video, un: ponine

[jondrette]

[A young woman appears. Her long, dark hair is tangled and soaking wet, hanging down in front of her haggard face. Her age is hard to pin down, but it’s clear that she’s seen better days. And worse days, for that matter.]

There is rain that falls from a pipe here!

[This was a fact she’d learned with a shriek when she’d decided to play ‘what does this knob do’ in her room.

Her face lights up when she speaks, though, her accent clearly French.]

First it scalded, then when I tried to turn it off it became incredibly cold! [She giggles though, a rather ugly sound, and moves over to flop down on her bed melodramatically. On her right hand, visible as she gets comfortable, a bright red circular scar can be seen.] And such a bed! Have you ever seen such a bed before?

[She exhales, relaxing into the mattress.]

If this is heaven, I believe I am in the wrong place.

Comments

[of_bokthersa]

You'll get used to it in time. Perhaps, after the baths, we should visit Inesa. She's amazing with a needle and thread.

[jondrette]

I would like that very much!

I am afraid you will not like what you see, at the baths.

[of_bokthersa]

I have no doubt that you will be just as lovely without clothing.

[He gestures in the direction of the baths.]

Shall we?

[jondrette]

You are too kind. But you will be disappointed.

Lead the way, m'sieur Seregil.

[of_bokthersa]

Any scars we have are things we should take pride in.

[He starts for the baths.]

[jondrette]

Not just that.

[But she'll let him see for herself, she's already cautioned him.]

[of_bokthersa]

I assure you that I've seen those with the wasting sickness before. Before long, that will cease to be a problem for you.

[Even if he has to bring her meals.]

[jondrette]

Wasting sickness?

We call it starving to death.

[A bullet was better than the slow death and insanity brought on by hunger.

She follows him toward the baths]

[of_bokthersa]

There are many paths to starvation.

[He's lived them.]

But as I said, this won't be a problem here. Food is in abundance here, for everyone.

[They arrive at a strange facility and he opens the door for her.]

[jondrette]

Good. I do like food. Is it good food?

[She passes past him with a giggle]

[of_bokthersa]

Very. And if you dislike what they sell, you can come to visit Alec and me. His cooking is quite delicious.

[Inside is spacious baths of several types.]

I believe there are changing rooms that way.

[He gestures.]

[jondrette]

And who is Alec?

Thank you. I will meet you on the other side?

[And meet him she will, wrapping her tiny body in a towel. The wound on her chest with it's matching wound on her back is brightly visible. On her shoulder as well was a tattoo, a strange symbol, made with elementary precision, proclaiming her allegiance to her father's gang. She's clearly uncomfortable.]

[of_bokthersa]

[Seregil exits with a towel around his waist. In contrast, he is toned and muscular, but there is a deep scar in the shape of a coin burned into the center of his chest. His hand, if she hadn't noticed before, has what looks like a large, blue, cat-sized bite mark on his hand.]

Alec is my taliminos, or beloved, in your tongue. He is a wonderful cook.

cw: historically appropriate slurs

[jondrette]

[Eponine wastes no time enjoying the view. The scar gets her attention, as had the mark on his hand, but had refrained from asking. Now, however, she wondered if she would get the opportunity.]

Ah! Two men? I have heard of such things but- you the first queer I have met!

[That she knows about, at least.]

Re: cw: historically appropriate slurs

[of_bokthersa]

[The term wasn't familiar to him, but he could get the gist of it is as she said it after finding out that he and Alec were a couple.]

It's quite common where I'm from.

[jondrette]

Not where I am from. [Roman Catholics. Whatcha gonna do about it?]

[Eponine approaches the baths, dipping a toe in apprehensively. Her ankle bares a fleur de lis, another tattoo though this one a bit more elegant. She gives a small shriek when she feels the water, but does not move out of it. Instead, she grins and places both feet in the warm water.]

Like this?

[of_bokthersa]

Perfect.

[He follows her, stepping into the water and taking a seat to soak up to his chest.]

And we have those in my world who don't agree as well. In fact, Alec was once one of them.

[jondrette]

Was he! And yet he fell in love with you! How romantic! You must tell me all about it!

[Feeling better about the water, she wades in until she realizes she must let the towel go. She sets it aside on the deck, and steps further into the water. She's skeletal, all sharp edges and concave angles. Wasting sickness, indeed.]

Do you swim?

[of_bokthersa]

He did, and for that, I'm grateful. And yes, I do. Do you?

[jondrette]

non. So I will stay here, where I can still stand.

[of_bokthersa]

I promise, if anything should happen, I'll save you.

[jondrette]

Thank you. [In a moment of impulsivity, she leans over and kisses his cheek.] You are good to me.

[of_bokthersa]

[Well that's nice.]

Not at all. You deserve good things given to you, my lady.

[jondrette]

I am hardly considered a lady back home.

[of_bokthersa]

You aren't back home, here you can be whatever you want.