poly_chromatic | ( 01 ) ( video / action. )

[ when the video clicks on, it shows a teenager — not uncommon in and of itself — looking distinctly bemused, not wet and somewhat out of sorts. what can be seen of his surroundings show him to be near the fountain, like most new arrivals, although he doesn't look especially surprised. when he speaks, his tone is primarily level, whilst his accent belies his british origins — southern english, with a noticeable undercurrent of welsh. ]

The last time I was here, I was greeted by a multitude of redheads and a blonde. I also, as it happens, momentarily believed myself to be Alice, although rather than having taken a tumble down a rabbit hole, I found myself the victim of a short drop into water. This time, I find myself in possession of all of my faculties and wholly dry. Alas, there appears to be no redheads in my immediate vicinity — recognisable ones, that is — or the solitary blonde bearing a cup of delightful coffee with an awful name. [ a beat. ] If it helps, I could go for a short paddle in the fountain and recreate my arrival from before; the sympathy and pity were quite welcome.

[ there's another pause, albeit a longer one, and the humour briefly fades from his expression and is replaced by a rather marked lack of surety. ] Tessa—. [ nope, nevermind. refuge in the familiar; awkward conversations can come later. ]

I wonder, will I have to spend my first night under a bush again?

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[The other curiosity staves off the blush she might have grown at that and the playfulness.] You might be the one who sounds forward now.

I don't think I've heard that phrase. It's not so unusual in my case. You know of Britannia the nation though? [She pauses] Could you mean Britain? They are separate places where I'm from.

Might I? What a shame.

It's from a poem and song — unsurprisingly called Rule, Britannia! It referred to the nation of Britain, although it's fallen out of use. Now, it refers to the personification of the nation — a woman clad in robes and armed with a trident and a Greek shield. She represents nation, empire, queen, and Her Majesty's forces. [ a wry smile. ] I dare say we're from quite different places regardless — I'm yet to meet a Briton with pink hair.

Oh. [She touches her hair absently and smiles, feeling some relief.] I forget it can be surprising to some.] There is a Britannian Empire where I'm from, but it's located in an area many from here recognize as North America. And it's led by the emperor and not any of his wives. [Of which there are many.]

And your forwardness is easily forgiven.

The queen is rightful ruler in and of herself in my world. [ he eyes her for a moment, curiosity evident. ] Do you not think a woman is capable of running an empire, Miss Britannia?

[ a hum. ] I shouldn't think you know anything of my forwardness to forgive.

Not at all. It's just not how it is currently over the whole of Britannia. Many of the areas are governed by princesses. [She was one of them after all.]

I was teasing mostly. Perhaps I shouldn't when we've only met.

The devolution of power, in a manner of speaking? Though I must admit, the monarchy has never much interested me; there's far more to the world than those who sit and govern and watch, more to the lives of their subjects than they'll ever be privy to.

If we don't have humour even in first meetings, I doubt we have anything.

I agree completely. It's just what I knew best of my world.

[She smiles.] You may be right about the humor too.

I'm right about a great many things.

What a confident thing to say.

False modesty is wholly unbecoming; the truth is preferable, wouldn't you agree?

[ the quirk of his lips would imply that he's not being entirely serious with regards to himself, however. ]

The truth usually is. It's a good way to feel in a City like this knowing how the curses tend to bring it out.

No. The truth deserves respect, and the City tends not to give it.

Why do you say that?

Why would I not? The truth has the power to change the world, for better and for worse, depending entirely on how it is handled.

Are you always honest then?

[ a laugh. ]

No.

But honest enough to admit that.

Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.

You make it sound uncommon for you. Why would you want to lie so much when you respect truth?

[ MILD DISAPPOINTMENT: ] That was Shakespeare.

—But to answer your question, a liar has many reasons for lying. He might wish to further his own fortunes, perhaps, or he might be so afraid of what the truth will bring that he considers a lie the safer option. Not all change is for the better, Miss Britannia, and he might so consider the truth in that situation not worth being treated at all.

Oh. I should have realized. [She sounds slightly embarrassed and nods to his explanation.]

You do seem fond of my last name when I've offered you my first. [She didn't realize it would bother her to hear in use again until she did.]

Consider it a force of habit. I'll stop, if you prefer.

I think I would. Is there always such formality where you're from?

Between acquaintances, certainly — so I consider it less a formality and more a matter of ingrained manners, despite attempts to rid myself entirely of grace.

Edited 2012-01-22 02:50 (UTC)

Oh? Why have you been trying to remove it? That is if I can ask? I suppose it's personal.

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