ataraxion | video 1

Entry tags:

video 1

[Eponine's holding the video upside down. Not that she's aware of that. Actually, she's only just managed to get the thing on and working without a barrage of messages about jumps and vampires and some sort of Smiley. Coupled with men who claim to be dead, no matter how nice they might be, and a woman who hands out silk shifts as if they were dresses - and food - Eponine's just a little bit overwhelmed.]

I cannot be dreaming. It has gone on too long - it is too lovely to be a dream. And it feels too real to be in my mind. But... but only, how can it be true? How can any of this be true? Such things where we can see one another when we are not face to face? And... and the man speaking of a vampire and blood - how can it be? Is it magic? Is magic real?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not always, and not here, but I was born in space. In my world, there are colonies that orbit the Earth. I was born on one of them, but I've lived on others and on Earth periodically. I suppose I dislike staying in one place for too long. I've never been to Paris, though. North America and India, briefly, but never much in Europe.

You're calling me sir, and it's polite to extend the same level of courtesy back, Miss Eponine. My name, however, is Char and you're welcome to call me by just that.

And to think, I have never heard of these places that you say are on earth. What are they like, Monsieur? Will you tell me? I like to hear of places.

It is habit, Monsieur. I hear that here, everybody is equal - and truly, I feel like a lady. But, Monsieur, where I am from, it is not so, and there I must call everybody except my very own people 'monsieur' or 'Madame' ir they accuse me of impolite things and they will never give me a sous. It is habit now. But I am not a miss - but how lovely it is that you call me such. It makes me bubble here.

[She presses a hand to her stomach]

Truly, this place is a dream.

People who are worth anything can spare a moment to be polite, no matter how superior they might consider themselves. Courtesy doesn't cost any of us anything.

[Her implications remind him of Lalah for a second and he pauses, his expression tightening. It's about as unpleasant as it is pleasant to think about. Lalah's just doomed to be a bitter sweet kind of memory forever.]

I was in California relatively recently. The weather there is very mild and, I'm told, there's almost always a breeze. It's bright, though, very bright for someone accustomed to space. Sunlight hurts my eyes, you see. India is warmer and there are people almost everywhere, but the culture has maintained itself remarkably. With globalization and the exodus to the colonies, a lot of places on Earth have lost elements of their culture and that isn't the case there.

I'm sorry, that's all pretty general, isn't it? Perhaps there's something more specific you want to know about them?

But that does not happen, Monsieur. So I do not mind. It is just another thing to think about and there are worse things for me to worry on.

[She smiles at his recollections]

California? I have never heard of such a place. But it sounds lovely. I should like to be in a place where always it was warm and always the sun. And In-India? That is right? That is where tea comes from. Some of the sailors in the inns sail from there. They say always there is tea and an elephant but I do not know what it is - and all the fine things, like the ivory combs and mirrors for ladies come from there.

[She doesn't know what globalization and 'exodus to the colonies' is, so she ignores t, and nods, intelligently she hopes, in acknowledgement.]

Only, why is it that your eyes hurt? That is a shame, to be in pain when you see such lovely places. Is it so dark in space then, Sir?
But you must not apologise. You tell such a lovely vision.

It's not that bad. I'm probably quite the prima donna for not simply putting up with it.

I can tell you more about India and California if you promise to tell me about Paris sometime. The way it's looking, I might not ever get the chance to see if for myself.

[Eponine only shrugs - though of course he can't see that. In her opinion, you just put up with the discomfort and get on with it. But perhaps it is different if you have the luxury to be able to avoid things.]

I do not think you want to see Paris, Monsieur. It is not a nice place, my city. But I will tell you if you wish. Will you really tell me more stories?

It's a promise. When I run out of stories I remember about Earth, I'll also tell you about the Colonies, if you'd want. They say we'll have an awful lot of time to kill here.

I would like that, Sir. Thank you.

You don't have to thank me, Miss Eponine. You'll be keeping me entertained as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

video 1

voice;

Re: voice;

voice;

Re: voice;

voice;

Re: voice;

voice;

Re: voice;

voice;