[open]

[faithstaynight]

Characters: Ruler/Jeanne (faithstaynight) & YOU!
Setting: Floor 4
Format: Action, but I'll match if you want.
Summary: Jeanne has killed a man and snapped badly at another all within the span of less than a week. Poor girl is sulking, big time.
Warnings: N/A

[Guilt. Guilt was a thing Jeanne did not like to deal with. During her first life and her second, she had always done her best to live honestly, to mind her actions and make sure she would not do anything she would regret. But here, in the tower... it seems events were being thrown at her just to stress her out.

And so that guilt caused Jeanne to retreat again, to just... take a break and ignore things for a while. She wanted to avoid the Cathedral for a while; she knew it was unlikely to happen again, but if there was an encounter like the one with Aleph, with her in this state? It would've ended badly. Very badly. Instead she simply chose to collapse in the lounge. And what is she doing in the lounge? What any distraught Catholic would do, of course: pray.

She doesn't exactly look like she wants to be bothered, with her head bowed and hands clasped together as she mutters softly, but that certainly won't stop some people from approaching. Right?]

Comments

[piccolino]

[He should have expected to be petted and he certainly did not mind the affectionate gesture. In return, he tries not to smile too much, though the rosy color of his cheek betray him.]

...Romano. I'm Italy Romano. ...But just call me Romano. Most people do. ...What's your name - s-so I know who I should pray for when I do?

[faithstaynight]

... Italy? Like the nation? [Well this is interesting. All the nations she had met before had all been adults... ]

A-Ah, well, either way, it is quite a pleasure to meet you, Romano! You may call me Ruler.

[piccolino]

[His face manages to light up even more. And with that, he seems to relax about 50% more.]

Yeah! Of course you'd know a nation like me! [Even if he's really just a kingdom, but those are but small details.] I am the grandson of the Great Roman Empire, after all! [Of course he is proud of this fact? Who wouldn't be?]

Ruler? ...Your father really gave you that name? [He hiiiiighly doubts that.]

[faithstaynight]

It is a strange name, I know. But I assure you, that is what I am called. [She laughs a little. It's... not a total lie...!]

A descendant of the Roman Empire... [Oh, she has heard Stories. Not all of them have been good. But this is just a child, so she can't really say anything bad....] I'm sure you'll grow up to be quite the powerful one, then!

[piccolino]

Okay then, Lady Ruler. [He may be rude to everyone else, but women get special formalities. Sometimes.

But now she was feeding his ego. He puffs out his little chest and tries to look as important as he possibly can. Don't feed hiiiim.]

I will! I'll have a very big house, with everything in there that I need, and my people will be really happy all the time, and I'll be the best Kingdom there is!

[faithstaynight]

It is quite reassuring to hear that you want to make your people happy! That should be the most important thing, I think. [She has no idea how these nation spirit people work, but the intent is there. So that's good, right....?]

[piccolino]

[He practically beams~.] It is the most important thing! And keeping me happy is the second most important thing, especially since I am their kingdom.

[His smile doesn't slip too much, but disappointment shows too well on his young face.] But I can't make them happy. I'm not ruling over them, not like those kings and princes and lords. If it were up to me, I'd hand pick the next ruler and make sure he wasn't so stupid! And then I'd kick out all the invaders!

[It wasn't something he liked to dwell on, but it was true that despite his own intentions, everything that would happen to him would be up to his people.]

[faithstaynight]

... You do not have control over such things? That seems somewhat... odd.

[But... it makes sense, a little. She had seen how happy the Frances were to see her, had seen how absolutely torn apart Francisca was when she saw her dream of burning at the stake. If these spirits had control over their rulers, then would her last year of life turned out differently...?]

You are the spirit of the nation they rule over. Even if you cannot pick who takes the throne, would it not be wise for them to take your advice on certain matters?

[piccolino]

How's it odd? Does a ship have control over the crew or the weather? No. The ship is there to keep everyone afloat. And if it has a good base and people take care if it, then it'll last for a long time.

[But he shrugs. This is all natural for him, just a part of life. Even if he feels as if he'll live forever, he's been so small for such a long, long time.]

It would be wise, if they felt like consulting a kid. Even if I do know more than they think I do. Otherwise those pig-headed idiots just glance over me! Who do they think they are?! [GRIMY BASTARDS -- but he'll think about her question one more time. hmmmmmmmmm...]

Sometimes, if there is a huge disagreement between people like me, it can affect the people. ...And that's bad. But it's always because of people.

[faithstaynight]

Ah, when you put it that way, it certainly does make sense. [Still, she finds it odd, since these spirits are actual people. Comparing them to a ship...]

A disagreement... you mean like war? Is that how such things start?

[piccolino]

I don't know. [Again he shrugs.] People start them, but sometimes nations already don't like each other. ...I know that with Grandpa is was something like that because he was so great he could do anything! [At least, that's what he believes.]

[faithstaynight]

[Jeanne can't help but chuckle a little. In reality it's... not all that funny. A nation going to war with others simply because they believe they're the greatest? But the way this kid talks... she can't help but laugh. She'll keep quiet, for his sake.]

Ah, well, just remember. You cannot pick a fight simply because you do not like the other person. You will gain many more enemies than friends that way.

[piccolino]

[Though he won't openly admit it, Ruler's words have him a little confused. It goes against some of the things he's seen and been able to understand about people. Granted, it's not much.]

But that's why other people pick fights.