This chapter of the "Voyage, Voyage" series is an introduction to two new main characters to its plot and can be read without context from the previous six instalments.
Today, you'll be meeting Marcell and Aline.
Hugs and kisses,
DinaParker69
*****
Part 07 -- Nous, Les Amoureux
'What about the other one?'
'Other one?'
'Yeah, two streets away, on the corner of the-'
'Oh, Fabrice's!'
'Yes. Why don't we go to that one?'
'Isn't that the one where they don't bar the dykes at the entrance?'
'And?'
'And not only will the chicks not play in our league, some of them are going to be after the exact same chicks we're after!'
'Damn, you're right...'
'Of course I'm right, man. Think before you speak, dude.'
The irony of the youngster's words seemed to be lost on their authors but not to Marcell. Listening to the other players in the dressing room always fascinated him, in the sense that he could only imagine how little sex any of them would be having if someone from the opposite gender were listening in. Marcell never participated in these conversations, as he felt way too self-conscious about how moronic the whole thing sounded.
He finished drying himself and started to get dressed.
'What about you, Simon? Care to join us, mere grunts, for drinks?'
'He's of too fine a cloth for that, Jean!' Someone interjected. 'Fat chance of that happening.'
This was the unfortunate side effect of keeping to himself. Any sportsman would tell you that nothing built team cohesion better than a few minutes of confraternization at practice sessions. And he was just not good at it.
'Already got plans with the missus.' Marcell replied, ignoring the snide comment.
'Yeah, Simon's got some pussy at home already.' Another player said to anyone around willing to hear. 'Everyone's had a peek at it in a five-kilometre radius, of course.'
It's one of those days, then.
'If you took as much care to score goals as you do thinking about my girlfriend, maybe you would be in the starting eleven, and not watching me play from the bench, Moreau.' Marcell lazily said, looking him in the eye as he put his black shirt on.
The rest of them made the unmistakable noise of an amused crowd, as Moreau got right next to his face with an angry scowl.
'You talk shit, you're gonna get yours one of these days, mate.'
Marcell did not move an inch, letting his indifference answer for him. However, someone did actually answer for him in the end.
'Moreau! You injure my star player and I'll loan you to a regional club in the middle of the Pyrenees! Simon's got more assists on him than the rest of you put together!'
The tirade from their team manager did nothing to ease the tension, but the other man backed away grudgingly. The boss' arrival, ironically enough, was to praise all players for how well the season had gone and to thank them for their efforts throughout.
Marcell played for the youth squad of the PSG football (soccer) team in Paris. He was what was known as a playmaker, the man who was responsible for organizing the team's play, making sure to make the final pass that would reach a player who would himself score the goal.
As it happened, he was hoping for something to happen before the day was ended. His anticipation was palpable when, following the general assembly of approval, he was asked to stay behind for a few words with the boss. A few cold stares from his team mates were earned.
'Marcell Simon, my boy, you are goddamn marvel of nature. How a kid your size can win aerial duels for the ball is beyond me...'
'I'm nineteen, boss.'
'When you get to my age, everyone of your age is freshly out of the womb, son.' He laughed, even though Marcell was not too impressed. 'I think you and I both knew this day would come sooner rather than later, didn't we, Simon?'
Easy now...
Marcell demanded of himself.
'Do you mean what I think you mean?' He asked.
'Next year you'll be with the big boys. The senior team wants you in their roster for next year, no hanging around the youth team anymore!'
It was exactly the sort of news that Marcell had been expecting, no matter how much he had been telling himself in the days leading up to it that it would be okay if another season of blowing away the competition in the under twenty-ones was in the cards. But that was not the sort of thing that he needed, and he knew it. Bigger, more experienced competition and teammates were needed for him to keep making the jumps in quality that his game required if he was to achieve what he dreamed of.
Practically jumping as he strode past his usual commute back home, there was only the nagging advice of his, now former, manager looming over him.
'Be more outgoing, watch the spirit of your teammates. You will need to make sure you are likeable now, or they will bench you, Simon! Don't think they won't!'
There was a point to his words, but the young man forced himself not to think on it just yet. He would go by the florist's first to pick something up for Aline. It was predictable, but they were her favourites, so he took a couple of roses and went to pay.
'Who is the lucky girl?' The shopkeeper's assistant asked him, unexpectedly. She was a young woman who had just started out a few weeks before. Marcell would walk into the shop enough times to have seen her already before. She was containing a furious blush, as if she'd rehearsed saying those words yet still chocked up a little.
With a smile and a confident movement, he got one of the six roses away from the others.
'To the most beautiful girl in the world, my lovely girlfriend. I hope you are not offended.'
'Of course not! That's sweet.' She said, sounding a little disappointed.
'Here.' Marcell said, putting the flower that was separated from the others behind her ear. 'Since you are lovely too and deserve being bought some roses as well.' He whispered huskily.
There was definitely more red than before on the girl's features now, and a schoolgirl giggle at her throat. He winked and headed off but had barely closed the door of the florist behind him when a voice called out to him.
'You know me too well, handsome.'
Marcell could have recognized that voice anywhere and he turned on his heel to look at Aline. Mischief was her default expression and she was wearing it comfortably yet again. Her mouth was small and her two lateral incisor teeth a little too big for it, which meant even the slightest smile would instantly make them visible, a detail that never failed to make her all the more endearing to him.
'My lady.' He mockingly said, handing the flowers. Her trademark toothy smile appeared, before she hugged him with a giggle.
During the hug he got a face full of her bright pink coloured hair, though not too much of it since it was caught in a high ponytail. As they disentangled and started to move away, Marcell realised the girl in the store had been watching them and, rather than avoid acknowledging it, Aline waved at her enthusiastically as if they were long-time friends. The girl seemed mortified of having stepped on the other woman's "property" but was reassured by this, giving a small wave back as well.
'Good thinking with the flower for her.' Aline told him, as they walked hand-in-hand.
'I sense a request is coming.'
'Wouldn't that lovely, gorgeous, kitty cat face back there look just brilliantly if it was between my legs?' She added, as if just musing about it.
'Any scenario that involves being between your legs would look lovely, Ali...'
'Marcell?'
'Yeah?' He asked, noticing her stopping.
She was his height, so there was no need to look up as she grabbed the sides of his shirt and pulled him in to land a kiss on his lips, as the two of them breathed heavy through their noses until some passer-by complained about them blocking the pavement. Aline told him to piss off as they resumed walking, before turning to him.
'But you know what I mean. It's been ages since we brought someone into the fold to have some fun with us... Come on, she is going to be a fun little toy!'