realityshifted | (no subject)

No, they're not, are they? Well on the bright side, at least that means we don't have to worry about incomprehensible horrors and abominations rising from the depths of the oceans.

[she raises an eyebrow taking in his attire]

But very nice...robes. [it's clear she doesn't mean it at all, although there is something vaguely cute about a kid in those robes, she just doesn't envy him in the least.]

[Narvin looks up at Bernice suspiciously -- if anyone here is dressed funny, it's her.]

They're initiate robes. Who are you?

Initiate? Initiate for what? If you don't mind me saying, you seem a bit young to be initiating for anything.

[she plops down on the floor to sit across from him]

Bernice. And you are?

For the Academy. [Duh, Bernice. He cocks his head at her sitting across from him. Adults are weird.] You're not going to tell on me, are you?

Oh, The Academy! I see. [she sounds impressed in an obviously not impressed way] So, which Academy is that exactly when you're at home?

[she frowns] Oh, I don't know. Telling on you sounds rather tedious. Besides that, I'm not really sure you've done anything worth having you get in trouble. [nevermind she doesn't think she can anyway, but that's not relevant]

The Prydonian Academy. My House is from the Prydonian Chapter, so I wouldn't go one of the other ones.

I'm not at my lessons.

Prydonian? Like Time Lord?

Oh please, I learned more from skipping lessons than ever I did in most classrooms. A bit of truancy and rebellion is always good to have, I say.

[He nods, and speaks with the rote-memorisation of a child.] The Prydonian Academy has produced more Presidents than any of the other Chapters combined, and I should consider myself fortunate to be a part of it.

[he pauses]

But being President is boring.

I would think it would be. You know, you don't have to become President if you don't like.

[she considers Narvin]

I have a very good friend that knows far more than I do about all that Academy nonsense. I'm fairly sure he was even Prydonian.

[she pushes herself up to her feet]

Right, you hang there, two ticks and I'll bring him back for you.

[and thus Benny drops and returns a couple minutes later with Braxiatel]

[When Braxiatel appears, he has an origami flower in his hands. Someone has had a lot more free time lately than is healthy.] So who is this young Time T—

[Braxiatel breaks off when he sees Narvin. He has to recover himself, and fast. But hell, he did tutor at the Academy, and a Time Tot is a Time Tot, whoever he may have been. It isn't hard at all for Braxiatel to call on that authoritative tone trained into the Academy's professors.]

Narvin of the House of Stillhaven. You really can't make things easy, can you? Joyous. [With a sigh, he puts the flower through his lapel] Do you know who I am? And no, you're not in trouble. I know this isn't a choice of yours.

Edited 2010-11-06 01:40 (UTC)

[Uh oh. Narvin knows that tone, even if he doesn't know the man, and it never bodes well. He tries his best not to look guilty, but doesn't quite manage it.]

You're Bernice's friend?

[she gives Brax a look] Mind watching your tone, would you? If I'd known you'd be like -- [and then she stops short, because...DUDE. She hisses in Brax's ear so hopefully Narvin can't hear, because she even has some tact] Narvin? Get out! He's so...cute. I suppose you all start out that way though, don't you?

[she returns her attention to Narvin, crouching down to his level] Don't mind him, he's just grouching. He does that quite often. Yes, he's a friend of mine but he does have a terrible habit of trying to sound pompous and important. I'm sure you're quite used to it from that Academy of yours.

[with a smile, quietly to Benny] I did not start out 'cute'; I was born as austere and august as you see me today.

[But there is a Time Tot to deal with. With most children, Braxiatel is genial and warm, if a little awkward. Here, he is one thing: cold. He stopped speaking English the moment he saw Narvin, picking up his old Gallifreyan, and it all brings back that old Academy nickname in Braxiatel.] He won't be quite used to it. He hasn't even seen the Schism yet, have you, Narvin? Has Bernice told you where you are? You must know this isn't Gallifrey.

[Narvin is far from stupid even at this age, and quickly comes to the conclusion that this man might be worse than the Matron. He slips into Gallifreyan as well, feeling distinctly scolded, and answers both questions.]

No. [a pause, then almost hesitantly] It's not?

It's a nexus of different universes. People from different places and times can meet here. But don't worry, it's perfectly safe...for the most part.

[she gets up to her feet and comes over to Brax. Instead of giving Brax a dirty look for being so cold, she smiles at him. Her smile is far too pleasant and cheerful, because now she just feels like trolling Brax since she feels he's being a prat. There is no quiet aside or subtlety, because this is for Narvin to see and hear as much as it is to troll Brax.]

You're too modest. I'm sure you were very cute. Even now, I'd say you were as cute as a button. [and she stands on tip-toes to poke his nose, smiling at him pleasantly]

[Braxiatel catches Bernice's hand in his. He isn't playing along with this.] No, Benny. You can treat Narvin like a human child if you like, but there are questions I need answered first. Or did it not occur to you that this could perhaps be something other than an experiment? Our hosts clearly have no scruples involving children in this mess, and things have tended towards being deceptive lately. It may seem cold and cruel to you, but Narvin is Gallifreyan and this is our way. He is an intelligent enough to deserve an honest presentation of the facts of his situation.

[If not an honest presentation of the facts of his company. Braxiatel releases Benny's hand and turns to Narvin.]

Benny is right: this is a nexus between universes. But it isn't completely safe. This particular nexus is outside of Gallifreyan control, and though I am an . . . [waving it off with a vague gesture] an agent of Gallifrey, you might say, neither I nor any other Time Lord here has any authority over the place. It's anarchic. There are quite a few dangerous renegades present, not to mention the vampires, and I don't think I need to elaborate on how this place breaks the Laws of Time. It isn't safe, but I'll do everything within my power to see you come to no harm. You've my word as a Prydonian.

Let's see your hands, Narvin. I need to check for a ring. I'll explain why in a moment.

[One must at times wonder when Braxiatel finds time to breathe.]

The normal ones. The stars here all all wrong. [he points to the constellation of Orion] That one is supposed to be over there.

That is what it is like on the Plane. You can return home to see your own stars.

This is home. I didn't go anywhere, I just opened a door.

A door in a shop?

No, a door in my House. What's the Plane?

This is the Plane. It is a space between worlds, filled with many hidden dangers.

...It's not Gallifrey?

No. But you can get back. If you think of the Academy, you will return there.