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

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[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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You've painted in your sleep? Now that's impressive.

But waking or sleeping, your work is beautiful, maestro.

[Oh, flattery. You have found France's Achilles heel.]

Thank you very much! As for sleep painting, it was only a few times, and, while the paintings aren't the sort of thing that I would display in the Salon, they were of high artistic caliber! It tends to occur when I simply have too many good ideas.

[You always were one of her favorite nations, France. Whether she realizes you're a nation at the moment or not.]

The Salon? You mean the annual art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts?

[Keep up the flattery, and Carmen will quickly become one of France's favorite people in Johto and Kanto combined.]

Yes! I have always been a great bastion of all of the arts. The Salon is simply one of the best venues of my talent.

[Just wait 'till she breaks the news that she once stole the Mona Lisa's smile.]

Consider me even more impressed. I'm no artist myself, but I have a profound admiration for the works of the masters. And I must admit I'm pleasantly surprised to discover one so skilled here in Johto.

[France will be suitably outraged! And probably rather impressed. He's always had a complicated relationship with thieves and thievery ~~considering he's rather something of one himself at times~~.]

I myself am rather surprised on a regular basis that I'm here rather than with my land and people. It's rather sad to see that most people here know so little of the wonders of art and beauty.

[Hey, man, she put it back. Eventually. After taking Van Gogh's eyes and a Picasso nose.]

I wouldn't mind being in France right now, myself. How long have you been here?

I would give anything to be able to return to my rightful place. I have been here since October over a year and a half ago. How long has it been for you?

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

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.]

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.

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)

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?

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!

[...wait what.]

The Republic of France?

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.]

[...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?

[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.

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.

I see you've inherited the charm of your citizens as well.

[Schmooze.]

And I'd say I'm far from the only one fond of you, if your Marianne is any indication. She's a Ninetales, isn't she?

[France very much approves of this schmoozing!]

That Marianne is! She has been my constant companion since I came here, and I couldn't ask for any better. Of all of the Vulpix and Ninetales I've seem, she is truly the most beautiful and powerful, outshining even than sunbeam she's been relaxing in.

[Her complete obsession with France does, to a certain extent, go both ways.]

I've met a Vulpix by the name of Aidan that could give her a run for her money, but if there's one thing I've learned about beauty, it's that one lovely thing doesn't necessarily devalue another in comparison.

[Little does she realize who Aidan's mom is.]

She was your starter, then?

You do speak the truth there, but I always have and will always see Marianne as the most beautiful. She is mine after all!

Yes. I do think she's a sign that I have not been entirely abandoned here by God or luck, depending on how one views it. She's kept me safe even in the toughest of situations.

And the eye of the beholder is a powerful influence indeed. But regardless of who that eye belongs to, there's no denying that she's truly beautiful.

How do you view it? By God or by luck, or both?

[Post 040] Video/Action for Saffron City

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