008 ⚜ Video ⚜ Canada Day

[paysdelamour]

[Francis appears on the Network in the wee hours of the morning, just before the early sirens go off to signal an end to the Darkness. It seems the NV is propped up against something, because he is sitting on the couch, hugging one knee to his chest. He doesn't try one of his usual smiles, this time.]

It's my son's birthday today. It has been for

Comments

video;

[gotsomebadnoose]

It...must be difficult. I'm sorry. B-But at least he's not here in the dark. Right?

[through the visual noise, the blue spirit offers France a meek smile.]

Voice

[paysdelamour]

[Francis responds about a half-hour later, with a voice feed. He sniffles, indicating he's still crying.]

Is it... is it cruel and mean to wish someone was in Siren's Port...?

[gotsomebadnoose]

No, not at all...Everyone misses someone at some point. I'm sure of it. And aside from the monsters, this place really isn't that bad.

[That's right Lee, try to be comforting when you're a dead guy. Nothing to fear, but death- fear itself. Right.]

[paysdelamour]

... mais, I know Matthieu would not be happy here, et je- merde, I miss him, it's been almost five months...!

[Thankfully Francis can't die easily. He's not exactly afraid of things that go bump in the day, either.]

[frankengambler]

... I... I'm sorry. [hesitation] You have to hope. I mean, you never know- maybe somehow he'll get this message. I don't know how but there's always a chance. He'll take one look at his Papa and know that he's still there and thinking about him. Hell, he might even have a little laugh at you getting so emotional. You... you have to hope.

[Kaiji's voice is uncharacteristically gentle. All this talk about hope and 'maybe' and being so sentimental... for once, he doesn't want to be cynical. He wants to believe every word he's saying whether or not it's complete bullshit. Maybe it's because their last conversation is still in the back of his mind. Maybe it's because it's reminding him of his own homesickness.]

Video

[paysdelamour]

[Francis respond about an hour later, with tears still present in his eyes. He wipes them, quickly, trying to calm himself down. But no matter how hard he tries to be calm, the reservoir of tears never seems to dry up.]

All I can do is hope. And that is the worst part of it, Kaiji... [Hope is a terrible thing to have a lot of, when you have nothing else.] How... how will I send him the message that I love him and I miss him? He doesn't even know I'm gone.

[frankengambler]

[Kaiji clenches his fists tightly. Emotion sure is an infectious thing, especially when you're already pretty prone to it in large doses.]

I... I know but... [He sighs deeply, raking a hand through his hair.] This place is so fucked up. [a weary pause] God, I wish I knew how to make you feel better about this. I guess it doesn't help that everyone else is celebrating, huh?

[paysdelamour]

[He draws his knees closer to his chest again, holding the NV slightly lopsided in one hand.] Well... they are celebrating for him, in a way. I'm happy for that, at least... I just wish I could celebrate with him.

And... you are helping, mon cher. Merci. [He wipes his tears somewhat, giving off another little sniffle.]

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[countsrabbits]

Francis? Are you okay?

Video

[paysdelamour]

[Francis pops up later on Pino's NV. He has stopped crying, however, he's obviously not feeling any better.]

... non... I... I am not okay...

Video

[countsrabbits]

What you're feeling...is it loneliness?

[paysdelamour]

Oui... I am feeling very lonely.

[Video]

[belovedlilium]

[Oh, Aeris can't help find her heart going out to him, even when she found the video an hour or two after getting up. She really does hope he'll be okay and can somehow comfort him.]

Mmm, it must be hard being away from your children, especially during their birthday.

[She couldn't help remember the effort her own adopted mother would make to celebrate hers.]

Don't worry, mister. I've heard that once you return to your world, it'll be like you never left. Maybe...you haven't missed your son's birthday. I bet once you return, then you'll be able to bake that special birthday cake for him like you always have.

[Maybe reassuring him this will help because she really didn't want him to look so sad.]

Text

[paysdelamour]

[Francis is unfortunately too inconsolable at the moment to respond with voice or a video, so she gets a text. However, it's rather short, because he simply can't muster a bigger reply in his condition.]

it is hard. but even though I am not missing it in our world, in this one I am being a terrible papa and not being there for him

[Video]

[belovedlilium]

[Aerith frowned for a moment after Francis had switched to text before she smiled, resting her chin on one hand.] I don't think you're a terrible father, far from it, actually and I've known my share of poor fathers from my time in Midgar before I came here.

[Her smile fades a little.] Have you considered going out buying a gift or two for him in lieu of him being here. People do seem to arrive regularly and if you're prepared for his arrival, I'm sure it would make him very happy.

[paysdelamour]

[Francis sends her another text, his reply time a bit shorter this time around.] I can only hope you are right, about me being a good father

[A little pause, and then:]

but nothing I can buy will ever be enough to show Matthieu how much I love him

[Video]

[rhythminmysoul]

I'm sure he knows you love him. And I know it must be hard for you...I'm sorry Francis. I...I wish I could help.

Voice

[paysdelamour]

[He shows up again in about a half-hour, still wiping at his eyes, sniffling a little too.] I hope so... I miss him, so very much... I cannot bear being without him! He is all I have left...!

Re: Voice

[rhythminmysoul]

I'm sure he misses you too. But he will be there when you go home. Then you can smile when you see him and spend his birthday together, just the two of you.

[paysdelamour]

But it has been much longer since I have seen him, et... non, you're right... mais, it wouldn't be just the two of us. [A slight sniffle.] He does have other friends than his papa.