ataraxion | 002; rude questions [video/action]

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002; rude questions [video/action]

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.

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[A soft laugh in return, at that. Well-- Albert still had some maturing to do, and plenty of time in which to do it. All signs pointed to a sunny future, in that regard. ...Space ship aside.]

I think I would like him very much, yes. He must have had quite a fondness for you too, enough to see how much you clearly do appreciate him, despite what you say. If it is obvious to me that you care, then it must have been nothing to your very clever law student to notice it too.

[Albert looks uncertain, biting at his bottom lip.]

... Ah. Do you think so? I'm not so sure ... we-- we spent the last few weeks fighting and yelling at each other ...

I'm ... such an idiot.

[A very, very soft laugh her, one hand going to pat Albert's elbow.]

He certainly knew, then. Only the best of friends can bicker like family.

[Albert gives a wet-sounding snort-chuckle, like he isn't sure whether to laugh or cry at that]

Now you're just making things up to make me feel better. I'm sure I've never heard that one before.

No, no! It's very true. For example, if someone upsets me whom I do not know, I tend to let it pass and perhaps, if I am honest, avoid their company. But if it is someone I like very much, I will debate them instead; and seek out their company still, even if we're nagging.

[Granted, it's... very difficult to keep an ongoing arguement with him as he doesn't enjoy arguing and keeps company with reasonable people.

Still... when under the influence of wine, there have been some downright nasty debates that ended in not a single grudge being held.]

It's like that with family at times, too. You don't agree?

Aha... I suppose that's true, isn't it?

Then, you must promise to argue with me always if you disagree with something I've said, Jehan. Though I don't relish the prospect, I dislike even more the idea that I might upset you and not realise it.

[That earns a small smile, eyes downcast.

Oh, but Albert was a very good sort, wasn't he? Very caring.]

Then... I promise But let's hope not to argue.

[Aside from Albert's dubious culinary leanings and perhaps some blunt language, Jehan didn't foresee any real problems there.]

Your Franz must have liked you very much to have engaged in it with you for an entire week.

[Half-teased, but... well, he also really meant it.

He couldn't imagine sticking to that kind of a debate unless it was with someone it was better to be around than not, even cross.]

[Albert pulls away suddenly, pulling his knees closer to his chest and resting his forehead on top of them, so that his face is hidden.]

... Yeah. I hope we won't, too.

[...He's said something wrong again, hasn't he? Jehan really isn't used to this. If anything, he's used to being the more sensitive one of his friends, used to concerning himself over sad stories and sympathizing with difficult things.

So why on earth can't he seem to make anyone feel better, even a little bit? While he wouldn't want anyone to pretend, or to glaze over an important issue like the death of a friend in a single conversation... he certainly didn't mean to make things worse.]

Albert?

[Noticing, of course, that he left the other part of the statement be.

Sighing, he reached over, pat his knee, and went to stand.]

I'm sorry. I'm of no help at all.

[He didn't know the situation, the time period, the details. He could make assumptions, but they weren't informed enough. They were clearly only upsetting him.

If Jehan were being honest, he was still more than upset himself; seeing yet another friend this way only tightened the grip on the panic he'd been trying to keep at bay. So,]

Perhaps I'll just head back to my room now.

[He looks up in alarm at that, eyes still wet.]

No!

[And then he looks faintly embarrassed at having been so demanding.]

I mean-- if you want to, I won't stop you, but-- don't leave on my behalf. You've been... more help than you know. Much more. And I enjoy your company immensely. I just...

I still can't come to terms with it yet. That's all.

[Jehan flinched slightly and breathed out the word 'oh' in surprise at Albert's reaction. After a moment's pause, gingerly, he went to sit back down across from him on the grass.

The protest sounded emphatic enough for him not to bother questioning it. While Jehan had an awful, looming feeling that he could only be bound to make this worse, maybe being alone was truly the worst thing for someone grieving.

He hoped Albert could forgive him for being no more useful than simply being there.]

...Of course. I do understand.

[After all, he hadn't come to terms with the deaths of his friends either yet; or even his own.

After another momentary pause, he'd reach across to the tea service, plucked up a napkin and offered that to him lightly. Since Albert's eyes were already wet, for a third time during their conversation...]

There's no shame in crying. I find it helps.

[Taking the napkin gratefully and using it to wipe his eyes, if anything looking even more pink than before. It seems to Albert like he's always being looked after by other people...]

... Thank you. ... I feel like I'm saying that to you a lot, but ... there's not much else I can say that accurately conveys the same thing. So ... thank you.

It's nothing.

[He'd insist, giving a light shake of the head.]

You can keep thanking me and I'll keep apologizing. We'll make a right pair, hm?

[Voice soft, watching the blades of grass now.]

... Mm. Quite a pair indeed.

I'm afraid your tea is probably quite cold by now.

[He's going to finally pick his up and drink it because, well. Can't waste.]

Ah...

[Following suit, he picks it up and takes a sip too...]

[And almost chokes, before laughing.]

God, that's awful.

[Pressing his lips together, he bowed his head further before admitting--]

Sorry... it really does taste awful.

[Aaand trying not to smile. He'd only had tea a few times before, usually hot, with milk, not steeped for quite so long. But he's going to drink this anyway.]

Maybe it will make us appreciate the pasta better!

[His eyes are still wet, but Albert can't help but laugh again, despite himself.]

[Then he reaches up and musses Jehan's hair, grinning cheekily.]

You're-- you're terrible!

[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.

[With mock-seriousness:]

Alas, poor Jehan, we knew him well!

[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.]

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

We will just have to find you some!

...

Wait, that sounded bad, didn't it?

[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.

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

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

Please just forget I said anything!

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