animus_network | Third time's a charm. [Video]

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Third time's a charm. [Video]

[ Well jingle my bells, friendly patrons of the Tower -- it seems like Francis is having himself one of those moments where he steps within two feet of a computer terminal, which really, is quite rare and for good reason. Did you miss him making an ass of himself? I know you did, and so does he, which is why when the feed buzzes into life you'll see him.

A lit cigarette in one hand and a snifler of some alcoholic variety in the other-- he's had a few. Probably his other half's doing.

Get ready guys; he's going nostalgic on your ass]

Allo mes amis! It is I. A -- hmm, beautifully pickled Frenchman. [He's slurring and smiling and he is oh so rarely seen like this. Lacking poise, that is] Forgive me; I am beside myself. You see, this is the first time in decades-- decades that I have been in such a situation. And you know what that is?

[He's taking a drag from his cig, blowing a rather nice ring by the way. For dramatic effect.]

Of course you do, you silly ones. In less than a week--I believe--it will be Christmas. Joyeux Noel! Back home I would be up to my neck in planning celebrations, oui? Music, catering... the decorations. [Fuck it, he's wistful and taking in more alcohol by the minute] Ah-- those were fond memories, you all.

...
Everyone, and I mean everyone [leaning in, just to prove his point, pointing with his cigarette hand at the screen because YOU are everyone] would have themselves a beautiful time, ouais? I would go party to party, dazzling -- because I am a handsome man DESPITE WHAT OTHERS MAY ELUDE TO, and at the end of the night?

[Oh, the smile he's giving is the kind that put lesser men in jail for assault. It is oozing 'charm'. Probably more drunken idiot]

Ah, but that was when I had the urge to be romantic, n'est-ce pas? This Godforesaken place--
Well, we do not need to go into my personal life that WAS, of course. But know that this was a very welcoming time that I looked forward to.

And this place is not even serving EGG NOG. [FLOURISHING LIKE A BASTARD] That is the most simple of traditions. [sip; puff; a steady look] I insist this be remedied immediately.

I think that we deserve some sense of joviality. Help me help you. [Dropping a wink just for the sake of that old time's sake]

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Are you handing out joy? [and by joy she means alcohol]

Hm? [brb, he's taking a sip of 'joy' right now]

Depends on the particular type of joy you speak of. I do not think you are anywhere close to being legal. [He waits until they're 18 to seduce, believe it or not]

[a beat] How old are you, ma cherie? 14?

You did not just call me fourteen. I'm seventeen thank you very much. And that joy I'm talking about may be that bottle that you're sipping from.

[mutter:] Such a difference.

Apologies, mademoiselle! I am nothing but an old man. [Who is currently taking a rather DEEP drink from his joy, out of spite]

You understand that they had it in the kitchens, non?

[she raises an eyebrow at him] You don't look that old. [she scoffs] You really think they're just going to let someone who is underage walk out with a bottle of alcohol? I wish.

[croooooons at the girl, because he is a man all for the compliments. even when they aren't REALLY there.]

You are too kind, cherie-- however, looks are quite deceiving.
[her brow raise is returned though] I doubt they are going to CARD you here...

Just smile pretty at them, non?

Oh? Then exactly how old are you if looks are so deceiving? You can't be older than my dad.

You never know if they would! There's kitchen staff and whatever but I guess I could just sneak it out. Unless you wanna get me some to save me from getting in trouble with the tower.

[She'll smile pretty for you instead]

I would be concerned if your father was as old as I was, ma petite. [lightly, so so very nonchalant] Perhaps a dozen or so centuries-- it all does turn monotonous after awhile.

I hardly want anyone to be in trouble with the tower. Perhaps we should just forget this type of joy altogether? Just to be safe.

[Cheshire cats learned how to smile from this man]

What do you do for Christmas in France?

Well, ma petite-- there is a good amount of feasting, but that is just part of being French and loving food! The children set their shoes by the hearth for Santa-- [teasing] It is similar to putting up a stocking, non?

Oh-- We do not usually put up a tree. Mm, nope. [alcoholic sip here--it just looks like soda hey] We usually start much earlier than the Americans but as I am what I am I cater to other past times.

[All them parties. Awww yeah, party favors.]

How come you don't you have a tree? The trees are like teh best part of Christmas! What do you put the gifts under? Do you have another plant or something that you put presents under? How come you use shoes instead of stockings? Stockings fit more! When do you start Christmas?

Traditions can be strange, Molly. I would like to think we keep our stockings on our feet to stay warm. Do not get me wrong; there are families that have a Christmas tree.

Toys get hung from the branches for younger children. [a shrug; rubbing at his cheek, then he's looking back at the girl-- and she's always much too adorable for her own good; smile toothy] My people always have a creche though-- Er, or a nativity, you might be more familiar with that.

The celebrations start at the beginning of December, cherie-- the fifth, actually. The children enjoy gift-giving first and adults tend to partake toward the New Year. [Partaking. Ah, partaking...]

You wouldn't know if we are doing something in this gloomy tower, would you?

[stop using her as your spy, France BT]

But stockings and socks are two different things! And what if the toys fall out of the branches and break? That would be like the worst Christmas ever. A nativity is the thing with baby Jesus, right? Why do you start so early and end so late?

I wanna have a party for Christmas!

We like to ENJOY ourselves. Plus, it is not beyond my knowledge that the Americans like to start their chittering on about Christmas in November nowadays. I at least wait until December ~

You much be very careful; they are small toys-- the larger gifts are easier to give and closer to the floor. ...not on the tree, that is. [cheery bastard]

Is that so?! Well, it is my express duty to make sure that young ladies such as yourself are happy during such a season. It would be horrible to not have a party to enjoy.

[Here's Samus, hair down, and sporting the provided white suit, considering that it covered more than her usual outfits, and that it was rather cold in this place these days.]

[She doesn't look pleased with what's on the screen.]

They'll let anyone use these things, won't they?

[a bark of laughter]

It does note bode well when you too are using the terminals ma chere! Such a critical look for a pretty girl. Tragic.

[Excuse him, he's wetting his palette]

Problem?

[She doesn't respond to his counter-barb, but does realize he has a point. Alas.]

Just trying to figure out what you're rambling about.

[clucks his tongue at her, leaning back from the terminal for a moment]

I am not rambling. I am reminiscing, unless that is a crime-- and then I am only interested if you possess handcuffs. [it's sarcasm, which he dismisses quickly enough]

Christmas. Noel... do you not have such a thing?

[The handcuff comment gets a slight eyebrow quirk of surprise. A rather forward fellow, this one.]

Alright, reminiscing then. And no, I can't say I've ever encountered a christmas.

[Forward doesn't even scrape the surface and her surprise makes him pleased enough. He idly swirled the contents of his glass-- he would need to venture back to the kitchens for more, damn it...]

That truly is depressing. In short, it is a holiday centered around family and merriment. [he smirked and raised his glass; jovially adding:] I will not be deterred from said decadence, of course...

[Samus nods - and thinking back just a bit to his opening bit, she puts two and two together.]

I see - an Earth holiday, I take it? [She does look slightly amused by his insistence on taking part of the merriment. At least he's honest about it.]

[He's a man that usually enjoys some level of merriment and this place has put a severe block in that. While they have an alcohol stock he's going to take advantage of it.

Here, have a slight nod from the pretty man pickled up in your facespace]

An interesting way to put it, but yes. Ah, where is it you are from again?

Born on planet K-2L, raised on Zebes. My parents were from Earth, though. I've visited it several times, but never really stuck around.

Oh? Where are your parents from?

[it's more polite to ask this. his first response of 'how horribly sterile sounding' would have been bad to say right off the bat]

[There's a notable pause before she answers.] That... I'm honestly not certain.

You should know your roots ma chere; it is where you came from that is important.

[Though, from her lack of knowledge on heritage and his knowledge on the matter he would wager heavily that her parents were American]

So--
What is it that you did again, ye of little faith? [a tiny flicker of a smirk]

Mm. Well, unfortunately, I didn't have the time to find that out. [Just a biiiit of an icy tone there.]

I'm a bounty hunter. And I've got plenty of faith - it's just placed in myself.

[This one has had a bit to drink too, but lets not make an issue of it. He's giving France one of his usual looks, the ones that scream disapproval.]

Stop shining your merry drunken ass all over the network.

[a curious brow raise over the rim of his drink; setting it down to give him a pout] Romano-- You know that I am pretty to look at no matter the state of sobriety.

Bite me.

Yes, you're pretty. Pretty intoxicated.

[God, no, never putting his mouth anywhere near any part of France's body. 8|]

What if you gave me some kind of oral disease. Gross, bastard.

[have a fucking ohonhon you Italian wench]

I could always give you another something attached to oral.

[cover your ears children-- though this is about as far as he goes with that advancement]

Honestly Romano! I am not the sleazy man you think I am.

[This is the second such post Shion has seen about this christmas thing. He felt slightly stupid that he had absolutely no idea what people were talking about, not that that was new exactly for Shion, but in this case he thought it was perhaps a cultural difference rather than the result of him growing up in No. 6.

So far he had found no one else who came from the same world as he did, and that was strange. No one from any of the cities at all. This guy seemed drunk but... Shion could handle that]

Hello [His voice is friendly and he is smiling] I am sorry, would you mind explaining what christmas is...

[The new face on his screen is actually unfamiliar to him which leads him to think this -- well, Shion seems young -- boy is new to the Tower. Somehow he isn't surprised that the Powers that Be were still playing savoir.

However, he's buzzed so he's feeling more placid than usual. Plus, he's harmless enough. Really. The look he gives the boy is almost comical]

You are unfamiliar? Quel dommage! [he pauses, sitting down his drink and taking the last drag or two from his cigarette. Before promptly snuffing it out on the table holding the terminal up, no flack off his back. He gave the boy a smile] Speaking of unfamiliar-- you are new, non?

I am France-- but you may call me Francis if you wish.
You are in luck for I am a magnificent storyteller. Or so they say.

[a laugh, and he's propping his chin with a palm] Christmas, or Noel, is a holiday that happens at this time of the year. Now, there is a faintly religious background to it, but the focus is being with family, for better or worse.

Oh; and we celebrate the oncoming year soon after that as well. Though from what I have not seen, I do not believe we will have an opportunity.

No baubles... no colorful lights. No romance. It is depressing.

Yes I am new, I am Shion. It is nice to meet you France! [He smiles more, and listens to the story.]

So it is a day to spend with your family? [That was sad as no ones families seemed to be here] What do lights have to do with it? And romance? [He thought it was meant to be a day for family?]

It sounds like a nice holiday though.

I am France--simply saying romance has everything to do with it. Christmas happens when the weather becomes cooler in my house and it is always better to be bundled up with that special someone than mere blanket alone.

[a teasing smirk] Family or loved ones. Friends. It is really about community coming together. [really, just to let it be known that nobody is alone on Christmas-- but France is a fiend for romanticizing things]

Ah, the lights. Strings of colored lights are everywhere. It just emphasizes the festivities -- not to mention it is fun to put them up. I am sorry you have not had a chance to enjoy the season as I have Shion. No problem though! This can be remedied.

[resolute nodding here]

[So he came from a place similar to the West Town, a place where it was cold and being warm was a luxuary. The real world as Nezumi would call it.]

Are you planning on celebrating this here? [It sounds nice, he doesn't have many friends here yet but he would be interesting on learning more about these cultures so different from his own.]

_{[That sounds fairly familiar to her... "Christmas"... it had to have been before everything went flipped, because it's that kind of hazy that only comes with years of Not Thinking About It. Vague memories of her mother and lights flicker in her mind, but she dismisses it for the matter at hand, which is the sloshed guy with the interesting accent who could explain this junk to her.]}

Christmas? What is it? I mean, we have a kinda tradition back home, dressing up in really awful sweaters and watching videos together but...

_{[A sheepish grin and trying-for-lighthearted laugh.]}

I'm not usually invited in.

[the mention of awful sweaters makes him smirk a little-- he has participated (against his will of course) more than a few times-- not that he will tell her this]

Ah, I am familiar with this tradition in Christmas at home as well. Usually it is the British that partake--

You poor thing! That is horrible. Perhaps you would like to join in this time?

[a slight shrug] I do not know how willing people will be-- but, I plan on cooking whether people like it or not. That's a big part of Christmas, non?

Heh, it's not a huge deal, I could get in if I wanted.

_{[The invitation is definitely nice though- there's not a lot of thought with her next reply.]}

...sure, thanks. I can't say I can help cook, but I can provide some music if you want.

Oi Francis, you giant fluff, you drinking and having fun without me you ass? If you keep smiling like that I have a feeling you'll make everyone want to avoid the holidays. It's bordering on downright terrifying.

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Third time's a charm. [Video]

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Allow me to kill the lack of notifs! :|

Allow me to join you in that. ><

[video]