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

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?

My eye and intuition has never let me down when it comes to true beauty.

Ah, for me, it is always in the hands of God. These days (and, indeed, for all days, even when it was the time of kings) not everyone agrees, but God is still very much a part of me.

I'm not surprised, given your long history with the church.

I hope you'll forgive me a few more questions; I've never had the pleasure of chatting with an entire nation before. Is it possible for someone like you to have a favorite artist? Or would it be folly to try to choose just one from among all the greats that have belonged to you?

[These questions actually make France extremely happy. He gets to talk about himself and feel like he's not actually in this world but in his own, at least for a little bit.]

I don't mind at all. Please ask away!

I do not have a singular favorite artist, more a number of individuals I tend to prefer to others. As time passes and my citizens ideals and memories change, so do mine. In the same fashion, there are artists who are, in some way, personal to me. I will admit that the divide between these two states of sentiment is more than a little grey. Some Nations claim to be able to clearly tell their citizen's sentiments and their own apart, but I'm rather doubtful of that as I would be of choosing any singular person as my favorite artist.

[Then they're both going to be very happy for a long time, because she's eager to learn everything he's willing to tell her.]

Some nations? Then there's more than just you?

[OH MY GOD ARE YOU SAYING THAT SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, THERE IS AMERICA PERSONIFIED welp don't mind her just lighting up like a Christmas tree of enthusiasm.]

That does seem to be an interesting state of gray, though — influenced by the people you represent, yet still possessing of your own preferences. I'm sure it can't be easy.

What about a favorite period in history? Are you able to favor one era of ideals and sentiment over another?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Post 040] Video/Action for Saffron City

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