feigns | ► one → video/action。

[There’s a teenager!

He’s wet, in something of a ‘I’m going to ignore how much of a drowned rat I appear’ way. One might assume that he fell into the fountain at some point, but equally, the all-encompassing wetness may have something to do with the fact that he was just in England, aka the land of copious amounts of tea-and-rain. His expression, for the record, reflects his irritation at being displaced without warning, frustration from trying to get whatever this might be to work (he's not entirely convinced it is), and curiosity. You know, at the whole ‘suddenly displaced, this isn’t London’ thing. It’s hard not to wonder about something like that.

When he finally speaks, he sounds Remarkably British, although his accent is rather indistinct for the most part – southern, one might assume, well-brought up, although there’s a slight hint of Welsh. No, he doesn’t do anything untoward with sheep. London doesn't have sheep.]

Normally, one only has to ask for my company to be granted with it. [This? This would be the unmistakable tone of `GRUMPINESS`.] I do try to make myself available for all, but it can’t be helped if someone misses out here and there. Kidnapping tends not to be the answer, though. If I said I was impressed, I’d sadly be lying, but if it makes you feel any better, you can pretend I’m of that opinion regardless. Likewise, I think you’ll find you’ve managed to overshoot ‘mysterious’.

[There’s a pause, and for a moment, there’s a flash of wry amusement in his expression, as if this entire scenario is utterly ridiculous to the point of absurdity.] “I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?'” I hope you won’t mind if I happen to refuse any bottles labelled ‘drink me’, or any foods labelled ‘eat me’. I’m quite content with who I am and don’t envision any existential crises a la dear Alice.

I won't decline any explanations, though, even if they happen to come from hatters and caterpillars and assorted small mammals with a fondness for tea and an inability to correctly tell the time.

[There’s another pause, and after he glances away from the device and up at the sky, he shoves the device into a pocket – without, for the record, bothering to turn it off, so have fun with the sound of footsteps and the wonderful blackness of pockets until the device times out.]

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You probably haven't been here long enough to hear it. The clock, it ticks in your head unless you spend time with people. Or animals for some reason. Anyway, the point being, the City doesn't want us to get lonely so room mates are good because ticking...more maddening than one would think.

[He's momentarily quiet, fingers tapping against the cup in his hands.] That sounds rather quaint.

The ticking part or the forcing you to make friends part? [She asks with her head tilted and a curious look on her face.]

The friends part. [He smiles slightly.] I'm not sure 'quaint' would be the best way to describe incessant ticking. Atmospheric, perhaps, if one was feeling kind, otherwise I should imagine 'irritating' would be the word used.

Agreed. Some people are masochists though. [And moving on. She points to an entrance that looks a bit like a a subway entrance or a tunnel entrance.] That would be one of the entrances to the Underground. It's creepy, has monsters and shouldn't be attempted without weapons and an idea of how to use them. There are defined paths that as long as you stay on them you...are probably okay. But care should be of the full kind.

[He turns his attention in the direction she's pointing, vague curiosity and a hint of amusement evident in his expression.] I always take the utmost care, so you need not worry.

[It was a blatant lie, of course.]

Right. [She smirks back at him.] The City takes care of you for a month rent and food wise. After that, you need money. If you're a minor they give you an allowance. [She pauses and looks at William critically.]

Are you?

How kind of it. [The remark's dry in tone, and he glances away from her for a moment. After a moment, though, he notices her look, and he blinks at her for a moment, a slow smile spreading across her lips.] What does the city class as a minor?

Under eighteen. If you're eighteen they cut the cord, shove you out in the cold and tell you to have fun.

Well not exactly but sort of.

Then I get to indulge in being bone idle for a little while longer.

Bully for you then. [She smiles at him.] Oh! Welcome Center over there. They'll give you things like food, clothes, that kind of thing.

[Will's expression shifts into brief, wide-eyed surprise before settling into a vaguely self-satisfied smirk as he turns in the direction of the Welcome Centre.] Perhaps I'll lie about my age and claim to be perpetually seventeen, if this is what it gets me.

I sort of think the City knows you're lying somehow. Also the Welcome Center gives everyone stuff.

I'd rather hoped I'd prove to be special. [He fiddles with his cup for a few moments.] Alas, I'll have to console myself with a coffee with an absurd name.

Sorry but if it helps your the only one I've brought absurdly good coffee with an absurd name to.

I prefer tea. [Not that he was hugely fussed; the mocha was warm, which was a definite plus in the grand scheme of 'being damp'.]

God you're a younger, hotter, very under aged, Giles.

[He leans forward, blinking at her. When he speaks, his tone is mild.] Is that what I am? Has anyone ever told you that you have a habit of picking out the most useless comparisons? Why, I don't even know if I ought to be offended or not.

Edited 2011-06-15 17:51 (UTC)

Actually yes. And you should be complimented. I like Giles. [her smile is beaming, clearly this doesn't bother her that her comparisons are rotten.]

Then I feel wholly flattered. [He moves to stand up, turning on the spot and surveying the area again.] How long have you been here?

Mmmmmm [She presses her lips together, buzzing the mmm through them before she takes a sip of her mocha.] Almost a year. There are people who have been here longer than me though.