[France is actually okay with people close to him keeping secrets. He doesn't like it, but it's something he understands very well. He's had lovers that he kept his nationhood secret from, and then he's had lovers he's been nothing but a nation to. Sometimes it's better to share only parts of oneself because rarely does France have time enough to share all of himself. There is, France believe, a time and place for everything.]

[He swallows again. He does deserve Hell. It's why he was so quick to conclude the nature of this place over two years ago now. He places a soft, chaste kiss to the crown of Envy's head, breathing out in a deep, unsteady sigh.]

I felt the same about Tulio until a few months before he was gone... I think whatever power is at play here has some sort of test for us and all the people and creatures from other worlds here, but I haven't the faintest idea what.

[A low, strangely sharp sound escapes him, like he wanted to laugh but not at all from humor. It's a gallows noise.]

Perhaps we are released when we make some sort of peace with ourselves and others. That is all I can think.