“Élise Fourmaux was born…”
“Wait wait. You’re…? Seriously man?”
“...born in Marseille, France.”
“Hey– Hey?” Gary tried his voice. It was still an American accent but there was the slightest twinge giving his voice a vaguely, but hard to place, European origin. Simultaneously, he lost an inch of height, coming down closer to Jon's 5’ 6”. Maybe something because his diet in France was different? But didn't Europeans eat healthier? Shouldn't he be taller? Or not change height at all?
“Why did you do that?” Gary asked as his skin gradually lightened to smoother pale with a hint of tan and blush.
“Because it's fun and less base desire horny shit than giving me D cups.”
“Oh won't you lay off that?” Gary yelled. Something subtly shifted in his facial structure.
“If you're nice Élise.”
“And the name too? I liked my name being Élise. I mean Élise. Goddamn it.”
“And my name's Catherine,” Jon replied flatly.
“Okay but why though?”
“Cause I thought,” Jon started smirking. “Your great grandparents on your father's side are French. What if you were.”
“Wait does that mean I was adopted or something and— what the fuck happened to my skin?”
“I guess if you were born in France you would take better care of your skin? That's why it's lighter.”
“But the color?”
“Is only slightly lighter. Probably the same thing. You're wearing sun screen more often or don't stand out in the sun as much.”
“But isn't Marseille on the Mediterranean?”
“All the more reason to wear sunscreen.”
“And am I adopted? I liked being French-American.”
Jon raised his eyebrows at French-American but Gary didn't notice.
“Can I look at the card Catherine?”
Jon held it so Gary could see.
Name: Élise Fourmaux
Sex: Female
Age: 17
Born: Marseille France
Nationality: French-American
Languages: French (Fluent)
••••••••••••••••American English (Native)
Hair Color/Length: Black/Short
Eye: Dark Brown
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 141 lbs
Body Type: Medium
Cup Size: Small B
Gait: Surefooted/Sensual
“A lot changed, wow.” Jon said.
“But am I adopted?”
“Call your mom?”
Gary fished out his phone and selected Maman.
The phone rang then his mother picked up on the other side. It was her voice but it was in French.
“Yes chérie? What is it?”
“Uhhh… could you tell me the story of why I was born in France?” Gary asked and he didn't realize until he stopped speaking that he had said it in fluent French.
“Oh but you know this? Why are you asking?”
“I just wanted to make sure I got all the details right. Just be quick, I don't have much time,” Gary said and side-eyed Jon. He shrugged, mostly because he couldn't understand a word.
“Oh well, you know I was born in Chicago and your father in San Diego but…”
Basically, Gary gathered that nothing had changed except both of his parents decided to study abroad in Marseille for university. His mother's ancestors had still come over on the Mayflower or soon after and his dad's grandparents were still from France. His mom wanted to learn French and his Dad wanted to get in touch with his Grandparents. The same accidental pregnancy in their senior years but it forced them to stay in France and they both actually got jobs there in Marseille before moving to Paris for eight months then moving back to the US when he was six years old.
It was strange how much had changed and yet how little had. His parents had the same jobs here now, and going through his camera roll little else was changed. As if, without stipulating it, the I.D. card tried to alter reality as little as possible. Well the only thing he had noticed was that apparently while in France he wanted to be a ballerina. Maybe that was tied into being sure-footed and sensual?
After four minutes on the phone, he hung up on his mother and quickly explained it all to Jon.
“I thought more would have changed.”
“Yeah I dunno why it didn't?”
“Well I have one more change to make.”
“Jon, hold on a second. Let me get used to this first."
“Élise—”
