on mun's insecurities;

[downplaying]

Darling, it's almost midnight, you should be in bed and I feel it's necessary for us to recap. For your convenience, I list my main attributes in random order:

✓ I'm old (by your standards only, I have to chip in).

✓ I'm a journalist (so we share a passion for writing, at least).

✓ I'm gay (originally created as Vincent's better half, speaking of which -- ).

✓ I'm married to a complete arsehole ( -- love is a funny thing, isn't it).

To conclude. Stop worrying so much and just write those tags. Otherwise the suspense might kill him. Or me, if I'm honest as well.

Comments

[winter_raven]

What kind of journalist?

[downplaying]

I've been a foreign correspondent with Le Monde for many years, but currently I'm working freelance.

[winter_raven]

So, foreign politics, culture, fashion...? And foreign in relation to what? Where's home? I'm guessing France, or one of the neighboring countries, since you worked for Le Monde, but for all I know, you worked out of Thailand, or something.

[downplaying]

[He smiles. So many questions, Raven - you should be the journalist.]

I wrote mainly about the foreign politics and the culture of West Africa, specialising in the former French colonies and possessions. [A pause.] And although I'm French of birth, I live in Luxembourg these days.

[winter_raven]

[Smirk.] Everybody interesting lives in Luxembourg.

West Africa? That had to be dangerous. It also had to be amazing, though. Different to a "Western" viewpoint, definitely.

[She frowns for just a moment.]

The food any good? I think I had something at a party once that was influence by African cuisine, but I can't remember what country it was from. Something with lentils.

[downplaying]

Since I prefer it authentic, I don't eat quite as much of it as I'd like, but I do enjoy Senegalese cuisine. Ceebu Jën being my favourite... They call it the national dish of Senegal.

[winter_raven]

I can understand that. I've got a friend from Boston, and she won't touch the "New England Clam Chowder" that they serve in our restaurants.

The name is good. Ceebu Jën.

[The pronunciation get a bit weird on the last vowel, but she manages a decent approximation of the sounds he just made.]

So, what's in it?

[downplaying]

It's fish. Fish marinated with parsley and lemon, amongst other things - and then cooked with tomato paste and various vegetables. At the end, rice is added to the mix. If you've tried paella, it's a bit like that.

[justcrywolf]

No accounting for taste, right darling?

[downplaying]

I never question mine.

[justcrywolf]

That's shocking.

[downplaying]

I consider you the one rotten apple in my long line of perfect picks in men, Vincent.

[justcrywolf]

Shit, you're probably not alone there.

[downplaying]

Don't read too much into it that my mom doesn't approve of you. It has nothing to do with you, really.

[justcrywolf]

Well, no. It's got everything to do with her.

[downplaying]

Just stop being the outward expression of my homosexuality and the two of you would get along just fine, I'm sure.

[justcrywolf]

I am, in fact, too gay for your mother.

[the_solution]

Homosexuality is illegal in my room. I can only assume your world does not have the same overly strict laws in place? Also, why would anyone be married to someone that they dislike so strongly? It seems counter-productive.

[downplaying]

[Claude smiles.]

Between Vincent and me, arsehole is an endearing term. Mostly.

[the_solution]

I do not even remotely understand how that works. Why would you use an insult as a term of endearment?

[downplaying]

I suppose, at the core of it, it's a question of acknowledging each other's less attractive features as... desirable.

[the_solution]

...this is one of those things I am not going to understand until I have been romantically involved with someone, isn't it?

[downplaying]

Probably, yes. [Claude eyes him for a moment.] We haven't met before, have we? I'm Claude Bérubé.

[the_solution]

We have not, no. My name is Ignacio Acosta. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bérubé.

[downplaying]

The pleasure is mine, Monsieur Acosta. Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking?