March 28th, 1890 — Bartonburg

Jacques was quite often glad that he had decided to keep his Bartonburg home. Especially when it seemed that thanks to Florida Man, the paintings that he had destroyed in the midst of depression when it had seemed like his dominant hand would never heal and he would never be able to paint again had reappeared. Intact and pristine. He had been spending much of the month since the day he had realized that they had reappeared trying to figure out what to do with them.

Deciding a walk might be what would bring an idea to mind, Jacques headed out of the house and into the street. It really was a rather lovely day that even Jacques could appreciate it. His skin was sensitive to the sun, however, so he pulled on a pair of gloved and smiled politely at another passersby.

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

It would not be long now before Bragi heard back from the Ministry on whether or not he'd been accepted into their internship programme. So focussed was he on playing the various possibilities over in his head (was he too Danish? Too inexperienced? Too timid?) that he forced himself to get out of the house and take a brisk walk. His tabby cat, Maid Marian, decided to come with him, plodding along softly at his heels.

So lost in thought was the boy that he was barely paying attention when he glanced at a smiling passer-by and exclaimed; "Mr Michaud! Hello!" But almost immediately he realised his mistake. This fellow did look a lot like the dark-haired blue-eyed Tristan Michaud, who'd first welcomed Bragi to Hogsmeade, but it absolutely was not him. "Oh — gosh — I'm ever so sorry, I mistook you for someone else..."

The cat, Marian, might've rolled her eyes.

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Jacques was taken aback by the fact that the redhead knew his name. His name was known publicly but not his face so it wasn't because the boy had seen any of his work. Was he a neighbor that Jacques had simply never taken notice of? No - too pretty. Jacques would have noticed him.

And then the boys next words solved the puzzle. "Well, I am a Michaud but I suspect the one you are looking for is closer to your own age," he said as he finished settling his gloves over his hands.

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Marian sat boredly at Bragi's feet, licking her paw, while Bragi remained slightly abashed. "Oh I wasn't looking for him per se, I was just..." Just what? Just nothing, really. Just on a walk with his cat when he thought he saw a familiar acquaintance.

"Are you perhaps his brother, sir?"

  

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Jacques watched the young redhead as he waited for him to finish what he ws going to say, raising an eyebrow slightly as he just trailed off.

As a man who was very sensitive about his age (and may have had a mild breakdown when he had turned 26), it pleased him greatly to be confused for Tristan's brother. And never mind the fact that some brothers could be many years apart in age. "I am his uncle - his father was my brother. Are you a friend of his?" He could not help but slightly emphasize the word since the last time he had met one of Tristans friends personally, the boy had turned out to be Tristans lover.

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Any implication or oddity in the other man's emphasis flew right over Bragi's head. He did find this new Uncle Michaud a little intimidating, though; he half wanted to politely flee, and half wanted to learn more about him.

"Well, we've only met once", he explained a little awkwardly. "But he was the first person I ever spoke to in Hogsmeade, so... yes, I dare say I think of him as a friend!" he extended his hand courteously. "Bragi Holm", he offered by way of introduction.

  

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Jacques smiled kindly as the young man explained how they had only met once. He took the hand offered and recognition sparked in his face for uncle and nephew were the sort to converse regularly. And they were both aware of the others ... predilections.

"Uh, yes. The newcomer - though not quite new now. I attended Beauxbatons myself," he said wistfully for he missed it. "I'm Jacques Michaud."

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Bragi was mildly alarmed to hear he'd been spoken about, but he was also a little pleased, for being talked about was necessary to succeed in society. Assuming you were being talked about by the right people of course. Were the Michauds the right people...? Well, Tristan was a Quidditch professional, and that was very impressive. Alright so he may have heard from a friend of Mr Wilson's that the Michauds had vampire ancestry, but Bragi was quite sure he'd been joking. Bragi was a pale thing himself, but that didn't make him a vampire.

"A fellow Beauxbatons graduate", he smiled, for that had been his school too. "Are you also in Quidditch, like your nephew?" Jacques Michaud looked quite Quidditchy.

  

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For the very briefest of moments, Jacques was almost offended. Only almost. He liked looking and doing more than look at Quidditch players, not looking like one. But he had been mistaken for a chaser or a seeker before so he ultimately let it pass. "Heavens, no. I have never touched a Quaffle in my life except for other reasons. I'm an artist though these days I also run a music shop."

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Bragi stifled a flinch at Mr Michaud's reaction. The youth hadn't meant offence, but he appreciated that not everyone liked the idea of being a Quidditch player. He had no idea what Mr Michaud meant by "except for other reasons", though. Did he throw Quaffles for his dog...?

Speaking of pets, Marian started mewling with impatience. Bragi scooped up the large cat and she purred comfortably.

"Art and music? Goodness, I've not met such a creative in a long while."

  

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Jacques glanced down at the large cat as it mewed and smiled as the young  man picked it up. "It was my brothers and will one day be my nephews. I do not personally have much musical talent," Jacques chuckled modestly. Or at least as modest as was personally possible for him. It was true, though. He barely even spent much time at the shop - that was what hiring people was for.

  

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1/4 vampire, french accent

There was something in his new acquaintance's smile that made Bragi suspect he was just being modest, but he was not about to call him out on it. After all, there was another fascinating talent worth remarking upon here — "May I ask what you paint? Or... draw?" he asked, feeling a little ignorant as he mused over various types of artistic media.

  

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"I primarily paint people or landscapes. I also helped illustrate a couple of books," Jacques said in response to the younger mans question. "I have also been dabbling into sculpting as of late." Which was a medium he found he enjoyed though his first love would always be painting.

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Goodness, what a multi-talented person. Portraits, landscapes, illustrations... and also sculpting! This particular medium sounded fascinating to Bragi, who'd never met a sculptor before. "Do you take commissions?"

  

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"Yes, I do," Jacques said with a smile. "Were you interested in having your portrait done?" Generally, he was picky about what he took on since he was ornery like that. But this young man seemed to be quite pleasant to talk to so he wouldn't mind sitting with him to paint him.

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1/4 vampire, french accent

Bragi paled a little at the thought of having his portrait done. He had some degree of vanity acceptable for a young man of his station, but this was mostly to do with grooming. He didn't hold his actual looks in much regard; especially lately, since seeing Mr Sterling and Ari...

Anyway —

"Oh, not of me. I'd love a painting of Maid Marian here", he smiled down at the chubby, bored cat at his side. "Or better yet: a sculpture!"

  

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