[rp: nexus]

[w0tcha]

In a quiet corner of the Nexus, two teenage boys have taken over a sofa, packet of chocolate digetives and a reading lamp. They're both dressed in what appear to be uniform dressing gowns (identical stiff blue felt) over flannel pyjamas (individual) and slippers -- they look like poster children for boarding school of the 1950s. One is almost

Comments

[northseaflotsam]

"Research?" Mordred inquires.

(Once you've taken his interest it's hard to shake him, which is sometimes the only explanation for why he shows up where he does. Oh, Nexus.)

[never_king]

"What else?" Bran says in greeting. "We're not daft enough to want to read this for fun."

He seems very self-satisfied right now. It's anyone's guess why.

[northseaflotsam]

"No? What is it, Lithuanian shipping records?" ...Mordred, why.

[never_king]

"Close. Shakespeare."

[northseaflotsam]

He grins. "Not a fan, I take it."

[never_king]

"He's all right," Bran admits with a shrug, switching easily into Welsh. "But I'm hardly going to admit that, not when teachers insist on forcing him upon us as the greatest thing since Hadrian's Wall."

[northseaflotsam]

It takes him a moment to process this -- he's rusty, having spent the last hundred years or so in the States -- but then he laughs. "Matter of principle, then. I see."

[never_king]

"Exactly." Bran is pleased that his guess was confirmed. And Mordred's accent isn't too terrible. "Got to have principles. And if your principles allow you to bug the uncultured barbarians--"

"Shut up, Bran." Will says automatically, if affably.

[northseaflotsam]

"I've a soft spot for barbarians," he says amiably, "being one myself." His dark eyes shift to Will, sharp and curious. "Who's your friend?"

[never_king]

Bran grins, thoroughly unrepentant. "This is Will."

[northseaflotsam]

"Pleased to meet you." He doesn't offer a name in return. If Bran hasn't told him, there's a feeling in his gut that suggests he shouldn't either.

[w0tcha]

Will leans over to hold out his hand. "How'd you do," he asks, pausing before adding, "Mordred."

Bran's expression is mixed -- he's not sure whether he's disappointed Will worked it out so easily or proud of his friend. "Please excuse him. He's been brought up well."

[northseaflotsam]

Mordred raises his eyebrows, and shakes. "That's all right, it happens to the best of us."

[never_king]

Bran's not entirely sure what's going on here and he doesn't like it. "Don't make friends all at once you two."

[northseaflotsam]

"I'll try to curb my enthusiasm." He lets go, giving them both that disarming grin.

[never_king]

Bran leans back, studying Mordred and feeling at a bit of a loss. He doesn't know where to go from here, and so he asks, "And how are you then?"