[SB] FRANCK, SAVE US: FRANK'S BORED!

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"It's sorta like, less better taste buds and more that I've just tasted more than like any other human being ever will," Frank replied. "There's probably a good way of describing it that I'm just totally not able to do, 'cuz that would involve big words and stuff and would probably require English professors or some such junk," there was a long pause for a moment, as if Frank expected some sort of external narration. In point of fact, her ability did seem to lie more in the whole fact that she simply had a broader taste palate, having exposed herself to flavors that people just wouldn't otherwise, thus allowing her to better make comparisons than other people. Which would make her a pretty cool wine taster or food critic.

"Maybe I should be a food critic," was what Frank actually ended up saying. She'd already started absently chewing on her cup, seeming to not even really realize that she was doing so. Thankfully the conversation had continued onto other topics, namely Ellen. Frank just nodded along with that. "I''m not, like, super certain that she actually digs hanging out with me and junk, but it's not like I'm gonna leave and I think deep down she'd be sorry if I stopped."

Frank shrugged. It really wasn't her call to make, but someone else's. she didn't quite get the hardest thing ,but she definitely had the other one. "College, obviously. 'cuz I needs to get a degree and all that jazz. I'm already gonna be, like, investing some of my monies in property in Kalispell, since it's totes gonna be a growing market. I've thought about DJing or maybe being a party-planner or designer or something. So i'll probably just try it all," Frank nodded, figuring that this was the most obvious choice of action. She could afford to be idle rich, after all. "What about you? You're not leaving us, are you?" Frank's eyes went wide and she flung her hands out. "Say you're not leaving us, Franck!" she lunged forward, aimed to throw her arms around him in the most dramatic way she possibly could.

[François Laffont]

“If it requires bigger English words and teachers to explain, maybe it’s best we don’t or we’ll both not be able to understand,” Franck replied. He was not sure he got it right now but that might just be because he asked an explanation out of Frank. He was not sure if her taste buds were better or if she had more than a normal person or if it was something entirely different but there was something not like a normal person about her taste buds and since everything else might just get more confusing right now, he was ready to move on to another topic. Franck was not sure he knew enough big scientific English words to understand. Luckily for him, neither did Frank.

“That’s an idea. I’d be curious to read those,” Franck said. There was some irony in there, because if she wrote like she talked it would be some pretty epic yet very unusual critic people would read but it was still a good idea. She loved to eat and she had a power that made her perfect for that, why couldn’t she put that to good use and get paid for it? Not that she needed money really but she couldn’t just be one of those idle rich. He noticed how she was chewing on her cup and placed a hand on hers to make her put the cup on the counter.

“She would be lonely for sure,” Franck agreed as they talked of Ellen. Who else wanted to hang out with her? She might pretend she didn't like anybody but everyone needed someone at their side. It was a basic need to feel like you belonged somewhere. Even Franck would pity Ellen if she ended up all alone.

Frank being a party planner also made a lot of sense. For that sort of thing, she could plan things and do a good job. “College is the time to determine what we want in life. So you can just go and try different things, see what you like.” he laughed softly as she expressed her fear he might leave. “No, I’m not leaving. I want to study psychology. Maybe if I want to push it further, I’ll go elsewhere to learn more but that will not be in a couple of years. I’m thinking about getting a job this summer too. We’re not all filthy rich and I can’t be the gold-digging gay best friend all my life,” he said with an indulgent smile. He never acted as a gold digger, he knew it but that didn’t mean he intended to start.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Mebbe I'll try it, write 'em for a blog or something," Frank hazarded, considering. "I do have the experience..." she had to stop chewing on a cup as Franck gestured to her, but that was perfectly normal behavior for just about anyone, right? Frank lowered the cup as silently asked. Then there was more head bobbing as he went on with Ellen. Important, that, but not nearly as important as the following question regarding whether or not Franck was going to be running off.

"All the experimenting!" Frank agreed briefly, adding another short nod. She then actually listened as Franck continued, her attention almost too focused upon him, eyes never seeming to move from his face, gaze intense. "You'd make an awesome therapist person!" Frank said, adding another head bob. "I actually went to one of those once, 'cuz it's pretty much required of rich people," Frank shrugged. "I dunno. Oh, and there was the whole kidnapping thing. School made me do one there. But yeah, you could do it.

"You could be my gay best friend for life though," Frank said, leaning over and giving him a nudge. "You're practically, like, a fashion accessory for my people. all kinds of them just sort of hire gay people to hover around and give them tips. And you're French, so it's like a twofer. You should see if there's need for someone to hire someone to do that. But I'd totes hire you for other stuff too, if you wanted to," Frank nodded and then moved back to nibbling on her cup, because the thing tasted pretty darn good.

[François Laffont]

“Kind of like in that movie? Oh no wait, it was no critic, she just cooked.” Well, nevertheless, if she wanted to make a blog out of it, he didn't see why not. He only feared she wouldn’t be able to make one bad critic though, unless the place was a real dump, and by that he might very well mean an actual dumpster.

If he really wanted to try ‘all the experimenting’, then he probably should try life outside of Kalispell. But Franck would not. Deep inside he was a small town boy with no big ambition to become famous to the world. He wanted to be important to those he loved around him. That was all the ambition he had. He didn’t need to go to a big city to live that. He chuckled as she complimented him. “Thanks. That’s where I’ve got experience,” he said, trying for his tone not to sound too sarcastic. He didn’t mean to insult Frank but sometimes she did look like she could use some therapy. Then again, Franck was pretty sure the therapist would give up before Frank ever started to change. And it was not like he really wanted her to change. Only to understand there were some boundaries. He was not surprised to hear she went to therapy before. He bet it was more than a rich people thing. Her parents must have wished it worked, unless they were like her. Franck never really met them so he didn’t know. In a way, it was a good thing Frank was like that. The kidnapping wouldn’t be brought up so lightly otherwise.

He laughed at her job suggestion. “I’m already your gay best friend for life and I don’t charge money for it,” he pointed out. He was not sure about becoming a fashion accessory though. Not really his thing. “Well, you’ve got this one for free so you should just enjoy it. I’ll go with the regular job, like working in retail or in a coffee shop or even just babysitting or walking out dogs. I don’t know, whatever I find first.” He shrugged. He was not all that difficult about this. He then noticed how she went back to nibbling the cup. His gesture had not been enough. “You know, people usually taste what’s in the cup not the cup itself.”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Yeah, like that one movie with the rat that makes the food!" Frank said, hopefully thinking of a totally different movie than Franck. Not that it really mattered, because as it always went with conversations involving Frank and someone else (usually poor Franck), the subject had already switched to what Franck could do for something.

"Welll..." Frank began, only to pause as Franck pointed out that she was already getting his services for free. Frank rolled her eyes at that. "well, yeah, duh, I was talking about you doing it for other people," she nodded a few times, "like, lonely old ladies or middle-aged women who are in desperate need of ---oooh, coffee!" Frank's eyes widened and she clapped her hands a few times at that. "You could totally go work at Cool Beans! They're always looking for people and you'd be super awesome at that. You know what else--- Oh, the cup?" Frank shrugged and took another nibble. "Most people can't enjoy this, yo," she bobbed her head and nodded and then went right back to the pressing conversation at hand: "You could totes be a bartender and junk too. Well, not, like, right now, but when you got older or something. You'd be awesome at the whole listening thing.

"Oh," Frank said, clapping again, "that goes great with your psychology thing! Franck," she gestured as if displaying a marquee, "the French psychologist slash bartender. Therapy while you drink."

[François Laffont]

It actually took a moment for Franck to remember the movie in question and it could be seen on his face but he remembered and nodded. “Wait no, that was not the movie I meant. But it is about food. And French food so you can go with that.” Better not start with movies. She might just start singing some Disney songs again or worse, reinvent the lyrics to fit the conversation.

“Like a gigolo, only with no sex? A friend gigolo?” Yeah, he was not seeing himself being that. Luckily for him she didn’t keep on with her idea of him lending his services to old ladies. There was something terribly wrong and creepy about the way she brought it up. Or maybe it was the job altogether that was creepy. There was something wrong about getting paid to hold old ladies’ hands, even if that was the only physical contact between them. Suddenly, Frank turned charity work in a retirement house sound so dirty.

He nodded at the mention of Cool Beans. “I’ll try it. But there are many others in town, so if I can’t get there, I’m sure I’ll find some work elsewhere.” There had to be one store in town looking for employees this summer, if only to replace those going on vacations. Franck only hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to find because everyone was looking for a job at the same time. He laughed at her explanation for nibbling her cup. “Yes, I believe it’s a talent only you have.” As for the bartender idea, he thought it for a moment before shoving it away. Like she said, he couldn’t right now so there was no point in trying or even considering this at this point. He laughed though as she already made it his job, with a title and slogan. “We’ll see about that. Are you sticking around for the summer?”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"A friend gigolo, a frigolo!" Frank said, clearly pleased with herself for coming up with that absolutely brilliant word. Her smile showed all her teeth and seemed about ready to split off her head and start a life of its own (doubtless inspiring at least one fanfiction along the way). Frank was tempted to continue with the frigolo idea, and knowing her would remember it and bring it up again at some point in the future, but there was cool Beans to think about.

"Well, if you need help, lemme know," Frank said, nodding. "'cuz I could totally just, like, buy whatever store you wanna work at or maybe, oh, we could get Ellen's people to sue them for not hiring you for prejudice and stuff. You know, 'cuz..." she leaned in and brought a hand up to whisper conspiratorially: "You're... French."

Frank nodded and reached over to pat her friend's hand a few times. "It's alright, we know you were born that way and some people are prejudice and stuff, but we'll make it through somehow," she gave him a squeeze, then leaned over to set her head on his shoulder. "and duh: not like I'm gonna leave or anything. My parents are all the way in Maine. Well, when they're not, like, in Europe or Asia or Australia but definitely not Africa because that's where all the poor people live apparently."

[François Laffont]

Franck was not sure such a thing as a frigolo existed and if it did, he was even less certain he wanted to do that for a living. Sure, he was probably the perfect friend to have. He was charming, smart, always listening to everything you had to say no matter how crazy (he was friends with Frank after all)... But he also couldn’t see himself paying people for that. It seemed wrong, much too wrong for him.

Franck laughed at her idea of ‘help’. You had to trust Frank to say a thing such as she would buy a shop just to make sure you’ll work there. She didn't even seem to see the wrong in that. The idea he could be refused work because he was French was also laughable although his accent might play against him, he could admit it. Although, he doubted it would in the kind of work he wanted. He could understand people and people understood him, it was all that mattered. “Thanks but I’ll try to get a job on my own first. I’ll keep that in mind though.” At the very back of his mind.

It was weird though that she would try to comfort him for being French. “I had no idea Americans had something against French. I thought our fight was with the Brits,” he said, though clearly not being serious. Although the clearly might apply to someone else than Frank Cox. Still, she was squeezing his hand and acting like he needed comfort from the cruelty of the world. He leaned his head against hers for a few seconds. “Thank you, you’re a true friend.” It was still amusing though and as he pulled away, he could not help the smile on his face at the thought of it.

Franck didn't know his geography that well so he was not entirely sure where Maine was and how far it was from Montana. It still seemed pretty far for Frank and he liked to know she planned to stay as it would be one friend to hang around with during the summer. “And you don’t want to accompany them on their trips? Not that I mind, we’ll have time for more amazing adventures over summer thanks to that, right?” he said, giving her shoulder a nudge.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank nodded as Franck agreed to using her idea as something of a last resort. "That'll totes work. But if, like, I end up buying something, I might hire you jus' so I can have someone I trust running stuff, yo," because Frank had toyed with the idea of actually investing in some local businesses or something along those lines. Part of her almost thought about continuing that line of conversation, queuing Franck in on that. But that would be a discussion for a later point in time, likely around July or something along those lines. You know, when she actually started working on it and junk.

Plus, there was talk about Amerifranco relations to discuss. "Well, you know how stupid people are with their prejudices and junk," she offered, shrugging. "They're just looking for reasons not to like some people around here. Seems kinda stupid to me."

And another shrug, soon followed by a sigh, the sigh of course connected to talk about her parents. A quick flash of sadness seemed to streak through Frank, as if the little blue animated creature inside Frank that controlled that emotion had just seized controls for a half a second or so before the ubermensch which was Frank's joy had bodyslammed it to the ground.

"Well, they don't actually like taking me on the trips. I sometimes go, like, about once a year and stuff. They usually wanna spend at least one major holiday with me. Or sometimes they'll pull me when they wanna show me off to all their friends to remind them that they actually did reproduce and make an adorable child that kinda looks like them so they can be all proud and my dad'll say something like how Frank here will make sure that the money stays in the family line or something like that, "Frank paused to take a deep breath, her cheeks bulging like a chipmunks before she let it out, turning back to her friend. "But we'll totes have times for plenty of adventures. There's gonna be the big ole dating auction thing that we'll totes have to do." Frank nodded at that, definitely looking forward to MCing that again.

[François Laffont]

“Running I think you’re putting a little bit too much trust on me. But you know if you ever need my help you can get it, for anything,” he replied, an amused smile on his face. Running a business? No, he was not seeing himself doing that, or being some sort of manager. It was way too easy to make him do or say what you wanted him to do or say. And he didn’t like upsetting people so he was not seeing himself telling someone they were not doing a good job.

Franck nodded in agreement. He knew people could be stupid sometimes. The way they commented on his accent, especially at first. It was humiliating at times. It was not like they said they liked his accent, they mocked it, copied it. Not all seemed to realise how embarrassing it was and Franck was not the kind of person to tell them to stop. But it did make him want to work even more on getting rid of his accent. It took time and a moment when he decided that he was French and would remain French for him to keep it the way it was now. They could understand what he was saying. He could argue that some of them had pretty weird accents too if that wanted to play that card. Not that he would, but he could. “I agree. Plus, we have enough people against us, we shouldn’t be against us too,” Franck added. Who would have thought he’d have a rational conversation like this with Frank?

Franck knew his friend well. He knew what emotions were at the core of her being. Any little change was perceived to him, no matter how small. He sensed the sadness and he felt for her. But he knew it was something he couldn’t really do anything about. The two of them had some parent issues and there was little they could do to help with that. He was sorry for her, since her parents were too career-oriented to really see the damage they caused to their daughter.

She let go of the sadness as she looked at him and said they needed to plan something then. He smiled, nodding once. “I agree. It just means we have to make it even better than any trip anywhere.” But then she said something that made him tilt his head. “You think they’ll have an auction again? I better not be in auction again, I don’t know how Jasper will take it...” He still remembered how he said he would likely punch anyone who flirted with him because he’d be jealous. How would he react if someone bid on him? Bid more than he could afford? It was best not to think of that.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"We've got way too many people against us," Frank agreed, nodding. "Plus, we're, like, secret to people and junk," Frank shrugged. "I don't really get that, but I'm not gonna rock that boat," she'd very nearly done so when she'd been kidnapped, and she sort of knew it. her parents had most definitely not been cool about the heiress to the Cox fortune suddenly disappearing off the face of the earth, especially given the security they'd been promised she'd be under during her schooling at Bellefonte. It definitely wasn't something that Frank wanted to revisit, just like she didn't want to visit her parents.

Frank did more or less get them though. They weren't kid people. Never had been. They'd really only made her as a sort of genetic safety deposit box. They tried, and Frank liked to think they actually loved her in their way, but it just wasn't something either had been taught or anything.

So she just made do and focused on the joy around her, on helping people and living life to the absolute fullest. Had worked out pretty good so far.

"Uh, they probly will," Frank said, nodding. "I think it's a tradition thing and they raised booku bucks for charities and junk," which Frank knew. "I wonder if I'll get to be the auctioneer lady again? I suppose it kinda depends on prom..." Frank trailed off, already looking ahead and wondering at what that future lay for them. "It'll be awesome either way, I'm sure," she nodded, quite definitive about that, if nothing else.

[François Laffont]

He could hardly argue over her statement and Franck was probably more concerned than she was on how many people were against them and what they could do in that case. Still, in the end, they might have a somewhat similar way of looking at this, he because he was always an optimist and she because... well, she was Frank. Saying she was optimistic would still be an understatement. She seemed more unaware she could be a pessimist over that matter. He was not going to force it on her though. He liked her this way, happy and perhaps a little crazy. He nodded at her words. “That’s the right attitude to have.” Maybe she rocked too much another kind of boat but he would not get there. Mostly because the metaphors that would have to be sued would make it lose all sense pretty fast.

With Frank around, the trip promised to be epic or, at the very least, memorable. Not something anyone could forget. And since he planned on spending some time alone with Jasper, his brother could certainly spend an hour or two getting an eyeful at the pool, he was certain it would be a really nice trip. And they talked of the auction. Franck could have volunteered for it, should he not be forced into it. Jasper might not like it though, and that really was the only reason why he might not do it.

“I hope not,” he admitted with a laughter when she asked if they would let her be the auctioneer lady this year as well. She was nice and all, but he didn't want her to comment on his sexy ass and try to make him oil his chest again. “You know you have my vote for sure,” he said, passing an arm over her shoulders as he said that, smiling as he brought her closer for a brief hug. He emptied his juice. “You want another round or you had something else in mind for the rest of the day? Whatever it is, promise me it’s no longer to plan to jump off the ship.”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Yes, Frank was the type to be put in a room filled with poop and start asking where the llama who produced it all was hiding. She just kept right on grinning, even as Franck admitted that he didn't want her to be the auctioneer. "You pour oil on a friend one time," Frank said before rolling her eyes. "Geez, you people act like I've got, like, no control. Seriously, do you see my party cannon anywhere? No, I've got the thing in the hold until a party starts, so I know---"

Frank paused, mostly as there was a brief hug then talks of another round which wasn't really that interesting. "Oh, that's right!" Frank launched up onto her feet. "I totally want to get in one of those bit ring things and be towed behind the ship! It'll be awesome!" Frank turned and dashed several feet away from Franck, only to stop and turn back to her friend. "Did you wanna come? Or do you have, like, super French things to do something?"

Frank was practically vibrating with excitement, but it was clear that she was exercising some of that "control" and not just dragging Franck off on whatever escapade was already half-formed in her mind.

[François Laffont]

Franck was glad to hear that she would not try to pour oil down his chest again. Dancing on the song she put on was one thing, but taking off his shirt and let her pour oil on his chest was going too far for him. It was a good thing she did not think of the song ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’. No one better suggest it to her because it was also a no. He chuckled as she argued that people thought terrible things about her. “I wouldn’t say you have no control. You just... don’t always know the limit. But that’s also part of your charm.” He laughed again as she brought up her party cannon. She had to have that, of course. If there was the word party in it, he really shouldn’t be surprised that Frank got her hands on it.

“Bit ring things?” He didn’t know what she was talking about but he was hoping it really was something the ship’s crew had planned for them and not just one of her crazy ideas. She was already running out for that now that she remembered it. “Well, I don’t even know what that is,” he admitted. If it was a real thing, then it should be safe and she could go on her own. He believed. She was able to make it unsafe after all. If it was just some crazy thought popping through her mind, than he would try to stop her. He needed to know first however.

She had that face that showed she was ready for another adventure of hers and Franck was actually glad of the distance she put between them as it made it easier for him to control how he would feel. Because he otherwise might not be able to say no, even if he really had someplace else to be.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank stuck her tongue out at Franck as he pointed out her lack of limits. "Limits are boring," she insisted, before blowing out a quick raspberry. Then it was time to focus on the floating ring thing that she was definitely going to throw behind the ship and use while being towed along. She'd probably have volunteered to be keelhauled if the experience wasn't supposed to be intensely painful.

Frank was already thrusting her arms into the air and preparing a woop. She held it while Franck responded by insisting that he didn't want to know what she was going to do. He didn't seem to really want to tag along for this one, so Frank just let out the suppressed woop.

"I'll see you later, biffle!" she proclaimed, before launching forward and wrapping Franck into a quick hug. Then she was already bounding off toward the back of the ship and whatever adventures lay beyond.