61 (Figaro and Frankie)

[her_mouse_jesty]

 [Today in Goldenrod, Minnie is cheerfully walking through the city as her Glameow, Blair, walks by her side. She turns on the Pokegear, video, no longer dressed in anything too fancy, just a simply dress and a simple smile.]

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well! Thank you to everyone who attended our knighting ceremony, I couldn't have asked it to go better! But all good things must come to an end, so I'll probably be returning to my home in Olivine when September ends. Danny, I hope you've been taking good care of the house?

Oh, how time does fly... I bet it'll be Halloween before you know it, and then Christmas, and then New Years... There are so many delightful holidays coming up. But I thought of adding one more to the mix, thanks to a dear friend. Since the knighting ceremony went so well... one day, in the months ahead, maybe we should have a princess day!

Wouldn't it be marvelous~! All us girls could wear beautiful dresses, and I could teach them all the fine points of being a princess! Proper dancing, etiquette, and then we can all trade stories about love and romance!

[She's getting a little too into it now, grabbing her skirt and twirling around - while Blair frantically meows and tries to avoid being stepped on.]

And then we can all hear about the famous princesses in fairy tales, like Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty...

((OOC: just so her friends in goldenrod and olivine know, she'll stay in goldenrod until the 30th, and should be back in Olivine by Oct 7th, unless someone wants her later/sooner/whatevs. this is more for keeping track and making sure i don't forget orz))

Comments

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[As soon as Gorthan sees the video, he actually goes through all the trouble of identifying the area of the city where Minnie is and finding her.]

There you are! Long time no see, Minnie. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions about your... princess day.

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She nearly trips, startled at the live action introduction! Blair rolls her eyes, smacking the back of Minnie's leg with her tail to keep her balanced.]

Oh! Gorthan! I was hoping to spend time with you before I left!

[She merrily comes up to him, all smiles.]

Ask away!

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

And I was hoping for the very same thing.

[He gets down to one knee and stretches his hand out to the Glameow, offering to pet it.]

Have you ever wondered, Minnie... what is it that makes the condition and status of a princess so desirable, and so powerful in a woman's fantasy, even more than that of queen?

It's not too obscure and abstruse a question, is it?

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Blair is a bit of a snoot, so she hesitates initially, but then nuzzles into his hand with a bit of 'I deem you worthy for now' kind of meow. As for Minnie, the question gives her pause, and she crosses her arms as she thinks.]

... Gosh, I never wondered about it before. But... most girls are told that princesses are pure girls, full of beauty and love. Whenever you read about princesses in fairy tales, they get happy endings... or a girl gets a happy ending by becoming a princess. Everyone loves a princess, so... I think most people want to be loved.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[When he raises his eyes from the Glameow to look at Minnie, there's a moment when he looks almost vulnerable.]

So what you are saying is that people don't feel loved enough... I see.

[He then focuses his attention back to the Pokémon, scratching it behind the ears.]

I wonder what defines a happy ending. Because even that is something that can be discussed... good fortune almost never comes without responsibilities to shoulder; and happiness can be found even in the smallest things...

[Like petting a prissy cat Pokémon.]

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Blair deems you a worthy pet-person, and will rub up against your hand.]

I think happy endings are different for everyone, but... I think they'd be with the ones you love. And I believe that every girl can be a princess, and every boy can be a prince. It's all about the goodness in your heart.

[And given the way she's looking at you, she's fitting you in that category, somehow.]

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

And I needn't ask if you think that evil queens may have happy endings as well.

[He is still the evil queen in Snow White, after all, or, as always, so he likes to tell himself. Because right now, for instance, there's nothing evil about the way he smiles warmly at Minnie's Pokémon.]

By the way, what is it like to be a queen, knowing that, in fairytales, queens often stand for evil, vanity and arrogance?

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Another odd question. She tilts her head for a bit.]

Well... why should that have any effect on me? The stories I've read can make, for example, stepfamilies evil, but of course not all stepfamilies are evil. So I don't see it as Queens standing for bad people... I see it more as bad people who happened to become Queen.

[But here she smiles, almost giggling.]

In fact... I think I was a bit more vain and arrogant while I was a princess, and I matured when I became Queen.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

You, vain and arrogant?

[Gorthan laughs to himself as he stands up.]

Pardon me. I'm having a hard time imagining that.

[With one hand, he gestures for her to follow him.]

Come, Minnie. Let me treat you to your favorite food. Although, I will admit, I am ignorant of what it is.

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Blair has a hissy fit - HEY. YOU. GET BACK HERE AND PET ME, PEASANT. But Minnie scoops her up into her arms and carries her as she follows Gorthan.]

It's true! I really gave my lady-in-waiting a terrible time... I always thought I was right, and I thought I was so superior to people. But it was thanks to my dear Mickey and our friends that I realized that I needed to change...

[She pets Blair, thinking over the offer.]

My favorite food... that would definitely be cheesecake!

[... Cheese. Mouse. get it.]

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

Cheesecake it is, then. And for you, my dear queen and friend, I'll spare no expense.

[As evidenced by the fact that, as he walks, he seems to be leading her to the nicest part of town, where famous people and rich businessmen go to shop and eat. And it one of these fancy eateries that Gorthan seems to have chosen for them, one with a simple, yet elegant style, a few old paintings on the wall and flowers on the tables.]

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Blair settles down, since you're obviously doing all of this for her. Minnie takes note of the sheer fanciness, but this also makes her worry.]

Well, I don't want you spending too much on me. I have plenty of money myself, and I don't need you spending very last coin because we're good friends. Just being with you makes me happy.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

I just want you to remember this meeting of ours.

[As he enters, he smiles and acts casually around the waiter, despite only having been here once before, on his date with "Caroline". As soon as they're shown a table, Gorthan takes a deep breath before speaking.]

How have you been, Minnie? I... I have something important to tell you.

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

I've been well...

[But this sounds serious, so she clicks off a Pokeball from her belt, in order to return Blair - who goes with a haughty nya. Minnie sits, hands in her lap.]

What is it? You know you can tell me anything, Gorthan.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[Gorthan sits after she does.]

I was merely considering... During my time here, I have become acquainted with many newcomers to this world, like us. But I have also experienced sudden departures, and losses... and I cannot help but wonder how much time we have left to spend here. Who knows... even today could be our last day with our Pokémon. And while most people - including yourself, I would assume - would be happy, some even overjoyed, to return to their homes, I...

[A long pause. At some point, as he spoke, his gaze has drifted to the nearest window, and it doesn't take a particularly perceptive person to know that Evron is on his mind.]

... I find I cannot say the same.

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Knowing what she does about him, she can't say she's particularly surprised. But, as with almost all problems she is given, she comes at this with a smile and the brightest optimism.]

You're not alone. There are many here who don't want to go back to their homes... and I know I would miss this place, and all the friends I've made. But... I also refuse to think that's the end of it. There is a way to bring us here and back... someone just needs to find out how it happens, and then we can control it! I know someday we'll be able to freely go back and forth whenever we want. We just need to be patient, and have someone smart enough to figure it out.

[Sure, it's vague as hell, but she's terribly confident in this belief, judging by her vigorous nodding.]

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[At Minnie's suggestion, Gorthan blinks a bit, genuinely hopeful.]

Do you... do you really think it can be done? Dimensional traveling honestly isn't my forte, but perhaps...

[However, that first reaction only lasts a moment. Quickly returning to the harsh reality, Gorthan shakes his head.]

Or not. My point is this, Minnie... I will not hide that, since coming to this world, all I have done was poison it with evil and destruction. Even so, I...

[His fingers move nervously on the tablecloth, tracing the embroidered patterns.]

... I love it. I love it down to its every atom. And there is nowhere else I would rather be. Not even my own home, Minnie...

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[No avoiding the guilt, it seems. She sighs a little, knowing she can't exactly tell him he's wrong, but...]

The fact that you know you've done wrong says so much about you. But it's not about who deserves to be here or not. If you love it, then surely a way will be found to make you stay. I have faith someone will find a way... and I have faith in your future.

[She smiles again, placing her hands on the table, trying to get him to look at her.]

You may not believe me when I say it, but you're a good man, Gorthan. Not perfect... but good.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

Minnie... When I am gone from here, others will come. And some of them, I hope not too many, will find themselves living with the same conflict in their hearts as I do.

Should you ever become acquainted with such a person, no matter how unpleasant and difficult they may be, I hope you will find it in you to give them the same friendship, strength and happiness that you have always given me.

That is... what I wanted to say to you, Minnie.

[He closes his eyes and remains in silence, awaiting her reply.]

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[He's only asking her to do what she would do normally anyway. She reaches over, placing her hands on top of his, hoping to calm him and assure him.]

Of course I will. You have my word. I will always have my heart and my arms open to anyone who needs friendship and kindness.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[Gorthan seems almost shocked by the sudden contact, and for a moment it looks as though he will retreat his hands. But he doesn't. Instead, he averts Minnie's gaze.]

Why... why can't I be more like you, Minnie? You are... to me, you are an incredible individual.

[When the waiter comes to their table, he hastily orders a salad.]

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She continues smiling pleasantly, ordering her cheesecake when the waiter comes. Once they're alone, she pats his hands once.]

I'm only who I am because of the people around me. People change you... If you feel you need to better yourself, then be with the people that can do it. Friendship is one of the most powerful strengths I've ever seen.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

I see now... The people that surround me now can only make me a far worse person.

[A small sigh. He realizes that it's always been like that, hasn't it...]

I only have you, Minnie. And the hero, back in my universe of origin.

What if... what if I wanted to better someone? To free him from being a slave of his darkest thoughts and desires? Do you think I would be able to do it, or should I focus on working more on myself first?

[Action.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[The hero... she smiles still, remembering Donald. So even if Minnie isn't around to help Gorthan, she's confident Donald can do it.]

I believe if you can do, then you can do it. Just knowing what something wrong has been done, and you want to fix it, says so much about you. You should give yourself more credit... Have you ever stopped to think about what you were like when you first came here, and how your thoughts were compared to what they are now?

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

I have, Minnie. And I have long made a decision...

[He pauses when the waiter arrives with their orders and waits for him to leave. Ah... Minnie's cheesecake looks so much tastier than his simple salad! It has a much richer smell, too... ]

... Rather than destroy this world, I wish for it to destroy me and rebuild me anew. I am not afraid. This person and I... I feel he is my soul twin, and I want the two of us to find and embrace light together.

... A silly reverie of mine, this. But it's enough to give me strength.