Pisanthraphobia (H2OVanoss and Others)

Chapter 22

After finding their hotel and dropping their bags off, the group reconviened in the lobby to plan their next move. The clue was vague enough that whatever they were looking for could be anywhere, and Paris was rather big.

They could divide and conquer, but staying together was safer, and they were in foreign territory (literally). Looking at a map, they decided to split Paris into a few sections and go to one each day. That way they would cover ground and still get to see the sights.

Brock had grabbed some flyers from the hotel, the pamphlets having cool locations and tourist attractions around the city. Luckily, a lot of things in France were in English.

Their first stop was, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It was around midday, and the tower wasn't too crowded as most people were eating lunch. They joined a group of tourists (one of them was wearing an American flag shirt and cowboy hat) and followed a tour guide around the perimeter.

The guide had a thick accent that definitely wasn't French, but he spoke clearly enough that the others could tell what he was saying. As they walked around the bottom of the tower, they were told about the making of the structures and the many architects involved in its design.

After answering a few questions, the guide led them to the elevator that would take them to the viewing platform of the tower. Once they got there, the group split off from the tour and went to the ledge.

"Wow."

The view was breathtaking, as expected. People milled about hundreds of feet below them, and the sun twinkled off the reflective surfaces and small water sources. Each of them got out their phones to snap pictures.

Evan gazed out onto the distance after taking his pictures, and looked at the horizon. The sky was just... so pure and blue. There were a few clouds scattered above, but the sun bathed the city in its golden glow, a gentle caress of light.

A glint caught his eye, and he turned to see a camera lens pointed in his direction. As was his nature, he stood a little less straight and smiled shyly.

"And here we have a rare Evan, truly a sight to behold. Wave to the people, Ev!"

Evan did, a bit uncomfortable but not as anxious as he usually was around cameras. Nogla swept his shot around to Brock, his victim trying to keep Brian from leaning off the edge of the tower, and Evan let a breath out.

Before the craziness, he had always been trepidatious of cameras. When he was young, his parents would always film him in public, which embarrassed him because everyone would look over.

As he got older, he was mostly just camera-shy, and his friends respected that after he joined the YouTube community. His viewers were always thirsty for glimpses of his face, but he was never hounded or bullied because of it.

Something about meeting Mr. No-Face-Reveal had changed him, and he realized now that he wasn't as nervous anymore. Maybe it was because he had a group of friends that he trusted more than anything, maybe it was just random. Either way, he was happy that he wasn't alone anymore.

Not finding their next clue, though the group didn't really know what they were looking for, they decided to grab lunch in a little restaurant on the street corner.

The eatery had bright, colourful umbrellas that shielded the outdoor tables from sun, and the group decided to grab a table under a blue one. A minute later, a young man came up to their table.

"What may I get you, my friends?"

They ordered sodas and sparkling waters, and as the waiter left two men came to sit at the table next to them, both carrying violin cases on their backs.

The shorter had black hair and glasses, and was wearing a shirt that said 'anti social practice club' on the front. The other wore a simple blue shirt, and was talked animatedly about some sort of classics musician.

Noticing the other group, the two gave polite smiles and introduced themselves as Brett and Eddy. They were traveling musicians who were in France to play a concert for a tour they were going on.

"Can you play for us?"

The two exchanged grins, and called over a waiter, asking if they would mind if they played a bit outside he restaurant. Surprised but intrigued, the restaurant staff agreed, and the two got out their violins and tuned.

Not even deciding on a piece, the pair began in sync, their bows gliding across the strings and their fingers flying into complex patterns. The piece was called 'Beethoven Virus', and was fast-paced and catchy.

The group as well as several pedestrians and other customers watched and listened, the music blending in with the bustle of Paris's streets. It was oddly charming, the violin mixing with the natural street life, and by the time the pair finished a large crowd was clapping away.

The two bowed over-extravagantly and put their instruments away, and laughed when they were bombarded with compliments. After ordering and getting their food, the violinists and BBS traded numbers, promising to keep in touch and check out the other's YouTube channels.

When they parted, the air was light and the group felt the gentle lull that came with meeting new, interesting people. Their next stop was a little bit away, so the group headed to a train station that would take them there.

It was on the train that Evan saw a familiar face.