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]

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

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

[vivelavenir]

[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?

[assumedposition]

[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"...

[vivelavenir]

[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?

1/2

[assumedposition]

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

Jehan!!

[assumedposition]

[Looking resolutely at the grass beneath them:]

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

I-- I do, yes.

[vivelavenir]

[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.]

[assumedposition]

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

But I think-- I would like to wait.

[vivelavenir]

Excellent. That's excellent, Albert. Not all of the tutelage in the world is worth so much as a lover who stutters and waits.

[He's like, BEAMING OKAY.

AH YOUNG LOVE.

He takes this very seriously. Not as seriously as Marius though, which is why he's so pleased you're not a stalker! Pining is way better than stalking, amirite.]

[assumedposition]

[ Oh my god. He's so red right now. ]

Please stop talking.

[vivelavenir]

[Paybacks bites!

Chuckling lightly, it was his turn to reach over and muss Albert's hair instead.]

All right, then... but it is all very sweet, isn't it? I am so glad for you.

[He genuinely means that! He means it so much that he's now going to drink that tea and not notice a bit that it tastes like drinking cold sugar water.

...Okay, well, he notices, but it doesn't matter because that's just so precious.]

[assumedposition]

... Thanks. Hopefully one day we'll find out how to turn this ship around so I can actually see her again.

[ Albert raises one eyebrow, finally. ]

You don't really have to force yourself drink that, you know.