[Console] Audio; OPEN

[edgeoftheknife]

Look, ah.

There's something I've been meaning to tell you, for... well, probably close to two hundred years, now. It's been on my mind a lot lately, and I think I need to just come clean about it.

So, here goes.

Anton?

You snore. A lot.

Comments

[edgeoftheknife]

I'd have been putting my life on the line telling him during the war, wouldn't I?

Besides, winding Shudder up used to be Larrikin's job, not mine. I'm filling in. Temporarily, if we're lucky.

[needmetoo]

[wait what]

War?

[SUDDENLY VERY CONCERNED.]

[edgeoftheknife]

Ah, yes. Anton probably doesn't talk about it often. He and Skulduggery and I were in the war together, in the same unit.

[Suddenly uncomfortable talking about war in front of small girls what.]

But that's neither here nor there. Point is, I was too polite--and rather attached to my own skin--for too long, but enough is enough.

[needmetoo]

Um....

[Yeah the subject change doesn't entirely fly when you have small children concerned for your wellbeing]

But... even since then...

[She isn't too sure of her words anymore.]

[edgeoftheknife]

I...

[He gives a tired laugh; he's still smiling, but looking decidedly less cheerful than a moment ago.]

Look, I'll level with you--Anton doesn't snore. It sounded funny at the time. Are you... are you all right, over there?

[needmetoo]

Yeah. [beat] Sorry.

[She just got... really confused and is still worried and isn't... quite sure how to express that, now that the topic's changed. She isn't quite sure what to say in general now, really.]

[edgeoftheknife]

No need to be sorry. I... may not be making much sense, actually. I'm not entirely sure I've located my brain yet.

[His voice takes on a slightly teasing edge; that first conversation between them was too much fun. At least at first.]

You will warn me if I'm not making sense, won't you?

[needmetoo]

[The reminder of their first conversation does manage to wrestle another giggle from her.]

It's still missing? Maybe it doesn't want to be found.

[Topic change attempt number 2? Much more successful.]

I will though.

[edgeoftheknife]

Now that I wouldn't doubt. I wasn't very kind to it, I'm afraid. What do you think, shall I offer a reward? Tack a few Missing Persons fliers to the outside of the Hotel?

[He's laughing through most of this.]

Thank you--although now that I think about it, I really don't make much sense most of the time anyway, with or without a brain. You may have signed on for a bigger job than you realize.

[needmetoo]

I think I can handle it.

[After all, she's handled lots more dangerous things back home than telling someone they weren't making sense.

And she could start by helping him "get his brain back."]

And your brain isn't really a person of its own though, is it? Maybe it's hiding, like a puppy. Maybe you should put out something it likes.