currentdisgrace | (futurology sample) network [un: sugarbaby]; training: oska

[There's a pause before the reply comes through: not enough to be worrying, but certainly enough to indicate that the respondent might be rolling his eyes at the phrasing of the question. He is, in fact; but this is nothing new, really. Typical Niles, typical Leo. Then, without fail, a crisp response transmits.]

Hardly. The armor does its job. I take it you're unhurt?

[It's not a forgone conclusion. Niles, of all people, is certainly capable of being flip no matter the circumstances. Better to be sure.]

[A pause in turn. Niles considers his words--which is easy, as he hasn't got much to do but consider at the moment.]

Yes. A little tied up. Or shall I say pinned down?

[Then a clarification, before Leo has time to panic:]

I'm in some kind of wine cellar, and something's fallen on the trapdoor. I'm fine. Everything's a bit winey down here.

Pinned down? A strange reversal of fortune for you.

[There's a bit of deliberation, another delay. If it were possible for thoughts converted into text to be sheepish, these next ones would be.]

I'll be along . . . when I can. Something like this would normally be short work for Brynhildr, but she's . . . under the rubble somewhere. Give me time to get her unearthed.

[An afterthought:]

Don't get drunk.

I'd have to lap it off the ground. The explosions have been a little unhealthy for this vintage.

[Philosophically:]

I mean, I could lap it off the ground.

[Then:]

Anyway, I'm sure I can find some other way to occupy myself. You could help.

I don't know what you have in mind, but absolutely not.

[Leo's rarely been given to particular shows of luridness -- but this is certainly even less likely a possibility when he's been separated from his precious tome, a divine Nohrian treasure. It's a tough call whether he's more annoyed at being separated from his retainer or from his book.]

Practice your reading or something. Surely those bottles down there have labels.

Or let's play a game! I'm thinking of an object and you can only ask me yes-or-no questions.

[Warily:]

Is it something you'd be willing to mention in front of Princess Sakura?

Yes. I didn't say it was going to be an easy game.

This rubble is filthy. Well, obviously it is, but -- you know.

Is it larger than a horse?

Perhaps a tiny, angry horse. I suppose I could try and wedge my knife into the door--ah, no luck.

[A note of suspicion.]

.......is it Hoshidan?

There's more than one small, angry object in the world! Yes, it's Hoshidan. Any luck with your book?

[For those following along at home, Niles has found an intact bottle and is in the process of uncorking it; but he's not about to narrate that to his king.]

Yes, I've just about got her clear. I can see her glowing -- if I can get my hand on the cover, I can use a spell.

[It's obvious at this point that Leo's only continuing with the game to distract himself from the exhausting work of trying to move huge chunks of rubble around. Still, any sort of distraction does help; he's unused to this particular kind of labor.]

Is it Prince Takumi?

Got it in one. Well, three. Same difference.

[The cork comes out; he takes a swig. And immediately spits it out.]

Eughhh! That is to say--from observing these bottles from the outside, I predict that if I were to sample one, it would be disgusting and well past its prime.

Edited 2017-06-13 02:15 (UTC)

[This is, predictably, unconvincing.]

You're worthless. Maybe I'll leave you there.

I'm thinking of another object.

No.

(futurology sample) network [un: sugarbaby]; training: oska

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]

[un: sugarbaby]

[un: Leo of Nohr]