francia | [Post 046] Video/Action for Blackthorn City

[France has clearly planned this communication. His hair is nice and neat, usually facial scruff clean and trimmed, and friendly smile firmly in place. So this isn't his usual I'm here to boast/show off or Watch me do something silly/stupid/sensation in the name of cosmic irony. No, this is France, ready and with clear purpose at the 'Gear. Treasure this rare sight.]

Back in October, I asked about taking the gym challenge and how I should best go about it. Because of a combination of various circumstances -

[This is a lie. France is just lazy.]

I am only now ready to do so. I'm currently in Blackthorn City, and I've decided to take on Clair because I believe her to be a worthy opponent for this France!

[Ah, and there's the arrogance France is reknowned for.]

So, I wish to inquire specifically as to what I should expect from such a beautiful dragoon and if there are particular moves that I would find useful. In exchange for your information, which I do understand has been hard won, I would be willing to offer compensation in the form of a painting. Perhaps a portrait of someone you care about here or your pokémon.

[France grins winningly. Sparkles may feature unsubtly in the background, although that might just be static.]

I would also be willing to negotiate fees for my paintings if you're interested and don't have information.

Thank you very much for your attention, and I look forward to your response.

[A grand, flourishing gesture, and then the feed cuts.]

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[Marianne is mostly harmless in the same way The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy means Earth is mostly harmless. France is hers, and she will protect her own; she hopes this woman knows it.]

[France remains oblivious to Marianne's hostility, his demeanor further brightening when Carmen accepts his hand. He shakes hers firmly, eyes glancing down to admire the leather gloves before returning to her face.]

Then it is a pleasure to meet you in person, Mademoiselle Sandiego. You are, if I may say, stunning.

[He relinquishes her hand politely when she indicates Aidan and crouches down to get a better look at the Vulpix. Marianne only turns her head, continuing to sit imperially upon the large grooming cloth as she observes her offspring. The brightness to France's face dims slightly as he studies Aiden.]

Ah, yes, I remember.

[France looks up at Carmen, smile quirked slightly in a way that's softer and more honest than his demeanor before.]

I'm glad that he has someone who was close to Cooper to care for him.

[Well, she's not immune to flattery by any means, and doubly so when she doesn't have the filter of text or a monitor to act as an intermediary to it. If there's a pleasant flush in her cheeks at that moment, it might be from the compliment, or it might be from the heat of the day; who can say, really?

But like France, the charm gradually fades into something more genuine at the way he treats Cooper's Vulpix. As if she didn't have plenty of reasons to like France already.]

It's comforting to have him. Not just for the sake of memory, but...a few of us have been tracking down what happened to his Pokemon after he left. We've been able to find almost all of them, and they all made it to good homes.

[There's a moment of brief hesitation here, but then she makes her choice and adds: ]

That's what brought me to Blackthorn City. What brings you here, France?

[France's smile smoothes out into one that is sincerely happy at her words. He looks back at Aiden with a definite fondness about his demeanor, reaching up out of habit to pet gently at the crown of Marianne's head. She glances over at him before shifting her attention to Aiden, her air less one of approval and more grudging acceptance of the Vulpix. Marianne won't be winning any awards for best mother any time soon.]

I'm glad that you and others who know Cooper are doing so.

[He looks up at Caren again, the expression in his eyes communicating gratefulness.]

It would be comforting to him should he return.

[France stands back up, keeping the hand on Marianne's head there absentmindedly even though he shrugs leisurely in response to her question, expression coming lighter and easier.]

Oh, the prom brought me here, and I have stayed for a bit more while Envy was challenging the gym. We haven't decided yet where to head off to. What brings you here?

[She's tempted to assure France that Dale Cooper would be in no shortage of comfort if he were to return to Johto, but sometimes Carmen does in fact know when to keep her mouth shut, and there are moments to be coy and moments to be serious. This one is one of the latter.]

A gym challenge. This was my last badge to earn in Johto.

[It was also far, far away from where she'd been before, and there was something to that too.]

If you're still looking for advice about Clair, I can offer a few bits from my own experience. It's useful to have an Ice-type around when challenging her, but it's not strictly necessary. I fielded a winning team against her in the form of a Spinarak, a Joltik, and an Empoleon, myself.

[France brightens further, most of the shadow of their earlier discussion seeming to dissipate. It really hasn't, but France does know how to compartmentalize when he wants to.]

Congratulations on earning your last badge here!

[France raises an eyebrow, and his expression turns to one of pleasure at her information.]

That was close to what I had actually been planning to do. I suspect that my pokémon are going to be much more powerful in comparison to Clair's based on the gym battles I've watched in person and on the network. But I suppose I am biased to believe that my pokémon need no assistance.

[Or, really, he thinks of them as exceptions to this world's rules. Marianne visibly preens under this very obvious favoritism.]

[[OOC: I know I totally dropped the ball on this thread, so you are free to continue, drop, and/or handwave whatever you like in relation to it and what we had planned. I'm sorry because this was completely my fault.]]

[Post 046] Video/Action for Blackthorn City

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