video (un: falcogrice)

[grice]

CONTENT WARNING: psychological changes, hoarding, and obsessive behavior related to lavish desires

[ this video opens up with the blink of two eyes and a disgruntled chitter. perle is filming falco and focusing on . . . quite a mess of books in various assortments, stacked upon each other until they were in danger of tilting. among the open spines on the floors pinned with bookmarks were scrolls of paintings, sketches, statues, sepia photography— anything resembling a loving relationship, falco has seemed to have snatched it and keeps it all hostage in his little cabin home's attic like a greedy little dragon buried in precious, hoarded gold. he's pacing left, right, and has been caught mid-explanation as he works a red thread between his fingers. ]

—ee this, Perle? What I read, [ he paces some ways to the right to splay his hands on oh dear god what mad science project is this— so many pieces of paper glued to each other until it forms one massive canvas taking up the entirety of the attic wall. he's written words, names, and has a wild amount of different colored threads connecting to the various names. ] there're different types of love in a relationship, but that goes for any relationship, so it doesn't have to be romantic so— See Paul, right here?

Yes, boy, I can see. I wish I could close my eyes, and unsee. Would you listen just a moment to me—

[ she seems very close to her limit to listening to all of this for hours— but she relents. falco points to the names written on the slips next to his. ]

There's Eros, like the story, for two people, [ he pins the red thread from paul to both, and as he does so, with his back turned, ] and that's really hard to pull off because it's easy for anyone that loves someone to feel jealous, and Brother already said he feels that way sometimes like there'll be nothing left, do you think there's some Mania in there too? I'm not sure if it's Pragma, that takes time to evolve— Erwin and Levi are definitely Pragma.

Boy—

But these started as Philia and that's what this green is going to be for, and this gold is supposed to be Storge because we're all from the same House so that counts as familial like these here, it's really different from, like, Ymir and Historia, or Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth in Persuasion—

I've had it!

Wh—

You heard me! This is too much! It's been days! Cease! Go play outside! Make bread, brew tea for your fathers! Read your books and not the ones you stole! Is everyone seeing this, hm?! Good! [ it's clear she's talking to the sleepers, now, hopping onto an entire stack of books. ] Is this yours? Or this? Come get it! And this? [ she flutters onto a statue, then someone's flowery gift to a loved one, an elaborate painting of a couple in the hues of a purple sunset, then pecking at a little box with . . . were those— rings? ] These! Those! Also stolen! You haven't even apologized to Jun! And before you start, I am indeed shaming you! You've never stolen! You've never been obsessive or nosy or combative or— [ she puffs up big and nasty for a falcon no larger than a human palm. ] This! It is worse than hormonal! I do not like it! [ peck!! peck!! peck!! ] Shame! Shame on you!

What's with you—?!

And what's with you?! I hope they talk some sense into that smitten little head!

[ falco's face changes so many shades then, going from lime, to slime, to a deep castelon green from the tips of his ears to his collar bones. he's hushing angrily: ]

No one was supposed to see, they'll want to have it! Just like Jun!

You are dreadfully mistaken! A problem must be seen!

[ the worst (or best) of it is his sputtering voice that just gives way to the harshest, cracked shriek in teenage rebellion: ]

This is beautiful!!

Comments

[grice]

[ he might have had a single objection to this until he gets a look at the door. doors have locks. there're boxes of just about anything in here, perfect for bearing weight. he could, perhaps, take a nap, as long as everything in here is safe from any taking or being misplaced, as many people on here already are insinuating (dads included).

he's locking the door. not that a door could stop levi ackerman, but. he'd hear it. along with all the boxes he's pushing in front of it, omni rustling with sound in his hand as he did and replies once his back against the wall slinks him down to the floor again. ]

Could I explain it to you, if I did?

[terriblepurpose]

[ That's more than a little alarming, but Paul keeps his expression schooled to pleasant, mild interest in Falco's well-being. He's getting what he wants for now, so - one thing at a time.

Perle won't be happen with him, he thinks. Sophia, stewing in a pocket, already isn't. ]

Of course. I'd like to hear it. [ He smiles at a tilt, warmth still in his voice. ] Especially the parts about me. I'm selfish that way.

[grice]

[ for the most part, perle is watching. miffed, certainly, but everyone has been trying to do their share of helping, whether she agreed with it or not. paul could have his chance too, if only fair.

(she’s getting him to consider sleep, mind you! an impressive feat). ]

. . . Okay. [ they seem to have made a good deal! ] I’ll let Confetti in.

[ flying outside somewhere, the poor thing. only because falco knew he would try to put him to sleep at some point. and just to remind him: ]

But it’ll only be for a little bit.

[ he wants!! to explain paul’s triangle!! ]

[terriblepurpose]

Just a little bit.

[ Paul affirms, not believing it for an instant. When Falco goes down, Paul thinks he isn't getting up for a while, especially with Confetti's help. ]

I can stay with you until you do. Actually - why don't you leave your Omni feed on? Then I can watch your things for you.

[ Technically, other people's things, but again. Later. ]

[grice]

[ window: open. flying egg: inside, as soon as the chance opens up to him. confetti loop-de-loops over belongings and chirps with alien sound and grace. he seems to be happy about finally being let in to join the boy that’s always taken care of him. like a sailing ship across gentle waters, confetti hovers to greet paul by the camera with a spin to show off his wings. hello!!

falco just needs to set the omni up while he looks for a place to lay down. the floor? well, yes. its just a nap and he’s had to sleep in worse. with a nod, he folds his way down and just— cant really bring himself to close his eyes.

confetti does the thing, and in moments, he’s getting heavy eye lids. ]

Make sure no one takes them . . .

[terriblepurpose]

[ Paul smiles fondly at the arrival of the odd little creature that Confetti has turned out to be. Sometimes, he ponders if the animal is a kind of insect, given how drastic his transformations have been to date. If he is, he's the most huggable one Paul has ever seen.

He makes no protest of Falco bunking down on the floor. He's done the same many times, and it's never done his seventeen year old back any harm, so he doesn't see it being a risk for Falco. ]

I promise. Sleep well, Falco.

[ A soft reassurance as the younger boy drifts off, and true to his word, Paul takes up a vigil over him and his minor hoard. The rest of what he'd had planned for the day can wait. This is more important. ]