007 | video

[dracobin]

I appear to have--damaged my harness, and also a dear possession of mine, while I was in the bottle.

[His ruff droops guiltily. Is that a note of embarrassment in his voice? Of course it is. He is nothing if not transparent.]

If there is anyone here with a talent for leatherworking, or perhaps metalworking, I should be very glad to hear it.

[private to anyone who encountered his mirrorverse self in Kithika]

I--I must beg your pardon, if I said anything to you that was very rude, or stupid, or both; you may rest assured I am in my right mind again, and the incident is unlikely to repeat itself, and I should like it very much if you forgot everything I--that is to say he--told you, and pay it no mind at all, because it is not true.

[Beat.]

And I should think it obvious that goes doubly for you, M. Pontmercy.

Comments

[everylittlegirl]

I don't know about leather, but maybe Stark Industries could help with the metal work.

[dracobin]

[A none-too-subtle note of disdain enters his voice.]

Stark as in--Mr Tony Stark?

[everylittlegirl]

Er-yeah. There are two of them. Both could probably help. Do you not like one?

[dracobin]

Oh, one of them was very unhelpful when I said I was starting the Aerial Corps, and a little rude, and I should not like to seek help from him, if I can help it.

Private:

[solo_patria]

I think I owe you the same apology. As I vaguely remember it, we...well the other two of us professed our love for Buonoparte to each other. I am not quite sure WHAT we were thinking.

private:

[dracobin]

[Firmly:]

I do not like to remember it, at all.

private:

[solo_patria]

Good enough yes. Thinking of that mindset, what I may have done myself...well. Better not to. I DO apologize myself, however, for all of that.

[dracobin]

There is nothing you ought to apologise for, as long as we are agreed never to speak of it again.

[Beat.]

Particularly not to M. Pontmercy.

video;

[iguanasolution]

I know a guy who's really, really good at any kind of craftsmanship. I haven't seen him around lately [Since right before Frank went into the bottle, actually, now that he thinks of it. Hm. Where did Leo go?] but I can talk to him about it when I see him?

What do you need to get fixed?

video;

[dracobin]

Oh, do you? Who is it, pray?

[He disappears offscreen for a moment--well, his upper half does; it is hard for a dragon of his size to disappear completely--and returns momentarily with his dragon-harness, and a large platinum neckband with a single massive sapphire set in the center, flanked by pearls. Both are scratched; the harness has a few buckles dangling loose, and the large chain attached to the platinum neckband has been snapped entirely.]

I was wearing these when I entered the bottle, and-- [well, he has never been a good liar, but he tries anyway:] --they broke, when I was going through the swamp, and then during the battle afterwards.

video;

[iguanasolution]

Leo, his name is Leo Valdez. [Frank was never one for precious stones but he can still recognize something that's valuable- and also beautiful. He's also... really bad at telling when people lie, so even if he hadn't been distracted by the harness he would still probably not have noticed.]

Wow, that looks- I'm sorry it broke. Do warriors ride dragons to battle where you're from? Is that what these are for?

video;

[dracobin]

Oh, Leo! Yes, I know him: only I thought his expertise ran toward machines, and not leatherworking, so I did not think--well, anyway, if I see him, I will be certain to ask.

[His expression turns wistful, and he nudges the breastplate gently.] Yes, my captain gave it to me; we are both of us in the Royal Aerial Corps, in Britain. But he is not here anymore, and I do not have a crew, so I have been training some of the other foreigners here, instead.

Voice;

[parallels]

'Fraid I don't do either.

...You alright Temeraire?

[She has a feeing he isn't, but if he wants to talk, she'll offer.]

voice;

[dracobin]

No, Clara, I--

[A pause, as he attempts to gather his thoughts.]

--it is only that wretched bottle, and everything that was in it; I am very glad we are well away from that place, now.

[parallels]

No arguments there.

[There's a reason she's only using the voice feature. She's quiet for a few seconds before speaking again.]

Can't help with metal work but if you need anything else, I can try to help. Proper food or a book.

[dracobin]

[Temeraire has always found reading people's emotions a trifle difficult, even when their faces are visible, but he thinks he can detect a note of understanding in Clara's tone of voice, nonetheless.]

Well, if you should like to visit, I have always thought a properly brewed pot of tea tastes all the better for being shared.

private;

[hulkintraining]

You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault your mind got messed with. I don't think you acted nearly as bad as you think you did. [And Teddy is being really nice here because man you were really cranky. Well, him anyways.]

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better now, Temeraire.

private;

[dracobin]

How could I not have, when I was thinking such utter nonsense about--France, and Napoleon, and a great many things in between!

[And been so proud to belong to both. He ducks his head down and covers his eyes with a wingtip.]

You must have thought me a very great booby.

private;

[hulkintraining]

[He bites his lip to hold back the smile that was threatening to take over his face.]

Of course not! I'm the idiot who actually believed you were someone else for awhile there, remember?

video;

[problematical]

[ Okay, so there was a dragon in Kithika but it didn't talk and this one is so excuse River staring at the console screen with a very blatant childlike but fearless wonder. ]

video;

[dracobin]

[An uncertain blink. Ordinarily he would be friendlier, but the fumes of mortification are still rising gently off him, so:]

--yes, hallo?

Re: video;

[problematical]

Hallo.

[ A perfect mimicry of his tone and inflection. ]

[video]

[bonjourguignon]

Ah, and would you then be the elusive Temeraire?

[A friendly smile!]

I have been looking forward to the day that I am presented with the opportunity to be acquainted with you, Monsieur! Iskierka and Enjolras, both good friends shared, speak well of you.

[video]

[dracobin]

Why, yes, I am Temeraire.

[He lifts his head, a little. The age, the mode of dress--it is a pattern he has learned to spot, by now.] Have they, then? Are you one of Les Amis?

[bonjourguignon]

[Pleasantly surprised there at the recognition.]

Indeed I am, and hoping to be friend to you, as well, M'sieur! My birth name would be Félicien Lesgle, though I am oft called Bossuet; I take no offense to any of these and more, so do take that as you please.