[Video] TW for cruelty to dancing fruit.

[notyourutopian]

[It's a video feed that appears, of a counter top, and on it is a single smiling, dancing apple. It's just silently, happily bouncing in place, unaware of what is to come. After a few seconds, Eleanor's hands move into the frame, one of which is holding a paring knife.

After another moment, and with several hesitations, Eleanor picks up the apple, turns it so the face is more away from her, and starts to peel it. She's slow at first, but picks up as she gets used to it...eventually the dancing eyes are popped off, and the lips over the creepy, ever-happy mouth. But the entire time, it still wiggles and smiles in her hands. Never once does that smile fade.

Once it's peeled, she sets it back down on the counter, and even with the skin all around it, the bare apple continues to dance, smiling eyelessly now at the camera. Another few seconds of dancing, and she picks it back up and this time, starts to slice it. Slice slice slice.

It never stops dancing. Not until the last slice pops off, and all that's left is a core, is it finally still. She prods it several times with the tip of the knife, then sets the knife down and finally leans into view of the camera.]

I don't think they actually feel anything. [Her accent is a little more obvious here, probably because of the weird stress of cutting up a dancing fruit.] They don't react to anything but music and they don't ever look like they're in pain or anything.

[She picks up a slice of apple and, after a moment's hesitation, bites it.]

And they still taste normal. I imagine we're just going to have...deal with it.

[She goes to take another bite of the slice, then frowns and sets it down.]

If we can.

[And then she clicks the video off.]

Comments

[notyourutopian]

It's like the chocobos.
It isn't weird to people that don't remember.

My mother will cut up apples for me no-problem.
And my sister is in the kitchen eating one right now.
She started with the eyes.

[true_noir]

Basically, yes. I don't know why, but I wasn't aware you still lived with your family. That would be awkward considering. How do you cope with the things that you see, that they do not?

Living at home has its advantages in that.

[notyourutopian]

I suppose it didn't come up.

I just tell myself it's not their fault.

Whatever is going on is happening to me, not them.

[true_noir]

I suppose that's really all that can be done, isn't it? It's good of you to try not to let them worry, though.

[notyourutopian]

What else can I even do?

[true_noir]

Nothing that a good daughter would likely do. It's not like you want to worry them anymore than I want to worry my mother. I just hope the stress doesn't get to be too bad.

[notyourutopian]

Plus I tried explaining things when it first started happening and they just thought I was trying to play a trick on them.

[true_noir]

That is actually a lot less bad than I suppose it could be. So, now, it is just easier not to worry them about things that apparently they cannot know for the moment, isn't it?

[notyourutopian]

At least they didn't think I'd gone mad right?

I just don't bother trying at this point.
They'll notice when they notice.

[true_noir]

It is certainly better than the alternative, yes. But that may be for the best. Perhaps they will remain blissfully ignorant until this is all dealt with.

[notyourutopian]

Hm.
I can't decide if that's better or worse.

[true_noir]

I am not truly sure either, with my own family. It is a choice that only you can really make for yourself, and while I hope that this is for the best, i don't want to be presumptuous and assume I actually know. Still, I will hope.

[notyourutopian]

It just worries me that they don't see it.
What does it mean that they don't?
Why don't they?

[true_noir]

And does this mean that something dangerous could happen to them, when they wouldn't even realize that it was dangerous. Yes, I think I understand. It is a worry. I've been hoping that the problems we experience here don't extend as far as home in France, but really I can't help but worry a little too.

Still, you are near at hand to protect them if something happens, right?

[notyourutopian]

Has she said anything about it over there?

Well yeah.
I mean, as much as an skinny 18 year old with no fighting skills can protect someone.

[true_noir]

Nothing, for which I am grateful, though she thinks Chocobo are normal, so that does mean that the effect of that is felt that far away. And do not sell yourself short. You can call 911, and that alone is something.

[notyourutopian]

I will dial that phone number so hard.
So hard.
The 911 operator's heads will spin.

[true_noir]

I should feel a little sympathy for them, really. They won't know what struck them, will they?

[notyourutopian]

Well hopefully they will.
I mean, it's sort of their job to be all calm in the face of freaking out teens.

[true_noir]

One would think that they hire people with that in mind, yes. After all, that has to be at least a portion of the calls that they receive on a regular basis.

[notyourutopian]

Hey, you've seen our generation. It's probably most of the calls.

Anyway, I gotta go, my sister just started throwing dancing limes at me.

[true_noir]

Hah. I would almost pay to have seen that. But you go have fun with your family. We'll chat later.

[And she signed off, hoping Eleanor's day improved a bit.]