[fanfic fifty] [heart no kuni] Prompt 24. Science
Title: Shed a Little Light
Author: spicy_diamond
Fandom: Heart no Kuni no Alice
Characters: Nightmare Gottschalk / Alice Liddle
Table: Four
Prompt: 24. Science
Rating: G
Challenge: fanfic50
Summary: [Clover] Dreams don't have to make sense to work.
Word Count: 423
Author's Notes: [Insert obligatory 'How many incubi does it take to change a light bulb?' joke here] XD
He found her staring up at a burnt out light bulb. A footstool in one hand and the replacement bulb in the other with the most curious expression on her face as she regarded the darkened wall sconce with a tiny frown.
“Err,” Nightmare cleared his throat. “If you're having trouble reaching, I don't mind doing it for you.”
“Nightmare!” Alice jerked, then flushed lightly at being caught unaware. She gave a shy smile. “Oh, no, that wasn't it. I'm pretty sure I can take care of it. It's just...”
“Just?” He looked down at her encouragingly as Alice turned back to the lighting fixture.
“How does it work?”
Nightmare blinked.
“The lights, I haven't seen any power lines.” She continued, gesturing vaguely towards the burnt out light bulb. “Are they all underground? How do you make sure they don't get broken? Are there repair crews? Where is the electricity generated in the first place? For that matter...”
Alice looked down at the light bulb in her hand curiously, about to go on, when she caught sight of Nightmare's slightly strained expression from the corner of her eye.
“Nightmare? What are you....” She started, concerned. Then paused, frowning rapidly. “Ooh, stop laughing!”
The demand had the opposite of the desired effect as, lips giving one last quiver, Nightmare surrendered to his amusement, laughing uproariously. His shoulders shaking with the force of it until he finally began to cough in between bouts of snickering. He quickly pressed his handkerchief to his lips.
Not nearly so amused, Alice crossed her arms, tapping her foot while Nightmare slowly got himself back under control.
“Sorry.” Still grinning madly despite himself, the incubus' polite nod didn't quite match up with the twinkle his good eye. “Of course, it's only natural that you'd be curious.”
“So?” Flush returning, Alice shot him an indignant look before pointing the light bulb at him expectantly. “Are you going to explain it to me?”
Long, pale fingers reaching over to pluck the light bulb from her outstretched hand, Nightmare gave the girl a soft smile.
“Does it really matter how?” Taking a step forward, the incubus shrugged. Feet slowly lifting off the tiled flooring, he floated upward, moving to change out the old bulb. He glanced over his shoulder as the new light came on. “This is a dream, after all.”
Below him, Alice scowled. One brow arched skeptically.
“...You have no idea how it works either, do you?”
Author: spicy_diamond
Fandom: Heart no Kuni no Alice
Characters: Nightmare Gottschalk / Alice Liddle
Table: Four
Prompt: 24. Science
Rating: G
Challenge: fanfic50
Summary: [Clover] Dreams don't have to make sense to work.
Word Count: 423
Author's Notes: [Insert obligatory 'How many incubi does it take to change a light bulb?' joke here] XD
He found her staring up at a burnt out light bulb. A footstool in one hand and the replacement bulb in the other with the most curious expression on her face as she regarded the darkened wall sconce with a tiny frown.
“Err,” Nightmare cleared his throat. “If you're having trouble reaching, I don't mind doing it for you.”
“Nightmare!” Alice jerked, then flushed lightly at being caught unaware. She gave a shy smile. “Oh, no, that wasn't it. I'm pretty sure I can take care of it. It's just...”
“Just?” He looked down at her encouragingly as Alice turned back to the lighting fixture.
“How does it work?”
Nightmare blinked.
“The lights, I haven't seen any power lines.” She continued, gesturing vaguely towards the burnt out light bulb. “Are they all underground? How do you make sure they don't get broken? Are there repair crews? Where is the electricity generated in the first place? For that matter...”
Alice looked down at the light bulb in her hand curiously, about to go on, when she caught sight of Nightmare's slightly strained expression from the corner of her eye.
“Nightmare? What are you....” She started, concerned. Then paused, frowning rapidly. “Ooh, stop laughing!”
The demand had the opposite of the desired effect as, lips giving one last quiver, Nightmare surrendered to his amusement, laughing uproariously. His shoulders shaking with the force of it until he finally began to cough in between bouts of snickering. He quickly pressed his handkerchief to his lips.
Not nearly so amused, Alice crossed her arms, tapping her foot while Nightmare slowly got himself back under control.
“Sorry.” Still grinning madly despite himself, the incubus' polite nod didn't quite match up with the twinkle his good eye. “Of course, it's only natural that you'd be curious.”
“So?” Flush returning, Alice shot him an indignant look before pointing the light bulb at him expectantly. “Are you going to explain it to me?”
Long, pale fingers reaching over to pluck the light bulb from her outstretched hand, Nightmare gave the girl a soft smile.
“Does it really matter how?” Taking a step forward, the incubus shrugged. Feet slowly lifting off the tiled flooring, he floated upward, moving to change out the old bulb. He glanced over his shoulder as the new light came on. “This is a dream, after all.”
Below him, Alice scowled. One brow arched skeptically.
“...You have no idea how it works either, do you?”