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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[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!

[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.]

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.

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?

[In a shocking display of bad manners, Albert ignores that last question entirely, because we discussed that already Jehan, and more importantly, he recognises it for the redirect it is, and that's awful. He can't let a friend's low self esteem go unchecked.]

What? I'm being serious! You're handsome, well dressed, well-spoken, intelligent, kind... girls love that sort of thing, don't they?

[Did they discuss it already-? He can't remember. In fact, he can barely remember his own name after that, thank you Albert.

Staring in an equally poor display of manners, literally going red to his ears (if his hair could turn red, it might), Jehan continued to pour sugar for a long moment before realizing how much was going in and stopping abruptly. Then stared at his teacup with an equal amount of flustered bewilderment while trying to form words.]

I... think... that your praise is a little... that is to say, much.

[Seriously. No one had ever accused him of being well-dressed.

Granted, no one he knows wears a gingham cravat with a paisley jacket, either. Aside from Albert.]

It-- um. I-- thank you? But-- no. I'm definitely not considered well-dressed, I'm far less handsome than my friends... [Have you even SEEN Enjolras' hair and Marius' passionate nostrils? 10s, man.]...well-read does not exactly quantify intelligence and... and.

[He doesn't want to force Albert to try to contradict him, so, hurriedly and quietly;]

And thank you anyway, your good opinion is... flattering. I don't know that anyone feels quite so strongly about it as you do, though.

Strongly...? I only meant-- I just wish for you to hold yourself in some good esteem, as I do.

[And that's the truth of it.]

I apologise if I've embarrassed you.

Your esteem is maybe strong, to say so many kind things. I don't know that I deserve it, is all.

[He gave, peeking back up and giving a quick smile before going to... attempt to stir that sugar into his tea.]

You don't have to apologise for being encouraging. It flustered me, is all. [Especially since the praise related to how many perspective women he could woo. A topic that could fluster him endlessly.] ...But I will have to tell my friends that you think I dress well, the next time I am teased for it. It means I am ahead of my time?

You would blend in with the height of fashion back home, I think. Well, I don't exactly have my finger on the pulse or anything-- Eugénie always used to pick out my best outfits. But I see nothing wrong with your clothes.

But, I'm really surprised. I honestly thought you would've heard such compliments a lot, I'm sorry.

She does a good job of it, then-- you're very colourful. [It might not sound like a compliment, but trust him. It is. He finds your brave pastels especially inspiring.

Also, have another quiet, sheepish smile. His cheeks still aren't under control whatsoever.]

Not at all. [Or, not all at once, anyway.] You have set the bar very high for any future flatterers.

What? I don't believe it! Honestly? You've no special lady to speak of?

[He's only half incredulous-- half teasing, too.]

[Albeeeeeert.

Jehan was now seeing just how far he could duck his chin into his cravat. Thanks.]

No, there's no special lady... now you're just making fun of me. [Chided.] And what about you, then? Hm? Do you have a darling?

[Now it's Albert's turn to go pink again.]

I wasn't--! Well, maybe teasing a little, but not making fun of, I promise. I was genuinely curious...

[And then from pink to red.]

I-- sort of? It's... complicated. Eugénie-- I mean. We kissed? Just before she left for New York. But we didn't really talk about it, so... I'm not really sure, ah, how to refer to her. It seems a little to presumptuous to say "my girlfriend"...

[How the tables turn! Looking up finally, a little curious himself...]

So you have a talented darling, then. Do you-- [He paused.] --I'm sorry, pardon me if I'm blunt.

Do you love her?

[Is it possible to turn redder? He's turning redder.]

Jehan!!

[Looking resolutely at the grass beneath them:]

I... there was a time when I wasn't sure, but...

I-- I do, yes.

[The look he wears momentarily says 'it's only fair!' before that melts away into an expression of delight.]

That's wonderful-! Had you thought of following her, or waiting for her? If you love her, you must call her something... something meaningful.

[He advises, with a strong nod.]

... I-- I can't follow her. It would just be ... running away.

But I think-- I would like to wait.

002; rude questions [video/action]

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