sirenspull | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Right, but there's nothing wrong with vanity if it's honest.

Haha~! People can waste their whole lives before realizing any of this. How did you come to learn it so quickly, hmm?

[ It's normal to be dishonestly vain and self-righteous. What made you such a weird kid? ]

I —

[The question takes him by surprise. He doesn't think anyone's ever asked him that before.]

I saw it in other people and I didn't like it.

Who?

What did you see?

People who want a reason to feel above someone else... —Any reason. Wealth or looks or age, or some pious bullshit... The type of people who see someone really pristine and think, 'If I spit on them, I'll be the cleaner one.' Everyone wants to be better than everyone. Charity is just a parade for the patronizing. Do you want an escort service or a straight up whore? Might as well stick it in without pretenses, you know? But people like pretenses.

[WHAT A NEGATIVE NANCY]

[ Well. That was easy. Alois is fervent enough that his experience can't merely be from observation; it's direct. He's been the one spat upon and patronized. Which means, probably, he wasn't to the manor born. Noblemen from birth view their station as part of the right and natural order of things. This boy, almost certainly, has clawed his way up, to be "better than everyone."

Which makes him a hypocrite who hates hypocrisy. ]

Don't you like pretenses, too?

[There's the sound of him spitting.]

I like stories.

A cravat works well, in lieu of a handkerchief, by the way.

Mm? Oh. Suppose it would, wouldn't it? Next time I go to get bloodied up, I'll try to plan ahead... or maybe it's just that sort of being prepared...

If you're going to make the sort of choices that involve getting bloodied, then yes. Be prepared.

Sound advice from a wise man.

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