elnysa | video, un: orientalism

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video, un: orientalism

[It looks like he's been crying recently, his eyes and cheeks red. He sniffles and scrubs at his eyes a little, trying to collect himself more before he speaks.]

It's nice, up here. Truly it is. I love having the exhibition hall -- I can go look at the flowers whenever I like. Maybe I'll be able to find a little box, or something? I have these seeds I wanted to plant.

And of course I'm happy that we've all made it, and we're safe, and the dragon isn't a problem anymore. Or at least I hope he isn't. I feel bad for him, though, it wasn't his fault --

I suppose it doesn't matter now, does it. [He frets at the sleeve of his shirt a bit, glancing down and away]

It's only that -- well I'm not trying to sound ungrateful, we do have this lovely ship that we can all live on.

Only that it feels a bit unfair, I suppose. We all had our homes taken away, some of us quite recently, and then our new homes vanished as well.

I don't know right now, if I'd rather return to the planet, if we could, or to stay here. It could be nice to stay here! I could meet some of the people I've only spoken to over communicators, or had only just met before -- everything. Madame Fraser, I'd like to see her again. Oh and I never got to meet Mademoiselle Blossom! We could share poetry, perhaps? It would be easier to get together, this way.

Mademoiselle Jessica, I hope you're all right, as well, and settling in.

[The boy sighs and sniffles again, wiping a little at his nose, self consciously.] I suppose I'm craving some stability.

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Jehan, darling. You can see me whenever you like. You need but only ask.

[This sweet boy. Some were perhaps too sweet to be woken up from stasis.]

Oh hello, madame! [He hurries to wipe his eyes again with his sleeve] It's lovely to see your face again. I'm very glad you made it all right.

I was worried.

It's all right. I know you're not the only one feeling this way. We're all in a terrible situation, and you've been very brave, I'm sure. Do you always try to find the silver lining?

I do, yes. I've been criticized for it, sometimes, but someone has to, I feel? There's always the chance that things will improve sooner rather than later.

That's right. Stay in the dark too long and soon that's all you can see.

Now. [Optimism is a heavy burden, at times.] What can I do to brighten your day, Jehan?

Oh I think that's beautifully said. [He rests his chin on his hand and smiles more broadly this time.] I'd very much like to visit you again, whenever you had the time. I'm certain you're busy -- are you still tending to people, up here?

I have time. [Less patients to juggle and more dealing with the arrival of Bree and Fergus, but she can make time.] I'd be very happy to see you again in person.

Sometimes -- [He lowers his voice a little, because he feels bad.] I love my friends dearly, you understand. But they do fight quite a lot. Mostly about politics which is -- fine, Enjolras is quite passionate about it, as am I, but --

It would be very nice to have a quiet, simple conversation, for once.

Then we will have that. No politics and no yelling. I promise.

[ oh, Cheryl feels very special indeed that he's remembered her. ]

Don't fret! I haven't gone anywhere. Well - nowhere that you haven't gone as well.

[ nearly everything he's said is exactly how she's felt. she just wants to feel like things are normal, and predictable. Cheryl's much happier when she's creating the chaos instead of being subjected to it. ]

[ Grantaire knows how upsetting this entire situation is for Jehan, and he knows that his arguments with Enjolras aren’t helping matters. So he takes a half an hour or so to search the ship, to ask around, and to find an item Jehan mentioned by hadn’t specifically asked for. ]

Jehan.

[ He places something in front of him. It’s a narrow wooden box with a handle across the top that might have been a toolbox at some point. Grantaire clearly still has an imagination through all the wine, though, because he sees it as a planter. ]

I'm not familiar with plants the way you are. I don't know if what you have can be planted in the same box, but tell me all the same, will this do for your seeds?

It's much appreciated, madame.

Perhaps we could talk about plants and herbs instead! I would love, still, to know how you came to be so knowledgeable as to start an apothecary.

[Prepare yourself to be FIERCELY HUGGED, GRANTAIRE, because that is exactly what is happening right now. He squeezes his friend tight, nose against his neck, trying not to be overly emotional.]

It's perfect.

I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that, you know. So many of my friends are still in stasis, and so I want to keep the ones I've made here as close as possible. Especially after something so frightening!

It's not a very long or interesting story, but if that's what you wish, I can't deny you.

Well you could, if you wanted to. I won't make you tell me, of course. That would be silly.

I don't mind. I just don't want to bore you, sweetheart.

Oh but I love to hear other people's stories! I find people so completely fascinating.

[ He’s taken aback by such a FIERCE HUG, but not unwilling to reciprocate by any means. ]

Perfect? Truly?

[ He chuckles, trying very hard not to make a remark that may hurt him. He’s trying to be extra nice today. ]

You have a far keener eye than I do. I simply saw that it wasn’t too large or too small. It isn’t particularly beautiful by any means.

[ It could use repainted, really. ]

Then I'll tell you whatever you'd like. It's no trouble.

It's absolutely wonderful, Grantaire. [They can repaint it, it's not a problem. The fact that Grantaire even BROUGHT him a planting box is just --

Jehan grips the back of his neck and kisses both cheeks firmly, then ends with a lighter kiss to his lips. Very nearly platonic]

I love everything about it.

Oh well, let's see. How did you first find interest in plants, I suppose? Have you always been interested, or was it out of necessity here.

Oh!! My friend has given me a lovely box to plant my new seeds in. Will they be all right, growing all together?

[ Of course, Grantaire has kissed and has been kissed before, but recent years have brought him to the belief that he’s a foul and undeserving creature. He isn’t completely shocked - Jehan always has been one of the more affectionate members of their group - but he is a little taken aback. It’s quite a lot of love for a box. ]

I am undeserving of your affection, my dear friend.

[ He gives his usual half-smile, and presses a kiss to the top of Jehan’s head. ]

One might believe that I am Prometheus, bringing fire to humanity. A shabby box is no such gift. Perhaps if I pair it with my sincerest apologies, it will be more worthy.

Stop that at once. You've brought me something I've longed for, something to make me feel more at home. And because of that, it is a treasure of the highest regard.

Even moreso because it came from you.

It was suggest to me by my husband, at the time. Something to keep me busy. I ended up liking it more than either of us thought I would.

Perhaps not all of them, Jehan. I'd wait until we're able to go back home. You can plant some of them in other boxes or pots, or in the ground.

Oh -- yes, that's a much better idea. But perhaps a few, here? To tide me over until we get back home.

[There's an edge of doubt there. A quiet if in his sentence, but he smiles through it.]

[Claire relents. God only knows how long they'll be away.]

All right. But how about instead of your new box, we use a cup or bowl? You can always put your plant in the box later.

Oh! Can you plant in a cup or a bowl? I had not idea! I thought perhaps they needed more room but -- well I suppose it's not too different from a pot.

Though Grantaire did go through the trouble of finding me the box, it would be a shame not to use it, after that effort.

You can. It'll be easier to transport than a box. The box should be used at home, where it can sit and not be jostled about if we have to move in a hurry.

Oh I see! I'm very glad I asked you, then. I will save the box for when we are settled. Grantaire thinks it needs some painting and redoing, so that will give us the time we need to spruce it up.

You see? Because a spruce is a sort of tree!

It was a joke.

[Oh... oh lord, that's a pun. Claire laughs.]

You're a very sweet young man, Jehan.

[Oh dear. The apples of his cheeks and the edges of his ears turn a bright pink and he ducks his head to try to hide the fierce blush.]

Thank you, ma'am. I think you're quite lovely. Not -- before your husband gets terribly upset with me -- not in a romantic way, though it's very clear that anyone who met you would find you lovely in a romantic way.

No, I mean that you've been quite kind to me, and your kindness is appreciated.

[He's adorable. Far too adorable to have to deal with all the bullshit lately, but alas, there's little Claire can do about that.]

Thank you, Jehan, and don't you worry.

You're free to call me Claire. We're friends, are we not?

[ He still doesn’t quite think himself worthy, and it isn’t often that he stops anything at once. Please excuse him while he continues for a moment longer. ]

I am glad to have made you happy, but surely you mock me, Jehan. There are real treasures that might have been brought instead. All I’ve brought you is rubbish, better suited for a bonfire than for a garden.

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video, un: orientalism

video | c.fraser

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video | un: CherylBombshell

JUST RIGHT THERE. IN THE ROOM. IT'S GIFT TIME.

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