❧ 003 video;

[noprophecies]

Who: Tempest
Broadcast: fleetwide video
Action: The Golden
When: now!

[she doesn't normally use the video option, but today she has a reason - of course, the network is gifted with her grumpy face first]

I have been sent tiny bottles of wine for my - today. [her nose wrinkles at the almost slip and she holds up a little bottle for the camera to see] They have - what I can only assume are meant to be elf ears attached to it. They think they are being cute.

[sure enough, little rubber elf ears are on the bottle. She huffs and puts it down]

Whatever it is certainly doesn't taste like wine, but if anyone would like a bottle, you are more than welcome to come to the Golden and take one. Surely one of you will enjoy the taste.

Comments

video

[exothermia]

I think both are acceptable reasons.

video

[noprophecies]

[she heaves a sigh, muttering] I'm not a damn elf.

Would you like one?

video

[exothermia]

You just said they tasted strange, why would I want one?

video

[noprophecies]

And I followed it up with someone may enjoy its strange taste.

video

[exothermia]

[He highly doubts he will, but...]

I'll be over soon.

video

[noprophecies]

I will see you then.

action

[exothermia]

[About twenty minutes later, Erik is knocking on Tempest's door.]

[noprophecies]

[she peeks out of the door before she opens it, the grumpiness from her broadcast not as severe as she would have liked it to appear. She motions for him to come on in]

Mind your feet - it's a bit . . . crowded.

[y'know, because of her plants]

[exothermia]

[He looks down, stepping carefully around the pots.]

You won't have room to sleep, if this goes on.

[noprophecies]

[there is, at least, a path to the bed that's unobstructed. She steps to the side so he can sit, if he likes]

It isn't that bad.

[exothermia]

For now.

[He does sit, eyeing the bottles set down nearby.]

And these were sent at random, were they.

[noprophecies]

[she carefully steps over a pot - and when she pumps it she murmurs a brief, quick apology to it - before sitting down next to him]

Something like that, yes.

[exothermia]

[He gives her a sceptical look, before picking up one of the bottles to examine.]

Charming.

[noprophecies]

It has to be random, I've not told anyone what the date is.

[she huffs a little and reaches out to flick the ear] They aren't charming at all.

[exothermia]

[That just about confirms one of his guesses, but he chooses not to say anything.]

I wasn't being serious. [He uncorks the bottle to sniff it... then wrinkles his nose.] You weren't joking.

[noprophecies]

No, I wasn't. It tastes exactly as it smells, somehow.

[exothermia]

I think I'll leave the taste-testing until later.

Other than... this, how have you been?

[noprophecies]

Brave of you to even consider tasting it at all.

[a hum] Fine, I suppose. And yourself?

[exothermia]

I'm all right. Doing well enough.

[Even if things have become both more and less complicated of late.]

[noprophecies]

[when isn't your life complicated? She leans forward a bit to peer at his face before sitting back again]

That is good to hear.

[and then, because she has to:] Every time I see you you are less and less scruffy. It is very disappointing, Erik.

[no it's not]

[exothermia]

[He blinks a bit at her close regard, frowning slightly.]

I have a dinner to go to in a few days. It was time I got a haircut.

[noprophecies]

I suppose you still look as handsome as ever.

[exothermia]

[Erik just snorts, unconvinced.]

[noprophecies]

[Erik please]

No? Too much?

[exothermia]

It doesn't matter to me that much.