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( video | text )
[She's new, obviously, and looking a little distressed as she tries to figure out the communicator well enough to make some use of it. Sitting down by the shipyard, her blonde hair is tied back in a messy ponytail, trying to keep it from getting in her face as she tries to figure out what's going on here.]
Excuse me... [A good start, right? Polite.] I'm a recent arrival to this place and would appreciate any information I could be given on it. It's not quite right for anywhere I know of home.
[It's short, but effective, she hopes. Canada then more or less repeats herself in French, then German and Russian and Japanese, the first languages that come to mind for good international communications.
But just to be safe, she tries text, too:]
Information and/or assistance in returning home would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Excuse me... [A good start, right? Polite.] I'm a recent arrival to this place and would appreciate any information I could be given on it. It's not quite right for anywhere I know of home.
[It's short, but effective, she hopes. Canada then more or less repeats herself in French, then German and Russian and Japanese, the first languages that come to mind for good international communications.
But just to be safe, she tries text, too:]
Information and/or assistance in returning home would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
no subject
[he clears his throat immediately.] I expect you've been given the typical "planet in a different galaxy and there are other nations" bit then, yes?
She doesn't want you to speak with me because I've forbidden her from meddling with my family. I see you've already met Alfred--America, that is--
[England squares his shoulders and hoists his nose into the air.]
Well. I'm England.
no subject
[She closes her eyes a moment and huffs, cursing her inability to be coherent when flustered.]
If you don't allow her to talk to your family, I hardly think you have any rights to talk to hers, sir.
no subject
no subject
What's your issue with my mother, anyway?
1/2
Excuse me for saying, I really don't want to be rude to a lady and a potentially decent one--a-and maybe Matthew's sister--
Her first greeting to me was nagging! Can you believe that? Nagging, and she hit me with her broom!
--Which is none of your business, by the way. I'll have you know that I am acting out of the best interest of my family. No one's got any right to--to barge in and take care of them--it's my job.
2/2
Be a gentleman. Be a gentleman. Be a good father.]
--I think she's absolutely off her rocker, pardon me for saying that of your--... mother, but I've a duty to protect my family. They can't stay out of trouble, you see! S-so, I've got to protect them and that's that.
I apologize for the outburst...! But honestly. [He shakes his head.]
Do what you like. I don't care.
1/2
2/2
If I'm to... believe this whole thing, about countries with reversed gender, then I can promise you I'm well aware of the sort of trouble your family can find for themselves. So's Mum, and she has the same obligations to them, completely regardless of gender. It's not a wonder that she doesn't get along with you, if you can't even handle a bit of nagging in obvious high-stress situations. I've been dealing with it most times she's remembered me for the past two-hundred-and-fifty years!
Perhaps she was right to tell me not to talk to you, if you're so self-righteous and short-sighted that you can't even recognize an ally or family when you see one.
Re: 2/2
Naturally, he'll react similarly. His expression hardens and England sets his jaw. What would he say to Matthew? What did he say to Matthew? Damn it all, he doesn't want to think about that, it'll only make him feel worse.]
... I said.
Do what you like. I don't. Care. Perhaps if you and your mother weren't content with--with replacing madness for manners, you'd learn to treat potential allies with common decency.
[And a thought occurs to him, which he adds in a particularly distant tone:]
She said herself the day we met that we're not family.
...
Take it up with her if you're that concerned.
no subject
I will.
Because as far as I'm concerned, if you're England, you're family, no matter what you think of us, or even of just me.
no subject
... [England glances off to the side and lowers his voice. He fidgets a bit while speaking, and he speaks slowly, the words making it difficult for him to form them aloud.] I don't--I don't think ill of you. O-or--her.
When she's civil, anyway.
no subject
Umm... And I'm sorry for being rude to you. That was uncalled for. [Distress is also a likely factor here, to be honest, along with confusion.]
no subject
[h u f f.] I suppose raising my voice was unnecessary as well.
May I have your name, then? Mine's Arthur--Arthur Kirkland.
no subject
Hopefully we can work around our unfortunate start.
no subject
This is more of a stern "I know what you're up to" sort of expression.]
I certainly hope so. What would you like to be called, then?
no subject
[...]
Unless it's Peggy. Mum's tried that one before and I have to say it's the one thing I've been called that I dislike.