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Tweak says, "A - yes. B- yes. Or C - yes."

Hans Ernst Varner (heil_hans) wrote in vie_en_guerre,
@ 2008-01-24 01:22:00

Current mood:

worried

A Chess Game (reprise)
Who: Hans , Marie-Pierre, Gene
When: December , ~~some enchanted~~ evening
Where: Le Passant
Rating: PG
Complete
Summary: Hans and Marie-Pierre scope out the situation with Le Passant, and warn Gene of unpleasant things.

Hans truly enjoyed the atmosphere at Le Passant, and didn't want to lose his favorite cafe any time soon. He was reasonably sure that the rumors were just that- rumors, but what did he know? That one time Gene had asked him for passes did nag at the corners of his mind and make him suspect that maybe there was some foundation to the truth. But Hans himself was not used to investigating these sort of things - he had little experience with the wonderful world of determining who was doing what behind the scenes. Fortunately for him, Marie-Pierre did this sort of thing for a living. So it was that they had agreed on meeting up at the cafe, ostensibly to play their usual chess game, but with an underlying purpose of finding out what was truly going on, and whether or not Genevieve should or could be safely warned about the potential trouble ahead.

Hans came in after work, his chessboard tucked in the bag over his shoulder, and headed for his usual table. He smiled at Genevieve as he got settled.

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gentle_gene
2008-01-24 07:34 am UTC (link)

It was still early, and though Gene wasn't all that awake, she was getting adapted to the 4-5 hours of sleep a night she was getting, so she wasn't quite so dead on her feet. She knew Hans' usual drink by this point and made it without question, carrying the glass over and setting it down at his right side as he settled into the table. She lofted a brow upon seeing that chess board.

"Monsieur Duclos coming tonight, then? You both are quite fond of that game. I suppose it is a way to relax indeed." She stated with an approving, if slightly envious smile.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-01-24 07:53 am UTC (link)

Hans was in the process of setting up the chessboard when she came over with his drink.

"Danke, Fraulein," Hans said, giving her a polite nod as he accepted the drink.

He took a sip before setting it down again. "Ja, we are growing fond of our game - though I am less fond of nearly always losing."

His expression grew amused. "I do not suppose I could prevail upon you to come and sit with us a while- perhaps distract my opponent with that brow-and-eye thing you do?"

Hans was dreadful at describing flirtation, but he made a rough imitation of the 'come hither' look. Very rough, and quite comical, considering. "I would be grateful."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-24 09:12 am UTC (link)
	Marie-Pierre arrived as if on cue, in time to witness this display. "Herr Varner, what - no. No, I will not ask. Good evening, Mademoiselle." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-24 09:15 am UTC (link)
	"Impeccable timing as always, Herr Duclos," Hans said. He covered his embarrassment by taking a few sips of his drink before attempting further conversation. "I trust you have been well?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-24 09:27 am UTC (link)
	Marie-Pierre understood the question's intent and answered honestly. "Comme ci, comme ca - but I cannot complain." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-24 05:36 pm UTC (link)
	Hans nodded to let Marie-Pierre know he understood the gist of that, though it did little to alleviate his worry. He busied himself with setting up the chess pieces. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 04:34 am UTC (link)

Genevieve had disappeared just a moment to tend to another guest and, of course, get Marie-Pierre his usual. It was a very slow night. Therefore, she was able to actually join them and had gotten a glass of wine for herself as well. A smile crossed her face as she settled down into a neutral seat to the side of the board and put to the side both she and Marie-Pierre's drinks.

"Alright, I think I can sit a few moments gentlemen. That is, if you are SURE I am not interrupting?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 04:46 am UTC (link)
	"Absolutely certain," said Marie-Pierre with a smile and a nod of thanks for her bringing his drink. "How could we fail to welcome your company?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 04:50 am UTC (link)
	Hans nodded his agreement with Marie-Pierre. "It has been a while since we last talked," he said to Genevieve. "You always seem so busy lately, I hate to interrupt..." He was playing the light side today, and advanced his pawn to begin a game while they they talked. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 05:05 am UTC (link)

Gene waved Hans' comment about her being too busy off lightly, "It is nothing. I am glad of the business, it means we will not have to close like so many other places. I think extending our hours helped, even if it's a bit of a challenge working through the night. C'est la vie."

Gene smiled to them both and leaned back casually in her chair, crossing her legs right over left. Her slender fingertips wrapped smoothly about her wine glass and took a few good sips from it. It would be nice to relax for a few moments.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 05:15 am UTC (link)
	"How is that working out, by the by?" asked Marie-Pierre absently as he settled on an opener for his side of the game. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	gentle_gene 2008-01-25 05:27 am UTC (link)
	Gene lofted a brow in Marie-Pierre's direction, considering that question for an honest few moments. "It is... business, I suppose. We are doing nothing illegal. We're all a little bit exhausted from the hours but if it gives people a safe haven I am more than happy to keep things going. That's more important than anything else." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 05:31 am UTC (link)
	Hans glanced up after taking his move. "There are some who would say that keeping the place open through curfew is illegal, if vaguely..." He shrugged and took his move. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 05:42 am UTC (link)

A touch of surprise crossed Gene's features, a frown brushing her lips and she suddenly sits a hint straighter in her chair, uncrossing her legs again. "Why would that be illegal? No one is out on the streets. No one is free or wondering about. They are all contained, safe and their whereabouts are clear. I've... had no issues with it. Why would you say that?" Yes, she's had no issues, but clearly she's been a bit worried as her reaction isn't all that calm.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 05:58 am UTC (link)
	Marie-Pierre glanced at her, looking momentarily slightly concerned. "I can see how someone could attempt to make the argument that although your patrons are not violating curfew, you are, by remaining open, no?" He shrugged. "Of course, is it likely to happen - a different question." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 06:03 am UTC (link)
	Hans took a sip of his drink, masking his attention to Genevieve's reactions. "That is a good question, Herr Duclos. A good question indeed." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	gentle_gene 2008-01-25 06:06 am UTC (link)
	Gene still looked worried, and now a touch confused. "How so? I am not going out onto the streets either. I am not promoting people to go out onto the streets. In fact, I am helping them to moreso obey curfew." She had thought it all through before doing this. In her mind, she isn't getting the problem at all. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 06:19 am UTC (link)
	"Well, one has to think like a Nazi, if it is possible to overlook the inherent oxymoron - present company excepted, of course." Marie-Pierre shot an apologetic glance across the table. "If the intent of the curfew is to keep people in their homes, rather than simply off the street - " (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 06:25 am UTC (link)
	"Of course," Hans said dryly. "And while we are on the subject of Nazi-thought, you must remember as well - any large gathering of people is trouble in the making. Where there are groups, there are discussions. Where there are discussions, there are ideas..." He took his turn, capturing a pawn with his knight. "Perhaps dangerous ideas." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 06:29 am UTC (link)

Genevieve didn't want to hear this any longer. She took a sip of her wine and actually stood up from her chair. Sharp blue eyes flickered fast over the men. "I don't like what either of you gentlemen are implying. We are -nothing- but a cafe`. The last thing we need is talk in here of being something else because, true or not, then rumors will start. Then we will truly be in trouble. Whatever you hear, whomever is saying this, you tell them to shut their mouths."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

duclos
2008-01-25 06:36 am UTC (link)

"I agree with your point entirely," said Marie-Pierre soothingly and apparently candidly. "Rumours are a terrible thing, no? But, like a wildfire - easily started, harder put out, and oh so difficult to find the cause. I make no implications, Mademoiselle - I am, I admit, rather fond of this place, and I thought it would be best that smoke on the horizon be brought to your attention."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 06:39 am UTC (link)
	"Forgive," Hans said, and stood up from the table as well. "I did not mean to offend, Fraulein. I feel I should remove myself from this discussion - for as Herr Duclos says, Nazi-thought is a bit of an oxymoron." With that, he headed off for the bathroom to leave them some privacy in which to discuss. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 06:47 am UTC (link)

"Smoke on the horizon?...What have you heard?" Genevieve lingered now, though she had been planning to walk away. Her shoulders remained tightly squared and she somehow managed to not drop the glass of wine she held, though the tension through her body had almost driven her entirely stiff.

She nodded to Hans as he went off, but then paused, "You do not need to leave, Hans. Perhaps we should end this conversation." She didn't know if he'd hear her and stop or not, but she offered the words in the very least.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 06:51 am UTC (link)
	Hans, perhaps, had not heard; at any rate, he left. Marie-Pierre looked concerned. "Of course, you are right. Perhaps we should end the conversation here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	gentle_gene 2008-01-25 07:10 am UTC (link)
	Genevieve forced herself to actually gulp back a bit of her wine. Liquid courage, they called it, and she certainly could use it for the time being. "...Marie-Pierre... is this all just speculation on your parts or have you actually heard something?" She kept her voice deathly quiet as she whispered that, leaning dangerously close to him so he could hear. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 07:13 am UTC (link)
	"Nothing concrete," Marie-Pierre told her, leaning back slightly and speaking evenly so that it would not appear to onlookers that they were sharing some dark secret, "but I wished to warn you nevertheless - even whispers can be dangerous in these times." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 07:26 am UTC (link)

Gene frowned, looking him straight in the eye, now just a touch of fear across her brow. "I cannot shut down my business because of rumors, Marie-Pierre. What am I supposed to do?" Part of her wished she hadn't of even been warned, but the rest of her was now making plans for back ups and provisions should something go wrong. Her eyes flickered protectively over the room.

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	duclos 2008-01-25 07:33 am UTC (link)
	"Ah, this - " Marie-Pierre shook his head ruefully. "I have no experience with such things. I apologise for adding to your worries without helping with your troubles, but - it is better, perhaps, to be a bit worried and to therefore take precautions only to find that nothing comes of it, than to be taken unawares if something does - c'est vrai?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gentle_gene
2008-01-25 07:36 am UTC (link)

Gene bowed her head quietly, "And... I thank you. Pass my thanks onto Hans also, as I'm certain he had something to do with this but could never say it. I... should be returning to customer's now. It was.... most interesting speaking with both of you." With that, she gave him one last bittersweet smile and turned upon the ball of her foot, silently making her way to back behind the bar.

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	heil_hans 2008-01-25 07:43 am UTC (link)
	There was only so much Hans could do in the bathroom, and when he had resorted to trying to make paper flowers out of the toilet tissue - he figured enough was enough. If they hadn't finished the important talk by now, they weren't going to. He headed back out of the bathroom, and towards the table. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 07:50 am UTC (link)
	"It went as expected," said Marie-Pierre in greeting, and cheerfully: "I believe it is your turn." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 07:56 am UTC (link)
	Hans nodded in acceptance of that, and contemplated his move a moment before making it. "You play a good game, Herr Duclos," he said with a small smile. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	duclos 2008-01-25 08:00 am UTC (link)
	"A great deal of practice, Herr Varner," observed Marie-Pierre. "You appear to have a very decent feel for the game yourself." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-01-25 08:06 am UTC (link)
	"Danke," Hans said. "I think we are well-matched. We should endeavor to play together more often." He raised his glass in a bit of a toast. (Reply to this) (Parent)