mallowhallow | Rehearsal 4 (6/04): [Video, from Astralfield]

[The feed clicks on to find Victor seated on his favorite bench, giving the viewers a small, slightly-embarrassed-looking smile.]

Hello everyone. I regret to say that this is another 'advert' of sorts for my potential services. I've been thinking about what I might have to offer ever since the Queen told us we needed to work. I've never really worked before, honestly. . .my father was quite rich at home, so I've always depended on an allowance. . .

[He fiddles with his tie for a moment before adopting a determined expression and looking up.]

But honestly, I didn't like that I didn't have to pay for anything in the first place, so I'm more than willing to try. And I do have something to offer.

[He turns to the side and holds his communicator over his open sketchbook with one hand, using the other to turn a few pages. There's a number of scientific drawings of butterflies (complete with annotations), and a few more fantastical things, like a rabbit in a top hat, jacket, waistcoat, and spats, carrying a pocket watch in rather sharp claws and what looks to be an ant made out of folded paper, with a long paper beard and a broad-brimmed hat. Everything's done in crisp black ink. After a few pages, he turns the chalkboard back to his face.]

Yes, so if you need an artist for any reason, I'd be happy to help. Prices would depend on what exactly you want drawn. I can do colored drawings and paintings too -- I just prefer to work in ink sketches. So -- if you like my work, please contact me! Either here or at my room -- 6988 at the Astralfield Hotel.

[He gives a little wave before ending the video.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm fine with just a little sugar. I love fragrant unadulterated tea~! [She's all about the scent and the warmth.]

Ah, I suppose it takes a lot of courage to speak to the necessary people involved. Don't worry, it's understandable Victor~!

I think so too. And remember, you promised to be there.[She looks down at the cookies and looks back up at Victor.] It would be improper if I don't wait for you!

All right then. I've always liked mine sweet myself. [He likes the scent and the warmth too, but his sweet tooth will not be denied.]

Courage and a firmer spine than I usually have. I generally have to talk myself into being tough. Not to mention I just -- didn't find it all that appealing.

[He chuckles softly.] Yes, yes, I know. I will be. [And oh yes, propriety. He'd nearly forgotten.] Oh -- right. Sorry, my manners are -- well, I was recently living in an area that lacked them.

And that's perfectly fine, I'm certain of it.

Well, isn't that enough? I mean, it's not easy to encourage yourself to do things. Most of the times, it's so much easier to simply just hide and shy away from responsibility.

Great.[She smiles as well.] Oh? How is that possible~!?

Heh, thank you.

[. . .awkward tie-fiddling time.] Yes, I -- I k-know. I got into a bit of a habit of that when I was younger. . .m-mostly because I could. I've definitely worked to take charge of my life more recently, though. [He shrugs.] I suppose it is enough, when it comes to results, but like I said, the business life just didn't call to me like it did to Father.

There's areas in this world that simply don't have a lot of polite people. [Tea seems to be ready, so he brings it over, along with the milk and sugar.] Whitechapel was one of them.

I think that's very inspiring. And I think the business life really isn't for everyone. [She gives Victor a reassuring smile.] Trust me, there's nothing wrong if you don't have his business acumen.

Shall I help you pour? [She inquired politely.] That is quite sad. Where is Whitechapel? Is it the place you grew up in?

[Victor nods and sighs.] I don't think Father thought quite the same, though he was good enough never to say so out loud. Still, it's a moot point now, isn't it?

Oh, no need -- they've got these bags that allow one to make individual cups here. So that's all settled. See? [He passes her cup over to her so she can see it's already filled with tea -- and has a string poking over the side.] Though you'll want to take the bag out before you start drinking. . . And Whitechapel is in London, England. I grew up in a smaller village some distance away -- Burtonsville. I was sent to Whitechapel after some trouble at home -- you remember the corpse bride I told you about over the network? Emily?

At least he showed you kindness that way. And yes, it's not important now.

Oh~ [She watches him carefully.] I've been too used to traditional methods of brewing them.

[She listens while thoughtfully looking at her cup of tea.]Yes, I remember her.

Yes -- which is more than Mother showed me at times. [He shakes his head -- oh, his parents. . .]

Heh, it's all right -- it took me a bit to get used to them too. Though they are very convenient. [He pulls out his tea bag from his cup, setting it aside on the saucer he got for that purpose, then adds milk and sugar. He also takes a Hydrox, just to remind Kurenai that it's okay, he's sitting with her now if she wants a snack.]

Right -- I don't think I ever properly explained what happened after she was set free. You see, while all of that was happening, my parents were out of town. Looking for me, ironically -- the town crier had seen me and Emily right before she took me below, and reported that I'd apparently r-run off with another woman. So they never saw any of the business with the walking dead. They returned after everything was said and done with -- and when I tried to explain what had happened, they didn't believe me. In fact, they thought I'd -- l-lost my mind.

Rehearsal 4 (6/04): [Video, from Astralfield]

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