realityshifted | (no subject)

[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.]

[Narvin watches this exchange silently, unsure what to make of it. Renegades and vampires? Adults aren't usually that forthcoming, and he knows the stories...]

Okay.

[He doesn't hold out his hands, however, but instead fishes in a pocket and pulls out a ring identical to one of Brax's. It doesn't fit him, and he stands up and offers it to the other Time Lord.]

This one?

[Benny pulls her hand back once he releases it, and crosses her arms over her chest. She might be sulky and pouting, because it's not very fun to be lectured in front of other people. She wanders over to Brax and Narvin curiously, looking at the ring Narvin pulls out. She's still sulky though, and making a point not to talk to Brax, so she directs the question to Narvin]

What's that then?

[Braxiatel takes the ring and pockets it.] Thank you, Narvin.

It's a ring not unlike the one I gave you, and it confirms that this is an experiment. Which is something of a relief as far as the Web of Time is concerned, so I suppose you can coddle him all you like.

[He looks between the two of them and shrugs at Bernice.]

I don't know. I had it with me, but it didn't fit.

[Aaand he can't help but be a little cross at Brax. Indignance on a six-year-old is funny.]

I'm not a baby.

[she glares at Brax and then steps on his foot, harshly and intentionally] You can go bloody coddle yourself, you prat.

[she schools her glare into a smile as she faces Narvin again, back to ignoring Brax] Well, I imagine finding strange jewelry isn't exactly normal for you then. Strange gaudy jewelry at that.

[she fixes Brax with a glare too, before facing Narvin again]

And I'm sure you're not a baby. He's just a sodding idiot.

Edited 2010-11-06 03:22 (UTC)

[He completely ignores the pain.] Funny you should say that, Bernice. [He doesn't even need to let his eyes flicker to the ring on her hand.]

This will be so much easier if he's still on the Collection. [Brax hates irony.] Very well. Narvin, I'm going to explain to you how to get away from here. Can you try it for me? Very briefly, mind you, especially if you turn up somewhere other than Gallifrey. [He doesn't even want to think about Narvin being dropped down in the middle of the Civil War like this.] But we need to know.

[Narvin nods, hiding his uncertainty.]

All right.

[Benny is just pointedly ignoring Brax now, as she addresses Narvin.]

I'm sure you're not aware of how to get home yet, since it is your first time here. So just think about going home, and then home you'll be. Sometimes it helps to try taking a step so you can visualize going there. And then to get back here to us, just do the same.

Edited 2010-11-06 03:40 (UTC)

Take a quick look around, then come back. If it's not where you remember last being, don't linger.

[He is careful to keep it out of his expression, but he is very, very worried about Narvin ending up somewhere dangerous. He is so concerned that he hasn't really picked up on how annoyed Benny is with him.]

[Narvin listens carefully, and tries to focus on Gallifrey -- the red grass, his ancient House, the chill of the mountains -- and then with a child's typical lack of grace, takes a step forward and vanished.]

[He's gone for several long, drawn out minutes.]

[And then he returns, stumbling back onto the Plane, his expression uncertain and a bit frightened.]

That's not my House.