27 ◦ [VIDEO - TEXT]

[akingmuststand]

[The screen is dark for a moment, before the shroud - a hand - moves, flops aside. A white-clad shoulder shifts, a soft, sleepy mutter barely audible over the feed. The view is one from inside a croft, the sleeper just visible at the edge of the camera. He rolls onto his back, showing a mop of pale blond hair, but the angle is too awkward to see

Comments

[ text ]

[reloved]

[ oh god it's schneizel-- ... wait, why does he look.. younger, definitely younger? Minako blinks a few times in confusion, not to mention at the text too, and that announcement earlier.. unsure.. ]

for better weather? :D

[ JOKES ARE TOTALLY THE WAY TO GO IN A SITUATION YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. ]

[ text ]

[inbrilliancy]

[wait

what

clearly this is some kind of joke. Well, so be it, he'll please along - ]

Judging from what I see outside, that wouldn't be it.

[ text ]

[reloved]

fine fine fine wait I have one that's better

how about waiting for a pretty girl to come and save you, huh, huh?

[ helping matters: this is not how you do it. ]

[ text ]

[inbrilliancy]

I suppose I might be reduced to that yet.

But an explanation of some sort would be nice.

[audio]

[north_skie]

[Wow, that kind kind of looks like Schniezel] Hey kid. Listen, are you by a temple? Big building? Feels kind of omnipotent and grand?

[audio]

[inbrilliancy]

[He considers text, but after a moment of deliberation, activates the audio. The one speaking to him appears to be trying to help, but that in itself is suspect.]

No. [Said with a frown, though it's pensive, more than frustrated.] I'm in a - [well. he doesn't exactly know what to call this... hovel.] - small building.

[A little sharper:] You sound as though you know what's going on.

[audio]

[north_skie]

Yeah, kinda.

This place is called Demeleier, and it's suck to say but I guess you already know you've been bought here against your will.

Thing is, so has everyone else here. We don't know why, but there's no way out as far as any of us have found and believe me, most have been looking pretty hard.

What's your name kid?

[audio]

[inbrilliancy]

[Outlandish as this explanation is, he can appreciate it in its twisted sort of sense. Therefore, by way of response, he simply offers:]

Schneizel.

And you are?

[ audio ]

[hereticsight]

Oh dear, I did not expect this today.

[ The voice on the line, for the record, is mature and sounds alarmingly reminiscent of Marianne. While gentle, she isn't asking when she says: ] Schneizel, I want you to describe your surroundings to me. I will come find you.

[ audio ]

[inbrilliancy]

As it happens, you're not the only one.

[His voice is dry, but doesn't quite manage amusement. This voice does put him in mind of Lady Marianne, but - it's not her, Schneizel is sure of it.]

I'm afraid you'll have to tell me who I'm speaking to before I would consider giving such.

[ audio -> video ]

[hereticsight]

Please, don't be alarmed. [ She knew she sounded similar to her mother, and she'd hoped it'd get him to answer so she could explain in person.

Whelp.

When she flicks on the camera, you'll be treated to Nunnally at age twenty-nine or so. She's dressed quite regally, befitting her station, though her hair is rather messily thrown into a braid that clearly wove around her rowan crown. Her eyes are serious, but there's a kind curve to her lips. ]

I am Princess Nunnally vi Britannia, Foreign Secretary of the Britannian Empire. Ask me what you need to verify it if you must, but please don't take too long.

[ video ]

[inbrilliancy]

[He knows her, when he sees her. He recognizes her face, her eyes - but he can't tell where, he can't place how he knows her. It isn't until she introduces herself that it makes sense - that he's looking at his sister.

But how can that be? This woman looks almost thirty, and Nunnally isn't even ten yet. Not to mention, this woman is calm and composed - not the little hellian his youngest sister tends to be.

But even as he discounts her words in his head, he can't shift the feeling that this is Nunnally.

His voice turns flat as a tile, his expression ever so carefully blank.]

What is this?

[video]

[breakinurknees]

[She doesn't want to fumble with typing, so, video it is.]

An information pamphlet would be nice.

[video]

[inbrilliancy]

That would be a decent start, wouldn't it? [He isn't totally at ease, keeping his guard up as he studies her for a moment before continuing.]

Another in the same situation?

[video]

[breakinurknees]

So it seems. They should at least have the decency to reveal themselves.

If that's really the case.

[video]

[inbrilliancy]

Decency and capture so seldom go hand-in-hand, one is lead to believe.

[Strange enough that someone else is here, it's stranger still that she's Asian - not because it matters to Schneizel particularly, but because it rules out his suspicion.]

We're both far from home, it appears.

[audio]

[chauvinisms]

[you're waiting for a train]

Hoh? Has His Majesty also come down with a bad case of age displacement?

How typical of royalty, ekeke! You will find, of course, that the door to your croft is not locked and that you are free to leave!

[audio]

[inbrilliancy]

[brrrrrm...

His Majesty. Though part of his mind is quick to point out that that's his father's title, not his, he knows what it means. It means that she knows who he is. The mention of his age goes over his head for the time being.]

It may well be unlocked, but that hardly means I'm free to leave. [The place as a whole, that is. He's still imprisoned.]

Are you responsible for this?

[audio]

[chauvinisms]

Join the rest of us, then.

Ha! As much as I would like to claim credit, I'm sure those goody-two-shoes in the Watch would not appreciate it. So no, I am not. Once, not too long ago, we discussed business transactions. You will not recall this. However, I am willing to make one with you now, should you be interested in information about your current whereabouts.

[audio]

[inbrilliancy]

...Business transactions.

[Of course, he doesn't recall it. He is still for a moment, before he smiles, a small, wry expression.]

And what payment would I be expected to make in exchange?