@MasterOfSai As Ches turned back to face her, she decided that there was no reading to be had with the new guy around. She placed a bookmark in and shut it. She looked up to him.

“I was trying to read before /you/ interrupted me.” Melea spoke, clearly annoyed by his very presence. As —

@MasterOfSai He said they had the rest of the year together, she shook her head. “I’m heading to Spain soon. And then Ireland. And then I don’t know /where/.” Melea spoke, not sure why she was sharing her travel plans. As he introduced himself, she rolled her eyes again.

“Chess was it? Like the game?” Melea spoke, purposely stressing it to see his reaction.

Melea—

@MasterOfSai Crossed her legs.

“Melea.” She didn’t plan on sharing her last name yet. Her stories, her histories. She extended her hand, to shake his hand.

"Exactly like the game," he confirmed, unbothered. "With one fewer 'S'."

He tried not to smile seeing he'd successfully gotten her to give up on reading. He guessed she would avoid giving him a victory, if she could help it.

At the extended hand, he eyed it for a moment before coming up off his perch to shake it. "Old fashioned, I see." He commented, then plopped down lazily onto one of the other plush chairs, relaxing into it. "You seem ambitious for someone with -- @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai “mhm.” Melea spoke as he spelled out his. And for her. She was going to shake his hands and then drop her hand back to her lap. It seemed he was talkative, and he wasn’t going anywhere. She began to talk and quieted, responding in a calm and level voice.

“It’s just getting the hell out of London. I don’t know if that’s pure “ambition.” Melea —

@MasterOfSai Spoke, blowing a brown unruly curl out of her face as Ches moved closer to her. And no to answer the question…. No , she didn’t have anyone to talk to.

“What brings you to Paris?” Melea asked him, reaching for her water bottle and taking a large sip.

"Ah. So you're running away," he concluded, bringing up his ankle to rest on his opposing knee. "Probably from some tragic backstory. Not uncommon among Shadowhunters."

He glanced down at his hands, seemingly taking a moment to inspect his fingernails. "Didn't I mention that? Travel year. You know, the thing you're supposed to do when you turn eighteen. Spend a year in some Institute, learn how they do things. Become worldly and all that." His dark eyes flicked back up -- @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai “I wouldn’t say running away.” Melea spoke back to him, though that’s exactly what it was. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably, unable to take his smug and arrogant personality. Who did he think he was?

“Travel year…. Yeah that. Hey listen, you don’t pick up on social cues, do you? I’ve wanted you to leave the minute you said hello.” Melea spoke, narrowing her eyes at him. —

Ches rose his eyebrows, a little surprised. "And here I thought I was being vexing... pity. You see, I actually know you don't want me here. Why do you think I stuck around?" He smirked this time, a little arrogantly. "But apparently, you think it's charming. I suppose I can't much blame you. I am known to have that effect on women. They fell at my feet left and right back in Idris."

Women in fact did not fall at his feet back home. While he had, had a few dalliances with --
@HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai she felt a flush of pink fill her cheeks at that. If she could smack the smug smirk off of his face, she would gladly do so. Melea stood up and centered herself.

“Let me practice my curtsy.” She curtsied , maybe a bit of a tease herself before standing up. Looking up to him,—

Ches let out a chuckle, lolling his head back against the chair lazily to watch her go. It seemed he'd managed to chase her straight out of the room. He often had that effect on people. He'd be lying if he'd said he didn't find it amusing.

"I look forward to spending all year with you!" He called after her, smirking once again.

He cracked open the book in his hands that he'd picked out. Perhaps he'd hang out here for a little while before he continued his tour of -- @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai it was enough for her to rule her eyes again. There was something about his confidence that bothered her. It wasn’t that he was rude, it was just irritating.

Melea could feel his eyes on her as she walked from the library, nearly bounding into Leon a second later.

—

@MasterOfSai “Excusez moi ,mademoiselle.” Leon winked at her as she hurried past him. “Later, Leon.” She mused , studying his handsome features before dipping into her room. Leon and Ches would either be the perfect match or the perfect storm. Who could handle all that ego?

Melea decided to rest —

Ches showed up to dinner not long after @HeavensBlade did. He'd spent the remainder of the day getting to know the Institute, stopping in various places to spend time there, and eventually retreated back to his room to read for a while.

He now took a seat across from Melea, apparently having just come from the kitchen. He'd offered his help to Élodie, but she hadn't required his assistance.

He met her eyes and gave a half-smile in greeting that she would probably find irritating.

@MasterOfSai grew distant and cold to them. She had a lot of pain, a lot of childhood trauma that she just didn’t want to deal with.

She watched Ches sit, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

“Dinner smells great, élodie.” A full dinner of roasted steak and baked potatoes, vegetables. A welcome dinner.

—

"Thank you for your hospitality," he replied, giving Élodie a charming smile.

He started on some baguette and cheese; a staple to every French meal. There was also a bottle of red wine to go with the steak.

Leon was notably absent from the dinner. Naturally, this was Ches's fault. He's embarrassed him pretty badly earlier.

"Cheers." Ches raised his wine glass, not necessarily in a formal toast, but casually, and took a sip.

"I was thinking about going -- @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai Melea just stayed, like a ghost going through the motions. She poured herself some wine, taking a hearty sip.

Élodie did the speaking for her …

“Melea, wouldn’t it be nice if you and Leon took Ches out to see the city?” Élodie spoke, causing her to look down to her steak as she cut into it and took a bite.—

"All the more reason you should go," Ches spoke up. He would have been fine going out by himself. Though now he felt the need to drag this girl out. "Paris has a great night life, you know. Seems a shame to waste it inside. Aren't you supposed to be experiencing the culture?"

Ches gave a crooked smile for a moment before turning his attention down and began cutting his steak, resting his wrists on the table while he was chewing.

Ches also doubted Leon would want to -- @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai Melea was about to object, but the look on Élodie’s face was so excited and supportive. Would Melea go out ? Have fun? See some night life and the city of romance ?

“I agree, Ches. Melea hardly leaves the institute except for mandatory patrols.” Her face turned beet —

@MasterOfSai red.

“By choice.” Melea spoke, making it clear to the boy in front of her. But now that miss Élodie threw the shade. She had no choice but to go. Aggressively chewing on her steak.

“I’ll go…” she spoke, determinedly as if she was going to war and not out to have fun.

Ches' mouth curved up into an amused smirk. She was so easily embarrassed.

"Great. We'll start at the Moulin Rouge." At Élodie's horrified expression, he quickly added: "Kidding. No worries, I'll take good care of her," he assured Élodie, easily switching on the charm for her. She probably thought he was a responsible, good-mannered young man. @HeavensBlade

@MasterOfSai Excited about the potential.

Melea pursed her lips, shifting her eyes to Ches as she eventually stood up. “I’ll do the dishes, Élodie. Thanks again.” Melea spoke, escaping towards the kitchen to load the dishwasher and scrub pans, overthinking.

"Are you sure? I was able to sneak up on you so easily earlier," he teased. Really though, he knew she'd be fine. She was a Shadowhunter, after all.

Ches continued chatting with Élodie as @HeavensBlade made her escape. She seemed stressed, but he wasn't. Despite never having been in a place like Paris before. He liked exploring, and was never afraid.

He ate his fill, then helped clear the table. Once dinner was cleared, he walked up behind Melea. "Get changed and meet me in the --

-- entryway," he told @HeavensBlade . For that moment, he was close enough that she could probably smell the wine on his breath.

Then he was gone.

@MasterOfSai “you didn’t…” Melea began to speak, but she was quickly shut off by his words. He was teasing her and she needed to stop being so gullible. As she cleaned up the pots and pans, she felt him move closer.

He was whispering in her ear, and he smelled like wine and steak and all things heavenly. Shutting the thoughts down, she nodded at —