[Post 011] Video/Action in Violet City

[francia]

[The 'Gear comes on to catch the final moments of a light brown and white egg's existence before the minutely-cracked shell suddenly explodes the glittery light of a hatching -]



[France's squeal is extremely loud and he appears on the screen, obviously handing off the 'Gear to one of his pokemon; by the off-the-ground angle, it's probably either Kai or Drifblim. France is all ready with a towel, but there's no residue like traditional egg hatchings, so he just scoops up the tiny Eevee, cooing at a pitch that can probably only be heard by very young children, bats, and small dogs. The Eevee seems to automatically adore France, yipping and barking happily in response to his voice.]

[It takes a minute or five, but France eventually remembers that the 'Gear is on. France turns back to it, showing off his newest pokemon quite proudly.]

I've decided to name her Thérèse. She and Marianne--yes, Marianne, you can come over here now.



[And, instead of the Vulpix most people are probably used to seeing either following France faithfully or attacking wild pokemon that dare to come within her jumping range, a sleek and regal-looking Ninetales makes her way onto the screen to examine this... new addition. She seems rather torn on whether or not Thérèse is a good thing or not. France, as usual, is totally oblivious, and the feed closes off with Thérèse and Marianne staring at each other intently.]



[Private Text to Cecil]

Thank you so much for the Fire Stone! It worked it's magic on Marianne and made her even more beautiful than before! ♥

Comments

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France frowns, reaching up and biting absentmindedly on his shirt sleeve.]

But there doesn't seem to be a purpose to us being here except to psychologically and occasionally physically damage us...

{Video}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

Yet, France, yet. No one knows their purpose in life immediately, I suspect this place is no different.

{She winces at the 'damaging' comment} I won't deny 'physically damaging'.

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France sighs heavily, shaking his head.]

I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm actually not entirely sure how I exist here without land and people...

{Video}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

I'm not following, France.

Certainly, I don't know what I am meant to be doing. Not without him, anyway...

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France blinks, giving her a curious look.]

Without "him"?

{Video}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{She looks away quickly - she hadn't meant to say that.}

My Captain. I am bound to him - to serve him, to protect him...

And to do his paperwork.

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France tilts his head slightly to the side, curiosity ruling his expression.]

How are you bound to him exactly?

{Video}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

Through duty, honour... and pain of death if I desert him.

Not that I ever could, but...

{She's not joking}

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[That didn't answer the question exactly, but -]

Are you happy to serve him? Is he good to you?

{Video}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{She knows it didn't answer him, but...}

Yes! I mean, he treats me well, and I couldn't think of serving under anyone else, but...

{She pauses, not sure if she should continue or not}

[Video]

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France's face is that of guileless curiosity. How could you not trust this face?]

But...?

{Video} OHGOD THAT ICON

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{...because it's france. but she tells him anyway.}

But he treats me terribly, too. He foists off all his paperwork on mme - and mine is bad enough - I practically run a division of nearly eight hundred soldiers single-handedly whilst he's off lazing about and drinking and whoring and then he has the nerve to call me 'his'! I am not his little anything and - and...

{Here she breaks down into sobs, heart-wrenching sobs - she's never told anyone all of this before.}

[Video] It is perfectly decent X3

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France frowns, eyes becoming sympathetic. He would totally hug you if you were nearby right now.]

I'm so sorry. It must be extremely stressful to be forced to compensate for his short-coming and to keep up your own work quality.

{Video} no it isn't! IT'S A TRAP wait... no it's definitely a trap. :|

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{She looks like she needs that hug. Sniffle, and she half-heartedly wipes a tear away from her eye.}

You have no idea. Adn, not to mention, I have to make up the mysterious black hole that shows up every budget with my own pay..

Argh, I don't even - ! I shouldn't be telling you these things.

[Video] Everything about France is a trap. Except the food. Maybe.

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France is actually rather upset on her behalf.]

Why do you have to put up with him? Isn't there someone you can talk to about his continuous neglect?

[He smiles gently.]

It's better to let out frustrations than to keep them pent up; it's bad for your health otherwise.

{Video} don't tell me the cake is a lie! *gasp*

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{It's nice to know that SOMEONE gives a damn}

I told you! I swore an oath... That binds me to him. And only death or a transfer can break it. Do you think I did not try?! But no one, not one would listen...

{She slumps, and drops her forehead into her hands}

I know that, but I am the rock for my Division, in all aspects bar warfare. I am constant, whereas Shunsui is mercurial - it's ying and yang.

[Video] The cake is /always/ a lie o.0;;

[of-france.livejournal.com]

And the oath is binding not only in a legal sense but also socially and economically.

[France sighs and shakes his head.]

Is Shunsui here? Or is it only you?

{Video} NOOOOO. ;-; but i liek cake...

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It secures my future - it's almost a marriage contract, if one wants to look at it that way.

{Nanao shakes her head}

No, thank goodness. I don't know what I would do if I knew he was here.

[Video] So do I, good lady; so do I...

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France sighs. It's not his place to say what he thinks of marriage contracts, but...]

I'm glad that he is not here either for your sake. Have you been able to enjoy being away from him at least?

{Video} nnnrrr... craving pancakes... no brekkie yet....

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{Nod nod.}

It's been nice, not having to run around after him, and to not be confined to my desk for eighteen hours a day. And yet...

France, ah. How do I put this? You're the Nation of love, yes?

[Video] Om nom nom Pancakes~ They are delicious X3

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France grins broadly and winks playfully.]

The Nation of Love: that's me! How may I be of service?

[Video] I had pork belly instead OMNOMNOM

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{Sigh}

I'll put this bluntly. How do you know if you're in love with someone?

[Video] Pork belly~ Oooh have you ever had salmon belly? It's delicious~

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France hums and licks his lips before answering.]

It's a warm feeling usually, when you think of the person, even if it's to be angry with them. Or it's a certain tightness or yearning that you associate with the person, a feeling that you want to be with them or around them. You would choose to spend time with them over other people, and you worry about what they think of you specifically. There are many different manifestations of love, but all of them have characteristics of wanting or being attached to that person.

{Video} nooo but I don't like salmon...

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{Nanao cocks her head to the side}

...warmth, yearning. I - {She swallows heavily}

For so many years, I told myself it wasn't true, that it was just a passing infatuation, that the warmth I felt was just my hormones or his reiatsu messing with mine - I'm wrong, then, I guess.

It seems I'm - I'm -! {She chokes up - she can't bring herself to say it.}

[Video] D8 I love salmon *A*

[of-france.livejournal.com]

[France blinks before whistling low.]

You're in a really sticky situation then. Does it seem that he might return your feelings sincerely, or is his personality just not one you can trust to be honest in the slightest?