[The 'Gear comes on to a very smug-looking Martin the Ditto in the middle of France's pokemon who all look extremely happy and utterly pleased with themselves. Behind them, there is a pie of eggs of all sorts of different colors arranged neatly and with an extra space heater to make sure they're kept warm.]

Okay, Merlin, you were right.

[France doesn't sound too upset; he actually appears, once the 'Gear shifts to his face, rather more amused than put-out. He beams after a moment, throwing an air kiss at the camera.]

Hello, Johto! Would any of you handsome gentleman and lovely ladies like to get your hands on fresh, authentic French eggs? I've got Drifloon, Eevee, Poliwag, and Vulpix eggs here, and they need to go to good homes.

[The 'Gear turns back to France's pokemon and the eggs. Thérèse the Eevee pokes at Martin, who wiggles happily, whilst Kai and Drifbim float over the eggs and Marianne and David stare at the camera, the former with a latent threat and the latter utterly soullessly.]

I've got a number of each, so just drop me a line or a text within the next few days if you'd like to purchase an egg or two or three.



[[OOC: IC post following yesterday's OOC post here. Again, there are twenty egg slots in all, but they can go anywhere; current egg slot count is 20/20.]]

[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! ♥

[The 'Gear comes on pointing upwards and unfocused. It's safe to say that this is probably Marianne's fault.]

[If you happen to come across France, he's sitting underneath one of the bazillion springs of mistletoe in the Violet City Pokemon Center with his pokemon all gathered around him. Kai, Drifblim, and David all look rather curious, and Marianne looks... distracted by the mistletoe overhead. He had rushed to the counter upon waking because of the sudden appearance of a mystery egg in his bed. It looks something like this:]



[He's now been assured that it is, in fact, his to keep. A small, warm Eevee egg of unknown origins, but France doesn't look like he's about to question it. Actually, quite the opposite. He's got a calm, almost drugged expression on his face, and the Eevee egg is wrapped in a swath of white fleece as he cradles it in his arms. He looks very, very happy and, if you come close or happen to catch the faint sound on the feed, you would hear France singing from the carol Ah! Quel grand mystère! (O! What a great mystery!) to the egg in his arms.]

Ah! Quel grand mystère!
Dieu se fait enfant.
Il descend sur terre,
Lui, le tout-puissant!
C’est bien le Messie,
Roi de l’univers,
Qui nous rend la vie
En brisant nos fers.