[Video]

[atadflamboyant]

[Ah, the peaceful charm of family life. The video opens on Lord Akeldama's parlour, decked out as always with its extravagant colors, patterns, and... artwork.

The gentleman himself is seated on a loud puce and aubergine chaise that seems to have been custom dyed to his current outfit. But of course, that's ridiculous. Or is it? At any rate, a fat calico is stretched contentedly over his legs, and he seems entirely at peace. A pretty picture indeed, and very much in contrast to the other side of the room.

On the other side of the room, a group of drones are clustered together, nearly in tears. Hair has been pulled from elaborate coiffures, cravats are mussed, and most horrific of all, their cuffs appear stained with what looks very much like some sort of pureed fruit. The young men cling together, petting and reassuring each other to keep from total breakdown. And in the middle of it all, sleeping contentedly on the back of one extremely resigned looking drone, not a spot on her, is Prudence.

Lord Akeldama gives their plight no weight, continuing his very serious work. He seems to have gotten ahold of a bedazzler and is carefully accessorizing a waistcoat. A child-sized pinnafore, already quite glittery, is laid out beside it.]

Comments

[ifbymyhands]

...Uh.

[atadflamboyant]

Why, good evening!

[ifbymyhands]

Are you having vegetable problems?

[atadflamboyant]

'Problems' is such a dreary word! I prefer to think of them as adventures.

[ifbymyhands]

Typical, I guess...

[atadflamboyant]

Oh, is it?

[glimmerous_fop]

I feel so sorry for them.

[atadflamboyant]

[Lord A laughs, though he does not look up from his work. It's important work.] My poor, wounded doves. [Indeed, they seem to be cooing.] I fear childcare has been rather bracing for them. But ultimately, I feel it will strengthen their resolve. [In other words: that's Victorian for "Suck it up, Buttercup."]

[glimmerous_fop]

Don't get me wrong, my sympathy only goes so far. At least babies are dependent and can't think and do for themselves...it's when they start developing their own little personalities they have to worry. Better a baby than a couple of fire breathing teenagers.

[atadflamboyant]

Little Prudence is already so strong willed. To be expected, of course, when one considers her parentage. But still, I fear you are correct. To remain resolute, I shall look on it as the next great adventure in parenting!

[glimmerous_fop]

I'd trade you the two I've got for the one you've got if you wanted an early taste, but it's something you should ease into.

[atadflamboyant]

Mr. Gavin, a father? And to think, I had no idea! How awful of me. We really must catch up.

[im_wavin]

Ooo Sparkly!

[atadflamboyant]

Most indubitably, poppet!

[didiscareyouyet]

Are those people okay?

[atadflamboyant]

I believe they are quite on the verge of nervous collapse! [Apparently, he finds this excellent.]

[didiscareyouyet]

Shouldn't you help them?

[atadflamboyant]

In solidarity, they find strength!

And really, it's been two years with sixteen left -- at least. If she remains unmarried as long as her mother did, why, we might never be rid of the little dear! It's high time the boys adjusted.

[didiscareyouyet]

Do they want to marry her? Maybe if she was nicer, then she would be able to get married.

[atadflamboyant]

At the moment I fear she is far too young to be betrothed, and my darling droney-woneys much too old for her. And not a suitable class at all, really.

[cravats]

I thought I heard some sort of upset...

What are you doing to that waistcoat?

[atadflamboyant]

It was marvellous, Dolly. Our little puggle is quite the burgeoning artist!

It's called bedazzling! Would you like a suit to match, my fluffy friend?

[cravats]

Mm, so I see. I hope your drones can survive her burgeoning.

Ah, no thank you, though you're very kind. I fear I do not have the colouring to pull off such a bold statement.

[atadflamboyant]

They are nothing if not adaptable, Dolly darling. They are, after all, my drones.

We'll do them all in white! You will shimmer. Like a night sky filled with stars.

[cravats]

Well, if they can tolerate your whims I'm sure they can learn to adjust to Prudence's.

...that's entirely unnecessary, my lord. I think that would be somewhat too audacious for me.