Chapter Text
Ah, si je pouvais vivre dans l'eau… Le monde serait-il plus beau? Nous pardonneras-tu, ô chère mère? L'eau dans son courant fait danser nos vies… Et la cité, elle nourrit… Ainsi que toi, mon doux amour…
“The radio is an ingenious invention, is it not?” The authoritative voice rings out from the other chair in front of the fireplace, regarding none other than Freminet, her voice overpowering the beautiful singing from the portable device, “What was originally a tool used for the broadcasting of information, turned into a resource for near-infinite amounts of entertainment.” A beat. Then two. And finally, Freminet finds the courage to speak up. “Father?” “Yes, Freminet?” “I had a strange dream last night, and it was about Charlotte. …N-No, it wasn’t any kind of… weird dream. I don’t remember much, but from what I do remember, she was talking to me about ‘letting go of my feud with her.’ I didn’t, I still dislike her for what she did.” The harbinger stares at Freminet for a moment, those red-crossed eyes sending his soul to Celestia, and dragging it right back so he won’t miss a word she says. “As is to be expected. She wronged you, therefore she does not deserve forgiveness until she apologises for how she treated you.” Freminet’s eyes turn to the cup by his side, and the steaming liquid within, before turning to move his hands slightly closer towards the contained inferno in the fireplace.
“I still loathe the both of them. Charlotte, for ghosting me and telling people my secrets, and… I can’t even remember his name. But I dislike him too, because he was the one Charlotte left me for. Though, you’ve probably heard me talk enough about my Celestia-forsaken failed relationship…” Once again, he glances at the mug on the table beside him, the amount of steam being expelled having lessened since the last time he checked, “How long do you think it’ll be until the tea’s cooled down enough to drink?” “Not long, Freminet,” the Harbinger quickly responds, her eyes finally breaking from Freminet’s to look at the empty cup next to her on the table between them. “If you wish, you may drink it now, but I would not recommend it, as a burn on your tongue would ruin any flavour you wish to experience.” Once her gaze returns, she speaks up once again. “Your brother wishes to see you. I believe it is about one of his upcoming performances.” “Alright,” Freminet replies, retrieving his cup, and taking a few short sips of the drink inside, blowing breath onto its surface to cool it just a bit more before he drinks. “I’ll make sure to go and find him once I’ve finished the tea. Speaking of the tea, thanks for it, Father, I really appreciate having someone to chat with about things.” “There is no need for thanks. I am merely doing what a caregiver should do for those they take care of.”
I can dim the lights and sing you songs, full of sad things, we can do the tango just for two… I can serenade and gently play on your heartstrings, be your Valentino just for you…
“Mercury, how do you do it,” the Magician playfully questions, his voice echoing across his room. “How can a singer’s vocals be so perfect ? It’s quite unfortunate that you kicked the bucket, but if you didn’t–” “...Then there would be hundreds of millions of people across the world that would be fawning over him, I know,” Freminet’s voice quietly says, his words interrupting both his brother’s train of thought, and the words coming out of his mouth. “Archons, that sounded rude, I don’t want to come off as rude, it’s just that I’ve heard you say these things a million times before.” “No offence, none taken at all, my dear brother. So, what brings you to my room? I thought you would’ve preferred staying in your bedroom all day, like you do on most weekends.” Freminet raises a hand to speak, but he stops before the words leave his lips, very much confused by his brother’s previous question. Though, he does eventually manage to get out some words, “What brings me here? But didn’t you… Didn’t you ask for me? I heard from Father you needed me for something.” “Ah, yes, that,” Lyney quickly mumbles out, “I was just… checking to see if you paid attention! Anyways, what I need your help with… I need help with some mechanical mumbo-jumbo.” A moment later, he fishes through one of the drawers at his desk, retrieving a somewhat old mechanical toy, holding it out in front of him. “I know you’re a genius with all things mechanics, so I was hoping you’d be able to get this guy moving for me again. A kid at one of my magic shows came up and asked me to fix it with magic, and I couldn’t say no, so I promised I’d magically fix it…” “Lyney,” Freminet begins to speak, but he’s quickly interrupted by Lyney again. “I-I know, I know, I shouldn’t be making promises I can’t keep with people, but please ? Just this once, I beg you, Freminet. I’ll even pay you with recognition, if you really want me to!” He doesn’t know if he’s doing it on purpose, but whenever Lyney says those words, it feels like he traps Freminet in some kind of social anxiety checkmate. And he never stops loathing it.