed to be moving in utter slow motion for her today. The people around her seemed to move like ghostly figures...hardly catching her attention even when she was spoken to.

Dazed, Cosette grabbed her pea coat and made a beeline to the back exit of the theater... Perhaps some fresh air will clear my head... she thought subconsciously. She slipped on her faded blue pea coat, clutching it close as the wind began to pick up as she stepped outside of the Théâtre du Châtelet. It was pretty dark...the sun had already set and people were already going about their business and enjoying the night life in Paris.

Cosette wasn't quite sure why she was outside when her ballet performance was going to start in a few hours. For whatever reason....it wasn't a good one. Walking around almost aimlessly; she found herself on the Pont au Change.

She leaned against the railing, staring into the dark churning waters of the Seine. She sighed a bit thinking this was a bad idea to go outside in the first place. The night air was doing nothing to clear her head....she rolled her eyes expecting an ear full when...or if she gets back to the Théâtre du Châtelet.

Honestly...Cosette didn't want to go back...she didn't want to perform for the Germans that invaded her home. She'd happily wish death to each and every one of them if she so wished. But, what could she do? She was no soldier...nor will she ever be one. What could she do for a country that already accepted their fate in the war?

[Albert Hoch]

It was all over now. France had surrenderd and the Germans were busy making themselves at home. Of course, though France may have rolled over to Germany like a poodle to a dominate German shepherd, the English bull-dog across the channel may have more to say on the matter. Albert hoped not.

He had joined the German army after the Anschluss in-order to leave Austria and go see other places and maybe go on an adventure. This had sounded like a very good idea to the young man still in his late teens, and the German army accepted him with little hesitation. Now, a few years later, he found himself wishing he was back home in Austria. Already he had seen more than enough of war for a young man in his early twentys.

Albert was not however, a quiter. So he had made up his mind to stay. To do his duty for the Fatherland. Perhaps the war would end soon after all? Of course, this also left him with another question: what to do while still in France? The army would partly have a say in answering the question, but that still left him with plenty of off-time. And after a week or two of it, he determined that sight-seeing in Paris was out of the question. So what else? Most of the other men in his unit filled the void with women and drink. Albert wasn't one to partake in either, until at the vehement request of two of the unit members.

The trio soon found themselves leaving a cafe. All but Albert more or less inebriated. And it didn't take long for one spot something. "Would you look at that." He grinned. "If it isn't mademoiselle nous." He managed to say. "How could such a barbarian like you ever know who she is?" Albert replied. "Long story. Say, I have an idea. Why don't you go talk with her Al?" "What? Are you crazy?" "Come on, do it!" The man prodded. Albert thought for a moment. "Alright, but only if you two stop asking me to go out with you." "Deal!" Albert groaned. "You're acting like giddy schoolgirls." He said. "Just go on and do it!" Fine, but you two get lost!" Though he doubted they would listen. This would be too good to pass up for them.

After making sure they were positioned far enough away, Albert straightened his uniform and walked over to her. He cleared his throat and asked; "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" He had no idea what to say next, but he hoped the answer was "Ja" or else things could get very awkward very fast. Not that it already wasn't.



(And this was all typed via iPhone... XP )

[Deleted]

Cosette continued to stare into the dark waters below the bridge, losing her sense of time. She blinked coming back to her senses---thinking she should start heading back before her instructor really gives her an ear full. Reaching up towards the starless sky, Cosette stretched her stiffened arms a bit, rolling her shoulders back in a rather fluid motion before letting out a content yawn.

Just as she began to back away from the railing, she heard someone speak in her general direction. Cosette quickly sucked in a deep breath upon hearing the person ask if she spoke German...by the sound of his accent he obviously wasn't French. Slowly, she turned her head to find a young soldier standing not too far from her. Of course, Cosette knew how to speak the language; her father was half German after all---the soldier looked to be in his early twenties like she. Not that she particularly cared, just his mere presence seemed to annoy her. She didn't like him....and she didn't even engage in a conversation with him yet.

" Je suis désolé que je ne vous comprends pas..." she replied in a rather flat tone of voice.

Her slate colored eyes glancing once in a while at the other two soldiers that were standing a ways from them. She couldn't help but wonder if this was just some sort of Nazi joke. Whatever it was...she wasn't impressed...she folded her arms across her chest; waiting to see how the soldier was going to handle the situation. Clearly she wasn't going to make this easy for him....ha! no, just the opposite.

Unfortunately, Cosette also had to remember she to uphold her reputation as a socialite. No matter how much she hated the Nazis, she had to make sure she did not ruin her own reputation. Madamemoiselle Noir; Prima Ballerina...practically a star among the French ballet!

Cosette rolled her eyes at the thought, dropping her arms to her sides. Resting her delicate hands against her waist; she cocked her head to the side just ever so slightly---giving the soldier her undivided attention.

Translations:
Je suis désolé que je ne vous comprends pas --- I'm sorry I don't understand you

(lol it's ok XD)

[Albert Hoch]

Even with his limited grasp of the French language, Albert understood what she said. This was not going to be easy for him. Of course, he could always just leave. But Albert was not a quitter. Besides, if it meant those two would stop trying to get him to come along on their trips it was worth it. He also noticed her quick glances behind him. Albert turned around, and saw that they were still standing a ways back. He scowled and made a kicking motion at them. They got the hint, for the moment at least, and left.

Albert turned back to the woman. He mustered-up his courage, and his best French abilities, and said. "Euh, bonjour. Mon nom est Albert Hoch." Albert tried to think of what to do next. He had seen some people kiss each-other on the cheek, but guessed that only people who knew each-other did that in France. "Agh, was soll ich jetzt tun?" He muttered. Then he decided shaking-hands might be the safest option.

He extended his hand and, asked. "Comment allez-vouz aujourd'hui?" As he waited for her reply, his mind raced trying to thinking of something to say next. He may have been a good soldier in a combat position, but women were another thing entirely.



Translations:
Euh, bonjour. Mon nom est Albert Hoch. - Uh, hello. My name is Albert Hoch.
Agh, was soll ich jetzt tun? - Agh, what do I do now?
Comment allez-vouz aujourd'hui? - How are you today?

[Deleted]

Cosette watched a bit awkwardly as the soldier did some sort of kicking motion towards the other two. On any other circumstances she would have found his little gesture a bit funny...but not tonight. She watched carefully as the other two soldiers took the hint and left. Cosette felt a little more at ease; but not quite enough to drop her guard all together.

When the soldier turned his attention back at her, she quirked one of her dark brown eyebrows. She blinked slightly as he introduced himself as Albert Hoch in rather poor French.

Regardless...it was enough for her to understand him; she sighed a bit thinking she had to give him credit for making an attempt to communicate with her. And here she was making it rather difficult for him. She pursed her lips forward showing she was in deep thought. She debated whether to go with her alias or give him her name all together, "Cosette" she said in a drawled tone.

She figured it would be in a way "proper" and probably "more polite" to give him her name since he did. She arched her eyebrow at Albert again as he muttered to himself before extending his hand towards her; which she declined, " Ceci est une conversation curieuse que vous essayez commencer. ..." she said giving Albert an odd look.

He really was odd. Well, only in her eyes. She looked him over, discreetly catching a glimpse of his rank on the sleeve of his uniform. Not that his rank mattered to her, in all honesty Cosette was just trying to figure out what Albert's personality before she judges him. Then again, he's obviously a Nazi, a German probably. Either way Cosette still didn't like him. More so annoyed that she was bothered and in a way forced to converse with the likes of him.

"Et répondre à votre question. ..I est fin. Merci pour demander." she said as politely as she can.

Translations:

Ceci est une conversation curieuse que vous essayez commencer. ... -- This is an odd conversation you're trying to start....

Et répondre à votre question. ..I est fin. Merci pour demander. -- And to answer your question...I am fine. Thank you for asking.

[Albert Hoch]

He let out an inward sigh of relief after hearing her name. Maybe being mildly famous in Paris, stuff like this happened to her all the time, which would make it slightly less awkward. He doubted it.

After seeing his offer of a hand-shake rejected, he brought his hand back down to his side quickly. He laughed. "Oui, oui il est." Very awkward indeed.

"Ich wünschte, ich könnte besser Französisch sprechen." He grumbled. Maybe then things would be less awekward, and he could explain it all. As it stood, he was probably just digging himself a large hole to fall in.

"Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer, Cosette." Albert turned and looked out over the Seine. Aside from the buildings along its banks, the river almost reminded him of one near his home. In the Austrian Alps. A place he would have given anything to visit right then.

"Cela me rappelle la maison. La rivière. Mais trop de maisons." He stood looking at it in silence for a moment. "Dans les Alpes autrichiennes."

Translations:
Oui, oui il est. - Yes, yes it is.
Ich wünschte, ich könnte besser Französisch sprechen. - I wish I could speak better French.
Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer, Cosette. - I am pleased to meet you, Cosette.
Cela me rappelle la maison. La rivière. Mais trop de maisons. - It reminds me of home. The river. But too many houses.
Dans les Alpes autrichiennes. - In the Austrian Alps.

[Deleted]

Cosette frown slightly when he stated that he wished he was better at speaking French, " Ich glaube, dass Sie die Sprache ziemlich gut sprechen können, solange die Person, die Sie sprechen, zu können, versteht, dass Sie und eine Konversation hält." she replied unknowingly in German.

She turned a shade of rusty pink when she realized what she said hoping Albert before her didn't catch that she had indeed reply to him mumble in German. Her heart began to pound frantically....quickly distracted herself by running her pale hand through her ebony hair trying to think of anything that could distract him from her reply. Her lips formed a line in irritation...more at herself than Albert. She shifted nervously...listening as he began to ramble on about Austria and how much he missed it.

Her slate colored eyes followed his gaze towards the waters of the Saine stating that it reminded him of the river at home in the Austrian alps. She arched her eyebrow a bit....slightly surprised that he said that he was Austrian and not German. She rolled her eyes a bit feeling slightly bad that she just assumed that he was a German just because he spoke the same language as them.

Translation:

Ich glaube, dass Sie die Sprache ziemlich gut sprechen können, solange die Person, die Sie sprechen, zu können, versteht, dass Sie und eine Konversation hält. - I believe that you can speak the language well enough, as long as the person whom you speak to can,, understand you and hold a conversation.

[Albert Hoch]

Albert leaned against a railing facing the Siene. He guessed that she already thought he was a fool and there was nothing he could do to change that. Albert laughed. "Ja, aber das ist mein Problem. Ich kann nicht ein Gespräch auf Französisch." He said, still facing the Siene. Then he turned around and stared at her, very supprised. "Sie sprechen Deutsch?"

He was however, more relieved, than mad she had lied to him erlier. Since anyone who could speak that much German would also be able to understand his explanation for why the heck he was doing this. "Na dann bin uh nehme ich schulde Ihnen eine Erklärung für all dies." He now had to find some way to keep his dignity intact. "Diese beiden Jungs in meiner Einheit zu halten bat mich zu gehen trinken mit ihnen, ich normalerweise ablehnen, aber während wir unterwegs waren früher sie sah dich und beschlossen, es wäre wunderbar, ich waren die Gespräche mit Ihnen. Da sagten sie, sie würden aufhören bat mich, wenn ich es tat, I. .. vereinbart." He paused for a moment. "I... normalerweise nicht nur um zufällige Frauen zu sprechen." He attempted a laugh. Despit the awkwardness of the situation, Albert felt much better being able to speak in German to her. He wondered if she was actually German, or if it was just a second language.



Translations:
Ja, aber das ist mein Problem. Ich kann nicht ein Gespräch auf Französisch. - Yeah, but that's my problem. I can't hold a conversation in French.
Sie sprechen Deutsch!? - You speak German!?
Na dann bin uh nehme ich schulde Ihnen eine Erklärung für all dies. - Well then I uh suppose I owe yupou an explanation for all this.
Diese beiden Jungs in meiner Einheit zu halten bat mich zu gehen trinken mit ihnen, ich normalerweise ablehnen, aber während wir unterwegs waren früher sie sah dich und beschlossen, es wäre wunderbar, ich waren die Gespräche mit Ihnen. Da sagten sie, sie würden aufhören bat mich, wenn ich es tat, I. .. vereinbart. - These two guys in my unit keep begging me to go out drinking with them, normally I refuse, but while we were out earlier they saw you and decided it would be wonderful I were to talk with you. Since they said they would stop begging me if I did it, I... agreed.
I. .. normalerweise nicht nur um zufällige Frauen zu sprechen. - I... normally don't just talk to random women.

[Deleted]

Cosette turned a darker shade of pink as Albert pointed out that she indeed knew German. She half expected him to become angered or worse strike her. She backed up a little out of defense as he began to explain his situation. She scoffed offsides, folding her arms across her chest, " Ehrlich habe ich erraten, dass das der Grund war." She said with a scowl

Cosette gave Albert a hard look, debating whether to just leave him be or to entertain his friends, " So was jetzt. ...you hat meine Aufmerksamkeit. ...normally ich würde trun irgendjemand hinunter jetzt. Sogar das mag von Ihnen. So weit wie ich sehe es. ..you hat zwei Optionen." she said in a rather sarcastic tone.

She took a step closer to Albert running her pale hand against his arm, " Wir können teils Wege jetzt und beenden diese Konversation auf einer ungeschickten Notiz. ...or" she paused for a moment letting her slate colored eyes hold his gaze, " Sie können mich zu Abendessen nehmen."

She let a playful smirk grace her pale pink lips for a second before gently taking her hand off his arm, " Wählen Sie weise Herr Obergefreiter." she said stepping a good distance away from him.

Honestly even though she knew she had a performance to get to...she figured she'd let her under study take care of it. One fun night in town wouldn't be so bad. She may get yelled at by the dance instructor but...it wouldn't hurt her reputation in any way.

Translations:

Ehrlich habe ich erraten, dass das der Grund war. -- Honestly, I guessed that was the reason.

So was jetzt. ...you hat meine Aufmerksamkeit. ...normally ich würde turn irgendjemand hinunter jetzt. Sogar das mag von Ihnen. So weit wie ich sehe es. ..you hat zwei Optionen. --- So what now....you have my attention....normally I'd turn anyone down at this point. Even the likes of you. As far as I see it...you have two options.

Wir können teils Wege jetzt und beenden diese Konversation auf einer ungeschickten Notiz. ...or -- We can part ways right now and end this conversation on an awkward note....or

Sie können mich zu Abendessen nehmen. -- You can take me to dinner.

Wählen Sie weise Herr Obergefreiter -- choose wisely sir Obergefreiter

[Albert Hoch]

Albert was panicking inwardly. He had really gotten himself into a pickle this time. But after a tense moment it seemed that she was taking it better than he expected. A bit.

He held his breath as she touched his arm and explained his "options". Leave her or take her to dinner? Albert felt like he was about to pass-out. "Nun, ich denke, das ist eine einfache Wahl." He lifted up overseas cap and ran his fingers through his light brown. "Ich nehme an, ich schulde es dir." He laughed.

"Ich glaube, ich weiß genau, das richtige Restaurant zu gehen." He gave her his hand to take, though not to shake this time. "Wenn Sie mir folgen Fräulein Cossette." Albert grinned.

After a few minutes of walking through Paris, Albert stopped in-front of a small café. "Das ist es. Die Fleur-de-lis." He walked over to an outside table and pulled out a chair for Cossette. "Wir können hier sitzen." He said, motioning to the chair. Once she had taken her seat he sat down also. "Ein Kellner sollte hier in einem Augenblick." He said nothing for a moment, and then decided to ask her something. "Also, wo haben Sie Deutsch gelernt? Sind Sie ein gebürtiger?"

Translations:
Nun, ich denke, das ist eine einfache Wahl. - Well, I think that's an easy choice.
Ich nehme an, ich schulde es dir. - I suppose I do owe it to you.
Ich glaube, ich weiß genau, das richtige Restaurant zu gehen. - I think I know just the right restaurant to go to.
Wenn Sie mir folgen Fräulien Cossette. - If you will follow me Fräulien Cosette.
Das ist es. Die Fleur-de-lis. - This is it. The Fleur-de-lis.
Wir können hier sitzen. - We can sit here.
Ein Kellner sollte hier in einem Augenblick. - A waiter should be here in a moment.
Also, wo haben Sie Deutsch gelernt? Sind Sie ein gebürtiger? - So where did you learn German? Are you a native?

[Deleted]

Cosette cocked her head ever so slightly when Albert stated that he did owe her. She couldn't help but be taken back a little. Honestly, she was quite surprised he was agreeing to take her out to dinner...and here she was just trying to tease him. She shrugged her shoulders thinking it might not be such a bad idea...as much as she detested the Nazis for invading her home, she couldn't refuse a free dinner.

She quickly sucked in her breath, swallowing back any sort of pride or disdain she had for him before hesitantly taking his hand. Cosette's mouth formed an embarrassed scowl for a moment as she clasped her hand with Albert's. She noticed how much his grip reminded her of her father's strong, yet rough...she guessed probably due to his choice of profession or his life back in Austria.

Cosette felt an awkward silence descend upon them as they walked. She felt as if she was on the stage during one of her performances with all eyes on her---just one slip and she could ruin everything she trained for! But, hell did the walk through Paris with Albert feel like that.

She chewed the bottom of her lip lightly, looking up when Albert stated they reached their destination." Fleur-de-lis" she said echoing him lightly, " Dies ist nicht, was ich eines Mannes Ihrer Größe erwartet habe, eine Dame zu Abendessen herauszunehmen. ....but, es machen muss." she said before following Albert to an outside table.

She gave Albert a slight nod as he pulled the chair out for her. She took note of it deciding he was at least more decent than the other Nazis she had encountered over the course of the occupation of France. She adjusted her peacoat as she took a seat, watching curiously as Albert took the seat across from her.

Her slate colored eyes wavered a bit as he asked where she learned German and if she was a native. Another quick smile graced her lips for a second, "Nein." she paused for a moment letting her eyes meet his, " Mein Vater war deutsch. ..my Mutter war französisch. Ich benutze, in Lorraine zu leben. Mein Vater hat mich gelehrt, Deutsch. ..is den Weg den ich zu sprechen, spreche nicht nach Ihrem Geschmack? " she mused.

Translations:

Dies ist nicht, was ich eines Mannes Ihrer Größe erwartet habe, eine Dame zu Abendessen herauszunehmen. ....but, es machen muss. -- This is not what I have expected of a man of your stature to take a lady out to dinner.....but, it'll have to do.

Mein Vater war deutsch. ..my Mutter war französisch. Ich benutze, in Lorraine zu leben. Mein Vater hat mich gelehrt, Deutsch. ..is den Weg den ich zu sprechen, spreche nicht nach Ihrem Geschmack? -- My Father was German...my mother was French. I use to live in Lorraine. My father taught me to speak German...is the way I speak not to your liking?