The Summerland (Sylvie)

[Carter Chevalier]

Today was a very important day. The Chevalier twins had received very pressing news; that which was set to impact on the rest of their time at Hammel with great significance. However, it seemed that Dom was particularly broody today - though he had been for well over a month, and Carter was still yet to know why - so it seemed the older of the twins was set to embrace this news alone.

Literally.

Sylvie had only told him she was arriving before her plane had taken off, so he barely had the day to process this news and prepare himself for her arrival. His hair was perfect. His clothes, equally so. After accounting for her travel times, he found himself waiting patiently - or not so - by his phone for confirmation that she'd landed and was on her way. Of course, he would have thought to pick her up from the airport but her gracious father already procured her travel arrangements. So Carter did the next best thing.

He turned up at the main office, leaning against the main desk with incredible boredom. How long did a drive from the airport really take?

When the entrance door finally opened - not by herself, but by the hired help - the smile on Carter's face was undeniable. Pushing away from the counter he found comfort in, the Chevalier immediately made his way over to her, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Mon trésor," He breathed, his voice low as he whispered into her ear; "Tu m'as manqué."

[Sylvie Richelieu]

The drive to Hammel had been a surprisingly smooth one, considering the amount of traffic faced on the last horrendous trip to Vermont. The Chauffeur was a nice enough man, old and wrinkly with a habit of whistling whenever it got too quiet but Sylvie excused it. Her jet-lag gradually aught up to her and it came as a welcome relief to finally snag an hour of uninterrupted sleep.

It was a dreamless slumber and as much as her mind flitted over a particularly handsome blonde haired twin nothing substantial could break the gnawing exhaustion.

Carter, and by extension Dominique, were only given warning right before the plane had taken off. The girl didn't know whether it was well learned caution or her own feathery sadism that forced the last minute alert to her arrival. Aside from another pair of ghastly twins the Chevalier boys were the only ones of substance to receive the news. Was it cruel to tell them so late? Who knew, Sylvie only gave the thought a seconds notice before the eventual sleep caught up to her.

Finally, after little more than an hour of driving the car came to halt.

Eyes fluttered open and the strange new world came into view, red brick upon red brick with little more than a few flowers to ornament the place, how quaint. Sylvie knew she'd receive the tour later on so with little more than brief smile and a nod of her head the teenager was let out of the car and ushered into the office by the elderly chauffeur.

Her welcoming party was a single person, but that was more than enough for Sylvie. Carter was enough.

The girl returned the smile, exhaling a sigh as she melted into the boy's embrace, basking in his warmth. The quiet voice against her ear forcing her to close her eyes, she was tired and she missed this too much. "Tu m'as manqué aussi." She breathed, lightly kissing the boy on both cheeks and briefly on the lips before glancing back into his eyes. Carter was looking more like a man than ever.

Gently separating herself from the embrace Sylvie glanced around the room, furrowing her brow momentarily. "Où est Dominique?"

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter paid no mind to the chauffeur - after all, why would he? His focus couldn't be split. It'd been far too long since he'd been able to see her. She deserved his undivided attention for as long as she might have wanted it. It might have seemed strange, for a Chevalier to be so transfixed on anyone other than themselves and their twin, but she was more than just a girl. She even meant more than Callie and Chester.

He really did miss her. He genuinely shared those words with so few.

Exchanging the display of kisses with her, he finally settled back a step and glanced over her. Every time he hadn't seen her, things felt multiplied when he did. She looked more exquisite than he remembered. He had to wonder why he didn't make time for her in March when he and Dom visited for the week.

"Occupé." He replied with a slight frown. "Cependant," But that turned into a knowing grin within a moment; "Je suis la pour toi."

He even raised his eyebrows at the notion. He was there for her, in every sense of the phrase. "You should get used to English, Sylie." Carter added, taking a step to the side so she might sign in and receive her information package. Her dorm assignment would be in there, and he was curious. But first, he adopted a teasing, almost belittling tone; "Parlez-vous anglais, mon amour?"

[Sylvie Richelieu]

Having grown up with both Chevalier twins, Sylvie was accustomed to seeing both in a public space and to have the younger, more volatile Dominique to be nowhere in sight did spark a moments curiosity. What trouble was he up to now? But Dominique was always a dark horse in her eyes and the girl knew she would see him sooner or later, that she was certain. Although pressing the issue further seemed unfair to Carter and Hammel's newest student simply nodded her head in understanding.

Carter's little quip was enough to settle the mood and Sylvie granted him an amused little simper. He was cute, and they both knew it.

"Je vous ai." Sylvie quietly confirmed, wrinkling her nose at this highly romantic notion. Carter certainly hasn't lost any of his charm living in the States and for that she was grateful. It was a good thing the exchange was in French, it was enough to be so hopelessly sappy in a public space so to have it relatively audience free gave the girl some peace of mind. Although the switch to English did take her off guard.

After a moments contemplation Sylvie finally exhaled, blinking at the ground. "Ça va paraître drôle" She sighed, knowing full well her accent would show through. Besides, they rarely, if ever, had conversations in English and the prospect of possible awkwardness with Carter seemed equally embarrassing as it did a worthwhile challenge. So she considered it briefly, grabbing the beige folder waiting for her and shoving it into the boy's hands.

"So, where to now hmm?" Sylvie sighed, pursing her lips at the awkward dialect all the while avoiding the little grin that danced just behind her lips. Slipping her hand under the crease of Carter's elbow Sylvie glanced up with a raised brow and slightest hint of a smile. "Show me what needs to be shown."

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter's lips curled into a small, appreciative smile at her confirmation. He responded with a small nod, thankful for the quiet solitude that came from the use of their primary language. Even those who studied it to be second nature couldn't possibly understand given the speed and frequency by which they spoke.

"I'm sure it will." He would always appreciate the way the French dialect fell from her lips, but it was imperative that she practiced English. Better it be with him than anyone else. He took the folder she offered with ease, extending his arm towards her and knowing full well that she'd take it.

As he walked out the door, he offered nothing to the man who carried her belongings. He should have known to follow anyway. Immediately, the Chevalier chuckled at the way English sounded from her tongue. But that settled to an amused smirk after a moment or so. "It depends on where your interests lie." He said anyway. "There is an art studio. However, it's..." The boy briefly glanced around at the number of students about before he leaned inwards. "Odieuse."

She'd notice by then the amount of eyes on her. Or on them. They were either wondering who she was, or how she managed to get the resident whore smiling at her like that.

[Sylvie Richelieu]

Sylvie's silent footsteps kept in time with Carter's much longer strides, her slender fingers comfortably coiled in the crease of his elbow as she was led through the unfamiliar labyrinth that was Hammel. The girl's attention scarcely left the boy by her side, only wavering whenever she came upon something worth noticing. A fire breather practised his techniques in the middle of the large concrete courtyard, a blue haired waif skittered past before disappearing into a mirror and a particularly cranky teacher was scolding a group of boys no older than Carter. All of them were freaks, there was no questioning that.

"Whatever Kocher has Hammel probably does as well. It'll all be the same as that gypsy school." She sighed, wrinkling her nose at the distinct smell of teenage boy wafting from a nearby gym. It was as if she left one prison and entered another, although this time in the company of a beloved and faithful friend.

"Just take me to your room, I want to see how you've been living these past months." Sylvie smirked wryly, briefly hearing the sounds of her chauffeur's melodic whistling. He was still following.

Carter diligently strolled amongst throngs of her would-be classmates. Like a blade through butter, her handsome escort was swiftly granted space by the ogling plebeians, lusty and cautious glances were thrown his way and it didn't take long for Sylvie to notice why.

"Interesting reception." Sylvie mused with a cocked brow, pursing her lips before holding the boy's arm just that little bit tighter. Inching closer to Carter's side, Sylvie granted barely any attention to her audience, she knew the gossip mill would already be churning.

[Carter Chevalier]

"They're... Sister schools, correct?" Carter asked, glad he never had to bother with the mere notion of Kocher. His duel citizenship aided he and Dom well - that and the fact that their family home was technically in Maine. "You'll be pleased to know Hammel is less... Gypsy." He tried his very best not to spit the word. "Though, some transfers manage to slip through."

He thought of one in particular. But the moment passed with ease.

"Are you sure you want to see it? You're not going to like it." Carter replied with a smile shake of his head. "The rooms. They're so... Small." He couldn't even fake a smile at that point. He simply knew she was going to feel the same way he did when he first got there. But nevertheless, he took a small turn and headed towards the dormitories.

Turning his head slightly, Carter took in the view of people around them. "Ah, you get used to it, mon amour." He rolled his shoulders slightly, as if feeling the need to straighten out; "These people are so rarely in the presence of such greatness."

[Sylvie Richelieu]

"Sister schools that are almost as ghastly as my twin cousins." The mere mention of those two abhorrent relatives left a sour taste in the back of Sylvie's mouth. Her lips twisted in steely annoyance when she reminded herself that they attended Hammel as well. It was like a curse, wherever she went people of that standard seemed to linger.

However, the girl knew sooner or later she would have to commune with the terrible twins, just to be courteous to their father...who was admittedly a very nice man.

"Carter, I've been in more cramped spaces with you than I can count." Which was true, their passion had taken them through a wide array of different 'environments', clean ones that is. "I have already braced myself mon chéri." She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she lithely followed her companion's footsteps.

Sylvie did not even have to look at the audience to notice the jarring attention they were giving her. It was like those times she was out with her parents, both famous in their own right, the eyes of followers never leaving their side. "Oh hush Carter, don't make me blush, not here anyways." The fine French female sighed, squeezing Carter's arm as she privately smiled to herself.

He was still so charming.

[Carter Chevalier]

That's right, she had twin cousins. Carter had never met them. What he knew was what Sylvie had told him, and she barely wasted her breath on conversations like that. All he knew was that they were twins, they annoyed her, and they weren't worthy.

They went to Hammel though, right?

He couldn't remember.

"Did you at least order your own bed like I told you to?" Carter asked, glancing down at her with worry in his bright blue eyes. "They're smaller. And the mattresses are paper thin. You'll regret not doing something about it," He warned her, though he did try to offer a smile. "I suppose you could always stay with me if the situation doesn't fix itself."

Leading her to the dormitories, Carter entered through and brushed her past the first floor. Nothing decent to see there.

"Did I embarrass you?" Carter asked, feigning shock. When it came to Sylvie, he couldn't really help himself either way. "I do so hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. Without you, I'm hopeless."

[Sylvie Richelieu]

Tell the twins I said hello.

Sylvie's mother chirped during the trip to the airport, ensuring that her only child would send the two beautiful boys her best wishes. It only seemed fair, the watchful mother sending her regards to two of the scarce few friends Sylvie possessed. But the greeting was now a distant memory, something that could not sway the girl's current train of thought. The heiress was finally back with her prince, as she so lovingly named him during their childhood, and breaching the relief with some secondhand remark did not seem appropriate.

"I assure you, my father has already made all the necessary arrangements." She smiled, finding his minor concern endearing. An uncomfortable bed was always the start of unwanted problems. Sylvie, however, did find herself lightly giggle at Carter's suggestion. "I would've thought you wanting me in your bed would be a little more subtle." A wicked grin settled on her features once they escaped the gaping crowds.

Soon enough, the princely Chevalier had led her into quiet dormitories. There was nothing special to them and the girl treated it as such.

"Oh, you've completely shamed me." Sylvie smirked, rolling her eyes alongside his childishness. The newfound privacy was making him brave. "Forgive you? Maybe." Sylvie set straight faced, biting down on her lip to halt the nudging giggles. The silence that followed only seemed to make something burn even brighter within her.

Was she even in his room yet?

Because it didnt matter. Sylvie kissed him anyways. Long and hard, tasting the sweetness of his lips as she pressed against his body, pale fingers clasping the back of his neck as a laugh danced across her tongue.

[Carter Chevalier]

"Why be subtle?" Carter asked, dropping his voice to a quieter tone as he leaned in towards her ear; "I never play those games with you."

It was a little different with Sylvie. She was privy to a more natural side of the older twin.

Making his way up the stairs, he found the second floor and subsequent co-ed dormitories he'd grown accustomed to. Luckily, his dorm wasn't far along the line. Number 2-0-5, and she'd be good to remember it. Knowing her, she already had. "I can accept a maybe." He conceded, though he rarely liked to conceded. again, she was different.

Before he'd even reached his shared dorm room, she was kissing him, and he wasn't one to ignore that. Carter freed his arm from hers and instantly curled it around her, bringing her flush against him in the hallway. It didn't matter where they were. Not to him, anyway. And evidently it didn't matter to her.

"I live right here." Carter breathed against her lips as he broke the contact with a sliver of distance.

[Sylvie Richelieu]

As much as the very act of making out with the most good looking person in the entire school, area, state and country thrilled her, Sylvie did have her boundaries and even those wouldn't be crossed just yet. The girl drew out the kiss for as long as possible, making the most of it before she pulled back for air, keeping her grip locked around his neck.

"Well, I guess I'll see how the other side is living then." Sylvie whispered, her words floating in the sliver of space between their lips. Uncoiling herself from his body and giving Carter a wry grin the heiress wasted no time in taking the next step towards his dorm. When it came to the physical side of things, the gargoyle liked to think herself the one in charge and it was likely Carter would happily oblige.

Entering the dorm room, the flustered French girl found herself wrinkle her nose at the blandness set before her. It was so standard and basic...how had the twins been living like this for so long?

"Now, show me your room mon amour." Sylvie nodded, gazing back up at the boy before leaning upwards to whisper in his ear. "Amuse me." Was it an order or something else entirely? That much was up to Carter, he was a smart boy.

[Carter Chevalier]

"You're on the other side, mon amour." Carter replied, the corner of his mouth pulling into an amused smirk. This was going to be hilarious to watch, if nothing else.

Carter pushed past the door into the common area, largely untouched to the norm. Truthfully, the twins spent such little time here that it, as a space, didn't matter. Carter responded to her request with a nod, keeping a tight hold of her hand as he moved through the larger room to his own dorm room. Unlocked, of course, because he'd only just been there.

His room itself carried as much as he could offer, given the space. A double bed replaced the single. A sleeker desk replaced the standard. It was neat. Tidy. As expensive as he could make the confinements. "You'll learn to adapt." He pointed out, knowing how judgemental she was bound to be.

[Sylvie Richelieu]

Carter's statement was enough to drive home Sylvie's gnawing suspicions that Hammel wasn't exactly the pinnacle of private school funding. Whilst the grievance may have seemed petty, which it was, it still clung to the heiress' mind like a leech. Her comfort was paramount. Sylvie was going to ensure that everything afforded to her would be updated to a standard deemed worthy by someone of her caliber. If that proved to be too much of an issue there was always the option of sleeping in Carter's bed, of which she was sure he wouldn't refuse.

She followed her prince through the common area, only briefly gazing at anything of remote interest before setting her sights on the elder twin's living spaces.

For all of its inadequacies, the room actually looked cozy.

"Carter, we've been in smaller spaces if you don't recall." She murmured with a hint of a smile, her mind flashing back to the more risque acts they'd committed during their time together in Paris. If that didn't get his mind racing then Sylvie was sure to do so in the coming hours.

Quietly closing the door behind her, the heiress slipped out of her flats before sprawling out over his bed, her stockinged legs dangling off the lip of the mattress. Gazing up at Carter in silence, Sylvie could not help but drink in the sight of the handsome young man, greedily studying everything that made him so immaculate.

"Tell me about the other girls here, mon chéri." She whispered, sliding her fingers through the creases of his blanket, wondering just how many visitors her beloved had invited into this very room.

[Carter Chevalier]

"I know, but we never had to live in those places." Carter pointed out deftly, nodding his head in her direction once. Of course it was enthralling to have her back. To know she was always going to be around. That fact didn't concern him in the slightest.

Glancing around his own room idly, Carter let his eyes fall to her as she made herself comfortable on his bed. He felt her eyes on him, studying him as so many did. But with her, it was always a little different. She deserved more than most others got. Carter pressed his hands into the bed at either side of her form, leaning down towards her. Close enough that stealing a kiss would be an absolute breeze.

"You needn't know a thing about them." Carter whispered definitely. It wasn't as if she was going to legitimately concern herself with others anyway.