sirenspull | video.

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!: alois trancy

video.

[The video is moving, when it comes on; it's being set aside. It blurs past legs (and torn stockings, a sock slid down a calf, and raspberried bruises), the owner of which seems to be sitting on a curb. When it's settled, it's clear the NV's been nestled in grass, so there are a couple of blades poking into view. But across the way is what's important: a family of small ducks waddling round a fountain. People are walking all around - you can hear them, their chatters and leather toe taps - and children are pulled away from the birds' paths by the quick hands of their mothers. Not many people are leisurely.

Alois' voice is, though, when he speaks.]

Someone from home, come and fetch me, will you? Bring handkerchiefs, and I want to stop for an ice cream come before we go back.

[There's a great sniff, which sounds a little gruesome. In the camera's peripheral, his foot shifts.]

Here is what I learned today, for those who might be none the wiser. I don't think the concept of defending anyone or anything is really real. I think, when it comes down to it, we see something we don't like so we get pissed off.

It's the truth, but it sounds a lot less pure than saying you're defending justice or friends or your good causes, huh?

[He laughs, too, the sound a little biting. A spray of shredded lettuce leaves arches over the camera, and flutters down a little ways a way. Some ducks start to talk and come clamoring for it. Alois shuts off his NV.]

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[Alois has grown a little taller than the young master he's used to carrying, but he still picks him up with no trouble at all. For all his failures and uselessness, he's in good shape. Gilbert glances back at him to make sure he's secure before standing and starting for home, but oh, Alois, if you want to whine you're going to get that lecture now.]

I won't fall over! And if you want someone to drive you around then call Reim directly next time! Be more grateful!

[But this lecture is delivered as quietly as he dares so that he doesn't risk jostling him, just as he's asked.]

I think you'd look good in a flashy black car. We could sell all of Claude's and buy you a nice new one. Leather seats or whatever. Special apparatus for delivering pies. It'd be really sleek and you'd look so cool. How about it?

[Normal conversations during normal situations.]

Edited 2012-11-20 02:06 (UTC)

[How did they even arrive at this point in the conversation.]

...There's no reason for me to learn how to drive one of those things.

You wouldn't have to do this, [he says, 'helpfully,' but a little more quietly.] Not that you had to anyway, I'm just saying.

I don't mind this.

[Glancing back over his shoulder.]

Have you stopped bleeding yet?

Uh - [This is a more comfortable subject.] Mostly. My nose is about fine right now, but I keep reopening my lip, so I'll just put ice on it later... [The nick on his cheek barely counts as a cut, and his chin is only scuffed.] It's not gushing or anything. Anyway, I did better. They'll have a lot of crying to do to their mums I'm sure.

[And the truth comes out.]

What was the fight about?

[HUFF.]

Fucking awful twats with fucking awful [muffled against Gil's shoulder] and no one even gives an inch of shit about it, everyone walks round like [muffled against Gil's shoulder] till there's feathers and whatnot and what are they, dogs? Are they ugly mangy cats? People like that are [muffled against Gil's shoulder] and I'd rather kick their skulls in for a good reason than any of this stones at ducks rot, it's stupid. [HUFF!]

[Si...lence...]

They were throwing stones at the ducks?

[Is he right?!]

Yes. [Mumble.]

[Uncalled for, but still.]

And that was worth getting into a fight over?

No one cared. No one cared, that they were doing it. They just walked quicker. And those boys, it's not that they didn't care - they did care. They liked it.

You know they would have done that to her? And not thought a thing of it?

[It's good that they've come to a red light and are forced to stop and wait for the crosswalk, because if Gil had been walking at this moment, he probably would have stumbled. Of course, he's the last to get the most obvious answer even when it's laid out in front of him.]

Alois...

I kept thinking about it. [He's clutching a bit more tightly.] I kept thinking about it, how they'd do that to her and she'd be stumbling around on ridiculous bird feet and I realized, —I realized they'd do it to her if she was a girl, too, and I kept picturing her stupid... just - the way her face would look and she'd say, ow, ow, please stop, and I know that they wouldn't. They liked what they were doing, Gilbert. It was just innocent birds. Clumsy, and small.

[His voice lowers.]

I wanted to break their hands.

But they didn't do that to her. No one will.

[Because if they did, then Gilbert would be the one to break their hands without a second thought.]

Well I might've broken one hand, anyway, so I do feel a little bit better. [His voice has bounce in it again.] Don't tell her, all right? You know how she is. She'd just fuss.

Of course I won't. You -

[Wait.]

Your hand or their hand?

Oh, theirs. I'm quite sure I'm not too bothered at all, just some ice and a bath and maybe set my thumb. But, I mean, really, Gilbert, don't people realize that heels are for more than looking excellent?

--You used your shoe?!

[Oh god, how much blood is he going to have to clean out of these clothes.]

Oh, don't worry, I hit them too. I hope Ciel isn't very angry, he bought these for my birthday... Maybe we ought to stop at a boutique and get an identical pair so he doesn't know... [He seems more lively, now, too, wiggling just slightly to look up over Gilbert's shoulder better.]

No - don't bother, I'll...I'll clean them up for you...

[Sobbing internally. Why this.]

Quite sure? You'll need to do the laces!

—I've always thought you're pretty good, you know. Thank you for fetching me.

...You don't need to thank me. Better I do it than Ciel.

[Gilbert's lecture is nothing compared to the one that your fiance will give, Alois.]

Ehehe...

[That's... easily... the most nervous laugh he's ever given in front of Gil. Let's pretend it didn't happen.]

Say, you don't think he'd pie me when I've a bloody nose...?

[he'll forgive you this awkward moment, bro.]

Not even he could be that cruel. I don't think...

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