francia | [Post 007] Text/Video/Action From Violet City Pokemon Center

I had... a very strange dream...

The calendar says that three days have gone by. My left leg buckled when I tried to get up today, and my head feels like I've been hit with a sledgehammer.

Have I been ill?

When I woke, I... I thought...

I thought I could smell lilies...

[The 'Gear comes on to show Marianne's fuzzy red face. She looks worried, at least from the downturn of her dark eyes, before picking up the 'Gear. She brings it to an angle that captures France, who is lying in his bed in the Violet City Pokemon Center, staring listlessly at the ceiling. This is all the 'Gear picks up for a good few minutes before France turns his head slowly to the side, gazing with the same apathetic expression at Marianne and the 'Gear.]

Marianne...

[France sighs and sits up, a hand going briefly to the left side of his head and eyes fluttering as if the movement has made him dizzy. He reaches out and beckons Marianne over. The camera briefly catches France's two adopted Drifblims, Kai and Drifblim, and David hovering around the foot of the bed before it's switched off.]

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[France yawns, lying back against his pillow after setting his drink down on the bedside table again. He looks up at the ceiling somewhat listlessly.]

I think... I think I went to Heaven. Jeanne was there. She... talked to me... I think...

I believe you and I believe that I saw my sister, aru. I'm sure we'll remember one of these days. I mean, we can only be in the dark for so long, aru.

Hell can do whatever it wants. Just... don't let me glimpse Heaven and shove me back here; that's too cruel...

...
[He's at a loss for words. He doesn't want to say the wrong thing.] I feel the same way for my favorite nursemaid, aru. She was the closest person I had to a mother.

I think that a part of them stays behind with us to give comfort when we most need it.

I don't think I'm going to Heaven.

I think I'm going to be stuck here.

Forever.

Th-That's not true. I know that I'm not Christian and that my grasp on God is loose, but I don't think any Nation deserves to go to Hell, aru. We're just following our leaders' orders, so we can't be blamed for every disaster that's happened in history since we really have no choice but to obey, aru.

[He silently asks himself why he always found himself in a spot like this, but he endures it.]

[France looks sullen and upset and... maybe even a little resigned.]

I always knew that I would go to Hell. Not everyone here deserves to be here... Maybe they were wrong and God isn't merciful after all.

[He sighs and uses his free hand to rub one of his temples.]

Confucius once said, "We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression." My body was that of a child's, but I still remember his teachings, aru.

I'm aware that it's not my position to speak when it comes to you and her, but I don't believe that Jeanne would want to see you believing in these things. She did all that she did in hopes you would be free again, and she put all her trust in your God.

You... have a point.

[France still looks rather sulky, but it's not as heavy as before.]

Maybe I am being tested. That would make sense.

[He nods his head.]

Well, they say you never know when you're being tested, aru. Confucius also said that we learn by three methods: reflection, which is noblest; imitation, which is easiest; and experience, which is the bitterest.

Since we live so long we have many experiences and not all of them are pleasant, aru. Still, we learn something from all of them and we move on with time, but we never forget the people we've met.

[It's all very logical. France nods, sighing but putting on a smile.]

Perhaps, if I prove myself, one day I will be by her side.

[He smiles gently at China.]

Thanks.

[China also smiles softly.]

You're welcome, aru.

[He yawns and stretches.] Well, I'll just go ahead and get some rest now. You take care of yourself, France. [He turns off the device.]

[Post 007] Text/Video/Action From Violet City Pokemon Center

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