francia | [Post 040] Video/Action for Saffron City

[The 'Gear appears to be broadcasting a very summery flower arrangement atop a table situated carefully and pleasingly in front of a window. It appears to be early afternoon, so the daylight illuminates the set-up rather nicely, casting a small shadow. It looks, for all intents and purposes, like the front of a pretty boring greeting card.]

[From France's expression as he switches the focus of the 'Gear back to himself, he certainly doesn't look entirely thrilled himself.]

Back at Christmas, a friend of mine was so kind as to gift me with painting supplies. I am a highly accomplished painter, and this -

[He waves his hand at the still-life set up with a half-exasperated, half-pained expression.]

I could paint something like this in my sleep. I have, in fact, done so.

[He sighs dramatically before straightening up and making a flourishing motion to indicate Marianne, who is, for once, doing nothing more innocuous as lying contentedly in the path of the sunbeam.]

So, the question I want to pose to you is this: where could I find a more majestic setting to properly capture her and my other pokemon's beauty?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

That might be the longest I've heard yet. I'm only coming up on my four-month anniversary, a few days from now.

Ah, yes, I'll remember from now on.

I wouldn't worry too much about variety just yet. Many pokemon take on a secondary type when they evolve, and there are a lot of pokemon to choose from otherwise.

I have heard of a few people who have been here for just over two years now, although none any longer than that. Four months is an impressive amount of time nonetheless. What do you think of this place so far?

[France thinks they're all dead, so time actually means very little to him here.]

Hmm...it's a shame you can only have six Pokemon on you, though...

[He didn't want to put any of his friends in a Computer Box! He would be happy if they all stayed with him, but he supposed it would be hard to keep track of something like, twelve Pokemon at once]

It really is. I don't see why we can't. I suppose it has to do with space in most of the towns and maybe whatever little concern there is around here for public safety.

[Does France sound like he's scoffing? Yes. Yes, he very much does.]

I find it fascinating, and not always in positive ways. A place so utterly devoted to a single pursuit — the care and training of Pokemon — seems stagnant and pale to me. The palette of a culture is its ideas, and its artists are the innovators who push the existing boundaries in the pursuit of new perspectives. I haven't seen much, if any, of that here in Johto, where they seem to paint with only one color and a single brush.

The people, on the other hand, have given me a great deal to be fond of.

Yeah, I gues... I wonder if I can go buy a place with a big back garden and just let all of my friends run around in it nice an' free.

I deeply agree that this is only a framework of a world, a landscape without color, depth, or even an attempt at texture. This place seems to barely be able to run itself, let alone hope to develop anything worth calling "culture" or even "language" beyond what it necessary to communicate its obsession with pokemon. We're sorted into only two types of categories based on some sort of pre-designation; those who expected act outside of these categorizes are forced into that Team Rocket organization and either let it run themselves or become part of the constant ennui that is the only true theme of existence here. Those of us who are trapped in this place are the only bright lights, burning with only our very selves as fuel, and even a being like myself is reduced such a tenuous position.

You have a wonderful way with words. May I inquire as to your name?

Edited 2012-07-02 16:15 (UTC)

It is possible to purchase a house in some of the major cities in Johto and Kanto. I personally have no reason to as none of the cities are entirely to my tastes.

There isn't much use for a variety of languages in a world that seems to universally translate anything we say. Which is a shame, since I'd have otherwise been delighted for the opportunity to practice my French again.

My name is Carmen Sandiego. And yours?

Eh, I was thinking more in the countryside than the city.

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle Sandiego. As the beautiful Republic of France, I'm very glad to hear that you speak and have a passion for my language as well as my art!

I'm not sure if you would be able to purchase land outside of the city. I've never looked into it, and there's very little information on zoning and property laws in this place. I don't even know if they exist. It's such a strange mix of technological advancement and primitiveness here.

[...wait what.]

The Republic of France?

Well, I saw two houses on my way to Violet City that were in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. So maybe it's, like...you have to build the house yourself and make sure you're not messing with any kind of ecosystem?

Yes, I am the very being that is France itself. I am that which the French land, people, language, and culture is and has been in its many glorious years.

[Humility: it is not one of France's strong points.]

[France shrugs.]

Perhaps. It seems like an awful lot of trouble to me. You'd probably have to constantly deal with the wild pokemon, too.

[...This is a discovery to rival her alien and her dinosaur. Were she slightly less possessed of self-control, she'd probably be making noises that would frighten small dogs right now.]

You mean you're a nation personified. France, the country and everything associated with it...as an individual person. And possessing all the myriad of talents, qualities, and gifts that comes with it?

Hm...I suppose.

Well I guess I'll burn that bridge when I get there. For now I wanna explore this world a bit more.

[In comparison to discovering aliens and dinosaurs, France would think that personified nations would be pretty normal, but France has the perspective of being one of these things.]

That is a very good way to describe what I am. I am and have been many things with all that being France entails. France is what I am, and I am what is France. If you were to talk about French music, then you are talking about me and what I have created, invented, written, performed. Similarly, should you speak of the battles France has fought, then you are talking about that which I have fought, experienced, forgotten, remembered. It is my unique and beautiful state.

If that's the case, then while "adoration" might be a bit too bold so early on in our acquaintance, you can rest assured that I've been fond of you for a very long time.

Is there anything in particular you want to see?

[There isn't anything terribly interesting here in France's opinion.]

Not really. I just wanna explore, y'know? And see the rest of the Pokemon.

Your kind words bring a smile to my face. I have to say I'm very interested in getting to know you better, at least so that I may attempt to personally earn your adoration.

[France's lips quirk.]

You might have your work cut out for you; there's quite a number of different pokemon species, some of them only in very remote areas.

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[Post 040] Video/Action for Saffron City

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