The Count's Feast

[eflamberge]

[If you're somebody Edmond has met in previous threads, a Zangoose will approach you with an envelope containing a very special invitation. The Pokémon will hand it to you and then disappear into the wilderness

Comments

[risingtectonics]

[Maxie has never really been the sort for gratuitous displays of weaponry like that, though that's less through a lack of interest in weapons and more through the thought that it's a bit like the sword of Damocles, and there's just the generally unshakeable feeling that one day something is going to come down, and it will be very unpleasant when it does. At the same time, he can appreciate it as a statement, he supposes, and between the massive sword collection, elaborate decor and the Magma Emblem - the whole thing more or less makes it rather plain who lives here.

The place is...certainly interesting, if a bit loud. It's not exactly to Maxie's tastes, but he can't help but think vaguely that it suits Edmond.

At least the main room isn't too difficult to find, because he's certainly not about to wander aimlessly through someone else's residence for no real reason; a light smirk crosses his features as his gaze alights upon that figure on the couch.]

Well, Edmond. It seems that the island has provided for you.

[The statement is

[risingtectonics]

[...good god. Surely by now you realize that Maxie does not do this whole compassion thing very well, Edmond...but even so, there are certain facts that need to be taken into account.

That kid is twelve and what is this.]

The circumstances really don't matter here - even if it's what he wants, it's genuinely for the best in this case that he doesn't get what he wants. Turn him down, and in Groudon's name be firm about it. Ambiguity and being needlessly gentle will just make the situation worse and -

[And just. Good god. He's been here for ten minutes and the headache is setting in already.]

...right. Right, well. Let's just not dwell on that, shall we.

[eflamberge]

[Edmond finally turns to beam at him.]

Oh, Maxie! As always, you're so far-sighted. Thank you!

[He takes a deep breath.] I'll turn him down, then. But I'll have to do something nice for him to make up for that... Maybe something that will open his mind and teach him about higher ideals.

... Incidentally, are you recruiting?

[... It's not so incidental, as Maxie will easily be able to guess.]

[risingtectonics]

[...oh boy.]

Not...exactly, no.

[And you are not putting this charge off on me, thanks.]

[eflamberge]

[Edmond purses his lips slightly.] Oh, that's a shame. I don't know what I'd give for my son to be a part of the illustrious Team Magma!

[risingtectonics]

...a shame indeed.

[Yeah, given the prior conversation, Maxie isn't even going to touch that one.]

[eflamberge]

[Man, you sure can be mean when you want to! But Edmond just nods.]

I know I shouldn't insist. But I'd love to see him do something with himself, begin a new life at the service of a greater good, and I can't think of a greater good than your goals, quite frankly... Ah, well, it's okay if you won't help me with him. I'll finally get to be a parent, Maxie!

[risingtectonics]

[Damn right, he can.]

...weren't we just debating whether or not you should turn down his romantic advances?!

[eflamberge]

... Yes, and...?

[ ... ??? ;-; Congratulations, you've got yourself a puzzled Edmond.]

[risingtectonics]

[...oh, wow.

OH. FUCKING. WOW.]

...do I really need to spell out the issue with that?!

[eflamberge]

... Relax! I've already told you I'm not going to do anything to him! He's my son, after all.

[Still not getting it orz ]

[risingtectonics]

[JKASDHBVDSJNFAHKGFGN]

Tell me, was he your son when you considered, or only after you decided it would be a bad idea to sleep with a twelve-year-old?!

[eflamberge]

... There's no need to act like that, you know.

When he told me about his feelings for me, I was confused. I... imagine anyone would be, in my place.

[risingtectonics]

[...Edmond, I swear to god were he not a guest in your residence right now, he would have slapped you. Hard. As it is, his hand twitches very distinctly before he manages to catch himself.]

I don't think you have any right to talk to me about appropriate behavior. Care to tell me what conclusions I should be drawing from the fact that you were considering accepting advances from a child?!

[eflamberge]

... Well, I swear I never considered it rationally, Maxie, it's just...

... You keep talking like you've never felt any confusion in your life... I admire that, but... things can be a lot more complicated.

[risingtectonics]

[So. Close. To slapping you, Edmond.

So very close.]

Not in circumstances like this. This is an emotionally damaged twelve-year-old making advances that you acknowledge are inappropriate. You do not consider advances like that. Even if you're going to claim it wasn't done "rationally", which doesn't even make sense in this context, you do not consider a twelve-year-old's advances, even if it's to supposedly spare his feelings from god only knows what and especially if they seem traumatized!

Don't assume that you know my experiences. Keep in mind that you don't know me. I've experienced more than enough confusion. Some of them over romantic advances and emotions toward others. Don't try to act like I have no idea what you're going through simply because I've called you out on something that most sane people would find repulsive.