[Visual - Broadcasting from The Hyperion]

[imperial_long]

"Good afternoon," says Long in that radio-quality voice of his, Masterpiece Theatre accent broadcasting from your tablets, folks. He's in his sitting room, a wall of books behind him, the fire blazing merrily to one side and a teacup in the hand that is not holding his tablet

Comments

[ voice ]

[imperial_long]

"1983, yes." Oh, Long woefully misunderstands the problem here-- he's gotten used to being almost 20 years behind nearly everyone else-- so he offers a self-deprecating chuckle.

"I know, I am behind the times. Yourself, sir?"

Poor Stefan. Long will try and be gentle.

[ voice ]

[imperial_long]

"1864? Goodness, it must be quite a shock for you," Long says with a sympathetic tut.

(At least he's not telling you "YOU SHOULD KNOW ME, STEFAN". Since he hasn't even met the regular you yet.)

"Are you newly arrived?"

[ voice ]

[imperial_long]

"Very much so, if you are here from the Civil War." Long hesitated a moment, wondering how much the young man had had explained to him so far.

"What is your name?"

Re: [ voice ]

[imperial_long]

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Salvatore, even if our circumstances are less than ideal," Long said on Autopolite, and rubbed briefly at his jaw.

He gave a brief thought to whether or not he ought really be discussing someone's future timeline with them. But surely it was a general enough question...

"In the war between the States- yes, the fighting does stop. I advise you, however, not to ask me further about it-- please do not take that as a verdict that you will hate the answer, it is merely that in the first place I am not certain what the effects of your knowing the future in detail might be, and in the second because-- well-- I apologize, this will sound fantastical and absurd-- but I am not even certain if your future will be the same as what is history for me, do you follow?"

[ voice ]

[imperial_long]

"Very well then," Long said quietly. Another pause, and then he said, "I am sorry, this must all be incredibly strange and surreal for you. Most disconcerting."