video | un: orientalism

[pluspetitpoete]

[There's a bit of adjusting at first; a very close look of a young, blond man's face, then his palm covering the lens before he finally sits back, happy with himself.

He waves, beaming brightly and clearly very excited to be recording this.]

Hello everyone! My name is Jean Prouvaire. I recently arrived here, and I wanted to introduce myself. I heard this is the best way to talk to the most people, so I thought I'd try it!

Let's see, I'm from Earth. From France, specifically. It's quite different here, but I think it's lovely! I have friends here, and I hope to meet some new people as well.

What else? I'm a poet! Not professionally, I was in school for languages and linguistics, but I love to write! Oh, I also very much enjoy horticulture and botany! The plants here are so interesting and I know I ought to be careful with most of them, but some are too lovely to resist.

I think that's about all for now! I look forward to speaking with you all!

Comments

un: revolution I'M SO SORRY

[idealisme]

A please would not go amiss. Courtesy injures no one.


[ Jehan is just very dear to him plz show some respect ]

MOM AM I IN TROUBLE

[eusford]

Funnily enough it injures me. I can physically feel myself dying.

YOU WILL BE IF YOU DON'T MIND YOUR MANNERS, CHILD

[idealisme]

[ You can't see over text, but Enjolras is furious right now]

Your callow attempt at humour has failed to hit its mark.
Do you think yourself witty? Pah. This is not the place for it.

Civility is a necessity. It is so among men who share a common history and society. It is doubly true here, where those of us from many different worlds and times and customs must interact with one another. A please and a thank seem like nothing, but to those we do not know it may be everything. It ensures our interactions are free from unnecessary strife and misunderstanding- two things which are common enough already.

Do you think your attempt at humour will cover this lack of common courtesy? You have asked a man to share with you about himself. A man you do not know, of course. How can you know him? He has awakened here only days ago. So it is not through familiarity that you can excuse your manners. Perhaps you think your camaraderie will grow better if you are at once informal and familiar with him? Another dangerous assumption, especially as you state your request in writing, with so little other indication of tone or context. The man to whom you speak is as you are, another man. He has taken the care to introduce himself in a genial, open manner. To receive a response as curt as yours- it is rudeness itself.

[THIS GOES ON FOR ANOTHER FEW PARAGRAPHS, EXPLAINING WHY IT IS NOT POLITE TO BE RUDE TO PEOPLE YOU HAVE NEVER MET.]

But perhaps you have not thought of these things. Perhaps your response was written quickly and, with these considerations now brought to mind, you would care to amend your request to this young man. I hope that is so.

[eusford]

What?????????
Sorry I was born in the 13th century, I can't fucking read.

[idealisme]

[That is aN OBVIOUS FALSEHOOD!!!!]

The Greeks had manners, and the Romans too. The date of your life has no bearing on your manners.

[eusford]

[ If this conversation was in Japanese it actually wouldn't be.

Unfortunately, the gig is up. Crowley can't pretend to be lacking any education so whatever!! ]

Okay well I'm Spanish.

I was just asking the guy to show off his skills~ What are you, his lover?

[idealisme]

I am more than that. I am his friend.

[He's... being 100% serious I'm so sorry]

[eusford]

So like... friends with benefits?

[ i'm so sorry ]

Don't announce that in a public place you weirdo.

[idealisme]

[luckily he has no idea what that means]

I benefit from his knowledge and his passion for the cause.

[eusford]

That's...

fantastic.

I am so happy for you both.
Just let me know when's the wedding so I can send my blessings.

[idealisme]

You have misunderstood.

There is not to be a wedding. Jehan Prouvaire and I are not amorously connected.

[eusford]

But the joke is that you are.

It’s okay, if my friend had lived another year I probably would have married him too.

[idealisme]

He is as close to me as any of my friends. I have no desire to wed any of them.

[eusford]

Do you get this defensive with all your friends?

That's so tiring.

[idealisme]

[The answer to that is no.]

Tiring? There is no fatigue in ensuring one's friends are treated with respect, even equanimity.

[eusford]

Maybe I'm just getting old.

Because all this defense is making me feeling so tired... like I just ran a lap.