002; rude questions [video/action]

[assumedposition]

Ladies and gentlemen of the Tranquility, good evening.

[From the video, you can see Albert is seated somewhere in the oxygen gardens, on a wide-open patch of grass. He looks somewhat contemplative.]

I have a-- a somewhat personal question to ask of you all, so don't feel compelled to answer if you don't wish to. [He seems to hesitate, and then he plunges ahead quickly, as if he must ask it before he loses courage.]

How many of you here believed yourselves to have passed away before you woke up in this place?

And-- for those of you who don't want to talk about something quite so morbid, maybe you could tell me what year, or what country, or planet you come from. I'd... really like to hear about other people's homes. As for me-- I'm from Paris, France, the year 5053.

I've also got some tea and plenty of cups to go around here in the garden, if you'd prefer to speak in person. I'd welcome the company, and the chance to meet all of you.

Comments

[assumedposition]

7... $720,000,000,000?!

Why?!

text!

[assumedposition]

Well

You'll never know unless you ask, right???

[assumedposition]

Um...

[He has to actually think about it. Losing track of time in this place was all too easy for him.]

A bit over a week, I guess?

[assumedposition]

Oh, people are very formal about titles back where I come from, too. I just think it's silly, I guess, to be a stickler about such things when everybody here is from a different place and such titles don't really mean anything. Don't you think it's much more pleasant if we can all just treat each other as friends? Since we are everybody stuck in the same situation, after all.

[assumedposition]

Oh-- my family still lives on Earth. The peak of the environmental crisis hit a couple of thousand years ago, now. Since then we've developed a lot of technology to keep the Earth stable and healthy, so it's in fine condition.

But when I go away from the Earth on holiday, you know I always think to myself... there's really no place like home.

[vivelavenir]

[Laughing little bit harder at that-- he couldn't help himself, anymore, and it felt good to be upbeat for a moment-- he didn't bother to fix his hair, teasing back,]

...Not as terrible as this tea, I pray! Then there's really no hope for me.

[assumedposition]

[With mock-seriousness:]

Alas, poor Jehan, we knew him well!

[vivelavenir]

[Excuse you!

Ducking his head down sheepishly, he hid his smile partly behind his free hand, going a little red at that joke.]

Written-off so quickly! Who knew I was so cold, bitter, and bland?

[He's got jokes too, Albert. You're on.]

[justdumbluck]

Ah. So then you haven't seen anything really bad yet, huh? I'd still think bein' kidnapped would be enough to tell you this place is no good.

[The words sound harsh, but he doesn't mean it to be insulting.]

private;

[jilt]

I'd hope this was not. This is hardly the sort of afterlife I'd ever envisioned.

private;

[assumedposition]

[A small laugh]

Right? There's not nearly enough clamouring grandparents.

private;

[jilt]

Which might be for the best. How embarassing, to have such reunions in a place like this.

[herosfather]

That bit seems pretty important don't you think?

[video]

[circumitus]

[For someone who remembered waking up in a morgue before a gravity couch, Rey has a different idea on what could be considered a morbid question.

[But that's hardly her concern. Instead:] Wouldn't have pegged Paris for lasting that long.

[permavideo unless something else happens o/]

[assumedposition]

Are you kidding me? Paris is one of the great cultural and political centers of Earth!

private;

[assumedposition]

I never actually knew my grandparents... I would've quite liked to meet them, I think.

But yes, you're right. This is hardly the place.

[assumedposition]

There are-- levels! Of importance...

I read most of the stuff that was crucial to basic survival, at least. Give me a break...

1/2

[assumedposition]

Never fear! Even the most bitter of teas can be improved with sugar.

We will just have to find you some!

[assumedposition]

...

Wait, that sounded bad, didn't it?

[assumedposition]

[Albert shrugs.]

I've been kidnapped before. I have to say, this version is infinitely preferable.

[vivelavenir]

[It took a moment of curious staring before the double-meaning hit. Jehan had to set down his tea cup after that, face going redder and smile growing tighter with the mix of embarrassment at the implication and amusement at... well.

The look on Albert's face.

Covering his own face with a hand halfway now, he closed his eyes and shook his downturned head.]

Scandalous...

You'll make the roses blush.

[assumedposition]

[Forget the roses. He's making himself blush.]

I didn't-- I don't--

Please just forget I said anything!

[vivelavenir]

[He's in good company for that. Together, they can blind passerbys. Like a brilliant red lens flare.]

I-I can't if you keep talking about it...

[Auihdauih. Albert. Your words.]

Besides... I'd be useless at- at finding something that, with what you've done to my hair.

[He's pretty sure it's still sticking up a bit and he couldn't be bothered to fix it. Trying for humor there.

...Turns out, humor isn't tuning down his cheeks any.]

Actual sugar though... might help? For the drink, not-- well. You know. I-- ugh.

[Really, Albert.]

[assumedposition]

Oh-- right, yes-- uh, I'm sure I brought some with me. [Fumbling around on the tray he brought out with the cups and teapots, rearranging them until he finds it.] Here.

And anyway, you've got a lot to recommend you other than your hair! In any case.

[vivelavenir]

Thank you-- [Reaching out to take it and quite nearly dropping it at that second comment.] --Albert!

[It's a compliment and it's very sweet of him, but Jehan embarrassed easily. Besides, he can't say he feels that that's true, nor possibly even relevant for someone who was both... well. Dead, and in space.

Although... love itself was always relevant, and actually, in a way, the added arena of mystery and surrealism here made it possibly even more vital--

Why was he thinking about this?]

Er-- [Realizing he'd gone a moment without saying anything, he went about putting the sugar into his tea. Busy-work.] --so... had you liked the book? The one I lent you?