Blood and Kindness

Chapter Deux

A/N

My friend helped me right this using his character Klaus and my own, Julia. This is abt WWI btw.

~~~~~

Julia, 1914

I looked at Klaus, asleep next to the window, I could at least give him a pillow, right? I looked across the aisle and conveniently enough, a pillow laid. No one or any luggage around it. There were pillows scattered about. So, they must've been there by default. I grabbed the pillow and got Klaus to lay down nearest to the aisle in the seats, gingerly I placed the pillow under his head and covered him with the two blankets. I sat down closest to the window as my eyes got heavy. Just resting them couldn't hurt.. right?

I woke up to dim light shining against the window, blinking my eyes open. I saw the sun beyond the mountains against the horizon. I woke up more the next few minutes before getting up to get Klaus, who was still asleep, and I some food. I purchased a few croissant au chocolat and went back to our seats, placing two of them next to him. He was younger. He needed more nutrients, anyway. He's just a kid.

I began to eat the croissant next to me, they were actually quite well-baked. I was honestly quite surprised by this fact, though not as good as in France. Food would always be better in France.

I noticed the child sitting up from the seat, the blankets still over his shoulders. He blinked sleepily, he rubbed his eyes before looking up at me, making a little 'squeak' like a mouse.

"Bonjour!" I greeted, smiling, "the staff came by with food, so I got you some!"

"Is it poisoned?" Klaus questioned, I looked at him, arching a brow.

"Uhm- non? I ate some, too." I explained. He began nibbling on the croissant, almost as if he were preserving it, making me a little uneasy. I looked at him with another confused glance, this time a bit more "secretive".

"What's your mutter and husband's name?" Klaus eventually spoke up and I turned to him.

"My husband's name is Henri, my mother's is Lilianne."

"Wait- how old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

"Oh- I'm sixteen! Where'd you grow up?"

"Normandy."

"Ooo!"

He began eating his croissants in larger bites, which made me smile.

"Do you want water?" I asked, he nodded, I got it for him. I sat down next to him and we talked. We talked for a long time, until around 6 and we were almost at my destination...

"Do you have any kids?" Klaus asked and I went completely silent, just starring out the window.

"I— I.. no, I don't." I lied. Well, was it the truth or a lie? I couldn't even tell.

I began to pack my things as we sat in silence before he spoke up again and we began chatting again, I packed one of the two blankets I brought, leaving one with Klaus along with around- 50 dollars I think it was. I looked at him.

"Au revoir," I said before beginning to walk away.

"Wait! Julia! Where are you going?" Klaus shouted as I stepped into the crowded aisle and began making my way to the exit as he shouted my name. It was sad to leave him, yes, but it had to be done.

I stepped off the train, hauling my luggage with me and I began walking to a hotel, through the streets where.. Strangely enough, most people drove a car instead of walking. Once arriving at my hotel I opened the door and walked inside, going to the front desk and explaining that I needed a room for a month. The man nodded and said it would be 220 dollars. 220 dollars?! I internally shouted. Handing him the money and taking the key. Quite frustrated, I go to my room and set my stuff down. I sighed heavily, taking my hair down from the bun and taking off my hat. I looked at the paintings on the walls, such amateur Americans are at painting. I'm sure a chat could do better. As I laid on the bed in the room I suddenly became anxious about Klaus. Was he- no, would he be okay? He's only sixteen.. and living on his own.

Before I knew it it was around 7:35 in the morning. I slept for over 12 hours, that isn't normal. I'm sure it's fine. Right? Right? I quickly got dressed and went to a nearby bakery, when inside it was mostly just pain, not baguettes, odd, is this what America is like? Maybe I'll go back to Europe sooner than a month. Maybe two weeks.

As I passed people on the street they would smile and wave and say hello, is this really America? I don't think I could ever get used to this. Some people even tried to flirt with me, even though I was very clearly married. You don't wear a ring on your finger for no reason, people. I just want to go back to France...

I walked into a store to get groceries and I struggled to find some of the produce. Why are American grocery stores so confusing? I muttered beneath my breath. First, apples are 29 cents each, they could at least charge 50– are they trying to go bankrupt? I don't know why they undercharge. But, they definitely do. I guess this is what Americans do.. people kept talking to me, other than the usual 'bonjour' of when you walk into a store or cafe. People have no manners.

"Hi!" A small child shouted, running up to me, I looked down at him.

"Bonjour!" At least this child had manners, such a nice child. "Where's your maman?"

He tilted his head in confusion, "what's a maman?"

"Uh— your- uh- what's the word?" I snapped my fingers and he laughed, trying to copy me. "Your mom."

"Ohh! Yeah! She's over there!" He pointed to a tall woman, white skin, black hair, pale yellow dress in one of the aisles.

"Maybe we should go back to her-" I tried to convince but was ignored. He took my hand and brought me over to some sweets.

"You should really go back to your mother-" I tried to say, anxiety severely edging my tone. After that he took the sweets and looked at me a bit angrily and stomped away. I sighed. I was alone. Finally. I finished buying the groceries and bought them, they were surprisingly some-what cheap.