[console | video/action]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine's on the network for the first time since before the fire. He's clearly on the console in the Hotel at the moment, looking tired as usual, although not quite as bad as before.]

Why don't skeletons fight each other?

[Why yes, this is the set up for a terrible joke.

Feel free to poke him in person if you're in the Hotel.]

Comments

[looksfine]

[...Aya doesn't get it.]

I'm not certain we possess enough knowledge of potential variables and/or factors at this time to make an adequate assessment of logic and reasoning. Is there anything more you can provide us, information-wise?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine just... blinks. And again. Is she... is she really trying to logic this out?

Oh well. When in doubt, play along.]

The left one is a little over six feet tall, and the right is five foot eleven. Both are male. The left one has an over-inflated ego and a love of hats.

[looksfine]

[Nobody told her this was supposed to be a joke. All she heard was a question in need of an answer. And she had yet to master the concept of Word Play.]

I see. [Her eyes glowed softly for a moment, processing this new information.] Is this fondness for fashionable headwear a potential reason for wanting to avoid any unnecessary acts of violence?

video;

[wintershepherd]

Because they've already got enough bones to pick?

[edgeoftheknife]

Not quite the answer I was looking for, but any and all bone and/or skeleton jokes are highly appreciated.

Would you like another guess?

[wintershepherd]

Only if you throw me a bone here.

video;

[thaumatophage]

Because saying "I have a bone to pick with you" gets really old after the first hundred times?

Ooh, no, wait, because they don't have the guts for it!

[edgeoftheknife]

[He's smiling]

There you are, worked it out. Now it's your turn.

[thaumatophage]

[She snickers.] Okay, who's the best undead FBI agent?

video

[oceantier]

[Normally she wouldn't do video. But it's Erskine, so that seems okay.]

[Have a completely blank look, though.]

. . . Why?

[edgeoftheknife]

They don't have the guts for it.

[oceantier]

[Such blankness. And staring. For long, long moments. Then, as though this answer had been completely obvious and she's been waiting for more:]

Right. So why would they want to fight?

[Oh, Lapis. You do so much better with fart jokes.]

[risingwinds]

Um... I'm gonna say it's got something to do with having a bone to pick, but maybe that's too obvious...

[Cue some sheepish laughter and a crooked smile, while he reaches for the back of his neck.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine rests his chin in his hand, smiling.]

Also a good play on the whole 'bone' thing, but not quite. Would you like another guess?

whoops! coulda sworn I tagged this. I AM SO SORRY.

[risingwinds]

Hrmm... Uh, is it 'cause they don't find it very humerus?

[That's a bone name, isn't it? His face scrunches up while he tries to recall all those other technical terms... There was cranium, tibia, vertebrae... What else?]

Wait... that doesn't make sense. Uh... Am I going the wrong way with all these bone puns?

[Maybe he needs a different angle.]

[peacefullywreathed]

This is a joke, isn't it?

[He sounds so resigned, except for an edge of ... something.]

Is it at least humerus?

[edgeoftheknife]

Having to tell you it's a joke sort of takes some of the magic out of it, Wreath.

I thought it was. Then again, I'm just ribbing Skulduggery.

[peacefullywreathed]

There are an awful lot of bones to pick where he's concerned, aren't there?

video;

[skeletonenigma]

[The reply is one word long. It's flat. It's resigned. It's indulgent.]

Why?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Chin in his hand, smiling sweetly at Skul.]

They don't have the guts for it.

[skeletonenigma]

[Yep. Yep, it's every bit as bad as Skulduggery was expecting.]

Is there a reason you felt the need to share this with as many people as possible?

Video;

[purered]

I'm not sure - has someone like Mr Pleasant shown up?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine chuckles]

There is no one else like Mr. Pleasant. At least not in our world--I suppose I can't really speak for any of the others.

Anyway, it's just a joke.

audio;

[inkulcation]

Oh, is it time for puns at Skulduggery's expense?

[Because she can get behind that.]

still video;

[edgeoftheknife]

[Oh. It's you. He visibly pauses, then makes an effort to offer a small, somewhat grim smile.]

It certainly is, Just a bit of good-natured ribbing.