[Post 039] Video/Action for Saffron City and Route 7 [Backdated to 30th of May]

[francia]

[The feed opens up to the outskirts of Saffron City just before Route 7 sometime in the mid-afternoon. It's a picturesque scene: green, summer-lush trees, well-combed grass, and a herd of multi-seasonal Deerling dotting the scope of the camera. The focus of the shot shifts after a couple of seconds to show one autumn-form Deerling in particular that is eating out of the palm of France's hand.]

[In the background, however, unnoticed for the moment by France, there is dust rising, and those watching the 'Gear might pick up the beginnings of static noise as a number of stampeding Blitzles careen towards France's back.]

[France grins at the 'Gear, voice cheerful and boastful although increasingly distorted by the static noise.]

This is Bénézet, the newest addition to my team! Isn't he a lovely and unique specimen among these cre...

[At this point, the feed's audio is far too distorted to be understandable. A moment passes where France continues speaking inaudibly before France finally notices something's up. He looks away from the 'Gear, which subsequently shifts the focus off-center to give a view of France's shoulder, the sky, and a rising cloud of dust before there's a blare of static and the feed abruptly cuts out.]

Comments

[video]

[tapestodiane]

_{[You know, there was a time where Coop would be worried about this kind of thing, but he's known France for long enough to not be, at least not to the same extent. When he tunes in a while later, it's with a fond oh, France in his mind and a hint of amusement in his eyes behind the initial bit of concern.]}

France. Are you okay?

[Video]

[francia]

[Cooper, you know France so well. When France responds a couple hours later, he's dusty, flushed with embarrassment, and has a smudge mark of dirt on his cheek but appears otherwise unharmed. Except for his ego. His ego will always suffer.]

I'm fine!

[Said a little too fast. He laughs a bit too loudly to try to cover it.]

All the outdoor exercise I've had in the past two months is lending a wonderful tan for my beautiful figure!

[Video]

[tapestodiane]

_{[His poor, poor ego. Coop gives him a small grin in response, because he can't quite not find that funny, but it's pretty clear that it's not at his expense. In fact, the smile lingers and could easily be read as relieved.]}

Well, if you're sure.

They caught you off guard, huh?

[Video]

[francia]

[France huffs, his haughty air turned up a few notches above normal to make up for everything.]

Of course!

[He frowns in a way that would probably be furious if not for the situation. It just looks like a fussy pout.]

How was I to expect a stampede to come from the city? I don't understand how this civilization is still standing with all the damage the urban wildlife does.

[Video]

[tapestodiane]

_{[Coop shakes his head slightly, smile milder. If France looks close enough something's slightly rattled in the agent (because as usual, when they talk, they have great timing like that), but he seems pretty content to just talk to his friend.]}

You know the saying, France: expect the unexpected. Besides, the locals seem fairly used to these kind of situations.

[video]

[greatbigrock]

<sub>[Okay, he's trying to be serious here. Really. Honestly.]

[But the fact that France is so utterly oblivious to approaching danger like that is hilarious and he's pretty much laughing when he accidentally tunes into the video feed.]</sub>

[Video]

[francia]

[Tulio gets a call back a few hours later after France has escaped the stampede, retrieved his 'Gear (how this thing survives everything is magic a complete mystery), and washed up. His indignant air is largely ineffective due to the fact he's also red with embarrassment and his hair is still wet from the shower.]

That was a brush with death, you insensitive cretin!

[Video]

[greatbigrock]

<sub>[HAHAHA as IF.]

[Tulio snorts when he accepts the call and looks smug, and totally unconcerned about how upset France is.]</sub>

Yeah, sure. Try telling me that after outrunning a herd of bulls.

[Video]

[francia]

[France noticeably bristles.]

I've outrun bulls before!

[One of which he inherited from Romano who inherited Toro from Spain. Toro is forever remaining safe and secure in France's PC box.]

This was an entirely other situation: they were electric horses!

[ Video ]

[killer_sweets]

[You know if Killua was a nicer and sane child, he'd probably say something to warn his dear friend.

Nope, you had to make friends with a messed up brat. He's just going to laugh.]

[ Video ]

[francia]

[France calls back after he's gotten back to the hotel and cleaned up. He scowls mightily, or, well, it's really more of a pout and really pretty pathetic.]

This is not a laughing matter.

[ Video ]

[killer_sweets]

To you, how did you not hear them coming at you?

[He sort of assuming they couldn't be heard over the guy's ego.]

[ Video ]

[francia]

[Pretty much. France's ego is second only to his appreciation of beauty.]

[He pouts more, trying to look indignant.]

I was distracted by Bénézet and how absolutely adorable he is.

[This is a totally legit excuse.]

[action]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy isn't terribly worried by this video, he knows Blitzle aren't very big, but he will go out to look for France on the route anyway. Just in case. He thinks he recognized the area where France was...]

[Once he does get there and sees him, he calls out as he walks over, hands in his pockets.]

France!

[Action]

[francia]

[France is sitting on the ground, away from the tall grass. He's dusty and somewhat mussed as to be expected from someone who ran away from an approaching herd of electric zebra. He looks up at Envy's call and tries to smile, although it comes out strained and a flush of embarrassment comes over his cheeks.]

Envy!

[He gets up and attempts to dust himself off and look presentable. It's quickly obvious that isn't going to happen, and France sighs, now just embarrassed.]

Why does this keep happening?

[Action]

[exeggutorhead]

[When Envy reaches France, he reaches to loosely link arms with him. He does look France up and down, and is glad to see that he doesn't look injured at all.]

Maybe we should get you some Repel.

[He gives France a (tired, he hasn't been sleeping well since the weekend) half-grin that doesn't show too much amusement even though yes that video was kind of funny.]

You're not hurt, right?

[Action]

[francia]

[France returns the hold, tightening it and pulling Envy closer. He takes Envy's hand in his own.]

Repel always makes me smell like I'm wearing cheap perfume.

[France shakes his head.]

No. I'm just...

[He motions vaguely with his free hand.]

Frustrated.

[video]

[trailweblaze]

_{[Miguel is... not sure if he should respond to this. They have been travelling together and all, so... they're at least acquaintances?]}

Are you alright?

[video]

[francia]

[France has cleaned up and calmed down (mostly) by the time he responds to Miguel, so he's able to put on a smile, although it isn't as bright as the one he usually present.]

I am now! The wonders that a good long soak in the bath can do for a person!

[video]

[trailweblaze]

_{[Ah yes, showers. One of Miguel's favorite things in Johto.]}

Oh, yeah, they sure do wonders! Didn't have them back in Spain and now I can't imagine how we survived there without them..

Anyway, good to see you aren't hurt.

[video]

[francia]

[France's smile becomes a littler brighter. Oh, Miguel, France has no idea how you and Tulio are friends. You're so much more charming.]

I remember now that was. It's certainly one aspect of the past I don't miss.

[His smile becomes sincere at the last part.]

Thank you! I'm very glad as well. Damage to a figure like mine is to damage priceless art.

video

[licentious]

[ Lust is already charging her way out of the Radio station when the transmission ends. She's dressed in a more sportier attire. And, by that, I mean she's in black slacks and a top with ruffles on it. Stay classy girl! She charges her way towards France's location with her pokemon in tow. ]

You need any assistance there? [ If your ass got harmed she'll never hear the end of it towards France. ]

video

[francia]

[France approves of her fashion choices always, but this is a good look on her! France himself doesn't look so well put together at the moment. He's sitting next to a ledge, hair mussed and a smudge of dirt on his face, expression somewhat flushed from embarrassment as he tries to smile.]

I'm fine. It was just a matter of elementary strategy to outrun them.

video

[licentious]

Ah. Yes. I have noticed that humans are awfully good at running. [ And France is composed of humans so, hey, potshot right there! Whatever. If he doesn't need any aid then Lust doesn't have to give any, but he looks a bit scratched up. ]

Do you need me to get anything at the store before I return home tonight? ...You should rest. [ If Envy's boyfriend got hurt, he'd be pretty pissed off and she'd rather avert to alerting the entire place that genocidal maniacs are on the loose and in the streets of Johto. ] I'll take care of dinner. [ the things she does because of her little brother's ~*~*~romance~*~*~ ]

video

[francia]

[France blinks and then smiles gratefully. He'd completely forgotten about dinner, his usually contribution to the traveling party. Since he isn't working at a restaurant the moment, he can't simply do takeaway of the leftovers, so this is actually a very welcome offer.]

Thank you very much! If you could, would you pick up washing detergent? I'm definitely going to need to clean these clothes...