The two hopped down the stairs slowly, stopping every now and then to rest. Why did Chero have to live at the very top of the tallest building in the city? At least the sight was nice.
“Ah.” Francis started as they were halfway down. “When the lights are like this, it makes me miss home.”
“You don’t know anything about missing home, mister.” Jenny muttered, continuing down the stairs without him.
“You are from away as well?”
“Yeah. I’m from America.” She replied, still not looking back. “I transferred here to go to school. And I’ve been here for about two years now.”
Francis followed quietly. He had only been away from home for a week. And the longest he’s ever been away was maybe a month. “So you miss your maman et papa.”
“Well… I’ve been missing my dad for ten years now.” She said quietly, stopping for a moment.
The two continued down the steps in awkward silence, unsure of what to even continue with.
“I still haven’t been told your name, cheri.” Francis said, trying to change the mental topic.
“What? Oh. Right. It’s Jenny.”
“Jenny?” His voice softened. “That’s a pretty name, mon cher.”
She hopped in awkward silence again, changing the subject once more. “Well what about you, pretty boy? What’s your story?”
“Well. I was cut off from my funds. So now I have to either marry into a rich family or find a job for myself.”
“And so you’re going to go the easy way and try and woo my friend into marriage.”
“Well. If I was able to do so~ But oui. I do not see myself working with a job. That’s servant work.”
Jenny stopped and stared at him. “Don’t tell me that working is servants’ work. You don’t seem to understand since you’re a prince. But I, myself, work almost every day of the week to keep myself fed and stay in my apartment. But… why would you care? You live in a castle and don’t have to lift a finger.” She turned away from him and hopping onto the ground, having reached the bottom and left him.
Francis was baffled for a moment. He never had a female blow up on him before. He regained himself and followed after her. “Cheri, I’m sorry! That didn’t come out right, I mean, I wouldn’t get a job personally! It’s not my thing, you know?”
“You’re just digging a bigger grave for yourself, pretty boy.” Jenny said, hopping faster, out onto the streets finally.
“Cheri, wait! I don’t want to be left behi-!” He went quiet.
Jenny stopped after a few more hops and listened. “Francis?” She already didn’t have a good start with the prince, so she really didn’t want to help him. But she had to if she wanted to get changed back herself. She didn’t have to turn before she heard a voice.
