#character: oliver meijer

[armoricaroyalty]

Every time her mother called, Vivi found herself defending her marriage. Her parents had never wholly approved of her relationship with Jacques, and their willingness to hold back on criticism had steadily deteriorated since Hugo was born. Now, when the phone rang, Vivi didn't always answer. When she did, she kept it brief. The prospect of spending an hour on the phone defending herself and her marriage appealed less and less with each passing day.

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Transcript under the cut.

VIVI | Hey Mom! VIVI | I’ve been good. Busy, but— VIVI | —yeah. Really busy. The Queen has me in a lot of meetings for the Healthy Families Initiative, so… VIVI | It’s interesting! Like, it’s something she’s been working on forever, but she’s been trying to get some stuff off her plate, so Jacques and I are kind of taking over from her. VIVI | Hm? He’s good… VIVI | Yeah. I was kind of worried, since the Olympics were so important to him, but I think he’s actually glad to be done with it? Like, it was a lot of pressure, and now we can just focus on— on us, I guess. VIVI | Yeah. It’s been kind of up and down, but…things are good right now. We’ve been working through some stuff, and…I dunno. It’s been good. VIVI | He loves me, Mom. VIVI | Like, I think we both lost sight of that, a little. I know I did. VIVI | Like, we were so young when we got together, that I feel like it’s easy, sometimes, to think maybe you missed out on something, but really…I dunno. Dating around doesn’t seem like very much fun, either. VIVI | [ laughs ] Of course I’m happy. VIVI | Like…we hit a rough patch, but things have been so good lately. He’s trying, Mom. He really is. VIVI | He’s been spoiling me. New jewelry, evenings out, the Jaguar. [ laughs ] I’m finally starting to actually feel like a princess, you know? Only took me three years. VIVI’S MOM | …Wow. That sounds like a big change, sweetheart. VIVI | …well. I guess we’ve both changed. VIVI | Anyway. Sundays are tough for me, right now. MORGAN | What about Saturday? We could do Saturday, if that’s easier for you. VIVI | Sorry, Mom..Maybe next week? MORGAN | That would be nice, sweetheart. VIVI | Yeah…next week, for sure! VIVI | …love you too, Mom. Talk later! Bye. Jacques emerges from the bathroom or whatever. JACQUES | Hey. VIVI | Hey. JACQUES | Can I… VIVI | Yeah. Come here.

[armoricaroyalty]

The House of St. Fleur: HM Andre I, King of the Armoricans, is pleased to announce the marriage of his son, HRH Prince Jacques to Miss Vivienne Meijer. Following their marriage, the couple shall henceforth be known as TRH the Duke and Duchess of Laye, and their son shall henceforth be known as HRH Prince Hugo of Laye.

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[armoricaroyalty]

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HRH Prince Jacques of Armorica married Vivienne Meijer on Friday, August 21st at 9:45 AM. Following the ceremony, His Majesty Andre I, King of the Armoricans, decreed that the couple would henceforth be known as TRH the Duke and Duchess of Laye. As the oldest child of a royal Duke, their son will henceforth be known as HRH Prince Hugo of Laye.

...

Kelly Farrier boarded the 8:10 bus to Toulon, capital city of Aducia, where she’d secured a teaching position at an Armorican immersion school. The pay was shit, but it came with a place to live...

[armoricaroyalty]

Morgan: Oh, he’s precious, absolutely darling — Vivi: Isn’t he? He’s perfect.

Morgan: And he’s eating like a champ, too! Look at him! Vivi, proudly: He gained almost an ounce since the last time they weighed him. [sniffling] He’s getting so big already — Morgan: [laughing] You’re going to be feeling that way for the rest of his life, love.

Oliver: Got it! Should I take a few more? Morgan: Oh, go ahead, I want to remember every moment —

Vivi: ... Morgan: Okay, say... “cheese and crackers!”

Nicholas and Morgan, together: Cheese and crackers! Baby Hugo: [gurgling]

Oliver: Okay, now let’s get a couple solo pictures, Mom could you— [door bangs open] Hospital Administrator: —go right in, your Majesties. Vivi: !

Morgan: ...ah! Your Majesty, you caught us by surprise. Baby Hugo: [fussing] Nicholas: Shh, it’s alright, it’s your other grandma and grandpa.

Elise: I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt. Andre: ...did they let you two in ahead of visiting hours?

Morgan, to Vivi: You know, we should head to the hotel. We had a late night, and I’m sure your dad’s ready for a nap. Nicholas: Mhmm.

Andre, offscreen: You don’t need to— Morgan, offscreen: No, no, we wouldn’t want to get in the way. Oliver: [whispering] Sorry sis, you’re on your own. Vivi: [whispering] If you see him on your way out, send Jacques back in.

Nicholas: Careful, Your Majesty. Andre: Oh... Lees, look — Elise: Hi, Hugo. I’m your Grandma Elise.

Andre: I forgot just how small they are. Elise, dreamily: He looks just like JJ, doesn’t he?

Andre, offscreen: He does. Elise: His eyes are so blue, I wonder if they’ll turn brown like his Dad’s. Vivi: [to herself] He’s not even five hours old and he already belongs to them and not to me...

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[armoricaroyalty]

Elise: [snoring softly] Andre: [reaching for ringing phone] H..hello? Who is this?

Jacques: It’s me, Dad! It’s JJ! Andre, over the phone: Wh-what time is it, JJ? What’s going on. Jacques: I’m fine, I’m fine— it’s Vivi. Her water broke, we’re at the hospital.

Andre: What? Elise: Hnnnh— wh’s hap’nin? Jacques, over the phone: Is that Mom? Am I on speaker?

Andre: Yes, you’re on speaker. It’s late, Jacques, what did you say? Did you say you’re at the hospital? Jacques, over the phone: Yes! Vivi’s gone into labor. The doctor says it won’t be too much longer now. They’re about to give her an epidural. Andre: About to— Jacques, have you called her parents?

Jacques: Yeah. Vivi called Oliver when her water broke, and they called their parents. Oliver lives in town, so they met us at the hospital, but Dr. and Dr. Meijer won’t be here until tomorrow morning. Andre, over the phone: Are they driving down? Jacques: Uh, taking the express train, I think. They said they’d video call once they’re on their way. Andre, over the phone: When do they get in? We’ll send someone to meet them at the train station—

Oliver: Are you okay? Vivi: Yeah. I’m doing just fine. Oliver: They’ll be back with the epidural any minute now— Vivi: They’d fucking better.

Vivi: [whispering] If the King and Queen show up tonight, don’t let them in. I...I want Mom and Dad to be first ones to meet the baby. Oliver: [whispering] You got it, Sis. I’ll tell the nursing team. Vivi: [whispering] Thank you. Oliver: [whispering] Of course. C’mon, let’s get you back to bed—

Andre: Do you want us there? We could be there in 45 minutes. Jacques, over the phone: That’d be gr— er, actually no. Vivi, um, doesn’t want anyone else in the delivery room. Andre, disappointed: Oh...well...call us when the baby’s here, okay? Jacques: Yeah, of course. Andre: Well...I shouldn’t keep you. You need to take care of Vivi. Go get her some ice, okay? And send her our love— [Elise snores softly] —well, my love, anyway. G’night, JJ. I’m proud of you.

Jacques: [hangs up] Ice, huh? I can manage that...

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[armoricaroyalty]

a few days later...

(click for hq!)

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Transcript and image descriptions below the cut.

IMAGE 1. A wide shot of Vivi and her older sibling, Oliver, sitting at a table in a trendy boutique diner in Breizh’s arts quarter. Her expression is nervous, and while we can’t see Oliver’s face, they’re slouching in their seat, arms folded over their chest. [Oliver] “What do you mean he hasn’t told his parents?” [Vivi] “Keep your voice down, Oliver!”

IMAGE 2. A slightly closer shot. Vivi sits squarely in her seat, pleading with her sibling. [Vivi] “I know you don’t like him, but you have to trust me. He promised me he’d tell them as soon as he can.”

IMAGE 3. The reverse shot. Oliver leans back in their seat, extremely frustrated. [Oliver] “Vivi, it’s not your judgment I’m worried about. Jacques isn’t like us, he doesn’t get to decide things for himself.”

IMAGE 4. A close shot of Vivi, her expression hurt as she listens to her older sibling. [Vivi] “Oliver, don’t...” [Oliver] “What if he tells his parents about the baby and they decide that he should join the foreign service or marry some princess or something?”

IMAGE 5. A close shot of Oliver. They’re being quite earnest, hand on their heart. [Oliver] “I’m not trying to be a bastard, sis. I’m just being honest. They’re royalty, they’re not like us. They would do anything to bury a scandal.”

IMAGE 6. Vivi throws her hands up in frustration, scowling at Oliver. [Vivi] “Oliver, shut up. He loves me, and he keeps his promises. You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

IMAGE 7. A wide shot. Oliver has resumed their slouched, defensive posture. [Oliver] “...For your sake and the baby’s, I hope you’re right.”

[armoricaroyalty]

(click for hq!)

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Image descriptions and transcript below the cut.

IMAGE 1. An interior shot of Vivi inside a doctor’s office with her older sibling, Oliver. Vivi is getting an ultrasound, looking at the screen where the doctor is showing them an image of the baby. [Doctor] “Look, you can see baby yawn. Must be sleepy.” [Vivi, awed] “Hi, baby...”

IMAGE 2. The reverse shot. The doctor turns toward Vivi and her sibling, who are both smiling and very happy. [Doctor] “Developmentally, everything looks good. From this angle, I can pretty easily determine sex. Do you want to know?” [Vivi] “Ohmygosh, yes! Please!” [Doctor chuckles] “Congratulations, Vivi. It’s a boy.”

IMAGE 3. A close shot of Vivi looking reverently at the sonogram, her face turned toward the screen and away from the viewer. [Vivi] “A boy...”

IMAGE 4. Vivi turns to her sibling, smiling. [Vivi] “Hear that, Oliver? Say hello to your nephew.”

IMAGE 5. A close shot of Oliver, smiling as they look at the sonogram. [Oliver] Hi, baby. Hi, nephew...Wow. Is it wild to say that he looks just like you? Because he does.”

IMAGE 6. A high, tight interior shot. [Doctor] “Oh, we hear that all the time! I’ll print you a copy of the sonogram to take home. Oliver, could you go down to the nurses’ station and ask for the printout while Vivi gets dressed?”

IMAGE 7. Vivi stands, buttoning up her coat while Oliver leaves the room and the door closes behind them. [Doctor] “If I could have a word with you before you leave?” [Vivi] “Why? Is there something wrong?”

IMAGE 8. A close shot of the doctor, making a thoughtful expression as she looks at Vivi. [Doctor] “Well, I don’t mean to pry, but...I couldn’t help but notice that you brought your sibling today instead of your baby’s father. Are you still seeing him?”

IMAGE 9. Vivi turns to leave, casting a final look back over her shoulder before she goes. [Vivi] “...I wish I knew.”