( video, un: lavieenrose )

[affectueux]

[ maybe it’s insanity. more likely, it’s the combination of the sanguis cycle and his upcoming birthday making him restless and impulsive. he can usually tamp down those urges when things are normal, but he also can’t recall a moment when things have ever been normal in lunatia.

maybe that’s a contributing factor, too. either way, here’s a video of serge—like the cycles before, he’s got little bear features. paws included, even if his hands are off-screen. ]

Er, bonjour. My name is Serge… I’ve cleaned many of your tables at Salon de Marie. [ it gets harder when he’s a bear, but that’s neither here nor there. ] My birthday will be coming up soon, and I—it—

[ he frowns, searching for the words. he should have planned this better, but again. the haste. ]

In my world, I’m set to inherit my family’s estate on my 18th birthday. I’ll be expected to get married and carry on the family name, as I’m the only child of my late father. [ he realizes something, and holds up a hand in brief fluster. ] I’m not saying this to brag! It’s relevant, I promise. I bring it up because there’s—a person. Someone I love. Someone I can neither marry nor produce a child with.

…this is quite heavy, isn’t it? I’ll try to get to the point. When your heart is in conflict with both duty and the expectations of society, what are you supposed to do? What can you do?

Merci, everyone. For your attention.

Comments

[affectueux]

I can’t discuss it with [ awkward pause ] them.

[ he surprises himself with the force of his answer. ]

…I’m sorry. I don’t mean to imply that this is all a secret. Rather, it’s so completely open that we’ve talked the topic to death. At this point, I’m afraid to say anything more.

[baitless]

Hmm, I see. I'm afraid I cannot give you easy answers, then, because there are none. A part of me wants to suggest picking up and leaving for somewhere that would be more... well, livable for the two of you, but that brings its own difficulties.

[affectueux]

Yes… it does.

[ he lowers his eyes. ]

We tried running away. It’s hard, though. It seems almost impossible to continue living the way that we have. [ he bites his lip. ] I wonder, is it because we’re young? Or simply because this isn’t meant to be?

[baitless]

It is certainly more difficult to make your own way when you're young, it's true. I do feel like it would be much easier for the two of you if you were both here, certainly, but... well, most things are more difficult without experience.

[affectueux]

[ he does appreciate seteth’s words, even if they ultimately tell him nothing more than what he knew already.

serge nods, reluctant. ]

I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could have prepared me for this, anyway… [ a sigh. ] Still, thank you. Having support means something.

[baitless]

I pray you will find a solution that will allow the both of you to be happy, whatever it may be. I wish I could give you something more concrete, but it's difficult given our circumstances here.

[affectueux]

It would be difficult even if you were standing next to me in my own world, I’m afraid. That is the depth of this complexity.