Wonder Boys

Date/Timing: 25 February 2006
Setting: backstage, a Berlin opera venue; Berlin, Germany
.
Hermann and Bastien, by far the youngest people at the post-performance party, do their level best to be invisible to the chattering—to use Edan's vernacular—posh types by staying tight against the dimmest wall.
„Stop messing with your tie,“ hisses Hermann.
Bastien jerks his hand away from his collar. „It's too tight!“
„That's how they're supposed to be.“
„This's so stupid,“ Bastien grumbles.
„Behave anyway.“
Bastien rolls his eyes, scuffs his toe in his polished shoes. „We're not trophies.“
„To Father, we are, along with being medals of honour.“
Bastien growls.
„How about you get us something to drink?“
Bastien grumps off to the refreshments table.
Hermann rolls his shoulders, winces as a handful of feathers are tugged against the grain. He shifts again without finding relief, sighs.
Bastien offers a bottle of water.
„Thank you.“
„'welcome.“ He swigs from a cup of punch, grimaces.
„Sour?“
„/Sweet.“
„That's an unusual thing for you to complain about.“
Bastien huffs. „May I have some of your water?“
Hermann passes it over.
Bastien drinks, hands it back, then heads for the food table again.
Hermann keeps watch on the crowd, which, thankfully, continues to ignore him.
Bastien returns with a water bottle, a cookie of some sort, and worried expression. „Father's coming this way with his date!“
„/Behave.“
Bastien makes a face, stuffs the entire cookie in his mouth.
Hermann rolls his eyes.
„„—told you I /absolutely must meet your sons.““
Father responds unintelligibly.
„„None of that now. I'm sure they're /wonderful boys.““
Bastien snorts into his water.
Hermann kicks his foot.
Bastien—freezes, curves his lips into a smile.
Father, with Ms Schwartz—impeccably made-up, coiffed, and dressed—at his side, steps up and announces, „Monica, these—“
„Oh, you brought them!“ She hugs his arm. „Thank you, my love.“ Kisses his cheek, then sparkles at Hermann and Bastien. „Aren't you two just the most darling brothers!“
„Uh, yes.“ Father tugs at his collars. „These are Hermann—“
Hermann bows, says quietly, „Ms Schwartz.“
„—and Bastien.“
He does likewise, silently.
Ms Schwartz inclines her head in greeting, then smiles broadly at them—
Hermann does. not. shuffle. 
—coos, „What handsome young men! So much like you, darling.“
Father corrects a stifled cringe into a preen.
„How old are you little gentlemen?“
Hermann does. not. bristle.
Bastien dials up his charm, chirps, „I'm ten—almost eleven—and he's sixteen.“
She melts a little—
Hermann does. not. roll. his eyes.
—says, „You remind me of my son.“
Bastien peers around her. „Is he here?“
„Unfortunately not, darling.“
Bastien puts on a frown.
„Don't worry even a little over him. He's in New York with his father.“
„Oh, darn.“
Father links elbows with Ms Schwartz, seeking escape.
She pats his forearm with a gloved hand. „Trust me, darling, he's happier there. My career means I'm not a suitable parent for a budding genius like him.“ Ms Schwartz glows. „He's already taking university courses.“
„Like Hermann!“
Ms Schwartz turns her attention; Hermann does. not. cringe.
„Oh? What's your programme?“
„I-I—“ Hermann clears his throat, continues with more confidence. „I haven't decided, but I start next term at TU Berlin.“
„Good for you! My boy is earning biology credits at Columbia University and they're /already offering him graduate courses.“
Father fixes Hermann with a Look.
Hermann holds his stare.
„Monica, we mustn't keep everyone waiting.“
„Of course, of course.“ Ms Schwartz bobs her head. „It was lovely meeting the two of you.“
„It was a pleasure, Ms Schwartz.“
„Likewise~!“ adds Bastien.
Ms Schwartz glows at them, then lets Father guide her into the thick of the party.
Hermann lets his shoulders drop; Bastien hunches his.
„Well, that's over,“ mumbles Hermann. „We made Father look good to his date.“
„Whee.“ Bastien loosens his tie. „/Now what do we do?“
Hermann checks his pockets. „I have a notepad. Want to find a corner and re-write the libretto so it makes sense?“
„Only if I can fix the costumes, too.“
„Of course.“
„Cool! Let's go!“
Category:Ficlet
Category:Berlin (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Hermann has wings
Category:Bastien
Category:Bastien (ficlet)
Category:Lars
Category:Lars (ficlet)
Category:Monica
Category:Monica (ficlet)
Category:Edan (mention)
Category:Newt (mention)
Category:Jakob (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images
2006 02 25
Category:Pages with comments
Category:Celestial Mechanics